The Facts:
The Vikings relieved Fred Pagac of his defensive coordinator duties Friday morning but have offered a job to return as linebackers coach, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.
Reported by the St. Paul Pioneer-Press
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The Vikings have not yet been informed whether Pagac, who coached the Vikings linebackers from 2006-10 before assuming the coordinator job last January, will embrace the demotion or look for work elsewhere. Speculation has persisted for weeks about Pagac’s departure after the defense fell to 21st in total defense, 26th in passing defense and 11th in rushing defense, an area in which the team finished in the league’s top two from 2005-09. In the last two weeks, the Vikings have interviewed two candidates to replace Pagac — former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Raheem Morris and Jaguars defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Morris accepted a role as Redskins defensive backs coach after the Vikings didn’t make a formal offer, and Tucker decided to remain Jacksonville’s coordinator under new coach Mike Mularkey. Last week, the Vikings fired defensive line coach Karl Dunbar. Linebackers coach Mike Singletary is believed to be in the mix for the coordinator job. Defensive backs coach Joe Woods is still with the team.
Bowles First To Interview For Raiders HC Opening
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82604325/article/raiders-assure-dolphins-bowles-position-isnt-destined-for-a-packer
Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles was the first person to interview for the Oakland Raiders' head coaching vacancy this weekend, and sources said the session went well. According to league sources, Bowles was assured that the Raiders job is not earmarked for longtime Green Bay Packers assistant coach Winston Moss, who many have linked to the job.
Bowles, who the Dolphins would like to keep as defensive coordinator if not their head coach, has strong ties to new Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie. The Raiders announced the dismissal of coach Hue Jackson on Tuesday, the same day they introduced McKenzie as their GM. Bowles is also a candidate for Minnesota's defensive coordinator position, according to NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora, while Dolphins players have told me they strongly support Bowles to be their head coach. Oakland also wants to interview Packers DC Dom Capers and OC Joe Philbin, according to sources. Philbin, like Bowles, has interviewed for the Miami job.
Packers Unlikely To Use Franchise Tag On Matt Flynn
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/15/packers-dont-plan-to-use-franchise-tag-on-flynn/
Two weeks ago, a stellar, record-setting performance from Flynn sparked speculation that the Packers could use the franchise tag on the free-agent-to-be, in order to prevent him from hitting the open market in March. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Packers are “unlikely” to do so.
Though they have several more weeks to make a final decision, PFT's Mike Florio notes that use of the tag would entail significant risk. The Packers would have to offer Flynn a one-year salary that is expected to be in the range of $14.5 million. That’s $6.5 million more than Aaron Rodgers' base salary for 2012. Also, once the contract is offered to Flynn, he’d surely sign it — making the money fully guaranteed. Then there’s the fact that any team trading for Flynn would have to sign him to long-term deal, with $14.5 million in 2012 serving as the starting point. As Florio suggests, the maneuver probably entails far more risk than G.M. Ted Thompson will be willing to assume.
Cowher Has Turned Down Three NFL Teams
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/gameon/post/2012/01/bill-cowher-has-turned-down-at-least-three-nfl-teams/1?csp=34sports
At least three NFL teams have called Bill Cowher with coaching offers this season, but he sounds like a man who has little interest in leaving the comfort of his chair at CBS for the harsh realities of the sideline.
Cower was on the Dan Patrick Show today and, with Bonnie Bernstein subbing as host, was asked whether his coaching offers were over or under two. Cowher laughed, then said, "Oh, it's over," while not specifying which teams were interested. As for coming back after a five-season hiatus from the coaching ranks as an analyst for CBS, Cowher added: "I don't know if I've ever been that ready, honestly. ... Let me tell you, if there's any doubt, then there's no doubt you're not ready to come back. You have to be all in to take that job. ..." Given his current circumstances, it would seem Cowher at the very least has the luxury of waiting for exactly the right position to open before jumping into the fray. Perhaps when Tom Coughlin's run with the Giants ends? We shall see.
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