NFL News

[Futureshock]

Zac Taylor declines to comment on Jonah Williams’ trade request

Posted by Myles Simmons on April 17, 2023, 4:45 PM EDT

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Cincinnati’s offseason program got underway on Monday and there is a significant question about who the club will start at right tackle when the season begins.

With La'el Collins recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in the regular season, he’s unlikely to be in the mix. But after signing Orlando Brown to play left tackle, the Bengals could move Jonah Williams over to play on the opposite side of the line. Head coach Zac Taylor said that was an option last month at the annual league meeting.

But Williams has reportedly requested a trade and, per Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, was not in attendance for the start of the voluntary offseason program on Monday. When asked about Williams on Monday, Taylor declined to comment.

“I’ll keep all that stuff private, about conversations with my players,” Taylor said, via Conway.

Taylor did, however, talk up 2021 second-round pick Jackson Carman, who is also in the mix to start the season at right tackle.

“Jackson did a really good job working all those positions. His number was called there at left tackle, and now his number’s going to be called at right tackle to go over there and compete,” Taylor said, via Geoff Hobson of the team’s website. “Year Three for Jackson, we’ve got high expectations for him.

“I really liked his approach over the course of last season. He really got a feel for what the NFL is like and what the process is like, and now going into year three, I think it’s a great opportunity for him to continue to show us that he’s got what it takes to be a full-time starter for us.”

Carman appeared in all 17 games with six starts as a rookie in 2021 and appeared in three regular-season games last year. But he started two of Cincinnati’s three 2022 postseason games, as the team’s offensive line got hit with multiple injuries late in the year.

[Futureshock]

Last year, Cine waas the C Gonzalez of Safeties. Even before the injury he didn't change much for his team. At least he wasn't picked 6th....

Lewis Cine on rehab: It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Posted by Josh Alper on April 17, 2023, 3:12 PM EDT

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Vikings safety Lewis Cine‘s rookie season ended when he suffered a a compound fracture of his lower left leg during a game in London last October and he’s been doing rehab work for some time in order to get ready for this season.

Cine called that a “grueling process” during a Monday press conference, but added that he’s “doing great, progressing well” as the team’s offseason program gets underway. Cine said he’s not taking on a “full load” at this point and said his approach is that “it’s a marathon, not a sprint” to get back on the field.

“Just taking it a day at a time. I’m not trying to look too far ahead, I’m not trying to do that. Just be where my feet are,” Cine said.

Cine said he doesn’t have a date in mind for when he wants to be able to do everything because he’s listening to the messages his body is sending him as his work continues, but it’s safe to say that the 2022 first-round pick has an eye on being in the Vikings secondary come September.

[ghandi]

I remember Cine being mocked to the Lions at 32 all the time last year...then came the trade...and the Vikings took him at 32......

[Futureshock]

I remember Cine being mocked to the Lions at 32 all the time last year...then came the trade...and the Vikings took him at 32......

I routinely mocked him there.

[Futureshock]

Brandon Beane: Damar Hamlin is fully cleared

Posted by Myles Simmons on April 18, 2023, 11:06 AM EDT

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Late last month, Bills safety Damar Hamlin was asked by President Joe Biden if he would play again. Hamlin told Biden, “I think so. … God willing.”

Hamlin is now in a position to make that a reality.

In a Tuesday press conference, Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said that Hamlin is in the building as the club begins its offseason program and has been “fully cleared” after seeing three specialists.

”They’re all in agreement — it’s not two to one or three to one or anything like that — they’re all in lockstep of what this was and that he is cleared to resume full activities just like anyone else that was coming back from an injury,” Beane said. “He’s fully cleared. He’s here. And he is of the mindset — he’s in a great headspace — to come back and make his return.”

Hamlin has made remarkable progress since suffering cardiac arrest on the field in Cincinnati in January and this is one more step in a positive direction.

There is still plenty of time between now and September, but Hamlin being cleared to work out and participate in the offseason program is a testament to all those who worked to save his life.

