HEADLINES

Jared Goff

Extra Points: Combine, Draft, Colts, Browns

February 11th, 2016 at 5:51pm CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL announced the 332 participants who will perform at the NFL Scouting Combine, with potentially high-value quarterbacks Jared Goff, Paxton Lynch and Carson Wentz among the prospects invited.

These quarterbacks figure to be jostling for the right to either go No. 1 overall, in the event the Titans trade their pick, or be the first signal-caller off the board.

Despite coming from Division I-FCS North Dakota State, Wentz looks to be out front right now, Jason Cole of Bleacher Report hears (video link). The 6-foot-6 Wentz’s rise to this point comes from being the only quarterback scouts have seen throw since the season ended, Cole notes, with Wentz impressing the scouting armada at last month’s Senior Bowl.

Sources told Cole, however, younger QBs Goff and Lynch may have higher ceilings due to their age and potential for physical growth and calls this race a fluid situation.

Here’s more from Cole and others from around the league.

  • Although Ronnie Stanley rates as the top tackle prospect by many outlets, GMs and other NFL sources are questioning the Notre Dame lineman’s work ethic, Cole reports (video link). Stanley’s decision to train for the Combine in Las Vegas resides the crux of this concern, one GM told Cole.
  • The Colts rearranged their coaching staff, shifting multiple assistants to different position groups, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star tweets. Jim Hostler will shift from coaching the wide receivers to coaching the tight ends this coming season, and Tim Berbenich will transition to the assistant quarterbacks coach job after he served as a defensive assistant last season.
  • The Browns adjusted their analytics-geared front office again on Thursday, according to Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. Former director of football research Ken Kovash will now assist new player personnel VP Andrew Berry in running the scouting department. Kevin Meers, a source tells cleveland.com (via Ulrich), will now lead the research department. Meers and Berry will report to new football operations VP Sashi Brown, who has final say on the 53-man roster, Ulrich reports. Meers, Berry, Brown and new chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta are all Harvard graduates.

49ers Notes: Kapernick, Kelly, Norman

February 4th, 2016 at 7:23pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s anyone’s guess as to where Colin Kaepernick will be playing in 2016, says Tim Kawakami of The Mercury News writes. However, this much is clear: Kaepernick does not trust the Niners front office and the team’s top executives are not wild about him either.

Recently, a report out of New York indicated that Kaepernick could be a possibility for the Jets and Kawakami has heard for months that the Jets are a possibility for him. However, he has also heard that the Texans and Broncos could be other interesting potential landing spots, though he does not quantify either team’s level of interest. Of course, the Broncos have more pressing matters on their hands this week.

As we wait to see how things shake out with No. 7, here’s more out of SF:

  • Three years ago, the Niners and Chiefs agreed to a deal that sent Alex Smith to KC in exchange for two second-round picks. At the time, however, Smith was at the zenith of his career while Kaepernick is trending downwards. Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee ran down possible landing spots for Kaepernick, including the Jets, Browns, Broncos, Texans, and Eagles. Of course, Kaepernick could wind up staying put as well, but Barrows notes that new coach Chip Kelly has only spoken with the QB once since he was hired.
  • The Niners own the No. 7 pick in the draft this year and many have wondered if they could make a play for Cal product Jared Goff. However, he has yet to talk to anyone from the Niners. “I get this question a lot,” Goff told Jeff Faraudo of the Bay Area News Group. “I literally haven’t talked to anybody. Zero people I’ve talked to.“
  • Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, a pending free agent, has an affinity for the Bay Area, as Cam Inman of The Mercury News writes. The 49ers have tons of cap space this spring, but it’s pretty unlikely that Norman will reach the open market. The Panthers have the right to hit the cornerback with the franchise tag.
  • 49ers tight end Vance McDonald is hopeful that Kaepernick can get back to his old form under Kelly, as Alex Marvez of FOX Sports writes. “I’m not saying we don’t all do it, but that guy just beats himself up over making a mistake harder than anyone else,” McDonald said. “I’ll be the first to always step up and say I’m right there in his corner. Any time he has a bad game or bad taste in his mouth or makes a bad play, I just want that guy to understand his potential because he can be a tremendous player.”

