NFL - NEWS & NOTES

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For the first since the season following Tampa Bay beating Oakland in Super Bowl XXXVII, the previous year's Super Bowl participants have failed to make the playoffs.

 

Im not shocked at all Carolina played way over its head last year and Denver tried to play plug and play with their QB. Yeah Trevor has not looked great in houston but he had flashes in Denver had he stayed he would have been working in a familiar system with familiar players around him makes a big difference. (of course this is just my humble opinion)

 

I think you mean Brock.

 

Indeed I did I blame turkey brain

 

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Derek Carr is going to have surgery to repair his broken fibula. He's expected to be out, 4-6 weeks.

 

For sure there will be a new Offensive Coordinator and honestly if they were smart, Dean Pees would be shipped out as well. The offense clearly under performed this season and while the defense may have looked alright in the rankings, their performance in 4th quarters have been atrocious in the last two seasons.

 

I believe it was said to be 6-8 weeks with the Super Bowl being 6weeks + a day from the injury.

 

Ya, They are changing their tune since it was first reported. 6 weeks is probably the fastest if they find no ligament damage. More damage to ligaments is more time.

 

14-14... Lions are hanging in there.

Defenses need not apply!

 

21-21 at the Half.

 

2nd half... all Cowboys. 35-21.

 

Great defensive adjustment(s) by Rod Marinelli. Lions had no answer for the 3-2-6 Dallas played in the second half.

 

Rex Ryan has been relieved of his duties as head coach. Anthony Lynn will serve as interim head coach.

Rob Ryan has also been relieved of his duties.

 

Rex shouldn't be more than assistant coach, Rob an assistant's assistant.

 

This was apparently caused by (and then sealed by) Rex Ryan opting to keep Tyrod Taylor on the field. The front office has been pushing for EJ Manuel to become the starter and the firing of Ryan bumps Manuel up to #1 on the depth chart in 2017 as they will likely move on from Taylor.

If the Bills release Tyrod they will end up with a dead cap hit just short of $3mil.

The drama in Buffalo may just be getting started.

 

For all the knocks on Tyrod I wouldn't start Manuel over him. Weird. That being said, the contract they gave Tyrod locks them into big money if they don't cut him this offseason. He needed to be above average and not just an okay game manager with great running ability.

To think that if the Bills just had a pulse on defense they'd probably be in the playoffs and for sure at least be alive heading into next week.

 

Ah wait. this makes sense. Tyrod is being sat so that he doesn't get injured. If he does and is injured through the cut deadline then then next few years of huge money will be guaranteed. Manuel who is on his contract year will get this game as an audition instead of having Cardale Jones play. Management and the next coach will decide if they want to part ways with Taylor, use him, cut and sign him or the alternatives such as resign Manuel, go with Jones or grab someone else like Glennon.

 

The Bills should be able to be immediately competitive under a new coaching staff (obviously depending on the hire). There is enough pieces in place to push for a wildcard berth in 2017 but even with a Brady retirement I see no clear path to a division title.

With all 3 rivals facing serious questions at the quarterback position for 2017, the odds for the Patriots winning another division title gets stronger all the time. Even if Brady and the Pats would win a Super bowl I highly doubt he would retire given the extremely high likelihood of New England rolling into the playoffs with a high seed and another chance at a championship.