Black Monday Thread

[little bear]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/87...-teams-sources

Bill O'Brien on NFL short lists

As NFL owners and executives revisit the success of college coaches at the pro level, Penn State's Bill O'Brien may be on more short lists than Oregon's Chip Kelly and that would include the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, according to league sources.
O'Brien would not necessarily jump at any NFL opportunity but if he did leave Penn State it would qualify as a surprise after the former Patriots offensive coordinator was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in his first season as the Nittany Lions coach in 2012.
However, sources say teams that have gauged his interest have been informed by a third party representative that when O'Brien accepted the task of being the late Joe Paterno's successor, he was told by school officials that the Jerry Sandusky scandal was a criminal matter, not an NCAA concern. That proved to be bad information as Penn State was dealt a four-year bowl ban and scholarship reductions as part of its penalties.
O'Brien could not be reached for comment but the sources emphasized that he would not leave Penn State for just any NFL job.
He bypassed an opportunity to interview for the Jacksonville job last January.
Sources say that he has a significant buyout of $9.2 million but it is unknown whether it pertains to an NFL opportunity. The NCAA sanctions that O'Brien did not anticipate also could become a point of contention as it relates to a buyout, sources added.
Top-rated quarterback prospect and Penn State recruit Christian Hackenberg said Sunday he's confident that O'Brien would not leave the school for opportunities in the NFL.
"I mean, I'm hoping," Hackenberg said as he prepared to begin workouts on Monday for the Under Armour All-America Game at Disney's Wide World of Sports. "I've got my fingers crossed."
If O'Brien left before signing day on Feb. 6, Hackenberg said he would reconsider his options.
"I'd think about it," Hackenberg said. "He was a big part of it. He's the guy who's going to develop me. That's one of the big things I looked at. I'll see what happens."

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/87...eagles-sources

San Diego? Andy Reid hopes to coach in 2013

Andy Reid is preparing to coach elsewhere next season in case he is no longer with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to sources.
He has been calling around the league, trying to put together a coaching staff, so that if and when he is let go in Philadelphia, he will be ready to resume coaching for another franchise next season.
Some around the league have wondered whether Reid would be a fit back in California, where he grew up, but the San Diego Chargers are planning to go in other directions than Reid, according to league sources.
Although he is not expected to be a candidate with the Chargers, he could wind up as a candidate in Jacksonville if the Jaguars fire Mike Mularkey or in Arizona if the Cardinals part ways with coach Ken Whisenhunt.
The 54-year-old Reid, who was hired to coach the Eagles in 1999, is 130-92-1 in 14 seasons with the franchise.
Under Reid, the Eagles have made nine playoff appearances, won six division titles, played in four NFC Championship Games and lost one Super Bowl.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/87...ch-sources-say

Browns looking for fresh start

People who know new Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam III and CEO Joe Banner insist they are looking to provide their franchise a fresh start and a new culture, which is one reason they will fire coach Pat Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert, according to sources.

Wanting a fresh approach means not hiring a coach looking for a second chance such as New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who had been linked to Cleveland as a potential head coaching candidate but is not expected to be a candidate.
Cleveland is expected to make a major run at a college coach such as Oregon's Chip Kelly or Penn State's Bill O'Brien or search for a bright young offensive NFL mind.
The Plain Dealer reported Saturday that both Heckert and Shurmur would be relieved of their duties by Monday.
Cleveland already has hired San Diego Padres vice president Brent Stehlik as its executive vice president and chief revenue officer, a move that will be announced soon, according to league sources.
Earlier this month, the Browns hired Alec Scheiner to be their new team president. Scheiner had spent eight years with the Cowboys, including the past five as senior vice president and general counsel.

Heckert, 45, was the first person hired by former team president Mike Holmgren in 2010 and he rebuilt the Browns, infusing them with talent and adding depth to a roster that had none.
But his status became in doubt when Haslam bought the team and hired Banner to replace Holmgren.
He transformed Cleveland's roster through the draft and a few key free-agent signings. In 2012 alone, he selected running back Trent Richardson, quarterback Brandon Weeden and offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz -- who all started as rookies -- in the first three rounds.
The Browns are 9-22 in two seasons under the 47-year-old Shurmur.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/stor...parano-sources

Sources: Jets to fire Tony Sparano

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson's unhappiness in a disappointing 2012 season is expected to be reflected in the moves he is planning to make.

