NFL News, Rumors and Musings

[Don Wassall]

I'm sure he'll claim that the Cardinals have a chance to contend, and maybe they will. They have more of a chance to go far in the playoffs this season than the Steelers do. The only attraction the Steelers have are his two brothers, and that's a pretty big one, which shows again how it's all about the $ and not about family or loyalty or anything else. Then again I don't think the Steelers were interested, or if they were they likely made a lowball offer.

 

[El Gringo]

Damn that sucks!! How much money is enough? Why not take a pay cut and sign with Tampa bay? I guess Brady is the only guy that has it figured out if u win the money will come.

 

[Bucky]

Having JJ definitely boosts their chances. I figured it was either between GB(who had been clearing cap space and of course hometown favorite.) Or Tennessee (Good relationship with Vrabel dating back to the better Houston day's).

We'll see what happens with Zach Allen. AZ also has Dennis Gardeck who was a monster when he got his chance.

Also year 3 for Isabella.. Gotta figure this is a make or break year for him.

 

[Carolina Speed]

Watt signed with Arizona because the Cardinals made him the best offer, that's all there is to it. 99% of pro athletes are mercenaries and J. J. Watt is no different.

If 99% of the decision was for the money then the other 1% for climate/location reasons, possibly. Scottsdale, Arizona or Cleveland, Buffalo, or Pittsburgh? Definitely Arizona if it indeed was for the money.

 

[Don Wassall]

If 99% of the decision was for the money then the other 1% for climate/location reasons, possibly. Scottsdale, Arizona or Cleveland, Buffalo, or Pittsburgh? Definitely Arizona if it indeed was for the money.

Good point, Sunbelt cities have a built-in climate advantage all other things being equal.

 

[Justin Eric]

No idea why he picked the Cardinals maybe Money or weather but he’s not winning there. Bad pick to me. That midget African QB isn’t winning anything

 

[ximasa]

Not a shocking move actually, I don't think he's going to the 'last 3' by media.

3 brothers playing in one team is cool, but TJ is that good and Steelers don't have dire need on JJ.
Green Bay is having one of the most cocky GM, he kicked Jordy, Clay, and drafting Gray and Jordan Love, no cap space, he's definitely asking JJ take a hometown discount.

But Cardinals? Hmm.........

 

[sport historian]

Watt signed with Arizona because the Cardinals made him the best offer, that's all there is to it. 99% of pro athletes are mercenaries and J. J. Watt is no different.

Over the years we've seen again and again white players sign for the most money rather than a team that would be a better playing situation.

 

[Warhawk_46]

You know, I think we put to be a tad bit harder on the white athletes that just take the money. If no other reason than being disingenuous. Watt said he didn’t want to rebuild in Houston and play for a championship but yet he signs in Arizona? Arizona is clearly no where near championship quality.

So he chased likely the most $$ offered. Fine, his choice. But he hurts his legacy this way and will be seen as a money chaser rather than someone who truly wants to win.

 

[Extra Point]

There's nothing wrong with taking the money. The Cardinals probably offered Watt much more than other teams. If it was close he may have made another decision.

 

[Snowplow]

Dennis Gardeck is a RFA, hopefully someone like MIN, BUF, or CLE is intrigued by his 5 sacks in limited snaps and "rescues" him. Evan Weaver (2020 rookie Cal LB) is on the practice squad. They also have LB Tanner Vallejo, who's been primarily a WSTD but got more defensive snaps towards the end of the season, but he's a UFA. If somehow Watt, Allen, Gardeck, and one or both of Vallejo or Weaver are playing all at the same time then that would be a good defense. But don't count on more than 2 of them playing at the same time. Hopefully Gardeck, Vallejo, and Weaver all find shelter in greener pastures.

And, I imagine MSM talking heads will hop on the Cardinals hpye train. We know they love Murray. Narrative seems to be "Watt is high on Murray" and now people are trying to say he's better than Allen and Mayfield, who both won playoff games, as well as Rodgers at this stage of his career despite being literally just named MVP. I'm also convinced his real height is closer to 5'8 than the supposed 5'10. They also made excuses for him, like "Murray was banged up in the last game" and "a lot of their players were injured." I think he regresses.

