NFL News and Notes 2024 Season

[Arroyoyo]

They definitely dodged a bullet. He’s not a special talent.

It really is incredible. These huge FA WR signings rarely seem to pan out.

Can we all tread lightly and remember these moments when Tee Higgins is demanding $30m+/yr this offseason?

Our own Pop Douglas, at less than $1m this year, has nearly triple the receptions of Ridley and nearly double the yards.

Aging WR’s - especially guys that have usually blossomed only when they’re a #2 - should NEVER get big money. Just draft WRs unless you’re getting a can’t miss-type in FA, which almost never happens.

 

[NextBigThing8184]

Wait.

Calvin Ridley has 9 catches for 141 yards and 1 TD this season? And he thought he was too good for a rebuilding team? Lol. We dodged one hell of a bullet there. He’s making $23 million this year. Incredible how much money gets thrown desperately at mediocre talent during FA in the NFL.

Ridley isn’t/wasn’t worth what he got but that offense has been awful around him. He was never going to be a game changer if the surrounding talent was a dumpster fire. He needs a QB who can actually push the ball downfield which Levis (and Rudolph) haven’t been able to

 

[johnmd20]

Ridley isn’t/wasn’t worth what he got but that offense has been awful around him. He was never going to be a game changer if the surrounding talent was a dumpster fire. He needs a QB who can actually push the ball downfield which Levis (and Rudolph) haven’t been able to

Rudolph only has 17 attempts year to date. It's mostly Levis, who is just a mess.

 

[koufax32]

Watson with a confirmed torn Achilles. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41924430/browns-deshaun-watson-carted-noncontact-leg-injury

Note: Imt opposed to actively cheering for players to get injured. My current exceptions are Watson and Tyreek Hill. So lol, boo hoo.

 

[trekfan55]

Watson with a confirmed torn Achilles. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41924430/browns-deshaun-watson-carted-noncontact-leg-injury

Note: Imt opposed to actively cheering for players to get injured. My current exceptions are Watson and Tyreek Hill. So lol, boo hoo.

The reels I got of Borwns fans cheering the injiury are... something.

I guess Jameis is up. And I understand most (if not all) of Watson's contract is guaranteed.

 

[DJnVa]

Wait.

Calvin Ridley has 9 catches for 141 yards and 1 TD this season? And he thought he was too good for a rebuilding team? Lol. We dodged one hell of a bullet there. He’s making $23 million this year. Incredible how much money gets thrown desperately at mediocre talent during FA in the NFL.

Right?

Fewer catches than Polk for like $21 million more.

 

[DJnVa]

The reels I got of Borwns fans cheering the injiury are... something.

I guess Jameis is up. And I understand most (if not all) of Watson's contract is guaranteed.

Deshaun Watson’s Contract Details: Breaking Down the Browns QB’s Deal After Achilles Injury

If the Browns cut Watson today, they would have a dead-cap hit of $119.9 million (including $93.2 million cash), plus a 2025 dead-cap hit of $80.7 million. This would be the largest dead-cap hit in NFL history.

Even if they cut Watson after the 2024 season, the Browns would still have a dead-cap hit of $118.9 million (including $92 million cash) and a 2026 dead-cap hit of $53.8 million.

 

[Over Guapo Grande]

But I thought the Patriots should have gone after Ridley harder?

 

[Reggie's Racquet]

Watson with a confirmed torn Achilles. Couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41924430/browns-deshaun-watson-carted-noncontact-leg-injury

Note: Imt opposed to actively cheering for players to get injured. My current exceptions are Watson and Tyreek Hill. So lol, boo hoo.

Can’t massage that out.

 

[Valek123]

They have to have built into the contract with his past history some morals clause that he's bound to violate in the next 12 months working with therapists to help him recover from this injury. I give it 7 months before he screws up so bad that he's cut for cause. If I were his agent every therapist from here out would be male to attempt to have the Browns pay this contract.

It's so predictable it's painful. Also as said above, couldn't have happened to a better person.

 

[E5 Yaz]

Tua says he wants to keep playing, but maybe not using the best words to do so

“I appreciate your concern. I really do. I love this game. And I love it to the death of me. That’s it,” Tagovailoa said.

https://www.si.com/nfl/dolphins-tua-tagovailoa-blunt-message-retire-concussion-scare

 

[Cellar-Door]

https://x.com/AdamSchefter/status/1848554820711420043

Jameson Williams looking at a PED suspension

 

[DanoooME]

Looks like there's going to be competition for any available WRs before the trade deadline:

49ers
Bucs
Saints
Texans maybe

Contenders that were already weak at WR - Chargers, Cardinals, Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Chiefs, Eagles, Steelers
Non-contenders weak at WR - Panthers, Raiders, Giants

Yeah, I may be stretching it with some of those contenders, but this is the year to try and get some extra draft comp in trade.

