NFL News and Rumors

By Vincent Frank on Sunday, February 10th 2013
NFL News and Rumors

 

Kansas City Chiefs Plan if Dwayne Bowe Bolts

It appears that Kansas City, under the leadership of new head coach Andy Reid and general manager John Dorsey, have a plan in place in case its No. 1 wide receiver leaves in free agency. ESPN suggested that Greg Jennings could become a target next month. Despite a down season in 2012, it does appear that Jennings fits the Chiefs' west coast offense to a T. In addition, Dorsey is former exec with the Green Bay Packers. It's important to note that Jennings had more yards and touchdowns than Bowe between 2007 and 2010. He is also only one year (to the day) older than Bowe. 

 

New Orleans Saints Hire Rob Ryan as Defensive Coordinator, Prep for Switch to 3-4

What do you get when you add the most overrated assistant coach in the NFL and the least talented defense in the league? The New Orleans Saints, of course. Days after returning from his season-long suspension, Saints' head coach Sean Payton has tapped former Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator to run the 32nd ranked overall defense from a season ago. With that, New Orleans will be switching to a 3-4 defensive scheme. Without the talent and personnel to run this complex scheme, the Saints will have to think outside the box to improve. They don't have a second-round pick in April's draft after Roger Goodell stripped them of it as a penalty to Bountygate. In addition, the likes of Will Smith and Jonathan Vilma don't seem to fit the scheme. Expect a massive overhaul along this unit. 

 

Mike Singletary Interviews for St. Louis Rams' Defensive Coordinator Position

When news broke immediately following the regular season that the Chicago Bears had interviewed Mike Singletary for their head-coaching position, most people looked at The Rooney Rule. Now that Chicago's position has been filled, the Hall of Fame linebacker and former 49ers' head man is, once again, making the news. Singletary met with Rams' head coach Jeff Fisher on Friday. It will be interesting to see if he gets a promotion after serving as the Minnesota Vikings' linebackers coach the past two seasons. I have always said that Singletary, who was a horrible head coach in San Francisco, has what it takes to lead a defense. 

 

Cleveland Browns Looking into Alex Smith

The 49ers' backup has a relationship with new Browns' offensive coordinator Norv Turner. In addition, reports seem to indicate that Cleveland isn't sold on Brandon Weeden as its quarterback of the future. ESPN made a great point as it relates to this topic. Smith would come in as the "ordained" starter, meaning that he would push Weeden to a backup role in just his second NFL season. While some seem to think that teams can wait until San Francisco releases its veteran quarterback, I just don't see it that way. He is, by far, the most accomplished quarterback available and a true starter-caliber player. Can Cleveland risk losing him in what would be somewhat of a bidding war on the open market? Would San Francisco just let Smith go without any compensation? My answer to both questions is an emphatic no. Smith will be traded next month, it just remains to be seen where. As it is, the stars seem to be aligning for him to go to either Cleveland or Kansas City. 

 

Carolina Panthers, Salary Cap Purge? 

The Panthers are currently $11.8 million over the salary cap. Needless to say, new general manager Dave Gettleman has a lot of work to do in order to get them under the cap and actually become a player in the free agent market. Expect him to cut the fat somewhere. This seems to indicate that the likes of Jon Beason, Chris Gamble and DeAngelo Williams, among others, could be on the chopping block. If so, all three will draw a tremendous amount of interest on the open market, especially Williams. 

 

Anquan Boldin Will 'Retire" if the Baltimore Ravens Release Him? 

Baltimore may have $15.7 in cap room for now, but that's going to change in relatively short order. Dannell Ellerbe, Bryant McKinnie, Paul Kruger, Cary Williams and Ed Reed are all set to become free agents. In addition, Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco will likely be getting the franchise tag. There is no possible way for Baltimore to retain a majority of these key players unless it cuts elsewhere. Boldin is set to account for $7.3 million in cap space next season and the Ravens can't afford to bring him back at that price. The former Pro Bowl receiver has now gone on record indicating that he will retire rather than suit up for another team. While it is admirable that he wants to go out on top and with the Ravens, I have a hard time believing this. Boldin has been a solid secondary receiver for the Ravens over the last three seasons and would get some play on the free agent market. Why would he turn down a multi-year offer from a contending team like the San Francisco 49ers or Seattle Seahawks? I don't see it. 

 

Cleveland Browns Showing Interest in Shaun Phillips

Cleveland is switching to a 3-4 defense under new coordinator Ray Horton and seems to have some solid pieces in place to run that scheme. Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard, along its front seven, come to mind first. It is now being reported that the Browns are interested in San Diego Chargers' outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, who recorded 9.5 sacks in a very similar 3-4 scheme last season. In total, Phillips is averaging eight sacks per season since the start of 2006. 

 

Quick Notes

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to go after Martellus Bennett when free agency begins. The talented tight end had a breakout campaign in his first season with the New York Giants in 2012. He recorded over 600 yards and five touchdowns. 

Indications are that the San Francisco 49ers will make wide receiver a priority this offseason. Both Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams are coming off serious injuries, A.J. Jenkins failed to catch a single pass in his rookie season and Randy Moss doesn't seem to have a whole lot left in the tank. San Francisco showed interest in Mike Wallace last offseason, so he is an option. In addition, look for Greg Jennings to be linked to the 49ers. 

Donald Driver officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Saturday. The future Hall of Fame wide receiver finishes his career No. 1 in Green Bay Packers' franchise history in both receptions and yards. 

The Philadelphia Eagles have released offensive tackle Demetress Bell, who was signed as somewhat of a stopgap for Jason Peters last season. Bell is just a couple years removed from being a rising star with the Buffalo Bills, but has appeared in a total of nine games in the last two seasons. 

In the worlds of the obvious, the Oakland Raiders are not prepared to pay Carson Palmer the $13 million he is set to earn in 2013. The veteran quarterback now has a decision to make. Take a paycut to remain with the fledgling franchise or be cut loose. My money is on him returning to the Raiders as their starter in '13. 

 

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Eagles
28
Rams
22
Bills
27
Ravens
25
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