NFC Notes: Austin, Wilson, Conte
Tavon Austin did not provide the degree of immediate impact the Rams were hoping for when they chose him eighth overall last year. In an AP story, Austin was bluntly honest about why he didn’t play as fast as he’s capable: he struggled with the complexities of his first NFL playbook. “I didn’t really know what was going on,” Austin said. “Everything looked like Spanish and sounded like Spanish to me.”
Here’s some NFC links:
- Giants running back David Wilson, recovered from neck surgery, announced on Twitter that he’s been cleared for full-contact action.
- Bears safety Chris Conte faces a training-camp battle for a starting position, but it’s unknown if he’s physically ready for the beginning of camp, writes the Chicago Tribune’s Rich Campbell. Conte had shoulder surgery in late March, at which time the team said he would need four to five months to recover.
- Bears second-year right tackle Jordan Mills has hired Drew Rosenhaus as his contract adviser, according to Yahoo Sports reporter and legal analyst Rand Getlin.
- Buccaneers free agent acquisition Evan Dietrich-Smith has just one year as a full-time starter under his belt, but “the Bucs see him as an anchor on their offensive line,” says ESPN’s Pat Yasinkas in a post listing the team’s top five newcomers. “At 28, Dietrich-Smith may be just entering his prime.”
- Jeremy Ross was a pleasant surprise for the Lions last season, especially on special teams, says MLive.com’s Kyle Meinke. With him and Ryan Broyles expected to have spots on the roster behind Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, that leaves fifth-rounder T.J. Jones, Corey Fuller and veterans Kris Durham and Kevin Ogletree battling for one or two spots.
- This season is make-or-break for Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett, writes ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer.
Jason Garrett On Cowboys’ Offseason
Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett spoke about his team’s offseason, an unusual one considering the Cowboys are used to being the team that spends big money to acquire high profile free agents. Of course, their dire cap situation made it impossible to spend that money, in fact causing the opposite, as the team was forced to part ways with a few notable contributors, most significantly DeMarcus Ware and Miles Austin.
The team was able to add a few new pieces, with a focus on retooling a defensive line and pass rush that will be without not only Ware, but Jay Ratliff and Jason Hatcher as well. The Cowboys’ response was to add Terrell McClain, Jeremy Mincey, and Henry Melton. David Moore of DallasNews.com was able to transcribe some of Garrett’s thoughts on the new signings, among other things.
Garrett referred to McClain as “an interior player who can have an impact on our team”, and calls Mincey “a really solid football player.” The head coach believes that McClain brings versatility that can be utilized at nose tackle or at a three-technique, and that Mincey could potentially fill a void at defensive end. Garrett lauded Melton’s physical ability, referencing his past as a high school running back.
“You see some of those running back traits in terms of quickness, explosiveness, change of direction,’’ says Garrett. “He was hurt last year and only played in three games. He’s coming off an ACL, but he played very well for Rod Marinelli a couple of years ago and I feel like we can get him to that place.’’
Garrett, the former quarterback, also spoke about picking up Brandon Weeden as a backup to Tony Romo. “We want to develop a guy, and we feel like Brandon Weeden is a guy we can develop,’’ Garrett said of the 30-year-old quarterback. “We feel like he’s got a lot of upside, and we want to get him in an environment where we can help him grow and develop.’’
Garrett also addressed new offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, who has been given play-calling duties despite Bill Callahan calling the plays last season and still being on staff.
“He and I have very similar philosophies about offensive football and how we do things. There are some terminology things that are common to both of our offensive systems and certainly they are philosophically similarly in foundation,” said the head coach. “You always want to evolve your offense from year to year and continue to grow with your system. There is a foundation that we have in place, a philosophy that’s very similar, and we’re excited about the different things that he’s going to bring.’’
While it is unusual for play-calling responsibilities to change hands without letting go of the coach, an equally peculiar move happened on the other side of the ball, where Monte Kiffin relinquished his role as defensive coordinator, a role now filled by Rod Marinelli. Kiffin will still remain on staff as a defensive assistant.
