Other NFL News

[pierre]

If the NFL expands, it would be to London and/or Canada.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

Saw this reading the MMQB and found it hilarious...


Paul Ryan        ✔ @PRyan
Follow
.@GovChristie, do you need a hug now? #GoPackGo #WinninginWisco
4:11 PM - 11 Jan 2015

[BridgeTroll]

Karmic justice for the Cowboys... Go Pack! 

[spuwho]

Rex Ryan is new Bills coach.

Conventional wisdom is Greg Roman is coming from 49ers to be the OC.

Did anyone see John Harbaugh get an unsportsman conduct penalty for coming on the field to protest New England substitutions?

Basically the Patriots were lining up fullbacks and extra TE's as ineligible offensive linemen but still meeting league rules for the offensive line.

Refs dont have to announce ineligible players, just ones lining up to be eligible. After the game the refs said it was legal but the Ravens thpught it was sneaky since no one does it.

Now that Belichick has found a loophole, look for it to be closed this summer.

Also, does anyone else think Peyton Manning's neck nerve issue is back? Wobbly passes, no velocity, overthrowing deep. Hmmm.

No wonder everyone is talking retirement.

[spuwho]

Kubiak is considered the top contender to be the next Broncos coach.

Per thedenverchannel.com:

Gary Kubiak among 6 considered by Broncos, report says



DENVER - There are many candidates and six NFL teams looking for a new coach.

Only one of those teams, though, can offer those candidates a team coming off a three-year run of 13-3, 13-3 and 12-4 records.

The Broncos are that team looking to replace coach John Fox. Early candidates on the Broncos' list, according to two NFL sources: Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, Ravens' quarterbacks coach Rick Dennison, Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

However the Denver Post says Kubiak isn't as interested as the fans would like him to be:

Kubiak and Dennison are both former Broncos players and offensive coordinators. They spent Tuesday working at the Ravens' coaching offices, where they will be until they head to the Pro Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., where they will replace the Broncos' coaching staff .

Kubiak sent out a statement last week saying that while he was flattered by head coaching overtures from other teams, he wanted to continue to serve as the Ravens' offensive coordinator in 2015.

[I-10east]

Looks like Oakland is going to make JDR their head coach.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/14/report-raiders-expected-to-hire-jack-del-rio-today/

[spuwho]

Looks like Oakland is going to make JDR their head coach.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/14/report-raiders-expected-to-hire-jack-del-rio-today/

Unless JDR has something in his contract language that forbids play calls from the owners suite, he will last as long as Kiffin, Callahan, Jackson, and all the others since John Madden.

The other coaches ignored them at their own peril.

And who would want to be an assistant where owners recycle coaches more than old age free agent players?

It will reunite him with MJD however.

[Non-RedNeck Westsider]

It will reunite him with MJD however.

Per PFT, it looks like his D Coordinator is going to be Mike Smith...again.

Now all they need to do is bring Shack in from Detroit and get the whole gang back together again. 

[spuwho]

It will reunite him with MJD however.

Per PFT, it looks like his D Coordinator is going to be Mike Smith...again.

Now all they need to do is bring Shack in from Detroit and get the whole gang back together again.

Shack?  Does this mean they will draft a QB from the Minnesota School of Mines?

[Wacca Pilatka]

The Jets are considering hiring Gene Smith for a front office role.

The discussion thread on the Jet equivalent to Big Cat Country is hilarious.

[I-10east]

Bird safe glass is an issue concerning Minnesota's new stadium...

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/17/bird-safe-glass-fight-hovers-over-vikings-new-stadium/

[spuwho]

The Jets are considering hiring Gene Smith for a front office role.

The discussion thread on the Jet equivalent to Big Cat Country is hilarious.

Per ESPN:

New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan, hired only three days ago, began reshaping the front office Friday by firing the previous regime's top two college scouts.

Terry Bradway, the senior director of college scouting, was dismissed after 14 seasons with the Jets. He served as the general manager from 2001 to '05 before moving into a background role, although he still maintained considerable influence in the draft room.

Also fired was director of college scouting Jeff Bauer, who spent three years in that job and a total of 13 with the organization.

"Today, I informed Terry and Jeff that the organization will be moving forward without them," Maccagnan said. "They have made valuable contributions to the New York Jets for more than a decade and we wish them both success in the future."