According to sources, the Jets do not plan to bring back offensive coordinator Tony Sparano (the Jets are ranked 30th in total offense in Sparano's first season in the role) and Johnson has been putting out feelers for ideas to determine the ideal structure of his front office.

Some league sources believe coach Rex Ryan, who will return, would be best served working again with general manager Mike Tannenbaum, which they believe would provide Johnson the type of stability he respects in other organizations led by such owners as the Maras and Rooneys.
Meanwhile, defensive coordinator Mike Pettine's contract is up and longtime special teams coach Mike Westhoff is retiring.
Tannenbaum, 43, kept his job in 2008 when coach Eric Mangini was fired after the 2008 season and he subsequently hired Ryan. The Jets are 34-29 in Ryan's four seasons but have missed the postseason each of the past two years.
The Jets were doomed by their unsettled quarterback position in 2012. Mark Sanchez struggled all season and ultimately was removed from the starting spot for Greg McElroy in Week 16, although he'll start the finale after McElroy was ruled out with a concussion. And Tim Tebow didn't have much of an impact after he was acquired in a trade with the Broncos as New York's Wildcat package was ineffective and the team wasn't sure how to use him in other packages.
Ryan and Tannenbaum's four-season run includes two conference championship game appearances and only one losing season -- the type of success that usually leads to other chances.
But in New York, everything is under scrutiny and up for debate.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/87...te-air-sources

Sources: Jags to fire Gene Smith

The Jacksonville Jaguars will fire general manager Gene Smith, but the fate of coach Mike Mularkey could turn out to be in the hands of Cardinals director of player personnel Jason Licht or 49ers director of player personnel Tom Gamble who are the primary candidates for the team's general manager's job, according to sources.

The Jaguars would like to keep Mularkey, but no final decisions will be made until Jacksonville hires a new general manager to replace Smith.
Licht and Gamble each could lure attractive head coaching candidates to Jacksonville if they decided to make a coaching change.
Licht worked in New England with Penn State coach Bill O'Brien and in Philadelphia with Eagles coach Andy Reid, and he has a strong relationship with each coach.
Gamble has ties to 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman, a sought-after head coaching candidate.
Licht was a finalist for the Bears general manager job and Gamble will be one of the league's most sought-after general manager candidates this offseason, according to league sources.

In the 51-year-old Mularkey's first season, the Jaguars are 2-13, the worst record in franchise history.
Jacksonville has lost seven games by 16 points or more this season. Not even Jacksonville's inaugural team in 1995 -- a group comprised of mostly rookies and street free agents -- was overmatched as often. Coach Tom Coughlin's rag-tag bunch finished 4-12 back then, losing four games by at least 16 points. The 4-12 record had been the worst in franchise history.
Former owner Wayne Weaver convinced first-year owner Shad Khan to keep Smith last year, and Khan allowed Smith to lead the search for a new coaching staff. So Smith was the one who suggested Mularkey and was the driving force behind decisions to keep several assistants from the previous regime.

[little bear]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...could-be-fired

Bills' Chan Gailey, Buddy Nix reportedly could be fired

The Buffalo Bills could fire both coach Chan Gailey and general manager Buddy Nix, The Buffalo News reported. An executive on another team and a league source told reporter Mark Gaughan they expect a total "house-cleaning."Bills owner Ralph Wilson is set to meet with top team executives, including Nix, this week to review the season. The Bills are 5-10 and regressed from a six-win 2011 season.
The defense was expected to be amongst the NFL leaders but ranks 31st, despite the free-agent addition of Mario Williams. Nix has stated it is time to make a move in the draft to improve the quarterback position. The Bills had the 24th-ranked pass offense as Ryan Fitzpatrick threw 23 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. Consistency has continued to be an issue for the quarterback after he signed a six-year, $59 million extension in 2011. That contract obviously is a negative on Nix's resume.
Still, Wilson understood Nix had a long-term rebuilding plan when the GM was hired in 2010. But Nix's biggest two moves -- the Williams signing and the Fitzpatrick extension -- have not yielded positive results. The Bills will miss the playoffs for a league-high and franchise-record 13th consecutive season. Gailey is 15-32 in three seasons with the Bills.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...ay-with-titans

Columnist believes Mike Munchak to stay with Titans

The Tennessee Titans will not fire coach Mike Munchak, Tennessean columnist David Climer believes.
The Titans followed a 9-7 season with a 5-10 record with one game to go this season. Six of those 10 losses were by three touchdowns or more, including the 55-7 blowout against the Green Bay Packers last week.

