HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Cardinals LS Mike Leach Announces Retirement

January 27th, 2016 at 9:46am CST by Luke Adams

After spending 16 seasons in the NFL, veteran long snapper Mike Leach has decided to end his playing career. Leach announced his retirement in a Twitter post this morning, thanking the Titans, Broncos, and Cardinals for the time he spent with each franchise.Mike Leach

“Every journey, no matter how great, must eventually come to an end,” Leach wrote. “Today, I’ve reached the end of my journal as a player in the National Football League. It is rare in our profession that a player gets to choose when it’s over and to go out on his terms. I am making that choice before waning abilities – or worse, an injury – make it for me.”

Leach, an undrafted free agent back in 2000, spent his first two seasons with the Titans before joining the Broncos for the 2002 campaign. Since 2003, he has not missed a single game. In total, he played 235 regular-season contests, including 112 for the Cardinals over the last seven seasons.

Leach, 39, had been on a one-year, minimum salary benefit contract with Arizona in 2015, so his deal was set to expire this winter. As such, the Cards won’t carry any dead money on their 2016 cap now that Leach has decided to call it a career, though the team will have to find a new long snapper for the first time since 2009.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jaguars Rumors: Defense, Joeckel, Draft

January 27th, 2016 at 8:29am CST by Luke Adams

The Jaguars are getting a first-hand look at talent in this week’s Senior Bowl, Hays Carlyon of The Florida Times-Union writes. Jacksonville will likely end up taking an underclassmen with its first-round pick, but the club’s coaching staff could definitely be working with its future second-, third-, or fourth-round picks this week.

“When you’re there and you’re coaching it, it’s unbelievable,” coach Gus Bradley said. “You find some things about guys that you really like and then you find some things out that you say, I think you have to be careful that you don’t jump to conclusions. It’s just a piece of the puzzle. There’s a lot of good information. We get a chance to visit with both teams. To me, who does it help? It helps all of us. … We can knock out 80 guys or 90 guys or however many it is. That part is great.”

Here’s more on the Jags:

  • According to Carlyon, it would be surprising if Jacksonville doesn’t use at least six of its draft picks this spring on defensive players to help improve 2015’s unit. In a separate Times-Union piece, Carlyon quotes Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell on the subject. “We feel good about the offense right now,” Caldwell said. “We still have a ways to go and aren’t done by any means, but we’ll really focus on the defensive side of the ball. Getting [Dante] Fowler and [Sen’Derrick] Marks back will help us, then we have cap space and eight draft picks to fix the rest of the needs.”
  • Adding pass-rushing help will be a priority for the Jaguars this offseason, per Caldwell (via Carlyon). “We have a need there, whether it’s two more or three more,” the GM said. “You can never have enough pass rushers. There were a handful of games we were winning in the fourth quarter. If we had some pass rush, we could have closed half of them out. If we had, we’d been playing in January.”
  • Caldwell says the club has not yet begun discussions about re-signing any of its free agents or exercising the fifth-year option for left tackle Luke Joeckel, as ESPN.com’s Mike DiRocco writes. Joeckel, a former No. 2 overall pick, started 14 games in 2015.
  • Caldwell also said he doesn’t see the Jaguars trading up in the first round (Twitter link via DiRocco). The Jags, who finished 5-11, currently hold the No. 5 pick in the 2016 draft.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Browns Interview Xanders, Vital For Top Personnel Job

January 27th, 2016 at 8:09am CST by Zachary Links

WEDNESDAY, 8:09am: In addition to speaking to Xanders, the Browns also interviewed former Falcons director of player personnel Lionel Vital for their top personnel job, sources tell Cabot. Vital was let go by Atlanta earlier this month after spending three years with the team.

TUESDAY, 7:44pm: The Browns have interviewed Lions senior personnel executive Brian Xanders for their top available personnel position, a league source tells Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Xanders was one of two men to interview for the job on Tuesday, though the identity of the other candidate to interview today is not yet known. Brian Xanders (vertical)

Besides the former Broncos GM, the Browns have also talked with former Dolphins GM Dennis Hickey and former Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and they have also been linked to ex-Eagles executive Rick Mueller. Whoever the Browns’ next big hire is will not carry the title of GM. Their next “Executive Vice President of Player Personnel” will have input when it comes to the roster, but Browns executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown will have final say.

Xanders, 44, comes with tons of experience having just completed his third season with the Lions and 22nd in the NFL. There’s no exact timetable for a hire, but the team is optimistic about making a decision shortly.

“We’re still on track to hopefully wrap things up in the next week or two,” said Brown. “We feel good about it. We’ve talked to some really talented people around the league despite not being able to interview everyone we were originally slated to. I feel like we’ll find a really talented personnel executive to come in and lead that function for us.”

