HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. To Attend OTAs

May 18th, 2018 at 12:05pm CST by Zachary Links

The Giants and Odell Beckham Jr. still have some work to do when it comes to his contractual situation, but the impending talks won’t keep him from the practice field. OBJ will be in attendance for the Giants’ offseason team activities on Monday, a source tells Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

The 25-year-old is entering the final year of his rookie deal and earlier this year it was reported that he could consider a holdout if he did not get the pricey contract extension he was after. The big money deal has yet to arrive, but OBJ will arrive for Phase 3.

The news of OBJ’s participation in OTAs is not totally unexpected since he already took part in individual drills this offseason. Still, it’s a positive sign for Beckham’s mindset, even as the Giants say they won’t rush their way into a new deal.

“I wouldn’t say a sense of urgency,” Giants co-owner John Mara said recently. “The contract will get done when it’s supposed to get done. I think that’s the Dave Gettleman line. I’m gonna adopt that I think, all spring, all summer, as long as it takes.”

Beckham is set to earn earn $8.5MM in 2018, per the terms of his fifth-year option. Before the 2017 season, it was said that he was seeking a deal in excess of $100MM. That may be a lofty goal, but a $90MM pact certainly seems within reach after Mike Evans secured a new $82.5MM deal from the Bucs earlier this year.

Last year, Beckham was one of several jinxed Giants receivers to succumb to the injury bug. This year, the WR group has received a face lift following the release of Brandon Marshall and addition of former Broncos receiver Cody Latimer. Sterling Shepard, who had 59 catches for 731 yards and two scores in eleven games last year, will start alongside Beckham.

49ers DL Arik Armstead Has Surgery

May 18th, 2018 at 9:54am CST by Zachary Links

49ers defensive lineman Arik Armstead is recovering from minor foot surgery, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The good news is that Rapoport’s source says teh procedure was a minor cleanup and he should be fine for most, if not all, of the spring drills. 

However, it’s a situation to keep an eye on as injuries have cut Armstead’s past two seasons short. In 2016, a shoulder injury cost him half of the season. Then, last year, he missed ten games after injuring his hand. He’s now dealing with some type of foot issue after the Niners exercised his $9.046MM option for the 2019 season, which is guaranteed for injury.

If Armstead misses time but heals up is able to pass a physical before the season starts, the Niners can still get out of their obligation for 2019. But, if he doesn’t get the green light from doctors, the 49ers will be forced to keep him at a salary of $9.046MM.

Armstead has played defensive tackle in the past, but last year he lined up at end in defensive coordinator Robert Saleh‘s 4-3 scheme. Had he been classified as a defensive tackle, his ’19 option would have been worth $7.154MM, about $1.9MM less than his scheduled rate.

Although the injuries have been frustrating, Armstead has been effective at creating pressure when on the field. Last year, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 44 ranked edge defender, which paints a more accurate picture of his performance than his total of 1.5 sacks. PFF’s ranking put him roughly in the same range as notables like Michael Bennett, Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Bruce irvin.

Sean Payton Discusses Ingram, Fleener, Barrett

May 17th, 2018 at 9:30pm CST by Ben Levine

The Saints have had a relatively busy offseason, but things have seemingly ramped up for the organization over the past few weeks. After making seven selections during last month’s draft, New Orleans subsequently made headlines for several reasons.

The team released veteran tight end Coby Fleener, who had spent two seasons with the organization (including a 2016 campaign where he hauled in 50 receptions). We later learned that running back Mark Ingram had been hit with a four-game suspension, and reports later indicated that the former first-rounder would be skipping the offseason program.

Clearly, it’s been a busy couple of weeks for the Saints. Coach Sean Payton recently discussed these subjects, and he also touched on some of his rookies and tryout players. NewOrleansSaints.com has the entire interview, but we’ve highlighted some of the notable soundbites below:

On Mark Ingram’s four-game suspension:

“It happens in our league. We receive the same notice when him and his agent are receiving the notice and you deal with it. It goes under PED’s but I know Mark well enough to know it wasn’t a performing enhancing drug. He’ll better be able to explain the other parts of it, but it happened with Willie (Snead when he was suspended) last year, so you adjust like it would be an injury.”

On Ingram’s absence from OTAs:

“No. Listen, we spoke a couple times before the offseason program started, and it is what it is. He’ll know what to do. Now do I think he should be here? Yes, but it’s optional and we’ll see him at the minicamp.”

On the decision to release tight end Coby Fleener, and whether the team had planned the transaction earlier this offseason:

“Well, I don’t know that I would say that. He’s still working through the process of getting cleared and he’s still working through being without symptoms, but I also felt like for the team it was something that was going to be best for us.”

