NFL 2022 - Off-Season Player News and Updates

[A11dAtP0w3R]

TenneseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt reports Treylon Burks had "breathing issues" during the team's rookie minicamp.​

Wyatt said Burks had to leave the Titans' Friday practice with the breathing issues. The rookie first-round pick was seen grasping his shorts and gasping for air during the Friday session. A local media outlet said Burks appeared out of shape. Burks, according to Wyatt, had a rough go of it throughout the team's minicamp, including "a pretty bad drop in the middle of the field on a beautifully thrown pass." Wyatt urged patience and reminded Titans fans that Derrick Henry struggled in his first rookie camp with Tennessee. ESPN's Jordan Reid recently reported that the Titans "are likely to force feed [Burks] as a rushing and receiving threat" in 2022, with A.J. Brown dispatched to the Eagles in a blockbuster draft day trade. Hopefully Burks gets his wind sooner rather than later.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt believes QB Malik Willis won't compete for the team's starting job this summer.​

Wyatt, a longtime Titans beat writer, said Willis -- selected with the 86th pick of the 22 draft -- "isn't in a competition with Ryan Tannehill right now, and he won't be breathing down his neck to win the starting job in training camp either. His mission at the start is to learn, and improve, as much as possible in his first days, weeks, and months on the job." Tannehill has been defensive about the Titans taking Willis after he plunged down the draft board, saying it's not his job to mentor the rookie. Persistent struggles from Tannehill could quickly loosen his hold on the team's starting gig, however. Wyatt said Willis made a few "oh my" throws during the Titans' recent rookie minicamp, and described the rookie as "an intriguing guy, because of his arm and his legs, and he carries himself like a leader."

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

The Akron Beacon Journal's Nate Ulrich reports Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski wanted to draft WR David Bell "no matter what."​

A hyper-productive wideout at Purdue who didn't test well at the NFL Combine, Bell, 21, steps into a Browns offense lacking receiver depth behind Amari Cooper. Stefanski was bullish on taking Bell in the third round of the 2022 draft. "You were the first guy I watched, and right away, I was like, 'We need to get this guy,'" Stefanski told Bell in a meeting shown on "Building The Browns," the team's web series. "You can ask our GM. I was like, 'This day needs to end with David Bell on our team.' Just your ability to catch the ball, which I think is the best in the draft, your ability to get open and just who you are as a person, that fits who we are." The Athletic's Zac Jackson said recently that Bell "can be a similar player stylistically" to Jarvis Landry, who operated as Cleveland's main slot option for the past four years. Stefanski's confidence in Bell could make him the de factor No. 2 receiver behind Cooper to start the season.

 

[aussiedude]

Ravens signed LB Vince Biegel, formerly of the Dolphins.​

Injuries have kept Biegel off the field for all but five games over the previous two seasons. In 2019, he started 10 games for the Dolphins. Biegel can play both inside and outside linebacker and also knows Ravens OLB coach Rob Leonard. Biegel and Leonard both spent the last three years with the Dolphins.

one day i hope i can forget we traded back and passed on TJ Watt to draft Biegel and Kevin King.

 

[rumply]

 

[Exe Gesis]

 

[Exe Gesis]

 

[aussiedude]

Surely thats a typo and supposed to be months and not weeks.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Figured thats what Bradberry would do now teams have pretty much spent their money, sign a one year deal and become a free agent next offseason.

 

[J Shuttlesworth]

Hell of an off season for the Eagles.

 

[Jatz]

Absolutely fantastic get. Been really happy with our offseason.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

The Athletic's Dan Duggan expects Saquon Barkley to catch "a ton" of passes in new coach Brian Daboll's offense.​

There are a host of caveats — it is May, these are pad-less practices, this is one man's opinion, etc. etc. — but it is an easy dot to connect. When healthy, Barkley is one of the league's most gifted backfield pass catchers, while Daniel Jones is a quarterback who has never loved to go down the field. Daboll never hesitated to abandon the run in Buffalo, but he can have the best of both worlds in New York, staying pass happy but keeping his running back involved as a viable receiving outlet. Per Duggan, Daboll's offense has featured a "ton of empty sets and pre-snap motion" so far this spring. We can understand why fantasy managers would be out on Barkley after years of injury frustration, but his upside is undeniable in this new system.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Ravens P Sam Koch is retiring after 16 years in the league.​

