HEADLINES

Month: January 2015

Seahawks Sign Landon Cohen

January 5th, 2015 at 3:47pm CST by Luke Adams

The Seahawks have signed defensive tackle Landon Cohen to their 53-man roster, the team announced today in a press release. No corresponding roster move is required to accommodate the addition of Cohen, since Seattle had been carrying just 52 players since the conclusion of the regular season.

Cohen, 29, was active for 14 contests in 2013 — 12 for Chicago and two more for the Cowboys. According to Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics (subscription required), the former seventh-round pick posted a grade of -16.4 in ’13, though most of that was a result of poor run defense — he rated as a slightly above average pass rusher, with nine total quarterback pressures.

Cohen signed with the Bills in July, but was released during roster cutdowns prior to the regular season, and hasn’t played in the NFL this year. The Seahawks worked out the veteran lineman last month.

Bengals Sign Seven To Reserve Deals

January 5th, 2015 at 3:34pm CST by Luke Adams

Following the conclusion of their 2014 season on Sunday, the Bengals have begun to move on to 2015 business. As such, the team announced today (Twitter links) that it has signed seven players to reserve/futures contracts for the coming season. All seven players finished the year on Cincinnati’s practice squad. Here’s the full list:

Of the 10 players who finished the season on the Bengals’ taxi squad, three have yet to sign new deals — offensive linemen Emmett Cleary, running back James Wilder, and defensive end Sam Montgomery.

Shane Ray To Enter 2015 Draft

January 5th, 2015 at 3:23pm CST by Luke Adams

Missouri defensive lineman Shane Ray has become the latest potential top-10 pick to decide to enter the draft, according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports (Twitter link), who cites multiple sources in reporting Ray’s intentions. Per Getlin, the redshirt junior pass rusher will forgo his remaining year of college eligibility.

Ray, who had a breakout junior year after seeing Kony Ealy and Michael Sam drafted in May, had at least a half-sack in all but three games this year for Missouri, racking up multiple sacks in five of those contests. For the season, he finished with 61 tackles to go along with 14 sacks, a new school record.

A unanimous All-American and the SEC defensive player of the year, Ray is viewed as a strong candidate to be selected in the top 10, or perhaps top five, of this spring’s draft. In his first mock draft at ESPN.com, Todd McShay had Ray coming off the board fifth overall, to Washington. Per McShay, Ray is “an absolutely relentless pass-rusher who is tough, aggressive, can bend the end and has an explosive first step.”

Getlin reported last month that Ray was strongly considering entering the draft, adding that the defensive end’s mother was vetting potential agents.

Jets Notes: Ballard, Pace, Grier, Bowles

January 5th, 2015 at 2:49pm CST by Luke Adams

Chiefs executive Chris Ballard will interview for the Bears’ general manager opening later this week, but he won’t meet with the Jets about their GM position. According to Albert Breer of the NFL Network (via Twitter), Ballard has declined New York’s request for an interview. While there are a number of reasons why Ballard may be open to exploring the Chicago job and not the Jets’ opening, it’s not a great look for Woody Johnson and company, who were also officially turned down by Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace, per Breer (via Twitter).

As the Jets shift their focus to GM candidates who will speak to them, let’s round up the latest out of New York….

  • Dolphins scouting director Chris Grier will interview with the Jets for the general manager position on Tuesday, a source tells Brian Costello of the New York Post (Twitter link).
  • The Jets will also continue to speak to head coaching candidates this week, with Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles lined up for an interview on Wednesday, tweets Costello. Per Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the Jets will be the first team to meet with Bowles, followed by the Falcons on Thursday, and likely the 49ers and Bears after that.
  • Former Jets head coaches are also busy these days interviewing for head coaching jobs — Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com reports (via Twitter) that the 49ers’ interview with Rex Ryan took place on Sunday, while Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 in Washington tweets that Eric Mangini‘s meeting with the Raiders is happening today.

NFC East Notes: Giants, Phillips, Eagles

January 5th, 2015 at 2:00pm CST by Luke Adams

Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is still evaluating his coaching staff, and has yet to make any formal announcements, but a source tells Newsday’s Tom Rock that it appears defensive coordinator Perry Fewell and special teams coordinator Tom Quinn will return to New York for the 2015 season. Fewell, in particular, was considered a candidate to be fired, though Coughlin strongly defended the DC at his end-of-season press conference, suggesting that he felt players responded to Fewell.

