HEADLINES

Month: November 2024

Riley Reiff, Kwon Alexander Remain On Jets’ Radar

July 8th, 2022 at 12:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

With training camps looming, several big names remain free agents. Two paid visits to the Jets earlier this offseason. While neither Riley Reiff nor Kwon Alexander signed with the team after their respective meetings, both have the option to join ahead of camp.

The Jets made offers to Alexander and Reiff, according to Connor Hughes of The Athletic, who notes both still have the option to accept and sign on with the rebuilding team (subscription required). The Jets have set their prices here, however, with Hughes adding that — as was the case with the team’s Larry Ogunjobi interest — GM Joe Douglas is not prepared to deviate from his initial offers to either player.

It is understandable, at this point in the offseason, Douglas will not follow through with a perceived overpay for players not expected to be starters. The Jets are uncertain which positions their starting tackles will play, but George Fant and Mekhi Becton are in line to be the team’s first-stringers. Ditto for C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams as three-down linebackers. With neither Reiff nor Alexander having been connected to other teams this offseason, they may need to revisit the Jets’ offers at some point.

That said, the Jets lost out on a few marquee wide receivers this year after showing interest and/or making major offers. Tyreek Hill chose the Dolphins, while Amari Cooper went to the Browns for the cost of two Day 3 picks. The 49ers may not have been ready to trade Deebo Samuel during the draft, but the Jets’ proposal involving the No. 10 overall pick included the 49ers’ second-round choice coming back. Granted those were higher-stakes negotiations than those involving late-offseason UFAs, but Hughes adds that if offers are equal, players should be considered unlikely to commit to the Jets over a team with legitimate playoff aspirations.

Reiff, 33, makes sense for a few teams as a potential starter option, having worked as a first-stringer for almost all of his 10-year career. He would represent Becton insurance in New York. Alexander, 27, played for Saleh for parts of two seasons (2019-20) before a midseason trade to the Saints. But he did not pan out in San Francisco. Alexander’s 2019 49ers contract may well have had an impact on the Jets’ previous regime needing to pay Mosley a then-record (for off-ball linebackers) $17MM per year. Alexander started eight games for the Saints last season.

Latest On Ravens CB Marcus Peters

July 8th, 2022 at 11:59am CST by Adam La Rose

Cornerback was one of the hardest-hit positions during the Ravens’ injury-plagued 2021 campaign. If their two former All-Pros at that spot can return to form this season, though, the team’s defense could be well-positioned for a bounce back. 

Much will therefore depend on the health and play of Marcus Peters. The 29-year-old missed all of last season due to a torn ACL he suffered during the preseason. His absence was compounded by the later loss of Marlon Humphrey, as Baltimore ended the season on a six-game losing streak which cost them a playoff berth. Peters has been successfully recovering during the offseason, however; head coach John Harbaugh said in May that his rehab was “coming along really well.”

Still, as The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec notes (subscription required), Peters is one of several Ravens who are candidates to begin training camp on the PUP list. That will raise questions about his Week 1 availability for a time, but assuming he is cleared by the start of the regular season, attention will quickly turn to his financial situation.

Peters has one year remaining on his current deal, at a cap hit of $15.5MM. That figure ranks third in the league this season amongst corners, which stands out for Baltimore given their tight salary cap situation. As a result, Zrebiec names him as a player the Ravens could look to extend “sooner rather than later.” The team has already done so previously, giving him a new three-year deal in December of 2019.

However, as Zrebiec points out, the team will in all likelihood wait to see how well he plays upon returning from such a significant injury. If he plays at the Pro Bowl level he has through much of his time in Charm City, a new contract giving him security for the short- or intermediate-term future (and, perhaps, opening up some financial wiggle room for the team in the process) would make sense. However, if his knee shows ill effects, that would couple with his age to give the Ravens pause regarding another significant investment in him.

