Tag: Tampering

Adam Schefter says that, barring setback, Saints will hire Kellen Moore

Adam Schefter says that, barring a setback, the New Orleans Saints will hire Kellen Moore: ‘A chance to probably triple his salary, become a head coach, one of 32’

The New Orleans Saints head coach search has entered a state of limbo. They don’t have a new coach under contract, but they clearly have a top target. They can’t talk to him, but Kellen Moore and the Philadelphia Eagles will be practicing at their Metairie facility this week. They aren’t allowed to speak with Moore until after Super Bowl LIX, which will be played at the Caesars Superdome. And they’ve told other coach candidates they won’t be making a decision until after the Super Bowl. Conveniently, that’s when Moore will be cleared to contact the team.

It’s kind of an awkward place to be in. All signs point to Moore becoming the Saints’ next head coach, but we aren’t across the finish line yet. ESPN’s Adam Schefter spoke about the situation during a Monday appearance on the Pat McAfee Show.

“Of course, barring a setback, he’s going to be the guy. Could there be a setback? Sure. There often are setbacks,” Schefter said, pointing to examples like Josh McDaniels leaving the Indianapolis Colts at the alter and Bill Belichick not coaching the New York Jets. It was a different scenario but Liam Coen flipping back to the Jacksonville Jaguars, leaving an offer on the table with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is a more recent example.

Schefter added that general manager Mickey Loomis has taken steps (and will continue to take steps) to do “everything in his power, when it comes to this coaching hire, to follow the rules and go by the book and not talk to Kellen Moore until after the Super Bowl. Could it break down and they not reach an agreement? Sure. Its that likely? No. Kellen Moore is gonna have a chance to probably triple his salary, become a head coach, one of 32.”

Why can’t the Saints contact Moore? That would be considered tampering, a penalty which would include a loss of draft picks. Schefter added, “What are they waiting for? Why not go hire him right now? But they’re not, and they’re waiting. They’re waiting to talk to Kellen Moore and they’re waiting to make sure they give the Eagles absolutely zero evidence that they’ve tampered with the guy until after the game.”

The Eagles have been here before, and the Saints clearly learned from being on the outside looking in. Philadelphia benefited from tampering charges on the Arizona Cardinals not following NFL protocol to hire Jonathan Gannon (then the Eagles defensive coordinator) as their head coach. That isn’t a situation Loomis is going to put the Saints in, hence the delay.

You just hope a setback doesn’t appear that takes Moore out of the running for the job. He’ll be speaking with the media almost every day leading up to Super Bowl LIX and is certain to face questions about the Saints’ controversial involvement in the New Orleans archdiocese clergy abuse scandal. The next week will be crucial.

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Saints learned from Cardinals’ tampering mistake with Eagles head coach candidate

The Cardinals were once found guilty on tampering charges for Jonathan Gannon. The Saints are working to avoid that as they pursue Eagles coach Kellen Moore:

If the Philadelphia Eagles lose offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to the New Orleans Saints, it will be the second time they’ve lost their offensive coordinator in three seasons. It’s happened after both of their Super Bowl appearances. Coincidentally, they will have lost their play caller to the host city’s team both times as well.

After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs, defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon stayed in Phoenix to coach the Arizona Cardinals. Kellen Moore could have a similar fate in New Orleans.

And the Saints are taking every precaution to not have the same fate as the Cardinals. When Arizona hired Gannon, they had to swap third-draft picks with the Eagles because the NFL determined Arizona was guilty of tampering. Philadelphia received the No. 66 pick in exchange for the No. 94 pick, plus a fifth-round selection in 2024.

New Orleans hasn’t succumbed to the same pitfalls the Cardinals fell victim to. Arizona contacted Gannon for the first time the day after the NFC Championship Game. NFL rules dictate the process very clearly: when speaking with candidates, teams must first hold a virtual teleconference interview (capped at three hours). After that, they can meet in person either at the team facility or another location, and those talks can take eight or nine hours to cover everything. Further discussions can happen, but you’ve got to follow the process.

You may think to yourself the Saints did the same as Arizona. They did fly to Philadelphia after Moore’s offense put up a season-high 55 points to win the NFC. The difference is that New Orleans had followed NFL protocol to the letter. They already interviewed Moore virtually, but that was the first time the Cardinals talked to Gannon. This small difference of not being the initial contact is the difference between receiving tampering penalties.

What if they misstepped? New Orleans has two third-round selections. They’d most likely have to part ways with their first pick at No. 71 and drop down to No. 95 or 96 (depending on the Super Bowl outcome).

That’s a difference of 24 to 25 slots by simply adhering to the NFL regulations. The Saints need to stock talent right now, so dropping down in the draft is only acceptable via trade. They’ve done a good job following the rules to this point. Let’s hope they don’t drop the ball before they’ve crossed the goal line.

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Silence is an answer in New Orleans Saints head coaching search

The longer the New Orleans Saints don’t announce their new head coach, the more likely it will be Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore:

The New Orleans Saints are the only remaining coaching vacancy in the NFL, and the longer that remains the truth, the more obvious the selection. The Saints conducted their final interview on Monday when they flew to Philadelphia to meet with Kellen Moore.

