HEADLINES

AFC East Notes: Revis, Pats, Cromartie, Jets

January 28th, 2015 at 9:37pm CST by Zachary Links

Darrelle Revis has had a heck of a year with the Patriots, and it took a strange set of circumstances to bring it all together. Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com lays out the entire story, including how Darrelle Revis found clarity on a Vespa scooter. “I just wanted something to get away and clear my mind and do something else to keep me busy instead of having stress or pressure on me,” Revis said. “So that’s how I spent my days. And I think that’s how we always handle my situations. When I was a rookie and had to hold out I was on the beach with (agent) Jonathan (Feinsod) in the Hamptons. And this is how we always approach it: Just get your mind off of it so it doesn’t drive you crazy.” Before you dive into La Canfora’s entertaining and informative read, check out the latest from the AFC East..

  • Free agent cornerback Antonio Cromartie told Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (via SiriusXM NFL Radio on Twitter) that “the door is open” for a return to the Jets. The veteran added that he still has a home in the New Jersey area. Cromartie appeared to struggle during the end of his Jets tenure but it’s possible that the new regime will have faith in what he can do.
  • James Walker of ESPN.com profiled pending Dolphins free agent Samson Satele. Satele, who started all 16 games at center for Miami, was a solid late signing following Mike Pouncey‘s hip surgery. However, Satele will be an unrestricted free agent in March and doesn’t appear to be a fit with Pouncey going back to center. Even if his future isn’t in Miami, Satele figures to be a solid center for someone in 2015.
  • Revis bet on himself with Patriots and it could pay off with a fat new contract after the Super Bowl, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News writes.

Broncos To Hire Wade Phillips As DC

January 28th, 2015 at 8:30pm CST by Zachary Links

8:30pm: It’s a two-year deal, according to Mike Klis of The Denver Post.

7:23pm: Wade Phillips is back in football. The Broncos have hired Phillips to be Gary Kubiak‘s defensive coordinator, according to Ed Werder of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Phillips held the same job on Kubiak’s staff when the two were with the Texans a few years ago. Phillips ultimately wound up with two stints as interim head coach in his final year in 2013. The first came when Kubiak collapsed in the middle of a November game. The next stint came one month later when Houston relieved Kubiak of his duties and handed the reins to Phillips.

The 67-year-old also has a history with the Broncos as he coached the team way back when John Elway and Gary Kubiak were players. Phillips served as the Broncos’ defensive coordinator from 1989 through 1992 and as the head coach in 1993 and 1994, before being let go. Phillips had an even .500 record (16-16) during his time at the helm in Denver.

Phillips joins a team with five Pro Bowlers from this past season. As we learned earlier today, the Broncos seem likely to transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4. Fortunately, Denver already has a pair of very good edge rushers in Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware to help ease the transition.

It would appear that Phillips was not the first choice in Denver. The Broncos hired the coaching veteran after they were unable to land Bengals assistant Vance Joseph, according to Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Max Starks Announces Retirement

January 28th, 2015 at 6:20pm CST by Zachary Links

Longtime Steelers tackle Max Starks says he’s staying retired from the NFL, according to Alex Marvez of SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter).

The 6’8″, 345 lineman spent time with the Rams and Chargers in 2013 after playing for Pittsburgh from 2004-2012. However, his stint in Arizona didn’t last all that long. Before the deadline for the 75-man cutdown, the Cardinals released Starks along with eleven other players. At the time, Starks was excited about his reunion with coach Bruce Arians.

“All the terminology seems to be the old terminology, so it’s starting to click again,” said Starks, who played under Arians’ coordination with the Steelers. “Obviously it’s been two years since I was with [Arians] so just getting used to that lingo and getting that going.”

Starks made 125 starts across the course of his ten year NFL career, seeing time at both right tackle and left tackle. In 2012, his last full NFL season, Starks graded out as the 72nd best tackle out of 80 qualified players, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required and recommended). Starks, 34 in March, received negative grades for his run blocking and even worse grades for his pass blocking. In years past, however, Starks graded out as an above average offensive tackle.

Todd Grantham To Remain At Louisville

January 28th, 2015 at 4:51pm CST by Luke Adams

Despite reportedly receiving an offer to join Jack Del Rio‘s coaching staff in Oakland, Todd Grantham has decided to remain at Louisville as the team’s defensive coordinator, according to Brett McMurphy of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported earlier today that the Raiders had made a two-year offer to Grantham to become the club’s DC.

“My family loves it in Louisville, and I think we are establishing something special here with Bobby Petrino and our staff,” Grantham said by way of explanation, according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports (Twitter link).

While a number of coaches – including Mike Smith, Wade Phillips, Mel Tucker, and others – have been linked to the defensive coordinator opening in Oakland, the job doesn’t appear to be generating much enthusiasm. Smith has been considered Del Rio’s top choice all along, but doesn’t seem interested in the position. Tucker has since accepted a job as Alabama’s secondary coach, and Phillips apparently prefers Denver over the Raiders, despite not being the Broncos’ No. 1 target.

Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle tweets that Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. may be up next on the Raiders’ list of DC candidates. If that’s true, Oakland will likely have to wait until next week to make any announcements, since Norton is busy preparing for Sunday’s game against the Patriots. Tafur adds (via Twitter) that money and play-calling control are factors in the apparent lukewarm interest in the Raiders’ DC job.

Nathaniel Hackett To Join Jags, Not Rams

January 28th, 2015 at 4:45pm CST by Luke Adams

Former Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett had been viewed as one of the top candidates for the Rams’ offensive coordinator opening, if only by default — with several of St. Louis’ other potential targets having found other jobs or having decided to remain with their current teams, Hackett and current Rams assistants Rob Boras and Frank Cignetti were the only known candidates still in the mix.

However, having been scheduled to interview with the Rams for a second time, Hackett has decided to withdraw from consideration for the OC job, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Hackett is instead heading to Jacksonville, where it is believed he’ll become the Jaguars’ new quarterbacks coach. Frank Scelfo, the team’s current QBs coach, is expected to remain on the staff, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.

The Jags have made an interesting series of coaching hires on the offensive side of the ball in the last month. After parting ways with former offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, the club brought in ex-Raiders OC Greg Olson to replace Fisch, and now has also added a pair of Buffalo coaches — Hackett and former Bills head coach Doug Marrone

With Hackett no longer in the mix, the path looks clear for either Boras or Cignetti to be promoted to offensive coordinator in St. Louis, though there’s been no indication yet which way the team is leaning, and it’s possible that there are candidates who have yet to be reported. The Rams may also choose to bring in a new outside candidate, but that doesn’t seem likely this far into the process unless they’re waiting on a Patriots or Seahawks assistant.

Minor Moves: Wednesday

January 28th, 2015 at 4:07pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are Wednesday’s minor transactions, including not just NFL moves but an update on a former NFL player who is headed north….

  • Former Colts wide receiver Austin Collie, who averaged over 57 receptions during three seasons in Indianapolis from 2009 to 2011, has agreed to terms with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, according to Arash Madani of Sportsnet.ca. Because Collie was born in Hamilton, Ontario and spent enough time in Canada, he’ll be classified as a Canadian player on Montreal’s roster rather than as an import. For the Alouettes, it’s a solid addition to a receiving corps that is on the verge of losing Duron Carter to the Colts.
  • The Broncos have agreed to sign former Monmouth cornerback Tevrin Brandon, tweets Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. We heard back in early December that Denver had brought in Brandon for a workout with an eye toward the offseason.

AFC West Notes: Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs

January 28th, 2015 at 3:35pm CST by Luke Adams

Reports earlier in the week indicated that the Raiders had lined up an interview with Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham for their own DC position, and it appears the job is Grantham’s if he wants it. According to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), Oakland has offered Grantham a two-year deal to become the team’s new defensive coordinator. While dipping into the NCAA ranks for a coordinator is a departure from the usual operating procedure for hiring a top assistant, the Raiders may have had trouble attracting top candidates for the opening if new head coach Jack Del Rio intends to handle some or all of the defensive play-calling on his own.

While we wait to see if Grantham ultimately lands a job with the Raiders, let’s check in on some other Wednesday items from around the AFC West….

  • Whether it’s Vance Joseph or Wade Phillips that eventually becomes their defensive coordinator – and it does appear it’ll be one of those two – the Broncos seem likely to transition from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4, writes Mike Klis of the Denver Post. With a pair of very good edge rushers, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware, already under contract, the Broncos shouldn’t have to overhaul their defense to make the change.
  • Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star examines seven free-agents-to-be who would make good fits for the Chiefs, leading off his list with wideout Randall Cobb. Paylor’s list is heavy on offensive linemen, including guards Mike Iupati, Orlando Franklin, and Clint Boling.
  • Former star running back LaDainian Tomlinson suggested during an appearance on 1090 AM in San Diego that the Chargers should pursue Adrian Peterson if he becomes available this winter, and Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com agrees with LT.

Coach Notes: 49ers, Browns, Ravens, Broncos

January 28th, 2015 at 2:24pm CST by Luke Adams

The 49ers and former Bucs assistant Steve Logan have reached a two-year agreement that will make Logan the team’s new quarterbacks coach, according to Jeff Gravley of WRAL-TV (Twitter link). If that is indeed Logan’s new title, it could mean that Geep Chryst, who currently holds the QBs coach job, is in line for a promotion. Chryst has been cited as the most logical in-house candidate for San Francisco’s offensive coordinator vacancy, and with a number of other candidates either being denied permission to interview for the position or choosing not to pursue it, Chryst appears to be one of the few viable candidates left.

While we wait for updates on the 49ers’ coaching situation, let’s round up a few more updates on teams from around the NFL filling their staffs….