 

[DJnVa]

Wonder what Bourne would fetch.

 

[DJnVa]

Zappe to Cleveland

Bailey Zappe, former New England Patriots quarterback, signed by Cleveland Browns - CBS Boston

 

[cshea]

Cleveland should play DTR the rest of the way if he's healthy. Their season is lost. If they wanted to save it, the time to go to Jameis was like week 3. But they didn't because reasons and now are 1-6. I don't think Jameis playing and winning a few games does much for them long term and probably only harms draft position as they're probably in the Sanders/Beck conversation for the upcoming draft. DTR in all likelihood sucks but he's a 2nd year, 5th round pick. Might as well see if you have a diamond in rough.

 

[Justthetippett]

I think it's really doubtful DTR makes it through a whole season. He has a hard time staying healthy. So you'll probably see both (or more QBs). But I agree, might as well give him a shot.

Cleveland should play DTR the rest of the way if he's healthy. Their season is lost. If they wanted to save it, the time to go to Jameis was like week 3. But they didn't because reasons and now are 1-6. I don't think Jameis playing and winning a few games does much for them long term and probably only harms draft position as they're probably in the Sanders/Beck conversation for the upcoming draft. DTR in all likelihood sucks but he's a 2nd year, 5th round pick. Might as well see if you have a diamond in rough.

 

[BaseballJones]

Looks like there's going to be competition for any available WRs before the trade deadline:

49ers
Bucs
Saints
Texans maybe

Contenders that were already weak at WR - Chargers, Cardinals, Browns, Cowboys, Broncos, Chiefs, Eagles, Steelers
Non-contenders weak at WR - Panthers, Raiders, Giants

Yeah, I may be stretching it with some of those contenders, but this is the year to try and get some extra draft comp in trade.

For sure. I'd look to move Bourne, not because I don't like him (I do) but because he could probably get something semi-useful for the Pats in the draft.

 

[johnmd20]

Cleveland should play DTR the rest of the way if he's healthy. Their season is lost. If they wanted to save it, the time to go to Jameis was like week 3. But they didn't because reasons and now are 1-6. I don't think Jameis playing and winning a few games does much for them long term and probably only harms draft position as they're probably in the Sanders/Beck conversation for the upcoming draft. DTR in all likelihood sucks but he's a 2nd year, 5th round pick. Might as well see if you have a diamond in rough.

DTR isn't a diamond in the rough. He has not been good in any of the games he's played. There is nothing there and there never will be and he gets injured as often as Anthony Richardson.

Jameis is much better. Play Jameis so the team doesn't embarrass itself.

 

[cshea]

DTR isn't a diamond in the rough. He has not been good in any of the games he's played. There is nothing there and there never will be and he gets injured as often as Anthony Richardson.

Jameis is much better. Play Jameis so the team doesn't embarrass itself.

100% Jameis is better. He will win them more games. Which is why I think they should play DTR. They probably need to tank to get a top pick for Sanders/Ward. Jameis might win them too many games. Their season is lost at 1-6 and they already traded their best WR. The time to try to salvage the season and put Jameis in was week 2 or 3 but obviously they couldn't or wouldn't do that because of the Watson fiasco. The save the season ship has sailed. What is the point of having Jameis get them to 5-12 or 6-11? DTR will stink and get hurt but I would put him out there to see if maybe he could be a serviceable backup in the future.

 

[rodderick]

View: https://twitter.com/DMRussini/status/1848782475696210070


I'd do this in a heart beat, I think Kupp is perfect for a young QB, but I'd be stunned if he isn't a Chief, a Steeler, a Charger or a Buc at this point.

 

[cshea]

Kupp turns 32 before next year and has been hurt a ton the last few years. I dunno, I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up a pick somewhere around 33-38 for that.

I'd rather keep the draft captial and throw the bag at Higgins in the offseason or get in the trade market for whicever grump #1 WR starts making noise about their contract in the offseason.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Kupp turns 32 before next year and has been hurt a ton the last few years. I dunno, I'm not sure I'd be willing to give up a pick somewhere around 33-38 for that.

I'd rather keep the draft captial and throw the bag at Higgins in the offseason or get in the trade market for whicever grump #1 WR starts making noise about their contract in the offseason.

yeah he makes zero sense for the Patriots, he's old and oft injured. He'll go to a contender

 

[DourDoerr]

yeah he makes zero sense for the Patriots, he's old and oft injured. He'll go to a contender

And expensive. I‘m fine with trading a pick for an established WR - even a high pick - but I don’t want to use that capital/payroll on Kupp and be in the same place pre-trade in two years.

