NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Panthers get word out that they could trade back from No. 1



The Panthers presumably traded up to No. 1 overall to get their choice of quarterbacks. The last time — and only time — they drafted No. 1 overall they ended up with Cam Newton, who won MVP honors in 2015.

At No. 1, they would have Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson or Kentucky’s Will Levis available to them.


But not so fast. . . .

The Panthers quickly got out word to their local writers that they could trade back. Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer and Joe Person of TheAthletic.com had nearly identical tweets: The Panthers feel they now “control” the draft, and they are not discounting backing up in the draft to recoup some of the compensation they lost if they have a couple of quarterbacks they like.

The Texans, though, would have to have interest in moving up from No. 2. Otherwise, the Panthers would risk losing one of the top two quarterbacks.

Houston also is in the market for a long-term answer at the position.

The Panthers, though, are making it known they are open for business and will listen to offers. Why wouldn’t they? But if they move back beyond No. 2, the Panthers might not get who they want.

PFT

 

Report: Texans agree to terms with Robert Woods on two-year deal



The Texans don’t know who their quarterback will be, but they do have another weapon for him. Houston, which has the No. 2 overall pick, has agreed to terms with free agent receiver Robert Woods.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports it’s a two-year, $15.25 million deal with $10 million fully guaranteed and a maximum value of $17 million.


The Titans released Woods on Feb. 22 after he caught 53 passes for 527 yards and two touchdowns in 2022.

Woods, a second-round pick in the 2013 draft, spent his first four seasons with the Bills before signing with the Rams in free agency in 2017. He had a pair of 1,000-yard seasons with Los Angeles and was on pace for another in 2021 before tearing his ACL during a November practice.

The Panthers’ trade with the Bears for the No. 1 overall selection puts the Texans in position to take the second quarterback after Carolina presumably makes its pick of the quarterback prospects. Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson or Kentucky’s Will Levis are the top-rated players at the position.

PFT

 

That leaves them looking real good, in my opinion. If they go offense, they may have opportunity to snag Peter Skoronski to help on that front or if the go defense there will be a couple really good prospects at Edge.

IF the Bears do this right and get a little luck on their side, they will vastly improve overnight. Not thrilled about that idea either.

Something else I seen was the Bears drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba. That would really be fun. Purely all of it is speculation, but its interesting the different directions they could go.

 

He has game left the Vikings piss poor ass D-line did him no favors someone needs to take a close look at him GO VIKINGS

 

The NFL Players Association is urging the NFL to avoid a rule change prohibiting the "hip-drop" tackle technique, the union said Friday afternoon in a statement.

Officials from the NFL's health and safety department presented data last month to the competition committee that suggested the method causes injuries at a higher rate than other plays. NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent said the league would engage in further research before deciding whether to act.

"While the players have consistently advocated for health and safety advancements, any prohibition on the 'hip-drop tackle' technique is unfair to players and unrealistic to implement," the NFLPA said in its statement. "It places defensive players in an impossible position by creating indecision in the mind of any tackling player, puts officials in an unreasonable situation that will result in inconsistent calls on the field, and confuses our fans."

NFL rule changes can be proposed by teams or by the competition committee. They require approvals from three-fourths of owners to be enacted. The NFLPA does not have a determinative role in the process, and while it sometimes sends player representatives to participate in competition committee meetings, it said in Friday's statement that it did not send any to the most recent meeting at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

"The competition committee is not collective bargaining," the statement read, "and our union has little to no say over the process or outcomes from these meetings. The agenda is set and the decisions are made by the NFL's appointees."

ESPN

 

Bud Grant dies at 95



Hall of Fame head coach Bud Grant, who led the Vikings to four Super Bowl, has died. He was 95.

Born May 20, 1927 in Superior Wisconsin, Harry Peter Grant Jr. played in the NBA, the NFL, and the CFL. He was the oldest living NBA champion, a member of the 1950 Minneapolis Lakers.

Grant later played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He coached the Blue Bombers from 1957 to 1966, taking the job at the age of 29. He won four Grey Cups with the Blue Bombers.


In 1967, Grant succeeded Norm Van Brocklin as head coach of the Vikings. Grant took the Vikings to Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl VIII, Super Bowl IX, and Super Bowl XI.

He coached the team until 1983, retiring for a year and then returning after a disastrous 3-13 season under Les Steckel.

Grant, known for an always-stoic sideline demeanor, had a record of 168-108-5 in his NFL coaching career. He went 118-64-3 in the CFL. In all, he coached 466 games, winning 286 times.

Grant is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Vikings Ring of Honor. He was the CFL coach of the year in 1965 and the NFL coach of the year in 1969.

We extend our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Vikings organization.

PFT
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He was great. Ive missed him for a long time.

 

One of the big football memories of my childhood was Bud Grant on the sidelines. Always thought the world of him. I'm glad he had a good full life.

 

I remember him at the old Met standing on the sidelines of Vikings games in the cold wearing that damn windbreaker when it was very cold one of the all time greats RIP

 

RIP Bud Grant....All time NFL great.

