George Godsey

Jets Notes: QBs, Godsey, Staff, Enunwa

January 29th, 2017 at 9:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Jets finished in third place in terms of impact hires today, naming Saints wide receivers coach John Morton as their new OC, here’s the latest coming out of their headquarters.

Former Texans OC George Godsey is not expected to be a candidate to fill the Jets’ quarterback coach position, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports. Godsey was on Bill O’Brien‘s Penn State staff before following the coach to Houston, initially helping recruit Christian Hackenberg to Happy Valley, Pa. But the Jets will not be following the Broncos’ lead by hiring the second-place finisher in their OC derby to instruct the QBs. The Broncos hired Bill Musgrave to coach its quarterbacks just after naming Mike McCoy OC.
The hiring of Morton will likely be the signal the Jets’ 2017 starting quarterback isn’t on the roster yet, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv notes. The 47-year-old assistant has never called plays in his six years in the NFL, the first four coming as Jim Harbaugh‘s receivers coach in San Francisco before relocating to New Orleans. Sources told Vacchiano the Jets aren’t expected to go into the 2017 season with Bryce Petty or Hackenberg as the Week 1 starter, and the writer notes Morton having to install a new scheme while getting one of the prospects ready for immediate game action could be too much for a first-time OC.
Gang Green hired former Browns defensive line coach Robert Nunn to work in the same capacity, Mehta reports. Nunn comprised part of since-fired DC Ray Horton‘s staff in Cleveland. He will replace Pepper Johnson with the Jets. Nunn coached the Giants’ defensive line under Perry Fewell, being in charge of the group that deployed the NASCAR package en route to the Super Bowl XLVI title.
Quincy Enunwa missed out on a $1.2MM bonus due to a technicality, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes. The NFL released the Proven Performance Escalator figures last week, only the Jets’ slot target was not included even though he met the requirements on the surface. These bonuses are for players drafted in Rounds 3- 7 who played in at least 35 percent of a team’s snaps. Enunwa, a sixth-round pick in 2014, surpassed that threshold but didn’t collect his bonus due to the fact the Jets cut him in 2014 only to re-sign him at the end of that season. Enunwa being on his second contract negated this substantial bonus. Enunwa will enter a contract year in 2017.

AFC Notes: Colts, Bills, Jets, Jones

January 25th, 2017 at 2:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

While the Colts are set for a front-office transition, they are set to return most of their offensive coaching staff, with one exception. The Bills’ previous wide receivers coach, Sanjay Lal, will make the move to Indianapolis to work in the same capacity, Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). Lal coached Buffalo’s wideouts for two seasons. Between 2009-14, he worked with the Raiders’ and Jets’ receiving corps. Lal replaces Lee Hull, whom the team dismissed.

Aside from that switch, the Colts will return OC Rob Chudzinski‘s staff. Former Dolphins HC Joe Philbin will remain in charge of Indianapolis’ offensive line, Quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer will return as well. Although, no such assurances are made to this staff beyond the 2017 season, and per Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star, the assistants are exhibiting a sense of relief at the Senior Bowl that Ryan Grigson‘s firing did not come with a sizable staff shakeup.

Here’s more from the AFC.

