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Month: January 2025

Jaguars Wrap Up Draft Class

June 16th, 2017 at 6:31pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

The Jaguars have signed their third-round pick, defensive end Dawuane Smoot, per a team announcement. The signing of Smoot means the Jaguars have locked up their entire seven-player draft class.

Dawuane Smoot

Smoot, the 68th overall selection, is coming off a four-year career at Illinois that saw him rack up 38.5 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks. Now, the 6-foot-3, 264-pounder will act as depth as part of an impressive defensive end group that includes offseason signing Calais Campbell, Dante Fowler and Yannick Ngakoue, who combined for 20 sacks last year.

Here’s a look at the rest of Jacksonville’s 2017 draft class:

Minor NFL Transactions: 6/16/17

June 16th, 2017 at 6:01pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Friday’s minor moves:

  • The Vikings have waived undrafted rookie Tommy Armstrong, whom they signed just over two weeks ago. The former Nebraska quarterback auditioned at running back with the Vikings before moving to safety, but Armstrong didn’t do enough in his 13 practices as a defender to keep his roster spot. Armstrong was an effective dual-threat QB during his four college seasons, totaling 90 touchdowns (67 passing, 23 rushing).

NFC Notes: Floyd, Cousins, 49ers, Eagles

June 16th, 2017 at 5:16pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Vikings wide receiver Michael Floyd is fighting back against a report that he violated his house arrest rules by testing positive for alcohol, telling Brian Murphy of the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Totally false. The whole thing is false. You can’t believe everything TMZ says.” Floyd, who had completed 91 days of his 96-day house arrest sentence as of Monday, is due in court June 26.

His agent, also named Brian Murphy, released a statement Friday, part of which says (full statement here via ESPN’s Adam Schefter):

“On June 10, 2017, Michael watched movies at his place of residence until 3:00 a.m. During that time, he drank several bottles of kombucha tea drinks, unaware that the drinks contain alcohol.

On June 11, 2017 at 5:30 a.m., Michael was tested and his blood alcohol content was .055. Michael was tested again at 5:54 a.m. and his blood alcohol content was down to .045. Michael was tested again at 6:23 a.m. and his blood alcohol content was .044. He then went back to sleep and missed a test at 6:33 a.m.”

More from the NFC:

  • Newly named Redskins senior vice president of of player personnel Doug Williams told NFL Network on Friday that he wants the team to extend contract-year quarterback Kirk Cousins “in the worst way” (via Conor Orr of NFL.com). Williams isn’t involved in talks with Cousins’ camp, though, as president Bruce Allen and VP of football administration Eric Schaffer “have been on this negotiation for a long time.” In the event the Redskins are unable to prevent Cousins from hitting free agency next winter, they’ll have to “search long and hard to find” a capable successor, Williams noted. “But at the same time, we got a capable backup here in Colt McCoy, who can hold the fort down for a while or even take it the long distance.”
  • The 49ers have not broached an extension with safety Eric Reid, the contract-year defender told Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com. Reid, a 2013 first-round pick who’s set to play his fifth-year option season at a $5.676MM salary, is moving from free safety to strong safety this year. Between that and the fact that San Francisco has a new regime, including head coach Kyle Shanahan and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, the team likely wants to see if Reid’s a fit before considering making a long-term commitment to him, notes Wagoner. Saleh’s impressed with Reid so far, calling the 25-year-old “unbelievable from a mental standpoint,” “very athletic” and “strong.”
  • The Eagles announced some changes to their scouting staff on Friday, including promoting Trey Brown from director of college scouting to player personnel executive college/pro and hiring Ian Cunningham to take over Brown’s old post. Brown was among a few candidates who interviewed last month for the Bills’ then-vacant general manager job, which ended up going to Brandon Beane. Cunningham’s new to Philly, having spent the previous nine years with Baltimore. There, he worked with Joe Douglas, whom the Eagles hired as their vice president of player personnel last year.

Bears DL Akiem Hicks Seeking New Agent

June 16th, 2017 at 2:56pm CST by Zachary Links

On the verge of an important year, Akiem Hicks is looking to make a change in representation. The Bears defensive lineman has parted ways with agent Frank Murtha and is currently in the process of interviewing new potential agents, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune writes. Akiem Hicks (vertical)

“I am a free agent that is almost a free agent,” said Hicks, who is entering a contract year. “You get it?”

