NFL News

[Futureshock]

Darnell Mooney: I was smiling mid-route from Justin Fields’ deep ball

Posted by Myles Simmons on June 10, 2021, 10:36 AM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

Bears head coach Matt Nagy wasn’t the only one excited about Justin Fields‘ performance in OTAs on Wednesday.

Second-year receiver Darnell Mooney has been impressed with how the rookie quarterback lets it rip, complimenting his deep-ball ability.

“I’ve caught one or two deep balls from him,” Mooney said, via Stephanie Stremplewski of NBCSportsChicago.com. “The very first one that he threw up to me I was smiling mid-route of just seeing the ball in the air and just where it was placed. He’s very accurate with his ball and he understands exactly where he wants the ball.”

It’s June, so players aren’t in pads, and quarterbacks aren’t facing a live pass rush. But Mooney still extolled Fields’ arm and skillset.

“It’s a beautiful ball, man,” Mooney said. “Sometimes it can get there at the right ball, but he wants it out in front of you, and he’ll get frustrated with himself if it’s not there. He’s very tough on himself. He’s a great player, great person as well, and he’s gonna have a good career.”

Mooney finished second on the Bears in receptions and yards as a rookie in 2020, catching 61 passes for 631 yards with four TDs. If his chemistry with Fields continues to take off, Mooney’s production could see a significant jump whenever Fields beats out Andy Dalton to become Chicago’s QB1.

[Futureshock]

Dan Campbell on Todd Gurley: It has to work on our terms

Posted by Josh Alper on June 10, 2021, 10:31 AM EDT

Getty Images

After running back Todd Gurley visited the Lions in May, head coach Dan Campbell said the team had interest in having him in the backfield with former teammate Jared Goff.

Gurley has not signed with the Lions and word on Thursday is that he’s moving on for a visit with the Ravens. Given the depth the Ravens already have at running back, one might think Gurley is trying to spur the Lions into a better offer for his services.

On Thursday, Campbell said, via multiple reporters, that he is not sweating Gurley’s visit to Baltimore and that any deal with the running back would have to work on the Lions’ terms.

D'Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams are on hand at running back in Detroit whether Gurley signs up with the team or not.

[Futureshock]

Report: Raiders have every coach vaccinated, more vaccinated players than most teams

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 10, 2021, 4:45 AM EDT

Getty Images

At a time when many NFL teams are struggling to convince their personnel to get vaccinated, the Raiders appear to be ahead of the pack.

The Raiders’ entire coaching staff has been vaccinated and the number of players vaccinated might be the best in the league, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

During the 2020 regular season, the Raiders found themselves in hot water with the league office for multiple violations of the COVID-19 rules, and both the team and head coach Jon Gruden faced stiff fines. But this year, with vaccines the primary focus, the Raiders are getting the job done.

There may be competitive advantages for teams that get 85 percent of their players vaccinated, as the NFL is considering relaxing certain restrictions on team gatherings for teams that hit the 85 percent threshold. The report about the Raiders doesn’t give a specific number of players who have been vaccinated, but if the Raiders lead the league, they’d have to have at least 65 players vaccinated, which is 72 percent of the offseason roster.

The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective and every player should get it, but many players have so far refused.

[Futureshock]

Todd Gurley leaves Baltimore without a deal

Posted by Charean Williams on June 10, 2021, 3:01 PM EDT

Getty Images

Free agent Todd Gurley had a “good meeting” with the Ravens, but the running back left without a deal, Josina Anderson reports.

Gurley also visited Detroit recently, but coach Dan Campbell said it has to work on the team’s terms.

A source told Anderson that he assumes Gurley “is looking for the best offer.”

The Ravens have a crowded backfield with JK Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill.

Gurley was a two-time All-Pro with the Rams, but his knee issues have limited his production in recent years. He started 15 games for the Falcons last season and finished with 195 carries for 678 yards.

[jaadam4]

I didn’t realize Gurley had 9 rushing TD last year.

[Tom]

I thought the Lions had signed him.

[jaadam4]

I thought the Lions had signed him.

