NFL Combine 2012: Buffalo Bills Coach Chan Gailey Talks Stevie Johnson and More

Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey had a sit-down interview with Joe Buscaglia of WGR sports radio today at the NFL Scouting Combine and, boy, did he have a lot to say. 

The first order of business was the future of controversial wide receiver Stevie Johnson. Gailey made a definitive point that he will not be involved with any contract negotiations. 

Said Gailey: 

"

I don't think it's good for coaches to be in negotiations. Because you're talking about, [Stevie's representatives] think he's great then you've got to counter with saying what he's not great at. I don't need to be in there saying what he's not great at. I want to see what he's great at and always talk to the guy about what he's great at. I try to stay away from all those negotiations. I don't think it helps for coaches to be there in the long run.

"

Makes a lot of sense—got to respect Gailey's honesty. 

He then spoke about the vacancy at the strongside linebacker position. He stated that the team has been in contract discussions with veteran backer Kirk Morrison, who played in a limited role in 2011. Gailey also spoke of other possibilities but didn't give any specific details. 

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Well, we've been in negotiations with Kirk Morrison—we've talked with him. We've got a couple of other guys. It might be Moats, it might be Batten, it might be… I don't know who to be honest with you. It might be someone on the team that can do it, or we may have to draft one or sign one in free agency. We understand that we've got to find the right guy for that spot. He may be on the team already or he may not be on the team already right now. We'll just have to wait and see how that pans out. Buddy will have the right answer on that, there's no question.

"

Morrison is an experienced player, I'm just not sure if he's a guy they should be relying on in the future. The Bills head coach also touched on the left tackle position. 

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We're still negotiating with Demetrius Bell. Chris [Hairston] did make some progress. He's not the finished end product yet. Can he get there? He might can. I'm not convinced he will, he might can.

"

Gailey, who has been extremely open during his time in Buffalo, also wouldn't dispel the possibility of drafting an offensive lineman with the No. 10 overall pick on April 26th. 

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I think you have to sit there and evaluate for yourself—if there's a great one sitting there, you might have to pull the trigger.

"

Lastly, he updated the progress of injured players Fred Jackson, Eric Wood and Kyle Williams when he met with the media this afternoon. 

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Fred Jackson’s been completely cleared at this point. I think he’s been given a clean bill of health a week or two ago. Eric’s (Wood) still in rehab. Kyle (Williams), he’s not been given 100 percent clear yet but he’s getting closer and closer. He’s been around the facility a couple weeks ago and it all looked good. He’s very happy about it, I know that. He feels a lot better about it.

"

Joe B. plans to sit down with Buffalo Bills general manager tomorrow in what should be a witty and interesting interview loaded with southern drawl. 

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