Chiefs hiring Steve Spagnuolo as defensive coordinator

Steve Spagnuolo
photo courtesy: Associated Press

Just two days after firing Bob Sutton, the Chiefs have filled their vacant defensive coordinator position.

According to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, the Chiefs are hiring Steve Spagnuolo as their next defensive coordinator.

Spagnuolo started his coaching career as linebackers and defensive backs coach with the Eagles in 1999. In 2007 he became the defensive coordinator with the Giants. He became the Rams head coach in 2009 and lasted three seasons finishing with a 10-38 record during his tenure. He would go on to become the Saints defensive coordinator in 2012 where he lasted just one season. Spagnuolo became the Ravens senior defensive assistant in 2013 and was promoted to assistant head coach/secondary coach in 2014. He returned to the Giants in 2015 as the defensive coordinator and lasted two seasons before being fired in 2017.

Spagnuolo will be reunited with head coach Andy Reid in Kansas City with whom he coached under in Philadelphia.

Championship Sunday Predictions

NFC Championship

Los Angeles Rams (14-3) vs. New Orleans Saints (14-3)

In their one regular season matchup this year, the Saints outscored the Rams 45-35. These are two high octane offenses finishing the season ranked fourth and eighth respectively. While both teams can easily run up the score, it will be the team that can capitalize on turnovers that will ultimately win the game. Rams and Saints both finished in the middle of the pack on defense so this will be a big test for both these teams. Ultimately the Saints have home field advantage and a slightly better defense with a team ready to give bring Brees his next lock on the Hall of Fame so I expect the Saints to get the win.

Prediction: Saints

AFC Championship

New England Patriots (12-5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (13-4)

In their one regular season matchup the Patriots beat the Chiefs in the final seconds of regulation 43-40. Since that time both teams have overcome the loss of key pieces of their offense and still finished within the top five. Patriots defense finished the season ranked 21st and the Chiefs defense finished the season ranked 31st, but both teams defenses stepped up big last week in their divisional round matchups. With weak defenses this should be a high scoring affair and despite having the disadvantage of playing on the road, the playoff experience of Tom Brady and the Patriots will be too much for the Chiefs to overcome.

Prediction: Patriots

Despite lack of minority hires in 2019, the future looks promising with strengthened "Rooney Rule"

Brian Flores
photo courtesy: Associated Press

The 2019 coaching cycle has concluded and much to the chagrin of many, only one new minority head coach was hired. This is after the termination of five at the end of the 2018 season leaving the league with just four minority head coaches and one minority general manager entering into the 2019 offseason.

As disappointing as this outcome has been, the Fritz Pollard Alliance has seen promise in how the latest rounds of interviews have gone. I spoke with Jeremi Duru, counsel for the Fritz Pollard Alliance, and we spoke about the history of the "Rooney Rule", how it was strengthened after last season and what the future should bring for minority candidates in this league.

The "Rooney Rule" was established in 2003 to ensure minority coaches would be considered for high level coaching positions. In 2009, the rule was expanded to include front office personnel including general managers. While the rule doesn't stipulate that a team has to hire a minority head coach or general manager, they must at least interview minority candidates for vacant positions. The rule has had success, but still some controversies have arose. 

In January 2018, the Oakland Raiders hired Jon Gruden as their head coach after firing Jack Del Rio in December 2017. This hiring wasn't without massive controversy. Mark Davis had already met with Gruden in December and knew Gruden was interested in returning to coaching in Oakland. To circumvent the "Rooney Rule", Davis had then general manager Reggie McKenzie interview two minority coaches who were not qualified to take over as a head coach in the NFL. Shortly after the Raiders announced their hiring of Gruden as head coach. Immediately the Fritz Pollard Alliance contested to the NFL who conducted an investigation and concluded that there was no violation.

According to Duru, in February 2018 at the NFL Scouting Combine, the Alliance met with the NFL and worked out stronger guidelines in the application of the "Rooney Rule." The newly strengthened rule now states that the owner must be the principle decision maker in the process and that teams must interview coaches outside their own organization. Also the commissioner will be more involved in the process to ensure the rules are followed accordingly.