It’ll happen. I actually hope it does too.

[Futureshock]

He'll probably sign sometime during training camp.

[Futureshock]

Suuuuuuuuuuuure Russ


Russell Wilson insists he never requested trade and “is here to win it all”

Posted by Charean Williams on June 10, 2021, 5:54 PM EDT

Getty Images

Star quarterback Russell Wilson said Thursday he is fully committed to the Seahawks. He insists he never requested a trade from Seattle, even though his agent publicly provided a list of four teams — the Bears, Cowboys, Raiders and Saints — for whom Wilson would waive his no-trade clause.

“I think first of all, you know obviously I love Seattle. I love playing here,” Wilson said. “I’ve had a great career here so far. I’ve always wanted to play here for my whole career, obviously. I think there were some unfortunate frustrations after the season. Obviously you want to win it all and do it all, and do everything you can. I think everybody on our team does. We all want to win it. I think, unfortunately, it got a little bit blown out of proportion. I think that my ultimate goal is to win. You know I get paid to win . . . and we’ve done a lot of that over the years. The mission is to continue to do the same, but do a little bit more. I think the reality is that that’s the only thing I’m focused on is winning and doing whatever it takes to win. That’s why I wake up every day and lace my cleats to train every day. That’s what my teammates are doing, too, and so that’s what I’m looking forward to.

“In terms of the trade talks, I think anytime you play professional sports, there’s always a possibility of something happening, right? I think that’s just the reality. I think that there’s a lot of teams out there that people were saying that I was going to, or would go, that I requested a trade. I did not request a trade. I’ve always wanted to play here. The reality is I think calls were getting thrown around and this and that, and I mean that’s just a reality. But I think at the end of the day the real reality is I’m here and I’m here to win. I’m here to win at all.”

Wilson said he had great conversations with coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Schneider after publicly expressing frustration after the season.

The team’s postseason failures surely have driven the discontent. Since back-to-back Super Bowl appearances in 2013-14, the Seahawks are only 3-5 in the playoffs since 2015, failing to get beyond the divisional round.

Wilson mentioned several times in his Thursday press conference his plans were to bring another Lombardi Trophy — or more — back to Seattle.

[Futureshock]

S Obi Melifonwu Worked Out For Jets


June 10th, 2021 at 7:28pm CST by Ben Levine

Obi Melifonwu could be heading back to the AFC East. The former second-round pick worked out for the Jets today, reports Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (via Twitter).

The safety was a highly touted prospect coming out of UConn, and the Raiders ended up using a second-round pick (No. 56) to select the defensive back in 2017. Two stints on the IR limited Melifonwu to only five games during his rookie season, and he was ultimately released by the Raiders midway through his sophomore campaign. He appeared in a pair of games for the Patriots during the second half of that 2018 season, and he ended up spending much of the next year on New England’s practice squad.

Melifonwu was released last April, but he didn’t end up getting another gig during the 2020 season. He signed a futures contract with the 49ers back in January, but he was waived less than four months later.

In total, the 27-year-old has seen time in seven career games, having compiled 10 tackles. Melifonwu turned heads with his speed (4.4-second 40-yard dash time) and athleticism (44-inch vertical), so it isn’t a surprise that the Jets are kicking the tires on a safety with that skill set.

[jaadam4]

I never understood Wilson wanting out of Seattle. They’ve always done well surrounding him with talented Wr’s and RBs. His OL havent always panned out but they’ve always been a good if not great team.

Why make a change this late when you’re close to another SB? They were 12-4 last year and 11-5 the year before. That shit isn’t easy.

[froot loops]

He wanted a say in the offense, they gave it one game and then told him to pound sand. They may have went 12-4 but they aren't that close.

[jaadam4]

I didn’t realize L Bell was still a FA. That dude went from being a bad ass in Pitt to being off the map

[Fraquar]

I didn’t realize L Bell was still a FA. That dude went from being a bad ass in Pitt to being off the map

Antonio Brown hasn't done that much more.
Sometimes players don't understand the grass isn't always greener on the other side.

[froot loops]

Brown was a.weapon in the Super Bowl.