Jags Owner: Gus Bradley To Return For 2016
Head coach Gus Bradley will continue coaching the Jaguars in 2016, team owner Shad Khan confirmed today in a statement. The announcement confirms what was already suspected, since a report back in October indicated that Bradley would be safe through 2016.
Here’s a portion of Khan’s statement, via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union:
“I spoke to Gus Bradley today to confirm to him that he will continue as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. It’s evident to see how far we’ve come in many aspects of our game, and Gus deserves a lot of credit for that progress. It’s also evident the considerable work that remains to be done to be where we expect to be at this time next season, which is well above where we stand today. And Gus understands that. [General manager] Dave Caldwell and I also spoke today and we are both confident that Gus will make 2016 the best year of his career.”
There have been encouraging signs for the Jaguars this year, as the team was in contention for a division title in the weak AFC South up until a week or two ago. The development of Blake Bortles, in particular, has been a bright spot in Jacksonville this season, with the second-year QB throwing for 35 touchdowns after tossing just 11 in his rookie campaign.
Still, the Jags are headed for yet another losing season under Bradley, and even if the club prevails in its regular-season finale, it won’t have won more than six games in any of Bradley’s three seasons. Overall, he’s just 12-35 during his stint with Jacksonville. If the team doesn’t continue to show tangible progress in 2016, perhaps contending for a playoff spot or at least finishing with a .500 record, it’s hard to imagine Bradley continuing to coach the Jags in 2017.
Bills GM Doug Whaley On Rex Ryan, Offseason
In an interview with WGR 550, Bills GM Doug Whaley touched on a wide range of topics, including his offseason plans and his relationship with coach Rex Ryan. Here’s a look at some of the highlights, courtesy of The Buffalo News’ Tyler Dunne.
On his relationship with team ownership and Ryan:
Ownership is great. My relationship with Rex Ryan is something I cherish. I wake up every day happy to come into work with him. With my future, it’s one of those things where the ownership doesn’t have to tell me anything. I’ve always attacked my job as, ‘Let me do my job, not to lose it. But to keep it and keep getting better.’ So until the ownership tells me my keys don’t work, I’m here for the long haul and I’m here to get this team where we need to go.
On whether the Bills could draft a QB:
I look at it this way, I have to give credit to our scouting staff because the philosophy into this draft is we’ll draft the best player available. That’s why we think we were so successful. We didn’t see a perceived need or push somebody up and draft on need. Going into this draft, there is no position you can’t argue that we should or shouldn’t draft. So it opens up the board for us and let’s us scout with what we call ‘clear eyes’ instead of ‘needy eyes.’ And that helps us be a lot more successful. So to answer your question, there is nothing that would preclude us from taking any position on the board. That could be quarterback, that could be tight end, wide receiver, all across the board we could use an [influx] of young, talented depth.
On what this QB draft class looks like:
Right now, with the seniors, it’s not particularly top heavy but it is particularly deep. I think there’s a lot of quarterbacks you can get rounds two through six that have a chance to grow and progress into a solid No. 2 and possibly a No. 1 with time and seasoning.
On the areas he’ll be targeting this offseason:
With the injuries in the secondary, especially at the safety position, I’m not going to give you a total blueprint because I know people listen and it’d put us at a competitive disadvantage. But we have to get some depth in the secondary. We have to get some depth at the linebacker position. And some of the injuries like Powell, Ty Powell was out, that hurt us. A little more depth at the outside position with Jarius Wynn coming back.
And I just think an impact player on defense, like we brought in impact players on offense last year. So I think that’s what we’re going to look for, is just the best players available that’ll help us get to where we need to go on the defensive side of the ball.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Bengals QB A.J. McCarron
Bengals quarterback A.J. McCarron suffered a wrist sprain on the final play of Monday night’s loss against the Broncos and the injury is significant, according to a source who spoke with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The injury is on the left wrist and McCarron, a right-handed QB, is intent on playing in Week 17 if possible. However, the Bengals won’t know his status for sure until later in the week. The good news here is that an MRI has shown that there is no fracture (link).
Losing McCarron for the regular season finale against the Ravens would only be half bad. If the AFC North champs are forced to go into the playoffs without the services of the Alabama QB, they’ll have to turn to Keith Wenning, the former Ball State quarterback who was selected by in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. Wenning, of course, was lined up as the Bengals’ third-string QB before a thumb injury sidelined starter Andy Dalton.
In order for the Bengals to get a first round bye, they’ll need to beat the Ravens in Week 17 and get a Broncos loss as they face the Chargers.
Jerry Jones Won’t Overhaul Cowboys
Things did not go according to plan for the Cowboys in 2015, but owner Jerry Jones is not about to start from scratch. In a radio interview on Tuesday, Jones explained that he isn’t looking to overhaul the roster this offseason.