But Climer believes Titans owner Bud Adams doesn't want to go through the process of changing coaches for a second time since 2010. No sources were quoted or credited with the news, but Climer is close to the Titans' organization. He pointed out that team officials recently indicated Munchak's contract runs through 2014. Meaning Munchak wouldn't be a lame-duck coach in the final year of a deal if he returns in 2013. That's rarely a positive situation as it eats at a coach's authority.
"The best we can do is 6-10, and as far as me individually, I'll just go from there," Munchak said earlier in the week. "Whatever happens, happens when the game is over with. We'll sit and talk and see what direction we want to go."
Quarterback Jake Locker continued to struggle in his second season but shows sporadic flashes. Munchak and the offense has failed to figure out how to best use running back Chris Johnson, who has had his two worst seasons in 2011 and 2012. The Titans also have the No. 32 scoring defense in the NFL.
Titans fans won't be particularly excited with this news.

[little bear]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...ges-are-coming

NFL head coach tracker: What changes are coming?

A huge weekend of playoff-like games awaits Sunday. On Monday, 20 teams will start looking toward next season.
We'll all have the big moves covered on Around the League, starting on Black Monday, when many NFL head-coaching changes are expected. (Less talked about: Black Tuesday and Wednesday to follow).

This page will be a one-stop shop for links to all the latest news from the Around the League page. For now, let's take a look at what teams we'll be tracking next week for potential moves and whether or not they're likely to make a head-coaching change.

Arizona Cardinals

Ken Whisenhunt took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl not so long ago, but he has struggled to find anything resembling offensive consistency since. Whether it's personnel problems or Whisenhunt's coaching that is up for debate, he certainly has had a big say in the Cardinals' quarterback decisions.
Chances for a change: Stronger than you think. Defensive coordinator Ray Horton and former Cardinals assistant Todd Haley are two potential hires with whom the Bidwill family feels comfortable. It's also quite possible that general manager Rod Graves will lose his job, with Whisenhunt staying and someone receiving a promotion from within the personnel department.

Buffalo Bills

Chan Gailey has shown little progress in three years under GM Buddy Nix. The team changes its defensive plans every year, and Gailey's offense isn't as tough to prepare for as it used to be. Owner Ralph Wilson might not want to swallow the remaining money on Gailey's contract.
Chances for a change: Nothing would surprise us here, but the Buffalo News reported Sunday that a "full housecleaning" could be on the way. Nix seemingly would have a better chance of staying than Gailey.

Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera has struggled to win close games during his tenure and isn't a natural in game management. A strong closing stretch could save his job, but the Panthers will hire a new GM after the season.
Chances of a change: Strong. A new GM almost always means a new head coach. Yahoo! Sports, however, hears some early buzz that Rivera could stay.

Chicago Bears

The Bears hired a new GM (Phil Emery) last offseason. Missing the playoffs after a 7-1 start conceivably could put coach Lovie Smith in jeopardy.
Chances of a change: Growing. NFL Network's Michael Lombardi said Sunday that sources around the NFL believe Smith "could be in jeopardy" whether or not the Bears make the playoffs.

Cleveland Browns

Pat Shurmur's team probably is better than its 5-10 record indicates. And it probably doesn't matter. Shurmur isn't an inspiring offensive mind. Like Rivera, Shurmur struggles with in-game situations.
Chances of a change: The Plain Dealer reported Saturday night that Shurmur and general manager Tom Heckert will lose their jobs Monday.

Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has intimated that he hasn't even thought about changing head coaches. Fox Sports insider and NFL Network contributor Jay Glazer says coach Jason Garrett is safe, even if the team loses Sunday night and misses the playoffs.
Chances of a change: Minimal. If Glazer says Garrett is safe, he's safe.

Detroit Lions

Jim Schwartz and GM Martin Mayhew pulled off one of the best rebuilding efforts of all time after taking over the 0-16 Lions. And then the bottom fell out for a talented roster this year.
Chances of a change: Growing. Multiple outlets said earlier in the week that Schwartz was safe, but ESPN reported Sunday that Lions ownership is so disturbed with the team's culture, it could make a change. Schwartz is signed through 2015, but that might not matter.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike Mularkey was hired just last year, but his boss (GM Gene Smith) is on the way out. Mularkey wasn't able to develop young quarterback Blaine Gabbert. All signs point to new owner Shad Khan making a change in the front office.
Chances of a change: Good. See Rivera. When a new decision-maker arrives, a new coach is likely to follow.

Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs were a popular playoff pick before the season (sorry). They are without question the worst team in the NFL. When that happens, change almost is automatic.
Chances of a change: All but certain. Even though GM Scott Pioli is expected to stay, NFL.com's Steve Wyche reported that coach Romeo Crennel is likely to be fired.

New York Jets

Rex Ryan has made a pre-emptive strike by reportedly telling people he'd rather be fired than stay without major changes to the offensive coaching staff and personnel. Ryan reportedly wants to stay, just under his own terms. He has more leverage than you think.
Chances of a change: Small. Look for a change at offensive coordinator and in the front office. Ryan might wind up with more power than ever.

Philadelphia Eagles

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said before the season that an 8-8 record would not be acceptable. The Eagles have four wins. You do the math.
Chances of a change: All but certain. The only question now is timing. Bill Belichick will be the longest-tenured coach in the NFL after Andy Reid is let go by the Eagles. Reid should get a job elsewhere and reportedly doesn't want to take a year off.

San Diego Chargers

Chargers owner Dean Spanos surprisingly gave coach Norv Turner another season to turn things around after a dismal 2011. Things only got worse. Kevin Acee of U-T San Diego reported that GM A.J. Smith and Turner will be let go at season's end.
Chances of a change: All but certain. This one should happen right away.

Tennessee Titans

Titans owner Bud Adams is mad about his team's performance and wants answers. Television ratings are down, and ticket sales are likely to follow. Coach Mike Munchak already changed offensive coordinators and could change the defense, if he is allowed to keep his job.
Chances of a change: The Tennessean believes that all early signs point toward Munchak staying.

[little bear]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...-coaching-jobs

Report: Jon Gruden to interview for open coaching jobs

With anywhere from six to a dozen coaching vacancies expected to become available this week, a familiar face might be creeping back into the mix.
Citing people with knowledge of the situation, CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman reports that Jon Gruden will interview with NFL teams about potential coaching openings.

Freeman reports that a handful of teams have "quietly contacted" Gruden's camp in recent weeks, and representatives for the former Raiders and Buccaneers coach have informed teams he would be willing to talk after the regular season.
The ESPN analyst has repeatedly expressed contentment with his role on "Monday Night Football," but behind the scenes, Gruden's people have shown interest in returning to the league, according to the report.
Freeman listed the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers as two potential landing spots for Gruden, but if Chucky willingly enters the picture, we'd expect a flock of teams to come calling.

I still don't see Emery firing Lovie, but IF he's gone this offseason I hope we'll take a look at Jon Gruden.

[little bear]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/87...a-eagles-coach

Eagles fire Andy Reid

The Philadelphia Eagles fired coach Andy Reid after 14 seasons, the team announced Monday.
"Andy Reid won the most games of any head coach in Eagles history and he is someone I respect greatly and will remain friends with for many years to come," owner Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "But, it is time for the Eagles to move in a new direction. Coach Reid leaves us with a winning tradition that we can build upon. And we are very excited about the future."

Lurie will address the media at a noon ET news conference.
Sunday's loss to the Giants dropped the Eagles to 4-12 this season.
Reid was due to make $6 million in 2013 in the final year of his contract.
Sources told ESPN on Sunday that Reid already was preparing to coach elsewhere next season in case he is no longer with the Eagles.
He has been calling around the league, trying to put together a coaching staff, so when he was fired he would be ready to resume coaching for another franchise next season.
Some around the league have wondered whether Reid would be a fit back in California, where he grew up, but the San Diego Chargers are planning to go in other directions than Reid, according to league sources.
Although he is not expected to be a candidate with the Chargers, Reid could wind up as a candidate in Jacksonville if the Jaguars fire Mike Mularkey or in Arizona if the Cardinals part ways with coach Ken Whisenhunt.
The 54-year-old Reid, who was hired to coach the Eagles in 1999, is 130-93-1 in 14 seasons with the franchise.
Under Reid, the Eagles have made nine playoff appearances, won six division titles, played in five NFC Championship Games and lost one Super Bowl.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/stor...-ryan-keep-job

