NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Revenue does not = Profits

JCPenny had 12 billion in revenue last year. They are going out of business.

 

Devonta Freeman draws offer from Seahawks worth up to $4M

Devonta Freeman remains a free agent after he and the Falcons parted ways earlier this offseason.

Just two years into a five-year deal, Freeman suddenly found himself unemployed, and he's unlikely to attract anything near the deal he once signed to stay in Atlanta. He is attracting interest, though, and according to NFL Network's Michael Silver, the Seattle Seahawks have offered Freeman a one-year deal worth up to $4 million.

The Eagles and Jets have also demonstrated interest in the services of Freeman, Silver added.

Seattle's running back situation is interesting. The Seahawks should be led by Chris Carson, while Rashaad Penny's health status is less certain (Silver reported he's likely headed to the PUP list). Travis Homer will also be back and will welcome fourth-round pick DeeJay Dallas to the Pacific Northwest.

That's a decent number of runners already, but Seattle keeps exploring its options, with Silver reporting Carlos Hyde is also a possible pickup. C.J. Prosise also lingers as a potential retention, though he's currently not under contract. And even Marshawn Lynch's name was tossed around in rumors about a potential reunion.

Freeman would be better than either of those veteran choices, provided he's healthy. At 28 years old, Freeman should still have some good football left in him, even if he didn't look anything like the running back the Falcons once made a significant effort to retain.

He'll also apparently have to play for a much lower salary, as the $4 million reported would be less than half of what he was making on average in Atlanta. For comparison's sake, a fellow star running back of just a few years ago, Todd Gurley, received a one-year, $5.5 million deal to replace Freeman in Atlanta. That's still less than the dead cap space Atlanta will carry for cutting Freeman ($6 million).


It sounds as if the Seahawks are kicking the tires of plenty of options as they look to strengthen their running back room. We'll see if Freeman lands there or elsewhere.

NFL.com

 

Rules proposals aim to stop teams from using penalties to manipulate the clock



NFL owners are set to vote on a pair of rules proposals that would keep teams from committing penalties in an effort to get a free timeout.

One proposal, from the Dolphins, would give the defense the ability to start the game clock after declining an offensive penalty late in either half. That would change the current rule that automatically stops the clock in that situation.

The other proposal, from the Competition Committee, would prevent teams from manipulating the game clock by committing multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick predicted during the 2019 season that this rules change was coming. After the Patriots purposely committed a penalty to run time off the clock late in a win over the Jets, Belichick said it was something that was likely to change.

“No, it was just the way the rules are set up. We were able to run quite a bit of time off the clock without really having to do anything. That’s probably a loophole that will be closed and probably should be closed but right now it’s open,” Belichick said after that game.

Belichick is right that the loophole is being closed — but too late for Belichick to keep it from being used against him, as it was in the Titans’ win over the Patriots in the playoffs.

NBC

 

Adrian Peterson expects running backs to play big role in new offense



Washington has a new head coach. It has a new offensive coordinator. It has a new offensive system.

The team would have preferred on-field work to learn it, but it is making do with virtual meetings.


“Of course, it would have been different taking the new head coach and the new system that we’re putting in,” Washington running back Adrian Peterson said in a conference call with beat writers, via quotes distributed by the team. “Unfortunately, we’re all kind of missing out on that. I’m just doing my regular regimen. Just working, three to four times a week, and just keeping my body physically innate. We’re able to do our Zoom meetings and learn this new offense to the best of our ability.”

Peterson still was in Minnesota in 2014-16 when Scott Turner was the Vikings’ quarterbacks coach. Turner now is Washington’s offensive coordinator.

“Yeah, it’s been a long time,” Peterson said. “Coach Turner was in Minnesota, so some of the offensive is kind of familiar. But one thing I’ve taken from his offense thus far is, the running back has a really big role. So, they’re going to ask us to do a lot of things, we’re going to have multiple backs on the field at times as well. Just going over and learning offense right now has been exciting to see, just our role in our offense.”

Peterson again will share the load after playing 43 percent of the offensive snaps last season. He had 228 touches for 1,040 yards and five touchdowns in 2019.

NBC

 

Anthony Chickillo is getting a restart in the NFC.

The former Steelers linebacker has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the New Orleans Saints, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Thursday.

