NFL News

[Futureshock]

If only they had drafted John Penisini. Practice would have been SMASHING


Raiders sign Jeremiah Poutasi

Posted by Josh Alper on August 4, 2021, 5:21 PM EDT

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Offensive lineman Jeremiah Poutasi has landed a job in Las Vegas.

The Raiders announced on Wednesday that Poutasi has signed a contract with the team. The move comes a day after veteran tackle Sam Young was placed on the reserve/retired list.

Poutasi was a Titans third-round pick in 2015. He started seven of the 11 games he played for the team as a rookie as a right tackle, but failed to make the club out of camp in 2016. The Jaguars picked him up and Poutasi played in one game for them that season.

That was the last regular season game that Poutasi played in the NFL. He’s spent time with the Rams, Broncos, and Cardinals while also doing stints in the AAF and The Spring League.

[Futureshock]

Maybe he should get some one to massage that out... wait a minute. Maybe not




Not practicing due to ankle and calf injuries, Deshaun Watson is attending quarterback meetings

Posted by Mike Florio on August 4, 2021, 4:01 PM EDT

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Whenever Texans coach David Culley fields questions about quarterback Deshaun Watson, the non-answer comes with a delivery that best could be described as frenetic bewilderment.

On Wednesday, Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly gave a real answer about Watson’s current whereabouts. (We haven’t seen the video and thus can’t comment on whether the explanation was either frenetic or bewildered.)

The context — now that the Texans are practicing in pads, Watson isn’t present at practice. As Kelly explained it, Watson is attending meetings.

“He’s been a great asset for us in the room and some of the stuff we do, how he sees it and how he sees the intent of the plays,” Kelly said, via John McClain of the Houston Chronicle. “It’s been great. He’s been very helpful with those players. Again, we’re doing a good job of keeping him engaged and going through some different stuff with him. He’s been good for those players.”

Via McClain, Watson hasn’t been on the practice field because he has injuries to his ankle and calf. It’s unknown whether those injuries would keep him from practicing but for the bizarre and awkward posture that player and team currently occupy, given Watson’s desire to be traded, the team’s desire to trade him, the uncertainty arising from 22 civil lawsuits, the existence of 10 criminal complaints, the inevitability of a grand jury taking up the matter, and the possibility of an indictment.

“We’re worried about the guys that are out there practicing,” Kelly said. “Tyrod’s taking the [first-team] snaps, and we’ve got [Jeff Driskel] and Davis, and they’re doing a good job for us. We’re getting those three players ready to go.”

Implicit in that remark is the reality that they’re not getting the fourth player ready to go. Well, they’re getting him ready to literally go. The question is where he’ll be going and whether he’ll be sent in that direction via negotiation between two NFL teams or decree of the league office.

[Cody_Russell]

Surprise, surprise.

[Futureshock]

Add this one to Quinn's resume of "should have drafted" DPJ was available when he selected Cephus. Cephus is okay, but he has JAG written all over him. DPJ is a rising star:


DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONESWR, CLEVELAND BROWNS


The Athletic's Zac Jackson reports second-year WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is "absolutely lighting up" Browns training camp.


A five-star recruit out of high school, DPJ went to Michigan where the production didn't match the sheer athleticism and potential. He fell to the sixth round despite insane measurables at last year's Combine. Peoples-Jones got in on 25% of the offensive snaps as a rookie and produced big plays when given opportunities, snagging 14-of-20 targets for a whopping 304 yards (21.7 YPR) and a pair of touchdowns as the No. 3 wideout. With Odell Beckham back healthy, Rashard Higgins re-signed, and Jarvis Landry still in the slot, DPJ has a tough path to 2021 production, but it's going to be difficult to keep him off the field if he keeps making plays this summer. DPJ is a strong hold in Dynasty leagues.

... See More
SOURCE: The Athletic
Aug 4, 2021, 10:21 PM

[Futureshock]

Surprise, surprise.

Nope

Deshaun Watson talks between Eagles and Texans are not “heating up”

Posted by Mike Florio on August 5, 2021, 7:47 AM EDT

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Deshaun Watson continues to be a member of the Houston Texans. There’s a good chance that’s going to be the case for awhile.

Contrary to a report that trade talks between the Eagles and Texans regarding a potential Watson deal are “heating up,” a source with knowledge of the situation tells PFT that they are not.

The problem at this point is the looming possibility of prosecution. As previously mentioned, Watson’s camp believes that the evidence against him inevitably will be presented to a grand jury. If he’s indicted on felony charges, the NFL undoubtedly will place him on paid leave until the case is resolved. Until then, it’s possible he’ll be convicted and then incarcerated.

“Teams have to wait to make sure jail isn’t a possibility,” one source explained.

Although only a few of the women who have accused Watson of wrongdoing have alleged forcible sexual misconduct, it takes only one allegation to become an indictment and in turn a conviction. At this point, especially in light of the trade compensation the Texans expect, it’s not worth taking the risk until knowing more about when and if Watson will be available to play football.

[Futureshock]

Just stay down bro

Latest On Philip Rivers’ Potential Comeback


August 4th, 2021 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

Philip Rivers returned to the NFL news cycle Tuesday, indicating he will consider a late-season comeback — if an opportunity presents itself. The former Chargers and Colts quarterback made it clear Wednesday he will not ditch his plans to coach high school football this season.

