NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Money Money Money Moneeeeey in famous words by the O'jays, for the love of money

 

Vikings trade Za’Darius Smith to Browns



The Vikings are trading edge rusher Za'Darius Smith to the Browns, NFL Media reports.

The Browns get Smith, a 2025 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick, while the Vikings get a fifth-round pick in 2024 and a fifth-round pick in 2025.

Smith’s renegotiated contract guarantees him $11.75 million in 2023 before he becomes a free agent next March.

After one season in Minnesota, Smith asked for his release.

He signed with the Vikings a year ago after backing out of an agreement with the Ravens and totaled 44 tackles, 10 sacks, 24 quarterback hits and a forced fumble in 16 starts in earning his third career Pro Bowl.

Smith spent four years in Baltimore and three in Green Bay before landing in Minnesota. Now, he’s on his way to Cleveland, giving the Browns a formidable pass rushing duo with Myles Garrett.

PFT

 

This one hurts the Browns got a good player and all they really did was just swap picks what did the Vikings get? this guy they got from the Saints better be badass

 

Was this really about some cap relief for the Vikings?

 

Smith wanted out... I firmly believe he has/had an issue with the coaching staff.

 

So now the tune is changing in Big D...

Dan Quinn: Micah Parsons isn’t moving to full-time defensive end

Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is moving to full-time defensive end. Unless he isn’t.

Parsons has said he’s bulking up in advance of a position change. He might change his position on that, after hearing what Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn had to say.

Via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com, Quinn says Parsons won’t be making the switch to full-time defensive end.

“He’s a pass-rushing linebacker,” Quinn said. “If you ever need position changes, come to me. What I think he was probably trying to say is, ‘I’m really emphasizing some pass rush into my offseason.’”

That’s not what he said. And, typically, what the coach says, goes.

It’s not just semantics. Defensive ends make more than linebackers, especially if the franchise tag is ever in play.

That likely won’t happen with Parsons. He’ll be in line for a new deal after the coming season, and the Cowboys would be wise to give him one — and to pay him like a high-end defensive end.

PFT

 

The XFL has fans in the stands what a difference it makes it's not top notch but you can watch it oh what an cool ass trophy

 

It always brings energy with a good fan base. Those empty stadiums suck in many ways.

 

Tim has started up a Fantasy League right here on this site. Its called the Worldwide Dynasty League - WDF. Its not your average Fantasy league, it deals with Cap considerations and building a football team... looks to me like a whole lotta fun, period. If your curious about it check it out in the, Fantasy Football section of the Forums. You'll find the rules and regs there and get the picture. There is also a thread for general, technical and any questions you may have. If interested, click the a link below;

Rules and Regs...

Worldwide Dynasty Federation Rules and Regulation | Forums (live4sportnetwork.com)


This link below is for questions, comments and where you can talk to Tim and let him know if you want in...


WDL Discussion Thread | Forums (live4sportnetwork.com)

 

Kwon Alexander to visit with Steelers



The Steelers may be adding some depth on defense.

Linebacker Kwon Alexander is set to take a free agent visit with the franchise on Monday night, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.


Alexander spent last season with the Jets. He appeared in all 17 games for the club with 12 starts, playing 49 percent of the defensive snaps. Alexander finished with 69 total tackles with six tackles for loss and two QB hits.

A fourth-round pick in the 2015 draft, Alexander spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers before signing with the 49ers in free agency. He was then traded to New Orleans in 2020 and played there through the 2021 season.

Alexander, 30, has appeared in 95 career games with 86 starts.

 

@babyfan

Happy Birthday!

 

Cheers to @babyfan ! Happy B-Day!

 

I HATE this, its total BS...

For the first time, an NFL playoff game will air exclusively on a streaming platform.

The NFL and NBCUniversal have agreed to put one of this season’s playoff games exclusively on Peacock, NBC’s streaming service.

The wild card playoff game will be in prime time on Saturday, January 13. The afternoon wild card game that day will air on both NBC and Peacock. NBC and Peacock will also air the wild card game in prime time the next day.

The NFL’s exclusive deal with Peacock marks a shift for the NFL and for television as a whole. There’s never been an NFL playoff game shown exclusively through streaming, and for that matter there’s never been any streaming-only American television show that draws the kind of audience that NFL playoff games draw.

NBCUniversal is reportedly paying about $110 million to the NFL for the rights to show one game on Peacock exclusively. It’s a one-year deal, but it’s safe to say that if it’s successful, it won’t be the last time a streaming platform airs an NFL playoff game, as television moves increasingly away from traditional broadcast and cable and toward streaming.

PFT

 

This is a cold hearted move by the NFL it's like a slap to the face first it's peacock, what's next hulu,YouTube,paramount, apple TV,TNT,USA network,Prime Video and they already have Thursday Night,etc.

 

I just think its a money grab without any concern to the fans, especially lower income fans.

 

Four NFC North players who will make the biggest leap in 2023

The NFC North could potentially be one of the more entertaining divisions in the NFL this season.

The defending division champion Minnesota Vikings look to retain their title while the upstart Detroit Lions loom. Meanwhile, the Green Bay Packers begin a new era under center, and the Chicago Bears hope to take a positive step forward with their own young signal-caller.

Ultimately, the players will tell the story of the four clubs, so let's look at one from each team primed to take a giant leap in 2023.


Minnesota Vikings

T.J. Hockenson, tight end: The two-time Pro Bowler is set up nicely for a more prominent role in Minnesota's offense this season. Hockenson saw his target share rise significantly after a mid-season trade from the Detroit Lions last year, a trend likely to continue and lead to even more production in his first full season with Minnesota.

