FFToolbox - Report: Cowboys have offered RB DeMarco Murray a contract: 4 years, $16 million plus 9 more

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Report: Cowboys have offered RB DeMarco Murray a contract: 4 years, $16 million
Todd Bowles hired as Jets' new HC
Bears reach out to John Fox, schedule interview for head coaching position
Broncos GM John Elway says QB Peyton Manning will be involved in team's coaching search
GIANTS: 5 CHANGES FOR A PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015
Cowboys, HC Jason Garrett agree to 5-year, $30 million contract
RAMS: FIVE CHANGES FOR PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015
VIKINGS: 5 CHANGES FOR A PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015
TITANS: FIVE CHANGES FOR PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015
Divisional: No Eating Crow, Just Told Ya So

Report: Cowboys have offered RB DeMarco Murray a contract: 4 years, $16 million

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 11:03 PM PST

What do you give the man who just logged the second-most regular-season carries since 2006 and broke the Cowboys' single-season rushing record? If you're the Cowboys, not a whole lot, relatively. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Cowboys have extended a contract offer to soon-to-be free-agent RB DeMarco Murray. Rapoport says the deal is worth slightly more than $16 million over four years. Including the playoffs, Murray ran 436 times this season for 2,043 yards. He also caught 61 passes for 443 yards. FANTASY ANALYSIS: You want to know how much of a low-ball offer that is? Reggie Bush has basically the same contract. But you can't really blame the Cowboys here. They are clearly acting with history on their minds. Running backs who take on more than 370 carries in a given season generally experience a rapid drop in production the following year. And sometimes, they are never the same player. Look at what happened to Larry Johnson, Terrell Davis, Jamal Anderson, among others. In 1995, Emmitt Smith ran for 1,773 yards, a mark that was the Cowboys' franchise leader until Murray broke it this year. Smith carried the ball 377 times that season (451 if you include the playoffs). While Smith didn't break down like so many others who top 370, his yards-per-carry average declined by a full yard in 1996. Given Murray's rather lengthy injury history, he is a prime bust candidate for 2015. This offer tells you that's what Dallas is thinking, and that's also what fantasy owners should be thinking when they head into their drafts this summer. Regardless, expect Murray to receive much larger offers once he hits the open market in March.

Todd Bowles hired as Jets' new HC

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 10:20 PM PST

Edging out both Doug Marrone and Dan Quinn, Todd Bowles has secured the Jets' head-coaching job. Arizona's now-former defensive coordinator, Bowles is a New Jersey native who was a defensive backs coach for Gang Green in 2000. He is expected to tap Chan Gailey as his offensive coordinator. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Clearly a bright defensive mind, Bowles will be tasked with finding a coordinator who can breathe new life into the Jets' offense. If Gailey gets the nod, he'll have to work more than a little quot;FitzMagic" to invigorate the team's stalemate under center. Assuming they both return, Eric Decker and Percy Harvin could see a boost in value with Gailey shaping the offense.

Bears reach out to John Fox, schedule interview for head coaching position

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 09:42 PM PST

The Bears have yet to fill their head coaching vacancy, but according to reports, John Fox is the current front-runner for the position. Less than 24 hours after Fox and the Broncos parted ways, the Bears reached out to the veteran HC and scheduled an interview. For his part, Fox also appears interested in taking up residence in the Windy City. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Fox in Chicago makes a lot of sense. At nearly 60 years old, Denver's former HC would bring experience to a franchise that just hired the youngest GM in the league. As a defensive-minded coach, he could help to restore the foundation that Bears football was built on. Additionally, his run-first mentality might help develop rookie RB Ka'Deem Carey and allow RB Matt Forte to flourish before hitting the three decade mark. Putting the ball on the ground would, obviously, take away from the receivers' appeal. Though with question marks surrounding QB Jay Cutler's position under center, that might happen anyway.

Broncos GM John Elway says QB Peyton Manning will be involved in team's coaching search

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 07:39 PM PST

Will Peyton Manning retire? If not, will he be content to play somewhere other than Denver next year. Broncos general manager John Elway said Tuesday that he would like for Manning to return and that he will have a say in who is the franchise's next head coach. quot;Peyton's going to be involved," Elway said. "I'm going to talk to Peyton as we go through the process. But there is no timetable." Elway also said he thinks Manning has another season of good football left in him. FANTASY ANALYSIS: It's probably going to be a month or more until we get some real clarity on the Manning "Will he or won't he?" drama. He needs to heal his quadriceps injuries and really ask himself if he wants to go through the rigors of another season -- all the way from offseason training through training camp and another four-month-long season -- at the age of 39. Meanwhile, the Broncos need to decide whether they want to pay Manning's $19 salary for next season or have him come back at a smaller number. After the Broncos parted ways with John Fox on Monday, most people, including myself, thought that the odds were slim that Manning would be back in Denver. We've heard all about how he despises change and craves familiarity. However, the fact that Elway will let Manning have his say in whom the next Broncos head coach should or will be indicates that the team is serious about having the future Hall of Famer in their plans for 2015. After a handful of weeks to mend his mind and body, we'll see if Manning wants to be in those plans or would prefer to call it a (fabulous) career.

GIANTS: 5 CHANGES FOR A PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 07:15 PM PST

The Giants have now missed the playoffs three straight seasons, the longest drought with Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning at the helm. In order to right the ship and get back into the playoff picture, New York should consider the following its top five off season priorities.

Cowboys, HC Jason Garrett agree to 5-year, $30 million contract

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 07:09 PM PST

After being on the hot seat for what seemed like his entire tenure as the Cowboys' head coach, Jason Garrett finally has a healthy amount of job security. Garrett, whose previous contract expired after Dallas lost its playoff game versus the Packers on Sunday, has agreed to a five-year deal worth $30 million to stay in Big D. Garrett went 8-8 in his first three campaigns at the helm, fueling speculation that he would soon be kicked off the Cowboys' horse. But then his team went 12-4 this season, winning the NFC East. Dallas also won a playoff game for the first time in five years. FANTASY ANALYSIS: Coaching continuity is usually a good quality for any team to have. In that way, this is good news for Tony Romo and the rest of the Cowboys' offense. However, it's tough to tell how much impact retaining Garrett really has on this unit. The bigger story to watch is that Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray are set to become free agents, and Scott Linehan was the man calling the plays this season. With his contract also up, Linehan might be lured away to fill offensive coordinator gigs elsewhere. The Browns and Raiders have reportedly asked to interview Linehan. For fantasy purposes, I think what happens with him will be more important than what has happened for Garrett. The Cowboys ranked among the NFL's top seven offenses in yards and points with Linehan's run-centric playcalling.

RAMS: FIVE CHANGES FOR PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 01:24 PM PST

ST. LOUIS — The Rams have a lot of work to do this off season.

VIKINGS: 5 CHANGES FOR A PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 12:58 PM PST

The Vikings made improvements in 2014, but if they want to reach the playoffs in 2015 they will need some wise moves in free agency and the draft. Here should be their top five offseason priorities.

TITANS: FIVE CHANGES FOR PLAYOFF PUSH IN 2015

Posted: 13 Jan 2015 12:58 PM PST

The Titans must improve their roster overall if they are to improve on their 2-14 record of 2014, but what are the five biggest changes are needed for the Titans to make a playoff push in 2015.