Do you want to take a minute to address the rumors of mutual interest between yourself and the Los Angeles Rams?
“Here’s the thing. I was reading the comments players made and I was real fired up, because what they said is the same thing our organization has said, which is correct. We’re not going to address rumors, reports. If we answer to those every time, it would be silly and so I didn’t answer it yesterday and I won’t answer it on this conference call, because I’ve already read Larry’s (Holder) report for instance about Mickey (Loomis) and I meeting, which was completely false. Mickey and I for the last 11 years, share the same locker room after every game. We come in, we have a Gatorade and the first thing I ask Mickey every game (for example) is was the (Coby) Fleener catch…did he hold on to it? Was the overturn (of the call correct)? Then we get a cheeseburger and then we get on the plane. But if I’m going to answer questions to a report like that which is inaccurate like that, then we’ll only just be churning the rumor mill. I won’t and that’s just the way it is and it’s tough”

Don’t you think you are speaking for the players, fans?
“You don’t speak for the fans. You think you do, but you don’t. The fans actually get tired of reports like that that aren’t accurate. Do we have any other questions about the game we played last night or the end of the season?”

You referenced yourself as being fired up about the locker room; did you convey anything to them about any of these reports or your feelings about that?
“All I am saying to you is, at the end of the day philosophically, and Mickey (Loomis) and I talked about this before, but I was excited to hear the response of our veteran players to the same questions you are asking me. Those were spit out sources, clear up the story that you claim to have and then we will answer the question. Otherwise, we are not going to answer questions every week based on someone else’s twitter scoop. It’s silly. I know the Saints took that position. I know Greg (Bensel) was asked last week. I saw and listened to the players’ response and mine are the same. It’s hard when some of them – I brought specifically up a couple that are completely inaccurate. There is no accountability there. For instance, (the story said) Mickey (Loomis) and I met for an hour after the game last night. That is completely false. Why would we answer questions about stories that way when they are not accurate to begin with?”

http://sportsnola.com/sean-payton-addresses-rams-rumors-states-intent-stay-saints-wwl-radio-show/

It's getting closer to her filing for divorce. Without going into details, it's like she sees the past with a distorted reality. I'm not going to contest it, but I have stood for my marriage out of religious reasons. So I wouldn't do the simplified, we are both petitioners, and told her to be the petitioner and I the respondent.

Not even sure I will go to the hearing. Any advice? How to cope without booze or drugs?

we don't make the Goff trade last year....we're sitting at 5 and still need a QB....

Who we taking?

Looking at these coordinator types it occurred to me that their preferred blocking scheme might have an impact on which of them end up being our head coach. While the Rams do have some guys that look to be good fits in a ZBS, I suspect (as has been discussed here quite often) they would be best suited to run a more conventional power scheme. So using the top three OCs that the Rams have requested interviews with:

Shanahan obviously runs the ZBS. Not that I think that will work against him too much given his excellent resume, but going in to the interview I presume his plan will include drafting some OL which the Rams might not want to hear, depending on what they think of their current OL. As an aside, Denver has all sorts of issues with their OL and are planning on restacking it anyway, and Elway is reportedly hot on Shanny Jr, so I suspect things might align to not favor him getting the Rams job.

McDaniels with his Patriots background should be more versed in the power game, and the Pats love to trap and wham with well-disguised looks that confuse DL keys. Read an article on this a couple years ago but couldn't find it, but either way I would presume his plan for the run game will be viewed as a nice fit for the Rams' personnel up front.

McVay is the most interesting of the three because he is undoubtedly well-versed in the ZBS from his days under Mike Shanahan, but has also worked with Callahan during his install of more of a power run game in Washington. Callahan has always been quoted as saying he tailors his scheme to players, but does seem to favor the power game and I would assume McVay will as well.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/01/03/which-nfl-franchise-is-the-most-dysfunctional/

Which NFL franchise is the most dysfunctional?
Posted by Mike Florio on January 3, 2017

Even with the ability to secure dibs on players via the draft and the waivers system, some bad teams remain bad, year in and year out.

For plenty of the bad teams, the performances flow from various forms of dysfunction. And with several instances of dysfunction on display Monday, it’s fair to ask which NFL franchise is the most dysfunction.

Which NFL franchise is the most dysfunctional?

49ers. 43.05% (6,265 votes)

Browns. 32.75% (4,766 votes)

Bills. 9.37% (1,364 votes)

Jets. 6.66% (970 votes)

Rams. 4.96% (722 votes)

Chargers. 3.21% (467 votes)

Total Votes: 14,554

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/01/03/adam-jones-arrested-on-multiple-charges/

Adam Jones arrested on multiple charges
Posted by Mike Florio on January 3, 2017

Getty Images

The calendar says 2017, but Pacman Jones is apparently partying like it’s 2007.

Via Paul Dehner Jr. of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the veteran Bengals cornerback has been arrested on multiple charges.

The initial counts were obstructing official business, disorderly conduct, and assault. All are misdemeanors. Per Dehner, Jones has since been charged with felony harassment with a bodily substance.

In 18 years of practicing law, I never came across a case of felony harassment with a bodily substance. My guess would be that Jones spit/spat/whatever on someone.

Suspended for the 2007 season after a rash of run-ins with the law, Jones had managed to stay out of trouble since 2013, and he had been properly praised for turning his life around. As he gets closer to the end of his football career, it’s hard not to wonder whether this latest off-field entanglement will cause the Bengals to move on from Jones.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/spo...adam-jones-arrested-hamilton-county/96099598/

Bengals' Adam Jones 'vehemently denies' accusations after arrest
Paul Dehner Jr. , Kevin Grasha and Jim Owczarski

An attorney for Bengals cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones told a judge Tuesday he “vehemently denies” an assault charge that led to his arrest earlier at a Downtown hotel.

There are witnesses Jones intends to call in his own defense, public defender Lauren Staley told Hamilton County Municipal Judge Richard Bernat. Jones also intends to hire his own attorney now that he faces multiple charges that stemmed from the incident.

Prosecutors say Jones was at the Millenium Hotel early Tuesday morning and was “beating on different hotel room doors.” Hotel security came to investigate, and prosecutors say Jones pushed and poked a hotel security employee in the eye.

Police were then called.

While being arrested, court documents say Jones was “head-butting” and “kicking” at officers, trying to avoid being placed in a police vehicle.

Later, at the Hamilton County jail, prosecutors said Jones spit on a jail nurse. Court documents also say Jones spit on a jail deputy.

He faces a felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance. He is also charged with assault, disorderly conduct and obstructing police.

Bernat set bonds totaling $37,500.

The cornerback signed a three-year contract prior to this past season which just ended on Sunday against Baltimore. Jones stayed mostly out of trouble of late after a rash of incidents early in his 10-year NFL career.

According to the USA Today NFL arrest database, Jones has been arrested for the following incidents:

• July, 2005: Assault and felony vandalism stemming from a nightclub altercation in Nashville, Tenn. Charges were dropped.
• February, 2006: Possession of marijuana, felony count of obstruction and two misdemeanors of obstructing police in Fayetteville, Ga. Jones pleaded no contest to obstructing police and received three years of probation and a $500 fine.
• August, 2006: Disorderly conduct and public intoxication in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Charges were dropped on the condition he stayed out trouble for six months.
• October, 2006: Misdemeanor assault in Nashville, Tenn. Charge dropped because of inconsistent testimony.
• July, 2011: Disorderly conduct and resisting arrest in Cincinnati. He pled guilty to the disorderly charge and placed on probation, but resisting arrest was dismissed.
• June, 2013: Assault in Cincinnati. He was found not guilty.

Jones has been charged, but was not arrested, in other incidents.

In June, 2007: Jones is charged with felony coercion for his alleged role in a Feb., 2007 strip club shooting in Las Vegas. In December, 2007, Jones pleaded no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge of conspiracy to commit disorderly conduct for his role. His sentence of one year probation and community service is stayed until after his testimony.

Those charges led to a civil lawsuit against Jones, and in January, 2015 the Nevada Supreme Court upheld a $12 million judgment against him for his role in injuries caused in the shooting.

In 2013 Jones was charged with disorderly conduct by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and paid out a ticket.

As a guest on Beyond The Stripes on Dec. 20, Jones was asked if it is difficult to turn off the game day persona when out in every day life:

“Well it’s difficult if you don’t know how to handle it. I took me awhile to understand you gotta turn the switch off at a certain point. I used the expression sometimes, like I used to be ‘Pacman Jones’ at the stadium, at home; then you learn like hey, you can only be ‘Pacman Jones’ on Sunday.

When you go home you gotta be Adam Jones. When you got into the community you gotta be Adam Jones. To your kids you gotta be daddy and Adam Jones. So it took me a little while to understand the balance and to learn how to turn the switch on and off.

I just thank God that I’ve been able to last to have the chance to still learn to turn it on and off. Some guys don’t have the chance and it will be a little too late before they figure out. And I thank God every day for the blessings that I’ve had. “

I don't know about the rest of you, but I've become disenchanted with so many guys on this team after the last few weeks. I feel like way too many of these guys quit after the Saints loss. That angers me. I can accept struggles and mistakes due to inexperience or lack of talent. I don't like it, but I accept it. However, I can't accept guys quitting on the team. Thus, I feel like it's time to move on from a lot of the Fisher players. That influenced this mock.

I'll also say that the Kubiak retirement did us a huge favor considering Kubiak comes from the Shanahan coaching tree and is close friends with Mike and Kyle.

