🏆News And Notes From Tuesday

Plus - Mason Rudolph Confirmed Starter Vs. Buffalo  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 01/10/24 ​[Unsubscribe |]( [Read Online]() | [Join]( | [GO PRO](=)​ Howdy {NAME}[,](=)​ ​ ​And here we go. We're racing into the "Second Season" with post-season football and we've got two killer contests for you below. Plus our Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes you need. Let's Go. J What's New At Footballguys - [Footballguys Premium Subscriber Post Season Contest]( - One of the many benefits of the [Footballguys Premium Subscription]() is an entry into the Post Season Contest. Every premium subscriber gets a shot. And we're putting up $1,000 as the grand prize. [Check it out here.]( - [Our Favorite Post Season Contest]() - We've partnered with our friends at the [National Fantasy Championship](=) to bring you the Post Season Fantasy Contest we've always wanted. Check out the [Footballguys Post Season Contest](). It's just a $50 entry fee and $50,000 on the line for a Grand Prize. Sign up now before it sells out. Inside This Issue [] - [TEN: Mike Vrabel fired](#article-1) - [PIT: Mason Rudolph starting playoff game](#article-2) - [PHI: DeVonta Smith uncertain for playoff game](#article-3) - [DET: Jameson Williams will return to practice](#article-4) - [JAX: Two Jags coaches let go](#article-5) - [NO: James Robinson signs future deal](#article-6) - [ARI: Eight players signed future deals](#article-7) - [CAR: Carolina signs 11 to futures deals](#article-8) - [LVR: Vegas signs 15 to future contracts](#article-9) - [NO: New Orleans signs 10 to future deals](#article-10) - [WAS: Three interviewing Tuesday with WAS](#article-11) - [DEN: Twelve signed to Reserve/Future deals](#article-12) - [DEN: Russell Wilson could ride again in Denver?](#article-13) Footballguys Playoff Hold'Em Contest Join us in our very first [Footballguys Playoff Hold'Em Contest]() hosted by our friends at the NFFC. What's Hold'Em style? Pick your favorite players - no salary cap or draft. After each Playoff round, you can Hold or Fold each of your players. If you Fold'Em, you get to pick a different player. But the longer you Hold'Em, the more bonus points you can rack up. Your $50 entry fee gets you four more weeks of fantasy football action and a chance at a fully-guaranteed $50,000 Grand Prize. But we only have room for 4,000 teams, so don't miss out. [ENTER NOW 👉]() ​ [] 1. TEN: Mike Vrabel fired [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel was fired Tuesday, Jan. 9. Our view: The Titans are choosing to start over with this decision. Vrabel once coached a team that was a legitimate Super Bowl contender, but over the last two seasons, things fell apart on both sides of the ball. Vrabel is a conservative coach who wants to run the ball and play great defense. We imagine some team with an opening will be interested in Vrabel as a head coach. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. PIT: Mason Rudolph starting playoff game [Source: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe]() Pittsburgh Steelers QB Mason Rudolph was named the starter against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card round. Our view: Rudolph has been playing good football for the Steelers over the last few games. They have a playoff game against the Bills, and the expectation for Rudolph will be the same. Stay safe with the ball, but not too safe - and Rudolph has been safely aggressive as a passer. We saw the offense grind to a halt earlier this year when former first-round pick Kenny Pickett was starting. [Back to Top](#top) [] 3. PHI: DeVonta Smith uncertain for playoff game [Source: The Athletic - Zach Berman]() Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith's (ankle) availability for the Wild Card game will be determined during the week, according to head coach Nick Sirianni. Our view: Smith caught 3-of-5 targets for 30 yards before suffering this ankle injury in the Eagles' Week 17 loss to the Cardinals. He missed Week 18, and his status for the Wild Card Round is up in the air. We'll have to see what he can do later in the week. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. DET: Jameson Williams will return to practice [Source: NFL.com](=) Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams (ankle) will participate in practice this week and should be available for the Wild Card playoff game, according to head coach Dan Campbell. Our view: Williams did not play in Week 18, and the extra week of rest did him some good. We'll see what he can do this week in practice as the team prepares for a Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Rams. [Back to Top](#top) ​ [] 5. JAX: Two Jags coaches let go [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Jacksonville Jaguars RBs coach Bernie Parmalee and assistant OL coach Todd X. Washington were fired Tuesday, Jan. 9. Our view: Any coach who takes over running backs in Jacksonville gets to work with a budding star in Travis Etienne. His numbers were down in 2023 compared to 2022, most notably his yards per carry which went from 5.1 (2022) to 3.8 (2023). Etienne ran the ball 47 more times this year, and he caught 23 more passes in 2023. They need to find a way to be more efficient and get Etienne back to being a more dangerous playmaker (because the talent is clearly there). [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. NO: James Robinson signs future deal [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]( Free-agent RB James Robinson signed a Reserve/Future contract with the New Orleans Saints Monday, Jan. 8. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Our view: Not that long ago (2020, Robinson was a 1,000-yard rusher for the Jaguars. However, things change quickly around here and Robinson has spent the last couple of seasons just trying to hang on. Since he left the Jaguars (2022), Robinson has bounced to four other teams. [Back to Top](#top) [] 7. ARI: Eight players signed future deals [Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban](=) Free-agent WR Andre Baccellia, OT Jackson Barton, WR Kaden Davis, OG Marquis Hayes, RB Tony Jones Jr., TE Bernhard Seikovits, WR Jeff Smith and CB Quavian White signed Reserve/Future contracts with the Arizona Cardinals Monday, Jan. 8. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Our view: Jones is a good all-purpose back who has been working with several teams to get an opportunity besides just special teams. Smith is a receiver with a ton of speed, and both are worth monitoring but only in super crazy deep dynasty formats. [Back to Top](#top) [] 8. CAR: Carolina signs 11 to futures deals [Source: Panthers.com](=) Carolina Panthers RB Tarik Cohen, RB Mike Boone, RB Spencer Brown, WR Jalen Camp, WR Cam Sims, TE Jordan Matthews, TE Chris Pierce, OT Badara Traore, DE Raequan Williams, CB AJ Parker and CB Lamar X. Jackson signed Reserve/Future contracts on Monday, Jan. 8. Our view: There are quite a few skill position players here that Fantasy GMs in super crazy deep dynasty formats should keep an eye on. We'll still throw out some love for Jordan Matthews just because a tight end that size can be a weapon in the red zone. However, most all of these guys are running out of time to prove themselves in the NFL. [Back to Top](#top) [] 9. LVR: Vegas signs 15 to future contracts [Source: NFLCommunications.com](=) Free-agent DE David Agoha, CB Cornell Armstrong, QB Anthony A. Brown, OG D.J. Fluker, TE Cole Fotheringham, CB Jaydon Grant, DT Marquan McCall, RB Sincere McCormick, OT Jalen McKenzie, TE John Samuel Shenker, DT Nesta Jade Silvera, LB Elerson Smith, LB Charles Snowden, CB Sam Webb and WR Kristian Wilkerson signed Reserve/Future contracts with the Las Vegas Raiders Monday, Jan. 8. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Our view: Undrafted out of Oregon in 2022 (Ravens), we've seen Brown in the starting lineup for one game (Week 18 2022). He's got a skill set similar to that of Tyler Huntley, so it made sense why the Ravens coveted his ability. Brown failed to make the final roster in the 2023 training camp, but now he gets to see if he can further develop with the Raiders. Fantasy GMs in super crazy deep dynasty formats will keep an eye on him. [Back to Top](#top) [] 10. NO: New Orleans signs 10 to future deals [Source: NewOrleansSaints.com]( Free-agent OT Mark Evans II, DT Jack Heflin, CB Faion Hicks, TE Tommy Hudson, TE Michael Jacobson, OG Tommy Kraemer, DE Niko Lalos, RB Jordan Mims, LB Anfernee Orji and DT John Penisini signed Reserve/Future contracts with the New Orleans Saints Monday, Jan. 8. Terms of the contracts were not disclosed. Our view: Mims was undrafted out of Fresno State in 2023, and he spent the spring and summer with the Buffalo Bills. The Saints picked him up and he spent time between the active roster as a special teams player and the team's practice squad. We like his instincts as a runner, so Fantasy GMs in super crazy deep dynasty formats should keep an eye on his career. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. WAS: Three interviewing Tuesday with WAS [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport]() Kansas City Chiefs assistant general manager Mike Borgonzi, San Francisco 49ers assistant general manager Adam Peters and Cleveland Browns assistant general manager Glenn Cook are interviewing for the Washington Commanders general manager vacancy Tuesday, Jan. 9. Our view: It's a big offseason for the Commanders, and they've got some quality choices that are interviewing for the general manager spot. The general manager they choose will be heavily involved in the search for a new head coach. [Back to Top](#top) ​ [] 12. DEN: Twelve signed to Reserve/Future deals [Source: DenverBroncos.com - Aric DiLalla](=) Free-agent RB Tyler Badie, QB Ben DiNucci, WR Phillip Dorsett, DT Jordan Jackson, OT Demontrey Jacobs, S Devon Key, LB Durell Nchami, LB Ronnie Perkins, OT Will Sherman, WR David Sills, S Keidron Smith and CB Reese Taylor signed Reserve/Future contracts with the Denver Broncos Monday, Jan. 8. Terms of the contract were not disclosed. Our view: Badie is a young player with speed, and he flashed in training camp for the Broncos in 2023. They'll be looking for help at the running back position this offseason, and Badie will be in the mix to earn a spot on the 53-man roster. [Back to Top](#top) [] 13. DEN: Russell Wilson could ride again in Denver? [Source: Denver Gazette - Chris Tomasson]( Denver Broncos QB Russell Wilson has at least a small chance to return to the team in 2024, according to comments made by head coach Sean Payton.'Yes. (He could return.) That final decision has not been made,' Payton said on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Our view: Broncos GM George Paton made it clear the door was open for Wilson to return as well. If that happens (big if), Wilson would have to massively reduce his contract and salary cap number in 2024 and beyond. His contract fully guarantees his 2025 salary on the fifth day of the new league year in 2024. Wilson could stick for another year in Denver, and Paton says he's open to it, but we can't imagine the Broncos committing much more to him after that. He's likely to be cut. [Back to Top](#top) That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J [avatar] Joe Bryant Guide ​ ​ [[twitter]​]([[facebook]​](=)[[discord]​]([[youtube]​]([[instagram]​]( = Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey Was this email forwarded to you? 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