2020 January - Pro Football Rumors

Browns Down To Steve Wilks, Joe Woods For Defensive Coordinator

January 14th, 2020 at 6:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

New Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is considering keeping Steve Wilks in his role as defensive coordinator while also considering former Broncos DC Joe Woods. The Browns are down to Wilks and Woods for the job, Jim Trotter of NFL.com tweets.

This news comes a day after Wade Phillips and ex-Vikings DC George Edwards were believed to be in the mix. But Stefanski looks to have since narrowed the field. He and Woods worked together for eight years in Minnesota, with Woods coaching the Vikings’ defensive backs from 2006-13 — Stefanski’s first eight years with the franchise.

Wilks has spent one season as Browns DC, coming over after a one-and-done tenure as Cardinals head coach. Woods, who replaced Phillips in Denver as Broncos DC in 2017, is currently serving as the 49ers’ pass-game coordinator and secondary coach.

Freddie Kitchens brought Wilks over from Arizona. The Browns improved from 30th to 22nd defensively from Gregg Williams but dropped from 18th to 23rd in defensive DVOA. Wilks, 50, also oversaw the Panthers’ defense in 2017, being promoted after a five-year run as Carolina’s secondary coach.

Woods received the same promotion in Denver, with the Broncos opting to let Phillips walk in 2017 to elevate Woods. While Woods’ two Broncos defenses were solid, the 49ers’ rise from 23rd to second in pass-defense DVOA has obviously been key to the NFC No. 1 seed’s success. The 49ers’ Richard Sherman-led secondary has become a much better unit compared to last season, when Sherman did not play at a Pro Bowl level. Woods also oversaw the Broncos’ dominant No-Fly Zone secondary that helped the team to a championship in 2015, working under Phillips. Woods, 49, has a chance to collect a second Super Bowl ring and may ride that momentum into another DC job.

Raiders To Hire Rod Marinelli

January 14th, 2020 at 5:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Cowboys firing Jason Garrett also displaced longtime defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, but the former Lions head coach landed a new job in Oakland. The Raiders are hiring him as their defensive line coach, Jim Trotter of NFL.com reports (on Twitter).

Marinelli will replace Brentson Buckner, who joined Jon Gruden‘s staff last year. While Buckner helped the Raiders improve on their anemic 2018 sack total (13) and assisted in Oakland’s run defense climbing from 30th in 2018 to eighth this season, he will be in search of a new gig.

Gruden worked with Marinelli in Tampa, keeping Tony Dungy‘s former D-line coach on as Buccaneers assistant head coach from 2002-05. While Marinelli is best known for his three-year Lions tenure ending in the NFL’s first 0-16 season, the now-70-year-old coach oversaw top-16 scoring defenses in each of his six years as Cowboys defensive coordinator. Marinelli will now work with Gruden and returning defensive coordinator Paul Guenther in Las Vegas.

Marinelli did well to help DeMarcus Lawrence become a high-end pass rusher and will be tasked with elevating No. 4 overall pick Clelin Ferrell. Buckner did well to coax fourth-round rookie Maxx Crosby into a key pressure artist, with the Eastern Michigan product leading the Raiders with 10 sacks. Ferrell finished with 4.5.

Panthers To Hire LSU’s Joe Brady As OC

January 14th, 2020 at 4:41pm CST by Sam Robinson

Joe Burrow‘s transcendent season may well have opened the door to a major opportunity for LSU’s passing-game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Joe Brady has informed people Tuesday he plans to join Matt Rhule‘s Panthers staff, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This move will make Brady the Panthers’ new offensive coordinator, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic tweets.

The Panthers were linked to the 30-year-old LSU assistant for their offensive coordinator role recently. Brady agreed to an LSU extension, but that deal will not stand to impede a return to the NFL. This would mark a return to the NFL for Brady, who served as a Saints offensive assistant from 2017-18.

Originally linked to an OC role if Ravens DC Don “Wink” Martindale landed a coaching job, Brady will instead follow Rhule to Charlotte and become the NFL’s youngest active OC. Brady’s stay at LSU produced one of the most dominant seasons in college football history, with Burrow throwing an astounding 60 touchdown passes (against only six interceptions). Not traditionally known for their passing attack despite employing some top-flight receiver prospects, LSU stampeded through a brutal schedule to a national championship.

The Tigers’ wideouts thrived under Brady, with both Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson eclipsing 1,500 yards. Chase, a potential 2021 first-round pick, caught 20 touchdown passes. Jefferson, who is eligible for the 2020 draft, was not far behind with 18. Neither Odell Beckham Jr. nor Jarvis Landry surpassed 10 TDs in a season with the Tigers. Twelve more than any Division I-FBS quarterback threw this season, Burrow’s 60 TD passes would have ranked second to any LSU quarterback’s career total.

