HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Todd Gurley Passes Falcons Physical

June 9th, 2020 at 9:38am CST by Zachary Links

Two months after agreeing to join the Falcons, Todd Gurley has finally taken and passed his team physical (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). At long last, everything is signed, sealed, and delivered, silencing any whispers about his condition.

[RELATED: Falcons Gain ~$11MM In Cap Room]

Up until this week, Gurley wasn’t able to fly to Atlanta due to the pandemic. That’s been the case for many NFL players – especially free agents changing teams – but some wondered if Gurley’s injured knee was far from football-ready. In mid-May, even Falcons offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter said he wasn’t quite sure what he going on.

“The main question that no one seems to know is, ‘What’s his health status?,” Koetter said.

All along, those close to Gurley insisted that his recovery was on track. Last year, the knee injury clearly hampered the two-time All-Pro. In 2019, he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry and just 6.7 yards per reception. Prior to that, he managed 40 all-purpose touchdowns between ’17 and ’18 while averaging 4.8 yards per tote.

If Gurley flunked his physical, the Falcons would have had an opportunity to escape the one-year, $11MM deal, but they also would have had to restart their running back search. Fortunately, it seems that everything has worked out. The Falcons have Gurley to replace Devonta Freeman, and they’ll only have $6MM of Gurley’s salary on the books thanks to the Rams’ obligation, plus offset pay.

Gurley, a University of Georgia product, will be backed in Atlanta by Ito Smith and Brian Hill.

Make-Or-Break Year: Texans CB Gareon Conley

June 8th, 2020 at 7:06pm CST by Zachary Links

Before last year’s trade deadline, the Texans swung a deal for former Raiders first-round pick Gareon Conley. The deal gave Conley a change of scenery and an opportunity to turn his pro career around. With fellow former Ohio State first-rounder Bradley Roby and veteran Johnathan Joseph out of action, Conley would have the chance to see significant reps, especially since second-round rookie Lonnie Johnson was greener than expected.

[RELATED: Texans Call Off Timmy Jernigan Deal]

Johnson didn’t improve much, but the Texans still turned down Conley’s fifth-year option for 2021, which would have paid him $10.24MM, guaranteed for injury only. Now, he’s in limbo with one year and $1.89MM on his deal.

Conley has an awful lot riding on his 2020 season. With a big showing, Conley could secure the bag – either with the Texans or another club. If he doesn’t performed, he’ll be viewed as a low-risk pickup, the kind of player that nets a cheap base salary on a one-year prove-it deal.

Conley didn’t quite cut it in Oakland, so you could be forgiven for overlooking his natural skillset and quietly solid second half with Houston. The Raiders shipped Conley out after he failed to make plays consistently in their zone scheme. But, with the Texans, Conley broke up eleven would-be passes – two less than team leader Johnathan Joseph in five fewer games.

The big-game talent has been there all along – Conley was a first-round pick for a reason and, if not for his strange pre-draft saga, he might have been a Top 10 choice. The Ohio State product was also surprisingly solid in coverage with the Raiders, even though he didn’t quite gel with the team. Conley boasts the highest forced incompletion rate of any cornerback in the NFL over the past four years, as noted by Pro Football Focus (Twitter link). That stat comes with a small asterisk since Conley has only been on the field for two years, but the fact remains that he’s a quality stopper.

If Conley can stave off Johnson for the CB2 job opposite Roby, the stage is set for him to break out and cash in next spring.

Seahawks Sign Freddie Swain 

June 8th, 2020 at 6:30pm CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks have signed rookie wide receiver Freddie Swain according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (on Twitter). In accordance with his sixth-round draft slot, Swain is set to earn $3.424MM over the course of his four-year deal.

The Seahawks nabbed Swain with the No. 214 overall pick, adding to the team’s already tight competition at wide receiver. It’s a group headlined by Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf, and Phillip Dorsett with two or maybe three spots up for grabs on the 53-man roster. Swain will battle with David Moore, John Ursua – a 2019 pick who topped 1,343 yards in his final year at Hawaii, and a number of UDFAs for a place on the depth chart.

