Coaching Notes: Harbaugh, Sparano, Gruden
As the season winds down, more and more teams find themselves out of playoff contention. A team often seeks a scapegoat for a disappointing season, and this results in plenty of coaching rumors during the season’s final weeks. Let’s take a look at whispers regarding some potential vacancies…
- Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole was featured on the site’s “Insider Buzz” segment, where he told host Stephen Nelson that Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers is “pretty much over.”
- Cole confirms that the Raiders indeed have interest in Harbaugh, adding that there’s been contract between Raiders intermediaries and Harbaugh intermediaries. However, the list of competitors for Harbaugh’s services is growing, as Cole mentions the Dolphins and Jets as potential destinations.
- Meanwhile, Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano avoided questions regarding his job security for 2015, according to Jerry McDonald of the Oakland Tribune (via Twitter). However, the coach did express his belief that the locker room has bought into his message, perhaps indicating that he has the support of his players.
- Jay Gruden’s first season didn’t go as planned, but the Washington head coach isn’t planning on jumping ship to an appealing college job. His agent told ESPN.com’s John Keim (via Twitter) that the coach has not talked to anyone from Michigan.
Injury Updates: Sunday
Let’s take a look at some injuries that could force clubs to make a change to their rosters as they enter the final quarter of the regular season:
- Ravens cornerback Danny Gorrer has ligament damage in his knee and will miss the rest of the season, writes Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun. The 28-year-old did not tear his ACL, but the damage was severe enough to end his year.
Earlier updates:
- Dolphins safety Louis Delmas was carted off the field in his team’s loss to the Ravens, and Adam H. Beasley and Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald write that initial reports are pointing towards a torn ACL. This would presumably end Delmas’ season.
- Percy Harvin had his best game of the season today, finishing with six catches for 124 yards and a touchdown. However, the Jets‘ wideout injured his ankle late in the game, and ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini says the veteran’s season could be over.
- Cardinals‘ running back Andre Ellington will likely be placed on injured reserve with his hip pointer, reports Mike Jurecki of Fox Sports 910 AM in Phoenix (via Twitter). Ellington will see a specialist in Philadelphia this week.
- Cardinals‘ cornerback Antonio Cromartie was carted off the field during their tight contest with the Chiefs, reports Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com (via Twitter). He suffered an achilles injury (via Twitter). Kent Somers of AZCentral.com writes that Cromartie was unable to put any weight on his left leg (via Twitter).
- Titans‘ quarterback Zach Mettenberger is likely done for the year with a right shoulder sprain, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean (via Twitter). The X-Ray was negative, but an MRI is scheduled for Monday (via Twitter). He had suffered an injury to the shoulder last week as well, but this one could be enough to end his season.
- 49ers‘ defensive back Chris Culliver left the game with a knee injury and has been ruled out for the game, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter). Guard Mike Iupati left the game with an elbow injury and is questionable to return. Both players will deeply impact the 49ers’ playoff chances, and Iupati could also cost himself money as he is prepared to hit free agency this offseason.
Extra Points: Browns, Harbaugh, Peterson
Let’s take a look at some assorted notes as we wrap up the weekend…
- The Browns quest to make the playoffs for the first time since 2002 took a hit today, but don’t expect the team to make any drastic changes. Following Cleveland’s 25-24 loss to the Colts, coach Mike Pettine addressed the play of quarterback Brian Hoyer (via David Campbell of Cleveland.com). “He did not play well enough for us to win,” Pettine said. “The entire team did not play well enough for us to win.” So, will the team make the switch to rookie Johnny Manziel? “I haven’t even thought about it,” said Pettine. “It’s something we’ll get together and discuss. It’s too fresh after this one.”
- There isn’t only a quarterback controversy in Cleveland. According to Branson Wright of The Plain Dealer, the Browns may be looking for another kicker after veteran Billy Cundiff missed another key kick. “It’s obviously concerning,” said Pettine. “We get field goal attempts, we get a chance to put points on the board against a good team and you’ve got to be able to convert.”
- There have been plenty of rumors regarding Jim Harbaugh‘s future with the 49ers, but the head coach was adamant that the whispers have not distracted his team, saying “it can’t be a factor.” The coach was also clear that he’s focused on this season. “My priorities are No. 1, winning football games,” Harbaugh said (via Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com). “No. 2, the welfare of our players, coaches and staff. And, lastly, is what my personal professional future is.”
