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Author: Zachary Links

Bears Sign Rueben Randle To Futures Deal

By | at January 10, 2017 3:37 pm

Rueben Randle‘s inconsistent play was maddening to the Giants, but the Eagles signed him to a free agent deal last March with the belief that they could get him to fulfill his potential. They were wrong. Randle was cut in August and, despite having a couple of NFL auditions, never caught on with another team. Rueben Randle (vertical)

The Bears were one of the teams to try him out and while he did not earn an NFL deal on the spot, they are signing him to a reserve/futures deal, per a team announcement.

Randle, 26 in May, averaged 56 receptions, 782 yards, and six touchdowns over the three seasons with the Giants. At 6’4″ and 205 pounds, the former second-round pick offers solid athleticism for a receiver of his size and the Bears are willing to take a low-risk look at him.

In an offseason where they could lose pending free agent Alshon Jeffery, the Bears must explore every depth option available.

8 comments Chicago Bears Newsstand Transactions

Raiders Part Ways With OC Bill Musgrave

By | at January 10, 2017 3:20 pm

Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave will not be returning to the Raiders in 2017, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Musgrave had an expiring contract and the team allowed it to lapse. Now, quarterbacks coach Todd Downing could be an in-house candidate to replace him. Bill Musgrave (vertical)

[RELATED: PFR’s 2017 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker]

Under Musgrave’s command this year, the Raiders had the No. 6 ranked offense in the NFL. He was recently mentioned as a candidate to take over as the Broncos’ head coach in the wake of Gary Kubiak‘s retirement, but it is not clear whether Denver has reached out to him.

As shown in PFR’s Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker, the Raiders are now the second team this offseason to be in search of an offensive coordinator, joining the Jets. Former Chargers coach Mike McCoy is said to be a candidate for the Jets’ gig and it will be interesting to see if the Raiders seek out an interview with him, given his familiarity with the AFC West. Before his four-year Chargers stint, McCoy spent three years with the Broncos. Now that he’s available, Musgrave could also garner consideration from Gang Green.

Musgrave, 49, has now completed two separate stints with the Raiders, though they were nearly two decades apart. In 1997, he was Oakland’s quarterbacks coach. In 2015, he was hired as OC.

5 comments Las Vegas Raiders Newsstand

Jaguars To Retain OC Nathaniel Hackett

By | at January 10, 2017 2:34 pm

Major changes are coming to the Jaguars, but some things will stay the same. Newly promoted head coach Doug Marrone is going to keep offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Tight ends coach Ron Middleton will also stay in his current position. Nathaniel Hackett (vertical)

After previously serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach, Nathaniel Hackett was promoted to OC in October 2016 following the dismissal of Greg Olson. It was expected that Hackett would remain in his role once Marrone was given the job since the two have a long history together. When Marrone was the head coach at Syracuse, Hackett was on the staff as quarterbacks coach and tight ends coach before ascending to OC. When Marrone became the Bills’ head coach, he brought along Hackett, then just 33 years old, to be his OC. In fact, he was so high on the enthusiastic young coach in 2013 that he did not interview other candidates for the job.

“I’m a firm believer in doing your homework thoroughly. As I mentioned in my opening press conference, I pride myself on my work ethic and in putting my staff together, I’m looking at every variable possible. With that said, Nathaniel’s abilities and creativity arose to the forefront at a very early stage,” Marrone said. “I believe he’s going to be highly successful in our organization and our players are going to enjoy executing our offensive schemes.”

2 comments Jacksonville Jaguars

Michigan LB Jabrill Peppers To Enter NFL Draft

By | at January 10, 2017 2:04 pm

Michigan’s Jabrill Peppers has declared for the NFL draft, as Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated writes. Peppers, a safety and return specialist, is widely projected as a first-round prospect. Jabrill Peppers (vertical)

[RELATED: UNC QB Mitch Trubisky To Enter NFL Draft]

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do,” Peppers said of the decision. “I’m choosing between cementing my legacy as a college player and starting my pro legacy. It’s something you dream of when you were a kid. I was torn between the two.”

Peppers’ versatility should increase his stock as the draft approaches. This year, he lined up in 15 different positions on his 933 snaps, including some plays at quarterback, tailback, and receiver. On defense, he saw time at nickelback, safety, linebacker, and cornerback. Teams looking for a swiss army knife of a player similar to the Redskins’ Su’a Cravens will be salivating over the possibilities with Peppers.

Recently, two NFL teams told Matt Miller of Bleacher Report that the Wolverine will be a top-10 pick in the spring. If he can run a sub 4.4 40-yard dash as Jim Harbaugh has predicted, he’ll be an absolute lock for the top of the draft.

1 comment 2017 NFL Draft

Ravens To Bring Terrell Suggs Back In 2017

By | at January 10, 2017 1:41 pm

Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs is under contract through 2018, but he’s due to carry a cap number of $6.95MM in each of the next two seasons. That’s a significant amount of money for a player who turns 35 next fall and has suffered two biceps tears in four years. Still, general manager Ozzie Newsome tells reporters that he’ll be back with the next in 2017. Terrell Suggs (vertical)

[RELATED: Ravens To Keep OC Marty Mornhinweg]

This year, Suggs played through his injury and missed only one regular season game. He finished the year with strong numbers: eight sacks, 33 total tackles, and three forced fumbles. However, he appears to have lost a step in his mid-30s and the advanced numbers indicate show that he’s not the elite-level force he once was. Suggs finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 ranked edge defender out of 109 qualified players.

Despite all of that, the Ravens intend on keeping Suggs and he has already ruled out retirement. As the Ravens’ only top-90 ranked edge rusher in 2016 (per PFF), it makes sense for Baltimore to bring him back, even if he’s no longer playing like a Pro Bowler.

