HEADLINES

Month: September 2024

NFC East Notes: Giants, Judge, Cowboys

January 9th, 2020 at 7:08pm CST by Ben Levine

Before signing a whopping seven-year, $60MM+ deal with the Panthers, coach Matt Rhule asked if the Giants were willing to match the offer. The organization ultimately passed, and co-owner John Mara said the team wasn’t comfortable paying that kind of money for a first-time NFL coach.

“For a new head coach in the NFL, I just didn’t think that was a reasonable way to go,” Mara told SNY’s Ralph Vacchiano (Twitter link). The executive noted that the organization was also already excited about the prospect of hiring Joe Judge.

We heard yesterday that the Giants asked Rhule to meet with them in person, but Rhule pressed for a more definitive answer. When the Giants informed him that they would not match on the money or length of the deal, Rhule cancelled his Giants interview and accepted the Panthers offer, out of fear that owner David Tepper would pivot to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

Let’s check out some more notes out of the NFC East…

  • Speaking of Judge, when Mara first met with the former Patriots ST coordinator, he wasn’t “really expecting all that much because I didn’t really know him” (via Vacchiano on Twitter). When asked if Judge was on Mara’s initial list of candidates, the executive gave a candid response: “If you asked me a week ago, 10 days ago, I would have said it probably would have been a long shot.”
  • Texas associate head coach and run game coordinator Stan Drayton was scheduled to meet with the Cowboys today, as ESPN’s Todd Archer passes along. Drayton does have a connection to the offense, as he coached Ezekiel Elliott back at Ohio State. The 48-year-old also previously served as the Bears running back coach. Archer adds that running backs coach Gary Brown could still return to the organization.
  • In case you missed it, former Redskins’ senior VP of player personnel Doug Williams will now serve as senior vice president of player development. The organization also parted ways with football operations vice president Eric Schaffer.

Redskins Rearrange Front Office

January 9th, 2020 at 4:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ron Rivera continues to make changes in Washington. In addition to the Redskins parting ways with football operations vice president Eric Schaffer, they will reassign another key front office executive.

Previously working as the Redskins’ senior VP of player personnel, Doug Williams will move out of a personnel role but stay with the team. Williams will now work as the Redskins’ senior vice president of player development, reporting to Rivera.

The former Super Bowl MVP played a key role in shaping recent Redskins rosters, doing so under Bruce Allen as the franchise separated from GM Scot McCloughan. But Rivera and a to-be-determined GM (who will likely be hired after the draft) will now be atop the team’s decision-making structure. Former Panthers exec Rob Rogers will be in that picture as well.

Rogers will join the Redskins as their senior VP of football administration. Rogers handled negotiations for the Panthers and managed the cap; he was with the franchise for all 25 years of its existence. Also heading up the Panthers’ analytics department, Rogers marks an interesting addition to the Redskins given his lengthy tenure in Charlotte.

Washington’s plan did not initially include parting ways with Schaffer, whom Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports was being tabbed to remain a key front office presence (Twitter link). However, that was contingent on Rivera being comfortable working with the 17-year Redskins exec. Schaffer will likely be with another team soon.

The Redskins are also promoting Malcolm Blacken to senior director of player development, where he’ll work with Williams, per ESPN.com’s John Keim (on Twitter). Blacken served as the Redskins’ director of player development for six years; Rivera will keep him in a familiar capacity.

Panthers Eyeing Phil Snow For DC Role

January 9th, 2020 at 4:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Matt Rhule‘s move from Waco, Texas, to Charlotte will likely result in another coach making the same trip. Rhule has identified Baylor defensive coordinator Phil Snow for the same role with the Panthers, Joe Person of The Athletic tweets.

This prospect surfaced earlier this week, when it looked like the Giants were the better bet to hire Rhule. But now, it will be the Panthers who will be expected to bring the 64-year-old Baylor DC to head up their defense.

