Coaching and front-office changes since the end of the regular season could have a big impact on player movement this offseason. As an agent, I tracked the connections our impending free-agent clients and those considered potential salary cap casualties had with new hires. When we had meetings to discuss upcoming free agency with clients, we would explore relationships our players had with former coaches and team executives around the NFL. A strong tie or negative experience would be a factor in finalizing a client's free agency game plan.
One of my earliest experiences that made me pay close attention to these connections was with Jack Del Rio, who I helped represent toward the end of his playing career. Jimmy Johnson signed Del Rio in 1996 to be his middle linebacker for the Dolphins. Del Rio had been a three-year starter for Johnson (1989-1991) with the Cowboys. But things didn't go according to plan in Miami because Johnson released Del Rio in the preseason to make room for rookie Zach Thomas, a member of the NFL's All-Decade for the 2000s, in the starting lineup.
A more recent example is Rams coach Jeff Fisher making tight end Jared Cook a free-agency priority in 2013. Cook received a five-year, $35.1 million contract (with $19 million in guarantees and worth a maximum of $38.1 million through incentives) despite averaging 33 receptions, 429 receiving yards and two touchdowns during his four seasons with the Titans. Fisher coached Cook in Tennessee during the 2009 and 2010 seasons.
Here's a look at some key connections between players and teams that have hired new coaches, general managers or coordinators for the 2015 season:
Atlanta Falcons: Barring an unforeseen circumstance, Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will be named coach after Super Bowl 49. Atlanta's defense needs an overhaul after ranking last in total defense and pass defense in 2014. The Falcons also were 27th in scoring defense and tied for 30th with 22 sacks.
Byron Maxwell could be option to pair with Desmond Trufant at cornerback since it's unlikely that Seattle can make a competitive offer to keep Maxwell with Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas among the highest-paid players at their respective positions. Super Bowl 48 MVP Malcolm Smith also could be on Quinn's radar screen at outside linebacker given that his playing time has dwindled with the linebacker corps healthy and K.J. Wright signing a four-year, $27 million contract extension near the end of the regular season.
Tight end Jordan Cameron didn't duplicate his breakout 2013 campaign (80 catches, 917 receiving yards) in 2014 while playing for offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan because he missed six games (concussion, shoulder injuries). With Shanahan recently hired as the Falcons' OC, Cameron could fill the void left by Tony Gonzalez's retirement after the 2013 season.
On the other side of the ball, Shanahan has a connection to two pass rushers. Brian Orakpo, recovering from the third torn pectoral muscle of his career, posted 10 sacks during 2013 in Shanahan's final season as the Redskins' OC before receiving the team's franchise tag. He's been a 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL but shouldn't have a problem making a transition to the 4-3 scheme Quinn prefers after being a defensive end in college. Jabaal Sheard didn't have the breakout season in 2014 with Cleveland some expected but would likely be a cheaper option than Orakpo.
Quinn also has familiarity with running back Justin Forsett, who was with the Seahawks from 2009 through 2011. He could help jump start Atlanta's stagnant rushing attack if he's open to leaving the Ravens. Shanahan runs the same system Forsett thrived in this past season in Baltimore.
Quinn might try to persuade five-time Pro Bowl running back Marshawn Lynch to join him in Atlanta if the Seahawks part ways with him.
Buffalo Bills: Former Jets coach Rex Ryan could make a run at a reunion with Darrelle Revis in his first season in Buffalo, provided the Patriots don't rework the All-Pro cornerback's deal before the start of free agency on March 10. Revis signed a two-year, $32 million deal, which in reality is a one year contract for $12 million. The 2015 portion is an option year the Patriots must exercise before the end of the 2014 league year (March 9). If the option isn't exercised, the Patriots are prohibited from designating Revis as their franchise or transition player for 2015. Revis' $20 million 2015 salary on a $25 million cap number practically ensures the option year won't be picked up. If Revis hits the open market, it will probably take a long-term deal near the top of cornerback market ($13 million to $14 million per season) to sign him.
In the past, Ryan has spoken highly of inside linebacker Brandon Spikes, who signed a one-year deal for $3.25 million in 2014. But David Harris, a second team All-Pro in 2009 under Ryan with the Jets, being available in free agency could jeopardize his return.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman had great success utilizing running back Frank Gore with the 49ers. In Roman's four years as San Francisco's offensive coordinator (2011-2014), Gore had four straight 1,000-yard rushing season where he averaged 1,165 yards. Signing him could be risky since Gore turns 32 on May 14.
Chicago Bears: Coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's top priority will be improving a defense that ranked No. 30 in total defense and No. 31 in scoring defense. It remains to be seen whether there will be transition to Fangio's preferred 3-4 scheme since a majority of the current personnel seems better suited for a 4-3.
Fangio's scheme shouldn't be an issue for Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton or free safety Rahim Moore if continuing to play for Fox is in the cards for those players. Fox also could look to restock the defense with Fangio's former 49ers players. During Fangio's four years as San Francisco's DC (2011-2014), the 49ers consistently ranked in the top 10 in most major defensive statistical categories.
Outside linebackers Dan Skuta and Ahmad Brooks, who is expected to be a salary cap casualty, could be options. Another linebacker possibility could be the Saints' Parys Haralson, who started every game during the 2011 season for Fangio. Haralson might be a preference for general manager Ryan Pace given he's spent the past 12 seasons in New Orleans' personnel department.
