NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Little surprised by this hire. Thought they would being an offensive guy for Mariota. That being said, I'm a Vrable fan.

 

Steelers fans probably aren't either

 

Vikings to consider McCoy, McAdoo to replace Shurmur

The Minnesota Vikings must replace offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur whenever their season ends.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported two names they'll consider are ex-Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and ex-Giants coach Ben McAdoo.

Both retread coaches are in the mix for other jobs, including McAdoo interviewing with the Browns.

McCoy spent 10 games as the Denver Broncos offensive coordinator in 2017 (fired following six straight losses) after four seasons as the Chargers head coach. The Broncos failed to score 20 points in seven of eight games before firing McCoy. The change at OC did little to open the offense. Denver scored 20 points in three of the final six weeks of the season, but only bested the 26-point mark once in 2017 (Week 2).

McAdoo was fired in December with a 2-10 record. He finished his tenure guiding Big Blue to a 13-15 record. At the time of his dismissal, the Giants owned one of the worst offenses in the NFL, scoring just 17.8 points per game and ranking 30th in the NFL in total yards per tilt (314.7) -- only the Browns and Bears scored fewer points per game since 2016, per NFL Research.

Neither former head coach is a particularly inspiring or outside-the-box candidate for Minnesota. Of course, most said the same thing when Shurmur joined the Vikings two seasons ago.

 

The thumb was clearly an issue. And then they lost Rob Gronklowski. And the Jaguars played an incredible game.

And none of that ended up mattering.


The Patriots came back for an incredible 24-20 win over the Jaguars to advance to Super Bowl LII, a trip that might be among their most memorable for what they’ve overcome.

 

Belichick with a masterful coaching job. Jags kept trying to force what didn't work too.

 

Hello, Super Bowl: Underdog Eagles dominate Vikings 38-7

The Eagles were underdogs against the Falcons. They were underdogs against the Vikings. They are sure to be underdogs against the Patriots, too.

Philadelphia has embraced the role.

The Eagles left no doubt who the best team is in the NFC, dominating the Vikings 38-7 on Sunday night. They didn’t even have to wait until time expired for the Gatorade shower, dousing coach Doug Pederson at the two-minute warning.

Philadelphia left Minnesota with no chance for a miracle comeback, with not enough “Seven Heavens” in the Vikings’ playbook for this. After the Vikings took a 7-0 lead, it was all Eagles, all the time.

The Eagles scored 38 consecutive points. They finished with 456 yards as Nick Foles completed 26 of 33 for 352 yards with three touchdowns and a 141.4 passer rating.

Eagles fans taunted the Vikings and honored Foles with a Skol chant of “Foles” during the second half. The backup quarterback has gone 4-1 in relief of Carson Wentz, who went on injured reserve after injuring his knee in Week 14.

Foles now has as many career playoff victories — two — as Tony Romo and Alex Smith — and one more than Jay Cutler and Carson Palmer.

While the understudy became the star Sunday, the entire Eagles team can take the curtain call.

Torrey Smith caught a 41-yard touchdown pass after dropping a pass on the Eagles’ first drive. Alshon Jeffery caught touchdown passes of 53 and 5 yards. Chris Long recovered a fumble and his hit on Case Keenum led to a 50-yard interception return by Patrick Robinson, who got a clearing block by Ronald Darby. LeGarrette Blount had an 11-yard touchdown run. Corey Graham had an interception. Derek Barnett had a sack and a forced fumble. Jay Ajayi had 73 yards on 18 carries.

The Eagles, who were 10 of 14 on third down, had no problem moving the ball and scoring points against the league’s top-rated defense. It was the most points, total yards and passing yards the Vikings have allowed this season.

Keenum and the Vikings offense has seen better days, too. Nothing went right after the first series when Minnesota marched right down the field to take an early lead on Kyle Rudolph‘s 25-yard touchdown catch. That was the sole highlight for the Vikings.

Keenum ended up with three turnovers, two interceptions and a fumble. He went 28-of-48 for 271 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

It marked the sixth consecutive loss in an NFC Championship Game by the Vikings and their fifth in a row on the road. They are 1-5 all time in road NFC title games.

The victorious Eagles are going to their third Super Bowl, trying to win their first against the team that beat them in their last appearance. They lost to the Patriots 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX to end the 2004 season. In Super Bowl XV, Philadelphia lost to the Raiders 27-10 to end the 1980 season. (PFT)

 

There goes any chance of the Patriots not repeating.

 

You apparently went as far as most people in their analysis. The name at QB. Even ignoring his improvement. The Eagles offense showed they can put up points and the Patriots' defense is worse that the Vikings', albeit probably smarter. That is where the Jaguars got in trouble. The Eagles have coped with change this season and will cope with it during the big game to make adjustments. The defense is for real. The biggest thing is 4-men can get a push without blitzing. That can help take care of Brady. It took care of most other threats.

 

Joe I would love Philly to win. But the Patriots have the ref crew on their team along with Belichick and Brady. Good luck. Try deflating Brady's balls.

 

FOLES!

 

now Gid you say this and I'm not doubting you but Joe Buck said last night "Minnesota was trying to be the first team in the SB era to host a SB?" What gives here ??

 

wow really Gid? can't jump on the Eagles wagon just 1 time? Like the Vikings had a chance to beat NE?

 

Joe-GOD I hope so !

 

The Rams didn't use the Rose Bowl as a home stadium, still was a home game for them. When you can sleep at home that is a home game.

 

oh ok. So truly Minnesota was hosting if they won last night. Ok-hate to give credit to Joe Buck. haha.

 

Arizona Cardinals...

The Cardinals may have their next head coach in place pretty soon.

Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic reports that the Cardinals are “closing in” on a deal with Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. Wilks has interviewed with the team twice since Bruce Arians announced his retirement and Bill Voth of the Panthers’ website suggested things were moving toward a deal earlier on Monday.

The Cardinals also had Falcons special teams coach Keith Armstrong in for a second interview and were expected to meet with Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores for a second time this week. Those interviews would obviously not happen if they do move forward with Wilks.

Wilks, who just finished his first season as the coordinator in Carolina after five years as their secondary coach, interviewed for several jobs in the last few weeks. (PFT)

 

The signs early on Monday all pointed toward the Cardinals hiring Steve Wilks as their new head coach and the team made it official a little later in the day.

The team announced that Wilks, who was the Panthers’ defensive coordinator, will take over as head coach after interviewing with the team twice in recent weeks. He replaces Bruce Arians, who retired at the end of the 2017 regular season.

While a few hires still need to be officially announced, Wilks’ hiring leaves no vacant head coaching jobs in the league. The Cardinals were also the last to settle on a head coach when they hired Arians in 2013 and that choice led to three straight seasons with at least 10 wins.

Wilks’ hiring got a thumbs up from cornerback Patrick Peterson on Twitter and we’ll likely hear from other Cardinals players in the coming days. One spot where there won’t be a response is quarterback as Carson Palmer has joined Arians in retirement to leave the team with a big hole on offense. They’ll work to fill it this offseason and Wilks’ eventual hire at offensive coordinator will have a lot to do with how things play out once they find Palmer’s replacement with the first team.

 

https://sports.yahoo.com/jimmy-garo...title-will-make-super-bowl-win-035657962.html

Jimmy G laughing all the way to the bank !

 

Giants announce Pat Shurmur hire...