March 2010 - Football Wiretap
Mangini Expects To Meet With Holmgren Monday
Eric Mangini expects to meet with Browns president Mike Holmgren on Monday to discuss his future.
Cleveland will face Pittsburgh in their season finale on Sunday.
"That's my anticipation," Mangini said.
Mangini admitted that even his six-year-old son is getting anxious about what might happen with his dad's job.
"He asked if we were moving," said Mangini. "I said, 'don't worry about it Jake, we'll figure it out.' So when you get those type of questions ... you don't think 'okay, how am I going to explain the situation to my six-year old?' That's part of the human element."
Andre Johnson To Have Ankle Surgery
The Texans won't have Andre Johnson against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Johnson will have arthroscopic surgery on his right ankle next week.
He sprained the ankle in Week 2 and the injury has never healed.
"The biggest thing was just being smart about the situation," Johnson said. "The best thing they felt was for me not to be out there to have something else bad happen, or me to re-injure the ankle, like I've been doing the whole season."
Gators Want Weis To Be Offensive Coordinator
Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis is being targeted by the Gators to become the offensive coordinator under new coach Will Muschamp, according to a pair of sources.
Weis is expected to take the job, but no firm agreement is in place.
Muschamp contacted the Chiefs this week for permission to talk to Weis.
Brady Plans To Play Against Dolphins
Tom Brady plans to play against the Dolphins on Sunday in New England's meaningless season finale.
"I think we're playing," Brady said. "That's just the way it is. I don't get into a whole lot of evaluation why. It's a football game. I'm the starting quarterback on this football team, and I'm gonna play. All those other guys take the same approach. I don't think we approach this week any different. Leave that up to the coach."
Bill Belichick has not been forthcoming this week when asked whether the starters will see action, and if so, how much.
Ryan Won't Discuss Latest Foot Photos
Rex Ryan isn't going to discuss embarrassing photographs of a woman purported to be his wife.
"It's a personal matter and I'm not going to discuss it," said Ryan.
His reaction echoed what he said two weeks ago when foot-fetish videos surfaced of a woman who looks like Ryan's wife Michelle being filmed in one by someone who sounds like Ryan himself.
The latest photos show the same woman having her feet fondled by a man who is not Ryan.
Jaguars Rule Jones-Drew Out Again
Maurice Jones-Drew missed Friday's practice and has been ruled out of Jacksonville's crucial game against Houston on Sunday.
Jones-Drew last week missed his first start because of a knee injury that hasn't gotten any better.
Rashad Jennings will be the starter as the Jags try to win the AFC South title on the last day of the regular season.
The Jaguars need to win and see the Colts lose to the Titans.
Fox Won't Return To Panthers In 2011
The Panthers have announced that John Fox will not return as the team's coach next season.
Fox has spent nine years with Carolina, including the team's only Super Bowl appearance.
Panthers owner Jerry Richardson said in a statement that he told Fox that he appreciates everything he has done, but that "it is time for both sides to move in different directions."
Cutler Doesn't Expect To Rest Against Packers
Jay Cutler doesn't expect to get much rest in Chicago's season finale against Green Bay on Sunday.
"(Coach Lovie Smith) said prior to that game that we?re going to be playing, we're going to be going and we're going to be full go on Sunday," Cutler said. "So that's what we expect."
Smith said the Bears "realize the importance of the game" and that they "want to go into the playoffs on a high," but wouldn't say how long he plans to stick with his top players.
The Bears have a slim shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC, but they'll need to win and get help in order to get it.
Eagles Make Changes To D-Line
The Eagles have endured a rash of injuries to their defensive line, leading them to sign veterans Bobby McCray and Jeremy Clark.
Philadelphia also cut Derrick Burgess.
The Eagles placed rookie defensive tackle Jeff Owens on season-ending injured reserve Wednesday, one day after he hurt his knee during a 24-14 loss to the Vikings.
Wallace: Holmgren Wants To Coach Browns
Mike Holmgren showed up at Cleveland's practice earlier this week and quarterback Seneca Wallace believes that the team president wants to coach the club.
Wallace played for Holmgren in Seattle as well.
"I kind of do just because things probably haven't turned out the way he wanted on offense and being an offensive guy, I think he still has that itch to come back to coach," Wallace said. "But at the end of the day, he's going to make the right decision for the rest of the team."
Eric Mangini, given one reprieve by Holmgren last January, may not get a second as the Browns stagger to the finish of another disappointing season.
Marshall Wants Sparano To Return As Miami's Coach
The Dolphins will miss the playoffs for the eighth time in nine years and changes are likely.
Colston Has Knee Scoped, Questionable
Marques Colston has 84 catches for 1,023 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Cowboys To Sign Kris Brown To Two-Year Deal
Kris Brown will compete for David Buehler to be the team's kicker in 2011.
Favre Still Hasn't Passed Concussion Test
It appears as though Joe Webb will start against Detroit.
Pat Williams Expects Vikings To Go Into Rebuild Mode
Pat Williams is one of 17 veteran members of the Vikings who will likely become free agents this offseason.
Southern Miss WR DeAndre Brown To Declare For Draft
Southern Miss wide receiver DeAndre Brown has decided to make himself available for the NFL draft.
Andrew Luck Leaning Towards Remaining At Stanford
Andrew Luck would be the consensus first overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Kolb To Start On Sunday
Kevin Kolb will start on Sunday against the Cowboys, according to sources.
Oregon's LaMichael James Won't Declare For Draft
LaMichael James was a Heisman Trophy finalist as a sophomore.
Sundquist Emerges Candidate For 49ers' GM Position
Ted Sundquist will interview for the same position with the San Francisco 49ers later this week, according to two NFL sources.
Jets Fined $100k For Sideline Wall Incident
The NFL fined the Jets $100,000 today for the sideline wall incident on Dec. 12 against the Dolphins.
Risdon's Football Meteorology For Week 17
The 2011 regular season flew by and we still have playoff bids, seeding and the draft order to sort out with Week 17's games.
Raiders Will Have Little Time To Decide On Coaches
Al Davis must decide whether or not he will retain head coach Tom Cable by January 18th.
Belichick Could Become First Coach With Four 14-Win Seasons
New England has reached the Super Bowl in every season in which they have won at least 14 games.
Wallace Won't Forgive Browns For Passing On Him
Pittsburgh's Mike Wallace remembers the 2009 NFL Draft every time he faces the Cleveland Browns.
49ers Could Draft Anywhere Between 2nd And 13th
While unlikely, the 49ers could end up with the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.
Metrodome Won't Be Ready Until March
Roughly 300 baseball games were scheduled to be played at the Metrodome in February and March, including about 40 University of Minnesota games and 250 small college games.
Wade Phillips Could Become Houston's D-Coordinator
If Gary Kubiak stays, Wade Phillips would be his first choice to become the team's new coordinator.
Lloyd Curses Out Teams Who Cut Him
Brandon Lloyd says "F--- you," to the teams that cut him earlier in his career.
Whitehurst Expected To Start Against St. Louis
Charlie Whitehurst will likely make his second career start with the NFC West title on the line.