While Brian Flores was the only minority coach to be offered a head coach position, every team abided by the rules and interviewed two people of color for their open positions. Despite this effort Duru believes more needs to be done to give minority candidates an opportunity to be a head coach in the league.

"The league needs to build up the pipeline of minority coaches," Duru stated, "More need to be brought in at the earliest levels of quality control especially on the offensive side of the ball so more of them can build up the resume that will allow them to be good candidates to take over the head coaching duties of a franchise someday." 

Duru also believes the league should continue its career development symposium to help aspiring minority candidates know what teams are looking for in future coaches and general managers as well as provide a mentorship with current and former minority head coaches and general managers to help develop prospects into hireable contenders for openings. 

Despite the disappointment of this offseason, Duru is hopeful for the 2020 season. "I believe (Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator) Eric Bieniemy will be a head coach somewhere next season. So will (Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach) Kris Richard."

Time will tell what the future will hold for minority candidates, but there is renewed promise of a brighter future. 

Divisional Round Playoff Predictions

Indianapolis Colts (11-6) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4)

Colts come in off a win last week over the Texans. Andrew Luck finished the season with over 4,500 passing yards and 39 touchdowns removing all doubt that he was fully recovered from the shoulder injury that kept him out of football in 2017.  The team also rallied around him this year with the offense finishing 7th overall and the defense finishing 11th overall and making an impressive run into the playoffs and over division rival Texans.

Chiefs come in off a bye last week.Patrick Mahomes finished the season with over 5,000 passing yards and 50 touchdowns removing any doubts of his ability to lead this team. The offense finished No. 1 overall under Mahomes and a solid running game while the paltry defense finished 31st and remained their biggest issue all season.

Chiefs lack of a strong defense means they will have to run up the score in order to win. With Malik Hooker questionable for the matchup this should be a simple task for the team to do.

Prediction Chiefs


Dallas Cowboys (11-6) vs. Los Angeles Rams (13-3)

Cowboys come in off a win last week over the Seahawks. Dak Prescott finished the season with 3,885 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns and six rushing touchdowns. The offense greatly improved with the addition of Amari Cooper midway through the season allowing them to open up their passing game and not rely as heavily on Ezekiel Elliott. Rookie sensation Leighton Vander Esch helped to lead the team's defense to a 7th overall finish.

Rams come in off a bye last week. Jared Goff finished the season with over 4,600 yards and 32 touchdowns. Despite having the likes of Donald, Suh and Fowler, the team's defense finished a disappointing 19th which was the biggest factor in their three losses. The offense did finish 2nd overall and had some great shootouts this season.

Cowboys are sneaky good and could pull out the win on the strength of their defense, but if Gurley is healthy  and Talib is back at full strength the Rams will be hard to beat at home.

Prediction: Rams


Los Angeles Chargers (13-4) vs. New England Patriots (11-5)

Chargers come in off a win last week over the Ravens. Philip Rivers finished the season with over 4,300 yards and 32 touchdowns. Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram helped the team finish No. 9 overall and helped hold them to just four losses all season. The offense finished No. 11 overall and behind the legs of Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler put the team in the playoffs for the first time since 2013. This team flew under the radar while piling up wins all season.

Patriots come in off a bye last week.Tom Brady finished the season with 4,355 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. His offense complimented him well finished 5th overall behind he play of Sony Michel and Julian Edelman. His lackluster defense finished just 21st overall but scored enough of the big plays when needed to help the team finish with No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

Chargers have the most equally balanced team entering the playoffs but the Patriots play on another level when entering the post season. They will be nearly impossible to beat especially at home.

Prediction Patriots


Philadelphia Eagles (10-7) vs. New Orleans Saints (13-3)

Eagles come in off a win last week over the Bears. Carson Wentz will still be out so Foles will continue the team's journey through the playoffs. The team was plagued with crushing injuries from early in the season which hurt the offense the most. They finished 14th in total offense with a constant rotation of running backs after the loss of Jay Ajayi. The defense finished 23rd but came through last week to lead the team to an impressive win.

