HEADLINES

Jalen Ramsey

South Notes: Ramsey, Texans, Kamara, Bucs

August 8th, 2019 at 4:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

Throughout the offseason, John Dorsey insisted he wanted Duke Johnson on the 2019 Browns. But the Texans‘ decision to offer what will likely become a third-round pick — assuming Johnson plays at least 10 games this season — was clearly a proposal the Browns could not refuse. The consensus around the NFL placed the passing-down back’s value at being worth a fifth-rounder in a trade, per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports (on Twitter). The Browns getting a likely Day 2 pick is, then, quite the haul. That said, the Texans needed help behind Lamar Miller and now have a running back under contract through 2021.

The GM-less Texans had Bill O’Brien running point on this trade. The sixth-year HC spoke with Dorsey and pulled the trigger, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). With O’Brien clearly having a say in the Jadeveon Clowney process, and the team opting not to hire a GM this year, it is not surprising the post-Brian Gaine Texans have him operating in a key personnel capacity. This marks another notable trade between these franchises, who made 2017 swaps in deals that sent Brock Osweiler (and a second-round pick) to Cleveland and Deshaun Watson to Houston. But the parties who negotiated those deals, GMs Sashi Brown and Rick Smith, are out of the picture.

Here is the latest from the South divisions:

  • Jalen Ramsey is under Jaguars control through the 2020 season, thanks to the fifth-year option the team exercised this spring. But the contract-seeking cornerback has not exactly been pleased with the franchise as of late, considering his 2018 team-imposed suspension and the high-end corner still attached to his rookie contract. When asked by Titans tackle Taylor Lewan and former Titans linebacker Will Compton (during the duo’s “Bussin’ with the Boys podcast, via the Florida Times-Union) about where he would like to play if he left Jacksonville, Ramsey responded by saying he would like to go to the Titans or the Raiders. Ramsey is a Nashville-area native and said he would be attracted to Las Vegas. The standout corner, set to play for $3.6MM this season, continues to stir the pot.
  • After going down in a Buccaneers practice this week, Vita Vea will get a knee MRI on Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com tweets. The Bucs hope their second-year nose tackle suffered an LCL sprain, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter). Vea missed three games due to injury as a rookie.
  • With Mark Ingram out due to suspension to start last season, the Saints played Alvin Kamara on 82% of their snaps. The rest of the way in 2018: Kamara played 61% of New Orleans’ offensive plays. Sean Payton prefers the latter work rate, despite Ingram’s defection to Baltimore, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com notes. “Look, is one player taking exactly Mark Ingram’s reps? I can’t tell you that right now,” Payton said. “And yet I think there’s that presumption that Alvin’s going to get more. And I think our pitch count and how we’ve played and utilized him has been really good.” Kamara received 201 touches in 2017 and 275 last season; he cleared 1,500 scrimmage yards in each. Latavius Murray will be his backfield mate this season. The Saints also added Jacquizz Rodgers recently.
  • The Bucs worked out rookie UDFA defensive lineman Shane Bowman on Thursday morning, Greg Auman of The Athletic tweets. The Jaguars waived Bowman earlier this summer.

Jalen Ramsey: No Discount For Jaguars

June 14th, 2019 at 8:58am CST by Zachary Links

Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey has been vocal about his desire for a contract extension for quite some time. He’s still after a long-term deal, but this time around, he says he won’t be willing to give the Jaguars any sort of hometown discount. In a chat with teammate Leonard Fournette on Instagram (video link), Ramsey gave some insight into his future negotiating position. 

“Next year, especially after I ball, they’re going to come to me ‘Hey, you know, we want to holler at you,” Ramsey said as he shook his head. “That number is going to be so ungodly.…They’re going to say, ‘Oh god, can’t we get a little discount, 20% off?‘ I’m going to tell them last year you could have gotten that discount. This year, I’m going to need all of that.”

The Jaguars exercised Ramsey’s fifth-year option, locking him down through the 2020 season. After that, the Jaguars could theoretically keep him from free agency with the franchise tag, but it would be costly, and there’s no guarantee that Ramsey would cooperate.

Recently, Ramsey said the Jaguars told him that he won’t be receiving an extension offer this year. When the two sides eventually sit down to talk business, the Jaguars might not like what they hear.

Jaguars Won’t Extend Jalen Ramsey This Year

June 11th, 2019 at 12:43pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars informed Jalen Ramsey‘s agent that they will not negotiate an extension with him this year, according to the cornerback (Twitter link via John Reid of the Florida Times Union). Despite the hiccups, Ramsey was in attendance for the start of the club’s mandatory minicamp, unlike teammate Yannick Ngakoue who is in a similar boat. 

[RELATED: Yannick Ngakoue To Skip Minicamp]

Ramsey was asked if the team declined to discuss an extension because of the team’s cap situation and he was unsympathetic to those potential constraints. “The money’s always there,” Ramsey told reporters.

