Vance Joseph Interviews for Eagles DC Job, Ruggs’ Trial Judge Recuses Himself, and Other NFL Bullets
It’s an early bullet day because I’ve got an 11:00 appointment to get my taxes done. Which I can imagine will be just as thrilling as the four-and-a-half-hour interview Vance Joseph reportedly sat through with the Eagles on Tuesday.
- According to Mike Klis of 9 News in Denver, Joseph met with the Eagles for nearly five hours over Zoom. Joseph is interviewing for their vacant defensive coordinator position. Klis also reported that Joseph is scheduled for another Zoom meeting today with Eagles GM Howie Roseman and owner Jeffrey Laurie.
- Ian Rapoport confirmed Klis’ report, and both reiterated that the former Broncos head coach and Cardinals DC is also in the mix for the Broncos DC job.
- I wrote about this last week when it was reported that the Cardinals planned to release Joseph from his contract so that he could pursue the Denver and Philadelphia opportunities.
- The trial of former Raiders’ receiver Henry Ruggs III made news on Tuesday after the judge presiding over the case recused himself. Justice of the Peace Joe Bonaventure said that the case recently transferred to his courtroom by a district court judge may be a conflict of interest after Bonaventure’s comments regarding the case while running for office.
- The AP report didn’t share what comments Bonaventure made about Ruggs, nor did Bonaventure reiterate those comments while recusing himself on Tuesday. Ruggs faces felony DUI charges in connection with a fatal crash that occurred on Nov. 2, 2021. He is accused of driving 156 mph seconds before slamming into Tina Tintor’s car, killing the 23-year-old woman and her dog.
- The latest change of venue, in this case, comes just a month after Ruggs’ counsel requested a change of venue, claiming that the previous judge, Justice of Peace Ann Zimmerman, unfairly singled out Ruggs by keeping his case after her DUI cases were reassigned in a routine reassignment of specialty cases.
- Geno Smith isn’t only in line for a new contract after winning the AP’s NFL Comeback Player of the Year award; he’s dabbling in the breaking news business these days! Smith broke the news that Thad Lewis landed the Buccaneers quarterbacks coach job on his Twitter on Tuesday:
- While no deal is official, Smith likely heard the news from his former quarterbacks coach and new Buccaneers offensive coordinator, Dave Canales. Lewis joined the Bucs’ staff in 2020 as a coaching intern through the Bill Walsh coaching fellow program. Lewis spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as the wide receivers coach. Before joining Tampa’s staff, Lewis was an offensive analyst for the UCLA Bruins under Chip Kelly.
- FOX Sports’ Carmen Vitali confirmed the report from the Seahawks quarterback on Twitter on Tuesday evening:
- Speaking of the Buccaneers’ offense, new offensive coordinator Dave Canales and his new quarterbacks coach may have a project on their hands next season. Benjamin Allbright reported on Tuesday that Tampa might go with Kyle Trask and a low-cost veteran at QB in 2023.
- As I wrote yesterday, I like the idea of giving Trask a look in 2023. I don’t see the Buccaneers as contenders next season. They saw enough in Trask to spend a second-round pick on him in 2021, so why not? Trask threw for 7,386 yards, 69 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions in 27 games at Florida before being drafted by the Bucs.
- According to Allbright’s theory, Drew Lock was a name that Tampa might consider as a backup. I have little doubt that Allbright is guessing on that, using the Dave Canales connection as the line of thinking. Still, he wouldn’t cost much in a trade if that was the case. Andy Dalton would be a good low-cost option on the free agent market.
- Derek Carr and the Jets’ weekend rendezvous went very well. While the Jets and Carr are still exploring their options, there’s a definite interest.
- Tuesday was the start of the franchise tag period in the NFL. So, I put together a handy franchise tag primer to help explain the various nuances of the tag:
- Luis put together a list of franchise tag possibilities to watch for as it pertains to Bears free agency targets:
- However, the featured photo player (Daron Payne) is already “off the board.”
- This goal didn’t count, but it should have! Man, I selfishly hope Patrick Kane decides to retire a Blackhawk.
- Eli has some thoughts on the Patrick Beverly signing by the Bulls that you should check out:
