NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Because he was just getting some

 

Because he's an F'ng moron. I love it. THIS is why I'm tuning in - to see people make fools of themselves.

 

Oh nice. Goodwill just announced Las Vegas is getting to host the 2020 draft.

 

The Internet had some sport with Giants General Manager Dave Gettleman last night, when he was shown in his home draft room wearing a protective mask.

While the jokes about the 69-year-old, analytics-averse Gettleman being worried about a computer virus may have been cute, there was a good reason for him to cover himself.

Gettleman underwent chemotherapy two years ago for what was described as “aggressive” lymphoma, and his status as a cancer survivor made the decision a wise one during a coronavirus outbreak.

“I’ve got a young IT fellow in here with me and we’re social distancing and part of it’s the mask,” Gettleman said, via Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I’m fine.”

But beyond protecting himself as a high-risk individual, it also sent a needed message to anyone who was watching on television.

At a time when medical professionals are recommending masks for anyone in public, many public officials aren’t wearing them out of vanity (or perhaps worse reasons).

So having a high-profile adult in one of the hardest-hit areas in the country sends a good signal that everyone can take small steps to protect themselves — and others — from the disease that caused the NFL to work from home in the first place.

NBC - PFT

 

I put a mask on my computer so it won’t catch a virus. I also keep it at least 6 feet from my iPhone. I can’t believe I used to set my iPhone on top of my laptop. They can only talk to each other over the internet now.

 

Report: Trent Williams declined trade to Minnesota



The Vikings were close on a deal with Washington for left tackle Trent Williams earlier Friday. Their second-round selection of Boise State offensive tackle Ezra Cleveland indicated that any deal was dead and talks were finished.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports Williams nixed a trade to Minnesota.

“At some point over the course of today, Williams made it known he would rather not go to the Minnesota Vikings,” Rapoport said. “Essentially, that ended the trade right there.”

Who knows whether the sides would have completed a deal anyway, but it now is one less team interested in a trade for Williams.

John Keim of ESPN reports that other teams remain interested, but the 49ers’ interest is tied to whether Joe Staley retires to create a void at left tackle.

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Rams coach Sean McVay both have worked with Williams, as Keim noted.

The Rams, though, would have to create cap room to enter the Williams’ bidding.

So, for now, the stalemate between Washington and Williams continues.

NBC

 

Trent Williams‘ long, strange trip out of Washington finally has its destination: He’s going to San Francisco.

Washington and San Francisco have agreed to the terms of a trade that will send Williams to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick today and a third-round pick next year, according to multiple reports.

The move will reunite Williams with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, who was previously the offensive coordinator in Washington.

Williams was a very good left tackle the last time we saw him on the field, but that was in 2018. He missed the entire 2019 season in a dispute with Washington over its handling of a medical issue. Williams said he didn’t trust the team or its medical staff and would never play in Washington again.

If Williams, who turns 32 in July, can still play at a high level, he’s going to make a big difference to the reigning NFC champions. But that’s a big “if.” We’ll have to wait and see what kind of player Williams is after a long layoff.

NBC

 

When news broke of the trade sending Trent Williams to the 49ers, it seemed like a precursor to word that longtime 49ers left tackle Joe Staley would be retiring from the NFL.

49ers General Manager John Lynch said recently that he thought Staley would keep playing, but a report to the contrary surfaced on Saturday afternoon and Staley made it official a short time later.

Staley announced his retirement in a social media post during the fifth round of the draft. Staley thanked the 49ers, his teammates and the team’s fans while adding that his “body is telling me it’s time” to call it a career.

Staley was a 2007 first-round pick and was named a second-team All-Pro three times during his 13 years with the Niners. He was also named to six Pro Bowl teams and was included on the NFL’s All-Decade team for the 2010s.

NBC

 

Jamies Winston finalizing deal with the Saints....

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.c...nts-jameis-winston-negotiating-one-year-deal/

 

He will have to up his game in NOLA.

Gumbo is a lot harder to shoplift.

 

Is that an andouille in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

 

Browns exercise 2021 options on Myles Garrett, David Njoku

With the draft out of the way, teams can move on to making decisions about exercising the fifth-year options on their 2017 first-round picks.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns have made calls on both of the players they selected that year. Cabot reports that they have exercised the options on defensive end Myles Garrett and tight end David Njoku.

