NFL - NEWS & NOTES

I see you more as a curator searching for solid takes.

 

The fact that Jessie Bates hasn’t signed his Franchise tag yet and the deadline for extensions is rolling up very soon July 15th gives a little more credibility to that local beat writer. Bates wants Fitzpatrick money and the Bengals need him there. Bates will get Fitzpatrick money from somebody if the Bengals don’t do it.

 

Not understanding the credability angle. The franchise tag is used every year. If the Bengals weren't willing to pay up, they wouldn't be willing to pay what equals the average of the top 5 salaries of that players position. If they are willing to pay what equates to the 3rd highest salary, don't you think they are willing to go the extra and pay THE BEST PLAYER at his position a little more than that?

Jessie Bates has been in the top 10 for the past 2 years, he hasn't been on anyone's list as the best safety in football. Why is it a problem that the Bengals, which have the franchise tag at their disposal, want to give it another year to see if he deserves that top money in the NFL over a 4-5 year contract?

Jessie Bates may want that money, but their is no credibility that he would get it on the open market, let alone through an extension with the Bengals.

If I'm being honest, I think the Steelers over paid for Fitzpatrick. He was a great player for them in 2021, but where was he the previous 3 years and where is he on everyone's top 10 list? For me he is somewhere in that top ten, but I think it would be hard to argue he is a top 5 player.

I would argue Tyrann Mathieu is a better safety than Fitzpatrick, yet he is still unsigned. My guess is he saw Minkah's contract and is demanding something similar.

 

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin agrees to three-year extension worth up to $70 million

Terry McLaurin held out and got his bag.

The Washington Commanders and the star receiver agreed to a three-year extension worth $23.3 million per year in new money, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Tuesday.

McLaurin was set to enter the final year of his contract with a base salary of $2.79 million in 2022.

Now he's enjoying an even bigger payday.

NFL.com

 

Joe Mixon: Bengals 'might be the hottest thing smokin' in the NFL on Sundays'

The Cincinnati Bengals fell just short of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, losing 23-20 to the Los Angeles in Super Bowl LVI. With Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and a core of young playmakers returning, the Bengals have the pieces to make another deep postseason run.

"To be honest, I feel like we might be the hottest thing smokin' in the NFL on Sundays," running back Joe Mixon recently said, via Charlie Walter of KPIX. "With the talent we got and who we added onto this year, I feel like we're bound to have a hell of a season. The best thing about it is we've been there before, and we know how to get there. We've just gotta stick to the basics, one week at a time, and that's what's gonna happen."

The Bengals spent the offseason upgrading their biggest weakness -- the offensive line -- which contributed to Burrow being sacked 70 times last season (including playoffs), third-most all-time. Cincy added tackle La'el Collins, guard Alex Cappa and center Ted Karras this offseason to solidify the unit.

With Burrow's gunslinging ability, the Bengals boast one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL. Led by Chase, who set a rookie receiving record with 1,455 yards, Cincy owns the top receiver trio along with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. In addition, Mixon, who was one of four players with 1,500 scrimmage yards and 15-plus TDs in 2021 (Cooper Kupp, Jonathan Taylor, Austin Ekeler), provides the Bengals a dual-threat option out of the backfield.

In a league of explosive offenses, the Bengals have the horses to be one of the most entertaining teams each and every Sunday this fall.

NFL.com

 

What are the redskins thinking? This guy hasn’t done anything to deserve that contract

 

Tough to decide which is the worst take here....

McLaurin is an absolute stud WR, and Bates is arguably the most over-rated DB in the NFL...

 

I actually enjoy reading the opinions if they are identified as opinions. One of the Steelers long time writers has a weekly story titled 'Just My Opinion'. After almost 30 years covering the team his opinions are usually in the ballpark.

 

Start with the statement about McLaurin being a stud, bull crap, and Bates is a big improvement over the Browns safeties. McLaurin is the equivalent of the Steelers Dionte Johnson and I wouldn’t pay Johnson that much either. I would rather draft a WR next season. You have to draw the line somewhere and those two are not elite just good complimentary pieces.

 

If these salaries don’t get under control teams are going to have 5 players making 70-90% of their cap.

 

But, Its still by choice and you do what you can to win.