Snow has served as defensive coordinator for eight college programs dating back to the early 1980s. He’s been DC at UCLA, Washington, Arizona State and worked with Rhule as the Temple and Baylor defensive boss. Baylor’s defense ranked 19th nationally this past season. In Rhule’s final season at Temple, in 2016, the Owls’ defense ranked third nationally.

Snow first became a Division I-FBS defensive coordinator with Boise State in 1983. His NFL experience came on Steve Mariucci and Rod Marinelli‘s Lions staffs from 2005-08. He served as Marinelli’s linebackers coach from 2006-08.

In addition to Snow, Rhule has been linked to Lions quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan as his offensive coordinator. That move also is not yet official. Baylor linebackers coach Mike Siravo is also a candidate to join Rhule’s defensive staff in Charlotte, per Person.

Mark Ingram Expected To Play In Divisional Round

January 9th, 2020 at 2:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

After missing the first two Ravens practices this week, Mark Ingram worked out in a limited capacity Thursday. The Ravens expect their starting running back to play against the Titans on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.

A calf strain sidelined Ingram in Week 16. He joined select Baltimore starters in sitting for Week 17 but was practicing during the team’s bye week. However, a setback during those workouts shelved the ninth-year veteran for much of this week’s practices.

Ingram returning certainly represents good news for the AFC’s top seed. The Ravens running back gained 1,018 yards in his age-30 season, joining Lamar Jackson in spearheading the team’s record-setting ground attack. Jackson, Ingram and Gus Edwards each surpassed 700 yards this season. It is not clear if Ingram will receive a full workload against the Titans, making Edwards a potentially bigger factor in the game plan.

The longtime Saints back signed a three-year, $15.5MM contract in March and rewarded the Ravens on their investment in Year 1 of the deal. Ingram played in 15 games, surpassed 100 rushing yards four times and scored a career-high 15 touchdowns. This 1,000-yard season (5.0 per carry) was Ingram’s third over the past four seasons.

Eagles To Consider Jim Caldwell, Kevin O’Connell For OC Job?

January 9th, 2020 at 2:17pm CST by Sam Robinson

Searching for a new offensive coordinator for the second time in three years, the Eagles are likely to look outside the organization to replace Mike Groh. Candidates with disparate backgrounds are emerging.

Former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell and 2019 Redskins OC Kevin O’Connell have surfaced as candidates, Tim McManus of ESPN.com tweets.

Doug Pederson canned Groh despite the Eagles’ late-season showing with a skeleton-crew offense, and with the team not preparing to promote quarterbacks coach Press Taylor, it opens the door to the prospect of an outside hire taking over. The Eagles do, however, have Duce Staley in place as assistant head coach and running backs instructor. He could conceivably be a candidate, though the team opted to promote Groh over him for the post Frank Reich vacated two years ago.

After the Lions fired Caldwell following a four-year tenure, he resurfaced in Miami on Brian Flores‘ staff. But a medical issue forced the 64-year-old coach to take a leave of absence shortly after accepting that role. Caldwell, however, received clearance to resume coaching recently. He has seven seasons’ worth of experience as HC — one of those producing an AFC championship season in Indianapolis — and was promoted to Ravens OC late in their 2012 Super Bowl season.

The Redskins opted to reunite Ron Rivera with Scott Turner, the latter replacing O’Connell as their offensive coordinator. Like Groh, O’Connell dealt with an ever-changing offensive core. But Washington ranked 30th in offensive DVOA last season. Still, O’Connell has been connected to the Browns and Rams, with the Cleveland connection potentially hinging on whether the franchise hires Josh McDaniels.

Redskins, Eric Schaffer Part Ways

January 9th, 2020 at 1:55pm CST by Zachary Links

The Redskins and Senior VP of Football Operations Eric Schaffer have agreed to mutually part ways, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Schaffer spent nearly two decades with the club and was initially expected to stay, even after the hiring of Ron Rivera and the departure of Bruce Allen. 

Schaffer is well-respected around the league and Rapoport hears that he has already garnered interest from several other teams. Known to be an ace negotiator and a salary cap guru, he probably won’t be out of work for long.

