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Lions giving Stafford more pre-snap freedom

Matthew Stafford is expected to have more freedom to change plays pre-snap under new OC Joe Lombardi.

Lombardi comes from a New Orleans system in which Drew Brees is allowed to improvise freely at the line. Brees earned that right through his play, and new coach Jim Caldwell cautioned Stafford will earn more pre-snap responsibilities the longer he spends in the offense. More freedom at the line could bring more efficiency for Stafford, who has completed more than 60% of his passes only once in his five-year career, and should allow Stafford to put Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate in better positions to make plays. It could also allow the Lions' offense to play faster snap to snap. Stafford is a clear-cut QB1 with top-3 upside.

Source: Detroit News

Thu, Jun 12, 2014 11:12:00 PM

Vikings GM says Floyd will remain on roster

Vikings GM Rick Spielman said the organization "believes" in Michael Floyd, and he will remain on the club's roster and report for training camp.

Floyd boneheadedly consumed alcohol just days before his house arrest sentence was set to expire earlier this month, and he was sentenced to one day in jail in Arizona on Monday. He got off extremely light and will keep his job at the same time. Floyd won't be guaranteed to make the final 53-man roster out of camp and is certainly facing a league-mandated suspension from Roger Goodell.

Source: Vikings on Twitter

Jun 26 - 7:05 PM

Michael Floyd sentenced to one day in jail

Vikings WR Michael Floyd has been sentenced to one day in jail for violating the terms of his house arrest.

Floyd, who isn't allowed to drink alcohol as part of his house arrest arrangement, allegedly failed five different tests. He absurdly blamed the failures on Kombucha tea. The judge wasn't having it. Floyd is lucky to escape with only a day in jail. It's unclear how safe his Vikings' roster spot is. Floyd was signed just 47 days ago.

Source: Josh Weinfuss on Twitter

Jun 26 - 4:44 PM

Saints place Fairley (heart) on reserve/NFI

Saints placed DT Nick Fairley (heart) on the reserve/NFI list.

Fairley is expected to miss all of 2017, and his career is in grave danger. Per the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the decision was made after consulting with "several doctors." Fairley has received at least three opinions on his heart condition. It's bitterly disappointing news after Fairley appeared in all 16 games for the first time in six NFL seasons last year. It's also a major blow to a Saints defense that remained woefully ineffective in 2016.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jun 26 - 4:37 PM

WRs coach: Alshon had best offseason in years

Eagles WRs coach Mike Groh said Alshon Jeffery had his best offseason since 2013.

Groh worked with Jeffery for three seasons in Chicago including his 2013 breakout. "Pleased with where he is physically, mentally I think he is in a good place," Groh said. "Learning a new system and working on the chemistry with Carson [Wentz] and everything like that, but it's been a good spring for him." His ability to stay on the field will always be the question, but Jeffery should return to the 1,000-yard ranks if he stays healthy. He is a solid WR2.

Source: ESPN

Jun 26 - 12:48 PM

Cam Newton (shoulder) resumes throwing

Cam Newton threw a football for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery on March 30.

Newton was originally expected to resume throwing during the last week of minicamp. Despite the session being pushed back, Newton said "there's no doubt" he will be "100 percent" for training camp and expects to be "ready to rock and roll" in as little as two weeks. Despite his confidence, it would not be surprising if the Panthers take it slow early in training camp, but he should be back to full health well before Week 1.

Source: panthers.com

Jun 26 - 10:42 AM

Jay Ajayi could push for 1,900 total yards?

ESPN's James Walker believes Jay Ajayi "could put up 1,900 total yards if he stays healthy."

Walker's official projection is 1,435 rushing yards, 482 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. The rushing number is not far-fetched considering Ajayi rumbled for 1,272 yards in 12 starts last season, although that number was inflated by three 200-yard games. The receiving number is more of a jump after Ajayi logged just 151 yards through the air last year, but the back has earned consistent praise for his improvement in the passing game all offseason. Only two running backs managed 1,900 total yards last year -- Le'Veon Bell would have joined David Johnson and Ezekiel Elliott on that list if he had played 16 games -- so the fact that Ajayi even has a shot at that number shows what kind of fantasy upside he possesses. He is a locked-in RB1.

Source: ESPN

Jun 26 - 9:52 AM

Le'Veon Bell videoed playing basketball

Le'Veon Bell (groin surgery) was videoed playing basketball over the weekend.

It is noteworthy after Bell underwent core muscle surgery in March. Bell seemed to be moving well on the court, and the fact he was able to play at all suggests he is close to if not at full health. If his contract situation is worked out, he should be ready to go at the start of camp.

Source: Le'Veon Bell on Twitter

Jun 26 - 8:39 AM

Never mind: Riddick refutes Chiefs rumors

Updating an earlier report, ESPN analyst Louis Riddick has not been contacted by the Chiefs.

The news comes from Riddick himself. "The Kansas City Chiefs have not contacted me and there is no interview set up for this week. Source? Me," he tweeted. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported earlier that the Chiefs were looking to interview Riddick for their GM opening, but apparently that isn't the case. The Chiefs are searching for a GM to replace John Dorsey, who was fired last week.

Source: Louis Riddick on Twitter

Jun 25 - 11:52 AM

Paxton Lynch gaining ground on Trevor Siemian

According to Mike Klis of 9News Denver, Paxton Lynch "made his move" on Trevor Siemian during the final two weeks of OTAs.

Klis noticed a turning point in Lynch over the final two weeks as his "switch was flipped." Specifically, Klis found Lynch to be less tentative, no longer worrying about protections, hot reads and coverages. "He started to get it," said Klis. "He started to play as if he was doing just that—playing." Lynch didn't show much as a rookie but appears to be making great strides as a sophomore. If Lynch continues to progress during training camp, there's a real chance of him wrangling the starting job away from Siemian.

Source: 9News Denver

Jun 25 - 10:43 AM

HC Gase messaged Peyton Manning about return

According to Archie Manning, Dolphins coach Adam Gase sent a text to Peyton Manning to gauge his interest in a comeback to football late last season.

The message was sent directly after Ryan Tannehill partially tore his ACL in Week 14 last season. The text said, "Hey 18, Tannehill went down. I think he's going to miss some time. The first question I'm going to get at the press conference in the morning is if I'm going to bring you to Miami. What do you want me to tell them?" The first question at the press conference was definitely not going to be asking if Peyton Manning would come out of retirement. This was just a sneaky way to gauge Manning's interest in a return. Manning responded, "You tell them I could probably come play, but there's no way I can miss carpool the next two weeks."

Source: Miami Herald

Jun 24 - 10:33 AM

Lions S Wilson sued for alleged assault of ex

Lions S Tavon Wilson is being sued for allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend in the face.

The alleged assault took place at a nightclub in May 2016, but Wilson completely denies he is the attacker. Wilson's lawyer says, "There's video of the incident that shows Ms. Leach [Wilson's current girlfriend] is attacked. Mr. Wilson is a witness, Ms. Leach is the victim, and Ms. Jackson [Wilson's ex-girlfriend] is the defendant... Her civil claim is meritless." A police report was filed at the time of the incident, but it was Ms. Jackson who was arrested, and not Wilson or Ms. Leach.

Source: TMZ.com

Jun 24 - 10:05 AM