NFL News

[Futureshock]

DirecTV to distribute Sunday Ticket to bars and restaurants, after all

Posted by Mike Florio on May 25, 2023, 3:26 PM EDT

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DirecTV has exited the NFL lexicon. Unless it hasn’t.

When the NFL announced that a deal had been struck with RedBird Capital to create EverPass Media, which would distribute NFL Sunday Ticket to bars and restaurants. EverPass has now done a deal with DirecTV to distribute the package.

John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that DirecTV will distribute Sunday Ticket on Sunday afternoons to more than 300,000 commercial businesses, including bars, restaurants, hotels, casinos, retail shops, and military bases.

DirecTV also will televise games on Thursday nights, Sunday nights, and Monday nights.

It’s a surprise development, and perhaps an acknowledgment that DirecTV has the experience and infrastructure to keep doing what it’s been doing for nearly 30 years.

[Futureshock]

I don't know why he's irritating, but he is...

Russell Wilson says he’s “lean and mean ready to go,” won’t say how much weight he lost

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 25, 2023, 2:55 PM EDT

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Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has noticeably lost weight this offseason, although he’s not saying how much.

“I feel great. I feel lean and mean ready to go. And focused,” Wilson said, via Mike Klis of 9 News in Denver.

But Wilson didn’t want to talk about specifically how many pounds he’s down from last year.

“I’m not worried about that, I’m not counting. All I know is I’m excited to play again,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s first season in Denver was the worst season of his career. The Broncos need the quarterback they invested so heavily in to play a lot better, and perhaps being a little slimmer can help with that.

[Futureshock]

Anthony Richardson splitting first-team reps, doing “next-level stuff” at Colts OTAs

Posted by Josh Alper on May 25, 2023, 2:01 PM EDT

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Heading into the draft, one school of thought about Anthony Richardson was that he will need time on the bench to observe and develop before taking over as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

The Colts took Richardson with the fourth overall pick and they have Gardner Minshew on the roster, which gives them an experienced option at the position should they choose to follow the slower path to Richardson running the offense. At this point, however, the job appears to be very much up for grabs.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen said at a Thursday press conference, via Stephen Holder of TheAthletic.com, that Richardson and Minshew are splitting the first-team reps at OTAs and that “everything is an evaluation” when it comes to how they’ll divide the workload.

Steichen added that Richardson “made some big plays today” and has done some “next-level stuff” in his short time on the field for the team. The more that happens, the likelier it is that Richardson will be getting all the first-team reps by the time the fall rolls around.

[ghandi]

I am anxious to see if Richardson is the next lamar Jackson, Cam Newton, Malik Willis, or JaMarcus Russell....Probably the biggest wild card in the entire draft.

[jaadam4]

I don't know why he's irritating, but he is...

Russell Wilson says he’s “lean and mean ready to go,” won’t say how much weight he lost

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 25, 2023, 2:55 PM EDT

Getty Images

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has noticeably lost weight this offseason, although he’s not saying how much.

“I feel great. I feel lean and mean ready to go. And focused,” Wilson said, via Mike Klis of 9 News in Denver.

But Wilson didn’t want to talk about specifically how many pounds he’s down from last year.

“I’m not worried about that, I’m not counting. All I know is I’m excited to play again,” Wilson said.

Wilson’s first season in Denver was the worst season of his career. The Broncos need the quarterback they invested so heavily in to play a lot better, and perhaps being a little slimmer can help with that.

Let’s ride!!

[jaadam4]

I am anxious to see if Richardson is the next lamar Jackson, Cam Newton, Malik Willis, or JaMarcus Russell....Probably the biggest wild card in the entire draft.

He’s not ready. Should have went to Detroit and he’d have been Cam. He’s not ready to be an NFL starter

[Futureshock]

Josh McDaniels: “No question” Tom Brady will be required to admit “tuck rule” play was a fumble

Posted by Mike Florio on May 25, 2023, 1:38 PM EDT

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It won’t be part of the official approval process, but there’s an unofficial step that Tom Brady might have to take in order to become a minority owner of the Raiders.

Asked by reporters whether Brady will have to admit the “tuck rule” play for the 2001 postseason was a fumble, coach Josh McDaniels said, “One hundred percent. No question.”

McDaniels provided other comments about the development, not in jest.

“I think everybody knows how I feel about Tom the person,” McDaniels said. “So, if that comes to fruition, obviously I’ll be incredibly excited about just him being somebody that’s in Raider Nation and has a vested interest in us doing as well as we can do in trying to bring a championship football team here to Vegas.

“So I don’t know exactly where all that stands. I think that’s a question that’s way above my pay grade in terms of that stuff. But, obviously, [I] had a great history with the player and an even better one with the person. So it’ll obviously be a tremendous honor to partner up with him again.”

Given McDaniels’s remarks, this won’t be some passive investment for Brady. Once a Raider, always a Raider. Tommy will be a Raider.

Even though he kept the Raiders from advancing to the AFC Championship in 2001.

[Futureshock]

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-grading-all-32-nfl-offseasons-2023#DET

DETROIT LIONS

Offseason Grade: A-


The Lions have had an exceptional offseason. They set about free agency filling all of their biggest holes on the roster, buying the team the flexibility to draft the best player available and not have to chase needs. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley and Cameron Sutton could all see the majority of snaps in the secondary, while David Montgomery can carry the load at running back and Graham Glasgow provides valuable interior stability on the offensive line.

Their draft was a curious run of low-value positions, but it’s hard to dislike the players they drafted. Jahmyr Gibbs is the most difficult pick to endorse from an opportunity-cost standpoint, but the Lions brought in some excellent players. Quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round is an outstanding roll of the dice in a way it would not have been in the first round.

