SEATTLE - Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas is expected to be out 6 to 8 months after having surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn labrum and separation in his left shoulder, according to multiple reports, including Ed Werder of ESPN.
Thomas suffered the injury in the NFC Championship Game victory over the Packers. He re-entered that game wearing a harness, and played two weeks later in Seattle's 28-24 loss to New England in the Super Bowl.
It was believed after season's end that Thomas would be ready for training camp, though the new timeline for his rehab will probably put that projection in doubt, and should the longer end of the estimate pan out, perhaps the start of the regular season.
Thomas recorded 97 tackles, three forced fumbles, and an interception last season, his third straight listed as an All-Pro, in the league's best-ranked defense.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Monday, February 23, 2015
Cardinals: Ted Ginn released
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Cardinals wide receiver and kick returner Ted Ginn was released today after one year with the team, according to NFL.com and other reports.
Ginn, the No. 9 overall pick by the Dolphins in 2007, was in the first year of a three-year deal, and due $3.25 million next season. His release will save the Cardinals $2.5 million in cap space.
Signed in 2013 after three years with the Panthers, Ginn figured to feature in the team's receiving corps, though with the play of John Brown last season, the former Ohio State standout was relegated largely to special teams.
Ginn finished last season with 14 receptions for 190 yards as a receiver, though also suffered a career-low 19 yards on 22 attempts as a kick returner.
Arizona this week signed veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Ginn, the No. 9 overall pick by the Dolphins in 2007, was in the first year of a three-year deal, and due $3.25 million next season. His release will save the Cardinals $2.5 million in cap space.
Signed in 2013 after three years with the Panthers, Ginn figured to feature in the team's receiving corps, though with the play of John Brown last season, the former Ohio State standout was relegated largely to special teams.
Ginn finished last season with 14 receptions for 190 yards as a receiver, though also suffered a career-low 19 yards on 22 attempts as a kick returner.
Arizona this week signed veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald.
Cardinals: TE James Casey visits
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Tight end James Casey is scheduled to visit the Cardinals after being released last week by the Eagles, according to 910 AM in Phoenix.
Casey, a fifth-round pick by Houston in 2009, caught four passes, two for touchdowns, last season in Philadelphia. He caught six passes over two seasons with the team, playing mostly on the Eagles' league-second-best special teams unit.
Not that the Cardinals are in dire need of tight ends: John Carlson and Darren Fells are both expected back next season, as is Troy Niklas, last year's second-round pick.
Arizona signed veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald, head coach Bruce Arians, and general manager Steve Keim to new deals this week.
Casey, a fifth-round pick by Houston in 2009, caught four passes, two for touchdowns, last season in Philadelphia. He caught six passes over two seasons with the team, playing mostly on the Eagles' league-second-best special teams unit.
Not that the Cardinals are in dire need of tight ends: John Carlson and Darren Fells are both expected back next season, as is Troy Niklas, last year's second-round pick.
Arizona signed veteran receiver Larry Fitzgerald, head coach Bruce Arians, and general manager Steve Keim to new deals this week.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Packers: A.J. Hawk has surgery
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Packers veteran linebacker A.J. Hawk had surgery on his ankle to remove bone spurs following the season, according to sources.
The surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews, came immediately after the team's loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Hawk played in all 18 games this season for the Packers, though his snap count did decrease as the year progressed.
Though he said publicly several times that he was not hurt, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, one of his closest friends on the team, also speculated that Hawk was playing injured.
"He's been dealing with a body that hasn't been responding as well as he wanted to at times," Rodgers said in December to his radio audience.
Of the 71 snaps the Packers' defense saw in Seattle in January, Hawk defended only 17.
Hawk, a former fifth-overall pick from Ohio State, has one year remaining on his contract, and will be due $3.5 million this coming season. Head coach Mike McCarthy, speaking at the combine this week, said the inside linebacker position will be a priority in the coming draft.
"I think the inside linebacker position could probably be compared to where we were last year at the safety position," he said. "Obviously, we had a number of moving parts there. So we'll see what this process that we go through as far as player acquisition, how that affects it. I like the step Sam Barrington made. I thought he made a huge step and that's what you look for."
Barrington, in his second year, secured 54 tackles. Hawk, a nine-year veteran, had 90.
The surgery, performed by Dr. James Andrews, came immediately after the team's loss to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.
Hawk played in all 18 games this season for the Packers, though his snap count did decrease as the year progressed.
