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NFL Journal: Broncos long snapper Casey Kreiter’s first Week an “amazing” experience By Ryan O’Halloran The Denver Post January 26, 2019

Nearly everything about the Pro Bowl is different than a regular season game, and Broncos long snapper Casey Kreiter provided one clear example following the AFC’s walk-through Friday.

“Von (Miller) is the back-up guard on our team,” Kreiter said. “Did I ever think I would have Von Miller next to me on the punt team? No. That will be a lot of fun if it happens.”

Kreiter has been having a lot of fun during his first Pro Bowl experience, which concludes with the game Sunday in Orlando. He was chosen by Chargers coach and special teams coach George Stewart to serve as the long snapper.

“It’s been amazing,” Kreiter said. “On top of the just the huge honor of being selected by the Chargers coaching staff, it’s been fun to have my family here and be with some of the best football players in the league.”

The Kreiter Cheering Section will include his wife, son, parents, sister, and in-laws Sunday.

Asked if this was the culmination of his best season, Kreiter said: “With kind of everything we dealt with, switching punters and working with a new holder, I think I had a great year. I think I’ve built on every single year since I started there and hopefully I’ll continue to build.”

The Broncos signed /holder Marquette King in the offseason but he lasted all of four games before Casey Wadman was signed to handle both duties.

Kreiter, 28, has been with the Broncos since 2016 and becomes a restricted free agent in March. Re- signing Kreiter should be one of ’s easier moves.

“I love Denver,” Kreiter said. “I love being there. We’ll start (talking contract) here (soon), I hope. I want to be a part of the solution and I would love to play in Denver my whole career.”

Special teams rankings. In the 39th edition of his annual special teams rankings, veteran pro football writer Rick Gosselin ranked the Broncos 24th in an average of 22 kicking game categories. The were first and Green Bay was last.

The Broncos were last in punt returns (4.4 yards), tied for first in extra point percentage (no misses) and tied for second in blocked kicks (four). The Broncos were 31st last year in Gosselin’s rankings.

Good suggestion. Loyal reader Frank passed along a good suggestion after the Broncos hired Chris Kuper as assistant offensive line coach: Sign Ja’Wuan James to play right tackle.

Kuper was on Miami’s coaching staff for four of James’ five years with the Dolphins. Current Broncos right tackle Jared Veldheer is a free agent.

James, a first-round draft pick (No. 19 overall) in 2013, is 26 years old and has 62 games of starting experience.

Around the NFL

Book shelf. “Blood, Sweat And Chalk: The Ultimate Football Playbook. How the Great Coaches Build Today’s Game.” Written in 2010 by Tim Layden of Sports Illustrated, this has a permanent place on our bookshelf for frequent reference. Each of the 22 chapters focuses on an innovative scheme or play, including the wishbone, ’s passing system, zone blocking, BYU’s ‘Air Raid’ (now common), the Cover Two and the zone blitz. A very educational book.

Revisiting reviews. The missed pass interference call against the Rams in their win last week over has created the predictable noise about reviewing penalty calls (or non-calls). This could be an easy fix. Make one penalty — pass interference — reviewable. It falls under the same umbrella as the other challenges. Dispute a pass interference penalty and lose, you lose a timeout. Period. If it is limited to that single type of penalty, it is unlikely to slow the game down. That nobody from the NFL office, chiefly officiating czar Al Riveron, has spoken publicly about the botched call is a mistake.

Allen still tone deaf. Redskins president Bruce Allen talked with Washington-area reporters between practices Tuesday, his first interview availability since the summer of 2017. It was not surprising he came off as tone deaf. “We’re in the middle of the pack and we’ve been in the middle of the pack the last three seasons,” Allen said. “It means you’re close.” No, it doesn’t mean you’re close. It means the Redskins are delusional as usual in believing they are on the cusp of contending. Allen, on the job since December 2009, has not won a playoff game with the Redskins. The organization as a whole has been chasing its tail since general manager Scot McCloughan was fired in March 2017. Three assistant coaches have left the Redskins this month in lateral moves.

Reid, Spags reunite. Chiefs coach fired Bob Sutton two days after losing to New England in the AFC title game. He turned to a familiar face — , who worked for Reid in Philadelphia from 1999-2006. It could represent a philosophical shift for Reid. Spagnuolo comes from a 4-3 scheme tree and the Chiefs have run a 3-4 the last several years.

Mayock on Carr. New Raiders general talked to Bay Area reporters during Senior Bowl Week. The Raiders traded and receiver this season and coach is famous (or infamous) for always wanting to find the next option at . Asked about Carr, Mayock said: “We have to do a better job of protecting him and giving him weapons. … We need to get more speed on offense. We need to be more dynamic. , at this point, is kind of the least of our problems.” Not exactly a guarantee Carr will return, but also a hint that it will take a mountain of assets to acquire him.

