NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Steelers DT Cam Heyward ranks among top defensive tackles in NFL



Every year, ESPN does an experiment where they anonymously interview NFL executives and they do their personal rankings of the 10 best NFL players at each given position. When they did their defensive tackle rankings, Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cam Heyward made an appearance at No. 5.

This is down one spot from the same poll last year despite Heyward having his second double-digit sack season of his career. The ESPN ranking put Aaron Donald, Jeffery Simmons, Chris Jones and DeForest Buckner ahead of Heyward.

Heyward was the Steelers first-round pick back in 2011 and has been a consistent force on the interior defensive line. Heyward has 68 career sacks and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2021.

STEELERS WIRE

 

If I had a dollar for every Steelers fan that called this guy a bust after his first couple of years I'd be rich. Some guys just develop more slowly than others. He's knocking on the door of the HOF.

 

Awfully long arms to be knocking on that door from the other side of the street.

 

Bears rookie WR Velus Jones on age concerns: 'Not going to stop me from running past people'

With an already thin wide receiver corps having lost Allen Robinson, the Chicago Bears needed to bolster the position group this offseason.

Thus, when they took just one wideout in the 2022 NFL Draft and it was a 25-year-old, the scrutiny quickly piled up.

For said 25-year-old Velus Jones, though, the doubters are not are not going to stop him -- nor will opposing defenders.

"People talk about it, but it don't matter," Jones told NFL Network's Adam Rank recently on The Sick Podcast when asked if he was surprised people seem to be so hung up about his age. "I'm a baller at the end of the day. I know what I can do. Me being 25 years [old] is not going to stop me from running past people to score touchdowns and stuff like that. I'm going to be fast for a long time, strong for a long time and making plays for a long time. So, it's really irrelevant."

Though Jones, taken in the third round at pick No. 71 overall, isn't the ideal 21- or 22-year-old rookie, he still boasts 4.3 40-yard dash speed and should also add a spark to the return game. He's coming off a statistically impressive senior season at Tennessee in which he hauled in 62 receptions for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. It was also his sixth college season, which explains why he'll be 25 as a rookie in the NFL.

Jones began his college days at USC and ended them with the Volunteers. The odyssey included a redshirt season and a COVID-19 extra year of eligibility.

"I never did give up on myself," Jones said. "And it took me six years, red-shirted and then I took a COVID year. But through that process, it wasn't for nothing. I got an undergrad at USC and I also got a Master's. So I took, fully advantage. And also perfected my craft, also. If I can go back and do it over, I would change nothing."


Jones will have to change the minds of those who believe the Bears should have done more to provide options for second-year quarterback Justin Fields.

With Darnell Mooney the only receiver close to an established producer in the NFL ranks, Jones is poised to compete for starting reps with the likes of Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown.

Jones is a true believer that the timing is right for him with the Bears and is poised to prove it.

"So, with my situation and how I was raised, I grew up in a church and everything, God-timing is perfect timing," Jones said. "I went through a lot of obstacles, you know I had to beat a lot of odds, to get where I'm at to this day. Everything happens for a reason, I always say that in every interview. So how I feel about it is, if I was at a young age, Year 3, and I went to the league. I wasn't as mature as I am now."

Maturity might well be one for the plus column, and so too could be mileage. Though Jones has more years on him than most rookies, he doesn't believe he has more wear and tear.

"And I can also say I never had any major injuries in college," Jones said. "Only thing I had was like a boxing fracture and a high ankle sprain. Never broke a bone, never had surgery in my life. So, honestly I have the body of like a 21 or 22 year old. Then some guys that have a lot of injuries in college and that you know are going to take punishment in the NFL, but I'm healthy as, like a baby horse. I'm healthy as all get outs. That really is irrelevant, you know people gonna talk about it. I only can control what I can control, so they can just stay tuned on that."

Stay tuned to see if the 25-year-old rookie proves the Bears right and the naysayers wrong.

NFL.com

 

The mess that Cleveland now faces with Watson kinda reminds me of Atlanta and Jeff George. There was no legal / suspension issue with George. What I mean is that Atlanta had the draft pick that was used to select George, and they traded it to the Colts - which was a fantastic move that brought Atlanta a pair of solid players (Andre Rison and Chris Hinton) plus a future first round pick. But then a few years later Atlanta traded to get Jeff George from the Colts, which turned into an epic disaster that led to a regime change after the 1996 season.

The similarity is that when Houston drafted Watson, they traded up with Cleveland to get him. Cleveland moved down, and they also got a future first rounder in the deal. So just like Atlanta did with George, Cleveland made a great move trading the pick that became the player, then a few years later made a really bad move trading for that same player.