0 comments Baltimore Ravens

Follow Your Favorite Team On PFR

By | at January 10, 2017 1:22 pm

We’ve detailed how you can follow Pro Football Rumors on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or using an RSS reader to ensure that you receive all of our updates, 365 days a year. If you prefer to only receive news about your favorite NFL team, PFR has you covered. Below are links to our Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds for all 32 teams.

AFC East

AFC North

AFC South

AFC West

NFC East

NFC North

NFC South

NFC West

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

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Dolphins Eyeing Matt Burke As Potential DC

By | at January 10, 2017 12:19 pm

Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is in the mix for five different head coaching gigs and the Dolphins have a funny feeling that he might leave the nest. With that in mind, the Dolphins are likely to promote linebackers coach Matt Burke to DC, sources tell Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. Matt Burke (vertical)

[RELATED: Dolphins Release DE Jason Jones]

Joseph is scheduled to interview with the Broncos on Tuesday and the 49ers on Thursday. The Rams, Bills, and Chargers also have been granted permission to interview Joseph. Reportedly, he is the frontrunner for the Denver gig and he already has guys in mind to serve on his staff.

The Fins hired Burke away from the Bengals roughly one year ago today for this exact reason, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Miami won’t be left scrambling if Joseph goes and that’s a good thing, because seems more and more likely every day that he will be someone’s else head coach in 2017.

1 comment Miami Dolphins

Packers’ Jordy Nelson Has Broken Ribs

By | at January 10, 2017 7:43 am

Packers coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Monday that Jordy Nelson could suit up for Sunday’s playoff game against the Cowboys. While that could technically happen, it doesn’t sound all that likely right now. Nelson suffered “at least” two broken ribs this weekend against the Giants and it would take an “incredible effort” for the wide receiver to get on the field, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jordy Nelson (vertical)

[RELATED: Packers Release DT Mike Pennel]

Nelson took a big hit from cornerback Leon Hall in the first half of Green Bay’s 38-13 win over New York. That night, he was sent to the hospital to be monitored. It sounds like he may have to sit out on Sunday, but the good news is that the Packers’ other receivers did a great job of holding down the fort without him. In total, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams combined for 241 yards and four touchdowns against the G-Men. By the same token, the Cowboys’ secondary is arguably stronger than the Giants’ unit without Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. The Packers certainly want to have Nelson on the field if at all possible.

If Nelson can’t go, the Packers’ WR unit will consist of Adams, Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Jeff Janis, and Trevor Davis. The Packers also have Antwan Goodley and Max McCaffrey on the practice squad.

16 comments Dallas Cowboys Green Bay Packers

2017 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker

By | at January 9, 2017 6:42 pm

While at least six NFL teams are making head coaching changes this offseason, the number of clubs replacing offensive and/or defensive coordinators figures to be much higher than that. In addition to all those teams hiring new head coaches, who may want to bring in their own assistants, several clubs also figure to make changes on one side of the ball or the other after getting disappointing results in 2016. And, of course, the teams whose coordinators landed head coaching jobs will need to replace them.

With reports circulating on potential candidates, interview requests, and actual meetings, we’ll use the space below to keep tabs on all the latest updates on teams hiring new offensive and/or defensive coordinators. This post, which will be updated daily, can be found under the “PFR Features” menu on the right-hand side of the site.

Updated 2-13-17 (2:30pm CT)

Offensive Coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Kyle Shanahan)

Buffalo Bills (Out: Anthony Lynn)

Denver Broncos (Out: Rick Dennison)

Houston Texans (HC Bill O’Brien will call plays, replacing George Godsey)

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • Nathaniel Hackett, interim offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
  • Chip Kelly, former head coach (49ers): Interviewed

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Rob Boras)

New York Jets (Out: Chan Gailey)

Oakland Raiders (Hired/Promoted: Todd Downing, replacing Bill Musgrave)

Washington Redskins (Hired/Promoted: Matt Cavanaugh, replacing Sean McVay)

Defensive Coordinators

Atlanta Falcons (Out: Richard Smith)

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers (Hired/Promoted Steve Wilks, replacing Sean McDermott)

Cleveland Browns (Hired: Gregg Williams, replacing Ray Horton)

Denver Broncos (Out: Wade Phillips)

  • Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired
  • Reggie Herring, linebackers coach (Broncos): To be interviewed

Houston Texans (Hired/Promoted Mike Vrabel, replacing Romeo Crennel, who was named assistant head coach)

Los Angeles Chargers (Out: John Pagano)

Los Angeles Rams (Out: Gregg Williams)

  • Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Hired

Miami Dolphins (Hired/Promoted: Matt Burke, replacing Vance Joseph)

San Francisco 49ers (Hired: Robert Saleh, Out: Jim O’Neil)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Signed Mike Smith to extension; Smith withdrew name from Chargers’ HC search)

Washington Redskins (Out: Joe Barry)

6 comments Atlanta Falcons Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Cleveland Browns Denver Broncos Houston Texans Jacksonville Jaguars Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins New York Jets Newsstand PFR Originals San Francisco 49ers Tampa Bay Buccaneers Washington Commanders

2017 NFL GM Search Tracker

By | at January 9, 2017 4:41 pm

Two clubs — the Colts and 49ers — are now looking for new general managers. We’ll keep track of all developments related to those two vacancies in this post. It can be found on the right-hand sidebar under “PFR Features.”

[RELATED: 2017 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]

Listed below are the GM candidates that have been linked to Indianapolis and San Francisco, along with their current status. Here’s the current breakdown:

Updated 1-29-17 (8:30pm CT)

Indianapolis Colts

San Francisco 49ers

1 comment Indianapolis Colts Newsstand PFR Originals San Francisco 49ers
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