As an OL enthusiast, let's check their depth chart- mostly sumos. Last year they usually had the trio of Justin Pugh, Mason Cole, and JR Sweezy manning the interior. Pugh has been a criminally underrated lineman- part of the excellent 2013 class (Fisher, Lane Johnson, Bakhtiari, etc.) but is past his prime and is a rumored cap casualty. Cole has been okay but not top-tier. Sweezy is a UFA and also aging. I expect them to focus on improving the OL this offseason. Probably more sumos but we'll wait and see. Jack Anderson would be a good fit, since he and Kingsbury overlapped in 2017 and 18, though I'd rather he go to a team with a White QB. The Cards drafted Georgia sumo center Lamont Gaillard in 2019. He got significant snaps when Cole was out so I imagine the DWFs are clamoring for him to take over. As I've stated, sumo centers are my least favorite. Georgia loves them, sad. Not too long ago they had Ben Jones and later David Andrews, both great NFL players. If he starts I would not be surprised, either way, I'm sure he figures to play a bigger role next year.

 

[Warhawk_46]

Yes if all the aforementioned white defensive players stay in the team and play substantial minutes, and if Murray tears an acl and is replaced by a white QB and they ensure a white OL and Andy Isabella actually gets substantial playing time and tracks for 700+ yards then I could get behind Arizona.

A lot of ifs and ands though.

 

[Bucky]

Speaking of Centers, it seems Corey Linsley's days in Green Bay are numbered. Can't believe he's been there for 7 seasons already, going to get a huge raise wherever he goes.

I'm assuming GB will slide over Jenkins or Patrick to Center. That should create an opportunity for Runyan at one of the Guard spots.

 

[Don Wassall]

Kyle Rudolph (Vikings) and Henry Anderson (Jets) both cut today.

 

[Snowplow]

Going to miss seeing Rudolph catch passes from Cousins. It was a great fit, true complete 2-way tight end. Patriots tried to trade for him in 2019, they're one possible landing spot, especially since their TE's have been underwhelming post-Gronk, and Belichick/McDaniels love using their tight ends. Bills also need help at tight end, and he could do wonders for Knox's development.

"New age," blocking-optional TE Irv Smith is the heir apparent for TE1, but not all hope is lost. The other TE's are all white, and since they run 2 TE sets more than most teams we can expect to see them plenty. Hale Hentges was Smith's teammate and Bama, and did most of the blocking there. He showed flashes in 2019 with the Redskins and hopefully his past history with Smith helps him here. Tyler Conklin has been there for a while and ended last season strong. Lastly, Brandon Dillon is also on the roster. Don't know anything about him but at 6'5 he is the tallest.

 

[Don Wassall]

Saints released Jared Cook, and also Josh Hill, which means Adam Trautman jumps to the top of the depth chart at tight end. New Orleans moved up to draft Trautman in the third round in '20, so he should have a great opportunity to become entrenched as the starter beginning this season.

 

[Bucky]

Good news for Trautman. Moves well at 6'6, do it all TE.

Saw an article on Outkick saying Kyle Rudolph prefers going to New England.

 

[Snowplow]

Trautman is a good player and I'm happy for him but I hate the Saints. Many reasons, their DWFs are a big one. Honestly want them to have a black quarterback and all-sumo O line, and stink it up just to suck it to them.

Rudolph to the Pats is a good fit. However the Patriots are anything but the team they were 6 years ago. The QB position is obviously unsettled, but not just that. The O line is getting really hideous. Used to have a snowplow almost all the time. Gotten gradually worse over the past few years and since the departure of Solder 3 years ago it's been 3/5 sumos. Thuney and Andrews are impending FA, the former is expected to walk, unsure of the latter. Not inconceivable they could be up to 4/5 sumos. Gross.

