Tag: James Urban

Lions WRs Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu react to the Lions interviewing James Urban

Jones and Sanu played under Urban in Cincinnati

Before they were teammates in 2020 in Detroit, Lions wide receivers Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu were also teammates with the Cincinnati Bengals. In fact, the duo were classmates in Cincinnati’s 2012 draft haul and played their first four seasons together.

Their position coach with the Bengals was James Urban. Now the QB coach with the Baltimore Ravens, Urban will for the Lions’ vacant offensive coordinator role under new head coach Dan Campbell. And both Jones and Sanu seem pretty interested in the development.

Jones and Sanu interacted on Twitter with their reactions to possibly playing for Urban once again. It’s worth noting that both wideouts are free agents, so they’re not technically Lions once the league year ends in March, but they seem intrigued:

Perhaps hiring Urban could lure back the veteran duo. The Lions currently have just Quintez Cephus and Geronimo Allison under contract at wide receiver for the 2021 season.

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Report: Detroit Lions interview Ravens’ QB coach James Urban for OC role

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Detroit Lions have interviewed Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback coach James Urban for their offensive coordinator role.

After making a push to hire New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn to be the next defensive coordinator — a move that is not yet finalized, but the Lions are “the clear favorite” per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler — the Detroit Lions are making now taking a run at a potential offensive coordinator.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Lions have interviewed Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback coach James Urban on Wednesday for their offensive coordinator role.

Urban began his NFL coaching career in 2004 with the Philadelphia Eagles under then-coach Andy Reid. He started out as the Eagles assistant to the head coach in 2004-06, then moved to an offensive assistant and quality control roles in 2007-08, and eventually earning a quarterbacks coaching role in 2009-10 — working with quarterbacks Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick.

In 2011, he joined Marvin Lewis’ Cincinnati Bengals as a wide receivers coach and held that role for the next seven years. During the 2012-15 seasons, he worked directly with Lions’ receivers Marvin Jones Jr. and Mohamad Sanu.

In 2018, Urban joined John Harbaugh’s Ravens as their QB coach and was immediately tasked with coaching then-rookie Lamar Jackson. Jackson’s technique and footwork were considered raw when he entered the league, and under Urban’s tutelage, he has helped the young signal-caller add layers to his overall game. In 2019, Jackson was the league’s MVP.

Urban is well-liked throughout the league, is thought of as a highly intelligent coach who can effectively communicate his message. His connections with three established head coaches and track record for developing players is something that is surely very appealing to the Lions.

James Urban, Bobby Engram pulled out of Eagles coaching searches

The Ravens appear as though they’ll keep their coaching staff this offseason after James Urban and Bobby Engram turned down the Eagles.

It appears as though the band is sticking together for another year.

After a spectacular 14-2 season, many expected the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff was going to be poached. And though several coordinators and coaches did interview elsewhere, no one left.

A few days after it was announced the Philadelphia Eagles had interest in quarterbacks coach James Urban as their offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Bobby Engram as their wide receivers coach, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said both had turned down the offers in spite of being granted permission to interview.

While things could certainly still change this offseason, it appears as though the entire coaching staff will remain untouched for 2020. That’s a huge bonus for Baltimore who saw their offense break a 41-year old rushing record; quarterback Lamar Jackson set the league on fire while shattering several records and being the leading candidate for the NFL’s MVP award; and a defense that turned around in dramatic fashion to be one of the best units in the league by the end of the season.

Urban was brought on shortly before the Ravens selected Jackson with the No. 32 pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Jackson has since seen dramatic improvements as a passer, ultimately leading the NFL in touchdown passes this season.

Engram has been with the team since 2014 but was moved from wide receivers coach to tight ends coach last offseason. Tight ends Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle and Hayden Hurst all had career seasons receiving the football and look to be the best unit in the league entering 2020.

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Eagles lose out on possible coaching additions as James Urban, Bobby Engram stay with the Ravens

James Urban, Bobby Engram to remain on Ravens coaching staff

The Philadelphia Eagles have openings for two offensive positions but according to Aaron Kasinitz via John Harbaugh, two Baltimore candidates have pulled their names and will remain with the Ravens.

Urban and Engram have both been linked to the Eagles over the past week, but the stability and success of the Raven’s programs seemed like too much for both coaches to pass up at this time.

Urban played a huge part in Lamar Jackson’s emergence in Baltimore and Michael Vick’s career resurrection when he joined the Eagles after getting out of prison.

Engram expressed interest in the Eagles wide receivers coaching job but has since reversed course.

Report: Eagles interested in Ravens QB coach James Urban as offensive coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens might end up losing a coach but not the two many expected as James Urban is getting interest from the Eagles.

With how well the Baltimore Ravens performed this season, it was expected their coaching staff would get a ton of attention. However, with all the head coaching vacancies filled and no Ravens coordinators getting poached, many fans figured Baltimore was safe. Turns out it might not be Don Martindale or Greg Roman leaving for greener pastures but someone just as instrumental in the Ravens’ success in 2019.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Philadelphia Eagles are interested in making Baltimore quarterback coach James Urban their offensive coordinator.

While many people put quarterback Lamar Jackson’s emergence this season on the player and Roman, Urban certainly deserves some of the credit as well. Hired just before the Ravens selected Jackson with the No. 32 pick in the 2018 NFL draft, Urban has been a large reason for his transformation into the frontrunner for the league’s MVP award.

