Joseph Fauria Attempting Comeback
Tight end Joseph Fauria would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the recent league decision to liberalize rules governing post-touchdown celebrations. The problem is that he’s unemployed and has not appeared in an NFL game since 2014.
Fauria signed with Detroit as a UDFA in 2013, and the 6-7 UCLA product hauled in 18 catches that year, seven of which went for touchdowns. He punctuated his scores with various dances and antics, which turned him into something of a brief Internet sensation. Unfortunately, he followed up his surprisingly productive rookie campaign with a disappointing and injury-shortened 2014 that saw him catch just six passes for 74 yards (though one of them was a touchdown reception).
His size, athleticism, and unexpected agility were not appealing enough for an NFL team to put him on the field in 2015. He was cut by Detroit prior to the start of the regular season that year, and while he had stints with the Patriots’ and Cardinals’ taxi squads in the subsequent months, he never suited up for either club. He then sat out all of 2016.
Now, as Alex Marvez of SportingNews.com writes, Fauria is attempting to make a comeback. Fauria, 27, says, “I’m trying my best. Last year didn’t go as planned. I didn’t get any tryouts, but I have my head on straight now. I’m in good shape. I’m ready to go. I just want one more chance.” Fauria also admits that, while former Lions head coach Jim Schwartz ultimately warmed up to his touchdown celebrations, Schwartz’s successor, Jim Caldwell, did not, and team ownership was also unhappy about Fauria’s demonstrations. It’s difficult to say whether that displeasure contributed to the end of Fauria’s tenure with the Lions, but it certainly didn’t help.
Checking In On Top FAs Still Available
Last week, we checked in on the top cornerbacks still available and discussed the latest news as to each of those players. Today, we’ll check in on three more big-name free agents who are still without a 2017 employer (Darrelle Revis would be included in this post, but in addition to last week’s cornerback article, we also discussed Revis’ market in two separate posts this past week).
We start with Perry Riley, who quietly put together a very nice season with the Raiders in 2016, ranking as the 15th-best linebacker in the league according to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. In 11 games for Oakland — he did not sign with the club until October — he posted 48 total tackles, two forced fumbles, and one pass deflection. Riley spent the first six years of his career with the Redskins, and he was a solid starter for much of that time. Now 29, it is a bit surprising that we have not heard more reports on Riley, as only the Raiders have expressed any public interest in his services. We heard prior to free agency that the Raiders were trying to get a new deal done with Riley, and just last week we learned that negotiations between the two sides progressed reasonably well. However, Riley and the Raiders could not come to terms, and while the team is still in the market for a middle linebacker, it sounds as if it is prepared to move on. The guess here, though, is that Riley will ultimately return to the Raiders, as the club’s middle linebacker position is arguably its weakest. The Raiders signed Jelani Jenkins this offseason, and they also drafted Wake Forest’s Marquel Lee in the fifth round of this year’s draft, but they can hardly expect either of them to be difference-makers (Jenkins, in fact, graded out as the worst full-time linebacker in the league last season per PFF and will likely only appear in sub-packages). As such, a reunion with Riley just makes too much sense.
Outside of Riley, Ryan Clady is the only member of our 2017 list of top 50 free agents to remain unsigned, and like Riley, Clady has not generated a great deal of interest on the open market. The Seahawks are the only team to have publicly reached out to Clady, and while the 30-year-old tackle (31 in September) visited Seattle in March, he left town without a contract. At his peak, Clady was one of the premier left tackles in the game, but injuries have derailed the career of the four-time Pro Bowler, as he has appeared in just 27 of a possible 64 regular-season games since 2013. He spent the first seven years of his career with the Broncos before signing with the Jets last season, but he played in only nine games (eight starts) for Gang Green before suffering a season-ending rotator cuff injury, and the club ultimately decided not to exercise his 2017 option. While no one can rely on him to serve as a starting-caliber left tackle for a full season at this point, it’s hard to imagine his not getting a chance to crack another tackle rotation this summer. Outside of the Seahawks, the Ravens may be a potential landing spot, as Baltimore lost starting right tackle Ricky Wagner this offseason and may prefer to keep guards Alex Lewis and Marshal Yanda on the interior of the line.