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Coaching Notes: Campbell, Saints, Golden

January 26th, 2016 at 9:03pm CST by Zachary Links

New Saints hire Dan Campbell has been brought aboard as an assistant head coach to Sean Payton, but it is not accurate to say that he is the assistant head coach in New Orleans. Campbell, who was hired just weeks ago in New Orleans, will share the assistant head coach title with linebackers coach Joe Vitt, as Evan Woodbery of The Times-Picayune writes. With that matter cleared up, Payton says there is only one minor open matter remaining on his staff – finding an offensive assistant to work with receivers coach John Morton.

More coaching news from around the NFL:

  • Former Miami/Temple coach Al Golden is in line for a defensive assistant job with the Cowboys, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports hears (via Twitter). Golden, 46, coached Miami to a 32-25 record from 2011 through 2015.
  • The Titans made some moves on their coaching staff, as Jim Wyatt of Titans Online reports (via Twitter links). Nick Eason will be the team’s defensive line coach, Bob Bratkowski is the Titans’ new wide receivers coach, and Sylvester Croom will remain as the team’s running backs coach. Croom has had many stints as an NFL RBs coach and also served as the head coach of Mississippi State from 2004-2008.
  • The Eagles requested permission to interview Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek, but they were denied, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter). Kocurek is an advocate for an attacking 4-3 front which would have made him a good fit under defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.

Latest On Peyton Manning

January 26th, 2016 at 7:22pm CST by Zachary Links

One of the oldest adages in broadcast journalism is to “be careful around a hot mic.” Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning didn’t follow that rule in the immediate aftermath of the AFC Championship Game and, as a result, he may have let some big news slip. Peyton Manning (vertical)

“This might be my last rodeo,” Manning is heard saying to Patriots coach Bill Belichick, as Allison Sylte and Mike Klis of 9NEWS write. “So, it sure has been a pleasure.”

Manning is entering the final year of his contract with the Broncos and many have speculated that he will not be back with Denver in 2016. Manning’s understudy, Brock Osweiler, showed promise in his second-half stint as the team’s starter and he is due to hit the open market this spring. If Manning were to be brought back as the starter for 2016, Osweiler would almost certainly choose to go elsewhere as he would have numerous starting opportunities around the league. As Klis writes, even if Manning were to be named MVP of Super Bowl 50, he would be unlikely to be wearing orange next season. However, Manning’s words with Belichick are the strongest indication yet that Manning could just decide to retire altogether. For what it’s worth, Manning has given no such indication to teammates, as James Palmer of NFL.com tweets.

Of course, this has not been Manning’s easiest season. The veteran QB got off to an atrocious start in Denver, though his struggles were largely masked by the team’s 8-0 record through the first half. In the second half, the injury bug ultimately put Manning on the bench and allowed Osweiler to take control under center. In December, a documentary by Al-Jazeera America led to allegations of HGH use by the quarterback, though Manning vehemently denies such claims.

Speaking of the HGH rumors, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Associated Press that the league launched an investigation weeks ago into Manning’s potential involvement with a PED supplier. The league’s investigation includes the review of records, interviews, and “coordination with other agencies,” per the AP. The league, however, will not be teaming up with the investigations being conducted by MLB and USADA, according to ESPN’s T.J. Quinn. League PR man Greg Aiello (on Twitter) says that the NFL has “worked with” both organizations from the start, but Quinn (link) asserts that the NFL is only communicating with them and not working in tandem.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Latest On Titans’ Ownership Situation

January 26th, 2016 at 6:35pm CST by Zachary Links

The root of the NFL’s concern over the Titans’ ownership situation stems from the fact that there was no clear succession plan in place when team founder Bud Adams passed away, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Adams’ heirs have attempted to make Amy Adams Strunk the controlling owner, but she still doesn’t have the “clear, legal power to do the things that a controlling owner must be able to do.” While the easiest solution would be to have Strunk buy out the remaining two-thirds of the franchise, she may not have the necessary resources, so the Titans are attempting to come up with another solution. Titans generic (featured)

[RELATED: Titans Hire Terry Robiskie]

Recently, Titans president and CEO Steve Underwood refuted the notion the Titans are for sale, though he did confirm that the NFL and the team are engaged in dialogue regarding ownership status.

“The league has never once indicated to us that they are attempting to force the sale. I’ve never heard those words used. I think they’re continuing to work with us on trying to resolve the ownership issues, and in the meantime, none of those things are affecting the operation of the club,” Underwood said.

