AROUND THE NFL

Daily Briefing

The population of the United Kingdom is 66 million.  So far, about 3,000 people have perished there from CoVid19.  There have been about 35,000 reported cases.

So, 0.05%, that’s 1/20^th of 1 percent of the total population have had a case of CoVid19.  0.004% of the population has died.  UK cases had plateaued the last few days, prior to a spike on Wednesday.

Even if we are one-third of the way through the siege, 0.15% or 1 in every 666 of  UK residents will have a case.  Not a serious case, a case.

So, the Open Championship at Royal St. Georges was cancelled.  It is scheduled for the middle of July.  Something doesn’t add up, either this makes no sense or the people in the know don’t really think the curve is going to subside.

In any case, Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is sounding the alarm for the English portion of the NFL 2020 schedule:

Another major sporting event has been canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe.

According to Joel Beall and Brian Wacker of Golf Digest, the 149th Open Championship set to be played at Royal St. George’s Golf Club in Sandwich, England in July has been canceled with official announcement expected as early as Thursday. It’s the first time the event will not be played in a given year since World War II.

The cancellation comes on the heels of Wimbledon tennis tournament announcing it’s 2020 championship would be canceled earlier on Wednesday. Major League Baseball has also canceled a series between the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals that had been scheduled to be held in London in June.

The Open Championship was scheduled to be played from July 16-19. The Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers will be eligible to begin their training camps the following week as they are scheduled to play in the Hall of Fame game in Canton, Ohio on August 6.

The prospect of having 156 players from across the globe travel internationally to southeast England amid all the disruption to daily lives is understandably questionable. Additionally, several events that would be held to actually set the field of players are doomed to be canceled as well along with stay-at-home orders likely preventing the building of any possible grandstands for attendance and other temporary buildings at the course. Logistically, the loss of the tournament shouldn’t be a surprise.

The NFL is scheduled to play four games in London this season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons set to make the trip over. The Arizona Cardinals are supposed to host a game in Mexico City.

The NFL is continuing to push forward under the assumption they’ll be able to play their full season slate this fall. The myriad of events falling off the sporting calendar around them suggest that may be an overly optimistic projection.

– – –

It would seem to the DB that NFL players could work out “together” without violating the letter or spirit of social distancing commands. 

But, three knuckleheads posted a picture yesterday where they definitely weren’t doing that and Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is aghast.

NFL teams will have little or no offseason workouts in 2020. Which means that players will be working out on their own. Which means that some players won’t be content to, for example, grind away at a home gym.

Players will want to get onto a football field, and they will want to work out with new or existing teammates.

It happened on Wednesday in Florida, possibly after Governor Ron DeSantis (finally) imposed a stay at home order effective as of Thursday. There were Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Ravens receiver Hollywood Brown, and free-agent receiver Antonio Brown, running routes and catching passes and otherwise ignoring critical social-distancing guidelines aimed at limiting the spread of coronavirus to those whom it could make extremely ill or kill.

And there were Jackson and Hollywood and Antonio, in a photo posted on Hollywood’s Twitter account, which shows the trio far closer together than they should be.

Get ready for more of this. Players like Tom Brady will want to work out on a football field with new teammates like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Cameron Brate, and/or O.J. Howard. And once word gets out that players from one team is doing it, players from other teams will be doing it.

The NFL officially discourages such activities.

“Everyone associated with the NFL should follow the recommendations of medical experts and state and local authorities,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy told PFT via email on Wednesday. “We also strongly urge players to consider the advice of NFL and NFLPA medical personnel.”

Can the NFL do anything to players who violate these mandates on their own time?  Consider the plain language of the Personal Conduct Policy, which prohibits among other things “[c]onduct that poses a genuine danger to the safety and well-being of another person; and . . . [c]onduct that undermines or puts at risk the integrity of the NFL, NFL clubs, or NFL personnel.”

Players who ignore stay at home orders and who disregard federal social distancing guidelines not only endanger others by potentially spreading the virus but also undermine the integrity of the league and its teams by blatantly defying applicable mandates to remain at home and to remain at least six feet away from others.

Players who violate stay at home mandates and ignore social distancing guidelines send a dangerous message to the public. If Lamar Jackson, the league’s reigning MVP, can go out and pass football and pose for pictures in close proximity with others regardless of clear requirements to the contrary, why can’t the thousands of kids who idolize Lamar do the same thing?