Last year, the 24-year-old (25 in October) tallied 65 total tackles and three interceptions en route to a second career Pro Bowl nod. He had similar numbers in 2017, leading him to a First-Team All-Pro nod.

However, he has clashed with team brass in the past and has been vocal about his desire for an extension, so that could be cause for pause in Jacksonville. In February, the Jaguars picked up Ramsey’s fifth-year option, tying him to the club through the 2020 season. Beyond that, the Jaguars can theoretically keep Ramsey away from the open market via the franchise tag.

Jaguars Won’t Trade Jalen Ramsey

February 27th, 2019 at 6:35pm CST by Zachary Links

Jalen Ramsey has been vocal about his desire for an extension and has clashed with team brass in the past, but he won’t be traded this offseason, GM Dave Caldwell says (via PFT). The Jags also intend on exercising the defensive back’s fifth-year option, so it appears that he’s in their plans moving forward. 

[RELATED: Jaguars Balked At Nick Foles Trade]

“We’re not going to trade Jalen,” Caldwell said. “When you have a player that’s one of the top at his position, it’s hard to replace that player.”

Last year, the 24-year-old (25 in October) tallied 65 total tackles and three interceptions en route to a second career Pro Bowl nod. He had similar numbers in 2017, leading him to a First-Team All-Pro nod.

His outbursts aren’t necessarily well-received in Jacksonville, especially since old-school football figure Tom Coughlin sits above Caldwell, but the team is willing to take the good with the bad.

“He’s highly competitive and I think sometimes that might get the most of him,” Caldwell said. “He just had to learn to curtail some of that stuff.”

Jaguars To Exercise Jalen Ramsey’s Fifth-Year Option

February 27th, 2019 at 12:11pm CST by Sam Robinson

On the surface, the Jaguars making the decision to pick up Jalen Ramsey‘s fifth-year option is not surprising. They indeed plan to exercise the All-Pro cornerback’s 2020 option, Dave Caldwell said Wednesday (Twitter link).

However, with recent noise indicating an uncertain future for the standout defender in Jacksonville, it is somewhat notable. The Jags were connected to Ramsey trade talk as recently as December. The No. 5 overall pick in 2015, though, wants to stay in Jacksonville.

Ramsey is set to make $3.6MM in 2019; his salary will spike to eight-figure territory in 2020. The Jaguars are not in the best cap shape, at least compared to how they stood in recent offseasons, but Ramsey is arguably their best player. He has obviously been outspoken and received a team-imposed suspension last year. Though, he did not miss any regular-season games and has played all 48 regular-season contests since arriving in north Florida.

The former Florida State standout earned his second Pro Bowl nod this past season, intercepting three passes. In addition to Ramsey, the Jags have young defenders Myles Jack and Yannick Ngakoue in line for extensions. All three are now extension-eligible, their third seasons having concluded.

Jaguars’ Jalen Ramsey Wants Extension

December 13th, 2018 at 2:29pm CST by Zachary Links

Jalen Ramsey has heard the trade rumors and he wants to put them to rest. The Jaguars deny wanting to move on from the talented cornerback, but Ramsey wants them back up the talk by engaging in contract negotiations. 

[RELATED: Jaguars’ Malik Jackson Expects To Be Cut]

“Like I said, I’m going to let my agent and the front office handle that, but after what came out here, what was it five weeks ago or however many weeks ago it was, yeah I’m feeling like yeah, if y’all serious about that [a potential trade] not being real, then y’all need to make it happen,” Ramsey said (via ESPN.com). “If not, then maybe what came out five weeks ago will happen. We’ll see.”

Ramsey would like a long-term commitment, but the Jaguars are under no real pressure to give him one. His rookie deal expires in 2019, but the Jags are expected to pick up his fifth-year option in early May, keeping him under control through 2020. After that, the Jags could keep him away from free agency once, and even twice more, through the franchise tag.

This figures to be an offseason of upheaval in Jacksonville and the Jags could get a huge haul if they decide to shop the former No. 5 overall pick. He’s also having a solid year on an individual level, even though the Jaguars have sagged. Ramsey has three interceptions thus far and ranks as the No. 27 corner in the league, per Pro Football Focus.

Jaguars To Attempt To Trade Jalen Ramsey?

November 18th, 2018 at 10:36am CST by Rory Parks

Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey is undoubtedly one of the most talented corners in the NFL, but his brash and outspoken nature is apparently wearing thin in Jacksonville. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports that the Jags will seek to trade Ramsey — who was named a First Team All-Pro last season and who can be controlled through 2020 — this offseason.

The team suspended Ramsey for a week during the preseason due to “violating team rules and [engaging in] conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars’ football player,” and that suspension appeared to stem from a series of tweets attacking media members for their criticism of then-teammate Dante Fowler. Ramsey is no stranger to controversial statements, however, as he has repeatedly made headlines for his vocal opinions about himself and opposing players.