Follow Pro Hockey Rumors For 2022 NHL Draft Coverage

July 8th, 2022 at 11:57am CST by Josh Erickson

The 2022 NHL Draft continues today after a chaotic day of trades yesterday as well. Make sure to follow our coverage over at Pro Hockey Rumors (@prohockeyrumors on Twitter!) to see what transpires as teams add to their prospect pools through both draft selections and trade transactions.

The biggest newsmakers at the draft have been the Chicago Blackhawks, who ended up with three first-round picks last night after entering the day with none. They shipped out 40-goal-scoring winger Alex DeBrincat to the Ottawa Senators in order to make it happen, though.

There’s still the potential for more trades today. The Carolina Hurricanes already made some big news, trading hot-topic defenseman Tony DeAngelo to the Philadelphia Flyers. Future Hall of Fame defenseman Duncan Keith is also retiring from the NHL with one year left on his contract as a member of the Edmonton Oilers.

Make sure to continue to follow Pro Hockey Rumors throughout the NHL Draft as the day wraps up. You can also keep up with all of the picks on our pick tracker.

Latest On Titans’ CB Competition

July 8th, 2022 at 10:24am CST by Adam La Rose

The Titans enjoyed a successful 2021 regular season in no small part due to their play on the defensive side of the ball. Much of that unit will return this season, but there are of course positional battles set to take place during training camp, including in the secondary. 

In a breakdown of the team’s cornerback room, Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com notes that 2020 second-rounder Kristian Fulton is set to continue as a full-time starter. In 2021, he totalled 14 pass breakups and allowed a competition percentage of just 51%. The first-team role opposite him is up for grabs, though, and Tennessee has a few options to consider.

One of them is Caleb Farley, who entered the league last season amidst injury concerns dating back to his college career at Virginia Tech. He was limited to just three games in his rookie campaign as a result of a torn ACL, leaving him with little advantage, if any, over his primary competition. The Titans drafted Roger McCreary in the second round of this year’s draft, giving them another highly-regarded member of a young CB room.

The Auburn product impressed during spring workouts, McCormick notes. Especially as Farley continues to recover from the injury, he has a path to significant playing time as a rookie. That could come on the outside, but McCreary has also spent some time practicing in the slot. That role belongs to 2021 third-rounder Elijah Molden, but the Titans could, of course, use packages in which all four of their young CBs see the field at the same time.

Outside of those players, Tennessee also has veteran Buster Skrine as at least a depth option capable of stepping up in the event of injuries or stagnated development. If the team’s top DBs play to their caliber, however, they could be in line for another successful defensive performance in 2022.

Commanders Owner Dan Snyder Willing To Testify Before House Oversight Committee?

July 8th, 2022 at 9:15am CST by Adam La Rose

Dan Snyder has made more unwanted headlines recently as the House Oversight Committee continues its investigation into the Commanders’ workplace culture. After commissioner Roger Goodell voluntarily testified to the committee last month, Snyder stated that he was unavailable to do so at the time. 

That led to a subpoena being issued by Chairperson Carolyn Maloney to compel the Washington owner’s testimony. “If the NFL is unwilling or unable to hold Mr. Snyder accountable,” she said, “then I am prepared to do so.” Snyder has, however, reportedly shown an ability to voluntarily be deposed.

As detailed by ESPN’s John Keim and Tisha Thompson, Snyder offered to testify via videoconference later this month. A letter from his attorney, Karen Seymour, states that July 28 and 29 are dates during which Snyder will be available to be questioned; he cited a work conflict as the reason he couldn’t testify when initially requested to do so. Those two days are the last until Congress’ current session ends.

Per the report, Seymour has still yet to accept the subpoena, and both sides “continue to negotiate the terms under which Snyder would testify.” His offer would consist of a private deposition being recorded, some or all of which the Committee could later release. Notably, the fact that he would be speaking voluntarily would give Snyder the ability to cite the nondisclosure agreements many former employees signed as a way of avoiding certain questions – an option which wouldn’t exist if the subpoena were to be accepted.

