NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Tony Jefferson set to sign with 49ers



Safety Tony Jefferson‘s been out of the league for a while, but he’s set for a shot at resuming his NFL career.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that Jefferson has agreed to sign with the 49ers. Jefferson visited with the team in April.

Jefferson last played in an NFL game in Week 5 of the 2019 season. He tore his ACL while playing for the Ravens and was released by the team in February 2020.

Jefferson spent three seasons in Baltimore after opening his career with four years in Arizona. He started 49 games over the last four years he was on the field and has 451 tackles, four interceptions, 8.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries for his career.

NBC

 

I think the Titans have done pretty well here.


Yes Everton..........Tannehill has AJ and JJ too throw the ball to and he has Oh Henry in the Back Field.

I thought Jones was going to go to KC but very happy he is a Titan and we did not lose a # 1 Pick.

 

Ja’Wuan James agrees to two-year deal with Ravens



Monday’s been a busy day for Ja’Wuan James.

James filed a grievance against the Broncos because the team released him and voided guarantees in his contract after he tore his Achilles working out away from the facility in April. That injury did not keep the Ravens from expressing interest in signing James, however, and Adam Schefter of ESPN reports he’s agreed to a two-year deal.

The Ravens will pay James $500,000 in guaranteed money this year while he rehabs his injury and James will be set to make more than $8 million for the 2022 season in Baltimore. The deal is pending a physical that will not include the Achilles injury.

Baltimore traded right tackle Orlando Brown to the Chiefs earlier this offseason and they signed former Steeler Alejandro Villanueva to a two-year deal in May, so James may not be the only experienced option at that spot once he’s healthy enough to get back on the field.

NBC

 

Cowboys WR Michael Gallup on Dallas offense: 'I don't see anybody stopping us'

The Dallas Cowboys offense was on a record-setting pace before Dak Prescott went down with an injury in Week 5, discombobulating the entire operation.

The Cowboys return those same weapons that averaged 32.6 points in games Prescott played last year. Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup represent one of the top trios in the NFL. Ezekiel Elliott remains a workhorse. Explosive back Tony Pollard could be in line for a larger snap-share. And an offensive line riddled by injuries is getting critical players back healthy.

Joining NFL Network'sGood Morning Football on Monday, Gallup said the Cowboys offense could be unstoppable in 2021.

"I think the sky's the limit for us," he said. "We said that last year. Obviously, we had some injuries on the team and stuff like that. We're already running out the gate right now, it's just OTAs. I think we can explode. We can do what we need to do out here on the field and just kill it. I don't see anybody stopping us."

The key to picking up where they left off is Prescott returning from a devastating injury. By all accounts, the 27-year-old QB is back to normal.

"Dak looks like the same old Dak, ready to get out there, ready to be a leader," Gallup said. "He just has that little thing to him. Every time you see him, you just want to make sure you're doing everything right for him. He's a great dude on and off the field, coming out here after his injury, after his contract. He's the same old dude. Ain't nothing changed about him except he just wants to play now. Props to him. Everything he's done, he's earned. Just an amazing player."

A big-play threat, Gallup is coming off a 59-catch, 843-yard season in 2020, down from his 1,107-yard 2019 as Lamb took away some of his targets. The Cowboys' No. 3 option, Gallup remains an underrated playmaker who can win at all three levels when given the opportunity.


The former third-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Given the amount the Cowboys have invested in Cooper and eventually in paying to retain Lamb, it seems unlikely Dallas could afford Gallup. The 25-year-old would be a coveted receiver in free agency next offseason.

"You're obviously going to think about it, but you can't really do anything about it except go out on the field and do what you're supposed to do," Gallup said of playing out the final year of his deal. "You're not going to get that contract if you don't do what you're supposed to on the field first. I think, one thing to think about, you can't talk anything into the future. You've just got to do what you're supposed to do right now. For me, it's just going out there helping this club win ball games, have fun doing it. Obviously, I'd love to stay here, love to be in Dallas, love the community, love the city, love the fans, so it's up in the air, but I want to be right here. So we'll see."

When Lamb fell to the Cowboys in the 2020 draft, it signaled that Gallup's days in Dallas were likely numbered. Before he hits the open market, the wideout hopes to be part of an overpowering, historic Cowboys offense.

NFL.com

 

If TJ Watt gets 13 sacks this season he will tie Reggie White for the most seasons in a row with 13 or more sacks. 10 players are tied for second with 3 seasons in a row including Watt. Reggie White is the only one to have two such streaks of seasons, both times it was 4 seasons in a row.

 

Didn't Aaron Donald achieve this last year as well? A DT being in this discussion is just insane.

Of those 10 players who failed to hit that 4th season it wouldn't shock me at all if health was a determining factor also. Stats like this need a LOT of games played so no season ending injuries. And played very near full health too, long stretches of playing banged up won't do it. Pass rushers at 80-90% don't get to the QB.

