Jaguars Notes: Kiffin, Draft, Hurns, Beachum
The Jaguars made a big-name addition to their coaching staff today, formally announcing that veteran NFL coach Monte Kiffin would be joining the team as a defensive assistant. Kiffin, formerly the defensive coordinator in Dallas, Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Minnesota, served in 2014 and 2015 as an assistant head coach for the Cowboys. In 2016, he’ll work with a unit that will be adding Malik Jackson, Prince Amukamara, and 2015 first-rounder Dante Fowler Jr., among others.
Here’s more on the Jaguars:
- In addition to hiring Kiffin, the Jaguars also announced a couple more coaching changes, adding John Benton as assistant offensive line coach and John Donovan as offensive quality control coach.
- GM Dave Caldwell is open to the idea of moving down in the draft, suggesting to Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union that he’d be willing to go from No. 5 overall to “somewhere in the early teens.” Caldwell’s comments suggest that the Jags probably feel the top of the draft is fairly deep, and that the team will keep an eye out for opportunities to add another early pick.
- Caldwell acknowledged that the Jaguars may look into a contract extension for wide receiver Allen Hurns this offseason now that he’s eligible for a new deal. “I think we’ll wait until after the draft to see where we’re at,” Caldwell said, per O’Halloran. “And if we did anything, it would be before the season.” I’d be surprised if Jacksonville gets anything done with Hurns this year, since he won’t be eligible for unrestricted free agency until 2018.
- Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle provides several details on the Kelvin Beachum contract (all Twitter links). The deal is worth $5MM in year one, with a $2.5MM salary and up to $1MM in per-game roster bonuses. $1.5MM of that $5MM comes in the form of a guaranteed roster bonus. After the 2016 season, the Jaguars will have until 22 days prior to the start of the 2017 league year to decide whether or not to exercise Beachum’s $5MM option bonus for 2017-2020, when his salaries would range from $7.5MM to $10MM.
Coach Rumors: Giants, L. Smith, Bucs, Dolphins
Asked today on The Michael Kay Show if the Giants will consider Lovie Smith for their head coaching opening, team co-owner John Mara said he’s “certainly aware” the former Buccaneers head coach is available. According to Mara, he’ll talk to his fellow decision-makers about Smith, but he isn’t sure yet whether the club will try to bring him in (Twitter links via Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News).
For now, New York is targeting highly-regarded assistants, having interviewed their own coordinators, as well as Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin and Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase.
Here are a few more coaching-related updates from around the NFL:
- Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com tweets that he would be “very surprised” if former Falcons head coach Mike Smith doesn’t emerge as a strong candidate for the Buccaneers‘ vacancy. Smith interviewed with the Dolphins this week and has been mentioned as possible candidate for the Titans as well.
- According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (Twitter link), the Dolphins would’ve been one of the teams – along with the Eagles – that had interest in John Harbaugh if he became available, but Harbaugh isn’t going anywhere. The Dolphins continued their head coaching search today by interviewing Dan Campbell and, per a team release, Doug Marrone.
- The Jaguars will interview Falcons secondary coach Marquand Manuel for their defensive coordinator job, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). ESPN’s Vaughn McClure tweets that the meeting will take place on Tuesday.
- As first reported by Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter links), linebackers coach Jeff FitzGerald was fired by the Colts today. Indianapolis hired a new defensive coordinator this week, bringing in former Ravens linebackers coach Ted Monachino, so it looks like he has already started making changes to the unit.
- Meanwhile, on the offensive side of the ball, the Colts are interviewing John Benton (Dolphins), Pat Flaherty (Giants), and Chris Foerster (49ers) for their offensive line coach position, tweets Marvez.
Extra Points: Benton, Dolphins, Amendola
The Dolphins have promoted John Benton to offensive line coach and named Jack Bicknell Jr. the team’s assistant offensive line coach, the team announced today.
Benton was originally hired by the Dolphins on January 29. He replaces Jim Turner, who was fired earlier this month for his involvement in the Richie Incognito–Jonathan Martin bullying scandal.
Bicknell spent the 2013 season as the Steelers‘ offensive line coach. Before that, he had NFL stops with the Chiefs and Giants, and 24 seasons coaching at the collegiate level.
Here are some more bits and pieces from a relatively slow Saturday night…
- Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report reported earlier today that the Patriots have “floated” receiver Danny Amendola in trade talks. However, Tom E. Curran of CSNNE.com said he “would not bet on Amendola being dealt this offseason.”
- Regardless of what happens in free agency, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News says Texas A&M wide receiver Mike Evans would be the Lions’ best choice “in terms of both talent and need.”
- Denard Robinson played just 52 out of 1,056 snaps last year due to inconsistent play, but the Jaguars hope he has an impact in the running back rotation in 2014, according to Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union.
- As Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer points out, the Eagles handed out $133MM in contracts in the span of three days last week to four offensive players acquired by current Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.
- A mix-up on draft day last year led to miscommunication between the Cowboys‘ coaching and scouting departments, but Rainer Sabin of The Dallas Morning News said the team has since streamlined its operations and eliminated any possibility of disconnect.
- Answering questions from fans in a Twitter mailbag, ESPN Raiders reporter Paul Gutierrez said it makes “all the sense in the world” for the team to sign free agent defensive end Jared Allen.
- In a similar format, ESPN Browns reporter Pat McManamon said safety Jairus Byrd would be a nice addition to Cleveland’s defensive backfield, but there’s still the possibility he gets re-signed or franchised (again) by the Bills. Byrd and Browns coach Mike Pettine spent a year together in 2013 when Pettine was the Bills‘ defensive coordinator.