HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Ted Ginn Jr. Says Retirement Can Wait

April 15th, 2020 at 7:49pm CST by Zachary Links

Even at the age of 35, wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. says he still has more in the tank (via Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com). The free agent is looking for his next deal after spending the last three seasons with the Saints. 

[RELATED: Demaryius Thomas Wants To Continue Playing]

“I’ve still got a few more years left in me,” said Ginn, who first entered the league in 2007.

After 36 games (22 starts) with the Saints, Ginn will likely have to don a new uniform next year. New addition Emmanuel Sanders figures to replace him as the veteran of the group and they’re well stocked with Michael Thomas, Tre’Quan Smith, Deonte Harris, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Emmanuel Butler, and Tommylee Lewis also under contract. The Saints could be tempted to pounce on one of this year’s talented rookie WRs, if one happens to slip, but, either way, there’s no clear spot for Ginn on the 53-man roster.

For his career, Ginn has posted 409 catches for 5,702 yards and 33 touchdowns. And, in his salad days, he was a solid return man. Across 13 seasons, he’s also suited up for the Dolphins, 49ers, Panthers, and Cardinals.

WR Rumors: Jets, Ruggs, Cowboys, Mims

April 15th, 2020 at 7:06pm CST by Sam Robinson

Buzz about the Jets‘ first-round decision has pointed to a tackle-or-wide receiver dilemma. While the former scenario thus far has been the predicted route GM Joe Douglas will take in his first Jets draft, the team is high on Henry Ruggs, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY notes (video link). The Jets have eyed Ruggs throughout the pre-draft process. Smokescreens are common at this time, but it might not make much sense in this case. The Jets may not be able to afford to trade down from No. 11 overall, considering the draft’s top four tackles may all be gone by the middle of the first round.

Should Gang Green opt for a wide receiver, Ruggs has generally rated behind former Alabama teammate Jerry Jeudy and Oklahoma standout CeeDee Lamb in mock drafts. The Jets are believe to be Lamb fans as well. The 5-foot-11 Ruggs, however, has both easily beat in the speed department. The Jets recently signed deep threat Breshad Perriman to replace Robby Anderson and have slot cog Jamison Crowder under contract.

Here is the latest from the league’s wide receiver landscape:

  • On the subject of Ruggs, the Cowboys recently went through a video conference with the first-round talent, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets. Perhaps as an indication of the board the Cowboys expect to see when they pick at No. 17, Hill adds the team has not spoken with Lamb yet (Twitter link). It would certainly be interesting to see the Cowboys choose a wideout in Round 1, considering they just authorized a $20MM-per-year Amari Cooper pact.
  • One of this draft’s many receivers who figure to be off the board by the time the third round begins, Denzel Mims produced two 1,000-yard seasons while at Baylor. However, the 6-3 standout struggled with drops with the Bears. Mims played with a broken hand last season, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, adding that he has discussed this issue with teams. With the NCAA not forcing teams to provide injury reports, players’ maladies can slip under radars far easier than they can in the NFL. After blazing to a 4.38-second 40-yard dash at the Combine, Mims will likely not have to wait too long Friday night — if indeed he escapes Round 1.
  • The Cardinals now have Larry Fitzgerald, DeAndre Hopkins and recent second-round picks Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella on their team. Kyler Murray has also lobbied for the team to draft Lamb — his college teammate — at No. 8 overall. It would be a surprise to see Arizona devote a high pick to a wideout this year, but Steve Keim did not rule out such a move. “You want to look at the long-term contracts you have in place, whether guys can play inside or outside,” Keim said. “If there is a player at the right spot, someone we are high on, we will certainly take advantage of that. Just because it seems on the surface we’re not as needy at wide receiver, that could change pretty quickly.”

Cardinals Discussing Deals With DeAndre Hopkins, Kenyan Drake

April 15th, 2020 at 6:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although DeAndre Hopkins and Kenyan Drake are in different contractual situations, both players are on the Cardinals’ agenda this offseason. More developments on this front emerged Wednesday.

Cards GM Steve Keim said he has engaged in discussions with the agents for both of the team’s recently acquired skill-position players. This follows a report that indicated he had spoken directly with Hopkins about his contract, which runs through 2022.

“Both those guys are guys we’d like to have long-term,” Keim said, via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. “Again, if it makes our organization better and the opportunity arises, we will certainly do that. I’ve had communication with both their agents. We’ll continue to pound away. The draft is the most important part right now, but we will continue to have ongoing talks with both of those players’ agents.”

Drake signed his $8.5MM transition tender last month and now has a firm grip on the Cardinals’ starting running back job after the Hopkins trade included David Johnson. The Cardinals just freed themselves from what became an albatross contract, with Johnson struggling to deliver on the $13MM-per-year deal he signed in 2018.