In addition, he will be joining the Ravens' staff as a "special teams consultant." The No. 203 overall pick of the 2006 draft, Koch was a steady kicking presence for the better part of two decades, earning 2015 Pro Bowl honors. He also long served as K Justin Tucker's holder. Koch remained effective at age 39 in 2021, checking in 17th in net-punting average at 40.0. It was simply time for the specialist to move on.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

The Athletic's Adam Jahns reports the Bears are "transitioning into a run-heavy team with the outside zone."​

Jahns notes that fullback Khari Blasingame led the way in running back drills, and is expected to have a role similar to Kyle Juszczyk in San Francisco. Comparisons to the 49ers may not end there, with the team reportedly installing a similar outside zone run scheme. The change in scheme could ultimately be good for David Montgomery, but it may also open the door for talented second-year back Khalil Herbert to display his one-cut ability. And crucially, if the Bears plan to win with defense and the run game, they may not score very many points this season. Still, Montgomery looks set for a healthy rushing workload

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Think hes a better DT than edge

Chargers signed EDGE Morgan Fox, formerly of the Panthers.​

Fox, 27, signed a two-year deal with the Panthers last offseason after spending his first four years with the Rams. After recording just 1.5 sacks for Carolina, Fox was released in March and now links back up with coach Brandon Staley in L.A. as a sub-package player behind Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Parris Campbell (foot) said he's 100 percent healthy and has been a full participant in offseason workouts.​

Campbell appeared in just 6-of-17 games last season but was able to return for a Week 18 goose egg, playing with screws and a plate in his foot. Just being out there was a win for him headed into an important offseason. Campbell has missed 34-of-49 games to severe injuries as a pro and is headed into the final year of his rookie deal. The Colts have yet to re-sign T.Y. Hilton and only added second-round WR Alec Pierce behind Michael Pittman. If healthy, which is a big "if," Campbell has another somewhat easy path to playing time for the Colts.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

Irv Smith (knee) is participating in OTAs this week and was seen running routes at "almost full speed" in 11-on-11 drills.​

Smith is still working his way back from a torn meniscus that cost him all of 2021. The Vikings are taking it slow with Smith, likely eyeing to cut him loose in training camp. But observers have noted Smith looks very close to 100 percent, even if the team isn't letting him do team drills. Smith turns 24 in August and has the starting job back in his lap with Tyler Conklin signing with the Jets. Smith has a path to easy TE1 numbers as long as he's healthy.

 

[A11dAtP0w3R]

The Athletic's Chad Graff noted that Dalvin Cook has lined up in bunch wide receiver sets in OTAs.​

Cross off "running back lines up at wide receiver" on your offseason bingo card. Graff described Cook lining up in bunch receiver sets in multiple formations, but conceded that it could just "be something the new staff is tinkering with in May." Still, new head coach Kevin O’Connell is expected to shift the offense toward the pass, and involving Cook in that transition makes a lot of sense. Cook's status remains somewhat up in the air, with a suspension remaining possible. However, his arrow is pointing up in the new offense. Increased passing should lead to more scoring and check down opportunities, which could lead to a big year for Cook no matter where he lines up.

 

[Constantgin]

 

[Constantgin]

 

[Exe Gesis]

This is the same hometown where his brother was stabbed to death last year. I find “random” to be a difficult statement to believe.

 

[Brasher]

I haven't been back to my hometown of Innisfail FNQ for the same randomness.

 

[Exe Gesis]

Jessie Bates holding out.
Falcons sign Youngoe Koo to a big extension.
Old NFL players recently deceased.
Teams keeping an eye on Lamar Jackson contract situation.
Panthers Seahawks Browns still playing chicken over Baker Mayfield.
Panthers still interested in Garoppolo.
Mike Vick signs to play in the Fan Controlled Football League.

 

[aussiedude]

HBO real sport has the first public interview with multiple accusers against Watson in the episode that airs nextweek.
I doubt HBO legal would let them go to air if they didnt think there is a solid case.

 

[Chris25]

HBO real sport has the first public interview with multiple accusers against Watson in the episode that airs nextweek.
I doubt HBO legal would let them go to air if they didnt think there is a solid case.

I think it being a solid case would be well below their list of priorities, after ratings and attention.

It's just going to be the same stuff that's been said in newspapers for the last year, just with a voice and face attached. The cynic in me would say they're going public because it's not a solid legal case, but they know they can win the public battle if not the courtroom one and therefore try to force a settlement. Especially with the timing of the interview lining up with the NFL investigation.

I'm expecting nothing new, but a whole lot of media outcry again.