Just 14 months ago, Chickillo signed a two-year extension with Pittsburgh. But he was released this past spring after a forgettable 2019 campaign in which he missed five games because of injury and a brief stay on the Commissioner's Exempt List.

The sixth-year outside linebacker has 97 career tackles and 7.5 sacks in 65 career games, mostly as a reserve. He joins one of the league's better rosters in the Saints, although there should be opportunity to earn playing time among their linebacking corps.

 

NFL owners to vote on sky judge, onside kick alternative May 28

With the NFL trying to start the season on time, owners will consider a slate of rules changes, highlighted by a proposal for a sky judge to help officiating and another to give teams an option to an onside kick. Owners are expected to vote on rules during a May 28 virtual meeting.

The league's competition committee had already determined that the one-year rule that allowed replay review of pass interference penalties was so unpopular, it would not even propose it be continued for another year. But an idea that sprang from last year's conversation that led to the pass interference review is being considered again.

The Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers have both proposed the addition of a booth umpire -- otherwise known as a sky judge -- as an eighth game official. Those two teams also have proposed the addition of a senior technology advisor to the referee to assist the officiating crew.

The competition committee sent a report to teams last month, in which it stated support for further analysis of on-field officials being assisted by officiating personnel who would have access to a video feed. The officiating department is working with on-field officials to figure out how video feeds could assist them. So, even if owners do not pass either of the new proposals outright next week, it is likely a version of some kind of addition to the officiating crew could be tested in the preseason for possible further implementation.

The other intriguing proposal involves providing an alternative to the onside kick, which has largely faded out of the game since changes were made prior to the 2018 season that prohibited kickoff teams from getting a running start. That change was made for safety reasons, but it also made it nearly impossible to successfully execute an onside kick. In the last two seasons, just 10.4 percent of onside kicks were recovered.

There is now some momentum for a proposal from the Philadelphia Eagles -- which has in the past been sniffed at by some as too gimmicky -- which would allow the team that is trailing in the game a way to maintain possession after scoring by successfully converting a fourth-and-15 play from its own 25-yard line. That could be done a maximum of twice per game.

And there is a proposal by the competition committee that would prevent teams from manipulating the game clock by committing multiple dead-ball fouls while the clock is running, a loophole the New England Patriots exploited last season against the Jets -- and which Bill Belichick acknowledged at the time would probably be closed by the NFL -- and then which was used by the Tennessee Titans against the Patriots in the playoffs.

NFL.com

 

Linebacker B.J. Goodson started nine of the 15 games he played for the Packers last season, which was enough for the Browns to offer him a one-year, $2.4 million deal to come to Cleveland this season.

The Browns had a hole open in the middle of their defense when linebacker Joe Schobert left for the Jaguars as a free agent and they have a few options to fill it on their roster. Goodson said on Thursday that he expects to make the most of his chance to grab the job.

“Like I said earlier, I feel very confident in my game,” Goodson said, via Cleveland.com. “If you ask me, I will just tell you that I prepare and I’m able to perform as well as any other linebacker in the league, not just to point out one guy. I feel very confident in that with the opportunity given. . . . As a middle linebacker and especially as long as I’ve been playing, that leadership role is something that you just inherit. It’s something that I’m definitely looking forward to being an addition there for those guys.”

Goodson had 37 tackles for the Packers last season. He started 20 of the 37 games he played for the Giants during his first three years in the league.

NBC

 

Frank Gore and Adam Gase have a history together.

In 2008, Gase was an offensive assistant for the 49ers and Gore was in San Francisco. In 2018, Gase was head coach of the Dolphins and Gore signed in Miami. And now Gase is head coach of the Jets, and Gore is coming to play for him again. Gore is excited about it.

“Adam’s very smart,” Gore said, via NorthJersey.com. “When everybody’s on the same page, we can make something happen. That’s what I like about Adam, he’s very smart, he’s real. He’s a man of his word.”

Gore said that however Gase wants to use him in the Jets’ offense, it will work.

“I’m cool. I’m happy to even be playing this game at my age. I’m happy that this organization is giving me an opportunity. I’m just going to come in, come to work,” Gore said. “Whenever I get my number called I’m just going to try to make a play for our team to be successful. I’m very excited.”

At age 37, Gore is at the tail end of his career, and happy to be reuniting with a coach he trusts.

NBC

 

Adrian Peterson not fretting about winning RB starting job

The Washington Redskins spent the offseason stockpiling running backs like a Memorial Day Weekend camper picks up kindling.

