Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com sees anti-vaxxers causing discord in the locker rooms of the NFL:

Teams with high vaccination rates will have a competitive advantage. They also will minimize the potential internal turmoil.

In Buffalo, a full-blown COVID schism could be on the way, after Thursday’s memo making it clear that teams that can’t play due to COVID outbreaks among unvaccinated personnel will forfeit games. In addition to receiver Cole Beasley‘s periodic anti-vaccine Twitter rants, guard Jon Feliciano has opened up with his views on the matter. At the same time, receiver Stefon Diggs seems to be on board with the simple logic tying vaccinations to being available to play.

“It’s been proven that COVID was made in lab,” Feliciano tweeted. “Fauci also a part of Pfizer that’s why ppl don’t want to get the vaccine. Sad to come to the realization that you can not trust the government.”

Even if COVID was made in a lab (and it quite possibly was), that doesn’t matter when it comes to beating it. The vaccine has been proven to reduce the instances of serious injury and death for those who get it. And the persistent (and inaccurate) attacks on Anthony Fauci trace to one specific person to whom Fauci refused to kowtow. (And that person got vaccinated after nearly dying from COVID pneumonia.)

There’s no point trying to get Feliciano to unwash his brain, even as far-right politicians like Ron DeSantis and far-right commentators like Sean Hannity urge their base to get vaccinated and, in turn, avoid dying from COVID. But there are folks in the so-called movable middle who finally may snap out of it and get vaccinated.

The #StickToFootball point for now is clear. Some teams will have locker-room issues, especially if some players continues to refuse to get vaccinated even after Thursday’s clear indication that teams who can’t play due to outbreaks among the unvaccinated will forfeit games. The teams that can avoid such problems will have a better chance of competing with those that can’t.

Dr. Anthony Fauci has no problem, indeed is thrilled by, the NFL’s decision to harshly compel compliance.  Jack Baer of YahooSports.com:

The NFL has taken a hard stance against its unvaccinated players for this upcoming season.

Some of those players are openly unhappy, but one of the country’s foremost experts on public health likes what he sees.

In an interview with “CBS Evening News,” Dr. Anthony Fauci praised the league for strongly pushing players to get vaccinated by threatening to force teams to forfeit games and lose pay in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak among unvaccinated players:

“The NFL is sending a very strong signal that it’s very important to get vaccinated,” he told “CBS Evening News” anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell. “If you want to play football and you want to do it in a way that you feel unrestricted and not worry about any penalties, you just get vaccinated, because they’re saying that if unvaccinated people get infected, there are going to be consequences.”

The NFL outlined its new policy in a memo to teams on Tuesday. The change represents the harshest action any major American league has taken against unvaccinated players, effectively removing the safety net of potential outbreak postponements and shifting the financial burden of cancellations onto teams and players.

Fauci says other organizations, not just sports leagues, could follow the NFL’s example.

“I think that gives them the impetus to do the same sort of thing. And I think you’re going to be seeing that there will be local mandates, be they from colleges and universities or places of business that there will be pressures for people to get vaccinated,” he said.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

Even though he is a COVID survivor who should be brimming with natural immunity, RB EZEKIEL ELLIOTT took the jab so desired by the NFL.  Charles Robinson ofYahooSports.com:

Last summer Ezekiel Elliott became the highest profile Dallas Cowboys player to contract COVID-19, testing positive for the virus on the doorstep of the 2020 preseason. This year, he says he made the choice to get vaccinated.

Despite having some first-hand knowledge of COVID’s impact, Elliott says he won’t be advising other players on their decision as Dallas tries to reach the league’s proposed 85 percent vaccination standard.

“That’s kind of a touchy subject,” Elliott said of player vaccinations. “You can’t really tell somebody what do with their body. I grew up in a family where we didn’t get vaccines. It’s kind of hard to tell someone who [during] their whole life their mom and dad tell them not to get vaccines, [to tell that person] to go get vaccinated. It’s everyone’s body. You can’t tell them what to do with it.

