Footballguys #256 - 12/31 - Celebrate The New Year With A Footballguys Playoff Challenge Team - Plus More

[Play the 2019 FBG Playoff Challenge]( Footballguys and the FFPC have banded together to bring you the Footballguys Playoff Challenge with a $100,000 grand prize and deep payouts. The main details of the Challenge are listed below: - Entry fee: $35 per team - Contest capped at a maximum of 10,000 entries - $100,000 Grand Prize - $300,000+ in guaranteed prizes paying down to 1,600th place - Contest runs from the start of the NFL playoffs thru the Super Bowl - Each team consists of 10 players in an FFPC starting roster format - Each team chooses from 12 playoff teams but only 1 per team - All rosters will be locked on Saturday, January 4th at 4:35 pm ET - No roster adjustments will be allowed even for games starting later - For more details, see the [full rules and payout structure on the contest page]( --------------------------------------------------------------- [Footballguys.com]( Footballguys #256 - 12/31 - Celebrate The New Year With A Footballguys Playoff Challenge Team - Plus More Volume 21, #256 -- Tuesday Night, December 31st, 2019 You're subscribed as {EMAIL} - click [HERE]( to unsubscribe. [View in Web Browser]( Howdy {NAME}, Happy New Year from Footballguys. It may be a new year, but we've got a season to finish. A dozen fortunate teams will move on to the Post Season. While most of the NFL fanbase is looking to next year. But EVERYONE has a shot at the [Footballguys Playoff Challenge.]( Just like we did with the Footballguys Players Championship Season Long contest, we've partnered with our friends at the FFPC to bring you THE way to play Post Season Fantasy Football. It's just a $35 entry with a $300,000 prize pool. We're limiting it to just 10,000 teams so grab yours before they sell out. You can continue to tweak your lineup all the way up to Saturday. But you need to secure your spot now so you don't miss out. [Check it out here.]( Now let's get to a few News and Notes. J [] INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [WAS - Ron Rivera hired by Washington](#1) 2. [CLE - John Dorsey out in Cleveland](#2) 3. [PHI - RB Miles Sanders' ankle not serious](#3) 4. [JAX - Doug Marrone returning](#4) 5. [CHI - QB Mitchell Trubisky to remain starter](#5) 6. [MIA - Chan Gailey joins Dolphins](#6) 7. [GB - RB Jamaal Williams expects to be ready](#7) 8. [NYJ - Le'Veon Bell not guaranteed to return](#8) 9. [NFL - Quartney Davis turning pro](#9) 10. [PIT - QB Ben Roethlisberger set for February recheck](#10) 11. [NFL - Tony Jones Jr. declares for draft](#11) 12. [HOU - WR Will Fuller practices Tuesday](#12) 13. [CHI - Another shoulder surgery for WR Anthony Miller](#13) 14. [CHI - TE Trey Burton goes under the knife](#14) 15. [CLE - Matt Rhule declines Browns interview](#15) 16. [NYG - Mike McCarthy to interview with Giants](#16) 17. [NFL - Deejay Dallas declares for NFL Draft](#17) 18. [NFL - Trevor Lawrence takes out insurance policy](#18) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 1. [WAS - Ron Rivera hired by Washington](=) Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport Former Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera was hired by the Washington Redskins as head coach Tuesday, Dec. 31. He received a five-year deal. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Things fell apart for Rivera with the Panthers over the last two seasons but he's a good head coach who will build a strong culture (as much as Dan Snyder will let him) in Washington. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Washington is expected to target ex-Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio for their defensive-coordinating vacancy. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 2. [CLE - John Dorsey out in Cleveland]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Cleveland Browns general manager John Dorsey was fired Tuesday, Dec. 31. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Browns are cleaning house. First, they fired head coach Freddie Kitchens and now Dorsey is out as GM. He failed to put the proper amount of talent around QB Baker Mayfield and is now out. The Browns are rumored to have interest in Eagles personnel man Andrew Berry. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 3. [PHI - RB Miles Sanders' ankle not serious]() Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero Philadelphia Eagles RB [Miles Sanders]( (ankle) has a low-grade, low-ankle sprain. He's expected to be OK for the playoff game Sunday, Jan. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Eagles are at home to take on the Seahawks in the Wild Card Round on Sunday. Sanders should once again be their lead back so long as he doesn't suffer a setback during the game. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 4. [JAX - Doug Marrone returning]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone will return in 2020. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Things in Jacksonville are...interesting...to say the least. When Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin was relieved of his duties, many felt that Marrone wouldn't be far behind him. Instead, the team decides to keep Marrone as their head coach. Over the last two seasons, Marrone has a record of 11-21 as the lead guy. We guess the Jaguars wanted continuity over anything else, and needless to say Marrone will be on the hot seat from day one in 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 5. [CHI - QB Mitchell Trubisky to remain starter]() Source: Chicago Tribune - Brad Biggs Chicago Bears QB [Mitchell Trubisky]( will remain the starting quarterback in 2020. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Trubisky will be in a make-or-break year in 2020. He's been a bust for the Bears so far in three seasons and the team has him under contract through 2021 with the fifth-year option. He may have to undergo left shoulder surgery according to GM Ryan Pace sometime this offseason. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 6. [MIA - Chan Gailey joins Dolphins]() Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero Retired offensive coordinator Chan Gailey was hired by the Miami Dolphins as offensive coordinator Tuesday, Dec. 31. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Gailey has been out of coaching for a few seasons, but his spread concepts can still work at the pro level. He loves to spread out the field, and that's good news for a talented Dolphins WR corps with guys like DeVante Parker, Albert Wilson and Preston Williams. As an added bonus, Gailey has spent plenty of time with Ryan Fitzpatrick -- who should return as a 'bridge' quarterback for the Dolphins in 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 7. [GB - RB Jamaal Williams expects to be ready](=) Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman Green Bay Packers RB [Jamaal Williams]( (shoulder) said Monday, Dec. 30 that he would have returned to the game in Week 17 if it were a playoff game. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] He banged up his shoulder and did not return against the Detroit Lions. Williams and the Packers have a bye this week as the No.2 seed in the NFC. They will get the highest-seeded team from the NFC side of the Wild Card bracket in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 8. [NYJ - Le'Veon Bell not guaranteed to return]() Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini New York Jets RB Le'Veon Bell is not guaranteed to return to the team next season since general manager Joe Douglas said he would be willing to listen to trade offers for him this offseason. 