The Beat - Pro Football Rumors

The Beat: Justin Rogers On The Lions

August 8th, 2016 at 12:40pm CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Now, we continue the series by discussing the Lions with Justin Rogers of the Detroit News. You can follow Justin on Twitter @Justin_Rogers and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: Marvin Jones was the best available wide receiver this year and the Lions pounced quickly to sign him. Do you think he’ll be targeted almost as much as Golden Tate this year? Will his five-year, $40MM contract be a good deal in the long run for the Lions?

It could be close, but I still expect Tate to be targeted at a higher rate, simply because he’s a bit more lethal on throws close to the line of scrimmage. That said, Matthew Stafford and Jones have developed chemistry rapidly, and the former Bengals wide receiver is truly a good fit in the Lions offense, offering a skill set that makes him a threat at all levels, including the deepest parts of the field.

A lot of people scoffed at $8MM per year for Jones, but it felt right at the time and seems like an even better value when you see the potential he has in the offense. Obviously time will tell, but I could see Jones catching 80 balls for close to 1,000 yards this year, and we all understand his potential in the red zone.

Zach Links: The Lions added some notable names at WR late in the offseason by signing Anquan Boldin and Andre Roberts. What does Boldin have left in the tank? Do you think that Roberts can get back to his old form?

Justin Rogers: Based on the fact that he caught nearly 70 balls in San Fran last season, Boldin obviously isn’t running on fumes. He’s looked like a nice fit in the slot, giving the Lions’ nickel corners fits with the way he uses his thicker frame to box out the defender and create extra separation on routes across the middle.

The Lions have a lot of weapons, so they don’t need Boldin to be a focal point of the offense. Depending on the health of Eric Ebron, Boldin will be the fourth or fifth option in the passing game and catching 40-50 balls would be an upgrade from what the team has recently been working with at WR3.

Zach Links: Many expected the Lions to use their first-round pick on Taylor Decker and they did not disappoint when it was their turn at the podium in April. Do you expect Decker to shine right off of the bat or will he need some time to develop, as rookie left tackles often do?

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Justin Rogers: The Lions aren’t messing around, plugging the rookie in as the starting left tackle on Day 1. While they could still flip him to the right side if he struggles in the preseason, the expectation, at this point, is he’ll stick on the blindside.

Naturally, there will be struggles. It’s a big jump in competition and he’ll face some of the best athletes in the world rushing from that side, but it probably won’t be a massive drop-off from Riley Reiff. And with Reiff moving to the right side, solidifying the weakest link on Detroit’s line, the unit, on the whole, should be improved.

Zach Links: Were you surprised by the Lions’ decision to keep Jim Caldwell as head coach? What does he have to do this year in order to continue in that role in 2017?

Justin Rogers: Not really. In two seasons, Caldwell has gone 18-14 with a playoff appearance. Obviously last season’s start was embarrassing, but the way they fought to the end and responded to mid-season coaching staff changes, speaks to the roster’s unwillingness to quit on their coach.

It’s a low-risk proposition for general manager Bob Quinn. You stick with the guy the players like and respect and see if they can maintain the momentum from the end of last season, and if it doesn’t work, you install your guy.

Even though Quinn said it won’t strictly on making the playoffs playoffs, I do anticipate a postseason berth is the only way Caldwell can guarantee his return in 2017.

Zach Links: The Lions have Ziggy Ansah under team control through 2017 after exercising his fifth-year option. Do you expect the two sides to start discussing an extension soon?

Justin Rogers: Maybe next offseason, but there’s no rush. The team has other key contributors from that 2013 draft class, namely Theo Riddick, Devin Taylor, Larry Warford and Sam Martin to get done first. Plus, Stafford is also up for an extension in short order.

They can wait on Ansah, and the franchise tag, while never ideal, is always in your back pocket if his agent is playing hardball.

When Ansah does sign a long-term deal, it’s going to be massive.

