Jets Notes: Idzik, Ryan, GM Candidates
The 3-12 Jets will take on the Dolphins later today, and it’s probably the last contest general manager John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan will enjoy under the employ of Gang Green. According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News (Twitter link), owner Woody Johnson is expected to “hit the reset button,” and start the search for the duo’s replacements tomorrow. Ryan could be fired tonight, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who says Ryan is so sure he’s being axed that he’s been joking about it with colleagues. Here’s more from New York.
- While Idzik was regarded as more of a financial whiz when he was hired, the Jets are expected to find a more personnel-driven general manager this time around, says Rapoport (link via his NFL.com colleague Connor Orr). Before Idzik was selected, New York sought football men like Dave Caldwell (who took the Jaguars job instead), but most were leery of the Jets’ difficult cap situation. The problem during this hiring cycle, says Rapoport, might NY’s lack of a quarterback — one GM candidate has reportedly “expressed some nervousness” about Geno Smith and the lack of talent at the position.
- Rapoport also tosses out (via Twitter) some names to look for when the Jets do begin their GM search. George Paton (Vikings), Ryan Pace (Saints), Trent Kirchner (Seahawks), Will McClay (Cowboys) are all candidates to be interviewed by New York, although Brian Costello notes (Twitter link) that the Jets were interested in Paton during their last GM hiring, but Paton turned them down.
- Mehta adds (via Twitter) yet another potential general manger candidate: Chris Ballard of the Chiefs. However, insiders feel that Ballard would prefer join the Bears in the event that position is opened.
- As Rich Cimini of ESPN.com writes, the new Jets GM will have a top-six draft pick and more than $40MM in cap space to work with, meaning that the job could be viewed as attractive through the right lens. However, the new hire will have a lot of work to do in order to reshape a roster that lacks impact talent, and Cimini provides a to-do list that includes finding a franchise quarterback, making a decision on Percy Harvin, and adding cornerback depth.
La Canfora’s Latest: Texans, Browns, Harbaugh
Let’s check out the latest from CBS Sports scribe Jason La Canfora:
- The Texans are expected to make a change at general manager during the offseason, with current GM Rick Smith shifting into a new role that doesn’t involve football operations. Head coach Bill O’Brien will have significant input on who is hired to fill the position, and sources tell La Canfora that the club already has several candidates in mind. Patriots executive Nick Caserio would likely be O’Brien’s top choice, as the two worked together in New England. Other external options include the Eagles’ Tom Gamble and the Pats’ Jon Robinson, while internal candidates could include scouting director Mike Maccagnan and director of pro personnel Brian Gaine. Texans vice chariman Cal McNair has denied La Canfora’s report, tweets John McClain of the Houston Chronicle.
- Meanwhile, changes could also be coming in Buffalo and Tennessee, writes La Canfora. Bills GM Doug Whaley doesn’t have a great relationship with head coach Doug Marrone, and given that the current Buffalo front office was responsible for the selection of E.J. Manuel, it wouldn’t be a shock to see the club completely overhaul its management team. Meanwhile, the Titans could opt to fire general manager Ruston Webster, and replace him with executive Lake Dawson.
- The Browns are growing increasingly frustrated with both Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel, sources tell La Canfora. Gordon, who was suspended for today’s game after missing a walkthrough on Saturday, will file a grievance against the team in order to maintain his free agent status after 2015. But Cleveland officials say Gordon “has to go,” although La Canfora says it’s unclear whether owner Jimmy Haslam is willing to trade the talented wideout. For his part, Manziel was also absent yesterday, and team security was forced to go to his house to retrieve him. The rookie quarterback reportedly threw a team party Friday night (which led to several Browns being late on Saturday), the latest questionable decision by a player who recently vowed to take the game more seriously.
- Five clubs — the Raiders, Jets, 49ers, Falcons, and Bears — are expected to make coaching changes in the coming days. The Raiders still have their eye on Jim Harbaugh, but if he takes the Michigan job as expected, the club could bring in Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio. And while the 49ers are expected to look at some of the younger offensive coaches during their search, the Jets, Falcons, and Bears are looking to hire an established head coach, per La Canfora. Rex Ryan is an option in Atlanta, though if the Falcons lose today and miss the playoffs, general manger Thomas Dimitroff could be axed there. In Chicago, the club could look to reunite Mike Shanahan with Jay Cutler.
- The Raiders will indeed attempt to make their pitch to Harbaugh, and would even engage in trade talks with the 49ers if possible. La Canfora notes (via Twitter) that NFL executives won’t believe Harbaugh has a deal with Michigan until it’s officially signed.
- Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin is a name to watch regarding head-coaching vacancies. La Canfora says sources have compared Autin’s rise to that of Mike Tomlin, who went from an unknown position coach to leading the Steelers in rapid time. Austin is expected to garner several interviews, including one with the Falcons.
Extra Points: Harbaugh, Draft, Titans, Pettis
The 49ers are expected to part ways with Jim Harbaugh in less than 72 hours, and interested parties are positioning themselves to land the successful, if controversial, head coach. According to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports (Twitter link), the University of Michigan, which reportedly has a six-year, ~$50MM offer on the table, will send officials (and its search firm) to the Bay Area this weekend to meet with Harbaugh. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com confirms the Michigan news, and reports that the Raiders will also speak with Harbaugh this weekend (Twitter link). Rapoport also adds (via Twitter) that Harbaugh will resolve his situation with the 49ers before he meets with either entity. Here’s more from around the league…
- Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net passes along the latest regarding NCAA draft entrants, reporting that while defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches of Southern Mississippi and running back Devontae Booker of Utah will likely enter the draft (Twitter links), Rutgers receiver Leonte Carr will likely return to school for another year (Twitter link).
- Meanwhile, UCF receiver Breshad Perriman didn’t receive a top-three round grade from the NFL Draft Advisory Board, so he’s still considering whether or not to enter the draft, tweets Pauline.
- With one week left in the NFL season, Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap updates both the playoff odds and the favorites for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
- While the Titans will have a chance to draft either first or second in the 2015 NFL Draft, Zach Mettenberger believes the team already has the quarterback of its future, writes Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean. “There’s not another guy out there who can do what I can do and bring what I can bring to this game.,” said Mettenberger. “Obviously (the Titans) have seen how hard I work and know that I’m a gym rat, and know that I am going to continue to get better. Really all I can do is continue that and show that I am going to continue doing it.”
- Ex-Rams receiver Austin Pettis, released by St. Louis on October 20, worked out for the Chargers today, according to Adam Caplan of ESPN (Twitter link). San Diego’s Keenan Allen is nursing a collarbone injury, so Pettis could provide some insurance at the WR position.
- After releasing defensive tackle Travian Robertson earlier today, the Seahawks don’t plan on making a roster addition before Sunday’s contest, tweets Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
AFC West Notes: Alex Smith, Manning, Raiders
Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith is expected to be sidelined for approximately six weeks due to a lacerated spleen, the team announced today. The good news is that in addition to not requiring surgery, Smith won’t suffer any long-term effects due to the injury. However, if the Chiefs make the playoffs (they’ll need to win on Sunday, and hope both the Ravens and Texans lose), Smith won’t be healthy enough to play until the Super Bowl, if at all. Backup QB Chase Daniel will take over the signal-calling reins in the meantime; as Jason Fitzgerald of Over the Cap notes (Twitter link), Daniel and Smith have similar cap figures this season, with Daniel counting $3.4MM to Smith’s $4.6MM. Daniel, 28, signed a three-year, $10MM deal with Kansas City prior to the 2013 season. Here’s more from the AFC West:
- Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning said that he wants to return in 2015 and, to the surprise of no one, coach John Fox said that he wants Manning back too, as Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com tweets. “I would say…maybe the top [quarterback] of all time, I’d say there’s a pretty good likelihood [that we want him to return],” Fox said.
- With Manning in the fold for 2015, Broncos backup Brock Osweiler will probably see his four-year deal expire after next season without getting an opportunity to play a whole lot, writes Mike Klis of The Denver Post. “When I was drafted here, I knew I was brought in to sit on the bench and learn from one of the greatest quarterbacks to have ever played this game,” Osweiler said. “I also knew that his contract was one year longer than mine. We understood that.”
- Raiders center Stefen Wisniewski, an impending free agent, says the club has made him a few contract offers, but “nothing he was looking for,” according to Josh Dubnow of the Associated Press (via Twitter). The fourth-year offensive lineman is counting just $1.315MM against the cap this season, the final year of his rookie deal. Wisniewski isn’t a star, but he’s a solid player, rating as the 15th-best center in the league per Pro Football Focus (subscription required), so it’s a little surprising that Oakland, who has the most cap 2015 cap space ($51MM)+ of any team, hasn’t made a more serious effort to retain him.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Chargers To Place Mike Scifres On IR
Nearly three weeks after breaking his clavicle, Chargers punter Mike Scifres is expected to be placed on injured reserve, according to Alex Marvez of Fox Sports (Twitter link). Scifres is reportedly progressing well from surgery, but San Diego is facing a roster crunch, forcing them to make a move now (link).
The Chargers will likely use their newly-created to roster spot to add a center, per Marvez. San Diego has used five different players at center so far this season, with Nick Hardwick, Rich Ohrnberger, Doug Legursky, Chris Watt, and Trevor Robinson all seeing time at the position. Watt went down after suffering a leg injury in last Saturday’s game against the 49ers, forcing the club to turn to Robinson, who was signed in October. He’ll presumably continue to start, while the Chargers look to add a backup. Jeff Baca, currently on SD’s practice squad, is probably an option to be promoted to the 53-man roster.
According to Marvez, the Chargers want to create roster space without moving either Keenan Allen or Ryan Mathews to injured reserve. Neither Allen, who, like Scifres, is dealing with a collarbone injury, or Mathews, who’s working through an ankle problem, is expected to play in Week 17, but San Diego likely wants to keep its two primary playmakers active in case the team makes the postseason. The Chargers can earn a wild card berth with a win over the Chiefs on Sunday.
With Scifres out, veteran Mat McBriar, signed immediately after Scifres’ injury, will continue to act as San Diego’s punter, and will continue to do so if the team enjoys a playoff run.
Breer’s Latest: Black Monday, Texans, Bengals
As we head to the final week of the regular season, Albert Breer of NFL.com has provided his latest notes column, synthesizing news and opinion from around the league. Lets’ dive in…
- The number of head coaches who are fired after the season figures to drop this year, writes Breer, who argues that there aren’t any “slam-dunk” candidates available. For example, the top two coordinators on the market, the Broncos’ Adam Gase and the Seahawks’ Dan Quinn, were virtual unknowns just two years ago. As such, as few as four teams could be looking for new HCs. Said one NFC executive to Breer: “If you’re Miami, do you stick with Joe Philbin, or is the guy who’s replacing Joe Philbin gonna be that big an upgrade?”
- Another reason that Black Monday might be uneventful is that clubs are placing a higher value on continuity. Young players thrive when they’re able to stay in the same scheme for some period of time — if the Dolphins had fired Philbin for example, Ryan Tannehill would be playing under his third offensive coordinator in three seasons next year. As one veteran OC told Breer, “Players are drafted by coaches and the personnel staff for a reason — they met a schematic element those guys had in mind. Most NFL coaches are good at developing people and players, but say that shift comes, then the new coach doesn’t like something about the fit with a guy,” said the OC. “There’s no benefit of the doubt anymore, because he didn’t draft him. So he’s not getting better anymore.”
- The Texans have been quietly impressed with how their season has turned out, writes Breer. Even though the club’s draft class didn’t produce much in 2014, the team was able to find veterans like Ryan Pickett, Kendrick Lewis, and Danieal Manning to fill in holes. If Houston is able to upgrade at quarterback, it could be a formidable unit in 2015.
- Bengals personnel man Duke Tobin deserves credit for finding talent in the draft, and Marvin Lewis should earn praise for developing young players, per Breer, who notes that Cincinnati is now regarded as something of a model franchise. Guard Kevin Zeitler and cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, each of whom are former first-rounders who struggled early in their careers, are now playing well, a testament to the team’s vision.
- As Breer notes, there was plenty of skepticism when the Dolphins hired Dennis Hickey as general manager earlier this year. But after making a few shrewd signings in free agency, and nailing his first two draft picks — Ja’Waun James and Jarvis Landry — Hickey looks like a wise choice. He’ll probably still need the club to make the postseason in 2015 in order to keep his job, though.
NFC East Notes: JPP, Beckham Jr., Haslett
Giants defensive Jason Pierre-Paul is a free agent at season’s end, and it doesn’t sound like he’s too worried about scoring a large deal in free agency. “I think I’m worth a lot of money,” Pierre-Paul told Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Additionally, JPP isn’t interested in giving New York a hometown discount, despite the fact that he’s spent the entirety of his five-year career with the club. “It’s going to be a business situation,” he said (link). “It’s going to be about my family.” Here’s more from the NFC East…
- Giants GM Jerry Reese had his best draft since 2007 this year, writes Vacchiano in a full article. First-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. is the shining star of the class, of course, but guard Weston Richburg, running back Andre Williams, and linebacker Devon Kennard all look like winners at this point. The same can’t be said for Big Blue this year, but brighter days could be ahead.
- After another disappointing season, John Keim of ESPN takes a look at some of Washington’s veteran free agents and their future with the team. The list is highlighted by two 35-year old players who will likely not return to the team in Santana Moss and Ryan Clark.
- Washington head coach Jay Gruden would prefer that defensive coordinator Jim Haslett returns in 2015, according to Zac Boyer of the Washington Times. The final call on Haslett, however, will be made by upper management. “I have, obviously, input and all that stuff, but ultimately, it will come down to, hopefully, a group decision — and one that we can all live with,” said Gruden. Washington ranks 30th in weighted defensive DVOA.
- In other NFC East DC news, Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell could be coaching his last game for New York on Sunday, writes Tom Rock of Newsday.
Zach Links contributed to this post.
Dolphins Notes: Philbin, Harbaugh, Wake, Clay
Following his announcement that Joe Philbin will return as the Dolphins’ head coach, owner Stephen Ross elaborated on his decision to retain the man who has lead Miami for nearly three seasons, per Chris Perkins of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3, 4). “We say patience is a virtue. But I’m expecting big things next year, I’ll tell you that,” said Ross. “I think everybody feels a buzz. Things are changing around here. It’s frustrating we didn’t make the playoffs. I feel as bad as everybody does. But I think we’re building something here and I believe in the coach.” Here are some more notes out of South Beach…
- Philbin himself was understandably pleased with the news, writes Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “This is where I want to be the head coach,” said Philbin. “Three years ago when I interviewed I came to work to Steve Ross. He’s the owner. He’s shown a lot of support to me over the years, through let’s face it, some difficult times. It’s a privilege to be the head coach and I want to do the things I said when I came here — consistently compete for championships.”
- In the same piece, Ross tells Salguero that despite speculation that the Dolphins were interested in Jim Harbaugh, he did not contact the 49ers head coach.
- By reaching the double-digit sack threshold during today’s game against the Vikings, defensive end Cameron Wake earned a $750K bonus, tweets Salguero.
- Charles Clay might not generate much interest in free agency, but he could be an interesting option for a team that would employ him in an FB/TE/halfback role, opines Matt Miller of Bleacher Report (via Twitter). I pegged Clay to garner a four-year deal worth $16-18MM in August, but given his lackluster season, he won’t come anywhere near that figure.
Browns To Consider All Options At QB
Despite the presence of 2014 first-round pick Johnny Manziel, the Browns will be open to upgrading the quarterback position during the offseason, reports Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Head coach Mike Pettine noted last week that the club would still have doubts about Manziel even if his play improved over the last two games of the season. Manziel missed most of today’s game against the Panthers after suffering a hamstring injury, and with his status for the season finale uncertain, Cleveland will have even less information with which to make a judgement on its rookie signal-caller.
The new contractual bargaining agreement likely plays a role in the Browns thinking in this situation, as the terms of the CBA drastically reduced the earning potential of rookies, even first-rounders like Manziel. Manziel, chosen twenty-second overall, will count only $1.87MM against the cap in 2015, $2.25MM in ’16, and $2.62MM in ’17; Cleveland will then hold a fifth-year option for 2018. The Texas A&M product has just the 15th-highest cap figure on the Browns roster this season, and only the 12th-highest in 2015. Essentially, the CBA allows the Browns to retain Manziel at such a low cost that it’s conceivable they could simply employ him as a backup quarterback. Additionally, the modest cap numbers make Manziel more attractive to clubs interested in acquiring the young QB, if Cleveland is inclined to trade him.
League sources tell Cabot that Browns general manger Ray Farmer has long been fascinated by Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is widely expected to be a top-five pick in the 2014 draft. Cleveland will hold two mid-first-round picks thanks to its draft-day trade with the Bills earlier this year — given the current standings, the Browns would pick at No. 14 and No. 19. As Cabot writes, a move up to acquire Mariota is possible, but unlikely, given that the cost could rival what Washington parted with to select Robert Griffin III. In addition to both its 2015 first-rounders, Cleveland would probably have to surrender its 2016 first-round choice in order to move up.
Cabot also speculates that the Browns could bring in a veteran quarterback next season, either to replace Manziel if he’s dealt, or to act as a bridge as he continues his development. Hoyer is unlikely to return to Cleveland, as the Browns don’t view him as a long-term starter. But Jay Cutler is believed to be available via trade, and a number of mid-tier options, such as Mark Sanchez, Ryan Mallett, and Jake Locker will be unrestricted free agents after the season.
Dolphins To Retain Joe Philbin
The Dolphins moved to 8-7 with a last-minute victory over the Vikings today, but they had already been eliminated from playoff contention thanks to the Chargers’ win over the 49ers last night. Despite that fact, the club won’t see a coaching staff overhaul, as owner Stephen Ross said after the game that head coach Joe Philbin will return for the 2015 season, according to the team’s Twitter account.
Philbin, 53, was hired as Miami’s head coach in 2012 after spending the previous five seasons as the Packers’ offensive coordinator. The club has a 23-24 record (and no postseason appearances) during his tenure, but there have been some positive developments. The defensive unit has been stout at times, and following the hiring of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor prior to this season, third-year QB Ryan Tannehill has shown significant signs of improvement. Still, it’s fair to wonder if 2015 will be Philbin’s final shot in Miami; if the team doesn’t make the playoffs next season, it will probably be tough for Ross to keep him around any longer.
2015, then, sets up as a make-or-break year in South Beach, and it’s unlikely that the current version of the Dolphins’ roster will see many upgrades. Over the Cap’s data shows Miami to have negative cap space in 2015, at nearly $2.2MM in the red. The club will obviously make some moves to be in compliance the cap; cutting players like Dannell Ellerbe, Brian Hartline, and Cortland Finnegan, for example, could save the Fins more than $14MM. But Miami probably won’t be able to make its typical splashes in free agency, meaning Philbin & Co. will have to rely on continued advancement from Tannehill and a dominant defense to compete next season. If not, general manager Dennis Hickey, hired earlier this year, would likely be given the opportunity to choose his own coach.
On a macro level, this news crosses off one possible destination for 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh, who is expected to leave San Francisco at season’s end. Ross tried to bring in Harbaugh as the Dolphins’ head coach prior to the 2011 season, so speculation arose that Miami would once again be interested in acquiring the controversial head coach. However, given the expected level of interest in Harbaugh from the University of Michigan (who reportedly offered a six-year deal worth nearly $50MM), the Raiders, and a slew of other suitors, the Dolphins opted to stick with their incumbent coach. It’s just my speculation, but I would guess that Miami didn’t want to pursue Harbaugh for a second time, only to be publicly embarrassed yet again if he declined their overtures.