The GM's, Coach's, Carousel

Very possible, but if he is looking at improving on his LBers coach position, I wouldn't want to leave that rock unturned... I guess the question is, does anyone think he was fired unfairly after missing the playoffs 3 years in a row?

 

That would be a tilting hire in the AFC North.

 

That’s a legit take, but I can only see his stock improving dramatically by taking on that Browns job and making it a top 10 unit.

His offers would likely become ones he could pick and choose with instead of settling on.

 

Jim Schwartz, Sean Desai on Browns DC interview list

The Browns fired defensive coordinator Joe Woods on Monday morning and it hasn’t taken long for a list of candidates to come together.

Albert Breer of SI.com reports that former Lions head coach and Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is expected to interview for the position. Schwartz was a senior defensive assistant with the Titans the last two seasons and he also worked as the team’s defensive coordinator from 2001 to 2008.


Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports the Browns have also put in an interview request for Seahawks associate head coach Sean Desai. Desai was the Bears defensive coordinator in 2021 and originally joined the Bears staff in 2013.

Steelers linebackers coach Brian Flores and Patriots linebacker coach Jerod Mayo are also reportedly on the list of candidates for the opening in Cleveland.

PFT

 

Jeff Saturday: If I get this job, there’s going to be significant change



Jeff Saturday won his first game after being named the interim head coach of the Colts this season, but they lost their last seven to end the year with a 4-12-1 record.

Now the Colts have to decide who will permanently fill the vacancy they created by firing Frank Reich. Saturday said multiple times during the season that he wants that job and did so again on Monday, but said that there has been no interview arranged at this point.

Saturday also said he has a clear idea of what he would do with the full-time job and that things would operate much differently given the chance to build what he wants rather than inherit the framework of the team the way he did this year.

“If I get this job, there’s going to be significant change. . . . The way I do things is not the way it’s been done,” Saturday said, via Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star.

Saturday will presumably get the chance to pitch that vision to team owner Jim Irsay at some point in the near future and the fact that Irsay went so far out of the box to hire him in the first place would seem to be a plus for his chances of selling it.

PFT

 

The Cardinals’ search for a new General Manager has commenced. They have requested permission to interview Bears assistant General Manager Ian Cunningham, Jonathan Jones of CBS reports.

Steve Keim went on a medical leave of absence Dec. 14 and will not return, stepping away to focus on his health. The Cardinals also announced Monday that they have fired coach Kliff Kingsbury.


The Titans also have requested permission to talk to Cunningham about their G.M. opening.

Cunningham arrived to Chicago last Jan. 29 to be Ryan Poles’ top advisor after successful stints with the Ravens and Eagles.

Cunningham boasts 15 seasons of NFL experience. In Philadelphia, he served as director of college scouting (2017-18), assistant director of player personnel (2019-20) and director of player personnel (2021).

Before that, Cunningham spent nine seasons with the Ravens as a player personnel assistant (2008-12) and area scout (2013-16).

PFT

 

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin not ready to make determination on OC Matt Canada

Mike Tomlin said Monday he is not yet ready to make a final determination on his offensive coordinator.

When the Steelers head coach was asked about the status of offensive coordinator Matt Canada following the completion of Pittsburgh's 2022 season, Tomlin said he is "just not there" yet in his final evaluation of Canada's performance.

"I thought he got better, just like our team got better," Tomlin said. "I am not gonna speculate on him -- or anyone -- as we sit here today."

Canada became a popular target for Steelers fans who watched the offense struggle, especially early in the 2022 season. Pittsburgh careened into their bye week at 2-6, failing to exceed 20 points in seven of those eight games and averaging nearly two turnovers per contest.

Canada was hired prior to the 2021 season, replacing Randy Fichtner, whose contract was not renewed after the 2020 season. The Steelers' offense largely struggled that season, too, which was Ben Roethlisberger's final year in the NFL.

