NFL News

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Adam Gase finds Bill Belichick funny, when he’s away from football

Posted by Mike Florio on November 5, 2020, 7:36 PM EST

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Although it may not be wise to say “you’re a funny guy” to Bill Belichick’s face, plenty of people have said, when Belichick isn’t in the room, that Belichick truly has a great sense of humor.

Jets coach Adam Gase explained to Boston-area reporters on Thursday that, indeed, he finds significant laughter in Belichick and his storytelling.

“I don’t think I really had a conversation with him until probably after I left Miami and we talked a little bit,” Gase said. “We talked at the Combine the last few years. I always try to listen as much as possible because I know there’s a lot of wisdom in things he says and things he’s always talked about when I’ve been around. Very helpful just as a professional-type deal for me. At the same time, I don’t think I’ve laughed harder being around somebody. Just some of the things that get brought up and some of the things that he’s experienced in his life. I mean, he’s experienced some things that are interesting to hear and when you’re around him and [Lions coach] Matt Patricia, I mean those two guys together are funny to be around.”

The response prompted a request for clarification from an incredulous media member.

“I just want to hear you right,” the reporter said. “You said you haven’t laughed harder, and you’re talking about Coach Belichick?

“Yeah, I mean you get him and [Matt] Patricia together, they got some really good stories over the years,” Gase said. “He’s seen a lot of things in his profession.”

Gase explained that Belichick called after Gase’s job in Miami ended.

“[H]e called me and we had a discussion about kind of that ending and seeing what I was going to do moving forward,” Gase said. “That was kind of the starting point there and just had a conversation to just kind of see what my next steps were going to be. . . .

“I was very appreciative. Not ever having a conversation except after games which were usually short when I was in Miami. To be able to have a conversation with him and kind of hear his experiences and how to go about things moving forward. He didn’t have to go out of his way to do that. I thought that was somebody great for me to hear from.”

Many who know Belichick say similar things about him. It’s unfortunate that he slips into such a guarded and, at times, belittling and hostile demeanor when dealing with the media. He truly is one of the best coaches of all time in any sport. He should let others, and more importantly himself, enjoy and appreciate the status he has earned.

[Futureshock]

We knew FMP is a joke

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Forsh...



DK Metcalf sees benefit in being a second-round pick

Posted by Mike Florio on November 5, 2020, 6:21 PM EST

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For some receivers, sliding out of the first round lays the foundation for a great career.

It happened in 2016 for Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who used the oversight as the spark for a raging fire of motivation. It happened in 2019 for Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, who nearly made it all the way to round three.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Metcalf told reporters on Thursday regarding his ultimate selection as the last player in round two. “I wasn’t supposed to go in the first round for a reason. Probably because I wasn’t gonna work as hard if I got drafted in the first round or early in the second round. But it allowed me to come in here with a chip on my shoulder and just to realize what it felt like to be an underdog in the NFL.”

He said that he likely would have worked hard if he’d been picked in round one, but that “I probably would have taken this opportunity for granted.”

He added that “God put me in this position” to be drafted by the Seahawks. “He made me wait until the 64th pick,” Metcalf added.

Despite the obvious financial differences between being picked near the top of round one and at the bottom of round two, the free fall helped Metcalf. And it has sparked a career that, if it continues on this track, will put him among the all-time greats at the position.

[Futureshock]

TUA TAGOVAILOAQB, MIAMI DOLPHINS


ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports one of the reasons the Dolphins are starting Tua Tagovailoa over Ryan Fitzpatrick is so they can evaluate whether to draft a quarterback in 2021.


Coach Brian Flores has already tried to deflect this storyline, but Miami has Houston’s first and second round picks next spring. With the Texans headed for a bottom-five finish, it would put the Dolphins in position to draft another quarterback if they didn't believe Tagovailoa was the future. It is still highly unlikely this turns into a Cardinals situation where the Dolphins are one and done with Tua, but it is never too early to begin evaluating your first-round quarterback, especially if they entered the league with a serious hip injury on their résumé. Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, and North Dakota’s Trey Lance are considered the top quarterbacks in 2021's draft class.

SOURCE: ESPN
Nov 6, 2020, 9:41 AM

[Forsh]

Forsh...



DK Metcalf sees benefit in being a second-round pick

Posted by Mike Florio on November 5, 2020, 6:21 PM EST

Getty Images

For some receivers, sliding out of the first round lays the foundation for a great career.

It happened in 2016 for Saints receiver Michael Thomas, who used the oversight as the spark for a raging fire of motivation. It happened in 2019 for Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf, who nearly made it all the way to round three.

“It was a blessing in disguise,” Metcalf told reporters on Thursday regarding his ultimate selection as the last player in round two. “I wasn’t supposed to go in the first round for a reason. Probably because I wasn’t gonna work as hard if I got drafted in the first round or early in the second round. But it allowed me to come in here with a chip on my shoulder and just to realize what it felt like to be an underdog in the NFL.”

He said that he likely would have worked hard if he’d been picked in round one, but that “I probably would have taken this opportunity for granted.”

He added that “God put me in this position” to be drafted by the Seahawks. “He made me wait until the 64th pick,” Metcalf added.

