HEADLINES

Month: March 2018

NFL Approves Rule Changes For 2018

March 27th, 2018 at 12:25pm CST by Zachary Links

At this week’s owners’ meetings, the NFL moved to ratify several proposed changes to on- and off-field rules. Here’s the full rundown:

Playing Rules Changes:

  1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the playing rule that changes the spot of the next snap after a touchback resulting from a free kick to the 25-yard line.
  2. By Competition Committee; Changes standard for a catch.
  1. By Competition Committee; Authorizes the designated member of the Officiating department to instruct on-field game officials to disqualify a player for a flagrant non-football act when a foul for that act is called on the field.

Approved 2018 Bylaws Summary

  1. By Competition Committee; Makes permanent the liberalization of rules for timing, testing, and administering physical examinations to draft-eligible players at a club’s facility.
  1.  By Buffalo; For one year only, amends Article XVII, Section 17.4 to liberalize the rule for reacquisition of a player assigned via waivers.

3. By Denver; Amends Article XVII, Section 17.16 to permit clubs to trade players from Reserve/Injured.

4. By Minnesota; Amends Article XVIII, Section 18.1 to replace the 10-day postseason claiming period with a 24-hour period.

The change to this year’s catch rule, naturally, has garnered the most attention given the number of controversies around iffy catches last season. The new language means that the “survive the ground” verbiage will not survive in the new league year.

From a transactions standpoint, the rule change to allow players to be traded from the injured reserve list is an interesting one. Many deals have been scuttled in the past due to this restriction, but this adjustment could result in even more NFL trades going forward.

Conspicuously absent from the list is the “Josh McDaniels rule” that would have allowed assistants to be hired while their teams are still in the postseason. That proposal has been tabled until May, according to NFL.com’s Judy Battista (on Twitter).

Texans To Sign QB Brandon Weeden

March 27th, 2018 at 11:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Texans are signing quarterback Brandon Weeden, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26 (on Twitter). Weeden spent last season with the Titans but did not throw a pass for them during the season. 

Weeden has not seen the field since 2015 when he appeared in four games for the Cowboys and two for the Texans. The 34-year-old (35 in October) has a career 6-19 record.

The 6’4″ signal caller currently profiles as Deshaun Watson‘s top backup, but things can change between now and the start of the season, particularly with the draft right around the corner. The Texans are keeping their options open at quarterback and even conducted a private workout with Louisville’s Lamar Jackson in the event that he slides in the draft.

Johnny Manziel Remains Open To CFL

March 27th, 2018 at 11:13am CST by Zachary Links

Johnny Manziel‘s is doing everything he can to prove he belongs another shot in the NFL. But, failing that, he says he’ll play in the CFL this year (Twitter link via Drew Davison of the Star Telegram). 

Manziel participated in Texas A&M’s pro day on Tuesday and threw passes at the University of San Diego last Thursday. The word from USD was that Manziel looked sharp, despite less-than-perfect weather. The former first round pick will have to do more than audition well on the field, of course, given his off-the-field question marks.

There were 13 teams on hand at USD, but every NFL team is represented at the Aggies’ pro day thanks to the size of their program and their number of high-end prospects, including wide receiver Christian Kirk.

Manziel is willing to sign a practice squad deal with zero guaranteed money if that’s what it takes to get back into the NFL, but failing that, it sounds like he’ll be north of the border after his Spring League stint.

NFC West Rumors: Seahawks, Cardinals, OBJ

March 27th, 2018 at 10:56am CST by Zachary Links

The Seahawks are now without stars Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Jimmy Graham, and Sheldon Richardson as well as up-and-coming wide receiver Paul Richardson, but GM John Schneider is insistent that the team is not in rebuilding mode.

“It’s just always very, very hard to make those decisions to move on from people, but that’s what we have to do in order to be a consistent championship-caliber football team,’’ Schneider said (via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times). “We don’t want to be having these major rebuilding years. We want to be able to have little re-sets, if you will.”

Last year, the Seahawks went 9-7 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011. It certainly feels like there’s a changing of the guard in the NFC West thanks to the Rams, but Seattle will push to get back on top this year, despite the cap crunch.

Here’s more from the NFC West:

  • Cardinals’ head coach Steve Wilks said he expects doctors to clear running back David Johnson (wrist) in time to be ready for OTAs (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). Johnson was arguably the league’s best offensive player in 2016 as he posted more than 2,100 yards from scrimmage and scored 20 total touchdowns.
  • The Cardinals don’t have any interest in Odell Beckham Jr., according to Mike Jurecki of 98.7 FM (on Twitter). As good as OBJ is, the Cardinals are wary of his contract situation. The wide receiver is slated to earn about $8.5MM in 2018, but he’s pushing for a new deal that would put him at the top of the market for his position. That may mean a salary of $17MM per year or more.

Latest On Giants, Odell Beckham Jr.

