Kevan Barlow fan club

Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson will be an unrestricted free agent next month. With the team’s interest in retaining his services waning, Benson hasn’t been afraid to continue to rip into their offensive scheme.

Despite the fact Cincinnati’s 2011 season was an overall success, with first-year coordinator Jay Gruden helping rookie quarterback Andy Dalton pass the team to a playoff berth, Benson told Sirius XM NFL Radio he was disappointed with how the Bengals strayed from the power rushing attack.

Cedric the entertainer? Not with his comments about the Bengals. (AP Photo)

“I just think we didn’t stick with what the offense was built on,” Benson told FoxSports.com’s Alex Marvez and co-host Ross Tucker on Tuesday night. “Since I’ve been there the past four years, we’ve ran the football to try and win games. Even when we had Carson (Palmer) and Chad (Ochocinco), we still kept a strong identity in the run game.

“I just feel we got away from it,” Benson continued. “We didn’t let that part of the offense grow the way it could have.”

At 29, Benson completed his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season with the Bengals. Since he was deemed a first-round bust with the Chicago Bears while battling off-field issues along the way, he has done well to become a consistent between-the-tackles producer.

Benson averaged 3.7 yards per carry over the past two seasons, and he hasn’t been much of a factor as a receiver or as big a part of the second-half game plans. Gruden came in intending to make the Bengals a run-first unit but quickly saw the pop he had in the passing game with Dalton throwing often to speedy rookie wide receiver A.J. Green.

At this point, with Gruden staying put, it looks Benson has played his last down for the Bengals.

“We haven’t had any talks about a new deal, re-signing or anything like that to my knowledge,” Benson said in the interview. “I’m not sure where things are laying up there in Cincinnati.”

Ideally, the Bengals must find a more versatile feature back with much less mileage. If he’s not franchise-tagged by the Oakland Raiders, look for 27-year-old Michael Bush to be a hot free-agent target.

Starting nine games in place of injured Darren McFadden for Oakland, Bush had 1,395 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns in 2011. Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer had his best games as a Raider when Bush was effective.

As the Bengals’ current quarterback, Dalton would benefit greatly in his second year from a better dual-threat back such as Bush. What might help the Bengals land Bush is the presence of recently fired Raiders coach Hue Jackson. Jackson was hired as Cincinnati’s secondary and assistant special teams coach.

Source

Alabama running back Trent Richardson will not participate in on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine because he is still rehabbing from minor knee surgery, according to a report.

NFL.com reported that Richardson injured his knee prior to the Crimson Tide’s BCS Championship Game against LSU, but played through the pain. The report added that Richardson is close to 100 percent and expects to be able to work out fully at Alabama’s Pro Day on March 7. If he shows no lingering effects from the injury at that point, his draft stock won’t be affected at all; he would remain the No. 1 running back on the board and a top-10 pick.

While it is never good news when a player is unable to work out at the Combine, that fact alone is not a major blow to Richardson’s draft stock. What is more important is that he will undergo a thorough physical in Indianapolis and every team will have a complete picture of his prognosis.

Richardson’s status as the clear No. 1 back in the draft—in our view, he’s the best back to come into the NFL in more than a decade—also makes the surgery less of an issue.

Source

Restricted free agent receiver Mike Wallace says he wants to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he understands that might not occur given the team’s salary-cap situation.

In an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio Wednesday afternoon, Wallace said via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Pittsburgh is “where I would like to be, but we all know that it is a business and you have certain things you have to handle. So if I have to go elsewhere, you know Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I have to do what I have to do.”

Staying or leaving is out of Mike Wallace’s hands. (AP Photo)

Wallace, a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 who has put up more than 1,100 receiving yards the past two seasons, will be a hot commodity because of his age (25), big-play ability (he has averaged 18.7 yards per catch over his first three seasons) and durability (he has yet to miss a game).

Restricted free agents normally don’t stir up much interest in the NFL because the original team can match any offer. But in this case, the Steelers’ cap troubles — they are at least $5 million over the projected cap, according to the Tribune-Review — might not allow them to match a rich offer when free agency opens March 13.

The Tribune-Review reported that it’s also unlikely the Steelers can clear enough cap space to put the franchise tag on Wallace by the March 5 deadline. The wide receiver franchise number is expected to be $9.4 million.