Jim Irsay continues to consult with former Colts GM Bill Polian, per Holder, about the search to replace Grigson. Holder isn’t certain the Hall of Fame executive will sit in on the interviews, but it’s clear he’s functioning as a sounding board for his former boss.
When Doug Whaley listed some of the Bills‘ free agents, he categorized three players (Stephon Gilmore, Robert Woods and RFA punter Colton Schmidt) as starters before pointing to the other 25 players in that grouping as performers brought in for depth purposes. “The rest of those guys, we brought in for backup depth purposes and they’ve played extremely well, and that’s a compliment to our pro personnel department,” Whaley said, via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. “But we feel we have confidence that we can get a lot of those guys back on extended contracts.” Mike Rodak of ESPN.com points out UFAs like Lorenzo Alexander, right tackle Jordan Mills and Zach Brown enhanced their value this season (Twitter links) and won’t likely be regarded as depth players once they hit free agency. Rodak (via Twitter) also doesn’t see Alexander, used as an outside linebacker in Rex Ryan‘s 3-4 scheme, as a fit in Doug McDermott‘s 4-3.
The Jets are almost certainly set for some type of negotiation with Darrelle Revis about reducing his contract, but should he return in 2017, a transition to safety is in play. New Jets secondary coach Dennard Wilson said he “wouldn’t think it would be a problem” for Revis to take up playing on the back line, per Connor Hughes of NJ.com. Wilson demurred when asked whether he wants Revis on the 2017 team. The Jets can save $9MM by cutting Revis before the second day of the new league year but will incur a $6MM dead-money hit — one that would be alleviated, due to offset language, if Revis lands elsewhere.
Gang Green has done “extensive homework” on former Texans OC George Godsey, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Rapoport views Godsey, who mutually parted ways with the Texans after the team’s divisional-round loss to the Patriots, as a strong candidate to succeed Chan Gailey.
One of the Jets’ considerations with their No. 6 overall pick will be North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com notes. However, Pauline said upon discussions at the Senior Bowl that labeling the Jets as being infatuated with the early-entry Tar Heels talent may be a bit overblown, noting the Jets are part of a “pack of teams” at the top of the draft considering Trubisky.
Adam Jones could face a suspension next season after his profanity-laced tirade against police officers was captured on video. The Bengals cornerback issued an apology statement, via the Associated Press, following the franchise’s apology. Jones will be set for his age-34 season next year, which doubles as the second year of his latest Bengals contract.

Jets Interested In George Godsey, John Morton

January 24th, 2017 at 8:36am CST by Connor J. Byrne

Just over a week after he and the Texans parted ways, offensive coordinator George Godsey is drawing interest from the Jets, reports Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. New York, which is looking for a successor to retired O-coordinator Chan Gailey, could interview Godsey at the Senior Bowl as early as Tuesday, per Cimini. The club also has Saints wide receivers coach John Morton on its radar.

It has been exactly three weeks since the embattled Gailey stepped down, but the Jets haven’t made much progress in finding a replacement. They previously targeted Mike McCoy, but he took Denver’s coordinator job, as well as Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and Broncos running backs Eric Studesville. Those two aren’t leaving their current organizations, however, and the same seems likely for another coach the Jets have eyed, Chiefs co-OC Matt Nagy.

Godsey, meanwhile, is looking for work and would bring two years’ experience as a coordinator to the Jets. The 38-year-old had little to work with under center in Houston, whose offense struggled on his watch, and lost play-calling duties last September to head coach Bill O’Brien. As he did with the Texans, Godsey would have to deal with a less-than-ideal quarterback situation if he were to end up with the Jets. The team’s only options heading into the offseason are Christian Hackenberg and Bryce Petty. That means the Jets will have to hit the jackpot on a signal-caller either through free agency or the draft, in which they’ll pick sixth.

Unlike Godsey, Morton has no play-calling experience at the NFL level, but he was USC’s offensive coordinator under Pete Carroll in 2009 and Lane Kiffin from 2010-11. He then jumped to the pros, where he has coached wideouts with the 49ers and Saints over the past six seasons. Under Morton’s stewardship in 2016, the Saints had three receivers finish with at least 70 catches and 895 yards. One of those players, Michael Thomas, piled up 92 receptions, 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns as a second-round rookie.

Texans, OC George Godsey Agree To Part Ways

January 16th, 2017 at 4:06pm CST by Ben Levine

Following the team’s season-ending loss to the Patriots this weekend, the Texans are starting to make some changes. According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 in Houston (via Twitter), the organization and offensive coordinator George Godsey have “mutually agreed to part ways.”

“I’m grateful for the tireless work ethic and contributions George has made to our team over the last three years,” head coach Bill O’Brien said in a statement (via Berman on Twitter). “I wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

After starting his career with Central Florida and the Patriots, the 38-year-old spent that past three seasons in the Texans’ organization, and he spent the past two years as the team’s offensive coordinator. The Texans offense was average in 2015, but that wasn’t necessarily a reflection on Godsey. The coordinator was forced to use four different starting quarterbacks during that campaign, including Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates, and Brandon Weeden. Despite the inconsistency at quarterback, the squad still managed to finish 19th in the league in total offensive yards and 21st for offensive points.

