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Tavon Austin didn't know playbook as rookie

Tavon Austin acknowledged he struggled to learn the Rams' playbook as a rookie.

It's worth noting Austin scored a 7 on his 2013 Wonderlic test. "I didn't really know what was going on," he said. "Everything looked like Spanish and sounded like Spanish to me." Entering his second season, Austin now claims to have OC Brian Schottenheimer's system down pat. He's expected to be a sub-package weapon, playing limited snaps. Austin is a long shot for steady WR3 value.

Source: Associated Press

Wed, Jul 23, 2014 12:06:00 PM

Eagles to replace Shady w/ 3-headed monster?

After dealing LeSean McCoy, the Philadelphia Inquirer expects Eagles coach Chip Kelly to "more evenly distribute the carries to three tailbacks as he did at Oregon."

Beat writer Jeff McLane expects the Eagles to "add a lead back" in free agency or the draft. We wouldn't be shocked if Philadelphia brought in two more running backs of relatively high quality, as change-up back Darren Sproles is going on age 32 and Chris Polk is an oft-injured restricted free agent. Either way, we'd be stunned if Polk or Sproles entered 2015 as the Eagles' lead runner.

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

Mar 4 - 10:58 PM

Cosell: Todd Gurley is 'best RB in the draft'

Based purely on tape study, NFL Films' Greg Cosell believes Georgia RB Todd Gurley is "the best back in the draft."

We agree wholeheartedly. "I like Gurley more (than Melvin Gordon)," Cosell said. "Gurley, to me, has elements of Steven Jackson in his prime and Marshawn Lynch. He's that kind of runner. He's got an excellent combination of size, power, short-area quickness and burst, and top-end acceleration. I like Gurley a lot. And he looks like an NFL foundation back. I think he can be the starting point of an NFL offense." If Gurley's ACL looks recovered at next month's Combine medical recheck, he should have a chance to be a first-round pick.

Source: Midday 180 Nashville

Mar 4 - 9:29 PM

Dolphins, Colts to make 'strong push' for Suh

Multiple league sources tell Yahoo's Rand Getlin that the Dolphins and Colts are poised to make the "strongest pushes" for free agent Ndamukong Suh.

Getlin reports Suh's guarantees could "exceed" $60 million, topping J.J. Watt's $51.8 million. A source "close to Suh's camp" told Getlin this year's top free-agent prize has a "slight preference" for the Dolphins, although the Colts and Lions "aren't far behind" in the Suh sweepstakes. The NFL's negotiating window opens Saturday. The free agent signing period begins next Tuesday.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Mar 4 - 8:47 PM

Peterson 'still' has 'concerns' with Vikings

Following Wednesday's meeting with Vikings brass, Adrian Peterson issued a statement saying he "still" has "concerns" with returning to the team.

Vikings GM Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer flew to Peterson's home in Houston. "I appreciate Rick and Coach Zimmer coming down to see me today," Peterson's statement reads. "We had a great dialogue and they were able to understand where I was coming from and concerns my family and I still have. We respect each other and hopefully the situation can pan out so that everyone involved is content." Peterson did not state he suddenly wants to return to the Vikings. His 2015 whereabouts remain in limbo.

Source: Josina Anderson on Twitter

Mar 4 - 8:05 PM

Amid cap nightmare, Saints cut Pierre Thomas

Saints released RB Pierre Thomas.

The Saints begin the difficult process of cutting veterans amid their salary-cap nightmare. Currently about $20 million over the cap, the Saints save just $1.735 million with this move. Thomas took a pay cut last offseason and went on to total 600 yards with three TDs on 90 touches. At age 30, he now joins a flooded running-back market. An obvious product of Sean Payton's system, Thomas would do well to command $2 million per year as a passing-game specialist. The Saints have an in-house replacement option in Travaris Cadet.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mar 4 - 4:16 PM

Report: Saints shopping MLB Curtis Lofton

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports the Saints have made MLB Curtis Lofton available for trade.

The Saints have work to do to get under the cap by Tuesday. New Orleans is still about $22 million over the threshold and seems reluctant to make tough decisions on overpaid veterans. Lofton is the quarterback of the defense and has yet to miss a game in seven seasons, but the Saints can clear $4.25 million in cap room by moving him. PFF docked Lofton for 22 missed tackles in 2014 while giving him poor marks against the run and in coverage.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Mar 4 - 3:30 PM

Peyton Manning agrees to a $4 million pay cut

Peyton Manning has agreed to take a $4 million pay cut, reducing his salary from $19 million to $15 million.

The move creates $4 million in cap space for a Broncos team looking to sign franchise player Demaryius Thomas to a long-term contract. The Broncos are also in the market for up to three new offensive linemen, in addition to possibly re-signing free agent DT Terrance Knighton. Manning's $15 million base salary makes him the sixth-highest paid quarterback just behind Jay Cutler.

Source: Chris Mortensen on Twitter

Mar 4 - 3:12 PM

Texans cut longtime C Chris Myers, save $6M

Texans released C Chris Myers.

Myers has been the Texans' center the past seven seasons and never missed a start. Due $6 million in the final year of his contract and scheduled to count $8 million against the cap, it was a logical move to move on from the 33-year-old. Myers was a top-three run-blocking center at Pro Football Focus this past season, but finished 33rd out of 41 as a pass blocker. Myers may resurface in Denver with old pal Gary Kubiak. At 286 pounds, he's built for a zone-blocking scheme.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Mar 4 - 2:24 PM

Bills make another deal, trade for Matt Cassel

Bills acquired QB Matt Cassel and a 2015 sixth-round pick from the Vikings in exchange for a 2015 fifth-round pick and 2016 seventh-round pick.

After swinging a blockbuster deal for LeSean McCoy on Tuesday, GM Doug Whaley is back at it again Wednesday. After losing out to the Browns for Josh McCown, the Bills turned their attention to the trade market. It's basically a salary dump by the Vikings, who save $4.75 million against the cap and further clear the quarterback room for Teddy Bridgewater. Cassel, 33 in May, appeared in 12 games (nine starts) for Minnesota the past two seasons, composing a 4-5 record with a 14:13 TD:INT ratio and 6.9 YPA average. He's nothing more than a game manager who will compete with E.J. Manuel for the starting job.

Mar 4 - 12:36 PM

Rumor: Eagles interested in FA Mark Ingram

Lyons Yellin of WWL-TV in Louisiana has "heard rumblings" the Eagles have interest in free agent Mark Ingram.

Whereas Shady McCoy was an at-times improvisational east-west back, Ingram is a north-south runner whose addition in Philadelphia would constitute a changing of the guard. There were rumblings late in the year that coach Chip Kelly was displeased with McCoy's tendency to freelance in his running game, which also led to Bryce Brown's ouster last offseason. A more assignment-sound runner than McCoy, Ingram's fantasy stock would skyrocket in Philly.

Source: Lyons Yellin on Twitter

Mar 4 - 11:31 AM

Report: Andre Johnson asks for his release

PFT's Mike Florio reports Andre Johnson has asked for his release from the Texans.

Johnson and his agent have no plans to do the Texans any favors and seek a trade. The 34-year-old (in July) will instead wait for his release, head to the open market, and pick his own team. No team was going to trade for Johnson and his $21.5 million in salary over the final two years of his contract anyway. Expect Johnson to target a contender in an attempt to reach the Super Bowl.

Source: Profootballtalk on NBC Sports

Mar 4 - 10:46 AM