2019 February - Pro Football Rumors

Eagles Make Staff Changes

February 25th, 2019 at 10:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Eagles are bringing on more staffers and reshuffling assignments for some holdover coaches. Two new coaches are joining Philadelphia’s staff, and three others will receive promotions.

Phillip Daniels will move from assistant defensive line coach to overseeing that position group. The 15-year NFL defensive end joined the Eagles when Doug Pederson was hired in 2016. A seventh-year Eagles staffer, Matthew Harper will make a more notable shift, transitioning from assistant special teams coach to assistant wide receivers coach. T.J. Paganetti will move from assistant offensive line coach/offense quality control to assistant running backs coach.

The new coaches joining Philly’s staff will be Mike Bartrum (assistant tight ends coach) and Luke Thompson (assistant special teams). An NFL long snapper from 1993-2006, Bartrum comes to the Eagles after being a head high school football coach in Ohio. He finished his career with seven seasons in Philadelphia. Thompson will also make a big level jump, joining Pederson’s staff from Lafayette (Pa.) College. His most recent role was serving as Lafayette’s defensive coordinator. Thompson, however, has been a college coach for 20 years.

Joe Pannunzio was already reported to be joining the Eagles’ front office, but the team revealed his role will be to director of team development. This marks a return to the front office for Pannunzio, who served as an Eagles exec from 2015-16. He was an Alabama assistant in 2017 and Murray State’s head coach in 2018.

Additionally, the team tinkered with its front office. Patrick Dolan will move to the role of VP of football technology. Dolan is a 30-year NFL staffer and is in his seventh year with the Eagles. Jon Ferrari‘s title is now VP of football operations and compliance. Ferrari was an NFL league office staffer from 2007-16. Former Browns exec Andrew Berry is now the Eagles’ VP of football operations.

Minor NFL Transactions: 2/25/19

February 25th, 2019 at 8:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

Waived: WR Daniel Williams

Latest On Robert Kraft

February 25th, 2019 at 8:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

More details emerged Monday regarding Patriots owner Robert Kraft‘s charges of solicitation. Two misdemeanor charges came Kraft’s way, according to ESPN, which adds that video evidence collected against the longtime owner came from the weekend of this year’s AFC championship game.

Documents released by the Palm Beach Attorney’s Office indicate Kraft visited the Orchids of Asia Day Spa twice in a 24-hour span, and on Jan. 20 was videotaped receiving “oral and manual sex” from a woman at the Jupiter, Fla., Spa. According to officials, Kraft gave the woman a $100 bill and another bill before leaving. He flew to Kansas City shortly after this alleged act, being in attendance for the Patriots-Chiefs game later that day.

Video surveillance captured Kraft soliciting prostitution at the spa on Saturday, Jan. 19, as well, Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg said Monday. Kraft is one of several men implicated in this sting, which lasted approximately eight months.

Kraft will have a “low level” arrest warrant issued in his name and an April 24 court date, though he will not need to make a court appearance, ESPN reports. The Patriots owner has hired an attorney to represent him in this process. If convicted, Kraft would face one year in jail, a fine of $5,000, 100 community service hours and attendance in a human trafficking dangers class. Kraft, 77, is not expected to serve any jail time. His lawyers deny any wrongdoing on the part of their client.

“We categorically deny that Mr. Kraft engaged in any illegal activity. Because it is a judicial matter, we will not be commenting further.”

As for an NFL suspension, that seems likely. The league released another statement on Monday that indicates its personal conduct policy applies equally to NFL personnel.

“Our personal conduct policy applies equally to everyone in the NFL. We will handle this allegation in the same way we would handle any issue under the policy. We are seeking a full understanding of the facts, while ensuring that we do not interfere with an ongoing law enforcement investigation. We will take appropriate action as warranted based on the facts.”

For a indication of how the NFL might proceed, Colts owner Jim Irsay received a six-game suspension and a $500K fine in 2014, when he pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated.

Draft Notes: QBs, Williams, Bryant, Taylor

February 25th, 2019 at 7:50pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Kyler Murray placing himself into this year’s draft-eligible quarterback crop increased the buzz surrounding it, the 2019 class has not brought the intrigue 2018’s did. Murray and Dwayne Haskins enter the Combine as the top QBs, and Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com rates the Heisman Trophy winner over the more traditional prospect. However, Jeremiah said (via Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com) neither Murray nor Haskins would have ranked among the top-three quarterback prospects in last year’s draft. The longtime draft analyst would place Murray alongside Josh Allen and Haskins in between those two and Lamar Jackson, if all seven players were in one draft. With a 2020 draft group expected to be better than 2019’s, teams will have to weigh risks that come with selecting a passer in this year’s prospect pool.

