Washington continues to remake its coaching staff in the wake of its disappointing 4-12 season. The team announced it has hired former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Bill Callahan as its new offensive line coordinator. Callahan will not have any coordinator responsibilities, reports the Washington Post's Mike Jones. Although the exact terms of the contract are not known at this time, it is expected to be a three-year deal.
Bill Callahan named Washington OL coach, NFL to hold veteran combine and other NFL news
In other news, Dennis Thurman was officially named as the Buffalo Bills’ new defensive coordinator.
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Callahan’s departure from Dallas was imminent after the team promoted Scott Linehan to the full-time offensive coordinator role early Thursday. Callahan and Linehan had shared OC duties this season, with Callahan focusing on the offensive line and Linehan calling the plays.
Callahan will be tasked with fixing a Washington offensive line that struggled this past season. Washington graded out as the 24th-ranked run blocking team according to Pro Football Focus’ ratings, and allowed the second-most sacks (58) in the league. The team’s former offensive line coach, Chris Foerster, will join new San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula’s staff, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Thurman named Bills DC
As hinted by Rex Ryan in his introductory press conference on Wednesday, the Buffalo Bills have officially named former New York Jets defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman to that same position with the team. The position was vacant after the Bills terminated the contract of former DC Jim Schwartz earlier this week.
Prior to his two-year stint as the Jets' DC, Thurman was the Jets' defensive backs coach for five seasons (2008-12) and spent six seasons on the Baltimore Ravens' coaching staff in various defensive roles (2002-07). With Thurman as defensive coordinator, the Jets had one of the best run defenses in the league, ranking first in yards per rush and second in rushing yards per game allowed from 2013-14.
NFL to hold veteran combine in March
The league announced Thursday that it will hold a scouting combine for veteran free agent players in late March. According to a memo sent out by NFL director of football development Matt Birk and obtained by Ian Rapoport, the event will "serve to isolate and consolidate veteran free-agent talent for more focused evaluation on a comparative basis."
Veteran free agents had been allowed at regional combines with other rookie prospects in recent years, but were never given an exclusive opportunity to showcase their skills in the spring. Via this new venture, players must apply with the league for the combine, and approximately 100 will be chosen to work out in front of representatives from all 32 teams.
PFWA names Coach of Year, Executive of Year, Assistant Coach of Year
The Pro Football Writers Association named Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians as its Coach of the Year on Thursday. Arians led the Cardinals to an 11-5 record -- matching the franchise record for wins in a season -- and the team's first playoff berth since 2009.
Former Cardinals defensive coordinator (and current Jets head coach) Todd Bowles was chosen as the Assistant Coach of the Year by the PFWA. Arizona ranked fifth in the league in points allowed this season, and finished as the seventh-best defense according to Football Outsiders’ efficiency rankings.
The PFWA gave its Executive of the Year award to Cowboys owner/president/GM Jerry Jones, who helped the club snap a streak of four straight non-winning seasons and secure its first NFC East title since 2009.
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