Hire
HC Kyle Shanahan
OC Rick Dennison
DC Wade Phillips
STC John Fassel

I think we all saw what Shanahan did against us without Julio Jones. Brilliant play-caller and Xs and Os coach. He's done a great job with his QBs as well. We need to give Goff an offensive-minded coach who can develop him and implement a system with a real identity. The one big question I have about Kyle is his personality. I've heard rumors he can rub players the wrong way.

Rick Dennison served as Offensive Coordinator for both Gary Kubiak and Mike Shanahan. Dennison also served as OL Coach for Mike Shanahan. He played LB in the NFL for the Denver Broncos. As a coach, he's coached the special teams, offensive line, quarterbacks, and been an offensive coordinator. It's likely that Kyle will call the plays as Head Coach. What Dennison brings to the table is his vast knowledge of the Shanahan offense and a strong knowledge of the zone blocking scheme. Hopefully, we'll start to see somebody get the best out of our OL.

Wade Phillips's reputation and resume precedes himself. Phillips is one of the best defensive coordinators in football and is loved by his players. He was the architect behind the Broncos defense that won the Super Bowl last year. In his length career, Phillips has presided over defenses that finished in the top 10 in points allowed for EIGHT different NFL franchises. Some are going to be worried because Phillips runs a 3-4 defense. However, Phillips is known for his aggressive, penetrating DLs. He's not your typical 3-4 DC who asks his DLs to occupy space. J.J. Watt's success under Phillips shows that he won't misuse Aaron Donald.

Keeping Fassel is just something I hope we do. He's one of the best in the league at what he does.

Cut
HB Tre Mason
OG Rodger Saffold
TE Lance Kendricks
C Tim Barnes
DE Eugene Sims

Re-sign
CB Trumaine Johnson - 5 years $55 million
K Greg Zuerlein - 3 years $6 million
HB Benny Cunningham - 3 years $4.5 million
DT Dominique Easley - RFA Tender
DE Ethan Westbrooks - RFA Tender
DE Matt Longacre - ERFA Tender

Let Walk
S T.J. McDonald (I like T.J., but Mo is a more natural fit at SS. Let's use the money we have elsewhere.)
WR Kenny Britt (I know that Britt has had a nice year, but I feel done with this group of WRs. They take plays off. They run lazy routes. They drop passes. And Britt had major friction with the coaching staff once Fisher left Tennessee. I'm letting someone else take the risk on him.)
QB Case Keenum (Mannion is the backup of the future.)

Trade
Rams trade DE William Hayes
Giants trade Round 6 Pick #23

With us moving to the 3-4, Hayes just isn't a great fit. JPP is likely to walk this off-season. The Giants have some young DEs capable of filling that spot, but Hayes would make a lot of sense as a 3rd DE off the bench for them like he was for us.

Position Changes
LaMarcus Joyner - CB -> FS
Cory Harkey - FB -> TE

With Alexander moving to SS, Joyner moves to FS. I think it's his natural position. Joyner doesn't play well with his back to the ball. He's at his best attacking downhill. He has surprising strength for a guy his size. In college, he showed good range and no fear at FS. He will deliver knockout shots. Offers the same type of skill-set that McLeod did.

Harkey moves into the blocking TE role that Kendricks's release vacates. We have a cheap replacement on our roster who was underutilized this year. We might as well make use of him.

Free Agency

J.C. Tretter OT/OG/C - 5 years $32.5 million

I have an outside the box solution for our LT problem. J.C. Tretter is that (temporary) solution. Tretter can play any of the 5 positions on the OL. He's a Pro Bowl caliber Center and a quality OG. He's a perfect fit for Shanahan's ZBS. However, Tretter was a college LT at Cornell. He stepped in and started at LT last year for the Packers in the playoffs against the Redskins. He started off shaky but improved as the game went on. I watched the game in full.

Tretter has the athleticism, footwork, technical skill, ability to mirror, and football IQ to play LT at the NFL level. He has just enough length at 6'4" with 33.4" arms. Honestly, he likely won't be more than serviceable at LT. His average functional strength and well below average length means that some DEs will be able to push him around. However, Tretter is a great fit for a ZBS, he's a highly intelligent OL, he's well-coached in terms of technique, and he's a great blocker on the second level and in space.

Ultimately, Tretter could give us solid enough play at LT for a year or two while we find our long-term answer. Then he can slide inside and provide high quality play. The other big upside is if the new coaching staff gets through to Greg and he improves, we can slide Tretter inside to Center or Guard immediately. The one big risk here is that Tretter has a long injury history. Still, I'm willing to take that risk considering my belief that he's a viable option at LT in the short-term at a very reasonable price with the ability to be a quality interior OL in the future.


Kenny Stills WR - 4 years $24 million

Kyle Shanahan has done well with smaller, speedy WRs. Taylor Gabriel and Andrew Hawkins both thrived under him when he was their OC.(Gabriel is again this year) Stills is one of the NFL's best deep threats and is a great complement to Pierre Garcon. He's a speedy who can get vertical. He currently has 685 yards and 8 TDs on the year. He steps into the #2 WR role here and offers us a guy who can take the top off a defense. Best of all, he's only 24 years old.


Pierre Garcon WR - 3 years $21 million

Garcon steps in as the WR we pair with Kenny Stills. He's a veteran WR who has consistently produced for nearly a decade. He ended this year with over 1000 receiving yards. He has prior experience playing for Kyle Shanahan in Washington. He even put up 100+ catches for 1300+ yards in Kyle's final year in Washington. We need a veteran leader at WR. Garcon can be that guy.


DE Jared Odrick - 2 years $10 million

Jared Odrick signed a large contract with the Jaguars prior to the 2015 season. He had a nice year in 2015 under Gus Bradley playing a 5-Tech LDE type role. In 2016, Odrick struggled after suffering an injury early in the season and ended up on IR around mid-season. The Jaguars will likely release Odrick because his contract has no guaranteed money left and Bradley is now gone. This allows us to get Odrick at a discount. Odrick will step into the 3-4 LDE role in our defense (similar to his role in Jacksonville) and be asked to attack the ball. That's what he's best at doing.


Johnathan Joseph CB - 2 years $10 million

The Texans are likely to cut Joseph, so they can retain A.J. Bouye. Joseph is still playing at a fairly high level despite him being 32 years old next year. Joseph has experience playing for Wade Phillips in Houston. He'll step in as our #2 CB behind Trumaine. He'll provide veteran leadership for the defense and hopefully help change the culture in the locker room.


DeMarcus Ware OLB - 1 year $5 million

Ware has spent pretty much his entire career with Wade Phillips and really loves playing for him. Ware says that he plans to play another year, so it makes sense for Wade's destination to be Ware's. Ware is no longer an every down player, but he's still capable of being a disruptive pass rusher in a part-time role. He'll platoon with another OLB (likely Courtney Upshaw) to hold down the OLB spot opposite Robert Quinn.


Chris Chester RG - 1 year $2.5 million

Chris Chester was with the Shanahans in Washington and then followed Kyle to Atlanta. Truthfully, I think he's a fairly average OG. My hope is that somebody would beat him out for a starting spot. He's a good ZBS run blocker but a mediocre pass protector. That all said, Kyle Shanahan seems to trust him in his scheme. He'd be a good veteran to bring in who could hopefully help teach the other OLs the scheme.


Dekoda Watson OLB - 2 years $2 million

Dekoda Watson joined the Broncos this year and had an incredible preseason. He's spent the year backing up Von Miller but does have 1 sack in limited time. He joins as a depth player here to compete with Courtney Upshaw for the platoon snaps with DeMarcus Ware.


DE Frostee Rucker - 1 year $1.5 million

Rucker is one of the best run stopping DEs in football. He'll rotate with Jared Odrick at LDE in our defense. Rucker also provides leadership. He's a guy who has been a pain in the butt for us the last few years with Arizona.


Courtney Upshaw OLB - 1 year $1.5 million

Courtney Upshaw spent much of his career with the Ravens playing the run stopping OLB role in their defense. He's not much of a pass rusher, but he is a very good run stopping SOLB and can cover fairly well. He played for Nick Saban in college and the Ravens for the majority of his pro career, so you know that he's well-coached.

NFL Draft
Round 2 Pick #5 - Forrest Lamp OT/OG/C Western Kentucky
Summary: Lamp reminds me of a guy I really liked last year, Cody Whitehair. Like Whitehair, I think Lamp likely kicks inside at the NFL level and develops into a Pro Bowl or All Pro level Guard or Center. Once he gets his hands on a defender, the battle is over. His grip strength, hand placement, and anchor are absurdly good for a college OL.

Round 3 Pick #5 - Scott Quessenberry OG/C UCLA
Summary: Running the ZBS is all about finding the guys who fit. Quessenberry started at RG and Center for the Bruins over the past few years. His brother is a NFL Tackle. Quessenberry has the movement skills,technical skills, anchor, and intelligence to thrive in the Shanahan-Gibbs ZBS. He's a great fit for the system. He hasn't declared for the Draft yet. I am hoping he will.

Round 4 Pick #5 - Damontae Kazee CB San Diego State
Summary: Kazee offers the exact skill-set I wanted to find here. He falls because of the talent at CB in this draft class. Kazee is a great fit for the slot. He's an instinctual kid with quick feet, loose hips, and solid speed. At 5'11" 185, he's a little undersized, but he plays like a much bigger man. He's aggressive in run support, tackles well, and is willing to attack blockers far bigger than himself. Best of all, he has 15 interceptions over the past two years, so you know he has ball-skills.