Extra Points: TNF, Randle, Wentz, Draft

February 1st, 2016 at 5:45pm CST by Luke Adams

The NFL announced today that it has reached an agreement with CBS and NBC to expand its Thursday Night Football package for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. While all of the Thursday night games will continue to be either aired or simulcast on the NFL Network, CBS will now show five of the games, while NBC will show another five.

According to a CNBC report (via Twitter), the fees for the Thursday night rights will be approximately $450MM. Although CNBC doesn’t specify, it’s probably safe to assume that each network will be paying that amount for the right to air a total of 10 games each – five per season – in 2016 and 2017. In 2015, CBS paid $300MM for eight games, so a bump up to $450MM for 10 apiece makes sense.

Here are a few more odds and ends from around the league:

  • Former Cowboys running back Joseph Randle has run into more trouble off the field, according to Matt Peterson of the Dallas Morning News, who reports that Randle was arrested early Monday morning in Irving and booked on a speeding charge. Randle’s off-field behavior was a factor in the Cowboys’ decision to release him in the fall, and it’s hard to imagine him getting a chance from another team if those legal issues persist.
  • In a piece for PhiladelphiaEagles.com, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net focuses on the top quarterbacks available in this year’s draft, writing that Carson Wentz‘s stock is on the rise, and he and Jared Goff could both be top-five picks this spring. NFL decision-makers are also bullish on Christian Hackenberg‘s upside, and he’s expected to come off the board in the top 75 picks.
  • Within that same piece, Pauline also suggests that Ohio State’s Nick Vannett could be the first tight end selected in the draft, and says Boise State safety Darian Thompson saw his stock rise at the Senior Bowl.
  • In a memo, the NFL Players Association has indicated that agents are now required to contact the union at the “beginning of substantive discussions” on veteran re-negotiations worth at least $2MM per year, tweets Rand Getlin of the NFL Network. While the exact reason for this change is unclear, Getlin – citing “smart folks behind the scene” – suggests it may be a reaction to players signing extensions that didn’t thrill the NFLPA (Twitter link).

Draft Rumors: Titans, Browns, J. Smith, Cowboys

January 29th, 2016 at 11:59am CST by Luke Adams

The NFL season isn’t over yet, but teams around the league are already looking ahead to the draft April, spending this week meeting with and scouting players at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Checking in from Mobile, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report has several interesting draft-related tidbits to pass along, so let’s dive right in and check out the highlights….

  • The “biggest buzz” at the Senior Bowl this week is that the Titans are “absolutely” shopping the first overall pick in the draft, says Miller. General managers from rival teams expect the Browns and Rams to have the most interest in trading up to No. 1, though Cleveland exec Sashi Brown said earlier this week that he’d be shocked if his team moves up from No. 2.
  • Wherever the Browns end up picking, the expectation around the league is that they’ll target a quarterback, and Miller has heard all week from scouts that Cleveland prefers Carson Wentz to Jared Goff.
  • Jaylon Smith, who tore his ACL and LCL in the Fiesta Bowl, is already rehabbing twice a day as he recovers from the major knee injury, sources tell Miller. The Saints are among the clubs keeping a close eye on the Notre Dame linebacker, and it still appears likely that he’ll come off the board in the top half of the first round.
  • Miller’s sources don’t expect Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to use his team’s first-round pick on Tony Romo‘s backup and eventual successor. According to Miller, Dallas is more likely to roll the dice on a player like Robert Griffin III or Johnny Manziel — not necessarily as Romo’s successor, but at least as a short-term backup.
  • Sources inside the Texans tell Miller that Houston figures to focus on the offensive side of the ball with its first few picks in the draft.
  • Miller identifies Louisiana Tech defensive tackle Vernon Butler, Clemson wide receiver Charone Peake, and Temple defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis as some prospects that have improved their stock this week in Mobile.

Draft Notes: Tunsil, No. 1 Pick, Reynolds

January 22nd, 2016 at 9:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ole Miss early-entry tackle Laremy Tunsil‘s drawn comparisons to Tyron Smith from NFL scouts, according to Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Miller projects the three-year Rebels starter to go No. 1 overall to the Titans if they keep the selection.

