Wednesday, January 2
Jets might keep Pennington
Chad Pennington | Jets
Chad Pennington's midseason demotion, coupled with his ambiguous comments about his future, has fueled rampant speculation in recent weeks that he will be traded or released.
But don't throw away those No. 10 jerseys just yet. As the Jets embark on what figures to be an eventful offseason, the organization is leaning heavily toward retaining Pennington, the New York Daily News reported. Pennington is signed through 2011 and, although his 2008 salary ($4.8 million) is steep for a potential backup, the club is prepared to keep him, presumably to battle Kellen Clemens next training camp.
Eric Mangini declined Monday to tip his hand on the all-important quarterback decision, except to say he's not ready to anoint Clemens the undisputed starter for 2008, as he did a year ago for Pennington.
Miami Dolphins
Crennel in Dolphins' mix?
Don't discount Romeo Crennel as a long-shot candidate for the Dolphins, writes John Clayton. Even though Crennel is under contract for two more seasons in Cleveland, he's at a juncture where he needs to know where he stands. A contract extension would be one way to give him some support.
For Bill Parcells to bring him to Miami, the Dolphins would have to work out draft-choice compensation. The Browns had a great season. They went 10-6 and Crennel has the full support of his players. He is so popular among his players, it would be hard for ownership to explain to the players why their coach was traded. With Parcells possibly interested, Crennel is in a good position to find out where he stands in Cleveland.
Walker moving on?
Javon Walker | Broncos
Walker wants out of Denver, and Mike Shanahan will probably accommodate his trade demand, writes John Clayton. Shanahan will feel good about having Brandon Marshall and Brandon Stokley as the Broncos' starting receivers. He could use the draft to develop a third receiver.
Tuesday, January 1
Atlanta Falcons
Coaching search intensifies
Falcons owner Arthur Blank is intrigued by 49ers assistant Mike Singletary as a head coach candidate, and the Falcons will ask permission to interview Cowboys offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan this week, Chris Mortensen reports.
But the sleeper may be Colts assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, who will get huge endorsements from Peyton Manning and Tony Dungy. Dungy got his first job from then-Bucs GM Rich McKay, who has been offered an extension by Blank to remain as the Falcons' team president and lead the search for a new football ops boss and coach. Of course, if Dungy should retire -- he has called himself year-to-year -- then Caldwell would be his likely successor in Indy.
Anderson available?
Derek Anderson | Browns
Needing to fill many holes, especially on a defense that struggled with injuries all season, the Browns will listen to offers for Anderson, who passed for 3,787 yards and 29 touchdowns this season but also had 19 interceptions.
"If anybody is interested in him, we'll just have to see how it goes," Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said. "Sometimes people can make you an offer and you can say, 'No, I think I'm going to stay with what I got.' Sometimes they make you an offer and you say, 'Oooohhh.'"
The Cleveland Plain Dealer, citing an unnamed source, reported on Jan. 1 that the Browns' current plan is for Anderson to be on the 2008 roster.
Bills dangling Losman?
J.P. Losman | Bills
Because the pool of free-agent quarterbacks is hardly impressive, the Bills might be able to generate interest in former starter Losman on the trade market, writes Len Pasquarelli.
The Bills' first-round pick in the 2004 draft, Losman regressed this season, demonstrating questionable decision-making before he lost his job to Trent Edwards. But the four-year veteran still has upside; he'll turn 27 in the spring, right about the time the offseason trade moratorium ends. Losman is athletic, has a pretty strong arm and made strides in 2006, when he started 16 games.