March 2014 - Football Wiretap

Doug Marrone, Jets Have Mutual Interest After Opting Out

Jan 1, 2015 10:49 PM

Doug Marrone and the New York Jets have mutual interest.

The Jets already have complied with the Rooney Rule by interviewing defensive backs coach Anthony Lynn means that Marrone could be hired at any time.

An assistant coach in New York from 2002 through 2005, Marrone swept the Jets this year, with a 38-3 Monday night win in Detroit.

Marrone just finished his second season with the Buffalo Bills and opted out of his contract.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Tags: Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, Misc Rumor

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Jim Haslett, Washington Agree To Part Ways

Dec 31, 2014 10:57 AM

Washington and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett have mutually agreed to part ways.

Haslett finished his fifth season with Washington in 2014.

During his time, the Washington defense has finished a collective 29th in total yards and 30th in points per game. This season, the banged-up unit ranked 20th in total yards and 29th in points allowed.

 

Earlier this month, former Redskins linebacker London Fletcher, speaking on CBS' pregame show, called Haslett "clueless."

"[Haslett] would take the '85 Bears defense and turn them into a mediocre defense," Fletcher said. "He has no idea what he's doing. He's proven year in and year out that he's not a good defensive coordinator."

Fletcher also accused Haslett of potentially "backstabbing" Gruden.

John Keim/ESPN

Tags: Washington Football Team, Misc Rumor

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Jaguars Fire Offensive Coordinator Jedd Fisch

Dec 30, 2014 9:13 PM

Jedd Fisch has been fired as offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars because of what Gus Bradley said were philosophical differences related to how much the team asked of Blake Bortles during his rookie season.

Bradley felt Fisch was overloading Bortles with too much of the offense at one time and would have instead preferred an approach in which Bortles was given measured doses and had the package expanded only as he grew comfortable with the offense.

"There is a lot of truth now to philosophical differences as far as we want to put on Blake's plate to do a lot," Bradley said. "Let's throw a lot at him and then let's see how much he'll be able to carry that over to next year. Or, no, let's not put a lot on his plate and let him grow through this. Which way is best? I don't know. I know the way we kind of want to do it.

"I just think we want to help him get better every day and not overwhelmed. I think you know my philosophy enough of be careful of how much you put on a guy to create a lot of anxiety that might keep him from being his best."

Michael DiRocco/ESPN

Tags: Jacksonville Jaguars, Misc Rumor

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Rex Ryan To Interview With Falcons, 49ers

Dec 31, 2014 7:40 PM

Rex Ryan will interview with both the Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers next week.

Ryan was fired by the New York Jets after Week 17.

The Falcons fired Mike Smith, while the 49ers and Jim Harbaugh parted ways. The Falcons and 49ers played each other in the NFC Championship in the 2012 season.

Manish Mehta/New York Daily News

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

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Mike Zimmer Wants Adrian Peterson Back In 2015

Dec 30, 2014 8:39 PM

The future of Adrian Peterson with the Minnesota Vikings is up in the air as he's scheduled to earn a non-guaranteed salary in 2015 worth $15.4 million against the cap.

Peterson will be welcomed back by Mike Zimmer.

"Adrian was always great with me. I think he's a good person," Zimmer said, via ESPN.com. "I think obviously he's a great running back, and if it works out that way and things work out and he gets his life in order -- that's the most important thing, he gets his life in order, he gets the opportunity to come back -- then I will be in his corner whatever the decision is made.

"I think he would add value to any team, to be honest with you. I think the kid's a heck of a football player."

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Jim Harbaugh's Based Salary At Michigan Worth $5M Annually

Dec 30, 2014 8:34 PM

Michigan interim athletic director Jim Hackett said Tuesday during Jim Harbaugh's introductory press conference that Harbaugh signed a seven-year deal worth $5 million per year, which is the same salary he earned with the San Francisco 49ers with deferred compensation.

Hackett also said Harbaugh received a $2 million signing bonus and "insisted that he not be the highest-paid coach in college football, or even the Big Ten."

"A year from now, I will review the football program's progress and the university will determine an appropriate deferred compensation arrangement, which I have to take into account market conditions at that time."

Reports broke earlier this month that Michigan was offering Harbaugh a contract worth $8 million annually.

While his salary will be $5 million, there will be incentives, and the total package still could be around $8 million annually.

Mike Huguenin/NFL.com

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor, NCAA

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Ndamukong Suh Has Suspension Overturned

Dec 30, 2014 6:51 PM

Ndamukong Suh had his one-game suspension overturned by appeals officer Ted Cottrell on Tuesday, a day after the NFL suspended Suh for Sunday's playoff game between the Lions and Dallas Cowboys.

Instead, Cottrell ruled Suh will have to pay a $70,000 fine.

Suh was suspended by the league for stepping on the calf and ankle of Aaron Rodgers during the Packers' 30-20 win over the Lions on Sunday.

Michael Rothstein/ESPN

Tags: Detroit Lions, Suspension

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49ers Wanted To Trade Up For Odell Beckham But Price Too High

Dec 30, 2014 11:52 AM

The San Francisco 49ers pursued trading up to draft Odell Beckham Jr. but the price tag was too high.

