Bills' new defensive assistants have ample credentials

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Pepper Johnson was a big part of the New England Patriots' coaching purge. He's now a part of the Buffalo Bills', too.

Johnson, who spent 14 seasons as a defensive assistant in New England, signed on with the Bills this week to serve as Buffalo's defensive line coach. He held the same post with the Patriots from 2004-11.

The Bills are getting a bonafide defender in Johnson, from both a playing and coaching aspect. Johnson won two Super Bowls as a linebacker for the New York Giants and three more as a coach in New England.