HEADLINES

Year: 2024

Latest On Giants’ QB Daniel Jones

December 12th, 2021 at 11:02pm CST by Ely Allen

When the Giants announced that quarterback Daniel Jones would miss their Week 13 matchup in Miami after suffering a sprained neck, they indicated that a long-term absence could be possible. Head coach Joe Judge announced after today’s loss in Los Angeles that Jones would be seeking further tests on Monday.

Earlier this week, Judge had stated there is “no information in any way, shape, or form that leads us to think there is a threat long-term,” and that they were just waiting for him to be cleared for contact. Today’s comments don’t necessarily point to the contrary, but the announced location of Jones’s tests open speculation about the seriousness of his neck injury.

Jones will be going to New York City’s Hospital for Special Surgery to see Dr. Frank Cammisa, HSS’s Chief Emeritus of Spine services and a specialist in surgery for spinal disorders. Jones has already been to Los Angeles to see orthopedic spine surgeon Dr. Robert Watkins III, who did not clear Jones for contact before their game against the Chargers.

It’s entirely possible that the Giants are simply seeking the opinions of people at the top of their field on how best to treat a minor injury. CBS Sports had sources knowledgeable in the field explain that specialists could be trying to identify if Jones has ligament damage or a bruised spinal cord, injuries that could spell the end of Jones’s season. These sources also explain that an MRI could return positive results pointing to a much simpler recovery.

That being said, until Jones is cleared for contact and back out on the practice field, expect Mike Glennon to be starting his third straight game when the Cowboys come to town next Sunday. The Giants are hoping that Monday’s tests will point to Sunday’s matchup being the last time Glennon has to fill in for Jones.

Joe Brady Wants To Stay In NFL

December 12th, 2021 at 9:37pm CST by Ely Allen

After receiving interest for head coaching jobs just after the 2020-21 NFL season ended, former Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady is not quite ready to return to the college coaching ranks. Despite some reports linking Joe Brady to the University of Miami as a potential offensive coordinator on new head coach Mario Cristobal’s staff, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Brady has heard from multiple NFL teams and the expectation is that he will stay in the league next season.

Brady found success in college football in his lone season at LSU as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Brady and then-LSU quarterback Joe Burrow were two individuals highly regarded as contributors to the school’s 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship. The success quickly vaulted Brady into coaching opportunities as, three days after the Championship win, Brady accepted the offensive coordinator job under incoming head coach of the Panthers Matt Rhule.

In Brady’s first season as the lone offensive play caller, Carolina’s offense ranked 24th in the NFL in scoring and 21st in yards, utilizing Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback and leaning on Mike Davis at running back with star Christian McCaffrey sidelined for all but three games. Through 13 weeks of the 2021 NFL season, the Panthers’ offense ranked 24th in points per game and 29th in yards yards per game. The team has struggled to find consistency at quarterback with trade acquisition Sam Darnold failing to take a firm hold of the reins of the offense and Cam Newton not providing the desired boost after signing with his former team in November. The running game has still seen Christian McCaffrey miss time and has turned to rookie fourth-round pick Chuba Hubbard in his absence.

Rhule didn’t specify any reasons for firing Brady only claiming it was best for the team moving forward, so it’s understandable that some NFL teams still see potential in hiring the young offensive mind. College football jobs have been filling quickly since the end of their regular season, so Brady’s focus on the NFL indicates he probably has some pretty strong leads on a new job.

QB Lamar Jackson’s Ankle Is Sprained

December 12th, 2021 at 7:17pm CST by Ely Allen

After star quarterback Lamar Jackson left today’s game with an injury, Ravens’ fans braced for the worst as they’ve been dealt blow after blow with season ending injuries all year. Well, Baltimore can breathe a small sigh of relief as Bleacher Report’s Timothy Rapp reports that Jackson has been diagnosed with a sprained ankle.

The Ravens have been plagued all season by injuries to big name players. Before the season ever started, they saw running backs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill, cornerback Marcus Peters, linebacker L.J. Fort, and defensive end Derek Wolfe all deal with injuries that would keep them out for the entire 2021-22 season. Over the course of the season, they’ve lost offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley, safety DeShon Elliott, and cornerback Marlon Humphrey all to season ending injuries, as well. Not to mention they’ve seen a litany of players like defensive end Calais Campbell, tight end Nick Boyle, and fullback Patrick Ricard miss time with injuries over the season.

