NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Lane Johnson: Eagles are going to 'come out swinging' after disappointing 2020 season

The Eagles aren't exactly expected to roll through the NFL on the way to a title in 2021.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, how are the Eagles expected to perform? Well, it depends on who you ask.

Eagles tackle Lane Johnson believes his team is perfectly positioned as a sleeper that's ready to land a few punches.

"Yeah, or well I think with what we have, you know, it's easy to find motivation," Johnson said during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. "4-11-1 or 4-12, whatever we were last year is not acceptable. So, you know, we're gonna come out swinging. Expectations are low. You know, we're not expected to do much, so I feel like it's a lot easier to play when you have that card in your hand, so that's where we're at and, really, I think that's for a lot of teams in the NFC East. So, here we come."

The NFC East is undoubtedly ready to battle with whatever Johnson's Eagles are bringing to the field in 2021. After trading Carson Wentz to Philadelphia and essentially handing the keys to Jalen Hurts, the biggest question regarding Philadelphia's chances revolves around the quarterback position.

Hurts showed flashes of potential in his athletic ability, leading the Eagles to an upset win over the Saints late in the season and at least helping Philadelphia compete down the stretch of an otherwise lost season. It was enough to provide the young signal-caller with a shot of self-assuredness, and it appears he's carried it into 2021.

"He's got that confidence to him. The way he carries himself, he carries himself like a veteran and things he can do on the field, you know, he can scramble outside the pocket," Johnson said of Hurts. "And when that happens, man, it makes it a little bit easier for the offensive line whenever you have a mobile quarterback back there, the pass rushers approach the pass rush a little bit differently. So instead of maybe running the hoop they're told not to break contain because if they do, he can scramble for 10 or 15 and get a quick first down, but really, you know, he's taking command in OTAs.


"We have Joe Flacco there as our backup, who's tremendous too, who's pushing him. So, really, he's put his foot on the gas pedal and everybody's not satisfied with what we did last year. It left a bitter taste in our mouth, so we have a lot to prove. We know where we're at and everybody's chomping at the bit to get back."

It's always a positive to have a team loaded with motivation, especially the kind that comes from disappointing massively in a nightmarish season. With that ugly campaign now flushed down the proverbial toilet, the 2021 Eagles are ready to move forward with Hurts at the controls.

Whether that produces wins remains to be seen. But as Johnson indicated, these Eagles aren't about to allow their 2020 season weigh them down as they enter a new campaign.

NFL.com

 

NFL fines Washington Football Team $10 million



The investigation that initially was started by the Washington Football Team has been ended by the NFL.

The headline from the end result of the investigation is that the NFL has fined the Washington Football Team $10 million. Per the league’s statement, that money “will be used to support organizations committed to character education, anti-bullying, healthy relationships and related topics.” The team also will “fund fund programs directed more broadly at improving the workplace, particularly for women and other underrepresented groups, and training and development programs throughout the league, with recipients identified with the assistance of respected third-party advisors.”

The team likewise will be footing the bill for the investigation that resulted in today’s punishment. Per the league, it will pay the fees and expenses associated with attorney Beth Wilkinson’s investigation. Given that she interviewed (per the NFL) more than 150 people, that likely will be at least another $1 million, maybe $2 million.

Then there’s this: Buried at the bottom of the release published on one day before one of the prime bad-news dump afternoons of the year, the league essentially suspended Daniel Snyder. In the next-to-last paragraph of a 29-paragraph press release, the NFL says this: “As co-CEO, Tanya Snyder will assume responsibilities for all day-to-day team operations and represent the club at all league meetings and other league activities for at least the next several months. Dan Snyder will concentrate on a new stadium plan and other matters.”

That’s a very significant statement. Basically, Tanya Snyder has (as a practical matter) the ultimate control of the team, as far as the league is concerned. And ultimate control — as we’ve recently seen in Tennessee and currently are witnessing in Denver — is a huge issue.

