SI.com's Chris Burke wrote Colts Owner Jim Irsay should do "something," or "anything" about the future of GM Ryan Grigson and coach Chuck Pagano. The longer Irsay "drags out any decision" about their futures, the "more he wedges himself in between a rock and a hard place." Six other NFL teams "already are in need of a coach and/or GM, and the majority of them have set the wheels in motion on finding those hires." If Irsay "opts today or tomorrow or next week to cut bait on Pagano or Grigson, he’ll already find himself well behind the 8-ball in chasing the perceived premier candidates." His other option -- "staying the course -- might be an even more egregious miscalculation" (SI.com, 1/4).
KEY COMPONENT: In Boston, Jeff Howe writes the Patriots "can't afford to lose" Dir of Player Personnel Nick Caserio, who is again a "coveted commodity as teams are seeking to fill key voids." The 49ers are "hoping to woo him" as their GM. A source said that Caserio, who is "under contract with the Patriots" through at least '20, makes about $2M per year. Like former Patriots VP/Player Personnel Scott Pioli (currently Falcons Assistant GM), maybe the team "won't ever give Caserio the general manager tag." If that "remains off the table, a significant salary bump could keep his mind from wandering when opponents request a job interview." Howe: "Caserio's value can't be undersold" (BOSTON HERALD, 1/5).
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT: CBSSN's Jason La Canfora said the Bills' coaching vacancy is "not an attractive job for a lot of reasons." Many questions "are being asked" about Owner Terry Pegula and "when he is going to step in and clean that whole building up or assume a real sense of on-the-job leadership and straighten things out." But in the meantime, it is a "dysfunctional building." ("Time to Schein," CBSSN, 1/4). The Buffalo News' Vic Carucci said GM Doug Whaley's press conference earlier this week is a "reflection of disarray within the organization that has existed for too long" ("OTL," ESPN2, 1/4).
ALL APOLOGIES: Browns Owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam this week sent an apology letter to their fans following the team's 1-15 season, and ESPN's LZ Granderson asks, "Did a refund check come with that letter?" ESPN's Michelle Beadle said the Browns should have "sent some merch from a different team that you could actually wear with pride." ESPN's Marcellus Wiley said the letter is "insulting" ("SportsNation," ESPN, 1/4).