As brutal as these setbacks have been, losing Lamar Jackson for the year would effectively end any chance for a successful season in Baltimore. With the only returning running back from Baltimore’s record-breaking rushing offense being former-practice squad player Ty’Son Williams, Baltimore very quickly asked the 24-year old Jackson to shoulder more of the offense than he previously had in his career. Not only does Jackson captain the passing attack and lead the team in rushing, but the next closest player on the team in rushing yards has 322 less yards than Jackson. There is arguably no player more crucial to their team’s success than Lamar Jackson and his injury status appearing to be short-term is a bit of solace for a bruised Ravens team.

In his absence, second-year undrafted free agent Tyler Huntley will be available to fill in. Huntley has seen game action a few times in his short career and earned his first career start when Jackson missed Week 11 with a sickness. Huntley led the Ravens to a win over the Bears that week utilizing a 72-yard game-winning touchdown drive with 1:33 left in the 4th quarter. When Huntley replaced Jackson today in Cleveland, the Ravens were down 10-0 and saw their deficit grow to 24-6 before Huntley led a second half comeback effort that fell short with the Ravens just out of field goal range in a 24-22 loss.

The Ravens’ schedule doesn’t let next week as the Packers visit for an afternoon matchup. Baltimore will want to give Jackson a chance to practice before announcing Huntley as the starter. And they’ll be hoping for good news as they look to close out a contentious AFC North over a daunting last four games of the season.

Texans Could Draft DE If QB Mills Shows Promise

December 12th, 2021 at 5:42pm CST by Ely Allen

With two defensive ends topping most 2022 NFL mock drafts and the Texans staring down a potential spot in the top 3 draft picks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that his sources have told him Houston may elect to draft Michigan’s Aidan Hutchinson or Oregon’s Kayvon Thibodeaux should rookie quarterback Davis Mills show promise in the last four games of the season.

The third-round pick out of Stanford has started seven games this season, taking over for season starter Tyrod Taylor after Taylor suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 of this season. When Taylor returned to health, Mills went back to his backup role. In Week 13, due to an injured wrist and general ineffectiveness Taylor was benched for Mills and the Texans announced that Mills would be tabbed as the starter for the remainder of the season.

In his play as a rookie, Mills has shown impressive accuracy completing 65.8% of his passes. He’s thrown for eight touchdowns and eight interceptions and, in games he’s started, he’s averaged about 227 passing yards per game for a Texans team that isn’t necessarily rich in offensive weapons. The Texans did say that, if Mills struggles down the stretch, they still may aim for a quarterback with a high draft pick.

This decision may end up being a bit more complicated than they’re currently saying. If Mills shows too much promise en route to proving they don’t need to draft a quarterback and wins a couple of games, he could potentially push them out of range of the draft’s top defensive ends. If Mills does indeed struggle in the tail end of the season and Houston decides they need to draft one of the top quarterbacks available in the draft, due to the lack of a consensus top quarterback prospect, they may be tempted to let an anxious team trade up into their high draft pick, assuming that some of the top quarterback prospects may still be available throughout the top 10 picks.

Regardless of the their thought process, Houston has provided Mills with motivation and an opportunity to take hold of the starting job and has put the onus on him to determine how they approach the 2022 NFL Draft. In his attempts to prove his starting abilities, Mills will face the Jaguars, Chargers, 49ers, and Titans in the final four games of the season.

This Date In Transactions History: Rams Fire Jeff Fisher

December 12th, 2021 at 1:33pm CST by Zachary Links

On this date in 2016, the Rams moved on from Jeff Fisher. The decision came on the heels of a brutal loss to the Falcons, one that tied Fisher for the most losses of any NFL head coach in league history.

[RELATED: Rams Place Henderson On Reserve/COVID-19 List]

Fisher’s 165th L tied Dan Reeves for the all-time record, though Reeves had 190 career wins vs. Fisher’s 173. Across 22 years of coaching, Fisher made the playoffs just six times, and none of those postseason appearances came in St. Louis or Los Angeles.

“Making a decision such as this – especially during the season – is one of the most difficult in sports,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement. “I have great respect for Jeff as a coach, person, father and friend. He has worked tirelessly despite some challenging circumstances. He played an integral role in helping this team make history in returning the NFL to Los Angeles, and we always will be grateful for his commitment and dedication to our organization. However, this is the right time to make a change as our performance has not lived up to my or our fans’ expectations. We all are focused on improving as an organization and building a team that makes Los Angeles proud. Our mission is to celebrate a Super Bowl title with our fans in Los Angeles. Today is the first step to bringing us closer to that goal.”

The Rams installed special teams coordinator John Fassel as their interim head coach before installing Sean McVay — Washington’s young offensive coordinator — as their next HC. McVay’s Rams nearly achieved Kroenke’s mission in 2018, before falling to the Patriots in the championship game.