Luke Adams contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

 

49ers Hire Jim O’Neil As DC

January 26th, 2016 at 5:20pm CST by Zachary Links

New 49ers coach Chip Kelly has hired former Browns defensive coordinator Jim O’Neil to fill the same position in San Francisco, a source tells Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. O’Neil was chosen over 49ers outside linebackers coach Jason Tarver, who will stay on board with the same title. Jim O'Neil (vertical)

[RELATED: 49ers To Hire Chip Kelly]

Last year, the 49ers ranked 29th in the NFL in yards allowed and placed 18th in the league in points allowed at 24.2 points per game under the watch of Eric Mangini. Under O’Neil, the Browns were top ten in yards allowed and scoring under O’Neil in 2014, but they plummeted towards the cellar last season. Cleveland ranked 27th in yards allowed and 29th in points allowed in 2015 and new head coach Hue Jackson opted to let him go upon taking over this offseason.

In his three seasons as Eagles head coach, Kelly’s teams had defend more plays than any other squad in the NFL. The Eagles faced a league-high 1,148 plays last season and Kelly will need one heck of a defense if things unfold similarly for the 49ers this year.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Jets DE Sheldon Richardson Avoids Jail Time

January 26th, 2016 at 4:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson – who was charged with resisting arrest, speeding, and running a red light – has agreed to a deal that allows him to avoid jail time, per Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. According to his lawyer, Richardson was sentenced to 100 hours of community service and fined $1,050, and received a two-year suspended sentence and bench probation. With the legal process now concluded, the NFL will complete its own investigation and could suspend the Jets defensive lineman at some point. Sheldon Richardson (vertical)

Richardson, 25, was clocked at 143 mph during a high-speed chase, with a legally registered handgun and a 12-year-old relative in the car. The star defensive lineman has asserted in the past that the incident does not define him as a person and has worked with the team psychologist to help him move beyond the arrest. Just two weeks prior to that incident, Richardson was slapped with a multi-game suspension stemming from marijuana use.

Richardson‘s contract is up after the 2016 campaign and his off-field issues will certainly come up when the two sides reach the bargaining table. Richardson has been mentioned in the past as a trade candidate, but he could be a tough sell given all that has gone on with him. Even though he won’t be facing jail time for his offseason mishap, he could start the 2016 season suspended for as many as six games.

In 2015, Richardson appeared in 11 games and made 10 starts for Gang Green. In that time, he tallied 35 total tackles, 5.0 sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles. Recently, GM Mike Maccagnan stated that “it’s not impossible” for Gang Green to keep all of its top defensive linemen, including Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, Damon Harrison, and Leonard Williams. Of course, that’s easier said than done.

 

Luke Adams contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/26/16

January 26th, 2016 at 3:44pm CST by Luke Adams

Here are today’s reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL, including the Cardinals signing their entire practice squad to new deals for 2016:

Arizona Cardinals

Carolina Panthers

New England Patriots

North Notes: Megatron, Packers, Haslam

January 26th, 2016 at 2:35pm CST by Luke Adams

There’s no decision yet, and no exact timetable, for Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson as he considers whether or not to continue his playing career, agent Bus Cook tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Shortly after the regular season ended, Megatron issued a statement indicating he was considering retirement, but Lions fans will have to wait at least a little longer before finding out what the wideout’s future plans are.

“Nothing to report,” said Cook, who is currently in Mobile, Alabam for the Senior Bowl. “Have to wait and see. He has to think about what he’s going to do and then go from there.”

As we wait to find out what Johnson decides, let’s check out a few more items from out of the NFL’s North divisions….

  • After a weekend report suggested that Packers head coach Mike McCarthy was frustrated by the team’s lack of free agent spending, general manager Ted Thompson said on Monday that there’s no problem between him and McCarthy, according to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report (video link). However, Cole suggests there may be “growing tension” in Green Bay after McCarthy’s latest postseason loss.
  • Cole also has an update on the Browns (video link), reporting that team owner Jimmy Haslam is in Mobile for Senior Bowl practices, in an effort to take on a more “hands-on approach” as the head of the franchise. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com (Twitter link) confirms Haslam’s attendance, but says the Browns owner plans to leave today after having dinner with scouts on Monday night.
  • The Browns have added Ken Delgado to their coaching staff as an assistant defensive line coach and former Titans assistant Cannon Matthews as an assistant defensive backs coach, reports Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (Twitter links).
  • The Bears announced today (via Twitter) that they’ve named Richard Hightower their new assistant special teams coach. Hightower replaces Derius Swinton, who joined the 49ers last week.
  • Justin Tucker‘s impressive track record when it comes to clutch kicks should give him some leverage when he and the Ravens discuss a new contract this winter, writes Clifton Brown of CSNMidAtlantic.com.
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