Bills suspend offensive line coach Kromer for first 6 games

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills suspended offensive line coach Aaron Kromer without pay for the first six games of the regular season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Bills President Russ Brandon announced the suspension Sunday night. The disciplinary action comes two days after prosecutors in Florida dropped a battery charge for causing bodily harm against Kromer for allegedly confronting two boys for using his beach chairs, pushing one to the ground and punching him in the face last month.

An arrest report released by the Walton County Sheriff's Office said Kromer threatened to kill one of the boy's families if he reported the incident.

''We worked in conjunction with the NFL on this matter, and we are highly supportive of the NFL personal conduct policy that holds all NFL and club employees to a higher standard,'' Brandon said in a statement released by the team.

The Bills placed Kromer on paid leave July 14, two days after he was arrested. Kromer, however, will rejoin the team at training camp.

The Bills did not reveal when Kromer was scheduled to arrive at camp in suburban Rochester, where the team completed its third day of practice on Sunday.

The Bills are scheduled to practice Monday night, before getting a day off on Tuesday.

Kromer's suspension will begin Sept. 7, in the week leading up to the Bills' regular-season opener against Indianapolis. The suspension will run through Buffalo's game against Cincinnati on Oct. 18.

Assistant offensive line coach Kurt Anderson assumed Kromer's duties while he was on paid leave. And Anderson is expected to take over once again during Kromer's suspension.

Kromer was hired in January as part of a new staff assembled by Rex Ryan, who took over after Doug Marrone stepped down abruptly on Dec. 31. Kromer had previously served as the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator.

The offensive line is in flux after it was one of Buffalo's weak spots during a 9-7 finish last season. The Bills are introducing a run-first attack under Ryan and new offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

On Sunday, Ryan said there remains a competition at right guard and right tackle. He listed left guard Richie Incognito, center Eric Wood and left tackle Cordy Glenn as players he regards to have earned starting jobs.

---

AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL