Steelers Sign Danny Coale
The Steelers signed wide receiver Danny Coale to a reserve/futures contract today, reports Brian McIntyre (via Twitter). It’s the latest in a handful of new additions for the Steelers, who also signed linebacker Vic So’oto and running back Tauren Poole to futures deals this week.
A fifth-round pick in 2012, Coale tore his ACL during his first NFL season, and was on and off the Cowboys’ practice squad up until this past September, when he was released. The former Virginia Tech receiver briefly joined the Colts’ practice squad after being cut by Dallas, and worked out for the Giants in October, but has yet to record an NFL regular-season catch.
Coale caught 60 passes for 904 yards in his final college season with the Hokies.
Broncos Notes: Gase, Manning, Roster
As Denver prepares for this Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, let’s round up a few of Tuesday’s Broncos-related notes:
- Before the Browns hired Mike Pettine as their head coach, Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase was viewed as a top candidate for the job. However, Gase said today that he didn’t feel like the time was right to pursue a head coaching position, as Marc Sessler of NFL.com details. “It just wasn’t the right time, as far as the timing with us [going to the Super Bowl] and the focus I wanted on this game,” Gase said. “I’m not worrying about it right now… it’s on the backburner for me.”
- Peyton Manning has indicated that, win or lose this weekend, he intends to continue his playing career, but that didn’t stop reporters today from asking about what he expects to do after he retires as a player. Manning ducked the question, however, telling reporters, including Mike Klis of the Denver Post, that he’d figure that out when the time comes: “I don’t think John Elway wants to hear about a player that’s thinking about a second job after he’s done playing.”
- In a piece for CBSSports.com, Joel Corry takes an in-depth look on how the Broncos built the roster that will compete for a title this Sunday. As Corry writes, Josh McDaniels, Elway, and, of course, Manning all played a large role in the makeup of the current Denver roster.
NFC Notes: Saints, Eagles, 49ers, Goodwin
2014’s Super Bowl Media Day has been fairly uneventful so far, so with little news of interest coming out of the Prudential Center in Newark, let’s take a look at what else is going on around the league, with a focus on a few NFC teams…
- In examining the Saints’ running back situation, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com writes that the backfield looks fairly stable, though he wonders if the team could look to save a little money by trading or releasing Pierre Thomas this offseason.
- With Michael Vick headed for free agency, Sheil Kapadia and Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com discuss the Eagles‘ options at backup quarterback for 2014.
- Jonathan Goodwin, who has been the 49ers‘ starting center for the last three seasons, is facing free agency this season, and it may be an opportunity for the team to get younger on the offensive line, says Bill Williamson of ESPN.com. As Williamson points out, the Niners don’t have too many pressing needs and top college centers usually aren’t drafted high, so the club could target one with a second- or third-round pick.
- Williamson adds within the same piece that some observers think Goodwin will have interest in signing with the Cardinals in Arizona, where his brother Harold is the offensive coordinator.
- The Redskins are projected to have $28MM+ in cap space this winter, and could gain another $2MM if the player’s union takes advantage of its option to increase the spending limit this offseason, notes Rich Tandler of CSNWashington.com.
Bills Hope To Re-Sign Jairus Byrd
When Jairus Byrd and the Bills entered contract negotiations last offseason, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement, and Byrd eventually played the 2013 season under the franchise tag. A year later, Bills president Russ Brandon doesn’t see any reason why the previous stalemate should prevent the team from striking a deal with Byrd this time around, as he tells John Wawrow of The Associated Press.
“It’s a process and there’s no carryover. You start over again and you try to get something done,” Brandon said on Monday. “We just weren’t able to come up with a solution that worked for both parties, so you reset it and start again.”
Byrd missed the first few games of the 2013 season with plantar fasciitis, but was a key part of an improved Bills defense upon his return, grabbing four interceptions in 11 games and earning a spot in the Pro Bowl. The 28-year-old safety will be an unrestricted free agent this season, though the Bills could use the franchise tag on him one more time. In that case, Byrd’s one-year price tag would increase to about $8.3MM.
Still, it sounds as if the Bills would prefer to work something longer-term out with their free agent safety. Brandon tells Wawrow that Buffalo has maintained “great communication” with Byrd and his agent, and that the team intends to work hard to reach an agreement. For his part, Byrd said earlier this month that he’d be open to a long-term extension from the Bills.
Packers Sign Ina Liaina
The Packers have signed fullback Ina Liaina to a two-year deal, according to agent Angelo Wright of SportsWest Football (via Twitter). Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com adds that it’s a reserve/futures contract (Twitter link).
Liaina, who went undrafted in 2013, was signed in May by the Dolphins, but only lasted a few weeks on the roster before being cut. The San Jose State product, who played predominantly at fullback and on special teams, had 98 rushing yards on 33 attempts during his final college season in 2012.
The Packers reportedly worked out another fullback, Jonathan Amosa, today, so it appears that the team elected to sign Liaina over Amosa or any other free agent options.
AFC Notes: Chris Johnson, Dolphins, Bills
Let’s round up a few Monday updates from around the AFC….
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports (via Twitter) that Titans running back Chris Johnson will undergo a surgical procedure to repair a torn meniscus. Johnson remains under contract for now, but is a strong candidate to be released and hit the open market this offseason, so his health could be a significant factor in the next deal he signs.
- Despite Joe Philbin‘s 15-17 record to date, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross believes Philbin is the long-term answer as head coach, according to James Walker of ESPN.com, who notes that the organization’s confidence in Philbin was on full display during Miami’s GM search (Twitter links).
- While the Ravens ultimately passed on Kyle Shanahan and hired Gary Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, it sounds as if Shanahan made a favorable impression in Baltimore, tweets Albert Breer of NFL Network.
- Multiple former Bills coaches are already headed to Cleveland to join the Browns‘ staff, and Buffalo head coach Doug Marrone confirmed today to reporters, including Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (Twitter links), that Jeff Hafley and Brian Fleury will also be joining the Browns as defensive coaches.
- Although adding more receiving weapons for Tom Brady should be a priority for the Patriots, the development of the team’s young receivers is equally important, writes Field Yates of ESPNBoston.com.
Steelers Sign So’oto, Poole To Futures Deals
The Steelers have officially signed a pair of players to reserve/futures contracts, the team announced today (Twitter link). Linebacker Vic So’oto and running back Tauren Poole have inked deals with the Steelers for next season.
So’oto spent time with the Cardinals in 2013 before finishing the season on the Saints’ practice squad. Poole also bounced around a little, spending time on the Panthers’ and Colts’ practice squads this past season.
So’oto, Poole, and other players who didn’t finish the 2013 season on an active roster are eligible to sign futures contracts before free agency begins in March. While the deals don’t come with any guarantees for 2014, they could provide an opportunity to compete for a roster spot.
Browns Notes: O’Neil, Shanahan, McDaniels
When the Browns hired Mike Pettine as their head coach last week, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that the former Bills defensive coordinator would likely be bringing a coach with him from Buffalo. According to Mehta, the Browns were expected to hire Bills linebackers coach Jim O’Neil as their defensive coordinator, assuming Buffalo let him out of his contract. Today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported (via Twitter) that the Bills have indeed given O’Neil permission to talk to the Browns, adding that the interview is merely a formality. Here’s more from out of Cleveland, including word of another coach heading from Buffalo to the Browns:
- Chuck Driesbach, who was fired by the Bills earlier this month, will be joining Pettine’s Cleveland staff in some capacity, reports Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The longtime college coach was working with Buffalo’s linebackers before he was let go.
- As Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun tweeted this afternoon, Kyle Shanahan won’t be joining the Ravens’ coaching staff, and Rapoport believes that Shanahan could be a candidate for the offensive coordinator vacancy in Cleveland (Twitter link).
- In his latest MMQB column, Peter King writes that Pettine seems like the “ultimate compromise candidate” for the Browns, who aggressively pursued Josh McDaniels of the Pats. Referring to McDaniels as the “apple of owner Jimmy Haslam’s eye,” King says the team had multiple conversations with the Pats’ offensive coordinator about the possibility of him re-entering Cleveland’s coaching derby.
Falcons Extend Smith, Dimitroff, McKay
The Falcons have officially extended the contracts of head coach Mike Smith, general manager Thomas Dimitroff, and president/CEO Rich McKay, the team announced today (link via Jay Adams of AtlantaFalcons.com). Smith and Dimitroff each had one year added to their current deals, while McKay received four new years, extending his contract through May 2019.
“We are fortunate to have talented key leaders at the Falcons who are dedicated to a common goal of being a league leader on and off the field,” owner and chairman Arthur Blank said in a statement. “I have great respect for the skills and commitment of Rich, Thomas and Smitty, and I look forward to continuing to support and work with them in the years to come.”
Smith and Dimitroff have spent six seasons with the Falcons so far, and are coming off a disappointing 4-12 campaign. However, the team still has a 60-36 record during their respective tenures, with 2013 representing the lone sub-.500 season during that six-year stretch.
For Smith, who received a three-year contract extension with one year left on his original deal in February 2011, the one-year extension removes his lame-duck status heading into the 2014 season.
NFC Notes: Avril, Gonzalez, 49ers, Eagles
Cliff Avril may have cost himself some long-term money when he reportedly turned down a three-year, $30MM extension offer from the Lions before the 2012 season. Avril ultimately played the 2012 season as a franchise player, then signed a more modest two-year deal with the Seahawks a year ago. However, as he told reporters yesterday, including Kyle Meinke of MLive.com, Avril doesn’t have any regrets or hard feelings toward the Lions, who didn’t re-engaged in contract discussions after applying the franchise tag on the defensive end.
“It’s not like I’m making pennies,” Avril said. “Again, I can’t complain. I’m fortunate enough to be where I’m at right now. There’s definitely no bitterness though.”
Here are a few more Monday notes from around the NFC:
- Tony Gonzalez, who played in his record-tying 14th Pro Bowl last night, expressed that he is “at peace” and will not be talked out of his plans to retire after the 2013 season, according to a tweet by ESPN.com’s Falcons reporter Vaughn McClure.
- While the Falcons may focus on scouting players who are best suited for the team’s 3-4 scheme, GM Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged that Atlanta could use any pass-rushers capable of getting the quarterback consistently. McClure has the quotes and the details.
- Kevin Lynch of the San Francisco Chronicle explains why it may be in both Colin Kaepernick‘s and the 49ers‘ best interests to work out a long-term deal sooner rather than later.
- There’s a 75% chance Anquan Boldin re-signs with the 49ers, in the opinion of ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson, who also predicts the odds of other free agents returning to San Francisco.
- Tim McManus of PhillyMag.com spoke to cap expert Joel Corry about a number of decisions facing the Eagles this offseason.
- The Packers are working out free agent fullback Jonathan Amosa today, according to Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post. Amosa, a University of Washington product, was with Green Bay during training camp.
David Kipke contributed to this post.