Washington signed RBs Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic and drafted Antonio Gibson in the third round. The trio joined a running backs room that already housed Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice and Bryce Love -- both coming off knee injuries -- and Josh Ferguson.

Incumbent starter Adrian Peterson isn't worried about competition for snaps this season.

"I've always had the mindset of being open to competition," Peterson said, via ESPN. "So I will embrace it the same way. People ask me that question all the time -- 'Man, the Redskins are really packing that running back room, huh?' I'm like, 'Yeah, they are.' But hey ... just gotta execute and produce."

Last season, Peterson rushed 211 times for 898 yards, 4.3 YPA, with five rushing TDs. No longer a game-changer, the 35-year-old running back can still hit a hole and move bodies. While he's clearly not the same rusher that carried the Vikings for a decade, Peterson can still blast off on occasion. His six 20-plus-yard runs ranked 12th last season, tied with Christian McCaffrey and more than big names like Todd Gurley, Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara (5) or Ezekiel Elliott (4).

Despite being the lead ball-carrier in Washington the past two years, the additions this offseason suggest the Redskins' new staff wants to curtail Peterson's touches. While McKissic projects as a third-down pass-catcher, Barber and Gibson could siphon off carries.

"Both of those guys are talented, especially the young guy coming in," Peterson said. "It was a good move. When you've got good players and playmakers out there, you want to add those guys to the team."

Guice's health is a wild card as well. He was poised to take a large chunk of snaps before another injury struck last season.

With a new coaching staff in town and a bulked-up RB room, the Redskins are poised to employ a heavy running back committee in 2020. Peterson noted that he expects times when multiple backs are used in sets -- Gibson's and McKissic's skillsets lend to this possibility.

"It's been exciting to see our role in the offense," Peterson said.

How big that role for the man known as All Day will be in 2020 remains to be seen.

NFL.com

 

I have no idea how much they really will lose the NFL,NHL,NBA,etc COVID19 is a sports nightmare

 

And now the Eagles are reaching out to Freeman... that makes it the Jets, Eagles and Seahawks teams who appear interested.

 

Seahawks add needed RB depth, sign Carlos Hyde to 1-year deal

The Seattle Seahawks have been looking throughout the offseason to add some much-needed depth to the backfield, and now they finally have it.

Free-agent running back Carlos Hyde has agreed to a one-year deal with the franchise, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday. Rapoport added that Hyde can make up to $4 million over the course of the pact.

The Seahawks also expressed interest in former Falcons running back Devonta Freeman but the signing of Hyde more than likely indicates Freeman will not be joining another feathery franchise.

Seattle's offense was notably hobbled entering the 2019 playoffs after seeing their RB group (Rashaad Penny, Chris Carson, C.J. Prosise) ravished by injury at the end of the season, which led to the return of fan favorite Marshawn Lynch. He played in Week 17 and the team's two playoff contests. Adding the six-year veteran should provide a huge boost as Carson and Penny continue to recover.

Hyde, 29, experienced a career renaissance in 2019 with the Texans, setting career highs in first down runs (55), carries (245) and rush yards (1,070). Hyde's new digs brings him back to his old home in the NFC West where he spent the first four years of his career after being selected 57th overall by the 49ers in 2014. He played 50 games (36 starts) but dealt with nagging injuries throughout his time in San Fran.

Following his release from the Niners, Hyde signed a three-year deal with the Browns in 2018 and was ultimately traded after six games to the Jaguars for a 2019 fifth-round pick. He was released by Jacksonville in March 2019 and signed a one-year deal shortly thereafter with the Chiefs, who traded him five months later to Houston for offensive tackle Martinas Rankin.

NFL.com

 

I'll try to look it up later but there was an article on personal seat licenses, gate ticket sales and concessions that showed the majority of owners raked in almost 3/5 of their annual revenue from having fans in attendance.

There's a reason why these owners spend shit tons of money on turning the in person product into the best experience they can, and it's the power of the underlying dollar that comes with people walking through the gate.

 

I probably should mention that teams that make the investment in turning their stadiums into the most updated and decadent earn a significantly larger portion off of home games than the teams that don't.

Dallas and Minnesota would be prime examples of teams that not only sell out the stadium but have amenities that drive prices much higher.

Las Vegas will be the next team to see a staggering amount of money come in from the gate, so long as we see public attendance return to normal.