Sources also say he'd be happy to reunite with Kevin Stefanski (his old OC) in Cleveland. Obvious scheme fit and familiarity. However, they already have big FA Hooper and up-and-comer Bryant. They do run a lot of 2 and 3 TE sets, so he'd play plenty of snaps, but he is said to want a bigger role on offense. Still early but Stefanski (from the Mike Zimmer tree) seems like one of the more (relatively) fair coaches from a CF perspective, as his mentor has been. If he wants to chase a ring, the Browns are better for that than the Patriots (imagine saying that just two years ago LOL). I'm sure he'll have plenty of interest and some other teams are good fits too but I think those two are the frontrunners.

 

[wile]

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/amazon-set-carry-many-nfl-games-exclusively-prime-video

More viewing options, though as noted in the comments the youtube 10 minute version is probably the best.

 

[wile]

Glanced at Outkick to take note of some impending slaughter coming soon for the high paid veterans in the NFL, something about a cap freeze or something. Hard to imagine in the days of free money for oligarchs that a freeze was negotiated.

 

[Booth]

The NFL announced the list of invites to the combine even though they are not having one. There are 323 names on the list and you don't need a calculator to add up the whites.
https://profootballdraft.com/nfl-releases-full-list-of-prospects-invited-to-2021-scouting-combine/

 

[Leonardfan]

The NFL announced the list of invites to the combine even though they are not having one. There are 323 names on the list and you don't need a calculator to add up the whites.
https://profootballdraft.com/nfl-releases-full-list-of-prospects-invited-to-2021-scouting-combine/

Thanks Booth. I will go through the list and break it down for our guys.

 

[white is right]

Anthony Sherman filed his retirement papers today. Normally I wouldn't pay much attention to a fullback retiring, but he put in 10 years of hard work and was one of the better pure blockers in the NFL and won a championship last season. Happy trails...

PS Sherman is the player with the Mohawk who congratulates Kelce.

 

[Don Wassall]

Would be great if Ertz goes to Indy to reunite with Wentz. Zach was the third best TE in the league until tailing off last season along with Carson as both had to deal with an impossible situation in Philly.

NFL Network's Mike Silver reports "multiple teams have called the Eagles about the possibility of trading for" TE Zach Ertz.
Ertz is coming off his worst NFL season but he had gone to three consecutive Pro Bowls before his disastrous 2020 campaign. His counting stats took a dip in part because of his brief stay on IR but his efficiency numbers also contributed to the downturn. Ertz averaged 4.7 yards per target and only caught half of the passes thrown his way. Both marks were lows across his eight-year career. Contending teams could look to poach Ertz from the Eagles in the hopes that he reclaims some of his previous skill but they'll also likely need to give him a new contract. Ertz was pushing for a new deal from the Eagles prior to the 2020 season but both parties were unable to come to an agreement. Seattle and Indianapolis were previously reported to be interested in Ertz and both landing spots make sense for the veteran tight end.

 

[Leonardfan]

Would be great if Ertz goes to Indy to reunite with Wentz. Zach was the third best TE in the league until tailing off last season along with Carson as both had to deal with an impossible situation in Philly.

NFL Network's Mike Silver reports "multiple teams have called the Eagles about the possibility of trading for" TE Zach Ertz.
Ertz is coming off his worst NFL season but he had gone to three consecutive Pro Bowls before his disastrous 2020 campaign. His counting stats took a dip in part because of his brief stay on IR but his efficiency numbers also contributed to the downturn. Ertz averaged 4.7 yards per target and only caught half of the passes thrown his way. Both marks were lows across his eight-year career. Contending teams could look to poach Ertz from the Eagles in the hopes that he reclaims some of his previous skill but they'll also likely need to give him a new contract. Ertz was pushing for a new deal from the Eagles prior to the 2020 season but both parties were unable to come to an agreement. Seattle and Indianapolis were previously reported to be interested in Ertz and both landing spots make sense for the veteran tight end.

I hope Ertz ends up getting cut and he follows Wentz to the Colts. That would be a huge confidence booster for Carson. Ertz and Wentz both got treated poorly by the Eagles organization.