NFC East Notes: Giants, Redskins, Jones
Now that the Giants front office and coaching staff is set to go through a number of changes after the firing of Jerry Reese and Ben McAdoo, there’s a ton of speculation of who could be the person put in charge to bring the franchise back to perennial success.
While many people think the hire will come outside the organization, Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network thinks interim GM Kevin Abrams should not be overlooked as the Giants begin their search.
Garafolo notes that Abrams is a “cap guy by trade”, but has worked on his scouting ability in recent years and has “attended multiple NFL seminars” to prepare to lead a football operations department. A number of names are likely to be floated for the job given that the team will likely have a high pick and has a track record of winning, but Abrams seems like he might get a realistic shot at turning his interim tag into a full-time position.
Here’s more from around the NFC East:
- Apart from Abrams, Mike Sando of ESPN.com speculated a few candidates from outside the organization who could be contenders for the Giants general manager and head coaching gigs. Sando names front office guys like Nick Caserio from the Patriots, former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman and former Colts President Bill Polian. He also highlights many well known up-and-comers such as Eric DeCosta (Ravens), George Paton (Vikings), Eliot Wolf (Packers) and Terry McDonough (Cardinals) among many others. Sando added that former GM’s Scott Pioli (Falcons) and John Dorsey (free agent) could be intriguing hires as well. In terms of potential head coaching candidates, Sando names guys who were on the teams original list back before they hired McAdoo prior the 2016-17 season. This would include current coordinators like Teryl Austin (Lions) and Mike Smith (Buccaneers). An under-the-radar name to watch is Texans defensive coordinator, Mike Vrabel, who is best known for his time leading the Patriots defense to Super Bowl titles.
- While the Redskins are out of the NFC playoff race after losing to the Cowboys last Thursday, that doesn’t mean that team will start resting their players, states John Keim of ESPN.com. He passes along that Head coach Jay Gruden said that he wouldn’t rest some of their injured starters just because the games don’t have postseason implications for the team. “They’re all trying to get back in the lineup,” Gruden said. “They’re going to play hard because they want to win and want to do well. That’s the reason they’re all here. We try to target guys that love football, are passionate about the game and are going to play hard no matter what. For the most part, we’ve got that here. So whether you are on one year left or five years left, doesn’t really matter.” Starters like left tackle Trent Williams, right tackle Morgan Moses and tight end Jordan Reed have all dealt with nagging injuries this season, but it appears that the Redskins won’t just solely be resting key players hoping that could lead to a better draft pick.
- Eagles cornerback Sidney Jones has not played in a game this season as he’s continued to rehab the achilles that he had torn back in March. However, the rookie has yet to participate in practice, reports Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link). Jones has been eligible to start practicing since the beginning of Week 7, but has just a 21 day time period to be activated to the roster once he does begin to take part in practice. It’s important to note that Berman explains in a follow-up tweet, Jones could just use the last three weeks of the regular season to get extra reps and get a head start on his offseason training. The Eagles currently have corners Jalen Mills, Patrick Robinson, Ronald Darby and Rasul Douglas patrolling the defensive backfield.
East Rumors: Bowles, Manning, Williams
The Jets have slunk to 4-7 after a promising start, but Todd Bowles‘ job appears to be safe going into Gang Green’s December slate. Sources throughout the organization are “raving” about the third-year coach’s ability to coax what he has from this young team, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.tv reports. Bowles’ Jets are one win away from last season’s total, and five of New York’s seven defeats have come by one score. Vacchiano notes a short-term offseason extension is possible, and while he expects Bowles to receive a fourth season with the Jets, that won’t be decided until the offseason.
Here’s the latest from the Eastern divisions in advance of Thursday night’s NFC East clash.
- Despite the Giants‘ panned decision to bench Eli Manning, the franchise quarterback places a value on playing an entire career for one team, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. So, a Tony Romo-esque exit shouldn’t be ruled out. However, Manning reportedly wants to continue playing and sees “several” destinations that would suit him. Breer adds Manning won’t simply go to a quarterback-needy team just for the sake of continuing his career, though. Despite Manning having a sub-par age-36 season as the Giants slog through an injury-riddled campaign, multiple defensive coaches told Breer the 14th-year passer still has quality football left. “I think he has a lot left,” one of the coaches told Breer. “No offensive line, zero run game and he lost his four top receivers in the same game. So it’s hard to truly assess him.” Although it’s early to make these proclamations, Breer sets the Tom Coughlin-led Jaguars as the frontrunner to land Manning.