Hicks joined the Bears on a two-year, $10MM free agent deal after spending time with the Saints and Patriots in 2015. He’s set to earn $5MM this season and is hoping to land another lucrative deal for 2018 and beyond.

In his last go-round through free agency, Hicks chose a shorter deal with Chicago over a longer pact offered by the Patriots. His gamble has paid off and he is now eager to cash in.

“I know it’s not always the best way to think of it with this being a business, but I want to get what I deserve or get what I have earned,” he said, while adding that he would like to stay in Chicago. “If I earned a new contract, that’s what I earned. If I don’t, that’s the case. It’s really not up to me. I get to put my stuff on the field and show them what I can do, but I can’t make them go upstairs and sign me to a different piece of paper.”

Hicks had a career-high 71 total tackles last season plus five tackles for a loss and seven sacks. He also played in a career-high 931 snaps, proving his durability. At a time when top defensive lineman are getting big dollars, the 27-year-old (28 in November) could be looking at a monster deal in the spring.

NFC Rumors: Kaepernick, RG3, Eagles

June 16th, 2017 at 2:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Three NFL executives tell Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com that they see former 49ers signal caller Colin Kaepernick as the best backup quarterback option available. Of course, we have watched many other QBs come off of the board while Kaepernick remains unsigned.

“Kaep, [Shaun] Hill, Dan Orlovsky, Robert Griffin III,” said one AFC exec when asked to rank the best remaining options.

A fourth exec surveyed by Fowler opined that Griffin is actually the best QB left on the market. Meanwhile, one official in the group said he wouldn’t sign Griffin “under any circumstances.” It seems like teams agree more with the latter opinion as Griffin has drawn very little interest this offseason.

Here’s a look at the NFC:

Dallas Robinson contributed to this post.

Lions, Glover Quin Discussing New Contract

June 16th, 2017 at 1:16pm CST by Zachary Links

The Lions and Glover Quin are in talks about a new contract, the free safety tells Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Quin first approached the Lions about a new deal last month and it appears that some progress has been made on that front. Glover Quin (vertical)

Quin is entering the final season of a five-year, $23.5MM contract he signed as a free agent in 2013. The 31-year-old says that he wants to finish his career in Detroit.

“I’ve played going on five years here, good majority of my career,” Quin said. “Some of my better years. My growth. So to kind of get to finish up here, obviously it’s not where I started but it was a team that accepted me, brought me in, allowed me to play the way I knew that I could always play, so to get an opportunity to finish here would be excellent.”

The Pro Bowler believes that he still has “three or four more high-level years” in him, adding that his increased football IQ has him feeling like he is right in his prime. Not everyone can play at a high level in their 30s, but Quin has managed to stay remarkably healthy throughout his career. He currently has the longest starting streak among NFL safeties at 116 consecutive games, the seventh longest streak overall.

Quin recorded 68 tackles and two interceptions last year. The advanced stats at Pro Football Focus placed him 23rd in performance among Pro Football Focus’ 90 qualified safeties.

Saints LT Terron Armstead Suffers Injury

June 16th, 2017 at 12:38pm CST by Zachary Links

Bad news for the Saints. Left tackle Terron Armstead has suffered a torn labrum and will require surgery, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The timetable to return is 4-6 months. Terron Armstead

The Saints can be expected to explore out-of-house options now that their starting left tackle will be out for at least the early portion of the season. Ryan Clady is perhaps the best free agent tackle left in free agency. Will Beatty and the versatile Austin Pasztor are also available.

Alternatively, the Saints could promote from within and move first round pick Ryan Ramczyk from the right side to the left. Zach Strief, who was supposed to be the main backup to Armstead and Ramczyk, could slide into the starting role at right tackle. However, in a year where the Saints are hoping to get back into the championship picture with Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson, it stands to reason that they will want some better protection on the O-Line.

Armstead, 27 in August, missed nine games due to injury in 2016. However, he still graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 21 tackle on the year. In 2015, Armstead played in 13 of 16 possible regular season games and earned one of the highest scores of any tackle in the NFL.

Vikings’ Michael Floyd Fails Alcohol Test

June 16th, 2017 at 11:33am CST by Zachary Links

This could spell trouble for Michael Floyd. The Vikings wide receiver tested positive for alcohol during his house arrest this week, according to TMZ Sports. The violation of house arrest rules could result in jail time. Michael Floyd (vertical)

Floyd’s alcohol monitoring system flagged five events during June 11th and 12th. At least three of those events were characterized by a rep for the Scottsdale City Court as “high alcohol tests.” Per the terms of his deal, Floyd was forbidden from drinking any alcohol while confined to his home. Meanwhile, the wide receiver claims that the positive tests were caused by drinking Kombucha, a fermented tea with a very low percentage of alcohol.