Zach Links: How do you see this season playing out for the Lions? Will they make the playoffs after their sub-.500 showing last year?

Justin Rogers: For me, it hinges on two things. First, how well does the young offensive line gel? If it’s quickly, and Stafford gets better protection and there are some more consistent holes opened in the run game, the offense can be pretty good.

On defense, everyone wants to know if DeAndre Levy is healthy and back to form. He’s currently on the non-football injury list after missing nearly all of the 2015 campaign with a hip injury. Take him away and the team’s overall talent at linebacker is average, at best. With him, you have a Pro Bowl-caliber playmaker behind an under-the-radar front four.

With Levy healthy, 9-10 wins is realistic, especially considering the favorable schedule. Without him, seven seems more likely.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Beat: Adam Teicher On The Chiefs

August 1st, 2016 at 9:36am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Now, we continue the series by discussing the Chiefs with Adam Teicher of ESPN.com. You can follow Adam on Twitter @adamteicher and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: Heading into the offseason, I think a lot of people were expecting Eric Berry and the Chiefs to hammer out an extension before the July 15 deadline. Were you surprised when no deal was struck?

Adam Teicher: Many people assumed that the Chiefs and Berry would come to a last-minute agreement because that’s what happened last year with franchise player Justin Houston. But the Chiefs weren’t as motivated to get a long-term deal done with Berry as they were with Houston. While they feel Berry is a good player and has many intangible qualities that make them a better team, they don’t feel he is indispensable, as they thought with Houston. So, in that light, no is the answer to the question. The Chiefs weren’t going to meet Berry’s price, but they did with Houston.

Zach Links: Berry rightly views himself as one of the league’s very best safeties, but the two sides were said to be miles apart on terms. Do you think Berry is taking any of this personally?

Adam Teicher: It’s hard to know what Berry is thinking because he’s kept to himself publicly through the whole process. The fact he has yet to accept the Chiefs’ mandatory one-year contract offer, his only option at this point to play for them this season, would indicate he’s not happy with his predicament.

Zach Links: Ultimately, do you think Berry will sign a long-term deal to stay in Kansas City?

Adam Teicher: It’s difficult to see that at this point. If the Chiefs weren’t willing to satisfy him with a long-term offer this year, why would they do it next year? Perhaps things will change in that regard this season but I don’t think they will.

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Zach Links: The Chiefs focused on keeping their own guys in-house this offseason, but they did make a splash in free agency when they signed right tackle Mitchell Schwartz to a five-year, $33MM deal. Do you think we’ll see KC’s offensive line improve significantly in 2016?

Adam Teicher: There’s a reasonable chance of that. Schwartz should be a huge upgrade. The Chiefs started nine different offensive line combinations last year, some by necessity because of injuries but some by choice. They were constantly shuffling their starting line combinations in camp last year and things were never settled at many positions. They’ve already settled on their five starters for this year and that continuity should help, too.

Zach Links: Which veterans do you think will be on the bubble when it comes time to trim the roster down to 53? Which unheralded players could surprise people by making the team?

Adam Teicher: Running back Knile Davis and wide receiver/kick returner De’Anthony Thomas will have trouble keeping their jobs. Davis is fourth in line behind Jamaal Charles, Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West. The Chiefs don’t need four backs. The Chiefs drafted Tyreek Hill in the fifth round and he’s a similar player to Thomas, who hasn’t been able to stay consistently healthy and produced little for the Chiefs when he was in their lineup, particularly on offense. The Chiefs have a couple of young players in tight end Ross Travis and linebacker Justin March who will likely make the team. Travis has the best chance of making an impact, too. He was a basketball player only at Penn State and is still learning football but the Chiefs have some expectations for him.

Zach Links: In this year’s draft, the Chiefs traded down from No. 28 and tapped Mississippi State defensive lineman Chris Jones in the second round. Did you like that move? What do you think Jones’ ceiling is?

