Cards To Name New DC After Super Bowl
While most teams hiring new defensive coordinators this offseason are making a change due to disappointing 2014 campaigns, that’s not the case in Arizona. Former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who was named Assistant of the Year by the PFWA, had such a strong season that it buoyed him into a head coaching job with the Jets. Now that they have to tab a replacement for Bowles, the Cardinals will try to maintain the status quo as much as possible, and will promote an internal candidate to DC next week, head coach Bruce Arians confirmed today in an appearance on ESPN’s NFL Insiders (link via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com).
“The defensive coordinator will come off our staff,” Arians said. “It’ll be one of the young guys. And we’ll bring in some guys to help him. We’ll wait until the Super Bowl is over but we’ve got everything in place and we’re ready to go.”
The Cardinals’ in-house options include James Bettcher, Brentson Buckner, Kevin Ross, Nick Rapone, and Tom Pratt, and while Arians didn’t specify which of those coaches would be promoted to defensive coordinator, it sounds like he has someone in mind. As Urban writes, the fact that the head coach referred to “one of the young guys” indicates that Bettcher, a highly regarded assistant who currently coaches the team’s outside linebackers, could be the Cards’ man.
As for the guys who will be brought in to “help” the new coordinator, one candidate for such a role was Dick LeBeau, but as we heard over the weekend, he won’t be reconnecting with Arians in Arizona after all. In fact, Gil Brandt of NFL.com tweets that it now appears that LeBeau will join the Titans, though that’s not official yet.
Potential Suitors Eyeing Nick Foles
Nick Foles appears poised to head into the 2015 season as the Eagles’ starting quarterback, but that’s not an absolutely certainty, and a question mark hangs over Foles’ long-term future in Philadelphia. 2015 is the final year of the signal-caller’s rookie contract, and there’s been no indication so far that the team has tried to lock him up to a long-term deal.
There’s also been no indication that the Eagles would trade Foles, but his possible availability was a topic of conversation among coaches and scouts at last week’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, according to Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com. Parks reports that the Rams would have interest in acquiring Foles if he were made available via trade, while the Titans and Texans could be among his suitors if he reaches the open market a year from now.
Of course, plenty could change between now and next March, when Foles is tentatively scheduled to hit the market. If the Eagles view the 26-year-old as a potential long-term solution, extension talks should happen at some point this year, perhaps with the contracts signed by Andy Dalton and Colin Kaepernick serving as models — those deals included big long-term money, but small guarantees, allowing their respective teams the flexibility to move on after a year or two if things don’t work out.
Even if the Eagles don’t view Foles as a long-term answer, the team would probably have to identify a replacement before simply letting him walk in free agency, or trading him. Head coach Chip Kelly reportedly has significant interest in Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, but the odds of Philadelphia being able to move into position to draft Mariota are slim. In fact, the Titans, armed with the second overall pick this spring, could take a long look at Mariota themselves, and selecting him would presumably take them out of the running for Foles next year.
At this point, neither a trade nor an extension of Foles looks at all imminent, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Eagles brought him back for the 2015 season before making a decision one way or another. After all, the club may want to see how the former third-round pick bounces back from the collarbone injury that sidelined him for a good chunk of the 2014 season before making any definitive moves.
Coaching Notes: LeBeau, Bills, Raiders, Bears
Former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is no longer in the running to join the staff of the Cardinals, reports Kent Somers of AZCentral.com. Since he resigned from his long time post with the Steelers, the Cardinals seemed like a logical option for the 77-year old Hall of Fame coach. While it was thought that LeBeau would only be interested in coordinator positions, he was reportedly set to be a senior assistant and serve as the Cardinals linebacker coach.
With the Cardinals out of the mix for his services, the only other organization with which he has been linked is the Titans, where he could also serve as a senior assistant in some capacity.
The Cardinals are expected to promote from within to fill their defensive coordinator role vacated when Todd Bowles was hired as head coach of the Jets.
Here are some other coaching notes from around the NFL, with more recent news added to the top:
- The Bills are expected to hire Chris Palmer to their coaching staff as a senior offensive assistant, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN (via Twitter). Palmer’s long career most recently brought him to the Titans, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2011-2012.
- The Raiders have also added former Lions assistant offensive line coach Bobby Johnson to their staff, reports Thayer Evans of SI.com (via Twitter). Johnson will be the Raiders tight ends coach.
- The Bears have brought Jay Rodgers onto the staff to coach the defensive line, reports Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). Rodgers is the older brother of special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers.
Earlier Updates:
- The Broncos have not tried to hide the fact that they would like to hire Bengals secondary coach Vance Joseph as their defensive coordinator, but they may not get a chance until after the Bengals are able to secure another coach, writes Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com. The Bengals reportedly have their eye on former Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, and would likely allow Joseph out of his contract if they are able to hire Fewell. The Broncos are willing to wait to see if Fewell is hired by the Bengals before moving on to their next option.
- While there have been no official announcements made, the Raiders have reportedly added Bernie Parmalee as their running backs coach and Rob Moore as their wide receivers coach, reports Jerry McDonald of InsideBayArea.com (via Twitter). He also notes that defensive backs coach Marcus Robertson is the only member of the staff set to return so far.
- The Falcons are planning on hiring Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their head coach after the Super Bowl, and reports have it that Quinn will be targeting former Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris as part of his staff. However, Mike Jones of the Washington Post writes that Morris is being considered for an assistant head coach/passing game coordinator position, and not defensive coordinaor (via Twitter). Jones reports that the deal is not finished, but it is close (via Twitter).
Extra Points: Broncos, Titans, 49ers, Bears
The Texans have released defensive line coach Bill Kollar from his contract in order for him to join ex-Houston coach Gary Kubiak and the Broncos, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (Twitter link). Kollar had been the Texans’ DL coach since 2009. He has family in the Denver area, and he credited Bill O’Brien for being gracious enough to let him leave. Per Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Kollar is “considered an elite coach by his peers.” Here’s more from around the league…
- Linebacker Derrick Morgan told SiriusXM NFL Radio that the Titans want to re-sign him, tweets Alex Marvez of FOX Sports. The impending free agent has never lived up to his first-round billing, having posted just 23.5 sacks in five seasons as a pro.
- The Eagles let executive Tom Gamble go earlier this year as part of a reported power struggle, but it appears that he’ll land on his feet. Per John Middlekauff of 95.7 The Game (Twitter link), Gamble has discussed taking a role with the 49ers, and is expected to accept it. Gamble previously worked in San Francisco’s front office from 2005-13.
- The Bears have found a new tight ends coach, hiring former Saints offensive assistant Frank Smith, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Former Saints executive Ryan Pace, now the general manager in Chicago, may have had some familiarity with Smith.
- New Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has hired a new front office member, bringing in Rams scout Brian Heimerdinger to serve in a front office role, writes Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Heimerdinger could be installed as the new college scouting director or be given a new title, but he won’t be replacing anyone already on staff, per Cimini.
- The hiring of Adam Gase as offensive coordinator could be good news for Jay Cutler‘s future with the Bears, according to Dan Pompei of Bleacher Report (Twitter links). Per Pompei, Gase’s system has similarities to that of Chargers head coach Mike McCoy, who is known to get the most out of his quarterbacks.
Titans CEO Insists Team Not For Sale
About a month ago, we heard whispers that the Titans could be the next NFL franchise to hit the market. Those rumors popped up again this afternoon, when CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora tweeted that he is still hearing “rumblings” of a potential 2015 sale.
Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean tracked down team CEO Tommy Smith to get a reaction to the report, and the executive quickly shot down the rumors.
“The team is not for sale,” said Smith. “We are not entertaining any conversations in regard to the sale of the team. Period. Any statements that say so are completely off base, and I resent it. It is not helpful to what we are trying to accomplish as an organization and as a family.”
In La Canfora’s tweet earlier today, the writer echoed previous reports that FedEx CEO and Washington minority owner Fred Smith could be a frontrunner along with Steelers minority owner David Tepper.
“All that is totally irresponsible,’’ Smith said. “All of that is completely off-base and unfounded.
“I have only the highest respect for Fred Smith. He is a true captain of industry and one of the greatest entrepreneurs in the 20th century in American business. I think very highly of him. But I am not talking to Fred Smith about this, or anything else for that matter. I would be glad to visit with him, but not about the team. The team is not for sale.