One really important thing about trading down though... you still have to get it right with the scouting. It doesn't matter if you trade up, trade down or stand pat if you end up drafting Moe, Larry, Curly, Shemp, Joe and Curly Joe.

But in this one case, Cleveland got it right. First note that the Watson pick itself (2017 #12 overall) wasn't Cleveland's own pick. It was part of the bounty that Cleveland got from the Eagles the year before, when Philly traded up to take Carson Wentz. Cleveland moved down 13 spots in 2017 to get Houston's 2018 first rounder. At #25, Cleveland got Jabrill Peppers. And that future first rounder became the #4 overall pick, which the Browns used to take Denzel Ward. Sweet move.


By contrast, the rest of the Carson Wentz trade was a catastrophe for Cleveland, even by Browns standards. I don't know of any other chain of trades where a team reaped such a huge windfall and got so little out of it.

The full chain of trades is complex - also including trades with the Colts, Panthers, Raiders, Titans and Patriots in addition to the deal with Houston - but when it was all over Cleveland dropped from #2 to #15 overall in 2016. In return, their pick at the top of the fifth round was replaced by a pick 12 spots higher in the late fourth round (#141 to #129), their pick at the top of the sixth was replaced by a late fifth (#176 to #168), their 2017 compensatory fourth rounder was replaced by one 87 spots higher, all the way into the second round (#139 to #52), they moved up 9 spots in the fourth round in 2018 (actually trading up during that draft to get from #114 to #105), and they added two third rounders (#76 and #93), a fourth (#114) and a fifth (#154) in 2016, a first in 2017 (#25), and a top five overall (#4) and early third (#67) in 2018.

That is a freaking INCREDIBLE haul. But you still have to scout and draft well to make it pay off. And other than the Watson portion, the rest of it makes it obvious why Cleveland went 1-31 in the two seasons following the Wentz trade.

The 2016 picks from that deal:

#15 = WR Corey Coleman = lasted two seasons, then had 5 receptions in 8 games for the Giants in 2018. He's attempting to revive his career in training camp with K.C. this season.

#76 = OT Shon Coleman = had one season (2017) as a starter and was gone in 2018

#93 = QB Cody Kessler = lasted two seasons, appearing in 12 games with 8 starts.

#114 = WR Ricardo Louis = lasted two seasons. 0 touchdowns.

#129 = DB Derrick Kindred = lasted 3 seasons, making him the cream of the crop. He played 42 games with 17 starts and had 2 interceptions.

#154 = WR Jordan Payton = lasted two seasons. Had 1 catch for 3 yards.

#168 = OT Spencer Drango = lasted two seasons, starting 19 of 32 games, never appearing in a game afterwards. Spent 2018-2019 on Chargers practice squad. Called up mid-2019 but inactive, then wasn't tendered for 2020.


Cleveland released WR Taylor Gabriel to make room for their newly drafted WRs on the roster. Over the next four years, Gabriel had more receptions, yards and TDs than Coleman, Louis and Payton combined.

QB Cody Kessler went 0-8 as a starter but did appear in Cleveland's one win in 2016. He completed two passes in that game for 11 yards. He was also sacked twice, losing... 11 yards.


The 2017 picks:

#25 (part of the Watson trade) = DB Jabrill Peppers = played with CLE for 2 years then was part of the big trade for OBJ and Olivier Vernon. 59 career starts, then torn ACL last year. Signed with NE for 2022.

#52 = QB Deshone Kizer = lasted just the one winless season, then traded to Green Bay for Damarious Randall, who was himself gone after two years.

The 2018 picks:

#4 (part of the Watson trade) = DB Denzel Ward. Cleveland has now signed him through the 2027 season.

#67 = DE Chad Thomas = lasted two seasons

#105 = WR Antonio Callaway = lasted two seasons. (Note that Cleveland used a pick from the Wentz trade to move UP to get Callaway.) Last seen with Tampa Bay - unfortunately, the Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL), not the Buccaneers.


Other than the two picks from the Watson trade, none of the players Cleveland got out of the Wentz trade became full time starters, and none of them made it through their rookie contracts with the Browns.

 

And now you know why Ray Farmer, Sashi Brown and John Dorsey are no longer the GM of the Cleveland Browns.

 

The trading down part is better than Les Snead at his very best. But the scouting part? Might as well have Kevin Costner as GM.

 

Duane Brown is arrested on gun charges



Free-agent tackle Duane Brown, unsigned this year since his contract with the Seahawks expired, has a slightly more pressing matter than his next NFL destination.

TMZ reports that Brown was arrested at LAX airport on Saturday at roughly 2:00 p.m. local time. He allegedly tried to go through security with a gun in his luggage.


He’s charged with possession of a concealed firearm, and he’s currently being processed at a Los Angeles jail.