Bill O’Brien confirmed Hopkins wanted a raise. While Nuk’s deal topped every other receiver’s when he signed it in 2017, the $16.2MM-AAV pact is now barely inside the top 10 among receivers. Teams rarely commit to new contracts for players signed for three more seasons, but the Cardinals trading for Hopkins may make this a special circumstance. With Larry Fitzgerald on a year-to-year track, Hopkins now profiles as Arizona’s No. 1 long-term target. The three-time All-Pro will surely pursue a deal that approaches Julio Jones‘ $22MM-AAV accord.

Bills Discussing Extensions With Dion Dawkins, Matt Milano

April 15th, 2020 at 6:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

Still in Josh Allen‘s rookie-contract window, the Bills operated aggressively this offseason by adding Stefon Diggs, Josh Norman and a host of defensive linemen. They are turning their attention to extensions for some of their own players, however.

GM Brandon Beane confirmed Wednesday he has discussed long-term deals for both left tackle Dion Dawkins and linebacker Matt Milano, who share an agent.

“Matt and Dion, they have the same representative so that’s a one-call, one-stop shop,” Beane told Steve Tasker during an appearance on One Bills Live (viaNewYorkUpstate.com). “Yeah, definitely have been in contact. You know, I don’t really like to get into negotiations too much, but I’ve definitely been in contact with their representatives giving them timelines of when we would look at things like that.”

Beane hinted at the post-draft offseason period being the window for potential re-ups for Dawkins and Milano. The Bills have an additional year to work on a Tre’Davious White deal, thanks to their 2017 first-rounder having a fifth-year option in his rookie contract.

Dawkins, a 2017 second-round pick, and Milano (a fifth-rounder that year) have been key to Buffalo’s recent rise. Each has been a starter since his rookie season. Milano racked up a career-high 101 tackles last season, and Dawkins rated as a top-30 tackle last season (per Pro Football Focus).

North Notes: Mixon, Browns, OBJ, Vikings

April 15th, 2020 at 5:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Christian McCaffrey landed his extension, the other members of 2017’s loaded running back class remain on rookie deals. The Bengals‘ Joe Mixon resides in this camp. The sides have begun negotiations, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, who adds the Bengals are preparing for a Mixon holdout if no extension is agreed upon (subscription required). The Bengals are not prepared to pay Mixon on the $16MM-per-year level — the new standard for backs after McCaffrey’s deal — according to Dehner. The team would like to extend him, Dehner adds, just not in that price neighborhood. Cincinnati’s starting back is going into his age-24 season. Mixon’s contract does not contain a fifth-year option; he is set to earn $1.2MM next season.

With the exception of Ezekiel Elliott, the latest run of big-ticket running back contracts has mostly burned teams. Todd Gurley and David Johnson are elsewhere after signing lucrative Rams and Cardinals extensions, respectively, and Le’Veon Bell ($13.1MM AAV) did not fare well in his first Jets season. Despite playing behind shaky offensive lines, Mixon is coming off back-to-back 1,100-yard rushing seasons. The Bengals have he, Giovani Bernard and 2019 draft choice Trayveon Williams under contract.

Here is more from the NFL’s North divisions:

  • A rumor circulated Wednesday connecting the Browns to engaging in Odell Beckham Jr. trade discussions with the Vikings. The rumor indicated the proposed compensation discussed was a package featuring second- and fifth-round picks. Quickly debunking this, cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot reports no such talks occurred (Twitter link). It would be odd to see the Vikings shed Stefon Diggs‘ contract only to add Beckham’s $18MM-AAV deal. Beckham was again mentioned in trade rumors at the end of last season, but the latest Browns regime said the plan is to keep the star wideout for the 2020 season. Beckham’s deal could become a trade asset at some point, with the Giants having eaten all the dead money associated with it.
  • One of many defenders with whom the Browns agreed to one-year contracts, Karl Joseph remains in limbo to a degree. The former Raiders safety suffered a broken foot last season and underwent surgery. However, Joseph has not taken a Browns physical yet, Cabot notes. Joseph is the only member of this Browns free agency class not to have taken his physical, Cabot adds. There are no plans for Joseph to take a physical in the near future, but GM Andrew Berry does not expect this to be an issue that nixes the parties’ $2.5MM agreement.
  • It’s been a while since the Packers have authorized a major running back extension, but they are discussing a new deal with Aaron Jones.

NFL Discussing Contingency Plans Involving Shortened Season, Games Without Fans

April 15th, 2020 at 4:31pm CST by Sam Robinson

More than four months away from what would ordinarily be Week 1, the NFL has used a stay-the-course approach as its party line. But behind the scenes, the league has begun to prepare for major changes.