“As for Mr. Tepper, he is successful in the business world and I wish him success. But they have had nothing to do with the Tennessee Titans and my family.”
Meanwhile, the team president also rejected the idea that Peyton Manning could purchase the franchise when his playing career is over.
“All of that is just nonsense. It’s completely unfounded. It’s just irresponsible,’’ Smith said. “It’s not going to happen. Peyton may retire, I am not saying that’s not going to happen. And I want to say I have only the highest regard for Peyton and the Manning family. They are a first-class family, Peyton and Eli and Archie have contributed greatly to the National Football League and I appreciate their efforts.
“I wish them the best in their future pursuits, but it’s not with me.”
Coach Rumors: Gailey, Bills, 49ers, Cardinals
It has been presumed that the Jets would hire Chan Gailey to become the team’s offensive coordinator, but it may not be a done deal, writes Brian Costello of the New York Post. Costello writes that Gailey has drawn interest from three other teams, and that an agreement with the Jets is far from a lock.
- As the Jets have cooled on Gailey, they have reached out to other potential candidates for their offensive coordinator opening, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (via Twitter).
- The 49ers have denied the Bills permission to interview Ronald Curry for an opportunity to join Greg Roman’s staff in Buffalo, reports Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com (via Twitter).
- The Bears wanted to consider Broncos wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert for the same position on their staff, but the Broncos have denied them permission, reports Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- The Cardinals have expressed interest in Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to replace Todd Bowles as their own defensive coordinator, reports Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com. Nolan’s defenses with the Falcons have been underwhelming, and his stint as 49ers head coach was equally unsuccessful.
- With the Cardinals considering options at defensive coordinator, Jim Wyatt of the Tennesseean notes that former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is in the mix as a senior assistant (via Twitter). Wyatt still believes LeBeau could land with the Titans (via Twitter).
- 49ers assistant coach Eric Mangini will interview with the Raiders in pursuit of their defensive coordinator job, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter).
- While Mangini is moving closer to the Oakland, former Raiders defensive coordinator Jason Tarver is still expected to rejoin the 49ers, reports Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter).
- Former Cardinals and Chiefs defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast interviewed to be the defensive coordinator in Washington, reports John Keim of ESPN.com.
- The Bears have hired former Broncos assistant coach Jeff Rodgers as their special teams coordinator, reports Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter).
NFC Notes: Bucs, Bears, Fangio, Washington
The Buccaneers have been willing spenders in free agency in recent years, but those dollars have not equated to wins. General manager Jason Licht has vowed that this experience only confirms that the best way to build a team is through the draft, writes Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
“We went out and got a lot of pieces and even though there was a lot of money going out the door and equal to the money coming in,’’ Licht said. “Nonetheless, we spent a lot of money on free agents and some didn’t work out and it was very disappointing. It’s further proof that free agency is not the safest way to build your team. We’re not hiding from the mistakes.’’
This year, the Bucs will have the opportunity to start drafting for the future, armed with the number one overall selection. Here’s more from around the NFC:
- The Bears asked the Titans for permission to interview Mike Mularkey for their offensive coordinator vacancy, but were turned down, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Tennessee previously rebuffed the Buccaneers when they wanted to talk to Mularkey about the OC job in Tampa.
- Vic Fangio‘s interview with Washington is taking place tonight, tweets Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, adding that the club has “very serious intent.” The former 49ers defensive coordinator looks like Washington’s top choice for the same position in D.C.
- The Vikings want to get younger as the 2015 season nears, but that approach to roster-building shouldn’t cost linebacker Chad Greenway his spot on the team, writes Sid Hartman of the Star Tribune.
- While running backs have been devalued in modern NFL offenses, DeMarco Murray is the exception, according to Tim Cowlishaw of DallasNews.com, who thinks the Cowboys need to re-sign him.
Rob DiRe contributed to this post.
AFC Notes: Jaguars, Gase, Bills, Jets
On the eve of championship Sunday, let’s take a look at a few items from across the AFC….
- We heard yesterday that the Jaguars were looking to speak to Adam Gase about their offensive coordinator job, and Michael Silver of NFL.com reports today (via Twitter) that Jacksonville will indeed get a chance to interview the Broncos OC.
