Schefter On Coughlin, Hoyer, Payton, Rams
We all love a good storyline and Week 14 is chock full of them, as ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter explains. This week, the Rams take on Washington and the Browns face the Colts, bringing back memories of two of the biggest trades to take place in the last few years. In 2012, the Rams traded the rights to draft Robert Griffin III to Washington and in 2013, Cleveland sent former first-round choice Trent Richardson to Indianapolis. Those deals involved four teams initially, but as Schefter explains in detail, they affected at least nine teams in a significant fashion. More from Schefter’s latest columns..
- Some around the league believe that Giants coach Tom Coughlin could be coaching his final four games, though he will have plenty of say on whether this is the end for him. It won’t be necessarily easy for Big Blue to finish strong given their massive rash of injuries, but they’ve got a good chance. Over the next four games, they’re playing a quartet of quarterbacks who were backups at some point in 2014. The Giants get Jake Locker or an injured Zach Mettenberger on Sunday, Washington’s Colt McCoy the following week, then Shaun Hill‘s Rams, followed by a home tilt against Mark Sanchez and the Eagles.
- Chances are that Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer will move on and out of Johnny Manziel’s shadow this offseason, writes Schefter in a different column. If that happens, the Texans would make some sense for Hoyer. There’s a huge mutual respect between Hoyer and Texans coach Bill O’Brien, as the pair worked together in New England. If they have a chance to work together, they would welcome it, according to Schefter.
- Even if the Saints miss the playoffs, Sean Payton won’t be on the hot seat in New Orleans. Besides, Schefter rightly notes that the team’s remaining schedule is rather favorable and should result in an NFC South title.
- The Rams’ entire offseason will be devoted to getting a quarterback, whether it’s through a trade, the draft or free agency. They will add at least one QB, and maybe even two, depending on whether Hill returns.
- Torrey Smith played college ball in Maryland and might not want to leave the area, but there’s a chance that the Ravens let him walk in free agency. At the same time, there could be a lot of desirable free agent wide receivers this offseason, so he might not have a great market waiting for him.
Extra Points: Payton, Ryan, Harbaugh, Panthers
Saints‘ head coach Sean Payton disputed reports that the team was considering signing Ray Rice, reports Evan Woodbery of NOLA.com (via Twitter). “I think I would know if I were interested in signing any player,” said Payton.
- While Payton was dismissing rumors, he also shot down any idea that there was a rift between himself and Saints‘ defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, reports Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com.
- Jets‘ head coach Rex Ryan may be on his way out as coach of the team, but he will likely have his pick of jobs if he decides to leave coaching in 2015, writes Richard Deitsch of Sports Illustrated. “He pretty much has everything TV networks would look for. He has personality, he’s not shy about his opinions, and he’s a colorful character,” said ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman, the executive in charge of hiring ESPN’s NFL studio talent. “I think he would be successful whether it is studio or doing games. When I close my eyes and listen to him I hear a little bit of John Madden in him. There is going to be a lot of interest in Rex if that is what he wants to do.”
- 49ers‘ head coach Jim Harbaugh may also be looking for a new job in 2015, but the general thought is that he would like to continue coaching, either in the NFL or in a high-level college job. One NFL team that could consider him a savior would be the crosstown rival Raiders, writes Marcus Thompson II of InsideBayArea.com.
- Coming off a disappointing 31-13 loss to the Vikings, the Panthers are sitting at 3-8-1 and only a game and a half out of first place in the depressing NFC South. Still, the team should be looking toward the future, not toward the playoffs, writes Joseph Person of Charlotte Observer. The team is weak in key spots, including the secondary and offensive line, with few bright spots elsewhere in the lineup. The roster needs to be fixed before this team can make a true playoff run.
La Canfora’s Latest: 49ers, Saints, RGIII
It is almost a foregone conclusion that 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will not be prowling the San Francisco sidelines after the 2014 season. Although much of the talk concerning the 49ers’ head coaching situation has centered around Harbaugh’s next destination, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports examines how the team might go about replacing its successful but polarizing general.
Although Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase would be a logical external candidate, La Canfora writes that the 49ers plan to thoroughly evaluate their internal options and that defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and defensive line coach Jim Tomsula would be at the top of the team’s list. Both men have done an exceptional job during their tenure with the club, and 2014 might represent their high-water mark as coaches, given that the 49ers’ defense has thrived in the midst of injuries to some of its best players.
