hot news
– NFL suspends Calvin Ridley for at least one season
– 2022 NFL salary cap set at $208.2 million
Von Miller ready to return to Denver?
Again champion, again free agent, Von Miller (LB, Rams) should have contenders in the open market. If the future Hall of Famer leaked indications of a possible return to Los Angeles, he also tickled the nostalgic fiber of Broncos fans. In Instagram and Twitter posts, Miller slurred, “I want to recapture the past…5280 [NDLR : référence au Mile High Stadium de Denver] or “I wonder if they would give me back my old locker room?” while hesitating to wear the number 58 or 40. Needless to say, as a conscientious veteran Miller is working on all the leads.
I kinda want that old thing back.. 5280
—Von Miller (@VonMiller) March 7, 2022
Aaron Rodgers: Denver ready to sell trailer
Aaron Rodgers (QB, Packers) is still considering all the possibilities open to him: continuing with Green Bay, asking for a trade, retiring… But according to ESPN, Denver is “ready to fight” to recover the four-time league MVP. Thus, beyond the draft choices in compensation, the Broncos would have made a contract offer to Rodgers at the level “to modify the market for quarterbacks in the NFL”.
If Rodgers were to leave Wisconsin, Green Bay would demand a king’s ransom. But Denver seems ready to invest a lot of resources to afford the services of the future Hall of Famer. Two other franchises (at least) are also in the running, the competition will be very tough.
Panthers: Christian McCaffrey is wanted
According to CBS, Carolina has received several inquiries regarding Christian McCaffrey (RB), even though the star runner is not officially on the block trading. The Panthers would seek at least one first-round draft pick as compensation.
McCaffrey is the highest-paid running back in the NFL, but struggles to stay on the field consistently. He’s missed 23 games over the past two seasons, hitting his ankle, shoulder and hamstrings.
CMC is still only 25 years old and restructured its contract last year. He is under signing until the end of 2025. He will have a base salary of $8.4 million in 2022, then $11.8 million for the following two seasons.
Jack Doyle announces his retirement
At the end of the season, Jack Doyle (TE, Colts) had cast doubt on a possible retreat. Finally the Indianapolis tight end announced his decision to hang up his cleats. Undrafted, he was signed by Tennessee in 2013 to quickly land with the Colts. In 9 seasons Doyle will have caught 295 passes for 2729 yards and 24 touchdowns with the colts of Indiana. He will have had two Pro Bowl nominations.
Transactions
– It’s the end of the adventure in New England for Kyle Van Noy (LB). The Patriots cut the veteran to save $5 million on their payroll. (ESPN)
– The Saints are not going to make a contract proposal (tender) at Garrett Griffin (TE). Planned as a restricted free agent, the close receiver will therefore try the free market. (NewOrleans.Football)
– The browns placed tenders on Ja’Marcus Bradley (WR), Michael Dunn (OG), and Blake Hance (OL). All three players were to become free agents under exclusive rights, and these offers prevent them from negotiating with other organizations at the opening of the free market (ProFootballTalk.com). On the other hand, Cleveland decided not to exercise the option of Andy Janovich (FB), who becomes an unrestricted free agent (NFL Media).
– Carolina announced the restructuring of the contract of Shaq Thompson (LB) with a view to freeing up course. With $5 million recovered in the transaction, the Panthers have 29 million headroom to attack the free market. The club also announced the re-signing of Frankie Luvu (LB), Ian Thomas (TE), and JJ Jansen (C).
– The Giants try to restructure the contract of Blake Martinez (LB). The club wants to keep the veteran, but after a cruciate ligament rupture in September he will have to cut his salary by $8.525 million to stay with the team.
Rumors
– The Buccaneers would do anything to keep Chris Godwin (WR). According to USA Today, Tampa Bay should put the franchise tag on the receiver to avoid any departure. This would be the second option in a row used on the receiver, ensuring him 120% of his previous compensation, or a fully guaranteed amount of $19.1 million. If the tag is decided before the Tuesday night deadline, the two parties will have until July 15 to agree on a long-term contract. Beyond that, if the negotiations are unsuccessful, the option will apply for 2022.
– On the Dallas side, it is Dalton Schultz (TE) which catches the eye. According to FanSided, the tight end should be tagged by the Cowboys. According to OverTheCap.com, the tag will be $10.8 million at the position this year, but the Cowboys began to rework their payroll.
– AgentEmmanuel Ogbah (DE, Dolphins) don’t think Miami is going to put the franchise tag on their client. (ProFootballTalk)
Justice
– After pleading guilty, Richard Sherman (CB) was convicted of several traffic offences. He will have to pay 2,500 dollars in legal fees, several hours of community service, and will remain under the supervision of the Court for two years. But he avoided jail time. (ProFootballTalk.com)
Jets owner interested in Chelsea
Offered for sale by the oligarch Roman Abramovich, Chelsea attracts American attention. According to ESPN, the Premier League team, currently holding the Champions League, would be in the sights of Robert Johnson, the owner of the Jets. He is currently preparing an offer with a group of investors. Johnson lived in London as a United States Ambassador. He must therefore know a little about the club.
If his bid is successful, Johnson would join other NFL owners in the Premier League, with Stan Kroenke (Rams) owning Arsenal, the Glazer family (Buccaneers) controlling Manchester United and Shad Khan (Jaguars) owning Fulham, who play in the second division. Not really examples of footballing success.
Combine: George Karlaftis met 18 NFL teams
George Karlaftis (DE, Purdue) will be highly coveted in the next draft. ProFootballNetwork reports the defensive end had 18 formal interviews with NFL franchises during the Combine. The Bengals, Vikings, Browns, Jets, Lions, Dolphins and Eagles are specifically cited.
Considered one of the best edge defender of the next university vintage, Karlaftis recorded 61 tackles, 14 sacks, 3 forced fumbles for 4 recoveries, 6 deflected passes and 1 touchdown in 26 games with the Boilermakers.
The Combine could stay a little longer in Indianapolis
Without any specific commitment for its organization in 2023, the NFL Combine could linger another year in Indianapolis. The big grading of college prospects should pack up for Dallas or Los Angeles, but if the fans are enjoying the event the NFL franchise executives aren’t really traveling anymore. Like the reigning champion Rams, the clubs dispatch their teams of prospectors on site, but the coaches and general managers remain at headquarters. According to NBCSports.com, moving the Combine would encourage them to shun the event even more.
“If I was a bettor, I’d choose Indianapolis for at least another year,” an NFL executive told Peter King. “The league knows that nobody wants to move. […] If the Combine moves, the number of coaches who will come will be nothing compared to those who are there now. It’s a lot of time for us. A lot of coaches might not come if things change. “
US Customs seize $345,000 worth of championship rings
US Customs announced the seizure of a package bound for Florida containing $345,000 worth of fake sports championship rings. There are reports of 30 Super Bowl rings from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 110 fake World Series rings from the Atlanta Braves, 10 NBA championship rings from the Milwaukee Bucks, and 80 Super Bowl rings from the Kansas City Chiefs. For the latter, they were engraved with the name and number of Patrick Mahomes (QB).
For the month of January, US authorities have announced that they have seized the equivalent of one million dollars in market value of counterfeit sports products.
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