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Don Shula passes at the age of 90...

Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history, has died. He was 90.

“Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years,” the team said in a statement confirming Shula’s passing. “He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami on the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children, Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne and Mike.”

A ninth-round pick out of John Carroll in 1951, Shula played defensive back for the Browns, Colts, and Washington through 1957.

He returned to the NFL in 1960, as the Lions’ defensive coordinator. Three seasons later, the Colts hired Shula to serve as head coach.

After the 1969 season, Shula signed to coach the Dolphins, with Miami giving up a first-round pick after the Colts charged Miami with tampering. It was nevertheless a great investment; the Dolphins went to the Super Bowl to cap the 1971 season (losing to the Cowboys), crafted the NFL’s only 17-0 season in 1972, and won another Super Bowl the next year.

The Hall of Famer remained the head coach in Miami through 1995, winning the coach of the year award four times. Shula finished with 328 regular-season wins and 19 playoff victories. His regular-season winning percentage translates to a victory rate of more than two out of every three games played.

We extend our condolences to Coach Shula’s family, friends, and colleagues.

 

Phillip Lindsay was initially “really upset” by Melvin Gordon signing

Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay was diplomatic when he made his first public comments about the team’s decision to sign Melvin Gordon as a free agent, but it seems his initial reaction to the news was a bit more fiery.

Lindsay spoke to Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis on Instagram Live recently and the subject of his feelings about the transaction was among the topics of conversation. Lindsay had been talking about a possible extension heading into the offseason, so the news of a veteran addition came out of the blue.

“It caught me off-guard because it was like, ‘Okay, I’ve put in the work and done all this’ and it makes it seem like they don’t respect you enough to know the work you’re putting in,” Lindsay said, via Ryan Koenigsberg of TheDNVR.com. “So I was really upset at the beginning, I’m not going to lie.”

Lindsay’s thoughts began to change when he considered that “stuff was not going as well or smooth” when he was out of games last year. That led to him seeing the upside of the move.

“If you have somebody that can complement me like I did my rookie year where I’m not just running up the middle trying to get first downs all day,” Lindsay said. “I was like, ‘Okay, this takes some pressure off me. Now I can do my job and use my speed do my stuff and stay healthier, too.'”

The Broncos have also focused on the complementary aspect of the pairing, although that may turn out to be more of a boost to the team than Lindsay’s contract push.

NBC

 

The Browns didn’t trade receiver Odell Beckham Jr. this offseason. And based on Beckham’s expectations for 2020, the Browns will be glad that they didn’t.

“Right now what I’m trying to do is hit the reset button,” Beckham said in a video posted Monday via ESPN.com. “Being able to just get everything fixed. Shoulder, arms, back, everything aligned, functional, moving properly, so I can begin training to be ready for the season.

“I would honestly say this is probably going to be one of my best seasons. Bigger, stronger, faster — this my time.”

Beckham explained in the video that he tore “a little piece of my ab” in the third week of training camp, which resulted in Beckham having a “hernia” before the season began.

“So pretty much, I was just f–ked up the whole year,” Beckham said. “I really didn’t try and say anything about it. Probably one of the worst surgeries I’ve ever had. Recovery’s going well. Guess I’m really just trying to put my body back together. I’ve been playing for 23 years, so for me, I’m trying to put it all back together in seven months.”

A report emerged before the draft that the Browns were talking to the Vikings about a potential trade for Beckham. The Browns repeatedly denied the report in both on- and off-the-record remarks; whether that was enough to get Beckham to believe they weren’t talking about trading him (even if they were) remains to be seen.

Beckham generated 1,035 receiving yards in his first season with the Browns, a career low but for 2017, which was derailed by a broken ankle suffered early in the season. As the Browns break in yet another new coaching staff, Beckham continues to be a very potent weapon. Last year, however, endless talk about efforts to get the ball to Beckham may have (or did) place extra stress on quarterback Baker Mayfield.

This year, new coach Kevin Stefanski’s biggest challenge will be to make Beckham happy without trying too hard to get the ball to him and while otherwise running an offense that has plenty of quality components, including second-year running back Nick Chubb, who finished with nearly 1,500 yards rushing.

NBC

 

Jets sign Frank Gore



Jets head coach Adam Gase said recently that he wants to lighten the load on Le'Veon Bell this season and the team has found a running back to do that.

