Overtime key issue at owners meetings
March 21, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP)—In a sport built on intricate game plans in which inchesoften decide outcomes, the last thing the NFL wants is to rely on randomness.
So when NFL owners discuss many issues at their meetings this week, nonewill be juicier than a potential modification of overtime in the playoffs.
The league’s competition committee has recommended that a team yielding afield goal on the first series of the extra period will then get a possession.If that team scores a touchdown, it wins. If it fails to score, it loses. But ifit kicks a field goal, the game will continue under the current sudden-deathrules.
Competition committee co-chairman Rich McKay cited statistics since 1994that show teams winning the coin toss win the game 59.8 percent of the time. Theteam that loses the toss wins the game 38.5 percent in that 15-year span, orsince kickoffs were moved back 5 yards to the 30.
“There are advocates who will say that we’re trying to put in a system thatemphasizes more skill and more strategy in overtime as opposed to the randomnessof the coin flip,” says McKay, president of the Atlanta Falcons. “Those on theother side will tell you it works pretty well, it’s exciting, and there’s anopportunity for less plays, and that is an important product that’s needed inovertime.”
But the hefty swing in advantage toward teams winning the toss prompted thecommittee to take action. With 24 of the 32 owners required to pass a rulechange, McKay is uncertain if the adjustment to overtime will happen. It is, hesays, time to find out.
“In the past, people have been quick to say that our system works very welland why would we change it,” he said. “That’s always been a blocking point, ifyou will, to change.
“In this case, we just try to make a statistical argument that the time mayhave come to innovate a little bit when it comes to overtime and there’s areason statistically to do so. But it will be interesting to see when we get tothat discussion.”
Overtime is one of many issues the owners will examine. They also will getupdates on the status of negotiations with the players union toward a collectivebargaining agreement. Without a new one by next March, a work stoppage couldoccur.
The league comes off a season of record TV ratings, strong attendance andburgeoning interest in what already is the nation’s most popular and profitablesport. But there always are plenty of subjects examined by McKay, co-chairmanJeff Fisher, coach of the Tennessee Titans, and the seven-man competitioncommittee.
Overtime will draw most of the headlines, but also on the agenda are:
— Further protection of defenseless players.
Unnecessary roughness penalties were up slightly in 2009. The committeefound instances of hits it would like to see changed by lowering the target areaand ensuring a receiver not only has completed a catch, but has had time toprotect himself. A defensive player would be prohibited from launching into thereceiver in any way that causes the defensive player’s helmet, facemask,shoulder or forearm to forcibly strike the receiver’s head.
— Further protection of long snappers on field goals. The committee proposesthat no player can line up within the frame of the body of the snapper, whichshould give the snapper an opportunity to get his head up and protect himself.
“We tried to do that a couple of years ago and we haven’t gotten thataccomplished as well as we would like,” McKay said.
— A dead ball if a runner loses or has his helmet come off during a play.This is similar to college rules.
— A ball hitting a scoreboard—based on punts potentially hitting theoverhanging videoboard at the new Cowboys Stadium—is a dead ball. This ruletemporarily was instituted for the 2009 season and could become permanent.
— Dead-ball penalties would carry over to the second half or into overtimewhen they happen as the clock runs out in the second or fourth quarters.
Colts hire Ron Turner as WRs coach
March 20, 2010
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)—The Colts have hired former Bears offensive coordinator RonTurner as wide receivers coach and former Virginia special teams coordinator RonPrince as assistant offensive line coach.
Just last month, Stanford selected Turner as its new quarterbacks and widereceivers coach. Prince was head coach at Kansas State from 2006-08.
Indianapolis also changed the titles of four other coaches. Tom Moore willbe senior offensive assistant, while Clyde Christensen has been promoted fromassistant head coach/wide receivers to offensive coordinator.
Pete Metzelaars has been promoted from offensive quality control/assistantoffensive line to offensive line coach, and the Colts’ staff assistant Jim BobCooter has been selected offensive assistant.
Titans acquire former Eagles DE Babin
March 20, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Tennessee has acquired defensive end Jason Babin(notes) afterthe Philadelphia Eagles declined to match the Titans’ offer.
Under a right of first refusal clause the Eagles put into Babin’s contract,they had one week to match the offer sheet signed Wednesday. Without the clause,Babin would be an unrestricted free agent because of his six years of NFLservice.
The Titans announced that Philadelphia notified the NFL on Friday it wouldnot match the offer.
“We’re happy our deal with Jason worked out,” general manager MikeReinfeldt said in a statement. “He’s a high-energy player and a good passrusher, and he fits what we do very well. He has all offseason to come in andwork with Coach (Jim) Washburn and become a part of our rotation at defensiveend.”
Babin, a first-round draft pick in 2004 out of Western Michigan, has playedfor Houston, Seattle, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Last season, the 6-foot-3,267-pound end played in 12 games and had 20 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks for the Eagles.
He will help replace Kyle Vanden Bosch(notes), who signed with Detroit on the firstday of free agency, and Jevon Kearse(notes), who was benched in October in the finalyear of his contract.