Vic Fangio to change coaching perspective from box to Broncos sideline By Kyle Fredrickson The Denver Post January 26, 2019

Vic Fangio’s promotion from NFL defensive coordinator to comes with one big downside.

His game day view alongside players, while closer to the action, presents a limited range of sight.

“In many ways, the worst place in the stadium to watch a game is on the sidelines, believe it or not, because everything’s at ground level and the action might be way over there and not in front of you,” the new Broncos coach said. “It will be an adjustment.”

The Broncos plucked Fangio from Chicago where he orchestrated the NFL’s best with a birds-eye perspective behind skybox glass. It allowed for faster diagnosis of opponent tendencies compared to watching from the sideline. The Bears’ aggressive style resulted in a league-leading 36 takeaways.

“You can see the flow of the game better (from the box) and how the offense is operating,” Fangio said. “There are a lot of little things. Not one big thing, but a lot of little things.”

Fangio’s transition is eased with the familiarity of new Broncos defensive coordinator . The pair coached together in San Francisco (2011-’14) and Chicago (2015-’18) and have since worked in tandem to teach the defensive install as Denver’s coaching staff settles in. Fangio hasn’t decided yet whether Donatell will join him on the sideline or be his eyes in the sky.

“He might be down there Game 1 and may not be down there Game 2,” Fangio said. “I’ll get a feel for everybody else with the rest of the staff of where it’s all best situated.”

Donatell, who previously coached the Broncos’ secondary from 1995-99 and 2009-10, described his philosophy of defense.

“The first thing is that we always want to do is affect the quarterback, and that doesn’t mean blitzing, it means a combination of rush and coverage,” Donatell said. “That’s what we’ve been able to do together and it’s a great task to keep that going. We will stress the takeaways, that we will be successful in that area. It’s an area we’ll have a major commitment to. We want to make that happens some more here.”

Fangio stated a willingness to evolve in football philosophy during each of his two media appearances since being named head coach. That goes beyond the playbook. Adjusting quickly to a new game day perspective on the sidelines is one of his many challenges.

“I’m glad we have four preseason games,” Fangio said. “You would think a guy that’s been a coordinator for 20 years wouldn’t need it, but I’ll be down on the field. I did it one other year out of my years in the NFL, but it will be an adjustment. It will be evolving, I’m sure, from the first preseason game into the second and into the third. I’ll adjust.” Broncos ownership dispute could be topic at Roger Goodell’s annual Week news conference By STAFF The Denver Post January 26, 2019

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will hold his annual Super Bowl Week news conference Wednesday.

The main Broncos-related topic: Has the NFL yet decided to accept the arbitration request of trustees , Rich Slivka and Mary Kelly?

In December, the trustees presented to the court the arbitration request with owner Pat Bowlen’s two oldest children (Beth Bowlen Wallace and Amie Bowlen Klemmer) even though they are not named in Bill Bowlen’s lawsuit against the trustees. The trustees assert the dispute is an ownership issue and thus falls under the NFL office’s watch.

It would be news if Goodell confirms the league will lead the arbitration.

In late October, Bill Bowlen filed a lawsuit asking the trustees be relieved of their duties. The trustees responded with the stay request and asking the NFL for arbitration with two of Bowlen’s daughters, Beth Bowlen Wallace and Amie Bowlen Klemmer.

Since Pat Bowlen stepped aside from his day-to-day duties in 2014 to battle Alzheimer’s disease, Ellis, Slivka and Kelly have served as trustees for the Pat D. Bowlen Trust. Ellis, as the Broncos’ president and CEO, is the team’s point person at league meetings and runs the team’s day-to-day operations.

According to Bill Bowlen’s petition filed in Arapahoe County District Court, Bill Bowlen said the trustees “have conflicts of interest that impair their ability to act impartially in Pat Bowlen’s best interest.” Bill Bowlen also requested the trust be removed as Pat Bowlen’s power of attorney.

In Arapahoe County District Court on Dec. 12, the wife of Pat Bowlen, Annabel Bowlen, through her attorney, filed a motion to intervene in the litigation involving the trust and Bill Bowlen.

As recently as Dec. 31, Ellis declared “there’s going to be a role for” Brittany Bowlen in front office.

A look at Broncos' 4 Pro Bowlers: Miller, Harris, Lindsay, Kreiter By Mike Klis 9 News January 26, 2019

The preference will always be the Super Bowl.

The consolation is the Pro Bowl.

The Broncos were nowhere close to the Super Bowl this year after posting a 6-10 record that got head coach and several of his assistants fired. But they did have four Pro Bowlers, including two – Von Miller and Jr. – who were three seasons removed from calling themselves Super Bowlers.