- On the topic of Big Apple quarterbacks, the Jets could well look to bring back Josh McCown for more stopgap work, Vacchiano notes. The team is obviously going to be ready to enter the quarterback market, but McCown staying on as a backup may be a workable scenario for Gang Green. This would push Christian Hackenberg further toward the back burner. Bowles already announced McCown would remain the starter, barring injury.
- One of the most notable long-running dramas in the league’s near-25-year history of free agency looks be set for a third go-round, with Kirk Cousins still not attached to a long-term deal. The Redskins will not be using the transition tag on their quarterback, but JP Finlay of CSNMidAtlantic.com writes the team should still use the non-exclusive franchise tag. This would cost Washington a staggering $34MM, but unlike the transition tag, it would force other teams to fork over two first-round picks for the right to sign Cousins, who will enter his age-30 season in 2018.
- Trent Williams will be protecting Cousins against the Cowboys tonight, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Jay Gruden told NFL.com’s Jane Slater this is a pain-tolerance issue regarding Williams’ knee, one he’s admitted he will need surgery on. With the Redskins on the outer fringe of the NFC wild-card race, an in-season Williams surgery would make sense rather than extend the rehab time — one that could be around six months, per the eighth-year tackle — farther into 2018.
NFC Injury Notes: Sturgis, Elliott, Redskins, Vaccaro, Swaim
The Eagles picked up kicker Jake Elliott from the Bengals’ practice squad to replace the incumbent Caleb Sturgis after he suffered a hip injury the first week of the season. The team hasn’t looked back since then and it looks like Philadelphia has no plans to change their special teams unit moving forward. While Sturgis is eligible to come off the disabled list this week, Eagles special teams coach Dave Flipp told reporters today that, “right now there’s no reason to make a change,” reports Zach Berman of The Inquirer. It’s understandable why the team would not feel the need to mess with the status quo. Elliott has made 17-20 of his field goal attempts this season, but is best known for his 61 yard bomb he hit to beat the Giants in Week 3.
- The Redskins have a few big names that are questionable to play for the team’s game this Sunday. Defensive lineman Matt Ionanidis has already been ruled out for the team’s affair vs. the Vikings, but offensive stalwarts Trent Williams and Jordan Reed are listed as questionable to play too, according to Jonah Keim of ESPN.com. Washington has 11 players listed as 50-50 for Sunday with other offensive lineman Morgan Moses (ankles), Brandon Scherff (knee), Spencer Long (knee/quad) and Ty Nsekhe (core muscle). It’s unlikely that the majority of the Washington offensive line will miss the game, but the team’s depth is something to keep an eye as we get closer to kickoff.
- The Saints will be without a key member of the defense vs. the Bills this Sunday. Saftety Kenny Vaccaro will miss the contest with a groin injury, but expressed optimism that the situation will be more of a short-term issue, reports Mike Triplett of ESPN.com. The 26 year-old defensive back told the reporter, “Oh, yeah, I’ll be fine,” when referring to the timeline of the groin issue. Meanwhile, while New Orleans will certainly miss their starting safety, the team has a considerable amount of depth at the position with the likes of Vonn Bell, Rafael Bush and Chris Banjo all likely getting playing time in his absence.
- Cowboys third-string tight end Geoff Swaim missed practice on Friday with a right knee injury and as is waiting on MRI results that should bring light to what his recovery may look like, reports Todd Archer of ESPN.com. Archer opines that Swaim could miss Sunday’s game and may be in line for arthroscopic surgery, which would sideline him for a few weeks. Swaim just has two receptions on the season with Jason Witten and James Hanna getting most of the reps in two tight-end sets.
Extra Points: Vikings, Zeke, Williams, Lynch
Sam Bradford does not have a return timetable after making a brief cameo in Chicago earlier this month. The Vikings quarterback is still experiencing knee pain, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (video link). However, Minnesota may be set to finally have some quarterback depth again after its Week 9 bye. Teddy Bridgewater is expected to come off the PUP list after the bye, and Rapoport expects him to immediately compete with Case Keenum for the Vikes’ starting job. A mostly Keenum-led team this season, the Vikings lead the NFC North after their win over the Browns on Sunday. Bridgewater reclaiming his job might be a bit tricky considering where the team is in the standings and how long it’s been since the fourth-year passer was at the controls. But a Bridgewater return gives the Vikings options they don’t currently have with Bradford still on the mend.
Here’s the latest from around the league.
- Ezekiel Elliott did not travel with the Cowboys back to Dallas on Sunday night, instead trekking to New York for his seminal court date, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). Elliott did not attend his previous hearing with New York’s Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans earlier this month. The Cowboys star back rushed for more than 100 yards for a second straight week and has five touchdowns over the past two games but could see his suspension go into effect as early as next week if Monday goes poorly for his side.