 

[E5 Yaz]

View: https://twitter.com/PickensBurgh/status/1848815402673181105

 

[joe dokes]

Note: Imt opposed to actively cheering for players to get injured. My current exceptions are Watson and Tyreek Hill. So lol, boo hoo.

To be fair, you're only really cheering after the injury.

 

[CoffeeNerdness]

Small nugget from the BB podcast, Bill says the Pats are "shopping their guys" which is what he's heard from other teams.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

Small nugget from the BB podcast, Bill says the Pats are "shopping their guys" which is what he's heard from other teams.

Which guy is this?

 

[Cellar-Door]

Which guy is this?

I think it's pretty clear they're actively seeing if they can get anything for Tyquan (was reported weeks ago), Uche (expiring won't be back), probably Bourne, maybe Osborn.

Edit- and Jones, some smoke there as well

 

[Justthetippett]

I think it's pretty clear they're actively seeing if they can get anything for Tyquan (was reported weeks ago), Uche (expiring won't be back), probably Bourne, maybe Osborn.

Edit- and Jones, some smoke there as well

If they can turn these guys into something, I'm all for it, with the exception of Bourne, who I think they should retain. That's not a bundle of high value assets though. Should improve our R6 and R7 draft position, but not much else. This doesn't really happen in the NFL, but if there's any way to explore other teams depressed assets at a low cost, I'd hope they looked at it too. Skyy Moore Has been awful in KC, but maybe you get him for Osborn and give Maye a chance to work with him. Could be other opportunities out there to catch a flier in a lost season.

 

[johnmd20]

If they can turn these guys into something, I'm all for it, with the exception of Bourne, who I think they should retain. That's not a bundle of high value assets though. Should improve our R6 and R7 draft position, but not much else. This doesn't really happen in the NFL, but if there's any way to explore other teams depressed assets at a low cost, I'd hope they looked at it too. Skyy Moore Has been awful in KC, but maybe you get him for Osborn and give Maye a chance to work with him. Could be other opportunities out there to catch a flier in a lost season.

If the goal is to improve the team, bringing up the name Skyy Moore is fucking insane. He's one of the worst WRs in the NFL. Osbourn is Justin Jefferson compared to Skyy.

 

[Justthetippett]

If the goal is to improve the team, bringing up the name Skyy Moore is fucking insane. He's one of the worst WRs in the NFL. Osbourn is Justin Jefferson compared to Skyy.

When you're shopping for a new car in the salvage yard, this is what it comes to!

 

[E5 Yaz]

TAMPA, Fla. -- Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith has been fined after the NFL ruled Friday that he used a hip-drop tackle on Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin on Monday night, a source told ESPN.
Smith's tackle on Godwin with 1:04 remaining in regulation resulted in the receiver suffering a dislocated left ankle. Smith, who can be seen on the play pulling on Godwin's left leg, will get a league-mandated fine of $16,833, a source said.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41998883/source-ravens-roquan-smith-used-hip-drop-tackle-chris-godwin

 

[streeter88]

TAMPA, Fla. -- Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith has been fined after the NFL ruled Friday that he used a hip-drop tackle on Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin on Monday night, a source told ESPN.
Smith's tackle on Godwin with 1:04 remaining in regulation resulted in the receiver suffering a dislocated left ankle. Smith, who can be seen on the play pulling on Godwin's left leg, will get a league-mandated fine of $16,833, a source said.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41998883/source-ravens-roquan-smith-used-hip-drop-tackle-chris-godwin

That’s it? $16,833 vs season ending injury? That’s terrible.

 

[RorschachsMask]

View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1851315741397545430

 

[Ed Hillel]

View: https://twitter.com/adamschefter/status/1851315923971686668?s=46&t=11SXTvIYT-tl8b6e7iEUVQ

 

[cshea]

I'm not sure I get what Indy is doing. I get that they are 4-4 and in a playoff chase but they spent the 4th overall pick on Richardson. His completion % is obviously brutal but he was considered very raw with some off the charts measurables and talent. Don't you kind of need to play him more than 10 games to see if he can work through it? Like he was always a project but they are pulling the plug after 10 games?

 

[snowmanny]

It’s very hard to stick to a long-term plan when you think something else might give you a better shot at the playoffs.

 

[DanoooME]

I'm not sure I get what Indy is doing. I get that they are 4-4 and in a playoff chase but they spent the 4th overall pick on Richardson. His completion % is obviously brutal but he was considered very raw with some off the charts measurables and talent. Don't you kind of need to play him more than 10 games to see if he can work through it? Like he was always a project but they are pulling the plug after 10 games?

It's foolish, short-term thinking and typical of the Irsay regime. They can definitely win that division, but they need to be realistic that they are nowhere near a Super Bowl contending team. They should stick with Richardson and let him go through his growing pains.