A look at the four Broncos chosen for the AFC team that will play the NFC in the Pro Bowl game at 1 p.m. Sunday in Orlando:

Von Miller, outside linebacker The Broncos’ only starter and the Pro Bowl’s defending MVP. He tied for fourth in the league with 14.5 sacks to earn his seventh Pro Bowl berth in eight seasons, yet three straight postseason press conferences at the Broncos’ UCHealth Training Center headquarters have pointed out Von can play better.

This is what happens when you’re playing on what was then a record-setting contract among NFL defensive players that paid $61 million through its first three seasons, only for Miller’s Broncos to 20-28 in that span.

Asking more from Miller, though, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

“Everyone can improve and that’s our motto—no matter what level you’re at,’’ defensive coordinator Ed Donatell said Thursday. “We have a great outside linebacker coach in , but that’s Vic (Fangio’s) specialty, too. That’s where he cut his teeth and that’s kind of his baby. There’ll be plenty of room for improvement in that area.”

Chris Harris Jr., A first alternate who is replacing Super Bowl participant Stephon Gilmore on the AFC team, Harris may have been a Pro Bowl starter had he not missed essentially the final five games with a fractured fibula. He had three , one he returned for a , and ranked among the leaders in the Pro Football Focus cornerback ratings.

Harris has one more year at a team-friendly $7.9 million left on his contract. The exhibition game Sunday will be eight weeks removed from when Harris suffered his injury. He said his fracture fully healed in four to six weeks so there shouldn’t be much health risk, especially with the Pro Bowl devolving in recent years to an exhibition of two-hand touch.

Phillip Lindsay, He won’t play in the game as he’s recovering from surgery on his right wrist. But he was voted in by his peers and league coaches after he surpassed 1,000 yards rushing early in game 15. Lindsay is attending the Pro Bowl festivities as a paid social media journalist, a role set up by his agency, Priority Sports, and the Broncos’ public relations staff.

One of Lindsay’s Twitter posts had him posing in a video and photo with Harris along with the message: Five combined Pro Bowls, zero combined invitations to the NFL Combine. Lindsay is the first offensive undrafted rookie to ever get selected to the Pro Bowl.

Casey Kreiter, long snapper He was selected by AFC Pro Bowl head coach Anthony Lynn, who ordinarily has the same role with the . In two games against the Chargers, Kreiter had nine snaps in his first game – including on Brandon McManus’ game-winning at the buzzer on November 18 at the StubHub Center – and seven snaps in the season finale.

“We’re all grateful they saw whatever they saw,’’ Broncos special teams coordinator Tom McMahon said in a sit-down interview with 9News on Thursday. “That was a coach’s choice. I think Anthony Lynn must have a great ability to identify personnel because he picked Casey and that’s what I think of Casey – it’s earned and deserved.

“He had a good year. He was a guy when I first got here, ‘I want this, this and this.’ I wanted certain things to be changed and Casey attacked it. Some guys will pout. Some guys will, ‘Well, I’ve always done it this way.’ Rightfully so, because they’ve had a lot of success in this league and they’ve done it a certain way all the way through.’ But I asked him to change some things and he did it.’’

Senior Bowl practice notes: Going beyond the By Andrew Mason DenverBroncos.com January 26, 2019

Unlike last year, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft probably will not be on display Saturday when the Senior Bowl takes place at venerable Ladd-Peebles Stadium.

That doesn't mean there isn't talent – including outstanding depth at tight and on the offensive line.

NORTH TEAM

... The strongest position group on either team was the North's offensive line. Outstanding performances from Kansas State tackle/center Dalton Risner, North Carolina State center and Wisconsin interior linemen Michael Deiter and Beau Benzschawel were expected, with Risner and Deiter virtually cementing their status as top-40 selections.

But the depth on the North's line was surprising, and one player who impressed was Charlotte's Nate Davis, whose quickness and footwork captured the attention of onlookers. Davis' ability to move laterally and quickly re-establish his base against opposing pass rushers solidified his status as a solid mid-round prospect.

... UCLA Caleb Wilson, a late addition to the North team roster because of an injury to Stetson's Donald Parham, averaged 103 receiving yards per game in the last eight games of UCLA's season, but had some inconsistent moments during the one-on-one blocking period, getting pushed back into the spot against safeties and . At 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, blocking is not going to be his strength, but when operating in space, he should be effective at the next level.

... Ohio State Terry McLaurin jumped off the page with his deep, over-the-shoulder catch of a well-placed Drew Lock pass during one-on-one drills Tuesday, but he got even better Thursday during the one-on-one red zone period, cutting back outside after looking like he was going to run a slant. The cut allowed him to get separation just inside the right sideline of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown.

SOUTH TEAM

... During our group discussion of Thursday's practices on Orange and Blue 760, I compared South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel to 's James Washington, who took part in the Senior Bowl last year before the Steelers used a first-round pick in on him during the 2018 NFL Draft. My co-hosts, Pro Football Hall of Fame finalist Steve Atwater and Ryan Edwards, nodded and agreed.

