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NFL

Matt Ryan's 'clear vision' of offense will help Sarkisian's transition

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Matt Ryan is comfortable calling his own plays. He showed it at specific times throughout his MVP season.

Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn pointed to one aspect in particular that illustrated Ryan’s comfort level at directing the offense himself, and how former offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan had a comfort level in allowing Ryan to have such leeway.

“Matt and Kyle did some of that this year with some of our two-minute stuff,” Quinn said of the no-huddle. “It’s something that Matt was really familiar with that he had in the past. And he brought it up to Kyle, and Kyle changed what he was doing. Good for him, because Matt was really comfortable. I think that’s your clearest example of that.”

Maybe the simple solution to keeping the flow of the current offensive scheme is to let Ryan have even more authority with the playcalling. It’s not that easy, of course, but there is some validity to Ryan having more freedom as he makes a transition to a new offensive coordinator.

Quinn made clear that the hiring of Steve Sarkisian as offensive coordinator to replace Shanahan, the new San Francisco 49ers head coach, would be more about Sarkisian adapting to the current scheme implemented by Shanahan: an offense based on an outside zone run-blocking scheme with play-action passes off the run plays. Ryan mastered the scheme in Year 2 and earned himself NFL MVP honors and his first Super Bowl appearance.

Quarterback and league MVP Matt Ryan will be playing for his fourth offensive coordinator in Atlanta. Tom Pennington/Getty Images

Quinn expanded on Ryan being the type of player who can take the offense and run with it, essentially like an offensive coordinator on the field.

“Guys that we would assimilate in those conversations around the league are Eli [Manning], and Aaron Rodgers, and [Drew] Brees, and [Tom Brady], so of course Matt is that,” Quinn said. “When you get to that spot where you can really articulate, ‘This is the call I like, this is what I want to attack here,’ he’s 100 percent at that level. Fortunately, that’s a cool spot to be in for us. When you can get to that level professionally where the play — not that he knows more than the coach — but he can talk in a way to a coach that he doesn’t have to beat around the bush.

“Some players might be, ‘I like everything.’ No, you don’t. So we’re fortunate that Matt’s able to really have a clear vision. You have to go through a couple of systems. You have to go through playing to gain that experience. I don’t think that’s possible in Year 1 or Year 2.”

Now going into Year 3 under Quinn, Ryan gets to keep the continuity of the offense despite being on his fourth offensive coordinator since entering the league in 2008. The first two, Mike Mularkey and Dirk Koetter, ran similar systems. When Ryan first paired with Shanahan for the 2015 season, he struggled with the movement that comes with the rollouts and bootlegs. This past season, Ryan and Shanahan had a much better understanding of what worked best for Ryan — not to mention better protection with the addition of center Alex Mack — and Ryan thrived while setting franchise records in passing yards (4,944), touchdowns (38), passer rating (117.1), completion percentage (69.9 percent), and 25-plus-yard passes (42).

But Ryan is not about to go into the huddle calling his own plays the entire game. Quarterbacks go to the line with multiple checks, but a playcall always comes through the helmet. Under Mularkey and Koetter, Ryan did on-the-ball checks all the time and called his own plays, which means going the line with multiple calls, seeing what the defense is in, and then calling the best option. Peyton Manning used to make more adjustments at the line, so it seemed as if he were calling his own plays, although it was still coming through the helmet. Rodgers has a similar setup in Green Bay. In contrast, Brady reads off a wristband.

Whatever the case, these are quarterbacks who have mastered schemes and have a better feel than the average player. Ryan certainly is among the elite group now.

“Matt definitely can call plays like that,” Shanahan said during Super Bowl week. “Of course he’s the type of quarterback who can make the adjustments and run the offense. That’s just how great a quarterback Matt truly is.”

NFL

Ex-Cowboy Randle charged in inmate assault

WICHITA, Kan. — Former Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has been charged with assaulting a fellow inmate in a Kansas jail.

