Daily Briefing

AROUND THE NFL The Commish doesn’t think four preseason games are necessary, but he would never go for just 16 and 2.  The AP:   Four preseason games remain too many for Roger Goodell.   The NFL commissioner on Monday reiterated his stance of wanting to reduce the preseason schedule at a time when the…

AROUND THE NFL Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com with this update on the PI Replay Review issue which has the potential to be a real mess this fall.   Last week, the Competition Committee spoke to coaches about possible “tweaks” to the current rule that makes all instance of pass inference, called and not called, subject…

AROUND THE NFL So how do the players feel about the NFL’s possible push for 18 games in a season?   There has been a supposition that they don’t like it, that they don’t want the wear and tear of two more games, even if they did make something like 15% more cash.   But…

AROUND THE NFL NFC NORTH   CHICAGO Things are quiet as the Bears go about choosing a kicker, literally.  Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com:   As the Chicago Bears’ kicking competition crawls into another month, Bears coaches are employing an unusual pressure tactic, borrowed not from the stands of Soldier Field but the galleries of Augusta…

AROUND THE NFL NFC EAST   NEW YORK GIANTS WR GOLDEN TATE III is anxious to shed the belief that he is just a slot receiver.  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:   With Odell Beckham plying his trade in Cleveland these days, the top two wideouts for the Giants are Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate.  …

AROUND THE NFL NFC NORTH   GREEN BAY TE JIMMY GRAHAM says he will be back in top form in 2019.  Kelly Price of NBC26.com:   After finding the end zone just twice in 2018, Jimmy Graham was ready for a clean slate this season.   He is hopeful he’s getting that in the new…

AROUND THE NFL Interesting that the Colts and Patriots never materialized in the GERALD McCOY derby.  Reuters on the final stages:   After finishing his latest free-agent visit with Carolina on Friday, six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will reportedly decide on his 2019 team among three final suitors: the Panthers, the Baltimore Ravens…

AROUND THE NFL NFC SOUTH   ATLANTA More speed from WR CALVIN RIDLEY?  Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com:   The Falcons haven’t had Julio Jones at their offseason workouts, but they feel pretty sure what they’ll get once he does report to work after watching him go for the last eight seasons.   Calvin Ridley doesn’t…

AROUND THE NFL The idea of an 18-game schedule refuses to die.  Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com:   The NFL could seek an 18-game regular season or an expanded playoff field in a new labor deal, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports. In return, Maske says, many owners are willing to offer players concessions to…

AROUND THE NFL NFC NORTH   DETROIT OC Darrell Bevall talks about his goals for the revamped Lions offense.  Dave Birkett in the Detroit Free Press:   He’s not exactly the last of the dinosaurs, but Darrell Bevell is a bit of a relic among offensive coordinators.   While the spread offense has infiltrated the…

AROUND THE NFL FYI – with Memorial Day in the rearview mirror we are 100 days away from Green Bay at Chicago to open the NFL’s 100th season.   NFC NORTH   CHICAGO New DC Chuck Pagano makes a heavy comparison with S EDDIE JACKSON.  Patrick Finley in the Chicago Sun-Times:   As he walked…

AROUND THE NFL NFC EAST   DALLAS Once again, Jerry Jones can’t imagine why the NFL would investigate and discipline RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT.  Everybody gets handcuffed, right?  Todd Archer of ESPN.com:   Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones doesn’t believe the NFL will take any action against Ezekiel Elliott for his role in…