NFL - NEWS & NOTES

On a side note...

Carlos Dunlap is the AFC defensive player of the week
Cameron Jordan named NFC defensive player of the week
Jared Goff nabs NFC offensive player of the week
Deshaun Watson wins AFC offensive player of the week

 

When JJ gets frustrated and changes coaches he always goes for a big name coach available.

 

When JJ gets frustrated and changes coaches he always goes for a big name coach available.

 

So, do you think that might be Rivera?

 

I would love Rivera back in Chicago, but the roster would need to undergo revisions for him to be effective, and I'm not ready to throw the roster back into the grinder when it's only a few (granted, important - ex: QB) pieces away.

I don't love Nagy, but Pace is going to be gone soon, unless he figures out the QB position. I prefer now, but with his contract extension, it'll likely happen in the next 2-4 years. That's when the coach change should happen. If this is Pace's ship, let him right it or go down with it. Spare Rivera and the fans the mistimed turnover.

The Jets should jump on Rivera as fast as humanly possible. That is a team that needs steady direction, and needs to get things back in order. Rivera can do that. Frankly, Rivera won't be the only coach presenting them a significant upgrade, but... I think he'd be good for that organization, providing they give him the latitude he needs.

 

IMHO, There are (or will soon be) a number of places where Rivera could land.

• New York Giants. I suspect Pat Shurmur's pink slip is already typed up - they just haven't given it to him yet.
• Dallas Cowboys. He has the name recognition that Jerry Jones covets. And it appears he's a pretty good coach.
• Washington Redskins. I don't think anyone believes Bill Callahan will get to drop the Interim part of his job title next year.
• Atlanta Falcons. Not many Head Coaches have done less with more than Dan Quinn. Other than maybe . . .
• Cleveland Browns. Freddie Kitchens. The sticking point here is John Dorsey would have to admit he made a mistake.

 

I agree with this.

The next question will have to be about which coordinator to bring in to develop Sam Darnold, but for stability of the franchise and developing a team identity, Ron Rivera would make for an easy choice.

As a side note - Perry Fewell is one of the names I have on the list I keep for guys I would like to see given a chance to be a head coach. Looks like he will get some 'on the job training' while Carolina works out all of their issues, including whether or not to go after an offensive mind to rekindle Cam's career.

I have some thoughts on that, but I'll leave the floor open for the moment...

 

Two words: "Fuck" and "no."

 

One thing I noticed is the kind of comparison to Perry Fewell's career and Minnesota's, Mike Zimmer. If Fewell could surround himself with a few good men, especially an offensive coordinator, the Panthers could be in business real quick.

 

For what it's worth, I kind of agree with him. Both are (or soon will be) 30 years old (Jackson 33), and neither can stay healthy. But i *think* both of their contracts make it prohibitive to cut them.

 

Like Dave Campo? Or Chan Gailey?

 

Well not counting Jeffery to start the season last year they've both been pretty healthy. Yes they are getting old but who are you replacing them with? Contracts and remaining talent mean you gotta keep them and hope they are healthy. Still, like I said, they need other GOOD guys.

 

the draft ? sadly their GM's track record isn't that great in the draft ! Unless Randy Moss is there for the taking, Roseman is passing on him for some middle linebacker out of Canada who only played football 1 year after the bear wrestling season!

 

Yes, the draft. Why not? The Eagles ought to grab 2 WR's at least right off the top of the draft and the hell with the defense. Wentz needs targets and good fresh blood out there. A player like CeeDee Lamb from Oklahoma would be a great fit and he very well could be available come time for the Eagles to make a selection.

 

it's a joke Will. Roseman's draft track record stinks! Everything you said above is correct. Roseman would ignore all the obvious signs to draft 1 or 2 WRs for someone else like Sidney Jones!

 

Both players can be traded after the June 1st designation and clear about $15mil from the books. So long as the Eagles don't look to overvalue them there will be a team willing to take on the contract considering how they twist favorably in short order.

If you're looking to build up around J.J. the idea should be to get one or two speed guys and another possession receiver for relatively cheap. You know what you have in Goedert and Ertz, and the RB room is pretty full, so going after a wideout somewhere in the draft eliminates at least one more high money contract.

Some names that might work -
Rashard Higgins
Jaron Brown
Keelan Doss
Demarcus Robinson
David Moore
Zach Pascal

Robby Anderson may be someone to keep an eye on if his market stays cool.

 

DeSean Jackson missed a quarter of the season last year, and has played in 3 games this year. Alshon Jeffery missed 3 games in 2018, and he hasn't been healthy all year this year. Out of a combined 20 years of experience, they've managed exactly 3 full 16-game seasons. So I respectfully disagree that they've been "pretty healthy."

Who to replace them with? Draft picks. Second-tier free agents.

I guess my line of thinking is that this shouldn't be viewed as a one-year fix. Eagles are (or can be) a good team, but I don't believe a great one as they're presently constructed. It's more than just a one off-season fix.

 

Demarcus Robinson was one of the first names I thought of.

 

I don't know if I can fault the Eagles too badly for the Jones pick. He was viewed as a mid-first round pick talent, and you got him in the second. He didn't pan out; it happens.

 

That was him trying to be the coach without doing the work. They were his bitches and followed his commands. Parcells kept Jones at bay.
He also might go McCarthy.