NFL Rumors: 4 Bold Predictions About the 2012 Offseason

With Wild Card Weekend over and the Divisional games approaching, there's also a lot of eyes focused on the offseason and what's to come of it.

There's certainly been some interesting names being thrown around and it's only getting more intense. Add in the 2012 NFL Draft on top of all the teams needing a new coach and it's already been one exciting offseason.

So, here are more predictions as we progress through January and beyond.

Rams and Dolphins Head Coaches

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, it appears that Jeff Fisher is leaning more towards the St. Louis Rams:

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With Jeff Fisher reportedly leaning toward taking the St. Louis Rams coaching job, the Dolphins are planning to book interviews with other coaches in the coming days.

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Thus far according to Jackson:

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The Dolphins have conducted four interviews (interim coach Todd Bowles, Fisher, Bears special-teams coach Dave Toub and Packers offensive coordinator Joe Philbin).

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That being said, we have to expect that Fisher will end up in St. Louis, which is a good fit as the Rams had one of the NFL's worst defenses last season. They may have ranked No. 7 against the pass, they were No. 31 against the run.

So, their rush defense and 2-14 record are proof that allowing just 206.3 pass yards per game is a deceiving stat.

As for Miami, of those coaches interviewed, Todd Bowles should be the one who gets hired. After Tony Sparano was let go, Bowles kept Miami on track in the season's second half and the Dolphins finished 6-10 and ranked No. 3 against the run.

The offense has pieces in play with Matt Moore under center, Reggie Bush becoming an every down back and Brandon Marshall out wide. If Miami wants to hit the ground running in 2012, they will keep Bowles as their head coach.

Cleveland Browns Draft Defense

Without a doubt the Cleveland Browns need to improve their passing offense by getting a stud receiver. But, with Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State likely to go to St. Louis at No. 2 overall, should the Browns draft Notre Dame's Michael Floyd or South Carolina's Alshon Jeffery higher than expected?

Not at the moment as maximizing their strengths is more appealing with LSU CB Morris Claiborne; a perfect fit to line up opposite of Joe Haden.

Then with another first round pick from Atlanta, Cleveland needs to take Arizona State's Vontaze Burfict to help the run defense and blitz packages. Maximizing their defense will shutdown most if not all opposing offenses in 2012.

And with getting healthier on offense this offseason, drafting a receiver in the mid rounds is better as neither Floyd or Jeffery aren't a top five pick. That being said, Cleveland may also trade down once again.

According to Marla Ridenour of the Akron Beacon Journal, it could happen in 2012:

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[Tom] Heckert clearly loves to stockpile picks, especially with the number of holes he has to fill as the Browns rebuild.

“If I could have all these picks every year it would be great,” Heckert said of the Browns’ stash, currently at nine.

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The question is, why trade down when you can get Claiborne at No. 4 as well as a stud linebacker later on in round one? They don't need a running back, QB or offensive lineman to improve offensively. So it comes down to if Cleveland wants to maximize on defense or trade down to stock up on picks.

Drafting for defense instead is the better decision.

New York Jets Need a New Offense

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Jets may have a new offensive coordinator in 2012:

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The Jets have begun to look at candidates to replace Brian Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator if he gets a head coaching job.

According to sources, the Jets have targeted former Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano and Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter as potential replacements.

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With that, getting a fresh start to the offense isn't a bad idea regardless of what happens with Schottenheimer.

He's been with the Jets since 2006 and Gang Green hasn't been all that impressive. Their total offense per game average ranked No. 25 in 2006, No. 26 in 2007, No. 16 in 2008, No. 20 in 2009, No. 11 in 2010 and No. 25 in 2011.

Much of the Jets success has been because of their defense, so getting a new offensive coordinator is needed.

Perhaps the best guy on the market is Mike Martz. He could definitely work with an improving QB like Mark Sanchez and develop Joe McKnight into a complete running back. At the very least, both he and Shonn Greene would become a solid two-back tandem.

One More Shot for Marty Schottenheimer

According to Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, the Buccaneers are interested in Marty Schottenheimer:

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Schottenheimer, 69, is intrigued by Tampa Bay.

"I think my agent called them, and (while) nothing has been finalized, I am interested in the job,'' said Schottenheimer, the former head coach for four NFL teams. "I think it's an interesting situation there. I should know something in the next 48 hours.''

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If Tampa Bay wants to bring in a reputable coach, Marty is that guy. He's coached four different teams (Browns, Chiefs, Chargers and Redskins) and has been off the sidelines since the being let go in 2006.

At age 68, Marty deserves one more chance to add to his impressive resume. Now, he hasn't had the career success like more in the postseason. However, he's never had a team so young and full of potential like these Tampa Bay Bucs either.

With a potentially punishing ground game led by LeGarrette Blount, as long as Tampa becomes more consistent in rushing offense they can make some noise in the NFC South.

Defensively, they have a lot of young talent that simply needs to bring it all together. With Marty's experience and credibility, Tampa Bay can turnaround quickly in 2012.

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