A statement from a Committee spokesperson reads in part: “We remain committed to securing Mr. Snyder’s testimony on the toxic work environment at the Washington Commanders following his failure to appear voluntarily at the Committee’s hearing and his continued refusal to allow his attorney to accept service of a subpoena.”

This episode also comes amidst uncertainty regarding Snyder’s future in the day-to-day operations of the team. He was removed from those duties last year, and discussions on when he will be allowed to resume them “[have] not yet happened.” Much will depend, likely, on the outcome of his testimony in determining his personal future.

Ravens Re-Sign OLB Justin Houston

July 7th, 2022 at 11:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Houston will stay in Baltimore. The Ravens reached an agreement to bring back the veteran edge rusher. The team announced the one-year deal Thursday.

The Ravens had placed a seldom-used UFA tender on Houston, giving them exclusive negotiating rights after training camps began later this month. Despite Houston being free to talk to other teams until then, he will rejoin the Ravens, who have been linked to edge rushers for weeks.

This marks the second of 2022’s UFA tender recipients to reach an agreement before the late-July deadline changed negotiation equations. Melvin Ingram, given a UFA tender by the Chiefs earlier this offseason, signed with the Dolphins. Houston, 33, will help a Ravens team that was looking into edge players before Jaylon Ferguson‘s tragic death.

After two seasons with the Colts, the former Chiefs All-Pro outside linebacker signed a one-year $2.28MM deal to join a Ravens team that had lost Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue in free agency. No similar defections occurred this year, but the team’s main offseason addition at the spot — second-rounder David Ojabo — is rehabbing a torn Achilles sustained during pre-draft workouts. It will be a while before Ojabo’s NFL debut happens, if it occurs in 2022. Auxiliary edge Tyus Bowser is also rehabbing from Achilles surgery, a procedure he underwent after suffering a tear in January. These issues had left Baltimore shorthanded on the outside.

Last season, Houston accumulated just 4.5 sacks. The only season in which the four-time Pro Bowler tallied fewer came in 2016, an injury-shortened campaign. Houston’s 24 pressures ranked outside the top 50 last season. But the Ravens, who drafted Odafe Oweh in the 2021 first round, are seeking a complementary pass rusher alongside their top OLB investment. They visited with Jason Pierre-Paul earlier this offseason but are circling back to a Houston-Oweh tandem. This move also comes after Baltimore changed defensive coordinators. Its new DC, Mike Macdonald, was not with the team in 2021. Houston’s first Ravens season came during Macdonald’s year at Michigan.

While Houston is well past his peak years, which once secured him a six-year deal worth $101MM contract at the 2015 franchise tag deadline, he has managed to shake the injury trouble that plagued him during the second half of his Kansas City stay. The Chiefs cut Houston after the 2018 season, and the former third-round pick did not miss a game in two Colts campaigns. Houston totaled 19 sacks with Indianapolis. He played 15 games for an otherwise injury-ravaged Ravens team last season.

Jets Sign Fourth-Round OL Max Mitchell

July 7th, 2022 at 10:19pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets moved one step closer to completing the signing of their draft class. The team announced that they’ve signed fourth-round offensive lineman Max Mitchell.

Mitchell was a four-year starter at Louisiana. He showed plenty of versatility during his time in college, playing both tackle positions and left guard. 29 of his 37 starts over the past three years came at right tackle, and his performance at that position earned him All-Sun Belt Conference honors in both 2020 (second team) and 2021 (first team). Thanks to his production, the Jets used the No. 111 pick to select the rookie.

George Fant and Mekhi Becton will be locked in at the two tackle spots, while Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker are expected to serve as the Jets guards. As a result, Mitchell will likely find himself on the bench during his rookie season, but his versatility means he could himself with a somewhat consistent role as a backup.

“We feel like Max can be a versatile piece on our offensive line,” said general manager Joe Douglas (via Jack Bell of the team’s website). “The guy was at the Senior Bowl. He’s very competitive. He’s been practicing at tackle and guard and snapping the ball at center. We feel like he could be another versatile piece to put on the offensive line.”