It’s an issue that the league needs to take seriously, because too many people still aren’t taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously enough. And folks in the media should be willing to chastise anyone in and around the NFL whose failure to take the situation seriously may influence others to continue to not take the situation seriously enough.

The DB watched David Blaine’s wonderful magic special last night – and it made us sad.  Taped before we were ordered to distance, it showed people (including Tom and Giselle) enjoying each other’s company in what used to be a typical social setting.  We will ever be allowed to do so again?

NFC NORTH

DETROIT

Could WR JULIAN EDELMAN be heading to the Lions?  John Maakaron at SI.com:

Appearing on Colin Cowherd’s nationally syndicated Fox Sports Radio program “The Herd” Wednesday, The Ringer’s Bill Simmons suggested that Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman could be on his way to the Motor City.

Cowherd seemed to give the Edelman rumor some level of merit when he replied, “It’s talked about.”

Edelman is turning 34, and is in the final year of his deal with the Patriots.

In 2019, he secured 1,117 yards receiving and six touchdowns — indicating to many that he still has a lot left in the tank.

Edelman could yield the Patriots an additional draft pick or two in this April’s draft.

Moving on from Edelman would provide receivers like Jakobi Meyers and N’Keal Harry with more playing time in New England.

Simmons does have connections to several Boston sports teams, but there has not been significant discussion anywhere else about Edelman being traded to the Lions.

With the Patriots moving on from several veterans this offseason — including longtime franchise passer Tom Brady — it wouldn’t shock many if New England head man and de facto general manager Bill Belichick made Edelman available for the right offer.

A trade with the Lions doesn’t currently make sense, since Edelman has a dead-cap hit of $8.3 million for 2020.

If Edelman is indeed dealt, a more suitable trade partner would be Brady’s new employer in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For now, hold off on the thought of Edelman coming to Detroit.

NFC SOUTH

TAMPA BAY

There was a report that QB TOM BRADY had dinner at Bern’s Steakhouse in Tampa with Bill Gates, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and Derek Jeter.  An adjunct of that report was that Brady would move into the massive Davis Islands mansion that Jeter built within the last decade.

It turns out half of that report is true.  And He is now amongst us doing necessary work.  Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times:

Tom Brady had plenty of options when deciding where to live after signing with the Bucs.

Tampa. … St. Petersburg.

He chose St. Jetersburg.

Brady has arrived in Tampa Bay and is in the process of moving his family into the sprawling, 30,000-square foot mansion on Davis Islands built by Yankees Hall of Fame shortstop Derek Jeter, the Tampa Bay Times has confirmed. The home features seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, an entertainment room and billiards room that wraps around a pool with two boat lifts providing access to Tampa Bay.

Of course, like Brady, Jeter is a fellow Michigan man. But he has been working as the chief executive officer and part owner of the Miami Marlins since 2017.

A grainy picture of what appears to be Brady surfaced on the Twitter feed of local radio host J.P. Peterson on Wednesday.

@FanStreamJP

He’s here! #Brady Tom Brady has arrived in Tampa. We confirmed earlier today on the #JPShow  Brady was RENTING Derek Jeter’s mansion on Davis Islands. This is allegedly a picture of Tommy in the driveway! After talking with local realtors we’re guessing rent is between 75-100K!

Brady signed a two-year, $50 million contract with the Bucs two weeks ago that includes nearly $9 million in performance incentives.

Jeter was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2020 in his first year of eligibility.

AFC NORTH

BALTIMORE

Ravens TE MARK ANDREWS was surprised his tight end buddy HAYDEN HURST was traded.  Jonas Shafer in the Baltimore Sun:

When Hayden Hurst called Mark Andrews to tell him he was being traded, there were tears. The talented tight ends entered the NFL together in 2018 and last season teamed with veteran Nick Boyle to form what they called a “three-headed monster” on a fearsome Ravens offense.

The trio was dominant on the field and almost inseparable off it. But with Hurst eager for a bigger role and Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta looking for useful draft capital, the former first-round pick was traded to the Atlanta Falcons two weeks ago. Andrews called Hurst “one of my best friends,” and still the news caught him off guard.

