Sunday Reading

Giants

Coach

Leonard NYDN: Pat Shurmur, next Giants coach, has strong New Jersey roots
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/pat-shurmur-job-giants-brings-back-n-article-1.3768875

Raissman NYDN: Third-choice Pat Shurmur needs tactful approach to NY media
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/third-choice-pat-shurmur-tactful-approach-ny-media-article-1.3768060

Dunleavy NJ.com: 8 things Giants fans should watch from Pat Shurmur, Vikings offense in NFC Championship Game
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/01/8_things_giants_fans_should_watch_from_pat_shurmur.html

Glauber Newsday: Is Doug Pederson the possible Giants coach that got away?
https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/doug-pederson-eagles-nfc-championship-1.16274985


C
What is the ceiling for Centers in Free Agency this year... is Weston Richburg getting top dollar?
Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC)
1/21/18, 1:23 AM
Unsure. Linder got a ridiculous contract and Packers paid up too. Centers are hit or miss, usually more miss, in free agency. I still think ceiling is around $6M

NFL

Gramling MMQB: How Brady and the Patriots Can Get Got, the Northeast’s Upcoming ‘Podium Gloves’ Fad, Keenum’s Playmaking Could Be the Difference
https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/20/afc-nfc-championship-title-games-tom-brady-gloves-case-keenum-mike-vrabel-titans

LT
What’s the market for Nate Solder?
Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC)
1/21/18, 1:05 AM
Bad year for FA left tackles and nobody has faith in the draft anymore so my guess is come March 30th he is the highest paid LT in the NFL

LT contracts are all high. Id think over $13M if he really tests free agency. Pats will need to pay up to keep IMO

ARIZONA
Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet)
1/21/18, 6:02 AM
The lone coaching vacancy -- the AZCardinals -- will continue the interview process this week. Sources say that among those playing today, it's likely that John DeFilippo of the Eagles & Brian Flores of the Patriots will receive 2nd interviews.


BALTIMORE
Eisenberg Ravens.com: James Urban May Be Ravens' Most Important Hire
http://baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Eisenberg-James-Urban-May-Be-Ravens-Most-Important-Hire/ec040742-667d-4546-b902-fe14a3ec4bcf

CHICAGO
LeGere Chicago Daily Herald: Chicago Bears' Nagy had no doubts about wanting to keep Fangio
http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180120/chicago-bears-nagy-had-no-doubts-about-wanting-to-keep-fangio

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Should the Browns grab Saquon Barkley at No. 1 and then get the QB at No. 4? Hey, Mary Kay!
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/01/should_the_browns_grab_saquon.html

DENVER
Kiszla Denver Post: Why Kirk Cousins or Alex Smith makes more sense as Broncos QB than Baker Mayfield
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/06/why-kirk-cousins-or-alex-smith-makes-more-sense-broncos-qb/

Kiszla Denver Post: Doomed to repeat history? When the Broncos draft a quarterback, bad things happen.
https://www.denverpost.com/2018/01/20/broncos-quarterback-draft-history/

DETROIT
Meinke Michigan Live: Detroit Lions 2017 review: Running game failed in every possible way
http://www.mlive.com/lions/index.ssf/2018/01/detroit_lions_2017_review_runn.html

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' defense will be tough, versatile under Matt Patricia
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2018/01/21/detroit-lions-defense-matt-patricia/1050371001/

HOUSTON
Wilson Houston Chronicle: Titans hire Mike Vrabel as head coach
http://chron.com/sports/texans/article/Titans-hire-Mike-Vrabel-as-head-coach-12512604.php

Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL)
1/20/18, 6:44 PM
Texans are expected to have assistant head coach-defense Romeo Crennel run the defense again with Mike Vrabel moving on to coach the Titans. Crennel had the Texans ranked first in total defense the previous season.

JACKSONVILLE
Frenette Florida Times Union: Imagine city’s euphoria if Jaguars take down the dynasty
http://jacksonville.com/sports/columnists/gene-frenette/2018-01-19/gene-frenette-imagine-city-s-euphoria-if-jaguars-take

Freeman Florida Times Union: Jaguars have painful playoff history with Patriots
http://jacksonville.com/sports/2018-01-20/jaguars-have-painful-playoff-history-patriots

Cannizzaro NYP: How Jaguars captured magic with Coughlin, Marrone pairing
https://nypost.com/2018/01/20/how-jaguars-captured-magic-with-coughlin-marrone-pairing/

Kaye WTLV Jacksonville: BOND BETWEEN BORTLES, HACKETT LEADING JAGUARS' OFFENSE TO SUCCESS
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/mobile/article/sports/nfl/jacksonville-jaguars/the-bond-between-bortles-and-hackett-has-led-to-success-for-the-jaguars-offense/509260290?akamai-feo=off