She’ll represent the team at league meetings and run the day-to-day operations “for at least the next several months,” which basically means Daniel Snyder has been suspended indefinitely, and that his ability to return to his usual role, the one he’s held for more than 20 years, will be determined at a later date.

The league doesn’t call it a suspension, and many won’t even regard it as one. But it is. It definitely is. And it explains Tuesday’s sudden move to make Tanya Snyder co-CEO and co-owner.

Someone had to take over the team while Daniel Snyder stays out of football operations and focuses solely on business matters, and the decision was made that it will be Daniel Snyder’s spouse.

UPDATE 4:41 p.m. ET: Although the statement from the league does not say it, Lisa Friel of the NFL said in a conference call that the shift was “voluntary.”

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NFL fines Jaguars, Cowboys, 49ers for OTA violations

The spring OTAs period saw three teams violate rules set forth by the league's collective bargaining agreement. The NFL responded with fines for the trio of clubs and their head coaches Thursday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers were each fined for offseason workout violations, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported. Jacksonville drew the largest fine at $200,000, while San Francisco and Dallas were each fined $100,000.

Accordingly, new Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer was docked $100,000 for violations, while Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy and 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan each received $50,000 fines.

All three teams will also have to forfeit an undisclosed amount of OTA days in 2022, Garafolo added.

Specifics of the violations are unknown, though they typically center on intensity of practice sessions and resulting contact. Players are in shorts, jerseys and helmets during these sessions, meaning contact is expected to be minimal if not nonexistent.

Two 49ers were injured during OTAs: offensive lineman Justin Skule and defensive back Tarvarius Moore. Each suffered injuries that will likely keep them out for the 2021 season.

NFL.com

 

Urban Meyer leading the way in fines, already? Urban, the NFL isn't a good regulatory body, but it's not COMPLETELY blind like the NCAA. You're gonna have to follow at least some of the rules, bud. I'm sure this will you teach you your lesson and be the last time there's an issue...

 

If they were grabbing boobs, slapping butts, or a casting couch kinda stuff, I get it. but 10M for pissing off women? Do you have any idea how much I (Or any of us!) would owe the NFL if they got us with that kinda rule?

 

I don't think Villanueva, Pouncey, DeCastro and Feiler could have played any worse last year. Put me down for this line being much improved if healthy. This is the same team sans Dupree that won 11 straight. That didn't happen by accident. Injuries are always a factor but if this team can remain relatively healthy I believe they win the AFC North (again).

 

Jets’ Isaiah Dunn proving to be more than “the typical undrafted dude”



It’s not often that an undrafted rookie gets a lot of buzz heading into training camp, but for Jets cornerback Isaiah Dunn, the buzz is real.

Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said after minicamp that Dunn looks so good that he could be competing not just to make the roster but to become a significant contributor to the Jets’ defense as a rookie. Dunn says that’s what he wants to show he can do.

“I don’t feel like the typical undrafted dude. I don’t look at it like ‘OK, I went undrafted and I need to prove something.’ I’m proving to myself that I belong here,” Dunn told the New York Daily News. “I don’t sit around and talk about ‘Oh if I was drafted, this would have happened.’ I don’t do that because that’s neither here nor there. I’m just focusing on the task at hand and to make the team.”

Dunn got off to a good start in his college career at Oregon State, but he didn’t play much during the COVID-shortened 2021 season, and that resulted in him going undrafted. Still, enough teams were interested in him as an undrafted free agent that the Jets had to guarantee him $185,000 to get him to sign. Now Dunn thinks he has a chance to earn a starting job.

“Competing for this job now is exciting, because of the competition that’s going to take place,” Dunn said. “I was competing my butt off for those few days we had OTAs and minicamp practices. I’m really just amped up, ready to go get it. I want to see how my competition is coming. It’s just an exciting feeling to know that there’s one thing that everybody wants, and it comes down to who’s gonna get it.”

Dunn seems to have a real shot to get real playing time as an undrafted rookie.