With this signing, the Jets have now inked six of their seven rookies to contracts. The only draft pick who remains unsigned is second-round running back Breece Hall.

Bears WR David Moore Arrested

July 7th, 2022 at 8:41pm CST by Ben Levine

Bears wide receiver David Moore was arrested early Monday morning in Gainesville, Texas, according to ESPN’s David Newton. Moore was arrested on drug and weapon charges.

According to the Gainesville Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call about a “possible intoxicated person” asleep in a car that was parked in a Taco Bell drive-thru. When officers arrived, they found Moore at the wheel, with the report noting that the individual smelled of marijuana. Officers later found THC edible candies and three pistols inside the car, leading to Moore’s arrest for possession of a controlled substance and unlawful carrying of weapons.

Moore had a productive stint in Seattle, collecting 1,254 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns between the 2018 and 2020 seasons. He split the 2021 season between Denver and Green Bay, seeing time in only three games. He joined the Bears on a one-year deal this offseason, and while he could compete for a role on offense, he’s likely heading toward a special teams gig.

As Newton points out, Moore is the third Bears player to get arrested this offseason. Back in April, wideout Byron Pringle was arrested for reckless driving without a license, and two weeks ago, linebacker Matt Adams was arrested and charged with misdemeanor gun possession. Like Moore, both Pringle and Adams joined the organization this offseason.

AFC Roster Rumors: Van Roten, Jefferson, Scharping, Reed

July 7th, 2022 at 7:58pm CST by Ely Allen

As the calendar year ticks away the days, NFL teams are having to start thinking about the difficult decisions they will have to make to eventually get their rosters down to 53 players to start the season. While the teams still have almost two months to make all the necessary cuts, many veterans are entering training camp on roster bubbles.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the players who may find themselves looking for a new team by the time the season begins:

  • The Bills brought in free agent offensive guard Greg Van Roten to solidify their depth on the interior of the offensive line. The 32-year-old veteran has starting experience with the last two clubs he’s spent time with, the Panthers and Jets, but he may not even make it to the final 53-man roster in Buffalo, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. As the Bills figure out just who will receive their coveted roster spots, the final spot will likely become a battle between Van Roten, Greg Mancz, whose experience at center could give him an edge, and rookie sixth-round pick Luke Tenuta.
  • The Ravens are overloaded with talent at the safety position. With free agent addition Marcus Williams, first-round pick Kyle Hamilton, and incumbent starters from last year Chuck Clark and Brandon Stephens all crowding the depth chart, veteran Tony Jefferson may find himself on the outside looking in, according to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. Jefferson was released by Baltimore two offseasons ago, following a season mostly lost to a torn ACL, but was brought back last year after starting safety DeShon Elliott went down with a season-ending injury and Baltimore needed another veteran presence in their defensive backfield. Unfortunately, with the influx of new talent combined with the presence of last year’s starters, the Ravens may find that rostering Jefferson is not crucial to their depth at the position.
  • After trading cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. to the Chiefs this offseason, the Texans‘ 2019 draft class is down to two remaining players: first-round tackle Tytus Howard and second-round guard Max Scharping. While Howard has established himself as a starter on the line, Scharping is not a lock for the 53-man roster, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Scharping stepped up as a starter during his rookie season but could not manage to hold onto the spot in his second year. The 2021 season saw Scharping struggle enough that his roster spot is now in question.
  • Over the past three seasons, pass rusher Malik Reed has been a lifesaver for Denver as the Broncos saw stars Von Miller and Bradley Chubb each miss time over the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. Some roster moves by the Broncos, though, seem to be pointing toward some roster danger for Reed, according to ESPN’s Jeff Legwold. Free agent Randy Gregory was brought in on a $70MM contract, Denver drafted rookie Nik Bonitto in the second round this year, and the Broncos moved Baron Browning to outside linebacker after he played his entire rookie season on the inside. That trio will all be under contract until at least 2025, while Reed is in a contract year. This doesn’t necessarily spell doom for the former undrafted free agent, who has done a lot to earn his spot. But, with only one roster spot likely to be available at the position, Reed will potentially be duking it out with 2021 seventh-round pick Jonathon Cooper for the final OLB roster spot.

