The Oakland Raiders have very little to hang their hat on these days. They just hired their fourth coach in as many years after finishing 31st in points scored and 32nd in points allowed in 2014. The team is rebuilding around quarterback Derek Carr and outside linebacker Khalil Mack, talented but inexperienced players who could greatly benefit from veteran leadership. The one person on the Raiders who can provide that is Charles Woodson. The team announced Monday that future Hall of Fame defensive back will return for 2015, his 18th season in the NFL.
Raiders re-sign Charles Woodson, Andrew Luck not concerned about extension and other NFL news
Elsewhere, Greg Roman will focus on just the running game in Buffalo.
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Woodson is a three-time All-Pro, eight-time Pro Bowler and the 2009 Defensive Player of the Year. Though he can no longer play at that level, he’s still a reliable playmaker in the secondary who can mentor the team’s young roster and serve as a coach on the field. While it’s unlikely the Raiders can compete for a playoff spot in 2015, Woodson has much to gain by spending another season in Oakland. He began his career there in 1998 as the fourth overall pick and can cement his legacy as a Raider by helping the team turn around a decade-plus of futility.
No extension imminent for Luck
There is no more valuable player 25 years or younger in the NFL than the Indianapolis Colts' Andrew Luck. Since entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick, Luck has performed as well or better than all but a handful of quarterbacks. He just completed his third professional season, a year that saw him lead the NFL in touchdown passes (40) and finish third in passing yards (4,761). If not for poor showings against the Dallas Cowboys late in the season and the spectacular play of Aaron Rodgers and J.J. Watt, Luck might have won his first MVP award this year. Now that he's eligible, a contract extension seems like a mere formality. However, Luck says nothing on that front appears imminent, per the Indy Star.
“There’s nothing there right now,” Luck said. “I didn’t think about it all during the season and it’s only been a few days since it ended. I haven’t thought about it.”
A report emerged last week that Luck and the Colts were working on a deal to make him the highest-paid player in the league. Luck disputes that, stating, “I’m not sure where that report came from.” Luck may still end up with the biggest deal, however. He’s young, already performing at an elite level, and offers Indianapolis the chance to contend for a decade or more. If the Colts don’t want to pay him top dollar, another team would surely relish the chance.
Greg Roman to concentrate on Buffalo’s ground attack
Shortly after the Buffalo Bills hired Rex Ryan as head coach, they named former 49ers assistant Greg Roman as the new offensive coordinator. Roman's work with quarterback Colin Kaepernick produced mostly good results, and it seemed the Bills wanted the coach to do the same for struggling signal caller EJ Manuel. However, it appears Roman's focus will be on Buffalo's ground attack, according to Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News. In San Francisco, Roman's rushing units finished in the top 10 in all four of his seasons as offensive coordinator.
According to Carucci, new QB coach David Lee and receivers coach Sanjay Lal have been tasked with fixing the passing game. If true, that means that they’ll be in charge of turning Manuel’s career around. Roman will still have significant say in what happens on offense, but his impact on the quarterback will be less direct.
The Bills also announced the hiring of Michael Hamlin, Aaron Kromer, Anthony Lynn, D'Anton Lynn and Chris Palmer. Kromer, who made headlines after the former Bears offensive coordinator publicly criticized Jay Cutler, will serve as the offensive line coach.
Coaching hires
- The Colts and running backs coach David Walker have mutually agreed to part ways, per Ian Rapoport.
- Washington secondary coach Raheem Morris has verbally agreed to become an assistant head coach with the Falcons, per Albert Breer. He will also be in charge of the pass defense. Former Broncos linebackers coach Richard Smith will likely serve as defensive coordinator and lead the run defense.
- The Broncos have agreed to terms with Reggie Herring as their new linebackers coach and Clancy Barone as their offensive line coach, per Adam Caplan.
- Former Broncos assistant Jay Rodgers has joined the Bears as a defensive line coach, according to the team.
- Oakland hired Bernie Parmalee to coach its running backs and Rob Moore for wide receivers, per the San Jose Mercury News.
- According to Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians, the replacement for former defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will come from within the organization.
- Former Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau appears likely to join the Titans, per Gil Brandt.
- The Rams plan to interview Nathaniel Hackett for the second time this week, per Jason La Canfora.
- Also according to La Canfora, former Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell interviewed with Washington Monday for the defensive backs coach job. He also has interest from the 49ers.
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