Jets Rookie TE Chris Herndon Arrested
Jets rookie tight end Chris Herndon was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated early Saturday morning in New Jersey, according to the Miami Herald. The 22-year-old was driving a Nissan Armada when he rammed into the back of a Toyota FJ-40 Land Cruiser, totaling it, and also crashing into a railroad car and its attached trailer, the Miami Herald confirmed with New Jersey State Police spokesman, Jeff Flynn.
“The case remains
under investigation,” Flynn said to the Miami Herald. “Mr. Herndon was arrested and charged with DWI. The DWI charge is considered a violation of New Jersey motor vehicle statutes.”
The Jets selected Herndon in the fourth round of this year’s draft out of Miami and signed him to his rookie deal last month.
“We are aware of the situation and have no further comment at this time,” a Jets spokesperson said to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
New Jersey State Police spokesman Lawrence Peele confirmed to Cimini that Herndon was driving over the legal alcohol limit per results of a breathalyzer test, though the results were not released. Herndon was handcuffed at the scene and reportedly suffered minor injuries.
Herndon caught 40 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns last season at Miami and was the team’s second-leading receiver. He missed the final two games of Miami’s season after undergoing surgery to repair a ligament in his left knee. He had recently been cleared to practice fully, per Cimini.
Cimini also noted this is the sixth Jets player in the last 13 months to be arrested and the third for drunken driving. Per Roster Resource, Herndon is currently projected as the Jets’ third-string tight end, with Eric Tomlinson and Clive Walford slotted ahead of him.
49ers Great Dwight Clark Dies At 61
San Francisco 49ers great Dwight Clark died at the age of 61 on Tuesday after a battle with ALS, his wife, Kelly, announced Monday (on Twitter). Clark, who was selected to two Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl titles in his nine-year career with the 49ers, announced in March 2017 that he had been diagnosed with ALS. 
Following his retirement, the 49ers retired Clark’s No. 87. He then went on to serve as the general manager and director of football operations for the Cleveland Browns from 1999-2002.
The one-time All-Pro grew to fame after hauling in one of the most famous catches in NFL history, leaping to bring in a six-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the NFC Championship game in the 1981 playoffs to lead the 49ers to a win over the Cowboys. The play would go on to be known as “The Catch” as the 49ers went on to defeat the Bengals in Super Bowl XVI.
The 49ers released a statement following the announcement of Clark’s death:
“The San Francisco 49ers family has suffered a tremendous loss today with the passing of Dwight Clark. We extend our condolences and prayers to Dwight’s wife, Kelly, his family, friends and fans, as we join together to mourn the death of one the most beloved figures in 49ers history.”
Former and current players from around the league, including Clark’s former teammate, Jerry Rice, and Bay Area native, Tom Brady, also passed along their condolences. Clark was originally drafted by the 49ers in 10th round of the 1979 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
This Date In Transactions History: Colin Kaepernick
In the 2014 offseason, quarterback Colin Kaepernick had been coming off back-to-back seasons in which he led the 49ers to the postseason. That also included a trip to Super Bowl XLVII when they 49ers lost to the Ravens.
It’s fair to see why the 49ers saw Kaepernick as their quarterback of the future and decided to ink him to a six-year contract extension worth up to $126MM in total, $54MM in potential guarantees and $13MM in full guarantees.
The now-30-year-old would not lead the 49ers to the postseason again following the extension and started all 16 regular season games just once before opting out of his contract following the 2016 season. The 49ers had taken Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 draft out of Nevada.
Kaepernick has yet to suit up with an NFL team since appearing in 12 games and starting 11 with the 49ers in 2016. After Jim Tomsula took over for Jim Harbaugh as the 49ers’ head coach in 2015, Kaepernick was benched eight games into the season in favor of Blaine Gabbert.
Since his release and subsequent free agency, Kaepernick has filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that owners from around the league colluded to keep him unsigned. The reported collusion stems from his protest of social inequalities in the United States, which included kneeling for the national anthem.
Between the 2012 and ’13 seasons, Kaepernick threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for nine touchdowns while throwing just 11 interceptions. The team also went 17-6 in the regular season with him as a starter. From 2014-16, Kaepernick was unable to lead the team to a record better than 8-8, including 10 interceptions in 2014 alone.
The 49ers have appeared to find another “quarterback of the future” after signing Jimmy Garoppolo to a five-year deal worth up to $137.5MM deal, which was the largest annual salary in NFL history at the time. The $90MM guaranteed in the first three years of his deal still stands as an NFL record.
