Texans Fire Jimmy Raye III, Other Scouting Personnel
The Texans just completed their first draft under new GM Brian Gaine, and now the team is shaking up its scouting department. Per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, the team has dismissed assistant GM Jimmy Raye III, director of college scouting Jon Carr, assistant director of college scouting Mike Martin, college scouting coordinator Matt Jansen, and college scout Seth Turner.
As Wilson observes, Martin was credited for uncovering UDFA gems like Arian Foster and A.J. Bouye, but the biggest name on that list is Raye, who actually replaced Gaine in Houston last season when Gaine went to Buffalo as the Bills’ vice president of player personnel. After 17 years as a scout and executive with the Chargers, Raye served as vice president of player operations with the Colts and has been a GM candidate for several clubs (including the Texans) in recent years.
All of the dismissed personnel were hired by former GM Rick Smith, and it is not unusual for an overhaul like this when a new general manager or head coach comes aboard. However, Carr and Martin had been with the team for over a decade, and both have a solid track record.
As of yet, there is no word on any potential replacements.
Extra Points: Dolphins, Olson, Jets
The Dolphins selected four players in the first three rounds of the 2013 NFL Draft. The rookies had underwhelming seasons to say the least, and the Sun Sentinel’s Chris Perkins takes a look at the group. Third-overall pick Dion Jordan contributed mostly as a third-down pass rusher in a season riddled by injuries. Cornerback Jamar Taylor and guard Dallas Thomas also suffered through injures while cornerback Will Davis struggled to crack the defensive back rotation.
In spite of the player’s issues, the sophomores are confident they will rebound.
“I feel like it was a learning experience for all of us,” said Taylor. “We all came here on our high horse and we got humbled real quick… There’s no doubt in my mind the Dolphins drafted the right players last year.
“I’ve got high expectations on myself. I can’t really worry about what everybody else thinks. As long as I get the respect of my teammates and the coaches and myself, and just prove myself right, that I know I can do it, that’s all I worry about.”
Thomas is now the team’s starting left guard, but as Perkins points out, none of the other players are starters. It will be difficult for Jordan, Taylor and Davis to dethrone the veterans ahead of them on the depth chart.
Let’s see what else is going on around the NFL…
- The Dolphins should sign Bryant McKinnie to be a “minimum salary insurance policy backup,” states Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. McKinnie started ten games for the Dolphins in 2013.
- Former Central Michigan offensive tackle Jake Olson will sign with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Prior to the player’s unlucky string of injuries in college, he started over 2013 number-one pick Eric Fisher.
- The Jets had a bit of a shakeup in their scouting department. The team announced the hirings of Johnathon Stigall and Seth Turner, who will replace the recently departed David Boller and Aaron Glenn. As ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini points out, the subtraction of Boller came as a surprise; he was hired only last year by general manager John Idzik.