Here is the latest from the draft world:

A member of the stacked Clemson defensive line that is set to populate draft boards, Austin Bryant will not be participating to the degree his ex-Tiger teammates will in Indianapolis. Bryant underwent surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter), and will not do drills at the Combine. This injury happened Nov. 3, but Bryant played through it, recording 8.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss as a senior, and did not go under the knife until Jan. 17.
First-round tackle prospect Jawaan Taylor will not do any drills at this year’s Combine. The former Florida standout sent a letter to NFL teams informing them a mild hamstring strain will take him out of action in Indianapolis, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). This will likely be resolved by Taylor’s forthcoming pro day.
One of the top tackles in this year’s class, Jonah Williams is viewed by some teams a high-end guard prospect. The Alabama product’s future appears to be inside or at right tackle, with scouts informing Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News the acclaimed blocker could be an All-Pro guard or a quality right tackle. While teams still prioritize the left tackle spot, the gap between the offensive line’s glamour position and the rest of the roles is not what it once was. Quenton Nelson, Brandon Scherff and Lane Johnson have emerged as top-six draft picks-turned-Pro Bowlers that were shuttled to non-left tackle positions, with Scherff moving inside at his NFL career’s outset. Williams played both right and left tackle at Alabama, moving to the left side after his freshman year.

XFL, Colin Kaepernick In Discussions?

February 25th, 2019 at 6:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Colin Kaepernick is now connected to a third league. On the heels of an unspecified settlement with the NFL, the former 49ers quarterback is in discussions with the XFL, a league spokesman confirmed to Sporting News’ Michael McCarthy.

The 31-year-old passer, who has not played since the 2016 NFL season finale, was in talks with the Alliance of American Football as well.

A report indicated a Kaepernick-AAF relationship was scuttled by the quarterback’s salary demands. Kaepernick was believed to be seeking $20MM to play in the AAF, and McCarthy reports the same figure has surfaced in the XFL talks. Kaepernick, per McCarthy, is targeting $20MM to suit up in the XFL, which is set to respawn in 2020.

With the XFL salaries set to compare to the AAF’s, which has given non-guaranteed, three-year deals worth $250K, Kaepernick’s alleged demand would seemingly be a non-starter here as well. However, the XFL is planning to pay stars “a lot” more.

While anything in the neighborhood of $20MM may even escape the parameters of “a lot”, with McCarthy reporting the Vince McMahon-run operation is eyeing $250K-per-year salaries for starting quarterbacks, the XFL aligning with Kaepernick would obviously put it in position to strongly compete with the AAF and potentially capture interest of a sect of football fans turned off by the former Super Bowl starter’s inability to land an NFL job.

If nothing transpires on the Kaepernick-XFL front, the new league would be in position to woo better quarterback talent compared to the AAF — if, in fact, it can pay $250K salaries to starting QBs.

The word coming out of Kaepernick’s camp has consistently pointed to the passer wanting to continue his career. He has been linked to several NFL jobs, following injuries to starting quarterbacks, but nothing, obviously, led to another opportunity. Kaepernick’s attorney predicted his client would be on an NFL roster soon, even throwing out the Panthers and Patriots as possible landing spots.

Latest On Raiders’ Marshawn Lynch

February 25th, 2019 at 4:01pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders will play in Oakland for at least one more year and that improves the odds of a Marshawn Lynch return, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). The Oakland native was not interested in the alternative scenarios that would have seen the Raiders playing outside of the region, but the running back could be convinced to come back to play in his hometown.

Lynch, 33 in April, saw his 2018 season cut short by a groin injury. He appeared in only six games, though he still managed to average 4.2 yards per carry as a part of a shaky Raiders offense.

For what it’s worth, Jon Gruden says the Raiders would “love” to have Lynch back in uniform. Still, Lynch is out of contract, so a new deal will be required. veteran Doug Martin is also ticketed for free agency and younger option Jalen Richard will be a restricted free agent, so there are a lot of moving parts involved.

