NFL Player News

With the promotion of Hue Jackson to offensive coordinator in Cincinnati, the official team website surmises that Andy Dalton won't throw as much as he did under former playcaller Jay Gruden, now in Washington. 

According to the site, "less is more" with Jackson. That suggests he'll ask for Dalton to throw around 25 times per game, something that worked out nicely for the world champion Seahawks in 2013. That's a big drop for Dalton, who averaged 36.6 pass attempts per game in 2013 including six games with 40-plus attempts. The Bengals were 2-4 in those games, 9-1 otherwise. 

The team might also add some over-the-middle throws to Dalton's arsenal as the previous playcaller asked Dalton to throw outside more often. 

New Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi believes that Matthew Stafford has the makings of a great quarterback but admitted that he needs help with his footwork in order to become a more effective passer. Speaking at a press conference Friday, Lombardi said he watched all of Stafford's interceptions and walked away knowing he's not an interception machine but rather a guy who just needs to work on his technique. 

"Every quarterback can tighten up his footwork," Lombardi said. 

Stafford had 19 interceptions last year and 51 total over the last three seasons. His completion percentage has dropped over each of the last three seasons as well. 

New Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan praised incumbent starting quarterback Brian Hoyer but stopped well short of saying Hoyer would start in 2014, reports ESPNCleveland.com. Cleveland is expected to draft a quarterback early.

“I think Brian’s a very capable guy,” Shanahan said. “Everyone’s looking for one of those top five guys. If you’re not one of those top five guys, then odds are you’re trying to get replaced. Obviously, no one here has proven they are one of those top five guys.

“But he has shown he can play in this league," Shanahan continued. "You’ve got to see what his ceiling is and how high a level he can reach. Everyone wants a franchise quarterback. I truly believe that’s the only way to have sustained success in this league. I’m not saying he is. But he hasn’t shown that he can’t be. So I’m looking forward to studying him more. It’s nice to be in this building so I can look at a lot of practice tape, also.”

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told the media Wednesday that everything Russell Wilson did this season was within expectations and that even though he left yards on the field, he was still a very effective quarterback. He followed it up by saying he wants more from Wilson starting in 2014. 

"[W]e go into this offseason with my hopes are that he is really going to take another big step forward," Carroll said of Wilson according to the Seattle Times. 

Wilson finished the regualr season with 3,357 passing yards and 26 touchdowns with only nine interceptions, tacking on 539 rush yards and a rushing score. He added 524 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptiions in the playoffs along with 42 rush yards. 

Aaron Rodgers expects a smooth transition with Alex Van Pelt replacing Ben McAdoo as Packers quarterbacks coach. Van Pelt, a former quarterback, coached Green Bay's running backs the past two seasons.

"As far as Alex is concerned, him and I have been good buddies from his first day here,” Rodgers said on ESPN 540 Milwaukee. 

Rodgers added he's heard good things about Van Pelt and that "Alex gets the game. He played the position and if he’s the guy, I know it’s going to be a really smooth transition, and we’d have a lot of fun together.”

McAdoo left to become the Giants' offensive coordinator.

Although new Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan "really likes" quarterback Kirk Cousins, Cleveland is unlikely to trade for the Redskins' backup, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Washington general manager Bruce Allen said this week that he expects Cousins to be with the Redskins in 2014.

Redskins general manager Bruce Allen refuted an ESPN report that backup quarterback Kirk Cousins has asked for a trade and said he expects Cousins to be with the team this fall, reports the Washington Times. "There's no change from our perspective on Kirk," Allen told the paper. "That's it. We're comfortable with Kirk."

Of course, the situation could change if Washington gets a good offer for Cousins. New coach Jay Gruden has declared Robert Griffin III his starting quarterback.

An NFL executive told ESPN.com that Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins could start for some teams and that Washington might be able to acquire a second- or third-round draft pick for him. Cousins, who has no chance of unseating Robert Griffin III, has said he'd welcome a trade.

A day after it appeared Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson was going to carry through on making an appearance at spring training with the Rangers, it's now a lot less a sure thing, according to ESPN. Wilson's agent, Mark Rodgers, confirmed in a text message Tuesday that his client's schedule was "too fluid to commit to anything" at this time.

"I know he was honored to be drafted by the Rangers, but there is no pressure or obligation to report," Rodgers said. "Ideally, people will allow Russell to enjoy the Super Bowl victory and relish in that accomplishment before making any firm commitments for the offseason."

The Rangers are echoing similar sentiments. General manager Jon Daniels said Monday he hasn't reached out to Rodgers or Wilson, preferring to give Wilson "time to enjoy the 'W'."

"We'll connect when he comes up for air," Daniels said.

After he was selected in December's Rule 5 draft from the Rockies, Wilson expressed interest about joining the Rangers in spring training.

"I'm sure I'll go down there for spring training and just talk to some of their players and hang out some," Wilson said in December. "It'll be kinda cool. But that's down the road."

New Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan "loves" Redskins backup quarterback Kirk Cousins, reports ESPN's Chris Mortensen. Cousins has indicated he wants a shot to start, so the teams could start talking trade.

It's unclear how much Washington would demand for Cousins, who threw for 747 yards and four touchdowns with five interceptions in the final three games last season.