ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Re-opening contract talks with wide receiver Stevie Johnson and finding a pass rusher -- or two -- are among the Buffalo Bills' top priorities during the offseason.
General manager Buddy Nix outlined his plans during a wide-ranging, 45-minute news conference on Monday, and his expectations are that the team will "take a big step" next year.
It starts with re-signing Johnson, who has led Buffalo in receiving in each of the past two seasons and has completed the final year of his contract.
"He fits in," Nix said. "Yeah, we want him back."
Nix doesn't consider the receiver's on-field transgressions to be a major concern. Johnson was penalized twice in five weeks for excessive touchdown celebrations -- the second leading to a benching by coach Chan Gailey for the final three quarters of a season-ending 49-21 loss at New England.
"Obviously, we're not happy about that, and I don't think Stevie is, either," said Nix, who then went on to defend the player. "He tries to do the right thing when he's playing, and he tries to do the right thing in practice and in the locker room. He's not a criminal. He made a mistake. It cost us, and he paid the price."
Though Nix said there's been what he called "dialogue" between the two sides since the season ended, formal contract talks have not re-opened since negotiations broke down about six weeks ago when Johnson rejected the team's last offer. Nix didn't clarify what he meant by dialogue, except to say discussions will continue.
In an e-mail to The Associated Press, Johnson's agent C.J. Laboy wrote, "We have had no dialogue with the Bills in regards to Stevie's contract."
Notes: Nix identified a need to improve the pass rush after Buffalo finished tied for 30th in the NFL with 29 sacks. "I think our secondary, everything, would look better if we had some pressure on the passer," he said. "We had some rookies that looked like Dan Marino, and we let them look like that because we let them stand there. You've got to disrupt the quarterback." ... Nix wouldn't go into detail, but said there will likely be changes to the defensive coaching staff. ... As for his future after completing his second year as the team's GM, the 72-year-old Nix said he has no plans to retire.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press