Hockenson averaged nearly three more targets (8.6) per game with the Vikings last season, up from 6.1 with the Lions. With the departure of wideout Adam Thielen in free agency, 107 targets have opened up in the Minnesota offense. Hockenson recorded 86 receptions for 914 yards and six touchdowns with the Lions and Vikings, finishing with 129 targets, trailing only Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce (152) for the NFL lead among tight ends. Hockenson is poised to eclipse those numbers in 2023 as the clear number two option for quarterback Kirk Cousins behind star receiver Justin Jefferson.


Detroit Lions

Jameson Williams, wide receiver: Williams played sparingly during his rookie campaign in 2022 after missing the first 11 weeks of the season recovering from a torn ACL. However, once healthy, the former first-round pick showed flashes of his dynamic, game-breaking abilities.

Despite playing in a measly 19 percent of Detroit's offensive snaps, Williams took full advantage of his opportunities, turning his only two touches (one catch, one carry) into a combined 81 yards and a touchdown. A six-game suspension for violating the NFL's gambling policy puts a damper on Williams' sophomore campaign. Still, Williams should have no problem carving out a spot in the Lions' offense upon his return. With blazing speed and versatility, many, including teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown, believe the "sky is the limit" for Williams.


Green Bay Packers

Jordan Love, quarterback: After patiently waiting his turn behind Aaron Rodgers, Love is finally the guy in Green Bay. The 24-year-old already has the demeanor of a veteran, and despite having started only one professional game, Loves said he's "improved drastically" entering his third NFL season.

Filling the shoes of a Hall of Famer is a tall task for anyone, but running back Aaron Jones recently confirmed that Love has the backing of the locker room, saying when the quarterback talks, "everybody listens."

Seeing action in four games last season, Love showed a tiny glimpse of his potential, completing 66.7 percent of his passes (14-of-21) for 195 yards and a touchdown. However, Dan Orlovsky of ESPN believes the small sample size is only the beginning for Love. Shortly after Green Bay traded Rodgers to the New York Jets, Orlovsky said he thought the Packers' offense would look "more explosive" with Love under center in 2023.


Chicago Bears

Justin Fields, quarterback: Fields made massive strides last season, dazzling with his arm and legs. However, the dual-threat passer could be on the cusp of a breakout campaign in 2023, thanks to offseason investments made by the Bears into their franchise QB.

With little help last season, Fields improved in nearly every category compared to his rookie season, completing 60 percent of his passes while rushing for a remarkable 1,143 yards. Fields will have more weapons this season with the addition of a legit No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore, acquired in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, along with depth signings in running back D'Onta Foreman and veteran tight end Robert Tonyan. Meanwhile, the Bears also selected former Tennessee standout Darnell Wright to solidify the offensive line.

YARDBARKER

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers are adding another cornerback with some previous NFL experience to their group before training camp gets into full swing. The team, according to a report from Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, landed former XFL cornerback Luq Barcoo of the San Antonio Brahmas, winning in a bidding war that included the division-rival Cleveland Browns and the Dallas Cowboys.



Barcoo played two years of JUCO at Grossmont College. In his freshman year, he totaled 21 total tackles, two interceptions and four pass breakups while starting at cornerback. In his second season, he moved to wide receiver and registered 35 receptions for 767 yards and seven touchdowns. He then transferred to San Diego State in 2018 and spent the first season primarily on special teams. In 2019, he won a starting cornerback job and led all of college football in interceptions, pass breakups and passes defended. In one game against Colorado State, he snagged interceptions on three straight drives in the second half.

Despite the flashy stats, Barcoo went undrafted in 2020. He initially signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was waived after playing in three games. He joined the Arizona Cardinals for a brief stint on their practice squad and has also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Cheifs and New York Jets, but he only ever saw any game action with the Jaguars.


Steelers Connections To Former College TakeAway Artist
The big obvious connection the Steelers organization has to the 24-year-old who turns 25 in July is through his the head coach in San Antonio. Hines Ward is the head coach for the Brahmas, and he's running the team with a Steelers mentality, which should entice Mike Tomlin to have a good look. He also had a pretty stellar season for the Brahmas, hence the small war for services.

The Steelers have taken on another castaway defensive back from San Diego State before. Damontae Kazee never had to leave the NFL to show off his stuff, but after four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, he played one year with the Dallas Cowboys before finding a home in Pittsburgh. The defensive back, who has switched between corner and safety his whole career, also has shown a knack for the ball, tying Kyle Fuller and Xavien Howard for the most interceptions in the league with seven in 2018.

Tomlin said one of the things he's looking for in undrafted free agents coming out of camp is pedigree, and while the Steelers might not have invited him to camp, some of the pedigree from college and his previous pro stops are enough for Pittsburgh to give Barcoo a chance.

STEELERNATION

 

Jordan Love is a scary dude cause he has the potential to be really good and Justin Fields finally got some blocking and a wr he can pass the ball to Hockensen just keep what you were doing which was awesome you were Capt Kirk best friend isn't Jameson Williams that knuckle head that got busted for gambling he's gonna miss some games 6 I think correct me if I'm wrong I just wonder will he be a factor but the potential is there

 

I'm all for capitalism and all that. But think of the fans. This is the playoffs!! Let the fans watch. We supported the NFL all season and you take away the ending?? I recall a NASCAR race in the 80's or 90's when one track wanted to go with "pay per view". That didn't end well. And that's when NASCAR was really popular. Don't make the same mistake NFL!! You'll lose fans!!