(via Rotoworld) ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Eagles have worked out a restructured contract with Michael Vick, and will keep him for 2013. Vick has been re-signed to a "three-year deal" that will void next March 15, ostensibly making it a one-year pact. Per Schefter, Vick could make "up to" $10 million in 2013. He had been set to make $15.5 million in the third season of a six-year, $100 million contract. The news makes Vick the obvious favorite to pilot Chip Kelly's offense, but both FOX's Jay Glazer and the Philadelphia Inquirer believe he may have competition. However, it's doubtful Vick would have foregone a chance at the open market if he wasn't offered assurances he'd likely be under center come Week 1. Vick's playmaking skills have been in steady decline, but he'll still be a highly intriguing fantasy prospect in Kelly's breakneck offense. Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Eagles hired Browns LB coach Billy Davis as defensive coordinator. After a long search for an aggressive proponent of the 3-4, the Eagles finally found their man. Prior to his two-year stint in Cleveland, Davis unsuccessfully coordinated the Cardinals' defense from 2009-2010 and held the same position in San Francisco from 2005-06 before getting ousted. He's been in the NFL as a defensive assistant since 1992, coaching the 3-4 scheme almost exclusively. In Philly, Davis will be charged with turning around a defense that ranked 30th in points allowed and tied for dead last in turnovers forced. It's not the splashy defensive hire many expected when offensive guru Chip Kelly landed the head-coaching gig. (Via Rotoworld
Giants released RB Ahmad Bradshaw.— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 6, 2013
Go vote for FO awards... Here's my suggestions for reasonable Cowboys answers on some open questions... Who is the most deserving offensive player left off the original Pro Bowl roster? Dez Bryant Who is the most deserving defensive player left off the original Pro Bowl roster? Anthony Spencer Who is the most deserving special teams player left off the original Pro Bowl roster? Dwayne Harris Who is the player most likely to breakout in 2013? Morris Claiborne
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter Dallas Cowboys are set to hire former Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley as their WR coach.
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten will receive the Bart Starr Award given annually to an NFL player for outstanding character and leadership off the field. Witten will be presented with the honor at a Super Bowl breakfast on Feb. 1 in New Orleans. Other finalists for the award were Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck. Among Witten's charitable endeavors are his SCORE Foundation, which supports various domestic-violence outreach programs and building projects in Texas and his native Tennessee. The award, which is named after Pro Football Hall of Fame and former Green Bay quarterback Bart Starr, is voted on by NFL players. Previous winners include London Fletcher, Drew Brees, Kurt Warner, LaDainian Tomlinson, Reggie White and Mike Singletary.
"David Newbury, of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket, has volunteered to walk us through some of the strategic points of the various defensive looks the Cowboys may be headed towards. I think you will find this quite informative. - Bob"
Eagles hired former Browns coach Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator. It's an extremely odd fit, as the punt-happy Shurmur is the antithesis to everything Chip Kelly stands for, at least on paper. Shurmur has 15 years of NFL experience, however, and spent 2002-08 with the Eagles. Shurmur should be a competent guiding hand for Kelly as he makes the adjustment to the big leagues, but won't be the architect of Philly's offense. Kelly is expected to serve as his own play-caller. Source: Jason La Canfora on Twitter
along with Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals, and Joe Thomas of the Cleveland Browns
Dwayne Harris led the NFC in punt returns with a 16.1-yard average. Also, Dan Bailey converted 29 of his 31 field goal tries to allow the Cowboys to finish in a tie for first in field goal accuracy at 93.5 percent.
Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter Former Browns HC Pat Shurmur is expected to join Chip Kelly's coaching staff in Philadelphia, likely as Eagles' offensive coordinator. ProFootballTalk says: "Shurmur and Kelly have very different offensive backgrounds, and questions could be raised about whether their two approaches to coaching offense can mesh. But it’s also to Kelly’s credit that he wants to bring in an experienced NFL coach who does things differently than he does. Kelly has said that he wouldn’t necessarily run the same kind of spread offense in the NFL that he ran at Oregon, and hiring Shurmur as offensive coordinator would be a strong indication that he wants to employ a more conventional approach in the pros." http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/01/20/pat-shurmur-expected-to-join-chip-kellys-staff-in-philadelphia/
The Cowboys’ defensive staff is beginning to look more like the successful Tampa Bay staff of the late ‘90s. Rod Marinelli is set to rejoin defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin as the Cowboys’ new defensive line coach, after leaving his post as the defensive coordinator of the Bears.