Like Washington last year, the 6-foot, 216-pound Samuel caught seemingly everything and used precise cuts to gain separation during red-zone and one-one-one drills. Although other receivers will have better measurables, it would be no surprise to see Samuel go in the first two rounds.

... Buffalo quarterback Tyree Jackson has arguably the strongest arm of any quarterback at this year's Senior Bowl, and he showed it off with a bullet strike to Samuel during the South team's red-zone period. While he remains a long-term project, he showed enough to place himself somewhere in the first four rounds, and perhaps as a Day 2 selection.

... The quarterback who surprised me the most was Auburn's Jarrett Stidham. A technically sound, smart passer, he made good decisions during the red-zone period, including one touchdown pass to Utah State tight end Dax Raymond.

Raymond set up the pass by reading the defense's coverage perfectly, running a short curl route into the goal line and finding a spot between two defenders.

... During that same red-zone period, Raymond displayed outstanding concentration to catch a pass that had been tipped near the goal line. He also flourished in route-running, displaying the ability to gain separation with sharp cuts and use the defender as leverage to get open downfield.

Raymond and LSU tight end Foster Moreau were consistent standouts throughout the week. Moreau displayed soft hands and the ability to adjust his routes to gaps in coverage, while also making receptions in traffic.

... Old Dominion was one of the most improved players over the course of the week, delivering some of his best work in the team period at the end of the South team's practice. He consistently burst into the pocket and disrupted pass plays with his speed and bend off the edge. The 6- foot-3, 241-pounder's size and frame might make working as a stand-up outside linebacker in the 3-4 alignment a better fit, but Ximines was effective with his hand in the dirt this week.

HC Vic Fangio offers thoughts on Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists Bailey, Atwater and Lynch By STAFF DenverBroncos.com January 26, 2019

As a 32-year NFL coaching veteran, Head Coach Vic Fangio has seen several generations of defensive stars.

And as the Pro Football Hall of Fame vote approaches, Fangio offered his thoughts on the candidacies Champ Bailey, Steve Atwater and John Lynch. The three former Broncos are among the 15 Modern-Era finalists for the Class of 2019.

On Champ Bailey:

"Champ Bailey for a long time — in many ways playing corner in this league, some people think is the hardest position to play. You’re out there having to defend the passing game in one-on-one situations many times. He was obviously one of the best that did that, and I’m sure he’ll be voted in."

On John Lynch:

"John had a great career in Tampa. That’s where he made most of his mark, and then he came here and finished up with four years and continued to play well here."

On Steve Atwater:

"Steve’s career was going on when I first got into the league. The safety position has changed since Steve played, but back in that day, Steve was one of the best their way. He played both the run and the pass equally well."

The Pro Football Hall of Fame will select the Class of 2019 on Feb. 2.

Saquon Barkley, James Conner show respect to fellow Pro Bowler Phillip Lindsay By Aric DiLalla DenverBroncos.com January 26, 2019

Phillip Lindsay won’t participate in this week’s Pro Bowl after suffering a late-season injury, but it was clear Thursday that Lindsay’s already earned the respect of his fellow Pro Bowlers.

That seems natural after Lindsay rushed for 1,037 yards, scored 10 total and became the first undrafted offensive rookie in NFL history to make the Pro Bowl.

Saquon Barkley, the NFL’s rookie rushing leader, said he admires more than just the physical aspects of Lindsay’s game.

“He’s super fast — super fast and quick,” Barkley said. “But it’s not even the game part. Obviously, he’s a great player, but it’s just his story. He came from being undrafted to being at the Pro Bowl. How many people can say that? A lot of people can’t say that in their career. The fact that he was doubted to now being highly respected, I respect that.”

Barkley said he watched Lindsay play while he was at Colorado, but he didn’t realize until later that the player he watched was the same one who was entering the NFL.

“When we were in college I got to watch a little bit of him,” Barkley said. “He was at Colorado and I remember the game – it was USC or Washington — and he played really well. I didn’t realize it until he got to the draft and got to [the Broncos]. [I said], ‘Oh, that’s who I watched on TV.’ I always knew he was a talented player and now he’s showing the world.”

Steelers running back James Conner is another of the NFL’s best to take stock of the undrafted players.

“Man, just the ‘never-give-up’ mindset,” Conner said. “He could’ve [gotten] really discouraged from not being drafted and everything, but his will to know what type of player he is and never give up [is impressive]. Man, he’s performing great.”

And Conner didn’t seem to think Lindsay’s success would end anytime soon.

“I know a lot of teams are probably regretting not taking him,” Conner said, “but the Broncos got a good one.”

Agent's Take: 10 players under contract who could be in different uniforms next season By Joel Corry CBS Sports January 26, 2019

An offseason roster purge is an annual occurrence with NFL teams. Players are released and occasionally traded primarily when salaries aren't deemed to match production.

