2017 December - Pro Football Rumors

Giants Interview Marc Ross For GM Job

December 18th, 2017 at 3:58pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants announced that they have interviewed Marc Ross for their GM vacancy. Ross has spent more than a decade with the organization, including the last five years as the Giants’ vice president of player evaluation.

Ross’ job places him in charge of the Giants’ college scouting department and the team’s draft. He is said to be among the team’s leading internal candidates for the job, along with interim GM Kevin Abrams. It is expected that Abrams and former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman will also interview this week, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (on Twitter).

It has been suggested that George Paton (Vikings), Eliot Wolf (Packers), and Joe Douglas (Eagles) could also be among those considered. For now, Ross, Abrams, and Gettleman are the only executives confirmed to have interviews scheduled.

Ross was among the Fritz Pollard Alliance’s suggested candidates for GM jobs last year, though he was not on the list this season.

Chargers Make Kicker Change

December 18th, 2017 at 3:42pm CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers are making a kicker change. Kicker Nick Rose has been claimed off waivers from the Redskins. Meanwhile, kicker Travis Coons has been waived.

Rose filled in for the Redskins while Dustin Hopkins was sidelined with a hip injury. Rose did well in Hopkins’ absence, connecting 10 of 11 field goal attempts and 18 of 20 extra point tries. On Saturday, Hopkins returned to action, displacing Rose.

The Redskins have been mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but the 7-7 Chargers still have a chance to make the postseason. In that sense, it’s an upgrade for Rose.

The Bolts have a 6% chance of overtaking the Chiefs in the AFC West and slightly better odds of securing a Wild Card spot, per the New York Times’ playoff calculator. In order to have any chance at the playoffs, the Chargers must beat the Jets on Christmas Eve.

In other Chargers news, tight end Hunter Henry has suffered a lacerated kidney (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). His status going forward is uncertain.

Jets Release WR Jeremy Kerley

December 18th, 2017 at 3:27pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jets have released wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. The veteran was slated to return from suspension this week.

Kerley was handed a four-game ban for performance-enhancing drugs in early November. At the time, Kerley denied intentionally ingesting anything banned by the league’s collective bargaining agreement:

“I was shocked by a positive test for Turinabol, as I have never knowingly taken any banned substances. I am 5’9″ tall and 180 pounds, and I have never used steroids in my life. I’m a good athlete but anyone can look at my body composition and tell that I’m not a steroid user. While I did not have enough time prior to the deadline to resolve this case, I fully intend to investigate this matter until I am able to figure out what caused the positive test, because I know that I have done nothing wrong. When I find out what substance was tainted, I will pursue all remedies at that time because this is not right. I have and will always been a clean player, and I look forward to returning to the Jets to play against the Saints next month.”

Kerley had just 22 catches for 217 yards and one touchdown for the Jets this year. Last year, he enjoyed a bounce-back year with 64 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns for the Niners.

If Kerley clears waivers, he may have the opportunity to hook on with a playoff team.

Kerley has spent six of his seven NFL seasons with the Jets.

Jerry Richardson Cedes Control Of Panthers

December 18th, 2017 at 3:22pm CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers announced that owner Jerry Richardson will step away day-to-day management of the team. Executive Tina Becker has been named COO and will take over immediately.

“These have been some of the most difficult days of my 19 years with the Panthers, but I am lifted up by the strong resolve and the commitment our employees have shown to this organization,” Becker said in a statement released by the Panthers. “Our team on the field is performing at a very high level, and I believe is bound for the Super Bowl. My immediate focus will be to ensure the corporate side of the organization performs at the same high level, while addressing the real concerns that have been raised in recent days.”

On Friday, we learned that the NFL is investigating Richardson for alleged workplace misconduct. It is alleged that Richardson made inappropriate sexual comments towards female Panthers employees and also aimed a racial slur at a black scout. There also may have been improper touching of female employees. Soon after the news broke, Richardson announced that he would be selling the franchise.

Richardson, 81, has been the only owner the Panthers have ever known in their 22-year history.

NFL Suspends Panthers’ Thomas Davis

December 18th, 2017 at 3:19pm CST by Zachary Links

The NFL announced a two-game suspension for Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis. Davis will appeal, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link).

On Sunday, Davis leveled Packers receiver Davante Adams with a helmet-leading hit. NFL Vice President of Football Operations Jon Runyan handed down the ban on Monday, citing Davis’ history of breaking the rules:

“During an interception return, you took a path toward your opponent who was pursuing the play and delivered a violent and unnecessary blindside block to his head and neck area. You have been previously fined for violations of safety-related rules. Your actions yesterday warrant an escalation of discipline, not only because they were flagrant, but also because of your status as a repeat offender.”

It seems unlikely that Davis will get the entire suspension overturned, but he could have the ban cut in half. As it stands, however, Davis is slated to miss the team’s final two regular season games against the Buccaneers and Falcons.

The Panthers have nearly solidified their place as one of the NFC’s Wild Card teams. They still have a 24% chance of overtaking the Saints for the NFC South title, according to the New York Times’ playoff calculator.

Colts Place C Ryan Kelly, LB Jon Bostic On IR

December 18th, 2017 at 3:11pm CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have placed two starters on injured reserve. Linebacker Jon Bostic and center Ryan Kelly will both be shut down in advance of Saturday’s penultimate game against the Ravens. In a related move, the team has signed free agent defensive tackle Caraun Reid.