This will represent a big jump for Brady, who has never been a coordinator at any level. Prior to joining Sean Payton‘s staff three years ago, the former William & Mary wide receiver’s highest coaching rank was as a Penn State graduate assistant. He is now expected to be Carolina’s second coordinator from the college ranks, joining former Baylor DC Phil Snow.

Ravens Notes: Carr, Skura, Pierce

January 14th, 2020 at 3:46pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the Ravens as they get set for the offseason ahead:

Ravens defensive back Brandon Carr told reporters that the “ball is in [the Ravens’] court” when asked about his future (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Jamison Hensley). Carr, 34 in May, is under contact for 2020, but the Ravens can create $6MM by releasing him. For his part, Carr wants to return – he called the 2019 season one of the “best rides” of his 12-year career. Carr has not missed a single game since 2008 and has started in every appearance. The durable veteran finished out 2019 with two sacks, 49 tackles, and six passes defensed.
Ravens center Matt Skura, who is on crutches after knee surgery, said there is no timetable on his return (Twitter link via Hensley). After tearing his his ACL, PCL and MCL, he hopes to be back for training camp.
Interior defensive lineman Michael Pierce is headed towards unrestricted free agency, but he hopes to return to the Ravens in 2020 (Twitter link via Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic). Pierce, 27, is due for a raise after starting in 14 games for Baltimore in 2019.

Antonio Gates Announces Retirement

January 14th, 2020 at 2:12pm CST by Zachary Links

Antonio Gates is calling it a career. On Tuesday, the Chargers legend announced his retirement from the NFL.

“I never dreamed that I would play this game of football so long or how fortunate I would be to play it with just one organization,” the tight end said. “I want to thank the Chargers organization, the National Football League, Dean Spanos and the Spanos family for the opportunity to live out a dream and play the game I love.”

Gates, 39, did not suit up last year. Before that, he spent 16 straight seasons with the Chargers and built a reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous tight ends.

Between 2004 and 2011, Gates racked up eight straight Pro Bowl nods and three First-Team All-Pro selections. He topped 1,100 receiving yards twice (2005 and 2009) and flirted with the 1,000-yard mark in 2004, 2006, and 2007. He gave opposing defenses fits in his 30s, too. In 2013, in his age-33 season, he caught 77 passes for 872 yards.

Gates was a star on Kent State’s basketball team, but did not play football in college. When scouts told him he was too small to play power forward in the NBA, the 6’4″ athlete set his sights on the NFL. The Chargers signed him as as undrafted free agent in 2003 and he managed to go from third-stringer to starter as a rookie.

After tallying 955 receptions, 11,841 yards, and 116 touchdowns, Gates is walking away from the sport. He’ll become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023 and, in all likelihood, enter Canton as a first-ballot nominee.

Iowa’s A.J. Epenesa Enters Draft

January 14th, 2020 at 10:17am CST by Zachary Links

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa is going pro. On Tuesday, the top pass rusher announced that he’ll skip his senior season and enter the 2020 NFL Draft.

Epenesa is widely projected to be a first-round pick and could very well land in the Top 10. Ohio State’s Chase Young ranks as everyone’s top edge rusher, but after that, Epenesa figures to be the second defensive end taken in April.

Epenesa boasts serious power and block-shedding ability at 6’6″ and 280 pounds. This year, he notched 11.5 sacks and 15 tackles for a loss, cementing his status as one of the best at his position.

The Buccaneers, who pick at No. 14 overall, could represent Epenesa’s floor. Epenesa could help the Bucs replace Shaquil Barrett if he signs a lucrative free agent deal elsewhere. Or, better yet, the Bucs could retain Barrett and slot Epenesa in at the other bookend to bolster their pass rush.

Latest On Antonio Brown

January 14th, 2020 at 10:01am CST by Zachary Links

Antonio Brown shared a disturbing video on social media this week that could be yet another barrier in his quest to return to the NFL. In the live broadcast (NSFW, profanity) Brown is seen yelling at the mother of one of his children and police, with kids present.

The Saints passed on signing Brown after working him out in late December. Later, Brown accused the Saints of auditioning him as a publicity stunt. It’s fair to say the Saints were not wild about the PR backlash of meeting with Brown, who came to the workout with a full camera crew in tow.

Brown’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, continues to insist that teams are interested, though they are waiting for the NFL’s investigation to wrap before signing him. This latest social media outburst probably won’t speed up the process, nor will it garner sympathy from the league office.