But as Tomlin noted, the Steelers improved as this season wore on. Rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett was thrust into the starting lineup in Week 5, but the real improvement happened from Week 10 on. In the first half of the season, they averaged 15 points per game. In the second half, that number rose to 23.5 points per game, and the Steelers committed only five turnovers in their final eight games as they finished with a 9-8 record and were only eliminated from the playoffs late in Week 18.


Tomlin called that progress "encouraging" but stopped short of saying Canada, or any other assistant coach, was safe. He said the evaluation process is just beginning, concurrent with player exit meetings Monday afternoon.

As for Pickett, Tomlin would not bite on whether the quarterback would have any say as to whether Canada returns or not. Pickett made his debut in the Week 4 loss to the Jets, throwing three picks in relief. He would go on to start 12 of the next 13 games, missing the Week 15 game against Carolina.

Pickett was part of that improvement offensively as the season wore on, taking fewer sacks and turning the ball over only once in his final eight games. He finished the season completing 63.0% of his passes for 2,404 yards, with seven TDs and nine INTs.

The Steelers will pick 17th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.

NFL.com

 

The Titans have fired offensive coordinator Todd Downing, the team announced on Monday.

Downing, who was also arrested in November for driving under the influence, oversaw a unit that regressed from 15th in points scored and 17th in total yards last season to 28th in points scored and 30th in yards in 2022.


No league discipline had yet been announced for Downing’s DUI arrest.

Tennessee also announced offensive line coach Keith Carter, secondary coach Anthony Midget, and offensive skill assistant Erik Frazier have been fired.

“I want to thank Todd, Keith, Anthony, and Erik for their service and commitment to our team over their time here in Tennessee,” head coach Mike Vrabel said in a statement. “Each of them made an impact on our organization, were dedicated to the process, and loyal members of our coaching staff.”

Downing was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021 after spending two seasons as the team’s tight ends coach. He replaced Arthur Smith, who had been hired by the Falcons as head coach.

PFT
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Starting from scratch.

 

By the way... I think the Vikings should look into a defensive coordinator. Donatell has been terrible with the talent he has.

 

Maybe. I guess I just don't see the Browns as being a guaranteed "make it" position, when you consider the volatility of the franchise especially of late. But for the right team, you make a good point that the DC job might open up more opportunities later.

 

That’s a fair point in regards to Cleveland.

I think they have enough talent on that side that a couple offseason acquisitions, along with a coach like Flores, could put them on the right trajectory.

Plus, his knowledge of the Steelers defense would be a big asset in game preparation twice a season. Not only in how to work against PIT, but what worked for PIT against the rest of the division.

 

That being said, the Browns would need to commit to the defense and I’m not sure they will have the assets to convince him. The salary cap is going up, but the Browns have so much committed already, it’s going to be difficult to add valuable pieces to that side. I think, what you see is what you get, with some changes made to the complimentary roles being the biggest opportunity for the new DC. Will that be enough?

 

The UFA list for defense this year is interesting. I think there will be some affordable buys at LB and S, but CB, EDGE and IL are going to have a lot of reclamation projects that will require some careful vetting.

If I'm the GM for the Browns, I'm adding depth at S with a value buy.

As for LB, I think there is going to be enough talent available to take a similar approach.

If you want to add to the line or CB, it's gonna have to come through the draft, IMO.

 

Id like to chime in on the Browns and their defense.

I did some research, not to comprehensive, just a quick look at Team Rankings Defensively.

Total Defense - 20th
Passing Defense - 5th
Run Defense - 25th
Scoring Defense - 20th

This tells me that the Browns were middle of the pack on overall defense ( maybe a bit below middle). Pretty damn good against the pass, but not so good vs the run... which gives a quick indicator on where some work needs to be done.

In my opinion... you might be able to take that defense and re-design it and place better schemes within it with a better mindset behind it and the same personal (players) might dramatically improve. Cue the Flores/Mayo reports as possible candidates for DC. I think Flores could turn things around with an advantage of knowing things about the North as Tim stated and familiarity is a coaches best friend. Mayo has the credentials also... interesting that both Flores and Mayo have the Patriots backgrounds.

