NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Chiefs bolster O-line with signing of veteran G Kelechi Osemele

The Chiefs have added a big name to their offensive line.

The reigning Super Bowl champions agreed to a one-year deal with veteran guard Kelechi Osemele worth a max of $2 million, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday, via an informed source.

The move comes less than a day after Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, the club's starting right guard in 2019, announced he will opt out of the upcoming season. Osemele, who was once of the NFL's highest-paid guards, provides K.C. with a solid option in the trenches, as long as he can stay healthy.

For Osemele, 31, landing on a team poised to make another deep postseason run in 2020 was the absolute best case scenario after a tumultuous one-year stint with the Jets. He was limited to three games due to a lingering shoulder injury and ended up being released in late October after finally deciding to have surgery.

Osemele was traded to New York last March following a productive three-season run with the Raiders. He signed a five-year, $60 million deal as a free agent in 2016, and quickly proved to be a fruitful addition. He went on to make the Pro Bowl and be named first-team All-Pro, and followed that with another Pro Bowl nod in 2017.

A second-round selection by the Ravens in 2012, Osemele spent four years in Baltimore where he started 51 games. He was the team's starting left guard when they won Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.

NFL.com

 

Bears trading former second-round TE Adam Shaheen to Dolphins

Tight end Adam Shaheen will have the chance for a new start in 2020.

The Chicago Bears are trading Shaheen, the 45th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, to the Miami Dolphins, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Saturday, per an informed source. The compensation will be for a conditional seventh-round pick that could become a sixth once the deal is finalized.

The team retained J.P. Holtz, added free agents Jimmy Graham and Demetrius Harris and drafted two TEs, including Notre Dame's Cole Kmet in the second round, this offseason, making Shaheen expendable.

A once-promising prospect, Shaheen, 25, entered 2019 second on the depth chart behind Trey Burton, and ended up playing in eight games (two starts) before a foot injury ended his season after Week 9. He finished the year with nine receptions for 74 yards.

After a promising rookie season -- 12 rec., 127 yards, three touchdowns in 13 games -- Shaheen appeared poised to step in as a full-time starter in 2018. But a preseason injury landed him on injured reserve in September, preventing him from hitting the field until Week 11. He started four of his six apperances, and recorded five catches for 48 yards and a score.

Shaheen will now look to compete for reps in Miami in a room that includes a pair of '18 picks in Mike Gesicki and Durham Smythe, who started 14 games last season. Gesicki ended the year second on the team in receiving with 51 catches for 570 yards and five TDs.

NFL.com

 

When I say solid, I mean that it's commensurate with the impact of losing a player the caliber of Adams. It's not easy to replace premiere talent, especially a player that is considered by most to be, at the very least, a top 3 player at his position at only 24 years of age. You don't easily replace high end, youthful talent and although we all day dream about what draft picks may yield the reality is that you're trading a known commodity for an unknown.

The Jets traded away a player that matched up the high pick for value. Now they have to hit on one of their own (or trade up with the new ammo) to replace him with a player at the same level of talent. It's not a given, and so long as Gase is involved the odds are longer.

Any ownership team that watches Adam Gase across the sidelines for a few games and says to themselves "Man, we gotta hire that fucking guy right now!" is the type of management that I am trying to force a trade from as well.

But I get where you're coming from.

 

Feeling a lot better about Colbert getting Minkah for a 1st. Add in that he was only on year two of his rookie deal it's insanely better.

 

Interesting, because that was the first thing i thought about when considering this Adams trade to the Seahawks. I was very complimentary about that Minkah trade, i felt he was worth every bit of what the Steelers gave up and i still do. Just a great move.

Now, people may think Adams is straight up a better player than Fitzpatrick and maybe they're right. But my question; is he so much better that its worth another 1st round pick, dropping down a round on another pick AND another starter calibre player? My answer is no way.

If the Seahawks are happy with what they got then good luck to them, but in terms of those trades the Steelers clearly made the better business imo.

 

I believe the trade for Minkah happened after Ben’s injury was confirmed as season ending (I could be wrong on that) so for Miami it probably felt like a safe dice roll to get a decently high first out of that trade.

With the Jets, I don’t think Seattle has missed the playoffs more than one season since Wilson became the starter so the assumption would be the opposite and they are likely expecting late firsts for that exchange.

Minkah was the top rated DB on my board so Pittsburgh getting him was always going to be a good move for them from my point of view, but for the Dolphins they really needed the Steelers to lose some more games to capitalize on a single first for Fitzpatrick.

The 18 was decent, but top 12 would have basically swapped the player out for the original pick price.

 

Players positive for COVID-19 can be put on temporary IR

During the 2020 NFL season, there will be a temporary injured reserve for players who test positive for COVID-19, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday morning.

Though the NFL and NFL Players Association reached an agreement on COVID-19 adjustments to the new collective bargaining agreement on Friday, details continue to emerge. This could potentially be one of the most important.

The temporary IR will see players with a positive test placed immediately, Rapoport reported. Said player's return is then subject to medical clearance. Thereafter, a team is allowed to promote a practice squad player to fill the roster spot and can return that player to the practice squad without waivers. IR is unlimited and allows the "desired and necessary roster flexibility," Rapoport added.

NFL.com

 

After career year, Austin Ekeler takes Chargers' RB1 reins

Though they moved on from their franchise quarterback of nearly two decades and are coming off a 5-11 campaign, the Los Angeles Chargers certainly are not a team lacking aspirations for a successful upcoming season.

Los Angeles' defense is rich with talent, boasting six players with Pro Bowls to their credit. And the Chargers offense, though it has a large quarterback question mark, offers phenomenal talent at wide receiver and tight end, a hugely improved offensive line and one of the game's most versatile running backs in Austin Ekeler.

In Ekeler's case, though, the ball is his as the lead back for the first time in his career. Like last season, Ekeler will begin the year as the No. 1 back, but this time around it won't be because Melvin Gordon is holding out. Gordon has gone to Denver and Ekeler is the back in the Bolts' backfield.

It leads to a pivotal question for the Chargers: Can Ekeler succeed as an every down running back?

Having signed Ekeler to a four-year, $24 million extension, the Chargers have endorsed the 25-year-old dynamo as a lead back and a crucial piece to what is hopefully a winning puzzle following a failed season. It comes with good reason after Ekeler's 2019 showing.

Minus Gordon over the season's first four games, Ekeler was averaging 20 touchdowns and 122.5 total yards per game, putting forth numbers that had him on pace for 1,920 scrimmage yards and what would've been a league-best 24 total touchdowns, per NFL Research.

Obviously, being on pace to produce and actually following through are far different things and therein lies the question of whether Ekeler can sustain his production and weather the storm of a full season as a No. 1 running back.

Even balancing the load with Gordon, Ekeler's numbers were of an all-star caliber as the Pro Bowl snub's 1,550 scrimmage yards were ninth in the NFL and his 11 total touchdowns were tied for eighth.

Ekeler's 132 rushes, 557 yards on the ground and three rushing scores were all career bests, just as his 92 receptions, 993 receiving yards and eight touchdown catches were. Those eight TD grabs were the most by an NFL back and his catches and receiving yards trailed only Christian McCaffrey.

At one point during his illustrious Hall of Fame career, running back LaDainian Tomlinson posted an NFL-record eight consecutive seasons with 1,500 or more scrimmage yards and 10 or more scrimmage touchdowns, per NFL Research. Ekeler has a chance to be the first Chargers running back to tally consecutive years with those numbers since Tomlinson's 2007-08 seasons.

Justin Jackson and rookie Joshua Kelley are likely to spell Ekeler and get their share of touches, but the former undrafted free agent is now, without a doubt, the No. 1 running back in the Bolts backfield. How far and for how long Ekeler can carry the load might well be a determining factor in how long L.A.'s season is and how far the Chargers can go.

NFL.com

 

You are correct but then the Dolphins didn't do enough research. Tomlin is over .500 in games played without Ben. 2019 was an extension of that (8-6).

 

Can't argue the W/L, but what would have been the earliest in a schedule previously that Ben had been ruled out for the season?

Being that it was so early in the year it makes it a bit better of a gamble that a team will lose more without their franchise quarterback as the season grinds on.

I doubt many teams were willing to offer up a first that had potential to get that high. There's also the comparative between Adams/Fitzpatrick's career arcs at the time of being traded.

Just to add a little more context from my point of view - The NFL draft trade value chart isn't an end all/be all for true value, but if you run with the assumption that Miami was hoping to get around the original 11, the difference between the 18 and 11 is 350.