“He’s Tyron 2.0. Big, mean, athletic. The total package,” an NFC scout told Miller.

Mel Kiper Jr. still has Ohio State’s Joey Bosa going No. 1, with Tunsil slotted in at No. 3. Both draft analysts also have Bosa, Cal quarterback Jared Goff and Florida State corner Jalen Ramsey in their respective top 5s. But Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner resides in Kiper’s premier quintet, while UCLA linebacker Myles Jack lands in Miller’s.

Here’s the latest about the 2016 draft.

  • Miller hears the from multiple GMs the Titans do intend to unload their pick for a team that needs a quarterback. A “flat” draft class similar to the one that led the Chiefs to take underwhelming left tackle Eric Fisher at No. 1 in 2013 is pushing the Titans to dangle the pick for the chance at acquiring multiple starters in a draft where a single can’t miss difference-maker doesn’t appear to reside.
  • Scouts at the East-West Shrine Game do, however, expect a trade to occur and a quarterback to be the first pick. The primary answer on who the Titans will receive a picks bounty for has been Goff, whom Miller has going off the board to the Browns at No. 2.
  • NFL scouts are viewing Navy yardage machine Keenan Reynolds as a slot receiver, Albert Breer of NFL.com reports. The East team has the FBS all-time quarterback rushing leader playing at running back, however. Like many former run-first collegiate QBs, Reynolds will have to answer questions about his pro position, according to evaluators. “He’d be a slot receiver or running back in the pros. Very productive college player, but he’s different than [former Indiana quarterback Antwaan] Randle-El or [ex-Penn State signal-caller Michael] Robinson,” an AFC scouting director told Breer.
  • Nate Sudfeld‘s generated some buzz at the Shrine Game, and Breer’s getting the impression a good performance in Saturday’s game will result in the Indiana quarterback being a middle-round pick. At 6-foot-2, 245 pounds, Sudfeld has the experience as a three-year Hoosiers starter and the pedigree in having older brother Zach Sudfeld in the NFL. An AFC scouting director pegged him as a “Day 3 type” of player due to sub-optimal arm strength to go with solid accuracy on short- and mid-range throws. “He makes quick decisions, but he’s got an average arm — he’s not strong down the field. He’s accurate on short and intermediate throws and he took care of the ball at Indiana,” the evaluator told Breer.

 

Paxton Lynch, Jared Goff To Enter Draft

December 31st, 2015 at 8:58am CST by Luke Adams

Paxton Lynch and Jared Goff, viewed by most observers as the top two quarterbacks potentially available this spring, are both expected to announce their intent to enter the 2016 draft today, according to reports.

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that Lynch will announce at a press conference this morning that he’s forgoing the remainder of his college eligibility to enter the draft, while Joe Schad of ESPN.com tweets that a similar announcement is coming from Goff. According to Curtis Crabtree of Pro Football Talk, Goff will declare his intent at a 10:00am PT press conference.

Lynch, the 6’7″ signal-caller for the Memphis Tigers, completed 66.8% of his passes this year, compiling 3,778 yards and 28 touchdowns through the air, with just four interceptions. While there are many scouts and player evaluators that view Lynch as the better prospect than Goff, not everyone is convinced he’s NFL-ready, as Bucky Brooks of NFL.com writes.

Goff, meanwhile, racked up 4,714 passing yards and 43 passing touchdowns for Cal in his junior year. He also tossed 13 interceptions, and some questions arose about his mechanics, but he’s viewed as player who will come off the board early in the first round.

In his first mock draft of the year, ESPN’s Todd McShay had Lynch coming off the board at No. 2, with Goff being selected with the No. 5 overall pick.

Extra Points: Draft, Titans, Gabbert, Manning

December 11th, 2015 at 9:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

While none of this year’s crop of collegiate quarterbacks are projected to be as successful as Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, NFL personnel men do see four QBs — Memphis’ Paxton Lynch, Cal’s Jared Goff, Michigan State’s Connor Cook, and North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz — as being worthy of a first-round pick, according to Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball.com.