Adam Teicher: Jones should be a productive player, eventually if not immediately. The Chiefs are eager to see him once they’re able to practice in pads. They think he has potential as a pass rusher. He will have to earn whatever playing time he gets this year because the Chiefs are happy with what they’ve been getting from their three starters, Dontari Poe, Allen Bailey, and Jaye Howard. But Jones will get some snaps when they give one of the others some rest.

Zach Links: Doug Pederson is in Philly and the Chiefs have turned to Matt Nagy and Brad Childress to serve as co-offensive coordinators. What, if anything, will change in KC’s offense?

Adam Teicher: The biggest change might be in the two-minute offense. The Chiefs have streamlined their two-minute playbook in an effort to improve in an area where they haven’t been very good. Otherwise, not much will change. Andy Reid still has considerable influence over the offense and Childress and Nagy have been with the Chiefs for three years, so they’ve been part of the process in the past.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

The Beat: Vic Carucci On The Bills

July 29th, 2016 at 3:31pm CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Now, we continue the series by discussing the Bills with Vic Carucci of The Buffalo News. You can follow Vic on Twitter @viccarucci and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: As you reported this week, the Bills and Tyrod Taylor‘s agent have been in frequent contact with regards to a long-term deal. Taylor is a unique case because while he had a strong 2015, he doesn’t have a long track record of success. What sort of deal do you think would make sense for both sides?

Vic Carucci: I could see something that provides Taylor with enough guaranteed money to satisfy him (and, remember, you’re talking about a player who played under sixth-round contract for most of his career as a backup in Baltimore) but also includes enough reasonable incentives to give him a good chance to move into the pay range he desires ($18MM or so) while also protecting the Bills. The biggest concern, for both parties, is the injury risk from Taylor’s inclination to run, so I think that will be a factor as well in how the contract is structured.

Zach Links: To date, the Bills have not been willing to offer Stephon Gilmore the kind of monster long-term deal that he is after. However, a Gilmore extension would probably give Buffalo enough room to extend Taylor. Do you see the Bills and Gilmore working out an extension sometime soon?

Vic Carucci: I don’t. I think he’s locked into the idea of getting a Josh Norman-like deal, and the Bills aren’t going to give him that. The Bills are compensating him fairly for this season, anticipating the scenario of him potentially playing into the final year of his rookie contract. They will see where they stand cap-wise at midseason, and perhaps they could resume what to date have been stalled talks. As far as the impact on Taylor, I think the Bills view it as a separate situation and, depending on how/if it works out with Taylor, there would likely be other contracts adjusted/restructured to accommodate whatever its resolved with the QB, if it’s resolved.

Zach Links: Do you think the Bills made the right pick when they selected Shaq Lawson No. 19 overall? Does his shoulder issue concern you at all in the long run?

Vic Carucci: I liked the pick. The health risk was always on the table, and by having the surgery done in the offseason, it at least creates the possibility of having Lawson available for half the season. Although his absence could adversely impact the hopes of Rex Ryan of an immediately dramatic turnaround for his defense, I think you need to take a longer-term view with Lawson. When healthy, he should be a difference-making pass-rusher for many seasons.

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The Beat: Armando Salguero On The Dolphins

July 28th, 2016 at 11:20am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Today, we continue the series by discussing the Dolphins with Armando Salguero of The Miami Herald. You can follow Armando on Twitter @ArmandoSalguero and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: What’s the latest on Dion Jordan? How do you see things playing out in the end?

Armando Salguero: I reported today that the roster bonus to Dion Jordan on the fifth day of camp is a non-issue because he owes them more money than they owe him. He has to return over $3MM in signing bonus which he lost rights to when he was suspended. The Dolphins have to pay Jordan $1.69 million in that roster bonus. So Jordan isn’t getting any money from the Dolphins and he will be with the team during training camp, assuming he is reinstated. How will it play out beyond that? If he wins a spot, he’s on the team. If he doesn’t … He’ll be like all the other players in August that don’t earn a roster spot in training camp. He’ll be looking elsewhere.
Zach Links: Do you think new addition Arian Foster still has some good football left in the tank? Was the Foster signing an indication that the team is less-than-thrilled with Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake?