Kelly has played only seven games this season thanks to injuries. The center missed the start of the year due to foot surgery. Unfortunately, a concussion in Week 12 has kept him out of action for the last three games. It’s hardly the encore that the No. 18 overall pick in the 2016 draft was hoping for.

Bostic spent all of 2016 on IR but managed to start in 14 games in 2017. His season ends with a career-high 97 tackles along with one sack, one fumble recovery, and three passes defended. He also graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 40 linebacker in the NFL, a career best. He’s eligible for free agency this offseason but it seems likely that the Colts will discuss an extension with him before he can reach the open market.

Broncos To Place Shane Ray On IR

December 18th, 2017 at 2:58pm CST by Zachary Links

In all likelihood, Shane Ray will not suit up for the Broncos’ final two games. The linebacker is expected to be placed on IR after having two screws removed from his left wrist (Twitter link via Troy Renck of Denver7).

By placing Ray on IR, the Broncos will give him a head start on his rehabilitation. The hope is that Ray will be ready for offseason activities, giving him ample time to prepare for Week 1 of the 2018 season. Of course, after falling to 5-9 on Sunday, there isn’t much reason for the Broncos to have Ray out on the field for the final two games of the 2017 campaign.

Ray had a breakout season last year, recording 48 tackles and eight sacks in 664 snaps. Only two Denver linebackers – Von Miller and Todd Davis– saw more burn than Ray in 2016. He placed an above-average 45th in overall performance among Pro Football Focus’ 110 qualified edge defenders.

Unfortunately, Ray’s wrist kept him off the field until late October this year. He placed just 99th on PFF’s list of edge defenders after 354 snaps.

Raiders’ Donald Penn Done For Season

December 18th, 2017 at 2:09pm CST by Zachary Links

Raiders left tackle Donald Penn will have season-ending foot surgery on Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. The Raiders will place Penn on injured reserve, ruling him out for the final two games of the season.

The injury means that Penn will miss his first game since 2007. Although things did not work out as planned for the 6-8 Raiders this year, it was a decent season for Penn on a personal level. He currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 23 ranked tackle, placing him ahead of guys like Russell Okung and Alejandro Villanueva. Last year, he finished No. 12 amongst all tackles in the NFL, per PFF.

Penn had some offseason contract drama with the Raiders, but the two sides smoothed things out in time for the start of the season. In September, they agreed to a two-year, $21MM extension that could keep him in place through 2019. The new deal calls for a $8.35MM cap number in 2018 ($3MM guarantee) and a $10.35MM cap figure in ’19 (non-guaranteed).

The Raiders fell to 6-8 with their loss to Dallas on Sunday. They can still finish with a .500 record if they are able to beat the Eagles and Chargers in their final two games.

Vince McMahon Planning XFL Reboot?

December 18th, 2017 at 1:16pm CST by Zachary Links

In 2001, the WWF and NBC attempted to go toe-to-toe with the NFL. Despite a debut broadcast with tremendous ratings, the XFL quickly fizzled and folded after just one season. It now appears that wrestling magnate Vince McMahon could be ready to take another shot at professional football.

“Vince McMahon has established and is personally funding a separate entity from WWE, Alpha Entertainment, to explore investment opportunities across the sports and entertainment landscapes, including professional football,” the wrestling organization said in a statement issued to David Bixenspan of Deadspin (Twitter link). “Mr. McMahon has nothing further to announce at this time.”

McMahon’s first try at football wound up costing his company tens of millions of dollars. If there is a second act for McMahon in football, he is making it known that it will not affect the WWE’s bottom line or impact its shareholders.

It’s not immediately clear how serious McMahon is about restarting the XFL or when the league might re-emerge. The WWE filed for two new XFL trademarks this year, according to Bixenspan, though it is common practice for companies to renew their trademarks when they come due.

The first time around, viewers found the on-field quality of the product to be poor and the off-field branding overtly crass. McMahon could try a different spin on marketing his league, but there’s no realistic way to increase the talent level without some type of partnership with the NFL. In the recent ESPN documentary on the failed league, McMahon hinted that a potential reboot “would tie in either with the NFL itself or the owners,” but it’s hard to imagine Roger Goodell & Co. going down that path.

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Texans’ Bill O’Brien: I Will Not Quit

December 18th, 2017 at 12:42pm CST by Zachary Links

Over the weekend, it was reported that Bill O’Brien and the Texans could be headed for a split. This may be the end of the line for the head coach and the organization, but it won’t come via O’Brien leaving the team.

“I will never quit as the head coach of the Houston Texans,” O’Brien said Monday, one day after the Texans lost 45-7 to the Jaguars (via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle). “I’m not a quitter. I was raised in a family that believes in family, faith, education, never quitting.”

It has been said that GM Rick Smith has a rocky relationship with O’Brien, which could lead to a coaching shakeup after the season is through. The Texans would position themselves as one of the most desirable coaching vacancies in the league thanks to the presence of quarterback Deshaun Watson and a talented front seven led by J.J. Watt. O’Brien, meanwhile, would be a leading candidate for other positions. The Texans are 4-10, but O’Brien can hardly be held responsible for that record given the season-ending injuries to Watson, Watt, linebacker Whitney Mercilus, rookie running back Dont’a Foreman, and other key contributors.

O’Brien has one year left on his five-year deal.