Latest On John Dorsey, Hue Jackson
While Browns ownership has already stated head coach Hue Jackson will return in 2018, new general manager John Dorsey recently sidestepped a question on Jackson’s future, and his response engendered more questions about Jackson’s fate. However, when asked directly today if Jackson will stay on as Cleveland’s head coach, Dorsey was more definitive, telling 92.3 FM “I think ownership has already spoken on that,” per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
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“Hue and I have a really good relationship,” Dorsey said. “First off, I think ownership has said that Hue would be back. With that, I’m excited to work with him here. I’ve been really impressed with how Hue messages to the players. I’ve always thought that head coaches should be leader of men, and when I watch Hue talk to the team and how hard guys play for him, that’s exciting.”
Despite repeated statements from Browns ownership, there was a “persistent sense” in league circles that Dorsey would attempt to hire his own head coach. Most general managers are able to choose a new head coach, and few would blame Dorsey for firing Jackson, who has posted a 1-29 record in Cleveland. But both owner Jimmy Haslam and Dorsey now appear to be on the same page regarding Jackson’s 2018 status with the Browns.
Despite his lackluster record, Jackson is reportedly in demand in at least one other AFC North city, as the Bengals may have interest in hiring Jackson to replace Marvin Lewis. Jackson, however, said today that he will not pursue the Cincinnati job if/when Lewis is fired.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/19/17
Today’s practice squad updates:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Vontarrius Dora, WR Rashad Ross
- Waived: LB Kevin Snyder
Cincinnati Bengals
- Signed: OL Javarius Leamon, OL Oni Omoile
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DB Trevon Hartfield
Detroit Lions
- Signed: CB Adairius Barnes
Green Bay Packers
- Waived: QB Jerod Evans
Houston Texans
- Signed: TE Zach Conque
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: LB Arthur Miley
- Waived: DT Jeremy Liggins
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: LB James Onwualu
New England Patriots
- Signed: WR Bernard Reedy
- Waived: DL Marcus Hardison
New York Giants
- Signed: WR Amba Etta-Tawo
Oakland Raiders
- Signed: S Stefan McClure
Seattle Seahawks
- Signed: S Alex Carter, DE Noble Nwachukwu
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: DE Johnny Maxey
- Waived: TE Jerome Cunningham
Washington Redskins
- Signed: DE Tavaris Barnes
Texans Activate OL David Quessenberry
In one of the more inspiring stories of the NFL season, the Texans have promoted offensive tackle and cancer survivor David Quessenberry from their practice squad to their active roster. In a series of other moves, Houston also promoted safety Ibraheim Campbell and defensive tackle Jarrod Clements while placing center Nick Martin, tight end MyCole Pruitt, and defensive tackle D.J. Reader on injured reserve.
Quessenberry, 27, spent more than three years on the Texans’ non-football injury list after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in June 2014. After an amazing battle that was recently well-documented by Robert Klemko of TheMMQB.com, Quessenberry completed his treatment earlier this year. He’s spent the entirety of the 2017 campaign on Houston’s practice squad.
Although he has yet to appear in an NFL game, Quessenberry could potentially see action for the Texans during the final two games of the regular season. Houston currently has just two offensive tackles on its roster, and neither Kendall Lamm nor Breno Giacomini has been impressive. Theoretically, the Texans could give Quessenberry — a 2013 sixth-round pick out of San Jose State — a two-game audition to close the year.