Elsewhere in draft-land, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net reports that Penn State signal-caller Christian Hackenberg, once projected as potential first-rounder himself, is likely to enter the draft, and will probably announce as such in the near future. Two other collegiate players — Boise State edge rusher Kamalei Correa and Stanford tight end Austin Hooper — are intent on entering the draft, as well, says Pauline.

  • Free agent corner Cary Williams, who visited with the Titans yesterday, is still drawing the attention of the club, tweets Terry McCormick of TitansInsider.com. Tennessee management will reportedly make a decision on whether or not to sign Williams at some point early next week. Williams, who was cut by the Seahawks on Monday, has also garnered interest from the Rams.
  • In other Tennessee news, Titans linebacker Yannik Cudjoe-Virgil suffered torn patellar tendon in practice on Thursday and will require surgery, meaning he’ll miss the rest of the season, reports McCormick (Twitter link). Practice squad ‘backer J.R. Tavai is a candidate to be promoted to the active roster, adds McCormick.
  • Veteran receiver Anquan Boldin believes Blaine Gabbert can be the 49ers‘ quarterback of the future, writes Matt Maiocco of CSNBayArea.com. Gabbert has led San Francisco to a 2-2 record in his four starts, averaging 240 yards per game while throwing five touchdowns and three interceptions. For what it’s worth, he’s only signed through next season, with a 2016 cap charge of $2.25MM.
  • Peyton Manning has $4MM riding on whether or not he gets to start in the playoffs — as Mike Klis of 9 News writes, Manning could earn $2MM for winning the AFC Championship Game, and another $2MM for winning the Super Bowl. Manning must start those games, adds Klis, meaning he can’t earn the bonuses by coming on in relief. At this point, though, it’s hard to see how the Broncos can turn back to Manning given how Brock Osweiler has played.

Draft Updates: Ramsey, Goff, Underclassmen

December 5th, 2015 at 6:35pm CST by Luke Adams

With five weeks remaining in the NFL regular season, not many teams are looking ahead to the draft yet, but the NCAA year is winding down and many underclassmen are determining whether or not to declare their intent to enter this year’s draft class. Here’s the latest on a few prospects:

  • Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey and his family have spent “meaningful time” vetting potential agents as he considers entering the draft, tweets Rand Getlin of Yahoo! Sports. That’s no surprise, considering Ramsey is a potential top-10 pick.
  • A pair of receivers, Florida’s Demarcus Robinson and Pitt’s Tyler Boyd, are strongly considering entering the draft, according to Getlin (Twitter links). Getlin adds that one of Boyd’s family members has been looking into possible representation.
  • Sources close to Cal quarterback Jared Goff indicate that there’s a 99% chance he’ll enter the draft, and wide receiver Kenny Lawler is expected to declare as well, writes Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net. Bengals receiver Marvin Jones has been a common point of comparison for Lawler, per Pauline.
  • Boise State edge defender Kamalei Correa, who has received second-day grades, has been interviewing agents and is very likely to enter the draft, says Pauline. Maryland defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson and San Diego State cornerback Damontae Kazee are also likely to enter the draft, according to Pauline.
  • Indiana guard Dan Feeney, Mississippi State defensive tackle Chris Jones, and Mississippi defensive back Tony Conner are waiting to hear back from the advisory committee before making a decision on the draft, per Pauline.
  • Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil, defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche, and receiver Laquon Treadwell are all expected to enter the draft, says Pauline.
  • Other underclassmen considering making the jump to the NFL, according to Pauline:
    • Texas A&M defensive end Daeshon Hall
    • Alabama cornerback Eddie Jackson
    • Louisville safety Josh Harvey-Clemons
    • Mississippi tight end Evan Engram

NFC North Notes: Patterson, Bennett, Lions

November 5th, 2015 at 5:16pm CST by Luke Adams

With Stefon Diggs emerging as the Vikings‘ top explosive young receiver, a role that Cordarrelle Patterson had previously been expected to occupy, Patterson tells Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press that he’s not worried about his future in Minnesota.

“I don’t need to worry about my future,” Patterson said. “I’m here. I’m here for a reason. If they wanted to let me go, they would have let me go when the trade [deadline] was here. I’m not worried about anything.”

