1. The No Spin Zone. The money being discussed for NFL coaches has folks all riled up.
It started with Jon Gruden’s $100 million deal to come out of the television booth to coach the Raiders.
Last year, Matt Rhule’s $60 million deal with Carolina was a jaw-dropper.
Now, the rumored $80 million to $100 million deal for Urban Meyer is not setting well with more than a few folks around the NFL.
An NFL longtimer was asked whether $80 million from the Falcons would be enough to get Tony Dungy out of the TV booth. He believes that Dungy would leap at such a deal.
Gruden is only five games over .500 (119-114) over his career. Dungy’s career record is 148-79. What’s he worth?
Why not Tony Dungy?
Meyer has never coached a down in the NFL, but was successful at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State. Rhule resurrected programs at Baylor and Temple and was attractive to the Panthers.
If the Falcons offered Dungy, who’s 65, $80 million to $100 million, would Dungy come back and coach? Dungy is a proven leader and winner.
Dungy has been the greatest advocate of all-time for Black coaches. When Michael Vick was nuclear and off-limits as a federal prisoner, Dungy went to bat for him and helped him get back in the NFL.
Dungy’s love for players and people would be a good fit.
Why not Tony Dungy?
2. GM finalists. Former Houston general manager Rick Smith, Rams director of college scouting Brady Holmes and Saints vice president/assistant general manager–pro personnel Terry Fontenot are finalists for the Falcons’ vacant general manager’s position, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The Falcons, who fired Thomas Dimitroff on Oct. 11, have interviewed five GM candidates.
In addition to Smith, Fontenot and Holmes, the Falcons interviewed director of college scouting Anthony Robinson and Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown.
3. Cannon lauded. AMB Sports and Entertainment CEO Steve Cannon was named a finalist for the USAA 10th annual Salute to Service Award.
Cannon was selected for their exceptional efforts to honor and support members of the military community. The Salute to Service Award recipient will be recognized at NFL Honors, a prime-time awards special to air nationally the Saturday before Super Bowl LV.
4. Position by position: Correspondent Jason Butt is doing our position-by-position review of the 2020 Falcons, who finished 4-12, with a peek ahead to with the new coach and general manager may have to work with.
We started with the secondary and the linebackers.
5. Schaub rides off into sunset. Falcons quarterback Matt Schaub is easing into his retirement. We caught up with him and discussed his 17-year career in the NFL.
6. Quinn to Cowboys. Former Falcons coach Dan Quinn was hired as the Cowboys defensive coordinator Monday.
7. HC candidates: Here’s a link to all of the head coaching candidates. Don’t put much stock into those Fontenot and Joe Brady reports. They both have spent time with the Saints, but are not necessarily connected at the hip.
8. Lawrence signs with Excel Sports Management: Former Cartersville High and Clemson standout Trevor Lawrence, who’s projected to be the top pick in the upcoming NFL draft, signed with Excel Sports Management.
9. Falcons’ 2021 draft position
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
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