“I got the vaccine just because I wanted to put myself in the best situation to be out there for my team week in and week out. I mean, not everyone feels that strongly or maybe other people still have their view of vaccines. You can’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do with their body.”

While the NFL can’t come out and say it disagrees with that premise, the league is now getting about as close as it can to making vaccines mandatory. After first implementing a campaign to inform players about the vaccines and then a series of incentives to encourage getting the shot, the NFL took a more drastic step Thursday, essentially threatening franchises and players with significant monetary impacts for any schedule disruptions tied to COVID infections.

That included an eyebrow-raising financial hammer that would come down on franchise owners and players, with the league stating that if a team is found to disrupt the schedule due to coronavirus infections, both teams in the game will surrender game checks for all players, and the team responsible for the schedule disruption will forfeit the game and be responsible for covering all monetary costs incurred by the other team during the game week.

It was news that caught the attention of some Cowboys players when they learned of it coming off the practice field during the first day of training camp.

“You said a game check?” a shocked Elliott said Thursday, before bursting into laughter at his own reaction. “I mean, you just told me something new.”

NEW YORK GIANTS

WR KARARIUS TONEY starts his first NFL camp on the COVID list.  Paul Schwartz of the New York Post:

Kadarius Toney is not exactly off and running at the start of his NFL career with the Giants.

The rookie wide receiver was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. In accordance with NFL protocols, Toney is isolating and participating remotely in all meetings.

All rookies, quarterbacks and players rehabbing from injuries reported for camp on Wednesday. The full squad will report on Tuesday, with the first practice set for the following day. So, Toney will miss some time on the field early in camp, as the Giants will hold practices on four consecutive days to open up camp.

It has been an eventful indoctrination for Toney. The Giants traded with the Bears in the first round of the NFL draft, dropping from No. 11, to take Toney with the No. 20 overall pick. A shifty slot receiver, Toney starred in 2020 for Florida, catching 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking among the leaders in the nation at forcing missed tackles. Upon his arrival with the Giants, he missed some time in rookie camp and minicamp. He was held out at times as a precaution, he also missed time because he needed to adjust his footwear and later was allowed to miss practice entirely to attend to a personal family situation.

Toney is expected to make an immediate impact on offense for the Giants, adding to a receiver corps that includes Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Kenny Golladay, the team’s marquee free agent signing. Toney, though, starts his first NFL training camp in COVID-19-induced isolation.

The Giants also are without RB SAQUON BARKLEY who remains on the PUP list.

PHILADELPHIA

If and when QB DESHAUN WATSON is able to put his troubles with massage therapists behind him, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com assesses the odds (with help from Howard Eskin) that the team that took Michael Vick when he came out of prison will be waiting for Watson:

Whenever mentioning the possibility/inevitably that the Texans will trade quarterback Deshaun Watson, we’ve mentioned three teams: the Broncos, Dolphins, and Eagles. On Thursday, the sideline reporter for the Eagles’ official radio broadcasts applied a percentage to the possibility of Watson landing in Philadelphia.

Appearing on WIP radio in Philadelphia, Howard Eskin said this (based on a quote provided by WIP afternoon host Jon Marks): “Based on the information that I’ve got, when Deshaun Watson is traded, I think there’s a 90 percent chance that he will be with the Philadelphia Eagles. And just based on all the information that I’ve gotten, that’s what I’ve come down with.”

I’m important to understand what Eskin said, along with what he didn’t say. Eskin didn’t say Watson will be traded in the immediate future. Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the Texans currently aren’t talking to the Eagles or anyone else about a potential Watson trade.

Eskin’s information points to the notion that, if/when the Texans start the bidding (and if the circumstances are conducive to trading for Watson), the Eagles will be the favorite to get him.

That makes sense, if Watson is traded this year. But that will require a settlement of the 22 pending legal cases or a clear indication from the league that, absent a settlement, he won’t be placed on paid leave.

It’s unknown whether the league has told Watson that he will or won’t be placed on paid leave. If a settlement of the 22 lawsuits is going to happen before the Texans report to training camp, time is running out.

NFC SOUTH

NEW ORLEANS

Saints WR MICHAEL THOMAS will not be present when the post-Brees Saints open up against Green Bay on Kickoff Weekend.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

The new era of the New Orleans Saints hit a massive speed bump as we race toward the 2021 season.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday that star receiver Michael Thomas is expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing surgery to repair the ligaments in his ankle in June, per sources informed of the situation.

Rapoport added that the roughly four-month recovery timetable could keep Thomas on the sideline weeks into the season. The Saints’ bye comes in Week 6 after games versus Green Bay, Carolina, New England, New York Giants, and Washington.

Already preparing to usher in the post-Drew Brees era, the Saints’ offense was projected to take a step back regardless of who won the starting QB battle, Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill. Thomas’ injury now makes life even harder on whichever quarterback swipes the job.

Despite the past two drafts having a boatload of high-end receiver talent, the Saints haven’t sunk assets into the position early in either year — 2021 seventh-rounder Kawaan Baker is the only WR they’ve selected. In addition, the salary cap-strapped Saints didn’t upgrade the position in free agency either while losing Emmanuel Sanders.

With Thomas out to start the 2021 campaign, the Saints currently have Tre’Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and Deonte Harris atop their receiving corps. After years of leaning on Thomas heavily, the Saints will start the season with the thinnest wideout group in the league.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo added that in light of the Thomas news, the Saints have been checking in on available free-agent wide receivers, per sources informed of the situation. They could hold a few workouts in the coming days.

Doesn’t seem like good doctoring to wait this long.

TAMPA BAY

The Buccaneers received their rings on Thursday.  Ronny Reyes of the UK Daily Mailreports:

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ championship rings make quite a loud statement. 

The reigning NFL champions received their Super Bowl rings Thursday night in a private ceremony and the jewelry is nothing short of showstopping

The Tiffany-made rings feature 319 diamonds, including white and yellow diamonds, The total number of jewels reflects the Bucs’ 31-9 blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 1 in Tampa, Florida.

 ‘I think this is by far the most incredible ring that’s ever been made and it’s commemorating a very special team that came together at the most important moments,’ Brady told the team’s website.

‘We wanted it to represent the camaraderie and sacrifice that our players and coaches experienced along the way,’ co-owner Darcie Glazer-Kassewitz said in a statement. ‘This ring tells the story of that journey, it reflects the heart and soul of a team like none other before it.

‘We know it will be an emotional touchstone for everyone involved for many, many years to come.’

The rings also have a removable top that reveals a miniature replica of the Raymond James Stadium, complete with seats and the 50-yard line.

It’s the first Super Bowl ring to have such a feature, and has the word ‘HISTORIC’ laser-etched in gold on the underside of the removable top.

The top also displays two Vince Lombardi trophies, given to the Super Bowl winner. The Bucs defeated the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII in 2002.

Around the top of the miniature stadium, on each of the four sides, are scores from the Bucs’ four postseason wins over the Washington Football Team, the New Orleans Saints, the Green Bay Packers and the Chiefs. 

Inside the band are the words ‘Trust, Loyalty, Respect,’ the team’s motto.

The design of the rings took almost three months to finalize and included daily phone calls a day with Bucs ownership, ESPN reports.

Here is guessing that the “removable top” may prove to be a cool idea with some unexpected consequences.

NFC WEST

ARIZONA

WR DeANDRE HOPKINS is faced with a crisis of conscience as he balks at taking the COVID vaccine at the command of the NFL.  TMZ.com:

DeAndre Hopkins’ days in the NFL could be coming to a close … at least that’s according to the wide receiver himself, who says the league’s new COVID vaccine stance has him pondering retirement.