Following the offseason signing of quarterback Brock Osweiler, there was optimism that the Texans offense would take another step forward in 2016. That wasn’t the case. The offense finished with the fourth-fewest yards in the league, and most of the blame could be attributed to the performance of the quarterback. Osweiler finished the season with 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. His 2,957 passing yards was the fewest in the NFL among quarterback’s with at least 500 attempts, and the 26-year-old was benched for Tom Savage late in the season. As a result of the Texans weak passing game, the team’s wideouts predictably suffered. Star receiver DeAndre Hopkins ultimately finished the season with 78 receptions, 954 yards, and four scores – his lowest totals since his rookie season.

Of course, there was some positive to take out of the Texans 2016 offensive performance. The team finished with 1,859 rushing yards, the eighth-best mark in the league (although they did finish 19th in yards-per-carry). Lamar Miller also had a bounce-back season in Houston, rushing for 1,073 yards and five touchdowns.

Texans Take Play Calling Duties From Godsey

September 30th, 2016 at 9:59am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans have taken play-calling duties away from offensive coordinator George Godsey, as Mark Berman of FOX 26 tweets. Head coach Bill O’Brien will now call the plays.

O’Brien called the Texans’ plays when he joined the team in 2014. Last year, he handed those responsibilities to Godsey when he was bumped up from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator.

Godsey remains on staff, but this probably doesn’t bode well for his long-term job security in Houston. The Texans are understandably frustrated with their offensive production, especially considering the money spent on new quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller. Big things were expected from the Texans’ offense this year but, through three weeks, they have looked pretty flat. The 27-0 shutout at the hands of the Patriots last Thursday likely spurred this week’s big change.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

South Notes: Stewart, Panthers, Texans

June 8th, 2015 at 9:30pm CST by Zachary Links

When the Panthers released their all-time leading rusher DeAngelo Williams, it paved the way for Jonathan Stewart to become the team’s undisputed featured running back for the first time in eight years, as Steve Reed of The Associated Press writes. His teammates believe that he’s up for the task.

“We saw last year that as he got more and more reps, the better he got,” tight end Greg Olsen said. “He’s so talented. You forget that he’s just unbelievable. When he gets rolling he’s as good as there is in the league. He’s so big and strong.”

Here’s more from the AFC and NFC South..

The Texans have reached out to former center Chris Myers about returning to the team, according to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (on Twitter). Myers will consider multiple options before deciding, however.
Olsen says that playing with Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been “great for his career,” as David Newton of ESPN.com writes. Last week, Newton signed a five-year extension that will make him a member of the Panthers through 2020.
Texans head coach Bill O’Brien announced that the team’s promotion of George Godsey to offensive coordinator is now official, Tania Ganguli of ESPN.com tweets. Godsey was previously slotted in as the team’s quarterbacks coach.
When asked about whether tackle David Quessenberry could play this year, O’Brien said, “This season is a possibility. I would not rule it out,” according to Ganguli (on Twitter). the former sixth-rounder has been battling with lymphoma and, fortunately, appears to have made a great recovery. The Texans lineman announced in February that he was in remission.
The Saints have added former Jets director of pro personnel Brendan Prophett to their scouting staff, a source tells Nick Underhill of The Advocate. Prophett has not yet been assigned an area that he will scout.

Texans To Promote George Godsey To OC

March 24th, 2015 at 2:52pm CST by Luke Adams

Having gone without an offensive coordinator during Bill O’Brien‘s first year in Houston, the Texans will officially name someone to the position for the 2015 season. According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter), quarterbacks coach George Godsey will get a promotion, receiving the OC title from the club. Godsey and O’Brien served as the Texans’ de facto offensive coordinators in 2014.

O’Brien brought Godsey over with him to Houston from New England when he was hired as the Texans’ head coach in 2014. Before he was named the team’s QBs coach last year, Godsey was an offensive assistant and tight ends coach for the Patriots.

Incredibly, Godsey will become the 15th new offensive coordinator in the NFL this offseason, meaning nearly half the teams in the league have made changes at the position. Of those 15 new OCs, five – including Godsey – have been in-house promotions rather than outside hires.

Our full recap of 2015’s major coaching changes can be found right here.