“I think, first of all, it was kind of a shock for me,” he said during a conference call Tuesday with Baltimore media. “I’m sad I won’t be able to have him next year. I won’t be able to talk to him next year as much. But I’m also excited for him. I’m excited for him to get more of an opportunity with Atlanta. I know that he’s going to thrive there. He’s a great player. I love him to death. But it’s exciting for him as well.

“But personally, I’m sad. I know Nick’s sad. The three-headed monster kind of got broken up a little bit, but again, we’re going to be just fine. Nick and I, we’ll do our jobs, and then obviously, we’re going to find someone else to help us out.”

Andrews, who was named to his first Pro Bowl after a dominant 2019 season (64 catches for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns), said the trade won’t change how he approaches the game, even if it might underscore his importance to the offense. Andrews was quarterback Lamar Jackson’s favorite target last season, and with his team-friendly rookie contract, he’s another high-value roster piece.

 “I’ve always got a big chip on my shoulder,” Andrews said. “I’ve always kind of been someone to want to take the next step and be great each and every year, and getting better each and every year. Yeah, I think I had a good year last year. It’s all about improving on that. I don’t feel extra pressure because Hayden’s gone. Obviously, Hayden helped that group out a ton, but I feel like with the pieces that we have and everything that we’re going to do moving forward, the coaches will put me in great situations.”

AFC EAST

NEW ENGLAND

The Bills GM says the Patriots are still the team to beat, or in the case of the AFC East “not” beat for the last 11 years.

The Bills aren’t counting on the Patriots to take a step backward in the AFC East just because Tom Brady is gone.

Bills General Manager Brandon Beane said he thought his team would still have to face Brady twice this season, but the news that Brady is now a Buccaneer didn’t change his opinion that the Patriots should be viewed as the favorites to win the division.

“Candidly, I did not expect Tom to leave,” Beane said, via Vic Carucci of the Buffalo News. “New England’s still going to be very good. I think it’s funny, comical that people are writing them off. The team to beat in the East is the Patriots.”

The Patriots have won the division 19 times since the Bills last won it, in 1995. Beane hopes the Patriots don’t make it 20 this year, but he’s not counting on anything.

– – –

The Patriots plane is on its way from China on a humanitarian mission.  CNN:

A New England Patriots team plane loaded with 1.2 million N95 protective masks is on its way back to Boston after picking up the vital supplies in China.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker tweeted a photo of the plane being loaded with the personal protective equipment that he said would go to the state’s healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus crisis.

According to a source, Baker is extremely frustrated that the federal government outbid him on supplies that were en route to Massachusetts. He worked with New England Patriots’ owner Robert Kraft and the Patriots to get these supplies brought over from China.

“No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen,” Baker said in the tweet.

@MassGovernor

No days off. Thanks to some serious teamwork, Massachusetts is set to receive over 1 million N95 masks for our front-line workers. Huge thanks to the Krafts and several dedicated partners for making this happen.

Robert Kraft and Patriots president Jonathan Kraft partnered with the state to purchase 1.4 million N95 masks for Massachusetts, according to the team. Robert Kraft also purchased another 300,000 protective masks for New York state.

THIS AND THAT

5 TEAMS THAT SHOULD TRADE DOWN

Chris Trapasso of CBSSports.com has a list:

In theory, trading down is the smartest strategy in the NFL Draft. It gives teams more rolls at the table.

But first, you need an inquiring team ready and willing to move up (we covered some likely candidates here), and even with expanded roster sizes coming, most teams simply do not have the room to add, say, a 10-player draft class every year.

However, for a few franchises trading down is absolutely the correct play in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Washington Redskins

After the Bengals — the club set to draft the top prospect in this class, Joe Burrow — the Redskins are in the finest position of any team in this draft, and it’s not just because they have the No. 2 overall pick. It’s because of their array of options, all of the reasonable ones having hugely impactful, positive outcomes.

Of course, simply taking Chase Young would be the most straightforward decision for Washington, and it would land a future superstar edge rusher.

As for the Redskins’ other realistic single-prospect option, Tua Tagovailoa, a more polished quarterback prospect than Dwayne Haskins, would represent an upgrade at the game’s most vital position. Of course, if Washington picked Tagovailoa at No. 2 overall, the logistics of having two first-round passers chosen in back-to-back drafts would be difficult to navigate. While there aren’t many historical examples for the Redskins to use as a guide, it wouldn’t be crazy to label a crowded quarterback room with Tagovailoa and Haskins a good problem to have.