Irsay must have been on one of his benders last night and called Steichen this morning.

 

[NortheasternPJ]

I'm not sure I get what Indy is doing. I get that they are 4-4 and in a playoff chase but they spent the 4th overall pick on Richardson. His completion % is obviously brutal but he was considered very raw with some off the charts measurables and talent. Don't you kind of need to play him more than 10 games to see if he can work through it? Like he was always a project but they are pulling the plug after 10 games?

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2024/10/27/colts-qb-anthony-richardson-leaves-game-because-he-needed-a-breather/75881643007/

He asked out of the game because he was tired on a 3rd down. Get the fuck out of the lineup then. Enjoy resting on the bench.

 

[DJnVa]

It's foolish, short-term thinking and typical of the Irsay regime. They can definitely win that division, but they need to be realistic that they are nowhere near a Super Bowl contending team. They should stick with Richardson and let him go through his growing pains.

Irsay must have been on one of his benders last night and called Steichen this morning.

If you preach "best guy plays" and then don't extend that to the QB, you get a locker room revolt.

 

[Curt S Loew]

I'm not sure I get what Indy is doing. I get that they are 4-4 and in a playoff chase but they spent the 4th overall pick on Richardson. His completion % is obviously brutal but he was considered very raw with some off the charts measurables and talent. Don't you kind of need to play him more than 10 games to see if he can work through it? Like he was always a project but they are pulling the plug after 10 games?

More than 10 games is tiring.

 

[joe dokes]

I'm not sure I get what Indy is doing. I get that they are 4-4 and in a playoff chase but they spent the 4th overall pick on Richardson. His completion % is obviously brutal but he was considered very raw with some off the charts measurables and talent. Don't you kind of need to play him more than 10 games to see if he can work through it? Like he was always a project but they are pulling the plug after 10 games?

I understand that the math is different -- many fewer games -- but we see players in "slumps" in various sports sit out, or not dress (as they say in the NHL). And I understand that the QB business has never really been done that way, but why not sit a guy and let him "watch a game (or 2) from the 9th floor," as they say?

 

[jtn46]

Richardson has so little experience playing football generally, that yes, it's a terrible decision, he needs reps as bad as practically any player in the NFL.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1851325206167450004

 

[dynomite]

View: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1851325206167450004

Have to say if I'm the Ravens I'm pretty happy there when comparing to what the Chiefs have done. Would probably rather have Diontae than these versions of Hopkins or JuJu, even recognizing they're different types of WR.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Have to say if I'm the Ravens I'm pretty happy there when comparing to what the Chiefs have done. Would much rather have Diontae than these versions of Hopkins or JuJu.

I'm sure KC would too, but they didn't have the cap space.
They had to restructure Taylor and get TEN to eat $2.5M in salary (probably why the pick was a 5th that can be a 4th instead of a 6th). CAR wasn't eating salary to make a deal unless they got a 4th or better is my guess.

 

[dynomite]

I'm sure KC would too, but they didn't have the cap space.
They had to restructure Taylor and get TEN to eat $2.5M in salary (probably why the pick was a 5th that can be a 4th instead of a 6th). CAR wasn't eating salary to make a deal unless they got a 4th or better is my guess.

Maybe that's true? I always find NFL Salary Cap accounting feels like magic math where teams kind of just invent various numbers and bonuses as needed.

Anyway, Sportrac says the Chiefs have slightly more cap room than the Ravens right now? Not sure if they're accurate ($4M vs. negative $50K for the Ravens): https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/_/year/2024/sort/cap_maximum_space

 

[Cellar-Door]

Maybe that's true? I always find NFL Salary Cap accounting feels like magic math where teams kind of just invent various numbers and bonuses as needed.

Anyway, Sportrac says the Chiefs have slightly more cap room than the Ravens right now? Not sure if they're accurate ($4M vs. negative $50K for the Ravens): https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/cap/_/year/2024/sort/cap_maximum_space

Spotrac already processed the trade (added Diontae) but not whatever rework they're doing to make space. KC was over until they re-structured Taylor. Also may have some incentives they need to leave space for.

 

[JJ17]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2024/10/27/colts-qb-anthony-richardson-leaves-game-because-he-needed-a-breather/75881643007/

He asked out of the game because he was tired on a 3rd down. Get the fuck out of the lineup then. Enjoy resting on the bench.

1000% - I couldn't believe that story. How on Earth do you ask out of the game in that situation and then feel comfortable admitting you were simply tired (not even hurt) with the game on the line? I suspect that makes managing a locker room to keep him starting would be particularly hard - I bet a bunch of his teammates were gassed and digging deep. Go learn on the bench if you can't be playing when it matters most.