Floyd petitioned the court to remove his alcohol-testing ankle bracelet because he said it would hinder him while training. The court obliged, but required that Floyd instead undergo random breath tests. Those breath tests unearthed his alleged alcohol consumption and, on top of that, Floyd apparently skipped one of the scheduled tests.

In 2016, Floyd was cuffed in Arizona for a “super extreme DUI,” leading to his release from the Cardinals. The receiver was quickly claimed by the Patriots, but New England made little effort to retain him. Despite all the baggage surrounding him, the Vikings signed him in May.

Floyd‘s one-year deal with the Vikings doesn’t contain any guaranteed money, meaning that Minnesota can part ways with the troubled receiver without any financial penalty.

Anquan Boldin Looking To Play In Florida?

June 16th, 2017 at 11:24am CST by Zachary Links

Anquan Boldin says that he wants to continue playing in 2017, but he won’t necessarily accept any gig that comes his way. The wide receiver would like to play near his home in Florida, people close to him tell Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Anquan Boldin

Unfortunately for Boldin, all three Florida teams seem pretty well set at wide receiver. The Dolphins have their big three of Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, and DeVante Parker with 2016 third round pick Leonte Carroo and Jakeem Grant in support. The Bucs have Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, Adam Humphries, Chris Godwin, and Josh Huff with talented receivers like Freddie Martino and Donteea Dye on the fringe. In Jacksonville, standouts Allen Robinson, Marqise Lee, and Allen Hurns are joined by rookie Dede Westbrook and former Buc Arrelious Benn. That’s not to say that Boldin couldn’t crack the roster with those teams, but there is not a clear path to significant playing time.

Meanwhile, it doesn’t sound like the Lions are looking for a reunion. Even though Boldin all Lions WRs in touchdown catches (eight) and finished second in receptions (61) in 2016, coach Jim Caldwell says that he’s content with his current group.

“You never say never,” Caldwell said. “Obviously, he contributed quite a bit for us, just not certain at this point in time. I think we’re in good shape where we are right now. I think we have a really good core.”

Boldin, 37 in October, averaged a career-worst 8.7 yards per grab last year. Even though he still has solid route running skills and soft hands, he’s not quite as fleet-footed as he used to be.

NFC South Notes: Freeman, Panthers, Oher

June 16th, 2017 at 10:01am CST by Zachary Links

Devonta Freeman is staying patient with regards to his contract talks with the Falcons, as ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure writes. Freeman has already made a major mark on the franchise after becoming the first Falcons running back since Michael Turner (2010-11) to post back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. The Falcons obviously want to keep him in the fold beyond the final year of his rookie contract, but it may take some time for the two sides to come to terms. Freeman’s agent famously said that he wants him to be paid like an “elite” running back, but Atlanta would like to avoid going into Le’Veon Bell/LeSean McCoy territory with a new deal.

Here’s more out of the NFC South:

  • When asked about tackle Michael Oher, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he’s preparing for camp with the 90 guys who will be on the roster, adding that the front office is “taking care of it,” (Twitter link via Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer). Reading between the lines, it sounds like Rivera is not banking on having Oher with the team in 2017. Oher reported to Carolina’s minicamp this week, but he did not practice on the field with the rest of the team. As Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter) notes, nobody has ever been in the concussion protocol as long as Oher and returned to play in the NFL.
  • Wide receiver Willie Snead remains optimistic and hopeful that he’ll sign a long-term deal with the Saints before the season starts, Joel Erickson of The Advocate writes. “I think the guys upstairs are working on it,” Snead said. “I’m hopeful, and I just have to keep worrying about myself and staying healthy and doing all the right things. I know it’s going to be a handled, it’s going to take time, but I feel like we’ll get it done sooner or later.” Snead was retained for this year via the $615K exclusive rights free agent tender.
  • The Panthers named Bryan Porter as the team’s new director of football operations. Porter has been with the team since 2001 and has gradually moved his way up the ladder.
  • The Saints intend to sign linebacker/defensive end Royce LaFrance before the start of training camp, Nick Underhill of The Advocate hears (on Twitter).
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