The salaries for those options will be guaranteed in the case of injury only. This is the final year where that will be the case as the new Collective Bargaining Agreement will make the salaries guaranteed when the options are exercised for members of the 2018 draft class and for the years that follow.

In Garrett’s case, that salary will be equal to the transition tag for defensive ends. Njoku’s salary will be the average of the 3rd-25th best-paid tight ends.

While Garrett’s 2019 season ended in ugly fashion, it is no surprise that the team has moved to retain contractual control over the first overall pick from 2017. Njoku’s situation was a little less certain after the team signed Austin Hooper as a free agent this offseason, but the Browns can still change their mind if they don’t see what they want from him this year.

NBC

 

The Ravens aren't done improving their roster.

Baltimore followed up a successful draft by adding depth to its offensive line, agreeing to terms with veteran D.J. Fluker, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

A former first-round pick of the Chargers, the 29-year-old Fluker started 14 games for Seattle last season. He's appeared in 92 career games (88 starts) since the 2013 season. The Seahawks released him on Sunday.

The retirement of Marshal Yanda leaves a question mark along Baltimore's offensive line, one that isn't answered easily. Adding a veteran with plenty of experience to the mix is the safest move as the Ravens look to fill that position long-term (Baltimore drafted Mississippi State offensive lineman Tyre Phillips with the final pick of the third round last weekend). Baltimore has demonstrated it isn't afraid of adding seasoned depth, too, signing Andre Smith during the season and retaining him during the offseason.

In other Ravens news, the team picked up the fifth-year option on cornerback Marlon Humphrey, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

NFL.com

 

Wide receiver Rashard Higgins hit the open market last month, but he won’t be leaving the Browns.

Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that Higgins has re-signed with the team. It is a one-year deal.

Higgins was a 2016 fifth-round pick and he’s played in 54 games over the last four seasons. He played in 10 of those games last season and had four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown.

Higgins has 76 catches for 1,016 yards and seven touchdowns over the course of his entire career.

The Browns drafted Donovan Peoples-Jones to their receiving corps in the sixth round of the draft. Odell Beckham, Jarvis Landry, Taywan Taylor, Damion Ratley and KhaDarel Hodge return from last season.

NBC

 

Police arrested Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland in York, South Carolina, on Tuesday, The State reports.

Breeland faces five charges — resisting arrest, transporting alcohol in a motor vehicle with the seal broken, open container of beer or wine in a motor vehicle, possession of 28 grams or less of marijuana or 10 grams of hash and driving without a license.

He was booked in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Chiefs said they were aware of the situation, the newspaper reports.

Breeland, 28, signed a one-year, $4.5 million deal with the Chiefs earlier this month.

He joined the Chiefs in 2019 and played all 16 games in the regular season with 15 starts. Breeland started all three postseason games and intercepted Jimmy Garoppolo in the Super Bowl.

NBC

 

Joseph: Isaiah Simmons will be LB/problem solver

Just who would scoop up Clemson's dynamic defender Isaiah Simmons was about as much of a curiosity as where on the field the first-round talent would play.

It was the Cardinals that selected Simmons on Thursday with the No. 8 pick and it is linebacker he will play, Arizona defensive coordinator Vance Joseph told the media via Zoom on Tuesday. However, Joseph isn't about to confine Simmons specifically to linebacker when opportunities present themselves to allow the talented hybrid to showcase his versatility.

"He'll be a linebacker," Joseph said. "But we drafted this guy because of what we saw him do at Clemson. So, the things he did there, he's going to do for us also. As far as covering tight ends, and again, he's going to be a problem solver. Obviously each game plan is different and, as problems come along and he can solve them for us he will definitely be a candidate to do those things for us."

Much of the press conference was taken up by questions surrounding Simmons and when asked if it was realistic in today's NFL for Simmons to do the things he did at Clemson, Joseph repeated the plan, emphasized that he'll be a backer and also admitted it remains to be seen how much of the versatility can translate to the pro game.

"I think some of it is [possible], I think some of it's not. These are the best players in the world," Joseph said. "Some of the things he did at Clemson I think are realistic, but some things won't be. He's going to be a linebacker for us. He's going to have some special roles versus certain opponents that we play. But I can't guarantee he's going to play corner for us or safety for us full-time.