On what the team looks for in their quarterbacks (the Saints are currently rostering undrafted rookie (and former Ohio State product) J.T. Barrett):

“How accurate is he? Does he complete passes in time? Does he get through his progressions? How quickly does he learn? Can he get to the huddle and call the play? Can he handle the cadence? His ability to ingest, process and go ahead and take it to the field.

“There is a leadership presence about [Barrett]. He is in an athlete. He has played a lot of competitive football and he has handled this camp very well. (He has) A lot of the things that you look for in that position. He was certainly worthy of being drafted and he has done a good job here.”

On what the team looks for in “veteran trial” players (NFL teams are allowed to audition up to five of these players):

“We have a vision for them. What kind of shape they are in? They have played so what do we think they can do to help us. We have (veteran tryout players at) a handful of positions, but we have had players (that we’ve signed). Billy Miller found his way onto the roster that way. So it is really about how quickly they’re getting up to speed, the same evaluation that is taking place with the rest of the players.”

This Date In Transactions History: Bruce Irvin Suspension

May 17th, 2018 at 8:55pm CST by Ben Levine

Following the 2012 season, the Seahawks were surely thrilled with what they had gotten out of Bruce Irvin. The organization had surprised many pundits by selecting the West Virginia product 15th overall, but the defensive end was plenty productive during his rookie campaign. Despite playing behind Chris Clemons and Red Bryant, Irvin managed to compile eight sacks, a mark that still stands as a career-high.

However, Irvin and the Seahawks got some bad news on May 17th, 2013, as the NFL suspended the lineman four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy (it was reported that Irvin was specifically suspended for performance-enhancing drugs). While the player quickly bounced back from the suspension (he’s only missed a pair of regular season games since), the punishment ended up having a lasting impact on his career.

Why? On the day of the suspension, NFL Network’s Mark Sessler wrote that the Seahawks had known about Irvin’s suspension for months. This information ultimately led the organization to pursue a pair of defensive ends: Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett. While it wasn’t explicitly stated, we can assume that the Seahawks front office may have only pursued one of these free agents had Irvin not been punished. These additions ultiamtely forced the team to convert Irvin to linebacker, a position he’s played ever since.

Irvin ended up being plenty productive at his new position, finishing the 2012 season with 40 tackles and two sacks en route to a Super Bowl championship. He compiled 12 total sacks between the 2013 and 2014 seasons before hitting free agency. He ultimately inked a lucrative four-year, $37MM contract with the Raiders, reuniting him with former Seahawks linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr., who was the team’s defensive coordinator at the time (ironically, Norton Jr. is back in Seattle as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator).

The 30-year-old hasn’t lost a step during his two seasons in Oakland, averaging 7.5 sacks and just under 58 tackles. However, you’ve got to wonder how Irvin’s career may have been different had he never been suspended five years ago today.

Minor NFL Transactions: 5/17/18

May 17th, 2018 at 7:57pm CST by Ben Levine

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Denver Broncos

Los Angeles Rams

New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Packers Sign Third-Rounder Oren Burks

May 17th, 2018 at 7:06pm CST by Ben Levine

The Packers have officially signed their entire draft class. The team announced today that they’ve signed third-round linebacker Oren Burks. This was Green Bay’s second rookie signing of the day, as they inked second-rounder Josh Jackson this morning.

The 6-foot-3, 233-pound linebacker had a standout career at Vanderbilt, including a 2017 campaign where he established career-highs in tackles (80) and tackles for loss (seven). Burks was drafted with the 88th pick by the Packers, providing defensive coordinator Mike Pettine with a versatile weapon.

The 23-year-old primarily played inside and outside linebacker during his time in college, and he also had stints at safety (he had three interceptions during his sophomore campaign). The rookie’s best path to playing time is probably inside linebacker, where he’ll have to compete with Ahmad Thomas for playing time behind Blake Martinez and Jake Ryan.

With this signing, the Packers have officially signed all 11 of their draft picks. This list includes:

Raiders Sign OL Cameron Hunt, Waive OL Alex Officer

May 17th, 2018 at 5:36pm CST by Ben Levine

The Raiders have swapped one lineman for another. Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports (via Twitter) that the team has signed offensive guard Cameron Hunt. In a corresponding move, the Raiders waived lineman Alex Officer (via Gehlken on Twitter).

Hunt, a 2017 undrafted free agent out of Oregon, spent last preseason with the Broncos. He ultimately landed on the 49ers practice squad in November, where he spent the rest of the season. The 23-year-old provides versatility on the right side of the offensive line, as he played both tackle and guard during his collegiate career. The Raiders are currently carrying 16 lineman, so it will still be a struggle for Hunt to make the team’s opening-day roster.