Tomsula is a personal favorite of owner Jed York, and both he and Fangio are expected to receive interest from other clubs looking to fill head coaching positions. However, the team would like to keep as much of its talented defensive staff in place as possible, particularly since Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Greg Roman are expected to follow Harbaugh wherever he goes. Hiring Tomsula or Fangio would also mesh with San Francisco’s preferred operating procedure, as it would be out of character for the team to attempt to attract a big-name, big-money coach from outside the organization.
Let’s take a look at some other relevant issues that La Canfora has touched on this morning:
- La Canfora writes that there is a growing rift between Saints head coach Sean Payton and defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, and that the team is expected to find a new defensive coordinator–which would be its fifth in Payton’s nine-year tenure–after the season. Citing an unnamed source, Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report tweets that La Canfora’s report is “very accurate,” although Mike Triplett of ESPN.com tweets that he has not heard about the friction between Payton and Ryan.
- La Canfora tweets that he expects “substantial change” on the Saints and 49ers rosters after this season given the teams’ high salary cap numbers and large salaries.
- If Washington were to try to trade quarterback Robert Griffin III after the season, La Canfora writes that the team is unlikely to get more than a third round pick for him.
- We learned earlier today that the Ravens are expected to reward Justin Forsett with a multiyear deal after this season, but La Canfora notes that Forsett’s contract prevents him from signing an in-season extension if Baltimore were inclined to lock him up sooner. As former agent Joel Corry tweets, Forsett’s age (30) will limit the size of his contract, despite his “low mileage.”
- Although the Colts have stated they do not have interest in bringing Ray Rice aboard, La Canfora wonders if the team’s need at running back and Rice’s relationship with head coach Chuck Pagano will be enough for them to change their stance.
NFC Links: Graham, Davis, Giants
It’s been more than a week since the beginning of Jimmy Graham‘s hearing over his franchise tag designation. Those who are antsy for a solution may have to wait a bit longer – sources tell ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio that a ruling isn’t expected until next week. Even then, the losing party will likely appeal the decision. The entire process could stretch beyond July 15, the deadline for inking a long-term deal.
Additionally, we learned some more interesting information about the hearing. Florio reports that Saints head coach Sean Payton testified against Graham, but the specifics weren’t known. We can likely assume one thing, however – if Graham loses his case, Payton’s going to have some difficulty convincing his tight end to participate in “wide receiver drills” during training camp.
Let’s see what else is happening around the NFC…
- Graham’s quarterback, Drew Brees, weighed in on the subject on a SportsCenter conversation with reporter Ed Werder (about 1:15 into the video): “Of course as the quarterback, this is my guy. Jimmy’s my guy and I want what’s best for him. I want what’s best for the team. Certainly, there’s a way that everybody can be happy coming out of this deal.”
- 49ers tight end Vernon Davis signed a five-year, $37MM extension in 2010 and he’s now playing at a higher level. Davis ultimately decided to hold out because it’s “all about getting paid what you deserve,” he writes in SI.com’s Monday Morning Quarterback.
- NJ.com’ s Conor Orr ranked the Giants cornerback depth based on playing time, and ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano revealed some interesting notes in his analysis. Graziano opines that Orr’s top-five (Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Prince Amukamara, Walter Thurmond, Zackary Bowman and Trumaine McBride, respectively) are safe while Charles James and Bennett Jackson will likely fight for the final spot. Graziano adds that it will get even more interesting once Jayron Hosley returns from suspension.
Rookie Notes: Titans, Saints, Packers
It hasn’t been the best couple of days for two Titans rookies. Sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger had his first practice since tearing his ACL in November and admitted that his leg wasn’t close to 100 percent.
“I am not moving as fluidly as I have in the past but I am working hard to get back there,” the rookie told Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean. “Being in the brace for two months, trying to learn how to walk, you lose a lot of muscle. … I just have to keep working.”
Meanwhile, first-round pick Taylor Lewan had his court case adjourned for four weeks, according to ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein. The 11th-overall pick requested more time to investigate the report that charges him with one count of misdemeanor aggravated assault and two counts of assault and battery. The hearing is scheduled for June 16th, the day before the Titans’ first minicamp.
