NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Totally agree with EvertonBears on Ryan. The media harps on his stats being down. I say they're looking at it backwards.

The middle to right side of Atlanta's offensive line was Matt Hennessy (first time starter, third rounder in 2020), Jalen Mayfield (rookie third rounder who was utterly abused all season long) and Kaleb McGary (the horror, the horror...). Yep, that line is most definitely offensive.

The rushing attack only averaged 85 yards per game - that's for the whole team combined, not just a starting running back. And with Calvin Ridley checking out for 12 games to work on his <strike>gambling<\strike> mental health issues, the starting WRs were the mighty Russell Gage (special teams ace with only 26 college career receptions) and Olamide Zaccheaus (converted RB whose NFL prospect profile noted his poor hands, poor technique, below average hand-eye coordination, small catch radius, and tendency to give up big plays). For 15 out of 17 games, the depth receivers behind them were the mighty Christian Blake and Tajee Sharpe.

Yet in spite of the absurd lack of support, Matt Ryan put up 3968 passing yards last year. I still have no idea how he managed that.

The man is definitely NOT all washed up. Give him some actual blocking instead of inflatable flailing-arm tube men, a running game capable of getting 4 yards on just one carry, and a receiver or two that won't "stump the truck" and then let's see what he can do.

 

Totally agree with EvertonBears on Ryan. The media harps on his stats being down. I say they're looking at it backwards.

The middle to right side of Atlanta's offensive line was Matt Hennessy (first time starter, third rounder in 2020), Jalen Mayfield (rookie third rounder who was utterly abused all season long) and Kaleb McGary (the horror, the horror...). Yep, that line is most definitely offensive.

The rushing attack only averaged 85 yards per game - that's for the whole team combined, not just a starting running back. And with Calvin Ridley checking out for 12 games to focus on his g̶a̶m̶b̶l̶i̶n̶g̶ mental health issues, the starting WRs were the mighty Russell Gage (special teams ace with only 26 college career receptions) and Olamide Zaccheaus (converted RB whose NFL prospect profile noted his poor hands, poor technique, below average hand-eye coordination, small catch radius, and tendency to give up big plays). For 15 out of 17 games, the depth receivers behind them were the mighty Christian Blake and Tajee Sharpe.

Yet in spite of the absurd lack of support, Matt Ryan put up 3968 passing yards last year. I still have no idea how he managed that.

The man is definitely NOT all washed up. Give him some actual blocking instead of inflatable flailing-arm tube men, a running game capable of getting 4 yards on just one carry, and a receiver or two that won't "stump the truck" and then let's see what he can do.

 

Colts will need to nake some moves or Matt might not be in much better shape with them than he was in Atlanta. They need a left tackle and Pittman is the only proven we. Also loosing jack doyle at tight end to retirement hurts some.

On the plus side you can argue he joined the weakest division in the AFC. On the downside the colts have to play the afc west next season.

 

Bunch of wannabes. We’ll go 3-1 with those scrubs!

 

Honestly we’re in a good spot to add a WR with one of our first couple picks. The talent that should be available at the position between 42-90 is impressive. I’m fairly intrigued by Wan-Dale Robinson or Christian Watson (who could be long gone). Robinson seems like a nice compliment (different flavor) to Pittman.
If they’re both gone, then Khalil Shakir, George Pickens, and Calvin Austin III are all very interesting. Couple others maybe too. Or some TEs (doubt the front office bothers though).

 

“Playoff Lenny” will continue with the Buccaneers.



A day after Leonard Fournette took a free-agent visit with the Patriots, the running back has decided to re-sign with the Buccaneers, according to multiple reports.

While the details will eventually emerge, the deal is initially reportedly for three years and $21 million and could escalate to $24 million.

Fournette has been with the Bucs since signing with the club early on in the 2020 regular season. He had 600 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns in the regular season before a strong run in the postseason helped power the Bucs to the Super Bowl LV title.

Fournette was Tampa Bay’s starting running back in 2021 on a one-year deal, recording 1,266 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns in 14 games.

The Jaguars selected Fournette at No. 4 overall in the 2017 draft but released him in late August of 2020 when they could not find a trade partner.

PFT

 

Couldn't agree more. There are multiple extenuating circumstances that can be brought to bear if you were gonna analyse objectively Ryan's 2021 season. He's not a league MVP anymore sure but he's not suddenly bad either. Far from it. This down year/over the hill talk, im not buying it, not based off last season.

BTW, talking heads, down year you say? That 3,968 passing yards would've set a single season franchise record for one of the oldest teams in football haha! I will tell you right now if you offered me that number for my team's QB next season i would bite your fucking hand off heh. A little context never hurts.

 

Za’Darius Smith agrees to terms with Vikings



Za'Darius Smith left the Ravens at the altar when he backed out of the four-year, $35 million agreement he had with the team.

Now, he’s not leaving the NFC North.


After visiting with the Vikings on Monday, Smith has agreed to a three-year, $42 million deal that’s worth up to $47 million, according to multiple reports.

So, Smith goes from making $8.75 million a year to $14 million. And he gets to face his former team in the Packers two times a year.

Smith missed nearly all of the 2021 season due to a back injury. But he did return for Green Bay’s playoff loss to San Francisco.

He was a Pro Bowler in 2019 and 2020, recording 13.5 sacks in 2019 and 12.5 sacks in 2020.

Smith spent his first four seasons with the Ravens, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 draft.

