National Football Post Tavern Talk

FIVE THINGS I KNOW….

1.     I know that, barring some amazing healing, LT won’t be able to play this week against the Steelers.  The running game, along with the Chargers’ future, lies in the hands of running back Darren Sproles. 

2.     I know that the Seattle defensive staff is in limbo and has been told to look for work.  Dwain Board, the Seahawks’ defensive line coach, has left the team.  Many more changes are coming. 

3.     I know that Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, who was stripped of his play-calling duties by Tom Cable, will be in Seattle next week once his current contract expires. 

4.     I know that Bill Johnson, the Broncos’ defensive line coach, is scheduled to meet with the Saints, Seahawks and Packers this week.   And his meeting with the Packers will center on the 3-4.  Going back and forth between the 3-4 and the 4-3 is not hard to do if you have someone who can play over center, and the Packers do in Ryan Pickett. 

5.     I know if Jason Garrett gets the head coaching job in Denver, he wants Dom Capers of the Patriots, and formerly of the Dolphins, as his defensive coordinator. 

FIVE THINGS I HEAR….

1.    I hear that some Jets employees are calling Randy Lerner of the Browns to recommend Eric Mangini.  The longer this goes on, the more worried Mangini should be that Lerner is interviewing other people.  There are rumblings that other coaches are being called for interviews. 

2.     I hear the Packers are committed to becoming a 3-4 defense. This must mean Mike Nolan is coming on board very soon. 

3.     I hear the Lions are looking to talk with Atlanta offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey about becoming their head coach.  This might be good news since all the good young quarterbacks -- Matthew Stafford of Georgia, Josh Freeman of Kansas State and Sam Bradford of Oklahoma -- will soon declare for the NFL Draft. 

4.     I hear the Eagles are not going to stand in the way if Tom Heckert is able to convince Randy Lerner that he should be the Browns’ general manager. 

5.     I hear the Raiders are just getting started on their coaching search, and many people in and out of the NFL feel that this is Tom Cable’s job.  I happen to agree. 

*I will be appearing on “Inside The NFL” on Showtime tonight at 9:00pm eastern.

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