For the Jets, in order to get the compensation back for the 6 they would need to get 1600 which works out to a pair of firsts at 21 or higher.

The Steelers started 1-4 and ended up 8-8. The Jets had the 11 pick and finished 7-9 so I think the Dolphins gamble wasn't really that long of odds when the context is added.

Can't really cite winners and losers of the trades until we see how everything plays out, but I like the idea of trading picks for known commodities, especially when youth is on their side.

Throw in the idea that Adams is the highest rated safety I've ever scouted and Minkah was my highest rated DB in his draft class, it makes it easy for me to like both trades in favor of the Seahawks and the Steelers.

 

WTF! some knuckleheaded people just wrote graffiti all over US BANK STADIUM,all it proved there's a bunch crazy MF's that don't care about nothing pitful!!!

 

It's the "New Normal".

 

WTF! some knuckleheaded people just wrote graffiti all over US BANK STADIUM,all it proved there's a bunch crazy MF's that don't care about nothing pitful!!!


WTF is right Bad_Man...........and Lyman is right this is the New Normal and it's going to get worse.

 

lol... just got this email on the PC. Apparently Rog and I are close friends. It came from the NFL. I like when Rog drops me a line from time to time.


Willie,

This week training camps across the country are starting and before we know it, the NFL season will be here. This is always the most optimistic time of year for our fans, and for all 32 teams. In a year that has been extraordinarily difficult for our country and the world, we hope the energy of this moment will provide some much-needed optimism.

In the months since the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down, we have navigated the time carefully, thoughtfully and in partnership with the NFL Players Association with a shared goal of playing a healthy and complete 2020 season. This process has not been easy – COVID-19 will continue to present a major challenge to nearly every area of American life. Football is no exception.

Every step of the way, our focus has been on the safety of players, coaches, personnel, fans and our communities. Our planning has followed the lead of medical experts and public health officials, including the CDC, the White House Task Force, governors and state health officials. As we have developed our 2020 playbook for the return of football, safety continues to be our first priority; that commitment will remain paramount as players return to the field.

The NFL in 2020 will not look like other years. Players and coaches will be tested for the virus regularly, including every day for a while. Preseason games have been canceled. Everyone in the team environment must follow rigorous health and safety protocols to keep themselves and each other safe. When there is a positive test, strict regulations will be enforced to isolate and care for that individual and to contain the virus before it spreads. Even the sideline will look different. And, state and local health guidelines will help determine whether fans will attend the games. These adjustments are necessary to reduce the risk for everyone involved.

Thanks to the collaboration of the players and a lot of hard work from our clubs, especially their medical and training staffs, our plans are in place for the 2020 season. Have a look inside the Rams training facility for some of these plans in action.

Adaptability and flexibility will be needed for the foreseeable future. After all, even the best game plan changes as new challenges arise. This year’s NFL Draft is a good example that embracing change can still deliver the fun and excitement we all crave.

While this year will forever be defined by a heartbreaking global pandemic and a transformative social justice movement, I am reminded of the tenacious, resilient spirit of our country, the NFL community, and you, the greatest fans in the world. Thank you for your continued support.

Now let’s play football,

Roger Goodell

 

Well they went 3-1 to open the 2010 season. Dennis Dixon started a couple of those games if memory serves me correctly. Different situation as I'm sure they were motivated to hold down the fort until Ben returned Week 5. A little easier than convincing a team they could still compete knowing their QB wasn't coming back.

Then again, I think they were generally pretty confident Rudolph, having a year of learning under his belt could perform at a higher level than Dennis Dixon and he didn't disappoint having a shot at beating San Fran on the road in his first start.

I'm probably biased but I certainly believed they could compete when Ben went down.

Fair enough but they did have Rudolph who was up to the task prior to injury and was drafted as the heir apparent. He performed pretty well against the Seahawks, the day before the trade was consummated.

Fair enough.

If I'm the Jets I'm not going into the trade thinking I'm going to recoup the value of the 1.6 for a disgruntled guy wanting a new deal but nevertheless they did. Which for me signals the Seahawks overpaid. Just my opinion.

Again fair enough but the question remains why gamble at all? Why not keep an ultra talented guy who by all accounts is a great worker and teammate that you just paid a 10 million signing bonus and let him help your team. Give your new coach a season to see what kind of relationship he can build with him.