Rams’ Thomas Brown Next Out Of McVay’s Coaching Tree?

July 7th, 2022 at 6:21pm CST by Ely Allen

In mid-January, as the head coaching interviews were reaching their peak, a new name emerged in the head coaching market. In their search to replace former head coach Brian Flores, the Dolphins requested an interview with Thomas Brown, who was in the role of running backs coach/assistant head coach of the Rams at the time. This was really the first time Brown’s name had surfaced in any NFL coaching circles, which is no surprise considering he’d only been coaching in the NFL for two years. Now, though, Brown is shouldering a bit more responsibility in Los Angeles as “his name gains momentum in hiring circles across the league,” according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic (subscription required). 

Brown had a short career in the NFL after being taken in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. As a young running back, Brown saw his rookie season end before it could even get going when a horse collar tackle landed him on injured reserve. After the injury, he never found his way back onto the field.

Not one to sit dormant, Brown went back to his alma mater and became a strength and conditioning coach for the Georgia Bulldogs. He broke into coaching after accepting the role of running backs coach at UT Chattanooga. He progressed through several jobs from there accepting coaching roles at Marshall, Wisconsin, Georgia, Miami (FL), and South Carolina, even rising to the rank of offensive coordinator in Coral Gables, although play-calling duties remained with then head coach Mark Richt. During his time at the collegiate level, Brown mentored many future NFL players such as Melvin Gordon, Corey Clement, Dare Ogunbowale, and Derek Watt at Wisconsin, Sony Michel and Nick Chubb at Georgia, Gus Edwards, Travis Homer, and DeeJay Dallas at Miami, and Tavien Feaster at South Carolina. In his lone season with Gordon, Gordon finished 42 yards short of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season college rushing record.

According to Brown, that was where his plan ended. “Becoming an offensive coordinator, a head coach, those were never my goals when I first started coaching,” Brown told Rodrigue. He only planned to coach his old position for awhile before he would “retire and disappear with his family into the countryside.” Those plans changed when he discovered that Rams head coach Sean McVay had taken an interest in him. McVay hired Brown as running backs coach shortly after the 2019 NFL season. After only one season on staff, Brown was granted the additional title of assistant head coach.

Brown is known for developing a trust with his players, who would run through walls for him. He’s an advocate for the men he coaches and he takes responsibility for their development outside the game as much as in it, as was displayed in a clip from HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” in which he spoke to his position group about the racial issues plaguing the nation.

After only two years in the NFL, Brown interviewed for the Dolphins’ head coaching vacancy and the Vikings’ offensive coordinator job. Although the job eventually went to former Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen, Brown was considered for the Rams’ offensive coordinator vacancy, as well, after Kevin O’Connell left to become the Vikings’ head coach. Brown may not have ended up with any of those positions, but the 36-year-old heading into his third season of NFL coaching has certainly not heard the last of the interview requests.

After it was determined that he would stay in Los Angeles, Brown was given more responsibility in the offense. He was asked to transition to tight ends coach/assistant head coach and was tasked with the assignment of hiring his replacement to coach running backs.

McVay has already amassed quite a coaching tree during his five-year tenure as an NFL head coach. So far, four of McVay’s former coordinators and assistants have become head coaches. Not only is Brown the natural next staffer to take the step up to a head coaching position and expand McVay’s coaching tree even further, but he’s also an obvious candidate for a league that is struggling heavily with diversity amongst the top ranks of it’s coaching staffs.

Brown’s NFL coaching career has just begun and has been rising meteorically. The dynamic, young leader of men is bound to make an impact on this league much sooner rather than later.

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