HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Reggie Bush To Retire If Not Signed In 2017

September 24th, 2017 at 12:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Longtime NFL running back Reggie Bush will retire if he isn’t signed during the 2017 season, as he tells TMZ Sports. Bush is still working out in the hopes of landing a deal, but he hasn’t generated any known interest at this point.Reggie Bush (vertical)

“Going into year 12, I still feel like I have a lot left to prove, a lot left to give this game before I’m done,” Bush said earlier this year when indicating his desire to continue his career. “I don’t want to put a number on how many years I have left. I think once you get past year 10, you just gotta take it one year at a time and go from there. I’m still excited, still looking forward to playing football again this season, still staying in shape, still working out.”

Bush, 32, appeared in 13 games for the Bills last season but didn’t post much in the way of results. On 12 carries, Bush actually finished with negative three yards but still scored a touchdown, and also added seven receptions for 90 yards. He also chipped in on special teams, returning 13 punts and three kickoffs.

If this is it for Bush, the former second overall pick will have finished his 11-year NFL career with 5,490 yards rushing, 3,598 yards receiving, and 54 total offensive touchdowns. Bush, who’s spent time with the Saints, Dolphins, Lions, 49ers, and Bills, was also a dynamic returner for much of his career (four punt returns for touchdowns, including three in 2008 alone).

PFR Originals: 9/17/17 – 9/24/17

September 24th, 2017 at 12:18pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The original content and analysis produced by the PFR staff during the past week:

  • More than a quarter of the NFL is still winless as the league enters Week 3 of the 2017 season, leading Zach Links to ask PFR readers which 0-2 (and in the case of the 49ers, 0-3) club is likeliest to rebound as the season progresses. So far, the Giants, Saints, and Chargers have been the favorites, as each of those three teams have received at least 15% of the vote.
  • In our latest PFR Glossary entry, Zach explained the NFL’s waiver process, which undergoes important changes beginning in Week 4 and then again after the trade deadline passes.

Andy Dalton To Remain Bengals’ Starting QB

September 24th, 2017 at 11:24am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Bengals are 0-2, have yet to score a touchdown, and have already fired their offensive coordinator, but Cincinnati isn’t considering a change under center, as Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reports Andy Dalton is not in danger of losing the club’s starting quarterback job.Andy Dalton

Backup signal-caller A.J. McCarron is well-regarded by both the Bengals and the rest of the NFL, per La Canfora, an unsurprising sentiment given that the Bengals were reportedly offered a second-round pick in exchange for McCarron this offseason. And while Dalton isn’t on a “short leash,” Cincinnati head coach Marvin Lewis recently indicated changes could come to the Bengals’ roster following the ouster of offensive-play caller Ken Zampese.

“This is not magic,” Lewis said, per Jim Owczarski of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “You have to do the work. Offense, defense and special teams all alike. Changing; I said we got Kenny out of here. Not Kenny. We did. And they gotta understand that. They’re part of that. And the next time, look around, there will be different guys sitting there. And they realize that, too.”

Through two games, Dalton has posted a quarterback rating that’s nearly half that of his career average while throwing four interceptions against zero touchdowns. Cincinnati’s offense has struggled as a whole, as the running game has sputtered while the club’s beleaguered offensive line ranks 29th in adjusted sack rate. All told, the Bengals are dead last in Football Outsiders’ DVOA ratings.

Franchise owner Mike Brown isn’t necessarily blaming the Bengals players for the team’s poor start, however — prior to Zampese’s firing, Brown told the Cincinnati staff that on-field talent wasn’t the club’s problem, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Andrew Luck Could Return By Week 6?

September 24th, 2017 at 10:33am CST by Dallas Robinson

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck could potentially return to the field for Indianapolis’ Week 6 matchup against the division-rival Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link).Andrew Luck

Indianapolis opted not to place Luck on the physically unable to perform list to start the season, as that designation would have forced the 28-year-old signal-caller to miss the first six weeks of the year. Luck hasn’t given anyone in the Colts’ organization any doubt that he’ll be able to play in 2017, per Rapoport.

Indeed, Luck is expected to begin practicing as soon as this week, reports Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com, who adds there is “zero thought” that Luck will remain sidelined for the entire season. Luck will likely require a two-to-three week ramp-up period, meaning he could target Weeks 5-7 as possible return dates, per Mortensen.

Already sitting at 0-2 on the season, the Colts face the Browns, Seahawks, and 49ers over the next three weeks before heading to Tennessee.

Chargers Interested In CB Darrelle Revis

September 24th, 2017 at 9:44am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chargers were among a “handful” of teams that recently contacted free agent cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.Darrelle Revis

Los Angeles is in need of defensive back help after losing starting corner Jason Verrett to season-ending surgery, but Schefter reports the Chargers actually reached out to Revis before they placed Verrett on injured reserve. The Chargers currently only have four cornerbacks on their active roster, with starters Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams backed up by Desmond King and Michael Davis.

