In 2014, the St. Louis Rams featured one of the best defenses in the NFL. Robert Quinn was a terror coming off the edge for the second straight year, Chris Long played well when healthy, and first-round pick Aaron Donald established himself as one of the league's better interior rushers as a rookie. Even the back seven showed signs of improvement after years of poor play.
Rams interested in several OC candidates, Adam Gase expected to land with Ravens or Jaguars, and other NFL news
Meanwhile, Chan Gailey awaits deal with Jets.
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, the offense struggled to keep up. As in previous seasons, coordinator Brian Schottenheimer called one of the most conservative offenses in the NFL. He was either pushed out or left of his own accord for the same position at Georgia. The Rams must now fill his position, and they're considering the Colts' Rob Chudzinski and the Packers' Alex Van Pelt, per Ian Rapoport and Jim Thomas.
Prior to working with the Colts as a special assistant, Chudzinski served as head coach of the Cleveland Browns for one season. He was fired along with the rest of his staff by GM Mike Lombardi, who was axed himself later that same offseason. Prior to that, he was Cam Newton's first offensive coordinator in Carolina. As for Van Pelt, he has served in a variety of roles for the Packers, most recently as Aaron Rodgers' position coach. Like Chudzinski, he too has previously worked as an offensive coordinator. He served in that role for the Bills in 2009.
Adam Gase to land in Jacksonville or Baltimore
Less than a few weeks removed from being one of the hot names on the head coaching circuit, former Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase finds himself without a home. The Broncos have moved on to Gary Kubiak while the 49ers and Falcons, two teams who considered him as a headman, have chosen other candidates. Now it looks like Gase will end up as someone's offensive coordinator for the 2015 season. According to NFL.com, he is expected to land with either the Jacksonville Jaguars or Baltimore Ravens.
Under Kubiak, the Ravens had plenty of talent on offense and enjoyed one of their better seasons statistically in 2014. The play caller position came open when he bolted for Denver. Baltimore would provide Gase with his second Super Bowl-winning quarterback. As for Jacksonville, there's less talent but the bar is much lower. If Gase were to turn Blake Bortles into a star, he could quickly return to prominence as a head coach candidate again.
Eric Mangini to interview for Raiders defensive coordinator opening
The Raiders were at one point rumored to have interest in 49ers assistant Eric Mangini as a possible head coach. Instead, they ultimately hired Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, a Northern California native who grew up a fan of the team. However, the Raiders may still bring Mangini in as a defensive coordinator, per Ian Rapoport.
Mangini has already been a head coach for two teams (Cleveland Browns and New York Jets) and served as Bill Belichick's defensive coordinator before that. He's long been considered one of football's brightest minds even though his record has been spotty since leaving New England. Perhaps going to Oakland where the expectations are low could do Mangini some good.
Chan Gailey’s deal with the Jets still not complete
Former Bills head coach Chan Gailey has been linked with the New York Jets offensive coordinator position for several days now. The match makes plenty of sense, as Gailey is a longtime offensive play caller whom first-time head coach Todd Bowles can lean upon. Gailey is also familiar with the AFC East, having coached in both Buffalo and Miami. However, Gailey says that despite the reports, he hasn’t reached a deal with the Jets, per Adam Schefter.
Part of the issue could be Gailey’s other options. He reportedly has three other teams attempting to woo him, and perhaps the Jets are tentative about getting into a bidding war. Still, Gailey would likely have autonomy in New York, which he wouldn’t have with most other teams. Bowles is a defensive coach, and like other such coaches may defer to an assistant on the other side of the ball. That’s hard for anyone to pass up.
See More:
