Footballguys #281 - 1/27 - News & Notes From Around The League

To unsubscribe {EMAIL} from these mailings, click [here](. --- [Footballguys.com]( Volume 19, #280 -- Saturday Night, January 27th, 2018 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, Good Sunday to you. We've got the News and Notes you need so let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski still in protocol](#1) 2. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski back at practice](#2) 3. [PIT - Three more years for QB Ben Roethlisberger?](#3) 4. [NYG - Two could be Giants OC candidates](#4) 5. [NYG - Kevin Stefanski may be OC candidate for NYG](#5) 6. [SEA - S Earl Thomas wants extension](#6) 7. [CIN - Jake Fisher not guaranteed to start in 2018](#7) 8. [JAX - S Barry Church fined](#8) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski still in protocol](=) Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss Updating a previous report, New England Patriots TE [Rob Gronkowski]( (concussion) is still in the concussion protocol even though he was on the practice field Saturday, Jan. 27. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We think it's just a matter of time before he is cleared. There's still a week, so we are not too worried. Most everyone seems to expect Gronkowski to play. Stay tuned for official word. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski back at practice](=) Source: ESPNBoston.com - Mike Reiss New England Patriots TE [Rob Gronkowski]( (concussion) was present at the start of practice Saturday, Jan. 27, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We're still waiting on an official clearance but it's hard to imagine him missing the Super Bowl. This is a good step forward to that end. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PIT - Three more years for QB Ben Roethlisberger?]( Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler Pittsburgh Steelers C Maurkice Pouncey confirmed that QB [Ben Roethlisberger]( recently told his teammates he plans on playing three more years. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's up and down with Roethlisberger on this topic. But we like to hear where his head seems to be on this right now. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [NYG - Two could be Giants OC candidates]( Source: SNY - Ralph Vacchiano Philadelphia Eagles running backs coach Duce Staley and former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin could be candidates for the New York Giants offensive coordinator position, in the opinion of SNY's Ralph Vacchiano. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] New head coach Pat Shurmur is calling the offense this next year, so how much it matter who is in charge only nominally important. However, it makes sense a first time or relatively inexperienced offensive coordinator could take the job to learn under Shurmur for a year or so before taking over play calling duties. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [NYG - Kevin Stefanski may be OC candidate for NYG]( Source: SNY - Ralph Vacchiano Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks coach Kevin Stefanski is expected to be a strong candidate for the New York Giants offensive coordinator position, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's not a shock since new head coach Pat Shurmur is from the Vikings. Stefanski has been overlooked, but he had a lot to do with Case Keenum's success this season. This would be a good hire. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [SEA - S Earl Thomas wants extension](=) Source: NFL Network - Jane Slater Updating a previous report, Seattle Seahawks FS Earl Thomas said he will not return to the Seahawks if he does not receive a contract extension this offseason. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The writing was on the wall when the told the Cowboys to come get him. They might work something out, but it's more likely he is a nice addition to someone else's secondary in 2018. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [CIN - Jake Fisher not guaranteed to start in 2018]() Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski Cincinnati Bengals OT Jake Fisher (heart) still has believers inside the organization and there is a thought his attitude and aggression could make for a nice match with new offensive line coach Frank Pollack, but Fisher is far from a lock to start, according to the Cincinnati Inquirer's Paul Dehner Jr. and Jim Owczarski. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Bengals offensive line was a train wreck last year so having him back can't be worse. We're just happy he was able to get his medical issue fixed and wish him luck going forward. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [JAX - S Barry Church fined]() Source: NFL.com Jacksonville Jaguars SS Barry Church was fined $24,309 by the National Football League for the hit that caused New England Patriots TE [Rob Gronkowski]( (concussion) to leave the AFC Championship game in the second quarter with a concussion. Church was flagged for unnecessary roughness on the play. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] There's a lot of debate about whether this was a "dirty hit" or if he had no choice but to go high and it highlights the continuing issues officials, fans, teams and players have in figuring out what is Ok and what isn't. Church did go helmet to helmet though, and that's a good way to get a Fedex envelope with a fine in it from the league. [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. 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