NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Stephen Ross says his comments were misconstrued

On Monday night, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross reportedly said that all of his players will be standing for the anthem in 2018. On Tuesday, Ross has revisited the issue via a statement issued by the team.

“I have no intention of forcing our players to stand during the anthem and I regret that my comments have been misconstrued,” Ross said. “I’ve shared my opinion with all our players: I’m passionate about the cause of social justice and I feel that kneeling is an ineffective tactic that alienates more people than it enlists. I know our players care about the military and law enforcement too because I’ve seen the same players who are fighting for social justice engaging positively with law enforcement and the military. I care passionately that the message of social justice resonates far and wide and I will continue to support and fund efforts for those who fight for equality for all.”

Ross explained on Monday that the intended message has been undermined by the fact that the protests have been politically twisted into something they weren’t mean to be. His Tuesday remarks echo that sentiment, by pointing out that kneeling during the anthem “alienates more people than it enlists.”

It’s unclear what was misconstrued regarding his comment, as reported by the New York Daily News, that “[a]ll of our players will be standing.” Maybe it was a prediction and not a mandate. Regardless, it’s clear where he stands on the issue of standing.

It’s also clear that he realizes that his words have sparked renewed interest in a topic that had been dormant for months. (PFT)
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Feller cant make up his mind...

 

Bills sign Chris Ivory



It didn’t take running back Chris Ivory long to find a new job.

Ivory is signing with the Bills, according to multiple reports.

The Jaguars cut Ivory last month, and since he was released he’s available to sign now, rather than wait until the start of the league year next week. He had visited the Browns in addition to the Bills.

Ivory showed a lot of promise early in his career with the Saints and became a 1,000-yard rusher in 2015 with the Jets. But after signing with the Jaguars in 2016 he never became their starter and averaged less than four yards a carry in both of his seasons in Jacksonville.

Now Ivory will serve as the backup for LeSean McCoy in an offense that figures to be run-heavy once again.

 

Jaguars tell Allen Robinson he won’t get tagged




The Jaguars website considered it unlikely that the team would use the franchise tag on wide receiver Allen Robinson this year and that insight into the team’s thinking was correct.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the team has informed Robinson that they will not be using the tag ahead of Tuesday’s deadline to put it into effect. That leaves Robinson on track to become a free agent next week and he’ll be able to start talking to other teams about deals when the “legal tampering” window opens on Monday.

Robinson caught 201 passes for 2,831 yards and 22 touchdowns during his first three seasons in Jacksonville, but only caught one pass last season before going down with a torn ACL in the season opener. That injury surely played a role in the Jaguars’ decision and it will likely impact the kind of deal Robinson winds up signing this offseason.

If no one’s willing to offer a big contract so soon after the injury, he could take a page from the book Eagles wideout Alshon Jeffery used last year by signing a one-year deal in hopes of landing a fatter deal once he shows he’s back to being his productive self during the 2018 season. That may not be necessary given what Robinson did in the past and the number of teams looking for receiver help, but we’ll know for sure next week.

 

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/...e-why-it-wont-happen-despite-multiple-offers/

More on Foles not being dealt despite an offer from an AFC team...

Yeah, unless a team loads up the DRAFT PICKs, I don't see Foles leaving Philly anytime soon. And with the uncertainty of Wentz's knee, I wouldn't move him regardless. Philly really needs to consider if Wentz will ever be the same and their franchise QB. He has 3 tears, not 1 like reported and his knee is much like Teddy Bridgewater's, who still isn't back yet. I would be penciling Foles in as my Game 1 starter unless Wentz is Superman and can move like the old Wentz and pain free and a scrambling fool in the pocket. As an Eagles fan, the days of Wentz being the QB could be numbered if he has any setback in recovery or if he sustains another injury to the same knee. For those reasons alone, I would tuck Foles away in a plastic bubble the next 6-9 months till we see what Wentz's rebuilt knee can do.

 

Referees Ed Hochuli and Jeff Triplette retiring



NFL teams aren’t the only ones going through personnel change this offseason, and replacing veterans with young talent.

The league office is doing the same, with its most high-profile referee walking away as his son walks in.

NFL senior vice president of officiating Al Riveron just tweeted out word that longtime refs Ed Hochuli and Jeff Triplette were retiring, and were being replaced in the rotation by former back judge Shawn Hochuli and side judge Alex Kemp.

