Monthly Archives: April 2018

Could Pats now make a move for OBJ?

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With the Patriots trading receiver Brandin Cooks to the Rams, how will the Patriots replace him?

Here’s an intriguing possibility: The Pats could trade for Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham may not be interested in that. Of course, if the Patriots are willing to pay him what he wants, Beckham may be willing to give it a try.

This is where the run on offensive linemen likely will begin. The Falcons, like may teams picking near the end of the first round, don’t have many glaring needs, but shoring up their offensive line would be wise. Hernandez is a plug-and-play starter for either guard spot.

The Saints could look at guard prospects in Round 1, and they also could consider Lamar Jackson. But as they continue to retool their offense for the future, finding a top tight end is in the cards. Hurst is this draft’s best at the position.

Alexander’s talent and upside is clear, but inconsistency among other factors makes him risky as a first-rounder. Still, the Steelers are known to value talent first, especially for playmakers on defense, and Alexander eventually can be Joe Haden’s replacement.

A coaching change could have a significant impact on the roster, specifically at the quarterback position. If Dak Prescott plays more like he did in 2017 and less like he did in 2016, the next coach could push to make a change at quarterback.

That gives Prescott even more incentive to do whatever he needs to do to improve in 2018. If he fails, the team fails. If the team likely fails, Garrett quite possibly goes. If Garrett goes, Prescott’s future with the Cowboys may hinge on what would be a contract year in 2019.

For more on the current dynamics in Dallas, the video attached to this blurb includes a visit from Charean Williams to Friday’s PFT Live.

Teams rarely make moves up the draft board for anything other than what they hope will be a franchise quarterback. Sure, Barkley is a franchise running back, and the Jets’ backfield currently has former Browns early-down back Isaiah Crowell as its best new option in the wake of Matt Forte’s retirement. In relation, Barkley is Samsonite, but the Jets have had too much lost luggage at QB not to grab one of the Joshs off the carousel.

Huge rugby player has impressive workout for NFL scouts

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A handful of international athletes who would like to see if they have what it takes to make it in the NFL went to Tampa to work out in front of scouts last weekend, and one athlete stood out: Jordan Mailata.

Mailata is a 20-year-old, 6-foot-8, 346-pound Samoan rugby player who currently competes for a team in Sydney, Australia, and he showed that he has the natural athleticism to play at the NFL level. He had a 5.12-second 40-yard dash and a 4.67-second short shuttle, both of which are excellent times for a man his size.

On balance, these wackadoo lineups have done well. They feature a ton of versatility and witty playmaking. Winslow is shooting almost 40 percent from deep, and looks confident. The Heat have a solid positive scoring margin when both Dragic and Richardson are on the bench, though that includes garbage time.

Erik Spoelstra is careful doling out minutes to these groups. Entire games go by without them. The Heat are endlessly interesting that way. They invert the floor with Kelly Olynyk as a stretch center, or even Luke Babbitt as a token starter alongside Johnson (or Winslow) and Whiteside. Miami even dabbles in super-small lineups featuring Johnson at center.

“The settlement is broken’’ and “on the brink of collapse,’’ Shahriari said in a court document.

The NFL says there’s nothing broken about the settlement, but that the league needs to ensure that every player filing claims actually deserves the payments he has requested.

“We are ensuring that legitimate claims are processed and paid in a timely way to those individuals and families who deserve these benefits,’’ NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told the Boston Globe. “We believe that it is entirely appropriate to continue to oppose fraudulent and unsupported claims. No legitimate claim has been rejected.’’

Chatman admitted to billing insurance companies for millions of dollars in fraudulent charges related to drug treatment. He also ran sober homes in Palm Beach County, where he acknowledged he allowed drug dealing and prostitution and received millions more in illegal kickbacks from treatment centers. From prison, he declined to be interviewed for this story.

NFL execs believe Johnny Manziel’s potential is ‘off the charts’

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Johnny Manziel played in a competitive football game for the first time since 2015 when he made his Spring League debut on Saturday, and his stat line was not overwhelming. However, it sounds like Manziel impressed many of the people who matter.

On last year’s first round pick, linebacker Jarrad Davis, Quinn said he was pleased how the player finished out his rookie season. He also said he’s gotten plenty of positive reviews on the selection while on the road doing prep work for the upcoming draft.