The first thing Watt needs to keep going is his impressive record of availability.

 

Also if he can string together 3 seasons without an on-field assault with a deadly weapon Myles Garrett could be part of this discussion one day.

 

Goes back to your statement of availability!

Suspension year three (had 10 sacks in 10 games), getting COVID year 4 (had 12 sacks in 14 games, but never fully recovered from his illness) cost him two seasons without 13 sacks.

Now it will always go down with an asterisk after adding another game to the schedule.

 

Cowboys experimenting with first-round pick Micah Parsons in designated pass rusher role

In an effort to improve a woeful defense, the Dallas Cowboys are experimenting with first-round pick Micah Parsons at defensive end.

New defensive coordinator Dan Quinn plans to utilize the rookie's diverse skill set in his "DPR" position -- designated pass rusher -- in addition to middle linebacker duties.

"Just creating havoc, creating disruption," Parsons said on playing DPR, via the Dallas Morning News. "Being able to create that excitement, momentum change, a chance to get the ball out and get it back to our explosive offense. That's kind of what I like about pass rushing."

Having Parsons play a pass-rushing role in certain situations will help the Cowboys get their best 11 defenders on the field. With a glut of linebackers, including Jaylon Smith, Leighton Vander Esch and converted safety Keanu Neal, Parson's ability to rush the passer should keep him on the field for three downs from the jump.

Dallas' primary edge rushers are star Demarcus Lawrence and Randy Gregory entering the season. Parsons hopes to add another dimension as a blitzer as well.

"Last week we were watching film of pass rush and D-Law came up to me and was like, 'You pass rush like that, rook?'" Parsons said. "I was like, 'Yeah, I used to be a defensive end.' He was like, 'All right, tap in with me.' Me and him have been getting closer. If he's out there, he'll help me out and we'll talk a little bit. Coming up here after OTAs are over, we're going to work together before camp starts."

According to reporters at minicamp -- which opened Tuesday -- Parsons displayed burst off the edge and a knack for getting in the backfield in his pass-rush and blitzing situations. Using Parsons as a rusher gives Dallas enhanced flexibility to move the linebacker around the formation and free up defenders to swarm the backfield.


Under Quinn, the plan is to use Parson's athletic ability in a vast array of situations. It's a lot to put on the plate of a rookie, but the Cowboys are confident the No. 12 overall pick can handle the workload as they attempt to fix a broken defense.

"Honestly, the last two weeks have been a big transition phase for me," Parsons said. "Obviously learning more checks, being more vocal, playing a new position, actually playing multiple positions. It has been pretty hectic for me, but I think each and every day I'm picking up something and just going out there making early mistakes. That way I'm creating a base and a ground, getting ready for camp."

NFL.com

 

2021 NFL preseason week-by-week schedule (all times eastern/PM)
NFL/HALL OF FAME GAME – Aug. 5
Pittsburgh vs. Dallas (FOX), 8:00

WEEK 1
Thursday, Aug. 12

Washington at New England, 7:30

Pittsburgh at Philadelphia, 7:30


Friday, Aug. 13

Tennessee at Atlanta, 7:00

Buffalo at Detroit, 7:00

Dallas at Arizona, 10:00

Saturday, Aug. 14

Miami at Chicago, 1:00

Denver at Minnesota, 4:00

New Orleans at Baltimore, 7:00


Cleveland at Jacksonville, 7:00

New York Jets at New York Giants, 7:30

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay, 7:30

Houston at Green Bay, 8:00

Kansas City at San Francisco, 8:30

Seattle at Las Vegas, 9:00

Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams, 10:00

Sunday, Aug. 15


Carolina at Indianapolis, 1:00

WEEK 2
Thursday, August 19

New England at Philadelphia, 7:30

Friday, August 20

Kansas City at Arizona (ESPN), 8:00

Cincinnati at Washington, 8:00

Saturday, Aug. 21


Buffalo at Chicago, 1:00

New York Jets at Green Bay, 4:25

Baltimore at Carolina, 7:00

Atlanta at Miami, 7:00

Detroit at Pittsburgh, 7:30

Tennessee at Tampa Bay, 7:30

Houston at Dallas, 8:00

Indianapolis at Minnesota, 8:00


Las Vegas at Los Angeles Rams, 10:00

Denver at Seattle, 10:00

Sunday, Aug. 22

New York Giants at Cleveland, 1:00

San Francisco at Los Angeles Chargers, 7:30

Monday, Aug. 23

Jacksonville at New Orleans (ESPN), 8:00

WEEK 3

Friday, Aug. 27

Indianapolis at Detroit, 7:00

Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7:30

Philadelphia at New York Jets, 7:30

Minnesota at Kansas City, 8:00

Saturday, Aug. 28

Green Bay at Buffalo, 1:00

Baltimore at Washington, 6:00


Chicago at Tennessee, 7:00

Tampa Bay at Houston, 8:00

Arizona at New Orleans, 8:00

Los Angeles Rams at Denver, 9:05

Los Angeles Chargers at Seattle, 10:00

Sunday, Aug. 29

Jacksonville at Dallas, 1:00

Miami at Cincinnati (CBS), 4:00


Las Vegas at San Francisco, 4:00

New England at New York Giants, 6:00

Cleveland at Atlanta (NBC), 8:00

 