The 39-year-old passer-turned-coach confirmed he will finish his first season at St. Michael Catholic (Fairhope, Alabama) and added that a comeback should still be considered on the less likely side. That said, Rivers plans to stay ready after his high school team’s season ends in either October or November — depending on St. Michael’s postseason docket.

“It’s a long shot at best. But gonna be ready just in case,” Rivers said in a text to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (on Twitter). “…Will not even consider until our season is over no matter what. And like I said, somebody has to want ya.”

Rivers ditching plans to make his coaching debut would help the Colts, who have his successor — Carson Wentz — sidelined for an extensive period. But any team eyeing Rivers will have to wait. However, Rivers’ potential return would hinge on a starter going down. The 17-year vet would only come back if a starter on a contending team was lost for the season, thus opening up a QB1 gig, Mortensen adds (via Twitter). So, a significant injury’s timing would need to line up for Rivers to suit up again.

After leading the Colts to the 2020 playoffs, Rivers called it quits shortly after Indianapolis’ narrow opening-round defeat. But his unretirement will be a storyline to monitor this year, depending on how the quarterback health landscape looks during the season’s second half.

[Cody_Russell]

But Okudah said Cephus was the best WR he played against, not DPJ. Ugh… Okudah…

It will be funny if DPJ is a quality player in the NFL because he was a high rated recruit coming into Michigan. His college career was a letdown considering the expectations.
Funny because it’s another shot at Jim Harbaugh.

Sounds like Cephus has been fine in camp. I won’t complain about a 5th RD pick.

[jaadam4]

I still can’t believe the Lions passed on DPJ. His athletic ability and not being a psychopath that late in the draft was a steal. I hope he kills it

[jaadam4]

On another note, The Giants are going nowhere. Judge is terrible and that front office sucks. Hopefully Barkley makes it out to a better team

[Tom]

What is the thought behind trying to acquire Watson at this point? If he wins then people will get over all the other stuff?

[Iron Lion]

Kirk Cousins is keeping his vax status "private"

Meaning he's not gonna get pricked

Meaning he's likely to miss some games

If only Rodgers diva'ed his way out of GB, we'd have the best QB situation by far in the division

[Meano.Culpa]

Missed the pre-season opener last night, looking at the highlights, and wondering about a rule change.

How bad do you need to miss a field goal attempt to get -3 points?

[Futureshock]

Micah Parsons: They’re telling me to slow down, but I’m ready to go

Posted by Josh Alper on August 6, 2021, 7:17 AM EDT

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It had been a long time since linebacker Micah Parsons had played in a game before the Hall of Fame Game got underway, but the Cowboys first-round pick looked right at home.

Parsons opted out of playing for Penn State last season and he called it both exciting and “a relief” to be able to suit up for a game again. He played the first two series for the Cowboys and made an impact on both of them.

Parsons recovered a fumble to end the first Steelers possession and recorded three tackles on the second one before taking a seat for the rest of the night. After the game, Parsons said he doesn’t plan on taking too many more seats the rest of the way.

“They are telling me to slow down, but I am ready to go right now,” Parsons said, via Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I definitely believe I can make a big contribution.”

That’s usually the expectation for first-round picks and Parsons’ initial action offered little reason to think he won’t have a role for the Cowboys throughout his rookie season.

[Futureshock]

SMH


Texans still want too much for Deshaun Watson

Posted by Mike Florio on August 5, 2021, 8:13 PM EDT

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The Texans made it known promptly after quarterback Deshaun Watson reported for training camp that they’re willing to trade him. The problem was, and still is, that they want too much for him.

Per a league source, the Texans still haven’t softened their trade expectations for Watson, despite the lingering uncertainty regarding his career.

It’s an odd position, given that teams are reluctant to acquire Watson given the possibility that he’ll be indicted by a grand jury, tried on criminal charges, and potentially convicted.

The latest twist comes courtesy of Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, who reported on Thursday night that the Texans have stopped returning phone calls from teams interested in Watson. That’s quite possibly because the Texans are sick of getting lowballed for Watson.

And so the Texans are stuck. They have Watson. He wants out. They apparently want him out. They owe him $10 million this year and $35 million in 2022. If he’s indicted, he likely will land on paid leave.

[Futureshock]

Tom Brady on franchise values rising: NFL players are ignorant, better wake up

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 5, 2021, 5:00 PM EDT

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Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady seems to think the players are getting the short end of the stick in their negotiations with NFL owners.

Brady wrote in an Instagram story that Forbes estimated the average value of NFL franchises has risen by 14 percent in the last year, even in a year when revenues were down and the salary cap shrunk accordingly.

“The salary cap dropped by 20% and the new media deals were announced the day AFTER 2021 salary cap was set,” Brady wrote. “NFL players better wake up @nflpa. NFL players are IGNORANT.”

The new media deals will result in future increases in the salary cap, but Brady seems to think that the players are getting a raw deal with this year’s salary cap reduction. That deal, however, is what the majority of players agreed to when they voted to approve the Collective Bargaining Agreement. And at the time that NFL Players Association Executive Director DeMaurice Smith was finishing up negotiations on that deal, Brady complimented Smith’s work. So it’s odd that Brady would voice his objections now.