NFL - NEWS & NOTES

I love that song.

 

Former first-round pick John Ross requests trade from Cincinnati Bengals, wants fresh start

In the midst of a contract year, John Ross wants a fresh start.

Ross has requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday. Ross' agent has had talks with the Bengals about a potential deal to send him elsewhere, but those talks didn't go very far, Garafolo added.

The veteran wide receiver is frustrated with his playing time in 2020 after showing flashes of his potential in 2019, Garafolo reported, per Ross' agent Brad Cicala. After appearing on 56 offensive downs in Week 1, Ross played half as many snaps (28) in Week 2 before he was inactive from Weeks 3-5. He played just one snap in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Once seen as a big-play threat with rare speed -- record-setting 4.22 40-yard dash speed -- capable of taking the top off opposing defenses, Ross' career has been fraught with injuries since he was selected ninth overall in the 2017 draft. Ross has caught just 51 passes in his career, with a single-season high of 28 (for 506 yards) coming in 2019.

The 2020 season was essentially seen as a make-or-break campaign for Ross, who is in the final year of his rookie deal after Cincinnati declined his fifth-year option ahead of 2020. So far, Ross isn't able to make much of anything without an opportunity to take the field.

With two weeks left until the trade deadline, Cincinnati has some time to potentially work a deal. We'll see if it produces a new home for the former Washington Husky.

NFL.com

 

Unnamed Cowboys call out new coaching staff



The Cowboys are in first place in the NFC East. The way things are going, however, that won’t last.

Complicating matters is the fact that unnamed players are now venting to the NFL Network reporter who covers the team.

Here’s the tweet from NFLN’s Jane Slater: “Cowboys players initially bought into keeping things internal. Now as they sit 2-4 the discontent is leaking out. On the coaching staff ‘totally unprepared. They don’t teach. They don’t have any sense of adjusting on the fly.’ Another ‘they just aren’t good at their jobs.'”

Without knowing which players are saying these things, it’s hard to know whether to give these opinions any credence. And while the anonymous leaking of fact makes the media world go ’round, anonymous leaking of opinion can become a stickier wicket.

Given the way the team is playing, it’s clear that something is wrong. Either the players aren’t good enough or the coaches aren’t doing a good enough job with them.

In most teams, that dynamic would set up a potential battle between coach and G.M. to make their case to the owner as to who bears the blame for a bad team. In Dallas, the G.M. is the owner.

Which actually makes it useful for ownership to have anonymous players blaming the coaching, since that will tend to take attention away from the idea that ownership has not done a good enough job finding capable players.

NBC

 

The Cowboys lost all their good oline men and they expect the back up QB to be able to do something

 

Mike McCarthy on reports of Cowboys discontent: It's important to talk 'as men one-on-one'

In the aftermath of an alarming defeat to the Arizona Cardinals on Monday night, Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy faced reports via NFL Network's Jane Slater that his players had expressed unhappiness with the coaching staff, tabbing the coaches as "unprepared" and that they plainly "just aren't good at their jobs."

With a disastrous 38-10 loss not yet 24-hours-old, McCarthy indicated he needs to keep apprised of his team's mindset and outlook, but that his door is open and the preferred approach -- certainly in tough times such as these -- would be talking directly to him.

"I haven't been part of any of those type of discussions," McCarthy said of reports that he and his staff are unable to teach and adjust on the fly. "I think like a lot of things, when you hit a part of your season or any challenge where there is negativity out there, where it comes from and who it comes from, that's something I've never chased. I think you do have to recognize it and I just really go back to my first meeting with the football team. I've always stated this to every team that I've coached. I think it's important to handle things as men; if you do have something to say publicly that is of most importance, I think it's important to say it to the individual. Particularly in a group dynamic, setting. Especially in the game of football, especially for the Dallas Cowboys. That's all part of the development of our program, of the system we're installing here."

Though the Cowboys are in first place in a borderline comical NFC East at 2-4, the struggles in every facet are abundant.

Despite an offense that leads the league in yards and is fourth in total points, Dallas tops the league with 15 turnovers and its defense has allowed an NFL-high 218 points -- 26 more than anyone else.

McCarthy expressed conviction in his staff's ability to reverse course, however.