Nick Eatman reports that Anthony Spencer will be attending his first Pro-Bowl, replacing Clay Matthews. Demarcus Ware was selected but unable to attend because of his surgeries, so that also helped make room for Spencer as the second OLB alternate. Much deserved. Congrats, Always Anthony!
By Jason La Canfora | CBS Sports NFL Insider "I wish I had a dollar for every time someone told me one esteemed coach or another advised one of the Eagles' top candidates not to take the job precisely because of Roseman's presence there. Roseman isn't the general manager they should tie their wagon to. It's clear Chip Kelly wasn't leaving Oregon for anywhere unless he had a large measure of control over the organization, and owner Jeffrey Lurie has already entrusted that to Roseman. There has been trepidation by some candidates to go all-in given the questions about this existing power structure. The rumblings about Roseman lacking nuance and foresight, about him turning people off with how drunk with power he's become, only grow louder as his coaching search grows stranger."
Bo Martin has a general breakdown of the Tampa-2 defense, and how he seems Cowboys personnel fitting the scheme.
CSN Philly reports the Eagles interviewed ex-Ravens head coach Brian Billick for their head-coaching vacancy last Monday. The timing of the report is interesting, as Billick is currently announcing Sunday’s NFC Divisional round game on FOX. The Super Bowl XXXV winner has drawn just cursory interest around the league since being let go by the Ravens after the 2007 season. Although Billick’s background is on offensive side of the ball, his Baltimore defenses often carried the weight of the offense on its back. CSN Philly’s Reuben Frank is told Billick is "considered among the leading candidates" for the position. Source: Reuben Frank on Twitter https://twitter.com/RoobCSN/status/290554724569190400
A league source tells Profootballtalk.com that there is "much greater concern" about Robert Griffin III's reconstructed right knee than Griffin or "anyone connected to the Redskins" has let on. Griffin will end up rehabbing both knees because surgeons were forced to use a patellar tendon graft from his left knee in order to fix his right. He tore the ACL, LCL, and partially tore his meniscus in the right knee. Per PFT's source, the "biggest concern" is with Griffin's knee cartilage. Due to two knee constructions and ultimately three surgeries since 2009 at Baylor, there is concern "about how much (cartilage) remains and how long it will last" in Griffin's knee(s). A potential end result could be a bone-on-bone condition, which can lead to microfracture surgery and/or shorten a football player's career. Jan 12 - 2:30 PM Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports
SI's Pete Thamel reports Brian Kelly has decided to turn down the Eagles' head coaching job, and remain at Notre Dame. There had been talk in recent days that Kelly's interest in the Eagles was legitimate, but it reeked of a leverage play from day one. Already due a big raise after taking the Fighting Irish to the national title game in his third year on the job, Kelly's coffers should only be filled further following his NFL flirtation. The Eagles have now attempted to lure each of Kelly, Bill O'Brien and Chip Kelly from the college ranks, only to be spurned each time. According to CSN Philadelphia, Seahawks DC Gus Bradley is now the Eagles' "top candidate." (Source: Rotoworld)
Link is to Cowboys Break from yesterday. Starting listening at about 24:30, Eatman says some stuff about being "not Kumbaya" on the defense and "rumors and little stories" coming out, and then says... "Rob Ryan was setting up meetings and not even in the meetings for the last month of the year, didn’t run the meetings, Matt Eberflus was running it. Been told that Jerome Henderson wasn’t even attending meetings at time, because of that."
We play them next season. It’s one of our two "3rd place" conference games. that will be an interesting storyline. now we can go back to rooting to beat the Ryans! lol
Rotoworld: ESPN's Ed Werder stated on SportsCenter Friday that the Cowboys will likely let free agent OLB Anthony Spencer walk in free agency following the hire of Monte Kiffin as defensive coordinator. Spencer was a 4-3 defensive end at Purdue, but the Cowboys must feel he's much better suited to 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros. Kiffin will be changing Dallas' defensive scheme to a 4-3. Spencer is coming off a breakout season in a franchise-tag year with 11 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 95 tackles playing on the typically production-unfriendly strong side. The 29-year-old will be a highly sought-after commodity on the open market.