The NFL announced Thursday it will potentially punish teams with forfeits and loss of game checks if virus outbreaks among unvaccinated players cause unfixable scheduling issues.

Hopkins clearly HATES the idea of that … and dropped a bombshell on his social media page hours after the league’s announcement, saying he might now look into retirement.

“Never thought I would say this,” the Arizona Cardinals superstar said in a since-deleted tweet.

“But being put in a position to hurt my team because I don’t want to partake in the vaccine is making me question my future in the @Nfl.”

The league has NOT made COVID vaccines mandatory for its players … but it’s clear, it wants all of its employees to get the shot.

In addition to Thursday’s new policy, the league has also placed heavy restrictions on players who have yet to get the vaccine.

Some of those regulations include, among many other things, daily COVID testing, mask requirements and travel restrictions.

According to commissioner Roger Goodell … about one quarter of the league’s players are still not at least partially vaccinated.

Training camps for all teams are set to begin this month … with the regular season kicking off in September.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

The ruptured Achilles of RB CAM AKERS has put an unexpected crimp in the plans of Sean McVay and company.  Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com looks at the free agent market for a replacement:

Losing Cam Akers is a significant blow to the Los Angeles Rams running game. Set to be the No. 1 running back in an offense that was was going to utilize his talents in the passing game, Akers was set up for a breakout season and a key contributor for the Rams Super Bowl title hopes.

“I think he can come alive in the pass game,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said back in March. “I think he can continue to play at a high level. Really, I think he’s an every-down back. I think he’s a special player.”

The Rams had high hopes for Akers heading into year two, but Los Angeles must figure out how to utilize its running game with him lost for the season. Darrell Henderson should get the first opportunity as the No. 1 running back, but there isn’t much insurance behind him. Xavier Jones and Raymond Calais have never taken a carry in an NFL regular season game, while Otis Anderson is an undrafted free agent rookie.

Clearly the Rams could use a veteran running back to help out Henderson and emerge as the No. 2 option. Here are a few free agents the Rams should consider signing in the coming weeks: 

1. Adrian Peterson

DET • RB • 28

The 36-year old Peterson has been patiently waiting for the right opportunity to come along in free agency. At this stage in his career, Peterson wants an opportunity to contribute to a Super Bowl championship roster. The Rams check off all those boxes, especially since there isn’t a power back on their roster since they allowed Malcolm Brown to depart in free agency.

Peterson has 14,820 career rushing yards, just 450 yards short of passing Barry Sanders for fourth on the all-time list. His 118 rushing touchdowns are fourth on the all-time list, just six away from passing Marcus Allen for third (123). He has the most 50-yard touchdown runs (16) and 60-yard touchdown runs (15) in NFL history. He’s tied with Chris Johnson for the most 70-yard touchdown runs in NFL history (seven). Peterson rushed for 604 yards on 156 carries and seven touchdowns in 16 games for the Detroit Lions at age 35 last year.

There’s still some gas left in the tank for Peterson, who would be an ideal fit to spell Henderson as the No. 2 option. Peterson isn’t a pass-catching back that fits what McVay wants out of his running backs, but plans change with little depth on the roster after the Akers injury.

2. Frank Gore

NYJ • RB • 21

Gore is in the same situation as Peterson — although he’s two years older than him. The 38-year-old Gore wants an opportunity to compete for a championship and earn carries on a contending team, leaving the Rams as the best option available. No running back has ever recorded a carry at the age of 38, so the Rams would be taking a big risk here — even though Gore recorded 187 carries for the New York Jets last year.

Gore wouldn’t have been expected to carry the load much in 2021, but would play a significant role with the Rams. If Henderson suffers an injury, he would emerge as the top option. Again, Los Angeles would take a huge gamble if the Rams wanted to bring Gore back to California.

