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The Wolf Sports Newsletter: February 6, 2024


Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs is this Sunday, February 11 at 6:30 PM ET on CBS.

 

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Super Bowl LVIII focus

 

The Super Bowl has plenty of storylines, but one that might be most under the microscope (particularly on social media) is the play of the Chiefs offensive line—and any potential holding the officials allow. 49ers star pass rusher Nick Bosa seems to be alerting officials that tackles Donovan Smith and Jawaan Taylor hold often, simply saying that “they hold a lot.”

 

 

‍♂️ On top of Bosa and the Niners pointing that out, Ravens pass rusher Odafe Oweh posting on Instagram that Kansas City held all game in the AFC Championship. So, wherever you stand on the debate about whether the Chiefs getting favorable officiating., the situation is one to watch this Sunday.

 

 

And the Niners are not happy with their soft practice field surface at UNLV, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

 

2024 NFL head coaching cycle ends

 

✅ In one of the slowest and most deliberate NFL hiring cycles in memory, the Seahawks and Commanders finally made their hires last week. Seattle was able to lure Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald with a six-year deal, while the Commanders went with former Falcons head coach and Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

 

 

 

Among the big coaching news last week was Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson deciding to stay in Detroit for the second consecutive year. This time, the Commanders brass was en route to meet with Johnson (and also Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn) for an interview while Johnson made the decision, which has led to a bit of a “he said, he said” in the media. Signs pointed to Johnson being the top target for Washington, but the Lions OC reportedly thought Commanders ownership are “basketball guys” while Washington is apparently leaking that Johnson did not interview well in their first discussion. Ultimately, it seems like it wasn’t a fit for either side.

 

 

Assistant coach hirings

 

↔️ There was a ton of movement in the assistant coaching ranks this week, with the headline being former Cardinals head coach and current USC assistant Kliff Kingsbury and the Raiders having talks break down after it looked like he would be the team’s offensive coordinator. Vegas pivoted to former Bears OC Luke Getsy, and Kingsbury ended up with the Commanders. Among the coaching moves:

 

  • The Seahawks hired former Vikings head coach and Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who is a mentor to Mike Macdonald, as their assistant head coach.
  • The Steelers hired former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator.
  • The Browns hired former Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to the same position.
  • Baltimore promoted former linebacker and linebackers coach Zach Orr to be the team’s defensive coordinator.
  • The Bills promoted linebackers coach Bobby Babich to defensive coordinator.
  • Brian Callahan hired his dad Bill Callahan away from the Bengals to be the Titans offensive line coach, and Tennessee hired Dennard Wilson from the Ravens to be the defensive coordinator.
  • The Buccaneers hired former Rams and Kentucky assistant Liam Coen as their offensive coordinator.
  • The Giants hired former Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen to the same position.
  • Mike Zimmer and Ron Rivera are candidates for the Cowboys defensive coordinator position.

 

More NFL news

 

The Eagles will host the NFL’s first-ever game in Brazil this season… and it is happening in Week 1… on a Friday.

 

In the 2024 Pro Bowl Games, the NFC beat the AFC, 64-59, by dominating the skill competitions and getting a fourth-and-goal stop to end flag football.

 

 

Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen has officially retired after nine NFL seasons. The tough-nosed offensive lineman was a critical member of the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV team as Tom Brady’s center. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2021. Unfortunately, a knee injury suffered during training camp in 2022 forced him to miss that season until an improbable return for the postseason—but he was then unable to play in 2023.

 

 

Running back Rex Burkhead has announced his retirement after ten years in the NFL. He won Super Bowl LIII with the Patriots.

 

Upon his expected retirement, veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was named head coach of his high school football team, Miami Northwestern High School.

 

Chiefs rookie receiver Rashee Rice received a fantastic send-off from his neighbors ahead of the Super Bowl.

 

 

Other Sports Updates

 

Former Raiders linebacker and the great actor Carl Weathers—known for many roles including his iconic run as Apollo Creed in the Rocky franchise—passed away at 76.

 

 

Former Patriots defensive playcaller Steve Belichick has taken the defensive coordinator job with the Washington Huskies.

 

The Angelos family has sold the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by Baltimore native David M. Rubenstein—and including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr.—for $1.725 billion.

 

⚾️ And Baltimore acquired former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes from the Brewers in a surprise move.

 

Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. signed an 11-year, $288.7 million extension with the Blue Jays.

 

⚽️ The 2026 World Cup Final will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

 

Former Red Sox and Cubs GM Theo Epstein has joined Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Red Sox, as a part owner and senior advisor.

 

Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews won NHL All-Star Game MVP in Toronto.

 

⛳️ Wyndham Clark won a weather-shortened Pebble Beach Pro-Am after shooting a course record 60 on Saturday.

 

Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the cover athlete for MLB The Show 24.

 

 

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