The Wichita Eagle reported that the aggravated battery and disorderly conduct charges filed Wednesday stem from a confrontation Friday in the Sedgwick County Jail. He now has five criminal cases pending against him in the county, where he has been jailed since June.

County prosecutors also allege that he purposely hit people with a car after being asked to leave a housewarming party, dodged law enforcement attempts to serve him with a warrant, threatened to kill a jail deputy and damaged a jail television.

During a court appearance on the latest charge, Randle said he defended himself when another inmate punched him in the face. His bonds now total $59,000.

NFL

Ex-Bengals WR Chad Johnson a long shot to make Hall of Fame

CINCINNATI — Former Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Johnson wasn’t happy when his one-time teammate and good friend Terrell Owens failed to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the second straight year.

Owens ranks second-all time in receiving yards but bounced from team to team in the latter part of his career due to locker-room issues. Johnson told TMZ this week that he felt Owens exclusion was political.

Owens could make the Hall of Fame eventually, but Johnson’s chances seem unlikely.

Johnson played in the NFL for 11 seasons, 10 with the Bengals and one with the Patriots. He caught 766 passes for 11,059 yards and 67 touchdowns. Johnson made six Pro Bowls, earned four First-Team All-Pro awards and led the NFL in receiving yards in 2006.

Johnson finished his career leading the Bengals in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

Johnson has said repeatedly over the years that he feels that he has earned his way into the Hall of Fame, even once donning a gold jacket during a game that said “Future H.O.F. 20??” He has also criticized the voting process for including criteria other than statistics, particularly in the case of Owens.

Statistically, Johnson’s numbers would make him a long shot for the Hall of Fame.

At the time of his retirement, Johnson ranked 26th in receptions and yards, and 31st in receiving touchdowns. Every other receiver of his era was no lower than 10 in any of those categories, with the exception of Michael Irvin, who retired in 1999.

If the receivers of the 2000s were ranked, Johnson probably wouldn’t be top-five in a list that includes Marvin Harrison, Owens, Torry Holt, Hines Ward and Steve Smith, all of whom finished with better numbers.

But it’s also possible to argue that Johnson ranked among the best during his prime. He led the AFC in receiving yards from 2003-06, joining Jerry Rice as the only receiver to lead his conference in receiving yards for four consecutive seasons.

He also played in and year out against some of the best defenses in the league. Johnson faced the Steelers and the Ravens twice a year for almost his entire career. With the exception of the 2002 season, both teams were ranked top 10 in total defense from 2001-10. Twice, they were ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the same season.

However, Johnson struggled once he left the Bengals system, catching only 15 passes for 276 yards and one touchdowns with the Patriots in 2011, the final season of his career.

Johnson became eligible for the Hall of Fame for first time in 2016 but did not make the list of semi-finalists. His path over the next few years doesn’t look easy.

Not only will he be eligible alongside Owens, but also up for consideration in the next decade is Moss, Donald Driver (2018), Smith and Calvin Johnson, in addition to the already-eligible Isaac Bruce and Ward.

Johnson might have been one of the most entertaining receivers to ever play the game, but as a Hall of Fame candidate, he probably doesn’t make the cut.

NFL

With coach and GM on board, Niners' focus turns to quarterback

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — If you want to copy the blueprint of most successful NFL franchises, it starts with football’s version of a holy trinity: a head coach, a general manager and a quarterback.

After hiring Kyle Shanahan as coach and John Lynch as general manager, the San Francisco 49ers hope they have found their solution for the first two. Now, their attention turns to finding the third and perhaps most important piece, the quarterback.

About a month from now, Colin Kaepernick, the only quarterback the team currently has under contract for 2017, probably will cease to have that designation when he’s expected to opt out of his deal. When he does, he’ll join Blaine Gabbert, Thad Lewis and Christian Ponder as free agents. With Shanahan and Lynch taking over, there’s no guarantee that any of them will be back, though it also can’t be ruled out.

Which means there’s likely a full-blown makeover coming to the Niners’ quarterbacks room. As you’d expect, even before Shanahan officially signed on for the job, there were plenty of rumors and reports connecting the 49ers to various quarterbacks around the league. That speculation is only expected to heat up in the days, weeks and months to come.