NFC East Notes: Garrett, Redskins, Giants
Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said last month that he’s not thinking about his contract situation, despite entering the last year of his deal. Following those comments, owner Jerry Jones stressed that 2014 is not necessarily a make-or-break season for Garrett, and he expressed that sentiment in stronger terms yesterday. Asked if the head coach must lead the Cowboys to the postseason this year in order to keep his job, Jones said he doesn’t look at it that way “at all,” according to David Moore of the Dallas Morning News.
Here’s more from around the NFC East:
- According to head coach Jay Gruden, no teams have contacted the Redskins about acquiring Kirk Cousins. Gruden indicated today he’s excited to have Cousins backing up Robert Griffin III , tweets Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
- Discussing Brian Orakpo, Gruden said he wouldn’t mind the linebacker playing out the 2014 season on his one-year franchise tag to see what he can do before the Redskins lock him up to a long-term deal (Twitter link via Jones).
- The Giants added Rashad Jennings and re-signed Peyton Hillis in free agency, but with Andre Brown likely to sign elsewhere and David Wilson still recovering from neck surgery, head coach Tom Coughlin suggested today that the team will likely need to add another running back to be safe (Twitter link via Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post).
- Coughlin, the NFL’s oldest current head coach, also said today that he feels great health-wise and feels like he can keep coaching beyond this season, tweets Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.
Jerry Jones Talks Garrett, Orton, Coaches
Jerry Jones spoke to the media yesterday, and while we already passed along his comments on DeMarcus Ware, the Cowboys owner weighed in on several other topics as well. Among the highlights from Jones was a vote of confidence for embattled head coach Jason Garrett, who heads into a contract year in 2014. While the coming season as viewed as a potential make-or-break year for Garrett, Jones suggested that’s not necessarily the case, according to ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer.
“Jason should know and I know that he knows that the plan here is and has been for him to be long term,” Jones said. “And long term certainly being beyond this year as the coach of the Dallas Cowboys.”
Here’s more from the outspoken Cowboys owner:
- Kyle Orton‘s certain with the Cowboys remains uncertain, but Jones is moving forward as if the backup quarterback will return and play out the final year of his contract, according to Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News.
- Jones on Orton: “If he plays, we want him to play with the Cowboys. I could say to him directly the last time we were together made it very rewarding and worthwhile for you to be on the team, and I hope it was rewarding to you. I can say that. That was a good example of money well spent in my mind, and it shows you where we might be if we need him for an extended period of time.”
- Jones believes that the Cowboys are capable of competing for a Super Bowl in 2014 in spite of the club’s cap limitations, writes Sabin in a separate Morning News story.
- As Archer details at ESPNDallas.com, Jones also clarified the roles that Scott Linehan, Bill Callahan, and Jason Garrett will have in the offense for 2014.
Garrett, Cowboys Haven’t Talked Extension
Cowboys management hasn’t approached Jason Garrett to discuss a contract extension, the Dallas head coach told reporters today, including Rainer Sabin of the Dallas Morning News. With Garrett’s current deal set to expire after the 2014 season, it appears as if he’s heading into a make-or-break year. For his part, the Cowboys coach said he hadn’t given much thought to the added job security a long-term contract would provide.
“My focus is on being the best coach I can be each and every day,” Garrett said. “That’s what I think about and that’s what my focus is.”
Garrett is 29-27 in three and a half years as the Cowboys’ head coach, and his three full seasons at the helm look awfully similar: Three consecutive 8-8 finishes, with zero playoff appearances. Given the expectations the Cowboys face heading into each and every season, it’d be no surprise if Garrett is on the hot seat this fall.
Speaking to the media in Indianapolis today, Garrett also confirmed what had been previously reported, telling reporters that he’ll be taking a step back from the offense in 2014 with Scott Linehan on board as the Cowboys’ primary play-caller (Twitter link via Todd Archer of ESPN.com).