NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Salary cap is expected to be at least $178 million, could exceed $179 million



With the new league year approaching, the NFL and NFL Players Association soon will be finalizing the salary cap number for 2018. In December, the NFL projected a range of $174.2 million to $178.1 million for the cap.

As often is the case, the actual salary cap likely will exceed those projections.


Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the cap will at least be $178 million. It also could exceed $179 million.

The specific number, generally driven by revenues in the prior years, ultimately becomes the product of negotiation between the NFL and NFLPA. Last year, the parties set the cap at $168 million.

The cap has been experiencing significant growth in recent years, even with a decline in TV ratings. With the Thursday night broadcast package spiking from $450 million to at least $550 million annually as of 2018, the increases likely will continue. (PFT)

 

I had been a pretty staunch defender of Dez, but he either needs to take a pay cut or I think Dallas is justified in moving on from him.

2012-2014: Averaged 90-1300-13 (zero games missed)
2015-2017: 50-700-6 (10 games missed)

You can't pay a receiver $16+ million for 70-840-6 (last year's numbers).

 

NFL: Jones punishment isn’t a fine, it’s reimbursement for legal fees

The failing New York Times has apparently written an inaccurate story about Commissioner Roger Goodell fining Cowboys owner Jerry Jones multiple millions of dollars. Sad!

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports (i.e., the NFL announces) that Jones will be required to pay $2 million in reimbursement for legal fees, not as a fine for conduct detrimental to the league. (Rapoport’s report came after he initially confirmed/corroborated the notion that Jones will be fined.)

The report from Ken Belson of the New York Times mentioned the issue of reimbursement for fees, but the article plainly stated that Goodell will fine Jones “millions of dollars” by declaring that Jones’ conduct was “detrimental to the league.”

Belson’s article separately mentions that Jones will be required to pay the legal fees incurred by the NFL, both from the threat of litigation Jones made in connection with the extension of Goodell’s contract and, surprisingly, in connection with the NFL’s defense of the decision to suspend Ezekiel Elliott. This means that the league has decided to take the position that Jones and/or his team had sufficient involvement in the effort to defeat the suspension to justify a request for reimbursement of fees.

Whether Jones has a viable defense to the effort, or a mechanism for pursuing it, remains to be seen. Either way, it appears the he won’t be getting fined, but that he’ll still be forking over plenty of money to the league as a result of his effort to derail two of 345 Park Avenue’s the major agenda items from 2017.

 

That's what I thought when I read it.

 

Browns will carryover league-high $58.9 million in unused cap space to 2018

The Browns will carryover a league-high $58.9 million from 2017 to 2018, according to the NFLPA’s salary cap report. They will get that added to the salary cap amount, which is projected to be at least $178 million.

The 49ers were second at $56 million followed by the Titans ($30.3 million) and Jaguars ($27.8 million).

The Dolphins ($69,161), Saints ($287,065), Giants ($365,321), Eagles ($514,409) and Seahawks ($547,270) have the least amount of carryover.

The total carryover from all 32 teams is $340 million, an average of $10.625 million per team.

 

Vikings reportedly will not use franchise tag on QB Case Keenum, likely chasing Cousins

The Vikings quarterback situation is one of the biggest storylines this offseason with Minnesota holding three quarterbacks who are set to be free agents in Case Keenum, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Bradford. It was widely believed Minnesota would do something to keep Keenum, who broke out in a big way last year, around.

But it appears, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Vikings will not be using the franchise tag on the quarterback.

Ian Rapoport

✔ @RapSheet

The #Vikings are not expected to franchise tag QB Case Keenum and he’s slated to hit free agency, per sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking. Barring a change of heart, Minnesota joins the fray for a starting QB… and will make these next few weeks fascinating.

12:20 PM - Feb 26, 2018
_________________________
______________________________________

Not particularly fond of this decision if it holds out to be true. Cousins will demand something in the $30M ranges and they don't Franchise Keenum for less?

Vikings may land up with what ever is left if they don't get on the ball... its a crazy situation in Minnesota right now.

 

Might be counting on Bridgewater’s season getting tolled so the have a backup plan if the Cousins route doesn’t work. But Cousins might take less to play for the Vikings, they were only a game away from the Super Bowl. If it works then the Vikings get an upgrade, if it doesn’t they still have Bridgewater as a fallback if Keemun is signed or feels disrespected and refuses to resign with the Vikings.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...y-bridgewater-is-expected-to-hit-free-agency/

Teddy heading to FA. Minny may have no QB if Teddy and Keenum find work and Cousins sign elsewhere. Crazy.

