Play-calling not exactly a specialty for Philbin
Time for Joe Philbin to assume an important new responsibility with the Packers, and it’s not just the duties that come with taking over as interim head coach.
It has been a while since he has called plays. “Trying to think. Might have been about 20 years, maybe,” Philbin said.
Now he takes over the job Sunday against the Falcons after the Packers’ firing of coach Mike McCarthy, who also called the plays. The previous time Philbin had that task? “I think it was at Northeastern, if I’m not mistaken,” said Philbin, who was offensive coordinator of the Huskies in 1995-96.
He does have a wealth of experience. His résumé goes back to Tulane in 1984. He’s in his second stint as offensive coordinator in Green Bay, having held the job when the Packers won the Super Bowl in the 2010 sea- son, and when the offense set franchise re- cords the next season. He was head coach of the Dolphins from 2012 to 2015. He spent two seasons on the Colts’ staff before returning to Green Bay this year. He has been heavily involved in planning, installation and putting together play scripts. He met regularly with McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers. This week, though, will be a little different. “Sometimes, because I wasn’t calling the plays, I could kind of peek ahead [to the next week] a little bit so we could move forward a little bit,” Philbin said. “I think that will be the biggest difference. I’m not going to be looking at our next opponent until the game is over.”
Season over for Broncos WR Sanders
The Broncos, who had already lost six starters from their Week 1 lineup, lost leading wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders to a ruptured left Achilles tendon on a routine route in a non-contact drill in practice Wednesday. They quickly claimed Andre Holmes off waivers from the Bills.
Odds and ends
The Redskins signed Josh Johnson to be their backup quarterback to Mark Sanchez after Colt McCoy’s season-ending leg injury Monday night in a loss against the Eagles.
♦ Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold was a full participant at practice, putting him on track to start at Buffalo on Sunday as he returns from a strained right foot.
♦ Running back C.J. Anderson signed with the Raiders and could be in their backfield for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
♦ Giants safety and leading tackler Landon Collins will miss the rest of the season with a partially torn labrum he suffered in the first half of last week’s overtime win over the Bears. He’ll need surgery.
♦ Cardinals left tackle D.J. Humphries (knee) became the 14th Cardinal and sixth offensive lineman to go on injured reserve.
♦ Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will appeal an unexpected $13,369 fine for unsportsmanlike conduct for dropping $21 into an oversized Salvation Army kettle after he scored against the Redskins on Thanksgiving.