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Jamaal Williams embraces 'new beginning' in Detroit alongside D'Andre Swift

The Detroit Lions are the epitome of a franchise seeking a fresh start in 2021 after an offseason that featured introductions of a new general manager, revamped coaching staff and the relinquishing of a fan-favorite quarterback.

Entering his first year with the Lions, running back Jamaal Williams sees himself as an appropriate fit.

"I see this as just a new beginning, a new time for me to just be able to show my talents and show my abilities and everything I've just been working on this whole offseason," Williams told ESPN's Eric Woodyard. "I always know that I can always work on something to get better and find something that I can improve or find something new."

During his four years with the Green Bay Packers, Williams quietly molded himself into a multifaceted back despite playing behind Aaron Jones. A fourth-round pick in 2017, Williams developed a hard-nosed running style fit for the red zone, gained notoriety in passing situations as both a receiver and backfield blocker, and maintained an impressive reputation as a secure ball-carrier with zero fumbles in 500 career carries and 122 receptions.

Williams signed a two-year deal worth up to $7.5 million in March, and did so with the expectation of having a similar No. 2 role alongside second-year RB D'Andre Swift.

"I'm just grateful for the coaches, the GM and everybody for just giving me an opportunity, and that's all I ever really wanted was just an opportunity to be able to show my abilities," Williams said. "Now I get to do it in a new offense by being able to get my running backs coach Duce Staley and Anthony Lynn as the OC. It just feels good. Then with the head coach biting kneecaps and stuff. You know what I mean? This is like, 'uh oh, it's feeling real youthful in this boy [laughs].'"

The Swift-Williams RB duo hopes to revitalize an inconsistent rushing attack in Detroit that last saw a 1,000-yard rusher in Reggie Bush in 2013. Adrian Peterson, who is no longer with the team, led the Lions with 604 yards rushing last season at 35 years old.


Duce Staley, who enters his first season with the Lions as running backs coach, likes what he sees out of Williams so far and describes the 26-year-old as someone who could also be beneficial to the progression of Swift.

"You start with his leadership -- on and off the field -- especially in the classroom," Staley said. "He brings that presence and that leadership that a running back who has played the game brings. When you get out on the field, you look at his work ethic. This guy is out there working, he's staying after, he's asking questions, he's catching balls, he's going through footwork. It's a pleasure to have him."

With the Lions coming off three consecutive last-place finishes in the NFC North, a complete overhaul was necessary. While the addition of Williams didn't necessarily cause the biggest splash in free agency, the opportunity is there for Williams to become a foundational piece for a franchise and city that looks to turn a new page.

"I feel like with our players and my teammates and everybody, just want to get out of this slump we've just got to start new," Williams said. "Then at the same time, we've got to have a new mindset of how we're gonna do things around here. We're just gonna be focused and sacrifice for the team. The more you sacrifice for the team, the more the team will flourish. It's just part of me learning it at the same time. It really just comes with a lot of team chemistry, and that's what we're getting on. I'm having fun with it. I love all my teammates. These boys are funny, and at the same time, we're working hard."

NFL.com

 

Ezekiel Elliott’s personal trainer calls the running back “way quicker, way more elusive”



Ezekiel Elliott‘s teammates and coaches have noticed how hard he has worked this offseason. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott stated during the team’s offseason program that the running back is “in the best shape of his life.”

Some of Elliott’s workouts from his offseason now are on social media.

Josh Hicks, Elliott’s personal trainer, sent a text message to Elliott last week. It included a video of a drill Elliott did three months ago and another one of the same drill recently. Hicks said Elliott was “way quicker, way more elusive, more fluent” in the recent video.

“Zeke’s in good shape,” Hicks told Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com. “I agree with Dak. I agree with Tony [Pollard]. I was on the outside looking in. They’ve been with this man three, four years. They see him way more than I see him. They’ve seen him work in practice, and they’ve seen him work in the offseason.

“I don’t think Zeke has ever worked like this in the offseason. I could be mistaken. But me, personally, when it comes to my drills and what I do and how I do it, I know he hasn’t worked like this.”