[Futureshock]

How Christian Watson turned a tough start to his NFL career into a top spot on Packers' depth chart

NFL


A drop on a sure-fire touchdown to start the Packers' 2022 season didn't stop Christian Watson from becoming one of the NFL's top rookie wideouts last year.

[Futureshock]

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-running-back-rankings-2023-nfl-season

12. KENNETH WALKER III, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Walker was a little boom or bust in his rookie season, as was evidenced by his 23.7% stuff rate (rushes for no gain or a loss of yards). But when it was the “boom” part of that equation, it was special. He finished 12th in the league in total missed tackles forced (37) and 10th in explosive runs (29). And that’s while starting only 11 games.

25. JAMAAL WILLIAMS, NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Williams led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2022 (17). He also rushed for more than 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. All that wasn’t just due to a career high in carries, as Williams averaged more than 4.0 yards per carry. However, his relatively low 2.8 yards-after-contact average and 0.11 missed tackles forced per attempt are why he’s lower on this list.

30. EZEKIEL ELLIOTT, FREE AGENT

Elliott doesn’t have a team yet, so projecting his 2023 totals would be silly. Though his efficiency numbers did not warrant the money he was being paid over the past two years (and Tony Pollard consistently outplayed him in 2021 and 2022), Elliott is still productive enough to make this list. Last year was his first season averaging less than 4.0 yards per carry. The more discouraging stat is his 0.10 missed tackles forced average over the past two years, which ranks 46th in the league. That is a sign of his athleticism not being what it used to be. If that continues to be a trend, there will likely be other names that pass him on this list next year.

32. DAVID MONTGOMERY, DETROIT LIONS

Montgomery might not have the same flashy plays as other backs but he runs hard every carry. And because of that, he’s been a consistently productive player. He's rushed for more than 1,000 yards only once, but over the past four years ranks in the top 10 in total rushing yards. He’s a volume and workhorse type of power back who deserves recognition for his consistency.

[Futureshock]

Interesting, but not surprising....

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-team-turnover-which-nfl-teams-have-seen-the-most-roster-turnover-over-the-last-three-seasons

Team turnover: Which NFL teams have seen the most roster turnover over the last three seasons?




Glendale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay with defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) and quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

By Amelia Probst
May 24, 2023 • Highest return rates: From 2021 to 2022, the Los Angeles Rams had the highest return rate at 86.8%. Next were the Washington Commanders, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions at 81%.

• Lowest return rates: The Chicago Bears (34%), Las Vegas Raiders at (41%) and Atlanta Falcons (45%) had the lowest return rates over that same stretch.

• By division: Looking at roster retention by division since 2020, the NFC West had the highest average rate of return (72%), while the AFC South and NFC North had the lowest average rate of return (63%).

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes...

MORE>>>

[Futureshock]

How's the lock 'em up people gonna feel about this..

Jets DB Brandin Echols Suspended One Game


May 25th, 2023 at 7:48pm CST by Ben Levine

The Jets will be without a defensive back for the start of the 2023 campaign. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (via Twitter), Brandin Echols has been hit with a one-game suspension.

In a follow-up tweet, Pelissero reports that Echols was suspended for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. This stems from the player’s involvement in a high-speed car crash that partially paralyzed a man in 2022. Echols was later accepted into a diversionary program and avoided assault by automobile charges.

The 2021 sixth-round pick was thrust into a significant role as a rookie, compiling 63 tackles and two interceptions while starting all 14 of his appearances. After appearing in 760 defensive snaps as a rookie, he only got into 69 defensive reps in 2022. He still had a significant special teams role in his 13 appearances.

The Jets don’t have a whole lot of experienced outside CB depth behind Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed. Even with the suspension, Echols should be in contention (with the likes of Bryce Hall) for the backup outside cornerback role.

The organization also cleared a roster spot today by placing defensive end Bradlee Anae on injured reserve (per Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com on Twitter). The former fifth-round pick has seen time in 11 career games, all with the Cowboys. He spent the majority of the 2022 campaign on the Jets’ practice squad. Anae will now require an injury settlement if he hopes to take the field for a team during the 2023 campaign.

[Futureshock]

A lot of Lions fans wanted him last year. Some were a little vocal about it.... But, Kerby-Jo!

Kyle Hamilton feels he can slide in, perform at high level in new role for Ravens

Posted by Josh Alper on May 26, 2023, 11:46 AM EDT

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Kyle Hamilton played more than half the defensive snaps for the Ravens during his rookie season, but the first-round pick didn’t play a traditional safety role in Baltimore.

With Marcus Williams and Chuck Clark on hand, Hamilton saw a lot of his time in the slot and near the line of scrimmage. Clark is now a member of the Jets, however, and Hamilton is ticketed for a more traditional spot to kick off the 2023 season.

It’s a role that he believes he will play well.

“I feel like I can slide into that role for sure and perform at a high level,” Hamilton said, via the team’s website. “I feel like that’s what the Ravens drafted me fore and that’s what I’m here for, and I feel like I can definitely produce. . . . “It’s just different seeing the game from different levels, not backpedaling as much, and just getting in the groove. That’s what OTAs are for. I have a lot to learn in both areas, but I feel like if I can put it all together, it will be really good.”

The Ravens took Hamilton 14th overall because they think he can be an elite safety and the coming season will provide the first extended chance for him to prove them correct.

[Nick Pappageorgio]

Deandre Hopkins released by the Cards…given the Williams suspension, it might be worth a look

[CGVT]

He is going to want a ton of money