NFL Notebook, Wild Card: Tom Brady and Patriots, Tua Tagovailoa, awards and more

Around the NFL

You might see this section become a recurring one in the next few weeks simply because of the constant barrage of news. With all the rumors and reports going out seemingly every hour, I feel like shoving them into one slide isn’t a bad way to go, similar to my College Football Corner.

Mike McCarthy to Dallas

I love the hire. McCarthy is a Super-Bowl-winning veteran who’s had a year to learn from his mistakes in his final years in Green Bay. There’s no question that Dallas is loaded with talent, and while they have some tough decisions to make with re-signing some key players, this decision was an easy one to make. You had to know this would happen when McCarthy slept over at Jerry Jones’ house before he was hired.

Wade Phillips Out in L.A.

Phillips’ contract was up, so he technically wasn’t fired. Nonetheless, this was a move that had to be made. Statistically, the defense was middle of the road. They allowed the 15th-most points per game and the 13th-fewest yards per game. It’s not bad, yet it’s only a slight improvement from 2018. That simply won’t do for a team in win-now mode. Also, the defense has way too much talent to be average.

Tua Tagovailoa Takes His Talents to the NFL

…And potentially South Beach? I’ve linked Tagovailoa to the Dolphins for longer than I’ve linked Joe Burrow to Cincinnati. I’ll have more on Tagovailoa’s decision later. For now, I’m curious about where Tagovailoa’s projected draft slot is. While it can obviously change this early in the draft process, I can’t see Tagovailoa reaching the Cardinals at eight. As with any draft rumor, I’ll keep you updated on what I’m hearing. (Was that foreshadowing of what I’ll be doing next?)

Matt Rhule Chooses Carolina

This was a late addition to the notebook; it was too big to not sneak in here. I like Rhule. He did a fantastic job at Baylor. However, his only coaching experience in the NFL stems from one season as the Giants’ assistant offensive line coach in 2012. Another interesting note here: The Giants whiff on another coaching candidate. I wonder if it has anything to do with General Manager Dave Gettleman.

Giants Take Joe Judge

Another late addition, this doesn’t seem like a bad hire, either. I’m more concerned about how many candidates New York churned through before settling on Judge, the Patriots’ wide receivers and special teams coach.