Round 4 Comp Pick - Ejuan Price DE/OLB Pittsburgh
Summary: Price had injury issues early in his career. He's rebounded to post 42.5 TFLs and 24.5 sacks over the past two years. He's a really small guy at 5'11" 255, but he has serious explosiveness and quickness as a pass rusher. He's a really good fit as a 3-4 OLB. He has the athleticism to not be a liability in coverage while possessing the speed to be a dangerous pass rush specialist.

Round 5 Pick #5 - Jeremy Cutrer CB Middle Tennessee State
Summary: Cutrer is a project CB that I really like. He's a bit thin now at his listed weight of 6'1" 170, but he definitely has NFL caliber quickness, speed, and length. He also showed good ball-skills in the games I saw. I think he has potential to develop into a good NFL CB down the road. Had a really impressive game against Alabama.

Round 6 Pick #5 - Dalvin Tomlinson NT/DE Alabama
Summary: Tomlinson would be our main backup at Nose Tackle but can play all over the DL in Phillips's 3-4 defense. Tomlinson was Alabama's top DL off the bench last year. This year, he stepped into a starting role and played well. He's not a game changing pass rusher, but he pushes the pocket well due to his powerful punch and does a great job of deflecting passes at the LOS. He'll make his money in the NFL as a run stuffer. He's a short, squatty DT at 6'2" 305 who is tough to move and adept at disengaging from his block at the right moment to make the tackle because he is quite good at finding the football.

Round 6 Pick #23 - Obi Melifonwu SS Connecticut
Summary: Melifonwu checks in at 6'3" 220. While you'd expect him to be a bigger hitter with that size, he's not. However, he's a reliable tackler who is a versatile player on the back-end of the defense. He can play deep zone coverage, he can man up in coverage and hold his own, and he can play zone-under. He's a solid all-around player.

Round 6 Comp Pick - Sam Rogers FB Virginia Tech
Summary: Rogers was a bit of a swiss army knife for Virginia Tech this year. The former walk-on did a bit of everything. He played the traditional FB role by lead blocking, he played as a TE, he lined up in the slot as a WR, he took carries as a HB, and he protected the edge like an OT. He ended up with around 300 yards rushing and 300 yards receiving as well as 6 total TDs. On top of that, he impressed me with his pass protection skills (was able to block Ejuan Price 1-on-1 a number of times) and was a good lead blocker in the run game. He's a FB who can carry the ball, catch passes, pass block, and run block.

Round 7 Pick #5 - Mack Hollins WR North Carolina
Summary: Hollins was the best deep threat in college football in 2015. He averaged 25 yards per catch. At 6'4" 210 with explosive deep speed and underrated movement skills, Hollins has starting WR potential if he develops well. If not, the guy has already shown at the college level that he'll play special teams and play it well (has been a special teams captain at UNC since his freshman year). His size/speed combination is a huge asset on special teams. Hollins is a former walk-on who ended up becoming North Carolina's #1 WR. Don't count him out.

Projected Starters
QB: Jared Goff
HB: Todd Gurley
FB: Sam Rogers
XWR: Pierre Garcon
ZWR: Kenny Stills
SLWR: Tavon Austin
TE: Tyler Higbee
LT: J.C. Tretter
LG: Forrest Lamp
C: Scott Quessenberry
RG: Chris Chester vs. Greg Robinson vs. Andrew Donnal vs. Jamon Brown
RT: Rob Havenstein

LDE: Jared Odrick
NT: Michael Brockers
RDE: Aaron Donald
LOLB: DeMarcus Ware
WILB: Mark Barron
SILB: Alec Ogletree
ROLB: Robert Quinn
LCB: Trumaine Johnson
RCB: Johnathan Joseph
SLCB: E.J. Gaines
FS: LaMarcus Joyner
SS: Maurice Alexander

K: Greg Zuerlein
P: Johnny Hekker
LS: Jake McQuaide
KR: Benny Cunningham
PR: Tavon Austin

New Rams unis if we merged old with new...

Wow!! What a game! Anyone else watch it? Had to be one of the most entertaining football games I've seen in a while. That freshman kid, Sam Darnold, with three more years starting for USC,is going to be a good one when he gets out of college. Kids a natural at QB.

That Arizona game might been our worst of the year. The o line didn't show up to play AGAIN ! I don't think I have ever seen a qb get hit like goff did but he kept getting up and he kept fighting . He needs alot of work this off-season and the right coaching staff to show him how to succeed but he is a tough sob and that's what this team needs .

Just nice to know the 49ers will be a train wreck as long as
Jed is in charge.
***************************************************************

Jed York proved once again that he’s the cause of the 49ers’ problems
http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/...-coach-targets-chip-kelly-trent-baalke-010217


Dieter KurtenbachJan 2, 2017 at 5:09p ET
San Francisco 49ers CEO Jed York said it again, and again, and again Monday, a day after he fired his head coach after the final game of the season for a third straight year and send his right-hand man and general manager out the door as well.

“Nothing I’m going to say is going to be satisfactory.”

He was wrong.

Some accountability for turning one of the NFL’s proudest franchises into an unstable, politics-ridden laughingstock would have satisfied more than a few 49ers fans.

Admitting that he was the common denominator in the 49ers’ descent to the bottom and that he’s learned from the experience would have been satisfying.

Him saying that his ego and at times petulance interfered with the success of the team he was put in charge of eight years ago, at age 28, would have satisfied.

But he didn’t say anything like that.

If York thought he was under fire before Monday, he’s about to find out how high the burners can actually go in the Bay Area.

Because instead of saying something satisfying — something self-reflective and calming — York decided to say the worst possible thing when he was asked why he wasn’t stepping aside in the effort to clean house and rebuild the 49ers into a winning franchise:

“I own this football team. You don’t dismiss owners. I’m sorry… that’s the case…but that’s the facts.”

And so long as York is the “owner” of the 49ers — he’s really just the team’s CEO, his mother owns the team and put him in charge — the 49ers will likely remain one of the NFL’s worst run franchises, and poorly run franchises don’t win in this league.



York said the franchise needs a culture change if it’s going to return to its once-winning ways — but that starts at the top, with him.

Monday, York refused to admit that he made a mistake in firing Jim Harbaugh at the end of the 2014 season, that he woefully overestimated Jim Tomsula, who seemed closer to a man who won a contest than a viable NFL head coach, and that he made the wrong choice in maintaining Trent Baalke after the 2015 season, when he brought in Chip Kelly to be Tomsula’s successor.

But York was adamant that he was right to fire both Kelly and Baalke on Sunday, because now the 49ers will have a clean slate that will be attractive to head coaches and general managers alike.

But considering the dysfunction in Santa Clara — the 49ers are the first modern NFL team to fire coaches after first-year head coaches in back-to-backs seasons — what top-flight football mind would want to work with York?



York is right, he cannot be fired as the team’s CEO, but he could certainly take a backseat in the day-to-day operations of the team. And it certainly didn’t sound like York was interested in that kind of arrangement moving forward.

“It’s got to be a partnership. It’s got to be a collaboration between me, the head coach and the general manager, so we can get this thing right.”

A partnership between a general manager and a head coach could work in Santa Clara — the 49ers have money, some talent, and a lot of good draft picks coming up — but not so long as York demands that its a triumvirate of power.

He’s a meddler who is out of his depth, and he refuses to admit either fact.

And without pause or smirk, he declared Monday “I don’t make football decisions.”

If that’s the case, why does York need to be part of a three-man partnership?

York is definitely the captain of a leaky boat, though. He is notorious for leaking information about Harbaugh to NFL news breakers (sometimes through a proxy, to be fair) when that relationship started heading south, creating justification for firing the coach who was well known to not think much of his much younger boss and his desire to interject in “football decisions.”

And while it wasn’t York who leaked out Kelly and Baalke’s firing earlier this weekend, it was almost certainly one of the three men in that sentence, and Kelly was reportedly livid upon finding out he was being dismissed after one year.

Though York did let the players know that Kelly was out via text, so we know the fingers are still working.

The 49ers do need a new culture, desperately, but the team’s culture wasn’t a byproduct of losing, losing was a byproduct of the 49ers’ culture.

And York, more than anyone else in the organization, is responsible for fostering it.

After watching parts of yesterdays game, I decided to jump from my normal focus on defense...and defensive help...
These are some of the top Tackles coming out this draft....Courtesy Walter Football...
http://walterfootball.com/draft2017OT.php

1. 
   Cam Robinson*, OT, Alabama
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 326.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
   Projected Round (2017): Top-20.
   12/10/16: There is a fair amount of debate about Robinson for the NFL. One team said they had Robinson as a top-15 pick and believe that he is a Russell Okung- or Ryan Clady-caliber left tackle for the NFL. Another playoff team graded Robinson late in the first round. That organization thinks a team could get by with him at left tackle, but ideally, Robinson would be a right tackle. One NFC team gave Robinson a second-round grade. That team said that one could get away with Robinson at left tackle, but that he could have problems with speed rushers. They said they project him similar to Tampa Bay's second-year left tackle Donovan Smith. This is a weak tackle draft, however, so Robinson will probably go in the top-20 picks.
   
   Robinson had a strong start to the 2016 season with a number of impressive performances, including games against USC and Arkansas. He held Razorbacks edge rusher Deatrich Wise Jr. to two tackles. Robinson held his own against Ole Miss, but did have an ugly play getting bull rushed by the Rebels' Marquis Haynes. Robinson had a rough start against Tennessee's Derek Barnett giving up a sack and some pressures before settling down to have a strong final three quarters versus the Volunteers edge rusher. Robinson had a good game against Texas A&M superstar Myles Garrett and kept Garrett from getting a sack.
   
