BSJ Daily Briefing 01.10.18: Catching up on some NFL news

Jan 10, 2018 • 2:49 am

Good morning!

A few random thoughts on recent NFL news while we enjoy the Patriots' second bye week...

The offseason just started for many teams and we already have the worst possible quote:

Landon Collins on Bill Belichick: “The way he runs his organization, I’ve been through that process. I don’t like it. It’s too strict. …. He’s a great winner, he’s a great coach. I don’t know if [his style] is what the organization really wants." https://t.co/CpBAB9UDFV #giants

— Zach Braziller (@NYPost_Brazille) January 9, 2018

News broke at 2:30 a.m. that the Seahawks fired OC Darrell Bevell. Not all that surprising given the state of the Seattle offense, and OL coach Tom Cable shouldn't be far behind. Shows you how things change quickly in the NFL. Wasn't all that long ago when Bevell was drawing interest for head coaching jobs. Will be interesting to see which direction Pete Carroll goes. Obviously, they will build around Russell Wilson.

The Packers will name former Browns head coach and Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as defensive coordinator. This is a fantastic hire by Mike McCarthy, who has long been seeking an attacking coach on that side of the ball. He thought he had one in Dom Capers, but McCarthy was mistaken. Pettine is a coach for today's game. He's like getting Rex Ryan without the baggage, although Pettine is very media friendly. I've long been impressed with him. Should be a good fit there.

The Ravens promoted Wink Martindale to defensive coordinator to replace the retiring Dean Pees. Not sure why a Chuck Pagano return didn't work there. The defense isn't the Ravens' problem. Retaining offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg is.

Good moves by the Chargers to retain Ken Whisenhunt and Gus Bradley, and the Bears with Vic Fangio (which should happen).

Kind of surprised the Panthers parted ways with offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who I thought did a nice job coordinating a multiple attack. I do think Cam Newton needs a lot tougher coaching — his mechanics have regressed — and perhaps the rumored choice of Norv Turner can correct that.

The Bears hiring Chiefs OC Matt Nagy as head coach is typical of the NFL copycat mindset. The Rams Sean McVay is the hottest thing going, so owners think that's the way to go. Nagy is very green, but so was McVay, who will be more challenged in Year 2 as the Rams deal with success.