A majority of the time when a player is traded or released, there is a residual cap charge, commonly referred to as dead money. It exists because the remaining proration of the salary components that are treated like signing bonus immediately accelerate into his team's current with a trade or release. Dead money is typically a sunk cost where money isn't owed to a player. Only if there are salary guarantees when a player is released will there be a payment associated with dead money.

There are two major exceptions to this general rule of bonus proration accelerating. Only the current year's proration counts toward the cap with players released or traded after June 1. The bonus proration in future contract years is delayed until the next league year beginning in the following March. A team can also release two players each league year prior to June 1 (known as a post-June 1 designation) that will be treated under the cap as if they were released after June 1. With a post-June 1 designation, a team is required to carry the player's full cap number until June 2, even though he is no longer a part of the roster. The player's salary comes off the books at that time, unless it is guaranteed.

Here's a look at 10 noteworthy players who could be in different uniforms next season, mostly because of their contracts.

Joe Flacco BAL • QB • 5 2019 Salary Cap Number: $26.5 million 2019 Compensation: $18.5 million 2019 Dead Money: $16 million ($8 million with post-June 1 treatment) 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $8 million ($18.5 Million with post-June 1 treatment)

The Ravens put Flacco on notice by taking 2016 winner Lamar Jackson with the last pick in the first round of last April's NFL draft. Flacco's hip injury in early November gave Jackson an opportunity to start. The Super Bowl XLVII MVP never got back in the because Jackson provided a spark, which helped the Ravens reach the playoffs. Ravens head coach anticipated there would be a strong trade market for Flacco shortly after his team was eliminated by the Chargers in the AFC divisional playoffs. Trading Flacco may be easier said than done.

Antonio Brown PIT • WR • 84 2019 Salary Cap Number: $22.165 million 2019 Compensation: $15.25 million 2019 Dead Money: $21.12 million 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $1.045 million

The Steelers trading Brown seemed inevitable when team president II recently said it was "hard to envision" the seven-time Pro Bowler returning next season. Brown going AWOL after a practice incident with quarterback in the days leading up to the regular-season finale against the Bengals prompted head coach to bench him even though the game had playoff implications. Rooney appeared to have softened his stance earlier this week in a conference call with Steelers fans. A trade would likely occur before the fifth day of the upcoming league year (March 17) when Brown is due a $2.5 million roster bonus. The trading period resumes on March 13, the first day of the 2019 league year.

Eli Manning NYG • QB • 10 2019 Salary Cap Number: $23.2 million 2019 Compensation: $17 million 2019 Dead Money: $6.2 million 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $17 million

Giants general manager Dave Gettleman was unwilling to commit to Manning remaining as starting quarterback for 2019 during his season-ending press conference. Manning is entering the final year of a four-year, $84 million contract extension signed in 2015. The 38 year old can't be dealt to another team - - in the unlikely event that the Giants could find a taker -- without his permission. Manning has a no-trade clause in his contract, which he has been unwilling to waive so far. A decision about Manning will come quickly because of a $5 million fifth-day-of-the-league-year roster bonus due next March 17. Regardless of the decision with Manning, the Giants are expected to use the sixth-overall pick in the 2019 draft to select a quarterback.

Blake Bortles JAC • QB • 5 2019 Salary Cap Number: $21.5 million 2019 Compensation: $14.5 million (includes $6.5 million 2019 base salary guarantee) 2019 Dead Money: $16.5 million ($11.5 million with post-June 1 treatment) 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $5 million ($10 million with post-June 1 treatment)

The Jaguars going all-in on Blake Bortles after an unexpected playoff run to the AFC Championship Game last season proved to be a big mistake. Bortles was given a two-year, $34.497 million extension (worth up to another $12.5 million through salary escalators and incentives) with $26.5 million fully guaranteed, instead of allowing him to play the 2018 season on his $19.053 million fifth-year option. He took such a step backwards after being an effective in 2017 that he was benched for four games in early December for Cody Kessler, who didn't fare any better, until the regular season finale. Since the guarantee has an offset, Jacksonville could recoup the entire $6.5 million (and the cap space) if Bortles makes at least that amount next season from another team. The Jaguars are expected look for a veteran to start at quarterback next season, either through a trade or in free agency.

Gerald McCoy TB • DT • 93 2019 Salary Cap Number: $13 million 2019 Compensation: $13 million 2019 Dead Money: None 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $13 million

McCoy may not be an ideal fit in the 3-4 scheme new defensive coordinator is expected to employ. His streak of being selected to six-straight Pro Bowls came to an end this season.

Jason Peters PHI • T • 71 2019 Salary Cap Number: $13,166,668 2019 Compensation: $8 million 2019 Dead Money: $2,666,668 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $10.5 million

The Eagles can exercise an option for the 37 year old's 2019 contract year anytime before the end of the 2018 league year on March 13. Peters can still play at a fairly high level although there are durability concerns. Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who has filled in for Peters the last couple of years when Peters has been hurt, could get first crack at left tackle if the Eagles don't pick up the option or with his retirement.

