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Posted: Friday, 14 December 2012 1:26PM

Bills' Stevie Johnson welcomes slot talk with open arms



Orchard Park, NY (WGR 550)  -- When Buffalo Bills GM Buddy Nix spoke with The Howard Simon Show on WGR Sports Radio 550 Friday morning, his words caught the attention of many with a few of his comments throughout the segment.

Of course, his comments about wanting to draft a young quarterback certainly led the way. However, there was also this little gem about wanting to add to the wide receiver group, and move around a piece already on the roster:

"We're gonna put somebody else in there. I think Stevie Johnson is a guy that really fits the slot well," Nix said at the end of a response regarding the loss of David Nelson early in the year.

Johnson, being their team's top wide receiver on the roster, has made a living on the outside over the course of the past three seasons. It caught a few by surprise to hear that, considering the negative connotation some have with the term "slot receiver," it may sound like a demotion for Johnson.

The Bills top wideout wasn't as offended upon hearing the quote.

"Not to sound overly confident in myself, but I don't think I can be handled outside. And now imagine me going against whoever I have to go against in the slot," the confident wideout replied. "I think it'll only help us out. I don't see it as a demotion when they talk about moving me anywhere."

Johnson continued:

"To me, the slot means you got access to go left, you got access to go right, you can work up the middle, you're not going to be pressed as much -- and we all know what I can do to people that press me," he said. "You'll be going against either the safeties or linebackers or the third cornerback. That's what I think about when I hear slot. It seems like easy money for me."
 
For Johnson, who is regarded by some as one of the best in the NFL at making moves to get open off the line of scrimmage, he put any talk of a potential move inside being a step down for him to rest on Friday.

"I'm with whatever move they say. I don't feel bad about it at all. I have confidence in my coaches. I believe in them. They gave me the shot. Wherever they see me fit is cool with me," he said. "If I'm in the slot, the things I've done on the outside I'm pretty much limited. I'm on one side of the field. With the slot, I can motion over to the left or the right. I got more options or whatnot. I guess we'll have to see how it works out come training camp and then preseason. But whatever it is, I'm with it."

For three games at least, we'll continue to see Johnson assume a starting spot outside. Once the off-season gets here, as the front office of the Bills like to say, everything will get evaluated.
 

All photos courtesy of AP
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