   Overall, Robinson's pass protection has been improved this season. His bending at the knee looks improved, his feet are better, and he looks quicker in his drop. Sources say that he lost 10-15 pounds prior to the season and that has helped him in pass blocking. Robinson is still very good in the ground game.
   
   9/3/16: Robinson was a freshman sensation for the Crimson Tide in 2014. He was the leader on an offensive line that allowed only 16 sacks on the season. It didn't go as well in 2015 as Robinson allowed pressure and sacks on the quarterback. He had some real problems with Texas A&M superstar Myles Garrett for example. However, Robinson was better down the stretch and helped open a lot of holes for Heisman Trophy winning running back Derrick Henry. Given the improvement as the season went along, it wouldn't be surprising if Robinson takes his play to another level in 2016.
   
   There are a lot pluses to the junior's game for the next level. As a pass protector, he has the length and quickness to defend the edge. He also has quick enough feet to cut off speed rushers and also displays some ability to bend at the knees. Robinson uses his length well and adjusts wisely to blitzes. He needs to get more consistent with his bending and shuffling his feet though. He gets sloppy sometimes, and that leads to him giving up some pressures and sacks.
   
   In the ground game, Robinson is a quality blocker. He has strength to turn defenders at the point of attack and open holes. Robinson is quick to the second level to hit blocks as well and is able to pull. He has some power at the point of attack with a physical demeanor.
   
   
2. 
   Mike McGlinchey*, OT, Notre Dame
   Height: 6-7. Weight: 310.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
   Projected Round (2017): Top-20.
   12/10/16: In the 2017 NFL Draft, McGlinchey could be the closest thing to a franchise left tackle. He isn't one of the best tackle prospects to come out in years, but he is very good with upside to be a very good pro left tackle.
   
   McGlinchey has suggested that he is inclined to return for his senior year rather than enter the 2017 NFL Draft, but a year ago around the same time, former teammate Will Fuller said the same thing and now he's playing for the Texans, so it isn't a definite that McGlinchey won't be in the 2017 NFL Draft. Stephon Tuitt said the same thing before leaving Notre Dame early, too.
   
   McGlinchey was very impressive at left tackle for the Fighting Irish in 2016. As a run blocker, McGlinchey can get movement at the point of attack. He flashes heavy hands to push defenders out of their gaps and open holes for his back. In pass protection, he looks like a natural at left tackle, and one wouldn't have thought that he wasn't playing the position last year. McGlinchey shows excellent feet to get depth in his kick slide and cut off speed rushers. He also displays a nice ability to bend at the knee, and that in combination with his feet, keeps him from having to reach after edge rushers. The one consistent problem he has is a lot of false start penalties. McGlinchy's performance has given evidence that he is a future starting left tackle in the NFL and a first-round pick.
   
   9/3/16: McGlinchey is a tough run blocker and has been part of a good Notre Dame line. After breaking into starting lineup during his sophomore year, in 2015 as a junior McGlinchey put together an impressive season as a pass protector at right tackle. He showed nice athleticism and the strength to open holes in the ground game.
   
   With Ronnie Stanley in the NFL, McGlinchey is moving to left tackle. If the senior has a big season at left tackle, he could rise high during the season and the leadup to the 2017 NFL Draft. McGlinchey also has more of a physical style of play than Stanley did.
   
   
   
   Ryan Ramcyzk*, OT, Wisconsin
3. Height: 6-6. Weight: 297.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
   Projected Round (2017): 1-3.
   12/10/16: Ramcyzk had a strong season blocking for the Badgers in his debut as their starting left tackle. In 2013 and 2014, he was the starting left tackle at UW-Stevens Point, where he earned a lot of accolades before sitting out the 2015 season with a redshirt after transferring to Wisconsin. Ramcyzk has been one of the better left tackles in college football in 2016.
   
   Ramcyzk has a lot of good qualities that could lead to him being a starting left tackle in the NFL. He is quick out his stance, fast to hit blocks in the second level, and is able to get in position for blocks in space. In pass protection, he can play the type writer with his feet and shuffle with rushers. Ramcyzk gets depth in his drop as well. Sometimes though, he can be slow to react and adjust to counter pass-rush moves. Ramcyzk also needs to add more strength. He can get bull rushed and pushed back by rushers. His frame doesn't look maxed out, however, and he should get stronger in a NFL strength and conditioning program. If Ramcyzk were to enter the 2017 NFL Draft, I think he could get late first-round consideration in a weak tackle class and could go early on Day 2 if he slips to Friday night.
   
   
4. 
   Dion Dawkins, OT, Temple
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 320.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-3.
   12/10/16: Dawkins has some fans in the NFL scouting community. They feel that he has some athleticism and could turn into a good functional blocker. The sources that really like Dawkins have him graded in the second round and think he has left tackle potential for the NFL. Some other teams have him graded a round or two later and think he would be a better fit at guard in the NFL. Still, Dawkins has had a fine senior season that has him in a good position for next April.
   
   
5. 
   Roderick Johnson*, OT, Florida State
   Height: 6-7. Weight: 312.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
   Projected Round (2017): 2-4.
   12/10/16: In this writer's opinion, Johnson has struggled this season and should return for his senior year to get better before going pro. He has turned in some underwhelming performances, including rough moments against Louisville and Miami. NFL sources haven't been as hard on Johnson, but they aren't excited about him either. Even scouts from teams that are desperate from offensive line help aren't pining for their team to land Johnson. He hasn't been receiving first-round grades. Johnson did play better to close out the regular season, including a good game against Florida.
   
   Johnson had an ugly start to the season as Ole Miss and edge rusher Marquis Haynes exposed a lot of problems for Johnson. Johnson was beaten for a sack and got zero movement in opening holes in the running game. The junior lacks strength and doesn't generate any push in the ground game. He ties up his blocker, but is not a force at the point of attack to push a defender out of their gap. In pass protection, Johnson has the athleticism to protect against speed rushers, but he is weak to block inside moves and gets bull rushed too easily. Even undersized speed rushers have success bull rushing him. Johnson is a finesse player who needs development.
   
   9/3/16: A lot was made how the Seminoles' offensive line improved when Cam Erving moved to center midway through 2014, but Johnson was the reason for that move. He took over at left tackle and showed a lot of potential as a protector for Jameis Winston. Johnson was solid in 2015 and helped Dalvin Cook run wild over the ACC.
   
   For the passing-driven NFL, Johnson has the skill set to be a competitor at left tackle. He has good size and length to protect on the edge. Johnson has some athleticism and is quick to adjust to blitzes or stunts in pass protection. Against speed rushers, Johnson can do a nice job of riding defenders around the pocket.
   
   Johnson isn't a true bull in the ground game, but he is an effective run blocker. He is quick to get to spots on the second level and hit some blocks to spring his back for big gains. He doesn't blast defensive linemen out of their gap, but he does well holding them up and walling them off to the side to help open holes for his back.
   
   There are a few things that Johnson needs to improve. The big issue for Johnson is improving his feet. He needs to get faster in his quick slide and bend at the knees over bending at the race. Sometimes Johnson can be sloppy in shuffling his feet, and he bends at the waist to reach after pass-rushers. He gets away with it against college defenders, but the NFL that isn't going to work, especially when going against a good rusher.
   
   
   
   Julie'n Davenport, OT, Bucknell
6. Height: 6-7. Weight: 315.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
   12/10/16: At the start of the season, there was a real buzz in the scouting community about Davenport. Area scouts and national scouts from every team visited Bucknell this season to see him. Sources say they believe that Davenport is likely to go on the second day of the 2017 NFL Draft. Some team sources really like him and feel he has a starting left tackle skill set. They love his athleticism, length and upside. He needs some work developing his body, but they believe he could be a starting left tackle in the NFL.
   
   Other team sources don't like Davenport and have him on Day 3. They point to some poor tape from his senior year with weak competition getting the best of him. The scouts who don't like Davenport say he has terrible technique and is exceedingly raw. There were snaps where Davenport looked awful. He would play high, get pushed around, get bull rushed, and struggle with redirecting. Thus, Davaneport is very much a love/hate prospect in the scouting community.
   
   9/3/16: Sources say that Davenport has superb measurements to be a starting left tackle in the NFL. He is listed at 6-foot-7, 315 pounds. Scouts say they think he could be an inch shorter but has excellent length with 35-plus-inch arms and 10.5-inch hands. Davenport has good athleticism with quick feet with a background in playing basketball. Athletic ability runs in the family as Davenport is cousins with Charlotte Hornets forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Team sources believe that Davenport could be a future starting left tackle in the NFL.
   
   One scouting director told WalterFootball.com that they think Davenport would be a top-20 pick if he played at a big BCS school, but because of his level of competition, he is probably more likely to be a second-round pick.
   
   
7. 
   David Sharpe*, OT, Florida
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 357.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.40.
   Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
   12/10/16: Sharpe is a tough run blocker who is generally reliable in pass protection. After a good first half against Tennessee's Derek Barnett, Sharpe was whipped in the second half of the Volunteers' comeback win. He also had some problems with Florida State's Demarcus Walker and Alabama's edge rushers. For the NFL, Sharpe is a better run blocker and needs to develop his pass protection. Sources believe Sharpe would be better off as a right tackle in the NFL. He should return for his senior year, drop some weight, and work on improving his fundamentals in pass coverage.
   
   9/3/16: The Gators had a lot of injuries on their offensive line in 2015 and had to move players around. Sharpe was one of those players and saw action at both tackle positions. He was a good run blocker who flashed some pass-protection skills. Sharpe needs to improve his pass blocking, but he has upside to develop. He could be a right tackle candidate and also could move inside to guard for the next level.
   