Swain, a Florida product, first made a name for himself as a return specialist. Last year, he showed off his pass-catching abilities, notching 38 catches for 527 yards and a Gators-high seven touchdowns.

With Swain signed, the Seahawks are left with six unsigned rookies from their 2020 draft class. Here’s the full rundown, via PFR’s tracker:

1-27: Jordyn Brooks, LB (Texas Tech)
2-48: Darrell Taylor, OLB (Tennessee)
3-69: Damien Lewis, G (LSU)
4-133: Colby Parkinson, TE (Stanford): Signed
4-144: DeeJay Dallas, RB (Miami)
5-148: Alton Robinson, DE (Syracuse)
6-214: Freddie Swain, WR (Florida): Signed
7-251: Stephen Sullivan, TE (LSU)

Dalvin Cook To Wage Holdout

June 8th, 2020 at 4:47pm CST by Sam Robinson

One of several running backs from the 2017 draft class in talks regarding a new contact, Dalvin Cook made a move Monday to hopefully expedite proceedings.

The Vikings running back will no longer participate in team-related activities until he receives a “reasonable” deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Cook and the Vikes have begun negotiations, and the fourth-year running back has now pledged to sit out training camp if he and the team cannot agree on an extension, Schefter adds.

This is not exactly an unforeseen development. Cook is following Ezekiel Elliott‘s playbook from last year. The Cowboys running back participated in some of his team’s OTAs — when they were not virtual — before reconsidering and pledging to skip training camp. He did, and the tactic led to an extension. Cook has one year remaining on his contract and would normally possess a bit more leverage because he was not a first-round pick. Elliott had two years left on his rookie deal at the time.

Cook, however, is preparing a holdout on a different CBA — one that includes harsher penalties for skipping training camp workouts. Players will lose an accrued season toward free agency by not reporting to camp on time. Elliott bypassed the previous accrued-season deadline last year, however. Additionally, teams can no longer eliminate fines for players who skip camp, and said fines are now heftier. On a second-round contract, Cook has not accumulated what Elliott did through three years and is set to make just $1.3MM in 2020. This would be a bold move from the Vikings back.

The Vikings have not been shy about handing out extensions. In addition to the numerous re-ups they authorized for defenders from 2016-19 — several of which coming in the late summer — the Vikes extended Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen in 2018 and ’19, respectively. Kirk Cousins also signed an extension this year.

Minnesota drafted Alexander Mattison in the third round last year; the rookie produced in a limited capacity. Cook earned his first Pro Bowl nod, shattering career-high marks with 1,135 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. But for a third straight year, he experienced injury trouble. That will play into the Vikings’ talks with their standout back.

Latest On NFL Salary Cap Talks

June 8th, 2020 at 3:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL-NFLPA discussions regarding training camp have begun and have already produced fallout regarding training camp procedures. But the sides have yet to discuss money, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer. That will be on tap soon.

The COVID-19 pandemic has threatened to throw off the NFL’s steady growth, injecting the very real possibility the 2021 salary cap plummets. The cap has not decreased since 2011, and reports of the nature of the reduction have lacked clarity on the numbers front. But $50MM and $80MM reduction predictions been floated.

Both the league and the union expect any loss to be a one-time blip, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com notes. The league must renegotiate its TV deals by 2022. Its ESPN contract expires after the 2021 season; the other network deals conclude after the ’22 campaign. Those new contracts have always been predicted to produce significant cap spikes. However, cap spikes from a reduced 2021 number would be a bit different than the early-2020s boom that was anticipated when this CBA was ratified.