3. Duke Johnson

If Los Angeles wanted to go with a veteran back that fit what McVay wants in his offense, Johnson is the ideal No. 2 option. The 27-year-old Johnson had a career-low 28 catches for 249 yards with the Houston Texans last season, the first season he failed to have 60-plus targets and 40-plus receptions. Playing a career-low 36% of the snaps didn’t help matters either, as Johnson was behind David Johnson in the running back rotation. 

Johnson still remains without a team, but is the best free agent running back available. He’ll get an opportunity to significantly contribute with the Rams, particularly in the passing game. His 307 receptions since 2015 are the fourth-most in the league amongst running backs.

4. Chris Thompson

JAC • RB • 34

There’s plenty of familiarity with Sean McVay here, as Thompson played under McVay for three seasons when he was the offensive coordinator for the Washington Football Team. Thompson finished with 84 catches for 589 yards in his final two seasons under McVay as a backup option for Robert Kelley and Alfred Morris.

McVay could reunite the 30-year-old Thompson in his offense as a No. 2 option, even if Thompson was an afterthought with the Jacksonville Jaguars last year. Thompson is still an excellent pass-catching back that could provide another option in the passing game.

AFC EAST

NEW YORK JETS

The NFL is mourning the loss of coach Greg Knapp who passed away on Thursday from injuries sustained when his bike was struck by a California motorist on Saturday.  Knapp was a widely-admired coach with 25 years experience.

Steve Wyche of NFL.com:

It was like clockwork. Each day in 2005, after then-Falcons head coach Jim Mora finished his media obligations and assistant coaches wrapped up post-practice work with their position groups, Mora would yell, “Knapper!”

Knapper, offensive coordinator Greg Knapp, would find Mora and they would jog to the base of a huge hill at the team’s Flowery Branch facility. They would attack the hill, sometimes fading quickly. Sometimes getting after it like fresh-legged teenagers.

The routine wasn’t just cathartic for the two highly stressed coaches, but it was an outward sign of their friendship. They were tight tight. Friends until the end.

Unfortunately, that end came on Thursday for Greg Knapp. The 58-year-old succumbed to injuries sustained July 17 when a car struck the bicycle he was riding near his offseason home in Northern California.

This tragedy has broken hearts across the NFL community. The number of calls and texts I alone have been part of is evidence of the network of coaches, players and media members who are all in different phases of shock and sorrow. Mind you, I am on the periphery of all the people who knew Greg Knapp.

None of us can imagine what the Knapps suffered over the past few days — or what Greg’s surviving family members will go through for the rest of their lives.

There’s also his Falcons family. Broncos family. Raiders family. Texans family. Seahawks family. 49ers family. So many others whom Knapp impacted. He’d just started working with Robert Saleh’s Jets, having been entrusted as the passing game coordinator for rookie QB Zach Wilson.

So many will be grieving.

You don’t stay constantly employed for 25 seasons in the NFL unless you are good at what you do, are connected and/or well-liked. Knapp covered all those bases.

Knapp was great in dealing with the media. There were a few of us in different markets who significantly benefited from Knapp’s presence. Not really as a source for the inside dirt, but as a teacher. He would help me with some of the nuances of the stretch-zone scheme and West Coast offensive concepts. He’d answer questions I might have about a wrinkle I’d seen in those schemes or how a defense played against them. The best was when we watched film during his time with the Falcons, exploring how certain teams kept getting caught in awful spots against quarterback Michael Vick, allowing Atlanta to eviscerate them with bootleg-action passes and runs.

After Knapp lost his job in Atlanta with Mora’s firing, he went to Oakland then Seattle as an offensive coordinator. I would see him on the field pregame or postgame and we’d chat on the phone from time to time. Not once — not once — did he crap on a player or coach from his present or past endeavors. It was always positive. Always. Knapp was such a breath of fresh air in a business where coaches routinely whisper negative or critical things, often to help themselves. When Knapp became Houston’s offensive coordinator in 2010 to reunite with quarterback Matt Schaub — they’d spent time together in Atlanta — he helped elevate Schaub into one of the league’s better quarterbacks.

