COMMENTS FROM DANNY CROSSMAN
What attracted you to this position with the Buffalo Bills?
"Most importantly is the opportunity to work with an outstanding NFL franchise that has a passionate fan base. I know how much this team means to the community having grown up in a hardworking, blue-collar city. I'm excited to help this organization on the field with the support of our fans."
Have you maintained a relationship with Doug Marrone through the years? You both played together in the World League and coached together in college.
"Doug and I have known each other for the last 25 years or so. After playing together, we had the opportunity to coach together twice before in college football and compete against each other in the NFL. We have maintained a very close relationship over the years."
Coming to Buffalo, how do weather conditions affect the strategy of special teams?
"Weather can impact special teams greatly. And that is one of the things you never know until the morning of a game. We will have the ability within our game plan to adjust accordingly for that day."
Your special teams units put up good numbers during your time in Detroit and Carolina. Bills punt returner Leodis McKelvin led the NFL in punt return average in 2012. What qualities contribute to a successful return and kicking team?
"I think there are a lot of things that go into both. When you mention a player like Leodis McKelvin who is naturally gifted and has had a very good career, there are those in both the NFL and college who just have the innate ability to make big plays. Some guys are blessed with it and some are not. It is exciting to look at a guy with that caliber and possibly have the opportunity to work with as well as the other positions of the unit here."
Do you have any familiarity with longtime Bills kicker Rian Lindell? And punter Shawn Powell who is coming off his rookie season?
"There is familiarity with everybody in the league from common opponents to scouting players and when they come out of college into the draft. I have not spent a lot of time on this past season in terms of either one of those players with just getting to the office today. The good thing about when you come into a new organization is it is a fresh thing for everybody. I have a lot of work to do in terms of evaluating players."