Ryan Tannehill MIA • QB • 17 2019 Salary Cap Number: $26,611,666 2019 Compensation: $18.75 million 2019 Dead Money: $13,423,334 ($7,861,666 with post-June 1 treatment) 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $13,188,332 ($18.75 million with post-June 1 treatment)

The Dolphins converting $16.685 million of Tannehill's $17.475 million 2018 base salary into signing bonus for salary-cap purposes suggested that his roster spot in 2019 would be secure. Tannehill's inconsistency and head coach 's firing have put his place in jeopardy.

Sean Lee DAL • OLB • 50 2019 Salary Cap Number: $10.075 million 2019 Compensation: $7 million 2019 Dead Money: $3.075 million 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $7 million

The Cowboys would like the often-injured Lee back next season, but at a reduced rate. Lee is more of a luxury than a necessity with the emergence of 2018 first round pick Leighton Vander Esch and 2016 second-round pick Jaylon Smith. Once Lee returned from hamstring injuries that sidelined him for several games this season, he saw only spot duty. Lee had been an every-down linebacker the last few years, when healthy. The 32 year old was on the field 18.7% of the time (25 of 134 defensive plays) during Dallas' two playoff games.

Demaryius Thomas HOU • WR • 87 2019 Salary Cap Number: $14 million 2019 Compensation: $14 million 2019 Dead Money: None 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $14 million

Will Fuller's ACL tear prompted the Texans to acquire Thomas from the Broncos for a 2019 fourth-round pick before the late October trading deadline. Thomas, a nine-year NFL veteran, isn't thinking about retirement after a late-season Achilles tear. He reportedly wants to finish his career with the Texans. Thomas staying in Houston beyond this season already depended on how receptive he was going to be about taking a pay cut before the Achilles injury, because his salary is too high for a second or third wide receiver.

Malik Jackson JAC • DT • 97 2019 Salary Cap Number: $15 million 2019 Compensation: $13 million 2019 Dead Money: $4 million 2019 Salary Cap Savings: $11 million

After making 42-straight starts since signing a six-year, $85.5 million contract (worth up to $90 million through salary escalators) in 2016, Jackson was demoted to where he was a third-down pass rusher late in the season. The Jaguars having the NFL's second most 2019 salary cap commitments at just under $208 million ensures that numerous personnel changes will be made.

Others Vic Beasley, DE, Falcons: $12.81 million 2019 salary cap savings (fifth year option) Zach Brown, LB, Redskins: $5.750 million 2019 salary cap savings Pierre Garcon, WR 49ers: $1.075 million 2019 salary cap savings ($5.875 million with post-June 1 treatment) DeSean Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: $10 million 2019 salary cap savings DeVante Parker, WR, Dolphins: $9.387 million 2019 salary cap savings (fifth year option)

Minority NFL coaches still aren't getting the consideration they deserve By Mike Jones USA Today January 26, 2019

A familiar wave of frustration and confusion washed over several members of the NFL coaching community as this winter’s firing and hiring season passed.

The fraternity within the fraternity – minority coaches themselves – watched as five of the eight head coaches of color were dismissed, with only one (the Patriots' , expected to be hired by the Dolphins) now set to take a top job.

Many of these coaches struggle to understand why a league consisting primarily of black players continually fails to provide sufficient opportunities for them to advance their careers.

In this copycat league, several teams sought the next Sean McVay – the Rams’ young offensive whiz.

But in hiring (Arizona), (expected to be hired in Cincinnati), Matt LaFleur (Green Bay) and Freddie Kitchens (Cleveland), organizations essentially said that head coaches don’t need extensive coordinator experience — or, in Kingsbury’s case, any NFL coaching experience at all. Winning records don’t even matter, but potential and creativity do.

SUPER SHOWDOWN: Everything you need for Super Bowl LIII

That dynamic has been frustrating to minority coaches — particularly those on the offensive side — long denied consideration for top jobs.

Opportunity based on potential and creativity is all they’ve ever asked for. But for years, many position coaches have heard that their lack of hands-on work with quarterbacks precludes them from duties. And without play-calling experience, they’re seldom seen as ideal head coaching candidates. LaFleur, Kitchens and Taylor, however, all have either limited or no history with that responsibility.

This time every year, the NFL descends upon Mobile, Alabama, for the practices leading up to the Senior Bowl. The period of talent evaluation also serves as a reunion of sorts. This week, black coaches and talent evaluators commiserated about the apparent regression of the league's diversity at the top levels.

The prevailing sentiment among many black assistant coaches and scouts: Yes, NFL owners might have decided to go outside of the box with hires, but minorities remain overlooked and excluded.

