Colin Kaepernick and Chris Ault in 2010. (USAT Sports Images)

The Pistol formation -- that backfield concept which has the quarterback lined up about four yards behind center and the halfback another three yards behind him -- took the NFL by storm in 2012. Between Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson, and Colin Kaepernick, more quarterbacks were running Pistol more effectively than ever before. That formation was invented by former Nevada head coach Chris Ault in 2005, and forwarded by Ault with Kaepernick as his quarterback from 2007 through 2010. In the NFL, we first saw the Pistol in 2008, when Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Chan Gailey reacted to the loss of his starting and backup quarterbacks (Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle, respectively) by inserting third-stringer Tyler Thigpen in the lineup and running Pistol to a high degree of effectiveness for a few weeks.

It took the rest of the league a while to catch up, but a handful of teams finally did. And now, the man responsible for that concept is also in the NFL. Ault, who retired from his position at Nevada in December of last year, has agreed to become an offensive consultant with the Kansas City Chiefs. Bob LaMonte, Ault's agent, confirmed the news to Dan Hinxman of RGJ.com.

“I’m excited to have an opportunity like this,” the 66-year-old Ault said on Monday. "It’s an opportunity to get a feel for the NFL. [Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has] hired an experienced staff. The timing is exciting. I’m going to learn an awful lot about the NFL.”

When asked whether he would be making more than the estimated $500,000 per season he was making at Nevada after 28 years there, Ault laughed and said that it wasn't about the money.

“I told Coach Reid, ‘Whatever I can do to help you win a Super Bowl, I’ll do it.’”

The Ault hire is interesting on a number of levels.

Jimmy Smith is serving six years in a Mississippi jail (USA Today Sports Images)

Sad tale out of Mississippi as former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith is currently serving a six years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections after being convicted of drug and weapons charges, Chad Cushnir of firstcoastnews.com reports.

According to Mississippi DOC records, Smith is serving two years for "possession of a firearm by a convicted felon" and four years for possession of cocaine. Smith began his sentence on March 29, 2013 and his tentative release date is November 8, 2018.

Smith finished his career with 862 receptions for 12,287 yards — both totals rank among the Top 20 in NFL history — with 67 touchdowns during his 178-game career, all but seven of which were spent with the Jaguars after beginning his career a second-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1992. Smith was injured during his first two seasons in the NFL and spent the 1994 season out of football before latching on with the expansion Jaguars in 1995.

During his 11-season career with the Jaguars, Smith earned five trips to the Pro Bowl and remains the franchise's all-time leader in every major receiving statistical category. Smith also had a few brushes with the law — a DUI arrest in 2001 that would eventually be dropped — and was suspended for four games during the 2003 season for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Buddy Nix (r.) has stepped aside as Bills' GM (USA Today Sports Images)

The Buffalo Bills announced on Monday that GM Buddy Nix is stepping aside to transition into his new role as "special assistant" to the team's personnel department.

Nix, 73, was a scout for the Bills from 1993-2000 before working as the assistant GM/director of player personnel for the San Diego Chargers. Nix rejoined the Bills organization in January of 2009 and was promoted to general manager later that year. The Bills were 16-32 in three full seasons with Nix as their general manager.

"I've made this decision to step away from the General Manager's position because I feel it is the right time," Nix said in a statement released by the Bills. "By the 'right time' I mean I think we have a good young roster, an excellent head coach with a good staff, and it's time to let someone else handle these responsibilities and move forward together. Timing is the main thing, but there are other benefits as well. This job is very demanding with a 24-7 schedule of responsibilities.

"This new position will enable me to spend more time with my family. I appreciate the opportunity given to me by Mr. Wilson and Russ (Brandon) and I'm fortunate to step away from the job and still remain a part of the team."

The Bills have not announced a replacement for Nix, but the team will likely promote assistant GM Doug Whaley to the position. Whaley spent 10 seasons in the personnel department with the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Bills in 2010. The 40-year-old Whaley is a highly-regarded talent evaluator and received a contract extension from the Bills in February.