Around the NFL 2011-2012

[Biw]

With a name like "Forthewin", how can you not? If you were a racehorse I'd bet on you.

Who you got next week?

Patriots/Tebow
Ravens/Texans
49ers/Saints
Packers/Giants

Sounds good to me.

 

[Sly]

Bucs to interview Marty Schottenheimer

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 9, 2012, 11:17 AM EST

Marty Schottenheimer is 68 years old and hasn’t coached in the NFL since the Chargers fired him following the 2006 season, but that doesn’t mean he’s done.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Schottenheimer will interview with the Buccaneers for their head-coaching vacancy on Tuesday.

Schottenheimer’s son Brian has been discussed as a head-coaching candidate this offseason, but not many people expected to hear Marty’s name mentioned for any coaching vacancies. But the Bucs apparently want an old-school coach to whip their roster into shape, and Schottenheimer is certainly that.

As coach of the Browns from 1984 to 1988, the Chiefs from 1989 to 1998, the Redskins in 2001 and the Chargers from 2002 to 2006, Schottenheimer went 200-126-1 in the regular season and 5-13 in the playoffs.

Most recently Schottenheimer was head coach of the Virginia Destroyers of the United Football League.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/09/bucs-to-interview-marty-schottenheimer/

 

[davedugan43]

I was 2/4 this weekend....hope to get some redemption time...

Broncos 30, Patriots 28 (I'm done underestimating him, he shredded the #1 defense in football, and now he faces the #32 D)
Saints 36, 49ers 20 (Saints are my pick for it all)
Giants 28, Packers 27 (looked good in MetLife in Week 13)
Ravens 24, Texans 10 (Sorry Yates)

 

[Juice is Loose]

Tebow/Broncos 31-30. Tebow magic happens again.
Saints 42-24. Saints are just rolling right now.
Packers 28-17. Packers too good, they know what needs to be done to repeat.
Ravens 17-7. It will be close but Yates against Balt D stands no chance.

 

[Maximus]

Packers coach's son reported missing

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP)

Authorities were searching for the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin on Monday, a day after he was reported missing following a night out with friends.

Michael T. Philbin was last heard from around 2 a.m. Sunday. Oshkosh Police spokesman Joseph Nichols said one of Michael Philbin's friends reported him missing at 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

Philbin had traveled from his home in Ripon to Oshkosh to meet friends, Nichols said. They went out together in the campus area Saturday evening but when the group decided to move on to another establishment Michael Philbin apparently chose to stay behind, he said.

Philbin made a cellphone call to one of his friends at 2 a.m. but didn't say where he was, Nichols said. Philbin didn't sound as if he was under duress or suffering from any medical issues and the call ended amicably, Nichols said.

But he never returned to get his car on Sunday and never tried to contact anyone, prompting the call to police, Nichols said.

Investigators have checked video surveillance from campus-area establishments, contacted the county jail and area hospitals in hopes of locating him, but so far they've turned up nothing. Attempts to track his cellphone were unsuccessful and police in Ripon, about 20 miles away, turned up nothing when they went to his home, Nichols said.

Sheriff's deputies were looking into a report of cries for help from the Fox River, but investigators had not established any links to the Philbin disappearance, Nichols said. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department said divers were searching for someone who apparently fell through the ice.

The disappearance comes as the Packers prepare for Sunday's home playoff game against the New York Giants.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Philbin was in Oshkosh on Monday, and said the team has contingency plans in place if Philbin can't be there this week.

"We're supporting Joe and his family the best we can, and we're holding out hope that this comes to a positive conclusion," McCarthy said.

"The Packers organization is aware of the missing person report regarding Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family during this difficult time."

Joe Philbin has been with the Packers since 2003, and has been the team's offensive coordinator since 2007. He interviewed for the Miami Dolphins' vacant head coaching job last week.

Michael Philbin was sentenced to six months in jail in 2009 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls.

 

[Surge]

Saints v Tebow in the Super Bowl, just makes too much sense...

 

[Maximus]

The just found his body in a river.

Packers coach's son reported missing

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP)

Authorities were searching for the 21-year-old son of Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin on Monday, a day after he was reported missing following a night out with friends.

Michael T. Philbin was last heard from around 2 a.m. Sunday. Oshkosh Police spokesman Joseph Nichols said one of Michael Philbin's friends reported him missing at 8:15 p.m. Sunday.

Philbin had traveled from his home in Ripon to Oshkosh to meet friends, Nichols said. They went out together in the campus area Saturday evening but when the group decided to move on to another establishment Michael Philbin apparently chose to stay behind, he said.

Philbin made a cellphone call to one of his friends at 2 a.m. but didn't say where he was, Nichols said. Philbin didn't sound as if he was under duress or suffering from any medical issues and the call ended amicably, Nichols said.

But he never returned to get his car on Sunday and never tried to contact anyone, prompting the call to police, Nichols said.

Investigators have checked video surveillance from campus-area establishments, contacted the county jail and area hospitals in hopes of locating him, but so far they've turned up nothing. Attempts to track his cellphone were unsuccessful and police in Ripon, about 20 miles away, turned up nothing when they went to his home, Nichols said.

Sheriff's deputies were looking into a report of cries for help from the Fox River, but investigators had not established any links to the Philbin disappearance, Nichols said. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Department said divers were searching for someone who apparently fell through the ice.

The disappearance comes as the Packers prepare for Sunday's home playoff game against the New York Giants.

Coach Mike McCarthy said Philbin was in Oshkosh on Monday, and said the team has contingency plans in place if Philbin can't be there this week.

"We're supporting Joe and his family the best we can, and we're holding out hope that this comes to a positive conclusion," McCarthy said.

"The Packers organization is aware of the missing person report regarding Michael Philbin, son of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin," Packers general manager Ted Thompson said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Philbin family during this difficult time."

Joe Philbin has been with the Packers since 2003, and has been the team's offensive coordinator since 2007. He interviewed for the Miami Dolphins' vacant head coaching job last week.

Michael Philbin was sentenced to six months in jail in 2009 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting two young girls.

 

[Sly]

Yeah, that sucks. Being interviewed for HC gigs, only to have your kid, fucked up kid apparently, end up in the river. Wonder what kind of effect this has on the Packers.

 

[Sly]

Raiders fire Hue Jackson

Posted by Mike Florio on January 10, 2012, 2:06 PM EST

In the end, the fact that Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie and coach Hue Jackson share an agent meant nothing. PFT has confirmed that the Raiders, via a decision made by the newly-hired McKenzie, have fired Hue Jackson, after one 8-8 season. The news was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Agent Kennard McGuire has been trying hard to throw water on persistent speculation, first hatched right here only four days ago, that Jackson could be fired.

We continued to add details in recent days, pointing out that McKenzie will control the football operations — and that he will possess the power to hire and fire the coach.

And so the termination of Jackson comes even before McKenzie’s formal introduction as General Manager. It’s unknown whether McKenzie’s press conference will include an explanation of the reasons for the decision.

The next question becomes the identity of the next coach, and speculation has centered on Packers assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss. Then the question becomes whether Moss, or whoever the next coach may be, will want to keep quarterback Carson Palmer, the man for whom Jackson gave up a first-round pick in 2012 and a second-round pick (which could still upgrade to a first-round pick) in 2013.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/10/raiders-fire-hue-jackson/

Surprising because of how they stepped up this year, but it seems they want to cut as many ties to Al's decisions as possible.

 

[TAS]

Waiting on McKenzie’s press conference before i can comment on Hue's firing.

A new coach every other year.

Ffucckkkkkkkkkcacackkkk

 

[Stitches]

Damn, I thought Hue and Cable got raw deals.

It'd be nice if my team hired a coach soon though, so I can start wondering about who his staff will be.

 

[Sly]

“He’s going to gut this place,” [Hue] Jackson told Henry Wofford of CSNBayArea.com. “He [McKenzie] wants to bring in his own guys. No job is safe right now.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/10/hue-jackson-mckenzie-is-going-to-gut-this-place/

Winston Moss looks like early favorite for Raiders job

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 10, 2012, 4:28 PM EST


With Hue Jackson out in Oakland, we’re left to wonder who the next head coach of the Raiders will be.

It sounds like Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie will gut the Raiders and pick a coach from the Packers staff with which he’s comfortable.

We’ve seen various reporters come up with various candidates, but they all mention the same favorite: Packers assistant head coach/inside linebackers Winston Moss.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentions Packers secondary coach Darren Perry, quarterback coach Tom Clements, tight ends coach Ben McAdoo as other options in Oakland. But Moss is viewed as the favorite.

Based on his long history with the Packers, McKenzie is surely rooting for Green Bay to keep winning and make it impossible to actually hire any of the Packers assistants for another month.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...ss-looks-like-early-favorite-for-raiders-job/

Jay Gruden decides to pass up head coaching interviews

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 10, 2012, 4:42 PM EST


Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden feels loyal to the organization that gave him a chance to jump from the Arena League.

Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports Gruden has informed the Rams and Jaguars that he will not interview for their head coaching positions. He wants to stay in Cincinnati.

Crap, could have done without Jay Gruden next year.