  • Former Jets quarterback Kevin O’Connell, who worked with Johnny Manziel before he was drafted last year, is interviewing for the Browns‘ quarterbacks coach job, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). If Cleveland decides to hire O’Connell, it would seem likely to give Manziel a leg up in the club’s QB competition for 2015.
  • Former Kentucky head coach Joker Phillips is joining the Browns‘ staff as the club’s wide receivers coach, a league source tells Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter link).
  • The Ravens have finalized their coaching staff for 2015, hiring and promoting several assistants, the team announced today in a press release.
  • One departing Ravens coach is Tony Coaxum, who is the latest assistant to head to Denver, according to Thayer Evans of Sports Illustrated. Evans tweets that the Broncos have hired Coaxum as an assistant special teams coach.
  • Although Falcons running backs coach Gerald Brown interviewed with the Raiders, he won’t be heading to Oakland, and ESPN’s Vaughn McClure (Twitter link) wouldn’t be surprised if Brown ended up returning to Atlanta.

East Notes: Eagles, Maxwell, Moore, Cowboys

January 28th, 2015 at 1:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Sources close to Byron Maxwell “recently threw out numbers” like $12-13MM when estimating what it might take – in terms of per-year salary – to land the Seahawks cornerback in free agency this offseason, writes Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. I’d be shocked if Maxwell landed a deal that lucrative, but he’ll be one of the top available corners if he reaches the open market. While general manager John Schneider and the Seahawks have expressed a desire to re-sign Maxwell, he should have several suitors in March, including the Eagles — McLane takes a look at Maxwell’s potential fit in Philadelphia.

Here are a few more items from around the NFL’s two East divisions:

  • While an earlier report suggested that the Eagles rebuffed the 49ers‘ attempts to interview wide receivers coach Bob Bicknell for a possible offensive coordinator role in San Francisco, that’s not quite the case, according to Geoff Mosher of CSNPhilly.com. Mosher tweets that new Niners head coach Jim Tomsula spoke to Bicknell about a job in San Francisco, but that Bicknell wasn’t interested in leaving the Eagles. That has since by confirmed by multiple reporters, including Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (Twitter link).
  • Matt Moore hasn’t seen the field much during his tenure as the Dolphins‘ No. 2 quarterback, but he’s still considered one of the better backups in the league, and won’t necessarily come cheap this offseason. As such, James Walker of ESPN.com thinks there’s a good chance Miami targets a more affordable backup QB and lets Moore sign elsewhere.
  • Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News identifies the least favorable contracts on the Cowboys‘ books heading into the 2015 season, with Brandon Carr‘s pricey deal topping his list.

Pro Football Rumors Features

January 28th, 2015 at 11:48am CST by Luke Adams

Pro Football Rumors passes along the latest news and rumors on NFL player movement 365 days a year, but those aren’t the only updates you’ll see on the site. On our right sidebar, you’ll find a number of additional features and featured posts. Here’s a rundown of a few of them:

  • Using your iOs and Android devices, you can use our app to follow the latest stories on PFR, MLB Trade Rumors, and Hoops Rumors. The Trade Rumors app is highly customizable, allowing you to add feeds for any of the 92 MLB, NBA, and NFL teams, as well as for any of the thousands of players in our archives.
  • With the offseason right around the corner, you can find the full breakdown of 2015 veteran free agents by position using our list, which will be updated throughout the winter and spring.
  • Since the regular season ended, seven teams have let go of their head coaches, and even more than that are making changes at offensive defensive coordinator. For a full breakdown of all the coaching changes within the last month, check out our trackers for head coaching searches and offensive/defensive coordinator searches.
  • Several players figure to receive contract extensions from their respective teams between now and the start of the 2015 free agent period, and we’ve identified a number of potential recipients in our Extension Candidate series, which profiles players eligible for extensions and assesses their value. As the list shows, many of the players we’ve profiled have since had their contracts extended.
  • The NFL isn’t known as a trade-happy league, but by our count, 50 trades were consummated by teams in 2014, and you can find them all on our recap of 2014 NFL trades. Meanwhile, you can keep tabs on traded draft picks for 2015 with our tracker.
  • The Pro Football Rumors glossary highlights a number of aspects of the NFL’s salary cap, free agency, and Collective Bargaining Agreement. Feel free to let us know if there’s a specific concept that you’d like us to discuss in a future Glossary piece.
  • We value your input at PFR, which is why we regularly publish polls and have a regular feature called Pigskin Links, in which we highlight a few interesting recent articles from football blogs. You can find our poll archives here and our Pigskin Links pieces right here.
  • While a handful of our notable articles can be found under the “Featured Posts” section on the right sidebar, the PFR Originals archive rounds up all the original posts from our staff. Recently, we posted the second edition of our 2015 free agent power rankings, looked ahead to 2015’s important offseason dates, and profiled Tamba Hali of the Chiefs as a candidate to be released.
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