Let’s take a look at some more rookie notes from around the NFL…
- Undrafted rookie Tim Flanders had good reason to want to join the Saints, writes Terrance Harris of NOLA.com. Not only is the team seeking a fifth running back who can contribute on special teams, but coach Sean Payton has proven that he won’t write off undrafted backs. Flanders refers to Pierre Thomas and Khiry Robinson.
- ESPN’s Packers reporter Rob Demovsky says an undrafted rookie’s signing bonus may indicate who sticks around for the regular season. The writer points to Lane Taylor, who made the team last season after inking the largest signing bonus among the Packers undrafted signees. The team signed five players to a team-high, $5K signing bonus: linebackers Jake Doughty, Jayrone Elliott, Adrian Hubbard and Joe Thomas and guard John Fullington.
- Despite tearing an abdominal muscle that required sports hernia surgery last month, Jaguars‘ undrafted tight end Marcel Jensen has a good chance of making the team, writes Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida Times-Union. His size and production at Fresno State, combined with the lack of tight end talent currently on the roster, gives the rookie a chance.
- Of the four tryout players the Bills brought in, receiver Caleb Holley is the most likely to stick around, opines Joe Buscaglia of WGR550.com. Meanwhile, considering the presence of Jeff Tuel and Dennis Dixon, quarterback Kenny Guiton likely won’t be signed.
NFC South Rumors: Cooks, Falcons, Benjamin
The Saints had no doubt in their mind that they wanted to go with Brandin Cooks at No. 20, writes Larry Holder of the Times-Picayune. “Periodically you have a real strong conviction on a player, and this was one of those players,” head coach Sean Payton said. The Oregon State star tallied 128 receptions, 1,730 yards, and 16 touchdowns last season, cementing himself as a first round talent. More out of the NFC South..
- Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff told 92.9 in Atlanta that there’s no truth to any rumor about Chiefs safety Eric Berry being a trade target, tweets Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com. Dimitroff also said that by the time the Jaguars took Blake Bortles at No. 3, there was no doubt he’d be selecting tackle Jake Matthews at No. 6 (link).
- Dimitroff also told 92.9 that the Jaguars, led by his protege David Caldwell, were his most viable potential trade partner last night, tweets McClure.
- The Panthers hit a trifecta with first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin, writes ESPN.com’s David Newton, as the 6’5″, 240-pound Florida State receiver addresses a need, provides value and makes quarterback Cam Newton happy. David Newton also quotes GM Dave Gettleman, who said “unusual ball skills” and the ability to make contested catches sold the team on Benjamin.
Matt Feminis contributed to this post.
Extra Points: 49ers, Sanchez, Saints
The other side of the coin to being a team that drafts talent well is that all that talent must be compensated appropriately. This is the conundrum examined by CSNBayArea.com’s Matt Maiocco, responding to a reader who questioned the 49ers‘ cap situation. “Teams that do a good job of acquiring talent will always have a difficult time holding onto that talent for future contracts,” Maiocco writes, citing Michael Crabtree and Mike Iupati as players in line for blockbuster deals after their contracts expire next offseason.
Rounding up some more links from today in the NFL…
- ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini looks at what’s next for former Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez, including a top-five list of potential landing spots: the Rams, Bears, Browns, Bills and Seahawks.
- Sanchez deserved better from the Jets, writes Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post. Cannizzaro contends that the Jets knew their plans for Sanchez — releasing him — long ago, but waited only until right before his $2MM roster bonus was due, and thus decreased the amount of potential landing spots for 2009 fifth overall pick.
- Mike Triplett of ESPN.com expects Saints head coach Sean Payton to be “more committed than ever to running the ball successfully” next season, Triplett writes in his latest mailbag. But he still takes the “over” on 4,800 passing yards.
- Can Brian Hoyer be “The Guy” for the Browns? ESPNCleveland.com’s Tony Grossi doesn’t know, but he wants to find out.
- With electrifying wide receiver DeSean Jackson potentially on his way out of Philadelphia, he could potentially find a home with Andy Reid and the Chiefs, but don’t expect Kansas City to trade for him, writes Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star. As Paylor notes, the Chiefs don’t have the necessary cap space to make the move — just $4.8MM — and the team is light on draft picks after the Alex Smith trade.