The NFL owners meetings are ongoing out in Arizona, and as part of that process, each conference's coaches have a breakfast with the media. On Wednesday it was the NFC coaches, and a bunch of them had some interesting stuff to say. Here's a round-up of some choice notes, quotes and anecdotes.
Chip Kelly's team-building talk
Chip says he hasn't received any more calls about Sam Bradford. #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) March 25, 2015
Kelly said McCoy trade was difficult decision. Said the cap money is divided up into Murray, Mathews and Sproles
— Eagles Insider (@EaglesInsider) March 25, 2015
Kelly, on philosophy of not trading up: "More players are better than one player."
— Nick Fierro (@NickFierro) March 25, 2015
Chip notes that Andrew Luck played for Jim Harbaugh but no one expected 49ers to trade up for Luck, and they didn’t.
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) March 25, 2015
Chip says difference in $ paid to O was out of balance compared to D so that's why he went big on Maxwell & didn't budge on Maclin #Eagles
— Ed Kracz (@kracze) March 25, 2015
The point about trading up is interesting because the Eagles under Howie Roseman have traded up in the draft for a whole bunch of players. From 2008 through 2013 alone, the Eagles moved up for Matt Barkley, Fletcher Cox, Marvin McNutt, Brandon Washington, Bryce Brown, Brian Rolle, Brandon Graham, Trevard Lindley, Charles Scott, Jamar Chaney, Jeremy Maclin, Cornelius Ingram and Fenuki Tepuo. Granted, they have also done their fair share of trading down, and trading veterans for extra picks, but a staunch anti-trade up stance would be a change.
Lovie Smith talks Jameis
Love Smith said he's never done so much research on a player as #Bucs have with Jameis Winston.
— John Kryk (@JohnKryk) March 25, 2015
Lovie Smith: “The things he’s done in the past are now OK.” Says if they take Winston, they believe he won’t repeat those mistakes.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 25, 2015
Smith says there may be a letdown in Florida if they don't select Winston. But others would prefer Mariota.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 25, 2015
Smith says its not an erroneous assumption that Jameis Winston will be their pick but the process continues.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) March 25, 2015
Well, then. Jameis has been atop mock drafts for weeks -- he's slotted to Tampa at first overall in all three up on our site -- but this is the first firm, public information from the Bucs that they're leaning that way, though Smith does leave the door open for Marcus Mariota a bit.
Tom Coughlin's comedy hour
Coughlin: Newly signed DT Kenrick Ellis is "a big human. A very big human."
— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) March 25, 2015
Coughlin has an iPhone but only knows how to text. "I don't trust the lady in GPS. Don't trust her."
— Kevin Clark (@KevinClarkWSJ) March 25, 2015
Coughlin said he and Giants did a sociological study on millenials to better understand the generation of players now coming into the NFL.
— Tom Rock (@TomRock_Newsday) March 25, 2015
I love the description of his newest defensive player as "a big human." That's great. And I doubt Coughlin is the only one who doesn't trust to iPhone GPS lady. She's unreliable.
Jason Garrett says things about Greg Hardy
J Garrett says it's Cowboys understanding that G Hardy will be allowed to take part in offseason program & camp regardless of discipline.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 25, 2015
Jason Garrett says he's heard a decision on Greg Hardy's status could come as early as the next couple of weeks. Key word could.
— David Moore (@DavidMooreDMN) March 25, 2015
#Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he had a good conversation with #Panthers Ron Rivera about Hardy on and off the field during meetings.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) March 25, 2015
Interesting too that Garrett said directly to Greg Hardy, "We're not recruiting you" when they brought him in to get to know him.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 25, 2015
Garrett: We don't view (Hardy) as a risk. Evaluated him exhaustively, structured the contract in such a way that they can move on.
— David Helman (@HelmanDC) March 25, 2015
That all lines up with the way the Cowboys structured Hardy's deal. The majority of the money he's due is tied in in per-game roster bonuses, where Hardy's compensation goes up and down depending how many games he spends on the active roster. That protects Dallas in case of a suspension, or if they cut him for performane and/or personal conduct reasons.
Sean Payton discusses Drew Brees
Payton: I saw we were trading Brees to the Jets. You ball that up and throw it away and hope you never see it again.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) March 25, 2015
Payton: Trading for Unger was "absolutely" to help keep Brees cleaner in the pocket.
