While the Indianapolis Colts have denied the St. Louis Rams the opportunity to interview offensive assistant Rob Chudzinski since the offseason began, Chudzinski’s contract expires today. The Rams are expected to jump on Chudzinski quick, after already missing out on other high-profile offensive coordinator candidates Adam Gase and Greg Roman.
Colts asst to the HC, Rob Chudzinski, is eligible to interview for OC jobs starting Tuesday. 49ers and Rams both want to talk to him.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) enero 26, 2015
The Rams will have to beat out the San Francisco 49ers, who are also hot on Chudzinksi. If the 49ers miss out on Chudzinski, they could look in house and promote offensive assistant Geep Chryst. Yes. That’s his real name.
Odell Beckham Jr. had hamstring problems all season Not that anyone could tell, but New York Giants wide receiver rookie phenom Odell Beckham Jr revealed after Sunday Night’s Pro Bowl that he was suffering from hamstring issues all season. The same issues that limited his work in Giants camp in the preseason and caused him to miss the first four regular season games. “I was never fully healthy,” Beckham said. “I was just trying to manage it and maintain it… It’s still not right. I’m still working on it.” Even with just playing 12 games, Beckham Jr. finished with 91 catches, 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns in a Pro Bowl campaign. Beckham even put on a show in Pro Bowl practice, showing off the one-handed catch ability that shocked the NFL this season.
Odell Beckham Jr. is putting on a SHOW during Pro Bowl warmups. Catch him in action at 8 ET on ESPN. (via @ESPNNFL) https://t.co/KL796wT9y4 — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) enero 25, 2015
Vols offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian joins Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff After a successful, bowl-winning season with the University of Tennessee football team, offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian will leave Tennessee to become the quarterbacks coach for Tampa Bay. Bajakian, who helped develop UT quarterback Josh Dobbs into run-pass weapon this season, was a hot prospect in the offseason and was linked to the vacant head coaching job at Central Michigan. The lure of returning to the NFL and to rejoin his old boss with the Chicago Bears was too strong for Bajakian. “We’d like to thank Coach Bajakian for his two years at Tennessee and his efforts in helping us rebuild this storied program,” UT head coach Butch Jones said in a statement. “We wish him much success with his goal of coaching in the NFL.” Bajakian will work under new Bucs offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, who joined the team earlier this month from the Falcons staff. By solidifying these positions with coaches who have successfully developed quarterbacks before, the stage is set for the Bucs to draft either 2014 Heisman Trophy Winner Marcus Mariotta or 2013 winner Jameis Winston. With Bajakian running the Vols offense, they averaged 370.5 yards and 28.9 points per game, all with a young starting quarterback and a first-year running facing SEC competition. The hole at the offensive coordinator position will be Butch Jones first significant hire since first forming his staff at Tennessee.
Lane Kiffin will be back with Alabama After flirting with a return to the NFL as an offensive coordinator, Alabama OC Lane Kiffen will return coach for the Crimson Tide in 2015. Kiffin was on the short-list for the San Francisco 49ers’ open offensive coordinator position.
Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin Confirms Return To Alabama. #RollTide #BuiltByBama
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) enero 24, 2015
With Kiffin calling plays, senior quarterback Blake Simms had a break-out season, laying down a 64.5 completion percentage to go with his 3,487 yards and 28 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Amari Cooper was one of the three Heisman Trophy finalists with 124 catches, 1.727 yards and 16 TDs. Cooper will likely be a top five pick in April’s NFL Draft.
“I made a comment at the Sugar Bowl that I would be back this fall at Alabama and that is definitely the plan,” Kiffin said. “This time of year, there are lots of things out there regarding other coaching opportunities, but I want to reaffirm my commitment to the University of Alabama, coach (Nick) Saban, and our team.”
Jets hire Kacy Rodgers as defensive coordinator and fill out staff
New head coach Todd Bowles will have some help rebuilding the Jets defense after hiring Kacy Rodgers as his defensive coordinator. Rodgers comes to the Jets from AFC East rival Miami, where he was the defensive line coach from 2008-14. Rodgers has produced first-time Pro Bowlers Randy Staks and Paul Soliai at defensive tackle and helped develop a superstar pass rusher out of Cameron Wake at defensive end.
The Jets also locked down their special teams coach in Bobby April Jr. from the Oakland Raiders. April and Bowles were both on the Philadelphia Eagles staff in 2012. Mike Caldwell will serve as assistant head coach and inside linebackers coach. Mark Collins will be outside linebackers coach. Joe Danna will be defensive backs coach. Former UCLA head coach Karl Dorrell will coach wide receivers and Robby Brown will serve as quality control coach. Kavan Latham and Aaron McLaurin will be strength and conditioning coaches.
