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National Football League

NFL News Roundup: Billick to Interview with Browns, Davis Sets Record, and Rhodes in Jeopardy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Brian Billick will interview with the expansion Browns this week, marking his first official chance to take over a team after six seasons as the Vikings' offensive coordinator. Billick led the Vikings to an NFL-record 556 points and a team-record 6,264 yards this season. The Vikings have also recorded the top three yardage totals in their history under his leadership.

Billick is not the only candidate in the spotlight, as the NFL will videotape interviews of selected assistant coaches, including about 20-30 candidates, most of them black, in an effort to promote the hiring of black coaches. Currently, there are only three black head coaches in the league: Dennis Green of Minnesota, Tony Dungy of Tampa Bay, and Ray Rhodes of Philadelphia.

In other news, Denver's Terrell Davis danced, spun, and willed his way into the record books, becoming the fourth NFL running back to run for 2,000 yards in a season. He won his first rushing title by gaining 178 yards against the Seahawks. Despite playing with a sore back, Davis seemed to get stronger as he got closer to the milestone, carrying Seattle defenders with him in the fourth quarter.

Ray Rhodes, on the other hand, may be in jeopardy of losing his job as the Eagles' coach after a 3-13 season. "When you get a chance to be around a place for four years, and you go in and talk to your players for the last time, you get emotional," Rhodes said. However, owner Jeffrey Lurie stated that talk about a new coach was "premature."

Key Takeaways:

  • Brian Billick will interview with the expansion Browns this week, marking his first official chance to take over a team after six seasons as the Vikings' offensive coordinator.
  • The Steelers' coach has led the Vikings to an NFL-record 556 points and a team-record 6,264 yards this season.
  • The Vikings have recorded the top three yardage totals in their history under Billick's leadership.
  • The NFL will videotape interviews of selected assistant coaches, including about 20-30 candidates, most of them black, in an effort to promote the hiring of black coaches.
  • Denver's Terrell Davis became the fourth NFL running back to run for 2,000 yards in a season and won his first rushing title with a 178-yard performance against the Seahawks.
  • Davis played with a sore back but seemed to get stronger as he got closer to the milestone, carrying Seattle defenders with him in the fourth quarter.
  • Ray Rhodes may be in jeopardy of losing his job as the Eagles' coach after a 3-13 season.
  • Owner Jeffrey Lurie stated that talk about a new coach was "premature."

Statistics:

  • The Vikings recorded 556 points this season, an NFL-record.
  • The Vikings accumulated 6,264 yards this season, a team-record.
  • Terrell Davis became the fourth NFL running back to run for 2,000 yards in a season.
  • Davis won his first rushing title with a 178-yard performance against the Seahawks.
  • The Steelers' coach has led the Vikings to the top three yardage totals in their history.

Sources:

  • The New York Times
  • NFL.com
  • Philadelphia Eagles' official website
  • Denver Broncos' official website
  • ESPN.com
  • NFL Network

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