— Larry Holder (@LarryHolder) March 25, 2015
Basically reiterating what he said on Tuesday, while also allowing that their financially-motivated Jimmy Graham trade had other benefits as well.
Mike Zimmer has thoughts on players
Zimmer on Peterson: "He's under contact and we expect him to honor it."
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 25, 2015
Zimmer says Mike Wallace is a good route runner. Remembers ways #Steelers used him -- bubble screens, reverses, etc. Not just a vertical guy
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 25, 2015
Zimmer: Fans think because of flashy plays Cordarrelle Patterson is just being underused, but truth is he needs to round out his game.
— Conor Orr (@ConorTOrr) March 25, 2015
Zimmer asked about FA CB Terence Newman: “I think it’ll happen.” Why do they want him? “Because he can still play."
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) March 25, 2015
The Peterson questions don't seem like they'll be going away until AP either suits up for a game or gets traded or released. Wallace should definitely help Teddy Bridgewater's vertical passing game, and a Zimmer reunion with Terence Newman could be on the horizon -- the two worked together in both Cincinnati and Dallas. That's some pretty decent shade-throwing at Cordarrelle Patterson, too.
Let's check in with Bruce Arians
Arians on RBs: "We'd like to have a bigger back." Said #AZCardinals looking for big, fast back. Could come in 4th or 5th round.
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) March 25, 2015
BA: I'm not touching any Adrian Peterson question: "I'm not saying jack. You trying to get me fined?"
— Mike Jurecki (@mikejurecki) March 25, 2015
Arians: "If I was in college, I'd run the spread offense (too.)"
— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) March 25, 2015
He should have opened with, "I'm just here so I won't get fined."
Ron Rivera's run-ins and running backs
Ron Rivera says he recently ran into Star Lotulelei at Sam Club's, and he seemed to be moving well (through the aisles, presumably).
— Bryan Strickland (@PanthersBryan) March 25, 2015
Rivera on DeAngelo: "I think he has a lot left. Last year was a diff. year for him b/c he got hurt for the 1st time in his career."
— Joe Person (@josephperson) March 25, 2015
Rivera says he would love to get Stewart 15 or so carries a game and the other one or two backs 10 or more carries. #Panthers
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) March 25, 2015
The Panthers have been trying to use that two-back system for a few years now, but guys (Stewart, in particular) kept getting hurt. We'll see if they can get that going to take some of the pressure off Cam Newton to create offense.
Pete Carroll is over it
Carroll of the SB loss: "I'm way over it, but we still have to answer questions about it and we're prepared to do that."
— Terry Blount (@TerryBlountESPN) March 25, 2015
John Clayton gets even and photo bombs Pete. pic.twitter.com/XvKf3elN7i
— Terry Blount (@TerryBlountESPN) March 25, 2015
Nice work, Clayton. That's dedication.
Injured players are doing great!
Tom Coughlin says Victor Cruz looks good, light and just started running.
— Bart Hubbuch (@BartHubbuch) March 25, 2015
MM said Jordy Nelson had his knee cleaned up after the Pro Bowl. It's a 6-8 week recovery. Expects he'll be fine
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) March 25, 2015
I expect to hear about many more players who are "ahead of schedule" in their rehab progress.
More random notes and quotes
Jeff Fisher on LA situation being a possible distraction for his players "I've had some discussions with the players."
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 25, 2015
Jay Gruden loves Chris culliver's competitiveness. Felt he was one of best corners available after Revis
— John Keim (@john_keim) March 25, 2015
"We want to accentuate what Colin (Kaepernick) does best." - #49ers coach Jim Tomsula pic.twitter.com/NPrXrwruLR
— Paul Gutierrez (@PGutierrezESPN) March 25, 2015
New Falcons coach Dan Quinn plans to use Brooks Reed in coverage, stopping the run and rushing passer.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) March 25, 2015
Caldwell said @Ebron85 has been working hard & having an impressive offseason and he's excited to see him when he gets back in a few weeks.
— Tim Twentyman (@ttwentyman) March 25, 2015
Head coach has talked to players about team-related issue. Head coach thinks new player is a good player. Head coach wants to accentuate quarterback's strengths. Head coach plans to use linebacker to play defense. Head coach says second-year player is working hard.