Elliott ran for a career-low 979 yards in 2020, while averaging a career-low 4.0 yards per carry. The healthy returns of Prescott, left tackle Tyron Smith, right guard Zack Martin and right tackle La'el Collins will help.

But Elliott had only three runs of 20 or more yards last season, raising questions about whether he has lost a step. That has driven the three-time Pro Bowler this offseason.

“Everybody said it,” Hicks said, “and he probably saw it and felt it himself, that he probably slowed down a little bit or lost a step a little bit or whatever.”

Pollard said Elliott looks “locked in” this offseason.

Hicks said Elliott’s feet were heavy when they started this offseason, but they are not now.

So will Zeke get back to being Zeke, the player who led the league in rushing two of his first three seasons? Time will tell.

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Rams OT Andrew Whitworth: 'Nothing short of going to that Super Bowl and winning it is good enough'

Super Bowl or bust has become a popular trope, a fun if not frivolous offseason talking point. Multiple teams might inherit the label in a given year.

The Rams have heard it most in 2021, the hype arriving instantly upon their acquisition of quarterback Matthew Stafford in late January. While L.A.'s championship window looks to be wider than one season, the pressure in 2021 is palpable.

Veteran offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth says that not only do the Rams need to reach Super Bowl LVI, which carries the added weight of being played at SoFi Stadium, but also win it.

"For us, that's just the truth," Whitworth said during a Friday appearance on Good Morning Football. "We've figured out how to win playoff games, we've made some runs in the postseason. And this time for us and this opportunity we feel like this team, nothing short of going to that Super Bowl and winning it is good enough. And that's really the expectation level for us, even though we know that's a slippery slope. But that's where we want to be. And if that's what you want, then you got to be able to speak about it and let people know that that's the only thing you see is the goal, and the only thing you see as accomplishing this season is just going and winning a Super Bowl."

A lot of these Rams, of course, have been there but haven't won that. They might have seemed ahead of schedule when they lost Super Bowl LVIII to the Patriots less than three years ago. Expectations are markedly different heading into this season, with many pundits predicting another deep playoff run.

It's not unwarranted, either. The roster is loaded, key players are in their respective primes, and there are no glaring weaknesses among offensive and defensive units that both ranked in the top 10 just last year. Adding a Pro Bowl talent such as Stafford could prove to be the missing piece to a championship puzzle.

The QB change is a primary reason for the hype -- and, Whitworth noted, the team's internal belief.


"We're excited about having Matthew," Whitworth said. "He's a heck of a football player, and somebody that over the years everybody that's been in the league has watched and had a ton of respect for and really how he plays the game, the toughness he plays it with, and with that extreme talent level he has in being a top pick. Being around him, you can just tell he's your veteran quarterback. He's calm and collected and kind of knows exactly what he wants to do with the football and wants a lot of ownership in the offense and where he's going with the ball.

"I think we're really excited about this year and really excited that, you know what, we won't shy away from the expectations we have for ourselves, adding a guy like Matthew Stafford, and we look forward to the challenge."

His arrival made that both easier and harder.

NFL.com

 

D.J. Chark sees Jaguars developing a winning culture under Urban Meyer



Jaguars receiver D.J. Chark has had a solid first three seasons in the NFL, but he hasn’t won a lot of games: The Jaguars are 12-36 in the last three seasons. But Chark sees that changing.

Chark said there’s no way the Jaguars won’t be better than last year, and he thinks people are going to be surprised how good a team they have in Year One under Urban Meyer.

“The 1-15 season is somewhere that we don’t want to go back,” Chark told Omar Ruiz of NFL Network. “Everyone that’s here understands that. The guys that came in came from a lot of winning programs so we’re trying to develop that winning culture and just that camaraderie here and I think we’re going to do really good. I think we’re gonna shock a lot of people. I’m not one of the people that’s huge on setting record goals or anything like that, or saying how many wins or losses we’re gonna have but we’re gonna be an exciting football team, for sure.”

Chark believes the Jaguars’ receiving corps is going to benefit from the arrival of first overall pick Trevor Lawrence.