The NFL has begun discussions of major contingency plans — including one that features a shortened season and others that involve some or no fans at stadiums — because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. This certainly makes sense, despite the league’s public stance thus far.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said he believes sports can return in 2020 — but without fans at venues. California Gov. Gavin Newsom did not sound optimistic this week regarding fans trekking to California stadiums this year, and Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti said Wednesday during a CNN interview he does not anticipate games to be played in the city until 2021 (video link). The NFL will not reopen facilities until stay-at-home orders have been lifted nationwide.

While the NBA and Major League Baseball must make their decisions first, the NFL is going with a virtual draft and has all but committed to a fully virtual offseason. The next steps pertain to training camp, the preseason and the regular season. The NFL hopes widespread coronavirus testing will be available by the fall, Maske adds.

“I don’t know if it’ll be a one-third-filled stadium, a half-filled stadium or whatever,” a league source told Maske. “The NFL is planning for everything from playing without fans to playing with full stadiums. We know there will be a push from the [federal] government to open things up. I think we’re going to have fans in the stands.”

No NFL season has been shortened since 1987, when a players’ strike eliminated one game. In 1982, a strike wiped out seven contests and led to an amended playoff bracket. The league is planning to release this season’s schedule May 9 — later than usual — but Maske notes it is preparing a more flexible schedule for the 2020 season.

“As we have said, we are committed to protecting the health of our fans, players, club and league personnel, and communities,” the NFL said in a statement. “We look forward to the 2020 NFL season, and our guidelines and decisions will be guided by the latest advice from medical and public health officials, as well as current and future government regulations. We will continue to plan for the season and will be prepared to adjust as necessary, just as we have done with free agency, the draft, and now the offseason program.”

David Johnson Passes Texans Physical

April 15th, 2020 at 3:47pm CST by Zachary Links

Great news for David Johnson and bad news for Texans fans who were hoping for the DeAndre Hopkins trade to be nullified. The running back has passed his physical exam, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). 

[RELATED: Texans Trade DeAndre Hopkins To Cardinals, Receive David Johnson] 

Meanwhile, Hopkins has also passed his physical with the Cardinals, so everything should be clear for the swap to become officially official. All along, both teams have expressed confidence that the trade would be completed, despite the hiccups presented by the ongoing pandemic. Outside of Houston headquarters, many speculated that Johnson’s past maladies would raise red flags and scuttle the deal. In Arizona, they had to do a careful check on Hopkins’ surgically-repaired wrist, though that injury has not slowed him as much over the years.

Johnson was once one of the NFL’s very best tailbacks, but he’s hasn’t looked like the same player as of late. In 2019, DJ missed games and ultimately lost his spot in the pecking order to Kenyan Drake. All together, he carried the ball just 94 times and averaged 3.7 yards per try. His last big year came in 2016, when he earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro nods as he ran for 1,239 yards. Then, in 2017, he saw most of his season wiped out.

Roy Robertson-Harris Signs Bears Tender

April 15th, 2020 at 2:48pm CST by Zachary Links

Bears defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris signed his second-round tender, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter). With that, he’ll return for another season in Chicago while earning just over $3.2MM. 

Robertson-Harris was set for restricted free agency, but the Bears didn’t want to let him get away. The $3.2MM+ tender was enough to scare off any possible suitors – any team that signed him to an unmatched offer sheet would have had to pay a steep tax in draft capital. Since he entered the league as an undrafted free agent, there would’ve been no compensation for the Bears had they tendered and lost him at the original-round level.

The UTEP product spent his entire 2016 rookie season on the reserve/NFI list, but earned his spot on the team in 2017. Ever since, he’s been getting more and more time on the field. Last year, he appeared in 15 games and started seven, racking up 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and three passes defended from the interior. All together, he played on more than 50 percent of Chicago’s defensive snaps.

Demaryius Thomas Wants To Continue Playing

April 15th, 2020 at 2:04pm CST by Zachary Links

Demaryius Thomas says retirement can wait. In an interview with 104.3 The Fan, the accomplished wide receiver said that he’s looking for an opportunity to play in 2020 (Twitter link via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic). 

[RELATED: Broncos Aiming To Trade Up In Draft?]

Thomas, 32, registered over 9,000 yards across nine seasons with the Broncos, but he’s now on the back nine of his career. Midway through the 2018 season, the Broncos traded DT to the Texans for what amounted to a fourth-round pick. When the Texans signed him in the following offseason, he hooked on with the Patriots.

Then, just before the 2019 season, the Patriots completed a rare intra-divisional trade to send Thomas to the Jets. Gang Green only had to give up a sixth-round pick for Thomas, a four-time Pro Bowler.

Last year, Thomas recorded 36 grabs for 433 yards and one touchdown with the Jets. Now with 9,763 career yards, Thomas says that he wants to reach 10,000. Thomas should be able to land a deal somewhere, but he’ll probably have to wait until after the draft.

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