 

Ravens WR Devin Duvernay talks about what his speed can bring to Baltimore offense



The Baltimore Ravens have undergone a bit of a shift at the wide receiver position during the 2022 offseason after trading away wideout Marquise Brown and seeing both Sammy Watkins and Miles Boykin depart. They still have talents such as Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II, and Tylan Wallace, and each of those players will have to step up for quarterback Lamar Jackson as pass catchers.

Duvernay spoke to the media after one of Baltimore’s mandatory minicamp practices, and was asked if he feels his speed and explosive ability can open up things down the field for the Ravens’ offense. He said yes, talking about what his speed can bring to the team.

“Yes, of course, of course. I think I can stretch the field – me and ‘Bate’ [Rashod Bateman], for sure [can] stretch the field – make plays, down the field. And whenever ‘G-Ro’ [offensive coordinator Greg Roman] calls it, we’re ready.”

With Brown now in Arizona, Duvernay is currently the team’s No. 2 wideout. He established himself as a Pro Bowl and All-Pro punt returner in 2021, but also showed flashes as a wideout, catching 33 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns. His speed will be a welcome asset in 2022, and he should be able to put up plenty of numbers with the amount of targets that are available to be picked up.

RAVENS WIRE

 

Ravens’ secondary ranked as top unit in NFL by Pro Football Focus



The Baltimore Ravens dealt with a plethora of injuries in 2021 that hurt the team’s chances of making a postseason appearance. They lost players like J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Marcus Peters before the season started, as well as Marlon Humphrey, Lamar Jackson and more during the year.

Michael Renner of Pro Football Focus detailed his 2022 NFL secondary rankings, and he put Baltimore’s unit at No. 1 despite being one of the worst units in the league last year. Renner credited four of the five starters in the secondary with having top-10 grades at their positions, and that’s without factoring in rookie safety Kyle Hamilton.

“There are a lot of complete secondaries around the NFL, making the Tier 1 rankings a toss-up in a number of ways. The Ravens simultaneously have some of the most question marks heading into 2022 from a health perspective while also possessing the highest-end elite potential. Four of their five starters have earned top-10 grades at their respective positions at some point over the past four seasons. And this list doesn’t even include rookie first-rounder Kyle Hamilton, who will undoubtedly factor in heavily.”

Baltimore has plenty of talent in the secondary that includes cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters and Kyle Fuller, as well as Hamilton, Chuck Clark and Marcus Williams at safety.. If the group can stay healthy in 2022, it may be one many opposing quarterbacks will fear to play week in and week out.

RAVENS WIRE

 

Kareem Hunt says he’s back to “100 percent” after 2021 injuries



Browns running back Kareem Hunt would like to sign a contract extension with the team and better health would be a good way to make his case for a new deal.

Hunt missed nine of the team’s final 11 games last year because of calf and ankle injuries, but it appears that the time off since the end of the season has been good for him. Hunt said on Wednesday that he is back to full health ahead of this summer’s training camp.


“I’m good. I’m 100 percent. I had some time to heal this offseason,” Hunt said, via Ashley Bastock of Cleveland.com.

Hunt also reiterated his desire to find agreement on a contract that would keep him in Cleveland beyond the 2022 season. While that could happen ahead of the season, the chances would seem even better if he can put a healthy season under his belt this year.

PFT

 

Miles Sanders: We feel unstoppable, like an all-star team



The Eagles’ offseason was highlighted by trading for wide receiver A.J. Brown, signing pass rusher Haason Reddick, and picking up defensive tackle Jordan Davis and linebacker Nakobe Dean in the draft after they won a championship at Georgia last season.

Many people outside the organization have applauded those moves as ones that will improve the Eagles’ chances of returning to the postseason in 2022. Running back Miles Sanders particularly likes what Brown’s addition means for the team’s offense and gushed about how the unit is feeling as they head toward training camp.


“Oh man. We all feel like we’re on an all-star team, so we feel great,” Sanders said, via Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. “We feel unstoppable, I’m not gonna lie. The vibes are great, always have been. Nick Sirianni is doing a great job just keeping the vibes right, the chemistry good. We compete a lot in practice. But we’ve gotta see. It’s gonna come down to camp, taking it day by day, putting everything together.”

Those with long memories will recall that former Eagles quarterback Vince Young referred to the 2011 Eagles as a “dream team” after signing with the club. They wound up going 8-8 and missing the playoffs, so the hope in Philly will be that things work out better for the current collection of star players.

