Footballguys #254 - 1/6

To unsubscribe from these mailings, click [here]. 8065187 --- [Footballguys.com] Volume 17, Issue #254 -- Friday Night, January 6th, 2017 Note: Unsubscribe instructions are at the bottom of this email [Play the $1 NFL Dive and get a FREE entry to $3k contest!] FanDuel is offering you a great chance to play two contests for the price of one. Just enter the NFL Dive for $1 and you'll automatically get a FREE entry into a fantasy soccer contest with $3,000 in prizes. PLUS - in addition to your free contest, you'll also play for large cash prizes in the Panini NFL Dive. Don't miss out. [Play Now] --------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Folks, Welcome to Game Day. We've got some news and notes you need plus remember our Playoff Contest is FREE for Footballguys Insider PRO and Rotopass Subscribers but it closes today right before kickoff. Don't miss out. We've got the News and Notes you need so let's get to it. J SITE NEWS A. [Footballguys Insider PRO Subscribers Playoff Contest] It's BACK. Once again, we're doing a Playoff Contest for our Footballguys Insider PRO Subscribers and Rotopass Subscribers. Get another shot at the 2016 season testing your knowledge with the Playoffs. Don't wait though as the contest deadline is this Saturday. Full rules are in the link. INSIDE THIS ISSUE 1. [BAL - WR Steve Smith hangs up cleats] 2. [IND - Chuck Pagano returning] 3. [PIT - Xavier Grimble may have bigger role] 4. [DEN - Dave Toub talks with Denver Friday] 5. [WAS - DT Phil Taylor signs with Redskins] 6. [CLE - Ray Horton will not return?] 7. [HOU - RB Lamar Miller on track to play] 8. [OAK - Donald Penn to miss Wild Card game] 9. [PIT - TE Ladarius Green questionable] 10. [NFL - Chris Godwin declares for NFL Draft] 11. [NFL - Marlon Mack set to enter 2017 draft] 12. [MIA - QB Ryan Tannehill gets in limited practice] 13. [BAL - OLB Elvis Dumervil unlikely to return] 14. [DAL - QB Tony Romo back at practice] 15. [BUF - QB Tyrod Taylor won't be brought back] 16. [DET - TE Eric Ebron likely returning] 17. [SEA - WR Devin Hester stands out in practice] 18. [DEN - QB Trevor Siemian goes under the knife] 19. [CLE - QB Tyrod Taylor a fit in Cleveland?] --------------------------------------------------------------- 1. [BAL - WR Steve Smith hangs up cleats] Source: Twitter Baltimore Ravens WR [Steve Smith] announced his retirement Friday, Jan. 6. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] What a joy it's been to watch Smith in the pros. A third-round pick out of Utah in 2003, Smith played with fire and intensity that was rarely outdone on the football field. A smaller receiver, Smith never backed down from a challenge and made some big time catches in clutch moments. He finishes what could be a Hall of Fame career with 1,031 catches, 14,731 receiving yards and 81 touchdowns. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 2. [IND - Chuck Pagano returning] Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio - Alex Marvez Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano has been assured he'll return as head coach for the 2017 season, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Colts are keeping Pagano, and that comes as a surprise to many...maybe even the veteran head coach himself. With a 49-31 record during his time as the Colts head coach, Pagano and GM Ryan Grigson have been in a funk over the last two seasons. They've missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, finishing with an 8-8 record each year. We could see 2017 as the 'last hurrah' for both coach and general manager. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 3. [PIT - Xavier Grimble may have bigger role] Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler Pittsburgh Steelers TE [Xavier Grimble] likely will have a bigger role in the passing game if TE [Ladarius Green] (concussion) is not able to play in the Wild Card playoff game against the Miami Dolphins. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Grimble had a larger role with Green out at the end of the season. The Steelers will spread the field and use multiple assets to attack the Dolphins through the air. Guys like Grimble, Green (if he plays) and Eli Rogers could be in for quality targets on Sunday. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 4. [DEN - Dave Toub talks with Denver Friday] Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Updating a previous report, Kansas City Chiefs special teams coach Dave Toub interviewed for the Denver Broncos head coaching position Friday, Jan. 6. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Toub is known as a leader of men, a 'true football guy' and some have compared him to John Harbaugh (Ravens). He has worked his way up the coaching ranks to be in this position, and we think Denver or any other team who hires Toub as a head coach would be pleased with that decision. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 5. [WAS - DT Phil Taylor signs with Redskins] Source: ESPN - Adam Caplan Free-agent DT Phil Taylor (Broncos) signed a Reserve/Future contract with the Washington Redskins Friday, Jan. 6. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] A former first-round pick (2011), Taylor has not been able to shake the injury bug in recent years. Chronic knee problems have plagued him over the last two years, but he's worth taking a chance on considering the price tag and potential upside. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 6. [CLE - Ray Horton will not return?] Source: Sirius XM NFL Radio - Alex Marvez Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton will not return to the team next season, according to a source. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Browns will be in the market for a defensive coordinator. One coach they could pursue is Wade Phillips (Broncos) to fill the void. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 7. [HOU - RB Lamar Miller on track to play] Source: HoustonTexans.com Houston Texans RB [Lamar Miller] (ankle) fully participated in practice Friday, Jan. 6, and is not on the injury report for the Wild Card game against the Oakland Raiders. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Miller has been fully participating in practice, and the Texans need him more than ever. With QB Brock Osweiler starting against the Raiders, it would be wise to feature Miller early and often on Saturday. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 8. [OAK - Donald Penn to miss Wild Card game] Source: Raiders.com Oakland Raiders OT Donald Penn (knee) did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 6, and has been ruled out for the Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Bad news for rookie QB Connor Cook here. Penn will not be on the field to protect his blind side against the Texans on Saturday. Menelik Watson will start in Penn's place. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 9. [PIT - TE Ladarius Green questionable] Source: Steelers.com Updating a previous report, Pittsburgh Steelers TE [Ladarius Green] (concussion) is listed as questionable for the Wild Card playoff game against the Miami Dolphins. Green did not participate in practice Friday, Jan. 6. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Xavier Grimble will do more for the Steelers if Green can't play. Not participating in practice on Friday does not bode well for his chances to play on Sunday. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 10. [NFL - Chris Godwin declares for NFL Draft] Source: FOXSports.com - Bruce Feldman Penn State WR Chris Godwin announced he will forego his final season of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] One of the best pass-catchers in the country, Goodwin has caught 128 passes for 2,083 yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Goodwin is not a large receiver, but at 6'1" 208 pounds he plays larger than his size. He lacks blazing speed, but Goodwin is a nuanced route-runner with great body control and strong hands. He should come off the board in the third or fourth round. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 11. [NFL - Marlon Mack set to enter 2017 draft] Source: FOXSports.com - Bruce Feldman South Florida RB Marlon Mack announced he will skip his final season of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Mack knows how to eat up chunks of yards. He's had 1,000 yards rushing each of his three seasons with the Bulls. With an aggressive rushing style, Mack can get to top speed in a hurry and push defenders out of the way with a devastating stiff arm. Mack is likely a third- or fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 12. [MIA - QB Ryan Tannehill gets in limited practice] Source: The Miami Herald - Barry Jackson Miami Dolphins QB [Ryan Tannehill] (knee) was limited at practice Friday, Jan. 6, after sitting out the previous two days. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Matt Moore is going to start for the Dolphins in their Wild Card matchup against the Steelers. If they get past Pittsburgh, then perhaps Tannehill would be ready the next week. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 13. [BAL - OLB Elvis Dumervil unlikely to return] Source: The Baltimore Sun - Jeff Zrebiec Baltimore Ravens LB Elvis Dumervil is unlikely to return to the team in 2017, in the opinion of beat writer Jeff Zrebiec. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Ravens get $6 million off the books if they release Dumervil. In the last two years, Dumervil only has nine sacks and he's battled to stay healthy. A foot injury slowed him down this year, limiting Dumervil to just eight games. He'll be 33 years old when the season starts, and he's clearly not quite the player he used to be, but we feel Dumervil would get interest if on the open market. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 14. [DAL - QB Tony Romo back at practice] Source: The Dallas Morning News - Kate Hairopoulos Dallas Cowboys QB [Tony Romo] (illness) returned to practice Friday, Jan. 6. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Cowboys are set to make a deep postseason run with Romo as their backup. However, if something happens to starter Dak Prescott it's good to know they have a veteran in Romo. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 15. [BUF - QB Tyrod Taylor won't be brought back] Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter Updating previous reports, Buffalo Bills QB [Tyrod Taylor] won't have his option exercised by the club, and the team intends to move on from him. The team has until March 11 to exercise his $15.5 million option, which would guarantee him $30.75 million over five seasons. The offense has picked up dramatically since he took over as they were 10th and 11th in scoring the last two years after finishing 26th the year before he took over. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] No surprise here. With Rex Ryan fired, the Bills are moving on from his quarterback. Taylor did good things in Buffalo, and he produced with banged up assets around him in the passing game. He's got a big arm, throws a beautiful deep pass and is incredibly athletic. However, pass placement has been an issue with Taylor and he had the 3rd-highest off-target percentage (21.3 percent) of any quarterback in 2016. That being said, Taylor should have a few teams interested in giving him a shot to start. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 16. [DET - TE Eric Ebron likely returning] Source: Detroit Free Press - Dave Birkett Detroit Lions TE [Eric Ebron]'s fifth-year option will likely be picked up, according to beat writer Dave Birkett, and head coach Jim Caldwell said Ebron has performed well and has improved every year. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Ebron had a career-best season in 2016. His 61 catches and 711 yards were the most he's had as a pro. As the Lions offense evolved without superstar WR Calvin Johnson, Ebron emerged as a reliable target for QB Matthew Stafford. Ebron's role may continue to grow so long as he can stay healthy, as the big tight end has never played a full 16-game season yet. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 17. [SEA - WR Devin Hester stands out in practice] Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Mike Florio Seattle Seahawks WR [Devin Hester] 'jumped right out' at practice and looked fast and confident, according to head coach Pete Carroll. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Fast and confident is the name of the game with Hester. He'll make most of his impact as a return man for the Seahawks. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 18. [DEN - QB Trevor Siemian goes under the knife] Source: The Denver Post - Nicki Jhabvala Denver Broncos QB [Trevor Siemian] (shoulder) underwent successful shoulder surgery on his left shoulder Thursday, Jan. 5. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] Siemian's situation as starter is tenuous with his biggest advocate (Gary Kubiak) departing. That said, Paxton Lynch has to show he can carry the load and improve. It all depends on who the coach ends up being, and what they want to do. We suspect GM and Denver Icon John Elway leans towards Lynch, so a new coach would as well. Until they have that guy in place, though, it's a big mystery. [Back to Top] --------------------------------------------------------------- 19. [CLE - QB Tyrod Taylor a fit in Cleveland?] Source: ESPN.com - Pat McManamon Buffalo Bills QB [Tyrod Taylor] could draw interest from the Cleveland Browns if he hits the free agent market, according to beat writer Pat McManamon, because he is good fit for head coach Hue Jackson's run-first offense. [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ [ FOOTBALLGUYS VIEW ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] The Bills have to decide what to do with Taylor as they owe him $12 million (up from just $2.5) if they hold onto him. They don't seem sure of committing and with his surgery, they may decide to delay as long as possible. Cleveland knows they don't have a long term fix on their team and will kick over every rock in creation to find it. [Back to 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 to footballguys-public-fulltext as {EMAIL} To unsubscribe, click [here]. * Footballguys.com * PO Box 937 * Cabot, AR 72023-0937 * 8065187 [News Items Powered By:] ---