Add a few pieces and it wont take much, Draft smart, maybe a stud FA who wants to be in Cleveland and wont break the bank... and who knows, might be a quick turnaround in Cleveland. Key is going to be the brains behind the additions.

Bottom-line, I think, based on my limited skillz, that the personal in place under the right leadership is maybe all thats needed, just a little tweaking and a good draft... look out AFCN.

 

That's the hard part, draft capital is low after the Watson deal...

#43
#97-102 (compensatory)
#111
#131 (from Vikings)
#141 (from Rams)
#143
#189
#231

So... A good strategy would be to take the best available defensive lineman with each of the first 4 picks, unless a stud LB falls into one of those slots. Forget about offense completely, you have a $46M man that should be taking care of that side of the ball.

 

Commanders fire OC Scott Turner



Before the Commanders played their final game of the regular season, offensive coordinator Scott Turner was asked about the possibility that it would be his final game in the job.

Turner said he was prepared to coach the team and “whatever happens after this week you go with it.” Turner’s going to have to go with being out of a job.


According to multiple reports on Tuesday, Turner has been fired.

Turner spent the last three seasons running the offense in Washington and the team ran through eight different starting quarterbacks during his tenure. They were able to manage things well enough to make the playoffs in 2020, but missed the postseason the last two years and the lack of consistent quarterback play helped keep them in the bottom third of the league in points scored.

Washington will be on the hunt for another quarterback this offseason and now they’ll be looking for someone to run the offense at the same time.

PFT
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I guess that fixes the QB situation.

 

PFT reported over the weekend that the Saints expected to hear from the Cardinals about speaking with Sean Payton and that call has been made.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Cardinals have received permission to speak to Payton. Payton stepped down last year, but permission is needed because he is still considered an employee of the Saints.

 

Mike LaFleur out as Jets offensive coordinator



The Jets are in the market for a new offensive coordinator.

According to multiple reports, Mike LaFleur is out after two seasons in the job. Some of those reports indicate that other teams have inquired about LaFleur’s availability in recent days, so he will now be available to pursue other opportunities.

The Jets went from 6-3 to 7-10 and out of the playoffs largely because of their offensive ineffectiveness and the team did not score an offensive touchdown over the final three weeks of the regular season.

They started three different quarterbacks in those games and settling that position will be essential to the success of anyone that the Jets hire to replace LaFleur. Central to any thoughts at the position will be what to do with Zach Wilson after a dreadful second season that saw him get benched in favor of Mike White.

PFT

 

Brian Flores has interview with Browns Thursday



The Browns interviewed Jim Schwartz for their defensive coordinator vacancy on Wednesday and they’ll meet with another candidate on Thursday.

The team announced that they are interviewing Steelers linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant Brian Flores. They’ve also requested interviews with Jerod Mayo and Sean Desai since firing Joe Woods earlier this week.

Flores just finished his first season with the Steelers. He spent the previous three seasons as the head coach of the Dolphins and his dismissal was followed by a lawsuit against the league, the Dolphins and other teams alleging racial discrimination in hiring practices.

Prior to his Miami stint, Flores spent more than decade as a defensive assistant with the Patriots.

PFT

 

On Thursday, Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said the organization had a contingency plan in place if Sean McVay elected to step away.

It turns out, Los Angeles won’t need it.


According to multiple reports, McVay has informed the Rams that he will be staying on as the team’s head coach in 2023.

The Rams were willing to give McVay all the time he needed to reach a decision, but he needed just a few days. NFL Media reports McVay is sorting through potential staff changes for the 2023 season.

Los Angeles’ offensive coordinator in 2022, Liam Coen, has already gone back to Kentucky to be its offensive coordinator. Defensive coordinator Raheem Morris and assistant head coach Thomas Brown have also received interview requests for head coaching vacancies.

Despite a 5-12 finish in 2022, McVay — who turns 37 later this month — has compiled a 60-38 record with a 7-3 postseason record in six seasons as Rams head coach. The club has gone to two Super Bowls, winning the title last year.