Despite the obvious financial differences between being picked near the top of round one and at the bottom of round two, the free fall helped Metcalf. And it has sparked a career that, if it continues on this track, will put him among the all-time greats at the position.

This guy is for everybody now. I don't deserve any special mention (but thanks haha) ... but i do think the 'project WR, at best' post should live in infamy forever

[Cody_Russell]

Hope the Lions put a waiver claim on Takk McKinley. Former 1st RD pick. Give him a shot!

[Futureshock]

This guy is for everybody now. I don't deserve any special mention (but thanks haha) ... but i do think the 'project WR, at best' post should live in infamy forever

That wasn't me

[Futureshock]

Buccaneers set wrong kind of NFL record on Sunday night

Posted by Mike Florio on November 10, 2020, 10:03 AM EST

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The Vikings in 2018 set a record that would be hard to break. The Buccaneers in 2020 found a way to break it.

With only five rushing attempts in Sunday night’s blowout loss to the Saints, Tampa Bay established a new low-water mark for single-game runs.

In September 2018, the Vikings ran the ball only six times in a stunning 27-6 home loss to the Bills.

The Buccaneers’ first run on Sunday night came on the second play of their opening drive, a seven-yard gain by Ronald Jones. The second official run (an earlier run was wiped out by a holding penalty) happened on the first play of the third drive, with Jones gaining two yards following a fumble recovery near the Tampa Bay goal line.

The Bucs had no runs on their next two drives, the second of which ended in an interception.

The next drive, featuring eight plays, had a third run — no gain by Leonard Fournette on second and three.

On the first drive of the second half, Ronald Jones got nowhere on second and goal from the one.

The fifth and final rushing attempt, technically, came when backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert took a knee to end the game.

The final tally? Five rushing attempts, eight yards. 1.6 average. And a one-dimensional offense that simply isn’t sustainable.

[Futureshock]

When you realized your system was the QB...

ElxEgOHWkAACRuE.jpeg.jpg

When you finally realize that a TEAM is made up of more then one guy...

Tom Brady suffers worst career loss: “Everyone’s got to do a lot better”

Posted by Michael David Smith on November 9, 2020, 5:26 AM EST

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The Saints destroyed the Buccaneers on Sunday Night Football, with the 38-3 final score representing the worst lost of Tom Brady‘s career. Afterward, Brady acknowledged it was ugly.

“We didn’t play well in any phase of the game,” Brady said. “Everyone’s got to do a lot better. And it starts with me.”

Brady was awful, throwing three interceptions and taking three sacks, and he didn’t get much help: The Buccaneers ran for just eight yards, the fewest of any team in any game this season. The Bucs were out of it before halftime.

The good news for Brady is that his previous worst career loss was 31-0 to the Bills in Week One of 2003. That year ended with Brady and the Patriots winning the Super Bowl.

[Futureshock]

BTW, NE has 8 guys (key guys like D Hightower) that opted out. No team could lose that many key guys and still be competitive. So the QB Jesus people can just tuck that "NE sux because Brady left" crap back in where it came from.

I'm kind of old fashioned where I let the facts (undeniable) dictate the narrative.

[Futureshock]

NFL has yet to approach NFLPA to bargain over expanded playoffs

Posted by Mike Florio on November 11, 2020, 9:55 AM EST

USA TODAY Sports

When it comes to potentially expanding the 2020 playoffs, the NFL has positioned the cart before the horse.

Unveiled yesterday as a done deal (in the event regular-season games are lost to the pandemic), it won’t be a done deal until the NFL Players Association agrees to it. The NFLPA has not yet agreed to it.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the NFL had informed the union that the contingency plan would be considered, but the league had not yet approached the NFLPA to engage in formal bargaining.

The union remains open to creative ideas for getting through the season. However, expansion of the playoffs constitutes a mandatory subject of bargaining. The league, in the union’s view, cannot unilaterally impose this change in working conditions.

The NFL waited for several year, for example, to expand the playoffs from 12 to 14 because the union had a say in the move, and because the union declined to agree to it. Agreement came only as part of a broader, comprehensive labor deal.

Now, with the league wanting to stage two extra playoff games, the union will have a say in the matter. The union also will have the right to seek a concession. For example, the union could ask for players who otherwise weren’t paid for any lost regular-season games to get their checks as part of the agreement to allow two extra teams into the postseason field.

Whatever the concession may be, the union is entitled to seek one. The union also is entitled to say to the NFL, “We’re fine with 14 teams, as we previously agreed.”

Thus, even though the league has removed the sheet from the statue, the statue remains unfinished. Technically, it may never be.

[Futureshock]

Dalvin Cook takes second straight NFC offensive player of the week

Posted by Josh Alper on November 11, 2020, 8:42 AM EST

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The Vikings season hasn’t played out as hoped in the standings, but running back Dalvin Cook isn’t the man to blame for that.

Cook has scored at least one touchdown in every game he’s played this season and he added two more in last Sunday’s 34-20 win over the Lions. He also ran for 206 yards and caught two passes for 46 yards in the game.