8. 
   Forrest Lamp, OT, Western Kentucky
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
   12/10/16: Lamp was invited to the Senior Bowl after an excellent collegiate career. He made 39 straight starts and was been a tough lineman at the point of attack. Lamp is going to need to add some strength for the NFL. If his listed height holds true at the weigh-in in Mobile, then Lamp is a candidate to remain at tackle. If he is shorter than 6-foot-4, he probably will have to move inside to guard.
   
   
   Kelly Parfitt, OT, Florida Atlantic
9. Height: 6-6. Weight: 313.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
   Projected Round (2017): 3-5.
   12/10/16: Parfitt started out his collegiate career at Central Florida before transferring to Florida Atlantic. He played well enough to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl. Parfitt projects more as a right tackle competitor.
   
   
10. 
    Taylor Moton, OT/G, Western Michigan
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 326.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
    Projected Round (2017): 3-4.
    12/10/16: Moton has been a solid offensive lineman for the Broncos the past few seasons and is having a quality senior year at right tackle. Western Michigan has had a superb offense with a dynamic aerial attack for a few years, and Moton's pass protection has contributed to that. As a sophomore, Moton played right tackle before moving to right guard as a junior. He has versatile size for the NFL and could be a player who is a valuable backup for guard or tackle early in his NFL career.
    
    
11. 
    Javarius Leamon, OT, South Carolina State
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: Leamon really impressed scouts this season. Sources say that Leamon is athletic with an above-average ability to anchor against bull rushers. He is a little finesse and will need to improve his strength for the NFL, but team evaluators feel he has the potential to grow into starting left tackle. Leamon does have some learning issues and may not be a good fit for hard coaching.
    
    Teams are giving Leamon a draftable grade in the middle rounds of the third day of the 2017 NFL Draft. He is on the Senior Bowl watchlist, and if he earns an invitation to Mobile, his stock could really rise considering the 2017 NFL Draft should feature a weak class of offensive tackles.
    
    
12. 
    Chad Wheeler, OT, USC
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 280.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.00.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: Wheeler barely played in USC's first two games after missing most of training camp with plantar fasciitis. He has been banged up this season, but has served as a decent blind-side protector for Sam Darnold. Sources have said they are grading Wheeler on the third day of the 2017 NFL Draft. He has some talent athletically, but they have major concerns about him off the field.
    
    9/3/16: Wheeler has been the starting left tackle over the last three seasons for USC. He was a quality left tackle for the Trojans in 2015. However, Wheeler missed the Holiday Bowl after an incident with police that caused him to be placed in protective custody for a psychiatric evaluation.
    
    Wheeler is a skilled pass protector with quickness and athleticism on the edge. He does need to get stronger for the NFL though. Wheeler broke into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman at left tackle and did a quality job for the Trojans. He improved while a sophomore, both as a run blocker for Buck Allen and a pass protector for Cody Kessler, but tore knee ligaments after eight games to end his season.
    
    
    
    Austin Golson*, OT/C, Auburn
13. Height: 6-5. Weight: 304.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.22.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: Golson was previously the starting left tackle for Auburn. He didn't impress against Clemson and gave up a sack in Week 2 against Arkansas State, but he has played better since switching to center.
    
    8/6/16: Golson started out his collegiate career at Ole Miss before transferring to Auburn. At Ole Miss, he saw some time at guard as a true freshman in 2013 and then sat out the 2014 season. Golson became Auburn's starting center in 2015 and had a quality season despite some injuries. He has upside to develop.
    
    
14. 
    Greg Pyke, OT/G, Georgia
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 313.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: Pyke has played right tackle for the Bulldogs, but could be a better fit at guard in the NFL. He had a nice start to the season as a run blocker against North Carolina, but the Georgia offense has had some mixed performances. Pyke and the line allow too much pressure on Jacob Eason. Pyke could lack the quickness and athleticism to block on the edge in the NFL. He had some real struggles against Florida.
    
    8/6/16: Pyke is a good run blocker who needs to improve his pass protection, but he had an up-and-down 2015 season, even being benched at one point. As a sophomore in 2014, Pyke was a Second-Team All-SEC selection and a tough run blocker for Todd Gurley and Nick Chubb. Georgia averaged 257.8 yards per game that season, and Pyke was impressive at the point of attack.
    
    
15. 
    Adam Bisnowaty, OT, Pittsburgh
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 305.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: Sources have told me that Bisnowaty looks like he has potential with length, but they are giving him late-round grades. One source said their team would have Bisnowaty with an undrafted grade, but thought another team would probably take him on Day 3. A different team said they had Bisnowaty as a fifth- or sixth-rounder.
    
    Bisnowaty lacks strength and doesn't get movement in the ground game, but sources feel that while he is limited athletically, he is football player who finds a way to make up for it and be effective. Bisnowaty will need at least one "redshirt" year in the NFL to get stronger in a strength and conditioning program. The teams that like him have compared him to the Ravens' Ricky Wagner.
    
    9/3/16: Bisnowaty was banged up in 2015, but played through injuries and had a solid season. Bisnowaty has been Pittsburgh's starting left tackle the past three seasons. He is a smart player, but he could stand to get stronger for the NFL. Bisnowaty's more reliable pass blocking had him starting on the left side instead of T.J. Clemmings.
    
    
16. 
    Zach Banner, OT, USC
    Height: 6-9. Weight: 360.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.59.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: Banner and the rest of the USC offensive line didn't impress against Alabama in the season opener. He played better after that, but dealt with an ankle injury. Sources say that Banner has some athletic talent, but he has big problems with his weight, work ethic and lethargy.
    
    9/3/16: While he's played on the left side at times for the Trojans, Banner is probably more of a smash-mouth right tackle for the NFL. He has a lot of strength at the point attack and obviously is a massive blocker. Banner showed some athleticism by playing some basketball at USC. In 2015, he made two starts at left tackle and the other 12 games at right tackle.
    
    
    Dan Skipper, OT, Arkansas
17. Height: 6-10. Weight: 322.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.44.
    Projected Round (2017): 4-6.
    12/10/16: In the ground game, Skipper has success opening holes. While Arkansas can get away with him at left tackle, he is a right tackle prospect for the NFL. He doesn't have the feet or quickness for the blind side. Skipper can struggle with speed rushers. He will play at the East-West Shrine in January.
    
    Skipper was beaten for a sack when taking on TCU and defensive end Josh Carraway. Skipper had a lot of problems with Texas A&M's Myles Garrett and also got away with a cheap shot on Garrett. Skipper also had problems with Alabama. He played pretty well against Florida.
    
    9/3/16: Skipper was a tough right tackle for the Razorbacks in 2015. He was part of a strong right side of the offensive line with guard Sebastian Tretola. That duo opened a lot of holes for running back Alex Collins. As a sophomore, Skipper was the starter at left tackle and had a decent season. He had eight starts at guard as a freshman. It will be interesting to see if Skipper moves back to left tackle as a senior since Denver Kirkland left Arkansas, but for the NFL, Skipper projects as more of a right tackle.
18. 
    J.J. Dielman, OT/C, Utah
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
    Projected Round (2017): 5-7.
    12/10/16: Because of an injury, Dielman was moved to center for the Utes. That could end up being a better fit for him in the NFL, and he turned in quality performances for the first five games of the year. Things went off the rails though as Dielman suffered a foot injury and missed the rest of the season.
    
    9/3/16: Dielman is a solid blocker for the Utes and was very good at opening holes for Devontae Booker in the ground game. For the NFL, Dielman needs to improve his pass protection. He wisely decided to return for his senior year. Moving inside to guard could be his NFL future.
    
    
19. 
    Casey Tucker*, OT, Stanford
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
    Projected Round (2017): 5-7.
    12/10/16: Tucker has had some good and bad performances in 2016. He should probably return for his senior year. Tucker has been banged up and missed time with an injury.
    
    9/3/16: After serving as a backup as a freshman, Tucker took over at right tackle for the Cardinal in 2015. He improved throughout the season and was part of a line that went on a tear late in the year with Christian McCaffrey ripping defenses apart. Tucker has upside to develop and rise higher.
    
    
20. 
    Jon Heck, OT, North Carolina
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.09.
    Projected Round (2016): 5-7.
    12/10/16: Heck had a decent start to the season against Georgia. The Tar Heels kept Illinois defensive end Dawuane Smoot from registering a sack in Week 2. Heck has been a reliable pass protector for Mitch Trubisky, overall.
    
    9/3/16: In speaking with sources, Heck hasn't impressed them. They feel he should move inside to guard in the NFL. Heck has been a starter at right tackle for the Tar Heels. His run blocking is ahead of his pass blocking, and he needs to improve his protection as a senior.
    
    
    
    
    Conor McDermott, OT, UCLA
21. Height: 6-9. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
    Projected Round (2017): 5-7.
    12/10/16: For the NFL, McDermott would probably be a better fit at right tackle. Some team sources say they have given him a late-round developmental grade.
    
    In the 2016 season opener, McDermott was beaten by Myles Garrett for a sack and other pressures. McDermott didn't have a meltdown performance, but he didn't impress either. McDermott has played better since then.
    
    9/3/16: McDermott led a strong UCLA offensive line in 2015 that only allowed 14 sacks on the season. He was a steady pass protector for Josh Rosen. In the ground game, McDermott was an effective blocker at helping to open holes for Paul Perkins. For the NFL, McDermott's measurements would make him more of a right tackle, but perhaps his senior year could prove that he is a viable left-tackle candidate.
    