Newton ESPN: Jags' plan to tame Tom Brady? Bug him like a swarm of gnats
http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/24728/jags-plan-to-negate-tom-brady-bug-him-like-a-swarm-of-gnats

Newton ESPN: Jaguars' rising star Yannick Ngakoue ready for big stage of AFC title game
http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/24694/jaguars-end-yannick-ngakoue-ready-for-the-big-stage-of-afc-championship

DiRocco ESPN Jacksonville: Jalen Ramsey on Gronk? Possible with Jaguars' versatile CB
http://www.espn.com/blog/jacksonville-jaguars/post/_/id/24697/jalen-ramsey-on-rob-gronkowski-dont-be-surprised-to-see-it-on-sunday

Benbow Boston Globe: Jalen Ramsey is the Jaguars’ megaphone
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/01/19/jalen-ramsey-jaguars-megaphone/uE0EXtyI7bNmvBpCW52eHJ/story.html

MIAMI
Lieser Palm Beach Post: 2018 NFL free agents: Dolphins risk making gigantic mistake with Jarvis Landry
http://dailydolphin.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2018/01/20/2018-nfl-free-agents-dolphins-risk-making-gigantic-mistake-with-jarvis-landry/

MINNESOTA
Farmer LA Times: NFC title showdown between Vikings and Eagles has a familiar feel to it
http://www.latimes.com/sports/nfl/la-sp-vikings-eagles-20180120-story.html

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings QB Case Keenum not afraid of taking chances — and it usually pays off
https://www.twincities.com/2018/01/20/vikings-qb-case-keenum-not-afraid-of-taking-chances-and-it-usually-pays-off/

Serby NYP: Adam Thielen wants to make his Super Bowl dream a reality
https://nypost.com/2018/01/20/adam-thielen-wants-to-make-his-super-bowl-dream-a-reality/

NEW ENGLAND
Myers NYDN: NOT YOU AGAIN! Bill Belichick faces old friend & foil Coughlin
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/not-bill-belichick-faces-old-friend-foil-coughlin-article-1.3767923

Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
Bill Belichick played small but notable role in Jaguars' turnaround season
http://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4810719/bill-belichick-played-small-but-notable-role-in-jaguars-turnaround-season

Borges Boston Herald: Bill Belichick plays dumb on Tom Brady’s thumb but really knows how bad the backup plan is for Patriots
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/columnists/ron_borges/2018/01/borges_bill_belichick_plays_dumb_on_tom_brady_s_thumb_but

Volin Boston Globe: What to watch for in Patriots-Jaguars AFC Championship game
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/01/20/what-watch-for-patriots-jaguars-afc-championship-game/Sl7IpS8AxX6cym4v6q56AK/story.html

McBride Boston Globe: How the Patriots and Jaguars match up
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/01/19/how-patriots-and-jaguars-match/Ybt0Lcjnyb26JgOn8xvJhL/story.html

Stuart Football Perspective: The Patriots and Jaguars Were The Best Units at Gaining and Preventing First Downs
http://www.footballperspective.com/the-patriots-and-jaguars-were-the-best-units-at-gaining-and-preventing-first-downs/

Gulizia Boston Globe: Patriots’ Alan Branch says he’s ready to play — again
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2018/01/19/patriots-alan-branch-says-ready-play-again/2WZ9yQgcGAgSXcdFrF8oPK/story.html

NEW ORLEANS
Katzenstein Nola.com: Underdog Justin Hardee became star for Saints special teams
http://www.nola.com/saints/index.ssf/2018/01/justin_hardee_saints_underdog.html

NEW YORK JETS
Lupica NYDN: Championship weekend with three lackluster QBs may prove Jets don’t need a superstar under center
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/jets-don-superstar-quarterback-article-1.3769112

Cimini ESPN NY: Austin Seferian-Jenkins celebrates a milestone -- sober for a year
http://espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/74213/austin-seferian-jenkins-celebrates-a-milestone-sober-for-a-year

OAKLAND
Gehlken LV Review Journal: NFL says Raiders complied with Rooney Rule; watchdog group ‘strongly’ disagrees
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders-nfl/raiders/nfl-says-raiders-complied-with-rooney-rule-watchdog-group-strongly-disagrees/

PHILADELPHIA
Shorr-Parks NJ.com: Eagles vs. Minnesota Vikings: Position-by-position and matchup breakdowns | NFC Championship
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2018/01/eagles_vs_minnesota_vikings_position-by-position_b.html

Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia)
1/21/18, 7:59 AM
When's the last time the Eagles' fan base (justifiably) had this much confidence in its head coach in a big spot? Between game-planning and in-game decisions, Pederson gives players chance for most favorable outcomes. Win or lose, perhaps the biggest revelation of the season.