Todd Gurley leaves Baltimore without a deal



Free agent Todd Gurley had a “good meeting” with the Ravens, but the running back left without a deal, Josina Anderson reports.

Gurley also visited Detroit recently, but coach Dan Campbell said it has to work on the team’s terms.

A source told Anderson that he assumes Gurley “is looking for the best offer.”

The Ravens have a crowded backfield with JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.

Gurley was a two-time All-Pro with the Rams, but his knee issues have limited his production in recent years. He started 15 games for the Falcons last season and finished with 195 carries for 678 yards.

NBC

 

NFL suspends Jace Sternberger two games for violating substance abuse policy



The NFL has suspended Packers tight end Jace Sternberger without pay for the first two games of the 2021 regular season, the team announced Thursday. Sternberger violated the league’s substance abuse policy.

Sternberger is eligible to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

After missing regular-season games at New Orleans and against Detroit, Sternberger can return to the Packers’ active roster Sept. 21. The Packers play at the 49ers in Week 3.

Sternberger, a third-round choice in 2019, has played 18 games with one start in two seasons. He has 12 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown.

He also played two postseason games in 2019 and made three receptions for 15 yards and a score.

PFT

 

The Julio Jones trade thrust Russell Gage from third-fiddle behind two stars in Atlanta to the second chair. Entering his fourth season, the LSU product knows the pressure is on him to produce.

"I understand my role may have increased, but I'm ready for it," Gage said, via the team's official website. "We're going to keep moving forward."

A sixth-round pick in 2018, Gage has seen his opportunities and production rise each season. After being buried on the depth chart as a rookie -- six catches for 63 yards -- the Falcons' trade of Mohamed Sanu midway through the 2019 campaign opened up a chance for Gage. He stepped through that door. The receiver generated 49 catches for 446 yards and a touchdown. Last season as a big piece of the puzzle, particularly when his fellow wideouts dealt with injury, Gage went off for 72 catches for 786 yards and four touchdowns.

"There's no better teacher than the game," Gage said. "Being out there and taking those reps really helped me to settle in, settle into those spots, the Z or X position or whatever it may be. I'm going to take a lot of that stuff and carry it over into this year."

With Jones gone, the Falcons will rely on Gage to be WR2 behind Calvin Ridley. Given the rest of the receivers on the roster, the expectation is that the Falcons will run a lot of dual-TE sets with rookie Kyle Pitts and former first-rounder Hayden Hurst. After seeing a career-high 762 snaps last season, Gage will be an every-down player in 2021.

The 25-year-old wideout might not dominate in one characteristic, but he runs crisp routes, owns reliable hands, and can get open, making himself available for quarterback Matt Ryan.

Gage believes learning from Jones the past three seasons will pay big dividends when his role increases once again.


"Run. That was [Julio's] biggest thing," said Gage. "Speed off the ball and running. A lot of guys get too caught up thinking into their routes. Understand that even if you make a mistake, make it full speed. A receiver's biggest asset is his speed. Whatever it is, you need to display it."

Gage is prepared to show the world that while the loss of Jones is big, the sky isn't falling in Atlanta. The young wideout can help fill those massive shoes.

"Being on the same page as Matt [Ryan] and understanding what (coach) Arthur (Smith) wants is big," Gage said. "Those things come hand in hand. When you get to playing faster, it's all because you are more comfortable, and you know, this is what they want out of me."

NFL.com

 

We haven’t seen much from Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. since he suffered a torn ACL in October. But one person who has seen him says he looks better than before.

Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry has been working out with Beckham and several teammates in Texas, and Landry says Beckham is in excellent shape.

“He’s even better than he was last year,” Landry said today, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal.

Beckham was not having a great season even before the torn ACL, averaging a career-low 45.6 receiving yards per game and catching a career-low 53.5 percent of the passes thrown to him. The Browns would love to see Beckham look better than last year, and look more like the kind of player he was early in his career with the Giants.

NBC

 

Dolphins WR Will Fuller on teaming with Jaylen Waddle: 'It's going to be fun'

In one offseason, the Miami Dolphins got a whole lot faster.

