2016-01-04



Here's your open thread for today.

NFL playoff picture 2016: Broncos, Panthers clinch top seeds - SBNation.com
The Broncos and Panthers have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs this year.

Browns have reportedly given up on Johnny Manziel, who wants to play for the Cowboys - SBNation.com
Johnny Manziel's days in Cleveland appear to be numbered.

NFL playoff schedule and bracket 2016: Wild Card round begins on Saturday - SBNation.com
The road to Super Bowl 50 begins on Jan. 9 with the Wild Card round.

Just because Peyton Manning is back doesn't mean the Broncos are better - SBNation.com
Peyton Manning returned and played well, but he wasn't the biggest reason the Broncos won their finale.

2016 NFL Draft order: Tennessee Titans will pick No. 1 - SBNation.com
By losing their final four games of the season, the Titans get the first pick for the third time in franchise history.

Mike Pettine becomes 3rd Browns coach to get fired in 4 years - SBNation.com
The Cleveland Browns are making a head coaching change ... again.

The 2016 NFL coaching rumors tracker, with news for every changing job and more - SBNation.com
You can click straight to everything on any of the teams changing head coaches, or you can scroll for everything.

Eric Berry beat cancer and dominated the NFL in the same damn year - SBNation.com
Chiefs safety Eric Berry missed all of last season fighting lymphoma. This season, he's the back to being the best safety in the NFL. Stephen White and Danny Kelly take a closer look at what makes Berry so good.

Ranking the NFL's best and worst potential head coaching vacancies - SBNation.com
It's that time of year when your favorite NFL team dumps its dud of a head coach and replaces him with a guy who got fired by another team not all that long ago, probably. So which potential coaching vacancies are the most attractive?

Press Conference: Head Coach Lovie Smith
Head Coach Lovie Smith speaks to the media following Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers about allowing big plays in the passing game, Jameis Winston's two interceptions, and heading into the offseason.

Press Conference: QB Jameis Winston
QB Jameis Winston speaks to the media following Sunday's loss to the Carolina Panthers about moving into the offseason, the desire to win, and building on the positives.

Game Awards: Buccaneers vs. Panthers
Who got this week's game ball?

Buccaneers 2016 Opponents Announced
The Bucs' 2016 opponents have been finalized.

Buccaneers Fail in Upset Bid in Carolina
Tampa Bay's 2015 season ends with a 38-10 loss at Carolina, as the Bucs broke several single-season offensive records but once again lost the all-important turnover battle.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Doug Martin misses out on rushing title - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
The Buccaneers' Doug Martin didn't manage to win the rushing title, but the free-agent-to-be hopes to get another chance at it with Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Mike Evans on ejection: 'They wanted to get me' - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
Mike Evans' frustration bubbled over late in the Bucs' season-ending loss as he was ejected for arguing with the officials.

Bucs' Jorvorskie Lane after gruesome injury: 'I will be just fine' - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
Players on the field were visibly shaken at the sight of Tampa Bay fullback Jorvorskie Lane's injury Sunday.

Five questions facing Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
After closing out a 6-10 season, the Buccaneers have a number of contract decisions to make, including whether to re-sign Doug Martin.

Jameis Winston: Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have 'relentless mindset of - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
The Buccaneers showed growth in 2015, but after finishing with four straight losses, Jameis Winston said he's determined to build a winning culture.

Jameis Winston up, Johnthan Banks down for Buccaneers in 2015 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers Blog- ESPN
The Bucs made strides in Jameis Winston's rookie season, but improvement is necessary at several positions.

Bucs First and 10: Back in the basement | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
An inside look at Tampa Bay’s 38-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers:

Losing seasons stacking up for Bucs’ McCoy | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
With Sunday’s 38-10 loss to the Panthers, the Bucs racked up another ignominious record, becoming the first NFC team since the 1970 merger to finish last in its division in five straight seasons.

Bucs have plenty of growing up to do | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
Siege the golf clubs. Seriously, did anyone out there think Sunday would turn out different?

Bucs WR Evans’ season ends early with ejection | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The season ended a little earlier than planned for Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans, who was ejected from Sunday’s game late in the fourth quarter after he drew two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the same play.

Bucs RB Martin fails to win rushing title | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin racked up 108 total yards during the Sunday’s 38-10 loss to the Carolina Panthers, but only 48 came on the ground.

Winston vows change after futile finish for Bucs, 38-10 loss at Carolina | TBO.com and The Tampa Tribune
If the Bucs are going to break their string of last-place finishes, which now sits at an NFC-record five, and their eight-year playoff drought, something has to change. And QB Jameis Winston says he knows exactly what it is.

Offseason preview: Bucs free agents | Tampa Bay Times
The Bucs wrap up their 2015 season on Sunday in Charlotte, so we can look ahead to the key offseason issues -- we'll start with free agency, which won't happen until March 15, but the Bucs can re-sign their own potential free agents.

Bucs' Mike Evans on ejection: 'I lost my cool' | Tampa Bay Times
Three days after saying "I've got to be smart" about keeping his emotions in check, Bucs WR Mike Evans was ejected in the final two minutes of Sunday's 38-10 loss to the Panthers after drawing two 15-yard penalties for "disrespectfully addressing the official" in arguing for a pass interference call.

Winstometer Week 17: Jameis Winston drops behind Cam Newton | Tampa Bay Times
Jameis Winston slipped two spots to finish his rookie season eighth on the list of first-year quarterbacks drafted in the first round since 1980.

Carolina Panthers cruise past Bucs | Tampa Bay Times
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bucs' late-season slide got only worse at the end Sunday, with Cam Newton and Carolina cruising to a 38-10 victory at Bank of America Stadium to end Tampa Bay's season with a four-game losing streak.

Bucs at Panthers: 5 things you might have missed | Tampa Bay Times
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Bucs ended their season with a 38-10 loss at Carolina, closing the season with a four-game losing streak, but here are five things you might have missed.

NFL wild-card schedule set; Black Monday starts early for coaches | The MMQB with Peter King
There’s some coaching news to clean up as the regular season ended Sunday. The latest on the firings, plus Peyton Manning's triumphant return, the Manziel mess in Cleveland, a sneak peek at wild-card weekend and more

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