In this hiring season, teams spurned an extensive slate of black coaches: former Colts and Lions head man Jim Caldwell, Chiefs offensive coordinator , Atlanta passing game coordinator , Philadelphia assistant head coach/running backs coach Duce Staley, Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards, Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator , former Falcons special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong, Bills defensive coordinator and former Bengals defensive coordinator .

And only there are only two black offensive coordinators in the league: Bienemy and the Buccaneers' .

The biggest problem on this front stems from the mythical thinking that the NFL’s coaching talent pool features few bright offensive-minded minorities at the positional level.

Bieniemy, a former running backs coach, helped direct a high-powered offense featuring . Chargers coach Anthony Lynn, meanwhile, has compiled a 21-11 record in two years in Los Angeles despite not serving as an offensive coordinator until 2016, when he took over that title for the Bills (and later served as interim head coach) after an early-season firing.

Other coaches could also defy the stereotype if given the chance.

“I’ve been around way too many great football coaches that aren’t quarterback coaches. I believe they’re very qualified,” Leftwich told USA TODAY Sports in a phone interview. “They’re running back coaches, wide receiver coaches, tight ends coaches. I’ve been around some really, really, really good coaches that helped me along the way. I don’t think it’s particularly has to come from the quarterback coaches. I think coaches are coaches. … Again, all they need is the opportunity.”

The question of when and if remains most pertinent. Multiple coaches who spoke to USA TODAY Sports (many speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of repercussions) believe substantial advancement struggles for men of color remain in the NFL 15 years after the implementation of the .

A classic yet unfortunate indicator of the problem is Giants running backs coach Craig Johnson.

Johnson, 58, has been a coach for 36 years in college and the NFL. He's the man who developed 2003 NFL co-MVP Steve McNair and 2006 offensive rookie of the year Vince Young while also coaching a total of six pro Bowl quarterbacks. But while bouncing between jobs overseeing quarterbacks and running backs, he has never held a coordinator position in the league or received serious consideration as a head coach.

“Absolutely, I’d like to be a head coach, “Johnson told USA TODAY Sports. “I think most assistants in the NFL want the opportunity to run a team. … You would love to have the opportunity – and that’s all we’re asking for, is the opportunity. But until then, you do your best, and you try to show you can be a leader of men, because that’s what it’s really about."

Johnson’s peers agree.

“You can’t sit back and complain about it,” one minority AFC talent evaluator told USA TODAY Sports, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he hadn’t received permission to speak publicly on the topic. “You’ve got to go out and just work and do the best that you can, and with that, maybe an owner will say, ‘Hey, this young man is very sharp,’ and they might bring you in, and that’s all you can ask: to get the opportunity to come in and talk to them, and that’s why you have to be proactive at this time.”

But a change in mindsets among the league’s most powerful men also is necessary.

An encouraging case is in Tampa, where the Glazer family has a track record of embracing diversity. New head coach hired Leftwich as OC, Todd Bowles as defensive coordinator and Armstrong as special teams coordinator, making the Bucs the only team to hire minorities for all three of their top assistant positions.

But that’s too small a sample size. More owners must adapt a truly inclusive mindset. It’s well beyond time for the NFL to scrap these long-held and false notions on what makes a good head coach. Von Miller believes he can improve under Vic Fangio By Kevin Patra NFL.com January 26, 2019

Von Miller is at the Pro Bowl, enjoying his seventh selection in an eight-year career. In his run in Denver, Miller has generated three first-team All-Pro selections, four second-team picks, an NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award, a , a Super Bowl MVP award, and is already the Broncos' all-time franchise sack leader with 98.

New coach Vic Fangio said in his introductory press conference that Miller can improve.

"I do really believe as good as Von has played, he can play even better," Fangio said at the time.

This week at the Pro Bowl, Miller agreed with Fangio's assessment.

"You want a coach that's trying to improve you," he told Ryan O'Halloran of the Denver Post. "I'm looking forward to that opportunity."

On Thursday, new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell doubled down on the coaching staff's belief that there is another level Miller can reach.

"Everyone can improve and that's our motto -- no matter what level you're at," Donatell said, via the team's transcript. "There'll be plenty of room for improvement in that area."

Miller believes importing a coach of Fangio's experience and defensive creativity will be a boon for his game moving forward. After all, Fangio helped Khalil Mack to 12.5 sacks and Defensive Player of the Year consideration in 2018.

"He's a great defensive coordinator and had success with a lot of great guys and I'm hoping to have success as well," Miller said. "Why would I go against it? I believe in the hire. I believe in my teammates and the type of leadership we have around us. I believe (success) will happen. We're trying to win right now."

Missing on Miller's mantel of awards is a DPOY trophy. Fangio's scheme and the surge of youngster could help open more opportunities for Miller to finally grab the highest honor a defensive player can achieve.