How the owners and players determine a salary cap adjustment, however, could be tricky. A players-side source informed Graziano there “is not going to be a conversation about reducing our revenue.” The players are also viewing 2020 salary cuts — mentioned as a possibility in advance of these talks — as a non-starter, Graziano adds. Unlike baseball, however, these talks will not affect the 2020 season.

The combination of both sides viewing this as a financial blip and the players coming out of the gate bearish on sacrificing revenue would point to a scenario where the parties borrow from projected future revenue to prevent a 2021 cap freefall. This would impact future cap increases, however. Some early hypotheses point to the next round of TV deals being frontloaded to help cover COVID-19’s financial impact, Graziano adds.

The salary cap is determined each March, so a precise number will not be known for many months. The league and the union, though, will need to hammer out a complicated agreement — which will hinge on how many fans will be allowed to attend games this fall — in the coming weeks.

Carlos Hyde Underwent Shoulder Surgery

June 8th, 2020 at 2:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

All three of the Seahawks’ top running backs are recovering from injuries. Added primarily because of Rashaad Penny‘s uncertainty, Carlos Hyde is recovering from surgery this offseason.

The six-year veteran back confirmed he underwent shoulder surgery, per the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta (on Twitter). NFL.com’s Michael Silver reported the surgery was to repair a torn labrum. Hyde thinks he will be ready to participate in training camp and said he will be ready to go by Week 1, potentially indicating he might not be full-go when the Seahawks report to camp.

Penny underwent knee surgery in late December and is a candidate to begin the season on Seattle’s PUP list. Starter Chris Carson‘s season also ended early because of injury, but his hip malady did not require surgery. Nevertheless, Seattle’s backfield is not especially healthy entering the summer. Carson is expected to be ready by Week 1.

Hyde played in all 16 Texans regular-season games last year, rushing for a career-high 1,070 yards, and started in each of Houston’s two playoff contests. Hyde confirmed he suffered the injury in Week 2 of last season, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com tweets. Despite interest from the Eagles, Hyde signed with the Seahawks after Devonta Freeman turned the team down. He is expected to supplement Carson while Penny recovers.

Colts Notes: Hines, Rivers, Buckner, DL

June 8th, 2020 at 2:13pm CST by Sam Robinson

Even after drafting Jonathan Taylor in the second round to pair with Marlon Mack, the Colts say Nyheim Hines will continue to enjoy a meaningful role in the offense. Ideally, Hines says he’d also like to make a dent in the return game.

“I’d love to do punt and kick returns again,” Hines said (via Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Star). “But I’ve got to go out there and earn both of the jobs. That’s what I plan on doing. I’d like to start at both of them.”

Hines made a strong case for the job last year, tallying the third-highest punt-return yardage total in the league in just nine attempts. Still, he’ll have to vie with fellow speedsters Parris Campbell and Isaiah Rodgers for the gig this summer.

More from Indy:

  • Philip Rivers has arrived in Indianapolis and has taken the lead role in organizing players-only workouts in the area, Stephen Holder of The Athletic notes (subscription required). These workouts are expected to take place next week. Players are not expected to be back at their teams’ facilities until training camp, though some momentum may be building to an earlier arrival.
  • Speaking of Rivers, his transition to the Colts will be easier than other relocating quarterbacks’ adjustments to their respective teams. While Tom Brady is learning a system that differs considerably from his Patriots setup, the Colts will use use essentially “the exact same system” as the one the Chargers used when Frank Reich and OC Nick Sirianni coached Rivers out west, Colts quarterbacks coach Marcus Brady said (via Colts.com’s Andrew Walker). They have installed roughly 90% of their offense already.
  • The biggest name on Indianapolis’ defense, however, profiled as a fairly unknown commodity to the team’s defensive line coach. New Colts D-line coach Brian Baker spent the past four years as a college coach, working with Mississippi State and Alabama, but will now coach Pro Bowler DeForest Buckner. Baker evidently did not catch many 49ers games during that time. “I’ve been away from it for a while, and I didn’t really know who DeForest was,” Baker said, via Walker. “My energy was focusing on college players and recruiting. So I didn’t know who he was, and I’m like, ‘Who’s the big ‘ol 99? This dude can play. And I’m like, ‘Man, it’d be great …’ and you end up looking, ‘OK, DeForest Buckner,‘ like, ‘Man, it’d be good to get this guy.'”
  • Buckner and Justin Houston will start for the Colts up front. But after that, competitions will commence to see who joins them, Baker added. Third-year defensive end Kemoko Turay appears to be the leading candidate to work opposite Houston. A starter at defensive tackle the past two years, Denico Autry will face off against ex-49ers starter Sheldon Day and third-year player Tyquan Lewis for the job alongside Buckner.

