NFL News

[Futureshock]

Josh Rosen regresses after a solid start to camp

Posted by Mike Florio on August 8, 2021, 5:48 PM EDT

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Josh Rosen has become the forgotten man from the quarterback class of 2018. His 2021 training camp is turning forgettable, too.

“I think he started off real well,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Sunday regarding Rosen. “I think he’s taken a couple of steps back the last few practices. You know, it was unfortunate on [interception during Sunday’s practice]. We were supposed to go to someone and we had a busted route, so then it kind of fell apart and he tried to overcompensate and he made a bad situation worse.”

Rosen has rarely had a good situation during his time in the NFL. A top-10 pick who lost his spot in Arizona after the Cardinals secured the ability to select Kyler Murray, Rosen didn’t pan out in Miami before accepting a practice-squad gig last year with Tampa. Then, he spotted an opportunity to learn from Shanahan and potentially get on the field. Once the 49ers made their big move for rookie quarterback Trey Lance, that possibility became more remote.

That said, Rosen could still develop into the backup to Lance, once the 49ers officially move on from Jimmy Garoppolo. It’s still unclear when that will be, because it’s impossible to know whether the incessant praise of Garoppolo is merely aimed to getting someone to trade for him before Week One.

[Cody_Russell]

Urban is going to have more losses in 1 season as Jaguars coach than in his entire time at Ohio State. Hope he is ready for this.

...

What happened to the Henderson > Okudah crowd?

[Futureshock]

Urban is going to have more losses in 1 season as Jaguars coach than in his entire time at Ohio State. Hope he is ready for this.

...

What happened to the Henderson > Okudah crowd?

Oof! Yeah, I don't think either are pounding their chests right now. Either is better then the Gladney crowd

[Futureshock]

Zach Wilson struggles in simulated game at MetLife Stadium

Posted by Mike Florio on August 8, 2021, 7:45 AM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

We’re five weeks away from seeing how Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will perform in a real NFL game. On Saturday night, he struggled in his first simulated NFL game at MetLife Stadium.

Via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, Wilson threw two interceptions and led the starting offense to only three points in seven possessions against the starting defense. He completed 11 of 24 passes for 112 yards.

So what did Wilson think of his showing?

“Not great,” Wilson said, via Cimini. “I have high expectations for myself and this offense. I have to lead the guys and I have to make better decisions. That’s why this isn’t game one. That’s why we’re doing this. I understand that. Of course I’m going to be frustrated with myself, but I’m going back to the film room and find out what I can learn.”

First-year coach Robert Saleh had a better assessment of Wilson’s first practice without offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur just a few feet away.

“There was no one to turn to for him to talk to,” Saleh said. “To have that experience, and to be able to go through it all, these moments are priceless for him. He had some good moments and, obviously, he had some rookie moments.”

A crowd of nearly 20,000 at MetLife Stadium showed patience with Wilson. Via Cimini, there was no booing.

“It’s all part of the process,” Wilson said. “We’re all learning. I’ve got to make better some decisions, but I know I can learn from all those. This is the reason we do this sort of thing.”

The Jets’ future franchise quarterback has five weeks to learn what he can before the Jets player their first game that counts, against former Jets’ future franchise quarterback, Sam Darnold. Wilson won’t have to worry about the home crowd booing him then, either; he makes his NFL debut on the road at Carolina.

[jaadam4]

Some of the vet players from NE said Tom Brady looked like dog shit in his early days of training camp and practices

Then he put on the cape. 1 summer league game or training camp scrimmage doesn’t mean anything

[jaadam4]

Also im drunk

[jaadam4]

Which is better than being vaccinated

[chemiclord]

I'm sure the coronavirus would agree.

[TheLondonLion]

Some of the vet players from NE said Tom Brady looked like dog shit in his early days of training camp and practices

Then he put on the cape. 1 summer league game or training camp scrimmage doesn’t mean anything

Mahomes was meant to have looked HORRIBLE in his first camp. Apparently the receivers were like:

[edindetroit]

Also im drunk

We know.

[Futureshock]

You mean he wasn't before? I thought he has always posted here when he was stone cold drunk.

[Futureshock]

Lions’ D’Andre Swift missing practice time with groin injury

Posted by Michael David Smith on August 10, 2021, 5:08 AM EDT

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Lions running back D'Andre Swift has been limited in training camp because of a groin injury.

Swift has missed significant practice time because of his sore groin, according to Kyle Meinke of Mlive.com. Swift has been in full pads most days but doing only individual drills and not participating in team work.

As a rookie last season, Swift had 114 carries for 521 yards and eight touchdowns, and added 46 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns.

The Lions have been planning for Swift and Jamaal Williams to be a 1-2 punch at running back. If this injury lingers, that would likely result in more work for Williams.

[Futureshock]

A Michael Thomas trade seems inevitable

Posted by Mike Florio on August 9, 2021, 8:43 PM EDT

USA TODAY Sports

Last year, as word emerged of friction between the Saints and receiver Michael Thomas, PFT reported that the Thomas camp was trying to get other teams to make a trade offer for the player. No one did.

This year, it feels inevitable that someone will.

The relationship between Thomas and the Saints seems fractured, as evidenced by Thomas posting a tweet implying that the team tried to damage his reputation. The Saints, of course, have no reason to make Thomas look bad. The Saints didn’t want the ugliness to go public, as evidenced by the fact that they managed to keep under wraps for months the consternation arising from Thomas delaying his ankle surgery. No, the Saints lose if Thomas takes a hit to his reputation; that will make other teams less inclined to give the Saints full value for his services.

So where will Thomas go? A reunion with Ohio State coach Urban Meyer makes plenty of sense. Given that (per Jeff Duncan of Nola.com) the Saints are exploring trade options at cornerback and could make a play for C.J. Henderson of the Jaguars, the possibility of Thomas for Henderson plus a pick or two could make sense.

He’d leave behind $8.9 million in cap space for 2021, and the team would take a $22.7 million cap charge in 2022. It’s hardly an ideal outcome, but with the situation deteriorating between player and team, the Saints may have no choice but to move on.

[Futureshock]

Cardinals partner with BetMGM to open first sportsbook inside an NFL stadium

Posted by Charean Williams on August 9, 2021, 6:57 PM EDT

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The Cardinals announced Monday they have partnered with BetMGM to open a sportsbook at State Farm Stadium. It will become the first sportsbook inside an NFL stadium when it opens.

BetMGM announced it has targeted the 2022 NFL season.

“This is a tremendous opportunity to build upon our long-standing relationship with Gila River and launch a new one with BetMGM,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement. “They are best-in-class partners whose excellence and expertise in this emerging space will provide a new and innovative way to engage and interact with our fans.”

Arizona allows professional sports venues to offer sports betting, and the Cardinals’ announcement follows the Phoenix Suns, who have a similar arrangement with FanDuel.

The NFL continues to embrace sports betting after years of opposing it in court. Since the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against the NFL in 2018, striking down the federal statute that restricted regulated sports betting to primarily Nevada, 29 states and the District of Columbia have passed sports betting legislation.

[Cody_Russell]

I would rather pay a little more for Michael Thomas than Mims (referring to a recent discussion) if the Lions trade for a WR. Thinking a day 2 pick considering Thomas' recent injury history + off-the field drama. Dan Campbell should have inside knowledge if it's worth it or not.
Thomas is a top 5 WR when healthy. Brings risk, but the upside is there.

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Cardinals. I've been following them closely for fantasy football purposes. Like what I'm hearing about AJ Green and Rondale Moore. There's an opportunity for Kyler Murray to make a run towards a MVP season in 2021 IMO.