    
22. 
    K.C. McDermott*, OT/G, Miami
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.29.
    Projected Round (2017): 6-FA.
    12/10/16: McDermott is starting at left guard for the Hurricanes and has been a significant part of Miami showing a big improvement in its rushing offense over 2015. However, Miami's line has still have allowed too much pressure on Brad Kaaya. McDermott turned in some underwhelming play in a few games.
    
    8/6/16: McDermott started at guard and right tackle for Miami during the 2015 season. The offensive line had issues last season as the Hurricanes had one of the worst rushing offenses in the nation. While they didn't allow a lot of sacks, there was still too much pressure on Brad Kaaya. McDermott could be better off at guard in the NFL.
    
    
23. 
    Brendan Mahon*, OT/G, Penn State
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
    Projected Round (2017): 7-FA.
    12/10/16: Mahon is starting at left tackle for Penn State, but he has struggled in pass protection, including an ugly game against Pittsburgh. However, Mahon and the Nittany Lions' offensive line has performed much better as run blockers for Saquon Barkley.
    
    8/6/16: Mahon started at guard and tackle for Penn State. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. At times he played well, but he needs to improve his pass protection and consistency. As a freshman, Mahon started at left guard. The Penn State offensive line allowed Christian Hackenberg to be sacked more than 80 times over those two seasons.

Now the interesting thing is, there's a raw guy....Juco transfer that plays at Utah...Garrett Bolles, that has distinguished himself as a player...He's already married & 24 years old, so even though he's a Jr., I'm sure he's coming out.

We need a LT...sweet feet....and determined as hell...We can't get a true LT I believe in this draft later than the 2nd round, so while I'd love a corner back with our first pick, we should grab this guy...I believe he'll fall, because he's raw (switched to offense from defense) and he only played 1 year at Utah. He does have excellent skills. Is it a risk? Of course...But the way Jared was getting killed yesterday forced my hand...no more G-Rob on the Left side...Put him at RT...Battle with Glassmen Saffold and now Havenstein for playing time...
I also love Ryan Ramczyk of Wisconsin...Cam Thomas of FSU....I'd add video, but this is a long post already. What say you?

EDIT: The figure was wrong.

Login to view embedded media View: https://twitter.com/FieldYates/status/816066485978365953

rams are broadcasting live a presser with bones

I'm paraphrasing but he was asked if he interviews for the HC job what's one of the things he feels could be added to the team and what we lacked

He said chemistry ... then went on to elaborate regarding players coaches etc ..

Maybe there was more wrong with this team than we initially thought

Is it even realistic to consider cutting Austin? Just thinking if we can creative as most cash for us moving forward... Justing wondering. Thx

http://www.turfshowtimes.com/2017/1...-head-coach-search-john-fassel-gregg-williams


Login to view embedded media

Per NFL Network and Friend of Jeff Fisher, Mike Silver, the Rams have allowed all of their assistants to seek other employment. While the season was a disaster, it looks like the Rams will give the next coach a chance at picking their own guys. Sadly, this may be the end of Coach Fassel’s tenure with the Rams, ending a five year period of good special team plays including surprises, consistency, and positivity compared to the rest of the team.

Login to view embedded media
Personally, I would love to see the next Rams coach keep Fassel and maybe even Waufle, the Rams DL coach who has watched Quinn, Brockers, Donald, Hayes, Easley, and others succeed under his tutelage. While the Rams are doing the right thing by allowing everyone to get outside opportunities if there is interest, one must wonder if the new coach would like to keep a couple of things in the building consistent from the previous regime.

Buckle up, it’ll be an interesting coaching search.

Does anyone think fish gets hired as HC for another other team ? Is anyone showing interest in him? I find it hard to believe he will, but I been pretty busy with my parents so I didn't see much news.

Excerpts only. Nothing much on the Rams except a couple of remarks on Todd Gurley and Johnny Hekker near the end of the article. To read the whole article click the link below.
**************************************************************************************
http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2017/01/02/nfl-coach-firings-playoff-wild-card-schedule-peter-king

A Fiery (and Firing) Finish to the NFL Regular Season
What Week 17 lacked in on-field drama it more than made up for on the sidelines. Here’s an inside look at all the coaching news and what may be next. Plus notes on a Packer’s prophecy, a wild-card breakdown and more
By Peter King

Fairly tumultuous first day of 2017. Black Monday rendered obsolete. Niners blown up. Struggling to keep from breaking down, Denver’s Super Bowl coach told his team he’s walking away. Picking an MVP is impossible; there should be eight of ’em. Tony Romo stepped on a field for the first time in 57 weeks, and if you blinked, you missed a great moment.

The Patriots, starting three quarterbacks this year including a 39-year-old one who is not of this earth, finished a league-best 14-2. Speaking of finishes, Steve Smith finished a career that lasted so long George Seifert coached him as a rookie. The Georgia Dome: finished (in the regular season). Chargers in San Diego: likely finished. Asshole Face: possibly finished … in New Orleans.

Nostradamus Rodgers: definitely not finished.

An hour after the Packers walked off the field with another NFC North title late Sunday night, I told Aaron Rodgers that no one will ever doubt him again, about anything he chooses to forecast. Not after calling his shot with the Packers 4-6, and saying he thought the team could run the table and go unbeaten the rest of the way and win the NFC North. Then they ran the table. So, I said toRodgers, obviously, you’ll never be wrong again, about anything.

“Yeah,” he said from Detroit, “well, I’m not sure about that. Tell that to my girlfriend.”

Rodgers laughed. Then he said: “I just thought at the time we needed a reminder of how good we are, and how close we were to being really good. We needed a jolt. I didn’t mind being the one to do it.”

Much more about Rodgers and his playoff-bound team in a bit. And about the other 11 teams, and the four wild-card games this weekend. First: Al Michaels said it Sunday night—Black Monday doesn’t exist this year. It got put out of business by Black December. So much to digest from a frantic weekend, starting with the demolition by the Bay.

* * *

Jed York’s Silicon Valley startup


Chip Kelly was fired by the 49ers on Sunday, the second consecutive head coach dismissed after one season by the franchise.
Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP

“I just think it’s time for us to re-establish a championship culture,” the 49ers CEO told me Sunday night, a half-hour after the team announced the firing of head coach Chip Kelly and GM Trent Baalke. The latter we saw coming. Kelly, we didn’t. “In order to do that, I thought we had to clean house.” The Niners look terrible right now, as terrible as their season (2-0 versus the Rams, 0-14 against all others). When they hire a new head coach, it’ll be their fourth in the span of 26 months. Think of it:

• December 2014: Jim Harbaugh finishes his fourth season, then he and York mutually part ways.

• 2015: Jim Tomsula era ends with 5-11 record.

• 2016: Chip Kelly era ends with a 2-14 record.

• Early 2017: Another coach is trotted out and says all the right things about returning Niners to glory. Eyes roll.

The 49ers are the first NFL team in the past 30 years to fire coaches after one season in consecutive years. Two reasons why this looks particularly bad: York has now dumped coaches after Week 17 three straight years; who will take this job knowing York’s itchy trigger finger, and who will take the GM job? And the Niners had to know Kelly was inheriting a bad defense and no quarterback, so why whack him after one year?

The new GM and coach—to be done, likely, in that order—will have one major advantage, as a coaching candidate pointed out to me late Sunday night: York will have to give the new team at least three years, presumably, to get a stunted franchise growing right. It sounded Sunday night like Kelly lost most or all of his allies in the building, including personnel man Tom Gamble.

“What went wrong, I think, was a disconnect at the top,” York said. “Not seeing the roster the same way, not being on the same page in personnel. That’s why I think it’s important to hit the reset button.”

I asked York how he thought he could get a good coach now, with the reputation of a team that gave up on the last two so fast. “People have felt like that before,” York said, “and we were able to hire a coach of the year, and GM of the year. And we were able to win a championship.” He referred to Bill Walsh winning coach of the year and the Super Bowl—35 years ago.

Bottom line: Fans won’t trust this franchise to put the right people in place until they see wins. Nor should they. These are the most important two hires York has made in his seven years running this franchise. When York goes on the road this month to interview candidates for these jobs, there will be some tarnish on the great Niners name.

It’s been 24 years since Joe Montana played there, and 17 since Steve Young did. They’re not walking back through that door. York’s got to find two men—one to mine the next great Niners quarterback, and one to coach him. Excepting Harbaugh, that hasn’t been easy for him.

“They’re going to do a 30-for-30 one day on the destruction of the franchise. I’ve talked to some people there, and there’s misery in that building.”

—Former 49ers staffer, to me on Sunday, on the state of the 49ers right now.

* * *

What Happened in Denver


Gary Kubiak walked away from the Broncos on Sunday, citing concerns for his health.
Photo: Jack Dempsey/AP

Gary Kubiak gathered his players in the locker room Sunday after their last game and explained the inevitable: He was stepping away from coaching. Kubiak, 55, had a minor stroke three years ago while coaching the Texans, and he missed a game this season because of a malady called “complex migraine condition.” The demands of head-coaching just aren’t for him.

His doctor didn’t tell him to stop, nor did his wife. He just knew it wasn’t the right life for him, because he was too obsessive about it. The news had spread after an ESPN report in the morning, so it wasn’t a shock.

“If you remember one thing about me, remember this: It’s all about the team,” Kubiak told the players.