Though he said publicly several times that he was not hurt, quarterback Aaron Rodgers, one of his closest friends on the team, also speculated that Hawk was playing injured.
"He's been dealing with a body that hasn't been responding as well as he wanted to at times," Rodgers said in December to his radio audience.
Of the 71 snaps the Packers' defense saw in Seattle in January, Hawk defended only 17.
Hawk, a former fifth-overall pick from Ohio State, has one year remaining on his contract, and will be due $3.5 million this coming season. Head coach Mike McCarthy, speaking at the combine this week, said the inside linebacker position will be a priority in the coming draft.
"I think the inside linebacker position could probably be compared to where we were last year at the safety position," he said. "Obviously, we had a number of moving parts there. So we'll see what this process that we go through as far as player acquisition, how that affects it. I like the step Sam Barrington made. I thought he made a huge step and that's what you look for."
Barrington, in his second year, secured 54 tackles. Hawk, a nine-year veteran, had 90.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Broncos: Elway may tag Demaryius Thomas
INDIANAPOLIS - John Elway, the Denver Broncos executive vice president of football operations and general manager, said on Thursday at the NFL Scouting Combine that he would give wide receiver Demaryius Thomas the franchise tag should the two fail to come to a deal in the next few days.
"If we can't get something done, yeah, we'll tag Demaryius," Elway said. "Our goal is to get something done with Demaryius. . . That market is changing, that wide receiver market is changing, too, but the bottom line is we want Demaryius to be a Bronco."
Should Thomas receive the tag, the Broncos would save an estimated $12.8 million in cap space.
The free agency period begins on March 10 and teams can begin negotiations three days before, designating franchise players between February 16 and March 2.
Thomas, 27, was second in receiving yards last year (1.619), adding 11 touchdowns, and over the last three years snagged 35 touchdowns on 4,483 yards. In that time, Thomas was second in the NFL with twenty-eight 100-yard receiving games in regular- and postseason play combined, including ten 100-yard games last season.
Wide receiver Wes Welker and tight end Julius Thomas are also pending free agents in the next month.
"If we can't get something done, yeah, we'll tag Demaryius," Elway said. "Our goal is to get something done with Demaryius. . . That market is changing, that wide receiver market is changing, too, but the bottom line is we want Demaryius to be a Bronco."
Should Thomas receive the tag, the Broncos would save an estimated $12.8 million in cap space.
The free agency period begins on March 10 and teams can begin negotiations three days before, designating franchise players between February 16 and March 2.
Thomas, 27, was second in receiving yards last year (1.619), adding 11 touchdowns, and over the last three years snagged 35 touchdowns on 4,483 yards. In that time, Thomas was second in the NFL with twenty-eight 100-yard receiving games in regular- and postseason play combined, including ten 100-yard games last season.
Wide receiver Wes Welker and tight end Julius Thomas are also pending free agents in the next month.
Eagles: TE James Casey released
PHILADELPHIA - Tight end James Casey was released by the Eagles on Thursday, according to multiple reports.
"I was fired by the Eagles today," Casey said, via Twitter. "Thank you to the entire organization, my teammates, coaches, and all the fans for 2 great years."
Casey, signed as a free agent in 2013, caught only six passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns over his two seasons with the team, was due to collect $4 million in the final year of a three-year $12 million deal.
Casey's role diminished after the Eagles drafted end Zach Ertz in last year's draft to play alongside veteran Brent Celek.
Though he did feature on the league's best special teams unit. His 13 special teams tackles ranked second for Philadelphia, and his two blocked punts were returned for touchdowns, by Trey Burton against the Giants and Chris Maragos in a win over the Rams.
Tight ends Celek, Burton, and Ertz remain on the Eagles roster.
"I was fired by the Eagles today," Casey said, via Twitter. "Thank you to the entire organization, my teammates, coaches, and all the fans for 2 great years."
Casey, signed as a free agent in 2013, caught only six passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns over his two seasons with the team, was due to collect $4 million in the final year of a three-year $12 million deal.
Casey's role diminished after the Eagles drafted end Zach Ertz in last year's draft to play alongside veteran Brent Celek.
Though he did feature on the league's best special teams unit. His 13 special teams tackles ranked second for Philadelphia, and his two blocked punts were returned for touchdowns, by Trey Burton against the Giants and Chris Maragos in a win over the Rams.
Tight ends Celek, Burton, and Ertz remain on the Eagles roster.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Cowboys: Jason Garrett wants Murray, Bryant
INDIANAPOLIS - Speaking at the NFL Combine on Wednesday, Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett said his running back DeMarco Murray and wide receiver Dez Bryant, both about to become free agents, were irreplacable "cornerstone players" for his team.
