Coaching Notes: Ravens, Cowboys, Browns
The Ravens are likely to decide on a new offensive coordinator by Monday, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. The choice is expected to be either former Redskins offensive Kyle Shanahan or current Ravens receivers coach Jim Hostler. Shanahan, the son of former NFL head coach Mike Shanahan, also has play-calling experience with the Texans, while Hostler spent the 2007 season as offensive coordinator with the 49ers. Either candidate would be replacing Jim Caldwell, who left to become the head coach of the Lions.
- Scott Linehan may be offered the title of Cowboys’ passing game coordinator, according to Ed Werder and Chris Mortensen of ESPN. In such an arrangement, Linehan would be installed as the primary play-caller, a responsibility that currently belongs to offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan. Linehan, the former head coach of the Rams, was most recently the offensive coordinator of the Lions.
- If Linehan takes the Cowboys job, the Browns may look at Callahan as an offensive coordinator candidate under new head coach Mike Pettine, notes Albert Breer of NFL Network (via Twitter).
- Breer also tweets that former Titans offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is a possible choice as quarterbacks coach in Cleveland.
AFC North Rumors: Browns, Ravens, Jones
The Browns finally filled the last head coaching opening in the NFL yesterday, hiring Mike Pettine away from the Bills. Pettine indicated at yesterday’s press conference that if Cleveland’s search had lasted much longer, he would have withdrawn his name, so as not to leave the Bills hanging indefinitely. But now that he’s got the Browns job, Pettine will look to fill out his staff. Here’s the latest on that front, along with a couple other AFC North items:
- The Browns have interest in former Texans head coach Gary Kubiak for their offensive coordinator position, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). However, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter tweets that it’s unlikely Kubiak lands in Cleveland.
- The Ravens are also in the market for an offensive coordinator, with their search in the final stages. The club interviewed internal candidate Jim Hostler and ex-Redskins coordinator Kyle Shanahan for the second time on Thursday, and will have a second interview with Kirby Wilson of the Steelers today, according to Jeff Zrebiec and Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
- Heading for unrestricted free agency, wide receiver Jacoby Jones says he’d love to return to the Ravens, as Ray Frager of CSNBaltimore.com writes.