Moore is the clear frontrunner for the job at this point, but the Saints can’t officially announce him as the head coach until after Super Bowl LIX since the Philadelphia Eagles are participating. That means they must wait until Monday, Feb. 10 to make it official.

If the Saints go into next week without a head coach, it’s a very safe assumption Moore will be the coach. If they decide to go in any other direction, all the other options are available to be hired at the present moment.

It also shouldn’t take two weeks to decide you want to go with a candidate such as Anthony Weaver. The Saints’ decision on who their next head coach will be should be done soon, if not already decided on. If there isn’t an announcement soon, they’re waiting until after the Super Bowl for a reason.

If Moore is the choice, New Orleans has to be careful to take the proper steps when approaching him. The Arizona Cardinals had to swap third-round picks with the Eagles after being found guilty of tampering with Johnathan Gannon for not adhering to the NFL contact schedule.

So far, the Saints have seemed to go by the book. Seeing that New Orleans needs to reload the roster, being forced to swap picks with the Eagles would be impactful.

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Falcons lose 2025 draft pick for violation of anti-tampering policy

Falcons lose 2025 draft pick for violation of anti-tampering policy

The NFL handed out punishment on the Atlanta Falcons for their violation of the anti-tampering policy this offseason. Due to some logistical violations concerning things like travel related to Kirk Cousins, Darnell Mooney and Charlie Woerner, the team now must forfeit a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

There were concerns this could have been much worse for Atlanta related to their courting of Cousins He was the team’s splash signing in the offseason with a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million of that being guaranteed. The team was also fined $250,000 and general manager Jerry Fontenot was fined $50,000.

Atlanta’s punishment was mild by NFL standards but you can’t help but think they were anticipating something far worse. Evidence for that was the Falcons decision to draft former Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft despite the huge addition of Cousins. The Falcons could have been concerned more significant future draft picks might have been forfeited and they selected Penix to help plan ahead.

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Falcons release statement on NFL tampering violations

The Falcons released an official statement following the NFL’s ruling on tampering violations

The Atlanta Falcons were stripped of a 2025 fifth-round pick and fined by the NFL for tampering with quarterback Kirk Cousins, wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Charlie Woerner during free agency, the league announced on Thursday morning.

Not only was the team fined $250,000, but general manager Terry Fontenot received an additional fine of $50,000. Per the NFL’s ruling, the Falcons’ violations included “discussion of travel arrangements or other logistical matters, which the club acknowledges took place with regard to those three players.”

The team released an official statement following the NFL’s ruling on Thursday morning:

“We are pleased this review is complete. We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL’s thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve.“

Falcons fans were thrilled to learn the punishment was only a late-round draft pick while Vikings fans lamented the NFL’s ruling on Twitter.

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Falcons could be punished for tampering allegations ahead of draft

The Falcons could be punished for tampering allegations with QB Kirk Cousins ahead of this week’s draft

While NFL teams will never openly admit to it, tampering is rampant around the league ahead of free agency. However, teams rarely get caught because players are usually smart enough to keep their mouths shut about any illegal contact with the coaching staff or trainers.

Apparently, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins didn’t get the memo. During his introductory press conference, Cousins admitted to talking with the team’s head athletic trainer before he was technically allowed to.

“There’s great people here,” said Cousins during his intro presser. “And it’s not just the football team. I mean, I’m looking at the support staff. Meeting, calling yesterday, calling our head athletic trainer, talking to our head of P.R.”

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Cousins’ comments quickly drew the attention of the NFL, who began an investigation into Atlanta for tampering. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Falcons could be punished as soon as this week:

The NFL’s investigation into alleged tampering charges against the Falcons for their involvement with then-free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Eagles for their involvement with then-free-agent running back Saquon Barkley is ongoing and could reach a conclusion as early as this week, per sources. Sources believe the discipline, which is likely to involve draft picks, is expected to be more severe for the Falcons. — ESPN’s Adam Schefter

Could Atlanta potentially lose a first-round pick? Schefter highlighted other recent tampering cases for reference.

The Dolphins lost a first-round pick in 2023 due to tampering with head coach Sean Payton and QB Tom Brady. The Chiefs were fined a third-round pick and a sixth-round pick for tampering with free-agent WR Jeremy Maclin back in 2015.

The Falcons were happy to land Cousins in free agency but if the 35-year-old’s loose lips wind up costing the team a first-round pick, it likely won’t sit well with fans. The first round of the 2024 NFL draft kicks off on Thursday in Detroit, Michigan.

Falcons met with 26 prospects

Falcons strength of schedule

Most likely picks at No. 8

1st-round mock draft

Falcons 7-round mock

Alabama transfer OT Kadyn Proctor says Iowa contacted him during 2023 season

Former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor has transferred to Iowa. In a recent interview, Proctor said Hawkeyes coaches reached out to him during the season.

Former Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor recently announced his decision to transfer to Iowa after one season in Tuscaloosa. The former five-star 2023 recruit was once committed to the Hawkeyes, but shockingly flipped his commitment to Alabama shortly before signing.