- A resolution to the Adrian Peterson appeal will come eventually, and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com believes the running back will be on the field in 2015 if a deal is reached. If a deal isn’t reached, the writer warns that a lawsuit could be the next option.
Quarterback Notes: Brees, Kaepernick, Orton
With the Saints‘ salary cap situation in disarray, they could look to star quarterback Drew Brees for some relief going forward. Brees is signed through 2016, so a restructuring is unlikely, writes Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Having a $26.4MM cap hit in 2015 puts the team in a tough spot, and based off his play this season, Fitzgerald can’t see the team justifying an extension for him (via Twitter).
What the team is most likely hoping for is a deal similar to the one Tom Brady took with the Patriots, according to Fitzgerald (via Twitter). He described the contract as an “off into the sunset” type of deal, presumably where Brees would take a lower annual salary freeing the team up to spend elsewhere.
Here are a few other notes on quarterback contracts that seem impactful:
- With the 49ers likely to miss the playoffs after their loss to the Raiders, Colin Kaepernick will have a de-escalator in his contract that will cost him $2MM in 2015, reports Joel Corry of CBS Sports (via Twitter). He was set to make $12.4MM next season, but will see that figure drop to $10.4MM without a playoff appearance.
- As Kyle Orton has likely failed to lead the Bills to the playoffs, the team could turn back to EJ Manuel this season or next. If the team went with Manuel in 2015, Orton wouldn’t be an expensive backup. He can void his deal, but if he doesn’t he will only count $1.5MM in guaranteed money against the cap next season, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- For teams still looking to draft a quarterback this offseason, the Raiders’ victory over the 49ers has shaken up the potential draft order. With three games to go, the Buccaneers currently hold the top pick, based on record and strength of schedule, according to Ryan McCrystal of DraftAce.com (via Twitter). Following them are the Titans, Jaguars, Jets, and Raiders, respectively.
NFC Notes: Newton, Lynch, Bucs, 49ers, Cards
Because the Panthers already exercised his fifth-year option, Cam Newton will be Carolina’s quarterback in 2015 — technically, the option doesn’t become guaranteed until the start of the league year, but it’s highly unlikely that the club will rescind the $14.666MM offer before then. The Panthers still need to decide if the former No. 1 overall pick will be their signal-caller for the long-term, however, leading Joseph Person and Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer to examine Newton’s current level of play and the prospect of signing him to an extension.
While Person allows that Newton has regressed during the second half of the season, he points to the Panthers losing key pieces from both their offensive line and their receiving corps as reasons why Newton’s production has waned. Fowler, meanwhile, argues that due to the fragility of running quarterbacks, Carolina should take a “wait and see” approach” — let the 2015 season play out, and then determine if Newton is worth the franchise tag tender or a long-term deal. Back in August, PFR’s Luke Adams looked at the the possibility of the Newton and the Panthers agreeing to a multi-year pact.
More from the NFC:
- Appearing on the NFL Network, Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch spoke about the possibility of remaining in Seattle past 2014. “I’m still under contract (for 2015),” Lynch said (link via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). “I haven’t even made it through this year. I’m chasing after another one of these [Super Bowl rings].” Lynch is due a $5MM base salary and a $2MM roster bonus next season, but the Seahawks can save $7MM by cutting the veteran RB.
- In a piece scrutinizing the current head-coaching and front office landscape, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that Lovie Smith is a candidate to be fired after the season. “It’s one thing to lose games,” a source said regarding Smith and the Buccaneers, “but to give up 35 points in a quarter?” A league insider also tells Volin that the 49ers will contemplate promoting defensive coordiantor Vic Fangio if Jim Harbaugh exits. “They just want someone with less noise,” said the source.
- We passed along Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com’s Cardinals-centric mailbag yesterday, but there is one additional item of note within, as Weinfuss points out that Arizona’s 2015 quarterback situation is extremely muddled. Coming off an ACL tear, Carson Palmer probably won’t be ready for OTAs, and while Drew Stanton is the Cards’ short-term remedy at the position, Logan Thomas figures to be the long-term answer. Therefore, the club will have to determine how to manage offseason reps, both in order to ready Stanton to be the starter, and to develop Thomas.
Rory Parks contributed to this post.
