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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

45-year-old Vinatieri: No plans to retire

45-year-old Colts K Adam Vinatieri says he has no plans to retire in the near future.

"I love it as much today as I had when I started 23 years ago," Vinatieri said. "I’m not looking to hang them up anytime soon. ... I guess I’ll take these one year at a time and see where it ends up." Headed into his 23rd year in the league, Vinatieri remained an 85.3 percent field goal kicker last season and is approaching several league records.

Source: colts.com

Jun 19 - 4:05 PM

Hayden Hurst officially signs rookie contract

Ravens signed No. 25 overall pick TE Hayden Hurst to a four-year contract.

The deal includes a fifth-year team option for 2022. Hurst will be a 25-year-old rookie after spending two seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization, then three in the SEC. Hurst tested as a 46th-percentile athlete with 4.67 speed before the draft. Hurst is raw and old for a prospect, but he offers a plus pass-catching skill set and willingness to block. Hurst should start right away, though the Ravens also selected a catch-first tight end in Mark Andrews at No. 86.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Jun 19 - 3:53 PM

Browns take flier on Greg Robinson

Browns signed OT Greg Robinson.

The former No. 2 overall pick made six starts with the Lions last season before an ankle injury sent him to injured reserve. Unsurprisingly, he was not great at either guard or tackle in Detroit, but it makes sense for Cleveland to see what Robinson can do. The Browns have a hole at left tackle, but it would be disappointing if Robinson won the job.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter

Jun 19 - 11:38 AM

B. Mayfield 'not ready to compete' with Tyrod

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield "did not look ready to compete" with Tyrod Taylor for the Browns' starting quarterback job at OTAs and minicamp.

The Boston Globe had a similar report on Sunday. The Plain Dealer doesn't detail where exactly Mayfield is so far behind, but Taylor is a three-year starter with a 22-20 record the past three seasons on poorly-assembled Bills teams. He should open training camp as the heavy favorite to start Week 1. Still, Taylor would be beating the odds to keep the job beyond Cleveland's Week 11 bye.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer

Jun 18 - 3:36 PM

Ex-Saints CB Delvin Breaux headed to Canada

Ex-Saints CB Delvin Breaux is signing with the CFL's Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

It's a one-year deal. Breaux could not get healthy enough for an NFL team after his devastating 2016 leg break. The Saints made a huge mistake during Breaux's recovery, misdiagnosing a stress fracture as a bruise. Neither side seemed interested in a reunion after that. Breaux has also had spine issues. This will be Breaux's second go-around in Hamilton. It's where he caught the Saints' attention in 2014. Going on 29, Breaux's odds of an NFL return after 2018 are not great but also not zero.

Source: Nick Underhill on Twitter

Jun 18 - 2:11 PM

Ebron was 'impressive' in offseason program

Indy Star's Stephen Holder writes Eric Ebron "has been among the more impressive Colts" during the offseason program.

Ebron has been used all over the formation by new coach Frank Reich. "He’s really smart," Reich said. "And that’s really good because you want to use a guy with the versatility that he has and move him around and call all kinds of things with him." Even with Jack Doyle atop the depth chart, Ebron should see his fair share of targets in an offense desperate for playmakers behind T.Y. Hilton. He is a fine late-round stab in deeper leagues.

Source: Indianapolis Star

Jun 18 - 10:23 AM

Ereck Flowers 'impressing' at right tackle

NJ Advance Media's Matt Lombardo writes Ereck Flowers has been "impressing teammates and coaches at right tackle."

Angry about being replaced at left tackle, Flowers skipped a large chunk of the offseason program, but he was back in the fold and working as the first-team right tackle by minicamp. Showing well at his new position, Flowers looks likely to open the season as a starter. Patrick Omameh should start next to Flowers at right guard with Jon Halapio at center, rookie Will Hernandez at left guard, and Nate Solder at left tackle.

Source: NJ Advance Media

Jun 18 - 10:06 AM

McCarthy promises 'running back by committee'

Coach Mike McCarthy said the Packers will have a "running back by committee."

"We feel like we've got three guys that have all done, but they haven't done it over a long period of time," McCarthy said, "so I think it's just practical thinking from that position and realizing that it's a very demanding position." McCarthy did leave open the possibility of one player emerging as the clear option, but it sounds like all of Jamaal Williams, Ty Montgomery, and Aaron Jones will have a role to open the season, terrible news for each player's fantasy prospects. Perhaps someone emerges in camp, but this is shaping up as a situation to avoid.

Source: ESPN

Jun 18 - 9:28 AM

1st-round WR D.J. Moore 'has looked the part'

MMQB's Albert Breer writes Panthers first-round WR D.J. Moore "has looked the part" this offseason.

The first receiver off the board at No. 24 overall, Moore is a dynamic weapon who is dangerous after the catch, and he apparently showed off those traits during OTAs and minicamp. In addition to Breer's praise, Panthers.com's Max Henson wrote Moore is "more than ready to contribute." Even with Devin Funchess, Greg Olsen, and Christian McCaffrey all vying for targets, Moore has the talent to make a fantasy impact as a rookie.

Source: MMQB

Jun 18 - 8:56 AM

Andrew Luck (shoulder) says 'pain is gone'

Andrew Luck said the "pain" in his surgically-repaired shoulder is "gone."

"And it’s going to stay that way," the quarterback added. "My body doesn’t revolt, in a sense, to new things I ask." Luck finally threw a football in front of reporters and cameras last week, and he seems much more confident about his health than he was at this time last year. MMQB's Albert Breer reports the Colts will limit Luck in camp, giving him days off and monitoring his reps, but there is finally light at the end of the tunnel.

Source: MMQB

Jun 18 - 8:49 AM

Beane: Zay Jones has to 'earn his way'

In an interview with WGR 550 Buffalo, Bills GM Brandon Beane said Zay Jones will have to "earn his way" following a disappointing rookie season in 2017.

"He’s not just going to necessarily go right to the top of the line," said Beane. "He’ll have to earn his way." The 23-year-old sat out OTAs while recovering from knee surgery, meaning he has yet to catch passes from newcomers A.J. McCarron and Josh Allen. Jones won't face much competition at receiver in Buffalo, but it will be hard for fantasy owners to trust him after hauling in just 41.5 percent of his targets last year.

Source: WGR 550

Jun 17 - 11:20 AM