Author: nshook61

Finding NFL fits for the big men of the combine

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The combine has come and gone, and the numbers are in. We’ve seen men in tights run through countless drills and tests, watched them bench press 225 pounds as many times as their bodies allowed and have even had one team play a card game with prospective job candidates (yes, it was the Browns).

We broke down how teams assemble an offensive line last week. Now we have some fresh pieces to fit into the puzzles. We took three prospects ranging from a favorite of the class to a second-or-third rounder who could make an instant impact, and projected how they might fit in with a handful of needy teams. Continue reading →

Tony Jefferson expected to sign with Baltimore Ravens

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tony Jefferson is saying no to the extra bags of cash and yes to immediately contending for an AFC North title.

The safety, ranked No. 14 in NFL.com’s Top 101 Free Agents, is expected to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the negotations. Rapoport added that Jefferson is walking away from a more lucrative offer from the Cleveland Browns to instead sign with the former Cleveland Browns, now known as the Ravens. Continue reading →

Colin Kaepernick not drawing much interest, but why?

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Free agency is off and running. Brandon Marshall is changing uniform colors but not home stadiums, Tyrod Taylor is sticking around in Buffalo and fullbacks are hot commodities, apparently.

New head coach Kyle Shanahan even got ready to welcome a new signal-caller to his new digs in Santa Clara, agreeing to terms with Brian Hoyer on a two-year contract. But one Niners quarterback who’s slated to become a free agent at the start of the new league year isn’t drawing much attention.

One wonders, why? Why isn’t Colin Kaepernick, the polarizing but at times productive passer garnering more interest from the other 31 teams in the NFL, or even his own club? Continue reading →

Garrett jumps through roof, Peppers backflips off field Sunday

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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If there were any lingering questions surrounding Myles Garrett‘s status as the favorite to go first overall to Cleveland in the 2017 draft, they were cast into oblivion on Sunday.

Garrett’s workout jumped off the charts — 4.64 40, 41-inch vertical, 33 bench reps of 225 pounds, 10-foot, 8-inch broad jump at 272 pounds — had everyone in attendance raving, including NFL Network’s Rich Eisen and Mike Mayock, and should serve as one of the final convincing pieces of evidence for Garrett to go first overall on April 27.

“Everything he did just screams ‘I want to be the first pick,'” Mayock said. “Strong, drop your hips, eyes up, pound and go. He’s a natural edge rusher. I don’t care what defense you play, if you’re Cleveland and you’re looking at No. 1, (defensive coordinator) Gregg Williams likes to hunt quarterbacks, I think that’s the guy you want.”

We’ll spend the next month or so discussing potential landing spots for Garrett, but there should be only one response: Cleveland, Cleveland and Cleveland. Sunday’s workout solidified that notion. Continue reading →

John Ross breaks record, but tight ends shine Saturday

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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It stood for many years, and it even garnered its own chain and custom pendant, but let the record show that on March 4, 2017, Chris Johnson‘s 40-yard dash record finally fell.

Washington receiver John Ross was the culprit who unseated CJ2K, running a blazing fast 4.22 40 that even “looked fast in slow motion,” as NFL Network’s Ike Taylor said Saturday. It sent shockwaves through Twitter, with thousands mentioning him by name and more than a few questions about why he didn’t try to run the 40 in adidas cleats and win himself his own private island.

“I really can’t swim that well,” Ross told NFL Network’s Michael Irvin. “And I don’t have a boat, so you know, I had to run in Nikes.”

It didn’t take long for the social team at Nike to post a photo of the famed 4.2 Nikes, or for the company to sign Ross to an endorsement deal. It’ll likely take a little longer for him to come off the board, though, because his speed was a known commodity entering the combine and won’t make much of a difference in his draft stock. Continue reading →

NFLPA suggests league ban leaping over line

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The rules of the professional game stipulate that a player cannot be used as leverage when trying to vault over opponents to block a field goal. But it didn’t take into account those freakish athletes who populate NFL rosters.

It was a novel idea at first, but it’s seeing more and more attempts in recent years. We’re talking about the field goal leap, of course, and now the NFL Players Association wants it eliminated. Continue reading →

Constructing the league’s best offensive lines

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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It’s the least glamorous collection of five large men you’ll find in America, but the nation’s most popular sport wouldn’t function without them. That’s right — we’re talking about the big uglies, hog mollies and (supremely athletic, yet) fat guys — the offensive linemen.

The game of football has come a long way from vaguely resembling rugby, instead deploying groups of receivers and tight ends wide and moving skill players all over the field in an effort to gain an advantage. We’ve seen aspects of the spread scheme infiltrate nearly every NFL offense, the short-lived but memorable run of the Wildcat, and even the now-common implementation of the pistol set. And yet, as all of the sexier positions get the attention centered on these innovations, without an effective offensive line, you simply don’t have much. When the men up front can consistently execute, though, almost anything is possible. Continue reading →

Los Angeles Rams unveil new helmet with white horns

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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As the Rams welcome a new neighbor in the greater Los Angeles area less than a year after returning to SoCal themselves, their evolution as an organization continues.

Ground has been broken on their new Inglewood stadium, the team installed a new head coach in Sean McVay, and now a new lid with a familiar look will fill the team’s lockers.

The Rams announced the team will wear a new helmet in 2017, replacing the team’s metallic gold (creatively dubbed New Century Gold) horns with white horns.

Continue reading →

Doug Williams: Backup black QBs need more chances

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Doug Williams made history on Jan. 31, 1988, when he became the first African American starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl. His Washington Redskins took down the Denver Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII, Williams cemented his place in football lore with a gutsy performance and kick-started the process of creating more opportunities for African Americans at the position.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche wrote this week about the impact Williams’ Super Sunday had on the future of the position for black athletes. Nearly 30 years later, Williams’ impact on the game can be seen in the sport’s stars, with Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston coming to mind, among others.

The former Super Bowl XXII Most Valuable Player is pleased with the progress, but is still bothered about the lack of opportunity for the guys on the sideline. Continue reading →

K’Waun Williams signs one-year deal with 49ers

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By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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After a season spent out of football, K’Waun Williams has a new home.

The cornerback is signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.

Williams had fielded four contract offers, including one from the Jets, according to NJ Advance Media, but chose the Niners.

Williams burst onto the Browns‘ scene in 2014 as an undrafted free agent who stunned many by usurping first-round pick Justin Gilbert in the secondary, serving primarily as the team’s nickel corner. His most memorable performance came during the Browns‘ historic, comeback win over the Titans in Tennessee in Week 5 of the 2014 season. Continue reading →