NFL Bowl – Jets begin to show dysfunction as offseason heats up
NFL Bowl – Jets begin to show dysfunction as offseason heats up. It did not take long for the offseason to start in the NFL. Less than 24 hours after the last regular season game was played, three teams made anticipated changes. The Bucs and the Rams fired their head coaches and the Colts cleaned house in the front office. Not to be outdone, the Jets made noise as well, but not due to any firings. In his end-of-the-season press conference, coach Rex Ryan announced the team would do away with captains next season. This was in reaction to 2011 team captain Santonio Holmes reportedly quitting on the team in Sunday’s loss to the Dolphins. The Jets have the look of a team that is imploding and bringing back Holmes next year is not going to help Rex Ryan win back his locker room. Holmes is not well liked and if Ryan does bring him back, he will risk having another dysfunctional locker room in 2012.
In other Jets news, the team has told people that it can get out of Bart Scott’s $4 million guarante for 2012, which would be news for the veteran linebacker. Scott seems to feel he is all set for next year, whether he is with the team or not. That situation will be worth keeping an eye on to see how it unfolds. One thing I know for certain — Holmes is going to make $7.5 million next year as his deal is a complete guarantee.
As for the rest of what I’m hearing:
» With the Colts removing Bill Polian as vice chairman, they really are setting forth in a entirely new direction in terms of how they procure talent and how they build a team. Under Polian, the Colts have favored quickness over size, playing with young players on defense and putting their salary-cap resources into their offensive skill players. Now with a new GM, that will all change. The new hire will have to come in with an organizational plan that is comprehensive in terms of finding the style of player who fits the new philosophy. And it will take some time to turn over the roster.
Owner Jim Irsay seems to know what he wants in his next GM. That will speed up the process, and the new GM will be able to quickly make major offseason decisions, beginning with whether to retain coach Jim Caldwell. Time is of the essences for the Colts as they enter the most important offseason of their history.
» Hearing Dallas offensive line coach Hudson Houck might retire. Former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano would be the leading candidate to replace Houck if he does hang it up. Sparano will be a hot commodity this offseason for vacant offensive line jobs.
» With the recent ACL injury to the Steelers’ Rashard Mendenhall, it is another reminder of why it is difficult to spend a high pick on a running back. No Pro Bowl backs this year were picked in the first round.
» Eagles offensive line coach Howard Mudd will sign an extension to remain in Philly … as long as Andy Reid comes back as the head coach.
» 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman is high on Penn State’s list for head coach, but he will also get strong looks from several NFL teams.
» Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will talk with the Jaguars about their head coaching position. O’Brien is still a strong candidate for the Penn State position.
» Oakland coach Hue Jackson feels he should retain as much control as he had heading during the season, which will make the Raiders GM search a challenge.
» The Bucs need to bring in someone who can command and demand from their young team and also develop Josh Freeman. Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski would be a good choice.
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