Rams Re-Sign QB Brandon Allen
The Rams re-signed the practice squad quarterback Brandon Allen, according to the NFL’s transactions wire. In a related move, the club also re-signed offensive tackle Darrell Williams. 
Allen spent the year on the Rams’ practice squad but was with the club for the bulk of the 2017 season on their main roster. Like many QBs on the fringe, Allen has yet to throw a pass in a real NFL game.
Depending on how the rest of the offseason shakes out, Allen may have an opportunity to stick on the 53-man roster. As of this writing, he’s the only other QB on the roster outside of starter Jared Goff. Sean Mannion, last year’s No. 2 QB, will be a free agent in March.
Bengals Cast Wide Net In DC Search
The Bengals are casting a wide net in their search for a defensive coordinator and other defensive staffers, as Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The club is expected to request (or has requested) interviews with former Falcons defensive coordinator Marquand Manuel, Texas A&M DC Mike Elko, Florida DC Todd Grantham, and Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn.
The Bengals made an offer to veteran coach Dom Capers this week, but he turned them down and is now believed to be Miami-bound. Capers, 68, would have given the Bengals a Rams replica of sorts as he would have supported 33-year-old head coach Zac Taylor. The Bengals also flirted with former Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, an indication they would prefer a veteran counterweight to Taylor.
Outside of Grantham, however, the coaches they’re now considering are on the younger side of 50. That could indicate a change in philosophy for Cincinnati. Or, it could be a case of the old adage – beggars can’t be choosers.
As previously reported, the Bengals also requested an interview with Rams DB coach Aubrey Pleasant.
Rodger Saffold Addresses Free Agency
Rams left guard Rodger Saffold wants to return to Los Angeles in 2019, but the pending free agent also acknowledged the reality of the open market. “I don’t think that it’s any surprise to people to know that I want to be back,” Saffold said Tuesday, per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.com. “At the end of the day, though, I need to make sure that it’s something fair for me… something I can use and feel that I was treated fair.” Saffold, 30, just wrapped a five-year, $31.722MM contract with the Rams and is the most accomplished guard scheduled to hit free agency next month. While Los Angeles has roughly $35MM in cap space, the club also has several other free agents — Ndamukong Suh, Dante Fowler, and Lamarcus Joyner among them — whom it may want to re-sign. Saffold could potentially take precedent given that the Rams’ offensive line, which ranked top-six in both adjusted line yards and adjusted sack rate, was critical to their run as NFC champions.
- In case you missed it, the Bengals want to interview Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator job.
NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 2/6/19
Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2019 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:
Los Angeles Rams
- DB Donte Deayon
- LB Travin Howard
- T Kyle Murphy
- WR Austin Proehl
New England Patriots
- OL Cole Croston
- OL Jake Eldrenkamp
- QB Danny Etling
- DL Trent Harris
- DL Frank Herron
- DB A.J. Howard
- OL Ryker Matthews
- LB Calvin Munson
- DL David Parry
- WR Damoun Patterson
- OL Dan Skipper
New Orleans Saints
- RB Martez Carter
Bengals Request Interview With Rams CBs Coach Aubrey Pleasant
The Bengals have requested permission to interview Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to Mike Jones of USA Today (Twitter link). Pleasant worked with new Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor in Los Angeles from 2017-18.
Pleasant is the first candidate linked to the Bengals’ DC job to not come with previous head coaching experience. Saints linebackers coach Mike Nolan is the latest veteran coach tied to Cincinnati, while the Bengals have also expressed varying levels of interest in Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, former Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio, and former Bears head coach John Fox. Allen has since received an extension from New Orleans, while Del Rio has bowed out of the running.
Pleasant, then, would give the Bengals a different vibe on the defensive side of the ball, and would entail Cincinnati turning over both its offense and defense to 30-somethings. A former collegiate coach at Michigan, Pleasant worked for the Browns and Redskins before joining the Rams in 2017.
Working under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Pleasant helped lead the Rams to top-10 finishes in defensive passing DVOA in both 2017 and 2018. Two of Pleasant’s cornerbacks — Nickell Robey-Coleman and Aqib Talib — ranked among Pro Football Focus‘ top-20 CBs.
Patriots Win Super Bowl LIII
For the sixth time in team history, the Patriots have won it all. On Sunday night, in one of the slower Super Bowl games in memory, the Patriots topped the Rams 13-3.
The first half was clumsy, awkward, and slow – unlike Super Bowls of recent years. What some expected to be a shootout turned into a punting exhibition with Johnny Hekker actually being edged by Patriots youngster Ryan Allen.
The Pats went into halftime with a 3-0 lead, despite a constant connection between Tom Brady and Julian Edelman in the first two quarters. The Rams, meanwhile, had little to offer on offense. Sean McVay tried to deny it, but it’s now clear clear that Todd Gurley‘s knee injury was of the severe variety, and it was enough to limit him to just ten carries for 35 yards.
The second half played out similarly, though both teams got into a better rhythm. For the Pats, the second half was dotted by big catches from Edelman and Rob Gronkowski. The Rams, too, had their moments thanks as Jared Goff found Brandin Cooks, Robert Woods, and Josh Reynolds. Ultimately, however, the Rams’ chances were spoiled by a bad Goff throw that landed in the hands of superstar corner Stephon Gilmore. Meanwhile, Sony Michel‘s touchdown proved to be the only one of the night and the defining score of the game.
Now, it’s time to see whether Rob Gronkowski and other Patriots will opt to leave the game on a high note.
Rams Want To Re-Sign C.J. Anderson; Latest On Team's Coaching Staff
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com says that the Rams, who signed running back C.J. Anderson in December, “absolutely” want to re-sign Anderson this offseason. That makes sense considering how good Anderson has been in his brief tenure with the club, and considering Todd Gurley‘s history of knee problems. Anderson, though, could be in line for a bigger role or salary than what Los Angeles is prepared to give. Anderson is expected to get plenty of work in tonight’s Super Bowl.
- Rams QB coach Zac Taylor will be formally announced as the Bengals’ next head coach tomorrow, and Rapoport tweets that LA may move senior offensive assistant Jedd Fisch to QB coach. The club could also give current TE coach/passing game coordinator Shane Waldron the passing game coordinator title without requiring him to coach a position and bring in Wes Phillips to coach the tight ends.
Andrew Whitworth Considering Retirement?
Could Super Bowl LIII be the last game for Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth? Whitworth has not spoken publicly about the possibility of hanging up the cleats, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com writes that those close to Whitworth and other members of the organization do not know if he will return in 2019. He certainly has not committed to it.
The only box left unchecked in Whitworth’s excellent career is a Super Bowl ring. The 37-year-old, who spent the first 11 seasons of his career with the Bengals, finally experienced a playoff win for the first time when the Rams bested the Cowboys in the divisional round several weeks ago, and Rapoport suggests Whitworth could call it a career if LA captures a Lombardi Trophy tonight.
Whitworth signed a three-year, $36MM free agent deal with the Rams in March 2017, and he is due to make nearly $11MM in the final year of that contract in 2019, so no one would blame him for coming back for one more season, regardless of what happens tonight. Plus, he has been the picture of durability throughout his career and continued to perform at a high level in 2018, even though he did not earn a Pro Bowl nod. But his age and the prospect of going out on top and spending more time with his family may push him towards retirement.
The LSU product has compiled four Pro Bowls and two First Team All-Pro bids in his career.
Exploring The Impending FAs Playing In Super Bowl LIII
While Rams and Patriots players are presumably focused on the Super Bowl, there are a number of impending free agents who could boost their stock with a solid performance tomorrow.
Below, we’ve explored the impending free agents who will be on either the Rams’ or Patriots’ rosters for the championship game (with some help from Spotrac.com). The following list does not include players on the injured reserve (a grouping that includes players like Los Angeles running back Malcolm Brown), nor does it include players on the reserve/suspended list (a grouping that includes New England wideout Josh Gordon).
Los Angeles Rams
- RB C.J. Anderson
- DE Dante Fowler Jr.
