NFL | 'Don't be so sure' Flacco gets exclusive tag?

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'Don't be so sure' Flacco gets exclusive tag?

SI's Peter King isn't "so sure" the Ravens will use the exclusive-rights franchise tag on free agent Joe Flacco.

King believes it's "actually possible" the Ravens use the non-exclusive tag, and that Flacco could be "stolen by a quarterback-needy and starved-for-relevance team." King concedes it's not "probable," but floats the Browns, Cardinals and Bills as possible pursuers should Flacco receive the non-exclusive tag. King seems particularly keen on the idea of Cleveland making a run. Per King, the Ravens and Flacco will begin negotiating a long-term deal this week. The deadline to apply the franchise tag is March 4.

Source: Sports Illustrated

Feb 11 - 8:16 AM

Megatron played through broken fingers in '12

Calvin Johnson confirms he played through broken fingers last season, and has been "trying to straighten them out."

There were rumors that Johnson played through as many as three broken fingers, though he hasn't confirmed that number. He will not undergo surgery. Coupled with his knee issues, the disclosure makes Johnson's record-breaking 1,964-yard season all the more mind-boggling. Still four months shy of his 28th birthday, Megatron is smack dab in the middle of his prime. He's without peer at wide receiver.

Source: Chris McCosky on Twitter

May 20 - 10:43 AM

Saints GM: Will Smith playing outside 'backer

Saints GM Mickey Loomis says Will Smith will start off at outside linebacker in OTAs.

Smith is 6-foot-3, 282 pounds. It's a comical attempt to fit Smith into the Saints' new 3-4 defense, and an experiment almost certain to end in failure. Aside from a few snaps at weak-side linebacker as a rookie, Smith has spent his entire career as a base 4-3 end. Due a non-guaranteed $3 million after restructuring his contract, Smith is a candidate for trade or release.

Source: Larry Holder on Twitter

May 20 - 9:30 AM

Gronkowski undergoing 4th arm surgery Monday

The Boston Herald confirms Rob Gronkowski's fourth left-forearm surgery will take place Monday at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Dr. Jesse Jupiter is expected to perform the procedure, with Patriots team Dr. Thomas Gill on hand. The surgeons will take "cultures" from Gronk's arm. If the cultures come back infection-free, a new plate will replace the one already in Gronkowski's arm and he'll begin a 10-11 week recovery timetable. If the cultures show Gronk's infection has lingered, "it's back to square one" and Gronkowski will likely miss regular season games.

Source: Boston Herald

May 19 - 1:28 PM

Schiano 'not against' Mike Glennon starting

Coach Greg Schiano believes third-round pick Mike Glennon was the best quarterback in the draft, and is "not against" him beating out Josh Freeman for the Bucs' starting job.

"It’s not like we’re looking to find a starter," Schiano claimed after his latest message to Freeman. "But competition is competition. Mike Glennon is a fierce competitor." Schiano also compared Glennon to Joe Flacco, and believes he has "pocket presence, ability to feel the rush and move in the pocket." With the Bucs investing so much in being competitive this season, Freeman is still the favorite for the starting job, but they've made it clear time and again that it will not be handed to him going into the final year of his rookie contract. The cannon-armed Glennon is an intriguing Dynasty-league prospect.

Source: National Football Post

May 19 - 9:45 AM

Bolts strike 2-year deal with Dwight Freeney

Chargers agreed to terms with DE/OLB Dwight Freeney, formerly of the Colts, on a two-year contract.

33-year-old Freeney recorded 12 tackles and five sacks in the Colts' 3-4 defense last season, but it wasn't a particularly strong fit for his skill set. He was expected to eye a return back to the 4-3, but money talks and the Chargers had a huge need for a pass rusher after losing Melvin Ingram to a torn ACL. Freeney should see significant snaps opposite Jarret Johnson, and the Chargers have already stated that they could tinker their defense to better suit the veteran. Freeney will not lack scheme familiarity. He played in Chuck Pagano's defense in 2012, and Chuck's brother John is the Chargers' defensive coordinator.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

May 18 - 11:27 AM

Gronkowski 'probably' will need back surgery

A source with knowledge of the situation tells Profootballtalk.com that Rob Gronkowski will "probably" require back surgery after receiving a second opinion from Dr. Robert Watkins.

