Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz coached free-agent CB Chris Houston (toe) with the Detroit Lions, and once Houston is healthy, Buffalo could reunite the pair, according to Tennessee Titans FS Michael Griffin.
Bills | Chris Houston an option?
Free-agent CB Chris Houston (Lions) is recovering from his second toe surgery and hopes to resume his NFL playing career. He expects to be medically cleared in August or September, which could jeopardize his chances of making a Week 1 roster.
NFL | Chris Houston hopes to resume playing career
Philadelphia Eagles RB Darren Sproles received praise about his work ethic from Eagles head coach Chip Kelly. ‘We heard from the coaches that coached him what an intelligent football player he is and [we] learned that from the first day he was in this building and how sharp he is and how dedicated he is,’ Kelly said. ‘I talked to Norv Turner and he remarked to me when I saw him at one of the pro days, he said, ‘You’ll have to slow him down because he only knows one speed.’ And that’s the same thing you see. Darren practices and trains at one speed. It’s awesome. He fits in with the culture that we want in terms of preparation, but it’s everything we wanted when we got him here.’
Footballguys View: Sproles is forecast to have a big dip in receptions in Philadelphia compared to his usage in New Orleans, but he is also being penciled in as the backup running back and could get more touches as a runner in a very good running game. While his fantasy value has fallen off significantly from his near RB1 status in PPR leagues recently, he could still deliver on his 6th-8th ADP this year as a swiss army knife for the Eagles, who sought out his services via trade.
Eagles | Darren Sproles’ work ethic praised
Carolina Panthers WR Jason Avant said he did not approve of his standing with head coach Chip Kelly last season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Avant said he ‘mostly ran clear-out routes. … When it came to certain things, we butted heads sometimes — route running and route technique. So I knew I didn’t fit his system.’
Footballguys View: Avant was a leftover from the previous regime, so it’s not a shock that his declining usage was a sign of a bad fit. He’ll be a slot receiver and maybe the most reliable hands receiver on the Panthers this year, but that is probably not enough to make him relevant except in the very deepest of fantasy leagues.
Panthers | Jason Avant clashed with Chip Kelly
In today’s Three and Out: The Colts think Trent Richardson can carry a bigger load; The Packers want Eddie Lacy to carry a lighter load.
Trent Richardson to be a three-down back?
New York Jets rookie TE Jace Amaro is struggling in his initial workouts. The no-huddle, spread system at Texas Tech is significantly different from the Jets’ deeper pro-style playbook. He looked lost in three-wide packages and needs to polish his routes, in-line position, footwork and releases.
Jets | Jace Amaro struggling
The NFL and counsel for the retired player plaintiffs announced today a revised settlement agreement in the NFL concussion litigation pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Revised settlement in concussion suit reached; funds uncapped
Kragthorpe gets new deal to stay on LSU staff
Kragthorpe gets new deal to stay on LSU staff
Marquess Wilson stands 6-foot-3 and could be another long target for Jay Cutler. The second-year wide receiver reportedly is in line for the Bears’ No. 3 receiver job unless he “falters significantly.”
Will Marquess Wilson be Chicago Bears’ No. 3 WR?
The Indianapolis Colts say RB Trent Richardson is relying more on his instincts when running instead of thinking. They believe he can be a three-down back.
Colts | Believe Trent Richardson can be three-down back