[Futureshock]

Von Miller: I talk to DeAndre Hopkins all the time, he said he wants to be a Buffalo Bill

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 18, 2023, 3:32 PM EDT

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Bills pass rusher Von Miller says wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would love to join him in Buffalo.

Miller says he has spoken with Hopkins and that Hopkins has told him he’d like to play in Buffalo, although Miller also acknowledged he said the same thing about Odell Beckham, who didn’t end up in Buffalo.

“I talk to Hop all the time and it’s kind of like the same thing with OBJ,” Miller said, via the Buffalo News. “You just never know until you know. Hop said he wanted to be a Buffalo Bill and you never know until you get that DeAndre Hopkins signature on a contract. I’m not sure what the circumstances are or what’s going on with that but I would love to see DeAndre Hopkins be here and I would love to have his skill set on our offense with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox and Gabe Davis.”

Hopkins recently indicated he’d like to play for the Bills or the Chiefs, but not the Jets or the Patriots. Hopkins remains under contract with the Cardinals and has been unclear about whether he wants a raise. Also unclear is how eager the Cardinals are to trade Hopkins, and what they would expect in return.

[Futureshock]

Desmond Ridder: My mindset was to take starting job and run with it

Posted by Josh Alper on April 18, 2023, 3:28 PM EDT

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The Falcons turned to Desmond Ridder at quarterback late in his rookie season and they’ve spent the offseason repeating their belief in his ability without guaranteeing that he’ll be under center in Week One of the regular season.

Ridder is thinking about himself that way, however, and he told reporters on Tuesday that he’s viewed himself that way since the Falcons made the decision to promote him last year.

“Week 14, whenever that was, and going through the bye week, that’s when I was told then,” Ridder said, via D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “From that point on, it was just going into the offseason, myself just taking it as if you’re the starter. . . . That was my mindset from as soon as I stepped on the field for the first time down in New Orleans, was to obviously take it and run with it.”

The Falcons signed Taylor Heinicke as a free agent, but it’s been clear that they view him as a No. 2 behind Ridder. Unless they pick a quarterback next week, it doesn’t look like there will be any reason for Ridder to change that mindset.

[Futureshock]

Dolphins Rumors: Dalvin Cook to Miami? More Clarity Could Come Wednesday

Adam H. Beasley - April 18, 2023
Chatter linking Dalvin Cook to the Miami Dolphins has only grown in recent days. Chris Grier could put a stop to it when he meets with reporters Wednesday.
READ STORY

[ghandi]

Von Miller: I talk to DeAndre Hopkins all the time, he said he wants to be a Buffalo Bill

Posted by Michael David Smith on April 18, 2023, 3:32 PM EDT

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Bills pass rusher Von Miller says wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would love to join him in Buffalo.

Miller says he has spoken with Hopkins and that Hopkins has told him he’d like to play in Buffalo, although Miller also acknowledged he said the same thing about Odell Beckham, who didn’t end up in Buffalo.

“I talk to Hop all the time and it’s kind of like the same thing with OBJ,” Miller said, via the Buffalo News. “You just never know until you know. Hop said he wanted to be a Buffalo Bill and you never know until you get that DeAndre Hopkins signature on a contract. I’m not sure what the circumstances are or what’s going on with that but I would love to see DeAndre Hopkins be here and I would love to have his skill set on our offense with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox and Gabe Davis.”

Hopkins recently indicated he’d like to play for the Bills or the Chiefs, but not the Jets or the Patriots. Hopkins remains under contract with the Cardinals and has been unclear about whether he wants a raise. Also unclear is how eager the Cardinals are to trade Hopkins, and what they would expect in return.

So let me see if I have this correct.....
31 year old WR making north of 20M wants to join one of the two best teams in football
Coming off an ACL tear in 2021 and suspended 6 games for ped use in 2022
Also talks of wanting a contract extension

Pass

[jaadam4]

Allen Robinson traded to Pitt for a stick of used chewing gum. The Rams really got f’ed on that signing. I’m surprised the Lions didn’t jump on that. They swapped 7th rounders and the Rams picked up some of his salary for this year.

[Futureshock]

Robinson can't separate anymore. He's been done for awhile now.