Perrish Cox, Chris Culliver and Tarell Brown are available cornerbacks who have played for Fangio. San Francisco's inside linebacker situation is worth watching. The 49ers may have too many inside linebackers, thanks to rookie Chris Borland's emergence while All-Pros NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis were injured. Fangio would likely push for Pace to acquire one of his former inside linebackers if San Francisco is open to dealing one of the All-Pros.
Denver Broncos: New coach Gary Kubiak may lobby general manager and executive VP of football operations John Elway to pursue Texans right tackle Derek Newton. Shoring up the offensive line is particularly important if Peyton Manning returns for his 18th NFL season. Signing Newton, a connection from Kubiak's days as the Texans' coach, would allow Louis Vasquez to move back to right guard, his natural position.
Tight end Owen Daniels followed Kubiak from the Texans to the Ravens in 2014. The same thing could occur in 2015 because three of Denver's tight ends -- Virgil Green, Jacob Tamme and Julius Thomas -- are headed towards free agency.
Since running back is not an area of need for Denver, don't expect Kubiak to make a strong push for Forsett to join him in Denver despite Forsett's career year with the Ravens.
New York Jets: General manager Mike Maccagnan has vowed to be active in free agency. The Jets should have close to $50 million in cap space if the salary cap is set at $142 million. Maccagnan likely will devote more resources to cornerback than predecessor John Idzik did.
Maccagnan could look to his former employer, the Texans, to fill that need by pursuing Kareem Jackson. Antonio Cromartie's return after being let go by Idzik last offseason isn't out of the question either. He was a 2014 Pro Bowl alternate in his lone season with the Cardinals, playing for DC Todd Bowles, the Jets' new head coach.
Bowles may throw Pro Bowl inside linebacker Daryl Washington a lifeline if he's reinstated from his yearlong suspension for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy and the Cardinals give up on him. Pursuing nose tackle Dan Williams may not occur despite his success with Bowles in Arizona because of restricted free agent Damon Harrison's presence in the interior of the Jets' defensive line.
The Jets probably will monitor whether Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson are receptive to taking pay cuts with the Cardinals and Texans respectively. The availability of either could lead to Percy Harvin's release -- or give the Jets more leverage to ask Harvin to reduce his $10.5 million 2015 salary. The Jets would only owe the Seahawks a 2015 sixth-round pick from their midseason trade for Harvin if he is released.
Oakland Raiders: It wouldn't be a surprise if Knighton continued his association with new Raiders coach Jack Del Rio, who was instrumental in Knighton landing in Denver. Knighton has been effusive in his praise of the Raiders' hiring his former coach with the Jaguars.
Oakland can raid AFC West rival Broncos (Del Rio was Denver's DC from 2012-14) because they could have close to $70 million in cap space by getting rid of some aging veterans (Kevin Boothe, Maurice Jones-Drew, Matt Schaub and LaMarr Woodley) acquired mostly through free agency in 2014.
For example, the deal averaging between $7.5 million and $8.5 million per year Julius Thomas reportedly turned down before the start of the regular season could be topped. Signing Orlando Franklin would create offensive line flexibility since he is able to play guard and right tackle, just like Austin Howard.
Offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave's presence could give the Raiders a chance at the Eagles' Jeremy Maclin, the playmaker quarterback Derek Carr desperately needs at wide receiver. Musgrave was Philadelphia's QB coach in 2014.
Washington Redskins: The Redskins may have finally gotten it right in hiring GM Scot McCloughan. He was instrumental in making the 49ers and Seahawks into Super Bowl contenders by building through the draft. He was San Francisco's general manager from 2008-10 after three seasons as the team's vice-president of player personnel, and a senior personnel executive with the Seahawks from 2010-14.
Hiring Bill Callahan as offensive line coach from the Cowboys could mean a shift to more of a power blocking scheme which would make 49ers Pro Bowl guard Mike Iupati a good, though expensive, fit. The six-year, $46.8 million contract (includes $16 million guaranteed) Andy Levitre received from the Titans during free agency in 2013 could be an important benchmark for Iupati. Callahan also could be instrumental in the Redskins finding a new right tackle because Cowboys Doug Free and Jermey Parnell are impending free agents.
The McCloughan connection could help the Redskins upgrade the secondary with Maxwell as an option at corner. Defensive coordinator Joe Barry is expected to run a 3-4 scheme, which was utilized while he was the Chargers' linebackers the past three seasons. Brandon Flowers may be another option at cornerback after having a bounce season with the Chargers in 2014. There also might be competition between the Redskins and Bears for pass rushers (Brooks and Haralson) who played for the 49ers during McCloughan's tenure.
Another player to keep an eye on is Seahawks LB Malcolm Smith. In addition to the history with McCloughan, Barry was Smith's linebacker coach when Smith was senior at USC in 2010.
Joel Corry is a former sports agent who helped found Premier Sports & Entertainment, a sports management firm that represents professional athletes and coaches. Before his tenure at Premier, Joel worked for Management Plus Enterprises, which represented Shaquille O'Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Ronnie Lott.
You can follow him on Twitter: @corryjoel | You can email him at jccorry@gmail.com
