The Packers made the surprising decision to cut Mike Daniels earlier today, and GM Brian Gutekunst confirmed that the club did try to trade Daniels first (via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com). It sounds as if Green Bay made some headway in trade talks, but the talks broke down over the last couple of weeks. Gutekunst also mentioned Daniels’ foot injury as a factor in the decision.
Now for more from the NFC:
- The decision to cut Daniels has opened the door for the Packers to sign NT Kenny Clark to a lucrative extension, as Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Silverstein suggests (via Twitter) that such a deal could happen at the end of the season.
- Matt Barrows of The Athletic suggests that, although John Lynch is the 49ers‘ GM, he is primarily in charge of the defense, while head coach Kyle Shanahan picks the offensive talent. And Lynch has missed on a few major decisions on the defensive side of the ball, so if that unit should struggle again, not only will defensive coordinator Robert Saleh be in danger of losing his job, but Lynch could be as well.
- The Giants worked out free agent safeties Johnathan Cyprien and Tre Boston several days ago, but Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com does not believe Big Blue is going to pay for a starting-caliber safety at this point (Twitter link). He thinks the club was simply doing its due diligence.
- The Panthers will give Daryl Williams some reps at left tackle and left guard in training camp, per GM Marty Hurney (via Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic on Twitter). Williams signed a one-year deal in March to remain with Carolina, but Hurney is said to prefer Taylor Moton at right tackle — where Williams has spent most of his time as a pro — and the club drafted LT Greg Little in the second round this year. So if Williams is to earn the big FA contract that he missed out on this year, he may have to do so at an unfamiliar spot.
- The Buccaneers have placed Jason Pierre-Paul on the active/non-football injury list, as James Palmer of the NFL Network tweets. Although a player on the active/NFI list can be activated from that list at any time before the start of the season, that will almost certainly not happen with JPP, who is expected to miss at least a chunk of the regular season.
What if the O fails again? Is Kyle a goner? What has he really developed one TE?
He’s made the most of some so so talent. He’s not the problem. My biggest fear is that the Niners will can Kyle is the team struggles again but he does amazing on another team that gives him an opportunity
Well if he’s in charge of the O, then who is at fault for the so so talent?
The 49ers struggles have predominantly come down to injuries, and having to start their roster over from scratch, which has led to a severe lack of depth, leaving the coaching staff forced to play young and inexperienced players..
If they’re able to remain relatively healthy, especially in key spots, then I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the 49ers contend for a playoff spot, possibly even for their division..
Good luck. But I don’t buy it. Putting a rookie HC, GM, and starting QB together usually goes astray and their record proves that. I saw somewhere today that Jimmy G has under 500 minutes of playing time. That doesn’t equal a division title.
If Jimmy G healthy they might go 8-8 and that’s a big maybe. If not they will win maybe 4-5 games.