Although Patterson isn’t sure why he’s barely seen the field this year, he says he just wants “to control what I can control,” and is trying to make the most of his limited snaps. Here’s more from around the NFC North:

  • Bears tight end Martellus Bennett doesn’t sound thrilled by his role in the Bears’ offense, but tells Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times he’s not going to complain about not getting more looks. “That’s a bad employee,” Bennett said. “I just kinda keep my head down and go to work. Because when you say something, you become the a–hole, even if it’s a valid point. So I just avoid drama.”
  • Bears GM Ryan Pace has scouted Cal’s Jared Goff and Michigan State’s Connor Cook in person this season, and will constantly be on the lookout for the type of elite franchise quarterback he had in New Orleans with Drew Brees. Still, as Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune writes, Jay Cutler has shown positive signs under new offensive coordinator Adam Gase, and the guaranteed salary left on his contract suggests he’s likely to be Chicago’s quarterback again in 2016.
  • While Sheldon White is taking over for Martin Mayhew as the Lions‘ general manager on an interim basis, Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com identifies five potential candidate for the permanent GM job in Detroit.

Sunday Roundup: Mallett, Trades, Guion

October 25th, 2015 at 1:07pm CST by Rory Parks

Ryan Mallett missed the Texans‘ team charter to Miami Saturday and had to make the trip via commercial airline, per Karen Warren of The Houston Chronicle. Mallett is in uniform and will be the team’s No. 2 quarterback today, as expected–the Texans do not have another quarterback on the roster–but he will certainly be fined, and his future with the club has never been more in doubt. Mallett, who also missed a training camp practice this year–he said his cell phone battery died, so his cell phone alarm would not go off–is due $2.5MM in 2016, the second year of his two-year contract, but Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle believes the team will cut ties with Mallett after the 2015 season (Twitter link). If Tom Savage was not on injured reserve, Warren says it would not be a surprise if Mallett was cut today.

Now for some more links from around the league:

  • The Bears‘ Matt Forte, the 49ers‘ Vernon Davis, and the Falcons‘ Roddy White have been the biggest names included in this year’s trade rumors, but Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (article via Kevin Patra of NFL.com) does not believe any of the three will be traded, and he sets forth his rationale for why each will stay with their current clubs for the remainder of 2015.
  • According to Rapoport (via Twitter), there are three notable college coaches who would be open to an NFL head coaching job after this season: UCLA’s Jim Mora, Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly, and Texas A&M’s Kevin Sumlin. In a separate tweet, Rapoport notes that NFL GMs believe Kelly would be an especially good fit with the Giants, if Big Blue has a head coaching vacancy after 2015.
  • Earlier this year, Johnny Manziel was saying and doing all the right things, and he had earned considerable praise for his on- and off-field behavior and for apparently turning his life around. But after an alcohol-related incident that culminated in an encounter with police several weeks ago–an incident for which he will not be facing any charges–questions about his future in the league have resurfaced. According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Browns officials had been bracing for some sort of negative publicity, as Manziel’s demeanor and dedication had taken a turn for the worse after Josh McCown returned from injury to reclaim the starting quarterback job from Manziel, who led the club for one week. Some within the organization have been hoping to part ways with Manziel for some time, and this latest development will give that contingent a little more ammunition, as they have further proof that Manziel is not a team-first type of player.
  • Packers DT Letroy Guion‘s recent legal troubles have been well-documented, but according to Michael Cohen and John Diedrich of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Guion has faced domestic violence charges as well, which had previously gone unreported. In two of the three cases brought against Guion, the charges were dropped, and in the third, Guion paid restitution to avoid additional penalties. He has been accused of stalking and of hitting the mother of his child in the jaw. Those incidents occurred from 2011 to 2013 when Guion was with the Vikings, and if it turns out he never reported the charges to the club, he could face further discipline from the league.
  • The Bears are actively scouting college quarterbacks as they prepare for the post-Jay Cutler era, and Brad Biggs of The Chicago Tribune examines two potential targets, California’s Jared Goff and Michigan State’s Connor Cook, in detail.
  • Nicki Jhabvala of The Denver Post examines in detail how Broncos GM John Elway has methodically constructed Denver’s defense, which has been the league’s best in 2015.