NFC Notes: OBJ, Eagles, Seahawks, 49ers
Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham missed his fourth straight day of OTAs on Monday, per Ryan Dunleavy of NJ Advanced Media. Beckham attended the team’s first three workouts but has missed every once since, with just three minicamp practices remaining this offseason.
The development could point to a potential training camp holdout for Beckham as he’s entering the final season of his rookie deal. Beckham has stated his intention of being the highest paid wide receiver in the league, meaning he’d make in excess of $17MM per year.
The Giants are scheduled to hold a mandatory three-day minicamp from June 12-14. If Beckham is once again a no-show, he can be fined approximately $70,000. Giants coach Pat Shurmur said that Beckham is nearing clearance to return to full-time practice duties following ankle surgery last season, which caused him to miss the final 11 games of the year. Beckham has been limited to limited individual running and catching drills in practice thus far.
Beckham is slated to make $8.45 MM next season a part of the fifth-year option from his rookie deal. He’s yet to speak with the media since the Giants reportedly shopped him around in trade talks in March.
Here’s more from around the NFC
- Seahawks offensive lineman Duane Brown told members of the Seattle media, including Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (on Twitter), that there isn’t an update in regard to a contract extension with the Seahawks. Condotta noted that Brown said he’s confident a deal will get done, though. Brown was acquired by the Seahawks from the Texans in October of last year. The 32-year-old, four-time Pro Bowler is slated to make $9.75MM in 2018, which is the final year of his deal.
- Elliot Shorr-Parks of NJ Advanced Media points out that due to the Eagles releasing Mychal Kendricks with a post-June 1 designation, they earned an additional amount of cap space. They currently stand at $6.1MM in available cap space, which will roll over into 2019. The Eagles had previously had just $94,000 in cap space, which ranked as the lowest in the NFL. Kendricks officially signed with the Browns on Monday.
- Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said that reports of him seeking out-clauses and options on his contract to stay in control of his deal are just “conjecture,” per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “It’s kind of a slow period for football right now and we’re heading into the summer, and there’s not much to talk about unless somebody gets arrested or injured in the offseason or something happens on the Fourth of July,” Rodgers said, via Silverstein. “That’s usually the stories we get now until training camp. I don’t have anything to report at this point.”
Browns Sign LB Mychal Kendricks
The Browns have agreed to a deal with veteran linebacker Mychal Kendricks, according to his agent, Doug Hendrickson (on Twitter). Kendricks and the Browns agreed to a one-year, $3.5 MM pact, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
Kendricks was released by the Eagles last month after reportedly refusing to take a pay cut of $4.5MM. He has spent the last six seasons with the Eagles and visited with the Vikings and Raiders, along with the Browns. The Eagles took Kendricks in the second round of the 2012 draft. Kendricks’ brother, Eric, was a second-round choice of the Vikings in 2015 as a linebacker as well.
The 27-year-old is expected to report to the Browns’ OTAs on Tuesday, per Cabot. He’ll compete for a starting spot in the 4-3 scheme of Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, with 2017 Pro-Bowler Joe Schobert, Jamie Collins and Christian Kirksey. Jordan Schultz of Yahoo Sports reported late last week that Kendricks was expected to immediately assume a starting role with the Browns.
Kendricks appeared in 15 games last season, starting 13, and racked up 75 tackles. He also logged 16 tackles in the postseason amid the Eagles’ run to their first-ever Super Bowl title. Pro Football Focus rated Kendricks as the No. 9 linebacker in the NFL.
The Eagles had shopped Kendricks around before his May release but were unable to move him during or prior to the draft. Kendricks had also requested a trade in the 2016 offseason after diminished playing time in 2015 and ’16 but was pressed into action last season after a season-ending Achilles injury to Jordan Hicks.
Poll: Which Rookie QB WIll Log The Most Playing Time In 2018?
Six quarterbacks were taken in the first three rounds of the 2018 draft, including the Browns taking Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 overall pick.
Though teams spent high-value picks on quarterbacks in 2018, not every quarterback will be in a position to take over a starting role in 2018, though each seemingly has a decent possibility at finding the field in their rookie year. Along with the Browns selecting Mayfield, the Jets selected Sam Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick, the Bills took Josh Allen with the No. 7 overall pick, the Cardinals took Josh Rosen with the No. 10 overall pick and the Ravens selected Lamar Jackson with the No. 32 overall pick. The Steelers also selected Mason Rudolph in the third round of the draft.
