Dolphins hire Mike Tannenbaum, Jags to interview Marc Trestman
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins are shaking up their front office after missing the playoffs for the sixth straight season. The Dolphins have reached an agreement to hire former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum to oversee their football operations.
Tannenbaum served as a Dolphins consultant during the past year, and this move elevates him to the position of Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Dennis Hickey will remain as general manager but now reports to Tannenbaum, while head coach Joe Philbin will report directly to owner Stephen Ross.
During Tannenbaum’s tenure as GM with the Jets, the team made the playoffs three times (2006, 2009, 2010), reaching the AFC conference championship game twice. The Dolphins have made just one playoff appearance in the last 13 seasons and haven’t recorded a winning campaign since going 11-5 in 2008.
Jags to interview Roman, Trestman
The Jacksonville Jaguars will interview San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman for their vacant offensive coordinator position. Roman had previously interviewed for the open OC job with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and is set to talk to the Buffalo Bills on Friday for their head coaching position. It is worth noting that Roman has a connection to the Jags, as he was a college roommate of general manager David Caldwell at John Carroll University.
The Jags are also expected to bring in former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman to interview for the coordinator job, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Trestman has already interviewed for the same position with the Buccaneers.
NFL Coaching Rumors
Raiders brought in Madden for Shanahan interview
The Oakland Raiders are pulling out all the stops in their search for a new head coach. According to Scott Bair and Fallon Smith of CSNBayArea.com, Hall of Famer and former Raiders coach John Madden was present during the team's recent interview with Mike Shanahan for the open head coach position. Shanahan is an intriguing candidate for the Oakland job, considering that the Raiders were Shanahan's first NFL head-coaching gig in 1988 -- albeit one that did not end well. Shanahan was fired just four games into his second season and was 8-12 overall in Oakland.
In other Raiders’ news, the team will interview Tony Sparano for the head coach position on Wednesday. Sparano took over as the interim head coach after Dennis Allen was fired four weeks into the season, and led the Raiders to a 3-9 finish.
Mora is “very happy at UCLA”
It is no surprise that Jim Mora's name has been linked to several NFL teams searching for new head coaches given his previous experience at the helm of both the Atlanta Falcons and Seattle Seahawks. But don't be too quick to think he's contemplating a move back to the professional level.
Mora went on the Rich Eisen Show on Tuesday and tried to dispel any rumors that have been buzzing about his football future. He told the host that he is “very happy at UCLA” and has “not made any overtures toward an NFL team.” Mora is 29-11 as the Bruins head coach and led the team to consecutive 10-win seasons for the first time in nearly two decades.
FanDuel Playoff challenge
Injury roundup
The Carolina Panthers could be short-handed when they face the Seahawks on Saturday. Wide receiver Philly Brown (shoulder) and safety Thomas DeCoud (hamstring) did not practice on Tuesday, leaving their status in doubt for this weekend's divisional game in Seattle.
The Seahawks got good and bad news on the injury front Tuesday. Seahawks center Max Unger, who missed the final six games of the regular season with ankle and knee injuries, participated in practice and is expected to play on Saturday against the Panthers. However, defensive tackle Jordan Hill is reportedly done for the season with a torn calf muscle.
The Baltimore Ravens should be get a boost on both sides of the line of scrimmage for their Saturday afternoon contest against the New England Patriots. Offensive lineman Eugene Monroe (ankle) and defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan (ankle, foot) returned to practice on Tuesday, after both missed the Ravens' Wild Card round win last weekend.
NFL Draft notes
Florida State’s Jameis Winston is reportedly undecided about whether or not he will turn pro. Another Seminole has made up his mind, however, with the report that Mario Edwards, Jr. will leave school early to enter the NFL Draft.
The latest early entrant to the NFL draft is perhaps the most surprising one -- punter Bradley Pinion announced Tuesday that he will forgo his final season at Clemson to enter the draft. Pinion averaged 42.6 yards per punt in 2014, ranked 35th in FBS this year.
Former Missouri and current Oklahoma wideout Dorial Green-Beckham has decided to end his troubled collegiate career for a chance to turn pro as well.
Stanford redshirt junior tackle Andrus Peat will enter the 2015 NFL draft, per a report from the school. The All-American left tackle won the the Morris Trophy as the Pac-12’s top offensive lineman.
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