ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Buffalos notoriously long, harsh winters have their advantages as far as Jim Schwartz is concerned. The nasty weather that stretched well into April provided the Bills new defensive co-ordinator an additional excuse to stay indoors and become more familiar with his players and staff. "One of the good things about being here in Buffalo is the weather was so bad that we had plenty of time as coaches to stay together," Schwartz said with a laugh, following a voluntary minicamp practice this week. "When the snow was rolling and it was 5 degrees outside, we were holed up in the room watching all their stuff from last year." It was an invaluable experience for the defensive-minded specialist, who finds himself back in his element in Buffalo a few months after losing his job following a five-year stint as the Detroit Lions head coach. "You can spin coaching changes any way you want. The one thing I would say is the players do have a clean slate," Schwartz said. "They have to prove themselves. And Im in the same boat. Ive got to prove myself all over again. Its exciting. Thatll bring out the best in players. Itll bring out the best in coaches." Filling the vacancy after Mike Pettine left to take over the Cleveland Browns, Schwartz inherits a Bills defence that began shedding its once-porous and passive reputation by emerging as the teams strength last season. While Buffalo (6-10) struggled on offence in large part because of rookie quarterback EJ Manuels inconsistencies and injuries, the defence finished 10th in the NFL in yards allowed -- the units best ranking in nine years. The Bills also finished second in the league with 23 interceptions and a franchise-record 57 sacks. And they had four defenders earn Pro Bowl selections, including tackle Marcell Dareus, who was added as an injury replacement. The only area of concern was Buffalos inability to stop the run. The Bills gave up 150 or more yards rushing six times, and finished 28th in allowing an average 129 net yards rushing per game. Schwartz has a strong track record in devising schemes to stop the run. During his eight seasons as Tennessees defensive co-ordinator, the Titans finished sixth or better in rushing yards allowed six times from 2001-08. Its on Schwartz to build on that success with a unit that features a few new wrinkles at linebacker, where the team added Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers in free agency, and was unable to re-sign three-time Pro Bowl safety Jairus Byrd. Schwartz is Buffalos fourth defensive co-ordinator in four seasons. He doesnt anticipate a difficult transition, even though hes making the switch to a 4-3 style of defence, and his philosophy is considered less aggressive than Pettines pressure-the-passer approach. Schwartz is keeping much of the same play-calling terminology. And he said the switch to four linemen and three linebackers shouldnt be regarded as significant, because his and Pettines defences share similar elements. Veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams doesnt foresee much change in the Bills approach. "No, were not going to be read-and-react. Were going to attack guys," Williams said. "Now, if we do it with four rushers, five rushers or six, thatll have to be game-planned. But were going to be on the move. And were going to attack." Spikes liked what hes seen after two weeks of minicamp practices. "Weve still got a long way to go, but if we can take these necessary steps, I think we can be great this season and shock the world," said Spikes, who was signed in part because of his reputation as a run-stuffer during his first four seasons in New England. "I take that personally. If you can stop the run, you can make them one-dimensional," Spikes said. "I think this season therell be some eye-openers." Fake Balenciaga Shoes .ca. 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That opens the door for Bendik, who started 33 games for Toronto last season. Cheap Balenciaga . After a 99-97 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night, his Celtics coaches and teammates have only positive things to say about the Toronto-born rookie.St Helens and England hooker James Roby insists his clubs clash with Wigan, live on Sky Sports, has lost none of its appeal, as evidenced by a step up in preparation. Both clubs will be looking to bounce back from below-par performances last weekend, with Wigan reeling from a first home defeat for 21 months.And despite many believing the clash will be overshadowed by Widnes and Warringtons top-of-the-table clash 10 miles down the road at the Halliwell Jones stadium, for Roby the match is as important as ever. Its fair to say its a bit more intense, Roby said. When youre playing Wigan there is that added derby atmosphere, everybody is probably hyped up a bit more.You definitely get people reminding you wherever you go, especially living locally you cant avoid it. Its what you come to expect and its great, it adds to the occasion.They never really change, they always stir up the same emotions in myself personally and the team and the town. Its been said millions of times over the years, its a massive game. Joel Tomkins looks set to make his first appearance of the 2016 Super League season after recovering from a knee problem Wigan coach Shaun Wane added a strange twist to the rivalry between the two clubs with his revelation that he is thinking of going on holiday to Scotland with St Helens boss Keiron Cunningham, but friendships will be cast aside for 80 minutes for the match, live on Sky Sports 1 HD at 3.15pm. Barrie v Terrry Our pundits look ahead to a busy Easter weekend in Super League Both clubs have a lot of respect for each other and have a similar ethos on promoting youngsters so were very similar in many ways but that just adds to the spice of making it a must-win game, Wane said.Its two teams that are a little bit disappointed with their performances this year but at the end of the day, whether were top or bottom or vice-versa, all of that goes out of the window, Wane added. Its just a local derbywhere both sets of fans are very passionate. Lewis Tierney returns to the Wigan Warriors 19-man squad Warriors are boosted by the return of Joel Tomkins ahead of the derby.ddddddddddddThe second row is set to make his first appearance of the season after suffering a knee injury in the pre-season fixture against the Salford Red Devils, taking the place of Liam Farrell, who is ruled out with a shoulder problem.Coach Shaun Wane will be unable to call upon the services of stand-off George Williams due to a back injury, with full-back Lewis Tierney returning to the 19-man squad.St Helens are without second rower Atelea Vea after he picked up a leg injury in the 30-18 defeat at Leeds and are poised to recall half-back or hooker Theo Fages for his first Good Friday derby. Sky Sports spoke to Wigans Shaun Wane, Matty Smith, Tony Clubb and Dom Manfredi ahead of their Good Friday derby St Helens: Tommy Makinson, Jordan Turner, Travis Burns, Luke Walsh, Alex Walmsley, James Roby, Kyle Amor, Jon Wilkin, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Lama Tasi, Greg Richards, Andre Savelio, Luke Thompson, Dominique Peyroux, Theo Fages, Joe Greenwood, Matty Dawson, Jack Owens, Shannon McDonnell.Wigan Warriors: Josh Charnley, Anthony Gelling, Dan Sarginson, Dominic Manfredi, Matty Smith, Ben Flower, Joel Tomkins, Sean OLoughlin, John Bateman, Tony Clubb, Sam Powell, Lee Mossop, Taulima Tautai, Oliver Gildart, Ryan Sutton, Lewis Tierney, Greg Burke, Nick Gregson, Joe Bretherton.Watch St Helens v Wigan live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Good Friday from 3pm. Catch the match for &襛6.99 on NOW TV. No contract. ' ' '