[Futureshock]

Report: 49ers fielding trade calls on Trey Lance

Posted by Myles Simmons on April 19, 2023, 9:21 AM EDT

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With the NFL Draft next week, could a recent No. 3 overall pick be on the move?

The possibility is apparently arising with 49ers quarterback Trey Lance.

According to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, San Francisco has been fielding calls about a potential trade for Lance. Rapoport’s Wednesday morning reporting does not mention any teams with interest and notes no trade is imminent. But with the 49ers making it clear that Brock Purdy is likely the club’s starter when he’s healthy, teams have inquired about Lance.

Both head coach Kyle Shanahan and General Manager John Lynch said at the annual league meeting last month that the 49ers would listen to a potential deal for anyone. But that doesn’t mean they would be inclined to make a trade.

While the 49ers made a blockbuster trade to move up to No. 3 overall in 2021, Lance has not played much for the club. Jimmy Garoppolo remained the starter when Lance was a rookie. And while Lance took over as QB1 heading into the 2022 season, he suffered a broken ankle in Week Two and missed the rest of the season.

Purdy took over at quarterback after Garoppolo suffered a season-ending foot injury and is now the incumbent starter.

Purdy’s rehab from elbow surgery has been going well, with the quarterback saying last week that everything is going as planned. That could allow the 49ers some flexibility when it comes to potentially trading Lance.

San Francisco also signed Sam Darnold for depth at QB.

Lance has appeared in eight games with four starts over his young career. He’s completed 55 percent of his passes for 797 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions. He’s also rushed for 54 yards with a TD.

[Futureshock]

The 49ers do not have a pick until comp pick #99. Would a second be enough?

[Futureshock]

Greg Newsome definitely wanted to be traded, regardless of what he says now

Posted by Mike Florio on April 18, 2023, 8:37 PM EDT

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Browns cornerback Greg Newsome claimed on Tuesday that he doesn’t want to be traded. He also said he wasn’t happy about reports that he wanted one.

“I was mad,” Newsome told reporters regarding the report. “I really just don’t understand something like that. I wouldn’t do that. I truly adore Cleveland. I was definitely mad.”

Per a league source with knowledge of the situation, Newsome wanted a trade.

As the source explained it, Newsome fired agent Damarius Bilbo after Bilbo was unable to engineer a trade. Newsome is now represented by Drew Rosenhaus.

Newsome, a first-round pick in 2021, declined to elaborate on the reasons for his decision to make an agent change.

“That’s a personal reason,” Newsome told reporters on Tuesday. “I didn’t change agents to try to get out of here. I changed agents because I think for my career, it will help me in the long run. I changed agents just for personal reasons.”

As we understand it, the personal reason is that Bilbo wasn’t able to get Newsome the trade he wanted.

Newsome enters the third year of his rookie contract, at a salary of $1.818 million. He’s not even eligible for a second contract until after the coming season; thus, he couldn’t have changed agents in order to get a new contract now.

[Futureshock]

A lot of people here wanted Carter in the draft...

Lorenzo Carter switches to No. 0, allowing Desmond Ridder to take No. 9

Posted by Charean Williams on April 18, 2023, 6:52 PM EDT

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Falcons defensive end Lorenzo Carter has become the latest NFL player to switch to No. 0. The team announced the jersey number change Tuesday.

Carter wore No. 9 last year after signing with the Falcons after previously wearing No. 59 with the Giants. He wore No. 7 at the University of Georgia.

Carter’s decision opened up No. 9, and Desmond Ridder has claimed the number he wore at the University of Cincinnati. He wore No. 4 last year after arriving in Atlanta to find Carter had his college number.

Carter becomes the most recent player to take advantage of the NFL’s rule change that allows players to wear No. 0.

Cardinals wide receiver Zach Pascal, Lions wide receiver Marvin Jones, Cowboys safety Jayron Kearse, Jaguars wide receiver Calvin Ridley, Giants wide receiver Parris Campbell and Titans defensive back Sean Murphy-Bunting also have switched to No. 0 for this season.