Though, as he said, "the business of the NFL is real."
"DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing by, I think, by 500 yards and. . . the value of being able to hand the ball 25 times a game week in and week out is significant.
"But there's the business of the NFL, which we all understand and I know both sides are talking. We're trying to get it done. We'd love to have him back."
Garrett scowled when asked about adding another free agent to the Cowboys backfield.
"I don't like that expression 'plug another back in there,'" he said. "He carried the ball 450 times and made 61 catches. That's 511 touches. There's a lot of value attached to a guy you can hand the ball to again and again."
With free agency approaching for both players, there have been rumors that Dez Bryant would receive the franchise tag, something team vice president Stephen Jones, also at the Combine, said this week may be the case for Bryant.
"Right now we're probably leaning that way," Jones said of Bryant, an unrestricted free agent. "But that doesn't mean it won't change."
Bryant said during the regular season that would be "highly disappointed" were he to receive the tag, and this week intimated that he would avoid offseason work, according to ESPN's Ed Werder on Twitter.
Bryant made 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and a franchise-record 16 touchdowns last season.
Murray surpassed Emmitt Smith's franchise-best rushing record, carrying for 1,845 yards this season.
Though, as he said, "the business of the NFL is real."
"DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing by, I think, by 500 yards and. . . the value of being able to hand the ball 25 times a game week in and week out is significant.
"But there's the business of the NFL, which we all understand and I know both sides are talking. We're trying to get it done. We'd love to have him back."
Garrett scowled when asked about adding another free agent to the Cowboys backfield.
"I don't like that expression 'plug another back in there,'" he said. "He carried the ball 450 times and made 61 catches. That's 511 touches. There's a lot of value attached to a guy you can hand the ball to again and again."
With free agency approaching for both players, there have been rumors that Dez Bryant would receive the franchise tag, something team vice president Stephen Jones, also at the Combine, said this week may be the case for Bryant.
"Right now we're probably leaning that way," Jones said of Bryant, an unrestricted free agent. "But that doesn't mean it won't change."
Bryant said during the regular season that would be "highly disappointed" were he to receive the tag, and this week intimated that he would avoid offseason work, according to ESPN's Ed Werder on Twitter.
Bryant made 88 receptions for 1,320 yards and a franchise-record 16 touchdowns last season.
Murray surpassed Emmitt Smith's franchise-best rushing record, carrying for 1,845 yards this season.
Redskins: Griffin will start at QB next season
ASHBURN, Va. - Washington Redskins head coach Jay Gruden said at the NFL Combine on Wednesday that Robert Griffin III will be the team's starter at quarterback next season.
"We'll go into the season with Robert as our No. 1 guy," Albert Breer reported him saying, via Twitter.
Griffin started the first two games last season under center for the Redskins (4-12), though would miss the following six contests after dislocating his ankle in Week 2 at Houston. He regained his position shortly before losing it again temporarily near the end of the season.
"It's up to Robert to continue to grow and mature as a quarterback and as a person," Gruden added. "Moving forward we want to see improvement. It's up to us as a staff to get more out of him."
Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy relieved Griffin during his injury. Cousins went 1-4 in that stretch before being replaced by McCoy, and said in December he would request a trade from the team should Griffin receive the starting nod again.
McCoy started three games before injuring then aggravating a neck injury, leading the Redskins to a Week 8 overtime victory at the Dallas Cowboys in a Monday night contest.
Griffin threw four touchdowns and six interceptions on 1,694 yards passing last season.
"Robert is a hard worker," Gruden said. "He works hard on his body and his strength, but we will have things drawn up for him, specific things that he can do to get better from the quarterback position mechanics-wise, throwing-wise, drop-wise. He has a good idea of what we did in OTAs and during the season with footwork and fundamentals that he'll continue to build on."
"We'll go into the season with Robert as our No. 1 guy," Albert Breer reported him saying, via Twitter.
Griffin started the first two games last season under center for the Redskins (4-12), though would miss the following six contests after dislocating his ankle in Week 2 at Houston. He regained his position shortly before losing it again temporarily near the end of the season.
"It's up to Robert to continue to grow and mature as a quarterback and as a person," Gruden added. "Moving forward we want to see improvement. It's up to us as a staff to get more out of him."
Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy relieved Griffin during his injury. Cousins went 1-4 in that stretch before being replaced by McCoy, and said in December he would request a trade from the team should Griffin receive the starting nod again.
