Footballguys #284 - 1/30 - News & Notes From Around The League

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[Get Your Bingo Card Now]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Footballguys.com]( Volume 19, #284 -- Tuesday Night, January 30th, 2018 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email --------------------------------------------------------------- HI Folks, Good Wednesday to you. We're rolling toward the big game and we've got some News and Notes for you. Let's get to it. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [WAS - QB Alex Smith Traded to Washington](#1) 2. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski says he'll play in Super Bowl](#2) 3. [PHI - QB Nick Foles in historic spot for Super Bowl](#3) 4. [DAL - Dallas makes two coaching changes](#4) 5. [IND - Dave DeGuglielmo hired by Colts](#5) 6. [JAX - QB Blake Bortles expected to stay](#6) 7. [WAS - QB Kirk Cousins wants winning team](#7) 8. [MIA - Miami tabs Tony Oden to coach DBs](#8) 9. [NYG - Hal Hunter named OL coach for Giants](#9) 10. [IND - QB Andrew Luck close to throwing again](#10) 11. [TEN - OLB Tyrone McKenzie hired by TEN](#11) 12. [TEN - Matt LaFleur headed to Titans](#12) 13. [ARI - Arizona OC expecting WR Larry Fitzgerald back](#13) 14. [JAX - QB Blake Bortles undergoes wrist surgery](#14) 15. [BUF - Mike Waufle calls it a career](#15) 16. [PHI - RB Darren Sproles leaning toward return in 2018](#16) 17. [TEN - Tennessee hires Dean Pees to run defense](#17) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [WAS - QB Alex Smith Traded to Washington]( Source: ESPN The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to trade quarterback [Alex Smith]( to the Washington Redskins, league sources confirmed to ESPN's Field Yates. Smith and the Redskins reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Smith to Washington is an important move and we'll see now how Cousins and Washington move forward. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [NE - TE Rob Gronkowski says he'll play in Super Bowl]() Source: USA Today - A.J. Perez Patriots TE [Rob Gronkowski]( didn't provide many details, but he gave a straightforward response when he was asked if he'd be in the lineup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. "Yes," Gronkowski said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] It's what everyone seems to expect. We hopefully will have official word soon. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PHI - QB Nick Foles in historic spot for Super Bowl]( Source: NFL Research Philadelphia Eagles QB [Nick Foles]( will have registered the third-fewest starts (three) during the regular season of any quarterback to start under center in the ensuing Super Bowl. Retired QBs Jeff Hostetler and Doug Williams, with two apiece, were the only other quarterbacks to have started fewer games during the season prior to their starts in the Super Bowl -- both went on to win. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Foles played maybe the best game of his career (save for that seven touchdown game vs Oakland) last week in the NFC Championship game. He has a lot of experience in the Pederson/Reid offensive system and should be more comfortable than a typical backup. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [DAL - Dallas makes two coaching changes]( Source: ESPNDallas.com - Todd Archer Dallas Cowboys assistant special teams coach Keith O'Quinn was promoted to special teams coordinator and assistant coach Ben Bloom was named linebackers coach Tuesday, Jan. 30, according to sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] O'Quinn has had roles on the offensive staff before assisting Rich Bisaccia, who left to join Jon Gruden's staff in Oakland. Bloom has been part of the staff coaching linebackers and the defensive line since 2011. The Cowboys are going with continuity and promoting from within. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [IND - Dave DeGuglielmo hired by Colts]() Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Charean Williams Former Miami Dolphins assistant coach Dave DeGuglielmo was hired by the Indianapolis Colts as offensive line coach Tuesday, Jan. 30. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] DeGuglielmo was part of a great offensive line performance by the Chargers in 2016, and he coached under soon-to-be Colts head coach Josh McDaniels in 2014 and 2015. He will have the important job of prepping the unit responsible for keeping Andrew Luck healthy. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [JAX - QB Blake Bortles expected to stay]( Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Jacksonville Jaguars QB [Blake Bortles]( (wrist) is expected to remain with the Jaguars despite recently undergoing surgery on his injured wrist, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Rapoport said the plan all along has been for Bortles to return as starter. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] That's a good story now that they don't really have a choice unless his wrist heals by mid March. It is possible that they had always planned on bringing Bortles back, but the Jaguars would only be committed for one year and could still draft a quarterback this year as a possible replacement in 2019. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [WAS - QB Kirk Cousins wants winning team]( Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Michael David Smith Washington Redskins impending free-agent QB [Kirk Cousins]( won't be solely focused on how much money he can make this offseason. He wants to be on a team that will contend for the Super Bowl. 'Is money a part of it? Sure. Is it the only thing? No,' Cousins said. 'It is about winning, and that's what I want more than anything, so I'm going to be willing to make sacrifices or do what has to be done to make sure I'm in the best possible position to win, and that's what the focus is going to be.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Read: Cousins doesn't want to go to Cleveland or the Jets no matter how much they want him. Denver continues to be one of the strongest candidates to land Cousins this offseason. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [MIA - Miami tabs Tony Oden to coach DBs]( Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Darin Gantt The Miami Dolphins hired former Detroit Lions corner backs coach Tony Oden as their defensive backs coach Tuesday, Jan. 30. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Oden had been with the Lions since 2014 and helped the growth of Darius Slay along with unlocking the quality play from safety Glover Quin. He'll have a slightly declining Rashad Jones as a stud safety and budding shutdown corner Xavien Howard to build around in Miami. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [NYG - Hal Hunter named OL coach for Giants](=) Source: New York Post - Paul Schwartz The New York Giants hired Hal Hunter to serve as the team's offensive line coach Tuesday, Jan. 30. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Hunter was an offensive line coach and even offensive coordinator for a year with the Chargers from 2006-2012, and then assistant offensive line coach for the Colts for three years before overseeing the disaster on Cleveland's offensive line in 2016. He didn't coach last year, but will be a key figure with the Giants. Head coach Pat Shurmur and GM Dave Gettleman have both put the offensive line at the forefront of the plan to fix the Giants. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [IND - QB Andrew Luck close to throwing again]( Source: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport and Mike Garofolo Indianapolis Colts QB [Andrew Luck]( (shoulder) is doing functional work - such as working on his motion and arm speed - to get strength back in the shoulder and is reportedly 'very close' to throwing again, according to a source. He is also reportedly headed out to the Los Angeles area in the near future to work with noted throwing mechanics and strength gurus Tom House and Adam Dedeaux. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] We will be watching this closely, but won't be penciling in Luck for the 2018 season until we see him on the practice field after last year's debacle. This news is good, but Luck is far away from being out of the woods, and we won't know if he'll be his old self again until he plays at least a handful of games. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [TEN - OLB Tyrone McKenzie hired by TEN](=) Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero Los Angeles Rams assistant Tyrone McKenzie was hired by the Tennessee Titans Tuesday, Jan. 30, as inside linebackers coach. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] McKenzie played under Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees in 2009 in New England. Avery Williamson is a free agent this year, so McKenzie might be breaking in a new starter next to Wesley Woodyard. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [TEN - Matt LaFleur headed to Titans](=) Source: PaulKuharsky.com Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur is expected to be hired by the Tennessee Titans Tuesday, Jan. 30, in the same role. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] LaFleur will get to call plays and proceed one step closer to head coaching under Vrabel. Sean McVay is the playcaller in Los Angeles, but McVay was wise to let LaFleur's career progress instead of blocking the interview to keep him and avoid a vacancy. TE coach Shane Waldron was promoted to passing game coordinator and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer to running game coordinator in a potential new model for offensive coaching staffs when the head coach calls plays. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [ARI - Arizona OC expecting WR Larry Fitzgerald back](=) Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator [Mike McCoy]( is anticipating the return of WR [Larry Fitzgerald]( next season, as during his introductory press conference with the club on Monday, Jan. 29, he 'sure sounded like a coach expecting Fitz to play.' [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Fitzgerald has been a PPR WR1 at the price of a WR2/WR3 for three years running now. If Carson Palmer returns, we can make it four. Even if the Cardinals have to look elsewhere for a starter, Fitzgerald should be a value if he returns. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [JAX - QB Blake Bortles undergoes wrist surgery](=) Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Jacksonville Jaguars QB [Blake Bortles]( (wrist) had surgery on his right wrist Friday, Jan. 26, for a condition that had bothered him since December of 2016, according to sources. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bortles actually played better as the season went on, save for a poor wild card performance against the Bills. This development could cause his 19 million dollar fifth year guarantee to lock in if he is still injured in early March when the new league year starts. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [BUF - Mike Waufle calls it a career]( Source: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport Buffalo Bills defensive line coach Mike Waufle announced his retirement Monday, Jan. 29, after 20 seasons in the NFL. Assistant defensive line coach Bill Teerlinck was named as his replacement. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Waufle has a ring from his stint with the Giants and he coached up Aaron Donald with the Rams in his last stop before Buffalo. Teerlinck's dad won two rings on NFL coaching staffs and he was Nevada's defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator before joining the Bills staff last year. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [PHI - RB Darren Sproles leaning toward return in 2018]( Source: NFL.com - Ian Rapoport Philadelphia Eagles impending free-agent RB [Darren Sproles]( (knee) recently told NFL.com's Ian Rapoport he is 'leaning toward returning' for the 2018 season. Sproles suffered a torn ACL in Week 3 and was placed on the Reserve/Injured list shortly thereafter. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Sproles still had juice in his age 34 season, so there's no reason to think he can't hang this year. The league is moving more towards running backs with his skillset and the Eagles are still grooming Donnel Pumphrey to eventually replace Sproles. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [TEN - Tennessee hires Dean Pees to run defense]() Source: ESPN.com - Cameron Wolfe Former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Dean Pees will come out of his brief retirement and serve in the same role for the Tennessee Titans, according to a source. His son, Matt, is expected to join his father on the coaching staff in an undisclosed capacity. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Pees was Vrabel's coach in New England, and he was outstanding in Baltimore before retiring recently. The Titans have been running a 3-4, so they have personnel to fit Pees scheme. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for being part of Footballguys and thanks for reading. 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: =