Sunday Roundup: Big Ben, Cobb, 49ers
The Steelers plan to begin contract talks with Ben Roethlisberger, who is under contract through 2015, after this season, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Pittsburgh realizes that Roethlisberger, despite his age and the number of hits he has taken over the course of his career, will command at least $20MM a year, but that will not prevent the club from making its two-time Super Bowl champion its top offseason priority.
La Canfora adds that he would not be surprised if the Steelers and Roethlisberger were able to work out an extension prior to the beginning of the free agency period in March, which would allow them to know exactly how much cap flexibility they would have to acquire players from other organizations and to retain their own free agents. Last season’s rumors that Roethlisberger once considered asking for a trade were apparently untrue, La Canfora writes, and now all interested parties agree that a third contract with the team is inevitable.
Now for some more links from around the league as Week 14 kicks off in full force:
- ESPN’s Adam Caplan tweets that the Steelers will have an important decision to make regarding cornerback Cortez Allen this offseason, as Allen is owed a $3MM roster bonus on the fifth day of free agency.
- Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel writes that Randall Cobb is the Packers‘ top free agent priority and that the team is working to work out a long-term extension with him.
- Although a possible 49ers trade of head coach Jim Harbaugh following the 2014 season has been widely discussed, the machinations of such a deal are a little less clear. As Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, Harbaugh would pick his new team, the 49ers would agree to trade terms with that team, the 49ers would release Harbaugh from his contract, and Harbaugh would sign a new deal with the other club.
- Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com writes that Vernon Davis‘ disappointing 2014 season has created a great deal of uncertainty for the 49ers moving forward, as Davis is owed just shy of $5MM in 2015, the last year of his current contract.
- Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports tweets that highly-coveted CFL prospect Duron Carter will hold a Pro Day in Florida in early January and then will begin visiting teams. Almost half of the league has expressed some form of interest in Carter to date.
- Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Mike Singletary could be a surprise head coaching candidate in 2015. According to Rapoport, several “high-ranking people” believe Singletary will get another crack at the top job next season.
Updating Jim Harbaugh’s Market
Although the 49ers remain in the NFC playoff picture, speculation as to where current head coach Jim Harbaugh will land in 2015 has been swirling for some time. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports provides an updated look at the teams that have been linked most closely with Harbaugh and their chances of landing the coveted sideline general:
- The Raiders, of course, are currently seen as the most likely contender for Harbaugh’s services. La Canfora points out that while the 49ers would prefer to keep Harbaugh out of the same media market, trading him out of the NFC is a bigger priority, and Oakland could offer the best return. It is also worth noting that the Raiders were involved in the league’s last head coaching trade, when they sent Jon Gruden to Tampa Bay (incidentally, Gruden, who has been linked to Oakland’s impending head coaching vacancy, is expected to remain an ESPN commentator for the foreseeable future).
- The Dolphins are in the think of the AFC playoff race, but owner Stephen Ross‘ desire to have Harbaugh on his team’s sidelines has long been public knowledge. La Canfora notes that Ross is desperate “for a face-of-the-franchise to attract fan support” and “for a coach he can sell and try to add value to his franchise as he seeks a move to Los Angeles.” Citing unnamed sources, La Canfora writes that Ross’ desire for Harbaugh “cannot be understated.”
- We learned last week that the Jets could be in the mix for Harbaugh, and while such a move would necessarily entail GM Jon Idzik‘s departure, Idzik looks to be on the outs in New York anyway.
- Although Harbaugh is a logical candidate for the University of Michigan head coaching position, Harbaugh is reportedly not interested in that job. La Canfora writes that Harbaugh’s family has ties with outgoing Wolverines coach Brady Hoke and that Harbaugh is more interested in NFL opportunities.
NFC Notes: Saints, JPP, Gore, Garrett
After questioning the Panthers’ decision to let Steve Smith go in the offseason, Saints outside linebacker Junior Galette dismissed the idea that the Saints made the same mistake with a handful of their veteran defensive players, according to Katherine Terrell of the Times-Picayune.
“The guys that replaced them are better than the guys we had. It’s not even close. Across the board,” Galette said, referring to a defensive unit that replaced Will Smith, Roman Harper, Malcolm Jenkins, and Jonathan Vilma earlier this year. “I’ll take Kenny Vaccaro any day over any safety. And I’ll take [Cameron Jordan] over any defensive end. Jairus Byrd over any safety.”
Here are a few more Friday updates from around the NFC:
- Jason Pierre-Paul is eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, and the Giants defensive end recognizes that boosting his sack total will help him maximize his next contract, writes Jim Baumbach of Newsday. In our most recent 2015 free agent power rankings, we placed Pierre-Paul sixth, noting that his modest sack totals make him a different player to evaluate. After compiling 16.5 sacks in 2011, the 25-year-old has just 13.5 in the last three seasons combined.
- According to Field Yates of ESPN.com (via Twitter), by being active for his 13th game this season, 49ers running back Frank Gore will earn a $750K roster bonus on Sunday.
- Noting that the Cowboys will finish above .500 for the first time since Jason Garrett became the team’s head coach, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News wonders if Garrett has earned himself a contract extension.
- 2015’s period of head coach firings and hirings could be significantly affected the Giants‘ decision with Tom Coughlin, says Albert Breer of NFL.com. As Breer observes, “the head job for the Mara family’s team has long been seen as the Rolls-Royce of all football coaching jobs,” so if it’s available, it will have an impact on the rest of the market.
Raiders Notes: Howard, Harbuagh, Streater
Tarell Brown played in three consecutive conference championship games with the 49ers but has no regrets about signing with the 1-11 Raiders, writes Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group. “I wouldn’t change it,” Brown said. “I think once you sign up for something, I’m going to give you everything I have until the end. I’m still jacked up about signing here. I love the guys, I love the locker room, I love the organization. We just don’t have the wins we feel we should have.” Tonight’s news out of Oakland..
- Mike Sando of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req’d) ran down the offseason’s ten worst pickups. Raiders right tackle Austin Howard is among those earning the dubious distinction. While most of the Raiders’ veteran deals didn’t come with heavy guarantees, Howard received $14.8MM guaranteed on a deal that carries a $5.6MM cap hit in 2015 if he’s released.
- The Raiders’ dysfunction might frighten some, but it wouldn’t scare away Jim Harbaugh, writes Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee. The way Barrows sees it, Harbaugh isn’t afraid of lousiness and even seems attracted to it. Harbaugh took the Stanford job when they were coming off a 1-11 season and joined the 49ers when they hadn’t had a winning season since 2002.
- Raiders coach Tony Sparano says that we’ll have to wait until Sunday to find out whether wide receiver Rod Streater will be activated to the 53-man roster, according to Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times (via Twitter). If Streater is activated, Oakland will have to make a corresponding move to make room. Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com speculates that Streater’s activation could displace Denarius Moore from the roster.
NFC West Notes: RGIII, Harbaugh, Smith, Sam
As the Rams get set to face Washington, St. Louis coach Jeff Fisher says that he would make 2012’s blockbuster draft trade with the Redskins all over again, writes Mike Jones of the Washington Post.
“If you take into consideration I have three defensive starters that are playing at a real high level – Alec Ogletree is playing as good as any linebacker behind the ball the last few weeks, Janoris [Jenkins] is an outstanding corner who has two interceptions returned for touchdowns, and [defensive tackle Michael] Brockers. And then we were able to pick up [left tackle Greg Robinson], who is our future at left tackle, and we have Stedman Bailey, who in our last game had five catches for 100 yards, and Zac [Stacy] is an outstanding young back. So, I think we’ve made the most of it,” Fisher said on conference call. “We’re building our team to compete in the division and I feel like we’re making strides. That’s one of the questions we wanted to have this year.”
Washington, meanwhile, might feel differently about the haul it gave up to land Robert Griffin III. More from the NFC West..
- There’s a chance that 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh ends up at Michigan, but right now his preference is to be in the NFL, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). Harbaugh wants to focus only on football, Cole says, and not have to worry about things like boosters and showing his face at events.
- When 49ers defensive tackle Justin Smith signed a two-year extension in 2013, he was adamant that he would retire before becoming a part-time player. 18 months later, he’s showing no signs of slowing down, but he was noncommittal when asked if he’d return for his 15th NFL season. “I haven’t given it any thought,” he said, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle. “It will be something to think about after the season.”
- Despite the way things might have looked in a recent TMZ video, former Rams draft pick Michael Sam says that he doesn’t believe that he’s being blackballed from the league, as he explained in a pair of tweets.