Wednesday, January 6, 2016

Bucs fire Smith; Jets fire April

"The 100 Yards" Roster Report
Lovie Smith

Tampa Bay Buccaneers fire Lovie Smith: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced Wednesday night that they will not retain coach Lovie Smith.

"After careful consideration, we informed Lovie that we have decided to make a change," Buccaneers co-chairman Joel Glazer said in a statement released by the team. "I want to thank Lovie for his hard work and dedication to the Buccaneers during his time here. This decision was difficult on a variety of levels. I am disappointed that we were not more successful these past few seasons, but we are committed to doing what is necessary to give our fans the winning team they deserve. As we move forward, General Manager Jason Licht will oversee the process for finding our next head coach."

Bobby April
Jets fire special teams coach Bobby April: New York Jets coach Todd Bowles has informed special teams coordinator Bobby April that he will not be retained for the 2016 season. Assistant special teams coach Steve Hagen and assistant offensive line coach Ron Heller were also let go. Hagen and Heller were the final holdovers from Rex Ryan's staff.


"After having our season-ending meetings with the staff, I decided that changes were necessary in these areas," Bowles said, via the Jets' team site. "I appreciate their contributions this past season and wish them success in the future."

Jets sign nine to Reserve/Future Contracts

"The 100 Yards" Roster Report
Jarvis Harriso was one of nine players signed to the
New York Jets as a reserve/future contract player oo
Tuesdau.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have signed nine players to reserve/future contracts on Tuesday

Among those nine are guard Jarvis Harrison and defensive tackle Deon Simon.

Wide receiver Joe Anderson was also among those signed Tuesday.

Anderson ended the season on New York’s practice squad.

Also signed were linebacker Deion Barnes, tight end Brandon Bostick, linebacker Julian Howsare, tight end Wes Saxton, cornerback Kevin Short and linebacker Julian Stanford.

The Jets ended the 2015 NFL season missing the playoffs with a 10-6 record, just missing out on a Wild Card playoff spot.

Jaguars fire Babich; Colts fire Manusky

"The 100 Yards" Roster Report
Bob Babich
Jaguars fire defensive coordinator Bob Babich:
The Jacksonville Jaguars fired defensive coordinator Bob Babich, the team announced Tuesday.

The move comes hours after general manager Dave Caldwell said to expect changes on defense.

Babich, who became defensive coordinator when coach Gus Bradley took over Jacksonville in 2013, led one of the worst defenses in the NFL each of the past three seasons:

2015: 31st in scoring (28.0); 24th in total yards (375.0)
2014: 26th in scoring (25.8); 26th in total yards (370.8)
2013: 28th in scoring (28.1); 27th in total yards (379. 4)


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Greg Manusky
Colts fire defensive coordinator Greg Manusky:
On Tuesday, the Colts have fired defensive coordinator Greg Manusky, per a source.

Manusky joined the staff when Pagano was hired in in 2012. The former pro linebacker previously spent time as defensive coordinator with the San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers.

Pagano hinted Monday night on NFL Network changes to the staff could be coming.

"We've had a bunch of discussions, like I said, and we've got a lot of things like everybody else that's done playing," Pagano said. "There are teams obviously that are still in preparation (mode); the teams that made the playoffs, obviously. But everybody else is still in the evaluation mode now, and we're going to roll up our shirtsleeves and go to work. And, again, everything we do is based on two things: What's best for this team and what gives us the best chance to win."

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Injury Notebook: Steerers still unsure if Williams will get playoff action

"The 100 Yards" Injury Report
DeAngelo Williams
1. DeAngelo Williams left the season finale in a protective walking boot with an ankle injury that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin later clarified as a foot issue.

"DeAngelo is being evaluated and getting treatment as we speak," Tomlin said Tuesday. "I just spoke with him probably about 10 minutes ago, he can be characterized as day-to-day. I don't know what his availability will be in terms of the game."

2. Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton is out of his thumb cast. Coach Marvin Lewis told the media that "we'll see (if) Andy continues to progress well."


"DeAngelo is being evaluated and getting treatment as we speak," Tomlin said Tuesday. "I just spoke with him probably about 10 minutes ago, he can be characterized as day-to-day. I don't know what his availability will be in terms of the game."

3. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston will practice Tuesday in a limited fashion and is still listed as day-to-day, according to coach Andy Reid. Cornerback Dee Ford is still in the concussion protocol and won't practice Tuesday.

4. Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles suffered a broken thumb on his non-throwing hand during Sunday's loss to the Texans.

Redskins sign Cary Williams for playoffs

"The 100 Yards" Roster Report

Cornerback Cary Williams is signing with the Washington Redskins, his agent confirmed Tuesday.

The Redskins suffered injuries in Sunday's season finale against the Dallas Cowboys when cornerback Dashaun Phillips injured his neck and safety Kyshoen Jarrett sustained nerve damage to his arm.

Jarrett has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Green Bay Packers. Phillips, who was diagnosed with a stinger, has a chance to practice Wednesday.

Monday, January 4, 2016

Black Monday Notebook: Recent Firings and Hirings

"The 100 Yards" Staff Report
Ruston Webster
Titans fire GM Ruston Webster: The Tennessee Titans announced Monday that it will not renew the contract of executive vice president and general manager Ruston Webster.

"I would like to thank Ruston Webster for all of his efforts with our franchise, as he is a man of great character and integrity and someone for whom we I have tremendous respect," said Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. "Our mission is to become one of the elite franchises in the National Football League, and we have fallen short of this goal in recent years. We are in the search process for our head coaching and general manager positions. We share our fans' frustration about the team's recent performance, and we are committed to doing everything we can to return our team to a perennial postseason contender."

Dolphins name Chria Grier new GM: The Miami Dolphins announced Monday that Chris Grier, who had previously served as the team's director of college scouting, will assume the role of GM.

Grier replaces Dennis Hickey, who was dismissed on Saturday.

Coughlin steps down as Giants head coach: Tom Coughlin, who led the New York Giants to two super bowl championships, stepped down as head coach of the team on Monday.

UPDATE (TUESDAY, 1/5/2016)
Chargers fire ofensive coach: The San Diego Chargers on Monday fired their offensive coach Frank Reich

49ers fire head coach Tomsula after one season

"The 100 Yards" Roster Report
Jim Tomsula
The San Francisco 49ers announced Sunday night that Jim Tomsula was fired after only one season at the helm of the team. The 49ers won 19-16 in overtime against the Rams on Sunday to finish 5-11.

Tomsula  was essentially fired for the failures of 49ers management over the last few years. Owner Jed York did not mention the fate of general manager Trent Baalke in his statement.

"Jimmy has been a valuable member of the 49ers organization for the last nine years," said York. "We all know he is a man of high character, and his contributions on the field and in our community have always been greatly appreciated. This entire organization is proud and grateful to have worked so closely alongside Jimmy. We all wish him and his family great success in the future."