According to Rock, there may still be minor changes coming to the rest of the coaching staff, but it seems Fewell and Quinn are safe. Here’s more from around the NFC East:

  • There’s a “strong sense” in Washington that Wade Phillips is positioned to become the team’s next defensive coordinator, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com, who tweets that the former Cowboys head coach has “ample support.”
  • As Chip Kelly looks to hire a new general manager in Philadelphia, one executive who figures to draw interest is Lions vice president of pro personnel Sheldon White, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Rapoport indicates that White is expected to interview for the Eagles‘ job.
  • Andrew Kulp of CSNPhilly.com makes a case for why the Eagles ought to strongly consider extending quarterback Nick Foles this offseason. Foles’ rookie contract is set to expire after the 2015 campaign.

Coach Updates: Pep, Shanahan, Holmgren

January 5th, 2015 at 12:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Following his team’s Wild Card win on Sunday, Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is now free to interview for head coaching openings, but it sounds if he won’t have the opportunity to talk to the Bills and Raiders this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that the window is too tight and the logistics won’t work.

Per Rapoport (via Twitter), it sounds as if the Bills and Raiders are open to waiting for Hamilton, who is currently prepping for the Broncos. However, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) isn’t convinced Oakland will wait on the Colts’ OC.

Here are several more Monday updates on head coaching searches from around the league:

  • We heard previously that Mike Shanahan interviewed with the 49ers, and it seems the former Washington head coach has spoken to other teams as well. Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 in Washington reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders talked to Shanahan, while Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) that Shanahan spent Sunday meeting with Bills owners Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, along with other team officials.
  • Appearing on Sports Radio KJR in Seattle today, Mike Holmgren said he was offered NFL jobs last week, but decided that he won’t return to coaching. Holmgren added that the one job he might have had interest in was the 49ers‘ position, but the club didn’t reach out to him about exploring that possibility (Twitter links).
  • Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has interviews scheduled with the Falcons and 49ers on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (via Twitter). Austin hadn’t been able to talk to teams last week, since Detroit was involved in the Wild Card round.
  • The Eagles have given the Bills permission to interview offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur for their head coaching job, tweets Mark Maske of the Washington Post. Shurmur previously interviewed with the Raiders.
  • Although a report last week suggested the Bears intended to interview Doug Marrone for their head coaching position, no meeting has been scheduled yet, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
  • The Raiders have reportedly requested an interview with Cowboys assistant Scott Linehan, but he’s not interested in exploring any opportunities until Dallas’ season is over, as he tells Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
  • To keep tabs on the interviewees for all six NFL head coaching vacancies, be sure to check out our tracker.

Shaq Thompson To Enter Draft

January 5th, 2015 at 11:41am CST by Luke Adams

All-American Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson has decided to forgo his senior year and enter the 2015 draft, according to a press release from the team. In a statement, Thompson said that the move to turn pro “was not an easy decision,” but that he’s looking forward to “facing new challenges that come with being in the NFL.”

“Shaq Thompson has been a wonderful representative of the University of Washington and the Husky football team, and he has our full support as he takes this important step,” said head coach Chris Petersen in a statement. “I look forward to what’s to come for him and to watching him embark on what will be a long, successful NFL career.”

Thompson, who has averaged about 74 tackles per season in his three years at Washington, projects as a first-round pick in the spring, with CBSSports.com ranking him 10th overall, and first among outside linebackers. In his first mock draft of the season, ESPN’s Todd McShay has Thompson coming off the board 16th to the Dolphins, and writes that the linebacker is a “unique talent,” with the ability to provide strong pass coverage and to defend the run from sideline to sideline.

AFC East Notes: Bradham, McDaniels, Dolphins

January 5th, 2015 at 11:00am CST by Luke Adams

As two teams from the AFC East – the Bills and the Jets – continue to hunt for a new head coach, let’s check in on a few unrelated items from out of the division….

  • The Bills are interested in extending the contract of linebacker Nigel Bradham, who is coming off a breakout season, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. Bradham, who established new career highs with 104 tackles, a pair of forced fumbles, and seven passes defended, is eligible for an extension on his rookie deal for the first time this offseason.
  • Asked in his weekly conference call about his discussions last week with the Falcons and 49ers for their head coaching vacancies, Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels said those meetings were “fine,” as Mike Reiss of ESPN.com details. “I just had an initial meeting with them and it hasn’t really gone any further in either direction,” McDaniels said. “So, again, I’m back to focusing on the next task at hand for us, which is the Ravens. I’m sure they’ll do what they need to do on their end. I’m sure those things will take care of themselves in the future.”
  • Because he spent the 2013 season on the reserve/non-football injury list, Bills offensive lineman Chris Hairston finishes his rookie contract this winter eligible for restricted free agency rather than unrestricted free agency, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (via Twitter). As Rodak points out, linebacker Kiko Alonso will be in the same situation a year from now.
  • Given the lack of star head coaches available this winter, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald can understand why Dolphins owner Stephen Ross elected to retain Joe Philbin for the 2015 season.