Saints come in off a bye last week. Drew Brees finished the season with 3,992 passing yards and 32 touchdowns with just five interceptions. This offense was incredibly impressive finishing in the top 10 with the best one, two punch in the running game behind Kamara and Ingram. The defense finished 14th overall but the team's ability to outscore opponents rarely made the defensive woes an issue.

Saints only lost two games at home all season with one game in Week 17 when the team rested most of their starters. They are a tough competitor in the Super Dome and though the Eagles will put up a great fight with Foles, Saints ultimately will defend their home and get the win.

Prediction: Saints

Jets hiring Adam Gase as next head coach

Photo Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

One more domino has fallen in the head coaching search of 2019. 

ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington report that the Jets are hiring former Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. 

Gase began his NFL career in 2003 as a scouting assistant with the Detroit Lions. He was offensive assistant in 2005 and became offensive quality control in 2006. In 2007 he became the Lions quarterbacks coach. In 2008 Gase became offensive assistant coach under Mike Martz in San Francisco. He became the offensive coordinator under John Fox in Denver in 2013 working with Peyton Manning during his record breaking passing season. After Fox parted ways with the Broncos he brought Gase on as his offensive coordinator with the Bears. The Dolphins would hire Gase as their head coach in 2016 where he would amass a 23-25 record over his three seasons leading the team.

With the hiring of Gase only the Bengals and Dolphins remain without a head coach.

Former Cardinals safety Kwamie Lassiter dies

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

Cardinals announced on Sunday the death of former safety Kwamie Lassiter.

Lassiter suffered a heart attack while working out. He was 49 years old.

Lassiter played 10 years in the NFL, eight with the Cardinals. In 1998 he made eight interceptions to help propel the Cardinals into the playoffs for the first time since moving to Arizona in 1987. In 1999 he made nine interceptions and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate.

Lassiter finished his career with 416 solo tackles, four sacks, six forced fumbles and 25 interceptions including two pick sixes.

Domestic violence charges dropped against Reuben Foster

Photo Courtesy: Associated Press

Washington Redskins linebacker Reuben Foster has once against had charges against him dropped.

Florida States Attorney's office dropped a misdemeanor domestic violence charge against Foster on Thursday.

Charges stemmed from a November 24 incident involving Foster's ex-girlfriend in a Tampa area hotel the night before his then team, the 49ers, played the Buccaneers.

Prosecutors concluded their was insufficient evidence to file charges against Foster.

Foster remains on the Commissioner's Exempt list. The case is still under investigation by the NFL with a potential suspension still looming. 

Wild Card Weekend Predictions

Indianapolis Colts (10-6) vs.  Houston Texans (11-5)

Colts come in off a win last week over the Titans. Andrew Luck completed 24/35 for 285 yards three touchdowns and one interception. Marlon Mack rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown. Dontrelle Inman made five receptions for 77 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored two interceptions and finished the regular season ranked No. 11.

Texans come in off a win last week over the Jaguars. Deshaun Watson completed 25/35 for 234 yards and one rushing touchdown. Lamar Miller rushed for 56 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown
DeAndre Hopkins made 12 receptions for 147 yards. The defense scored three sacks and one interception and finished the regular season ranked No. 12.

Colts lead the series 26-8 but Texans have been on an impressive roll this season under a healthy Watson and will get the win at home.

Prediction: Texans


Seattle Seahawks (10-6) vs. Dallas Cowboys (10-6)

Seahawks come in off a win last week over the Cardinals. Russell Wilson completed 12/21 for 152 yards one touchdown and one interception. Chris Carson rushed for 122 yards on 19 carries and one touchdown. Tyler Lockett made two receptions for 66 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored five sacks and finished the regular season ranked No. 16.

Cowboys come in off a win last week over the Giants. Dak Prescott completed 27/44 for 387 yards and four touchdowns. Blake Jarwin made seven receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Cole Beasley made six receptions for 94 yards and one touchdown. The defense managed one sack and one interception and completed the regular season ranked No. 7. Ezekiel Elliott was out for the final game but will return for the Wild Card game on Saturday.