The 67-year-old Hochuli, best known for his tight shirts, big arms and verbose explanations of rulings on nationally televised games, has been with the league since 1990. He’s been the league’s longest-tenured ref since 2007.

Triplette has been with the league since 1996, and hasn’t been as decorated as Hochuli. Regrettably, he’s probably best known as the official who threw the flag which injured former Ravens tackle Orlando Brown, as the flag accidentally hit Brown in the eye. (PFT)
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So long, Ed... one of the best ever.

 

Actually, Orlando Brown was a Brown when that flag hit him in the eye. Not a Raven

 

Too confusing with that many "Browns."

Regrettably, he’s probably best known as the official who threw the flag which injured former Browns tackle Orlando Brown, as the flag accidentally hit Brown in the eye.

Maybe that should be "hit the Brown's Brown in his brown eye" ...?

 

That will make your brown eyes (black and) blue.

 

Well, it only took about 400 pages, but we have our first Linda Ronstadt reference.

 

Crystal Gayle, actually.

Linda will have to keep waiting.

 

Steelers make Le’Veon Bell franchise tag official



By the start of business on Tuesday it wasn’t much of a secret that the Steelers were going to use their franchise tag on running back Le'Veon Bell.

Reports on Monday pointed in that direction and Bell confirmed that a tag was in the cards for the second straight year. According to multiple reports, the Steelers have now made it official.

Bell said the two sides have not made progress on a new contract after feeling things were closer than any point in the past early in the offseason. The two sides can continue talking until July 16.

Bell did not join the team until just before the start of the regular season last year and has talked about sitting out this season if he got the tag, although doing so would leave $14.5 million on the table. That salary will become guaranteed if Bell signs the tender, but last year’s experience suggests that he won’t be doing that in the near future.
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Uh oh...

 

Rams tagging Lamarcus Joyner rather than Sammy Watkins



The Rams have chosen to go the prudent route, and tag safety first.

The Rams announced they are using their franchise tag on safety Lamarcus Joyner, which sets wide receiver Sammy Watkins into the open market the year after they traded for him.

Joyner will make $11.287 million, which is a considerable savings over what it would have cost them to keep Watkins off the market ($15.982 million).

Joyner flourished in his first year under defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, with three interceptions and a forced fumble after moving inside from cornerback.

The Rams may still try to keep Watkins, but he should find plenty of suitors if he gets to next Wednesday without a deal. (PFT)

 

This also signals its likely the last season in Pittsburgh for Bell. I'm sorry, but does he really expect to get more than what the Steelers offered already? He has a pretty long injury history, not to mention he's one positive drug test away from a year long ban, and he had a drop in production. Why would the team offer more guaranteed money? Nope, sorry Le'Veon, you aren't worth double the next closest RB. He's already paid as a top RB ($8.5 million) and a #2 WR ($3-5 million).

 

LMAO Clay Harbor is going to be on Bachlorette.

 

Richard Sherman doesn't expect to play for 'Hawks

The Legion of Boom might be coming to an end.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that cornerback Richard Sherman has told teammates goodbye over the past 24 hours and that he doesn't expect to play for the Seahawks in 2018, per sources informed.

There has been no official word yet.

NFL Network's Tom Pelisero reported, per sources, that Sherman is set to meet with coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider this afternoon to discuss his future. (NFL.com)

 

****BREAKING****

Seahawks trade Michael Bennett to Eagles for Marcus Johnson and a pick



Michael Bennett is on the way to the defending champions.

The Seahawks have agreed to trade Bennett and a seventh-round pick to the Eagles for backup receiver Marcus Johnson and a fifth-round pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Bennett had been widely perceived to be on the trading block as the Seahawks attempt to put together a younger, cheaper defense. Bennett and has three years left on his contract and has a cap hit of $7.4 million in 2018. The Eagles don’t have a lot of cap space, but they’ve decided to take on a fairly expensive veteran as they seek to win another Super Bowl.

The speedy Johnson joined the Eagles as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2016. He hasn’t played much and has just five catches in his NFL career, but he may be able to add something to the Seahawks’ offense in an offseason when the Seahawks are making big changes on their defense.

 

^^welcome to Philly Michael! First cheesesteak is on me !

 

I can't believe we just took on almost $7M of cap space at a position of strength lol. I'm down with it but wow what do they do next?

 

Arent they already over the cap?

 

Yes but it'll be squared before the league year starts. Torrey Smith and Vinny Curry are probably gone by then and that should take care of most of it.