In the interview, Wallace said his agent, Bus Cook, and the Steelers are talking about a contract extension. But Wallace didn’t sound overly optimistic.

“Yeah, we are talking, but I don’t know how far they are going to get right now because of the (cap) situation,” Wallace said. “I know that they are working hard trying to take care of it, but I don’t know. We’ll see.”

If another team signs Wallace to an offer sheet the Steelers can’t match, it would have to give Pittsburgh a first-round pick in return. But that wouldn’t be a big price to pay considering Wallace is entering his prime and has difference-making speed.

Source

Andrew Luck will arrive in Indianapolis for the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine prepared to throw during quarterback drills. He probably won’t because his future employer apparently is against the idea.

Like Robert Griffin III, Luck will wait until his on-campus pro day to demonstrate his passing touch. The Indianapolis Colts seem happy with that.

Throw at the Combine? Hold your horses, Andrew Luck. (AP Photo)

Barring a change of heart by Luck or the Colts, who hold the 2012 draft’s No. 1 pick and therefore have Luck on strings, scouts won’t get to see either of the top passers in throwing drills at the Combine.

Too bad, because quarterback trainer George Whitfield says Luck is sharp and needs only minor refinement.

“There are things he wants to work on, but this is refinement not an installation or a surgery,” Whitfield told ESPN.com. “It’s about getting reps and he’s really a marvel to watch. Very sound. Very consistent. Physically impressive. A power guy. A strong guy which people underestimate. One thing we’ve been doing is working the throws out on the perimeter—those throws outside the hash marks.”

So when he winds up throwing to familiar targets during Stanford’s March 22 pro day, Luck won’t need any good fortune.

Griffin, pegged as the No. 2 pick if, as expected, the St. Louis Rams peddle it to the Cleveland Browns or another suitor, is on record as saying he probably won’t throw at the Combine. That means scouts will get to see the polished version of the Baylor QB and Heisman winner during his March 21 pro day.

What the Colts hope to avoid is uncertain, but Indianapolis Star writer Bob Kravitz notes via Twitter the team is putting the ix-nay on Luck throwing.

Source

The Miami Dolphins will not be making quarterback Chad Henne an offer to stay with the team, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Henne is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

With a new coaching staff in place, the Dolphins are targeting an upgrade of the quarterback position either in the draft or through free agency. Colts QB Peyton Manning and Packers backup Matt Flynn are the most popular subjects of media speculation.

A second-round pick by Miami out of Michigan in the 2008 NFL Draft, Henne has struggled during his four years with the Dolphins. Through 36 games, he has a 75.7 quarterback rating and has thrown more interceptions (37) than touchdowns (31).

Source

The Miami Dolphins will not be making quarterback Chad Henne an offer to stay with the team, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Henne is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

With a new coaching staff in place, the Dolphins are targeting an upgrade of the quarterback position either in the draft or through free agency. Colts QB Peyton Manning and Packers backup Matt Flynn are the most popular subjects of media speculation.

A second-round pick by Miami out of Michigan in the 2008 NFL Draft, Henne has struggled during his four years with the Dolphins. Through 36 games, he has a 75.7 quarterback rating and has thrown more interceptions (37) than touchdowns (31).

Source

The Pittsburgh Steelers have many tough offseason decisions regarding some familiar veterans, but the most difficult might involve a player in his prime: wide receiver Mike Wallace. With three accrued NFL seasons, Wallace can become an restricted free agent next month, but unless the price is right, he likely won’t return to Pittsburgh.

The math doesn’t add up with the level at which the Steelers would need to tender or franchise Wallace ($9 million plus) and the team needing to trim $10 million in payroll to get under the NFL salary cap, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

If the Steelers can’t keep Mike Wallace, another team will grab him. (AP Photo)

The Steelers aren’t known for overspending to keep even their most talented free agents. Paying Wallace would put them in a bind as they try to work to keep several aging stars this year and prepare to reward younger players next year.

If there is any position where the Steelers can afford to save money, it would be wide receiver. Because of the promise both Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders have shown in just two seasons, the team might parts ways with longtime favorite Hines Ward.

Wallace is clearly the team’s best big-play receiver, but Brown and Sanders have more well-rounded skill sets.

