It was a week to forget for the rookie coaches in the National Football League:
OUCH
The Oakland Raiders got blown out in Jon Gruden’s return to the NFL sideline on Monday night, making him the 7th new coach to lose their debut. Gruden joined Indianapolis Colts’ Frank Reich and Tennessee Titans’ Mike Vrabel as AFC coaches who lost their coaching debut.
In the NFC, Chicago Bears’ Matt Nagy, Detroit Lions’ Matt Patricia, Arizona Cardinals’ Steve Wilks, and New York Giants’ Pat Shurmur all lost their debuts as well. It was the worst record for a group of new head coaches in the history of the NFL.
Gruden was making his return to coaching after spending the last nine years as an analyst for ESPN’s Monday Night Football. Gruden coached the Oakland Raiders from 1998-2001, before taking over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2002-2008. He led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory in 2003 over the Raiders.
NFL Admits To Officiating Error in Steelers/Browns Game
The NFL’s senior vice president of officiating, Al Riverton, announced on Monday that the officials incorrectly called a play during the first half of the game between the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive end Myles Garrett was incorrectly flagged for a roughing the passer penalty in the second quarter of the season-opening game.
The penalty negated what would have been a series-ending sack, and the Steelers would eventually score a touchdown on the drive. The Browns expressed displeasure with the call after the game on Sunday and again during media availability on Monday. Riverton issued his statement Monday afternoon. The game between the Browns and Steelers would end in a tie on Sunday afternoon.
Aaron Rodgers Could Miss Week 2
The Green Bay Packers have not yet announced the availability of quarterback Aaron Rodgers for their week two matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Rodgers was injured in the first half of their season opener against the Bears, but returned to lead the Packers to a dramatic 24-23 victory.
The Packers trailed the Bears by a score of 20-0 before Rodgers threw three second-half touchdown passes to give them the victory. Rodgers injured his left knee when he was sacked by Bears lineman, Roy Robertson-Harris in the second quarter. Packers team physician Pat McKenzie assured Rodgers that he could do no further damage to his knee if he returned to the game prompting Rodgers to return.
DeShone Kizer had three turnovers in replace of Rodgers in the game on Sunday. The Packers are trying to reclaim the top spot in the NFC North Division after the Minnesota Vikings ran away with it last season. The Packers opened up as a one-point favorite for the key matchup on Sunday.
Jets Claim To Know Lions Plays
The New York Jets claim to have known what plays the Lions were going to run before they ran them on Monday night. The result was a record-setting night for the Jets defense who intercepted five passes for the first time in 19 years. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four interceptions before being taken out of the game late in the blowout loss.
The Jets defeated the Lions by a score of 48-17 at Ford Field. The Jets attributed the success to a great scouting report and thorough preparation rather than stealing signs. Linebacker Darron Lee had two interceptions in the rout, including one that he took the other way for a touchdown. It was the first defensive touchdown for the Jets in the last 74 games.
Patriots Signing Corey Coleman
The New England Patriots are getting some help at the wide receiver position in the form of Corey Coleman. Coleman, a former first-round draft pick, is signing a one year deal to join the Patriots this season. Coleman was expected to meet with the Philadelphia Eagles on Tuesday, but the Patriots gave him an offer that he couldn’t refuse. The Cleveland Browns selected the talented receiver in the first round of 2016 NFL Draft out of Baylor.
Cleveland traded him to the Buffalo Bills during pre-season, and the Bills quickly released him. Coleman has played in just 19 games in his NFL career thanks to a number of fluke injuries. He has 718 career receivings yards to go along with 5 touchdowns.