“Change just for change’s sake? You’re not going to have that because I too believe that we’re closer than this record indicates,” Jones said on 105.3 The Fan, according to Drew Davison of the Star Telegram.
However, Jones went on to indicate that there would be natural roster turnover and implied that there could be a few changes to the coaching staff. However, he certainly didn’t sound like he was going to make any significant changes on the coaching front. So, the Cowboys don’t sound intent on breaking the five-year, $30MM extension given to Jason Garrett after last season, nor will they break off the multi-year extensions handed to offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli.
It’s been a trying season for Dallas thanks in no small part to the absence of Tony Romo. Without the quarterback in the lineup, the Cowboys went 1-10 on the year and they’re eagerly awaiting his return in 2016. There’s some news on that front as well, as a source tells Ed Werder of ESPN.com (on Twitter) that Romo will have scans done on his collarbone next week as the team explores the option of surgery. For his part, Jones said in his radio hit that Romo will not have a plate inserted unless the healing process slows, Todd Archer of ESPN.com tweets. Jones added that the way Romo has healed so far likely means the QB will not have surgery (link).
Titans GM Ruston Webster On Expiring Contract
The contract between the Titans and GM Ruston Webster expires after the 2015 season, multiple sources tell Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com. That means that the Titans won’t have to fire Webster if they choose to move on from him – they can simply let his contract lapse without owing him any additional salary.
CEO/team president Steve Underwood gave Webster a vote of confidence last month, but that might not mean much this offseason. In four seasons with Webster as general manager, the Titans are 18-45, tied with the Raiders for the second worst mark in the league over that stretch. A report earlier this month indicated that Webster is “far from safe” in Tennessee.
Webster has served as the Titans’ GM since 2012 and has been with the organization since 2010. Since that time, the team has canned two coaches and has failed to make the playoffs. Some of that, of course, is not entirely Webster’s fault. For instance, the two coaches that were sacked – Mike Munchak and Ken Whisenhunt – were forced on Webster by ownership. That proved to be problematic as Webster drafted players for a 4-3 defense only to see the team’s coaching staff switch to a 3-4 scheme.
On the other hand, Webster’s track record in free agency has left much to be desired and his draft history has been spotty too. Even though Webster tapped Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 overall pick last May, he also drafted underachieving players like Jake Locker, Justin Hunter, and Bishop Sankey.
Browns Meet With Ex-Packers GM Ron Wolf
The Browns met with former Packers GM Ron Wolf, as Jason Wilde of ESPN.com writes. Wolf claimed that he was not offered any type of formal consulting role with the team, but Tony Grossi of ESPN Cleveland (Twitter link) hears otherwise.
Cleveland enters Week 17 with a 3-12 record and it’s fair to say that the jobs of coach Mike Pettine and GM Ray Farmer could be in jeopardy. If Farmer is removed as GM, one likely candidate would be Ron Wolf’s son, Eliot Wolf who serves as the Packers’ director of player personnel. However, the elder Wolf said Monday that he will not be involved in any way if the Browns decide to replace Farmer and want to pursue Eliot.
“No, no. That’s already come up,” Wolf said, according to Wilde. “I told [owner Jimmy Haslam] that that is an entirely different situation. He’d have to do that himself. I would not be a part of it.”
Wolf, 76, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last summer in the newly created contributor category. Wolf, who took over the Packers in November 1991, is the man responsible for hiring coach Mike Holmgren and acquiring Brett Favre and Reggie White. In 2004, Wolf served as a consultant for the Browns and encouraged them to hire Holmgren as team president.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/29/15
Today’s minor NFL signings, cuts, and other moves:
- The Patriots announced that they have released running back Joey Iosefa. Iosefa lasted only two weeks on the club’s active roster. He saw 14 carries against the Titans in Week 15 and ran for only 51 yards. His spot has ostensibly been usurped by the recently-added Steven Jackson.
- The Giants announced that they have placed 2014 fifth-rounder Devon Kennard on injured reserve. Kennard, who also missed four games last season, has 58 tackles to his credit for Big Blue.
- The Steelers placed fullback Roosevelt Nix on injured reserve, as Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle tweets. The Steelers also announced that they have promoted linebacker L.J. Fort to the active roster.
- The Bills placed Marcus Easley on IR, as Wilson tweets. Back in March of 2015, the special teamer inked a four-year pact worth $7MM with the Bills. A sizable chunk of that money – $2.2MM – was guaranteed.
- Texans cornerback Charles James will be placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending foot injury, Wilson tweets.
- The Chargers announced that they have claimed tight end Asante Cleveland off waivers from the Patriots.
Browns May Discipline Johnny Manziel Again
The Browns may be forced to discipline Johnny Manziel yet again after yet another video of him drinking has surfaced. Coach Mike Pettine hasn’t made a final decision yet, but he admits that the team could punish the quarterback after he was filmed on Christmas Eve guzzling a black cherry Four Loko.
