NFL News

[Futureshock]

Patriots’ Dont’a Hightower, Patrick Chung, Marcus Cannon To Return


February 26th, 2021 at 10:31am CST by Zach Links

The Patriots are getting three of their key players back for 2021. After opting out of the 2020 season, linebacker Dont’a Hightower, safety Patrick Chung, and offensive tackle Marcus Cannon all plan to retake the field in 2021, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.


Hightower, 31 in March, was slated to make $8MM in base salary last year in what would have been his walk year. Instead, his contract tolled, tying him to the Pats through 2021. His deal isn’t necessarily cheap, but Hightower is one of the better on-ball linebackers in the NFL. Even with the numbers crunch, the Pats are expected to keep him.

And, besides, releasing Hightower would save only $9.95MM, and it wouldn’t be easy to replace his production. The same goes for Chung. Cutting him would save just $1MM on the books and he could still have a role on defense alongside the likes of Kyle Dugger and Adrian Phillips.

Cannon, meanwhile, isn’t guaranteed to remain on the roster between now and September. The Patriots could pocket $7MM by cutting him and sticking with Michael Onwenu at right tackle. Cannon has impressed in the past, but he showed signs of decline in 2018 and 2019. Alternatively, the Patriots could keep Cannon as their RT and slot Onwenu at left guard, provided that Cannon is willing to take a pay cut.

[JGSpartan]

Why the 2 M's for millions or are they paying these guys in M&M's now?

[Futureshock]

[chemiclord]

Why the 2 M's for millions or are they paying these guys in M&M's now?

It's just financial code. M actually means "1000" in finance jargon. MM is 1000 times 1000, to equal 1,000,000.

[jaadam4]

Crazy shit in Tennessee with Isaiah Wilson. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a 1st round pick bomb out so quickly.

[LightninBoy]

ORLANDO BROWNT, BALTIMORE RAVENS


ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports the Ravens are allowing OT Orlando Brown's agent to explode trade scenarios.

Twitter -> the death of journalism.

[The King]

Yep, even journalism is being outsourced. I cancelled my SI sub last year because it’s such trash. Before you know it they will be replaced by bots, or like you mentioned, Twitter.

The sports writer is like a middleman man. They have no access and a player can just go on social with their thoughts. Tough times.

[edindetroit]

Former Notre Dame star and NFL player Louis Nix III dies at 29

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/former-notre-dame-star-and-nfl-player-louis-nix-iii-dies-at-29/?fbclid=IwAR2LowKZIJPiLK3DUyDduQkoXvI-a_wLvQTJ_yGmi1PptI-DcR4cIQfoBtk

[TheLondonLion]

If I were Watson and they persisted to try and make me be there I would be out there throwing the ball exclusively to the other team.

Why? He signed the fixed term contract last year.

[Futureshock]

Why? He signed the fixed term contract last year.

True. But why try and force a QB to be there. That's like trying to force a a person to be your cook. One bad day and you'd wish you had just got rid of them. I would get what I can if I were HOU and just call the whole O'Brien era a done deal. That team is going nowhere fast. Cap strapped with no high draft picks to get them back on track and they think holding on to Watson is a smart move? He'll be old or physically broken by time they get their sh!t together.

For both parties a divorce is the best option.

[TheLondonLion]

Deshaun Watsons don’t grow on trees.

Chasing an elite franchise QB out before his rookie contract has finished will go down as one of the dumbest moves in NFL history.

If I’m Houston I’m doing everything to keep him.

[jaadam4]

Why? He signed the fixed term contract last year.

I agree. It’s not like it’s a news flash that Houston is setting a new bar for stupid. Houston had some solid years but they’ve been going Simple Jack for awhile. He didn’t have to resign

[Futureshock]

Deshaun Watsons don’t grow on trees.

Chasing an elite franchise QB out before his rookie contract has finished will go down as one of the dumbest moves in NFL history.

If I’m Houston I’m doing everything to keep him.

If they cared that much they wouldn't be where they are today. Have already bungled it. They will not be contending for at least a couple of years or more. O'Brien screwed that thing 7 ways to Sunday. It's a wrap and they are now in a position of Zugzwang and their best bet is to pick the path that leads to a better life after Watson. Why would you want anyone, let alone your field general, that's unhappy with your FO. That's team poison.

[Futureshock]

Screwed...


J.J. Watt signs with Cardinals

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 1, 2021, 12:52 PM EST

Getty Images

Amid widespread speculation about where free agent defensive lineman J.J. Watt will end up, Watt himself dropped the surprise announcement today: He’s a Cardinal.

Watt tweeted a picture of himself working out, wearing an Arizona Cardinals shirt.

In a not-so-subtle statement about some inaccurate rumors that have been floating around about Watt’s whereabouts, Watt made it clear who the news is coming from with two words: “Source: me.”

Watt is reportedly signing a two-year, $31 million contract with $23 million guaranteed.

The Cardinals got off to a good start last season but then fell short down the stretch, finishing 8-8 and out of the playoffs. Watt has indicated he wants to go somewhere he thinks he can win a Super Bowl. The Cardinals wouldn’t seem to be first on that list, but it does allow Watt to reunite with his old friend DeAndre Hopkins, who went from Houston to Arizona last year.

But Arizona will now be the home of one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history, and a player who hopes to show he has more left in the tank.

[Futureshock]

the...


J.J. Watt will see the Texans in his first year out of Houston

Posted by Mike Florio on March 1, 2021, 1:02 PM EST

USA TODAY Sports

J.J. Watt has announced that he’s joining the Cardinals. It makes for an interesting 2021 schedule.

The Cardinals play the teams of the AFC South and NFC North. They play the Houston Texans. They host them, however; J.J. won’t be going to Houston.

Watt nevertheless will return to Texas. The Cardinals are due to play the Cowboys in Dallas.

The Cardinals also host the Green Bay Packers, one of the teams to whom Watt was linked given that he’s from Wisconsin.

The Cardinals likewise play the Titans in Nashville. That’s another team that seemed to be interested in Watt.

Then there’s the seventeenth game. Based on the formula identified by Peter King earlier today, the Cardinals play the Browns in Cleveland.

The Cardinals already had become a compelling prime-time draw with Kyler Murray. Adding Watt makes them even more attractive when it comes to football under the lights.