Footballguys #266 - 1/13 - News & Notes From Around The League

To unsubscribe {EMAIL} from these mailings, click [here](. --- [Footballguys.com]( Volume 19, #266 -- Saturday Night, January 13th, 2018 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, Welcome to Sunday. We've got some of the News and Notes you need so let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [SEA - Seattle expected to hire Brian Schottenheimer](#1) 2. [OAK - Tom Cable joins Oakland's coaching staff](#2) 3. [PIT - WR Antonio Brown at walk-through Saturday](#3) 4. [HOU - Bill O'Brien receives contract extension](#4) 5. [MIN - QB Sam Bradford activated for Divisional Round](#5) 6. [OAK - Oakland to hire Edgar Bennett](#6) 7. [CLE - Cleveland has talked with RB Brock Olivo](#7) 8. [PHI - RB Jay Ajayi effective in divisional clash](#8) 9. [NFL - WR Calvin Johnson not coming back](#9) 10. [ATL - WR Julio Jones surpasses 100-yard mark](#10) 11. [PHI - QB Nick Foles held without a TD in division game](#11) 12. [ATL - RB Devonta Freeman more involved as receiver](#12) 13. [MIA - Terrell Williams will not return](#13) 14. [PHI - John DeFilippo may not return](#14) 15. [DAL - Gary Brown expected to stay in Dallas](#15) 16. [HOU - Brian Gaine named Houston GM](#16) 17. [CHI - WR Mike Furrey hired](#17) 18. [NYG - NYG narrows head coaching search to three](#18) 19. [NYG - Eric Studesville no longer under consideration](#19) 20. [NYG - Steve Spagnuolo no longer under consideration](#20) 21. [NYG - Steve Wilks out of running for NYG job](#21) 22. [NFL - Mason Rudolph part of Senior Bowl](#22) 23. [PHI - RB Darren Sproles begins running](#23) 24. [BUF - Mike McCoy not headed to Buffalo](#24) 25. [DAL - Jonathan Cooper has knee surgery](#25) 26. [NFL - QB Josh Freeman headed to CFL](#26) 27. [DEN - WR Demaryius Thomas' spot in jeopardy?](#27) 28. [DEN - Denver linked to Baker Mayfield](#28) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [SEA - Seattle expected to hire Brian Schottenheimer](=) Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter The Seattle Seahawks are expected to hire Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks coach Brian Schottenheimer as their new offensive coordinator, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Schottenheimer has worked as the Colts QB coach over the last two years. He's been an offensive coordinator with the Rams, Jets and University of Georgia. Schottenheimer will need to find a way to get more offense around QB Russell Wilson. That should begin with a revamped rushing attack. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [OAK - Tom Cable joins Oakland's coaching staff]( Source: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport The Oakland Raiders hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable to the same post Saturday, Jan. 13. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Cable goes back to the Raiders as he was their head coach from 2008 to 2010. The Seahawks offensive line was a woeful unit, but the lack of talent really hampered what Cable was able to do. He's got a good working relationship with RB Marshawn Lynch from their days together in Seattle. The Raiders are looking for an attitude adjustment under star head coach Jon Gruden. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PIT - WR Antonio Brown at walk-through Saturday](=) Source: NFL Network - Aditi Kinkhabwala Updating previous reports, Pittsburgh Steelers WR [Antonio Brown]( (calf, illness) participated in a walk-through Saturday, Jan. 13, and 'looked fully healthy' according to a couple of his teammates. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The plan is for Brown to play on Sunday. The calf injury he sustained in Week 15 has gotten three weeks of rest. The illness he's been struggling with late in the week seems to be the larger issue. Some considered Brown a game-time decision for the Divisional Round, but we say he's on the probable side of questionable. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [HOU - Bill O'Brien receives contract extension]( Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport The Houston Texans signed head coach Bill O'Brien to a four-year contract extension Saturday, Jan. 13, according to a source. He is now under contract through the 2022 season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] O'Brien and new GM Brian Gaine are locked in for the next five years. In four seasons, O'Brien has a losing record (31-33) as the Texans head coach. With a healthy Deshaun Watson and plenty of offensive talent, the Texans could get back into the playoffs next season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [MIN - QB Sam Bradford activated for Divisional Round](=) Source: Vikings.com - Craig Peters Minnesota Vikings QB [Sam Bradford]( was activated to the active roster Saturday, Jan. 13, after practicing each of the last two weeks without incident. TE [Kyle Carter]( was waived in a corresponding move. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Vikings now have four quarterbacks on the active roster. Bradford joins starter Case Keenum and backups Teddy Bridgewater and Kyle Sloter on the 53-man roster. We haven't seen Bradford since he re-aggravated his knee injury in Week 5 against the Bears. We'll see if Bradford gets the nod as the primary backup behind Keenum while the Vikings are still in the playoffs. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [OAK - Oakland to hire Edgar Bennett]() Source: ESPN - Chris Mortensen The Oakland Raiders will hire former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett as their new wide receivers coach, according to sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bennett was the Packers WR coach from 2011-2014 before taking over as the offensive coordinator in 2015. The Packers let him go as their coordinator earlier this month and he wasn't out of work for long. Bennett will be tasked with getting the most out of Amari Cooper in 2018 and beyond. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [CLE - Cleveland has talked with RB Brock Olivo]( Source: 9News.com - Mike Klis The Cleveland Browns have interviewed former Denver Broncos special teams coordinator Brock Olivo for their special teams coordinator position. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Olivo's special team unit in Denver was atrocious this year and he was removed after only one season. There was some buzz about him getting interesting from college teams as a head coach. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [PHI - RB Jay Ajayi effective in divisional clash]( Source: CBS Sports Philadelphia Eagles RB [Jay Ajayi]( ran 15 times for 54 yards and caught three passes for 44 yards in a 15-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ajayi lost a fumble early in the game, but he made up for that with the rest of his play. He gets about the same amount of touches per game for the Eagles, and that number did not rise much for the team's first postseason game. We'll see if Ajayi gets a larger role in the NFC Championship Game next week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [NFL - WR Calvin Johnson not coming back]( Source: Sporting News - Alex Marvez Retired WR [Calvin Johnson]( said he is not interested in playing professional football again and is enjoying his time off the field. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Every year (just like with Barry Sanders years ago), we have to check in with Calvin Johnson to see if there's a chance we could see him again. Johnson also said he does not want to be a coach because it would take up too much of his time. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [ATL - WR Julio Jones surpasses 100-yard mark]() Source: NFL.com Atlanta Falcons WR [Julio Jones]( caught nine passes for 101 yards in the Divisional Round playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday, Jan. 13. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jones is the heart and soul of what the Falcons do on offense. He made some tough grabs against the Eagles, and Jones even took on some big hits in order to secure those incoming passes. He put up a valiant effort in a loss to the Eagles. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [PHI - QB Nick Foles held without a TD in division game]( Source: CBSSports.com Philadelphia Eagles QB [Nick Foles]( went 23-for-30 for 246 yards in a 15-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Foles did not score a touchdown, nor was he intercepted. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Foles was very effective as a passer on Saturday. He didn't seem rattled under pressure and made several key throws to keep drives alive (6-of-13 on third downs as a team). Expect a similar game plan for Foles in the NFC Championship Game next week. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [ATL - RB Devonta Freeman more involved as receiver]() Source: NFL.com Atlanta Falcons RB [Devonta Freeman]( caught five passes for 26 yards and one touchdown in the Divisional Round playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles Saturday, Jan. 13. He also rushed for seven yards on 10 carries during the game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Eagles rush defense did a good job of shutting down Freeman. They especially did a good job of stuffing the Falcons rushing attack in the second half. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [MIA - Terrell Williams will not return]( Source: The Miami Herald - Barry Jackson Miami Dolphins defensive line coach Terrell Williams will not return to the team next season, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Williams had been a member of the Dolphins staff for the last three seasons. The Dolphins saw an improved run defense in 2017 with Williams playing a key role in the development of guys up front. However, they didn't generate many sacks (30) this past season. No replacement has been named. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [PHI - John DeFilippo may not return](=) Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo's contract will expire after the season, and he will be allowed to take an assistant coaching job with another team, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Reports indicate the Seahawks were interested in DeFilippo as their new offensive coordinator, but that job may not be open much longer as Brian Schottenheimer is expected to be hired as their new OC. Assistant coaches can be told 'no' if they want to move on to another team, even if that move constitutes a promotion. With no contract for 2018, Filippo can leave the Eagles once they're done in the postseason. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [DAL - Gary Brown expected to stay in Dallas]( Source: ESPNDallas.com - Todd Archer Dallas Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown is expected to remain with the organization, according to multiple sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Brown, a former NFL running back best remembered for his 1,000 yards rushing in eight games season he had back with the Houston Oilers in 1993, gets to continue working with Ezekiel Elliott and a top-notch offensive line. The Houston Texans and Oakland Raiders had expressed interest in him recently. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [HOU - Brian Gaine named Houston GM]( Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Confirming a previous report, the Houston Texans hired Buffalo Bills vice president of player personnel Brian Gaine to be their new general manager Saturday, Jan. 13. He will receive a five-year contract. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Gaine gets the same contract length that head coach Bill O'Brien was extended to recently. He was the Texans Director of Player Personnel before taking a job with the Bills last year. Gaine knows the roster, knows the team and gets to take over a squad with plenty of talent. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [CHI - WR Mike Furrey hired](=) Source: Chicago Tribune - Rich Campbell The Chicago Bears hired former NFL WR [Mike Furrey]( to be their new wide receivers coach Friday, Jan. 12. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Furrey played both wide receiver and safety during his NFL career with teams like the Rams, Lions and Browns. He was most recently the head coach at Limestone College for the last two seasons. Furrey is part of Matt Nagy's new staff, and Furrey will be working to get better production from the position for young QB Mitchell Trubisky. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 18. [NYG - NYG narrows head coaching search to three](=) Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur are considered the three finalists for the New York Giants' head coaching vacancy. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] With those three coaches in the postseason, the Giants are going to have to wait. There appear to be no surprise candidates looming and there is no clear favorite for the job. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 19. [NYG - Eric Studesville no longer under consideration](=) Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz Former Denver Broncos running backs coach and assistant head coach Eric Studesville is no longer being considered for the New York Giants' permanent head coaching job. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Studesville may wind up with the Dolphins as their running backs coach. There is also a possibility that he ends up as an assistant with whatever team Josh McDaniels finds himself coaching. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 20. [NYG - Steve Spagnuolo no longer under consideration](=) Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz New York Giants defensive coordinator and interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo is no longer being considered for the team's permanent head coaching job. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Spagnuolo interviewed for the permanent job after serving as the team's interim head coach but it appears like they're going in a different direction. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 21. [NYG - Steve Wilks out of running for NYG job](=) Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is no longer under consideration for the New York Giants' head coaching vacancy, according to someone with knowledge of the organization's thinking. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Wilks had previous working history with new Giants GM Dave Gettlemen from their days together in Carolina. It appeared like he was a top candidate for the Giants gig, but now Wilks could just stay with the Panthers. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 22. [NFL - Mason Rudolph part of Senior Bowl]() Source: NFL.com Oklahoma State QB Mason Rudolph has accepted an invitation to participate in the 2018 Senior Bowl. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] At 6'5" 235 pounds, Rudolph has the look of a starting NFL quarterback and he could be a second-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Rudolph put up a ton of passing yards in the spread system at Oklahoma State (13,618 career passing yards, 92 career passing touchdowns). We'll see how he processes information and works from under center during the week of practice in Mobile. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 23. [PHI - RB Darren Sproles begins running]( Source: 94WIP Radio Philadelphia Eagles RB [Darren Sproles]( (knee) has resumed running following surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Reports indicate that Sproles is leaning towards playing another year. He'll be a free agent in March, and it will be interesting to see how much interest he gets on the open market. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 24. [BUF - Mike McCoy not headed to Buffalo]() Source: The Buffalo News - Vic Carucci Former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator [Mike McCoy]( will not be hired as the offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Earlier reports indicated that McCoy and Colts OC Rob Chudzinsky were the two top candidates to replace Rick Dennison in Buffalo. Both have ties to the Carolina Panthers as does Bills head coach Sean McDermott. McCoy was fired as the Broncos OC after a season where he thought the team would have a prolific passing game with Trevor Siemian. Instead, the season fell apart and McCoy found himself out of work. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 25. [DAL - Jonathan Cooper has knee surgery]() Source: ESPNDallas.com - Todd Archer Dallas Cowboys OG Jonathan Cooper (knee) had surgery last week to repair his medial collateral ligament. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] He will be a free agent this offseason but is expected to be ready for at least part of offseason activities wherever he signs. Injuries have hampered Cooper since he entered the league as the no7 overall pick (2013) for the Cardinals. He's spent the last two seasons with the Cowboys but has only appeared in 18 games during that time. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 26. [NFL - QB Josh Freeman headed to CFL]( Source: Terre Haute Tribune-Star - Tom James Free-agent QB [Josh Freeman]( (Colts) has signed a two-year deal for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] An interesting move to say the least. A first-round pick of the Buccaneers (2009), Freeman has spent the last two years out of the league. He's got a big arm and could stretch the field in the wide open Canadian game. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 27. [DEN - WR Demaryius Thomas' spot in jeopardy?]() Source: Denver7 Sports - Troy Renck Denver Broncos WR [Demaryius Thomas]( could be asked to restructure his contract or be cut, according to Troy Renck of Denver7 Sports, because of a provision that allows Denver to void the final two years of his contract if his $4 million option bonus is not picked up by the end of the league year on March 14. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We don't think Thomas is going anywhere. With $15 million in dead money, the Broncos will likely restructure his contract before the 2018 season. Thomas is a big part of what the Broncos want to do, and he should get his numbers back on track with the expected upgrade (Kirk Cousins?) at the quarterback position the Broncos will make. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 28. [DEN - Denver linked to Baker Mayfield](=) Source: SI.com - Andy Staples The Denver Broncos coaching staff requested that Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield be placed on their team for the upcoming Senior Bowl, according to Senior Bowl director Phil Savage. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] There's buzz about Mayfield being their favorite quarterback in the 2018 NFL draft. Mayfield has a ton of heart and is an accurate quarterback but benefited from many wide open throws thanks to the run/pass options in the Sooners offense. The 2017 Heisman Trophy winner is considered an early second- or late first-round pick at this time. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J = --- Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). 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