Some assorted notes from around the NFL on this Saturday afternoon…
- While Calvin Johnson‘s decision on his future may give the Lions a bit of clarity, ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein believes the team will still have the same needs heading into the draft: wideout, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, linebacker, and defensive back.
- Meanwhile, Rothstein believes Browns offensive tackle Mitchell Schwartz could be a target of the Lions. However, he doesn’t envision the team pursuing lineman Nick Fairley or wideout Percy Harvin.
- Wideout Greg Jennings is atop ESPN.com’s James Walker’s list of players on the Dolphins chopping block. Tight end Jordan Cameron and defensive tackle Earl Mitchell are also mentioned as potential release candidates.
- Quarterback is one of the Broncos most pressing roster issues heading into the offseason, says Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. The writer believes Brock Osweiler is more likely to return that Peyton Manning, but he also suggests the team could like elsewhere. The writer suggests Robert Griffin, Colin Kaepernick, Chase Daniel and Drew Stanton as potential targets.
The average professional life expectancy of an NFL Player is 3.5 years. The expiration date on the running backs has expired. The pounding, wear and tear they have already taken makes each of them a short term project at best. Their best days are behind them. Buyer Beware!
It will be interesting to see how long the Osweiler situation drags out. The Broncos aren’t typically proactive in their contract talks, Derek Wolfe’s extension notwithstanding, but they’ll have to be in his instance to keep him off the market. If he hits UFA status officially, the Broncos could be priced out of the discussion by a QB-desperate team. Judging by their willingness to part with players like Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton and Eric Decker, the Broncos have not overpaid for players lately. Their potential quarterback of the future emerging as a free agent will be the biggest test of this patience.
I think smart people know Elway doesn’t view Osweiler anymore of the future of the team as any of those FAs mentioned. He got worse the more he played. That team just needs a steady hand at QB and someone who is adept to bootleg passing and not turning the ball over. If he doesn’t accept $9 mil a year tops, Elway will look elsewhere.