I'll have to disagree here and call the Steelers a winner. At the bare minimum he's a four year above average starter who they will certainly try to keep for 10 years.

For (2) 1s and a 3 I think Seattle has to extend him for me to like it. My guess is that won't be that difficult. Great culture in Seattle.

 

You might have been in the minority of Steelers fans if you would have polled them immediately after the trade. I remember lots of talk from fans not liking the deal because they thought it might translate to a top 10 selection.

We've discussed Roethlisberger enough times that I know you are sincere when you state your belief in the Steelers being able to win without him, and at the time of the trade my first impression was that Pittsburgh was making out pretty well on the deal because of Rudolph being the next man up.

He looked like he had a decently upward trajectory before the Earl Thomas hit.

I'm interested to see what he does after spending some time with Matt Canada.

Which I don't necessarily disagree with you or @EvertonBears on the potential for this to be an overpay. My referencing the trade chart has more to do with perceived value at draft slots and what a team can potentially do with those picks as compared to what they got in return for trading them. If Seattle does well enough to push those picks into the early 20s then I'm definitely comfortable with the idea that having Jamal Adams on the roster should be worth more than whatever talent both of those picks may yield (at the original spot).

Lots and lots of variables and potential unknowns involved with what the picks may end up being or equating to compared to what Jamal Adams current value is.

Right now, I like the idea of giving up those potential late firsts, a third and a player that should be perceived as a stop-gap starter at the same position they just acquired an extremely high level talent.

The similarities in these two trades are interesting and part of the reasoning for both may be one in the same. The idea that they have talented defensive backs that want off the team paired with looking to build around a young passer. Miami is also hoping to replace another high end talent so getting Austin Jackson with the Steelers pick really needs to pan out for them to come out of all of their recent moves looking like they won.

Grier publicly stated that they spoke to Minkah several times trying to convince him that he was part of their long term goals but Fitzpatrick was uncomfortable in his defensive role and requested the trade. Considering he was drafted for a specific purpose that he was uncomfortable with conforming to, it may simply have been something the staff decided could only be rectified by granting the players wish.

I think right now it's clear that Pittsburgh likely won this trade, but if 10 years from now Austin Jackson is a perennial all-pro left tackle and the reason Tua has remained healthy as a pro it will make for a bit more interesting of a conversation.


That's really all I'm saying when I mention that idea of waiting to see. Until we see what the picks that were traded actually become in the hands of the people that acquired them we're looking at it through the prism of the present.

I agree and I really can't see a scenario where they don't get a deal done with him for several years.

Might be that Jamal ends up setting the market a couple months before Minkah and Derwin compete to break it again.

 

I think he's put more thought into that letter than he has playing football with COVID...

 

After a decade in Minnesota, could Everson Griffen join a division rival?

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday that the Green Bay Packers are among the teams who have expressed interest in signing Griffen, per a source informed of the situation. The interest is mutual, per Rapoport.

The longtime Vikings edge rusher opted out of his contract in February. In March, sides broke off contract talks as it appeared the pass rusher would move on from Minnesota.

At 32 years old, Griffen remains a productive player, earning a Pro Bowl bid in 2019. He compiled eight sacks and 41 tackles in 15 games last season.

Green Bay would be an interesting landing spot for Griffen. Pairing the the veteran with ZaDarius Smith, Preston Smith, and Rashan Gary would provide more pass-rush options for defensive coordinator Mike Pettine.

The Vikings haven't been completely out of the running to bring back the veteran pass rusher. Coach Mike Zimmer was asked Saturday during a Zoom call with reporters about the prospects of bringing Griffen back.

"I don't know," Zimmer said. "He texted me the other day telling me congratulations (on the contract extension) and things like that. I'd love to have him back, he's always been one of my guys, so if that happens, that'd be great, but I don't know where that is right now."

Not only might Zimmer not get his guy. It could hurt worse to watch him sign with the division-rival Packers.

NFL.com

 

Definitely. Loved the trade the instant I saw it. I never thought they would end up Top 10 and even if they did they were getting a top ten talent at a position of need and they were getting it a year early. There really wasn't a downside to me.

And then came back and played well against the Jets before getting hurt again.

Fair enough. Just hard to understand because he seems like such a coach-able kid.

Will definitely set the market which is another strike against the trade in my book. Similar to the Tunsil trade. You are gifting the guy you need to sign with a tremendous amount of leverage. No way can they let him walk.