"I wouldn't bet against him, but I think what he did at Clemson some it will translate and some won't."

As a member of a national titlist two seasons past, Simmons dazzled with his ability to fill up a stat sheet with tackles, sacks and passes defended as he lined up inside and outside at linebacker, ranged at safety and even dropped back as a cornerback.

"If it's a job that we think he can do, we will put him out there. That's why he was drafted," Joseph said. "I want Isaiah to be Isaiah."

Simmons' junior campaign was a tour de force of defensive versatility. He had 104 tackles (16.5 for a loss), eight sacks, three interceptions, eight passes defended, two forced fumbles and a top-10 selection awaiting.

While his versatility might not be able to translate, his speed will.

"It's a good piece to have. With the new NFL offenses, it's so lateral," Joseph said. "Having a guy with his length and his speed is always critical.

"His skillset is out of this world."

Simmons' selection broke a string of two straight quarterbacks taken in the first round for Arizona. The last defender the Cardinals picked up in the first round was Haason Reddick, another versatile threat who has underwhelmed and many believe hasn't always been used correctly.

For Joseph, Simmons is a welcome addition as he tackles a 2020 season in which pressure will be high after the Cardinals' 2019 defense gave up a league-high 402 yards per game.
"I want to be the best, and I want us to play top 10 defense," Joseph said. "The pressure is always there, but the pressure is always solved when you have four draft picks and having your two corners starting Week One for you. Everyone feels pressure in this business. But that's part of it. … Last year, we had some rough moments, but I thought the last month of the season, we got better. That was a positive not to finish on."

And Simmons would seem to be a positive addition to build on.

"He's a guy that can solve problems for us and, with his speed and length," Joseph said, "he can be an eraser when bad plays happen."

NFL.com

 

Dr. Anthony Fauci warns that without testing, sports may not be back soon

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top public health expert, said in an interview with the New York Times that it might be difficult for major sports to resume play this year.

Fauci tied any comeback to widespread testing with quick results, something that’s talked about often but isn’t yet avaialble.

“Safety, for the players and for the fans, trumps everything,” Fauci said. “If you can’t guarantee safety, then unfortunately you’re going to have to bite the bullet and say, ‘We may have to go without this sport for this season.’”

Leagues are working through options for how to get back to games, with or without fans in the seats. Fauci himself said he’d only feel comfortable returning to a stadium when the level of infection is lower than it is now. The United States topped the 1 million-confirmed case threshold Tuesday.

“What we need to do is get it, as a country and as individual locations, under control,” Fauci said. “That sometimes takes longer than you would like, and if we let our desire to prematurely get back to normal, we can only get ourselves right back in the same hole we were in a few weeks ago.

“We’ve got to make sure that when we try to get back to normal, including being able to play baseball in the summer and football in the fall and basketball in the winter, that when we do come back to some form of normality, we do it gradually and carefully. And when cases do start to rebound — which they will, no doubt — that we have the capability of identifying, isolating and contact tracing.”

As it pertains to the NFL, there’s at least the benefit of more time, as options including a delayed start to the season have already been discussed. With NBA and NHL seasons stopped midway, and MLB in spring training when shutdowns began because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s a more current problem. NASCAR could return in late May, if problems in the areas where races are scheduled don’t get worse.

NBC

 

The only way sports can be played this year is if players can agree to live in a lockdown setting with their teams. No fans at the games and the players can’t have any contact outside of the game. Refs would have to live free of contact too. If one player caught the virus they could spread it through the whole league in a short period of time. Teams would have to live in dorm room type setting and there wouldn’t be a women’s dorm next door. Can the players do this? Is rosie palm and her five sisters enough to keep them satisfied for 6 months?

 

Take it a step further, is the league going to supply these guys their illicit drugs and alcohol? You have to give them everything possible to prevent them from leaving their dorm for anything. If a player leaves the dorm to go somewhere not authorized as clean, will there be a automatic suspension for the rest of the season? There has to be serious repercussions or there wouldn’t be any motive to follow the rules. What about bonuses for doing this? You would be making a serious change in their lives. Very complicated when you think about it.