ORCHARD PARK, N. Hector Moreno Jersey .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." Raul Jimenez Jersey . -- Jake Peavy arrived at Bostons spring training complex on Monday with a large white bandage covering his left index finger, the result of a weekend accident. Marco Fabian Jersey .Heres Ralph the Dog with the crew here at TSN jumping into the James Duthie TradeCentre selfie: Happy to drop by! RT @TSN_Sports: @tsnjamesduthie: Take this Ellen. http://www.mexiconationalshop.us/Jesus-Manuel-Corona-Mexico-Jersey-Soccer/ . Week 2s biggest games include Florida facing Miami and Notre Dame travelling to the Big House to conclude their rivalry against Michigan in primetime on TSN2 and TSN 1050.CLEVELAND - Mike Miller made his coach look like a genius Friday night.Miller, showing little rust from missing seven games with a concussion, scored 21 points on seven 3-pointers in his first start of the season, and the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Brooklyn Nets 95-91.Cavaliers coach David Blatts decision to start Miller, who missed one 3-pointer in eight attempts and played 33 minutes, paid off in a major way.When the fire is hot, you want to let it burn, Blatt said. It was burning tonight.LeBron James scored a team-high 22 points and moved into 23rd place on the all-time scoring list, but the four-time MVP credited Miller for the victory.Hes a professional guy, James said. You know you can always count on him, even when hes doesnt make shots. We needed him. He kept us afloat.Miller, who was averaging 1.5 points and was 5 for 20 on 3-pointers going into the game, downplayed his role in the victory.I came here for one thing, and thats to win games, he said. For me to be able to be out there and help is all I care about.Miller hit his first three 3-point attempts, and was 5 of 6 from behind arc for 15 points in the first half. He appeared to injure his left ankle late in the second quarter, but waved off the bench and remained in the game.I wasnt coming out of the game, he said. I finally got an opportunity to play again.James and Miller were teammates in Miami for three seasons, including two championship runs.His ability to shoot the ball gives us so much more of a dynamic out there, James said.Weve played a lot of games together, Miller said. Weve been through the biggest moments. Weve got a trust factor. Hes pretty easy to play with, ask anybody.Brooklyn coach Lionel Hollins knows how well James and Miller play together.I thought he was the little guy who was on LeBrons shoulder who travels with him everywhere he goes, Hollins said. He shot the ball great.Joe Johnson led the Nets with 26 points. Giovani dos Santos Jersey. Brooklyn guard Deron Williams limped off the court in the second quarter with a strained right calf and didnt return. Williams will have an MRI on Saturday.My calf felt tight in the first quarter and it hurt pretty bad when I landed after making an assist, Williams said. I dont want to miss any games so hopefully the test comes back good.Brooklyn cut an eight-point lead to 94-91 on Johnsons 3-pointer with 41 seconds remaining. The Cavaliers committed a turnover, but Kevin Garnett missed a contested 3-pointer and James split two free throws with 1.3 seconds left.James passed Charles Barkley on the all-time scoring list with a 3-pointer from the corner in the first quarter. Kyrie Irving added 16 points.Mason Plumlee scored 14 points while Jarrett Jack added 13 for the Nets, who have lost three straight and six of eight.The Cavaliers defeated the Nets 110-88 in Brooklyn on Dec. 8, breaking open a close game with a dominating second half in front of Prince William and Kate Middleton.___TIP-INSNets: Williams finished with one point and five assists in 10 minutes. He missed all five shots. . G Sergey Karasev (strained left oblique) returned to the starting lineup after missing one game. G Alan Anderson returned to his usual role coming off the bench. . Karasev and Jack both played for the Cavaliers last season.Cavaliers: F Shawn Marion was moved to the bench to make room for Miller in the lineup. The majority of Marions playing time will come at small forward, the position hes played most of his career. That could also ease the workload for James, who is averaging 37.7 minutes, fourth in the league. . With Millers return, the Cavaliers are at full strength for the first time in six weeks. Guard Matthew Dellavedova returned last week after missing 15 games because of a sprained knee.UP NEXTNets: Host Detroit on Sunday.Cavaliers: Host Memphis on Sunday. ' ' '