He had 225 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns in Week 8, so the Week 9 performance made him the third player in history to gain at least 225 yards while scoring at least two touchdowns in consecutive weeks.

Cook has also been named the NFC offensive player of the week in back-to-back weeks. The announcement for Week 9 came on Wednesday and Cook will try for a three-peat in Chicago this weekend.

[Futureshock]

Tua Tagovailoa not focused on Justin Herbert but Chargers defense ahead of matchup

Posted by Curtis Crabtree on November 12, 2020, 1:03 AM EST

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Sunday’s meeting between the Miami Dolphins and Los Angeles Chargers will be the first matchup of the season that sees a pair of first-round quarterbacks from the 2020 NFL Draft square off against each other.

Tua Tagovailoa will be making his third ever start for Miami while Justin Herbert will get his eighth start for the Chargers. Tagovailoa was the second quarterback selected in this spring’s NFL Draft. Herbert was the third as both went behind Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow. Tagovailoa was the fifth overall selection. Herbert was sixth.

But despite the proximity in the draft and the focus on the quarterback position, Tagovailoa isn’t viewing Sunday’s game as a matchup of Tagovailoa against Herbert. He’ll never be on the field at the same time as his counterpart from the Chargers.

“I think that’s just something that’s going to have to be dealt with in the media,” Tagovailoa said, via Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald. “I have no animosity towards Justin Herbert and for me, it’s not even a competition between me and him. It’s a competition for myself to go out and see what I can do to help our team be successful against their defense.

“And I’m pretty sure it’s the same for Justin as well. But yeah, that’s kind of my thought with all of that.”

Herbert has gotten off to a roaring start for the Chargers even if the wins haven’t come to show for it just yet. He’s completing 67 percent of his passes with 17 touchdowns and just five interceptions through seven starts. Tagovailoa’s sample size is much smaller but he’s coming off a promising start with 248 yards passing and two touchdowns against the Arizona Cardinals last week.

Throw in Burrow’s production for the Bengals and the 2020 quarterback class is off to an impressive start to their careers. Whether Tagovailoa agrees with the sentiment or not, Sunday’s meeting will be the first head-to-head barometer for two of the possible stars of the future from this year’s rookie crop.

[Futureshock]

Dolphins prepare to face quarterback on whom they passed

Posted by Mike Florio on November 11, 2020, 7:33 PM EST

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When the Miami Dolphins went on the clock with the fifth pick in the 2020 draft, they could have taken either quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or quarterback Justin Herbert. They chose Tua. They considered Herbert.

“[W]e met with him several times,” coach Brian Flores told L.A. media on Wednesday. “The first one was at the Senior Bowl. He’s very smart, very talented, a driven kid, competitive, tough. There is a lot to like about him.”

Flores also was asked about the questions that lingered regarding Herbert.

“I don’t know what questions you’re talking about,” Flores said, showing once again that he learned a thing or two while working for Bill Belichick. “That was a long time ago. Now we’re eight games into the season. There was training camp, COVID, there’s a lot going on. I’m not really quite sure what the questions are you’re talking about, but what I saw is what I just told you, which is he’s a competitive kid, he’s smart, a big arm, talented and the Chargers got a good player.”

The primary questions related to whether and to what extent he’d thrive so far away from Oregon, the state where he was born and raised. So far, Herbert has shown that any such concerns were overblown.

Regardless, the fact that the Dolphins passed on Herbert and the Chargers took him with the very next pick creates a natural apples-to-apples comparison, one that will last throughout their careers.

“I just think that’s just something that’s going to have to be dealt with in the media,” Tagovailoa told reporters on Wednesday regarding the Tua vs. Herbert discussion. “I have no animosity towards Justin Herbert and for me, it’s not even a competition between me and him; it’s a competition for myself to go out and see what I can do to help our team be successful against their defense. And I’m pretty sure it’s the same for Justin as well.”

Indeed it is, but it would be foolish not to be aware of the inevitable question of whether the Dolphins made the right call, much like the questions that lingered 22 years ago, when the Colts took Peyton Manning and the Chargers took Ryan Leaf.

It’s possible that both Tagovailoa and Herbert will become great quarterbacks. So far, they’ve shown that they have the ability to do just that.

[Futureshock]

Raiders, Browns, 49ers also put in claim for Takk McKinley

Posted by Charean Williams on November 11, 2020, 6:57 PM EST

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Pass rusher Takk McKinley was the 26th overall choice in 2017, selected four picks before the Steelers took T.J. Watt. The Falcons weren’t the only team that gave McKinley a high grade coming out of UCLA.

He also has only $875,000 left on his rookie contract for the remainder of the season, with none of it guaranteed.

So McKinley is a low-risk waiver claim for the Bengals.

And they weren’t the only team interested in McKinley.

The Raiders, Browns and 49ers also put in a claim, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports. The Bengals, based on their record, were first in the claim order.

The Texans and Ravens were other teams that put in a claim for cornerback Corey Ballentine, according to Rapoport. The Giants released Ballentine on Tuesday, and the Jets, with the No. 1 priority, were awarded Ballentine on Wednesday.