Jackson set several franchise and NFL records this season, leading the league in touchdown passes while breaking Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record. It proved to be a huge jump from his rookie season where Jackson was often inaccurate when throwing the football while leading the league in fumbles.

Urban has been around the league for some time now, starting with the Eagles as the Assistant to head coach Andy Reid in 2004. Urban also worked with the Cincinnati Bengals as a wide receivers coach from 2011-2017 before joining Baltimore.

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Eagles have interest in Ravens QB coach James Urban as OC candidate

Eagles interested in James Urban as offensive coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles are in need of an offensive coordinator and one name that we’ve mentioned is now starting to get mutual interest back from the organization.

James Urban has played a huge part in the development of guys like Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, and the soon to be NFL MVP, Lamar Jackson. The Ravens quarterback coach has ties with Philadelphia and according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, there’s growing interest from the Eagles in Urban.

Jackson, the frontrunner for league MVP, has thrown for 3,127 yards while rushing for 1,206 yards.

Urban has been credited with Michael Vick’s career season in 2010.

Urban was hired during Jackson’s rookie season with the Ravens and has been credited with his jump in development from last season. He was the Bengals wide receivers coach during AJ Green’s most successful seasons and during his five seasons with then-Eagles head coach Andy Reid, he was responsible for improved play from both Vick and Donovan McNabb.

With Eagles in need of an OC, LSU’s Joe Brady to accept Panthers job offer

Joe Brady to be hired as Panthers offensive coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles are in need of an innovative and fresh set of eyes for their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz. LSU just happens to have the best young play-caller in the business.

It’s unknown whether Joe Brady was a candidate for the Eagles offensive coordinator job, but according to Adam Schefter, Brady will be named the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator.

The 30-year-old Brady has prior NFL experience from his time with the Saints and he’s emerged as one of the hottest offensive play-callers on either level of big-time football.

Brady recently won the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in the nation.

Top-ranked LSU led the nation with 564 total yards per game and was second in the country with 397 passing yards per game.

Under Brady, Joe Burrows improved dramatically, winning the Heisman Trophy and ascending to the likely No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

With Eagles in need of an offensive coordinator, Joe Brady sounds like he’s staying at LSU

Joe Brady says his intentions are to remain at LSU as Eagles search for offensive coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles are in need of an innovative and fresh set of eyes for their franchise quarterback Carson Wentz. LSU just happens to have the best young play-caller in the business.

It’s unknown whether Joe Brady is currently a candidate for the Eagles offensive coordinator job, but according to this quote from Cordy Worsham, it sounds like young hotshot plans on staying in Baton Rouge.

The 30-year-old Brady has prior NFL experience from his time with the Saints and he’s emerged as one of the hottest offensive play-callers on either level of big-time football.

Brady recently won the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in the nation.

Top-ranked LSU led the nation with 564 total yards per game and was second in the country with 397 passing yards per game.

Under Brady, Joe Burrows improved dramatically, winning the Heisman Trophy and ascending to the likely No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

8 candidates who could replace Mike Groh as Eagles offensive coordinator

8 candidates who could replace Mike Groh as Eagles offensive coordinator

The Philadelphia Eagles now formally have two coaching vacancies after Doug Pederson backtracked on his Wednesday comments, and fired Mike Groh (OC) and Carson Walch (WR).

On Thursday, Adam Schefter reported that the Eagles had parted ways with their offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach after a rough season that saw skill players regress.

With the Eagles signing Carson Wentz to a longterm deal and the franchise focused on returning to the Super Bowl, here are 8 potential replacements at offensive coordinator for the recently fired Mike Groh.

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1. Duce Staley — Eagles assistant head coach

Staley is currently the Eagles running backs coach and also the assistant head coach. Staley, the fifth-leading rusher in franchise history, knows the franchise, has been around some creative offensive play-callers and would have no problem holding quarterback Carson Wentz accountable.

When Pederson promoted Mike Groh to offensive coordinator, it was in part because Groh was more involved with the passing game daily.

With Staley being responsible for the emergence of Boston Scott and Miles Sanders, Staley could get the look.

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8 Possible candidates for the OC position if Eagles part ways with Mike Groh

James Urban among candidates who could replace Mike Groh as Eagles OC

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The Philadelphia Eagles have had a difficult season thus far but still, control their own destiny in the weak NFC East.

The format is simple for Philadelphia, win the next four straight — all divisional opponents — and host a Wild Card one month from now. Even with a playoff run, the Eagles will most certainly make changes to personnel and the coaching staff.

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On Monday, ESPN NFL reporter Chris Mortensen was a guest on SportsCenter and had this to say about the Eagles.

“Barring a run in the playoffs, I would say there’s going to be some significant changes on the Philadelphia staff.”

Mortensen was simply making a hypothesis, as there’s been no indication from inside the organization that any changes are coming.

Philadelphia is now 5-7 after a loss to 3-9 Miami Dolphins, a game in which the Eagles stopped running the ball after taking a 28-14 lead. With the Eagles signing Carson Wentz to a longterm deal and the franchise focused on returning to the Super Bowl, here are 7 potential replacements at offensive coordinator if the team moves on from Mike Groh.

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1. Duce Staley — Eagles assistant head coach

Staley is currently the Eagles running backs coach and also the assistant head coach. Staley, the fifth-leading rusher in franchise history, knows the franchise, has been around some creative offensive play-callers and would have no problem holding quarterback Carson Wentz accountable.

Pederson previously promoted Mike Groh to offensive coordinator, in part because Groh was more involved with the passing game daily.

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