“Anytime there’s something with our players that casts them potentially in a bad light, whether it’s Johnny or any of our other guys, it’s certainly a concern,” said Pettine (via Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer). “I’m sure I’ll see it, I’ll have a discussion with him about it.”
Pettine indicated that the newest Manziel video is not asáegregious as the one from earlier this year when Manziel was captured partying at a club in Austin, Texas. That incident got Manziel temporarily demoted from starter to third-string quarterback, though it was widely reported that the Browns were more upset about him lying about the event than the event itself.
“These circumstances are different from the incident that occurred before,” said Pettine, who vowed to come down hard on Manziel if he stepped out of line again. “But I’m just not going to go into a ton of detail with it until I get a little bit more information about it, but it’s something that I’m sure privately we’ll discuss if it needs to be discussed.”
Manziel spent 73 days in an addiction treatment center in the offseason and it’s believed that his treatment plan calls for him to abstain from alcohol. Manziel rushed for 108 yards against the Chiefs on Sunday and, at times, looked strong, but the Browns also need to worry about the Texas A&M product’s behavior off the field. The Browns will likely finish with one of the top two picks in the 2016 draft and they’ll need to figure out whether to use that selection on a quarterback or ride with the troubled Manziel.
Draft Notes: Collins, Clark, Howard
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins announced that he is entering the NFL Draft and foregoing his senior season at Nebraska, as Sam McKewon of the World-Herald writes.
“It’s always been a dream of mine, and I got a good grade back (from the NFL’s draft advisory board),” Collins said when asked why he’s headed to the NFL one year early. “I talked it over with my teammates and I talked it over with Coach (Mike) Riley and it seems like the best decision for me.”
Collins, a team captain in 2015, racked up 29 total tackles with 2.5 sacks this season. Many have projected that Collins will go in the first round of the NFL Draft this season and his grade from the NFL draft advisory board likely supported that forecast.
Here’s the latest NFL Draft news:
- UCLA Bruins junior defensive tackle Kenny Clark announced on Twitter that he will skip his senior year to declare for the draft. NFL talent evaluators are high on the 6’3″, 310-pound junior and he could wind up being a late first-round pick. Clark recorded a sack and season-high eight solo tackles in UCLA’s bowl loss to Nebraska on Dec. 26. For the season, he had 47 tackles and six sacks.
- Indiana junior running back Jordan Howard announced that he will forego his senior season and enter the 2016 Draft. A first team All-Big Ten selection, Howard entered the bowl season second in the Big Ten with 134.8 rushing yards per game (9th nationally) and 146.6 all-purpose yards per game (15th). Injuries have been an issue for Howard in the past, but he is considered by some to be one of the five best tailbacks in this year’s class. One has to imagine that his medical exams will play a big factor in where he lands.
- University of Miami junior cornerback Artie Burns announced that he has elected to forgo his final year of college eligibility and declare for the draft. “After considering all the options, and looking into my future, I feel it is in my best interest to forego my senior year and declare for the NFL Draft,” Burns said in a statement. “I can’t put into words what these past three years have meant to me in my development as a football player but even more importantly as a man.” Burns could wind up as a consensus top five corner in this year’s class depending on what others at his position do.
- Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Cayleb Jones took to Twitter to announce that he is going pro. The 6’3″ athlete is rated as the No. 23 junior wide receiver prospect by NFLDraftScout.com and he appears to be taking a risk by jumping to the NFL. Jones originally committed to the Texas and played in 10 games as a frosh before transferring to Arizona and sitting out for one year. While at Texas, Jones picked up a felony assault charge that was ultimately reduced to a misdemeanor.
- The Texas Longhorns announced that junior defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway has decided to go pro. An honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in 2015, Ridgeway played in 36 career games with 18 starts. In that time, he recorded 92 tackles with 9.5 sacks, 18.5 tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries. Ridgeway is rated as the No. 5 nose tackle by WalterFootball.com and his stock could rise if any of the three underclassmen ranked ahead of him opt to stay in school.
- Washington junior running back Dwayne Washington will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, as Adam Jude of the Seattle Times writes. Washington did not play in UW’s final four games because of a knee injury, an issue which required minor surgery. The tailback started six games for UW this season and finished as UW’s second-leading rusher with 282 yards. His seven total touchdowns were also second-most on the team. Washington garnered attention in 2014 when he converted from wide receiver to running back, though his frame still looks like that of a receiver.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/28/15
Here are Monday’s practice squad updates from across the NFL:
Cleveland Browns
- Cut: S De’Ante Saunders (story)
San Diego Chargers
- Signed: G Michael Huey, G Craig Watts (press release via team)