Babin said he had been trying not to think too much of the deal, not knowingif the Eagles would match the offer. He said in a statement he was ecstatic andcan’t wait to start working with the Titans and Washburn.
“The style of defense the Titans play, as far as what the defensive linedoes and the way they want their guys to play, it suits my abilities. They getwide, they come off the ball, they rush the passer, and they’re aggressive. Tome, it’s just a natural fit,” Babin said.
Titans get DE Babin, Eagles don’t match
March 20, 2010
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)—Tennessee has acquired defensive end Jason Babin(notes) afterthe Philadelphia Eagles declined to match the Titans’ offer.
Under a right of first refusal clause the Eagles put into Babin’s contract,they had one week to match the offer sheet signed Wednesday. Without the clause,Babin would be an unrestricted free agent because of his six years of NFLservice.
The Titans announced that Philadelphia notified the NFL on Friday it wouldnot match the offer.
“We’re happy our deal with Jason worked out,” general manager MikeReinfeldt said in a statement. “He’s a high-energy player and a good passrusher, and he fits what we do very well. He has all offseason to come in andwork with Coach (Jim) Washburn and become a part of our rotation at defensiveend.”
Babin, a first-round draft pick in 2004 out of Western Michigan, has playedfor Houston, Seattle, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Last season, the 6-foot-3,267-pound end played in 12 games and had 20 tackles and 2 1/2 sacks for the Eagles.
He will help replace Kyle Vanden Bosch(notes), who signed with Detroit on the firstday of free agency, and Jevon Kearse(notes), who was benched in October in the finalyear of his contract.
Babin said he had been trying not to think too much of the deal, not knowingif the Eagles would match the offer. He said in a statement he was ecstatic andcan’t wait to start working with the Titans and Washburn.
“The style of defense the Titans play, as far as what the defensive linedoes and the way they want their guys to play, it suits my abilities. They getwide, they come off the ball, they rush the passer, and they’re aggressive. Tome, it’s just a natural fit,” Babin said.
Jets sign LB and special teams ace Laury
March 20, 2010
NEW YORK (AP)—The New York Jets have signed former Seahawks linebacker andspecial teams captain Lance Laury(notes).
Laury was a restricted free agent who wasn’t tendered by Seattle, where hespent his first four seasons. He had 21 tackles and one forced fumble on specialteams last season.
He’ll help bolster a Jets unit that has already lost special teams standoutsin Wallace Wright(notes) (Carolina) and Marques Murrell(notes) (New England), and likely LarryIzzo(notes), a free agent whose status is uncertain after suffering a season-endingspine injury last year.
Laury was signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent out of South Carolinain 2006.
LB Porter, Cardinals agree on 3 years
March 19, 2010
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP)—Free-agent linebacker Joey Porter(notes) agreed to a three-yearcontract Friday with the Arizona Cardinals.
Terms of the deal were not immediately released.
Porter, an 11-year NFL veteran and four-time Pro Bowler, spent the pastthree seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He played the first eight years of hiscareer with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With 92 career sacks, Porter trails only Jason Taylor(notes) (127 1/2 ) in sacks amongactive players. Porter has 12 career interceptions, including one returned for atouchdown, 23 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries with two returned forTDs.
Lions WR Johnson keeps faith in club
March 19, 2010
ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP)—Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson(notes) believes in whathe can’t see.
“You always have to have faith things are going to get better,” Johnsonsaid Thursday. “You can’t get down and think things won’t get better or theydefinitely won’t.”
Detroit won just two games last season after going winless the previousyear, the first time that’s happened to any NFL team. The Lions won seven gamesin 2007 after making Johnson the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.
“Losing always gets to you,” Johnson acknowledged.
Despite being regarded as one of the game’s best receivers—especially whenhe caught 12 touchdown passes and had 1,300-plus yards receiving two years ago—Johnson hasn’t been invited to play in the Pro Bowl.
“When you don’t win, you don’t get the recognition,” he said.
Johnson joined his teammates for offseason workouts this week, hoping toimprove his chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford(notes).
Johnson also hopes he has figured out a way to stay on the field aftergetting slowed by nagging injuries last season, working with a trainer tostrengthen the areas around his knee joints.
“I want to stay healthy so I can be out there every Sunday,” he said.
The former Georgia Tech star from Tyrone, Ga. has been encouraged byDetroit’s many moves this offseason, including the addition of veteran receiverNate Burleson(notes), whom he is counting on to make teams regret blanketing him withdouble- and triple-team coverage.
“We have the tools, we just have to use them,” Johnson said.
Agent: GM McCloughan still with 49ers
March 19, 2010
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP)—The agent for San Francisco 49ers general managerScot McCloughan said Thursday night his client is still employed by the team—for now, anyway.
Peter Schaffer, McCloughan’s representative, told The Associated Press in aphone interview that he has “not heard any different” regarding McCloughan’sjob status amid speculation he’s on his way out. The 49ers have been mum on thesituation.
Niners spokesman Bob Lange told The AP by phone Thursday that he could notdiscuss McCloughan’s status or future with the team and gave no indication aformal announcement was imminent.
