Chris Culliver’s Remaining Guarantees Void
The four-year contract between Washington and cornerback Chris Culliver called for any remaining guaranteed money to void in the event that Culliver was suspended due to his March 2014 arrest, two sources tell Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. Because Culliver was ultimately handed a one-game ban (forcing him to miss Week 2 of the 2015 season), Washington is off the hook for his previously guaranteed $8MM 2016 base salary.
[RELATED: Linebacker Junior Galette expects to re-sign with Washington]
The 27-year-old Culliver was placed on injured reserve in November after tearing his ACL, so between his injury status and the uncertainty regarding his contract, it’s unclear whether he’ll return to the nation’s capital in 2016. Washington could now release Culliver and be hit with just $3.75MM in dead money (as opposed to $11.75MM had Culliver not been suspended, or his contract not contained void language).
For now, Culliver’s 2016 cap charge sits $9.25MM, and while Boyer suggests that the two sides could work together to lower that figure, a source tells the Times scribe that no such discussions have occurred as of yet. Washington is among the bottom-10 in terms of 2016 projected cap space, so a reworking of Culliver’s deal could hep the club as it enters the upcoming offseason.
[Washington QB Kirk Cousins ranked third in PFR’s latest Free Agent Power Rankings]
In 2014, his final season with the 49ers, Culliver limited opposing quarterbacks to a completion percentage of 50.7% and a 66.5 passer rating when they threw into his coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. PFF’s grades placed Culliver as the 14th-best cornerback out of 108 qualified players. In 2015, Culliver started six games for Washington, tallying 16 tackles and one pass deflection.
For his part, Culliver appears confident that his ACL tear won’t limit his availability for next season. “You know I’m a worker and I’m going to continue to do what I do best,” Culliver told Boyer. “That’s not going to stop me. The progression, and me doing what I’m doing, is there. Things are ramping up for me. I’m walking pretty decently now, and you know, just light things doing on, and like I said, maybe not the OTAs — you might see me in and out — but definitely during the season.”
Dolphins Hire Clyde Christensen As OC
JANUARY 20: The Dolphins have made the hiring of Christensen official, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. They’ve also named Bo Hardegree their new quarterbacks coach, according to Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). Hardegree worked with Gase as an offensive assistant in both Denver and Chicago.
JANUARY 16: The Dolphins will hire Colts quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen as their new offensive coordinator, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Alex Marvez of FOX Sports reported just a few hours ago that Christensen was a candidate for the position.
[RELATED: Dolphins hire Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator]
Christensen is the latest new face on first-time head coach Adam Gase‘s Miami staff, but his role probably won’t be as large as new defensive coordinator Vance Joseph‘s, for example. While Joseph will likely control all aspects of his defensive unit, Gase – a former offensive coordinator himself – will call the plays for the Dolphins, meaning Christensen will probably take on more of an administrative role.
Nevertheless, Christensen will certainly play a part in reshaping a Miami offense that finished just 22nd in the league in DVOA. As noted, the 59-year-old Christensen most recently acted as the Colts’ QBs coach, but he does have coordinator experience, acting in that capacity for Indianapolis from 2009-11 and with Tampa Bay in 2001. All told, Christensen’s coaching experience (pro and collegiate) dates back to 1979, but the last 14 years have been spent with the Colts.
Along with Christensen, former Chargers OC Frank Reich was also interviewed for the Dolphins vacancy. You can follow all the latest assistant coaching headlines by bookmarking our 2016 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker.
Extra Points: Shula, Irvin, Falcons, Packers
Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula made it known during the head coaching hiring cycle that he wasn’t interested in taking interviews until Carolina’s playoff run was complete, preferring to focus on the task at hand. While it’s certainly an admirable approach, it may have cost him at least one job, as Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that the Dolphins never reached out to Shula because they wanted to hire a head coach quickly. Miami did become the first franchise to hire a new HC, agreeing to terms with Adam Gase on January 9.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- Although Seahawks linebacker Bruce Irvin recently told the media that he’d be willing to accept less money to stay with the Seahawks, Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com isn’t necessarily buying it. Irvin is an Atlanta native, and the Falcons would be offering him a chance to reunite with ex-Seattle coordinator Dan Quinn. Plus, notes McClure, Atlanta has shown a willingness to spend on defensive acquisitions in the past.
- In other Falcons news, receiver Devin Hester is set to face a three-to-six month recovery after undergoing toe surgery today, according to McClure. Hester, who missed 11 games in 2015 due to the injury, might miss some offseason work, but should be healthy by the start of the 2016 season.
- The Packers and GM Ted Thompson are interested in Mississippi State linebacker Beniquez Brown, a source tells Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. Brown is a potential third-round pick, in the estimation of Pauline.
- CFL receiver Eric Rogers recently worked out for the Colts, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). This is Rogers’ third PFR mention today, so it’s clear that he’s getting attention around the league.
Latest On Browns’ Coaching Staff Targets
9:36pm: The Dolphins wanted to interview Wilson for a running game coordinator position as well, writes Goessling in a full post, but the Vikings blocked Miami’s and Cleveland’s requests with the hope that they could sign Wilson for 2016 and beyond.
9:13pm: Wilson’s Wednesday interview is almost a formality, according to Goessling, who reports (Twitter link) that Wilson is “all but assured” of landing the running game coordinator position.
8:27pm: New Browns head coach Hue Jackson is still working to formulate a coaching staff, and it appears as though several new hires are close to being finalized. Veteran offensive coordinator Al Saunders is expected to join Cleveland as an assistant, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, while former Vikings running backs coach Kirby Wilson will interview with the club on Wednesday with an eye toward becoming the Browns’ running game coordinator, per Ben Goessling of ESPN.com.
Jackson and Saunders have a working relationship that dates back to the 2009 season, when both were working for the Ravens (they also worked together on the 2011 Raiders), so it’s no surprise that Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported this morning that Saunders was a “strong candidate” to join the Cleveland staff. The 68-year-old Saunders offers more than thirty years of NFL coaching experience, and while he won’t be calling plays (Jackson will do that), he’ll presumably help design the club’s weekly game plan.
Meanwhile, Wilson’s contract with the Vikings expired today, per Goessling, so he is now free to negotiate with any team. Previous reports indicated that Minnesota had blocked Cleveland’s request to interview Wilson, but now that he is no longer under contract, the Browns don’t need the Vikings’ approval. Wilson would add yet another voice — including Sanders and possibly Pep Hamilton, whom Jackson is also said to be courting — to Cleveland’s offensive meeting room.
Of course, Saunders and Wilson aren’t the only coaches that Jackson is reportedly eyeing, as we heard this morning that — after much trepidation — Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton interviewed for the same position with the Browns. In her report linked above, Cabot confirmed that today’s scheduled meeting did in fact take place.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
West Notes: Modkins, 49ers, Chargers, LA
The 49ers are looking for a new offensive coordinator after firing Geep Chryst earlier tonight name to keep an eye on is Lions run game coordinator Curtis Modkins, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Modkins does have OC experience — he worked under Chan Gailey with the Bills from 2010-12 — but he didn’t call plays during that time. With Chip Kelly leading the staff in San Francisco, Modkins wouldn’t call the 49ers’ plays, either.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two West divisions:
- Unsurprisingly, the Chargers have applied to trademark the phrases “Los Angeles Chargers” and “LA Chargers” in advance of their expected move to Inglewood, reports Nathan Fenno of the Los Angeles Times. Talks between the Chargers and the Rams reportedly began yesterday, and the NFL is apparently pushing Chargers management to accept the move to Los Angeles.
- The Chargers also worked out CFL receiver Eric Rogers, tweets Field Yates of ESPN. Rogers has now auditioned for or visited half the teams in the NFL, per Yates, so he should be able to find a contract heading into 2016.
- In a detailed piece for CBSSports.com, Joel Corry looks at what lies ahead for the recently-eliminated Seahawks. Not only will the club have to decide on the fate of running back Marshawn Lynch, but Seattle will need to negotiate its salary cap knowing full well that quarterback Russell Wilson‘s cap number is about to jump to than $18MM. With the team needing help along both the offensive and defensive lines, personnel changes could be coming to Seattle.
East Notes: McAdoo, Jets, Dolphins, Patriots
New Giants head coach Ben McAdoo still isn’t sure whether he’ll call offensive plays in 2016, he told SiriusXM NFL Radio today (link via Tom Rock of Newsday). Mike Sullivan, who is expected to be promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, does have experience calling plays (with Tampa Bay from 2012-13). But McAdoo plans to speak with his old boss, Packers head coach Mike McCarthy — who reclaimed play-calling duties midway through the season — before he makes a final decision.
Here’s more from the NFL’s two East divisions:
- The Jets were major players during last’s year free agent period, but with only about $10MM in cap space to work with this offseason, their plan might have to change, as GM Mike Maccagnan tells Brian Costello of the New York Post. “It’s kind of a little different scenario from last year to this year,” Maccagnan said last week. “We’ll still have money to be active and do things with, but it ends up being like a puzzle and it’s not only trying to put all the pieces in different scenarios.” New York should be able to clear out about $20MM more in room, figures Costello, and it can start by releasing (or lowering the cap figures of) cornerback Antonio Cromartie and left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson.
- If the best player available when the Dolphins are on the clock in this year’s draft is a quarterback, then the club needs to select him, regardless of Ryan Tannehill‘s presence, opines Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. Miami — and new head coach Adam Gase — can’t win unless the club finds a long-term answer at signal-caller, and until Tannehill proves he is that, the Dolphins need to keep taking swings at finding one.
- Washington worked out defensive lineman Ziggy Hood, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). A former first-round pick, Hood spent about two months with the Bears during the 2015 season.
- The Giants also tried out several players recently, including receiver Eric Rogers, running back Cameron Marshall, and defensive end Euclid Cummings, reports Wilson (Twitter link).
- The Patriots visited with linebacker James Vaughters, per Wilson (Twitter link). Vaughters, a Stanford alum, was placed on the Packers’ practice squad injured reserve in September.
49ers To Fire OC Geep Chryst
New 49ers head coach Chip Kelly hasn’t yet been introduced via press conference, but he’s already making changes to his staff. San Francisco is expected to fire offensive coordinator Geep Chryst, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, as well as the following eight assistant coaches:
- Scott Brown, defensive line
- Ronald Curry, wide receivers
- Ejiro Evero, defensive assistant
- Aubrayo Franklin, defensive assistant
- Tim Lewis, defensive backs
- Steve Logan, quarterbacks
- T.C. McCartney, offensive assistant
- Joe Scola, offensive assistant
In addition to those coaches listed above, four other former 49ers assistants have found jobs elsewhere in the NFL/NCAA. Chris Foerster (OL) joined the Dolphins, Adam Henry (WRs) will head to the Giants, Clancy Pendergast (LBs) left to coordinate USC’s defense, and Tony Sparano (TEs) will coach the Vikings’ offensive line.
Chryst, who was promoted from QBs coach to offensive coordinator after Greg Roman left for the Bills, lasted just one season in the Bay Area. Under former head coach Jim Tomsula, Chryst led an offensive unit that ranked 31st in yards, 32nd in points, and 28th in DVOA. Granted, he didn’t have much to work with, as quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick and Blaine Gabbert were largely ineffective, while promising running back Carlos Hyde was injured for most of the year.
As Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee notes (Twitter link), the omission of certain coaches from that list above — RBs coach Tom Rathman and DC Eric Mangini among them — could indicate that they’ll be asked to remain on staff (reports earlier today indicated that Rathman and both Niners special teams coordinators would likely be retained). Mangini’s role, in particular, remains uncertain, especially given that San Francisco interviewed Mike Vrabel today for its defensive coordinator position.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Coach Rumors: Jaguars, 49ers, Eagles, Bucs
After showing interest in Jim Schwartz before he was named the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator, the Jaguars have turned their attention in another direction as they search for a defensive play-caller. Jacksonville is today interviewing Cowboys secondary coach Jerome Henderson for their DC vacancy, reports Albert Breer of NFL.com (Twitter link).
Longtime NFL defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is “involved in [the Jaguars’] process” of finding a defensive coordinator to replace the fired Bob Babich, but he is not in line for a formal coaching position with the club, according to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (Twitter links).
Henderson, 46, has been in high demand this offseason, and even interviewed for a head coaching position (Browns) earlier this month. Dallas’ defensive backs coach since 2012, Henderson, who also has a background in player development, was also linked to jobs on Miami’s new staff.
Let’s look at some news from the coaching front:
- New 49ers head coach Chip Kelly is likely to keep one offensive coach, as Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports (via Twitter) that running backs coach Tom Rathman is expected to remain on staff. Meanwhile, both incumbent special teams coach Thomas McGaughey and assistant Richard Hightower are in contention for San Francisco’s ST coordinator position, per Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee (Twitter link).
- Eagles head coach Doug Pederson announced during his introductory press conference that running backs coach Duce Staley — who interviewed for Philadelphia’s top job — will be retained, Neil Hartman of CSNPhilly.com tweets.
- The Packers have shuffled their offensive staff, firing both running backs coach Sam Gash (per Michael Cohen of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Twitter) and tight ends coach Jerry Fontenot (per Tom Silverstein of MJS on Twitter).
- Confirming four previously-reported hires, the Buccaneers announced that special teams coordinator Nate Kaczor, secondary coach Jon Hoke, defensive line coach Jay Hayes, and linebackers coach Mark Duffner have been added to the club’s staff.
Rams Request Permission To Interview Pat Shurmur
WEDNESDAY, 7:59am: If he’s hired by the Rams, Shurmur would likely fill the team’s passing-game coordinator position, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says Boras still looks like the favorite for the offensive coordinator job (Twitter links).
TUESDAY, 5:57pm: The Rams’ search for a new offensive coordinator could lead to a familiar face, as the club has requested permission to interview Eagles’ OC Pat Shurmur, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). Shurmur was the Rams’ play-caller from 2009-10 under former head coach Steve Spagnuolo.
[RELATED: 2016 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker]
Shurmur is still under contract with Philadelphia, and in fact interviewed for the club’s head coaching position earlier this month. That job ultimately went to Doug Pederson, who said during his introductory press conference today that Shurmur would be a contender to remain as the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. But former Chargers play-caller Frank Reich is widely expected to be Philadelphia’s OC choice, at which point it’s likely the club would let Shurmur pursue other opportunities.
For Shurmur, a move to Los Angeles would represent a step up, as he did not call plays under former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly and, if retained, would not call plays under Pederson. With the Rams, that duty would surely fall to him, as Los Angeles head coach Jeff Fisher has a defensive background. Shurmur, who has head coaching experience with the Browns, wasn’t very successful during his last run with the Rams, as his offenses never finished above 30th in DVOA.
Los Angeles’ OC hunt was thought to be nearing its completion, as a report last week indicated that the club was expected to promote interim play-caller Rob Boras — who was formerly the tight ends coach and took over OC duties after Frank Cignetti was fired — to the full-time post. The Rams also interviewed former Browns coordinator John DeFillipo as part of their search.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Titans Hire Mike Mularkey
MONDAY, 8:45pm: Mularkey’s deal will be a three-year pact, Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com reports.
SATURDAY, 5:03pm: The Titans will hire interim head coach Mike Mularkey on a full-time basis, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports (Twitter link). The team has since confirmed the move (via Twitter). Tennessee is the seventh, and barring any unforeseen changes, final, club to hire a head coach this offseason.
[RELATED: Titans hire Jon Robinson as general manager]
Mularkey had longed look the favorite to take over the Titans job on a permanent basis, and just a few hours ago a report indicated that it would be a “massive upset” if anyone other than Mularkey landed the job. New general manager Jon Robinson reportedly agreed to consider Mularkey as a serious candidate for the gig, and with ownership also in Mularkey’s corner, Robinson ultimately opted for continuity over a fresh start.
As our head coaching search tracker shows, the Titans also considered several other candidates for their vacancy. Incumbent defensive coordinator Ray Horton garnered an interview, as did Jaguars assistant head coach Doug Marrone and Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Meanwhile, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels was thought to be a strong contender for the position (given Robinson’s ties to New England), but Tennessee opted not to wait to interview McDaniels.
The 54-year-old Mularkey will become a full-time head coach for the third time in his NFL career — he previously lead both the Bills and Jaguars. A longtime offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, Mularkey has accrued an uninspiring 18-39 record, including a 2-7 mark in nine games as the Titans’ interim coach in 2015.
In being promoted to the full-time role in Tennessee, Mularkey has landed one of the prime jobs on the market. The mere presence of quarterback Marcus Mariota on the roster sets the Titans up for long-term success, and as owners of the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, the club should be able to secure another top talent.
Mularkey’s first task will be deciding on the fate of his coaching staff, especially his two coordinators. Offensive coordinator Jason Michael would be entering his third season on the job, and while his unit struggled last season (last in DVOA), Mularkey might opt to keep Mariota in the same system for consecutive seasons. On the other side of the ball, Horton has drawn interest from the Browns to act as their DC, and he’s made it known that he’d like to leave for Cleveland if he weren’t promoted in Tennessee.