Armando Salguero: I am told the Dolphins like Ajayi and Drake just fine. But, the team also likes the idea of having a veteran who has shown he’s a quality back when he’s healthy. I see this Dolphins backfield situation as Miami playing the odds. All three players — Foster, Ajayi, Drake — have had injury issues during their careers. The team is hopeful at least a couple of them can remain healthy in 2016. If one of those is Foster, he might be the best bargain, back-of-free agency addition in the division. But, again, only if he casts aside his recent history for being injured and unavailable.

Zach Links: Do you believe that new coach Adam Gase will elevate Ryan Tannehill‘s level of play? What kind of year do you think Tannehill will have in 2016?

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Armando Salguero: I’m not going to predict what type of season or what stats Ryan Tannehill will deliver. There’s a million ways to get that wrong and only one way to be right about that. But I am certain that in Gase, Miami’s starting quarterback has a strong advocate. Gase, I’ve been told, would jump on a grenade for Tannehill if he has to. I know this because Gase told me so. And that is new for Tannehill. He hasn’t gotten that type of security from the Dolphins coaching staff in several years. Gase knows his success depends largely on how well Tannehill plays. It makes sense for the new coach to have his QB’s back. Tannehill knows he’s not had the kind of support Gase is giving and to keep that support, he has to play well and reward the coach. It’s an interesting symbiotic relationship.

Zach Links: At No. 13, the Dolphins were able to draft a player who was widely considered to be one of the very best talents in this year’s class. How do you think Laremy Tunsil will adjust to playing guard in his first NFL season?

Armando Salguero: I think Tunsil will have growing pains, like many other rookies stepping up in level and playing an unfamiliar position. The Dolphins will use him at left guard and he’ll get left tackle reps in training camp as well. I believe when all is said and done, he’ll be the team’s starting left guard and backup left tackle if Branden Albert is injured. The only way that doesn’t happen is if Dallas Thomas plays out of his mind. Thomas says he has a new approach or disposition this year. Worst case scenario, the Dolphins will be better at left guard this year than they were last year, regardless of the player at the spot.

Zach Links: Reshad Jones skipped all of OTAs and the first day of the mandatory June minicamp before ending his holdout. Given that he has two years remaining on his deal, did Jones ever have a chance of forcing the Dolphins’ hand and getting a new deal done this summer?

Armando Salguero: I suppose Jones had a chance to sway the Dolphins to give him more money but that is gone now. He’s going to be reporting to camp and they’re not motivated to pay him right now. This must be said: The Dolphins highly value Jones. They will pay him next year by extending his deal, barring unforeseen issues. But Jones has to perform to par this year. That’s what the holdout was about. Jones wanted more certainty about getting paid in the future regardless of what happened this year.

Zach Links: Do you see the Dolphins improving on their 6-10 record from last season? Do you think they can put themselves in the playoff picture this year?

Armando Salguero: The trillion dollar question! Given that they have not had one training camp practice yet, played one preseason game, or made one roster move, I don’t think it’s possible for me to say the Dolphins will or won’t be in the playoffs. They play in a tough division. They were the worst team in that division last year. That is a steep climb. I think this is a better constructed team. I think this is a better coaching staff, particularly at the top. I don’t know that it will translate to a 10-6ish record. And neither does anyone else.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images and PFR on Instagram.

The Beat: Darren Wolfson On The Vikings

July 27th, 2016 at 11:10am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with journalists from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Today, we continue the series by discussing the Vikings with Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News and 1500ESPN. You can follow Darren on Twitter @DWolfsonKSTP and check out his podcast here.

Zach Links: The Vikings made Harrison Smith the highest-paid safety in the NFL when they inked him to a five-year, $51MM+ extension this offseason. Do you think that will prove to be a smart deal for Minnesota in the long run?