Reggie McKenzie: I wanted to bring my own guy in

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 10, 2012, 6:14 PM EST

Hours after he fired head coach Hue Jackson, Raiders G.M. Reggie McKenzie said that his decision was simple: He’s running the team now, and he wants to move the team in a new direction.

“This decision centered around my wanting to bring my own guy in,” McKenzie said.

McKenzie sat next to Raiders owner Mark Davis at a press conference and said that Davis has entrusted him with putting the franchise on the right path.

“I want to bring my guy in and Mark was OK with that, period. That’s what we want,” McKenzie said. “Let’s bring a new guy in and let him have a chance to put his system in place and put his mission statement together for that locker room.”

We don’t know for sure who McKenzie’s guy is, but indications are that Packers assistant head coach/inside linebackers coach Winston Moss is the leading candidate. Moss and McKenzie are both former Raiders linebackers, and they’ve been in Green Bay together for the last five years.

Davis said he has known since his father, Al Davis, died three months ago that McKenzie is the right man to lead the franchise going forward, confirming reports from October that McKenzie was always in the Raiders’ plans. Davis just had to wait for the season to end to hire away an executive from another team.

What Davis didn’t seem eager to talk about was Jackson’s departure. Asked about Jackson’s contentious press conference at the end of the season, Davis said, “I don’t think I want to comment on that.”

Ultimately, McKenzie said, there’s a lot to like about the Raiders’ roster, but also a lot he needs to improve.

“You want to make sure you’ve got productive, good football players,” McKenzie said. “It’s not totally talent. I want some guys who love to play the game, that’s going to play hard, that’s going to play tough. That’s what I’m looking for. I’m looking for some guys who want to play and want to win.”

And first McKenzie will put a coach in place, one who — unlike Jackson — is McKenzie’s guy.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/10/reggie-mckenzie-i-wanted-to-bring-my-own-guy-in/

 

[Sly]

Jaguars hire Mike Mularkey to be next head coach

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 10, 2012, 10:09 PM EST


Six years after walking away from a head coaching job in Buffalo, Mike Mularkey will again run an NFL team.

Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union reports that the Jaguars are hiring Mularkey to be their next head coach. Mularkey has been the offensive coordinator in Atlanta since 2008.

Mularkey interviewed for the job on Tuesday and clearly had a strong performance. He gets the job on the same day that Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden pulled out of the running and only two days after Mularkey’s Falcons offense didn’t score a point against the Giants.

This may not be a popular move in Jacksonville. And Pete Prisco of CBSSports.com points out that it may be popular with many Falcons fans and some Falcons players.

We’re inclined to give owner Shahid Khan and G.M. Gene Smith the benefit of the doubt for now. Mularkey had one good season in Buffalo as a head coach and one not so good season. He didn’t seem ready for the job, but we always thought he might be someone that would be much better the second team around. (The same goes for former Bills coach Gregg Williams.)

Mularkey certainly has an uphill climb in Jacksonville. While the defensive talent is solid, Mularkey will have to quickly develop Blaine Gabbert and Smith needs to find some receivers for Gabbert to throw to.

The Jaguars are clearly betting that Mularkey is the man to make Gabbert look like a franchise quarterback because he didn’t look like one as a rookie.

UPDATE 10:48 p.m. ET: The Jaguars officially confirmed the hire. Mularkey is the third coach in Jaguars franchise history after Tom Coughlin and Jack Del Rio.

Bill Callahan leaves Jets, replaces Hudson Houck in Dallas

Posted by Michael David Smith on January 10, 2012, 9:21 PM EST


Henry Ellard isn’t the only coach leaving the Jets.

Bill Callahan, who has been the assistant head coach and offensive line coach of the Jets for the last four years, is leaving to coach the Cowboys’ offensive line, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports.

Callahan replaces Hudson Houck, who is retiring after 29 years in the NFL. Houck has coached with the Rams, Cowboys, Seahawks, Chargers and Dolphins and says he’s ready to call it quits.

“I’ve had a great time, been part of a lot of winning teams and I’ve enjoyed a lot of wonderful relationships,” Houck said.

Now the Cowboys add Callahan, a well respected line coach who has previously been head coach of the Raiders and at Nebraska. He should be a good addition to Jason Garrett’s staff, and his departure coming on the same day that Ellard is departing as the Jets’ receivers’ coach shows that there’s not as much stability on Rex Ryan’s staff as the Jets’ have been suggesting publicly. The Jets had had offered Callahan a contract extension on multiple occasions, and Callahn declined.

The Cowboys will also add Jerome Henderson, formerly the defensive backs coach of the Browns, to replace Dave Campo as the defensive backs coach in Dallas

Schottenheimer won’t return to Jets

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 10, 2012, 11:28 PM EST

Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer didn’t do the Jets a favor by getting the head coaching job in Jacksonville. So he’s going to do the next best thing.

