NFL - NEWS & NOTES

But the Steelers fans aren't stupid enough to make great dummies. Cowboys, Patriots & Ravens fans all have plenty of rocks in their head to help them fill the position perfectly.

 

I know - I think Lawrence and Gregory must'a took lessons from Le'Veon and Legarette.

 

Please - Stihlers fans don't even know what to do with morning wood.

 

You better ask my wife about that. She says the morning wood is very good.

 

The Cowboys are making a big move to shake up their secondary this season



Jones is moving to safety full time. "His range is really good," defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. "He's got good vision back there. I'm real excited to get him in a spot. We moved him around so much last year, so hopefully we get him in a position to use his talent and his vision. He is really smart."

Jones himself said that while sticking at one position will simplify things a bit in terms of the position-drill work he has to go, sticking at safety brings different challenges from playing corner. "You've got to know a little bit more [at safety]," Jones said. "You've got to understand offenses a little bit better. [At corner], it's knowing your side or your receiver."

The Cowboys have been using the tandem of Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox at safety (with Jeff Heath backing them up) for a couple years now, and it has left much to be desired. They've ranked 20th and 29th in Football Outsiders' DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average, which adjusts performance for down, distance, and opponent) against deep passes (15-plus yards) the last two seasons. Jones' range and ball skills should hopefully give Dallas the upgrade it's been looking for on the back end of the defense, even if they still badly need to upgrade their cornerback situation. (in part by CBS)

 

Osweiler on why he left Denver...

During a recent interview with MMQB, the Texans quarterback revealed exactly why he left Denver.

"I have tremendous respect for both John Elway and Peyton Manning as people and as quarterbacks in the NFL, but I was not concerned one bit with playing in their shadow," Osweiler said. "That didn't weigh into my decision whatsoever. Bottom line, I made my decision off where I felt like I could have the most success playing quarterback in the NFL and where I could go and win long-term."

That's an interesting statement, mainly because Osweiler is saying he has a better chance for long-term success in Houston than he does playing for the defending Super Bowl champions. If that's why Osweiler left, there's a lot of people in Denver who would probably disagree with his opinion.

During the interview, Osweiler also refuted any claims that there's a grudge going on between him and the Broncos.

"There is no grudge," Osweiler said. "I have tremendous respect for coach Gary Kubiak. I love that guy. In fact, I talked to him last weekend. He is a tremendous person, and he is a tremendous football coach. I have great respect for Greg Knapp, who was my quarterbacks coach in Denver for three years. He taught me so much about playing quarterback in the NFL and made me a better football player."

 

Osweiler is a Texan because of what John Elway decided rather than anything Os figured out. It's pretty clear that from the time he drafted Os that he held some reservations about him.

Sure, Elway wanted him back. But, only if the price was right. Once Houston priced him over Elway's budget he let him go. That's the story.

I wish Brock well, but I think the Broncos will continue to be a more successful team than the Texans during Os' tenure there.

 

I like Lynch better than Osweiler. Sanchez might be just as good an option this year and possibly next as Osweiler would have been if he doesn't show improvement. In the end this works out better for them IMO.

 

Jaylon Smith signs rookie deal with Dallas Cowboys​

Smith, 20, was a projected top-five pick before sustaining ACL and LCL tears and nerve damage in a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State. The Cowboys took Smith with the No. 34 overall pick -- an emotional moment for the versatile linebacker, who was expected to fall much further -- despite not knowing if he will play this year. Owner Jerry Jones already said he would not place Smith on season-ending injured reserve in case he can help the team in the playoffs.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source involved in the deal, that the four-year deal has a $2.9 million signing bonus. He received the standard rookie contract even with his injury, Rapoport added.

With Smith in the fold alongside Sean Lee and Rolando McClain, Dallas could have one of the most dynamic linebacking corps in the league. That, however, is a long way from happening and would involve a serendipitous streak for Jones, who has yet to see the full potential of that unit thanks to injury and suspension.

Smith, like Myles Jack in Jacksonville, will be closely watched. The draft could have been one of the strongest in years at the linebacker position. We just have to wait a little longer to find out how good. (NFL.com)

 

Robert Kraft would support Raiders move to Las Vegas​

At least one prominent NFL owner is behind the idea of the Oakland Raiders potentially relocating to Las Vegas.

New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft told USA Today on Friday he would support Raiders owner Mark Davis' desire to relocate the team to Las Vegas if he can't get a new stadium deal in Oakland.

"I think it would be good for the NFL," Kraft said. "I know Mark Davis has tried so hard in Oakland. If they won't do it ... I want to support him."

As NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport noted last week, Davis has been very open about trying to stay in Oakland, but he isn't confident the team will work out a deal with the city.

Last month, Davis pledged to move his team to Las Vegas and contribute $500 million toward the construction of a proposed $1.4 billion stadium in the city. "We're not using Las Vegas as a bargaining chip," Davis told the Southern Nevada Tourism Infrastructure Committee on April 28. "This is real."

Kraft said the association between Las Vegas and gambling shouldn't be a factor in barring a team from potentially relocating there. (NFL.com)

 

Why should gambling have anything to do with where a team is located anymore? We have casinos in almost every state now.

 

I do not think you can wager on NFL games at casinos outside NV. (I could be wrong since I'm not a gambler.) What I am certain of is that the NFL plays two games each year in London, and they have betting parlors, seemingly, on every street corner where you can wager on anything.

Mexico City permits gambling too.

The argument for blocking games in a city that permits gambling on the game no longer holds water.

 

I guess you can gamble on-line with any sporting event, so the location of a team really doesnt matter... I agree with you guy's.

One thing that may be an issue deeper than gambling is the 'Sin City' 'label' that is synonymous with Vegas. Brothels and gambling, prostitution, strip clubs... all that might be viewed by some as skewing the noble look of the face of the NFL. I dont know for sure.

 

That should make the NFL happy, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

 

Wait for it . . . . . .

 

The NFL has scrolling jerseys now Sweet!!!

 

to me you don't need a casino to gamble. christ, i know at least 6 colleagues that are bookies in the philly area. why go to a casino. i can text any one of them to meet and lay down a bet. i don't, but i could. i don't see the big deal with casinos when bookies are prevalent in this country.

 

On a sad Note...​

CLEVELAND (AP) ? Tom DeLeone, the tough-nosed center who made two Pro Bowls during 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns, has died. He was 65.

DeLeone was the center for Cleveland's "Kardiac Kids" team led by quarterback Brian Sipe, who was voted the NFL's MVP in 1980. DeLeone, who played at Ohio State, started 104 games for the Browns.

He was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2011. Good friend and former teammate Doug Dieken was informed Sunday that DeLeone passed away at his home in Park City, Utah.

"He was as feisty as they could be," said Dieken, the Browns' longtime radio analyst. "He played for Woody (Hayes) and was gung ho Ohio State. He was just a great teammate. If you were going to get in a fight, you wanted Tom on your side."

DeLeone was with the Browns from 1974-84 and although he lacked size, he made up for any physical deficiencies with speed and smarts.

"He utilized his skill set," Dieken said. "He wasn't the biggest guy in the world, he wasn't the strongest guy in the world but he was probably the quickest center in the league and he maximized that and he maximized the use of leverage."

DeLeone was drafted by Cincinnati in the fifth round in 1972 and joined the Browns midway through the 1974 season. He started 92 consecutive games and was named the George Halas Award in 1976 as the league's most courageous player after he lost his first wife, Susie, to cancer. He made the Pro Bowl in 1979 and 1980.

 

Tom Brady to appeal 'Deflatgate' suspension again​

NEW YORK (AP) ? Tom Brady will appeal his four-game suspension by the NFL, seeking a second hearing before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court.

The decision by the New England Patriots quarterback was confirmed Monday by NFL Players Association spokesman George Atallah. If the appeal is denied by the full panel, Brady could try to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The court ruled 2-1 on April 25 that Commissioner Roger Goodell was within his rights to suspend Brady for four games for his role in using improperly inflated footballs in the 2015 AFC championship game.

Brady has added lawyer Ted Olson to his legal team. Olson and union chief DeMaurice Smith appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America," saying they plan to ask for a new hearing before the entire 13-judge circuit.

 

Jaguars GM: Jalen Ramsey 'will play a lot this year'​

Jacksonville Jaguars corner Jalen Ramsey will get a second opinion on his torn meniscus this week, to determine the complete severity of the knee injury.

General manager Dave Caldwell told Peter King of The MMQB this weekend that he's confident the tests will come back positive after the rookie sees Dr. James Andrews either Monday or Tuesday. Caldwell noted that Ramsey's knee injury isn't nearly as severe as the ACL tear 2015 first-round pick Dante Fowler Jr. suffered last May.

"Jalen will play a lot of football for us this year. It's not anywhere near as severe as Dante's," Caldwell said.

In the same report, however, one unnamed source told King the coaching staff is still "holding their breath" that the second opinion on the No. 5 overall pick will confirm the injury is minor.

Ramsey signed his rookie contract over the weekend. Now he hopes to follow that up with some good news from the doctor.