That’s what I’ll remember about Kubiak in this job. Before the 2015 season, John Elway hired his former backup to do a tough job—to coach a declining Peyton Manning for perhaps one more year in an offense that wasn’t perfect for him. As Manning struggled physically, Kubiak yanked him (gracefully) and inserted the green Brock Osweiler, stressing to Manning on the day of the yanking he had no business putting Manning in the game when he wasn’t fully healthy.

And then, when Osweiler wasn’t playing well a month later, and when Manning had improved physically, Kubiak reversed himself. Manning was in, Osweiler out. And Denver won a Super Bowl. Kubiak all along said he would only do what he thought was best for the team, not what the great Manning preferred.

And when Denver won the Super Bowl, Kubiak felt such ownership that, on the field as the confetti flew, he said his three sons could have the championship rings he’d won in previous coaching stints. “This one’s mine, baby! This one’s mine!” he exulted.

The ring meant something more to Kubiak because of the decisions he had to make, hard decisions involving one of the best players in history. And then this year Kubiak cemented his legacy in the eyes of Elway when training camp came around and three quarterbacks were in camp, and everyone assumed that Mark Sanchez would win the job, backed up by first-round pick Paxton Lynch, with 2015 seventh-rounder Trevor Siemian battling just to make the roster.

“I’m going to play the best guy,” Kubiak said all spring and summer. Just before the start of the season he picked Siemian. And though Siemian just had one of his biggest victories on Sunday, the quarterback looked glum when he met reporters. His champion was walking away.

“I owe him a lot, obviously,” Siemian said. “I had no business being drafted, no business really being around, so I owe him a lot for giving me a chance, getting me in the door and giving me a chance to play.”

It’ll be interesting to see which way Elway goes. It’s clear the Broncos want to keep their defensive staff, led by Wade Phillips, intact. It’s logical to think top offensive coaches will be candidates to replace Kubiak—son-of-Mike Atlanta coordinator Kyle Shanahan will be considered, and the Broncos are likely to speak with Buffalo interim coach Anthony Lynn and Miami defensive boss Vance Joseph. But it’s a wide-open field.

* * *

Three More Coaching Nuggets


If the Chargers bolt for Los Angeles, they’ll do so without Mike McCoy, who was fired after two seasons as head coach.
Photo: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

1. No mystery to what the Chargers did. Mike McCoy’s a good man, and he’ll be someone’s offensive coordinator (Baltimore?) in 2017 if he chooses that life. (He’s got one year left on his San Diego contract.) But the Chargers want new. They couldn’t go to Los Angeles (a move that’s highly likely) in 2017 with no major changes on a team that earned the cellar two years running in the AFC West.

The problem now, obviously, is finding the right coach for a transient team that’s gone 9-23 the past two years … and might play in the minor-league atmosphere of a 27,000-seat stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson for two years. It’s going to be a hard sell for a good coach—and for good free agents.

2. You know what struck me about these coach openings? There are no coaches everyone wants. If Stanford’s David Shaw were a candidate (he says he doesn’t want to leave college football right now), he’d likely get an NFL gig. Same with Nick Saban. I heard things Sunday night from teams like this: “There’s nobody out there who’s a slam-dunk guy.” … “We definitely don’t have a leader in the clubhouse.” … “Who do you really like?” (You know a team’s in trouble when it’s asking a sportswriter’s opinion.) …

And this: “There’s no one out there we love.” … You know why all that is good? Maybe teams will take their time—Jed York indicated to me he’ll be slow and wide-ranging with his two job searches, which he should be—and not rush the way most teams do every January.

Teams will do their homework on Shanahan and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, as well as Joseph, Lynn, Payton, Dallas offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and other NFL assistants. But the fact is, there’s not a must-have in the market this year.

3. I’m not sure Josh McDaniels will go anywhere. Some coaches will take a head-coaching offer, almost regardless of the salary or the situation. I can’t see McDaniels, 40, doing that. Would you? Would you leave Bill Belichick and Tom Brady to get into what David Shaw calls “the spin cycle?” Make a few million, struggle to find and develop a quarterback in a losing situation, get fired, and then grasp at employment straws.

I’ve always thought McDaniels would take his second (and perhaps last) shot at an NFL job when he found a place with stable ownership/management and a quarterback. And a good chance to win, obviously. Where’s that job right now? It might be close in Los Angeles, if he could fall in love with Jared Goff or if he could finagle a way to deal for Jimmy Garoppolo. But I don’t see that job out there right now. And who’s to say any of these teams would want a coach who failed in his first shot at a head job in Denver?

* * *

Wild-Card Lookahead

Encapsulating the four games in the first round of the NFL playoffs (all times Eastern):

Oakland (AFC fifth seed, 12-4) at Houston (fourth seed, 9-7), Saturday, 4:30 p.m., ESPN. It could be Connor Cook at Tom Savage, depending on injuries and concussion protocols. I bet ESPN’s loving that matchup. Of course, if form holds, the winner probably shouldn’t celebrate too long. The reward, if Pittsburgh, at home, beats Miami in the other AFC wild-card game, is a trip to play the well-rested Patriots in Foxboro on the Saturday night of the divisional round. Should be nice and frigid on Jan. 14 in Massachusetts.

Detroit (NFC sixth seed, 9-7) at Seattle (third seed, 10-5-1), Saturday, 8:15 p.m., NBC. The Lions need a running game and the explosive Matthew Stafford to show up, and neither has been around much recently. Detroit limps in having lost three straight, by an average of 12.7 points, with their foes scoring 30 a game. If the Lions had a pass-rush going, I’d give them a decent shot, because the Seahawks are struggling to keep Russell Wilson upright. But I think Seattle moves on here.

Miami (AFC sixth seed, 10-6) at Pittsburgh (third seed, 11-5), Sunday, 1:05 p.m., CBS. Ryan Tannehill may be back from his strained knee for this one. The last time Tannehill (and Jay Ajayi) faced Pittsburgh, in October, Miami won by 15, and Ajayi ran for 204 yards. But the Steelers have gotten stingier since that day, and a lot more physical. Pittsburgh could well be the AFC team capable of giving the Patriots their toughest game. That won’t mean much if the Steelers can’t contact Ajayi on Sunday.

New York Giants (NFC fifth seed, 11-5) at Green Bay (fourth seed, 10-6), Sunday, 4:40 p.m., FOX. Game of the weekend. The Giants have won at Lambeau Field in the playoffs on both of their recent Super Bowl runs—Eli Manning over Brett Favre in 2007, Manning over Aaron Rodgers in 2011. The Packers are so depleted in the secondary that Manning could have the same kind of game he’s had in previous trips to Wisconsin—he put up 60 points and turned it over just once in those two games. But Aaron Rodgers has rarely been this hot in his life. Should be a good, strategic game between two smart teams.

* * *

They Are Leaving…

Baltimore wide receiver Steve Smith Sr.
Age: 37. Seasons: 16. Teams: Carolina, Baltimore. Claim to fame: One of the most competitive players in NFL history, Smith finishes seventh all-time in receiving yards.

From an interview with Smith as he rode the team bus to the airport in Cincinnati after Baltimore’s 27-10 season-ending loss to the Bengals:

“I got a text from my wife before the game. Meant a lot … I’ll read it to you: ‘Baby I know today is probably very emotional for you. But if your life is a book, this is just one chapter. It’s been one crazy roller coaster of a chapter. There’s a lot to be written now. I am excited to see what God has planned for you next. It will be different, but I believe it will be good. I am going to miss watching you play. Do your thing out there, one last time. I am proud and I love you very much.’ …

Right now, a weight has been lifted. How will it all turn out? I don’t know … One thing I know I will like is not trying to jam everything in before July, like, 17th anymore, hurrying to do things before training camp … What I am looking forward to NOT experiencing is the pressure to perform. I get in the huddle so often, and the linemen are like, ‘Hey Steve, we need a play.’ As you get older, the stress is more. That’s the part of the game that’s tough …

[On his legacy] People are gonna think, ‘He’s a thug, a punk.’ I’ve been called a lot of things. But I’d rather be known as a competitive guy, a tough guy, than a nice guy or a brown-noser … My kids miss me. I miss them … I am very happy. It’s not time for a new life. It’s time for a new direction.”

Indianapolis pass-rusher Robert Mathis
Age: 35. Seasons: 13. Teams: Indianapolis. Claim to fame: Quiet and classy, Mathis finishes 18th on the all-time sack list.

From his retirement press conference Friday:

“Indy, this is my home. I am a Colt, I am a blue blood, I am a brick-layer at Lucas Oil Stadium … I am here forever … I still hate quarterbacks. I still want to chase them. My passion for chasing quarterbacks is going to always be there, but my body won’t … You just have to be smart about it. Reggie Wayne and Edgerrin James, I talked to these guys and they said to listen to my body, and it’s time to listen to my body.”

Miami senior defensive assistant Jim Washburn
Age: 67. NFL coaching seasons: 18. Teams: Tennessee, Philadelphia, Detroit, Miami. Claim to fame: A colorful guy with a reputation for building great pass-rushes wherever he went.

From our conversation Saturday:

“I didn’t know I’d ever coach in the NFL, though I always wanted to be here. I got my first job at age 49, in Tennessee … That first year, we end up in the Super Bowl, and I feel someone jump on my back on the field before the game, and it’s Dick Vermeil. I loved that. Dick always was trying to help me get a job in the league …

I love Ndamukong Suh. I think he’s a Hall of Fame football player, and I love coaching him. … Really, I just love football. Today was my last team meeting with my guys. I talked to them about Alan Page, and about what a great player he was—173 sacks, 23 blocked kicks. I want them to know their heritage, and I don’t think players today know it very well.”

