By Jay Skurski<br><a href="mailto:skurskij@gnnewspaper.com">E-mail Jay</a>
ORCHARD PARK
June 28, 2008 06:55 pm
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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.”
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