If another team deems Wallace is worth a first-round pick in compensation, there’s a possibility he would get a lucrative offer sheet that the Steelers are neither willing nor able to match.

Although an up-and-coming franchise might look at Wallace as a game-changing No. 1, he is a better fit on an AFC rival contender with an established quarterback such as the Baltimore, Houston Texans or New England Patriots.

Wallace had a breakout 2010 season with seven 100-yard receiving games, but he had a below-average finish last season. In the first 10 games before the Steelers’ bye, Wallace had 53 catches for 922 yards and six touchdowns with four 100-yard games. From Week 12 through the wild-card playoff loss at the Denver Broncos, Wallace had 22 catches for 297 yards and two TDs, with no 100-yard games.

At 6-foot, 199 pounds, Wallace, 25, is among the NFL’s sleekest, fastest players. But when he’s not stretching the field as a vertical threat, opponents take him out of the Steelers’ game plan.

Well-timed with Wallace’s late-season fade was the emergence of Brown as a No. 1-like receiver and Pro Bowl return man.

Brown will be a restricted free agent concern after 2012. Given his versatility to help the team on both offense and special teams, he has more value to the Steelers than Wallace.

Source

Editor’s note: Every team is preparing to attack its offseason to-do list, with free agency set to open on March 13 and the draft April 26-28. This is the fifth of 32 reports in 32 days looking at the offseason game plan for each team. We’ll analyze the AFC first, in alphabetical order. Wednesday: San Diego Chargers. Thursday: Tennessee Titans.

PITTSBURGH—The Pittsburgh Steelers have not historically been active players in free agency, and that is especially true this season. They are frantically trying to restructure contracts and might release some of their older veterans to shave $25 million off the salary cap.

At 37, James Farrior is on the downside of his career. (AP Photo)

GM Kevin Colbert said the team won’t even re-sign its own players until it gets in compliance with the cap.

The biggest objective is re-signing Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Wallace, who is a restricted free agent. But they have to make several tough decisions on long-time stars including wideout Hines Ward, defensive end Aaron Smith, linebacker James Farrior and nose tackle Casey Hampton, who had surgery on a torn anterior cruciate ligament after the season.

Key departures

The only starters who are unrestricted free agents are left tackle Max Starks and cornerback William Gay. The team might not re-sign Gay because of the two corners they drafted last year, Curtis Brown and Cortez Allen.

— Other AFC offseason plans: Chiefs | Broncos | Jaguars | Colts | Texans | Broncos | Ravens | Bills | Dolphins | Jets | Bengals | Browns

Starks will probably be replaced by Marcus Gilbert, who started at right tackle as a rookie. Starks had knee surgery after the season.

No. 3 quarterback Dennis Dixon wants to go to a team where he is at least the top backup. Punter Dan Sepulveda might not be re-signed after a third knee surgery.

Needs and targets

1. Nose tackle. The Steelers have long considered nose tackle to be one of the two most important positions in the 3-4 defense, and nobody has done it better than Hampton, a five-time Pro Bowl player. But Hampton is 34 and will be coming off a second ACL surgery on his left knee. Complicating matter is that the surgery was performed in mid-January, making it unlikely Hampton will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Recommended On The Web

Roethlisberger, Haley still haven’t talked CBS Sports: Monday Feb 20

Talk heats up in Pittsburgh that Mike Wallace could leave MSNBC: Tuesday Feb 21

Creative team with WR needs could pry Wallace away from Steelers CBS Sports: Saturday Feb 18

But the Steelers are already down one backup nose tackle because veteran Chris Hoke retired, leaving the position to Steve McLendon. This should be a high priority in the draft for the Steelers, and could even prompt them to move up in the first or second rounds.

— Ranking new coordinators: Where new Steelers OC Todd Haley fits

Dontari Poe of Memphis is the type of player the Steelers desire at nose tackle—thick, stout and tough to move. But, the team might have to move up from the lower portion of the first round to get him.

2. Inside linebacker. If the team keeps Farrior, its long-time defensive captain, it likely will part with his top backup, veteran Larry Foote, because of salary-cap reasons. And, even if Farrior does come back, the time has really come to find his replacement.

Farrior, 37, cannot play every down any more, even though his performance hasn’t noticeably declined. He has kept his weight down to maintain speed, but he will have problems shedding blocks if the Steelers don’t have a nose tackle like Hampton to eat up space in the middle.

Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower could be targeted in the first round, but if the Steelers decide to get a nose tackle with the top pick they should trade up in the second round to go inside, especially if Hightower slips.

3. Guard. The Steelers are set at both tackles spots and center on the offensive line and believe the combination of Doug Legursky and Ramon Foster gives them options at right guard. But the team must find a left guard who can pull and lead counter plays—something coaches thought they had with Chris Kemoeatu. But Kemoeatu was benched last season because of poor performance and tons of mental mistakes, and their bread-and-butter counter plays suffered as a result.

— 2012 NFL Scouting Combine: Opens Feb. 22 | Pro Day workout schedule

The Steelers will not address their offensive line in the first couple rounds because of the needs in the front seven on defense. It is not a strong draft for guards because there is a big dropoff after the top two—Stanford’s David DeCastro and Georgia’s Cordy Glenn.

Related on SN

Ranking the new coordinators: Arians, Del Rio best hires Monday Feb 20

New York Jets offseason plan: Youth, character infusions needed Sunday Feb 19

Oakland Raiders offseason plan: Get creative plugging holes Monday Feb 20

Broncos to add QBs who can push Tebow in camp Tuesday Feb 21

But if Iowa State’s Kelechi Osemele slipped a round, the Steelers might be interested because he has the position flexibility the team desires—a tackle who can play guard. And he can run block.

4. Defensive end. The team has used its No. 1 pick on a defensive end in two of the past three drafts, so it will not do so again. But, faced with the possibility that Aaron Smith might not be brought back, the Steelers will continue to build their depth with young players.

They would not address this position until the middle rounds, but players such as Jared Crick of Nebraska and Kheeston Randall of Texas have the lean body-type they desire.

5. Quarterback. This becomes significant because all three backups to Ben Roethlisberger — Charlie Batch, Byron Leftwich and Dennis Dixon — are unrestricted free agents. Dixon is expected to depart in free agency, leaving the Steelers to choose between Leftwich, who has been injured for each of the past two seasons; and Batch, who is 37 but has been the team’s most reliable backup.

Look for the Steelers to draft a quarterback in the late rounds who could wind up as their No. 3 guy.

Dulac’s take

The team believes it has the necessary ingredients to win the division title and make a run at the Super Bowl. That could happen because nearly all its key players could return.

But there could be a big transition in the middle of their defense if the team decides not to bring back Hampton and Farrior. The team does not have a long-term replacement for either player and won’t seek to make any kind of move in free agency.

That will force the Steelers to not only find those players in the draft, but possibly move up to get one of them.

— Gerry Dulac covers the Steelers for Sporting News and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Source

There have been seven new head coaches hired for the 2012 NFL season, but because of firings, retirements and other departures, there have been four times as many changes at offensive and defensive coordinator.

Now that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found someone to operate their defense under Greg Schiano, there will be a grand total of 28 new coordinators. Here are SN’s rankings, separated by sides of the ball:

Josh McDaniels, right, is back as Bill Belichick’s offensive coordinator in New England. (AP Photo)

Offensive coordinators

1. Bruce Arians, Colts. This was a huge coup for Indianapolis to be able to attach Andrew Luck to the man who worked so well with Ben Roethlisberger.

2. Josh McDaniels, Patriots. With Bill O’Brien leaving for Penn State, it’s nice to fall back on the man behind a historic 2007 for Tom Brady and the passing offense.

3. Brian Daboll, Chiefs. He found plenty of answers late in the 2011 season with the Dolphins and will love working with a healthy Jamaal Charles.

4. Tony Sparano, Jets. New York strayed too far away from “ground-and-pound” in ’11. Sparano will re-establish the strength of the offensive line.

5. Mike Sullivan, Buccaneers. Josh Freeman should appreciate the Bucs went straight to the Super Bowl champion Giants to pluck Eli Manning’s mentor.

6. Tom Clements, Packers. He goes from being the best quarterbacks coach in the business to help Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers keep their passing game humming.

7. Todd Haley, Steelers. His Chiefs’ stint was rocky. Before that he was outstanding during his “Pittsburgh West” days in Arizona, which ended with him excelling against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

8. Bill Callahan, Cowboys. Jason Garrett still will be calling plays, but Callahan has a key role in helping the young offensive line jell so Dallas can better execute a balanced game plan.