Minnesota linebacker Chad Greenway*
Age: 32. Seasons: 11. Teams: Minnesota. Claim to fame: Underrated and largely hidden for much his career, Greenway finishes as the fourth-leading tackler in 56-year history of the Vikings, behind Scott Studwell, Matt Blair and Jeff Siemon.

(*Tentative. He has hinted strongly at retirement.)

From our conversation Sunday, after what was likely his last game:

“Today I wanted to enjoy the day, remember the day … nothing official yet. It’s been a great 11 years, and now I want to be able to sit down with my wife and some people in the organization and take some time and think. … I love football now for the same reason I loved it when I started playing in seventh grade in South Dakota. It’s a team game. You have to rely on everyone else; they have to rely on you. …

Just my background—growing up on a farm in South Dakota, I so appreciate that I have had this opportunity. I always wanted to make my parents proud of me, and I still do, the same way I want my four kids to be proud of the way I play. … I want the name on the back of my uniform to stand for something.”

* * *


Todd Gurley had 49 more carries in 2016 than his rookie season but rushed for 221 fewer yards.
Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP

Todd Gurley didn’t have a 100-yard rushing game in 2016.

In his last 24 games, Gurley has exceeded 90 yards once.

* * *

Name the player who had the best year of any player in the league at his position in 2016. It’s subjective, obviously, because how can you tell whether the best guard was better than the best wide receiver or best cornerback? You can’t. But it’s my column, and I’ll make this claim: Rams punter Johnny Hekker was the best player at his position in the NFL this year. Compare him to his peers.

• Net punting average: 46.1, and a huge edge over number two Sam Martin of Detroit (43.7).

• Punts inside the 20: 50. Number two: Dustin Colquitt of Kansas City (37).

• Average yards per return (on all punts, not just returned punts): 1.32. No other punter with at least 50 punts had less than 2.0 yards per return.

* * *

Things I Think I Think

1. I think these are my quick notes of analysis from Week 17:

a. After watching Michael Floyd drag three Dolphins for the final five feet to his first touchdown as a Patriot, I thought he is doing his best to force his way into Josh McDaniels’ postseason game plans.

b. Mark Sanchez, 30, is going to need a great agent to have a job in the NFL in 2017.

c. Man, Houston is one weak division champ, and one weak home-field wild-card team.

d. And yet, wouldn’t you be surprised if the Texans lose the playoff game to the Derek Carr-less Raiders on Saturday?

e. Whoever John Harbaugh gets to coach the Ravens’ quarterbacks or coordinate the offense next season, it needs to be someone who will coach Joe Flacco hard; Flacco throws too many careless, costly picks for a quarterback of his stature.

f. Visual of the day, and maybe of the season: Eagles tight end Zach Ertz making a diving touchdown catch against Dallas at Lincoln Financial Field, getting up and celebrating with his teammates. He gives the ball to Carson Wentz, who finds American League MVP and Eagles season-ticket holder Mike Trout in the end zone seats and hands Trout the ball.

g. Talking about how times have changed in the NFL: Only one back this season carried the ball more than 300 times (Ezekiel Elliott, 322).

h. Sometimes history just rushes by, and we hardly notice: Sunday was the last regular-season game in the history of the Georgia Dome, quite possibly the last game as Saints coach for Asshole Face, and likely the last NFL game at Qualcomm Stadium.

i. Eli Manning is 2-0 in playoff games at Lambeau Field, which is a stat I trust you’re already sick of hearing if you live in Wisconsin.

j. By surveying the landscape, I can tell you the Jaguars’ head-coaching job is not quite as attractive as many in football might think, because there’s so little conviction in Blake Bortles as a long-term answer at quarterback.

2. I think I can’t see the Patriots trading Jimmy Garoppolo in the off-season. I can’t see Bill Belichick, who has to feel Garoppolo is the best chance for a long-term successor to Tom Brady (whenever that will happen) that he’s had, giving that up without trying to sign the third-year quarterback long-term.

The trick is how to do that, knowing Garoppolo has to be paid more than your typical insurance policy would be paid at quarterback. Insurance policies don’t normally make $10 million a year. This one might.

3. I think that’s not going to prevent teams—Cleveland and Chicago at least—from sniffing around the Patriots for Garoppolo very seriously.

4. I think it’s amazing that the Patriots started three different quarterbacks this year, had the whole Brady/Deflategate suspension thing to deal with, and dumped their two best front-seven players (Chandler Jones, Jamie Collins) … and won more games than any other team in football this year.

5. I think two things are humorous about what the masses are saying regarding the end of Chip Kelly: that his 26-21 record in Philadelphia was disastrous, and that any rube could see he’d never succeed in San Francisco with his schemes and his coaching. In Philadelphia he inherited a team that had gone 8-8 and 4-12 in Andy Reid’s last two years, then went 10-6, 10-6 and 6-9. He oversaw a dumb trade—LeSean McCoy to Buffalo.

After Kelly left, it couldn’t have been too disastrous, seeing that the Eagles had the pieces to trade up for their quarterback of the future, Carson Wentz, and got back their first-round pick in 2017 by trading the quarterback of the past, Sam Bradford, to Minnesota. Disastrous. Gimme a break. In San Francisco he inherited a team with no quarterback and the 31st-ranked defense in football, and a recent history of bad drafts. He went 2-14. Surprise!

6. I think I know why Nick Saban loves college football, and why he gave the NFL only a two-year trial (other than the fact he listened to his doctors in Miami in 2006 and swerved away from Drew Brees because of shoulder surgery and made Daunte Culpepper his quarterback instead): the fact that he can have teams with such depth at Alabama that a backup running back (third-string early in the season), Bo Scarbrough, could be the best player on the field in the national semifinal rout of Washington.

I still think Saban will take the NFL plunge again one day, but it’s easy to see why he stays, and why he may stay forever. The number three guy on your depth chart at some positions could be number one on all but a few top college teams.

7. I think the dumbest things filling football Twitter feeds in recent days were the debates over which teams should take which players at the top of the draft. Considering the draft is 115 days away and we don’t know which underclassmen will declare, hey, really great use of your time.

8. I think this is the essence of the madness: We’ve got people debating which quarterback-desperate franchise is going to get fixed for the next 15 years by a one-year starter at North Carolina who hasn’t said whether he’s coming out and I can guarantee hasn’t been vetted even a tenth of what teams will do if and when they need to make a decision on Mitch Trubisky. Is he likely to be a top 10 pick if he comes out? Yes. But no one knows by which team, because those teams have not studied him nearly enough.

9. I think this Tyrod Taylor weirdness in Buffalo—Rex Ryan loved him, the front office didn’t, the starting quarterback didn’t appear in a season highlight video (pretty hard to accomplish that)—points out how important it is for the personnel side of the building to be at least civil and team-oriented with the coaching side of the building.

Strong, opinionated people exist in coaching and scouting and salary-cap areas of a team. That’s good; that’s true on every team. But when there is such polar disagreement, the coach or the GM or both have to go. It was Rex Ryan’s time anyway, but particularly because the building was so divided.

I'll start:

Quick: Too many drops. This is the NFL.
Saffold: Negative locker room attitude and lack of skills deem him expendable.
Robinson: Too many penalties, poor technique. Unless they can somehow turn him into a guard...
Donnal: Tried to catch him touching someone on a block yesterday but failed after several attempts of watching.
Kendricks: Missed several key blocks yesterday leading to Goff getting plastered. Keep drops throughout the year. Jared Cook in disguise.

Who to name captain:
Hekker

Let's see how well we can keep this organized... we'll try to keep the first post updated.

Thursday Jan-5
Sean McVay

Login to view embedded media
------

Update courtesy of @Merlin

Los Angeles Rams

• John Fassel, interim head coach (Rams): Interviewed
• Harold Goodwin, offensive coordinator (Cardinals): To be interviewed
• Josh McDaniels, offensive coordinator (Patriots): To be interviewed Sat.
• Doug Marrone, interim head coach (Jaguars): To be interviewed
• Anthony Lynn, interim head coach (Bills): To be interviewed
• Matt Patricia, defensive coordinator (Patriots): To be interviewed
• Sean McVay, offensive coordinator (Redskins): Interview requested
• Kyle Shanahan, offensive coordinator (Falcons): To be interviewed
• Steve Wilks, assistant coach/secondary coach, (Panthers): To be interviewed Tuesday
• Teryl Austin, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested

Can someone start a sticky of coaching visits? Not necessarily just for the Rams but league in general. I don't feel like having to go through a dozen separate threads about visits. If we could have one central location for it, that would be a huge time saver.

Per PFT. Any of those names excite you? Patricia is high on my list. Has coached both offense and defense and is a very bright guy. McVay is intruiging as well. If McDaniels or Marrone get hired it will be a huge let down.

Folks are talking about Goff's postgame comments, but the one that stands out for me is Saffold's.

Rams OL Rodger Saffold, on Jared Goff's development: "To me, after having this season, when he told everybody that he's going to do whatever it takes to change it, let's see how these next few months go, and we'll see if he does. We'll see if he does."

WTF?

It might be years until we know the truth but if the players feel Goff sucks, his pep talks sure will generate a lot of rolling eyeballs.

In any case, I can't imagine a scenario where Saffold's comments are OK...

...unless we're talking contract, of course.

But yet another called back TD run? Really? On the QB? Literally never seen that called. EVER!

I've never been the biggest TA fan, but I have to admit the guy has skills. It was a pretty sight to see him turn on those afterburners. His expression after the penalty was priceless.

I hope he busts out next year when a real offense is installed.