“We were on the scouting trail and numerous people, numerous coaches kind of pulled us aside and were raving about him a year removed from when we took him,” Quinn said. “I think in Matt’s scheme – Jarrad can play in any scheme – but his skill set is going to be exemplified in what we’re doing now.”

In Tennessee, Logan replaces recently released Sylvester Williams and will be paired by three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Jurrell Casey , who has racked up 39 career sacks in seven seasons with the Titans.

After losing out on the Ndamukong Suh sweepstakes, the Tennessee Titans have moved on to Plan B at defensive tackle.

Tennessee announced Sunday that it has agreed to terms with former Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Bennie Logan. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source, that Logan will sign a one-year, $4 million deal. Logan can make up to $5 million with incentives.

From what we know, though, even some of the league’s most decorated talent evaluators struggle with evaluating quarterbacks. When he was deciding between Leaf and Manning in 1998, Polian paid the late Bill Walsh $5,000 to evaluate both passers, a price that I suspect most teams would love to pay for a quarterback evaluation today. If you were making a list of the best quarterback evaluators in league history, the architect of the 49ers dynasty might be a good place to start.

Odell Beckham Jr.  is planning an act of good faith toward the Giants.

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How will they reciprocate?

Beckham will report Monday for the start of the voluntary offseason program, according to NFL Network’s Kim Jones and ESPN’s Josina Anderson. He plans to “check in, workout in the gym and meet with some people,” according to Anderson’s Twitter account.

Beckham has been rehabbing his broken ankle — he missed the final 10 games of last season — in Los Angeles. He and Shurmur had a meeting in the city last month when the coach was in town to scout draft-eligible quarterbacks Josh Rosen and Sam Darnold.

Shurmur left that meeting with the “understanding” Beckham would be in attendance, and the firestorm of the last few weeks did not change it. The program starts with strength and conditioning and progresses into a three-day pre-draft mini-camp.

Hernandez made his eighth straight start to begin the season as the one player who hasn’t lost at-bats to rookie Scott Kingery, who has made starts at shortstop, third base, left field and right field.

Hernandez is hitting.308 with a team-high six walks and a.462 OBP.

While Hernandez is off to a fast start, Sunday’s lineup included three batters hitting under.200: Santana (.192), Williams (.154) and Crawford (.053).

Outfielder Aaron Altherr, who hit a grand slam on Saturday night but is batting just.091 sat for the second time this season.

Crawford’s struggles highlight the Phillies’ trade of shortstop Freddy Galvis, a Gold-Glove caliber defender with some pop. Galvis played in all 162 games a year ago and is batting.333 with six walks for the Padres.

Khalil Mack doesn’t report to start of Raiders’ OTAs

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The Oakland Raiders open workouts under coach Jon Gruden on Monday without a key member of the defense present.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported pass rusher Khalil Mack is not in the building to kick off offseason conditioning, according to team sources. Rapoport adds it’s an unusual move for Mack.

The guess is the Yankees will go with Gray, then give German a first career start on regular rest next Friday for a series opener in Detroit.

Two double plays saved Montgomery from further damage. He left in the fifth after Danny Valencia hit a two-run, one-out homer to left on an 0-2, middle-of-the-plate curveball that pulled the Orioles to within a run at 5-4.

From there, German came on and used his mid-90s fastball to strike out five over 2 2/3 innings, but he allowed three runs in his 53-pitch outing, the first in the sixth on a two-out hit by Manny Machado and then two more when Santander homered in the seventh.

Head coach Jason Garrett insisted the goal is to get the five best offensive linemen on the field in 2018. Collins’ future earning potential gives him an incentive to want to remain at tackle. Whether he’s moved back inside will likely depend on whether Fleming or newly signed guard Marcus Martin earns his way into the top 5 rotation.

Five NFL teams with new head coaches open Phase 1 of offseason workouts today: Detroit Lions , Indianapolis Colts , New York Giants , Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

The quintet joins the Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears , who began their program last week. The rest of the league kicks off their workouts April 16.

Phase 1 of the offseason program spans two weeks, and limits activities to strength and conditioning and physical rehabilitation only. Lions , Colts , Giants , Raiders and Titans players will begin working out at the team facility, and not much else for the next two weeks. Phase 1 is voluntary for players.