9. Mike Sherman, Dolphins. This allows new coach Joe Philbin to bring another part of the Packers’ way to South Beach. Will Matt Flynn follow?

10. Brian Schottenheimer, Rams. His new young quarterback project is Sam Bradford, and looking at his current personnel, Schottenheimer has plenty of hard work ahead.

11. Dirk Koetter, Falcons. Koetter has the advantage of inheriting a smart, confident quarterback in Matt Ryan who should make his job a lot easier.

12. Brad Childress, Browns. Childress must first figure out whom he can trust at quarterback, running back and wide receiver before thinking about how to make his West Coast scheme work.

13. Hal Hunter, Chargers. Similar to Callahan in Dallas, his job will be getting his line to mesh with the playbook of former Cowboys coordinator Norv Turner.

14. Mike Tice, Bears. Just when Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and the rest of Chicago’s offensive skill players were getting used to Mike Martz, there will be some transition pains.

15. Bob Bratkowski, Jaguars. Although he has a big rushing asset in Maurice Jones-Drew, Bratkowski has quite a challenge in trying to help further develop Blaine Gabbert.

16. Greg Knapp, Raiders. Going the recycled route brings an uninspired choice to work with Carson Palmer and Darren McFadden.

Defensive coordinators

1. Jack Del Rio, Broncos. It has been 10 years since Del Rio worked with John Fox in Carolina, but it was a pairing that produced the NFL’s No. 2 defense in ’02. The former linebacker will love helping Von Miller reach a higher level.

2. Mike Nolan, Falcons. Nolan’s vast knowledge of both 3-4 and 4-3 concepts should allow Atlanta to be more creative, and most important, improve at rushing the passer.

3. Steve Spagnuolo, Saints. Call it Spags to riches for the former Rams coach. He’ll love how well a Drew Brees-led offense will complement his aggressive 4-3 play-calling.

4. Gregg Williams, Rams. Here’s another welcome reunion, as Williams and Jeff Fisher will be on the same page to get the most out of some good young front-seven talent.

5. John Pagano, Chargers. His brother Chuck was an ace 3-4 coordinator in Baltimore, and John gets his chance to show he can be the same in San Diego.

6. Dean Pees, Ravens. They’ve consistently hit on this position, and Pees can build on both his two years as their linebackers coach and four years as a Patriots’ coordinator under Bill Belichick.

7. Jason Tarver, Raiders. Oakland stayed local, pulling the former 49ers assistant away from Stanford. He’ll need plenty of help from coach Dennis Allen to get the Raiders’ defense back to respectability.

8. Kevin Coyle, Dolphins. Coyle did good work with the Bengals under Marvin Lewis, but matching what Nolan did will be tough.

9. Alan Williams, Vikings. There’s the cover-2 connection with Leslie Frazier, but it won’t matter much if Minnesota doesn’t overhaul its secondary.

10. Bill Sheridan, Buccaneers. In his lone post-Super Bowl XLII season (’09) as the Giants’ defensive coordinator, the unit really struggled before Perry Fewell restored its championship-caliber status.

11. Greg Manusky, Colts. He lasted only one year in San Diego as the unit had a big dropoff from Ron Rivera, while his replacement in San Francisco, Vic Fangio was a big improvement.

12. Dave Wannstedt, Bills. Two years removed from Fewell, Buffalo is reaching back more than a decade for defensive answers.

Source

There have been seven new head coaches hired for the 2012 NFL season, but because of firings, retirements and other departures, there have been four times as many changes at offensive and defensive coordinator.

Now that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have found someone to operate their defense under Greg Schiano, there will be a grand total of 28 new coordinators. Here are SN’s rankings, separated by sides of the ball:

Josh McDaniels, right, is back as Bill Belichick’s offensive coordinator in New England. (AP Photo)

Offensive coordinators

1. Bruce Arians, Colts. This was a huge coup for Indianapolis to be able to attach Andrew Luck to the man who worked so well with Ben Roethlisberger.

2. Josh McDaniels, Patriots. With Bill O’Brien leaving for Penn State, it’s nice to fall back on the man behind a historic 2007 for Tom Brady and the passing offense.