Brown, 36, spent nearly a decade with the Texans before being traded to the Seahawks during the 2017 season. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All Pro in 2012, and a second-team All Pro in 2011 and 2018.

PFT

 

Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth plans to take his game to the next level in Year Two



The Steelers spent a second-round draft pick on tight end Pat Freiermuth last season, and he impressed as a rookie, catching 60 passes and performing well as a blocker. This year, he thinks more is in store.

Freiermuth said Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has been challenging him to get better in every facet of the game, and he thinks he can deliver.


“Just being an all-around better tight end, I think,” he said, via the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “I showed some good things last year, but I just think taking my game to the next level. [Goals include] being consistent in the run game, obviously, and pass [protection]. Coach T challenges us in a way that pushes you to be a complete player.”

The teammates who work the most with Freiermuth are impressed.

“Coming off the great rookie year he had, he’s even getting better this year,” Steelers tight end Zach Gentry said. “You’ve seen him run routes and being more confident knowing the offense.”

Said Steelers tight end Kevin Rader, “His potential is, like, wow, the sky is the limit for him. You saw him last year and the things he could do, and now he’s probably even better with his route running. The way he gets out of breaks and catches the football is phenomenal.”

Said Steelers rookie tight end Connor Heyward, “He’s going to be one of the best tight ends in the league, if not the best, in time. I think he’s a top tight end right now. He’s a great tight end. He can catch, run, block. And he’s just so smooth; his catch radius is crazy. I think Pat is an elite tight end.”

The Steelers’ offense struggled last season, and the most important question facing the team is whether one of Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph can be the quarterback they need. But another important question is whether Freiermuth can take it to the next level. He and his teammates think he can.

PFT

 

Bengals safety Jessie Bates, Chiefs OT Orlando Brown, Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki, Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz enter last week to sign extensions

With the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals looming on Friday, July 15 at 1 p.m. ET, and four players left seeking contract extensions, the sleepiest summer days of the NFL calendar could awaken.

Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates, Kansas City Chiefs offensive tackle Orlando Brown, Miami Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki and Dallas Cowboys tight end Dalton Schultz are aiming for long-term pacts, but deals do not appear imminent for any of the quartet, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported Friday.

The most optimism likely surrounds Brown and Schultz, while Bates' situation portends to be the trickiest.

Brown, who the Chiefs acquired via trade with the Baltimore Ravens ahead of last season, has yet to sign his franchise tag and there hasn't been any talks lately, but Garafolo expects conversations to heat up early next week to see if a long-term pact can get done. On the tag, Brown would be due $16.6 million in 2022, but the Chiefs left tackle wants to be paid among the top in his position, which is in the neighborhood of $22-$23 million per season.

Schultz and Gesicki, who are each due to make $10.9 million on the 2022 tag, have signed their tags.

Garafolo expects talks to increase for Schultz and the Cowboys with the hope of a long-term extension staying alive.

However, down in Miami, it would seem Gesicki is likely to play on the tag as he and the Dolphins have not "really engaged in contract negotiations," per Garafolo.


For Bates, a positive outcome with the Bengals appears bleak at the moment.

Garafolo doesn't see Bates being in attendance at the start of Bengals training camp on July 26 without a long-term deal, which Garafolo doesn't see coming to fruition.

Bates has yet to sign his franchise tag and would be due $12.9 million on the tag in 2022. Bates, who earned $2.43 million in 2021 while helping the Bengals to a Super Bowl appearance, would obviously get a significant raise, but it would come in comparison to Minkah Fitzpatrick recently signing an extension with the rival Pittsburgh Steelers that has him making a league-high $18.24 million per season. Garafolo doesn't see the Bengals venturing into that per-year area code with Bates.

In all, eight players had the franchise tag applied in 2022. Davante Adams was traded from the Green Bay Packers to the Las Vegas Raiders, who signed him to a mega extension, whereas Jacksonville Jaguars offensive tackle Cam Robinson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin and Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku each signed extensions.

What remains for the final four tagged players will play out in the last week before the July 15 deadline.

NFL.com

 

Lions' Michael Brockers: 'It's going to be scary to see us in the future'

The Detroit Lions finished Dan Campbell's first season as head coach with a 3-13-1 record, but there is optimism that the rebuild is on schedule to take the next step in 2022.

While its record was dismal, Detroit played tough, with five of the Lions' 13 losses coming by fewer than five points.

Veteran defensive tackle Michael Brockers, entering his second season with the Lions, sees a team that plays hard under Campbell, with a host of youngsters with the potential to grow.

"(Opponents) knew we were coming the whole 60 minutes of the game," Brockers recently told Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network. "So that's what I love about being here. You just see it. It's generated that enthusiasm to be in Detroit, to play for Detroit, to be a Lion. You're seeing it, starting with the younger guys... We have a team full of young guys who are buying into the system, and it's going to be scary to see us in the future."