The Jets announced Tuesday night that Schottenheimer informed the team he won’t return for 2012.

“After much thought and consideration, I have decided not to return to the New York Jets in 2012,” said Schottenheimer in a carefully crafted statement released by the Jets. “I am very proud of what we have accomplished in the six years I have been here.

“I am grateful for the relationships that I have with our players and coaches and appreciate the hard work and dedication that went into our success. My family and I would like to thank Rex Ryan and the entire Jets organization and wish them continued success. I look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.”

Rex Ryan said that he understood Schottenheimer wanted a “fresh start” elsewhere and knows he’ll be a “successful head coach” some day.

This sounds like the nicest firing ever. It’s worded in such a way not to hurt Schottenheimer’s ability to get future work, especially after the Jets said they’d keep Schottenheimer. Perhaps Brian will end up with his father in Tampa Bay.

We are very curious how much money, if any, Schottenheimer will get from the two years remaining on his contract. A Jets spokesman told PFT that the team won’t discuss contract details.

Either way, getting rid of Schottenheimer is a lot less costly than dumping Santonio Holmes.

Reports: Tony Sparano will get Jets coordinator job

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 11, 2012, 12:00 AM EST

With Brian Schottenheimer stepping down from the Jets offensive coordinator job, it just so happens another candidate is lined up to replace him. Tomorrow.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that Tony Sparano is expected to get the Jets coordinator job, with an announcement likely Wednesday. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News confirms Sparano will be the team’s next coordinator.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/

 

[Sly]

Colts reach agreement with Grigson to be next G.M.

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 11, 2012, 8:32 AM EST

Colts owner Jim Irsay met with a large number of the best young personnel men in the NFL, and it looks like he’s chosen his favorite.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Colts plan to hire Eagles director of player personnel Ryan Grigson, 40, to be their next general manager. Grigson visited the Colts for a second interview Tuesday.

He reportedly has an agreement in principle in place, with lawyers finalizing the contract. Schefter says Grigson could be introduced as early as Wednesday.

Grigson spent nine seasons in Philadelphia including two as the director of player personnel. A product of Purdue University, Grigson was a sixth-round pick of the Bengals in 1995. His career was cut short by a neck injury suffered in the CFL in 1997.

It's going to be interesting to see whether we got the better guy in Heckert, or Indy did in Grigson. I have to wonder if this will open up possible new avenues of trade since they've worked together.

Raheem Morris joins Redskins staff

Posted by Gregg Rosenthal on January 11, 2012, 9:14 PM EST

AP
Raheem Morris will work for an NFL team other than the Buccaneers for the first time, but his role will be familiar.

The Redskins hired Morris to be their defensive backs coach, according to Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times. Morris didn’t consider taking a year off despite having a year left on his contract.

“Man, I’m not into that,” Morris said. “I’m a football coach. This is what I do, it’s who I am. I’m entirely too young to sit out a season. I don’t need any rest, I don’t have any worn out feeling.”

Morris had the same role in Tampa for four years before taking over as the team’s head coach in 2009. Morris worked with both Redskins G.M. Bruce Allen and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan in Tampa.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/11/raheem-morris-joins-redskins-staff/

Too bad. Supposedly Jerome Henderson is leaving.

Defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson is heading to Dallas to rejoin former Browns coordinator Rob Ryan with the Cowboys, the Dallas Morning News reported. Henderson joined the Browns in 2009 when Eric Mangini was named head coach. He was one of five Mangini assistants retained when Shurmur succeeded Mangini in 2011.

http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2012/01/cleveland_browns_on_verge_of_l.html

I think on the radio this morning, I heard Mark Whipple (Qb coach) is heading to Penn St.

 

[Sly]

Jeff Fisher picks the Rams

Posted by Mike Florio on January 13, 2012, 2:08 PM EST

Jeff Fisher finally has chosen a team.

And, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Fisher has picked the Rams. (Peter King of SI.com has confirmed the news.)

Presumably, based on Schefter’s report from Thursday, it means that Fisher will now work out a contract with the Rams, and that no financial offers had been made prior to Fisher picking the Rams. (What’s the emoticon for rolling one’s eyes?)

No matter what anyone says, the deal wouldn’t have reported unless it was done. And there’s no way Fisher picked the Rams and then negotiated his contract, with zero leverage. Surely, Fisher had a complete offer in hand from each team, and he sat down and chose the franchise that barely beat his Titans in Super Bowl XXXIV.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/13/jeff-fisher-picks-the-rams/