NFL Draft 2018: Will Giants regret passing on QB? It could be Super Bowl or bust

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Imagine this scenario: Running back Saquon Barkley, defensive end Bradley Chubb , offensive guard Quenton Nelson all turn out to be annual Pro Bowlers with Hall of Fame potential.

At least two of the quarterbacks available at the top of the 2018 NFL Draft go on to have excellent careers, too.

Essentially, the Giants can’t get stuck with a bust at No. 2.

If that is the case, will they live to regret passing over a quarterback for the top-ranked player at another position just because of the premium value placed on quarterback?

“I don’t think you ever regret taking a great player,” Jeremiah said. “But when you look at the opportunity that exists right now — you’ve got a 37-year-old quarterback and you’ve got a pretty good group (of quarterbacks in the draft), and you are picking up there with a chance to get one — it’s tough to pass.”

The Cowboys and Jaguars both made big leaps forward after drafting Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette with top five picks in the 2016 and 2017 NFL Drafts, respectively.

However, the Cowboys’ rise also had a lot to do with a vaunted offensive line and an unexpected rookie steal at quarterback, while the Jaguars boasted one of the NFL’s best defenses.

“A position player outside of quarterback can certainly be impactful,” Brooks said. “It really depends on the way the team is constructed. I’m not necessarily on board that a quarterback is the only guy who can move the needle for a squad.”

That now seems like eons ago.

Davis revealed Friday that he received a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing drug policy. That makes him yet another example of how while you are at work or Netflix and chilling, there is a battle brewing in the NFL every second of every day over PEDs.

Thomas tweeted out a video to “share the news”:

“I was completely caught off-guard by this. I’ve never in any way done anything to try to intentionally cheat the game. It’s one of those situations where the NFL rules are clear. They state that you are responsible as a player for what you put in your body.

Israel’s top team dismisses Glen Rice Jr. for punching teammate

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Fox and ESPN can’t hire play-by-play announcers for TNF and MNF until Manning makes his decision. Why? Because No. 18 will have veto power over who he works with in the broadcast booth, said sources.

That’s why ESPN hasn’t announced the successor to former MNF play-by-play announcer Sean McDonough. Even though the New York Post reports Joe Tessitore is expected to get the job.

Jaden Schwartz had a power-play goal and Brayden Schenn scored with 38.4 seconds remaining for the Blues, who saw their playoff appearance streak halted at six straight seasons.

The Blues arrived in town late following a 4-1 win in Chicago on Friday night. They sent Allen to the Mile High City early so he would be better rested for the big game. Allen made one diving save after another to keep things close. He even played through a tweaked hamstring he suffered in the game.

“Any other game I probably would have went out but this a game we needed to win,” Allen said.

St. Louis was dealt a blow midway through the first period when leading goal-scorer Vladimir Tarasenko left with an upper-body injury. He didn’t return.

“He was very disappointed,” Blues coach Mike Yeo said.

Upton’s two-run homer in the fourth was his third in four games and his second of this weekend series. He added a double in the sixth, giving him five hits in six at-bats since Friday.

Mike Trout went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts and a double-play groundout, dropping to 1 for 18 on the Angels’ homestand. The two-time AL MVP is batting .184 after nine games.

Trayce Thompson joined the A’s at Angel Stadium after Oakland claimed him off waivers from the Yankees earlier in the week. The former Dodgers outfielder is from Orange County, as is his brother, Golden State Warriors’ All-Star Klay Thompson. He’ll return to Dodger Stadium next week when the A’s play a two-game interleague series.

After Parker Bridwell flopped Friday in his first start of the season and left the Angels short of fresh arms, Los Angeles optioned him and infielder Nolan Fontana to Triple-A Salt Lake. The Angels also recalled infielder Ryan Schimpf and right-hander Akeel Morris, who threw 2 1/3 solid relief innings in his Angels debut. Schimpf struck out to end the game as a pinch-hitter in his own Angels debut.

NFL free agent news: Rams ink DT Ndamukong Suh on 1-year deal

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Ndamukong Suh is taking his talents to the West Coast.

The defensive tackle reached agreement with Los Angeles Rams on a one-year deal, the team announced Monday. ESPN says the contract is worth $14 million.

