July 2016 – The Latest NFL News, Scores, Stats, Fantasy Analysis

Dolphins’ Dion Jordan conditionally reinstated by NFL

July 30, 2016 No Comments

The Oregon product failed to make much of an impact as a rookie, then was suspended a total of six games over two suspensions in his second season for testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. Another failed test in April of 2015 knocked him out for all of last season. Now Jordan is talking big that he can take advantage of this opportunity.

“I’m not about to waste it. I can’t waste it. And I (expletive) love doing it,” Jordan told Tom Pelissero of USA TODAY Sports this offseason. “I just turned 26 years old, so life starts to hit you in the face. Who are you outside of those shoulder pads and helmet?” Jordan asked. “And it’s weird, but I feel like it’s a blessing for me at this point in time to think about it, instead of waiting ’til they really tell me I can’t play football no more.”

It’s anyone’s guess whether Jordan can make much of an impact for this Dolphins defense. He has the versatility that teams crave in 2016 and could at least be helpful as a situational pass rusher. The Dolphins have a boom-or-bust front line with Mario Williams, Cameron Wake, and Jordan representing great potential with big questions.

The Vikings placed defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis and tight end Rhett Ellison on the PUP list. The team also placed quarterback Taylor Heinicke on the non-football injury list as well as offensive guard Mike Harris on the non-football illness list.

Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert is done with the Pro Bowl.

Eifert, lest we forget, underwent a small procedure to fix the ankle he tweaked in this past season’s All-Star game and is not sure when he’ll return to the field. According to the team’s official site, Eifert told reporters Friday that his walking boot will come off a week from now and added that there is no specific timetable for his return to practice.

Houston is banking on Smith’s shrewd moves to deliver excellence in the AFC South for the next four seasons. Over the past three years, the Texans have developed through his guidance into a consistent contender, thanks to a well-developed defensive core. With the additions on offense of quarterback Brock Osweiler and running back Lamar Miller in free agency, the organization is hoping to finally put all the pieces together.

Arian Foster signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins last week, but he won’t be on the field for the start of training camp.

The Dolphins announced Friday morning that Foster was one of five players who will begin workouts on the physically unable to perform list.

San Diego Chargers

Agent’s Take: Cap issues could dictate next moves for the Chiefs and Jets

July 27, 2016 No Comments

The Jets remain in a contract stalemate with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. The suggestion that he would rather retire than accept the Jets’ offer, which is reportedly in the neighborhood of $7 million to $8 million per year, is believed to be just posturing.

The two sides should be able work out a compromise. Although Christian Hackenberg was taken in the second round, the Jets want Fitzpatrick back, because having him under center represents the team’s best chance to get to the playoffs. The 33-year-old journeyman doesn’t have any other viable starting opportunities and was never going to get anything close to Sam Bradford’s two-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles averaging $17.5 million per year, which has $22 million fully guaranteed.

A little less than $4 million of cap space probably isn’t enough to sign Fitzpatrick without some maneuvering. The Jets also have to sign first-round pick Darron Lee, whose expected four-year, $10,221,645 deal will have a $1,858,481 2016 cap number.

Signing franchise player Muhammad Wilkerson long term would solve the Jets’ cap problems, because a deal would give him a 2016 cap number significantly lower than his $15.701 million franchise tender that’s current counting on the books. Such a deal seems unlikely because he is believed to seeking a deal in excess of the $16,666,667 per year with almost $52 million in guarantees three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt received from the Houston Texas in the six-year contract extension he signed in 2014.

Restructuring Darrelle Revis’ five-year, $70,121,060 deal could create the most cap room of any player under contract, because he has a fully guaranteed $17 million salary this year. It’s probably better to leave his contract as is, since the Jets can walk away from the deal with minimal cap consequences after the 2017 season when there isn’t any guaranteed money. This ability could be compromised with a restructure.

Reworking Brandon Marshall’s deal, which runs through the 2017 season, may be a better idea. He has the third-highest cap number on the team at $9.5 million and there isn’t any signing bonus proration with his contract.

Fitzpatrick’s return could make 2013 second-round pick Geno Smith vulnerable, because teams rarely keep four quarterbacks. The league trend is to go with two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster with a third on the practice squad. General manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles don’t have a vested interest in Smith, who was drafted by former general manager John Idzik.

Gabbert worked with the first-team offense throughout the offseason as Kaepernick recovered from surgery to repair a torn left shoulder labrum in addition to procedures on his right thumb and left knee.

Chicago Bears

Cowboys move into new, over-the-top, $1.5 billion practice facility

July 22, 2016 No Comments

It’s Texas, it’s the Dallas Cowboys, it’s Jerry Jones. So of course we expect it to be over-the-top. But a $1.5 billion practice facility (we talkin’ bout practice!) seems a bit much, even for Jerruh.

But that’s exactly what the team has now, and the Cowboys officially moved into the facility – known as The Star – on Thursday.

The Cowboys packed up their headquarters in Irving, the iconic Valley Ranch, last month, after calling it home for over 30 years. They broke ground on The Star, about 20 miles away in Frisco, two years ago. The team website for the complex touts it as “an experience for fans worldwide” (emphasis theirs), a partnership between the franchise, city, and the Frisco school district.

Said Rice: “People need homes. People need shelter when they’re in a crucial situation. I’ve donated a lot of money to charities, but I had a situation where it was a national crisis. I’m not saying I’d be (donating the salary) to get on the field, but it’s something that will show where my heart is. My heart is about finishing the right way and helping people along the way.”

Rice has been working out near his home in Stamford, Connecticut. He married Janay soon after the incident and the couple have a four-year-old daughter, Rayven, with a second child due in September. Having not played since 2013, Rice has fielded no interest from NFL teams this offseason.

Since the incident, Rice has made a series of visits to colleges and also to the Ravens, where he shared about his mistakes.

“I think the biggest donation that you can give to domestic violence is your time,” Rice said. “I’m not just going to be giving it because I have money. I’m going to be giving it because I did the background and the research and spent a lot of time with people who understand the cause.

McClain notes that Watt is expected to be ready for the Texans’ season opener against the Chicago Bears.

However, citing a source, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweeted that Watt’s recovery could take up to 10 weeks, which could lead to him missing at least the first game.