Buffalo Bills anoint Buddy Nix as general manager

Buffalo Bills national scout Buddy Nix has been promoted to general manager in team owner Ralph Wilson’s first move to revamp his front office.

Nix was introduced at a news conference Thursday as the Bills (5-10) prepare to close their season by hosting Indianapolis (14-1) on Sunday. Nix fills a void after Marv Levy stepped down as general manager following the 2007 season.

Chief Operating Officer Russ Brandon, who had been filling the GM’s role, was promoted to chief executive, reporting to Wilson. Brandon’s background is in marketing.

“I’m here to introduce somebody that we’ve needed for a long time . . . and that’s a general manager of football,” Wilson said. “We really needed somebody who knew all aspects of football.”

Nix has 14 years of NFL experience, mostly in scouting, and spent 26 years coaching in the college ranks. That included a nine-year term as head coach at Tennessee Chattanooga, where he coached Bills receiver Terrell Owens during his freshman year.

He takes over what’s been a dysfunctional franchise that will miss the playoffs for a 10th straight year. Buffalo is also in the midst of its fourth coaching search since 2001 after Dick Jauron was fired in November and replaced by defensive coordinator Perry Fewell.

Fines announced

The NFL fined Tennessee defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil $20,000 for verbal abuse of a game official for his sideline comments in the Titans’ 42-17 loss to San Diego last Friday.

The Titans had just been flagged for roughing Philip Rivers when an official heard Cecil say something. Coach Jeff Fisher defended his first-year coordinator, saying Cecil was overheard talking to fellow coaches on his headset. Fisher said Cecil will explain further when he appeals the fine.

Others receiving fines:

* Washington linebacker London Fletcher was fined $10,000 for striking a defenseless receiver, Patrick Crayton, in the head area in a 17-0 loss Sunday to Dallas

* Three Oakland Raiders players were fined for actions in last week’s penalty-filled game against the Cleveland Browns. Tight end Tony Stewart was docked $25,000 for “making intentional physical contact with a game official”; defensive end Richard Seymour was fined $10,000 for striking an opponent after the play was over; and cornerback Stanford Routt was docked $5,000 for head-butting an opponent after the play.

* Denver Broncos receiver Brandon Stokley was fined $25,000 for making contact with an official that led to his ejection from last weekend’s game at Philadelphia. The 11-year veteran was upset over the lack of an interference call on a third-down play when his route was disrupted by a defender.

Assistant confident

Bill Sheridan expects to be back for a second season as the New York Giants’ defensive coordinator despite seeing his unit rank among the NFL’s worst in points allowed.

Sheridan said he has done a competent job and was not concerned about his job security. “I know you guys are very concerned about it, but I’m not concerned about it,” Sheridan said after the Giants practiced for Sunday’s season finale at Minnesota.

The Giants’ defense has given up 383 points, ranking it 28th in the league. It has allowed opponents to score at least 40 points four times, including a 41-9 loss to Carolina in New York’s final game at Giants Stadium last week.