Tag: Aaron Kromer

Buffalo Rams? Leonard Floyd is latest Super Bowl champ to go from LA to Bills

The Bills have now added their 5th player from the Rams’ Super Bowl team, with Leonard Floyd being the latest

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The Buffalo Bills are signing veteran edge rusher Leonard Floyd to a one-year deal in hopes of bolstering their pass-rushing unit. It continues the Bills’ trend of signing former Rams players, with Floyd being the fifth to land in Buffalo in the last two years.

Besides Floyd, the Bills also added David Edwards and Taylor Rapp in free agency this offseason. Aaron Kromer, the Rams’ former offensive line coach, is now the Bills’ offensive line coach, so it’s not a surprise to see him lure Edwards to Buffalo. Linebacker Travin Howard, who helped send the Rams to Super Bowl LVI with a game-sealing interception against the 49ers, also signed with the Bills this offseason.

Going back to last year, the Bills signed All-Pro pass rusher Von Miller to a six-year, $120 million contract ahead of the 2022 season. Miller was traded to the Rams during the 2021 campaign and helped Los Angeles secure its first Super Bowl victory since the 1999 season.

In the grand scheme of things, the Bills could simply just be looking to add players who they believe fit their schemes on both sides of the ball. But in recent years, the Bills have seemingly taken a liking to rostering players who previously suited up for the Rams after the recent addition of Floyd.

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David Edwards sees opportunity with Bills: ‘The best five are going to play’

David Edwards sees an opportunity with the #Bills: ‘The best five are going to play’

David Edwards brings a lot of what we’re familiar with as he joins the Buffalo Bills offensive line.

Edwards, 26, signed a one-year deal with the team. Buffalo brings Edwards on board after notably signing Connor McGovern to a three-year contract and the Bills re-signed Ike Boettger.

Like those two and others on the Bills offensive line, Edwards is versatile.

But that doesn’t tell us what the plan is.

During Edwards’ introductory press conference, he did not give any indication he’s coming to Buffalo to settle on a reserve role. Instead, he sees a chance, regardless of who is around him.

“The best five are going to play. That was really what we talked about,” Edwards said. “I was really looking for a good fit and a good opportunity and there’s no better opportunity than I have with Buffalo.”

“I’m excited for whatever position I get to play,” he added.

Edwards said he can play anywhere on the offensive line, however, he indicated part of those referenced discussions he had with the Bills prior to signing involved the guard position. That puts him likely in competition with McGovern, Boettger and Ryan Bates this summer for a job.

In addition to the opportunity, Edwards noted his relationship with Aaron Kromer, Buffalo’s offensive line coach. Kromer held that same position with the Rams prior to his return to the Bills.

“I owe a ton to Aaron for who I am as a player today,” Edwards said.

If Edwards is to grab a starting position, his health and pass protection has to improve in 2023.

Suffering at least two concussions last season, Edwards was shut down after four games for the rest of the year. He did not want to discuss that issue, but did note he’s healthy now.

That time Edwards missed was the only time in his career he was sidelined due to injury, so there should be optimism he can stay healthy.

When Edwards was on the field last season, his ability to stop the pass rush was brutal. That’s exactly where Buffalo is aiming to improve on the offensive line.

While speaking about McGovern, general manager Brandon Beane noted his ability to pass protect was an appealing skill about his game. It’s likely the desire to improve in that area doesn’t end at McGovern, it applies to everyone.

Last season, Pro Football Focus graded the 6-foot-6, 308-pounder an awful mark in pass blocking: 27.8. Edwards’ run blocking mark was much better, 75.6.

However, Edwards was graded better in the past. In 2021 when he won the Super Bowl with Los Angeles, Edwards only allowed six sacks the entire season which ranked amongst the NFL’s best. In 2020, that total was down to only three and it helped him earn a career-best 70.3 PFF grade.

While Edwards might look potentially like a strong depth signing, he might have the tools to push for a much bigger role with the Bills.

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Rams are promoting Zak Kromer to assistant OL coach

The Rams are promoting Zak Kromer to assistant OL coach after hiring Ryan Wendell as their new OL coach.

The Los Angeles Rams recently named Ryan Wendell as their new offensive line coach and they are making another change to the offensive line staff. With Sean McVay still altering the coaching staff, the Rams are promoting Zak Kromer to assistant offensive line coach.

Kromer has been with the Rams for the last six seasons as an offensive assistant. Wendell worked with Aaron Kromer, Zak’s father, with the Buffalo Bills, while Aaron also used to be the offensive line coach of the Rams.

The offensive line was in flux during the 2022 season for the Rams due to injuries and inconsistent play from multiple linemen. After moving on from Kevin Carberry as their offensive line coach, the Rams are hoping that the combination of Wendell and Kromer leads to more success in the trenches in 2023.

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12 things to know about new Bills offensive lineman Rodger Saffold

Who does he know with the #Bills? What else does he dabble in? A ton of things to know about new #Bills O-lineman Rodger Saffold right here:

The Buffalo Bills made their first big signing in the 2022 free-agent market. Offensive lineman Rodger Saffold signed a one-year deal with the team on Monday.

Saffold, 33, has a chance to come in and be a Day 1 starter with the team–so you’ll want to get to know him.

Here are 12 things to know about Saffold:

Eric Wood approves of Bills’ decision to sign O-line coach Aaron Kromer

Eric Wood approves of #Bills’ decision to sign O-line coach Aaron Kromer:

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The Buffalo Bills have made one former player happy with their decision to bring Aaron Kromer back as their offensive line coach.

Former Bills center Eric Wood took to his social media account via Twitter and saw the news on Monday. Kromer had been tabbed as the Bills’ next O-line coach.

His reaction speaks for itself.

