BY NICK ST. DENIS
Pepper Johnson is still coming to grips with the fact that he's no longer with the New England Patriots.
But the new Buffalo Bills defensive line coach, who spent the last 14 years with his new team's division rival, is glad he made the switch.
"I have always been a fan of Doug (Marrone) and the Buffalo Bills, and just getting the opportunity to spread my wings, and to get up from under the shadow of Coach (Bill) Belichick," Johnson told The John Murphy Show this week, via BuffaloBills.com. "So it’s a good thing, a good opportunity."
Johnson went on to say that eventually becoming a defensive coordinator is "a dream" of his, though his immediate focus is on coaching Buffalo's very talented front line. His 13 years of experience as player and 14 as a coach in
various positions should serve the Bills well, though how long he lasts
at his new post is to be determined.
Clearly, Johnson is looking to move up the coaching ranks and didn't see that opportunity presenting itself as an assistant in New England.
Sound familiar? Mike Pettine left the New York Jets last offseason to assume the same defensive coordinator position with the Bills in 2013, only to bail last month for a head coaching job with the Cleveland Browns.
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