- LB Bryce Hager
- CB Troy Hill
- WR Khadarel Hodge (ERFA)
- S Lamarcus Joyner
- LB Cory Littleton (RFA)
- LB Matt Longacre
- QB Sean Mannion
- WR Jojo Natson (ERFA)
- OG Rodger Saffold
- CB Sam Shields
- DT Ndamukong Suh
- DE Ethan Westbrooks
- LB Ramik Wilson
Former NFL agent (and current CBS Sports analyst) Joel Corry recently explored which big-name players could boost their free agent stock with a standout performance tomorrow. Among Rams 
players, Suh is a name that naturally bounces off the list. Following his release from Miami, the 32-year-old inked a one-year, $14MM deal with the Rams, and he proceeded to compile 59 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 16 games. He’s improved his play in the postseason, tallying four QB hits in two games. Suh’s big-play ability will make him a name to watch during the Super Bowl, and a standout performance could lead to him receiving some lucrative offers this offseason.
A former first-rounder, Fowler was unceremoniously dealt to the Rams back in October. The 24-year-old has shown flashes during his brief tenure with Los Angeles, and he leads Rams players in postseason sacks (1.5). Teams will surely take a flyer on Fowler this offseason, and a big performance will only help to boost his stock. The same sentiment goes for Anderson; the veteran has emerged as a key piece for the Rams since he joined the team in December. We can only assume that the team will rely on Todd Gurley during the biggest game of the season, but Anderson has shown that he can still be productive.
Meanwhile, Saffold should be considered one of (if not the) premier offensive guard on the market, and even a lackluster Super Bowl showing shouldn’t hurt his free agency stock.
New England Patriots
- P Ryan Allen
- DT Malcom Brown
- OT Trent Brown
- WR Phillip Dorsett
- DE Trey Flowers
- K Stephen Gostkowski
- WR Chris Hogan
- LB Ramon Humber
- CB Jonathan Jones (RFA)
- CB Jason McCourty
- LB Albert McClellan
- WR Cordarrelle Patterson
- DT Danny Shelton
- DE John Simon
- OT LaAdrian Waddle
Trey Flowers is the most intriguing name on this list, as the 25-year-old could end up being one of the top pass-rushers on the market. As Corry points out, players like Frank Clark (Seahawks), Jadeveon Clowney (Texans), Dee Ford (Chiefs) and Demarcus Lawrence (Cowboys) could easily be franchised, meaning Flowers could be in line for a big 
payday (although Corry cautions that the Patriots could also choose to franchise the former fourth-rounder). Flowers had another solid season in 2018, compiling 57 tackles, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. While he isn’t as big of a name as some of the Rams’ impending free agents, Flowers has a chance to become a household name by the end of tomorrow’s game.
Trent Brown is another intriguing name on the list. However, barring some catastrophic performance, it’s unlikely the Super Bowl will impact his impending free agent stock. The Patriots acquired the six-foot-eight lineman from the 49ers during the draft, and he proceeded to start all 16 games as Tom Brady‘s blindside protector. With 2018 first-rounder Isaiah Wynn expected to return from a torn Achilles next season, there’s no guarantee that Brown will be back in New England.
It’s interesting that both the Patriots kicker and punter will hit free agency this offseason. The team certainly isn’t afraid to let their long-time special teamers go (see: Adam Vinatieri), but you can assume that both Gostkowski and Allen will be back in New England in 2019. Hogan and Patterson are another two names to watch during the Super Bowl, as the two wideouts have a chance to be big contributors if they draw Brady’s eye.
Rams Won't Trade Brandin Cooks
- Not that it needed to be said, but Rams head coach Sean McVay “guaranteed” Los Angeles will not trade wide receiver Brandin Cooks, tweets Lindsay Jones of The Athletic. Cooks has already been dealt twice in his five-year career, with both acquiring clubs (the Rams and Patriots) surrendering first-round picks in order to acquire the dynamic pass-catcher. The Rams signed Cooks to a five-year extension last summer, and they’d take on more than $22MM in dead money by trading him this year. In his first season in Los Angeles, Cooks posted 80 receptions for 1,204 yards and five touchdowns.