“We are excited have Ndamukong as a part of the Los Angeles Rams,” general manager Les Snead said in a statement. “He’s been an outstanding player in this league and we are looking forward to him being a part of our defense.”

“Shabazz played a (great) game all night long, played in attack mode … got to his strengths in the paint,” forward Khris Middleton said.

The Bucks led comfortably the rest of the way to close out the regular season at the Bradley Center. A new arena is scheduled to open in the fall on an adjacent lot in downtown Milwaukee.

Magic: Asked for his memories at the Bradley Center, Vogel recalled a time when then-Celtics coach Rick Pitino got into an argument with guard Dee Brown off the court while Vogel was Boston’s video coordinator. “Not a … fight but just a (verbal) flare-up,” Vogel said.

It was a slim possiblity, but it could have happened.

Now the question is which quarterback do they take? The top guys in the draft are (in no particular order) USC’s Sam Darnold, UCLA’s Josh Rosen, Wyoming’s Josh Allen and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield.

So which one do they want? We’ll have to wait until April 26 to find out.

The 40-year-old Ginobili had back-to-back 3-pointers followed by a right-handed layup against Al-Farouq Aminu to turn a four-point game into a 101-89 lead.

“That’s why he’s a Hall of Famer, he hasn’t really lost a step,” Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum said. “His shot’s still good. He’s still able to get to that left hand, and even tonight he finished two right-hand shots that are pretty high degree of difficulty, one scoop in the lane and another scoop going out of bounds.”

McCollum finished with 17 points for Portland.

Aaron Donald’s offseason training includes battling against knives

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Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is a terror on the field. In four NFL seasons he has earned three All-Pro selections and the 2017 Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award.

Somehow, Donald has been able to make himself seem even more terrifying this offseason, thanks to a recent training video.

Their best run was a three-game win streak, all on the road, while the Sabres went winless over four or more games seven times, including an 0-5-2 skid from Nov. 10-22.

The reality of how bad the Sabres were set in at the midpoint of the season for defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

“It was around Christmas and we were done, and we still had 40 games to play,” Ristolainen said. “Everyone wants to make the playoffs so bad, and we weren’t even close.”

Eichel led Buffalo with a career-best 25 goals and 64 points, despite missing 15 games with a sprained right ankle. Much more is expected next season when Eichel’s eight-year, $80 million contract kicks in.

“I was able to remember being attacked,” said Sapp, who later was found lying unconscious inside the garage.

Testimony came on the second day of Jonathan Coleman’s second trial on one count of felonious assault. The first trial ended in November with jurors unable to reach a verdict.

Corey Coleman was never charged in the beating and hasn’t been called to testify as a witness. His roommate pleaded guilty to an attempted felonious assault charge.

Corey Coleman’s attorney told Cleveland.com on Tuesday that his client never denied that he was in the stairwell but maintains that he never touched Sapp.

Kane didn’t look like his usual self that game but said it was important to get rid of some “cobwebs” before the playoffs started and he gets the chance to back up his belief that he can thrive at this time of year.

Detroit Lions’ Ziggy Ansah has no immediate plans to sign franchise tag

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When the Detroit Lions used the franchise tag on Cliff Avril in 2012, the defensive end decided not to sign his tender until August so he could enjoy his son’s first birthday at home.

Avril missed eight days of training camp that year, and eventually left for the Seattle Seahawks in free agency the next spring.

The Lions used the tag last month for the first time since Avril, and while defensive end Ziggy Ansah has no immediate plans to sign his tender, his situation is not expected to approach Avril levels.

The talented and well-balanced Los Angeles Chargers have underachieved in each of the last two seasons, but they might be due for a breakout year.

The Bolts ranked in the top 12 on both sides of the ball in terms of DVOA in 2017, and they had the top points differential total in the AFC West. That should have resulted in 10 or 11 wins, according to Football Outsiders’ Pythagorean wins formula, but they settled for nine after an 0-4 start that included three losses that came by a combined seven points.

Quarterback Philip Rivers gets the lion’s share of the attention coming off another Pro Bowl season, but Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram are only going to get better as an elite pass-rushing duo, the secondary is one of the best in football, the offensive backfield and receiving corps are jacked and an improving offensive line should be even better with second-year second-round pick Forrest Lamp healthy and veteran center Mike Pouncey joining the fray.