NFL Notes: 2018 HC Candidates, Browns, Texans

2018 HC Candidates

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports anticipates NFL teams looking at a number of “retread” head coaching next year once jobs become available.

La Canfora mentions nine coordinators with coaching experience worth keeping an eye on next year including:

• Patriots OC Josh McDaniels
• Eagles DC Jim Schwartz
• Buccaneers DB Mike Smith
• Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo
• Saints OL coach Mike Munchak
• Broncos OC Mike McCoy
• Vikings OC Pat Shurmur
• Steelers OC Todd Haley
• Cowboys OC Scott Linehan

Browns

One name worth keeping an eye on this summer for the Browns, according to WRs coach Al Saunders, is WR Ricardo Louis.

“It was funny because I went back and looked at our last year’s rookie minicamp, the OTAs and the veteran camp, and [he’s] a different guy,” Saunders said.

“Now he lines up at the line of scrimmage and hears the play and sees the defense and recognizes the coverage, he goes 100 miles per hour,” Saunders said, via Pat McManamon of ESPN. “He’s a talented young man. I’m thrilled he feels really comfortable in what he’s doing and am really excited when we get him to the preseason and take that transition and get into real physical football and play the game when things aren’t what you expect it to be.”

Texans

Texans DL coach Anthony Weaver is excited to have J.J. Watt back playing along side of Jadeveon Clowney and Whitney Mercilus this year and the issues it will create for opposing offenses to deal with.

“Every time both guys are on the field together, we all become better as a unit,” Weaver said, via Sarah Barshop. “There’s no addition by subtraction because of J.J. Watt. Absolutely not.

“We’re very fortunate that we have a bunch of dynamic players, but up front, we have those three [Watt, Clowney and Mercilus] in particular. And it’s up to us coaching-wise to make sure we put them in the best position to be successful. Sometimes that’s not an easy task as it seems to be. But the expectations haven’t changed. We know where we finished a year ago. We know what we expect out of our unit this season and obviously having J.J. back is going to do nothing but help us achieve those goals.”

Texans assistant HC Romeo Crennel is also looking forward to the issues this trio will cause for teams.

“I think we all know what J.J. brings to the table,” Crennel said. “For opponents to try to figure out where they’re going to send their protection — do they send it to J.J.? Do they send it to Clowney? Exactly how they’re going to do all that as far as from a protection standpoint, I think that’s going to make it extremely difficult on the offense. So, if we can keep both of those guys healthy, and Whitney as well, I think it will be difficult for them.“