NFL - NEWS & NOTES

New Giants coach Joe Judge is signing one of his favorite players.

Nate Ebner, who was a core special teams player in New England the last eight years while Judge was coaching the Patriots’ special teams, is signing with the Giants, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

The 31-year-old Ebner was on the U.S. Olympic rugby team in 2016 and has considered attempting to make the team again this year, although at this point no one can predict what the coronavirus pandemic will do to the Olympics, which are slated to begin in July in Tokyo.

Although Ebner’s listed position is defensive back, last season he did not play a single snap on defense. He played 71 percent of the Patriots’ special teams plays.

NBC

 

It's kinda insane.

 

Former Vikings safety Jayron Kearse will stay in the NFC North.

Kearse will sign with the Lions on what Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports is a one-year, $2.75 million deal.

Last year Kearse played 25 percent of the Vikings’ defensive snaps and 53 percent of their special teams snaps.

Kearse pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated last month and is likely to be suspended to start the season.

NBC

 

The Bengals are doubling down on former Vikings cornerbacks.

They agreed to a deal with Trae Waynes on Tuesday and Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that they have agreed to terms with Mackensie Alexander on Thursday. The two players were teammates in Minnesota for the last four years.

It’s reportedly a one-year deal worth $4 million.

Alexander played 55 games after joining the Vikings as a second-round pick in 2016. He recorded 103 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.

In addition to welcoming two corners, the Bengals have said farewell to two others. Darqueze Dennard left for the Jaguars as a free agent and B.W. Webb was released.

NBC

 

Washington’s been monitoring the tight end market, and appears to have found one.

According to John Keim of ESPN.com, Logan Thomas will sign with Washington.

The former Virginia Tech quarterback was with the Lions last year, catching 16 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown.

After parting ways with Jordan Reed and seeing Vernon Davis retire, Washington’s checking out the tight end market. They tried to sign Greg Olsen before he went to Seattle, and they’re investigating veteran Delanie Walker as a possibility as well.

NBC

 

Damn just when he started getting it together he's gone what's going on in the land SKOL it seems like it pure chaos

 

Eagles trade their 3rd and 5th rounders to the Lions for Darius Slay and then give him a 3-year extension that make him the highest paid corner through those 3 years.

 

Gurley released

 

Clay Mathews also.

 

Broncos to release Joe Flacco after just one season...

The Joe Flacco era in Denver is now officially over.

The Broncos announced Thursday they have informed the veteran quarterback that he will be released with a failed physical designation.

The move was expected as the new league year opened. Flacco was set to make $20.25 million in 2020, a figure the Broncos were never going to keep on the books.

The 35-year-old missed the final eight games of the 2019 season due to a neck injury. Before the injury, the statuesque quarterback struggled behind a porous offensive line in Denver, throwing for 1,822 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions in eight starts.

The brief Flacco era has been expected to end since Drew Lock shined down the stretch. Coach Vic Fangio didn't even mention Flacco when talking about Denver's quarterback position during the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Broncos will now ride Lock and less-expensive backups into the future.

As with most aging former starters, Flacco could latch on with a squad looking for a veteran backup behind a young starter in need of a mentor.

NFL.com

 

The NFL is taking COVID-19 very seriously, and on Thursday an example of a positive COVID-19 test from within NFL community underscored that it should be.

Saints coach Sean Payton told ESPN that he has tested positive for the virus.

There’s no mention as to whether Payton, 56, is suffering from any symptoms. Many who have the virus have no symptoms, or mild ones.

Payton told ESPN that he came forward with the diagnosis to encourage people to “heed the warnings of government officials, stay inside, and behave responsibly.”

Amen to that. We wish Coach Payton a quick recovery, and we thank him for shining a light on the importance of doing whatever we can to limit the spread of the virus.

 

LOL!

 

The Dallas Cowboys have reached an agreement with safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, his agency announced Thursday night.

Clinton-Dix reunites with head coach Mike McCarthy, who served as head coach of the Green Bay Packers when Clinton-Dix was drafted by the team in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Clinton-Dix played four full seasons with the Packers under McCarthy but was traded to the Washington Redskins during the middle of the 2018 season. After appearing in nine games for Washington to close out that year, Clinton-Dix moved on to the Chicago Bears last season.