The 49ers would have had to surrender their first-round pick, second-round pick a third-rounder and, possibly, another selection to move from the No. 30 spot to grab Beckham, who was selected by the New York Giants at No. 12.

In 12 games, he had 91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. 

“He’s a heck of talent,” Trent Baalke said. “He was graded as a heck of a talent by our scouts, by our coaches, by all parties. But what it would have taken to make that move would have cost us our first-, our second- and one of our third-round picks and maybe something on top of that.

“So, in essence, you would have been giving up (cornerback) Jimmie Ward, you would have been giving up (center) Marcus Martin or (linebacker) Chris Borland and you would have given up (running back) Carlos Hyde, plus somebody else. So you would have given up three young quality players to get one. And that was decision that collectively we weren’t willing to make.”

Eric Branch/San Francisco Chronicle

Tags: New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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49ers, Falcons Request Permission To Interview Josh McDaniels

Dec 30, 2014 11:26 AM

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is among the candidates for the head coaching jobs of the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, with both teams asking for permission to interview McDaniels, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and other media reports.

Per NFL rules, McDaniels could talk to other teams this week, while the Patriots are on a bye. 

 

McDaniels was previously head coach of the Denver Broncos.

 

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Misc Rumor

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Ndamukong Suh Suspended For Game Against Cowboys

Dec 30, 2014 10:37 AM

Ndamukong Suh has been suspended for the Detroit Lions' playoff game at the Dallas Cowboys for stepping on Aaron Rodgers' leg twice, once with each foot.

Suh also applied pressure and pushed off Rodgers' unprotected leg with his left foot, violating unnecessary roughness rules, the league said in a statement.

 

Suh, who will be reinstated next Monday, can appeal the suspension within three days. He can ask for an expedited appeal, which would be heard by Ted Cottrell, a hearing officer employed by the NFL and the players' union. No hearing is scheduled, but one could happen as soon as Tuesday.

AP

Tags: Detroit Lions, Suspension

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Tom Brady Restructures Contract To Free Up $24M
Tom Brady can now be released by the Patriots without liability.

ESPN

Kyle Orton Announces Retirement
Doug Whaley and the Bills will search for a quarterback this offseason.

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Michigan To Announce Jim Harbaugh Hire
Jim Hackett and other officials from the school met with Jim Harbaugh in California Sunday night after he officially parted ways with the 49ers.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Bears Fire Phil Emery, Marc Trestman
Phil Emery lasted just three seasons with the Bears.

ESPN.com

Jets Fire Coach Rex Ryan, GM John Idzik
The Jets stumbled to a 4-12 record this season, and finishing a fourth straight year out of the playoffs.

ESPN.com

Falcons Fire Head Coach Mike Smith
Owner Arthur Blank has been frustrated with the Falcons' failure to make the playoffs the last two seasons.

ESPN.com

Mike Smith 'Held Responsible' In Atlanta
The Falcons have failed to make the playoffs the last two NFL seasons.

ESPN.com

Sources: Jets To Fire GM John Idzik, Coach Rex Ryan
Jets owner Woody Johnson has decided on an immediate house cleaning, according to league sources.

ESPN.com

Jim Harbaugh, 49ers Mutually Part Ways
Jim Harbaugh has been linked to several coaching vacancies, including the job at the University of Michigan.

ESPN.com

Buccaneers Deny Tanking For Top Draft Pick
Bucs head coach Lovie Smith strongly denies that the team tanked in the fourth quarter on Sunday.

ESPN.com

Raiders Haven't Given Up Yet On Jim Harbaugh
The Raiders still plan on pursuing Jim Harbaugh.

Jason La Canfora/CBS Sports

Jets Contact Rex Ryan's Agent About Another Coach
Jimmy Sexton represents Rex Ryan and many of the top coaches in college football.

Jay Glazer/Fox Sports

Falcons Hire Search Firm In Case Mike Smith Fired
During his first five seasons at the helm from 2008-12, Mike Smith compiled a 56-24 regular-season record.

ESPN

Bears' Coaching Staff Fears 'Sweeping Changes'
Marc Trestman has missed the playoffs in each of his two seasons as head coach of the Bears.

Michael C. Wright/ESPN

Jim Harbaugh To Become Head Coach Of Michigan
Jim Harbaugh will return to the college coaching ranks.

Nancy Gay/Comcast

Josh Gordon Suspended By Browns For Week 17
Both Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel were absent from the Browns' walk-through Saturday morning, and the team had trouble locating them.

ESPN

Rex Ryan Expects To Be Fired By Jets
Rex Ryan already has begun removing items from his office.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Michigan Officials Will Be In Bay Area To Meet With Jim Harbaugh
Michigan will offer a six-year, $48 million contract to Jim Harbaugh.

Bryan Fischer/NFL.com

Sparano: Latavius Murray Can Become Featured Running Back
Latavius Murray has averaged 83.3 yards per game, 5.4 yards per carry, with eight runs of 10-plus yards and two touchdowns over his past four games.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Andre Johnson Willing To Take Pay Cut To Stay With Texans
Andre Johnson was interested in a trade last offseason.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com