Vaunted deep threat Will Fuller signed with the club and the selection of Alabama speedster Jaylen Waddle followed in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Though the Dolphins' tandem is sure to garner the most recognition in South Florida, Fuller maintains that speed abounds besides them and it should all add up to some entertaining showings for what portends to be a more vertical and high-octane offense.

"You can't teach speed and we do have that on this team," Fuller told reporters Friday. "Not just me and Waddle, there are other players with speed, too. It's going to be fun. We're going to do what the coaches ask of us and we just going to be playing fast and we going to make some stuff happen."

While speed and options over the top are prevalent, the Dolphins WR corps likewise has depth not seen in some time for the squad.

Fuller's projected to start along with DeVante Parker with Waddle likely checking in in the slot. In addition, Lynn Bowden, Preston Williams, Robert Foster and even explosive kick returner Jakeem Grant offer up a cavalcade of options for second-season signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa.

Still, the fleet-footed Fuller and Waddle sprinting past unfortunate opponents is a delightful proposition for Dolphins fans.

Waddle, 22, enters the organization after decorated days at Alabama, having averaged an eyebrow-lifting 21.1 yards per catch in 2020 on 28 receptions that he turned into 591 yards and four touchdowns. Having previously gone stride for stride with former 'Bama teammate Henry Ruggs III, Waddle is the playmaker the Dolphins have been looking for for quite some time.

However, they found another one before they drafted Waddle with Fuller.

Though Fuller will get a late start to the season as he'll need to finish out a six-game suspension due to violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, he's still coming off his finest season yet. Taken in the first round by the Texans in 2016, the 27-year-old shrugged off past injury woes to play every game prior to his suspension in 2020 and rattled off career highs of 879 yards, 53 catches, eight touchdowns and 16.6 yards per grab.

Joining the Dolphins, who Fuller signed a one-year deal with, proved to be as simple as the attention they bestowed upon the wideout.

And after myriad injuries slowed him in past seasons and the suspension that stopped last year, Fuller's grateful for the opportunity presented him by Miami and aiming to make it count.

"This was my first free agency, so I just took it as I wanted to go to a team that wanted me," Fuller said. "The Dolphins showed the most interest. That's why I chose the Dolphins. And, of course, I knew we have a great team here and we could do great things. Ever since I've been here, it's been great. I love the culture here. It's just been easy to be here. Like I said, I've been in the building as much as I can. I enjoy being here. I'm happy the Dolphins took a chance on me."

NFL.com

 

Le’Veon Bell: I’ll never play for Andy Reid again, I’d retire first



Le'Veon Bell apparently did not enjoy his brief tenure with the Chiefs.

Bell, who signed with the Chiefs in Week Six last year, played sparingly for them during the regular season and didn’t play at all in the Super Bowl, wrote in an Instagram comment that he will never play for Chiefs head coach Andy Reid again.

“I’ll never play for Andy Reid again,” Bell wrote. “I’d retire first.”

Bell’s comments came on, of all things, an Instagram post about someone spending $700 at McDonald’s. Bell posted a comment about the post, and then several people who thought it was interesting that a well-known NFL player was posting in the comments using his verified Instagram account started asking him questions.

It’s unclear what Bell has against Reid, but Bell does claim he will keep playing in the NFL. At this point, it may be tough for Bell to find any coach who would want him. Reid surely wouldn’t.

PFT

 

Bell must have lost his ability to play because KC needed a RB with the skill set he had badly in the SB and didn’t use him.

 

Travis Kelce: Browns are contenders, neck and neck with Chiefs in the AFC



The Chiefs have been the class of the AFC the last couple years, but now Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce thinks the Browns are right there with the Chiefs in 2021.

Kelce, who was born and raised in Cleveland, attended Browns receiver Jarvis Landry‘s charity softball game and said the Browns are playoff contenders.

“They’re definitely a contender, without a doubt,” Kelce said of the Browns, via Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal. “It’s definitely there. Baker [Mayfield] and the gang have upped the ante, made this team an unbelievable team and a team you have to prepare for and take serious. I think that moving forward without a doubt, I can see a lot more playoff games between us, and I’ll just take it one day at a time and hope for it. I think the Browns and Chiefs are definitely neck and neck.”

After many years of being laughingstocks of the league, the Browns are now making other teams take notice.

“It’s impressive to see where they’ve come from and where they are now because it’s a legit contender,” Kelce said, “and every team’s going to have to bring it.”

The Browns’ 2020 season ended with a loss at Kansas City in the divisional round of the playoffs, and the Browns’ 2021 season opens at Kansas City in Week One.

PFT

 

I don't understand this did Le'Veon Bell think he was going to be the main man for KC,he was at his best when he was a Steelers until he Fu*ked that up maybe he should retire I have no idea what's going to happen now

 

I think he just wanted the ball, like most players, but he had to have known he was further down the depth chart.