The weather is starting to warm up in New York. The worst case scenarios for Super Bowl Sunday are becoming distant memory. After way too much conversation on the subject, weather shouldn’t be a huge factor in Super Bowl XLVIII.
Weather forecast brightens for Super Bowl XLVIII
Jonathan Martin detailed his decision to leave the Miami Dolphins in an interview this week with Tony Dungy. Martin’s comments prompted a response from Richie Incognito’s attorney.
Richie Incognito’s lawyer: Martin sent coarse texts, too
Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio told Around The League that conventional coaching methods have changed. Does that explain Riverboat Ron Rivera’s fourth-down gambles with the Panthers this season?
Broncos’ Jack Del Rio: Coaching ‘book’ has changed
The Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t had any negotiations with impending free-agent RB Maurice Jones-Drew.
Footballguys View: Not a shock, given how much work the Jacksonville Jaguars have to do for the team as a whole. MJD may be looking for one more big payday, but the Jaguars may not want to invest a lot of money into a player swiftly approaching the age of 30. The more important question is, will other teams?
Jaguars | No negotiations with Maurice Jones-Drew
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams accumulated more than $200,000 in fines for being late to mandatory meetings or missing meetings and scheduled rehab days for his torn hamstring in 2013. Williams’ partying has also become a concern for the team.
Footballguys View: This is a newer story, perhaps lost in the chaos of the end of the Greg Schiano adventure. Since this was allegedly a concern about Josh Freeman (the missed meetings not the partying), it’s interesting to see it isn’t the isolated Freeman-centric issue the team made it out to be.
Buccaneers | Mike Williams accumulates fines
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak uses a lot of play-action passes, particularly off of bootleg plays, in his offense. The offense is built around a zone-blocking scheme where the offensive line and running back will execute a hard play-fake to one side, while QB Joe Flacco will have to bootleg to the backside of the play unprotected. Flacco’s mobility has been questioned in the media, and many wonder whether he can run bootlegs.
Footballguys View: In order for play-action to work, the run game will need to be effective again. Kubiak got a lot of mileage out of the run game in Houston so hopefully the new angle and approach will turn this offense back around.
Ravens | Gary Kubiak to bring new elements
Peyton Manning is revered as one of the most maniacally over-prepared players in NFL history. Does the Denver Broncos superstar bristle at the notion of his robotic tendencies?
Peyton Manning: ‘I am not a robot’ for Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens RB Bernard Pierce (shoulder) had successful rotator cuff surgery Wednesday, Jan. 29, according to his agent.
Ravens | Bernard Pierce undergoes surgery
Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Greg Knapp compared Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo with Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase. ‘Don’t let his age (35) fool you,’ Knapp said Wednesday, Jan. 29. ‘He’s like Adam Gase. He’s got great knowledge and a great future ahead of him.’ DeFilippo will interview for the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator vacancy Thursday, Jan. 30.
Browns | John DeFilippo compared to former HC candidate
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn said Wednesday, Jan. 29, that he would not have agreed to a second interview with the Cleveland Browns for their previously vacant head coaching position before Super Bowl XLVIII, even if the team had pushed for it. ‘I have such a connection with these players, I didn’t want to let them down in any way,’ Quinn said. ‘In that way, it was really important for me to take advantage of this opportunity (in the Super Bowl).’
Browns | Dan Quinn wasn’t interested in second interview