- Trent Williams is hoping the Redskins‘ bye week gives him time to heal his knee injury, but the Washington tackle isn’t certain that will do the trick, per John Keim of ESPN.com. Williams said earlier this month he’s hoping to put off surgery until after the season but revealed Sunday (via Keim) some doctors have told him that’s a six- to nine-month rehab process. Calling this a deep bone bruise, Williams added other medical personnel have said he can go the rest-and-recover route. So this bye week will be critical for the status of Washington’s injury-ravaged offensive line.
- Speaking of left tackle injuries, Joe Staley suffered an orbital bone fracture Sunday. But the 11th-year 49ers edge blocker received a bit of good news, with Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reporting (via Twitter) no surgery will be required. Still, this could end any Staley trade speculation and keep him in San Francisco for another full season.
- Paxton Lynch is no longer on the Broncos‘ injury report, and the second-year quarterback could be in uniform Monday night for the first time this season, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes. The Broncos have not received much help from their offense the past three games and have fallen to 3-3. The team obviously would be interested in getting its 2016 first-rounder on the field at some point, but Trevor Siemian won the job in the preseason. However, if the Broncos slink out of the playoff race as a result of a brutal upcoming schedule — the Chiefs, Eagles and Patriots represent Denver’s ensuing three games — Lynch could be summoned for a full-on audition.
- Devon Still is considering retirement. The former Bengals rotational defensive lineman told TMZ he plans to decide in a couple of weeks if he will pursue a shot at another opportunity or not. The 28-year-old interior defender is currently a free agent, having last played with 2016 Texans. The Jets cut Still in August.
- T.Y. Hilton is rumored to be on the trade block. Florio hears from multiple sources the NFL’s reigning receiving-yardage leader is available. Florio opines a future Hilton-type talent could come out of a mid-round draft pick, allowing the Colts — now run by a decision-maker in Chris Ballard who did not draft the sixth-year wide receiver — to offload Hilton’s $13MM-AAV contract and improve the roster with the savings.
Trent Williams Needs Knee Surgery
Trent Williams did not miss a game despite suffering a knee injury against the Chiefs in Week 4, but the longtime Redskins left tackle appears to have done damage that will induce a surgery.
Washington’s cornerstone lineman will need to undergo knee surgery, one that will cause an extensive rehab process, but he hopes to undergo this procedure in the offseason and play through the pain in the meantime, Liz Clarke of the Washington Post reports.
“The ligament that holds my kneecap in the socket needs to be reconstructed at some point,” Williams said. “It’s like a five-, six-month surgery, I think, in recovery time. I’m just trying to hold off on that as long as possible. Hopefully get through the season and revisit it in the offseason.”
Williams has not practiced since injuring his right knee in Kansas City, but he played at far less than 100 percent in the Redskins’ win over the 49ers. He told Clarke playing through this injury has been worse than battling through previous ankle, shoulder and knee maladies. The five-time Pro Bowler hasn’t missed more than two games in a season due to injury in his career.
“It didn’t help. That’s the reality. It didn’t help,” Williams said of playing through pain against the 49ers. “But that was expected. You’re not gonna go play three hours on a bum knee and expect to be better the next day.”
This pain-tolerance issue could come to a head at some point and induce a Williams absence, but for now, he is listed as questionable to suit up Monday night against the Eagles. Swing tackle Ty Nsekhe remains out after undergoing core muscle surgery. T.J. Clemmings would be the next man up if Williams couldn’t go.
East Rumors: Williams, Patriots, JPP, Jets
Trent Williams has encountered a patella issue, one that caused him to briefly exit Monday night’s Redskins-Chiefs game. The Pro Bowl left tackle will not need surgery to correct the problem, but Williams is “week-to-week,” Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter). Washington has not ruled Williams out for its Week 6 game, per Rapoport. The eighth-year tackle underwent an MRI on Wednesday, and the exam ruled out a long-term injury. A near-future absence would obviously cause issues for the team. Swing tackle Ty Nsekhe is out after undergoing core muscle surgery, so the drop-off if Williams can’t go against the 49ers could be significant.
Here’s the latest from the Eastern divisions, shifting to New England.
- Rob Gronkowski extended his streak of seasons without 16-game participation to six by missing Thursday night’s Patriots-Buccaneers tilt with a thigh injury, but the Pats expect their all-world tight end back by Week 6, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). The same goes for Rex Burkhead, per Schefter. Burkhead hasn’t played since Week 2, but the team is expecting its newly acquired dual-threat back to be available against the Jets next weekend.