Revis still intends to play in 2017, per Schefter, although he hasn’t yet met with any clubs. Interest in Revis has been scant, as only two unidentified teams had inquired on Revis prior to the Chargers reaching out. Asking price could be an issue — because Revis is still earning $6MM from the Jets, he’d essentially have to play for free (unless a club is willing to sign him to a $6MM+ deal).

Revis, 32, certainly isn’t the shutdown corner he was in days gone by, but he’s still a viable starting option. He graded out as the league’s No. 64 corner in 2016, per Pro Football Focus, which would place him right at the tail end of acceptable play. However, one general manager told Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News he wouldn’t go after Revis even if the veteran cornerback agreed to play “for free.”

Latest On Dolphins LB Lawrence Timmons

September 24th, 2017 at 9:29am CST by Dallas Robinson

In what amounts to a bizarre twist in an already odd story, Dolphins linebacker Lawrence Timmons visited his former team — the Steelers — during Miami’s Week 1 bye and watched the club practice, reports Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.Lawrence Timmons (vertical)

Timmons, of course, went AWOL prior to Miami’s Week 2 contest and has subsequently been suspended indefinitely. But prior to that episode, Timmons ventured to Pittsburgh (his professional home from 2007-16) and was allowed into the Steelers’ facility. Most players and team officials were unaware Timmons planned to attend practice, although head coach Mike Tomlin had some idea of the visit, per La Canfora.

Timmons reportedly told his former Steelers teammates that he wanted to return to Pittsburgh, and essentially called his decision to sign with the Dolphins this offseason a mistake. The 31-year-old Timmons inked a two-year, $12MM deal with Miami in March that included $11MM in full guarantees.

Clearly, an under-contract player attending the practice of another NFL team is extremely peculiar event, but it’s unclear if that incident will affect Timmons’ status with the Dolphins. Head coach Adam Gase seemingly opened the window for a Timmons return last week, but La Canfora reports the veteran linebacker may never play a down for the club.

Bucs, WR Mike Evans Discussing Extension

September 24th, 2017 at 9:03am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Buccaneers and wide receiver Mike Evans have engaged in preliminary extension negotiations, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com.Mike Evans (Vertical)

Evans and Tampa Bay are “very early” in the discussion process, cautions La Canfora, and that comes as no surprise given that the Buccaneers have Evans under team control for some time. In what was surely a simple decision, the Bucs exercised Evans’ 2018 fifth-year option at a cost of $13.258MM, and the club could also utilize the franchise tag to retain Evans in 2019.

The franchise tender will likely only be on the table for one season, per La Canfora, as Tampa Bay will need to use the tag as leverage in talks with quarterback Jameis Winston following the 2019 campaign. Extending both Evans and Winston shouldn’t be a financial problem for the Buccaneers, however, as the team ranks in the top-10 in projected available cap space in each of the next three years.

Evans, 24, has lived up to his draft status since being chosen with the seventh overall pick in 2014. He’s topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first three NFL seasons, and posted his best overall campaign in 2016, when he put up 96 receptions for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Extra Points: NFLPA, Siemian, Verrett, 49ers

September 23rd, 2017 at 9:57pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of the 14 members of the NFLPA’s selection committee responsible for re-electing executive director DeMaurice Smith, Dolphins long snapper John Denney said the No. 1 issue among his constituents — as the team’s union rep — is guaranteed money. The contracts annually doled out to NBA and MLB talents, in leagues with fewer players, include far more guarantees than NFLers’ deals. That issue eclipsed personal conduct complaints, Denney said (via Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald).

“You can’t have it all, so what’s at the top of the list?” Denney said, via Beasley, in an apparent defense of Smith’s handling of the 2011 CBA — one that granted Roger Goodell with the controversial disciplinary powers he holds. “It really does boil down to money. It does affect some guys, but it’s a very few amount of guys. The union has to make decisions for all of the current players. You’ve got 1,500, 1,600 players. How many of those players are dealing with off the field issues? You’re going to tell these 1,600 players, ‘Are you willing to give us this money so eight or nine players a year won’t have to deal with the things they’re dealing with? You still want to go to bat for your guys, but you’ve got to make decisions on what’s best for the group.”

Here’s the latest from around the league going into this season’s Sunday of action.