Clinton-Dix hasn’t missed a single game during his six seasons in the NFL and has started all but six games (all as a rookie) over that span. Clinton-Dix made the Pro Bowl and was a second-team All-Pro for his 2016 season with the Packers.

Clinton-Dix has 16 career interceptions, four forced fumbles, 5.5 sacks and 33 passes defended for his career.

Per Jane Slater of the NFL Network, it’s a one-year deal worth $4 million with $2.5 million guaranteed.

NBC

 

Todd Gurley is headed to the Falcons



It looks like running back Todd Gurley is heading back to Georgia.

The Falcons posted an article to their website Friday citing a report that they have signed Gurley to a one-year deal and PFT has confirmed with a league source that the Falcons have agreed to a deal. The Falcons also posted a gif of the University of Georgia mascot to their Twitter account, which seems to be another way of welcoming Gurley back to the Peach State.

Gurley was released by the Rams on Thursday after an attempt to trade him. The Falcons were reportedly involved in those talks, but nothing came together. Gurley’s contract was likely a stumbling block and Atlanta will get him on board at a far lower price

It’s not an official announcement as we were accustomed to in past years, but this week has seen teams get creative about sharing their moves given the challenges involved with getting physicals amid the COVID-19 situation. A physical would seem to be a crucial part of the process with Gurley given his history of knee trouble and it is unknown when that will take place.

Whatever the circumstances, the Falcons appear ready to move forward and Gurley appears to be the heir to Devonta Freeman as the No. 1 back in Atlanta.

NBC

 

Andrus Peat got a chance to see what the open market had to offer and has decided to return to the Saints.

The Saints announced that Peat has agreed to a five-year deal to remain in New Orleans. They did not announce any financial terms, but Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that it is worth up to $57.5 million with $33 million guaranteed.

Peat, who was No. 80 on PFT’s list of the top free agents, has seen time all over the offensive line since joining the team as a first-round pick in 2015, but has settled in at left guard. He missed time with a broken arm last season, but returned for Week 17 and the team’s playoff loss to the Vikings.

Peat’s return ensures that the Saints will bring back their entire starting offensive line from last season.

NBC

 

Melvin Gordon signing two-year deal with Broncos

Melvin Gordon will ride to the Rocky Mountains.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that Gordon has agreed to terms a two-year, $16 million contract with the Denver Broncos, per a source informed of the deal. Gordon's deal includes $13.5 million guaranteed.

The former Los Angeles Chargers running back had been looking for a multi-year commitment, holding out last year in an effort to obtain long-term security. With the running back market chugging in reverse, Gordon had to settle for a shorter-term commitment in Denver.

The former first-round pick had been a do-it-all back for Los Angeles, running for 4,240 yards and 36 TDs, with 1,873 receiving yards and 11 additional scores on 224 receptions in five seasons.

After returning from his holdout last season, it took time for Gordon to kick it in gear, averaging just 3.8 yards per carry. Austin Ekeler, whom the Chargers signed to an extension, outplayed Gordon for stretches of the season. When given the bulk of the workload, Gordon was at his best, averaging 4.6 YPC in games he earned 20 or more totes.

Gordon joins a backfield in Denver led by back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Philip Lindsay, who is a mighty-mouse runner with the ability to blast through tackles and spin to open grass.

Broncos GM John Elway set out to upgrade the RB room alongside Lindsay, looking for an inside-runner who can take some of the load off the former undrafted free agent. Under coach Vic Fangio, it's clear Denver would like to run the ball effectively to take some heat off impressive but still-growing young quarterback Drew Lock.

In Gordon, Elway landed a player who can complement Lindsay and adds pass-catching ability out of the backfield.

Landing Gordon doesn't help Fantasy Football players out much, keeping a committee backfield in Denver. It does mean former third-round pick Royce Freeman's role will be drastically reduced if he sticks with the club.

NFL.com

 

FA is crazy with players switching teams WTF is going on

 

Kevin Minter is returning to Tampa.

The Bucs have reached agreement on a one-year deal with the linebacker, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

Minter, 29, has spent the past two seasons with the Bucs. He has appeared in 21 games with two starts.

The Cardinals made Minter a second-round choice in 2013, and he was with Arizona for his first four seasons.

He went to Cincinnati in 2017 before landing in Tampa the next season.

Minter has appeared in 91 games with 46 starts in his seven seasons, making 299 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, six sacks, 18 quarterback hits and six pass breakups.

NBC

 

I'm blaming COVID19