Maccagnan already has potential replacements in mind, so he wanted to move quickly. He's reportedly interested in former Jacksonville Jaguars GM Gene Smith. If he decides to hire Smith, it wouldn't be to replace Bradway or Bauer. It would be a different role, probably working as his right-hand man.

The Jets haven't drafted well in recent years, so the upheaval hardly comes as a surprise. In fact, the most recent draft pick to be selected to the Pro Bowl was cornerback Darrelle Revis, a first-round pick in 2007 -- and now a member of the New England Patriots.

Since then, they've drafted only two impact players, defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson (2011) and Sheldon Richardson (2013), the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Their 2014 draft was particularly unproductive. With then-GM John Idzik in charge, the Jets drafted 12 players, only two of whom contributed -- safety Calvin Pryor and tight end Jace Amaro.

Idzik and coach Rex Ryan were fired Dec. 29 after a 4-12 season, replaced this week by Maccagnan and Todd Bowles, respectively.

[spuwho]

NFL Coaching visits tracker

Per NFL.com:

Chicago Bears
The Bears have made John Fox their next head coach, the team announced. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Fox signed a four-year deal. Chicago has also requested to speak with Titans tight ends coach Mike Mularkey for its offensive coordinator position, Rapoport reported. The Titans later denied Mularkey permission to speak with the Bears, Rapoport reported.

San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers promoted defensive line coach Jim Tomsula to head coach. San Francisco chose Tomsula over hiring Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase. With Bill Callahan as the Redskins' O-line coach, former Washington coach Chris Foerster will join the Niners in the same role, per Rapoport.


Oakland Raiders
Jack Del Rio: 'We want to create a winning culture'

The Raiders have hired Jack Del Rio to be their next head coach, the team announced on Thursday. Oakland and the former Broncos defensive coordinator have agreed to a four-year deal, per Rapoport and NFL Media's Albert Breer. The Hayward, California, native was last a head coach with the Jaguars in 2011. Mike Tice is joining Del Rio in Oakland as the Raiders' offensive line coach, NFL Media columnist Michael Silver reported.


Buffalo Bills

The Bills announced on Monday that Rex Ryan is their new coach. His first official hire was bringing aboard 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman for the same position, the team announced.

Ryan and the Bills tabbed Dennis Thurman as defensive coordinator on Thursday. Rapoport reported that former Bears OC Aaron Kromer will be Buffalo's offensive line coach, while David Lee will coach up the quarterbacks.

New York Jets
The Jets announced the hiring of Todd Bowles as head coach. NFL Media's Albert Breer reports it's a four-year deal. Bowles is expected to bring in Chan Gailey as offensive coordinator, Rapoport reported. Bowles is also expected to bring in Dolphins defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers as his defensive coordinator.
The Jets also named Mike Maccagnan their new general manager on Tuesday. Maccagnan previously served as the director of college scouting for the Houston Texans.

New York Giants

The Giants have brought back Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator, the team announced.

Dallas Cowboys

Owner Jerry Jones announced that coach Jason Garrett was given a new five-year deal. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported it's worth $30 million. Jones also announced that defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli and Scott Linehan -- who was promoted to offensive coordinator -- both received three-year deals.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh announced that Keith Butler has been named the team's new defensive coordinator, replacing Dick LeBeau. Butler previously served as the Steelers' linebackers coach.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers signed Dirk Koetter to be their offensive coordinator, replacing Jeff Tedford and Marcus Arroyo. Koetter previously served as the Falcons' offensive coordinator.

Vacant head-coaching jobs

Denver Broncos

Reported interviews:
Gary Kubiak, Ravens offensive coordinator
Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator
Vance Joseph, Bengals defensive backs coach

Potential candidates:
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Doug Marrone, former Bills head coach

Latest on Denver Broncos head coaching search
Notes: Kubiak is a former teammate of GM John Elway and is interviewing for the position on Sunday. He is the clear favorite, per Rapoport. ... Denver was supposed to interview Austin on Friday, Rapoport reported, but the interview was cancelled, and it has not been rescheduled yet. ... Denver was scheduled to interview Marrone on Saturday, but the former Bills coach cancelled on Friday, Rapoport reported.