3. Brian Daboll, Chiefs. He found plenty of answers late in the 2011 season with the Dolphins and will love working with a healthy Jamaal Charles.

4. Tony Sparano, Jets. New York strayed too far away from “ground-and-pound” in ’11. Sparano will re-establish the strength of the offensive line.

5. Mike Sullivan, Buccaneers. Josh Freeman should appreciate the Bucs went straight to the Super Bowl champion Giants to pluck Eli Manning’s mentor.

6. Tom Clements, Packers. He goes from being the best quarterbacks coach in the business to help Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers keep their passing game humming.

7. Todd Haley, Steelers. His Chiefs’ stint was rocky. Before that he was outstanding during his “Pittsburgh West” days in Arizona, which ended with him excelling against the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

8. Bill Callahan, Cowboys. Jason Garrett still will be calling plays, but Callahan has a key role in helping the young offensive line jell so Dallas can better execute a balanced game plan.

9. Mike Sherman, Dolphins. This allows new coach Joe Philbin to bring another part of the Packers’ way to South Beach. Will Matt Flynn follow?

10. Brian Schottenheimer, Rams. His new young quarterback project is Sam Bradford, and looking at his current personnel, Schottenheimer has plenty of hard work ahead.

11. Dirk Koetter, Falcons. Koetter has the advantage of inheriting a smart, confident quarterback in Matt Ryan who should make his job a lot easier.

12. Brad Childress, Browns. Childress must first figure out whom he can trust at quarterback, running back and wide receiver before thinking about how to make his West Coast scheme work.

13. Hal Hunter, Chargers. Similar to Callahan in Dallas, his job will be getting his line to mesh with the playbook of former Cowboys coordinator Norv Turner.

14. Mike Tice, Bears. Just when Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and the rest of Chicago’s offensive skill players were getting used to Mike Martz, there will be some transition pains.

15. Bob Bratkowski, Jaguars. Although he has a big rushing asset in Maurice Jones-Drew, Bratkowski has quite a challenge in trying to help further develop Blaine Gabbert.

16. Greg Knapp, Raiders. Going the recycled route brings an uninspired choice to work with Carson Palmer and Darren McFadden.

Defensive coordinators

1. Jack Del Rio, Broncos. It has been 10 years since Del Rio worked with John Fox in Carolina, but it was a pairing that produced the NFL’s No. 2 defense in ’02. The former linebacker will love helping Von Miller reach a higher level.

2. Mike Nolan, Falcons. Nolan’s vast knowledge of both 3-4 and 4-3 concepts should allow Atlanta to be more creative, and most important, improve at rushing the passer.

3. Steve Spagnuolo, Saints. Call it Spags to riches for the former Rams coach. He’ll love how well a Drew Brees-led offense will complement his aggressive 4-3 play-calling.

4. Gregg Williams, Rams. Here’s another welcome reunion, as Williams and Jeff Fisher will be on the same page to get the most out of some good young front-seven talent.

5. John Pagano, Chargers. His brother Chuck was an ace 3-4 coordinator in Baltimore, and John gets his chance to show he can be the same in San Diego.

6. Dean Pees, Ravens. They’ve consistently hit on this position, and Pees can build on both his two years as their linebackers coach and four years as a Patriots’ coordinator under Bill Belichick.

7. Jason Tarver, Raiders. Oakland stayed local, pulling the former 49ers assistant away from Stanford. He’ll need plenty of help from coach Dennis Allen to get the Raiders’ defense back to respectability.

8. Kevin Coyle, Dolphins. Coyle did good work with the Bengals under Marvin Lewis, but matching what Nolan did will be tough.

9. Alan Williams, Vikings. There’s the cover-2 connection with Leslie Frazier, but it won’t matter much if Minnesota doesn’t overhaul its secondary.

10. Bill Sheridan, Buccaneers. In his lone post-Super Bowl XLII season (’09) as the Giants’ defensive coordinator, the unit really struggled before Perry Fewell restored its championship-caliber status.

11. Greg Manusky, Colts. He lasted only one year in San Diego as the unit had a big dropoff from Ron Rivera, while his replacement in San Francisco, Vic Fangio was a big improvement.

12. Dave Wannstedt, Bills. Two years removed from Fewell, Buffalo is reaching back more than a decade for defensive answers.

Source