Agent Drew Rosenhaus told PFT that the Jets are signing Frank Gore to a one-year contract. In addition to providing an experienced hand behind Bell, the move marks a reunion for Gore and Gase.

Gore played for Gase when Gase was the head coach in Miami during the 2018 season. He ran 156 times for 722 yards that season and then moved on to Buffalo last year. Gore ran 166 times for 599 yards and two touchdowns for the Bills.

The coming season will be Gore’s 16th NFL campaign and he comes into the year in third place in all-time rushing yards. With more than 1,300 yards between him and Walter Payton, he’d need to do a lot more than lighten Bell’s load to move up another spot on the ladder.

NBC

 

This is really insane, and something that just doesn't get the attention it deserves. Frank Gore has been playing for 16 mother F'ng seasons, as a RB in today's NFL. That is an absolute feat. It should be just as notable as anything else talked about in this league. Wow.

And they mention (just casually and dismissively, which pisses me the hell off) that he's 1300 yards from Walter Payton for second on the all time list of rushing leaders. Well, if he has two more seasons like his last two (and given his longevity, that seems feasible), he'd catch him. That's crazy.

Adrian Peterson is 5th on the list and a few years shy of Gore's longevity, as well.

 

I've had one eye on this ever since Gore was in Indy. I really hope that doesn't happen. I respect Gore and the work ethic and desire behind what's been an amazingly durable career. But the guy isn't fit to shine Sweetness's shoes let alone sit above him on a list like this. That simple.

I thought it was a real shame when Gore overtook Barry Saunders for exatly the same reason.

 

I don't think it's a shame.. Barry was Barry and that won't change at all. He also made a conscious decision to stop playing earlier than what a normal career would be.

The fact that Gore has been playing as long as he has, is another accomplishment in and of itself.

Two extremely different accomplishments, yet both very impressive. Being passed by someone on an all-time rushing list though is nothing to be shameful of. It's just that, two different paths to get there.

 

I don't think id hold 'longevity' against a player. That in and of itself in this violent game is a feat of worthy note.

Not a Barry' supporter. He walked away from the game. He was a truly talented player, but he, by choice, disappeared. If any of his records fall its nobodies fault but his and credit given to the 'workhorses' that stick around.

Walter and Frank will both sit in the same 'Hall', apples and oranges can and do co-exist, in my opinion.

 

The Ravens brought linebacker Pernell McPhee back to Baltimore last year and they’re not letting him head elsewhere this year.

The team announced that McPhee has agreed to terms on a contract. It’s a one-year deal for the nine-year veteran.

McPhee started the first seven games of the 2019 season, but missed the rest of the year after tearing his triceps during a Week Seven win over the Seahawks. McPhee had 19 tackles and three sacks when he was in the lineup.

McPhee spent four years with the Ravens after they snagged him in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. He spent three years with Chicago and a year with Washington before returning to Baltimore.

NBC

 

Gore hasn’t really had a HOF career. Longevity doesn’t get you to. He wouldn’t make my top twenty when he retires.

 

Maybe not top 20, but he gets a Bust in my book.

 

I don't think Barry Sanders has ever cared one bit about the records, or where he stands on the all-time yardage list. Most people probably consider Barry the best RB of his era, and he was a first ballot HoF'r, so he's probably okay with that. I believe it's likely Detroit would have squeezed another few seasons out of him had they been a serious contender, but it wasn't to be. Dude was always a class act that did things his way. Doesn't strike me as a guy with any regrets about his decision to hang up the cleats.

 

Good for you.

If you're looking to rehash the old talent v longevity debate you'll have to look elsewhere. I've already paid respect to his longevity.

I never said anything remotely to that effect.

To use the term "a shame" is to make an expression of lament. "Shameful" is another word to describe something causing disgrace. You can be unimaginably dumb at times dude.

 

Im not sure anyone here would hold longevity against him. That's twisting things somewhat. Also im not getting into that debate heh.

You know full well if he'd played on ANY other team in the league he would've lasted longer. Its not on him unless you blame him for being drafted by Detoilet or think he should've been an asshole and forced a trade, which wouldn't even be a dick move given it was Detoilet he was trying to escape. Detoilet specializes in taking HOF players and crushing their spirit until they walk away from the game early. Saunders should be above Sweetness. Hell he should prob be above everyone, at least for rushing yards.

