11 February 2019
Browns GM John Dorsey was noncommittal Monday when asked about Duke Johnson's future in Cleveland. Dorsey held a press conference to address Kareem Hunt's controversial signing. When asked about Johnson, Dorsey replied, "I don't think it makes him expendable yet." The Browns should anticipate Hunt serving a lengthy suspension for last year's assault on a woman, but it sounds like they might part with Johnson once Hunt becomes eligible to play. "I'll re ...11 February 2019
The Seattle Times' Bob Condotta expects the Seahawks to franchise tag free agent DE Frank Clark. Even at the roughly $18 million cost of the tag, this is a no-brainer decision for Seattle. Clark is coming off a career-high 13-sack season and turns 26 in June. Ideally for both sides, the tag will become a steppingstone toward a long-term deal. In other Seahawks free agent news, Condotta envisions FS Earl Thomas moving on, and WLB K.J. Wright probably following suit. ...11 February 2019
The Athletic's Will Sammon reports Florida DC Todd Grantham is the "lead candidate" for the Bengals' defensive coordinator vacancy. The longtime college coordinator has never exactly been a fan favorite at his various universities. Grantham coordinated the Browns' defense from 2005-07, so he does have some long ago NFL experience. So far, new Bengals coach Zac Taylor has not exactly been casting an inspiring net for his assistants. 2019 could be a painful year ...11 February 2019
A team source told SNY's Ralph Vacchiano that Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray is "probably a little too small" for the Giants. The Giants "prefer to stick to the established measurables they have for a prototypical quarterback," Vacchiano notes. The Giants' organization emphasizes conventional wisdom and inside-the-box thinking, and they haven't started a quarterback that measures below 6-feet since 5-foot-11 Gary Wood went 0-6 in 1966. And "the phil ...
11 February 2019
Panthers re-signed S Eric Reid to a three-year, $22 million contract. Obviously blackballed last offseason, Reid lingered on the open market until September. He almost immediately became an every-down player for the Panthers upon making his Carolina debut in Week 5, continuing his solid, if unspectacular, play from his 49ers days. Still only 27, Reid is a big hitter with positional versatility. He should remain a starter for several more seasons.11 February 2019
Browns signed RB Kareem Hunt, formerly of the Chiefs, to a one-year contract. Hunt was always going to get a second chance, but it is stunning that the Browns have taken the plunge before his suspension was even announced. He will remain on the commissioner's exempt list until official punishment is handed down. Browns GM John Dorsey is one of the people responsible for drafting Hunt in Kansas City, so it is not surprising he is the one to make the move. It is surprisin ...11 February 2019
In a statement, Kyler Murray said he is "firmly and fully committing my life and time to becoming an NFL quarterback." "Football has been my love and passion my entire life," Murray continued. "I was raised to play QB, and I very much look forward to dedicating 100% of myself to being the best QB possible and winning NFL championships." Murray goes on to say he is training for the NFL Draft process which will begin at the Combine later this ...11 February 2019
New Bucs coach Bruce Arians believes "so much" of Jameis Winston's issues with turnovers are "mechanical." "Clyde [Christensen] has watched every throw he’s made since his rookie year and Byron [Leftwich], too," Arians said. "And it’s like you’re trying to look safeties off too long and your feet are crossed. So much of it is mechanical." Arians also blamed the organization for consistently putting Winston in bad situations. ...11 February 2019
A source told The Athletic's Michael Cohen that Packers OG Cole Madison is unlikely to play football again. "I don’t think he’s coming back," the source said. "At least he’s not showing signs of it right now." A fifth-round pick last year, Madison sat out his entire rookie season because of what the Packers have called a personal matter. According to Cohen's source, that matter is the death of Washington State teammate Tyler Hilinski, who took ...11 February 2019
Falcons hired Bob Sutton as a senior assistant. Sutton was fired after six years in charge of the Chiefs' defense just a couple weeks ago. Coach Dan Quinn is expected to work as the defensive coordinator this season and call the plays, but Sutton should play a major role in game planning as well as helping with "in-game strategy, clock management, time-out usage, and replay review." Sutton oversaw a defense which was routinely near the top of the league in tak ...10 February 2019
