2016 October - Pro Football Rumors

Tom Coughlin Still Interested In Coaching?

October 15th, 2016 at 8:21am CST by Connor J. Byrne

A few months after his 11-year, two-time Super Bowl-winning tenure with the Giants concluded last winter, Tom Coughlin revealed in May that he was aiming to land a head coaching job in 2017. That could still be the case, as the current senior advisor to the NFL’s football department didn’t rule out a return to the sidelines Friday.

“Well, we’ll see about that,” said Coughlin (via Howie Kussoy of the New York Post). “One day at a time. I hope I can make an impact in the job that I’m in. That’s why I’m in that position.”

Coughlin was a head coach in 20 of 21 seasons between 1995 – his first year with the Jaguars – and 2015. Despite his age (70), a pair of head coach-needy teams showed interest in the potential Hall of Famer during the offseason. Coughlin interviewed with both the 49ers and Eagles regarding their vacancies, and he nearly ended up in Philadelphia. Late in the Eagles’ search, however, Coughlin withdrew his name from consideration, paving the way for the hiring of Doug Pederson. Coughlin reportedly could have landed the job had he not had a change of heart.

While Coughlin passed on the Eagles, one factor that led him to take his current position is that it’s somewhat similar to his past role, he explained Friday.

“I have really enjoyed the work that I’ve done, as far as going in the command room and being there throughout all the Sunday games. That part of it’s been exciting because it’s the closest thing for me to the sidelines, which is what I was looking for,” he said.

Before the league hired him in July, Coughlin met with Bills brass in March or April about joining the organization as a consultant. When details of that meeting leaked Oct. 1, Coughlin’s agent, Sandy Montag, told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen that Coughlin “is fully engaged in his job with the NFL.” Montag also said that there hadn’t been any early season calls from teams looking to gauge Coughlin’s interest in becoming a head coach again. If Coughlin doesn’t return to the sidelines, he’ll end up with 170 wins – tied with Mike Shanahan for 12th all-time – against 150 losses in the regular season, a 12-7 playoff record in nine appearances, and a pair of titles.

Extra Points: Hardy, Siemian, LaFell, Patriots

October 14th, 2016 at 9:07pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Defensive end Greg Hardy‘s NFL career could be over because of his myriad off-field issues, the latest being a September drug possession charge. Hardy is now eyeing a career in mixed martial arts as a result, and UFC president Dana White hasn’t ruled out eventually signing the 28-year-old if he proves he’s worthy of a contract (a big “if,” of course).

In a Wednesday appearance on FOX Sports 1’s “Speak For Yourself,” White said of Hardy (via MMAFighting.com), “I’m one of those guys too who believes that we’re all human beings and we all make mistakes. And when you make a mistake, you pay your penance, whatever it might be, and you should be allowed to make a living and move on in your life. Is he good enough to come into the UFC and fight? I highly doubt it.”

More on the NFL, including news on another free agent:

A year before the Broncos drafted him in 2015, quarterback Trevor Siemian was disappointed that the Patriots selected Eastern Illinois signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo, writes Kalyn Kahler of TheMMQB. Siemian, who had just finished his penultimate season at Northwestern, hoped to end up behind Tom Brady in New England the next year, his former college roommate and teammate told Khyler. “He was like, ‘Ahh I think I could have done well in that offense,’” ex-Northwestern center Hayden Baker said. As a seventh-round pick, Siemian went much lower than Garoppolo did the previous year (Round 2), though it’s the former who’s now an NFL starter. Siemian took over the role after sitting behind Peyton Manning on a Super Bowl-winning team as a rookie and has performed well this year for the 4-2 club. Garoppolo was even better during his first three starts this season, but injuries and the return of Brady from a four-game suspension have combined to send him back to the bench.
With the Bengals and Patriots set to square off Sunday, Cincinnati receiver Brandon LaFell spoke Friday about the end of his two-year New England tenure (via Mike Reiss of ESPN.com). “I played great my first year. My second year, I was an average guy and that’s why they had to let me go,” said LaFell, who played in all of the Super Bowl-winning Pats’ games in 2014 and finished the regular season with 74 receptions, 953 yards and seven touchdowns. In 11 games last year, LaFell’s catch total fell by half (37), he failed to find the end zone, and he dropped six passes. Those struggles led New England to release LaFell in March, and the 29-year-old revealed Friday that a left foot injury contributed to his woes in 2015 and helped bring about the end of his stint with the Pats. “I could never get back into my rhythm and get back to playing like the way I know how to play,” he said. “I felt like I was hurting the team going out there playing half-injured, but we had so many other guys at the receiver position that were hurt, so I had to play.” Healthy again, LaFell has amassed 21 catches, 276 yards and two scores in his first five games as a Bengal.
After pleading guilty Oct. 6 to vehicular-assault and hit-and-run charges, free agent fullback Derrick Coleman avoided jail time Friday. A potential 12- to 14-month sentence was on the table for the former Seahawk, who was instead sentenced to 240 hours of community service and 12 months of community supervision, according to the Seattle Times. Earlier Friday, the NFL hit Coleman with a four-week suspension.

