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Marrone leads Bills to respectability

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Coach: Doug Marrone

Record: 8-10 (2-0 this season)

• Marrone, 50, is a former Syracuse and NFL offensive lineman who began his coaching career at Cortland State (N.Y.) in 1992 and has been a head coach since taking over Syracuse in 2009. Was on offense for all 16 of his seasons as an assistant coach.

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• Went 25-25 in four seasons at Syracuse, which was 26-57 in the previous seven years. He made the 150-mile move from Syracuse to Buffalo in 2013, replacing Chan Gailey (16-32). The Bills had their third consecutive 6-10 season in his first season year.

• Was offensive coordinator under the Saints’ Sean Payton from 2006-’08. Coached Jets offensive linemen for Herm Edwards from 2002-’05. He seeks Buffalo’s first playoff berth since ‘99, when Wade Phillips was coach. Between Phillips and Gailey were Gregg Williams, Mike Mularkey, Dick Jauron and Perry Fewell.

Playmakers

RB-returner C.J. Spiller

Can fly and has sure hands. Returned a kick 102 yards last Sunday in the 29-10 win over Miami. Took a handoff 48 yards, following the block of rookie T Seantrel Henderson. Gains 4.5 yards per carry. Ex-Chargers talent man Buddy Nix drafted Spiller (5-101/2, 196) him out of Clemson ninth in 2010.

WR Sammy Watkins

Arrived from Clemson as this year’s No. 4 pick. Powerful 6-0 1/2, 213-pounder with 4.42 speed. Caught three passes in opener, then eight for 117 yards versus Miami and has missed only 12 snaps, despite a preseason rib injury that put him on all three game-injury reports. Was a full participant in all three practices this week.

RB Fred Jackson

A 6-1, 215-pounder who is 33 but gains 4.5 yards per carry, both for this season and his six-year career. He likes stretch runs, accentuating his vision and cut-and-go moves. Jackson, from Coe College (Iowa), has 28 career rushing TDs to rank 23rd among all active players.

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