“I think we have a lot to prove but I think it’s gonna come together real smooth,” Chark said. “And definitely being able to have Trevor back there, it’s crazy how that he’s so young and so talented. So, the sky is the limit, really, with us right now. We don’t know how great we can be but we know we can be great, for sure.”

The Jaguars haven’t been described as “great” in a long time, but Chark thinks they’re trending in that direction.

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They did a lot more than just piss off some women.

 

They did a lot more than just piss off some women.

I agree........and I think this is very significant for the League....Daniel Snyder steps down and now his wife Tanya Snyder is in control of the team......she will not be the first woman to control a Team.

Amy Adams took over the Titans when her Dad Bud Adams passed away.....IMO she is doing a better job than her Father.

Good Luck for the Redskins down the Road......OOOPPPSSS sorry Football Team......WTF.

 

It's likely that it ends up a net positive, but making changes to the overall offense while inserting new starters to the line might have some kinks to be worked out throughout the season. Left tackle is a position of concern, IMO. Pittsburgh needed to find a way to sign a reasonably priced veteran at that position in order to compliment Okorafor for at least his first full season as a starter. I understand that they added Moore in the draft along with Haeg in FA, but neither of those players should be considered solid implants if he were to falter. Signing Russell Okung to a one year 'prove it' deal would go a long way to solidifying what could become a major weakness on the line.

Some ifs involved here...

If I were conviced that Okorafor would be a competent starter at left tackle for a full 17, if I were convinced that Ben was going to be able to be effective for a full 17, or if I were convinced that the Steelers would be firm enough on the trigger that if it was obvious Roethlisberger's arm was cooked they would immediately turn to Mason, my confidence in Pittsburgh's ability to win that division would increase.

 

Jets rookie Michael Carter expects great RB competition in camp



The Jets used their first four draft picks on offensive players this year as they try to build a unit capable of winning the team more games than they’ve managed in recent years.

Running back Michael Carter was the fourth of those picks and the size of his role to kick off his NFL career is uncertain heading into camp. Carter will compete with Lamical Perine, Tevin Coleman, Ty Johnson, and Josh Adams for playing time alongside second overall pick Zach Wilson in the backfield.

In an interview with DJ Bien-Amie II of the New York Daily News, Carter said he thinks that group has more talent than those outside the organization might think and that the group will only get better as they compete with one another.

“My plan is to contribute in a big way going into the year,” Carter said. “We have a really good running back room. I feel like people write these guys off because they don’t have the most popular name. We got some real talent in our room and I just think that we all have one goal in mind and that’s just a win. Of course you want to be the starting running back. I’ll be a fool to sit up on this call and be like ‘Naw I don’t want to be the starting running back.’ I just think that it is a great competition. I think competition is going to turn us all into better players.”

Carter posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons at North Carolina while sharing the backfield with Broncos second-round pick Javonte Williams, so he’s done well in timeshares in the past and seems set for every opportunity to earn a leading role in the one the Jets put together this season.

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Latavius Murray wants to be more efficient this season



Saints running back Latavius Murray ran the ball 146 times during the 2019 season and posted the same number of carries in 2020, but the team got a bit more out of Murray the second time around.

He ran for 19 more yards in 2020 and posted his highest yards per carry since his rookie season in 2014. Murray also saw his yards per catch increase while complementing Alvin Kamara in the New Orleans backfield and he would like to see his efficiency continue to move in the right direction in his third season as a Saint.

“For me personally, I just want to be more efficient than I was the year previously or just the best ever to be honest with you,” Murray said, via the team’s website. “So I want to run the ball well, protect, catch the ball, and just have the best year. That’s how I go into each year, being the best I can.”

Kamara’s presence means Murray is unlikely to reach the kind of raw numbers he mustered as a lead back earlier in his career, but any more he can bring to the table as the team breaks in a new starting quarterback this year will be appreciated.

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Delanie Walker: I think Anthony Firkser is going to be elite



Delanie Walker is currently a free agent who would like to continue his career after spending 2020 out of the game. But he feels like one of his former teammates is set up for big-time success in the upcoming season.

