Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden knows what he’s getting – or what he’s potentially getting – in tight end Tyler Eifert. Gruden was Eifert’s OC for his rookie year in Cincinnati and watched him flash serious promise. From 2014-2018, Gruden watched from afar as Eifert struggled to stay healthy. Now, they’re reunited in Jacksonville, and Eifert believes big things are in store.
“We get along great,” Eifert said (via John Reid of the Florida Times-Union). “I had a good understanding of the offense he runs. Just having that familiarity with the offense is nice. There’s some new stuff in here. But just being familiar with it and having a general idea of what’s going on makes it a lot easier to learn.”
Last year, Eifert caught 43 passes for 436 yards and three touchdowns for a sagging Bengals team. More importantly, he was on the field for all 16 games. This year, he’ll try to keep the streak going.
Here’s more from the AFC South:
- There’s been lots of talk about a potential extension for Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, but he’s not the only player on the team with a re-up to consider. Stephen Holder of The Athletic ran down Indy’s top candidates, a list that includes center Ryan Kelly, linebacker Darius Leonard, running back Marlon Mack, safety Malik Hooker, and linebacker Anthony Walker. Hooker, of course, is unlikely to sign a new deal before the season starts – the Colts declined his fifth-year option earlier this month, a move that puzzled many and put him on course for free agency following the 2020 season.
- At 6’2″ and 213 pounds, Lonnie Johnson Jr. seems like a natural for the safety position. However, Texans defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver plans to keep him at cornerback, as Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle writes. “We got to get his confidence right, and I don’t think he lacks in that area,” Weaver said on a Zoom call. “That rookie year for a corner is difficult. I think he’s going to come in now with more knowledge not only of the system, but DB play in general. And I expect him to take a jump here in year two.” Johnson was inconsistent during the regular season, but he did get a good deal of starting experience. And, as Wilson notes, he made a key deflection on Travis Kelce to help the Texans upset the Chiefs in October (KC, of course, got their revenge in January). Johnson staying at CB, in theory, could improve the chances of Eric Reid joining his brother in the Texans’ secondary.
- The Titans are said to have some degree of interest in Jadeveon Clowney, but former Texans colleague and current Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel says he hasn’t talked to him.
I still can’t believe Gardner Minshew hasn’t adopted Free Bird as his theme song. He’d own Jax!
In The Good Place, Bortles is still Jacksonville’s QB!
All Gardner Minshew highlights should have the Hamsterdance song playing in the background.
Colts shouldn’t be worrying about finding they money to pay players.
Rivers and Brissett are both on expiring contracts, Rivers for 25mil and Brissett for 15mil.
They shouldn’t have to pay for a back up QB with Eason likely to take that role next year.
They also have Castonzo who at 31 is on a highly paid 2 year deal with a potential out if they want.
They also currently have the 6th most cap space in the league with 24mil
I’d swap Marlon Mack for OJ Howard.
Howard is a young receiving TE, which would be a great fit with Hilton and Pitman for the Colts. He’s also a good upgrade at TE and means they don’t have to extend Mack.
They can then trade Jack Doyle, their current starting TE to a team like the Cards, Redskins, Packers, Titans, or so on to save some money.
Resign Hooper, Leonard and Hilton first then Kelly and Walker
I would resign Kelly before Hooker. The former has been rock-solid on the o-line, while the latter has been too inconsistent to trust with a lucrative extension. Besides, safeties are easier to replace than competent linemen
Who do you believe has the more promising future: Bills or Colts? I think Rivers has a bounceback season behind an outstanding offensive line, but I love Allen’s potential. Personally, I think the Bills are more prepared for the long-term with Allen for the foreseeable future along with an underrated trio of playmaking wideouts. However, I wouldn’t sleep on Ballard. The man has been an outstanding drafter thus far. I could certainly see either team winning the Lombardi within five years
I really rate Josh Allen and I think he will have a massive year similar to how Mahomes come from no where and Lamar come into this year.
Josh has the arm strength and the mobility, he just got a great WR in Diggs, the pats in that division have gotten weaker plus he had his first taste of the playoffs.
However I like the Jonathon Taylor, Micheal Pitman and Jacob Eason signings in the draft I think these two guys become top players and Eason will be solid. I also agree Rivers will play well but he’s obviously not apart of the long term future. I wouldn’t be surprised if the colts grabbed a QB in the first round of next years draft.
That QB would be getting a solid line, a good young RB, two WRers and with my trade I mentioned above a good young TE too.
The Bills haven’t won in Indianapolis since 1998 when Doug Flutie was the game hero.
@wagner. If you could be a little more indecisive you could get yourself hired as an NFL referee…lol.
Lolz “similar how to Mahomes come from nowhere”?!? That’s some good weed bruh