Small Thoughts: NFL was there any surprise?

To the surprise of no one the Jets house cleaning has begun in full earnest. Tony Sparano this season’s offensive coordinator was fired on Monday. Sparano was hired last March to replace Brian Schottenheimer and take over an offense that struggled mightily. If you recall I questioned the hire from the beginning especially under the circumstances that went on in Miami when Sparano was the head coach and Miami had trouble on offense. Sparano was ion over his head with questionable play calling and never could figure out how to get Tim Tebow involved in the Jets offense.

Also gone is defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, whose contract expired. Pettine has worked with Rex Ryan for 10 years so this is a big hit for Rex. The current rumor is that Dennis Thurman is being considered to be promoted to Defensive coordinator.  But here is an interesting tidbit, Rex ‘s brother Rob Ryan was fired yesterday in Dallas as the defensive coordinator. Could Rex brinig Rob in as his new D.O?…you know with the Jets anything is possible.

The contract of quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh also was not renewed. Ben Kotwica replaces the retired Mike Westhoff as special teams coordinator.

And the Jets are looking for a new general manager after Mike Tannenbaum was fired last week.

In D.C. Robert Griffin III is said to be undergoing surgery on his torn LCL and while he is being operated on is having his ACL looked at to determine how badly damaged it is. For the sake of the Redskin franchise head Coach Mike Shanahan had better hope that Griffin suffered no further damage and that he will be able to recover and be back in time for the 2013 season.

And lastly you knew it was matter of time before Bill Cowher decided it was time to return to coaching. So yes he he plans to return to coaching. With his name in the ring and the openings in Philadelphia, Chicago and SanDiego he could end up having his pick of good jobs to pick from.