Clarence Hill @clarencehilljr Dez Bryant has been named Pro Football Weekly's Most Improved Player for 2012...X Factor getting recognition
Tim MacMahon @espn_macmahon @edwerderespn just said on @ESPNDallas’ Ben and Skin Show that he believes Monte Kiffin is the Cowboys’ top DC target.
Andy Levitre - G - Bills Impending free agent LG Andy Levitre made it clear while cleaning out his locker on Monday that he intends to shop for the best offer on the market this offseason. The Bills opened preliminary talks in the offseason, but they went nowhere. A picture of durability on an oft-injured offensive line, Levitre has started 64 consecutive games since entering the league as the 51st overall pick in the 2009 draft. Levitre is Rotoworld's No. 1 ranked guard on the market this year. He should attract plenty of suitors if the Bills don't re-sign him before free agency kicks off. (Rotoworld.com)
Now when I get up or I go to a league meeting or I do anything that’s got NFL on it, I’m higher than a kite.
Jerry Jones, in an interview with Bob Costas, via DMN blog (yes, taken out of context, but doesn't that explain a lot? lol)According to NFL Films' Greg Cosell, Eli Manning's struggles the past 2-3 weeks are due to a "tired arm." Cosell said colleague Ron Jaworski first noticed the arm fatigue on game tape. They then got it confirmed with someone in the know. "I looked at Eli on Monday; Jaws looked at Eli on Wednesday," Cosell said. "And he made a very interesting comment. It really struck me ... It looks to him like Eli’s arm is a little tired. And that he’s not driving the ball at the intermediate and deeper levels the way we’ve come to expect. Because Eli has a strong arm. And we even got that sort of confirmed by someone who’s a lot closer to the situation. His arm’s a little bit tired right now. He’s missed some throws that he would normally make." Manning has struggled in each of his last three games, and in the last two completed just 25-of-54 passes (46.3 percent) for 317 yards (5.87 YPA), no touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Giants head to Cincinnati on Sunday.
Andrew Hawkins - WR - Bengals Fox Sports Ohio calls Bengals slot receiver Andrew Hawkins a "really fast, really elusive weapon." "I get chills thinking about Andrew taking the ball for that touchdown," said backup QB Bruce Gradkowski. Hawkins' role was limited in Week 2, but he impressed by making five or six defenders miss on a 50-yard touchdown. The Sideline View's Adam Caplan notes that Hawkins has become a "huge element" to the passing attack, functioning as an extension of the running game. He's worthy of a roster spot in PPR formats. Source: Fox Sports Ohio Watch the highlight here... really watch it Did Irvin miss picking Jesse Holley over this guy?
Eagles placed C Jason Kelce (knee) on injured reserve, ending his season. A Tuesday scope revealed that Kelce will need his ACL repaired along with the MCL. He'll be out anywhere from 6-12 months. It's a major loss for the Eagles, as they'll now have to roll with inexperienced Dallas Reynolds and fringe talent Steve Vallos at the pivot spot. They were already playing without All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters, who tore his Achilles' tendon during the offseason. Source: Jeff McLane on Twitter
DE Adam Carriker is expected to undergo surgery after seriously injuring his knee in the Redskins' Week 2 loss to the Rams. Carriker went down on the second play of the game and never returned. He'll have an MRI on Monday, but the Redskins are not optimistic. "It doesn't look good," coach Mike Shanahan said. The 'Skins also lost OLB Brian Orakpo to another pectoral injury, leaving a gaping hole in their pass-rushing stable. It's good news for their Week 3 opponent, the Bengals. Source: Washington Post
Eagles waived S Jaiquawn Jarrett. Jarrett was widely viewed as a reach when the Eagles selected him with the 54th overall pick in last year's draft. Although he was billed as an athletic hard hitter, Jarrett's instincts never developed. Often left floundering in coverage, Jarrett also showed a penchant for taking bad angles and missing tackles. Though he was given plenty of opportunities to win a starting job, Jarrett had tumbled to third-team defense after a disastrous preseason opener a month ago. He was picked four picks after Bruce Carter. The Eagles second round pick has washed out already. Our second round pick took a redshirt year from injury, but now appears to be a dynamic starter. Just a little perspective when it seems like we're the only team that misses on picks...