PFT

 

Amari Cooper ready to grow into role of team leader



Amari Cooper turned 28 earlier this month. He’s not old, but he’s the second-oldest receiver on the roster with Jakeem Grant Sr. 20 months older.

That leaves Cooper in an unfamiliar position of the old guy in the receivers room.

The nine other receivers on the team’s roster are 24 or younger.

“That’s the position I’m in now,” Cooper said, via Anthony Poisal of the team website. “These guys look at me like an old guy. They pay a lot of attention to detail, and they know the importance of coming in every day and knowing their stuff and trying to perfect everything they do.”

Cooper arrived in a trade with the Cowboys, with the Browns giving up a fifth-round choice and swapping sixth-round picks. It appears a steal for the Browns as he becomes the best receiver on the roster.

Cooper, though, is not your typical receiver. Instead, as second-year player Anthony Schwartz already has discovered, Cooper is quiet and laidback.

Cooper vows to use his voice more now that he’s the elder statesman.

“A lot of leadership comes with experience and age,” Cooper said. “It becomes easier and easier over time because, from what I see now, leadership is just experience. It’s so easy to lead once you have that experience because everything these young guys are going through, you either went through it or saw someone else previously on the team go through it, and you saw how the outcome was.”

Cooper, the fourth overall choice of the Raiders in 2015, has had five 1,000-yard seasons in his seven seasons. But he made only 68 receptions for 865 yards in 2021, though he did score eight touchdowns.

PFT

 

Jerry Jeudy: Broncos will be a 'very explosive team' with Russell Wilson

Denver Broncos receiver Jerry Jeudy hasn't lived up to lofty expectations following an injury-marred second campaign.

The former first-round pick missed seven games in 2021 (six with an ankle injury and one while on the COVID-19 list). He netted 467 yards on 38 catches and didn't score a touchdown, but the addition of Russell Wilson has Jeudy believing a breakout is on the horizon.

"Every detail matters with (Wilson)," Jeudy said at his youth football camp, via Troy Renck of ABC 7 Denver. "You learn a lot, just how hard he works and how focused he is when he's on the field and on the board. You realize how locked in he his. I've learned a lot. He's a great quarterback. I am excited to play with him. I mean it's going to be very exciting. I feel like we are going to be a very explosive team. I feel like we've got all the pieces we needed, so we've just gotta put it together. And I am excited that is going to happen."

The Broncos boast a stockpile of weapons with Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, K.J. Hamler and Tim Patrick at receiver and running backs Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon.

While all that firepower was also in Denver last year, the bet is that adding a star quarterback in Wilson will take them to the next level. Jeudy could benefit the most from Wilson's presence. The QB is one of the best deep-ball passers in the NFL, generating the most pass yards (6,347) and pass TDs (65) on deep passes in the Next Gen Stats era (since 2016).

After missing part of OTAs with a strained groin, Jeudy said he's healthy ahead of training camp. Remaining on the field will be a significant factor in whether the third-year receiver can make the leap from a tantalizing prospect to a consistent performer.

NFL.com

 

Falcons have picked up punter Bradley Pinion, recently let go by Tampa. They released punter Dom Maggio (undrafted rookie from last year's draft class who got hurt and missed most of the season) to make room. They also have undrafted rookie Seth Vernon (Portland State) for training camp.

The article on the team's web site announcing the move missed that they released Maggio, saying that Pinion would be joining Maggio and Vernon on the roster. But I checked the NFL's waiver page, and Maggio was waived, no recall. So... you heard it here first. And there was much rejoicing...

 

Renner didn't like Atlanta's secondary, which seems odd as it's shaping up to be a potential strong point for the team. One thing that seemed amiss is that he named Erik Harris as a projected starter at safety. The team has made it abundantly clear that Richie Grant (second round pick last year) is going to get the first shot at starting along with Jaylinn Hawkins (drafted 2020). The veterans Harris and Dean Marlowe are slated for reserve roles. But if the youngsters struggle or get hurt, they have experience backing them up.

The main question for the secondary is whether Isaiah Oliver will be fully recovered from last year's injury in time for preseason action. He was held out of the offseason program. He came to life and thrived in the nickel role in Dean Pees' system at the start of last season before he got hurt. If he's healthy, the top three CB spots are locks, with some intense competition for the backup roles behind them.

 

HE GOT PAID!!!!!!!