  • Conversely, SI.com’s Robert Klemko argues the NFL’s product has suffered because of the Smith-negotiated CBA. Early-season football — particularly line play — has been scrutinized for years, and a lack of practice time when compared to past generations is an obvious culprit. The players received a key concession in that department, but aesthetically, the game hasn’t improved. Additionally, the revamped rookie wage scale — while opening the door to more extension and free agency opportunities for veterans — has also led to teams carrying more young, and thus lesser-prepared, talent. Klemko notes the middle-class contract has become endangered, with Smith overcorrecting for the previous era of exorbitant rookie deals. The result has allowed teams to stockpile rookie contracts, saving money but also lowering the quality-of-play floor.
  • IR remains a possibility for 49ers defensive lineman Tank Carradine, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (on Twitter) he received a shorter return timetable than expected. The starting defensive end will be out between four and six weeks with a high ankle sprain, with Rapoport adding the 49ers may elect to keep him on the active roster rather than shuttle him to IR. An IR trip would shelve Carradine for eight weeks.
  • Trevor Siemian has picked up plenty of Peyton Manning‘s work-ethic habits, Nicki Jhabvala of the Denver Post reveals in an expansive story. Citing Siemian’s early-morning facility arrival, Jhabvala writes the Broncos current starting quarterback’s taken to many of his predecessor’s revered preparation methods. The second-year starter also underwent left shoulder surgery after playing on a separated clavicle for three months last season, per Jhabvala. Siemian is tied for the NFL lead with six touchdown passes going into Week 3.
  • Jason Verrett‘s latest injury elevates the Chargers‘ near-future cornerback need, Eric Williams of ESPN.com writes. While a Pro Bowl talent, Verrett — placed on IR today due to a forthcoming knee surgery — has been unable to stay on the field. At the conclusion of this season, the 2014 first-round pick will have played in only 25 of 64 possible games. He’s under contract for next season, via the fifth-year option, and Williams doesn’t expect GM Tom Telesco to use the same strategy he did with D.J. Fluker (cutting him before the option became guaranteed). But Williams notes Verrett’s lack of dependability will make it difficult to sign the 2014 first-round pick to an extension. For now, 2016 UDFA Trevor Williams will start alongside Casey Hayward.

East Rumors: Giants, Fins, Jets, Cowboys

September 23rd, 2017 at 8:39pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Pugh‘s contract year could well include a lengthy stay at right tackle. The Giants‘ starting left guard slid to his original position on Monday night and will do the same Sunday against the Eagles. Big Blue plans to start Brett Jones at left guard and does not plan on ditching Ereck Flowers at left tackle, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com notes. Pugh’s versatility will allow the Giants, per Ben McAdoo, to keep the “best five” on the field rather than the team having to use a swing tackle. Usual right tackle Bobby Hart will miss Week 3, and D.J. Fluker — a four-year Chargers starter — is apparently the Giants’ seventh offensive lineman. He’ll profile as the backup guard behind Jones and John Jerry, Raanan writes.

Here’s more from the Eastern divisions in advance of Week 3’s Sunday slate.

  • Lawrence Timmons‘ pre-Week 2 disappearance will be costly. The Dolphins linebacker signed a two-year, $12MM deal but will lose money because of the suspension his new team handed down this week. In addition to voiding the $4.5MM in guaranteed money attached to his 2018 salary, Timmons stands to lose as much as $235K in base salary this season — since he can only be suspended for four weeks under the CBA — and could be set to forfeit signing bonus money, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports. Volin adds the linebacker could be forced to refund 4/17ths of this year’s portion of his $5.5MM signing bonus. This team-imposed ban could cost Timmons $882K this season before giving Miami greater leverage over him in 2018 because of voided guarantees.
  • Jay Cutler reached out to Matt Forte about a possible Jets path, but his longtime Bears teammate couldn’t provide many details about an offensive system about to change, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports. Although the Jets and Cutler had multiple visits scheduled, neither came to fruition and the interest wasn’t heavy on either side. Cutler also talked with former Broncos and Bears quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, Gang Green’s current QBs instructor, throughout his first free agency process, per Mehta. But with Bates not calling plays in New York, that connection didn’t have the kind of appeal that would have induced Cutler to sign with the rebuilding team. Instead, Cutler’s second wave of free agency became a Dolphins-centric odyssey.
  • Austin Seferian-Jenkins weighed over 300 pounds in the recent past, according to Calvin Watkins of Newsday. The Jets tight end dropped a staggering 60 pounds, per Watkins, and is down to 262 as he comes off his two-game suspension for substance abuse. A May report indicated Seferian-Jenkins was down 25 pounds. A year ago Saturday, Seferian-Jenkins was arrested on suspicion of DUI. The Buccaneers cut him, routing the formerly coveted prospect to the Jets. As of this week, ASJ is approaching 250 days sober, Watkins reports.
  • The Cowboys struggled to stay with Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in a Week 2 loss in Denver, and the team will take a shorthanded cornerback group to Arizona as well. Both Nolan Carroll and Chidobe Awuzie are out for the Cowboys’ Monday-night tilt against the Cardinals, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News tweets. A hamstring injury will shelve Awuzie, and Carroll’s in concussion protocol.
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