The biggest name among the young foundational pieces is Detroit is No. 2 overall pick Aidan Hutchinson, who the Lions hope will rejuvenate a quiet pass rush.

"He is a man that's on a mission," Brockers said of Hutchinson. "He does everything he's supposed to do. You don't even have to tell him. This is him doing a lot of his rookie duties... We didn't even ask him. He just went on and did it. 'What do you guys need for the room' and stuff like that. I'm like, OK, this is a man who thinks ahead of time. You can respect a guy like that. He has a lot of respect in my book."

Along with Hutchinson, the Lions added first-round receiver Jameson Williams, who is coming off an ACL tear. Detroit also boasts second-year receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who shined down the stretch last season, right tackle Penei Sewell, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D'Andre Swift, who will all play key roles if the Lions are to make a big leap in 2022.

NFL.com

 

Titans have among biggest increases in average attendance since 2019



The Tennessee Titans have experienced one of the biggest increases in average attendance in the NFL since 2019 among teams that have played in the same stadium during that span.

According to Greg Auman of The Athletic, the Titans have seen an increase of 4,059, the third-highest mark in the league. Only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13,474) and Cincinnati Bengals (13,146) have more.

When you factor in teams that have changed stadiums in that span, Tennessee falls to fifth in the NFL, with the Las Vegas Raiders (8,636) and Los Angeles Chargers (38,490) both passing them with bigger increases since moving into their new stadiums in 2020.



This doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, as the Titans have improved considerably in each of the past three seasons and have had realistic Super Bowl aspirations, thus fan excitement and attendance overall has been higher.

According to ESPN, Tennessee averaged 68,566 fans per game last season, the 12th-best mark in the NFL.

 

Win games and good things happen!

 

It would be impossible for teams like the Steelers, Patriots, Packers to make this list unless they added more seats. They sell out all the time.

 

Its increase in 'average' attendance.

 

Heinz Field to be renamed Acrisure Stadium. What a horrible sounding name

 

I wont be thinking of Catchup anymore!

 

The Opposition might feel like buying life insurance after their encounters with the Steelers defense

 

Trevor Lawrence: Doug Pederson has made a lot of needed changes



When the Jaguars hired Doug Pederson in February, he represented a clear upgrade from his predecessor Urban Meyer.

After the disaster that was Jacksonville’s 2021, the team needed someone with instant credibility to lead the team. Having coached the Eagles to a Super Bowl victory in the 2017 season, Pederson had it.


One of Pederson’s most important tasks as head coach is to further Trevor Lawrence‘s development. Pederson hired a staff with significant experience, including offensive coordinator Press Taylor, passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, and quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy.

In an interview with Colin Cowherd on Monday’s episode of The Herd, Lawrence said things have been going well with Pederson at the helm.

“[H]is resume speaks for itself. But then seeing the way he carries himself, the way he treats people,” Lawrence said. “The way he leads, I think we’re similar — just our demeanors our personality. Doesn’t get too high or too low. I think that’s really important to have if you’re going to be a really good head coach, especially in the NFL.

“So it’s been great getting to know him. I think he’s done a great job just planning out our offseason. There were a lot of changes we needed to make and I think he’s made those. He’s put together a great plan of progressing our team offensively and defensively. So now that we’re ready going into camp, I think he’s done a great job. So, I’m excited.

“And not only him, just having coach McCoy, Press Taylor, Jim Bob Cooter — all those guys to pull from that are all offensive minds, that have called plays before. Seeing everybody work together and just being able to soak all that up has been awesome.”

Lawrence and the Jaguars went 3-14 last year, with the quarterback completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,641 yards with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Expectations for Jacksonville may not be high, but the team should be substantially more competitive in 2022.

PFT

 

Rob Gronkowski says he’ll stay retired even if Tom Brady asks him to return



Shortly after Rob Gronkowski retired from the NFL, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, predicted that Gronk would play again, likely because Tom Brady will call him during the season and tell him the two of them can win another Super Bowl together. Gronk says that’s not happening.

Gronkowski said today that even if Brady asks him to return, he won’t play again.


“I wouldn’t go back to football, no,” he told Mike Reiss of ESPN.

Gronkowski, who has retired and un-retired once before, insisted that now is the right time for him to walk away for good.

“I’m done with football. I love the game, love the game, and definitely blessed with all the opportunities that the game of football has given me,” Gronkowski said. “No. Done with football.”

Gronkowski and Brady have been the best quarterback-tight end pairing in the history of pro football, but Gronkowski sounds adamant that the pairing has played its last game together.

PFT