Several reports Thursday said the Niners are cutting ties with McCloughanbecause of personal issues. Schaffer would not discuss anything regardingMcCloughan’s situation unrelated to his employment status.
“I don’t control those reports,” Schaffer said. “Every employer has everyright to terminate an employee. Those are the rules. … He has not resigned andhe has no plans to resign.”
AOL FanHouse reported that the move is based on a personal matter notrelated to team issues.
ESPN, citing anonymous sources, reported later Thursday that the 49ers aregiving McCloughan an extended leave of absence and also referred to him dealingwith personal issues.
McCloughan told FanHouse via text message, “I’m fine and moving forward.”The Fanhouse report said he would not elaborate.
If McCloughan departs, the timing is highly unusual for the 49ers’ toppersonnel executive since 2005. San Francisco has two picks in the first roundof the draft, which is just five weeks away.
FanHouse’s report, which cited unnamed sources, said the decision was bymutual agreement and followed a meeting Wednesday between McCloughan, teampresident and CEO Jed York and several members of the 49ers’ front office.
E-mails to McCloughan and York weren’t returned.
The Santa Rosa Press Democrat first reported late Wednesday that McCloughanwas considering stepping down as 49ers GM.
In January, York assumed the new role of chief executive officer in areorganization of the team’s front office and business department. In addition,Andy Dolich left the team as chief operating officer but was to remain a senioradviser to York during the transition.
The 49ers hired McCloughan in February 2005 to supervise their personneldepartment for Mike Nolan, a career assistant coach who was improbably giventotal control of the club’s football operations by owner John York, Jed’s fatherand the brother-in-law of former owner Eddie DeBartolo.
McCloughan is a former minor-league baseball player who became a respectedyoung personnel executive during stints with Green Bay and Seattle. He has amostly solid record during his years with the 49ers, compiling a young talentbase that has steadily improved for most of his tenure—yet the 49ers stillhaven’t reached the playoffs in five seasons since his arrival, with an 8-8record last season that was their best since 2002.
McCloughan was hired as general manager in January 2008 when the 49ersnominally gave him authority over Nolan instead of firing the coach after the49ers’ third straight losing season. Nolan lasted just seven more games, withJed York abruptly replacing him with Mike Singletary during the 2008 season.
The 49ers were similarly mysterious about Nolan’s departure, waiting severalhours to acknowledge it—well after Nolan already had told reporters he wasout.
The 49ers have several in-house candidates to assume McCloughan’sresponsibilities, including director of player personnel Trent Baalke, directorof pro personnel Tom Gamble, and Paraag Marathe, the 49ers’ executive vicepresident of football and business operations. Baalke was promoted to his job inFebruary 2008 after a stint as a scout, while Gamble has been with the 49erssince McCloughan arrived.
McCloughan’s departure also is likely to mean a bigger role in footballoperations for Jed York, who has eagerly taken control of the franchise from hismuch-criticized father over the past two years. The 49ers selected thethen-27-year-old York their team president in late December 2008, and he assumedthe additional title of chief executive officer two months ago.
If Jed York gives greater responsibility to Singletary in the 49ers’personnel decisions, it will be an even bigger risk than his father took withNolan. Singletary, the Hall of Fame linebacker, only became an assistant coachin 2003 after a post-football career as a motivational speaker and author. LikeNolan, he has no background in player evaluation or salary-cap management.
McCloughan had the final say on the 49ers’ last two drafts, but Singletarytold reporters at the NFL scouting combine last month the club would make itsdraft-day decisions according to players’ rankings on an overall draft board,not on the gut feelings of any team executives.
AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham contributed to this story.
Jets S Smith signs 1-year tender offer
March 18, 2010
NEW YORK (AP)—Hard-hitting safety Eric Smith(notes) has signed his one-year tenderoffer with the New York Jets.
The deal Thursday, worth $1.176 million, keeps Smith in the competition withthe recently signed Brodney Pool(notes) and James Ihedigbo(notes) to replace Kerry Rhodes(notes)opposite Jim Leonhard(notes) in the Jets’ secondary. Rhodes was traded to Arizona onMarch 6 for two draft picks.
Smith, 27, started last season when Rhodes was demoted by coach Rex Ryan fora few games. He finished with 48 tackles and an interception, and has fourcareer picks.
Smith was a third-round draft pick out of Michigan State in 2006, and hasbeen a key backup as well as one of the Jets’ top special teamers.
Rams sign long snapper Massey, RB Darby
March 18, 2010
ST. LOUIS (AP)—The St. Louis Rams have signed free agent long snapper ChrisMassey(notes) and running back Kenneth Darby(notes).
The moves were announced Thursday.
Massey ended last season on injured reserve after undergoing knee surgery inOctober. A seventh-round pick in 2002, he’s the last remaining player from thatdraft on the Rams’ roster.
Darby, among the backups behind Steven Jackson last season, had 152 yardsand a 5.6-yard average rushing. He also had 18 receptions and a 5.3-yardaverage.