Footballguys #280 - 1/26 - News & Notes From Around The League

To unsubscribe {EMAIL} from these mailings, click [here](. --- [Footballguys.com]( Volume 19, #279 -- Friday Night, January 26th, 2018 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, Good Saturday to you. We've got the News and Notes you need so let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [PHI - QB Carson Wentz hopes to be ready for opener](#1) 2. [NE - Friday practice report for Patriots](#2) 3. [NE - QB Tom Brady wearing gloves again](#3) 4. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski absent Friday](#4) 5. [OAK - Brian Callahan to join Raiders staff](#5) 6. [NO - WR Josh Huff joins Saints](#6) 7. [HOU - Houston hires John Pagano](#7) 8. [SF - Mark Nzeocha re-signs with 49ers](#8) 9. [SEA - S Earl Thomas could hold out](#9) 10. [NYJ - Rick Dennison expected to join Jets](#10) 11. [ARI - Arizona hires Jeff Rodgers](#11) 12. [KC - QB Mike Kafka expected to QBs coach](#12) 13. [CAR - Carolina hires Steve Russ](#13) 14. [NFL - Baker Mayfield meets with teams](#14) 15. [KC - Andy Reid taking back play-calling duties](#15) 16. [CLE - Todd Haley will call plays](#16) 17. [NYG - QB Eli Manning sticking around?](#17) 18. [SEA - Dave Canales switching roles](#18) 19. [NYG - NYG hires Thomas McGaughey](#19) 20. [HOU - Romeo Crennel officially DC again](#20) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [PHI - QB Carson Wentz hopes to be ready for opener]( Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Zach Berman Philadelphia Eagles QB [Carson Wentz]( (knee) said the timetable for his return is fluid but hopes to be ready for regular season opener next season. He said he tore his lateral collateral ligament in addition to his anterior cruciate ligament during the season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Wentz might be the #1 quarterback in dynasty leagues right now, but it will be risky to draft him early in redraft leagues with the possibility that he is rusty early in the season and not as mobile as a runner or scrambler in his return from ACL surgery. A Week 1 return is a good goal for him, but the team will certainly err on the side of caution, making it far from guaranteed. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [NE - Friday practice report for Patriots](=) Source: Patriots.com New England Patriots DE Deatrich Wise Jr. (concussion) did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 26, and would have been ruled out if the team played this weekend. DT Malcom Brown (foot) did not practice and would have been listed as questionable. RB [Mike Gillislee]( (knee) and OT LaAdrian Waddle (knee) were limited during practice and would have been listed as questionable. FS Devin McCourty (shoulder) fully participated in practice and would not have been on the injury report. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Wise joins Rob Gronkowski on the list of players needing to clear concussion protocol to play in the Super Bowl. The defensive line and pass rush are both thin for the Patriots, so his services will be missed if he is not able to play next Sunday. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [NE - QB Tom Brady wearing gloves again](=) Source: NFL Network - Omar Ruiz New England Patriots QB [Tom Brady]( (hand) was spotted wearing gloves on both hands during practice Friday, Jan. 26. He caught a pass and didn't appear to show any discomfort. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Brady's thumb was a big story leading up to the AFC Championship game and a non-story during game. The Super Bowl hype machine will have to latch onto something else to create pre-game storylines. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski absent Friday](=) Source: NFL Network - Omar Ruiz New England Patriots TE [Rob Gronkowski]( (concussion) was absent from the media portion of practice Friday, Jan. 26. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] If there was a game this weekend, it sounds like Gronkowski would not be able to play. Luckily for the Patriots, the Super Bowl isn't until next week. Most reports say Gronkowski is expected to play next week, but we can't be sure until he officially clears concussion protocol. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [OAK - Brian Callahan to join Raiders staff]( Source: SI.com The Oakland Raiders are hiring former Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan as their new quarterbacks coach, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Callahan was generally thought of in positive terms and some saw his parting with the Lions as a surprise, especially because they kept offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter. He is an offensive mind on the rise and would probably benefit from serving under Jon Gruden. Consider it good news for Derek Carr. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [NO - WR Josh Huff joins Saints]() Source: ESPN.com - Field Yates The New Orleans Saints signed WR [Josh Huff]( to a Reserve/Future contract Friday, Jan. 26, according to a source. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] This could put him on the radar in very deep dynasty leagues because Willie Snead had a disappointing 2017 and the Saints are only reliable two deep on the wide receiver depth chart. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [HOU - Houston hires John Pagano]( Source: Houston Chronicle - John McClain The Houston Texans have hired former Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator John Pagano as a defensive assistant. Pagano will be coaching the team's outside linebackers. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Pagano will take over some of the duties that Mike Vrabel vacated when he left to become the head coach of the Titans. He'll oversee a talented duo of OLBs that benefits from the disruption JJ Watt creates on the interior defensive line. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [SF - Mark Nzeocha re-signs with 49ers]( Source: 49ers.com The San Francisco 49ers signed restricted free-agent LB Mark Nzeocha to a new one-year contract Friday, Jan. 26. Financial terms were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Nzeocha was signed off of the Cowboys practice squad last year. He has turned into a core special teamer, but is a bottom of the depth chart player on defense. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [SEA - S Earl Thomas could hold out]( Source: ESPN.com - Michael DiRocco and Brady Henderson Seattle Seahawks FS Earl Thomas believes he and the team can agree on a contract extension but may consider holding out if he does not receive a new deal. He said his agent has not told him about any negotiations between the two sides. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Thomas has been a foundation piece for the Legion of Boom, but the Seahawks took hardline stances with contract extensions in the past. The Cowboys have been mentioned as a possible destination for Thomas if he and the Seahawks have a falling out, and former defensive coordinator Kris Richard is now the defensive backs coach in Dallas. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [NYJ - Rick Dennison expected to join Jets](=) Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter The New York Jets are expected to hire former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Rick Dennison as their run-game coordinator and offensive line coach, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Dennison was offensive coordinator in Denver when current Jets offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates was coming up the coaching ranks under him, so they have experience together. Dennison's running game was not the problem in Buffalo, so this reduction and refocusing of duties could mean more success. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [ARI - Arizona hires Jeff Rodgers](=) Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban The Arizona Cardinals have hired former Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Jeff Rodgers as their new special teams coordinator. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rodgers has been with John Fox teams since 2010, but jumped to the Cardinals with Fox currently unemployed. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [KC - QB Mike Kafka expected to QBs coach]() Source: The Kansas City Star - Terez A. Paylor Kansas City Chiefs offensive quality control coach [Mike Kafka]( is expected to be named the team's new quarterbacks coach, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Kafka was drafted by Andy Reid back in 2010 and could be groomed to be the next Reid disciple to reinvigorate an offense. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [CAR - Carolina hires Steve Russ](=) Source: Charlotte Observer - Joseph Person The Carolina Panthers have hired Air Force defensive coordinator Steve Russ as their new linebackers coach, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Russ worked with new defensive coordinator Eric Washington when both were at Ohio University beginning in 2001. The team still needs to hire a defensive line coach to replace Washington. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [NFL - Baker Mayfield meets with teams]( Source: SI.com - Robert Klemko Oklahoma QB Baker Mayfield said he has had extensive meetings with the New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins at the 2018 Senior Bowl. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Saints seem like an obvious fit with their success starting another short quarterback Drew Brees and the need for a post-Brees plan. The Bills are obvious because it doesn't seem like Tyrod Taylor is a long term answer. The Jets have one of the most glaring holes at quarterback in the league. Miami is the interesting team here with Ryan Tannehill still entrenched as the starter despite missing 2017 with an ACL tear. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [KC - Andy Reid taking back play-calling duties]() Source: The Kansas City Star - Terez A. Paylor Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said he will be calling the offensive plays next season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Reid revealed that he called the plays in the season finale in Denver, which is especially notable because rookie Patrick Mahomes started that game - and he could be the starter next season. Reid made sure to point out that this isn't a reflection of his view of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Reid's playcalling in 2016 wasn't exactly inspiring, but if Mahomes is his quarterback, it could get looser. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [CLE - Todd Haley will call plays](=) Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer - Mary Kay Cabot Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Todd Haley will be calling the plays next season, according to head coach Hue Jackson. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Haley's playcalling in Pittsburgh was mostly lauded and thought of as successful. Jackson's offenses have been uneven at best, and barely functional at worst, so this can't be a bad thing for the Browns skill players' fantasy outlook next season. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [NYG - QB Eli Manning sticking around?](=) Source: NJ.com - Dan Duggan New York Giants QB [Eli Manning]( 'has years left,' according to head coach Pat Shurmur, who says he's excited to work with him. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Manning was thought to be on the way out after being benched, but it sounds like the Giants are going to stick with him, which would deprive the Jaguars of an option to pivot to if they are ready to move on from Blake Bortles. Manning would only be a matchup streamer as a starter this year, but it would be better for Odell Beckham and company in fantasy leagues if he is the starter instead of a rookie. This could also lower the chances that Case Keenum rejoins Shurmur if the Vikings don't choose to lock him up before free agency opens. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 18. [SEA - Dave Canales switching roles]() Source: Sporting News - Alex Marvez Seattle Seahawks wide receivers coach Dave Canales is expected to be named the team's quarterbacks coach, according to The Sporting News' Alex Marvez. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Canales has been the wide receiver coach since 2010 after coming from USC with Pete Carroll. He was also the assistant quarterbacks coach, so the team is probably looking for continuity here. Brian Schottenheimer will be taking over the offensive coordinator position and be responsible for making more dramatic changes to address some the lingering problems on the offensive side of the ball. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 19. [NYG - NYG hires Thomas McGaughey](=) Source: NJ Press Media - Ryan Dunleavy The New York Giants hired Thomas McGaughey (Panthers) as their special teams coordinator on Wednesday, Jan. 24. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] McGaughey had success in this role with the Jets and 49ers before coming to the Panthers, and he also oversaw a strong special teams group at LSU that included Tyrann Mathieu and Odell Beckham Jr as returners. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 20. [HOU - Romeo Crennel officially DC again]() Source: Houston Chronicle - Brian T. Smith Updating a previous report, Houston Texans assistant head coach Romeo Crennel has officially added the title of defensive coordinator. Crennel was the team's DC from 2014 to 2016 before stepping into a modified role last season. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Texans defense crumbled without JJ Watt and Whitney Mercilus last year. Jadeveon Clowney did make some big steps forward, so if the team can have all three healthy next season, that's a great start for Crennel, who oversaw some borderline dominant game from this unit with a much less impactful Clowney during his stint as defensive coordinator. [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](=). You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =