NFL News

[Futureshock]

Justin Jefferson: We’re not a run-first offense anymore

Posted by Josh Alper on June 24, 2022, 12:19 PM EDT

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Vikings running back Dalvin Cook spent time lined up as a wideout during the team’s OTA practices this spring and said that he’s happy to play “wherever they want to fit me in” on offense during the 2022 season, which are a couple of many signs being sent about the team’s new look on offense under head coach Kevin O’Connell.

There has been frequent mention of modernizing an offense that had grown stale in recent seasons and wide receiver Justin Jefferson has been enthusiastic about the direction that he sees the team moving in this year. That continued to be the case in a recent appearance on NFL Network.

Jefferson said there’s “definitely a different vibe, a different connection” with O’Connell running the show and one of the changes appears to be a direct benefit to Jefferson and others who will be catching passes from Kirk Cousins this season.

“Our offensive style, it’s not a run-first offense anymore,” Jefferson said. “Just us being able to put different people in different positions and distribute the ball, really. I’m so excited in this offense. Us just being in OTAs, learning the plays, going through it with our defense, and stuff.”

Jefferson produced at a high level while playing in that “run-first offense” the last couple of years, so the shift in philosophies could be setting him up for even bigger things in 2022. That’s good reason for Jefferson to be excited and for others to be curious about what the Vikings will do offensively this fall.

[Futureshock]

NFL sees “really powerful” growth potential for football in Africa

Posted by Josh Alper on June 24, 2022, 6:54 AM EDT

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The NFL is holding its first talent scouting camp in Africa this week and the plan is for the trip to Ghana to be the start of a sustained effort to build a foothold on the continent.

NFL International COO Damani Leech said that the league would like to host events in Nigeria and South Africa, among other countries, in the future because of the potential the league sees to “grow and develop” the game. Current and former players like Osi Umenyiora, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Uchenna Nwosu, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Kwity Paye, Roman Oben, and Mathias Kiwanuka are helping to identify players who would be good fits for the league’s International Player Pathway or academy programs while also acting as proof of the kind of talent pool that exists across Africa.

“It’s really driven by two things: there’s over 100 players in the NFL from Africa — born in Africa [or] whose parents are first generation American — so there’s a tremendous talent pool on the continent that we as a league have not actively [pursued],” Leech said, via Leonard Solms of ESPN.com. “The second is what’s happening broadly in Africa in terms of population growth projections, urbanisation projections, availability of urban technology and broadband wi-fi. All of those things make Africa a [region] that in the next 25-30 years, we think, is going to be really powerful. We want to position the league to be successful in Africa.”

Leech said there are no current plans to hold a game in Africa, but the league’s constant desire to expand into new markets suggests that could be on the table at some point in the future if the effort to build interest in the sport is as successful as hoped.

[Futureshock]

Tyreek Hill says he received death threats over his comparison of Tua Tagovailoa to Patrick Mahomes

Posted by Mike Florio on June 23, 2022, 4:52 PM EDT

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The first episode of Tyreek Hill‘s podcast stirred things up on multiple topics. In the second episode of Tyreek Hill’s podcast, Hill and his co-host tried to clean things up.

Right out of the gates in Season One, Episode Two of It Needed To Be Said, Hill and Julius Collins complained about the “snippets” of episode one that made the exact stir they wanted to create.

Free advice to anyone with a podcast. You either want people to watch and react to the things you say, or you don’t. But you don’t get to choose how people react. And the things that were said on the first episode of Hill’s podcast invited and encouraged reaction.

That said, some fans apparently went too far.

“I got death threats from every social media — every social media account I own, I got death threats on,” Hill said. “Which is ridiculous. Which I love it, you know?”

Hill never said why he loves it. Our guess, based on what he said and how he said it, is that he loves that his comments stirred things up, and that he doesn’t take the death threats seriously.

Collins specifically complained that some in the media directed a “shut up and play” attitude toward Hill. We didn’t notice that anywhere; “shut up and play” is the reaction by those who want athletes to not talk about other issues, primarily politics.

That said, it’s fair game for media to criticize Hill for what he says. To do that isn’t to tell him to “shut up and play.”

He has the right to offer up his opinion. And those who listen to his opinion have the right to react to his opinion. Isn’t that what Hill and Collins want? Reaction, engagement, interest, etc.?

It could be that Hill, like plenty of other athletes and celebrities, wants to be able to give his opinion and to have no one criticize his opinion, even if his opinion deserves to be criticized.

That’s not what it means to express an opinion. Expressing an opinion — especially a strong opinion that seems ludicrous to the average person (such as “Tua is more accurate than Patrick Mahomes“) — cries out for the very reaction he experienced.

“I took a lot of heat, man,” Hill said of the reaction to the first episode of his podcast. “From fans, from analysts, from family members. It was crazy. Like, last week was probably the craziest week of my life while playing for the Miami Dolphins.”

But what did he expect? He said things that most people would find to be grossly incorrect, comparing an all-time great to a quarterback who is still fighting to achieve his potential, and saying that the unproven quarterback throws passes more accurately than the proven quarterback.

Again, Hill has every right to express his opinion. Anyone who listens to his podcast has the right to react to his opinion with their own opinion. If Hill and Collins don’t like that or don’t understand it, they shouldn’t be doing a podcast.

Yes, Hill’s comments (which he said were aimed at giving Tua more confidence) will serve only to put more pressure on Tua to live up to Hill’s praise. Yes, Hill’s comments about his role in the Kansas City offense last season put more pressure on the Dolphins to get him the ball more than the Chiefs did in 2021, because he made it clear in Episode One that he wasn’t happy with the number of targets and touches he got in 2021.

Collins was introduced in the first episode as Hill’s long-time lawyer. If Collins still represents Hill, Collins should ask himself whether the directions in which Collins nudges Hill will lead him to say things that are in Hill’s best interests. Indeed, several of the more controversial comments Hill made in the first episode were prompted by questions from Collins, who knew or should have known what Hill was going to say and how others were potentially going to react.

The first episode lasted nearly an hour. The second episode lasted 25 minutes. It consisted exclusively of reacting to the reaction to the first episode. If the third episode will consist of the reaction to the reaction to the second episode, there may not be a fourth.

And, frankly, if Hill and Collins want to be able to say inflammatory things without dealing with the natural and obvious consequences of saying inflammatory things, Collins the lawyer should advise Collins the podcast co-host that it’s time to call it a day.

[Futureshock]

Report: Settlement talks between NFL, NFLPA, and Deshaun Watson “fell apart”

Posted by Mike Florio on June 23, 2022, 1:17 PM EDT

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Last week, we pointed out that a negotiated resolution of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson‘s discipline was possible, but not likely. The problem was that Watson, as of last week, was determined to clear his name.

With Watson settling 20 of the 24 cases pending against him, that possibly will lay the foundation for a settlement between the league, the union, and Watson.

Josina Anderson of CBS Sports reports that negotiations have indeed occurred. However, talks “fell apart” regarding the extent of the punishment.

Negotiated discipline is not unprecedented. The outcome is announced as the punishment being final, with the player waiving his appeal rights.

Complicating matters for Watson is the fact that there’s no precedent for the new procedure that starts with the NFL proposing a punishment, continues with an independent Disciplinary Officer setting the discipline, if any, and the Commissioner having jurisdiction over any appeal from the player or the team. Unless the Disciplinary Officer decides to impose no discipline at all, Goodell gets the final crack at determining the punishment.

The best outcome for Watson would be to settle everything. Settle the lawsuits. Settle the discipline. Serve the suspension. And then come back, play good football, win games, stay out of trouble, and in time much of this incident will be forgotten. Just like it was for Ben Roethlisberger.

[edindetroit]

Does he have a CPAP machine?

He does now.

[Futureshock]

In settlement talks with Deshaun Watson, NFL insisted on a suspension of at least one year

Posted by Mike Florio on June 26, 2022, 9:13 AM EDT

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On Tuesday, the hearing regarding the potential discipline of Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will commence. It could still, in theory, settle before the proceedings begin.

For that to happen, the NFL would have to dramatically change its current position.

Andrew Beaton of the Wall Street Journal, who reported last night that the league will push for an indefinite suspension lasting at least one year, explains that the NFL won’t accept a resolved suspension less than one season, at a minimum.

This could change once the two sides start presenting evidence and arguments and, more importantly, when Judge Sue L. Robinson starts making remarks and/or decisions that may reveal her views regarding the case. The most important wrinkle likely will be whether and to what extent she allows Watson and the NFL Players Association to pursue the idea that discipline of any player must be proportional to discipline imposed on owners who have potentially violated the Personal Conduct Policy.

If she orders the NFL to surrender all evidence regarding the Commanders investigation and the punishment of owner Daniel Snyder to the NFLPA, that could put pressure on the league. If she orders the NFL to produce evidence regarding whether to investigate or to discipline Patriots owner Robert Kraft in connection with his solicitation charge (it was dropped), that could put pressure on the league. If she orders the NFL to provide information regarding the failure to investigate the Cowboys voyeurism scandal, that could put pressure on the league. Put simply, the league could cut a deal with Watson to avoid having to disclose information that it would rather keep concealed as to Snyder, Kraft, and Jones.

If Judge Robinson cuts off that defense, advantage NFL. It can, at that point, dig in its heels. Especially since the NFL holds the ultimate trump card. If any discipline at all is imposed by Judge Robinson, the league can appeal the case. Commissioner Roger Goodell or his hand-picked designee has full and final jurisdiction over the appeal.

Thus, whatever Judge Robinson does, the end result could still be exactly what the NFL currently is proposing. The only way for Watson to avoid that outcome is to have Judge Robinson impose no discipline at all.

[Futureshock]

NFL will not have a supplemental draft in 2022

[Futureshock]

Darnell Mooney: “Night and day” difference with Bears under Matt Eberflus

Posted by Josh Alper on June 28, 2022, 7:42 AM EDT

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It remains to be seen how the Bears fare in the standings this season, but one aspect of the changes to the front office and coaching staff this offseason appears to have been successful.

Wide receiver Darnell Mooney made an appearance on the Red Line Radio podcast and the subject of life with new head coach Matt Eberflus was one of the topics of conversation. Mooney played 33 games for former head coach Matt Nagy in his first two seasons and his answer focused on the clarity that Eberflus and the other coaches have provided the team this offseason.

“It’s night and day, man,” Mooney said, via Gene Chamberlain of SI.com. “It’s smooth. I mean everything. Everybody knows where to go, when to do something, what’s the expectation, what’s the standard. You know what you’re getting out of the next day. It’s not coming in and just like, ‘uh, what we got going on?’ So everybody knows exactly what the coaches want.”

Mooney said he appreciates Eberflus’ focus on the overall organization of the team because you “can’t have the organization part and trying to do one thing” at the same time. That’s a change from Nagy, who ran the offense for most of his tenure, and Mooney noted that Eberflus is letting offensive coordinator Luke Getsy “do his thing” heading into the season.

A different approach was guaranteed once the Bears made changes this offseason. The results aren’t guaranteed, but the hope is that Eberflus’ approach will prove to be the right one in Chicago.

[Futureshock]

Adrian Peterson, Le’Veon Bell to box on July 30

Posted by Mike Florio on June 27, 2022, 11:32 PM EDT

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Their NFL careers are apparently over. Their boxing careers are apparently beginning.

Via ESPN.com, Adrian Peterson and Le’Veon Bell will meet in an exhibition boxing match on July 30.

The fight will occur as part of the undercard of something called Social Gloves 2. The main event features someone named Austin McBroom and someone named AnEsonGib.

Either Peterson or Bell could head to NFL training camp after the fight. It’s currently unclear whether anyone will be interested. Neither received a sniff during the offseason program, which featured 90 players per team.

[Futureshock]

AFL’s first Black starting quarterback Marlin Briscoe dies at 76

Posted by Myles Simmons on June 27, 2022, 4:51 PM EDT

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Marlin Briscoe, the AFL’s first Black quarterback and the first Black quarterback in modern pro football, died on Monday, his daughter told the Associated Press. He was 76.

Briscoe effectively broke the color barrier of playing QB as a pro in 1968 when he appeared in 11 games with five starts for the Broncos at the position. Denver had selected him in the 14th round of that year’s draft. He threw for 1,589 yards with 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions that season. he also rushed for 308 yards with three TDs.

But after one season, the Broncos planned to move on to a different quarterback. So Briscoe asked for and was granted his release.

He signed with the Bills, where he converted to receiver and ended up earning a selection to the Pro Bowl in 1970. That season, he caught 57 passes for 1,036 yards with eight TDs.

Briscoe ended up playing nine seasons, winning a pair of Super Bowls with the Dolphins in the early 70s.

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of former Broncos QB Marlin Briscoe,” the Broncos said in a statement. “Marlin was a pioneer who shattered barriers, making history as the first Black starting quarterback in the Super Bowl era. He paved the way for countless others and created an indelible legacy, including through our Marlin Briscoe Diversity Coaching Fellowship. Our deepest sympathies go out to Marlin’s family, friends and former teammates.”

Briscoe finished his career with 224 receptions for 3,537 yards with 30 touchdowns.

With his standout collegiate career at Omaha University, Briscoe was inducted into the college football hall of fame in 2016.

[jaadam4]

I wonder if the Browns wish they wouldn’t have made that trade

[JGSpartan]

One would imagine at least they do on some level. It's about the end game though and if by playoff time next season he's playing and they look like a contender they wouldn't care at all that he's a trash person.

[jaadam4]

If he's suspended for 2022 that'll be 2 straight years of no play (unless you count his massages)

[Futureshock]

I doubt it. He may get 8 - 10 games suspended. Which I think the NFL knew it would have to back down to anyway. It's like any other negotiation.

Why does the NFL have to "negotiate" a suspension? Because the union and the courts would kick their tail and he could end up serving no suspension.

I copied an article last week about how in the league by-laws it reads the owners will be held to a higher standard, but when owners like Jerry Jones, Robert Kraft and others did their dirt, the league did nothing. So now they are going opposite of their own by-laws. The NFL better settle on 8 games and walk away with half the PR nightmare that they could have had.

[Futureshock]

Deshaun Watson case could be headed to court, eventually

Posted by Mike Florio on June 29, 2022, 7:46 AM EDT

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Despite failed efforts by the NFL Players Association to challenge discipline imposed by the NFL on Tom Brady and Ezekiel Elliott in court, the current effort to impose discipline on Deshaun Watson could ultimately be challenged, too.

Brady initially won, before a three-judge appeals panel (by a 2-1 vote) found that Commissioner Roger Goodell properly acted within his collectively-bargained rights. Elliott initially won, too.

At the end of the day, eight total judges considered the Brady and Elliott cases. They split, 4-4, on whether Goodell or the players should prevail.

In this situation, if the NFLPA and/or Watson object to the final outcome, another effort could be made to challenge the case in court. The question becomes whether Watson’s side would be able to get the case filed in a favorable forum before the league could file a lawsuit of its own in a New York federal court, seeking a declaration that the ruling is legally defensible.

If the case lands in a New York federal court, the appeals decision from the Brady case becomes directly relevant to Watson. The precedent potentially binds any decision. (Then again, and as we all learned five days ago, precedent is only as binding as the judges decide it should be.)

One way for judges to avoid supposedly binding precedent is to “distinguish” the facts of the current situation from the facts of the prior one. The facts of the Watson case potentially becomes distinguishable based merely on the fact that the procedure to imposing discipline and appealing the decision have changed.

One key difference comes from the fact that the findings made by Judge Sue L. Robinson “will be binding” on the parties during the appeal process. If Judge Robinson crafts her written findings and conclusions in a certain way, it could be very difficult for Goodell to simply thank her for her service and implement the punishment that the league office (controlled by Goodell) wanted in the first place.

Thus, while Tuesday night’s leak of a supposed willingness by the league to not appeal the decision if it lands within the range of a six- or eight-game suspension could be aimed at nudging Judge Robinson from making an unappealable decision that no discipline should be imposed, it’s also possible the league realizes that overturning her decision to impose six or eight games without a good reason for doing so amounts to jumping with both feet into a bear trap of litigation.