The Baltimore Ravens and free-agent OL D.J. Fluker (Seahawks) have agreed to terms on an undisclosed deal.
Monthly Archives: April 2020
Packers | Aaron Jones entering contract year in Green Bay
Green Bay Packers RB Aaron Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Coming off a 20-plus touchdown season, Jones will be pricey to re-sign, per Packers.com’s Mike Spofford.
Chiefs | Clyde Edwards-Helaire excites K.C. brass
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid believes rookie RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, the team’s first-round draft choice, has a strong ability to run the zone scheme and gap scheme, like he did at LSU. ‘He has a unique ability to push the line of scrimmage in the run game and make his lateral cut and then accelerate up the field,’ Reid said. Edwards-Helaire’s use in the passing game also brings advantages, per Reid. ‘… as many times as you get single coverage with linebackers on that backside, it gives you some nice matchups potentially. His ability to run routes and catch the football. I thinks those are all pluses,’ Reid added. ‘You get a guy like Clyde Edwards-Helaire and second-and-8s now become second-and-2s and 3s,’ general manager Brett Veach added. As the team’s pick was coming up in the NFL Draft, Veach texted QB Patrick Mahomes about which player he wanted. Mahomes one-word text back was ‘Clyde.’ Veach and Reid have continued to keep Mahomes’ offensive weapons well stocked.
Jaguars | Laviska Shenault Jr. will move around
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie WR Laviska Shenault Jr., a second-round draft choice, is expected to play an immediate role within the Jacksonville offense. Jaguars director of college scouting Mark Ellenz said Shenault is ‘very athletic and he can run really well — especially for his size.’ Ellenz added Shenault is strong, has a lot of ability in running after the catch and is highly competitive. Jaguars receivers coach Keenan McCardell called his new weapon a ‘Swiss Army knife’ as Shenault is able to play all over the field. ‘I like the fact that he’s been moved around and he has a really good football IQ,’ McCardell said.
Packers | Jamaal Williams entering contract year
Green Bay Packers RB Jamaal Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Packers.com’s Mike Spofford speculates keeping Williams long term could be difficult if Williams seeks a larger role offensively.
Packers | AJ Dillon could push Packers’ running game to next level
Green Bay Packers rookie RB AJ Dillon had 845 carries during his college career, but the team isn’t concerned. ‘His structure, he’s built to last,’ said Green Bay’s Northeast region scout Mike Owen. ‘I’m good to go, as healthy as can be. I’ve had a lot of carries but it goes to show how I can handle the workload. I can be the workhorse. Everybody can know the ball is coming to me and I’ll crank out the yards,’ Dillon said. While Dillon had just 21 receptions over his past two seasons, he showed route-running and pass-catching ability at the NFL combine. Dillon wasn’t just a pick for the future, per Owen. ‘His body type and running style differ from both (Aaron) Jones’ and (Jamaal) Williams’, and his size could pay dividends in the cold or other bad-weather games … I think he’ll be a great complement to Aaron Jones and Jamaal. He can take this running game to the next level,’ Owen added.
Buccaneers | Tom Brady didn’t violate offseason rules
The NFL looked into Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady recently visiting with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich at Leftwich’s house.
Footballguys View: There was some concern that Brady was in violation of league rule but that now doesn’t seem to be the case. The league determined Brady and Leftwich didn’t violate any offseason work rules, as Brady was there for a brief personal visit to pick up his new team playbook. It occurred during the dead period before the virtual period of the offseason began.
Ravens | J.K. Dobbins will be mentored by Mark Ingram
Baltimore Ravens rookie RB J.K. Dobbins will receive help from veteran RB Mark Ingram as Dobbins, a second-round draft pick, makes his transition to the NFL. Ingram plans to help mentor Dobbins in any way that he can. ‘Instead of being selfish, I think you always need to take a younger player along and just be open, be transparent, teach them some of your successes, your failures and help bring them along so they can have great careers,’ Ingram said of his planned role with his rookie teammate. Ingram isn’t worried about another back in the mix. ‘Competition breeds excellence,’ Ingram said. The Ravens are deep at running back with Ingram, Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill, and it remains to be seen how the Ravens will divvy up their touches in 2020.
Cowboys | Dak Prescott will be there when it counts
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones does not seem to worried about QB Dak Prescott still being unsigned. ‘When we’re ready to play, he’ll be there,’ Jones recently said of the team’s exclusive franchise player.
Broncos | Jerry Jeudy poised to take game to next level?
Denver Broncos rookie WR Jerry Jeudy is an all-or-nothing kind of guy, according to his high school football coach, Jevon Glenn. ‘He’s a guy, once he’s passionate about something, he’s passionate. He doesn’t know how to give you a half-effort. He’d rather give you zero than give 50 percent,’ Glenn said. Maryland coach Mike Locksley, who tried to recruit Jeudy to Alabama when Locksley was the co-offensive coordinator and receivers coach, believes Jeudy will be a ‘better pro than he was a college guy’ because after 5 yards the defenders can’t get a hand on Jeudy, allowing him to make a difference running free in the secondary.