Jets Notes: Gase, Douglas, OL

June 8th, 2020 at 11:45am CST by Zachary Links

Is Adam Gase already on the hot seat? It would be tough for owner Woody Johnson to retain the second-year head coach if the Jets complete their tenth consecutive season without a playoff appearance, Manish Mehta of the Daily News opines. The Jets are obviously fond of Gase, but Mehta believes that Johnson – who will return to his New York area home later this year – wouldn’t be able to ignore the cries for a coaching change if the Jets finish 6-10.

More on Gang Green:

NFL To Allow Players To Return To Facilities?

June 8th, 2020 at 11:07am CST by Zachary Links

The NFL’s first ever “virtual” OTA period may wrap up in real life. The NFL and the NFLPA are discussing a scenario in which rookies and newly acquired veterans can return to team facilities before June 26, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter).

[RELATED: Coaching Staffs Permitted To Return To Facilities]

No dates have been set or discussed yet, but this would mark a monumental step forward for the league in its quest to keep the offseason moving along and stay on track for regular season kickoff in September. It’s unlikely that minicamps will take place, Pelissero notes, but the advanced timeline would allow fresh faces to get familiar with their new surroundings.

Per the league’s memo, there will be protocols in place to help reduce the risk of viral spread. That includes reconfigured locker rooms to keep players ~6 feet apart, disinfected gear after each game, and mandatory masks, unless they get in the way of “athletic activities.” Once they report to camp, players will be required to wear masks for all non-football-related activities. The memo also indicates a 15-player max in weight rooms at a given time.

Of course, social distancing on the football field is impossible, but the league hopes that these protocols will lower the chances of new coronavirus cases.

Titans Notes: Henry, Davis, QB

June 8th, 2020 at 10:55am CST by Zachary Links

While speculation swirls about the Titans and a potential Jadeveon Clowney signing, here’s the latest on the players who are actually on Tennessee’s roster:

  • Last year, Derrick Henry led the league in both carries (303) and rushing yards (1,540). This year, he’ll likely be looking at a reduced workload. Tennessee’s offense will benefit “if more guys are touching the ball,” Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith says (Twitter link via Michael Giardi of NFL.com). If a significant number of those touches figure to go to third-round rookie Darrynton Evans, Henry’s future earnings could be impacted. Unless the Titans and Derrick Henry come to terms on an extension between now and the July 15 deadline, the running back will be on course for free agency in 2021. It’s worth mentioning that a lighter workload may actually benefit Henry as teams tend to fret about RB odometers.
  • Corey Davis‘ future with the Titans is also in limbo, but Smith tells the team website that he likes what he’s seen out of the wide receiver thus far. “There were some huge explosive plays (last year) that Corey was the unsung hero to,” Smith said. “He’s a big part of this offense and I think he’ll take another step. I feel very confident in Corey, A.J. and Adam (Humphries) and that group.” The Titans, as expected, turned down Davis’ fifth-year option in May. Through three pro seasons, Davis has just six touchdowns to his credit.
  • There’s been talk of the Titans adding a veteran backup quarterback, but Smith suggested that the QB2 job will go to either Logan Woodside or Cole McDonald, depending on how the camp competition unfolds.
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