Around The NFL: Snyder Won't Interfere, Bears/Eagles Flexed, Chris Johnson Gone?
By Danny Cox
The middle of December is always an interesting time for the NFL as the playoff race is heating up and it is getting down to when tiebreakers become important; every single win counts. This is also the time of the season when things begin to get a bit scary for some players and coaches as they realize their time with their current teams may soon be coming to an end.
Dan Snyder will not interfere in Mike Shanahan's decisions with RG3
Washington Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan already realizes that he may not be in maroon and gold next season, and some experts believe he is purposely trying to get out of his current position. Shanahan has already said that he has possible plans of benching quarterback Robert Griffin III for the rest of the season and owner Dan Snyder is letting it be.
Snyder has said he will not intervene with any decision that Shanahan makes on RG3, even if that means the quarterback sits out the final three games of the season.
Shanahan has said he wants to bench RG3 for his own safety. The Redskins are out of the playoff race and Griffin III has been sacked 24 times in the past five games. Kirk Cousins would end up taking over for RG3 if the decision to bench him is made, and if it is, it will be Shanahan's alone.
Big game flexed to prime time on NBC for this week
With the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles right in the middle of the NFC playoff race, the league thought it best to let everyone enjoy their next game. In week 16, the NFL will flex their game from earlier in the day to the prime time slow on NBC for a start time of 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
The New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens were set for that spot, but their game has been bumped. Currently, the Pats have a firm grasp on the second spot in the AFC and the Ravens currently own the sixth seed.
Chris Johnson is a focal point of a lot of talk in Tennessee
Tennessee Titans new team president and CEO Tommy Smith said that running back Chris Johnson needs to be used better than he already is and that he has been a good teammate and player. These statements come on the heels of a weekend report that Johnson is unlikely to return next season at his scheduled 2014 salary of $8 million.
Smith has said that it is far too early to know exactly what will happen for next season and that a report of Johnson not being brought back is rather "premature."
Johnson averaged 21 carries per game when quarterback Jake Locker was leading the team to an early 3-1 record. Since Locker got injury and Ryan Fitzpatrick has taken over, Johnson's production has dropped down to 16 carries per game.
For more NFL news and updates, visit NFL Central.
Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.
