Bucs hire Mike Smith as defensive coordinator

Jan 15, 2016

Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith are combining forces once again. During a press conference at One Buccaneer Place Friday, in which Koetter was introduced as the Bucs 11th head coach in franchise history, Koetter announced Smith has agreed to join him as the Bucs new defensive coordinator.

It also marks the third time that Koetter and Smith have landed in the same NFL location, always as coordinators or head coaches. In the previous two stops, that pairing immediately helped produce a playoff team.

The two coaches first intersected in Jacksonville in 2007. That was the last year of Smith's very successful four-year run as the Jaguars' defensive coordinator; in 2008, he would be hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their head coach. Koetter began a five-year stint as Jacksonville's offensive coordinator in '07, and he and Smith helped the Jaguars record an 11-5 record and a Wild Card playoff win. Jacksonville ranked sixth in scoring offense and 10th in scoring defense that season.

In 2012, Smith brought Koetter to Atlanta to be his offensive coordinator, and the Falcons soared to a 13-3 record before suffering a narrow loss to San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game.

Fantasy Impact:

As defensive coordinator, Smith led the Jacksonville defense to four consecutive top 10 appearances (in points allowed) from 2004-07. From 2008 to 2012, with Smith as head coach, the Falcons finished in the top 11 in points allowed three times in five years and the franchise didn't finish lower than 18th in that category until back-to-back finishes at the #27 spot in the last two years. Smith certainly has a resume of a good defensive mind and he knows Koetter well.

yesterday

Raiders sign RB Sincere McCormick to roster; WR D.J. Turner to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 7:50 PM EST

The Raiders used up their temporary practice squad elevations for running back Sincere McCormick, so they made a more lasting roster move on Tuesday.

McCormick has been signed to the 53-man roster in Las Vegas. Wide receiver D.J. Turner was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

McCormick played in the last two games for the Raiders as they were missing Mattison and White due to injuries. McCormick ran 12 times for 64 yards in last Friday’s loss to the Chiefs and he had five carries for 33 yards against the Broncos in Week 12, the story said. McCormick led the way for the Raiders against the Chiefs with 12 carries to Abdullah's 10. McCormick may be worth a pickup and stash at this point, as the Raiders are trying to figure out their roster for 2025. Mattison, White and Abdullah don't necessarily offer much future upside at the position, so it's possible the team will see what they have with McCormick going forward. However, keep an eye on the injury statuses of Mattison and White. The Raiders are at Tampa Bay in Week 14.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) week to week

Ben Standing on X

yesterday · 7:21 PM EST

Austin Ekeler's response when asked whether he could return this season:

"It's week to week. I want to continue to learn more. It's my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I've had two and the severity of mine? It's a learning process for me because I've never had anything this bad and twice in the same season. ... The best thing about is the team has my back ... I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and Adam Peters for being there."

Related players: Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

Fantasy Impact:

It doesn't seem like Ekeler has a timetable and the week to week tag indicates it could be some time. Ekeler is clearly concerned about this long-term well-being. From a fantasy angle, Robinson should continue to lead the way with McNichols seeing the passing down work. Rodriguez may be a guy to pick up in deeper leagues as a stash, especially if Ekeler ends up missing significant time. Rodriguez got some mop-up time and ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, adding a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

49ers sign RB Israel Abanikanda; RB Christian McCaffrey to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:09 PM EST

The 49ers were down to one healthy running back on their active roster, so they added another one off the waiver wire on Tuesday.

The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that they have claimed Israel Abanikanda off of waivers from the Jets. Abanikanda was let go on Monday when the Jets signed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu to the 53-man roster.

Christian McCaffrey was officially moved to injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo is expected to take over the team's RB1 role with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both heading to IR. Abanikanda should be a familiar name to those in dynasty circles. He was a 2023 fifth-round pick but at the time was buried on the depth chart with the Jets, and he never earned much of a role on offense and didn’t play in the regular season this year, the story said. He appeared in six games as a rookie and ran 22 times for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards, the story added. The team also signed Vaughn to their practice squad.