 

“Going to the ground” could be eliminated from catch rule

The NFL Competition Committee met on a variety of issues on Monday, including the oft-discussed rule governing what constitutes a catch.

Judy Battista of NFL Media reports that one of the things being considered on that front is eliminating the portion of the rule that calls for a player to retain possession while “going to the ground” for a play to be ruled a catch.

Under the current rule, “a player is considered to be going to the ground if he does not remain upright long enough to demonstrate that he is clearly a runner.” In such cases, a player needs to maintain control of the ball through “initial contact” with the ground whether they’ve been contacted by a defensive player or not.

Battista adds that the committee is also looking at more ejections resulting from on-field fights, a targeting rule similar to college for hits to the head and the possibility of changing the defensive pass interference rules from a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty in addition to a renewed focus on illegal contact penalties in the passing game. (PFT)

 

^^long overdue !

 

NFL could change defensive PI to 15-yard penalty

The NFL is reportedly looking at implementing a number of rule changes, some expected (clarifying the catch rule) and some not so.

One of the surprising proposals offered by the NFL Competition Committee is to change the penalty for defensive pass interference from a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty at most, NFL Network's Judy Battista reported Tuesday. This is more in line with how the game is refereed on the collegiate level.

Changing the pass interference penalty is on its face a defense-first measure. Offenses would have far less to gain by "chucking it up" to try and draw a penalty from a grabby defensive back downfield.

Defensive pass interference was called 266 times in 2017, per Pro Football Reference, or more than once per game for an average of 18.09 yards per game. It was the third-most frequent flag behind offensive holding and false start.

In addition, and perhaps as a counter-measure, the league is expected to increase "illegal contact" calls as an effort to limit the amount of hand-fighting.

Battista reported the committee is also looking at potentially eliminating the "going to the ground" portion of the catch rule in attempt to clarify, changing the targeting rule and emphasizing more ejections for fighting.

"We are going to figure it out," said Stephen Jones, Cowboys executive vice president and competition committee member, in regard to the catch rule. "I do think we'll make some improvements that our fans, and in general, people will appreciate when it's all said and done."

Outside the lines, the NFL is also expected to implement a Josh McDaniels Rule. Battista reported a new measure to allow teams to hire coaches, even while their teams are still active in the playoffs, could be adopted. (NFL.com)

 

Fuck this shit. Enough. The collegiate level needs to go to the NFL PI system. Defenders should not be awarded with only giving up 15 yards when they get beat for 40 and a score.

 

^NFL = No fun league LAJOE...

 

Absolutely agree... it even takes out the drama of a 'Hail Mary'. Its total BS.

 

Even with an endzone clause it is dumb. I remember a Notre Dame defender about to be beat when a ball was thrown. He was leaning the wrong way and the WR was about to blow by him. Instead of letting him get it on a 50 yard bomb for a 70 yard TD he smartly goes and tackles the gu as he is about to pass him. Not a ump or a grab but a tackle 2 whole seconds before the ball lands. What does he do next? He celebrates the 15 yard PI call because he saved his team a TD.
You think they would make up a Notre Dame Rule for blatant PI or go to the NFL system but NOPE!

 

a ND rule? I can say that about 99% of the defenders in college football who get beaten by WRs every Saturday. they ALL cause a penalty once they know they are beaten. ND defenders are no different than any other colleges.

 

Don't get butthurt because I said your team. I am saying this specific one was so blatantly obvious I am shocked they didn't change the rule after the specific incident.

 

ALL those college kids mug wrs that blow past them. one head fake and they're long gone. ND is no exception. Hell in some cases like ND-Miami, they needed to cause a penalty bc the WR (Miami) were so damn fast off the line.

I think both - college and the NFL need a major overhaul on many rules LAJoe. The more I rewatch the SB replay, the more holding I saw on both teams not called. Touchdowns for both teams had holding calls on them not called. It was laughable. The game itself is faster than it ever was and I just don't think the refs are capable of seeing all the fouls with a naked eye. replays are fine, but they need better rules to unclog all these murky rules like the catch rule and make it very specific to what it is etc. same for QB hits, blindside hits, PI calls etc.

 

I need to find the video then. This wasn't a simple hold.

 

Matt Forte retires from NFL after a decade of impressive RB play with Bears, Jets

Forte leaves football just shy of 10,000 rushing yards, finishing with 9,796 rushing yards, 8,602 of which came with Chicago. Forte finished as the second-leading rusher in Bears history behind Walter Payton.