Maaddi AP STL Post Dispatch: Blount and Long brought winning ways to the Eagles
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/football/blount-and-long-brought-winning-ways-to-the-eagles/article_54a0e509-9b39-5051-9ecd-2e0c57a18b87.html

Ford Phil.com: Nelson Agholor and the Eagles arrive at the same time
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/nelson-agholor-philadelphia-eagles-2015-nfl-draft-nfc-championship-game-vikings-20180119.html

Kasinitz Penn Live: Philadelphia Eagles' Stefen Wisniewski brings football family to cusp of its 1st Super Bowl
http://www.pennlive.com/philadelphiaeagles/index.ssf/2018/01/philadelphia_eagles_stefen_wis_9.html

Berman Phil.com: Eagles' Fletcher Cox raising his level of play in playoffs
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/eagles/fletcher-cox-philadelphia-eagles-nfc-championship-minnesota-vikings-defensive-tackle-20180118.html?amphtml=y#click=https://t.co/ROtLXLwzI6

PITTSBURGH
Lolley Observer Reporter: Relationship with Roethlisberger at root of Haley's exit
https://observer-reporter.com/columns/dalelolley/relationship-with-roethlisberger-at-root-of-haley-s-exit/article_464d416e-fda3-11e7-acca-6f7334289f0f.html

Rutter Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Le'Veon Bell, LBs among focal-point positions for Steelers' offseason
http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/13200583-74/leveon-bell-lbs-among-focal-point-positions-for-steelers-offseason

Bouchette Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Steelers tab Darryl Drake — not Hines Ward — as next receivers coach
http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2018/01/19/darryl-drake-steelers-wide-receivers-coach-hines-ward-georgia/stories/201801190197

SAN FRANCISCO
Kurtenbach SJ Mercury News: How valuable is Jimmy Garoppolo? Ask the NFL’s final four
https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/20/nfl-playoffs-jimmy-garoppolo-49ers-patriots-trade-jaguars-afc-nfc-championship-game-eagles-vikings-contract-news-time/

SEATTLE
King5 Seattle: REPORT: SEAHAWKS SHOW INTEREST IN BRINGING BACK JIM ZORN AS QB COACH
http://www.king5.com/mobile/article/sports/report-seahawks-show-interest-in-bringing-back-jim-zorn-as-qb-coach/281-509861795

TENNESSEE
Wolf The Tennessean: Titans hire Mike Vrabel as head coach
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2018/01/20/titans-hire-mike-vrabel-head-coach/1049944001/

Wolfe ESPN Nashville: Mike Vrabel was always Jon Robinson's choice, a CEO coach to guide Titans
http://www.espn.com/blog/tennessee-titans/post/_/id/25333/mike-vrabel-was-always-jon-robinsons-man-a-ceo-hc-to-help-titans-follow-patriots-path

Rexrode The Tennessean: Titans looking for that Patriots magic with largely unproven Mike Vrabel
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2018/01/20/titans-vrabel-coach-hired-mularkey-fired-jon-robinson/1051416001/

Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell)
1/20/18, 6:05 PM
The Titans follow an offensive-minded retread in Mike Mularkey with a defensive-minded first-time head coach in Mike Vrabel. Injuries impacted things, but Texans fell from ninth to 23rd in defensive DVOA in Vrabel’s only season as a coordinator.

Wolf The Tennessean: Titans wide receivers coach becomes first assistant to leave
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2018/01/20/titans-wide-receivers-coach-frisman-jackson-leaves-same-position-baylor-corey-davis-rishard-matthews/1048398001/

WASHINGTON
Renner Washington Post: Analysis | The Redskins' top offseason needs to address
https://washingtonpost.com/news/football-insider/wp/2018/01/19/the-redskins-top-offseason-needs-to-address/

Draft

Jeremiah NFL.com: 5 prospects who helped themselves at ShrineGame
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000908400/article/five-nfl-draft-prospects-who-helped-themselves-at-shrine-game

Bielek Cleveland Plain Dealer: J.T. Barrett makes good throws, but has inconsistent afternoon: Ohio State observations from East-West Shrine Game
http://www.cleveland.com/osu/2018/01/jt_barrett_makes_good_throws_b.html

WR
Hays Orlando Sentinel: Former Freedom WR Jeff Badet makes most of Shrine Game experience
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/florida-recruiting/blog/os-sp-shrine-game-0121-story.html

History

Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants are 5-0 NFC Championship Games I Ranking the performances (POLL)
http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/01/giants_are_5-0_nfc_championship_games_i_ranking_th.html

Gosselin Talk of Fame: SELECTION OF EVERSON WALLS AS HOF FINALIST LONG OVERDUE
http://www.talkoffamenetwork.com/25116-2/