I used to love being on the field pregame with Knapp. So many people would come say hello — especially my colleague and one of Knapp’s former coaching brothers, Steve Mariucci — and we’d discuss all sorts of things. That’s what was so great about Knapper: He would talk about whatever. He would tell me about how hard players worked — man, he loved to brag on Matt Leinart when the former Cardinals starter came to back up Schaub in Houston. Even though we talked a lot of football, I remember so many conversations about our families. When he got remarried a few years ago, he shared that new chapter with a lot of us, as well.

Knapp always seemed to be in a good place with himself, even when players, media and fans questioned his abilities and worthiness as a play-caller.

I hadn’t heard from Knapp in a few months, except for maybe a birthday exchange on Facebook or something like that. Then I got the news of this tragic accident. As is often the case with death or unexpected misfortune, so many of us who’d been disconnected reconnected. The first person I reached out to was Mora. What was said won’t be printed here, but I can tell you this: Knapp’s dear friend is a strong dude who has helped a lot of us this week. I’m sure we’ll be there for him, too.

There won’t be teams wearing Greg’s initials on their helmets and there won’t be monuments built in Knapp’s likeness around stadiums. There won’t have to be. So many of us will carry his legacy and memories forward. We will speak well of him. There’s actually no other way to speak of Knapper.

This from Peter King:

@peter_king

RIP Greg Knapp.

We always say, “What a nice guy.” In 37 yrs covering the NFL, I have Knapp in top 10 of both nice guys and QB coaches.

When Texans GM Rick Smith asked Brock Osweiler what he could do to get him back to pre-Houston form after yr 1, Osweiler said, “Hire Greg Knapp.”

Dan Orlovsky:

@danorlovsky7

Greg Knapp was everything that was amazing about asst coaches in the NFL—investment. He invested is me and so many others with a joy that was so rare. Devastating news for his family. My prayers of comfort are with his family.🙏🙏🙏

Michael Vick:

@MichaelVick

I am heartbroken of the passing of my beloved Coach Greg Knapp. I had the privilege of being mentored by him for 3 yrs w/the Falcons. Words can’t describe the profound impact he had on my life. I extend my condolences & prayers to his family during this time. Love you Coach Broken heart.

Steve Young:

@SteveYoungQB

Said goodbye to my friend and coach Greg Knapp today after tragic bicycle accident. He was one of a kind. He had a big impact on me. Much love to him and his family.

Kevin Clark:

@bykevinclark

Greg Knapp was an incredibly kind man who was a delight to talk to about football or literally anything else. Just a fun person to talk to. I remember he and Peyton loved to make younger Bronco QBs watch the movie Stripes just so they could all quote it. Not your typical coach.

Tyler Palumbus is one of many non-quarterbacks to Tweet about Knapp’s influence:

@Tyler_Polumbus

So sad to hear about the passing of our Super Bowl 50 QB Coach, Greg Knapp. Knapper was one of the rare coaches that every player on the team could connect with on a personal level. Incredible coach, better human being. Just a sad day.

Knapp was a very, very experienced biker:

@woodypaige

Greg Knapp was class coach and good guy. We lived on same floor of a condo complex in Denver. He rode his bike to work every day and once to top of Pikes Peak. We talked a lot in gym and at pool about life, some about football. He had so much life to die so early. R.I.P. friend.

THIS AND THAT

ASSESSING THE TRADE MARKET

Cody Benjamin of CBSSports.com:

Training camp is just around the corner. But some teams could still have some major changes up their sleeves ahead of the 2021 NFL season. Most blockbuster moves are in the rear view, but that doesn’t mean clubs aren’t making calls for emergency scenarios, or putting out feelers for some of the biggest names still perceived to be available.