PFT

 

The Dolphins are signing left tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year, $75 million deal plus incentives, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.

 

Its a good thing only if they stay healthy then otherwise its not that good, but on paper it looks awesome GO VIKINGS

 

This is disappointing. The Bears are relying on basically a rookie at LT. I would've thrown extra money at Armstead to bring him in, if necessary - protect your young QB. Very frustrating.

 

Chiefs trading Tyreek Hill to Dolphins

Tyreek Hill‘s talents are headed to South Beach.

The Chiefs are trading Hill to the Dolphins in exchange for five draft selections.


Kansas City will receive a 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick, 2022 fourth-round pick, 2023 fourth-round pick, and 2023 sixth-round pick in exchange for Hill.

The Dolphins are also expected to give Hill a contract that guarantees him $70 million over the next three seasons.

The Jets were also a potential destination for Hill, but he’s headed to a different team in their division.

Hill leaves Kansas City as one of the best receivers in franchise history. He is fourth on the team’s all-time list with 479 receptions, fifth with 6,630 yards, and fourth with 56 receiving touchdowns.

A fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft, Hill made the Pro Bowl in each of his six seasons and was a first-team All-Pro three times — twice as a receiver and once as a returner.

Hill caught 111 passes for 1,239 yards with nine touchdowns in 2021.

Now he’ll pair with Jaylen Wadle to form a strong receiver tandem in the AFC East.

PFT

 

Thank goodness, Hill didnt land up with Rodgers in Green Bay!

 

This has been a weird offseason.

 

Question how will KC replace him? Bet Patrick Mahomes will miss him the Dolphins have nice one two punch now

 

They wont this move drops the chiefs several spots in the afc (imho). Juju has to be saying FML now. Part of the reason they lost in the playoffs the last two years was noone being able to step up when teams took Hill away. Well now you just made it easier on defenses to stop KC. Are the bills the top team in the AFC now (I know some already had them there now i think others will slide the up). How far did KC fall?

 

With all the picks, they can afford to take (2) receivers in the first two rounds, still have all their regular picks and save what equates to about $25M/year minus the rookie contracts of about $9.4M for TWO players... or a savings of $19M per year over the next 4 years. Obviously you won't know if the production can be reproduced by rookie draft picks, but taking them in the first two rounds should up your chances.. and taking two would also up those chances greatly.

Possibly available at pick 29, Trey Burks or Jahan Dotson
Possibly available at pick 50 Christian Watson, John Metchie III, George Pickens, Alec Pierce, Sky Moore, David Bell

They could, if they guess right, come out looking like geniuses. OR... Hill can continue to produce All Pro numbers for the next 3 years and draft picks bomb completely. If the Chiefs make an AFC Championship game, this trade won't matter. The problem is Hill isn't the only one the Chiefs are losing. This is the pitfalls of having one of the top QBs in the NFL and having to pay the man... NOW, dealing with cap and roster is still nothing to feel sorry about when it comes to these teams as said QBs have them competing for championships every single year.

 

It wouldn’t surprise me to see the Chiefs go OL, EDGE or DB in the first (both picks), then follow that up with a selection of Calvin Austin with a pick in the second/third, backed by another receiver pick with one of their fourth round selections.

 

Patriots signing CB Malcolm Butler to two-year deal

Four years after his stunning Super Bowl LII benching, Malcolm Butler is back with the New England Patriots.

The veteran cornerback is signing a two-year contract with the Patriots, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports, per a source.

Butler was bizarrely benched in Super Bowl LII by Bill Belichick, and the reasons surrounding the decision have been shrouded in mystery since the Pats lost to the Eagles that day.

Following that incident, Butler signed a big-money deal in Tennessee. He spent three seasons with the Titans, generating nine interceptions and 35 passes defended. He was released after the 2021 season.

Butler inked a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals in March of 2021 but retired in August due to personal reasons.

In February, the Cards released Butler from the reserve/retired list, opening the door for his return to a new club.

That club winds up being his original team.


Butler was undrafted out of West Alabama in 2014 and rose to quick fame as the hero of Super Bowl XLIX as he intercepted Russell Wilson on the goal line to steal the Lombardi victory.

From there, Butler grew into a playmaker in Belichick's defense earning Pro Bowl nod in 2015 and second-team All-Pro honors in 2016. In his final three seasons in New England as a full-time starter, Butler generated eight INTs and 44 passes defended in 48 games.

Even the notorious end of the relationship four years ago didn't hinder a reunion in 2022.

With J.C. Jackson signing in L.A., the Pats needed corner help. If he's back to form after a year off, Butler fits the bill as a physical defender who knows the scheme and can be trusted on the outside. But the signing won't preclude Belichick from adding additional talent in next month's draft to the secondary.

NFL.com

 

Report: Bobby Wagner visiting Rams



Shortly after Bobby Wagner was released by the Seahawks earlier this month, word surfaced that other teams in the NFC West were interested in signing the veteran linebacker.

Nothing materialized immediately, but it looks like things may be developing with one of those teams. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Wagner is visiting the Rams on Wednesday. It’s the first known visit for Wagner since his release.


The report adds that there’s mutual interest in a deal that would fit with the Rams’ history of big-name additions to the roster in recent seasons.

Ernest Jones, Travin Howard, and Christian Rozeboom are the inside linebackers currently on Los Angeles’ roster. Troy Reeder remains a free agent.

PFT