 

I have to agree with both. But this also speaks to the point I was initially making.

Personally I like to see, wherever possible, the best players at the top of the record books. JMO. And yes work ethic and dedication should be noted, but who here, right at the start, fell in love with the game because of the hard workers? Were they what put the hook in you, or was it watching the incredible players doing incredible things?

The difference is just too big to me. Saunders and Payton were utterly prolific, Gore has never even sniffed prolific. One example: Gore has gone over 1300 yards ONE TIME in 15seasons. Payton did that like 10 times! Im not sure Saunders EVER went under 1300yards for a season. Anyway fuck it heh.

 

lol

 

Kareem Jackson: It doesn’t make sense to play unless “it’s 100 percent safe”



The NFL has optimism it can play the 2020 season, though many questions remain.

COVID-19 and antibody testing is expected to become more readily available in the coming months. Even then, until there is a vaccine, players and coaches will face risk in returning to team facilities and stadiums.

It seems likely, then, that some players and coaches will have decisions to make about whether to participate.

Broncos defensive back Kareem Jackson doesn’t sound fired up about that prospect.

“I just think for us, it doesn’t make sense to play any games unless it’s completely, 100 percent safe for us to go out there,” Jackson said in a conference call with beat reporters, via Nicki Jhabvala of TheAthletic.com. “If there’s any threat of us being able to [contract] COVID-19 in any way and spread it to our families or anybody we’re around, it just doesn’t make sense. I think I heard them saying something about us playing with no fans and all that. That would be like practice, so in my opinion, that would suck. But just talking with some of the guys, it just doesn’t make sense to go play any games unless it’s 100 percent safe for us to go out there.”

Jackson is working out at a private gym in Houston and participating in virtual meetings, while awaiting word from the NFL about what’s next.

NBC

 

This was the same larger sentiment shared by NHL players, in a report from the Athletic yesterday (I don't want to share a paid article here verbatim).

Most NHL players said they'd want to resume the season with a few regular season games, then go playoffs. However, the majority of players interviewed were from teams on the bubble of making the playoffs, incentivizing that response. Moreover, all players have the incentive of postseason paychecks pushing that answer, as well.

When actually drilling down on the answers the players gave, they all added caveats to their responses - all in the same line as the NFL player above. "We'd like to play, but only if they can make sure it's safe". There were no players willing to go back and play without assurances that they, their teammates, family, etc wouldn't get sick. Some even went into the costs of everything, speculating on how a limited restart with strict isolation measures would be a fiscally poor decision. Hotels to isolate, flying people / teams around, stadiums operating without fan income, etc.

It seems that, no matter how much massaging these owners want to do, the situation is the same as it was two months ago - the players have the ability to refuse to play under new and unique arrangements, and since the leagues can't guarantee them that they will be safe, it's a hard argument to make.

The NFL has the benefit of the season starting later in the year. However, team activities between now and then are going to be the issue that needs to be worked out first, and I've heard no speculation about how that's going to be done, which should be the most concerning part to everyone.

 

Cowboys still hope to have training camp in Oxnard



Whenever training camp happens, the Cowboys still have a preferred “wherever” for preseason preparations: Oxnard, California.

Via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys hope to conduct training camp in their West Coast home away from home, and Oxnard hopes to host the Cowboys.

According to Moore, the Cowboys have asked whether Oxnard can keep the training-camp window open beyond the usual window of late July through the middle of August. Oxnard has said that it can.

The Cowboys also want to have exclusive control over the hotel where the team stays, in order to quarantine the team while at training camp. Training camp also would entail few or no fans.

“On our side, we will assure we will meet whatever needs they have regarding their safety,” Oxnard city manager Alex Nguyen told Moore. “A training camp that is not open to the public, that would make sense. Only a certain number of people attending, that would make sense.”

Maintaining the net revenue for the city also makes sense, and that’s surely something Nguyen hopes to do.

For now, the Cowboys are keeping their options open. As explained by Moore, coach Mike McCarthy has prepared a schedule for training camp both in Oxnard and at the team’s facility in Frisco, Texas.

NBC