Acquiring Kirk Cousins could be high on the 49ers’ wish list, with new coach Kyle Shanahan having worked with the quarterback in Washington. Steve Nurenberg/Icon Sportswire

It’s too early to pinpoint which direction Shanahan wants to go, especially since he hasn’t even had time to evaluate the various college prospects yet. But, yes, there will be options on the trade and free-agent market that could make sense as short and long-term options of Shanahan’s Niners. There will be no shortage of competition, though as teams like the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos could be in the market for immediate starters, with others like the San Diego Chargers and Arizona Cardinals possibly looking for future solutions.

Keeping in mind there’s a very real chance the Niners will (and have to) bring in more than one quarterback, here’s a look at some of the options they’ll have to consider over the next few months:

Kirk Cousins: This is one that probably won’t vanish anytime soon, because Shanahan was in place and a fan of Cousins when he was Washington’s offensive coordinator. It’s also probably the most difficult and expensive move to make. Cousins played on the franchise tag a year ago and the Redskins are likely to use it again to prevent him from leaving without compensation. That doesn’t mean the Niners couldn’t facilitate a deal with Washington, but it would cost a lot of draft capital and even more on a long-term contract. And remember, Cousins had his two best seasons (2015 and 2016) after Shanahan departed for Atlanta.

Matt Schaub: Like Cousins, Shanahan and Schaub have a history, having worked together in Houston and Atlanta. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported last weekend that Shanahan would like to bring Schaub with him to San Francisco, presumably as a steady hand to help guide young quarterbacks in understanding Shanahan’s scheme. Schaub is a free agent and wouldn’t cost a lot to bring on board.

Jimmy Garoppolo: Garoppolo is under contract for one more year with the Patriots, meaning it would take a trade to acquire him. It’s been reported that the Patriots will seek a first-round pick for him, though perhaps something could be worked out if that price isn’t met. Either way, Garoppolo won’t come cheap and would also come with a fairly large price tag for a contract extension. Garoppolo has only started two games and though he played well, giving up valuable draft picks and a lucrative contract would come with more inherent risk than other alternatives.

Jay Cutler: Cutler played for Shanahan’s father Mike in Denver after the Broncos selected him in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft, and Lynch has spoken highly of Cutler’s arm talent in the past. At 33, Cutler is what he is at this point but would offer more upside as a bridge quarterback to the next starter than someone like Schaub. He also might not cost as much to obtain if the Bears cut him loose, a move that would save Chicago $13 million worth of cap space. The Bears also need help at quarterback, though, so they might not be inclined to let him go without at least getting something in return.

Brian Hoyer: Hoyer would make sense in a role similar to the one described for Schaub above. It wouldn’t make much sense to bring in both but like Schaub, Hoyer has experience playing for Shanahan and the duo even had some success together in Cleveland. He’d also make a good mentor for a younger quarterback or two and could even be a bridge starter if need be.

Mike Glennon: Glennon is an intriguing case because he’s actually started 18 games in his career and thrown for 30 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. At 6-foot-6, Glennon is the type of pure pocket passer Shanahan supposedly covets, though he’s only completed 59.4 percent of his career passes. Glennon isn’t likely a franchise solution, but he profiles as the type Shanahan might be able to elevate to solid starter status.

A drafted rookie: Again, Shanahan hasn’t even had a chance to evaluate this year’s draft class and until he does, he won’t be able to determine the direction he wants to go at the position for the long-term. The Niners own the No. 2 overall pick, which means they should have their pick of quarterbacks if there’s one they really like. The early read on this draft class is that there won’t be a signal-caller worth taking that high, though North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky, Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer have been mentioned as possibilities in media circles. The Niners could also wait until the middle rounds to find someone Shanahan believes he could develop while using their top pick to get the best player available. Either way, it’s a safe bet the Niners will spend a pick on a quarterback at some point.

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