Lammey: Buzz from around the NFL at Super Bowl 51 — Thursday
Feb 3, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 6:14 am
Author’s note: Covering the NFL since 2003, I’ve been able to generate contacts with every team in the league. This is the time of year when those relationships come in handy.
NFL teams have entered the offseason mode, and information is swirling around the atmosphere of the league. If you know who to ask, you can learn some interesting things about the direction of these franchises as they prepare for the 2017 season.
Here’s some of the latest buzz I’m hearing from around the NFL and Super Bowl 51.
A Paxton friendly Broncos offense?
The Denver Broncos are implementing a new offense with coordinator Mike McCoy back in the Mile High City.
McCoy is known as a versatile coach who can craft a system built around what his players can do best. That sounds like what he’s going to do for second-year quarterback Paxton Lynch.
Buzz: Sources indicate the Broncos are going to utilize a system that will work to the strength of Lynch. It makes perfect sense as the team wants to get the most out of their first-round pick from 2016.
I would expect the Broncos to use a shotgun-heavy system — at least early on — with Lynch on the field. They could utilize his athleticism, arm strength, and playmaking ability by getting him on the move and into a groove.
Do not be surprised if they implement some “sail” concepts as well like I highlighted in this video on our YouTube channel.
Bills’ McDermott a ‘breath of fresh air’
Like the Broncos, the Buffalo Bills were in search of a new head coach this offseason and hired former Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean.
As a team that hasn’t made the postseason in nearly two decades, Bills fans are hungry to get back to the winning ways they had in the ‘90s.
Buzz: Bills sources are excited about McDermott taking over and call his presence a “breath of fresh air” compared to what the way the team was operating with former head coach Rex Ryan.
McDermott is already getting to the facility early and staying late — even as early as 3 a.m. on some days.
It sounds like the first-time head coach is ready to take the Bills in the right direction.
Antonio Brown’s future in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is about to enter the final season of a six-year contract he signed in 2012. However, his antics are reportedly “wearing thin” on some of his teammates and coaches, according to credible reports.
One week after live streaming head coach Mike Tomlin’s postgame speech after the Steelers’ divisional round win over the Kansas City Chiefs, Brown drew criticism from quarterback Ben Roethlisberger for pouting about not getting the ball enough in the AFC Championship loss to the New England Patriots.
Buzz: All sources indicate that Brown’s antics as of late are not indicative of the player he really is. In fact, there’s a good chance he retires a member of the Steelers.
Still only 29 years old, Brown is playing at a Hall of Fame level, and his on-field chemistry with Roethlisberger is quite strong most of the time.
Sources say the team will look to add more weapons to this high-powered offense so they have better options when Brown is taken away by opposing defenses.