Each quarterback has a roadblock to finding playing time in 2018. The Browns acquired quarterback Tyrod Taylor via trade, the Jets re-signed Josh McCown and added Teddy Bridgewater, the Cardinals signed Sam Bradford and the Bills traded for A.J. McCarron. The Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger entrenched in the starting role, though he’s missed eight games over the last three seasons.
So, which quarterback do you think will receive the most playing time in 2018? Will injuries to Ben Roethlisberger or Joe Flacco force Lamar Jackson or Mason Rudolph into action? Or can Mayfield, Darnold, Rosen or Allen win battles in crowded quarterback rooms?
Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section!
Extra Points: Luck, Hackenberg, Texans
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has yet to resume throwing a football but has participated in the rest of the drills through the team’s offseason workouts, according to Mike Chappell of CBS4 (on Twitter). Luck’s biggest responsibilities without the throwing have been learning the intricacies of the team’s new-look offense under coach Frank Reich.
The Colts have done their part of late in providing protection for Luck, drafting guard Quenton Nelson with the No. 6 overall pick of last year’s draft and guard Braden Smith in the second round. They also signed free agent tackle Austin Howard this week, who is expected to slot in at right tackle.
Luck did not appear in a game last season after having shoulder surgery in the 2017 offseason. Jacoby Brissett started 15 game at quarterback for the Colts last season and the team also has quarterbacks Brad Kaaya and Phillip Walker.
Here’s more from around the NFL:
- ESPN’s Rich Cimini expects the Jets to take four quarterbacks into their training camp, which means Christian Hackenberg will have the chance to earn a spot in a crowded Jets quarterback contingent. The team drafted former USC quarterback Sam Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick of last month’s draft, re-signed Josh McCown and also added former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. With the help of a personal quarterbacks coach, Hackenberg has developed a quicker, more compact throwing motion, per Cimini.
- The Texans announced that they’ve hired former Jets director of college scouting Matt Bazirgan as their director of player personnel and have hired former New England Patriots national scout James Liipfert as director of college scouting. The team dismissed assistant general manager and vice president of player personnel Jimmy Raye earlier this offseason. Former New Orleans Saints scout C.J. Leak has taken over as assistant director of pro scouting and Rob Kisiel will continue in his role as the director of pro scouting.
- Earlier today, we learned that there have yet to be “substantive” talks between the Lions and Golden Tate toward a possible extension.
5 Key NFL Stories: 5/7/18 – 5/13/18
Mark Ingram suspended. NFL suspended Saints running back Mark IngramThe for four games on Wednesday for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. Ingram appealed the decision but the league has already denied the appeal. Ingram was a part of the Saints’ incredibly successful rushing attack this season, which featured rookie Alvin Kamara. Ingram set career highs in carries (230), yards (1,124), rushing touchdowns (12), and receptions (58) last season. It was also reported by NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport that the Saints may have been shopping Ingram throughout this offseason.
Brandon Marshall visits Seahawks. The Seahawks lost pass-catching threats this offseason in form of the free-agent departures of Jimmy Graham and Paul Richardson. The team brought in free-agent wide receiver Brandon Marshall in for a visit on Thursday to possibly help fill the void. Marshall was cut by the Giants in April and his visit with the Seahawks is believed to be his first with another team. The six-time Pro Bowler played in just five games for the Giants last season after having October ankle surgery. He was last selected to the Pro Bowl in 2015 with the Jets when he had 1,502 yards receiving to go with a career-high 14 touchdown catches.
Colts sign Austin Howard. The Colts made another move to bolster their offensive line and protect quarterback Andrew Luck by signing free-agent tackle Austin Howard to a one-year $3.75MM deal, with $500K in incentives. Howard graded out as the No. 36 tackle in the league while with the Ravens last season, per Pro Football Focus, but was cut just one season into his three-year $16.5MM contract signed with the Ravens in the 2017 offseason. Howard has spent eight seasons in the NFL and has appeared in 98 games, starting 88 of them. The team drafted guard Quenton Nelson with the No. 6 overall pick of last month’s draft and took guard Braden Smith in the second round. All three are expected to start, with Howard slotting in at right tackle.