'Like I said, if teams do call, I'm going to listen. How those conversations go, I can't speak to that. That's hypothetical. When teams call, I will listen,' Douglas said. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The team will listen to offers for Bell but they may not get that many. Bell's contract is huge but the Jets might bend over backwards to get him out of the building. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 9. [NFL - Quartney Davis turning pro]() Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Charean Williams Texas A&M WR Quartney Davis announced his intention to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft on Tuesday, Dec. 31. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Davis is declaring in what is a deep and talented draft class at the wide receiver position. He's got a good size/speed combination but Davis has never played up to his potential in college. Expect him to be a mid-to-late-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 10. [PIT - QB Ben Roethlisberger set for February recheck]() Source: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Joe Rutter Pittsburgh Steelers QB [Ben Roethlisberger]( (elbow) reportedly has a medical checkup scheduled in February that will be 'significant in terms of mapping out what is next,' according to head coach Mike Tomlin. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Roethlisberger insists that he's going to keep playing football for years to come. The reality is that Father Time has to be catching up to him...just like it did his draft classmates Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. We should see him severely limited this offseason with an eye on a return for the veteran quarterback during training camp. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 11. [NFL - Tony Jones Jr. declares for draft]( Source: CollegeFootballTalk.com - John Taylor Notre Dame RB Tony Jones Jr. announced his intention to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft on Tuesday, Dec. 31. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Jones has prototypical NFL size, measuring in at 5-feet, 11-inches and 224 pounds but he wasn't that productive for the Fighting Irish. Plus, Jones was used sparingly as a receiver out of the backfield. Scouts will see him as a priority free agent, two-down banger unless he turns heads in the pre-draft process. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 12. [HOU - WR Will Fuller practices Tuesday]( Source: Houston Chronicle - Aaron Wilson Houston Texans WR [Will Fuller]( (groin) returned to practice Tuesday, Dec. 31. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Fuller is considered day-to-day with this groin injury. There's no guarantee that he'll be out there on Saturday against the Bills in the Wild Card Round. We'll see what he can do at Friday's practice. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 13. [CHI - Another shoulder surgery for WR Anthony Miller]( Source: ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer Chicago Bears WR [Anthony Miller]( (shoulder) will need surgery on his left shoulder for the second time in as many offseasons after injuring it returning a kickoff in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Two years and two shoulder surgeries to the same shoulder is a bad sign. He had some big games down the stretch for the Bears, but Miller didn't really have much of an impact until the halfway point of the season. He'll be the No.2 receiver opposite of Allen Robinson but this surgery (just like last year) might cause him to be limited in training camp. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 14. [CHI - TE Trey Burton goes under the knife]( Source: ChicagoBears.com - Larry Mayer Chicago Bears TE [Trey Burton]( (hip) recently underwent surgery on his injured hip, according to general manager Ryan Pace. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Burton didn't do much of anything in eight games for the Bears this year. He finished the season with just 14 catches for 84 yards. We'll see if he can get right after this hip surgery and have a bounce-back year in 2020. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 15. [CLE - Matt Rhule declines Browns interview]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Baylor head coach Matt Rhule declined the request for an interview with the Cleveland Browns. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Rhule has a contract with Baylor that runs through the 2027 season. He says he's not going to the NFL and insists that he will be Baylor's head coach next year. Rhule may be turning down the Browns, but the Giants, Panthers and Cowboys are rumored to be interested as well. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 16. [NYG - Mike McCarthy to interview with Giants]() Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will interview for the New York Giants' head coaching vacancy. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Giants are moving on quickly after getting rid of Pat Shurmur. They have a wide variety of candidates they're set to interview, and McCarthy is going to have his work cut out for him if he wants to get ahead of the pack. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 17. [NFL - Deejay Dallas declares for NFL Draft]( Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel - David Furones University of Miami RB Deejay Dallas has signed with a marketing agency, officially declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] At 220 pounds, Dallas is your classic banger between the tackles. He's coming off an injury-shortened season since sustaining a left elbow dislocation in late November. Dallas should be good to go in the pre-draft process and will have a lot to prove in terms of pro athleticism. He's a hard-charging runner but might have enough juice to be an impact player in the NFL. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- [] 18. [NFL - Trevor Lawrence takes out insurance policy](=) Source: Stadium - Brett McMurphy Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence has a $5 million insurance policy that covers permanent total disability if he is unable to play in the NFL, sources said Monday, Dec. 30. The Tigers signal caller is expected to be among the top picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, should he declare. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Lawrence has looked like a No.1 overall pick in the NFL draft since his first snap as a true freshman last year for Clemson. He's likely to declare for the 2021 draft, the earliest he could enter the league, and Lawrence will have plenty of teams lining up for his services if at all possible. He has the makings of a franchise quarterback. [Back to Top](#top) --------------------------------------------------------------- That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of Footballguys. Now get that Playoff Challenge team before they're gone. [Check it out here.]( Peace, J Thank you for subscribing to our Footballguys Daily Update Email! Get your 3 Free Downloads [here](=). You're subscribed as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here](. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * News Items Powered By: =