Speaking of the Ravens, Baltimore has been connected to another former Jet, Nick Mangold, this offseason. In addition to a potential right tackle vacancy, the Ravens also have a hole at center, and Mangold could represent a quality stopgap solution in that regard. The two sides met early last month, and the Ravens — unlike some other teams, who believe Mangold’s health makes him better-suited to a guard spot at this stage of his career — are comfortable with Mangold’s medicals, but compensation appears to be the obstacle at this point. Assuming Mangold is healthy, he would be a perfect fit in Baltimore. The team is apparently comfortable playing Lewis at right tackle, but signing Mangold would allow John Urschel, Ryan Jensen, and rookie Nico Siragusa to compete for the starting left guard spot and create solid depth throughout the rest of the rotation. Should the Ravens fail to sign a right tackle and/or a center, three of their starting offensive linemen would be mid-round draft choices with little to no track record at the professional level. Mangold has also drawn interest from the Giants, but with Weston Richburg entrenched at center, and with Justin Pugh and John Jerry on either side of him, it’s unclear how Mangold would fit in with Big Blue.
Top 8 Fits For Free Agent CB Darrelle Revis
Darrelle Revis is in the clear from the NFL’s point of view, as the league doesn’t intend to punish him as a result of his alleged role in a dustup earlier this year (one that ended with no charges being filed). While two teams reportedly recently checked in on Revis, some club executives simply don’t see a healthy market for the former All Pro.
Revis, 31, ranks as PFR’s No. 1 free agent corner at the moment, and while he’s certainly not the shutdown corner he was in days gone by, Revis is still a viable starting option. He graded out as the league’s No. 64 corner in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, which would place him right at the tail end of acceptable play. However, one general manager recently told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he wouldn’t go after the veteran cornerback even if he agreed to play “for free.”
Here’s a look at the top eight teams that could be interested in Revis:
Arizona Cardinals
Heading into the offseason, the Cardinals’ top need was arguably at cornerback, as the club doesn’t have a plethora of options to play opposite All Pro Patrick Peterson. Instead of targeting the position in either free agency or the draft, Arizona opted to stand pat, and will now enter the 2017 campaign with only Justin Bethel, Brandon Williams, Harlan Miller, and Eli Bouka behind Peterson. Bethel is a career special-teamer, Williams struggled in his brief time as a starter, and Miler and Bouke have limited — or in Bouka’s case, zero — experience. Revis would allow the Cardinals to bump Bethel back into a reserve role while giving Williams, who was selected in the third round only a year ago, time to develop.
Dallas Cowboys
The free agent period took a massive toll on the Cowboys’ secondary, as cornerbacks Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne, plus safeties Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox, all signed elsewhere. Unlike the Cardinals, Dallas did take steps to make up for its losses, signing veteran Nolan Carroll to a cheap deal while drafting Colorado’s Chidobe Awuzie and Michigan’s Jourdan Lewis on Day 2. Along with 2016 sixth-round steal Anthony Brown and stalwart Orlando Scandrick, the Cowboys probably have enough secondary depth to get by. But team owner Jerry Jones has shown a proclivity for adding high-profile names in the past, and Revis would certainly fit that bill (and the Cowboys could even give him a look at safety).
Detroit Lions
The Lions finished dead last in DVOA against the pass in 2016, despite the fact that their top two corners — Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson — ranked a respectable 17th and 37th among 111 qualified corners, per Pro Football Focus. Detroit’s lack of quality depth is a concern, however. Quandre Diggs is a slot option at best and didn’t play well last season, and while the Lions spent a second-round pick on Teez Tabor, the Florida product’s slow 40-yard dash times could make it difficult for him to succeed at the next level. Detroit general manager Bob Quinn worked in New England during Revis’ lone season with the Patriots, so he has familiarity with the veteran corner.
Indianapolis Colts
Like the Lions, the Colts ranked as a bottom-five DVOA club against the pass last year. Vontae Davis dealt with nagging injuries all season, and his health concerns likely contributed to his poor play (No. 98 CB per PFF). Quincy Wilson (Florida) was Indianapolis’ second-round pick, and will likely have to immediately step into the starting lineup, as the Colts simply don’t have any other contributors on the roster. Darius Butler is a slot corner who will likely play safety in big nickel sets, while Rashaan Melvin, Darryl Morris, and Chris Milton aren’t exactly inspiring. Revis would likely see a good deal of playing time if Indy inked him to a deal.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have seemingly been looking for quality corners since trading Davis to the Colts in 2012. Byron Maxwell, a trade acquisition himself, finally lived up to his $10MM+ salary, and Tony Lippett also played well as he continues his conversion from collegiate wideout to cornerback. Xavien Howard, a second-round selection a year ago, didn’t seen many snaps during his rookie campaign, but could certainly be counted on for a larger role in 2017, and Miami also used a third-round pick on Cordrea Tankersley this year. Revis would give the Fins another body at cornerback, and like the Cowboys, Miami would be another team that could give Revis a try at safety.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles’ starting corners are currently projected to be Jalen Mills and Patrick Robinson, which is a clear indicator Philadelphia needs to bring in another defensive back. Yes, the Eagles used second- and third-round picks on cornerbacks Sidney Jones and Rasul Douglas, but Jones isn’t a lock to play this season following an Achilles tear, while Douglas could be need time to develop, according to PFF’s scouting report. Philadelphia uses a zone-based scheme, which is not Revis’ strength, but he’s an improvement over the likes of fellow veteran Ron Brooks.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Revis, a Pennsylvania native, told reporters earlier this year that playing for the Steelers would be a “dream come true”, and the club still has a need at corner even after using early-round picks on the secondary in recent years. Former second-round pick Senquez Golson hasn’t even seen the field thanks to injuries, while 32-year-old veteran William Gay could be possibly be converted to safety or even released. A homecoming for Revis and the Steelers would likely see him playing behind Ross Cockrell and Artie Burns.
Washington Redskins
Josh Norman, clearly, gives the Redskins a legitimate No. 1 corner, but the club doesn’t have many options after that. After a solid 2015 campaign, Bashaud Breelan struggled last year, while rookie Kendall Fuller also didn’t show much. Washington used a third-round pick on UCLA’s Fabian Moreau last month, but he’s recovering from a torn pectoral and might not see action for awhile. Revis could start immediately in the nation’s capital.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/27/17
Today’s minor moves:
- The Cowboys have signed free agent offensive lineman Ruben Carter, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Carter, who played collegiately at both Florida State and Toledo, signed as a Dolphins undrafted free agent in 2016. He was waived during final cutdowns, and ultimately spent the season with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. In Dallas, Foster will compete for a reserve interior role along with veterans Joe Looney and Byron Bell.
North Rumors: Browns, Villanueva, Vikings
Ryan Grigson will be working on a much lower level with the Browns than he did during his five seasons as the Colts’ GM, but his new employer wants to get the longtime exec back to what he’s believed to do best. The Browns are going to deploy Grigson as a “super scout” of sorts, with Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reporting the team believes that is Grigson’s biggest strength. Grigson worked as an NFL scout with the Rams and Eagles from 1999-2009 before becoming Philadelphia’s director of player personnel in 2010. Pluto notes the 45-year-old Grigson will scout pro and college players and travel to schools to gauge talent in his new role, one that will feature him reporting to former Colts subordinate Andrew Berry.
Here’s more out of Cleveland and some other northern NFL cities.
- The Browns’ contract talks with Isaiah Crowell have stalled for the time being, per Pluto. But the Browns are expected to revisit discussions about an extension for their starting running back “at some point.” Crowell signed his second-round RFA tender earlier this month and as his contract year approaches is in position for a possible career campaign. The Browns devoted considerable resources to upgrading their offensive line this offseason, signing Kevin Zeitler and J.C. Tretter, and extending Joel Bitonio. Crowell averaged 4.8 yards per carry, rushing for 952 on a 1-15 team, so the 24-year-old back could be in line to enhance his value with a strong 2017.
- Returning Browns tackles leader Christian Kirksey also profiles as player the team wants to extend, Pluto notes, hearing extension talks between the team and the linebacker are progressing. The former third-round pick is moving from inside linebacker in Cleveland’s 3-4 look to the 4-3 weak-side ‘backer, but he should retain a three-down role alongside Jamie Collins. Kirksey’s 143 stops last season were nearly 50 more than the second-best Browns tackler, and the emerging player is entering a contract year.
