Dontari Poe is excited about the opportunity he has with the Falcons, but the defensive tackle understand that he needs to be in shape if he wants to be productive. Talking to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure, Poe said head coach Dan Quinn echoed that sentiment.
“He just told me he wanted me to come in and play fast and be aggressive,” Poe said, “so around 330 is where I’ll play at most of the year. I feel like that will be a comfortable weight for me, too.”
Poe acknowledged that he’s currently at 340 pounds, so he doesn’t have much more to lose to reach his goal. Meanwhile, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com reports that Poe has a $500K weight bonus attached to his contract, so there’s added incentive to slim down.
If the 26-year-old isn’t overweight during the season, he should see an improvement as a pass rusher. After collecting 10.5 sacks between 2013 and 2014, Poe only compiled 2.5 sacks between 2015 and 2016.
Let’s take a look at some other notes from around the NFC…
- Following news that the Cowboys were planning on releasing quarterback Tony Romo, reports indicated that the organization would instead try to trade the veteran. Florio wonders if the change of heart could be attributed to owner Jerry Jones‘ unwillingness to let Romo go to the Texans. The two teams aren’t technically rivals, but Florio believes the Cowboys owner doesn’t want to share viewers with another Texas team. Furthermore, if the Texans establish themselves as one of the best teams in the NFL with Romo, plenty of pundits will question the Cowboys’ logic to just cut bate with the quarterback. Ultimately, Florio believes that Jones is waiting for an offer to materialize at the upcoming league meetings.
- The Eagles hosted running back Leonard Fournette yesterday, but Mark Eckel of NJ.com notes that the LSU product is expected to be taken prior to Philly’s first-round pick (No.14 overall). Therefore, the writer wonders if general manager Howie Roseman may have a trade up his sleeve. There’s certainly precedent, as the Eagles surrendered five picks and three players to move up to the second-slot in last year’s draft. Eckel believes Philly could find a trade partner in the Titans, who have the fifth-overall pick.
- If Marshawn Lynch decides to unretire, ESPN.com’s Sheil Kapadia believes the Seahawks will be forced to release the running back. Lynch would have a $9MM cap hit in 2017, which would drastically cut into their nearly $15MM in remaining cap space. The team could look to trade Lynch, but it’s uncertain whether any teams would give up anything of worth for the veteran. Plus, by opting for that route, Seattle could end up being stuck with the running back, who would join an already-crowded depth chart. The Raiders have been rumored to be eyeing the five-time Pro Bowler.
Florio = Paid by the click.
He’s used the Romo story from the start to generate income… has nothing to offer in terms of insight.
But for that matter, he’s not very different from any other sports so-called journalist right now, including and maybe even most embarrassingly the ESPN Dallas, Dallas Morning News and FW Star Telegram beat writers pool.
ESPN Dallas really went to s**t when Richard Durrett passed 🙁
Durrett was a great writer.
Truth. RIP
Jason LaCanfora is the guy who just makes up anything and pretends he has sources. His sources are someone else’s report or voices in his head. He’s the worst “insider” out there.
My favorite is Mary Kay Cabot. She never realizes she’s being used.
Ian Rapoport is pretty bad too
He used to be good but this year he has sucked a$$.
Even though id love to see Fournette in a Eagles uniform,i think we’re perfectly fine sitting at 14.theres enough talent in areas of need,whether its immediate or a possible future need,for us to wait out the top 13 and take the bpa.
Seahawks would not have to cut Lynch right away. Could just hang on until closer to season
It’s not Fiori that’s the issue regarding news (but I gotcha) it’s Rick “I’m scared to make a move” Smith the Texan’s GM that’s the issue. That’s why there is no news. The Texans had 14 free agents, loosing 2 starters rated in the top 5 for their positions, one of the top role players in the league, and their BEST special team player (mid season acquisition), and a back-up guard. 5 of 14 left. They signed three 2 kickers and back-up TE. No QB, NO OT, No ILB, and now gaps at CB, S, and OLB. Can’t draft our way out of these gaps. Smith has backed himself & BOB into a corner.
There’s no way Eagles are trading up. One front office insider said its a99% chance they will NOT draft a running back first round, they’re just looking them over. I’d like to see them trade down and get an extra second round pick and pick up an extra nice piece
Keeping Ryan Mathews kills the dream of drafting Cook. I’d like to see them take Mike Williams if he’s still there. “Oh they just signed two WRs” you say? Nothing wrong with having Mike Williams there when they leave next year if they don’t resign.
They aren’t keeping Matthews they are just waiting for him to pass a physical so they can cut him or else they would owe him his entire salary.