ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Rex Ryan is officially going from Broadway to Buffalo. The Bills announced in a news release Monday that Ryan has been hired to take over as coach. The news came a day after the former New York Jets coach tentatively accepted the Bills contract offer. Ryan replaces Doug Marrone, who stepped down abruptly on Dec. 31. Rex brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to the position that we feel will be a tremendous benefit to our players and the entire Bills organization, owner Terry Pegula said in a statement released by the team. He was very impressive during the interview process, as were many of the candidates to which we spoke. And we feel Rex is the best fit for our team. Ryan will be formally introduced during a press conference scheduled for Wednesday. The 52-year-old is a defensive specialist, and noted for a brash personality and having a deep loyalty to his players. Ryan had a 50-52 record, including 4-2 in the playoffs, in six seasons coaching the Bills AFC East rival. He was fired along with general manager John Idzik following a 4-12 finish last season. The Jets reached and lost the AFC Championship game in each of Ryans first two seasons, but failed to make the playoffs since. The Bills are already making plans to assist Ryan on offence. A person familiar with negotiations told The Associated Press that the Bills are finalizing contract discussions to hire Greg Roman as their offensive co-ordinator. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because Roman has not yet been signed. Roman spent the past four years as the San Francisco 49ers offensive co-ordinator, and was among the 12 candidates interviewed by the Bills last week. He is regarded as a good fit under Ryan, because the two share a similar run-first philosophy. Ryans hiring provides stability to a team that endured a tumultuous 10-month stretch, which began when Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson died in March. Wilsons death raised concerns that the franchise might relocate under new owners before the Pegulas — who also own the NHL Buffalo Sabres — purchased the Bills for an NFL-record $1.4 billion in October. Then came Marrones surprising departure following a 9-7 finish. Buffalo matched its best record in a decade, but missed the playoffs to extend the NFLs longest active drought to 15 seasons. The second-year coach quit by exercising an opt-out clause in his contract that kicked in once the Bills were sold. Marrone, who will be paid $4 million this season by the Bills, had concerns of were where he fit in the teams hierarchy. The Pegulas had expressed interest in hiring a veteran NFL presence to oversee the teams football operations. Former Bills general manager Bill Polian was a candidate to fill the newly created position before informing the Pegulas on Jan. 1 that he preferred staying in broadcasting. Marrone, coincidentally, has interviewed with the Jets, where he previously served as the teams offensive line coach. The Bills became the first of six NFL teams to fill their coaching vacancy this off-season. Ryan was also a coaching candidate in Atlanta and San Francisco. In choosing the Bills, Ryan is following in the footsteps of former understudy, Mike Pettine, who left the Jets two years ago to become Buffalos defensive co-ordinator. Pettine spent a year in Buffalo before being hired to coach the Cleveland Browns. The Bills defence thrived under Pettine, and continued to be the teams strength under co-ordinator Jim Schwartz last season. Buffalo finished fourth in fewest yards allowed, and the defence produced three Pro Bowl linemen. Schwartz was a candidate for the Bills job, and his status is now uncertain under Ryan. Improving the Bills offence is Ryans top priority, and no different than the challenge he faced in New York. Buffalo finished 26th in yards gained last season, four spots behind the Jets. And the quarterback position was a concern for both teams, and involving two players selected in 2013 draft. The Jets faltered behind Geno Smith, who was eventually benched and replaced by Michael Vick for three games before finishing out the season. In Buffalo, EJ Manuel was benched after four games and replaced by 10-year journeyman Kyle Orton, who has since said he plans to retire. Manuel has two years left on his contract and is the only experienced starter on the roster. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Lakers Jerseys . Signs of a turnaround have emerged in this series at Minnesota. Brian Roberts had three doubles and a triple for the first four-extra-base-hit game of his 14-year career, and the Yankees used their bullpen to preserve a 6-5 win over the Twins on Friday. Los Angeles Lakers Pro Shop . Ben Street scored twice for the Heat (17-5-1), who won their fourth game in a row and 13th in their last 14 outings. Brett Bulmer scored the lone goal for the Wild (6-11-0), who dropped their sixth straight contest. https://www.lakersjerseycheap.com/. -- Washingtons Bradley Beal seemed to make every shot he took in setting a career high with 37 points. Los Angeles Lakers Shirts . Nat Borchers headed in the sole goal in the 54th minute, getting on the end of a Kyle Beckerman free kick. The defeat cost Sporting top spot in the Eastern Conference. Even a draw would have moved the Kansas City club above Columbus. Lakers Jerseys China . -- Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer will be out three to six weeks with a stress fracture of the third finger of his right hand. MADRID, Spain -- Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo will miss playing against Galatasaray in the Champions League on Wednesday because of a left hamstring injury. The Ballon dOr candidate was hurt on Saturday in a 5-0 victory at Almeria. Ronaldo will miss the Group B match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium but could return for Saturdays Spanish league game against Valladolid, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday. "Tomorrow hell start training on the field again and then well see if hell be available on Saturday," Ancelotti said. "If theres any risk of (further) injury he wont play." Ancelotti said the injury was not serious. If Ronaldo doesnt play on Saturday, his next game will likely be the last Champions League group match at FC Copenhagen in two weeks because he is suspended for next weeks Copa del Rey match against Olimpic Xativa. Ancelotti said either Angel Di Maria or Jese would take Ronaldos place against the Turkish club.dddddddddddd "Ill decide which one tomorrow," Ancelotti said from Madrids training ground. He said centre back Raphael Varane would also likely be unavailable until the next Champions League game in Denmark as he rests a sore right knee. "His knee needs some time off to rest and recover," the coach said. "For 10 or 12 days he wont play and we hope his knee doesnt swell during this time. He wont have surgery." Madrid is already without injured midfielder Sami Khedira and defender Fabio Coentrao, while midfielder Luca Modric is suspended for the game. But midfielder Xabi Alonso and defender Marcelo were included in the 19-man squad despite injury concerns. Madrid can secure a place in the next Champions League round with a draw on Wednesday. ' ' '