Wood very much approves of Buffalo’s decision to hire Kromer, who returns to the Bills after coaching Wood in Orchard Park in 2015 and 2016:

As referenced, Wood would know first hand what it feels like to work under Kromer. Because of that, it makes sense as to why Wood approves as well.

During his two seasons in Buffalo previously when Rex Ryan was head coach, the Bills led the NFL in yards rushing both years Kromer coached the O-line.

Playmakers have their say in such totals, but the offensive line clearly plays a big part.

Wood’s point about Ken Dorsey could hold some weight, too. As a former offensive coordinator himself, he knows a thing or two about being an OC.

Kromer is replacing Bobby Johnson, who left the Bills and joined the New York Giants as their offensive line coach.

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Bills bring Aaron Kromer back as offensive line coach

#Bills bring Aaron Kromer back as offensive line coach:

The Buffalo Bills announced on Monday that they have their new offensive line coach. It’s a familiar name who was previously employed by the team.

The Bills named Aaron Kromer their O-line coach.

Kromer, 54, served two years in Buffalo in 2015 and 2016. Under head coach Rex Ryan, Kromer was the Bills’ offensive line coach as well. Kromer replaces Bobby Johnson.

Johnson’s contract with the Bills was up and he followed former Buffalo offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to the New York Giants. Daboll was hired as their head coach. Johnson took the O-line position there as well.

During his first stint with the Bills, Kromer did have a bit of a controversial time. He was suspended for six games in 2015 after he was arrested earlier that year for misdemeanor assault and battery after allegedly punching a teenager and threatening to kill his family over beach chairs.

Chargers were later dropped by the victim’s family.

But Kromer does come touted. During the 2015-16 season alone, his first one with Buffalo, the Bills ranked as the NFL’s top rushing attack while Kromer worked with the offensive line.

After his time in Buffalo, Kromer was with the Los Angeles Rams from 2017 to 2020. The two sides then mutually agreed to part ways, but there must not have been too much bad blood as the Rams still employ Kromer’s son, Zachery, as an  offensive quality control coach.

For two years prior to his first stint with the Bills, Kromer serviced as the Chicago Bears’ offensive coordinator. He got his NFL start in 2001.

Kromer’s hiring comes after Buffalo added Joe Brady to their staff as quarterbacks coach late last week.

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OL coach Frank Smith’s experience with Saints should pay dividends with Chargers

Chargers offensive line coach Frank Smith had the pleasure of working with four Pro Bowlers.

Part of the Chargers’ revamp of the offensive line included hiring new offensive line coach/run game coordinator Frank Smith.

Smith most recently served as the Bears and Raiders’ tight ends coach, but prior to that, he was an assistant offensive line coach for the Saints from 2010-14.

Smith worked the likes Jermon Bushrod, Jahri Evans, Ben Grubbs and Carl Nicks, all of whom were named to the Pro Bowl during his time with New Orleans.

Smith benefited from coaching in a system that will be similar to the one offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi is enforcing.

He talked about his experiences in that role, elaborating that he was able to get a “Ph.D. in football.”

“What a lucky guy I was,” Smith said. “To step back now —I always kind of look at, ‘What did you learn from every experience?’ If you don’t learn and grow and affect your next day, I think that’s our failure, whether it’s a coach, player, or really anyone. I was lucky.

I got there two months after they had just won the Super Bowl —the pinnacle of football. I learned the why. [Saints Head Coach] Sean Payton has that big-picture vision of how to build a Super Bowl-caliber winning team, and then how you build a team, again, that got as close as you can get.

I was lucky to develop a relationship with Joe [Lombardi] in my time there. He taught me a lot of things. I was young in the NFL. Just how things worked and why, and how the systems worked.

[Former Saints coach] Aaron Kromer was there my first couple of years. He’s a top-level line coach. I can’t say enough. I’m so lucky that I was able to work for him. He taught me how the NFL works.”

Smith joins Los Angeles alongside assistant offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett and a great group of players, Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler, Oday Aboushi, Bryan Bulaga and Rashawn Slater.

Report: Rams to hire Stanford’s Kevin Carberry as OL coach

The Rams have found their replacement for Aaron Kromer on Sean McVay’s coaching staff.

The Los Angeles Rams have found their replacement for Aaron Kromer after his surprising departure from Sean McVay’s coaching staff. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Rams are expected to hire Stanford’s Kevin Carberry as their offensive line coach.

Carberry most recently worked as Stanford’s run game coordinator but worked on the same coaching staff as McVay in Washington when the two were together in 2016. McVay was the offensive coordinator in Washington that year, while Carberry was the assistant offensive line coach.

Austin Blythe sad to see Aaron Kromer go: ‘One of the best, most genuine coaches’

Austin Blythe shared a strong message on Twitter after Aaron Kromer’s departure from the Rams.

After four years as the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line coach, Aaron Kromer is no longer on Sean McVay’s staff. The unfortunate news was reported on Thursday night, with the two sides mutually agreeing to split ahead of the 2021 season.

It leaves a massive void on McVay’s coaching staff, one that will be difficult to fill. Kromer is an outstanding offensive line coach, responsible for helping turn around what was one of the worst units in football before his arrival in 2017.

If you need evidence of just how respected Kromer is in Los Angeles, take a look at this message from Rams center Austin Blythe. He called Kromer one of the best and most genuine coaches he’s ever been around, crediting Kromer for giving him a shot after he was waived by the Colts.

Kromer has been a big supporter of Blythe, helping turn him into a starter at both guard and center in the last three years. Blythe will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and without Kromer on the staff, one has to wonder if the Rams will prioritize him like they have in recent years.

The Rams still have talent along their offensive line, but if there’s a drop-off in 2021, fingers will point to the departure of Kromer as a possible reason for that.