- Alejandro Villanueva hasn’t signed his Steelers ERFA tender yet. As it stands now, Pittsburgh’s left tackle starter would be paid $615K this season. Villanueva profiles as an interesting case, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com writes, noting the 28-year-old former Army Ranger is attending Carnegie-Mellon business school and could have options if an NFL career doesn’t unfold to his liking. Fowler also notes the Steelers won’t be keen on giving Villanueva more than high-end right tackle Marcus Gilbert, who makes $6.1MM per year. While the Steelers are in commanding position here due to ERFAs’ lack of leverage, Villaneuva obviously saw the going rate for steady tackles rise this offseason. The Steelers were working to extend their third-year left tackle starter in February, but Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports the sides aren’t progressing on an extension. Gilbert believes Villanueva is “very deserving” of a new deal.
- Jerick McKinnon has largely been forgotten in the Vikings‘ backfield competition this offseason, but the fourth-year back remains on the roster and has added some weight to his lighter (for an NFL running back) frame. The 5-foot-9 McKinnon bulked up to 211 pounds from 200 this offseason, per Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. That said, the Vikes signed Latavius Murray and used a second-round pick on Dalvin Cook. It’s likely McKinnon — a former college quarterback — will be the No. 3 back.
Colin Kaepernick To Seahawks “Likely To Happen?”
The Seahawks became the first team to meet with Colin Kaepernick this offseason about a potential roster spot, and the latest coming out of the league is pointing the former 49ers starter to the Pacific Northwest.
Many around the NFL expect this union to commence, with ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler reporting (video link) the perception among the several sources he’s spoken with believe the Kaepernick-to-Seattle proposition is “likely to happen.”
The polarizing 29-year-old quarterback met with the Seahawks on Wednesday, doing so after Pete Carroll confirmed the team had interest in upgrading its backup quarterback post. Furthermore, Fowler hears the Seahawks may be the only true suitor for Kaepernick, with other teams not believed to be in the market for a backup quarterback.
Multiple teams ruled out Kaepernick, with the Cowboys and Buccaneers going with the likes of Kellen Moore and Ryan Fitzpatrick as their respective No. 2 signal-callers.
Fowler also reports that salary might be an issue here. A source involved in the quarterback market this offseason told Fowler he believed the Seahawks were only looking to pay the veteran minimum for a backup. Kaepernick profiling as an accomplished quarterback, albeit one who hasn’t been as consistent as he was when the Seahawks-49ers rivalry was at its apex during the early 2010s, leads Fowler to believe the Seahawks could give him a bit more money to spruce up the offer. But the team is not believed to be ready to make Russell Wilson‘s understudy one of the higher-paid backups in the league.
Excluding special-circumstances cases like the Bears’ situation and Brock Osweiler‘s Browns contract, the backup quarterback market tops out at Nick Foles‘ $5.5MM-AAV deal. Matt Schaub re-signed with the Falcons for $4.5MM per year, and Chad Henne makes $3.5MM annually with the Jaguars. Kaepernick obviously has a higher present pedigree than those passers, but with the Seahawks not believed to be negotiating against anyone, that doesn’t do much for the former second-round pick’s leverage.
The Seahawks would represent a logical fit due to Wilson and Kaepernick’s rushing skills and the team’s lack of quality behind its starter. Only Trevone Boykin and Jake Heaps, both ex-UDFAs, sit behind Wilson on the Seahawks’ depth chart. And Boykin was arrested twice earlier this year. The team also worked out Austin Davis this week.
Seattle has $9.49MM in cap space.
Michael Vick To Retire As A Falcon?
Michael Vick admitted in February his NFL career was likely over, after having not played since the 2015 season, but the dual-threat quarterback plans to make it official soon.
Vick plans to retire after 13 NFL seasons and is in discussions to do so as a member of the Falcons on a one-day contract, the 36-year-old free agent told Jon Chuckery of CBS Atlanta.