Darren Wolfson: I do. At 27, he’s still in the prime of his career, and his work ethic is elite. The behind-the-scenes words on him are all incredibly positive. I can’t recall hearing a bad word about Smith. He can play close to the line scrimmage, or dominate in coverage. If you just look at the tangible numbers, he’s the only player since 2012 with 300+ tackles, 5+ sacks, 10+ interceptions, and 4+ interceptions returned for touchdowns. Go beyond those numbers and use analytics, and he grades out to be a top-3 safety in the entire NFL. By the way, he’s been able to dominate with a revolving door at the safety spot next to him.

Zach Links: In March, few would have believed that Laquon Treadwell would fall outside the top 20 and be the fourth wide receiver to come off the board in the draft. Do you think Treadwell will ultimately prove to be the best WR in the 2016 class? Where do you think the ceiling is for him?

Darren Wolfson: Best? I’m leaning towards saying no. But I think he will help a team that so desperately needs it in the passing game. I think he’s a good match for QB Teddy Bridgewater with Teddy’s strengths lying in the short to intermediate routes. His measurable show that he lacks top-end explosion and speed. That’s why I hesitate to say he’ll prove to be the best. What he appears to be good at is stopping on a dime in the middle of the field. He gets off the line of scrimmage well, per scouts I’ve talked to and Vikings personnel, and I’d wager that he’ll be able to create enough separation from DBs to be a useful weapon.

Zach Links: Aside from Treadwell, which Vikings rookies are you most excited about?

Darren Wolfson: Second round pick Mackensie Alexander has an unbelievable back story, which makes him easy to root for. Most scouts I talked to thought he’d go late first, so to get him at pick No. 54 seems like a steal. Keep in mind that head coach Mike Zimmer, 2015 first round pick Trae Waynes aside and I wouldn’t give up on him, is a genius when working with cornerbacks. Zimmer’s lengthy history speaks for itself. I keep hearing good things about tight end David Morgan, who they grabbed in the sixth round. I’d wager on fifth round pick, linebacker Kentrell Brothers, making the team. He can help out on special teams. The most publicized draft pick, sixth round receiver Moritz Boehringer, would benefit greatly from a year on the practice squad.

Zach Links: Cordarrelle Patterson has been a source of frustration for Vikings fans and fantasy owners alike. Is 2016 the year that the talented wide receiver puts it all together, or will he be overshadowed by the team’s other talented WRs?

Darren Wolfson: I need to see it to fully believe it. But GM Rick Spielman and others with the Vikings have been singing Patterson’s praises all offseason, probably more so than any other player. Looking at Patterson’s tweets, it certainly looks like he’s busting his butt and realizes that this is likely his last chance to get meaningful snaps. Being in a contract year can serve as great motivation – the Vikings declined to exercise his fifth-year option. His route-running needs work. But whether on end-arounds or in the return game, when he has the ball in open space, the skill-set is extremely visible. Offensive coordinator Norv Turner will have to tweak some things and find different ways to get Patterson the ball.

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The Beat: Greg Auman On The Buccaneers

July 26th, 2016 at 9:00am CST by Zachary Links

With the season fast approaching, we’re chatting with beat writers from around the league to gain insight on each team’s offseason and how those moves will impact the season ahead.

Today, we begin the series by discussing the Buccaneers with Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times. You can follow Greg on Twitter @gregauman and check out his stories here.

Zach Links: This offseason, the Bucs retained Doug Martin with a five-year, $35MM+ deal, giving him one of the highest average salaries in the NFL among running backs. Do you expect him to repeat his brilliant 2015 performance? Will the deal prove to be a wise one for the Buccaneers?

Greg Auman: I think the Bucs were smart to keep Martin, and did so without overspending — Martin had made it clear he loved living in Tampa, liked the team around him, but still got a solid contract. I don’t know if Martin will finish second in the NFL in rushing again — having healthier passing options in that offense might cut back on his touches some — but think he can still improve in other areas, like scoring and red zone/goal line efficiency. They’ll continue to use Martin and Charles Sims as a 1-2 combination and I think that really helps take some of the burden off Jameis Winston as well.