Over the course of his career, Lynch has accumulated five Pro Bowl nods and one first-team All-Pro selection. He’s averaged 4.3 yards per carry across eleven seasons and has posted double-digit touchdown totals in four separate campaigns.

Raiders To Play In Oakland In 2019

February 25th, 2019 at 3:51pm CST by Zachary Links

The Raiders and the Coliseum Authority reached an agreement for the team to remain in Oakland for the 2019 season, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. The two sides are still ironing out details, but the deal will allow the Raiders to also stay for 2020 if their Las Vegas stadium is not ready.

After a board meeting to solidify the agreement on Friday or Tuesday, the deal will go in front of Oakland city council. After that, the Raiders will seek final approval at the league meetings in March.

There have been a number of scenarios discussed for the Raiders recently, including one in which the Raiders would play in San Francisco’s Oracle Park, the home of MLB’s Giants. That accord ran into issues, however, as the 49ers refused to waive their territorial rights to the San Francisco area.

The Raiders are expected to pay a $7.5MM fee to play in the Coliseum in 2019.

Ravens To Release WR Michael Crabtree

February 25th, 2019 at 1:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Ravens informed wide receiver Michael Crabtree that he is being released, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Crabtree will hit the open market again, just one year after signing a three-year, $21MM free agent deal with the Ravens last year.

Crabtree didn’t live up to expectations in his first season with Baltimore and finished out with just 54 catches for 607 yards and three touchdowns. He connected with Joe Flacco at times, but his production fell off once Lamar Jackson took over as the team’s starting QB.

Without Crabtree on the roster, the Ravens will save $4.667MM against the 2019 cap. However, they’ll also carry an equivalent dead money hit.

Crabtree will turn 32 in September, so it’s unlikely that he’ll see similar money on his next deal given his so-so stat line and age. He had similar catch and yardage numbers with the Raiders in ’17, but those stats were buoyed by eight touchdown receptions.

On the plus side, this year’s free agent wide receiver crop is softer than in years past. This year’s class is headlined by the likes of Golden Tate, Jamison Crowder, and Tyrell Williams.

Ohio State’s Nick Bosa To Participate In Combine Drills

February 25th, 2019 at 1:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa will participate in all drills at the NFL Draft combine, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link). Bosa’s final season was mostly lost to a core muscle injury, but he’s been healthy enough to practice for the past month, Rapoport hears.

Bosa, of course, is in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Despite playing in only three games last year, many believe that Bosa has the potential be a game-changer in the NFL, similar to older brother Joey Bosa. As a sophomore, Bosa registered 8.5 sacks and 16 total tackles for a loss and was named a unanimous First Team All-Big Ten selection. Even in his injury-shortened junior season, Bosa managed four sacks and six tackles for a loss in just three games.

At 6’4″ and 263 pounds, Bosa already has the size to compete at the next level. The Cardinals have other holes to address, but he could be the first player selected in April since Arizona could use some additional pass rushing ammo outside of Chandler Jones. If he can prove his health in Indianapolis, it’s hard to see Bosa slipping outside of the top 5.

The Cardinals, 49ers, Jets, Raiders, and Buccaneers are scheduled to be the first five teams up when the draft commences on Thursday, April 25.

Panthers To Release CB Captain Munnerlyn

February 25th, 2019 at 11:21am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers are releasing nickel cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Munnerlyn, 31 in April, should have suitors given that this is an uncharacteristically soft crop for free agent slot corners.

Munnerlyn spent the first five seasons of his career with the Panthers before hooking on with the Vikings as a free agent in 2014. After the expiration of his three-year, $14.25MM deal, he returned to Carolina on a four-year, $21MM deal in 2017. By releasing him midway through the deal, the Panthers will save $2MM against the cap while carrying $3MM in dead money.

Last year, Munnerlyn appeared in all 16 games for Carolina, including five starts. He recorded 47 total stops, two sacks, an interception, and nine passes defensed in 2018. The advanced metrics weren’t wild about him, however, as he placed as the No. 83 cornerback in the NFL out of 112 qualified players, per Pro Football Focus.

The Panthers also decided to move on from safety Mike Adams, so the Panthers are clearly looking to overhaul their secondary in 2019. Last year, the Panthers’ secondary allowed an average of 240 passing yards per game, putting them roughly in the middle of the pack, so there’s room for improvement.