While it would be interesting if Vick retires as a Falcon given the way the parties ended their relationship, it would officially bring to a close the career of arguably the most athletic quarterback in NFL history. Vick played six seasons with the Falcons before going to prison for his involvement in the infamous dog-fighting scandal, and after missing the 2007-08 seasons, returned and became a starter again with the Eagles. Finishing his career with one-year stints with the Jets and Steelers, Vick has not played since October of 2015.
“I think I got my fill,” Vick said (via Chuckery) of football, adding that he wants to commence this retirement with the Falcons “hopefully soon.”
Vick did return to the Georgia Dome on New Year’s Day for a celebratory ceremony honoring Falcons who played in the 25-year facility. But the former No. 1 overall Falcons pick saw his employment in Atlanta end with the prison sentence and NFL suspension.
Should Vick be done, he will finish with the most rushing yards from the quarterback position in NFL history, with 6,109. That’s over than 1,000 more than Randall Cunningham, second place on this list, compiled during his career. Vick rushed for 36 touchdowns and surpassed 1,000 ground yards in his final year with the Falcons.
As a passer, Vick would stand to finish with a 56 percent completion rate. The former No. 1 overall pick earned four Pro Bowl bids, the first three with the Falcons before a comeback 2010 campaign with the Eagles, and won two playoff games — in 2002 and ’04 as the Falcons starter.
Extra Points: Agholor, Eagles, Steelers, Robinette
Some assorted notes from around the NFL…
- The Eagles signed free agent wideouts Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith this offseason, putting former first-rounder Nelson Agholor‘s spot on the depth chart in doubt. However, the 24-year-old made it clear that he embraces the competition. “I think I was worried about taking such a large leap in a day. It’s all about getting better consistently each day, even if it’s just a little bit,” Agholor told ESPN.com’s Tim McManus. “Some of the best players in this league, they didn’t just become really great the first day they’re there. It took a process and continuous progression every day, so that’s my focus right now.” In 28 career games, Agholor has collected 59 receptions for 648 yards and three touchdowns.
- Earlier this offseason, the Eagles signed safety Rodney McLeod to a five-year, $37MM deal ($17MM guaranteed). The team has apparently slightly altered the contract to open up some cap space, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com tweets that the team saved $2.4MM by converting $3.225M of his salary into a bonus.
- There have been whispers that the Steelers could convert William Gay to safety or even release the veteran. However, as Chris Bradford of the Beaver County Times notes, the 32-year-old is seemingly still the team’s slot cornerback ahead of Senquez Golson and Cameron Sutton. Gay has spent 10 seasons with the Steelers, and last year was the first time since 2010 that he started less than 10 games.
- We learned yesterday that The Air Force Academy had barred wideout Jalen Robinette from graduating, putting both his Air Force and NFL future in doubt. Following the announcement, the player’s agency released a statement to Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post: “Jalen Robinette is currently awaiting a determination on a non-criminal disciplinary proceeding. Jalen continues to look forward to serving the country that he loves and remains committed and loyal to the United States Air Force.” Robinette finished his collegiate career as the team’s all-time leader in receiving yards.
Poll: Where Will Sheldon Richardson Play Next Season?
Sheldon Richardson‘s name has been included in rumors since last season’s trade deadline, but the Jets have been unable to find a suitable deal. We learned yesterday that the organization had shopped the defensive end to the Buccaneers, Colts, and Seahawks, and previous reports indicated that the Broncos and Cowboys had expressed interest. However, reports continually suggest that the Jets won’t simply give Richardson away. As a result, it’s uncertain if Richardson will be playing in New York or elsewhere in 2017.
The former first-rounder’s best campaign arguably came during his 2013 rookie season, when the Defensive Rookie of the Year compiled 78 tackles and 3.5 sacks. Following an eight-sack 2014 campaign, Richardson’s production has dropped in recent years, including a 2016 season where he only compiled 1.5 sacks. Given his previous suspensions, it shouldn’t be all that surprising that trade interest has been lukewarm.
Further clouding a Richardson acquisition is his contract situation. The defender is set to make $8.069MM next season after the Jets previously picked up his fifth-year option. Following the 2017 campaign, Richardson will be a free agent, meaning any trade for the lineman could end up just being a rental.
The Colts could certainly use Richardson on their defensive line, as the 26-year-old could surely provide an upgrade over Kendall Langford and Henry Anderson. The Buccaneers’ defensive end depth chart is rather crowded behind starters Robert Ayers and William Gholston, and it’s unlikely that Richardson could displace Michael Bennett or Cliff Avril in Seattle.
The Broncos, meanwhile, added defensive end DeMarcus Walker in the draft, as well as Kasim Edebali and Bobby Richardson via free agency, so it’s unlikely that they still have interest in Richardson. The same goes for the Cowboys, especially after they selected Taco Charlton in the first-round.
If Richardson wants to continue playing defensive end, he seemingly doesn’t even have a fit in New York. Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams are slotted in as the Jets starting defensive ends, forcing Richardson to linebacker.
There don’t really seem to be any logical suitors for Richardson, although the Jets are clearly motivated to move him. That leads to our question: where will Richardson be playing in 2017? If your choice isn’t included in the poll, mention it in the comments below!
Where Will Sheldon Richardson Be Playing Next Season?
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Other 42% (471)
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New York Jets 33% (368)
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Indianapolis Colts 11% (119)
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Seattle Seahawks 7% (83)
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7% (78)
Total votes: 1,119
New York Notes: Beckham, Giants, Marshall
Odell Beckham Jr. is a notable no-show from Giants OTAs, although this isn’t necessarily anything new. While the practices aren’t mandatory, coach Ben McAdoo made it clear that he’d prefer full attendance over the 10 days.
“You want all your players here, especially your great players,” the coach said (via Steve Serby of the New York Post). “It’s a time to build fundamentals and communication and chemistry and trust, so you want all your players here, especially the great ones. They facilitate a lot of those things for you, but you coach who’s here. That’s what time of year it is for us.”
As Anthony Barstow of the New York Post points out, Beckham seemingly responded to those comments on Friday night. The star receiver retweeted a tweet from NewsOne Now managing editor Roland Martin that read “I’m sick of folks acting like star athletes must always do what a coach asks. McAdoo wants @OBJ_3 at workouts? See ya when it’s mandatory.”
While Beckham’s absence can presumably be attributed to his unwillingness to travel across the country for non-mandatory practices, the 24-year-old could also be sending a subtle hint regarding his contract. The wideout’s salary for 2017 is at $1.8MM, an absolute bargain considering Beckham’s three straight seasons with at least 1,300 receiving yards. The Giants picked up his $8.5MM fifth-year option, and the receiver is now eligible for an extension.
For what it’s worth, Beckham made it clear that he’d be attending the team’s mandatory minicamp in mid-June.
Let’s take a look at some other notes from out of New York…
- Tara Sullivan of NorthJersey.com says Beckham is unable “to stop making everything so hard on himself.” The writer believes it would have been in the receiver’s best interest to attend OTAs, especially following the “hole-punching” fiasco and a public call-out by Giants general manager Jerry Reese.
- Fortunately, it doesn’t sound like Beckham’s teammates are concerned with his (or defensive end Olivier Vernon‘s) absence. “It’s voluntary,” Damon Harrison told Sullivan. “I’m more than sure OV and OBJ are somewhere working out just as hard, or maybe even harder than we are. I’m confident they’ll come in and be ready. … They have some valid reasons why they’re not here; I’m sure they’re not here just because they didn’t feel like coming. If I didn’t live in New Jersey I probably wouldn’t be here right now. OV is from Miami. Have you seen the weather here lately? I’d run from it too. I’m sure they got some good reasons why.”
- Jalin Marshall‘s impending four-game suspension means the Jets wideout has to prove that he’s worth a roster spot during the preseason, and the second-year player recognizes this uphill battle. “I can’t really think about what’s going to happen when the season starts,” he said (via Ethan Greenberg of NewYorkJets.com). “I do have four preseason games to play. If you play well, everything else speaks for itself. They can’t rid of a guy who’s going to help the team win, so that’s what I try to do day in and day out. Go out there and make sure they know I can help the team win.”
- Earlier this week, Collette Smith became the first woman to ever join the Jets’ coaching staff.