He might go fishing or hunting, just hours before the game, but that's okay. He was probably sleeveless

 

I have a lot of respect for Tony Jefferson and his willingness to do whatever it takes to be in the NFL.

I had him rated as my #2 safety in his draft class (K Vaccaro was #1), and he went undrafted. At the time, I couldn't believe that he slid all the way out of the draft, and it made me go back and reevaluate him without using any of my original notes.

When I was done, his score was better than the original one I gave him... *




*before anyone asks how much it changed - not much (4 points), but enough for me to be comfortable that I had a solid process around scoring him

 

Rest in Peace Bud Grant...

The Man was a Legend and one of the BEST.

This is a weird Stat.

He Coached the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL and Won the Grey Cup 4 Times...(CFL Championship)

He Coached the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL and Lost the Super Bowl 4 Times...(NFL Championship)

If your going to the Championship Game your team is really good....he went 8 times.

You will be missed Bud Grant you were a Legend.

 

Report: Dolphins, Rams discussing Jalen Ramsey trade



The Rams are expected to trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey in the near future and one potential destination is reportedly in the AFC East.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports that the Dolphins are in “deep discussions” with the Rams about a trade that would send Ramsey to Miami. Nothing has been finalized at this time, but Anderson adds that there’s a “high likelihood” that a deal comes together.

If the Dolphins land Ramsey, they’d have an enviable pair of cornerbacks with Xavien Howard already on hand.

Ramsey has three years left on his current deal, but may be in the market for a new contract as part of a deal to a new team. That will be something to watch when and if a deal with the Dolphins is completed in the coming days.

PFT

 

Jalen Ramsey is heading to Miami.

The Rams and Dolphins have agreed to a trade that will send Ramsey to Miami and send Hunter Long and the Dolphins’ 2023 third-round pick (No. 77 overall) to Los Angeles, according to multiple reports.

The trade cannot become official until the new league year begins on Wednesday, but both teams have agreed to do it.

Ramsey is still playing at a high level, but his massive salary cap hit and the Rams’ precarious cap situation made the Rams eager to trade him. Ramsey has a $17 million base salary for 2023. The trade will save the Rams $5.6 million in cap space this year.

Long is a 2021 third-round pick who has barely played in his first two NFL seasons.

For the Dolphins, it’s a big move that shows they’re serious about being contenders this season. For the Rams, it’s a big reminder that the team they’re fielding in 2023 will look very different from their Super Bowl-winning roster of 2021.

 

Reports: Jets agree to three-year, $18 million deal with Quincy Williams



The Jets have agreed to terms with linebacker Quincy Williams on a three-year, $18 million deal, according to multiple reports. The deal has a maximum value of $21 million and includes $9 million guaranteed.

Williams, the younger brother of Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, was scheduled to become a free agent next week.

Quincy Williams made $2.54 million in the final year of his rookie deal.

The Jaguars made him a third-round pick in 2019, and he played two seasons in Jacksonville before they cut him out of the 2021 preseason.

In two seasons with the Jets, Williams has started 28 of 31 games played and made 216 tackles, five sacks, 10 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, six pass breakups and 21 tackles for loss.

He appeared in 78 percent of the team’s defensive snaps in 2021 and 79 percent in 2022.

PFT

 

I remember back in like 2016 when he was leaving the Cardinals patg and I were really high on Jefferson and wanted the Bears to sign him in FA. The Bears showed some interest too as i recall. Ultimately they stuck with Adrian Amos who himself was a good draft pick for a 5th rounder. Would rather have had Jefferson tho tbh. Just all round the kind of guy every GM should want on his roster.

 

I wish I knew what 'legal tampering' was. Sounds like an oxy-moron, but whatever it is and I think it started a while back... it officially starts at noon eastern today.

 

OBJ getting some looks and interest by several NFL teams recently. I think he has seen better days - Beckham, hasnt had a 1,000-yard season since 2019, has 7,367 career yards receiving, 56 touchdown catches and 531 receptions. I read a report he's looking for a $20M/year... I think he's high on something, frankly. Bills, Giants, Rams, Chiefs and Packers, Vikings and the Cowboys, Ive even heard the Ravens, Browns, 49ers and Cardinals also, are in the mix.

 

Ravens release Calais Campbell

As the period for signing unrestricted free agents opens, another veteran player has hit the market.

The Ravens have released defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

“Calais defines what it is to be a Raven,” G.M. Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “He personifies professionalism, and his contributions to our organization — both on and off the field — are immense.”

PFT

 

T.J. Edwards agrees to deal with Bears



The Bears have the most salary cap space in the league and they’ve found a free agent linebacker to use some.of it on.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Bears have agreed to terms on a contract with T.J. Edwards. It is reportedly a three-year deal worth $19.5 million with $12 million in guaranteed money.

Edwards spent the last four seasons with Philadelphia and he started every game for the Eagles last season. He had 159 tackles, two sacks, and a fumble recovery in the regular season and he had 13 more tackles in the postseason.

The Eagles are expected to lose a number of pieces of their NFC Championship roster as free agency gets rolling this week, so Edwards, who was No. 17 on PFT’s list of the top free agents, is likely to have some company on his way out the door.

PFT