Zach Links: Do you think the Bucs should have given Lovie Smith another year at the helm? Are you expecting to see the team improve with Dirk Koetter as head coach?

Greg Auman: I think going into last season, most Bucs fans would have expected to have Lovie Smith back if the team went from 2-14 to 6-10 with a rookie quarterback. I think last year’s team took many steps forward, but for them to be 6-6 and then drop the last four games, for them to have such persistent problems on defense, which was supposed to be what Lovie Smith teams do best, that worked against him in a big way. Having Koetter as an option to name a new coach but still have the continuity around Winston gave them the chance to make a change without everyone starting from scratch. I think the players have responded well to Koetter so far, but you really can’t tell how well he’ll fare until you’ve seen him in a game situation, handling those decisions and making adjustments during games.

Zach Links: The Buccaneers made some big money additions like signing guard J.R. Sweezy and defensive lineman Robert Ayers, but they didn’t shake up the roster as much as other teams did this offseason. What other moves would you have liked to see them make?

Greg Auman: I thought they addressed their biggest needs, especially at defensive end and cornerback, both in free agency and the draft. Adding Sweezy helped offset the retirement of Logan Mankins — they really didn’t have a lot of major personnel losses aside from that. I thought they might add depth at defensive tackle, and they still could do that. Other than that, I think they’ve worked to address what looked to be the most glaring needs on the roster.

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Zach Links: What 53-man roster battles should fans be keeping an eye on?

Greg Auman: Battles to make the team? Receiver is a good, deep battle for the last few spots — a veteran like Louis Murphy, trying to return from knee surgery, has lots of competition just to stay on the roster. The rookies at linebacker are intriguing, and you could see veterans like offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, defensive end George Johnson, and safety Major Wright pushed out by younger, less expensive options with more upside.

Zach Links: Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins walked off the field during OTAs this summer and went off on Twitter soon after. Later, he apologized for his behavior. Was this a one-off incident or should the Bucs be concerned about Seferian-Jenkins’ level of maturity?

Greg Auman: Seferian-Jenkins hasn’t always had the best actions or reactions, going back to his rookie year. I think he’s working to show his maturity and prove himself to be healthy and reliable — the OTA thing doesn’t have to be more than that. If he’s focused and healthy this fall, it adds a huge dimension to the Bucs’ passing game.

Zach Links: Brent Grimes, who came to the Bucs on a two-year, $14MM deal this offseason, has found himself in the news thanks to his wife’s controversial comments. Given Miko Grimes’ proclivity for speaking out and making waves, do you get the sense that the Bucs might regret the signing?

Greg Auman: I think the Bucs needed to address corner and found a veteran with good history with Mike Smith. The deal was set up so they could walk away after one year with no real penalty — he’ll be a good veteran presence around Vernon Hargreaves. The Bucs certainly knew what they were getting with Miko, so to some extent, if the team and Brent are playing well, it won’t be a problem. Now if they struggle or Brent isn’t playing a major role, there’s no telling how she’ll handle that, or how the Bucs will respond.

Zach Links: What record do you see the Buccaneers finishing with this season? Will they make the playoffs?

Greg Auman: Hard to tell how much they’ll improve, especially because they face a tougher schedule this year — three trips out west, facing both Super Bowl teams. They could be a better team and it wouldn’t necessarily show up in a better record. I tend to go into this thinking they’re 7-9 or 8-8 — anything more than that and they’ll be one of the better stories in the NFL with a first-year head coach and second-year QB; anything less than that and they”ll be disappointed here in Tampa. I think the division is still Carolina’s for the taking, but they won’t be a 15-win team again, so there’s room for someone else in the division to step up as a wild-card candidate.

Photos courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.