McCoy started three games before injuring then aggravating a neck injury, leading the Redskins to a Week 8 overtime victory at the Dallas Cowboys in a Monday night contest.
Griffin threw four touchdowns and six interceptions on 1,694 yards passing last season.
"Robert is a hard worker," Gruden said. "He works hard on his body and his strength, but we will have things drawn up for him, specific things that he can do to get better from the quarterback position mechanics-wise, throwing-wise, drop-wise. He has a good idea of what we did in OTAs and during the season with footwork and fundamentals that he'll continue to build on."
Cardinals: Fitzgerald close to new deal
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Larry Fitzgerald and the Arizona Cardinals are nearing a deal that would allow the wide receiver to finish his career with the team, according to multiple reports.
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill has said restructuring Fitzgerald's current deal, which would allow the 8-time Pro Bowler to make $16 million next season, was a top priority for the team.
The details of the agreement are yet to be known, though Bidwill said last week he hoped to acquire a free agent with the salary-cap space freed up by a potentially restructured deal for Fitzgerald.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Cardinals will keep nearly $13 million in cap space originally set aside for Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald, 31, has spent his entire 11-year career in Arizona, and enjoys the franchise's all-time marks in all major receiving categories, though last season suffered his lowest receiving yards since his rookie year (784) and only catching two touchdowns.
Cardinals president Michael Bidwill has said restructuring Fitzgerald's current deal, which would allow the 8-time Pro Bowler to make $16 million next season, was a top priority for the team.
The details of the agreement are yet to be known, though Bidwill said last week he hoped to acquire a free agent with the salary-cap space freed up by a potentially restructured deal for Fitzgerald.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Cardinals will keep nearly $13 million in cap space originally set aside for Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald, 31, has spent his entire 11-year career in Arizona, and enjoys the franchise's all-time marks in all major receiving categories, though last season suffered his lowest receiving yards since his rookie year (784) and only catching two touchdowns.
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Chiefs: WRs Avery and Jenkins released
KANSAS CITY - After a disappointing season overall at wide receiver, the Kansas City Chiefs began their rebuilding campaign on Tuesday, releasing Donnie Avery and putting A. J. Jenkins on waivers, according to multiple reports.
Avery, a seven year veteran, finished third on the team with 596 receiving yards on 40 catches two seasons ago, but following time off after a sports hernia surgery, 2014 found him with only 15 receptions for 176 yards.
Jenkins, drafted 30th overall by San Francisco in 2012, secured 17 receptions for 223 yards in his career, including 9 catches for 93 yards this season in nine appearances with the Chiefs.
The Chiefs signed Avery to a three-year, $8.55 million deal in 2013 and Jenkins was acquired in a trade with the 49ers in 2013.
Avery, a seven year veteran, finished third on the team with 596 receiving yards on 40 catches two seasons ago, but following time off after a sports hernia surgery, 2014 found him with only 15 receptions for 176 yards.
Jenkins, drafted 30th overall by San Francisco in 2012, secured 17 receptions for 223 yards in his career, including 9 catches for 93 yards this season in nine appearances with the Chiefs.
The Chiefs signed Avery to a three-year, $8.55 million deal in 2013 and Jenkins was acquired in a trade with the 49ers in 2013.
Cowboys: Bryant may get the tag
INDIANAPOLIS - Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in December that he would, if necessary, apply the franchise tag to Dez Bryant to keep the receiver in Dallas.
Speaking on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, his son, executive vice-president Stephen Jones said the team expects to meet informally with Bryant's agents during the combine, he said, though no official meetings have been scheduled between the two.
"Right now, all things being equal, it's leaning more Dez with the franchise than it is not," Jones told the Dallas Morning News. "But that doesn't mean it will stay that way. We don't ever want to give up on a long-term deal. It's something we worked on all of last year and it kind of cooled off once we got into the season. Things can go along with a lot not going on, but all of a sudden it happens."
Should Bryant receive the tag, that would leave the future of running back DeMarco Murray with the Cowboys in doubt.
"Who knows what tomorrow brings?" Jones said on Tuesday. "Things have a sudden way of getting kicked in and you start to get some traction on something. You go down that road and get that done. It's dominoes."
Jones also said he would meet with Murray's agents in Indianapolis this week, according to Rainer Sabin of the Morning News, via Twitter.
Speaking on Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, his son, executive vice-president Stephen Jones said the team expects to meet informally with Bryant's agents during the combine, he said, though no official meetings have been scheduled between the two.