NFL Owners Pushing For CBA Extension

October 14th, 2016 at 8:02pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement doesn’t expire until 2020, but the league’s owners are already seeking an extension. They have approached the NFL Players Association about lengthening the deal several times in recent months, sources told ESPN’s Dan Graziano. While nothing has come of those attempts yet, the owners plan to initiate discussions again soon.

Potential stadiums in Las Vegas and San Diego are among the reasons the league is pushing for a CBA extension, per Graziano, who writes that the owners want to secure funding for new facilities in those cities.

CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported in late September that the league wanted the Raiders to avoid moving to Las Vegas, but owner Mark Davis’ relocation dreams have continued inching closer to reality since. In the latest development, the Nevada Assembly signed off Friday on $750MM in contributions from the state toward a proposed $1.9 billion stadium for the Raiders.

The Chargers, meanwhile, will have to decide by Jan. 15 whether to head to Los Angeles, though a new stadium in San Diego would keep that from happening. There hasn’t been much progress in San Diego, and La Canfora reported last month that the Chargers appear likely to join the Rams in LA.

Based on Graziano’s report, NFL owners are seemingly on board with Vegas, whose stadium project would include $500MM in funding from Davis. Nearly half of that ($200MM) would come from an NFL loan. One problem for the league is that it has already exhausted the stadium credits in the current CBA, which the owners and players agreed to in July 2011 after a four-month lockout. Now, in order for an extension to happen, the players might require the owners to make “significant concessions,” according to Graziano. It’s unclear which issues would lead the players back to the negotiating table early, however.

Major Roster Changes Looming For Dolphins?

October 14th, 2016 at 7:03pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

At 1-4 with a minus-31 point differential, the Dolphins have been among the NFL’s worst teams this season. There are clearly weaknesses throughout the Dolphins’ roster, and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald writes that the team has plenty of players it no longer wants. As a result, executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum, general manager Chris Grier and head coach Adam Gase are likely to oversee a significant makeover during the offseason.

The Dolphins already began moving on from players who aren’t part of the solution earlier this week, cutting offensive linemen Dallas Thomas and Billy Turner on Tuesday. Turner is now with the Ravens, who claimed him on waivers, but Salguero reports that the Dolphins couldn’t find any takers when they shopped him and Thomas.

With Turner and Thomas gone, there are a slew of other Dolphins with iffy futures, according to Salguero. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill and offensive lineman Branden Albert are among those with nebulous statuses beyond this year, though Salguero doesn’t expect Miami to move on from either. Running back Arian Foster, tight end Jordan Cameron and tackle Jermon Bushrod are all impending free agents who are doubtful to return in 2017 (Cameron could retire). Receiver Kenny Stills‘ deal also expires at season’s end, and Salguero notes that he has a fan in Gase, but the Dolphins haven’t been willing to commit a multiyear deal to him yet. Unless that changes prior to free agency, Stills could head elsewhere for a raise.

Defensively, ends Mario Williams, Jason Jones and Andre Branch, linebackers Jelani Jenkins and Koa Misi, and cornerback Byron Maxwell might be in new uniforms next year. Williams and Maxwell, two high-profile offseason additions, look as though they’ll be one and done in Miami, per Salguero. The two have underwhelmed with the Dolphins, who would save $14MM (compared to $5MM in dead money) by releasing them prior to next season. The only other member of the group who’s signed past 2016 is Misi. However, Misi’s career could be in jeopardy, and releasing him would free up $4.2MM in spending room at the cost of just $578K in dead money next season – the final year of Misi’s contract.

Given that the Dolphins’ season isn’t even halfway over, at least some of these individuals could play their way out of the doghouse over the next 11 games. The Dolphins are currently on track for a sizable house cleaning, though, and with the 4-1 Steelers and 3-2 Bills next on their schedule, they could enter their Week 8 bye at 1-6.

Latest On Tony Romo, Dak Prescott

October 14th, 2016 at 5:32pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo continues to progress in his recovery from a broken bone in his back and is aiming for a Week 8 or Week 9 return, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Romo has been aggressive in his workouts lately and is “throwing the ball with zip,” a source told Florio.

Romo’s absence this season hasn’t been the death knell it was last year for the Cowboys, who went 1-11 without the four-time Pro Bowler as he dealt with collarbone issues. At 4-1, the Cowboys have already matched their 2015 win total and currently sit atop the NFC East.

Romo’s backup, fourth-round rookie Dak Prescott, has been a revelation in his first NFL action. Prescott has combined for seven touchdowns (four passing, three rushing) and begun his career with a record 155 straight interception-less attempts. Moreover, the 6-foot-2, 226-pounder is third in the league in completion percentage (69.0), sixth in yards per attempt (7.99) and eighth in rating (101.5).

Despite Prescott’s success, he regards the Cowboys as “Tony’s team” and is prepared to step aside in favor of the veteran. The Cowboys, meanwhile, have insisted that Romo will regain the No. 1 job when he’s ready to return. That remains the plan, per Florio. However, owner Jerry Jones was less definitive on the subject Friday, telling 105.3 The Fan that there won’t be anything “simple” about choosing between Romo and Prescott if Dallas upends Green Bay on Sunday (Twitter link via Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram).