While it was no surprise to see the Iowa native and once Hawkeye-commit decide to go back home, it’s a recent quote from Proctor that is catching the attention of many.

Shortly after announcing that he’d be transferring to Iowa, he was spotted at a Hawkeye basketball game. It was there where Proctor spoke with Camille Gear, sports reporter for WQAD, and gave the following quote.

“No bridges were burned, you know what I’m saying? So, that’s why it was so easy for me to pick [Iowa] when I did enter the transfer portal because we still have those relationships,” said Proctor. “Even after I was doing bad in the SEC, and struggling, they hit me up and said, ‘we are proud of you, you’re going to get through this.’ And that’s what ultimately helped me with my decision, because they still believed in me.

Many fans online were quick to raise tampering accusations, but context is important in such circumstances, as it’s a strong claim to make.

NCAA bylaw 13.1.1.3 “Four-Year College Prospective Student-Athletes,” states:

“An athletics staff member or other representative of the institution’s athletics interests shall not make contact with the student-athlete of another NCAA or NAIA four-year collegiate institution, directly or indirectly, without first obtaining the written permission of the first institution’s athletics director (or an athletics administrator designated by the athletics director) to do so, regardless of who makes the initial contact.”

Proctor’s decision to transfer and the quote are still fresh, but it has raised many eyebrows and is leading to questions being asked by media members and fans all across the country, not just those affiliated with the Crimson Tide.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Report: Colts ‘satisfied’ with resolution to Commanders tampering dispute

The Colts reportedly are satisfied with the NFL’s tampering investigation involving alleged contact between the Commanders and Andrew Luck.

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The Indianapolis Colts reportedly are satisfied with the resolution to the inquiry into the league’s investigation of potential tampering between the Washington Commanders and former quarterback Andrew Luck, per ESPN’s Stephen Holder.

Earlier this month, an ESPN report stated that the Commanders reached out to Luck during the 2022 offseason in order to gauge his thoughts on a potential return. Because the Colts still own the rights to Luck’s contract, that would have been a clear violation of the tampering rules.

Colts owner Jim Irsay then requested an investigation into potential tampering, but the issue reportedly has been resolved without further action needed.

From Holder:

But after further clarification, it has been determined that the Commanders never spoke to Luck or anyone in his immediate circle and therefore did not violate the NFL’s anti-tampering policy, the source told ESPN.

There we go. Finally, we can put this issue to bed and focus on the future of the organization, which will be led by rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson and first-year head coach Shane Steichen.

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Report: Commanders not likely to be penalized for alleged tampering with Andrew Luck

No punishment coming for the Commanders for the alleged tampering with Luck.

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay created headlines two weeks ago with a late-night tweet about alleged tampering with retired quarterback Andrew Luck.

Irsay’s tweet came after an ESPN story regarding the Washington Commanders’ pursuit of a quarterback and “even phoned about retired Andrew Luck, just in case,” the story read.

The Colts reportedly asked the NFL to look into the alleged tampering. Sources close to Luck, his father and his uncle, who acted as his agent, all denied Washington had reached out to Luck.

Luck retired in 2019 just before he would begin his eighth NFL season at age 29.

Now, according to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post, the Commanders are not expected to face any penalties for the alleged tampering with Luck.

There probably is “not enough hard evidence” of impermissible contact for the Commanders to be penalized, one of the people with knowledge of the case said, adding that the issue probably is “going to fade away” without being pursued further.

That’s good news for Washington, considering how seriously the NFL has enforced tampering allegations recently. The Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals were each punished for alleged tampering.

The Commanders are expected to have a new owner soon with Daniel Snyder finalizing a deal to sell the franchise to Josh Harris. All that remains is the NFL Finance Committee vetting all of Harris’ partners before the league’s other owners vote for Harris to take over the Commanders.

 

Report: Colts want NFL to investigate Commanders, Andrew Luck matter

The Colts reportedly requested the league investigate potential tampering regarding the Commanders and Andrew Luck.

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly requested the NFL investigate a potential tampering situation following an ESPN report that claimed the Washington Commanders reached out to former quarterback Andrew Luck, per the Washington Post.

According to Mark Maske and Nicki Jhabvala of The Post, the Colts requested the league take further action to “determine whether there was improper contact through intermediaries.”

ESPN’s Stephen Holder, who covers the Colts, confirmed the team’s request to look into the matter. However, it may come down to whether the contact was made through a third party as another report surfaced from The Post that a source within Luck’s camp denied any direct contact with the Commanders.

From Holder:

The Commanders are not believed to have spoken with Luck, nor his agent, which would be a direct violation of the league’s anti-tampering policy. Whether the Commanders spoke with a third party, and whether any such actions constitute a violation, are among the details the Colts are hoping to clarify as they seek to learn more about what exactly transpired, a Colts source told ESPN on Sunday.

The NFL’s anti-tampering policy is somewhat vague, but direct contact with a player is not required for a violation to occur.

Even though Colts fans are tired of hearing about the former franchise quarterback, this may be a situation to keep an eye on in case the league does hand down punishments on the Commanders, which likely would come in the form of losing draft picks.

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