Atlanta Falcons
Reported interviews:
Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
Doug Marrone, former Bills coach
Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Dan Quinn, Seahawks defensive coordinator
Keith Armstrong, Falcons special teams coordinator

Notes: Rapoport reports the Falcons have strong interest in Quinn. ... Rapoport also reported Austin had a second interview with the Falcons on Thursday.

Other vacancies

Philadelphia Eagles

Reported general manager interviews:
Chris Polian, Jaguars director of pro personnel
Brian Gaine, Texans director of pro personnel
Chris Grier, Dolphins director of pro personnel


Notes: Gaine will receive a promotion instead of leaving for the Eagles GM job, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source with knowledge of the Eagles' situation. Gaine interviewed with the Eagles twice, and it is unclear what his new title will be in Houston, Rapoport added.

Washington Redskins

Reported defensive coordinator interviews:

Raheem Morris, Redskins defensive backs coach
Vic Fangio, ex-Niners defensive coordinator
Joe Barry, Chargers linebackers coach

Notes: NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported the Redskins eliminated defensive coordinator finalist Raheem Morris on Wednesday and were set to hire Joe Barry as defensive coordinator. Then Vic Fangio became available, and now he's under consideration. He'll interview this weekend.


Cleveland Browns


Reported offensive coordinator interviews:
Marc Trestman, former Bears coach
John DeFilippo, Raiders quarterbacks coach
Al Saunders, senior Raiders offensive assistant

Notes: NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport noted that DeFilippo chatted with the Browns on Friday.

St. Louis Rams

Potential OC candidates:
Kyle Shanahan, former Browns offensive coordinator

Notes: St. Louis has requested to interview Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase, Rapoport reports.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Reported offensive coordinator interviews:
Greg Olson, Raiders offensive coordinator
Kirby Wilson, Vikings running backs coach
Adam Gase, Broncos offensive coordinator

Notes: Olson is set to interview with the Jags on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport. Broncos OC Adam Gase will interview for the opening on Sunday morning, according to NFL Media columnist Michael Silver.
Firings

Buffalo Bills: The team terminated the contract of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Denver Broncos: John Fox and the Denver Broncos have agreed to part ways. Fox informed NFL Media's Jeff Darlington about the move.

Chicago Bears: The team announced on Dec. 29 that coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery have been fired.

Atlanta Falcons: The team announced on morning of Dec. 29 that coach Mike Smith was fired after six seasons.

New York Jets: On morning of Dec. 29, owner Woody Johnson informed coach Rex Ryan and general manager John Idzik that they would not be returning in 2015.

San Francisco 49ers: Technically, Jim Harbaugh was not fired. He and the 49ers mutually decided to part ways after struggling to share in their success. Harbaugh quickly landed at Michigan.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The team fired offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch on Dec. 30, meaning Blake Bortles will learn a new offense in 2015.

Washington Redskins: Washington announced Dec. 31 that the team and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett "mutually agreed" to part ways.

New York Giants: Perry Fewell won't return as defensive coordinator for the Giants next season, the team announced.

Cleveland Browns: Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan resigned after one season, the team announced.

[spuwho]

So much for the vaunted "12th Man" in Seattle.

Per PFT:

Some Seattle fans left early, missed Seahawks' comeback

Apparently beating traffic is more important than the chance to see your team pull out one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.

With the Seahawks trailing the Packers in the fourth quarter, large numbers of Seattle fans decided to leave the stadium early, costing themselves the chance to see the Seahawks' dramatic fourth-quarter comeback and overtime victory.

Some of those fans were still in the parking lot when they heard the roar of the fans who remained in the stadium, but unfortunately for those fans who left early, CenturyLink Field in Seattle has a strict no re-entry policy, and they weren't allowed back in the game. As a result, some of those fans crowded around outside the concourse area and watched the end of the game through the windows, on the TVs inside the stadium.



Let this be a lesson to football fans everywhere: If you're going to spend a lot of money to watch your team in a playoff game, go ahead and stick around for the ending, even if it's looking bleak for the home team. You may someday want to tell your grandchildren about that time you saw one of the best finishes in football history. Your grandchildren will be unimpressed with a story about making good time on the way home from the stadium.

[Keith-N-Jax]

That was an epic game