- The Bills have reached a two-year deal with former Jets assistant Sanjay Lal to become their wide receivers coach, a source tells ESPN’s John Clayton (link via Mike Rodak).
- Seth Walder of the New York Daily News lists six moves that new general manager Mike Maccagnan must make in order to point the Jets in the right direction.
- The Chiefs narrowly missed the playoffs in 2014, and are watching as Andrew Luck and the Colts – a team they nearly beat in the postseason a year ago – advance to the AFC Championship game. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star uses the opportunity to compare the Chiefs to the Colts, taking a look at how the right offseason moves could help Kansas City take the next step in 2015.
- Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN has projected Oregon star and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota to be selected by the Titans with the second pick of the draft. However, the fit would be awkward, as head coach Ken Whisenhunt traditionally prefers pocket passers in order to run his offense, writes Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com.
- The Browns could use receiver help next season, especially with Josh Gordon playing inconsistently since returning from suspension this season, and the team could target Jaguars pass catcher Cecil Shorts this offseason, writes Steve Doerschuk of CantonRep.com. Shorts would be an affordable option, and could relish the opportunity to move closer to home in Cleveland.
Rob DiRe contributed to this post.
AFC Mailbags: Jets, Chiefs, Jags, Titans
We took a look at ESPN’s NFC mailbags earlier today. Let’s now check out some notes from the AFC…
- Cornerback is the Jets biggest need heading into the offseason, and Rich Cimini expects the team to add a veteran such as Antonio Cromartie or Kareem Jackson.
- Chan Gailey‘s experience with the spread offense could increase the Jets’ chances of drafting quarterback Marcus Mariota, writes Cimini.
- Adam Teicher believes Albert Wilson and De’Anthony Thomas are the Chiefs wideouts most likely to return next season. Meanwhile, the writer says backup linebacker Joe Mays could be a cap casualty.
- Michael DiRocco guesses that Greg Olson and Nathaniel Hackett are the favorites for the Jaguars‘ offensive coordinator opening.
- Looking towards the impending free agency of Cowboys stars DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant, Paul Kuharsky writes that the Titans should avoid the running back and only pursue the star wideout.
- Coley Harvey can envision the Bengals going two ways with their first-rounder: an offensive tackle or a pass-rusher.
Audition Notes: Friday
Duron Carter is among the busier men in the NFL right now, as the CFL receiver has worked out for a litany of teams over recent weeks in an effort to secure a contract for 2015. According to Ben Goessling of ESPN.com (Twitter link), Carter has is likely finished with the audition circuit after visiting with the Browns earlier today. And despite earlier reports that the Vikings, home to Duron’s father Cris Carter for much of his career, were the favorites to land the young receiver, Goessling reports that Minnesota is the not high bidder for Carter at the moment. Here’s more workout news from around the league…
- Carter isn’t the only CFL player making the NFL rounds, as defensive back Delvin Breaux met with both the Steelers (Twitter link via Howard Balzer) and the Jaguars (Twitter link via Adam Caplan of ESPN). Per Caplan (on Twitter), Breaux has several more visits lined up, and is scheduled to meet with the Browns, Dolphins, Falcons, and Saints, while the Eagles and Jets also maintain interest.
- The Panthers brought in quarterback Dominique Davis for a workout, tweets Caplan. Davis, 25, was a reserve for the Falcons from 2012-13, and spent time with the Titans and Colts last season.
- The Titans, like all teams, are aiming to fill out their offseason roster, and worked out the following players today in that vein, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link): LaVon Brazill, David Fluellen, Jacoby Ford, Clyde Gates, Phillip Hunt, Shawn Lemon, Joe Morgan, Keith Price, and Chase Rettig. Brazill is probably the most notable name among the list, as he was set to play a meaningful role in the Colts’ offense before being suspended and migrating to the CFL.
- Before signing Mitchell Van Dyk yesterday, the Steelers also worked out fellow punters Tom Hornsey and Richie Leone, in addition to defensive tackle Kheeston Randall, per Wilson (via Twitter).
- The Bills auditioned offensive lineman Matt Armstrong today, tweets Wilson.