NFL Roundtable: Dan Quinn's seat is heating up

Every week we sit down with BetAmerica Extra columnists Ashley Anderson, James Scully and Scott Shapiro to discuss the latest news from around the NFL. This week they weigh in on whether the NFL should do more to protect quarterbacks, the fate of the Denver Broncos and which struggling coach is facing the most heat.

Mason Rudolph is the latest QB to be sent to the sidelines this season. Is the NFL doing enough to protect quarterbacks?

Ashley: I’m not sure what else the NFL could do. The roughing the passer penalty has already stirred up enough criticism. If you look at the long list of quarterback injuries from this season, most of them did not occur in the pocket. Is the NFL just supposed to eliminate all quarterback hits? Then you’re hardly playing football. There’s not much else the league can do. It’s just been a weird string of luck for QBs in 2019.

James: Yes. The NFL does enough to protect quarterbacks from violent hits but can’t restrict mobility. Mason Rudolph got hurt extending a play to his left, not remaining in pocket and getting the ball away quickly. Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rogers and others are great at escaping pressure and buying time for their receivers by running around, but it comes with plenty of risk.

Scott: Yes. The NFL is doing more than enough to protect their quarterbacks despite several key injuries to signal callers in 2019. It has instituted rules that go well out of their way to prevent any sort of cheap shots on QBs. Football is a contact sport. Injuries are bound to happen unless it is turned into two-hand touch.

The Broncos finally picked up their first win of the season against the Chargers on Sunday. Do you still expect Denver to be sellers at the trade deadline?

Ashley: Yes. The Broncos have too many injuries and not much chance at all of making the playoffs. It’s time to build toward the future and ship away some veteran talent, but not Von Miller. Chris Harris Jr., Derek Wolfe or Emmanuel Sanders makes more sense and could fit well on other teams making a push for the postseason. The Broncos will absolutely be sellers.

James: No. Vic Fangio is the fourth coach in six seasons and Denver is a young team that should continue to develop and retain assets. The Broncos have been competitive in every game and the organization hit rock bottom in 2017, when it lost 10 of its final 12 games. Denver is not a playoff squad yet, but next year could be a different story.

Scott: I think it is a bit early to determine whether Denver will be sellers, but they have already stated publicly that they have no interest in trading star pass rusher Von Miller. If they lose their next couple of games, though, guys like Chris Harris Jr. and Emmanuel Sanders could be moved to teams contending for the playoffs.

The Redskins have dumped Jay Gruden after a disastrous 0-5 start. Which NFL coach will be shown the door next?

Ashley: Dan Quinn. The Falcons were supposed to bounce back in 2019 with a healthy defense and an improved offensive line, but nothing is clicking. The Falcons have the No. 3 passing offense and all they have to show for it is one win against an Eagles team that got off to a slow start. Sunday’s 53-32 loss to the Texans was just icing on the “farewell” cake Quinn will surely be served in the near future.

James: Atlanta has fallen on hard times, and Quinn could be out with a loss at Arizona this week. His decision to take over as defensive coordinator has failed miserably, and a turnaround seems unlikely. Adam Gase probably will not make it a year if the Jets are still winless after visiting Miami on November 3.

Scott: Dan Quinn of the Falcons is likely to be the next NFL head coach fired. The Falcons came into the 2019 season with lofty expectations, and they have been a disaster. If Eagles wide receiver Nelson Agholor did not drop a pass in the final few minutes on Sunday night in Week 2 Atlanta could be winless. Quinn’s time has come.

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