When things go sour Justin Layne Jersey , an NFL team’s fan base often points to two people: the guy calling plays on the sideline, and the man behind center trying to execute them.As we get deeper into the 2018 schedule, the futures of some coaches could be tied to how their quarterbacks have struggled — or outright flopped. Perhaps.Vance Joseph and Case Keenum in Denver? Possibly.John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco? Could be.Then again, each of those coaches could keep their jobs and have new QBs in 2019. And we know Jon Gruden isn’t going anywhere in Oakland, though Derek Carr might head elsewhere.Nor is Pat Shurmur, despite a discouraging first year in the Jersey Meadowlands, likely to leave the Big Apple. But the status of a 37-year-old Eli Manning is in more doubt.It would be a surprise to see Adam Gase out in Miami. Considering how much he has been out of the lineup in his seven-year career, it would not be a stunner to see Ryan Tannehill depart the Dolphins.Let’s take a look:NEW YORKManning is not a washed-up has-been. His arm remains strong, his knowledge of the game is irreplaceable and he has three enviable options in Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley and Evan Engram.What he doesn’t have is anyone who can block with any regularity. Manning is about as mobile as Shurmur, maybe less so, and when he doesn’t get the necessary time to set himself, he’s not likely to find a comfortable place to throw.Yes, it’s time for the Giants to look for a replacement, but not necessarily someone to take over next year. How about finally improving perhaps the worst offensive line in the league and seeing what Manning can do behind it?Otherwise, Carr could wind up an option as Gruden keeps wheeling and dealing.DENVERKeenum has another year to go on the deal he parlayed his best career season (in Minnesota) to get with QB-desperate Denver. Cutting him will cost a $10 million cap hit, so unless John Elway can work a trade for that prohibitive contract, Keenum figures to be back with the Broncos.The cupboard is bare behind him, especially after Chad Kelly got himself arrested and then released. Plus, Keenum once again has had to learn a new offense, and he’s had some knee issues.Elway could be enticed to add a veteran who has won a Super Bowl, as he did with Peyton Manning (did someone say Flacco?), but only if he can deal Keenum.BALTIMOREFlacco, who’s had a better (but not great) season than in recent years Benny Snell Jr. Jersey , is bothered by a hip injury. And his eventual replacement, Lamar Jackson, was chosen in the first round of April’s draft.The massive contract Flacco earned after winning the 2012 championship as Super Bowl MVP was extended in 2016 and he is signed through 2021. But the Ravens can open up $10.5 million in salary cap space by releasing Flacco, 33, after the season, with a potential savings of $18.5 million if they designate him as cut after June 1, which would damage his value elsewhere.He won’t command the same kind of money on the open market, but he will command attention for his strong arm, solid leadership, willingness to play hurt, and, well, a pedigree that rarely reaches free agency with a few good years left.Gase in Miami certainly would like a QB who can get on the field regularly.MIAMIBrock Osweiler is the 19th starter since Dan Marino ended his Hall of Fame career. None has been a star, though Chad Pennington could have been had his shoulder not been so brittle.Gase would seem to be tied to Tannehill, who has played in five games this year, none last season, because of injuries.When healthy, Tannehill helped get the Dolphins to the playoffs as a wild card in 2016, Gase’s first year in Miami. Then he was hurt for the postseason.Gase has been something of a QB guru in other stops, so a young guy who can stay in the lineup might be appealing. Or maybe a 20-something needing a change of scenery such as Jameis Winston or Bortles.TAMPA BAYPerhaps the most puzzling case of all because Winston, the top pick in the 2015 draft, should be a slam dunk as the future. He isn’t.Winston is due $20.9 million next season, the final year of his rookie deal. That’s way more than he is worth, and though the Bucs picked up his fifth-year option Zach Gentry Jersey , they could release him in ’19 and not owe him anything; 2019 is guaranteed only in case of injury, which is why some speculate Winston may not play again this year.He comes with lots of talent, but still lacks maturity. He has had off-field issues and was suspended for the first three games this season.Do the Bucs want to start over at the position, knowing Winston’s potential remains sky high?JACKSONVILLEConvinced after coming oh-so-close to making the Super Bowl that Bortles could be their franchise guy, the Jaguars signed him to a three-year, $54 million contract that includes a $16 million salary in 2019. So there would be $16.5 million in dead money if he is cut.And, like Keenum, the numbers for a trade likely are prohibitive.But folks in Jacksonville believe, despite the current 3-6 mark, that the Jags are built to win soon. Maybe not with the struggling Bortles, however.This history team boss Tom Coughlin has with Manning adds some intrigue, but a move for a veteran to replace Bortles might target someone younger and more mobile.OAKLANDGruden has publicly backed Carr, but it’s difficult to gauge if that support is strong or even real. Given his maneuvers to redo the Raiders, it appears with Gruden no one is safe.Gruden would love to find a Rich Gannon clone, maybe a Flacco or even a Nick Foles. And cutting Carr would create only $7.5 million in dead money, hardly prohibitive.Then again, Gruden has three first-round selections in the 2019 draft. Using one on a quarterback makes a lot of sense. ATLANTA (AP) — In the past three NFL seasons alone, Brandin Cooks has caught passes from Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Jared Goff while playing for Sean Payton, Bill Belichick and Sean McVay.