-- The Detroit News comfirms that Michigan DC and linebackers coach Jim Herrmann is being wooed by NFL teams. Dallas has been mentioned as one of those teams and I take this story as confirmation. The Star-Telegram reported late last week that TEs coach Paul Pasqualoni would probably remain on offense and that the LB position would be filled by someone outside the organization. There is no word on what other teams might be pursuing Herrmann.
-- Rocky Mountain News columnist Dave Krieger quotes former Broncos RB Terrell Davis, who believes that Denver needs to upgrade its rush line instead of pursuing Terrell Owens. Krieger concurs, pointing out that this year's group of Browns retreads recorded far few sacks than the group they replaced. I'm with you gentlemen. Now, can you convince Mike Shanahan to flip one of his multiple high picks for LaRoi Glover?
-- Let the dismantling begin. Seattle faces some serious offseason personnel decisions. They have several top-tier free agents and probably won't re-sign all of them. Shaun Alexander and Steve Hutchinson top the list, but the guy who could really clean up is DT Rocky Bernard. Twenty six year old defensive tackles who can record 8.5 sacks a season, as Bernard did this past year, don't grow on trees.
-- Let the dismantling begin -- Steelers edition; Pittsburgh could lose its OC in the next few days, as Ken Whisenhunt will be interviewed by Oakland for its head coaching vacancy. Don't expect that to trip up Bill Cowher. He's lost OCs Chan Gailey and Mike Mularkey in recent years and has kept on winning. On the personnel side, WR Antwaan Randle-El appears poised for a major payday, as the Bears, Redskins and Patriots are all interested.
-- One more reason I expect the need at SOLB to be filled in rounds one or two of the draft: the New York Jets will apparently franchise OLB John Abraham again. Abraham would be the top free agent OLB if he were to hit the market. He and the Jets front office have clashed in recent years because the team has franchised him repeatedly. Some Jets observers believe he would be offered to San Diego in exchange for QB Philip Rivers.
Such a move would ensure the Jets will pursue Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson in the draft, if they don't trade down.
Abraham has had durability issues but he could be a fit for Dallas were he to hit the market. Bill Parcells drafted Abraham and needs another rusher to bookend Demarcus Ware. However, the price for Abraham, in picks and/or money, would likely be prohibitive.
-- The Jets moves could impact their division rivals in Miami. The Dolphins will watch the coin flip between the 49ers and Raiders for the sixth draft pick closely, since it could provide the Dolphins with their new quarterback. The Dolphins covet Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler and would pursue a trade with San Francisco should it win the flip, which will be held at this year's draft combine. The 49ers have made it clear they want to trade down and stockpile additional picks. A Raiders win could see them select Cutler.