- Missing Thursday’s game will deprive Gronkowski of collecting the $10.75MM salary the Patriots set as his ceiling on the now-incentive-laden 2017 arrangement. By failing to play in 90 percent of the Pats’ snaps this season, Gronk is in danger of falling to the $8.75MM tier of his contract, Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald notes (on Twitter). The 28-year-old tight end could still rise back to that top tier, but he’d have to earn first-team All-Pro honors. That’s obviously still in play for Gronkowski, a three-time All-Pro, but he will have to make it through most of the Pats’ remaining regular-season games to be strongly considered for such acclaim. He will need to play on 80 percent of New England’s snaps this season or total 1,000 receiving yards or 12 touchdowns to earn $8.75MM. The salary drops to $6.75MM if Gronkowski can’t meet one of those benchmarks.
- A sprained shoulder has put Jason Pierre-Paul‘s Week 5 availability in question, but the Giants defensive end said this issue is not new for him. He intends to play against the Chargers, Howie Kussoy of the New York Post reports. JPP said he’s been dealing with shoulder problem for “a while.” Both Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon missed Thursday’s practice, and with Vernon leaving early with an ankle injury the past two weeks, Big Blue’s other starting defensive end is in danger of missing his first NFL game in a six-season career.
- The Jets could be down nickel cornerback Juston Burris on Sunday after the No. 3 corner hurt his foot in practice, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com notes. With fellow reserve corner Darryl Roberts unlikely to play in Cleveland, the Jets could be scrambling here if Burris can’t go. New York, though, still has veteran Marcus Williams in the event the younger talents can’t play behind Morris Claiborne or Buster Skrine. A former steady contributor on whom the Jets placed a second-round RFA tender, Williams has not played a defensive snap this season. Both Burris and Roberts have played 90.
Redskins Cut CB Dashaun Phillips
The Redskins announced that they have released cornerback Dashaun Phillips. The move will make room for the return of Trent Williams to the 53-man roster, Mike Jones of The Washington Post tweets. 
Phillips started the year as the Redskins’ primary nickel cornerback. Eventually, he fell out of favor, got cut, and was signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the taxi squad late last week, but his latest 53-man run did not last long. He was a healthy scratch against Arizona on Sunday.
Williams received a four-game ban in November for missing a drug test. That was a huge hit for the Redskins as Williams is ranked as Pro Football Focus’ top tackle in the NFL this season. After the suspension was announced, Williams accused the union of not following the proper protocol with regards to his situation.
Conflict Emerges Between Williams, NFLPA
Receiving a four-game suspension earlier this week, Trent Williams will miss Washington’s November slate. But he contends the NFLPA did not follow protocol leading to this month-long ban, Liz Clarke, Mike Jones and Mark Maske of the Washington Post report.
A conflict between the Redskins’ franchise left tackle and the NFLPA has emerged due to the proper steps not being taken in the leadup to to the ban. The seventh-year tackle, sources informed the trio of Washington Post reporters, is miffed the NFLPA accepted a four-game ban when other, less severe options, were slated to be on the table. Williams contemplated taking legal action, as he’s suspended without pay and will see his $11.25MM guaranteed base salary for 2017 become nonguaranteed as a result of this development, but it’s now too late to seek a suspension-stalling injunction.
While Williams doesn’t dispute the penalty was justified, he’s upset at the union failing to notify him of where he was in the drug program and the odd escalation of these stages. An NFLPA lawyer acting on Williams’ behalf in 2014 reportedly agreed to a sanction without knowing where the Redskins’ top blocker was in the drug program. This led to a step being skipped en route to Williams’ suspension, a sequence that has also irked members of Washington’s front office, per Clark, Jones and Maske.
The now-28-year-old tackle stood in the marijuana wing of the drug program, and in 2014 the league and the union agreed to more leniency as far as marijuana was concerned. An initial positive test for weed results in more frequent testing, with the second and third measures here being two- and four-game fines, respectively. However, a deal the aforementioned NFLPA attorney negotiated two years ago led to the four-game fine being bypassed and a suspension occurring earlier than it should have, the Post trio reports.
A positive test put Williams in the drug program, and a missed test triggered the second offense, but his side contends the former first-round pick was not given proper notification as to how close he was to a four-game ban. The four-game fine and four-game suspension became fused into one step, and Williams — who according to the Post was “stunned” to find out he was suspended — was apparently not informed of the NFLPA’s agreement. The mixup here will help lead to Washington being without its left tackle for a key portion of the schedule.