It's confirmation of NFL Network's previous report that the surgery "looks likely." Per PFT, the back surgery will take place in 3-4 weeks following Monday's surgery on Gronkowski's forearm. Doctors don't want to schedule the two surgeries too close together. Although the back surgery is considered "minor" in comparison to the operation that cost him the entire 2009 college season, Gronkowski's Week 1 availability is now very much in doubt.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

May 17 - 4:49 PM

Seahawks DE Irvin suspended 4 games for PEDs

NFL suspended Seahawks DE Bruce Irvin four games for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancing substances.

Irvin has no plans to appeal, admitting he took Adderall without a medical exemption. He'll participate in training camp and preseason, then be barred from all Seahawks activities until Week 5. Irvin, the 15th overall pick in last year's draft, registered eight sacks and a forced fumble as a nickel-rushing rookie. For the first month of the season, at least, Seattle is deep enough to withstand Irvin's loss after adding Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett to their pass-rushing corps.

May 17 - 4:22 PM

RG3's father says recovery remains on track

Robert Griffin III's (ACL, LCL surgery) father says his son has been throwing footballs since April and insists RG3's recovery remains "on cue."

"Robert is doing extremely well as far as the timetable," said RG2. "He's been doing a lot overtime, he never stops. He was throwing some prior to the draft. Everything seems to be on cue. Everybody in the organization is targeting that season opener." RG3 tore his right ACL at Baylor four years ago. "He might be a little ahead of himself in terms of doing what he did then compared to now," RG2 said. "He's smarter, stronger, wiser."

Source: USA Today

May 17 - 3:58 PM

Report: Gronk's back surgery would be 'minor'

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Rob Gronkowski's potential back operation is considered "minor," and wouldn't necessarily sideline him any longer than his arm surgeries.

The back surgery is considered "likely," per NFL Net's Albert Breer, but Schefter reports the operation would take place within the timeframe of Gronk's absence due to a fourth arm procedure. "He is going to be fine long term," said a source close to Gronkowski. "(He is) not worried about the short term, i.e. start of training camp." Either way, multiple offseason surgeries on multiple body parts are cause for major fantasy football alarm. And the fact that Gronkowski is in line to have had two back surgeries since 2009 is absolutely a long-term worry.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

May 17 - 3:42 PM

Colts NT Chapman gets full medical clearance

Colts NT Josh Chapman has been deemed "completely healthy" after missing his rookie year with a torn left ACL and meniscus.

"I’m full go. I’m 100 percent," said Chapman, referring to his status for OTAs. "I’ll be right out there with them." Chapman wound up a "redshirt" player in 2012. He'll enter 2013 with a good chance to start at nose tackle in Chuck Pagano's 3-4 defense, upgrading on Antonio Johnson. Chapman was arguably the premier pure run stopper in college football two seasons ago. He's already been nicknamed "Thug in the Trenches, TNT" by veteran Robert Mathis.

Source: colts.com

May 17 - 1:31 PM

New Bills GM open to starting Manuel in Wk 1

New Bills GM Doug Whaley said he's keeping an open mind about starting No. 16 overall pick E.J. Manuel as a rookie.

"Time will tell," said Whaley. "He does have the work ethic and the leadership qualities that he’ll have a chance. But we believe competition brings out the best in everybody. Between him, Kevin Kolb, Tarvaris Jackson, even Jeff Tuel, we’re excited to see who comes out on top of that position battle." In all likelihood, Manuel would have to fall flat on his face to not start Week 1.

Source: buffalobills.com

May 17 - 1:21 PM