Despite the ups and downs over the last four years-and-change, the Rams are undeniably in a better place today. The Rams have reached the playoffs in three of the last four years and they’re currently on track to go 4-for-5 with a Wild Card berth.

5 Key Stories: 12/6/21 – 12/12/21

December 12th, 2021 at 1:22pm CST by Zachary Links

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • Demaryius Thomas Dead At 33: Former Pro Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas passed away last week, just shy of his 34th birthday. Beloved by his teammates, Thomas captured a Super Bowl ring with the Broncos in 2015 before moving on to the Texans and Jets later in his career. On the field, he’ll be remembered for his exceptional performances in orange and blue. He ranks second in Broncos history in receiving yards (9,055) and receiving touchdowns (60) with more playoff receptions (53) than any other player in franchise history.
  • Seahawks’ Wilson Open To Trade: Here we go again. According to multiple reports, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Broncos, Giants, and Saints. The Giants — currently slated to have two top-10 picks in the 2022 draft — have the resources to get a deal done. The Saints and Broncos would surely be interested in the seven-time Pro Bowler, but they have significantly less draft ammo to offer.
  • Ravens’ Humphrey Done For Year: Marlon Humphrey was shut down for the year after suffering a torn pec. His loss was felt immediately last Sunday against the Steelers — without the star cornerback, the Ravens opted for a two-point conversion instead of an extra point to tie the game. When that failed, the Ravens lost 20-19 and ceded ground in the competitive AFC North. This hasn’t been the 25-year-old’s best season, but he still ranked as the 27th best cornerback in the NFL this year, according to Pro Football Focus.
  • Seahawks’ Adams Done For Year: Less than a year after undergoing surgery to repair a torn shoulder labrum, Jamal Adams is set for a similar rehab odyssey in 2022. The Seahawks safety is out for the season with yet another major left shoulder injury, his second inside of eleven months. Adams’ absence weakens the Seahawks’ D while potentially improving the Jets’ draft outlook. Thanks to the blockbuster Adams trade, the Jets own the Seahawks’ 2021 and 2022 first-round picks.
  • Titans Activate Julio Jones: After an extended absence, the Titans welcomed Julio Jones back to the roster. Finally healed up from his hamstring injury, the legendary wide receiver took the field on Sunday to face the Jaguars.

PFR Originals: Browns, Goodell, Fisher

December 12th, 2021 at 1:02pm CST by Zachary Links

In case you missed it, here’s a look back at some of our recent originals:

  • You don’t usually see teams fire a GM and announce his replacement all in one day. But that’s exactly what the Browns did in 2017, swapping executive VP/de facto GM Sashi Brown for John Dorsey. Our own Ben Levine looked back on the Browns’ drastic overhaul and the ripple effect that’s still being felt in Cleveland to this day.
  • This may surprise you, but not everyone is a fan of Roger Goodell. In 2017, when Goodell was up for a lucrative extension, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was among his most vocal critics. Recently, we reflected on all the juicy drama that ensued before Goodell inked his new contract, worth up to $63MM per annum. For what it’s worth, Jones and Goodell are in a much better place today. Just recently, Jones deemed Goodell to be an “excellent commissioner.”
  • After five seasons at the helm, Jeff Fisher wasn’t able to shepherd the Rams to the playoffs. With three games left in 2016, owner Stan Kroenke decided that he couldn’t wait any longer. Hours after he tied the NFL’s all-time record for most losses by any head coach, Fisher got his pink slip. Five years later, the Rams are in a much better spot.

Grambling State Hires Hue Jackson As HC

December 12th, 2021 at 12:47pm CST by Rory Parks

Hue Jackson once again finds himself as a head coach. Hired as Tennessee State’s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach back in April, Jackson has agreed to a four-year contract to become HC of Grambling State, as Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter).

The 56-year-old worked under head coach Eddie George at Tennessee State. Though the FCS squad finished the 2021 season with a 5-6 record, Grambling State — one of the country’s highest-profile HBCU programs — is willing to take a chance on a man who has NFL head coaching experience and who was at one time considered one of the game’s sharpest offensive minds.

Of course, Jackson’s most recent HC gig in the NFL didn’t exactly go according to plan. Over two-and-a-half seasons as the Browns’ sideline general, he posted a 3-36-1 record, though he later claimed that the organization set him up for failure. Regardless of the veracity of that claim, Jackson now has a good opportunity for some measure of redemption.

He was not, however, Grambling State’s first choice. As Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes, the school first offered the position to Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, who has worked on the Bills’ coaching staff and who is presently serving as the chief of staff for the University of Miami football program.

