subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Nov 10 2009 

Published: June 28, 2008 06:55 pm    print this story  

BUFFALO BILLS: Lockport’s Kugler comfortable in new role

DeSales High School graduate replaces the retired Jim McNally as O-line coach.

By Jay Skurski
E-mail Jay

ORCHARD PARK Continuity was a strength of the Buffalo Bills offensive line last season — a unit which gave up a franchise-low 26 sacks.

The team hopes that continuity, well, continues after the retirement of line coach Jim McNally. The team didn’t look far for a replacement, promoting Lockport native Sean Kugler from his assistant position to offensive line coach in January.

“It’s going good,” Kugler said of his new role after the team’s recently-completed minicamp. “I’ve been fortunate to have this opportunity.”

Filling the shoes of McNally, a Kenmore West graduate who was one of the most respected line coaches in the game, is a tall order, but one that Bills guard Derrick Dockery believes Kugler is capable of.

“Coach Kugler has been great for us,” Dockery said. “As far as his approach, he’s real intense. He’s a guy who wants nothing but the best for us.”

A former high school football great and graduate of DeSales Catholic High School, Kugler first came home as McNally’s assistant in 2007.

“He’s an outstanding coach,” Kugler said of McNally. “His experience is invaluable, he’s coached for so long and seen so many different things happen and he relayed those experiences to me. We had a great working relationship and I thank Jim for everything he’s done for me here in Buffalo.”

With McNally and Kugler providing the coaching, the Bills’ line had a solid year in 2007. Starters Jason Peters (left tackle), Dockery (left guard), Melvin Fowler (center), Brad Butler (right guard) and Langston Walker (right tackle) started the first 15 games of the season together, the longest streak for the team since 1989. That streak ended before the last game of the season at Philadelphia, which Peters, who was selected to his Pro Bowl, missed because of injury.

While the pass blocking was generally solid, there were times when the run blocking was suspect. Kugler, though, said both areas will receive the same amount of attention.

“It’s always an emphasis on everything,” he said. “We want to improve on our pass protection and we want to improve our run blocking. We want to be a balanced line.”

When he’s not busy with the Bills, Kugler has found time to get back to his hometown.

“It’s been fun for me and my family,” Kugler said. “My wife (Patsy) is also from here, so it’s a chance to see a lot of old friends.”

print this story  

Photos


/ (Click for larger image)



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Featured Jobs

Activities Director
Activities Director FT AS Degree and /or or 3-5 yrs exp working in adult home. Send Resume To: Ransomville Manor at 35...>MORE

Job Fair
HUMAN SERVICES
JOB FAIR
For COMMUNITY MISSIONS

Program Locations/Job Opportunities
working w/c
...>MORE

FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE

Driver
Drivers CDLA. Must be able to go to Canada
Good pay, great benefits.
Call 278-2000 Ext. 106
...>MORE

Instructors
Join Our Team!
Would you like to work on a top performing team who is ranked 17th in the nation and have the opport
...>MORE

Echo Tech
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TECHNICIAN, Full-time. Certification by ARDMS or registry eligible. Up to $7500 Sign On Bonus!; MEDICAL...>MORE

Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE

Assistant Director
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Alumni Relations (ft) sought by the Alumni Relations Department of Niagara University, a private
...>MORE

COLLECTORS
Exp. collectors, high hrly., low cash goals, 20% overage, 500 4 hitting, Chuck @ 597-2538...>MORE

Nursing
NURSING. ElderWood Senior Care, "Care Without Compromise". We invite you to stop by and learn how you can become part of...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala
25,600 miles, loaded
Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo
297-2199
...>MORE

Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE

1996 Mazda L3000
MAZDA L3000 pick-up 1996, 6 cyl, runs good, new tires & battery, just inspect., $1500. 284-7529....>MORE

Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE

VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE

Pontiac 1999 Montana
PONTIAC 1999 Montana 57,000 original miles, full options, like new, $3300, 694-0441...>MORE

Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

Ford 1999 Ranger
FORD 1999 Ranger, 5 speed, 130K, fair condition, $2000 or best offer, 716-310-0531...>MORE

See all ads





 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index