NFL - NEWS & NOTES

alfred morris and mcfadden i think...?

 

In the Watkins deal, I actually like it for both sides and I suspect you like it to for the franchise league.

In the Darby deal, I think the Eagles are going to be extremely happy but I fail to see real upside for the Bills.

I'll have to take some time later today to look over the cash ramifications involved and study out the details some more but that's my quick take on things.

 

matthews was in a contract year and with the other wrs and a need for CB he was expendable.

 

Yep, but why would anyone trade anything of value for Jordan?

 

Yes on a personal level I love it...more targets for Zay, and another team in the Pats' division just got weaker for this season.

I'm just mildly baffled why they would want to move Watkins now when it looks like he's finally healthy again for the first time in two years. And Darby is a good young corner, too. The timing of it all just seems so strange. Guess they decided to chase the Jets for Darnold.

 

I like what the Eagles did, I understand the Rams and if Watkins gets healthy then it's awesome, and I will never understand the Bills.

 

There have been a TON of stories coming out of Philly about how it appears NElson Agholor has turned the corner and is practicing great. Guess they think he's ready for the full-time role in the slot.

 

I'm sure the contract situation played into it. His injury history compared to the money he will command makes for a difficult scenario when structuring a contract that doesn't hurt the team by paying for player that has issues staying on the field.

This has a bit of an appearance of strengthening through blood letting. Darby had the concussion issue and was not nearly as effective in coverage his second season. Could be a bad scheme fit for the new regime. Gaines is a wildcard option of a pick up that seems more like a throw in on the deal.

The Bills dumped Watkins to get a second round pick that should be in the top 45 next season. Darby is essentially traded for a mid to low range third round pick with Matthews included in the deal.

Trade Watkins get a second, trade Darby get a third and add a couple bodies for lottery tickets to cover the holes with Gaines and Matthews.

Ok, depending on the situation with Darby schematically/health wise I'm probably on board with this.

 

Zeke to appeal...

Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott will appeal his six-game suspension, according to a statement released by Elliott's representatives Friday.

The statement reads: "We just learned of the NFL's decision to suspend Mr. Elliott for six games for allegedly engaging in 'physical force' against the accuser. Mr. Elliott and his team of representatives are extremely disappointed with the NFL's decision.

"Our offices have been engaged in this matter since last July and have worked hand in hand with the Columbus Prosecutor's office as well as the NFL with their respective investigations. Accordingly, we are fully aware of the full body of evidence that exists in connection with this matter.

"The NFL's findings are replete with factual inaccuracies and erroneous conclusions and it 'cherry picks' so called evidence to support its conclusion while ignoring other critical evidence.

"For example, both the Columbus Prosecutor's office as well as the NFL investigators expressly concluded and conveyed to our office (and others) that the accuser was lying about an alleged July 22, 2016 incident whereby she accused Mr. Elliott of pulling her out of her car and assaulting her. An allegation that was ultimately undermined by her own friend's affidavit which stated that no such assault occurred. The affidavit also outlined the accuser's plan to orchestrate a story to police to in order to corroborate her false allegation of assault. In addition, the NFL's own medical experts concluded that many of her injuries predated the week in question and likely occurred during a period of time when Mr. Elliott was not in contact with the accuser. During the upcoming weeks and through the appeal a slew of additional credible and controverting evidence will come to light."

The NFL suspended Elliott six games for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. The ruling comes after the NFL's year-long investigation into domestic violence accusations made against him by Tiffany Thompson, who identified herself as his former girlfriend to authorities.

 

I wonder how much the other off the field incidents that happened while he was under investigation factored into the decision.

 

I was telling RT that the Bills were probably always keying in on Jordan Matthews and had a deal in place on condition they got rid of Watkins. The Eagles are probably the only team that knew about this that wasn't actively in a Watkins deal. When the Rams gave Gaines the Eagles and bills probably quickly finalized a Darby for Matthews contingency plan they had. All negotiating was probably done and they just had to confirm. The Eagles clearly win imo although the loss of a 3rd would suck if Darby does but Darby is good. The Bills may struggle this year but they should have a #1 WR on the field now and not on the sidelines. I'm sure they will work out an extension. Well that is if he is the true #1 since he prefers the slot. Jones is going to likely be outside but Boldin is complicated now. Either the Bills clearly preferred to swap Watkins with Matthews and Darby for Gaines while gaining picks. It could work out but they likely are delaying any real push for the playoffs for another season.

 

Although I don't think much of Alex Lewis as a player and Tim White was a long shot to make the roster even I have to admit it's getting a little ridculous at this point. Can't recall a team having so many players on IR this early in the process. The really tough part is what it does to the Raven's salary cap. Those are now two more salaries that need to be paid for the year and then replaced on the roster. 20% of the cap space they created with the Jimmy Smith restructure is gone that quickly. They'll probably have to do Yanda again before it's all said and done.

 

Eagles and Bills apparently talked this trade before the draft but it was on the back burner. The Bills got rid of a WR and got a CB so they quickly talked and hammered it out.

 

Watkins and Woods on the same team again after just an offseason.

 

I'm also not big on Lewis, but it's beyond the individual player at this point. As you said, it's already an issue for the salary cap, but in this specific instance, the only two players that had a true shot to start at LG were Lewis and Siragusa (pending Lewis was moved to RT). Now the LG position goes to a guy who's as raw as possible, and he has no backup.

 

The NFL's ruling on this makes no sense to me. I would understand if zeke settled this out of court. Isn't that what happened to Ben? What evidence did the NFL find that the court didn't find, because according to what I've read, the court dropped the case because of conflicting and inconsistent stories. And on top of all that, you suspend him for nearly half the season?

I don't get it.

 

Ryan Tannehill to have season-ending ACL surgery

It took about a week, but Ryan Tannehill has made the decision to go under the knife.

The Dolphins quarterback is undergoing season-ending surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. The Miami Herald first reported the news.

Tannehill originally suffered a partially torn ACL late in the 2016 season, forcing him out of Miami's final three regular-season games and AFC Wild Card loss to Pittsburgh. Instead of surgery, the quarterback opted for stem-cell therapy and rehab over surgery. After the same knee buckled during practice last week, that decision seemed to prove costly.

 

Fridays scores...

Steelers 20, Giants 12
Bengals 23, Buccaneers 12
49ers 27, Chiefs 17

 

Saturdays schedule...

Saturday, Aug. 12: Tennessee Titans at New York Jets 7:30 PM
Saturday, Aug. 12: Dallas Cowboys at Los Angeles Rams 9:00 PM
Saturday, Aug. 12: Oakland Raiders at Arizona Cardinals 10:00 PM

 

Buccaneers released last year's 2nd round pick Roberto Aguayo