“I guess I know how to pick ’em, right?” Cooks asked Tuesday with a laugh.Cooks has racked up 3,786 yards receiving and 21 total touchdowns in that three-season span, which will include six playoff games and two consecutive Super Bowls.He played for the Patriots in the big game last year, and he will play against them for the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. He is also the first player in NFL history to have three consecutive 1 Nick Bosa Jersey ,000-yard receiving seasons with three different teams.But there are asterisks on this incredible resume.Cooks was only able to accomplish these feats because he was traded before each of the past two seasons, changing teams twice before he turned 25 years old.Two elite NFL franchises — New Orleans and New England — decided they could do without the speedy, dependable receiver, giving him up for first-round picks.Although he has been asked about it almost daily during the Rams’ playoff run, Cooks insists he harbors no ill will against the Saints or the Patriots.The Rams’ postseason could have been a personal revenge tour, but Cooks says it means nothing to him that his two former teams are Los Angeles’ final two playoff opponents: The Rams beat New Orleans 26-23 in the NFC championship game, and they will face the Patriots in the Super Bowl.While Cooks claims he didn’t take it personally, he also acknowledges using the trades as motivation during his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season and the subsequent playoff grind.“It’s fuel to the fire,” Cooks said. “I know that I can play this game at a high level, whether someone thinks it or not. For them to trade me, it’s part of the game, but it also gives me that motivation to keep going, too.”This Super Bowl is a particular opportunity for Cooks, who realizes how fortunate he is to return to football’s biggest stage for a second straight year. Cooks caught just one pass for the Patriots against Philadelphia last season before he was sidelined with a concussion, missing most of the biggest game of his life.“I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about it like all year, offseason and training camp,” Cooks said. “But now that I’m here, I’ve got that thought process out of my mind.”Cooks has avoided constant attempts to get him to compare the inner workings of the Patriots and Rams this week, deliberately giving simplistic, short answers such as: “They’re both great cultures. That’s the similarity.”But it’s clear he has found a home in his native California with the Rams, who have lavished praise on him ever since his arrival. They even signed him to a five-year, $80 million contract extension before he played a game in LA, and he rewarded them with a career-best 1 L.J. Collier Jersey ,204 yards receiving.“I can promise you this: We’re not trading him,” McVay said Tuesday.Cooks has showed his reciprocal devotion to the Rams in many ways: Just last week, he surprised team custodian Alfonso Garcia by paying for two tickets to the Super Bowl for Garcia and his 8-year-old son.The Patriots have had only good things to say about their former receiver even though Belichick kept him for only one season before making the trade to maximize his value, rather than signing him to the type of long-term contract New England has often avoided. The Pats used the Rams’ first-round pick on offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn, who tore his Achilles tendon in the preseason.Belichick, Brady and other Patriots praised Cooks’ work ethic and talent this week.“He was a great guy to have in the room, a hard-working teammate, and he’s a real playmaker,” New England receiver Chris Hogan said.Hogan said that although he was dazzled by Cooks’ speed, “when I’d see on film I was even with him or ahead of him, I made sure to point it out.”Even though he has impressive numbers for Los Angeles, Cooks is sold on McVay’s culture of individual sacrifice for team success. In fact, Cooks is getting some of his biggest praise for a strategic drop in New Orleans.On a third-down play with the Rams on the edge of long field-goal range in overtime, Goff threw a short backfield pass to Cooks with Saints defenders bearing down.Instead of catching it and probably taking a 4-yard loss on a play that McVay immediately regretted calling, Cooks intentionally dropped it. Shortly afterward, Greg Zuerlein made a 57-yard field goal to send the Rams to their first Super Bowl in 17 years.No matter what happens in his second shot at the Super Bowl, Cooks seems certain be a key component of Los Angeles’ offense next season along with Robert Woods and the injured Cooper Kupp, who formed one of the most potent receiver trios in the league when they were together this season. Cooks is also eager for another year to build chemistry with Goff.“To be put with a young quarterback that’s the same age as me, and to know you have the chance to be together for a long time, that’s a blessing,” Cooks said.