Given Miami’s recent upheaval — the Hurricanes just hired a new head coach and athletic director, a process that Reed was obviously deeply involved in — Reed declined the offer. La Canfora’s report also indicated that the timing was not right for Reed and his family, but Reed did seriously consider the proposal and is interested in a head coaching post down the road.

49ers DT D.J. Jones On Future

December 12th, 2021 at 11:23am CST by Rory Parks

49ers defensive tackle D.J. Jones, a 2017 sixth-rounder who agreed to remain with San Francisco on a one-year, $3.5MM pact back in March, is enjoying a breakout campaign. He has positioned himself well for a lucrative, multi-year contract this offseason, and he knows it.

As Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle writes, Jones did not give a canned, cliched answer when recently asked if he was thinking about his upcoming payday. “The way I’m playing, yes sir,” Jones said. “I’d be lying to you if I didn’t say that. … I want to retire my father and mother from the barbecue business. I want to make sure my sisters don’t have to do another thing, as long they invest the money that I provide correctly. I completely understand the situation I’m in. I’m not going to say that’s why I’m balling. I’m doing my job for my team. Those are rewards.”

Jones offers a rare combination of strength and speed, and through 12 games in 2021, he has already matched or set career highs in tackles (42) and tackles for loss (seven). He has just one sack, and Pro Football Focus’ metrics paint him as a so-so pass rusher, but his high scores as a run stopper help to counterbalance any deficiencies in that regard. His overall score of 75.7 positions him as the 15th-best interior defender in the league out of 127 qualifiers.

Despite his modest draft status, Jones has developed a reputation as one of the game’s most difficult-to-move D-linemen, a reputation that he credits to his weight room efforts.

“Not bragging, not boasting, but I’ve always been the strongest guy wherever I’ve been,” Jones said. “I feel like that strength comes from endless hours in the weight room. And dedicating myself.”

Branch expects that the 49ers will prioritize a Jones re-up this offseason, and Jones is certainly amenable to continuing his career in the Bay Area. “I would love to stay here,” he said. “I would love to be a 49er for the rest of my career. It’s as simple as that. But we’ll cross that bridge when it comes time.”

WFT’s Jonathan Allen, Jones’ draftmate, has generated higher sack totals and did not take as long as Jones to come into his own. However, the four-year $72MM extension ($35.6MM guaranteed) that Allen signed in July could provide a reasonable benchmark for Jones, even if he doesn’t quite hit those numbers.

Latest On Seahawks QB Russell Wilson

December 12th, 2021 at 10:46am CST by Rory Parks

We already expected the Russell Wilson trade rumors to swirl in the upcoming offseason, just as they did earlier this year, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com is helping to fan those flames before the calendar flips to 2022. Earlier this week, independent reporter Jordan Schultz said that the Seahawks’ franchise QB would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Broncos, Giants, and Saints (Twitter link), and Rapoport’s sources have confirmed that report.

Underscoring the trade chatter that began in earnest in February was the fact that Wilson’s agent, Mark Rodgers, told the Seahawks that, if the team were to consider a trade, Wilson would be open to the Cowboys, Saints, Raiders, or Bears. The Cowboys and Bears have since addressed their QB situations, and while it’s unclear what direction the Raiders will go in 2022, the Saints clearly still need quarterback help. Meanwhile, the Broncos and Giants profile as clubs that could seek an upgrade in the coming months, so it stands to reason that Wilson would add those outfits to his list.

As Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports recently pointed out, the Giants — who are presently slated to have two top-10 picks in the 2022 draft — have the resources to get a deal done, and the New York lifestyle is one that would appeal to Wilson and his celebrity wife, Ciara. Big Blue is likely to move on from GM Dave Gettleman, ownership is starting to get impatient with the Giants’ poor performance in recent years, and a Wilson trade could immediately propel the team back into contention.

The Broncos, of course, have been connected to both Aaron Rodgers and Deshaun Watson, so GM George Paton would have to think long and hard about Wilson if the seven-time Pro Bowler is indeed open to a move to Denver. However, neither the Broncos nor the Saints presently have the draft capital that the Giants possess.

The latest reporting on the Seahawks’ mindset suggested that the club may be more amenable to moving Wilson in 2022 than it was in 2021, though as Rapoport writes, Seattle is still largely in control of the situation. Wilson is under contract through 2023, and the ‘Hawks could deploy the franchise tag after that if necessary.

On the other hand, Wilson could make life difficult for the team if he decides he wants to leave, and when asked about the Schultz report, he did not offer a denial of any kind. He said simply, “I’m focused on what we’re doing here. Obviously I love Seattle. This is a place I’ve loved every day, every moment.”

The 4-8 Seahawks will attempt to keep their slim playoff hopes alive by taking down the 2-10 Texans this afternoon.

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