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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

'Hawks sign C Britt to 3-year, $27M extension

Seahawks signed C Justin Britt to a three-year, $27 million extension through 2020.

He's the first Seahawks offensive lineman drafted during the Pete Carroll/John Schneider era to get a second contract in Seattle. Britt spent the first two years of his career bouncing between guard and tackle before settling in at center last season. He was a bright spot along an otherwise dismal line. 2017 will be Britt's age-26 campaign.

Source: Adam Caplan on Twitter

Aug 17 - 3:02 PM

Thomas Rawls dealing with 'minor' ankle issue

Thomas Rawls will miss Friday's preseason game with a "minor" ankle issue.

Eddie Lacy will start in his place. Rawls has been running ahead of Lacy with the first-team offense for over a week, but this gives Lacy a big opportunity to move back out in front. Rawls has earned universally positive reviews this summer, but any ankle issue is a concern after the catastrophic injury that ended Rawls' 2015.

Source: Bob Condotta on Twitter

Aug 17 - 2:28 PM

Reuben Foster has 'mild' AC joint sprain

49ers ILB Reuben Foster is dealing with a "mild AC joint sprain" in his surgically-repaired shoulder.

The 49ers are insisting it's a "completely different" injury than Foster's rotator cuff issue, but we'll see how true that ends up being. The team re-signed ILB Shayne Skov on Thursday. Foster was just officially anointed a starter on Tuesday. He will supposedly play in the 49ers' second preseason game on Saturday.

Source: Santa Rosa Press Democrat

Aug 17 - 1:55 PM

Report: Donald could hold out into season

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Rams DT Aaron Donald is threatening to extend his holdout into the regular season.

One source tells Schefter Donald could hold out the entire season. That's extremely unlikely, but speaks to a negotiating process that's currently going nowhere. Donald is ready to play hardball. The Rams' season kicks off in 24 days.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Aug 17 - 1:36 PM

Goodell: Gordon reinstatement not on radar

Speaking Thursday, commissioner Roger Goodell said reinstating suspended Browns WR Josh Gordon is "not under active consideration."

"At least hasn't made it to my desk," Goodell clarified. Gordon's most recent petition for reinstatement was denied in May. He can apply again in September. 2017 would be Gordon's age-26 season. He hasn't appeared in a regular season game since Dec. 2014.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Aug 17 - 1:22 PM

Le'Veon Bell plans to report before Week 1

ESPN's Adam Schefter confirms unsigned franchise player Le'Veon Bell plans to report to the Steelers before Week 1.

Per Schefter, it "remains unclear exactly when." Bell will probably sign and report before the calendar flips to September, but he seems extremely unlikely to see any preseason action. Bell has shown a remarkable ability to hit the ground running after long layoffs. He's a no-brainer top-two pick in every format of fantasy.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Aug 17 - 1:17 PM

Crowder (hamstring) back to full practice

Jamison Crowder (hamstring) has returned to full practice.

The Washington Post's Mike Jones expects Crowder to be available for the second preseason game on Saturday. A real threat for 100 catches, Crowder is a great pick at the end of the sixth round.

Source: Mike Jones on Twitter

Aug 17 - 12:41 PM

Report: Ryan Kelly likely headed to IR/return

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Colts will likely place C Ryan Kelly (foot surgery) on injured reserve with the intent to designate him as one of their return players.

The center will have surgery to repair a "bone defect" on Friday. The recovery timeline was originally given as 6-8 weeks, but putting Kelly on injured reserve would force him to sit out until at least Week 9. With Kelly looking likely to miss half the season, the Colts will almost certainly attempt to bring in outside help. They met with Jeremy Zuttah this week.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Aug 17 - 12:27 PM

49ers 'very pleased' with Vance McDonald

49ers GM John Lynch said the team is "very pleased" with TE Vance McDonald.

The 49ers attempted to trade McDonald earlier this offseason, but Lynch praised his work in the preseason opener last week. "Even though it didn’t show up on the stat sheet, it was as good as I’ve seen him block," Lynch said. "And he competed extremely hard. We were very proud of Vance." McDonald started that game, and with rookie George Kittle dealing with a hamstring injury, he has a good shot to establish himself as the lead option.

Source: Sacramento Bee

Aug 17 - 12:09 PM

Trubisky knows he has 'a lot of work to do'

Mitchell Trubisky knows he still has "a lot of work to do."

Trubisky was the talk of the first preseason week after completing 18-of-25 passes for 166 yards and a touchdown, but he is not getting too far ahead. "I was pleased with how I played," the rookie said, "but plenty more mistakes are going on during practice for me that I need to work on and continue to improve in my game." The Bears have been adamant about Mike Glennon starting all season, but their resolve will be tested if Trubisky continues to show well in the preseason.

Source: ESPN

Aug 17 - 9:51 AM

Ereck Flowers struggling during camp

ESPN Giants reporter Jordan Raanan reports LT Ereck Flowers had a rough practice on Monday.

Raanan writes Flowers had "five or six awful reps" which "several ex-NFL offensive linemen and some independent offensive line coaches" agreed were "brutal." One of those experts said the session was the, "Worst I’ve seen, period." The practice is not an aberration, either, as Flowers has consistently struggled throughout camp. The Giants bet on Flowers improving this offseason, but it looks like left tackle will once again be a huge area of concern.

Source: ESPN

Aug 17 - 9:39 AM