One thing the 29-year-old made clear, he has no desire to ever play outside of Denver. Miller has three years left on his current contract.

"It's like being in a relationship or being married and saying, 'Do you ever see yourself with somebody else?'" Miller said. "I'm fully committed with the and the marriage I have with them.

"I want to be a Bronco for life. Forever."

The hope is that the for-ev-er in Denver includes more championship days under Fangio.

The Super Bowl of Opposites By Andrew Beaton Wall Street Journal January 26, 2019

But there’s no way to copy what the did and what the did because the two teams that reached this year’s Super Bowl are polar opposites. The Patriots are led by the league’s oldest quarterback, 41-year-old Tom Brady, and second oldest coach, , age 66. The Rams feature two phenoms: 33-year-old Sean McVay, who was hired before the 2017 season as the youngest head coach in NFL history, and 24-year-old quarterback .

More broadly, though, these teams have built championship-caliber rosters with markedly different approaches.

The Rams, in Hollywood style, have lavishly spent to build a roster featuring high-profile stars and big names who can help Goff, their prodigy quarterback.

New England, long anchored by arguably the greatest quarterback ever, have sustained their success with a roster largely devoid of stars other than Brady. To Belichick, the idea of shelling out expensive and sometimes risky contracts to players is as foreign as punting on first down. This has been a recipe for winning—and sustaining that success for nearly two decades—without facing the financial plight against the salary cap that so many other teams face.

And last summer, the two teams made a blockbuster trade with each other that showcased the wildly different blueprints they used to reach the Super Bowl

Los Angeles shipped a first-round pick to New England as part of a deal to acquire , a star wide receiver who would give Goff an elite target in the passing game. Just a year earlier, Belichick had done something that seemed eerily similar. He sent a first-round pick to the Saints to acquire Cooks.

But the circumstances for that deal were markedly different: Financially, Cooks cost the Patriots under $2 million in 2017, the one season he spent there. By the time Cooks went to Los Angeles, he was a year closer to the moment when he would seek an expensive contract extension. The Rams gave him just that—a five-year deal worth $81 million, with more than $50 million guaranteed.

The Cooks trade was part of an aggressive strategy in which Rams general manager Les Snead surveyed the market and identified the type of player he wanted. And he wanted good ones.

The first difficulty of acquiring good players is that they’re not readily available. The second difficulty is that when they are, they’re expensive. Cooks cost not only that large sum of money, but the premium draft pick, too.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Brandin Cooks catches a pass against cornerback P.J. Williams.

He wasn’t the only elite player the Rams snatched up. Los Angeles’s off-season was one blockbuster after another. They traded for star defensive backs and . That was followed by a big deal for free agent Ndamukong Suh.

It wasn’t just the players they added. It was also the ones they paid a lot of money to keep. Cooks got his big extension. Running back received an extension of his own worth $60 million. Nickell Robey-Coleman—the same Nickell Robey-Coleman who may never be allowed in the state of again after hitting Tommylee Lewis on the infamous no-call during the NFC Championship against the Saints—got a new deal too, albeit a less lucrative one.

When defensive lineman , the reigning defensive player of the year, held out from training camp, the Rams brought him back into the fold with a deal, worth up to $135 million, that made him the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL at the time. Two weeks earlier, tackle got a big extension, too.

All told, the Rams committed sums that could be worth hundreds of millions to assemble a roster that proved to be the NFC’s best. Donald led the NFL with 20.5 sacks. Cooks tallied 1,204 receiving yards.

Los Angeles built a team structured nothing like the one they’ll see across the field from them next Sunday. The Patriots focus on spreading their money around more evenly, and that often means passing up on higher-end players. In many circumstances, they let players that will cost big bucks get that contract somewhere else. Two of the richest contracts doled out this past off-season went to players the Patriots opted to not resign: tackle and cornerback Malcolm Butler.

New England has only two players on contracts that pay them an average of more than $10 million annually. One is Stephon Gilmore. The other is Brady.

The Rams, by contrast, feature seven players whose deals pay them more than $10 million annually. Five of those seven have been either acquired or signed to new deals in the last two seasons.

But there’s a reason the Rams can afford to do all of this—at least for now. And that’s because there are two types of teams in the NFL. There are teams that have to gut their rosters in order to afford their quarterback. And then there are teams that have a quarterback still on a rookie deal. Los Angeles, with Goff, falls into that latter category.

The Patriots are the rare team that fits into neither category. Brady’s contract pays him $20.5 million annually, and that means he’s underpaid by most reasonable standards. Fifteen quarterbacks have deals with an average annual value worth more than Brady’s, according to overthecap.com. Of those 15, 10 of their teams didn’t even make the playoffs.

Corrections & Amplifications Tom Brady’s contract pays him $20.5 million annually. An earlier version of this article incorrectly omitted the word million. (Jan. 25, 2019)