Front Office Notes: Jets, Saints, Bears

January 5th, 2015 at 9:55am CST by Luke Adams

As the first full week of 2015 gets underway, we have updates on two teams hunting for a new general manager, as well as a pair of clubs whose front offices may be undergoing some changes. Here’s the latest:

  • Although the Jets would like to speak to Saints executive Ryan Pace about their general manager position, it’s unlikely that Pace will elect to interview for the opening, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). As Rapoport explains (Twitter link), Pace – a favorite of Sean Payton – assumed more day-to-day duties with the Saints in 2014 as GM Mickey Loomis worked more with the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans. Rapoport adds that Pace’s role will only increase, and that he could be in line for a promotion.
  • A source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Loomis “remains entrenched” as the Saints‘ GM, with no need to elevate anyone in the front office to handle any of his duties. However, Florio agrees that it appears as if Pace will stay put in New Orleans for now.
  • Texans director of scouting Mike Maccagnan will have his interview with the Jets for their GM vacancy today, tweets Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
  • Speaking to one veteran front office executive who called the head coach/GM marriage “the most underrated dynamic in the business,” Mehta writes in a Daily News piece that the Jets should ensure they create an equal partnership when they hire a new coach and GM.
  • Within the same piece, Mehta reports, via sources, that Seahawks personnel executive Trent Kirchner likely won’t be paired with Dan Quinn as a GM/head coach duo, since Quinn’s preference would be to work with a “more seasoned” front office executive.
  • The Bears will interview Titans executive Lake Dawson on Tuesday and Chiefs exec Chris Ballard on Wednesday this week, says Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Washington has reached out to personnel man Scot McCloughan about becoming a top executive in the team’s front office, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). McCloughan, a former 49ers general manager, most recently worked for the Seahawks.

Rams Owner Plans To Build Stadium In L.A.

January 5th, 2015 at 8:32am CST by Luke Adams

Just over two weeks after we learned that commissioner Roger Goodell informed teams no franchises would be relocating to Los Angeles for the 2015 season, Sam Farmer and Roger Vincent of the Los Angeles Times have a major update on the possibility of the NFL returning to L.A. According to the Times duo, Rams owner Stan Kroenke has joined forces with Stockbridge Capital Group and intends to build an NFL stadium in Inglewood.

Farmer and Vincent write that Kroenke, who purchased 60 acres of land adjacent to the Forum a year ago, has joined forces with Stockbridge Capital Group, the owners of the 238-acre Hollywood Park site. The plan for the group is to build an 80,000-seat NFL stadium, along with a 6,000-seat performance venue.

“We are excited to unveil an expanded plan that will bring a world-class sports and entertainment district to Hollywood Park,” Stockbridge founder Terry Fancher said in a statement. “We are committed to working with [the Kroenke Group] to build a project that will put Inglewood back on the map as home of the truly great sports and entertainment venues.”

While we’ve heard rumblings about the NFL’s potential return to Los Angeles for the last two decades, this is the first time that an existing team owner has held a space large enough to accommodate a viable stadium – with parking – and announced plans to move forward with the project.

Of course, this doesn’t make it a sure thing that the Rams will move to Los Angeles for the 2016 season, but it turns it into a very real possibility, particularly since the club can begin a year-to-year agreement in St. Louis as of the end of this month — that would give the franchise the flexibility to leave after the 2015 season, assuming arrangements for a temporary home in L.A. can be finalized as the new Hollywood Park stadium is built. The announcement forces St. Louis’ hand, with the city now under pressure to come back with a strong offer for the Rams within the next few weeks in order to try to keep the club in Missouri.

The Chargers and Raiders have also been mentioned as candidates to move to Los Angeles, so it will be interesting to see how the ownership of those clubs responds to Kroenke’s announcement. Farmer notes in a Q&A with Peter King of The MMQB.com that the concept of moving two teams to Los Angeles at once is “very difficult,” and that he wouldn’t expect to see more than one team move to L.A. initially. As of today, it looks like the Rams are the clubhouse leaders to be that team.

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