With that in mind, here are nine of the most notable surprise camp trade candidates as we dive deeper into the summer:

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

It’s clear as day that Rodgers, as it stands, is not happy in Green Bay. Some are convinced that he’s convinced his Packers days are over. But even if that’s totally true, the team will almost assuredly play hardball in any future trade talks, perhaps to the point of letting Rodgers sit at home while the season kicks off. In other words, even if a deal goes down, it probably won’t be during — and especially not early in — training camp. The Rodgers rumors are good drama, but because of his legacy in green and yellow, a trade would still be a surprise, not to mention an instant financial boon for the Packers, saving the club an instant $22.85 million.

Broncos RB Melvin Gordon

The former Chargers back got decent money (two years, $16M) to headline Denver’s backfield in 2020 and fared relatively well, but the Broncos are under new management and just spent a second-rounder on Javonte Williams. New general manager George Paton also added Mike Boone, an ex-Vikings reserve he helped bring to Minnesota, and could save $6.9M by dealing Gordon.

Bears WR Allen Robinson

The current regime used its franchise tag on A-Rob partly because 2021 is a critical year, and without him, the Bears would be devoid of any proven No. 1 pass catcher. But that doesn’t change the fact these two sides have been “talking” about a new deal for ages without resolution. Robinson has no guarantees in regards to if/when the Bears will turn the keys over to new quarterback Justin Fields, and with extension negotiations tabled once more, it’s not inconceivable that his representation could quietly request permission to seek a move elsewhere. Chicago wouldn’t budge easily, but at least GM Ryan Pace could sell a potential deal — which would free up almost $18M — as a move to go all in on a post-2021 roster.

Jets C Connor McGovern

GM Joe Douglas is all about building from the trenches first, and with new QB Zach Wilson in tow, keeping the pocket clean is of the utmost importance. He also just gave the ex-Broncos veteran a three-year, $27M deal in 2020. This offseason, however, he invested a ton in Alijah Vera-Tucker, who has center experience; and added guard Dan Feeney for over $4M. By trading McGovern ahead of a make-or-break year, Douglas could recoup $8M immediately.

Bears OLB Robert Quinn

It was just a year ago that Chicago rewarded Quinn’s Cowboys breakout with a five-year, $70M deal. Yes, you read that right. The Bears would be decimating their pass-rushing depth by dealing Quinn, 31, but would assuredly also welcome any chance to walk back their cap-crunching commitment. A trade this summer would net them $11.6M right off the bat. They currently have less than $6M free.

Patriots CB Stephon Gilmore

Like Rodgers, he’s been the subject of plenty of trade speculation, and yet his team isn’t necessarily likely to pull the trigger on a move. Entering his age-31 season, Gilmore doesn’t seem in a rush to leave New England; he just wants a raise. The Pats will likely try to appease the perennial Pro Bowler before even fielding calls, but if/when the two sides don’t strike a new deal, suitors will be there. New England would save $7.7M by dealing their No. 1 cover man, and Bill Belichick has shown a willingness to part with big names too soon rather than too late, but he’ll want to be darn sure Gilmore wants/needs out before granting that request.

Texans CB Bradley Roby

Houston just extended the 29-year-old former Broncos standout with a three-year, $36M deal in 2020, and rightfully so. He’s still a starting-caliber cover man on an otherwise porous roster. But the Texans need all the cap relief and additional assets they can get. The new front office may very well be restarting at QB — and every other position, to be frank — by 2022, if not this year, and Roby would still look appealing to contenders. Even though he’s suspended for the opener, he’d likely net a decent return, not to mention save the team almost $9.2M this year.

Jets S Marcus Maye

Does Joe Douglas prefer to deal Maye? Probably not. But he also didn’t prefer to deal Jamal Adams. And both standout safeties failed to strike a long-term deal with the GM before exploring other options. The fact of the matter is Douglas doesn’t prioritize lucrative paydays for the position. He’d save an instant $10.6M by dealing the young defensive back to a more financially flexible secondary.