Walker praised Titans tight end Anthony Firkser during a podcast appearance with Turron Davenport of ESPN.com. Firkser has been in the league since 2017 and with the Titans since 2018. But now that both Walker and Jonnu Smith are no longer with Tennessee, Firkser has his best opportunity yet to display what he can do.

“He sat under me for years and I tried to teach him everything I know, but the dude’s got wiggles. He can get open, he can catch the ball. I think he’s going to be elite,” Walker said, via NFL Media. “Just adding Julio [Jones], it’s gonna open … more opportunities for him — over the middle, with matchups against linebackers. And that’s gonna be hard for them to cover him, ’cause he destroys linebackers within seconds. It’s gonna be good.”

Listed at 6-foot-2 and 246 pounds, Firkser has 72 career receptions for 816 yards with three touchdowns. Playing 32 percent of Tennessee’s offensive snaps last year, he caught 39 passes for 387 yards with a TD.

Walker and Firkser were teammates in 2018 and 2019.

“I feel like it’s going to be a good year for him,” Walker said. “I’m excited. I hope he does well, ‘cause I want him to get paid. That’s what it comes down to, just hope he does well. I know he built his confidence over the years. Now he has that opportunity to be the starter. I told him the last time I saw him, I said, ‘It’s your opportunity, don’t lose it — cause they don’t give it to many people often.’

“He has the opportunity to be great. And I think with Julio and A.J. [Brown] and Derrick Henry, that opportunity is high.”

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Report: Cameron Kinley can delay Navy commission, go to Bucs training camp



It appears cornerback Cameron Kinley will get his chance to make the Buccaneers roster in training camp this summer.

Lucas Tomlinson of FOX News reports that the Pentagon is set to announce that defense secretary Lloyd Austin will allow Kinley to attend camp with the Buccaneers. Kinley is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and had been barred from delaying his commission to the Navy in order to pursue a professional football career in June.

A 2017 rule barring athletes from delaying their commissions was reversed in 2019 to allow for exemptions, but Kinley did not receive one while players graduating from other service academies were able to get them. The decision was met with confusion from Kinley and calls from many others to reverse course.

Kinley played 27 games in college and left school with 88 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack, an interception, and a forced fumble. He signed with the Bucs after going undrafted and took part in portions of their offseason program.

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N’Keal Harry requests a trade



Earlier on Tuesday, Patriots wide receiver N'Keal Harry was named as a player in danger of not making the roster by Mike Reiss of ESPN.

As it turns out, Harry would like to play elsewhere in 2020.

Harry’s agent, Jamal Tooson, formally requested a trade on Tuesday, per Mike Garafolo of NFL Media.

“For the past several months, I have been working in cooperation with the Patriots behind the scenes to put a plan in place to allow N’Keal to thrive in New England,” Tooson said in a statement. “Through two seasons, he has 86 targets, which obviously hasn’t met the expectations the Patriots and N’Keal had when they drafted a dominant downfield threat who was virtually unstoppable at the point of attack in college. Following numerous conversations with the Patriots, I believe it’s time for a fresh start and best for both parties if N’Keal moves on before the start of training camp. That’s why I have informed the Patriots today I am formally requesting a trade on behalf of my client.

“N’Keal understands a key ingredient to production is opportunity. He will continue to work hard to develop and refine his craft after missing a large portion of his rookie year to injury. His draft-day expectations for his NFL career have not changed. We are confident success is just around the corner for him and will aggressively pursue it.”

Harry has 45 receptions for 414 yards with four touchdowns in two seasons since he was selected at No. 32 overall in 2019 out of Arizona State. The Patriots added several weapons in free agency to improve their passing attack, including receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, plus tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. Harry already received limited opportunities with the Patriots, and those are likely to be further reduced.

Harry carries a base salary of $1.4 million in 2021 and $1.9 million in 2022.

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N’Keal isn’t worth a lot. Every team knows that the patriots are going to cut him.