Williams also told the arbitrator assigned to settle this substance-abuse matter he informed the NFL he was on a trip to Africa when he was summoned for the drug test in question. This is Williams’ second four-game suspension for substance abuse, but with the previous ban coming in 2011, the four-time Pro Bowl left tackle’s record was expunged prior to this latest happening.
Pro Football Focus tabbed Williams as its top tackle thus far this season, and his absence obviously has the potential to wound Washington’s offense. He’s in the first season of a five-year, $66MM extension he signed to stay in Washington last year.
Redskins OT Trent Williams Suspended Four Games
5:30pm: Mike Jones of The Washington Post reports (via Twitter) that Williams was suspended for missing a test, explaining the four-game ban. The reporter adds that the suspension wasn’t reduced on appeal.
Meanwhile, Joel Corry tweets that Williams’ suspension will wipe out the lineman’s $11.25MM guaranteed base salary for 2017. The salary is now guaranteed for injury only, but the salary will become fully guaranteed on the third day of the league year.
4:55pm: The Redskins will be without one of their top offensive lineman for the next month. The team announced (via Twitter) that tackle Trent Williams has been suspended four games for violating the NFL Policy & Program for Substances of Abuse. Williams will be eligible to return to the active roster on Monday, December 5th. Albert Breer notes that Williams previously served a four-game suspension in 2011, so this latest punishment may have been appealed down from 10 games.
“Today, Trent Williams was suspended by the NFL under the terms of the Policy and Program on Substances of Abuse for the next four games,” the team said in a statement. “We met with Trent today to discuss this unfortunate news. Per the terms of the Policy, Trent will be permitted to participate in team meetings and workout out at the Redskins’ facilities throughout this time. The Redskins are counting on Trent to help our team when he returns from suspension. Our focus will now turn to the Minnesota Vikings after our bye this upcoming weekend. Any questions related to this matter should be directed to the NFL or NFLPA.”
Williams’ absence will be a huge loss for the 4-3 Redskins, who are currently sitting outside of the playoff picture. ProFootballFocus.com ranked Williams as the league’s top tackle this season, and the 28-year-old has played a significant role in the team’s offense. The Redskins’ rushing attack may only be middle-of-the-road, but the offensive line has still only allowed 11 sacks, the second-fewest total in the league. Nick Shook of NFL.com also notes that Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins ranks 10th in ‘average time to throw,’ a number that can certainly be attributed to Williams. The four-time Pro Bowler will likely be replaced in the line-up by former undrafted free agent Ty Nsekhe. The team could also rely on Vinston Painter for reinforcement.
Williams signed a five-year, $66MM ($43.5MM guaranteed) extension with the Redskins in 2015. According to ESPN’s Field Yates (via Twitter), the offensive lineman will have to sacrifice more than $1.65MM in base salary and per-game bonuses.
Washington Notes: RGIII, Williams, Roberts
While Washington’s decision to name Kirk Cousins as the team’s starting quarterback for the 2015 season has been viewed as a signal that Robert Griffin III‘s time in D.C. is coming to an end, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk makes the case for why it makes some sense for the club to keep him on the roster. As Florio writes, Cousins and Colt McCoy aren’t exactly the safest QB duo in the league, and RGIII’s salary isn’t exorbitant for a backup.
Still, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports observes, the RGIII era in Washington seems likely to come to an end by next February, with the club likely cutting him in the new year or sooner. Here’s more on the former No. 2 overall pick, along with a couple more Washington-related notes:
- Robinson and Peter King of TheMMQB.com both look ahead and attempt to identify an ideal landing spot for Griffin after he and Washington officially go their separate ways. In Robinson’s view, the Chiefs are the best fit for RGIII, while King cites the Seahawks and Cardinals as logical potential suitors.
- Although most observers don’t believe Washington would be able to trade Griffin, it may be possible if the quarterback is willing to renegotiate his 2016 option year to remove the injury-only guarantee, writes former agent Joel Corry of CBSSports.com. Of course, as Corry acknowledges, Washington still wouldn’t be able to get much in return for the 25-year-old.
- $30MM of Trent Williams‘ five-year, $66MM contract extension with Washington is fully guaranteed at signing, according to Joel Corry of CBSSports.com (all Twitter links). Corry adds that the team, having used a signing/option bonus structure on the deal, will pick up $3.55MM in cap room for the 2015 season.
- In his latest mailbag for the Washington Post, Mike Jones fields questions about Washington’s outside linebackers, Andre Roberts‘ role, and – of course – the quarterback situation.