Making his Alliance of American Football debut, Trent Richardson rushed 23 times for 58 yards and two touchdowns in the Birmingham Iron's 26-0, Week 1 win over the Memphis Express. He added a two-point conversion. The former No. 3 overall pick of the Browns in 2012, Richardson is one of the biggest "names" in the AAF's inaugural season. Running the ball is the foundation of these AAF offenses, but it also happens to be the toughest thing to do since offensiv ...10 February 2019
Making his Alliance of American Football debut, Christian Hackenberg completed 10-of-23 passes for 87 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in the Memphis Express' 26-0, Week 1 loss to the Birmingham Iron.10 February 2019
Garrett Gilbert completed 15-of-25 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns in the Orlando Apollos’ 40-6, Week 1 win over the Atlanta Legends on Saturday night. Gilbert was a 2014 sixth-round pick of the Rams but didn’t make his NFL regular season debut until Week 17 of this past season with the Panthers, completing 2-of-3 passes for 40 yards in New Orleans. He’s now the starter for the Steve Spurrier-coached Apollos. In addition to his two touchdown passes, whic ...09 February 2019
ESPN's Jamison Hensley considers free agent Mark Ingram a potential target for the Ravens. The Ravens had the second most rush yards in the league last year, but they did it without a true feature back. Ingram is a strong scheme fit for OC Greg Roman, who has a history of success with late-career veterans. Landing in Baltimore would be a best case scenario for Ingram's 2019 outlook.08 February 2019
Jets hired former Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter as RBs coach. Cooter had spent his previous four years as Detroit's offensive coordinator. He's familiar with Adam Gase from their time together as assistants in Denver under head coach John Fox. In addition to Cooter, the Jets also hired Andre Carter as DL coach, Bo Hardegree as an offensive assistant, Joe Vitt as senior assistant/OLBs coach and Blake Williams as a defensive assistant. Dowell Loggains will serve as offensive co ...08 February 2019
Dolphins hired former Lions and Colts head coach Jim Caldwell as assistant head coach/QBs coach. Caldwell was up for a number of head-coaching jobs this cycle, but came up empty after interviewing with the Browns, Cardinals, Jets and Packers. The 64-year-old was never a difference-maker in stints with Detroit and Indianapolis, but his wealth of experience could be valuable to first-time head coach Brian Flores. In addition to Caldwell, Patrick Graham was brought on as M ...08 February 2019
Reshad Jones is recovering from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. It's Jones' second torn labrum in the last three years. Recovery timetables usually range from about 4-6 months but could take even longer. This puts Jones in question for the start of training camp. The soon-to-be 31-year-old signed a mega extension in March 2017 and should be a foundation piece in the transition phase under new coach Brian Flores. Once Ryan Tannehill is released ...08 February 2019
ESPN's Katherine Terrell believes "it makes sense" for the Bengals to move on from LB Vontaze Burfict this offseason. Burfict hasn't played a full 16-game season since 2013, whether that's due to a lengthy injury and concussion history or suspensions, and will turn 29 this year. Once a force on the field, Burfict has become more of a liability. And with familiar faces like Marvin Lewis, Paul Guenther, and Jim Haslett gone, it makes sense for the new, young s ...07 February 2019
Cardinals signed CB Robert Alford, formerly of the Falcons, to a three-year, $22.5 million contract. Per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, the deal includes a healthy $13.5 million guaranteed. Alford was released by Atlanta just two days ago. He remained an every-down player in 2018, but his play slipped from the previous few seasons. Alford also turned 30 in November. He is not an impact player, but the Cardinals have spent years trying to find a legitimate option to pair with P ...07 February 2019
49ers hired Miles Austin as offensive quality control coach. It's an entry-level position as 34-year-old Austin begins to pursue a career in coaching. He will be joining Wes Welker as a new addition to coach Kyle Shanahan's adventurous staff.