Officer joined the Raiders as an undrafted free agent immediately after the draft. The Pittsburgh product is the second rookie to be waived by Oakland prior to OTAs, joining fullback Nick Sharga.

Titans Claim OT John Theus

May 17th, 2018 at 4:49pm CST by Ben Levine

John Theus has found a new home. ESPN’s Field Yates reports (via Twitter) that the offensive tackle has been claimed off waivers by the Titans. The 24-year-old was waived by the Saints yesterday. To make room on the roster, the Titans have waived/injured defensive lineman Antwaun Woods (via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com).

The 2016 fifth-round pick out of Georgia has bounced around the league since joining the NFL, spending time with the 49ers, Panthers, and Saints. He has appeared in four career games (including a single start), but he didn’t see the field during the 2017 campaign. The offensive lineman landed on New Orleans’ injured reserve earlier this month with an undisclosed illness.

Theus will likely have an uphill battle to make the Titans roster, as the organization is already rostering a number of capable tackles. Behind projected starters Taylor Lewan and Jack Conklin (who could miss time with a knee ailment), Kevin Pamphile, Corey Levin, Dennis Kelly, and Tyler Marz are all competing for playing time.

Woods, a 2016 undrafted free agent out of USC, has spent his entire career with the Titans organization. The 25-year-old appeared in one game during his rookie campaign, compiling three tackles.

Seahawks Sign LB Shaquem Griffin

May 17th, 2018 at 3:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks have officially signed fifth-round linebacker Shaquem Griffin and fifth-round defensive back Tre Flowers. With those moves, only defensive end Rasheem Green remains unsigned, as shown on PFR’s tracker. 

Griffin was one of the most inspirational stories to come out of this year’s draft. The UCF product lost his left hand due to a rare condition but never gave up on his football dream. Last year, he was first-team all-American Athletic Conference as he notched 74 tackles (13.5 for loss), a team-high seven sacks, one interception, three pass breakups, and two forced fumbles. The Seahawks, who believe that he’ll make a fine weakside linebacker at the pro level, have paired him with his twin brother Shaquill Griffin, who plays cornerback for Seattle.

As shown on Roster Resource, the rookie linebacker projects to serve as the first outside linebacker off of the bench in support of starters Barkevious Mingo and K.J. Wright. Flowers, meanwhile, will move from safety to cornerback where he’ll fight for time in reserve alongside Dontae Johnson, Byron Maxwell, and others. Justin Coleman and Shaquill Griffin will be the team’s first-string corners.

To make room for the new additions, the Seahawks have waived defensive ends Marcell Frazier and Noble Nwachukwu. Seattle also confirmed the signings of wide receiver Keenan Reynolds and linebacker Dadi Nicolas, which were reported on Wednesday.

DeMarcus Lawrence Willing To Play On Tag

May 17th, 2018 at 2:54pm CST by Zachary Links

The Cowboys have until mid-July to hammer out a long-term extension with DeMarcus Lawrence. If not, he’ll play out the year on the one-year, $17.143MM franchise tag. Other players might worry about that lack of security, but that’s fine with the defensive end. 

“It really doesn’t matter,” Lawrence said this week (via Jon Machota of the Dallas News). “If I do my thing, I put up my stats and I help my team win, they ain’t got no choice but to sign me. That’s how I feel.”

Lawrence, who turned 26 this spring, had 14.5 sacks in 2017. That total was the most by a Cowboys player since another DeMarcus – DeMarcus Ware – had 19 in 2011. The Cowboys also notched 38 sacks as a team, giving them their highest total overall since ’11.

Lawrence was a big reason for the Cowboys’ success against opposing quarterbacks and they ideally would like to keep him in the long term. However, agent David Canter is believed to be seeking a deal that will at least match that of fellow client Olivier Vernon. In 2016, Vernon signed the largest deal in NFL history for a defensive end when he inked a five-year, $85MM deal with the Giants.

The advanced metrics also underscored Lawrence’s dominance in 2017. Last year, he graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 ranked edge rusher, putting him behind only Cameron Jordan and Von Miller.

As shown on Roster Resource, the Cowboys project to start Lawrence and Tyrone Crawford at defensive end with Brian Price and Maliek Collins in the middle. Defensive ends David Irving, 2017 first-round pick Taco Charlton, and free agent addition Kony Ealy are also ticketed for significant playing time at DE and that group could be strengthened even further if Randy Gregory is cleared to play in 2018.

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