Brown has caught 841 passes for 11,253 yards over the course of his ten-year career, which includes seven Pro Bowl appearances. At this rate, he might never add to that stat sheet again.

Giants Interview Mike Shula

January 14th, 2020 at 9:02am CST by Zachary Links

New Giants head coach Joe Judge interviewed incumbent offensive coordinator Mike Shula for the same job on his staff, sources tell Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Shula was the Giants’ OC for the last two years under Pat Shurmur and he’ll have a chance to stick under Judge.

[Poll: Which NFL Team Made The Best HC Hire?]

Shula helped in the development of quarterback Daniel Jones, who showed promise at times in 2019. On the other hand, the Giants offense has struggled as a whole during Shula’s tenure and the club went 9-23 over the last two seasons.

Over the weekend, Judge hired Patrick Graham away from the Dolphins to serve as his defensive coordinator and assistant head coach. We also recently learned that Judge’s deal with the G-Men is for five years – they hope he’ll last the full length of the contract, since the Giants’ last couple of coaches only lasted two years.

Poll: Which NFL Team Made The Best Hire?

January 14th, 2020 at 8:48am CST by Zachary Links

This year’s head coaching cycle came and went in a flash. The Redskins, Cowboys, Panthers, and Giants moved quickly to find their new sideline leaders and the Browns weren’t far behind as they filled their vacancy on January 11th.

Now that the dust has settled, we want your take on the best hire of the bunch:

Ron Rivera, Redskins: The Panthers axed Rivera in early December, just before he could finish his ninth season at the helm. Quickly, the Redskins identified him as their top target to take over for interim head coach Bill Callahan, who had been holding down the fort since Jay Gruden‘s midseason dismissal. The Panthers struggled in 2019 without one-time MVP Cam Newton under center, but Rivera comes to D.C. with an impressive resume that includes four playoff appearances, three NFC South titles, and a Super Bowl appearance. The Redskins, meanwhile, haven’t been to the big game since their Super Bowl XXVI victory over the Bills following the 1991 season. Or, to put it another way – more than five years before quarterback Dwayne Haskins was born.

Mike McCarthy, Cowboys: During the season, many speculated that the Cowboys would make a splash by luring former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer out of retirement. Instead, once the Cowboys finally fired Jason Garrett, they restricted their search to experienced NFL head coaches. Only two candidates formally interviewed for the job and McCarthy got the nod over longtime Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. McCarthy clashed with Aaron Rodgers down the stretch in Green Bay, but he’s also credited with grooming him into one of the league’s top quarterbacks. The Cowboys are hopeful that McCarthy can have a similar impact on Dak Prescott’s development.

Matt Rhule, Panthers: The Panthers backed up a Brinks truck to hire former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule. Rhule is credited with turning around the Baylor program and, before that, the Temple program. Despite his lack of pro experience, teams have been eyeing him for the last couple of years. He was also hot during the last cycle, but a would-be deal with the Jets was nixed when Gang Green insisted on picking his assistants for him. This time around, Rhule had all the leverage he needed to get full control over his staff, and a lucrative contract that could pay him anywhere between $60 and $70MM.

Joe Judge, Giants: The Giants were infatuated with Rhule, but they were only willing to go so far. They were also blown away by Judge, who previously served as the Patriots’ special teams coach. Judge didn’t have the household name value of other candidates, but the Giants see him as someone who can handle the New York press and get the most out of young QB Daniel Jones.

Kevin Stefanski, Browns: Stefanski joined the Vikings in 2006 and climbed the ladder to become the team’s offensive coordinator midway through the 2018 season. In 2019, Stefanski’s first full season at the helm, the Vikings ranked as a top-10 offense in points while the the trio of Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison, and Mike Boone cracked the top six in rushing yards and touchdowns. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins turned in one of his best seasons yet. The Browns have one of the game’s most promising young QBs in Baker Mayfield and a talented backfield group, so they saw Stefanski as a perfect fit, even though the Vikings came up short in the round.

Cast your vote below (link for app users) and back up your choice in the comments.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/13/20

January 13th, 2020 at 9:09pm CST by Rory Parks

The only minor transactions today (not including reserve/futures deals) belong to the Falcons:

Atlanta Falcons

Waived off reserve/injured list: TE Alex Gray, DT Ra’Shede Hageman

Hageman, whom the Falcons selected in the second round of the 2014 draft, hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since 2016. He signed a one-year pact with Atlanta in April, but he was slapped with a two-game suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, and he was waived/injured off of the reserve/suspended list in September.

From 2014-16, Hageman accumulated four sacks and 62 total tackles.