Even Mike McCartney, the agent for Kirk Cousins, was quick to lavish Schaffer with praise after word broke:

“Schaffer will be a terrific asset to whichever NFL team hires him,” McCartney tweeted.

In other Redskins news, Rivera hired old friend Scott Turner to be his offensive coordinator earlier this week.

Falcons Coach Mike Mularkey Retires

January 9th, 2020 at 1:13pm CST by Zachary Links

Falcons tight ends coach Mike Mularkey has announced his retirement from the NFL. Mularkey’s NFL coaching career dates all the way back to 1994, including turns as the head coach of the Bills and Jaguars.

“I’ve been blessed to do this for a long time and have a lot of great memories from the game I love,” Mularkey said. “I’ve also missed a lot of time with my family who I love and who has supported me so much throughout my career. I am looking forward to spending even more time with them and making even more memories.”

Mularkey helped guide Falcons tight end Austin Hooper to a breakthrough season in 2019, which included 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns. This was Mularkey’s second run with the team – the first time around, he served as their offensive coordinator from 2008 through 2011. In three of those four seasons, the Falcons reached the playoffs.

“What an awesome career for Mike,” head coach Dan Quinn said. “When you look back at his 25-year coaching career, you’ll not only see a great coach, but you’ll also see an unbelievable human being and leader. Mike has been a great asset for our organization and for me personally. We wish he and his family well and congratulate him on a well-deserved retirement.”

 

Eagles Fire OC Mike Groh

January 9th, 2020 at 11:32am CST by Zachary Links

The Eagles have fired offensive coordinator Mike Groh, according to a team announcement. The club also canned wide receivers coach Carson Walch, giving them multiple openings to address on the staff. 

“After much consideration and discussion, I have decided to make a change at the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach positions. It was not an easy decision for me to make and I appreciate everything that Mike Groh and Carson Walch contributed to the organization and to my staff. As I said yesterday, they were a big part of our success down the stretch this past season. This is one of the most difficult parts of the job and something that weighs on me, but ultimately I have to make decisions that I believe are in the best interest of the football team moving forward,” head coach Doug Pederson said.

Previously, Pederson indicated that both coaches would return for 2020. But, after meeting with each of them, he’s opted to make a change.

Groh took over as offensive coordinator in 2018 after Frank Reich left for the Colts’ head coaching job. When Groh moved up, Walch took over his former post as wide receivers coach. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much to work with this year as injuries decimated their WR group. Regardless, Pederson wanted to go in a different direction.

Quarterbacks coach Press Taylor, who drew some OC interest last year, would be a logical candidate for the job, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com tweets. The Eagles are one of three NFL teams with definitive OC vacancies, joining the Bears and Panthers. The Browns, Giants, and Panthers may also be in the hunt for new coordinators in the coming days.

49ers To Activate Kwon Alexander

January 9th, 2020 at 11:05am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers will activate Kwon Alexander for Saturday’s divisional round game against the Vikings, according to Matt Maiocco of NBCSportsBayArea.com. Still, it remains to be seen how much he’ll play.

When healthy, Alexander is an every-down linebacker for the Niners. However, he’s just nine weeks removed from pec surgery and only just returned to practice last week.

“I know Kwon will fly around,” coach Kyle Shanahan said. “He’ll hit. He’ll be energetic. He’ll get everyone going. I think everyone will feel his energy on the field. And we’ll see how it goes. We’re not going to throw him out there, just down-in and down-out. But we don’t have a plan, where it’s only going to be ‘this’ amount. He’s looked good in practice, but we’re also not laying people out in practice.”

Without Alexander in the second half of the season, the Niners used rookie Dre Greenlaw at the weakside linebacker spot. It sounds like Greenlaw will continue to see snaps, but the balance between him, Alexander, and the other LBs will be dependent on Alexander’s effectiveness.

“You got to wait to see how the tackling goes and how he feels,” Shanahan said. “(He is) someone we’ll be communicating with throughout the game.”

Alexander is undoubtedly eager to play. Even before the pec tear, the linebacker missed 14 games between the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

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