Jets fire GM Mike Tannenbaum

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- General manager Mike Tannenbaum became the first casualty of the New York Jets' disappointing season.
Tannenbaum, who has run the football operation since 2006, was fired Monday, owner Woody Johnson announced in a statement. Rex Ryan will remain as coach, according to Johnson.
A search for a new GM will commence immediately.
Johnson made the move after the Jets failed to make the playoffs for a second straight season. The Jets, undermined by poor quarterback play and a lack of playmakers on offense, stumbled to 6-10. Johnson said he informed Tannenbaum on Monday morning.
"Although he helped guide us to two consecutive AFC Championship Games, we are not where we want to be, and a new General Manager will be critical to getting this team back on the right track," Johnson said in the statement.
Johnson said he has consulted with "a number of football executives," adding that he has hired Korn/Ferry International, which will conduct the search for a new GM. It will be headed by Jed Hughes, who previously led the general manager search for the Seattle Seahawks.
Johnson eliminated any doubt about Ryan's future.
"I believe that he has the passion, the talent, and the drive to successfully lead our team," Johnson said.
Ryan has two years and approximately $6 million remaining on his contract.
"Like all Jets fans, I am disappointed with this year's results," Johnson said. "However, I am confident that this change will best position our team for greater success going forward."
It was a stunning fall for Tannenbaum, who was considered one of the NFL's top young executives when the Jets reached back-to-back AFC Championship Games in 2009 and 2010.
Since then, the talent base has eroded, leaving a roster filled with question marks and uncertainty at the quarterback position. The Jets are also saddled with several bad contracts.
In Tannenbaum's seven seasons, the Jets went 57-55, made the postseason three times and won four playoff games. On his watch, they've had two head coaches, Eric Mangini and Rex Ryan.
Tannenbaum became known as "Trader Mike" for his aggressive deals. His biggest trade came in 2009, when he dealt for Brett Favre. Some of his better moves were drafting Darrelle Revis and trading for Antonio Cromartie.
But Tannenbaum also had some clunkers, none bigger than drafting Vernon Gholston in 2008 and making the controversial Tim Tebow trade. Tannenbaum predicted that Tebow would be a "dynamic" weapon in the offense, but it was an unmitigated disaster. The decision to extend Mark Sanchez's contract last offseason also proved to be a poor decision.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/87...gm-scott-pioli

Chiefs to fire Romeo Crennel

The Kansas City Chiefs will fire coach Romeo Crennel on Monday, but not general manager Scott Pioli, at least not now, according to league sources.

The Chiefs finished 2-14 and earned the top pick in the 2013 NFL draft.
In the preseason, the Chiefs had been predicted to finish near the top of the AFC West. But injuries and ineffective plays derailed them, along with tragedy off the field, when Jovan Belcher killed his girlfriend before committing suicide at the team's practice facility on Dec. 1.
The Chiefs offense struggled mightily this season and Crennel benched starting quarterback Matt Cassel for Brady Quinn. He also fired himself as defensive coordinator and appointed Gary Gibbs to the same role. But neither change sparked the team.
The 65-year-old Crennel, who was promoted by Kansas City to replace Todd Haley during the 2011 season, has had just one winning season in five years as an NFL head coach and has a 28-55 career record.
Pioli, 47, joined the Chiefs in 2009 after nine seasons with the Patriots, where he helped to build New Englands dynasty. But he has failed to turn around the Chiefs, who are 23-40 in his four seasons.

One of Pioli's first significant moves in 2009 was trading for Cassel, who'd been impressive as a fill-in for injured Patriots starter. Pioli proceeded to sign Cassel to a six-year, $63 million deal.
The Chiefs haven't won a playoff game since 1993. This season was Kansas Citys fifth losing season in six years.

[little bear]

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap100...-buffalo-bills

Chan Gailey relieved of duties by Buffalo Bills

Chan Gailey could not survive another season without progress. The Buffalo Bills announced Monday that he's out as head coach after three seasons running the team.
"The Buffalo Bills today are announcing that Chan Gailey has been relieved of his duties as the team's head coach," the team said. Yep, that's the whole statement.
It remains to be seen if general manager Buddy Nix will keep his job. Gailey went 16-32 in three seasons as Bills coach, finishing 6-10 in each of the last two seasons. Gailey struggled to solve the team's defense, changing directions and coordinators every season. The front office spent a lot of money this season on free agents, including Mario Williams, and the Bills finished 26th in the league in points allowed.
Gailey's speciality was offense and he often did a nice job working with lesser talent than most teams. But his offense was easier to defend in 2012 than previous years and Gailey's attachment to Ryan Fitzpatrick didn't pan out. The Buffalo News has written many times that Fitzpatrick is not expected back next year.
The only constant under Bills owner Ralph Wilson over the last decade in Buffalo has been change. That will continue into 2013. We're just waiting to see if Nix will be the one making the changes after failing with his first coaching hire in Buffalo.