"Right now, all things being equal, it's leaning more Dez with the franchise than it is not," Jones told the Dallas Morning News. "But that doesn't mean it will stay that way. We don't ever want to give up on a long-term deal. It's something we worked on all of last year and it kind of cooled off once we got into the season. Things can go along with a lot not going on, but all of a sudden it happens."
Should Bryant receive the tag, that would leave the future of running back DeMarco Murray with the Cowboys in doubt.
"Who knows what tomorrow brings?" Jones said on Tuesday. "Things have a sudden way of getting kicked in and you start to get some traction on something. You go down that road and get that done. It's dominoes."
Jones also said he would meet with Murray's agents in Indianapolis this week, according to Rainer Sabin of the Morning News, via Twitter.
Packers: Brandon Bostick released
GREEN BAY - Packers tight end Brandon Bostick was released by the team on Tuesday, according to multiple sources.
Bostick, 25, spent the last two seasons with the team, though will most likely be remembered for catching then losing an onside kick reception in the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Leading 19-14 with over two minutes left in that game, and following a Seahawks touchdown, Bostick was in position to receive the kick, but let the ball slip through his grasp, allowing for a Seattle recovery and their go-ahead touchdown.
Green Bay, who had led 16-0 through almost three quarters, would come back to tie the game in regulation before Russell Wilson aired out the game-winning 35 yard touchdown to Jermain Kearse to complete a 28-3 comeback rally and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Signed as an undrafted free agent from Newberry College in 2012, Bostick appeared in 24 games with the Packers, catching nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Bostick, 25, spent the last two seasons with the team, though will most likely be remembered for catching then losing an onside kick reception in the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Leading 19-14 with over two minutes left in that game, and following a Seahawks touchdown, Bostick was in position to receive the kick, but let the ball slip through his grasp, allowing for a Seattle recovery and their go-ahead touchdown.
Green Bay, who had led 16-0 through almost three quarters, would come back to tie the game in regulation before Russell Wilson aired out the game-winning 35 yard touchdown to Jermain Kearse to complete a 28-3 comeback rally and a trip to the Super Bowl.
Signed as an undrafted free agent from Newberry College in 2012, Bostick appeared in 24 games with the Packers, catching nine passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns.
Monday, February 16, 2015
Jets: Johnson not pleased with release
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Rejection comes to all of us, and men, when faced with it, have one of two options to express their reaction to it, that of the humble gentleman or the spurned and vengeful lover, thick or thin with accusations.
After having his option declined following one particularly below-average campaign, former Jets tailback Chris Johnson on Monday chose the latter.
"I think I went into a situation where I was told one thing and it was another," he told Rich Eisen on his radio show.
Johnson, signed to New York after six seasons with Tennessee, intimated that it was team general manager John Idzik, who along with head coach Rex Ryan was fired following the season, interfered with playing time decisions that affected his output.
"Basically, it was a situation where I was going there to be the guy or whatever," he added. "And it was still said both guys [Johnson and Chris Ivory] were gonna get playing time but, you know, I think it was after the second game or something like that, it just switched over and I was getting less and less playing time."
Johnson, one of seven tailbacks in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, will be a free agent for his second straight offseason. Last season was by far his worst performance, suffering a career-low 155 rush attempts and 663 yards, notching a single touchdown.
"Throughout the whole thing, I think last year, with that organization, I think a lot of the stuff was out of Rex's hands," Johnson said. "A lot of the things that we were doing I think it was out of Rex's hands. Don't nobody know, but it was a situation."
New York, despite finishing with only four victories against twelve defeats, did finish the regular season ranked third in football in rushing yards (142.5 ypg).
After having his option declined following one particularly below-average campaign, former Jets tailback Chris Johnson on Monday chose the latter.
"I think I went into a situation where I was told one thing and it was another," he told Rich Eisen on his radio show.
Johnson, signed to New York after six seasons with Tennessee, intimated that it was team general manager John Idzik, who along with head coach Rex Ryan was fired following the season, interfered with playing time decisions that affected his output.
"Basically, it was a situation where I was going there to be the guy or whatever," he added. "And it was still said both guys [Johnson and Chris Ivory] were gonna get playing time but, you know, I think it was after the second game or something like that, it just switched over and I was getting less and less playing time."
Johnson, one of seven tailbacks in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, will be a free agent for his second straight offseason. Last season was by far his worst performance, suffering a career-low 155 rush attempts and 663 yards, notching a single touchdown.