NFC East defensive linemen to undergo surgeries. Cowboys defensive tackle Maliek Collins and Eagles former first-round pick Derek Barnett are both expected to undergo surgeries. Collins’ certainly appears to be the more worrisome of the two, as he broke his foot during the team’s offseason program this week. It was reported by the Dallas Morning News that Collins is slated to undergo surgery in the upcoming week and is expected to be sidelined for around three months, and could rejoin the team in the middle of training camp. Barnett already underwent his surgery to repair a hernia, which has a timetable to return of six weeks, though Barnett had the surgery shortly after the team’s Super Bowl victory.
Reuben Foster pleads not guilty. 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster pleaded not guilty to three felony domestic violence charges and is scheduled to begin trial on May 17. The charges are stemming from a February incident, though the defendant in the case has recanted her statement. If convicted, Foster could serve up to 11 years in prison and the 49ers have already said they would cut him if found guilty. Foster had a stellar rookie season on the field, as the Alabama product recorded 72 total tackles and started 10 games.
Patriots Rumors: Manziel, Bielema, Clayborn
The Patriots’ drafting of former LSU quarterback Danny Etling in the seventh round of last month’s draft signaled an end to any chance of the team taking a chance on free-agent quarterback Johnny Manziel, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Reiss believes the team did its due diligence in scouting Manziel’s comeback attempt, including attending his workout at the University of San Diego pro day this year. The team even considered holding an additional workout for him outside of the pro day, per Reiss.
The Patriots traditionally carry three quarterbacks and by drafting Etling they’ve reached that number, with Tom Brady as the starter and Brian Hoyer backing him up.
Here’s more from the Patriots:
- Former Arkansas coach Bret Bielema has continued in his role with the Patriots following the conclusion of the draft, per ESPN’s Field Yate, and Yates also reports that he’s expected to be involved in coaching duties as the team begins its rookie minicamp Monday. Brett Bielema was fired as head coach of Arkansas last November after coaching the team for five seasons.
- Adrian Clayborn has playing-time incentives written into his two-year, $10-million contract that are worth up to $1.5 million, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe. Clayborn can make $300,000 f0r playing up to 55 percent of the team’s snaps, $300,000 for 60 percent, $400,000 for 65 percent and $500,000 for 75 percent. Volin notes, though, that Clayborn never played more than 52 percent of the snaps during his first last three seasons with the Falcons.
- We learned earlier Sunday that Patriots guard Joe Thuney is expected to undergo foot surgery but is expected to be back in time for training camp.
North Notes: Vikings, Taylor, Browns
While analyzing their new rookie class, the Vikings experimented with position changes for two players at their minicamp this weekend. The team has tried shifting fourth-round pick Jalyn Holmes from defensive end to defensive tackle and undrafted rookie Hercules Mata’afa was shifted from defensive tackle to linebacker.
“I’m up for the challenge and got good coaches that are actually teaching me what to do, so I’m up for the challenge,” said Holmes, who had limited experience playing defensive tackle at Ohio State, per Andrew Krammer of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Krammer notes that Holmes would likely need to add at least five pounds to his 285-pound frame to compete at the position. He also points out that Homles would be the team’s tallest defensive tackle at 6-foot-5.
At 6-foot-2, 254 pounds, Mata’afa who attended Washington State, was one of the Power Five’s smallest defensive tackles. Vikings coach Mike Zimmer, via Krammer, also pointed out an example in which switching a player defensive line to linebacker panned out.
“There have been several guys who have gone from d-line to linebacker,” Zimmer said. “[Teddy] Bruschi is a great example. I’m not saying he’s Bruschi, but guys have done that in the past. It’ll take time.”
Here’s more from around the AFC around NFC North:
- Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com wonders if Browns cornerback Jamar Taylor could be shipped off in a trade before or after training camp as the team has stacked up an abundance of depth at the position. The Browns added Ohio State’s Denzel Ward with the fourth overall pick in last month’s draft and also added Simeon Thomas, T.J. Carrie, E.J. Gaines and Terrance Mitchell this offseason. Cabot also reported that Taylor was on the trading block during the draft.
- Kabot also looked into some scenarios that could play out at left tackle for the Browns. Cabot believes that 2016 third-round pick Shon Coleman will get the first crack at trying to replace Joe Thomas. She also believes that Austin Corbett, who they selected in the second round of last month’s draft, will press Coleman for the starting job. Cabot also sees a scenario in which the team moves Joel Bitonio from left guard to left tackle and place Corbett at left guard to keep the highly-touted rookie on the field.
- On Saturday, we learned that the Lions signed offensive lineman Brett Kendrick and waived safety Anthony Sherrils