"I have great confidence in the men that I work with," McCarthy said. "This is something that we work on every single day. We understand that there's still has been a learning curve for all of us involved. As a head coach you have to make sure that you're touching each and every player. I'll just say it as buzz words, but we need to coach better. Our job responsibility is simple, it's to teach and demand. And the players understand that they're responsibility is simple also. Their job is to prepare and perform. When you are working hard on one specific part of your game and it hasn't shown up on Sunday, I have to continue to find a way to teach and demand our ball security challenge. It's not reflective of the type of football team we're gonna be. That's coaching."

in part from; NFL.com

 

I was always under the impression that if you have a gripe with someone ... you go to them, not air it out to the media.

I agree with the players on their issues, but not their delivery... same for the coaches.

What a mess Dallas could turn into... if not already.

 

The players liked Garrett as coach. They need a new owner and GM in Dallas

 

When you have an owner who sits outside the locker room and throws people under the bus to the media then you are going to send the message going to the media to bitch is okay.

 

Michael Thomas now listed with hamstring injury along with ankle



Michael Thomas caught an NFL-record 149 passes last season. This season, the Saints receiver can’t catch a break.

He has played only one game, making three receptions for 17 yards in the season opener.

Saints coach Sean Payton said Wednesday morning that Thomas’ discipline for punching teammate Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is complete but remained uncertain about Thomas’ status for Sunday because of his injury.

As it turns out, it’s injuries.

The Saints’ practice report lists Thomas limited with the ankle injury that has kept him out of three games as well as a new hamstring injury.

It is unknown when Thomas injured his hamstring, but he said on social media last week that he had a “setback.”

Starting left tackle Terron Armstead (hand), starting right guard Nick Easton (concussion), receiver Bennie Fowler (shoulder) and special teamer J.T. Gray (hamstring) did not practice.

Cornerback Justin Hardee was limited in his first practice after missing Week Five with a hamstring injury.

NBC

 

NFL coaches are getting more gutsy about going for two.

Two-point conversions are up this year, with 58 attempts through 92 games putting the league on pace to have a total of 161 two-point conversion attempts this season. Last season there were 113 two-point conversion attempts across the league. Last year teams went for two on 8 percent of all touchdowns, while this year teams are going for two on 11 percent of all touchdowns.

According to the Associated Press, there have been more two-point conversion attempts this season than in the first six weeks of any season since the two-point conversion rule went into effect in 1994.

Teams have converted exactly 50 percent of two-point conversions this year after converting 48 percent of two-point conversions last year.

NFL kickers make 94 percent of extra points, so the two-point conversion is a slightly more successful play, on average, than kicking the extra point: An extra point kick will net, on average, 0.94 points, while a two-point conversion will net, on average, 1.0 points.

But coaches generally aren’t thinking about the average points scored per conversion attempt, they’re thinking about the specific circumstances their team is in. And this year, many of the highest-profile two-point conversion decisions have failed. Texans coach Romeo Crennel went for two when up by seven on Sunday against the Titans, hoping to take a nine-point lead and put the game away. The Texans didn’t convert, the Titans scored a touchdown and extra point on the subsequent possession, and Tennessee won in overtime. Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy surprised many observers by going for two when trailing by nine against the Falcons; that conversion failed as well, although the Cowboys were still able to come from behind and win.

There’s no reason a team couldn’t start going for two as the default decision after every touchdown, but no team has ever done that. Instead, they make kicking the extra point the default, and go for two a decision based on the circumstances of the game. Coaches are making the decision to go for two more often, which is good news for the fans, as the two-point conversion remains one of the most exciting plays in football.

NBC

 

Le'Veon Bell on joining Chiefs: 'I think this offense is really fit for my skill set'

After playing behind a disastrous offensive line in New York, with few weapons and a coaching staff ill-equipped to capitalize on what he does best, Le'Veon Bell landed a cushy gig in the exact opposite situation in Kansas City.

"I think this offense is really fit for my skill set," the new Chiefs running back said Wednesday, via Herbie Teope of the K.C. Star. "It's going to be fun, there's going to be a lot of weapons."

Bell noted that he doesn't worry about how many touches he'll get in a star-studded offense that features Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and others. The veteran said playing for Andy Reid was a main reason he chose to join the Chiefs.

"Opportunity to play for coach Reid is going to be magnificent for me," Bell said, via NFL Network's James Palmer.

Bell is hoping to show the league that he can still be a difference-maker in the right situation. His disastrous time in New York with Adam Gase brought only questions about how much he has left in the tank. If he gets back to his Pro Bowl level in K.C.'s multifaceted offense, Bell will see more suitors.

Reid said the veteran running back would practice Wednesday after signing with Kansas City last week.

As for Bell's availability for Sunday in Denver, Reid isn't tipping his hand.