But while he has every right to be confident, and while Jacksonville doubtlessly appreciates his self-esteem, the club does not like the way that confidence is manifesting itself. One league source said he “absolutely” believes the team will try to trade Ramsey, while another NFL GM said he would not be surprised if the club elects to go that route.

The Jaguars, predictably, are vehemently denying the rumor and have released the following statement: “The Jaguars have zero intention of trading CB Jalen Ramsey. There is no truth to this rumor.”

If Ramsey were to be traded, his behavior would probably not do much to dampen interest in his services. As ESPN’s Field Yates tweets, Ramsey’s talent and his favorable contract status — he is due just $3.6MM next year before his fifth-year option would kick in for 2020 — would be seriously tempting to all 31 other teams in the league.

The Jags are in the midst of a five-game losing streak and have been one of the biggest disappointments in the league after narrowly missing a trip to the Super Bowl last season. Today’s report, if true, would not do much to make Jacksonville fans any happier about the way this year has gone.

AFC Notes: Jaguars, Ramsey, Jets, Decker

August 13th, 2018 at 12:57pm CST by Zachary Links

The Jaguars suspended cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a week of preseason action, but the ban won’t void his guarantees, according to Mike Florio of PFT (on Twitter). That’s because the Jags suspended Ramsey for “violating team rules and conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars football player,” rather than “conduct detrimental.” The small difference in language made a huge difference in the outcome for Ramsey, and probably kept the team on good terms with one of its defensive stars.

Unfortunately, there’s no loophole to help defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. Thanks to a previous suspension under the personal conduct policy, Fowler’s future guarantees have already been eliminated.

Here’s more from the AFC:

AFC Notes: Browns, Pats, McCourty

August 12th, 2018 at 9:34pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Browns were seemingly dealt a big blow last week when receiver Antonio Callaway was arrested. News of the arrest came right after the team had traded away Corey Coleman to the Bills, and not too long after Josh Gordon left the team for an indefinite period of time. Callaway seemed poised to start as a rookie, but his arrest clouded the whole situation.

Callaway apparently did not inform the team of his arrest, and the Browns only found out through media reports. Many speculated the Browns would discipline him internally for failing to tell the team about the incident, but it appears no suspension will be forthcoming. Coach Hue Jackson said after practice today that the team’s punishment for Callaway was playing him nearly the entire game in the preseason opener, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon-Journal (Twitter link). It seems like Callaway dodged a bullet, as many organizations would’ve been a lot more displeased with his failure to inform them of his situation.

Here’s more from the AFC:

  • The Patriots may have traded for cornerback Jason McCourty back in March, but that doesn’t mean he’s a lock to make the team. McCourty is on the “roster bubble” according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, who writes that New England currently has a logjam at corner. Reiss thinks McCourty’s lack of special teams contributions could cost him the opportunity to suit up on the same team as his twin brother Devin McCourty, a safety for the Patriots.
  • Speaking of AFC East roster bubbles, tight end Nick O’Leary is a “surprise cut candidate” for the Bills, according to Joe Buscaglia of Buffalo 7. Buscaglia writes that O’Leary was “once thought of as a shoe-in for the 53-man roster”, but has now been demoted to the third-team offense in practice and very well may find himself cut. The 2015 sixth-rounder caught 22 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns last season.
  • As a result of Jalen Ramsey‘s suspension by the Jaguars, the guarantees in his contract could void writes former NFL agent and current CBS Sports analyst Joel Corry (Twitter link). Although it shouldn’t end up mattering for a player of Ramsey’s caliber, it’s a fascinating look into how quickly all the guarantees in a player’s contract can go out the window in the NFL.

Jaguars Suspend Jalen Ramsey, Dante Fowler

August 12th, 2018 at 6:20pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Jaguars suspended star cornerback Jalen Ramsey for a week, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Network (Twitter link). Michael DiRocco of ESPN soon posted in a follow-up tweet that defensive end Dante Fowler was being suspended as well (Twitter link). 

According to Rapoport, Ramsey’s suspension was for “going after local media for what he believes is unfair treatment of his teammates especially Dante Fowler.” Adam Schefter of ESPN soon added in a tweet that the official reasoning was “violating team rules and conduct unbecoming of a Jaguars’ football player.”

The suspension seems to stem from a series of tweets that Ramsey posted earlier, attacking media members for their criticism of Fowler. Fowler’s suspension was apparently unrelated, as he was suspended for “fighting and violation of team rules” according to Schefter (Twitter link).

With the suspensions, Ramsey and Fowler will miss the next week of practices and the team’s second preseason game on Saturday against the Vikings. While they won’t miss any regular season time, it’s still a big deal. It’s very rare to see a team suspend one of it’s top players like this, and it’ll be interesting to see how the locker room responds.

 

Load More Posts