 

Fourth-and-15 onside kick alternative will test tired defenses



Ever since the Commissioner first floated the fourth-and-15 kickoff concept in his 2012 Time “Enforcer” profile, it has seemed inevitable that it would make its way to the NFL.

It soon could, not as a replacement for the kickoff (yet) but as a twice-per-game alternative to the onside kick, which has become harder than ever to convert, thanks to changes to the kickoff formation that have removed the running start for the kicking team’s players.

Several years ago, someone asked Roger Goodell who he roots for. Said Goodell, “Whoever is trailing.” And it’s that mentality that compels the NFL to come up with ways to allow a team that is behind by multiple scores to close the gap in what otherwise would be a lost cause.

Despite the statistics regarding the usual success rate for fourth-and-15 plays in the normal course of a game, consider a factor that Simms previously mentioned on PFT Live as we discussed the merits, or not, of replacing the onside kick with a one-shot scrimmage play: When it’s time to line up for a fourth-and-15 play as the alternative to an onside kick, it will be the defense that just surrendered a score (possibly at the end of a long drive) that will have to suck it up for one more play. If they fail, they then get to stay out on the field and continue to be gashed while gassed.

Again, it’s good for the game because the team that’s trailing will have even more hope. There’s also something to be said for a team’s fate to be determined by the ability of the defense to make a stop and not the arbitrary bounce or hop or skip of an oblong leather ball.

Right or wrong, the time has come for the fourth-and-15 play. If passed this week, it likely will be a one-year experiment, with the possibility of permanence by 2021. If it sticks, there’s a possibility that it will spread, potentially replacing the kickoff in its entirety.

NBC

 

Defenseless player protections may be extended for kick returners



NFL owners will vote this week on a rule proposal that will expand the definition of “defenseless” players to include punt and kickoff returners even after they have caught the kick.

The proposal, which was put forward by the Competition Committee and will be voted upon by the owners, expands defenseless player protection to a kickoff or punt returner who is in possession of the ball but has not had time to avoid or ward off an opponent.

Defenseless players are protected from forcible hits to the head or neck area, hits from an opponent who lowers his helmet to make forcible contact, and hits from an opponent who launches into him. Kickoff and punt returners are already considered defenseless when they are attempting to field a kick that is in the air. But this proposal would extend the “defenseless” definition to include a returner “who has not had time to clearly become a runner.”

In other words, a return man can’t be drilled the moment he catches the ball. Instead, he has to have the ball long enough to give himself a chance to protect himself in some way, such as moving out of the way or giving a stiff arm.

NFL owners almost always support player safety rules that the Competition Committee has recommended, so this one seems like a safe bet to pass.

NBC

 

New York approves opening of training camps



New York State says NFL teams can open training camps without running afoul of the state’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Governor Andrew Cuomo confirmed today that NFL training camps — as well as training for other pro sports teams in New York — will be permitted, as long as teams follow the appropriate health protocols.

The Bills are the only team that has training camp in New York State. The Giants and Jets both have their training camps in New Jersey. So Cuomo’s announcement only directly affects one NFL team.

But it’s a good sign for the league that New York, the state that has been hit the hardest by the coronavirus, is OK with training camps opening. Camps are slated to open in two months, and the league appears to be on course to have players back at team facilities by then.

NBC

 

Matt Nagy switching gears on playing starters in preseason



The Bears are scheduled to play their first preseason game on August 15 against the Browns and head coach Matt Nagy is planning a different approach to that game than last year’s exhibition contests.

Nagy rested first-team players during the preseason, but said during a recent appearance on The Waddle and Silvy Show that the team will do things differently this time around.

“As we talk, that’s one of the things that I look back at from last year that I’m not happy about that I made a decision to do in the preseason,” Nagy said, via NBCSportsChicago.com. “Number one, I think it’s good for them to have it, but number two it sets the mentality. So that’s not going to happen this year.”

One difference from last year is the need to decide on a starting quarterback. Nagy said that Nick Foles and Mitch Trubisky are not competing during the team’s remote offseason program, which leaves plenty of work for the summer and the Bears are going to want to evaluate the quarterbacks with starters once they do finally get on the field.

NBC

 

The first week of the season they will announce that both Foles and Tribiskie are on IR to return

 

Governor Cuomo also announced that all new covid-19 patients will be housed at the team training facilities.