"We will take it day by day ... really we got to just have good communication between coach and player to see where he is at, but he'll be in at practice and we will see how he does," Reid said, via Hayley Lewis of KSHB Kansas City.

Bell wasn't able to suit up for Monday's victory over Buffalo due to COVID-19 restrictions after he signed Thursday. The Chiefs added Bell for minimal cost after he was cut by the Jets, who owed the veteran $6 million guaranteed.

Even after Edwards-Helaire went off against Buffalo, taking 26 carries for 161 yards, the Chiefs believe Bell can add another dimension to the backfield.

"My hat goes off to (Clyde), he was phenomenal and it doesn't hurt to have a running mate or two, different flavors isn't bad to throw at a defense," Reid said. "I think when you see Le'Veon, you'll see how big he is, he's a big man. ... Clyde had a big game and will welcome another helping hand."

Mahomes noted that, given the Chiefs' personnel, Bell could see plenty of matchups against linebackers in space on passing downs, which K.C. should take advantage of.

Mahomes credited Reid and GM Brett Veach with building a roster that can easily absorb Bell's personality and talent.

"It's about bringing in great players and creating competition," the Super Bowl MVP noted.

On paper, Bell's skill set in his prime fits like a glove in Reid's offense and provides the Chiefs a dynamic backfield that can take advantage when defenses sell out to slow Mahomes. In the coming weeks, we'll see if it was truly Gase holding Bell back or whether the running back is on the downslope of his career.

NFL.com

 

Does Bell realize that they have a back that is playing really good right now?

 

Vikings throwing up the white flag by trading Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens.

They gave up a 2nd and conditional 5th to get him from Jacksonville and flip him to Baltimore for a 3rd and 5th.

5 sacks so far this season...big pick up for an already stout defense.

 

Ravens plan to add Dez Bryant to practice squad



Yannick Ngakoue is not the only high-profile veteran heading to Baltimore.

Dez Bryant is working out and taking a physical with the Ravens, and if all goes well they plan to add him to their practice squad, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

A former Cowboys All-Pro, Bryant hasn’t played in an NFL game since the end of the 2017 season. He briefly signed with the Saints but suffered an Achilles tendon injury in his first practice. Now he’ll get one more chance to show he still has something left.

Ordinarily, the 31-year-old Bryant wouldn’t be eligible for the practice squad, which was intended for developing younger, more inexperienced players. But under special rules designed to give teams more roster flexibility during the pandemic, the NFL is allowing veterans like Bryant to sign on practice squads.

NBC

 

Interesting. I guess they know they suck and have lost all hope, lol.

Rebuild time in Minnesota... I say; start at the top - Coaches first and work your way down.

 

It was clear Zach Ertz would miss time with a high ankle sprain. Now we have a timetable for the Philadelphia Eagles tight end.

NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Thursday on Good Morning Football that Ertz is expected to miss four to six weeks due to the injury, per a source informed of the situation.

The team later announced Ertz has officially been placed on injured reserve.

The news is a blow to the 1-4-1 Eagles, who have a chance to get ahead in the woeful NFC East with games against the New York Giants on Thursday night and Dallas Cowboys in Week 8. Following a bye, the Eagles face the Giants once again. Sweep the division games, and Philly would position itself for a playoff run.

Not having Ertz is a big blow even as receiver DeSean Jackson gets back in the lineup Thursday night. The entire season for Philly has been one step forward, three steps back.

Ertz limped off the field several times due to injury in the Week 6 loss to Baltimore before ultimately being ruled out in the fourth quarter.

The 29-year-old's campaign hasn't gone glowingly. Through six games, Carson Wentz and Ertz have been out of sync. The tight end has 24 receptions on 45 targets for 178 yards and one TD while averaging a career-low 7.4 yards per catch.

During training camp, the Eagles and Ertz disagreed about a potential contract extension for the veteran tight end. With that backdrop, don't expect Ertz to return until he's nearer 100 percent.

Garafolo added that fellow tight end Dallas Goedert, who has been on IR due to an ankle injury, is on track to potentially return in Week 10 after the Eagles' bye.

In response to Ertz's IR stint, the team signed guard Jamon Brown to the practice squad and elevated Brown & defensive tackle T.Y. McGill from the practice squad to the active roster. The Eagles also activated offensive lineman Matt Pryor from the reserve/COVID-19 list.

NFL.com

 

It's a tough rebuild when you are actively paying the guy that should be your franchise QB. Not that long ago you had a really good defense...good running back...top notch receiver.

Seems ideal for a quick retool if it can be done.

 

The good news is that 5 wins probably win the division.