Cowboys lead the series 10-9 but Seahawks have shown a resilience and no quit attitude especially on their defense this season and will get the win on Saturday.

Prediction: Seahawks


Los Angeles Chargers (12-4) vs. Baltimore Ravens (10-6)

Chargers come in off a win last week over the Broncos. Philip Rivers completed 14/24 for 176 yards one touchdown and two interceptions. Mike Williams made five receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown. Austin Ekeler rushed for 58 yards on eight carries and one touchdown. The defense scored one sack and one interception and finished the regular season No. 9. Melvin Gordon left last week's game early with an injury but is expected to play on Sunday.

Ravens come in off a win last week over the Browns.  Lamar Jackson completed 14/24 for 179 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Kenneth Dixon rushed for 117 yards on 12 carries. The defense scored three sacks and finished the regular season ranked No. 1.

Ravens lead the series 7-5 and with the speed and elusiveness of Jackson combined with the most crushing defense in the league will get the win at home on Sunday.

Prediction: Ravens


Philadelphia Eagles (9-7) vs. Chicago Bears (12-4)

Eagles come in off a win last week over the Redskins. Nick Foles completed 28/33 for 221 yards two touchdowns and one interception. Nelson Agholor made five receptions for 40 yards and two touchdowns. Alshon Jeffery mde five receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and one interception and finished the regular season ranked No. 23.

Bears come in off a win last week over the Vikings. Mitch Trubisky completed 18/26 for 163 yards.
Jordan Howard rushed for 109 yards on 21 carries and two touchdowns. Tarik Cohen rushed for one touchdown. The defense scored four sacks and finished the regular season ranked No. 3.

Bears lead the series 29-14-1 and under one of the toughest most dominating defenses will get the win on Sunday.

Prediction: Bears

Remembering Darrent Williams

photo courtesy: Associated Press

The Broncos have been my first football love since I was a little girl. I have been through the highest highs and the lowest lows with them. While Super Bowl losses have been heartbreaking, no loss has been more tragic as the loss of Darrent Williams.

After Elway's retirement, the team went through some serious peaks and valleys for many years and finally seemed to have found their way under Jake Plummer. During this time the team's biggest defensive asset was cornerback Champ Bailey. Bailey was a true shutdown corner who was a consistent threat in the passing game. Teams however figured out that they just needed to throw away from Bailey to keep plays going. All that changed in 2005.

In 2005 the Broncos drafted Darrent Williams in the second round. Williams was a stand out star at Oklahoma State. He finished his college career with 11 career interceptions and nine touchdowns on return.  His presence was welcome in a secondary in need of help on the other side of Bailey. Williams would not disappoint. In Week 10 of just his first season in the league, Williams scored his first pick six. He finished the season with 58 tackles and two interceptions and was named first team All-Rookie by Pro Football Weekly. The kid was a dynamo with immense capability and huge potential.

In his second season with the Broncos, Williams picked up where he left off. In 15 games he racked up 86 tackles and four interceptions as well as serving as the team's primary punt and kick returner. The future looked very promising for Williams and for the Broncos.

Sadly, all that promise would disappear in an instant. On January 1, 2007, Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting just a mere 12 hours after playing in the team's final game of the season. The loss had a deep and profound impact on his teammates, the city and the fans. I cried as though I had lost a close family member when I learned of his death.

Williams was notable for his great smile and his amazing braided mohawk. He was short in stature but big on ability, drive and determination. He was competitive as hell on the field but a likable guy off the field. He was beloved by his teammates, the media and the fans near and far. Williams had that same spark that made me love Elway back when he first stepped on the field. He had enormous flair but moreover he had tremendous heart. With Williams on the other side of Bailey, there's no telling how far this team could have gotten. Sadly we'll never know. It would take years for the team to overcome the loss of such a colossal young talent.

Darrent Williams is remembered fondly now in Denver. An annual award is given to a Broncos player who best exemplifies Williams' "enthusiasm, cooperation and honesty when dealing with the press." Chris Harris won the award this past season. His infectious smile is not that different than Williams' was back in 2005. Williams time may have been short, but his love of the game and his sweet, kind, personable nature will never be forgotten.