"Throughout the whole thing, I think last year, with that organization, I think a lot of the stuff was out of Rex's hands," Johnson said. "A lot of the things that we were doing I think it was out of Rex's hands. Don't nobody know, but it was a situation."
New York, despite finishing with only four victories against twelve defeats, did finish the regular season ranked third in football in rushing yards (142.5 ypg).
Colts: linebacker Shaun Phillips released
INDIANAPOLIS - As their effort to renew a fledging pass rush failed to work out as planned, the Colts released linebacker Shaun Phillips on Monday, according to the Indianapolis Star.
Phillips, who led the Broncos with 10 sacks last season, featured in five regular season games for the Colts, securing seven tackles, and in all their three postseason appearances this year, adding another stop.
An 11 year league veteran, he has totaled 561 tackles, 81.5 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, and 10 recoveries. In 121 starts, he had seven interceptions.
In 10 postseason career starts, the former Purdue Boilermaker notched 49 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery in 14 playoff contests.
Phillips, who led the Broncos with 10 sacks last season, featured in five regular season games for the Colts, securing seven tackles, and in all their three postseason appearances this year, adding another stop.
An 11 year league veteran, he has totaled 561 tackles, 81.5 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, and 10 recoveries. In 121 starts, he had seven interceptions.
In 10 postseason career starts, the former Purdue Boilermaker notched 49 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery in 14 playoff contests.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Packers: McCarthy no longer calling offense
GREEN BAY, Wis. - Packers head coach Mike McCarthy will no longer call offensive plays for the team after a number of coaching staff changes take place within the franchise, according to the Green Bay Post-Gazette.
McCarthy relieved himself of that duty this week, to the surprise of general manager Ted Thompson and team president Mark Murphy.
The authority will fall to Tom Clements, the Packers' offensive coordinator since 2013 and quarterbacks coach from 2006 to 2012.
"I felt that the play calling was something that I could still be able to do," McCarthy told a press conference on Thursday, "but the commitment you have to make Monday through Saturday, I didn't think it fit, I didn't think it would work as good as I know it will work now with Tom who's basically taking the responsibilities on offense that I've had in the past."
Under Tom Clements' supervision, quarterback Aaron Rodgers won two NFL MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP, entering the league one year ahead of Clements' hiring.
"Tom has called as a player, he's called them in the NFL," McCarthy said. "[Tom] has an excellent relationship with Aaron Rodgers. The fit with Aaron is the highest priority. I thought that's why it was so important."
McCarthy's move comes amidst other changes in the Packers' coaching regime. Edgar Bennett, for the past four seasons the team's wide receivers coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator. Under Bennett's direction, Packers receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb both became the first pass-catchers in NFL hsitory to both receive at least 90 passes, 1,200 yards, and 12 touchdowns in the same campaign.
The Packers' special teams woes this season found a new hire in Ron Zook and assistant Jason Simmons, though McCarthy said he will also be more involved in this area, expressing a desire to become more intimately involved with all aspects of the team.
"This is something I've given a lot of thought, and it's something that's a big decision that's taken years to make," he said.
McCarthy relieved himself of that duty this week, to the surprise of general manager Ted Thompson and team president Mark Murphy.
The authority will fall to Tom Clements, the Packers' offensive coordinator since 2013 and quarterbacks coach from 2006 to 2012.
"I felt that the play calling was something that I could still be able to do," McCarthy told a press conference on Thursday, "but the commitment you have to make Monday through Saturday, I didn't think it fit, I didn't think it would work as good as I know it will work now with Tom who's basically taking the responsibilities on offense that I've had in the past."
Under Tom Clements' supervision, quarterback Aaron Rodgers won two NFL MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP, entering the league one year ahead of Clements' hiring.
"Tom has called as a player, he's called them in the NFL," McCarthy said. "[Tom] has an excellent relationship with Aaron Rodgers. The fit with Aaron is the highest priority. I thought that's why it was so important."
McCarthy's move comes amidst other changes in the Packers' coaching regime. Edgar Bennett, for the past four seasons the team's wide receivers coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator. Under Bennett's direction, Packers receivers Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb both became the first pass-catchers in NFL hsitory to both receive at least 90 passes, 1,200 yards, and 12 touchdowns in the same campaign.
The Packers' special teams woes this season found a new hire in Ron Zook and assistant Jason Simmons, though McCarthy said he will also be more involved in this area, expressing a desire to become more intimately involved with all aspects of the team.
"This is something I've given a lot of thought, and it's something that's a big decision that's taken years to make," he said.
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