Giants S Jabrill Peppers

He’s still a big name with a big role, but with 2022 free agency on the horizon, Peppers could be dangled for the chance to gain $6.8M in cap savings for a team with just $2.4M in current space. It’s not as if New York hasn’t invested in alternatives at the position, paying up to retain Logan Ryan, recently spending a high pick on Xavier McKinney and finding snaps for the versatile Julian Love.

THE SEC

From vague rumor, to weeks away…the departure of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC is now imminent.  David Hale of ESPN.com:

Texas and Oklahoma could make their move to the SEC official in a matter of weeks, ESPN has confirmed.

The Austin American-Statesman reported Friday that a Big 12 source believed talks between the SEC and the two schools had been ongoing for more than six months, though SEC member Texas A&M had been left out of the discussions. An SEC source told ESPN’s Heather Dinich that it’s inaccurate that A&M was left out of the conversation.

The report also said the move could become official in a matter of weeks. A high-level administrator said his understanding of the situation mirrors that timeline.

A Big 12 source told Dinich that neither Texas nor Oklahoma has officially expressed its desire to leave to the rest of the conference membership.

ESPN reported Thursday that both Texas and Oklahoma would likely owe the Big 12 upward of $76 million apiece to buy out the remainder of their grant of media rights agreement, which runs until 2025. A new agreement with the SEC, however, would likely make that price tag easily affordable for the two powerhouse programs.

Big 12 officials held a call Thursday to discuss the league’s future, with Texas and Oklahoma absent from the discussion.

If the move becomes reality, the fallout for the rest of college football would be massive, and the administrator believes the larger impact could significantly damage the sport.

Several ACC athletic directors believed that their league would make a push in the next few years to add both Texas and Oklahoma — along with Notre Dame, which already is a partial ACC member — as it looks to restructure its TV contract, but the suddenness of the Longhorns’ and Sooners’ move to the SEC took them by surprise.

One ACC AD wondered whether this could be the first domino leading to a massive shake-up that would ultimately result in a 32-team superconference. Two other ADs suggested that the best path forward might be for the ACC, Pac-12 and others to work together toward a new media rights package that could help counter the outsized strength a 16-team SEC would command, with one AD also saying he believed there was minimal value in what would remain of the Big 12.

The DB can’t help but look askance at Texas – a football program that has barely had any national impact in the last 20 years (except for the brief Vince Young Era) strutting around like the Homecoming Queen, dragging Oklahoma behind them.

At least we would presumably get Texas A&M vs. Texas on Thanksgiving weekend (or every third year at worst, see below) again – while losing Bedlam.

If the SEC goes to 4-team pods as a SuperConference – what would that look like?

If you try to go strictly by the four directions – the North Division is kind of weak.

NORTH – Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

EAST – Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Auburn

SOUTH – Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State

WEST – Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, Arkansas

And Auburn and Alabama are split.  If they get a rivalry game each year, then you are going to have some non-rivalry rivalry games – and everyone would want to get Vanderbilt.

What if you try to “seed” by splitting up the biggest brands

A – Alabama

B – LSU

C – Florida

D – Oklahoma

You may think Georgia is the bigger brand, fine, as you will see below when we fill in next with a rival.

A – Alabama, Auburn

B – LSU, Texas A&M

C – Florida, Georgia,

D – Oklahoma, Texas

Then something vaguely geographical, with some luster

A – Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee

B – LSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss/Mississippi State

C – Florida, Georgia, South Carolina

D – Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas

And then the orphans to round things out

A – Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee, Vanderbilt

B – LSU, Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Ole Miss

C – Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Kentucky

D – Oklahoma, Texas, Arkansas, Missouri

Not bad geographically, Kentucky a little out of place, you could flip Kentucky and Vandy.  We imagine everyone is fighting to get Vanderbilt in their group.

Eight conference games – the three pod games, one of the other divisions (so every team is met every three years, every team visits another every six), plus a targeted random from the conference office (Texas and the Aggies meet more often, LSU and Alabama, Kentucky and Tennessee, but not everyone has an annual rival).

We like it.

Add a 9^th conference game – and all teams meet at least once every other year