March 27th, 2018 at 10:37am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants aren’t shopping Odell Beckham Jr., but it doesn’t sound like they’re ruling out a trade either. When asked about the wide receiver at Tuesday’s owners’ meetings, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said, “He’s on our team right now,” (Twitter link via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com). 

Shurmur’s comments echo those of owner John Mara who recently said he is “tired of answering questions about” Beckham’s behavior and refused to say that “anybody is untouchable.” Meanwhile, OBJ is considering a holdout if he does not get a lucrative extension that will take him beyond the 2018 season.

Earlier this month, a video appeared to capture Beckham getting involved with drugs. His mood swings have also caused some headaches for the team in the past, though Shurmur’s new administration will try to help him stay focused on football.

Reading between the lines, it sounds like Beckham can be had via trade, but it would be extremely costly for any team acquiring him. The Giants still seem set on winning in 2018 and they’ll need a big return in order to replace Beckham’s production. As it stands, Brandon Marshall and Sterling Shepard are the next best wide receivers on the Giants’ depth chart.

Colts Reject Trade Offers For Jacoby Brissett

March 27th, 2018 at 10:23am CST by Zachary Links

The Colts have received two trade offers quarterback Jacoby Brissett, according to Stephen Holder of the Indy Star. The identities of those teams and the strength of those offers are not known, but the Colts declined those overtures with the idea that they will retain him this season. 

Given Andrew Luck‘s health issues, it’s no surprise that the Colts are putting a great emphasis on the backup quarterback role. Brissett is not a world beater, but he is a capable QB who can fill in if needed. He’s also significantly cheaper than other signal callers at his level. The former third round pick is slated to earn just $735K this year and $890 in 2019.

Brissett, who is still just 24, threw 13 touchdowns against seven interceptions for the Colts last season. He graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 29 ranked quarterback out of 39 qualified players.

Eagles Rumors: Bennett, Sproles, Celek

March 27th, 2018 at 10:10am CST by Zachary Links

Eagles defensive end Michael Bennett appeared before a Texas judge on Monday afternoon following a felony charge of injury to the elderly related to an alleged incident at NRG Stadium following the Super Bowl, as ESPN.com’s Tim McManus tweets. Bond had been set at $10K and he will be permitted to travel between his home in Hawaii and the Houston area for court appearances. For more on the incident, click here.

Here’s the latest on the defending champs:

  • Running back Darren Sproles, who is a free agent, could still be a part of the Eagles’ plans in 2018. “He’s expressed he wants to be back here. He knows we want him back here. Yeah, heck yeah,” Eagles coach Doug Pederson said when asked about Sproles at the owners’ meetings (via Jeff McLane of the Inquirer). “He’s a big part of our team. Punt returner. He was a tremendous back, third-down guy. Yeah, so we’ll see where that falls out.”
  • The Eagles like this year’s tight end draft class and are likely to add one in April, but Pederson didn’t rule out a Brent Celek return. “I think that’s a player you’d consider bringing back, especially if you weren’t able to fit all the pieces together at the spot. So he’s definitely in that conversation,” (Twitter link via Zach Berman of the Inquirer). Celek was released earlier this month in order to save $4MM against the cap, but it sounds like the Eagles would be open to a reunion at a lesser rate.

Titans Sign QB Blaine Gabbert

March 27th, 2018 at 6:23am CST by Zachary Links

The Titans have agreed to sign quarterback Blaine Gabbert, the team announced. Terms of the deal are not yet known. 

Gabbert spent the last season with the Cardinals and wound up starting five games after injuries took Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton out of action. All in all, he completed just 55.6% of his passes for 1,006 yards with six touchdowns against six interceptions. He’ll now serve as Marcus Mariota‘s backstop in Tennessee.

The Titans released Matt Cassel earlier this month, putting them in the market for a reserve QB. Mariota has dealt with a broken leg and a hamstring issue in the last two seasons, so the Titans wanted an experienced insurance policy in the event that he goes down.

The Titans now roster three QBs in Mariota, Gabbert, and 2017 undrafted free agent Tyler Ferguson. In theory, they seem set at the position, but they could bring in some competition for the third spot on the QB depth chart between now and training camp.

Seahawks Open To Earl Thomas Trade

March 26th, 2018 at 10:03pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s not necessarily likely to happen, but Seahawks GM John Schneider is not ruling out a trade of safety Earl Thomas. On Monday, Schneider indicated that the phone lines are open in Seattle, meaning that no one is off limits. 

“Earl’s under contract for another season, and if we’re not listening to everybody we are not doing a very good job. So we have to listen to everything that’s going on all the time,” Schneider said (Twitter link via Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times).

Thomas says that he wants to stay in Seattle, but the six-time Pro Bowler is entering the final year of his four-year $40MM deal and the Seahawks could garner tons of draft capital by trading him. Reportedly, the Seahawks are seeking a first round pick and a third rounder for Thomas and they could potentially get even more than that.

The Cowboys are reportedly one of the teams that have shown interest in trading for Thomas, but you can expect a number of clubs to inquire on acquiring the elite safety.

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