The Cowboys have a bye in Week 7, and depending on Romo’s health, team brass could have an intriguing decision on its hands as it prepares for the season’s second half.

Practice Squad Updates: 10/14/16

October 14th, 2016 at 5:02pm CST by Zachary Links

Friday’s practice squad moves:

Indianapolis Colts

Signed: OT Jeremy Vujnovich (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle)

Philadelphia Eagles

Signed: G Darrell Greene
Cut: LB Don Cherry

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

To be signed on Monday: TE Tevin Westbrook (Twitter link via agent Brett Tessler)

Derrick Coleman Gets Four-Week Suspension

October 14th, 2016 at 4:40pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The NFL has suspended free agent fullback Derrick Coleman for the next four weeks, according to Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link). Coleman pleaded guilty on Oct. 6 to vehicular-assault and hit-and-run charges stemming from a 2015 crash, per Sara Jean Green of the Seattle Times. Jail time is a possibility for Coleman, whose sentencing is scheduled for Friday.

The past year has been a tumultuous one for Coleman, who appeared in 31 of the Seahawks’ games from 2012-15 and was a member of their 2013 Super Bowl-winning team. Bellevue, Wash., police arrested Coleman last October after he was driving a Dodge pickup at a “high rate of speed” and struck a Honda Civic traveling the same direction, according to witnesses.

The police report indicates that Coleman’s truck was going 60 in a 35 mph zone, and his foot was on the accelerator at 100 percent for several seconds. That pushed the other vehicle 260 feet off the roadway up a hill and caused it to flipped over. The driver went to the hospital with a head injury and a fractured left clavicle, while police found a barefoot Coleman two blocks from the scene. Coleman’s lawyer said the accident dislodged Coleman’s hearing aids, which may have left him disoriented and led to his departure from the scene. Coleman admitted to smoking a form of synthetic marijuana, not illegal in Washington, an hour before the collision.

Prior to joining the Seahawks, the 25-year-old Coleman was a notable contributor at UCLA, where he rushed for 1,780 yards in four years and earned second-team All-Pac-12 honors as a senior. Coleman’s NFL career began with the Vikings, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2012.

Saints Claim Joe Callahan From Packers

October 14th, 2016 at 4:10pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Saints have claimed quarterback Joe Callahan off waivers from the Packers, reports Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com. In a corresponding move, the Saints have released offensive lineman Khalif Barnes, according to Field Yates of ESPN (Twitter link).

The Packers cut Callahan on Thursday, but their hope was that the rookie would pass through waivers and end up on their practice squad. He’ll instead head to New Orleans, which has two quarterbacks on its roster – Drew Brees and Luke McCown – and Garrett Grayson on its taxi squad. Callahan, a former standout at Division III Wesley College, joined the Pack as an undrafted free agent this year. Thanks to an excellent preseason, he unexpectedly cracked Green Bay’s 53-man roster, though his stay only lasted five weeks.

As for Barnes, the Saints have shuffled him on and off their roster since August. The former Jaguar and Raider has 151 appearances and 117 starts to his name, but he hasn’t yet seen action this year.

Raiders Inch One Step Closer To Las Vegas

October 14th, 2016 at 3:54pm CST by Zachary Links

Today, the Nevada Assembly approved the funding bill for the Raiders’ proposed stadium in Las Vegas. The vote means that the Raiders have taken a major step towards relocating to Sin City.

“I would like to thank Governor Sandoval, the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee, and the members of the Nevada Legislature on this historic day, ” said Raiders owner Mark Davis in a statement released moments ago. “All parties have worked extremely hard to develop and approve this tremendous stadium project that will serve as a proud new home for the entire Raider Nation.”

The state of Nevada will now contribute $750MM to the project, which is estimated to cost about $1.9 billion. Technically, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval could veto the bill, but he is scheduled for a public signing on Monday. Needless to say, he won’t be issuing a veto.

Last month, it was reported that the league office was actually pushing for Oakland to keep the Raiders. At the same time, Roger Goodell has expressed an openness towards having a team in Vegas in the last year. Ultimately, it will be the NFL’s owners who vote on the proposed relocation to Las Vegas. To get the green light, Davis will need 23 votes in addition to his own.

Panthers Promote CB Lou Young

October 14th, 2016 at 2:50pm CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers are promoting cornerback Lou Young to the 53-man roster, as David Newton of ESPN.com tweets. Carolina was in need of some CB help as starting cornerbacks Robert McClain and James Bradberry deal with hamstring injuries.

Young, as Newton writes, could see time at nickel behind Colin Jones and Zack Sanchez. Daryl Worley will start at one cornerback with either Sanchez or Teddy Williams on the other side. Young spent the bulk of the 2015 season on the Panthers’ practice squad before being called up in January. The Georgia Tech product has yet to record an official statistic in the NFL, however.

The Panthers have been having trouble in the secondary this year and the front office showed its frustration by cutting starter Bene Benwikere a couple of weeks ago. So far, the Panthers have been unable to adequately replace the production of former star corner Josh Norman.