Around the League News/Rumor Thread

[BOSSHOGG30]

The Chicago Sun Times believes Bernard Berrian, Lance Briggs, and Brendon Ayanbadejo are "nearly certain" to leave the Bears in free agency.

The Bears may not deem Berrian worthy of the franchise tag due to Devin Hester's emergence as a receiver. Ayanbadejo could look for somewhere he can play more defense. Briggs might price himself out of Chicago's range.
Source: Chicago Sun Times

[BOSSHOGG30]

The Cardinals are expected to add a more explosive running back with tackle breaking ability this offseason.

J.J. Arrington is fast, but doesn't shed many tackles. The Cards will likely bring Edgerrin James back, but it sounds like they want him to be part of a committee in 2008. Arrington will be competing just to make the club.
Source: Arizona Republic

[MissouriBronc]

Arizona should look at Justin Forsett

[SeeingRed]

Originally Posted by BOSSHOGG30

The Cardinals are expected to add a more explosive running back with tackle breaking ability this offseason.

J.J. Arrington is fast, but doesn't shed many tackles. The Cards will likely bring Edgerrin James back, but it sounds like they want him to be part of a committee in 2008. Arrington will be competing just to make the club.
Source: Arizona Republic

The Cards' problem with their run game is not their running backs, it's their offensive line and their blocking scheme. Give Weisenhunt a little more time and they'll be in the top 10 in every offensive category there is.

[King87]

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

The Cards' problem with their run game is not their running backs, it's their offensive line and their blocking scheme. Give Weisenhunt a little more time and they'll be in the top 10 in every offensive category there is.

The only problem that offense will have is their QB. Warner is not the answer and Wisenhunt is not very fond of Leinart. Hell, I don't know if anyone is very fond of Leinart, barring his mother.

[MissouriBronc]

Martz fired...
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3177253

Source: Lions fire Martz, promote Colleto, Brown to lead offense

The Detroit Lions have fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz and promoted offensive line coach Jim Colleto and wide receivers coach Kippy Brown to run the offense in his place, a source in the organization told ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Colleto will be named offensive coordinator and remain as the offensive line coach, while Brown is being promoted to assistant head coach and passing game coordinator, and will also serve as running backs coach.

Martz confirmed his firing to the Detroit Free Press.

"We fell short of what we wanted to do offensively, and I regret that," he told the newspaper.

In other changes, the Lions promoted Shawn Jefferson from offensive assistant to wide receivers coach and fired Martz's son, Tim Martz, as an offensive assistant.

On Sunday, after their season ended with a loss to the Green Bay Packers, members of the Lions offense said the blame should be on them.

"You can keep changing coaches, but every time you change them that's a new system,'' said quarterback Jon Kitna. "The reality is, the games that we lost, the majority, the times that things didn't go right, it was self-inflicted stuff.

"It wasn't a coaching thing where you were outcoached or they weren't putting you in a position to be successful. There were plays to be made, and we didn't make them for whatever reason that is.''

However, Martz is not expected to be out of work for long. According to media reports, the San Francisco 49ers will seek him out as a replacement for current offensive coordinator Jim Hostler.

Martz led the St. Louis Rams to the playoffs in four of his five full seasons as a head coach, including a Super Bowl after the 2001 season, and helped the franchise win the 2000 Super Bowl as offensive coordinator. The Rams went 51-29 in the regular season and 54-33 overall during his five full seasons as coach.

[MissouriBronc]

ESPN Rumor Mill

Wednesday, January 2
Jets might keep Pennington
Chad Pennington | Jets
Chad Pennington's midseason demotion, coupled with his ambiguous comments about his future, has fueled rampant speculation in recent weeks that he will be traded or released.

But don't throw away those No. 10 jerseys just yet. As the Jets embark on what figures to be an eventful offseason, the organization is leaning heavily toward retaining Pennington, the New York Daily News reported. Pennington is signed through 2011 and, although his 2008 salary ($4.8 million) is steep for a potential backup, the club is prepared to keep him, presumably to battle Kellen Clemens next training camp.

Eric Mangini declined Monday to tip his hand on the all-important quarterback decision, except to say he's not ready to anoint Clemens the undisputed starter for 2008, as he did a year ago for Pennington.

Miami Dolphins
Crennel in Dolphins' mix?
Don't discount Romeo Crennel as a long-shot candidate for the Dolphins, writes John Clayton. Even though Crennel is under contract for two more seasons in Cleveland, he's at a juncture where he needs to know where he stands. A contract extension would be one way to give him some support.

For Bill Parcells to bring him to Miami, the Dolphins would have to work out draft-choice compensation. The Browns had a great season. They went 10-6 and Crennel has the full support of his players. He is so popular among his players, it would be hard for ownership to explain to the players why their coach was traded. With Parcells possibly interested, Crennel is in a good position to find out where he stands in Cleveland.

Walker moving on?
Javon Walker | Broncos
Walker wants out of Denver, and Mike Shanahan will probably accommodate his trade demand, writes John Clayton. Shanahan will feel good about having Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley as the Broncos' starting receivers. He could use the draft to develop a third receiver.

Tuesday, January 1

Atlanta Falcons
Coaching search intensifies
Falcons owner Arthur Blank is intrigued by 49ers assistant Mike Singletary as a head coach candidate, and the Falcons will ask permission to interview Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan this week, Chris Mortensen reports.

But the sleeper may be Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, who will get huge endorsements from Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. Dungy got his first job from then-Bucs GM Rich McKay, who has been offered an extension by Blank to remain as the Falcons' team president and lead the search for a new football ops boss and coach. Of course, if Dungy should retire -- he has called himself year-to-year -- then Caldwell would be his likely successor in Indy.

Anderson available?
Derek Anderson | Browns
Needing to fill many holes, especially on a defense that struggled with injuries all season, the Browns will listen to offers for Anderson, who passed for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns this season but also had 19 interceptions.

"If anybody is interested in him, we'll just have to see how it goes," Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said. "Sometimes people can make you an offer and you can say, 'No, I think I'm going to stay with what I got.' Sometimes they make you an offer and you say, 'Oooohhh.'"

The Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing an unnamed source, reported on Jan. 1 that the Browns' current plan is for Anderson to be on the 2008 roster.

Bills dangling Losman?
J.P. Losman | Bills
Because the pool of free-agent quarterbacks is hardly impressive, the Bills might be able to generate interest in former starter Losman on the trade market, writes Len Pasquarelli.

The Bills' first-round pick in the 2004 draft, Losman regressed this season, demonstrating questionable decision-making before he lost his job to Trent Edwards. But the four-year veteran still has upside; he'll turn 27 in the spring, right about the time the offseason trade moratorium ends. Losman is athletic, has a pretty strong arm and made strides in 2006, when he started 16 games.

[Bronco9798]

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Kansas City Chiefs, who fired OC Mike Solari, might take a run at former Lions OC Mike Martz, who wants to coach next season. But if Martz cannot land the right job, he does have a contract with one year remaining on it that Detroit would be obligated to pay.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the San Francisco 49ers is searching for a new offensive coordinator and the leading candidate is not former Lions OC Mike Martz, who was dismissed by Detroit Wednesday. The leading candidate to take over as the 49ers offensive coordinator is former Georgia Tech and Dallas Cowboys HC Chan Gailey. Niners HC Mike Nolan spent five seasons in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s working with Gailey in Denver. There is a comfort level there between the two men, and Gailey has respect around the league. Martz might have interested the 49ers front office and coaching staff, but ownership never seemed keen on the idea of bringing on the former Lions signal caller. Thus while San Francisco looks at Gailey, Martz is left to look elsewhere.

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Baltimore Ravens spent much of this week in meetings, debating which head coaching candidates they should be pursuing. Baltimore discussed 30 -- 30! -- potential candidates, leaving Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti plenty of work to do to uncover the potential "Hall-of-Fame" coach he is seeking to take over his franchise. The Ravens already have faxed permission requests to the Dallas Cowboys to interview assistant head coach Tony Sparano and OC Jason Garrett, the Indianapolis Colts to interivew their assistant head coach, Jim Caldwell, and the New England Patriots to interview OC Josh McDaniels. The Ravens want to make sure they contact the assistant coaches in this season’s playoffs and attempt to interview them this week, during the window that is open. After this week the Ravens can focus on coaches not involved in the postseason. But the Ravens' work is far from done. There still will be more meetings, further debating the merits that each particular head coach could bring, as Baltimore continues to do the legwork to find a new coach. It could be a while before the Ravens hire their new head man.

[Bronco9798]

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports Falcons owner Arthur Blank is scheduled to travel to Indianapolis to interview Colts vice president of football operations, Chris Polian, on Thursday for the Falcons general manager job. And from Indianapolis, Blank will visit Dallas, where he is scheduled to interview Cowboys assistant head coach Tony Sparano and OC Jason Garrett on Friday for the Falcons head coaching job. And once he wraps up those trips, Blank plans to hone in on Eagles GM Tom Heckert, who would be allowed to leave Philadelphia only because he would be given more decision-making responsibility in Atlanta.

The Press Democrat reports the San Francisco 49ers have not been contacted by any team seeking permission to speak with assistant head coach Mike Singletary for a head-coaching position.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports Falcons owner Arthur Blank and team president Rich McKay were scheduled to interview Packers director of pro personnel Reggie McKenzie in Green Bay for the team's general manager vacancy Wednesday, according to two people with knowledge of the meeting. Blank and McKay also plan to interview Indianapolis assistant head coach/quarterbacks coach Jim Caldwell Thursday about the Falcons' available head coaching position, a person with knowledge of the scheduled interview said. Blank and McKay also will interview Dallas Cowboys offensive assistants Tony Sparano and OC Jason Garrett this week. Besides Caldwell, Garrett and Sparano, former Ravens DC Rex Ryan and San Francisco assistant head coach Mike Singletary are expected be contacted by Atlanta about its head coaching job.

[Bronco9798]

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports it seems about 95 percent sure that the Eagles will go forward with QB Donovan McNabb next season, with QB Kevin Kolb waiting in the wings. The only real threat to that scenario would be if a Minnesota, a Chicago or a Baltimore were so desperate for a top-line quarterback that it made a franchise-altering offer for McNabb. That's not impossible, but it is unlikely.

The Oakland Tribune reports sources indicate Raiders DC Rob Ryan was told before the team's final game, against San Diego on Sunday, that he would not be returning in 2008 and had already secured his next place of employment, hardly a surprise but still somewhat remarkable in that just 12 months ago, Ryan received more than just cursory consideration for the head job HC Lane Kiffin got.

New York Newsday reports Jets HC Eric Mangini indicated that there may be room for both ILB David Harris and ILB Jonathan Vilma (knee - IR) at inside linebacker, though how effective Vilma can be in the 3-4 is still a point of contention. As for Harris' five sacks, Mangini said he didn't realize the rookie could rush the passer that well. "I don't know if he realized it [either]," Mangini said. "That really wasn't his gig in college"

[Bronco9798]

The New York Daily News reports Jets HC Eric Mangini's decision on DC Bob Sutton could be influenced by the availability of two potential replacements - Raiders DC Rob Ryan and his brother, former Ravens DC Rex Ryan, who was fired on Monday with the rest of Brian Billick's staff. Mangini has spoken highly of both Ryans, especially Rob, who is under fire and could be dismissed today. Rex is expected to interview for the Ravens' head-coaching vacancy, but he could be on the Jets' radar if it doesn't work out in Baltimore. If the Jets ended up with Rex, it could enhance their chances of signing Ravens OLB Terrell Suggs, believed to be on their free-agent wish list.

ESPN's John Clayton reports GM A.J. Smith's signing of a five-year extension means stability for the Chargers, and that's good news for HC Norv Turner. Even if he doesn't win a playoff game, Turner won't be a "one-and-done" coach. Owner Dean Spanos has great confidence in the judgment of Smith, who hired Turner. A win Sunday over the Titans would make everyone feel even better about the long-term stability of the franchise.

The Detroit News reports the Lions have 13 players who are eligible to be unrestricted free agents: LB Boss Bailey, LB Teddy Lehman, RB T.J. Duckett, RB Aveion Cason, RB Tatum Bell, TE John Owens, CB Tony Beckham, FS Idris Bashir, CB Kevin Smith, CB Travis Fisher, ORT George Foster, WR Troy Walters and OG Damien Woody. Four players will be restricted free agents: QB Dan Orlovsky, OG Stephen Peterman, DT Langston Moore and CB Stanley Wilso

[BOSSHOGG30]

Monte Kiffin says he isn't interested in leaving Tampa Bay to be the Raiders' defensive coordinator.

As of Wednesday, there is no defensive coordinator vacancy in Oakland, but Rob Ryan is likely to be dismissed shortly. There have been rumors that Kiffin might go there to run the defense for his son, Lane. Monte admitted that his contract with Tampa is up, but he's had no conversations about leaving.
Source: pewterreport.com

[omac]

Originally Posted by Bronco9798

..... former Ravens DC Rex Ryan, who was fired on Monday with the rest of Brian Billick's staff

Wow, Rex Ryan! I wonder which would be more difficult ... switching to Bates' scheme, or switching to a 3-4? If it will take the about same amount of time to get good at it anyway ..... eh, wishful thinking.

[dogfish]

ahahahaha, LMAO!!

NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports the Kansas City Chiefs, who fired OC Mike Solari, might take a run at former Lions OC Mike Martz, who wants to coach next season.

please god, let this happen-- how priceless would it be to watch that egotistical jackass larry johnson rot while they try to run seven step drops behind that pathetic OL and throw 40+ times a game with brodie croyle? he wouldn't last three games. . . .

[MissouriBronc]

Originally Posted by dogfish

please god, let this happen-- how priceless would it be to watch that egotistical jackass larry johnson rot while they try to run seven step drops behind that pathetic OL and throw 40+ times a game with brodie croyle? he wouldn't last three games. . . .

He wouldn't last one. He'd be dead behind that o-line after about six snaps.