Martin, meanwhile, will close his second NFL campaign after suffering a “serious” ankle injury, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. A second-round pick in 2016, Martin also missed his entire rookie season after breaking his ankle. This year, Martin played nearly 1,000 offensive snaps in the middle of the Texans’ line but graded as a bottom-10 center, per Pro Football Focus.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/19/17
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: RB Bronson Hill
- Placed on injured reserve: WR Brittan Golden
Buffalo Bills
- Designated to return from injured reserve: S Colt Anderson
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: CB B.W. Webb
- Placed on injured reserve: DB Derrick Kindred
Denver Broncos
- Promoted to active roster: CB Michael Hunter
- Placed on injured reserve: LB Shane Ray (story)
Green Bay Packers
- Signed off Broncos‘ practice squad: OL Dillon Day
- Waived: FB Joe Kerridge
New York Giants
- Activated from injured reserve: DE Romeo Okwara
- Waived: LB Jeremy Cash
New York Jets
- Waived from injured reserve: LB Edmond Robinson
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: LB Kache Palacio
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted to active roster: LB Nigel Harris, DT Channing Ward
Washington Redskins
- Promoted to active roster: S Fish Smithson
- Placed on injured reserve: S Montae Nicholson
NFL Reduces LB Thomas Davis’ Suspension
The NFL has officially reduced Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis‘ suspension from two games to one, the league announced today.
Davis was originally banned two games after a helmet-to-helmet hit on Packers wide receiver Davante Adams on Sunday. The NFL has seemingly developed a pattern for these type of offenses: an original two-game suspension, followed by a reduction to one game. It’s the same formula the league used for Bears linebacker Danny Trevathan, who coincidentally was also suspended following a hit on Adams.
Now that his ban has been lessened, Davis will miss the Panthers’ next game against the Buccaneers but will now be available for Carolina’s regular season finale against the Falcons. The Panthers, for what it’s worth, are nearly a lock to earn a postseason berth, but have just a 17% chance at winning the NFC South, per FiveThirtyEight.
Saints Place LB A.J. Klein On IR
The Saints will be without one of their starting linebackers down the stretch and into the playoffs, as the club announced they’ve placed A.J. Klein on injured reserve. In a corresponding move, New Orleans has signed tight end John Phillips.
Klein, 26, inked a three-year, $15MM with the Saints this offseason, staying in the NFC South after four seasons with the Panthers. While the New Orleans defense has experienced a remarkable turnaround in 2017, Klein hasn’t necessarily been a large part of that effort despite playing roughly three quarters of the club’s defensive snaps. The Saints are still just 23rd in rush defense DVOA, while Klein himself has graded as only the No. 82 linebacker among 92 qualifiers, per Pro Football Focus.
While the loss of Klein will certainly lead to adjustments along the Saints’ front seven, the team does possess an ample amount of linebacker depth. Veterans such as Manti Te’o, Gerald Hodges, and the recently-signed Jonathan Freeny are all candidates to join the starting lineup opposite Craig Robertson.
Phillips, meanwhile, is now back in New Orleans after appearing in eight games for the club a season ago. An effective blocker but not much of an offensive weapon, the 30-year-old Phillips was with the Saints during training camp before being waived off injured reserve in September.
5 Key NFL Stories: 12/10/17 – 12/17/17
Carson Wentz done for the season. A likely MVP candidate, Wentz suffered a torn ACL in the Eagles’ Week 14 victory over the Rams and has since been placed on injured reserve. Wentz, who had led Philadelphia to a 11-2 record in his second NFL campaign, will end the season with 3,296 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. While the Eagles will assuredly miss Wentz, backup quarterback Nick Foles managed a victory over the Giants today while tossing four touchdowns.
Marvin Lewis out in Cincinnati? After 15 seasons in the Queen City, it appears Lewis will not remain the Bengals’ head coach in 2018. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported earlier this morning that Lewis — whose contract expires after the current season — will not return to Cincinnati next year. Following the Bengals’ loss to the Vikings, Lewis denied that any decision has been made, but didn’t definitively say he will return. If Lewis is out, Cincinnati could look at head coaching candidates such as the Browns’ Hue Jackson or incumbent defensive coordinator Paul Guenther.
Roger Goodell expected to retire in 2024. Goodell formally received a contract extension earlier this month, and he’s privately informed owners that he’ll retire when that new deal expires in 2024. In fact, Goodell could even call it a career before his contract ends. He’s reportedly told the league he’ll guide the owners through another round of collective bargaining agreement and television rights negotiations, meaning he cold retire in 2021 or 2022.
Panthers owner Jerry Richardson faces accusations. The nationwide uprising regarding sexual harassment has hit the NFL, as the league is now investigating Richardson for inappropriate comments and contact with female Panthers employees. In addition, Richardson allegedly used a racial slur against an African American scout. Richardson reportedly has used financial settlements and non-disclosure agreements to keep accusations under wraps, but now that they’re out in the open, it’s fair to wonder how much longer Richardson will control the Carolina franchise.
Aaron Rodgers returns in Green Bay. After spending eight weeks on injured reserve with a broken collarbone, Rodgers returned to action today against the Panthers. The Packers likely needed to win out to have any chance at a postseason berth, so today’s loss may have knocked Green Bay out of contention. As such, the Packers will need to decide whether playing Rodgers over the next two weeks in worth the risk.
AFC North Notes: Bengals, Lewis, Browns
While Marvin Lewis is denying a report that a decision has been made on his future as Bengals head coach, he hasn’t necessarily said the core of the report — that he won’t return to Cincinnati in 2018 — is incorrect. If he does move on, Browns head coach Hue Jackson could potentially be in the running to replace Lewis, according to Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Of course, Cleveland has indicated Jackson will be retained for next season, but those plans are always subject to change. Jackson, formerly the Bengals’ offensive coordinator, was approached regarding a Cincinnati succession plan in 2016, but because no such deal could be arranged, he bolted for the Browns job.
Here’s more from the AFC North, with a focus on the Bengals and Browns:
- Defensive coordinator Paul Guenther is considered a candidate to become Bengals head coach in 2018, but if he’s not promoted, Guenther could end up as the Redskins‘ DC next year, tweets Michael Lombardi of the Ringer. Washington head coach Jay Gruden (who worked with Guenther in Cincinnati) wanted to hire Guenther as his defensive coordinator a season ago, but the Bengals would not release his contract. Cincinnati has finished 14th, 10, and 17th in defensive DVOA in thee full seasons under Guenther, and ranked 19th heading into Week 15.
- The Browns had hoped to hire Josh McCown as their quarterbacks coach for 2017 had he not continued his career, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Earlier this year, Jackson predicted McCown would be a “rising star” in the coaching ranks, and a number of clubs reportedly had interest in adding McCown to their staff. Instead, McCown inked a one-year deal with the Jets and proceeded to post one of the best seasons of his career. McCown hasn’t made any decisions about his future, but he would presumably have a number of offers if he wants become a coach.
- New Browns general manager John Dorsey may plan to fire the club’s entire scouting staff after taking over the front office one week ago, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Of course, any new decision-maker is going to make changes to a front office, but Dorsey could plan to shift away from Cleveland’s recent reliance on analytics. Last week, Dorsey chided the Browns’ previous regime, claiming that former GM Sashi Brown & Co. didn’t acquire “real players.”
PFR Originals: 12/10/17 – 12/17/17
- The Vikings are dominating the NFC North and appear likely to secure a first-round playoff bye, but they don’t have a plan at quarterback for the 2018 season. If Minnesota wants to continue its reign next year, it will need to choose a signal-caller from among the available internal options — including Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater, and Sam Bradford — or several free agent/trade candidates. I examined the top options available to general manager Rick Spielman & Co. for 2018, noting each player’s fit with next season’s Vikings roster.
- While the Giants figure to roll with Eli Manning under center for the rest of the 2017 campaign, there’s no guarantee the veteran quarterback will return to New York next season. With changes coming to Big Blue’s front office and coaching staff, Manning could soon become a free agent or trade candidate, leading Sam Robinson to ask PFR readers where Manning will be playing in 2018. The Jaguars, who employ former Giants head coach Tom Coughlin in their front office, are the favorite with nearly 40% of the vote.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/17/17
Today’s minor moves:
Los Angeles Chargers
- Promoted to active roster: CB Craig Mager
- Waived: LB James Onwualu