2017 SLAENT NFL Thread of Catching Cheaters, Deep Balls, and Ls

Panthers fired OC Mike Shula.

QBs coach Ken Dorsey was also let go. Shula had been with the Panthers since 2011 – all of Cam Newton's career – and the offensive coordinator since 2013, but this is hardly a surprise. The passing game consistently struggled during his tenure and took another step back this season. Even though the rushing numbers look good because of Cam Newton, the running game also struggled in 2017, with Jonathan Stewart and Christian McCaffrey combining for 1,115 yards on 315 carries (3.5 YPC). It was time for a change, but a new coordinator will not help much if the Panthers fail to add some weapons on the outside.

By Bowser Go To PostSounds like we're prob gonna hire Norv as Shula's replacement…not sure how I feel about that. Oh well, can't be worse…can it?

Seahawks fired OC Darrell Bevell.

Bevell had been the Seahawks' offensive coordinator for seven of coach Pete Carroll's eight seasons in Seattle. The 48-year-old has taken plenty of heat in the past but is probably most famous for calling a pass from the one-yard line in the 2014 Super Bowl when Russell Wilson was picked off by Malcolm Butler to win the title for the Patriots. Bevell has been unable to live that moment down, though overall he's been a fine offensive play-caller. GM John Schneider never really gave him an offensive line, and the rushing offense fell apart in 2017 with just one rushing touchdown from a running back. Whoever takes over the job gets perennial MVP candidate Wilson but not much else to work with, with no running backs or line and Jimmy Graham a free agent. Doug Baldwin turns 30 in September.

Browns hired ex-Packers director of football operations Eliot Wolf as assistant GM.

Wolf, 35, is an up-and-comer in the front office part of the sport and has interviewed for numerous GM jobs in recent years. He had turned most of them down in order to come back to Green Bay in hopes of eventually replacing Ted Thompson and follow in his father's, Hall of Famer Ron Wolf, footsteps as a Packers GM. But once Wolf was passed over in Green Bay in favor of Brian Gutekunst last week, Wolf was looking to leave. The Raiders also expressed interest, but Wolf will go to Cleveland to work as GM John Dorsey's righthand man after Dorsey was in Green Bay from 2000-2012.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports "many expect" Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian to end up as the Seahawks' offensive coordinator.

It would be a lateral move for Sarkisian, so the Falcons would have to allow him to leave as long as he's not on a one-year contract. Sarkisian's first year as Falcons' OC this season has had its ups and downs, failing to get Julio Jones touchdowns, not using Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman as much in the pass game, and seeing Matt Ryan come crashing back to Earth after his MVP season of 2016. But the Falcons did finish eighth in total offense and 15th in points per game. Sarkisian and coach Pete Carroll worked together at USC.

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora reports ex-UCLA OC Jedd Fisch will be a top candidate to replace Falcons OC Steve Sarkisian if he leaves for the Seahawks.

Per La Canfora, "many expect" Sarkisian to be the Seahawks' next OC. Fisch was last in the NFL as the Jaguars' OC in 2013-2014 but was fired after two lackluster seasons. He's since worked with Jim Harbaugh at Michigan and Jim Mora at UCLA. Mora was fired this past season, leaving Fisch out of a job under new coach Chip Kelly. Fisch and Falcons coach Dan Quinn worked together in Seattle in 2010. It would be a very uninspiring hire for the Falcons' offense.

ESPN Giants reporter Jordan Raanan reports Patriots DC Matt Patricia is the "favorite" for the Giants' head-coaching job.

Less than a week ago, PFT reported the Patriots expected Patricia to take the Lions' job, reuniting with GM Bob Quinn. Things have appeared to change course over the last 48 hours, with Patricia now the clear favorite in New York. Per Raanan, the Giants are down to Patricia, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, and Vikings OC Pat Shurmur. Patricia is 43 and has never been a head coach. Steve Wilks was once considered one of the favorites, largely in part to his connection to GM Dave Gettleman from their Carolina days. Wilks looks like he's going to be back with the Panthers, since he opted not to interview with the Colts and hasn't seemed much in the running for the Cardinals and Lions' gigs. Spagnuolo and Studesville were always extreme long shots.

ESPN Browns reporter Pat McManamon expects the Browns to have interest in acquiring Alex Smith this offseason.

It makes all the sense in the world from a dot-connecting standpoint. The Chiefs are fully expected to move on from Smith, even with him coming off his best pro season. Patrick Mahomes offers more upside, and the Chiefs believe Smith has taken them as far as he can already. In Cleveland is GM John Dorsey, who was the Chiefs' GM when they acquired Smith from the 49ers. Cleveland has a ton of cap space and can splurge at quarterback, where Smith carries a $20.9 million cap hit for 2018. The Browns need to add a veteran and high-end rookie at the position.

Bills fired OC Rick Dennison.

Dennison lasted just one season as the Bills' offensive play-caller under first-year coach Sean McDermott. The Bills were 29th in total yards under Dennison, 22nd in points per game, and 31st in passing. Buffalo did manage a sixth-place finish in rushing offense, but it wasn't enough to save Dennison his job. A Gary Kubiak disciple, Dennison has been involved in a ton of great rushing offenses. And it's hard to fault him for the passing struggles when there were no weapons to speak of, though Dennison very much could have done a better job designing an offense to cater to Tyrod Taylor's strengths. The Bills will likely usher in a new quarterback to go along with whoever they choose as offensive coordinator.

Texans hired Brian Gaine to be their general manager.

Gaine was given a five-year deal along with coach Bill O'Brien, a move which both locks the two together and confirms EVP Rick Smith will have a greatly reduced role when he returns from leave. The director of player personnel in Houston before he took a job with the Bills, Gaine was immediately the favorite for the job once the Texans entered the market for a new general manager. Gaine has some holes to fill on both sides of the ball, but he is inheriting a strong roster which should be competitive as long as Deshaun Watson's health cooperates.

Texans signed Bill O'Brien to a four-year extension through 2022.

New GM Brian Gaine landed a five-year contract, locking he and the coach together. O'Brien is only 31-33 through four seasons, but that record can mostly be attributed to terrible quarterback play from the likes of Tom Savage, Brock Osweiler, and T. J. Yates. Luckily, the Texans moved up in last year's draft to grab Deshaun Watson, who looks like their franchise quarterback. Watson also made it clear he wanted O'Brien to stay. O'Brien's return is good news for pass-catchers DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller as the offense remains intact.

By DY_nasty Go To Postlol fuck atlanta

By RATHasReturned Go To PostNo one should trust Atlanta teams for anything

By Kuma Go To PostThis Pat's hate warm the hearts

By Kuma Go To PostThis Pat's hate warm the hearts

By Apollo Go To PostPats going to win another super bowl aren't they?

By RATHasReturned Go To PostSome of the play calling is ridiculous. Like wtf are these teams thinking?

By The Frankman Go To PostWhat, you don't like Ben passing 55 times against the Jags D in sub-freezing temps?