But for as advanced of a quarterback prospect as I believe Tagovailoa is, throwing him to the lions behind a porous offensive line — likely without Trent Williams in 2020 — on a team with Terry McLaurin and not much else at receiver would be asking him to lift essentially an entire offense in a situation in which he’s not accustomed to whatsoever coming from Alabama. He’s ultra-accurate, robotically moves through his progressions and has natural feel for pressure inside the pocket. But he’s not a stellar improviser due to average-at-best athleticism, and his arm talent isn’t special. He’s not exactly the type of quarterback prospect a team should feel comfortable placing into an environment not conducive to success, especially coming off an injury.

Therefore, the best decision for the rebuilding Redskins in this draft is to trade down from No. 2 overall. Haskins was far from dreadful as a rookie, and while roster statuses change rapidly in the modern-day NFL, he’s deserving of at least his second pro season as the team’s starter. And (likely) obtaining two first-round picks in this draft along with a few Day 2 selections would ultimately yield much more value than simply picking an excellent edge rusher and calling it a day.

Washington currently doesn’t own a second-round pick in this draft, a class loaded at receiver and with a nice collection of Round 2 talent at the cornerback and offensive tackle positions. The Redskins desperately need difference-makers at all three of those spots.

They aren’t like the 2019 49ers, a club that stumbled to the No. 2 overall selection last year after its starting quarterback was injured for most of the 2018 season. Washington is embarking on a classic rebuild.

Trading back is the correct move, and acquiring a huge haul for the No. 2 overall pick won’t be out of the question with Tagovailoa available. That should be the primary goal for Washington — getting as many early draft picks as possible for the No. 2 choice to diversify its talent pool instead of going Young (or even Tagovailoa) in Round 1.

Detroit Lions

Will the Lions trade back? Probably not. Matt Patricia and GM Bob Quinn enter this season on the hot seat, meaning they’re primed to prioritize one consensus blue-chip prospect over a small collection of quality players with the long-term in mind.

But, organizationally, should Detroit move back? Absolutely.

The Lions have myriad roster holes. When that’s the case, more picks are much more valuable than a superb prospect who only fills one of them.

Trey Flowers needs help opposite him at the edge-rusher spot. The interior of the defensive line is devoid of a pass rusher. Darius Slay was just traded. At receiver, Kenny Golladay is in a contract year and behind him on the depth chart are 30-year-old Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola, who turns 35 in November. The offensive line could use a few upgrades. In short, the Lions’ roster is not of playoff-caliber right now in the ultra-competitive NFC.

And while they’d likely be able to get a mammoth amount of compensation for Tagovailoa if he were still on the board at No. 3 overall, the haul wouldn’t be drastically smaller for Young. And you better believe if Young is available when the Lions go on the clock, there will be an abundance of calls to Lions headquarters.

Detroit does have four top-100 selections in this draft. That’s good. But it won’t be enough to catapult the Lions near the top of their division. Make that five or six top-100 choices and an extra second-round pick in 2021, and now we’re on the right track.

Carolina Panthers

With new head coach Matt Rhule calling the shots, Luke Kuechly’s retirement, and the club choosing not to re-sign or flat-out releasing a handful of veterans, most namely Cam Newton, the long-term future is at the forefront of the Panthers’ organization right now.

They currently have a pick in each round and two in the fifth but no extra selections in 2021. Not ideal for a club at the ground floor of roster reconstruction. While the signings of Teddy Bridgewater and Robby Anderson indicate Rhule doesn’t plan to tank in 2020, the 2021 season and beyond are clearly much more important.

Yes, a blue-chip prospect will likely be there when Carolina goes on the clock, which, for fans, will be very enticing. But instead of snatching up a Jeffrey Okudah, Henry Ruggs, or Javon Kinlaw, the Panthers should leverage their rebuilding status into a sizable trade back to garner future assets.

There’ll likely be teams interested in one of the top offensive tackles in this class, or maybe one of the highly coveted wide receivers like Jerry Jeudy or CeeDee Lamb. Because it’s a top-10 selection, Carolina should ask for a considerable return. Last year, the Broncos got a second and a 2020 third to slide from No. 10 to No. 20 overall. That compensation should be the starting point for the Panthers, and with the distance future in mind, Carolina could probably get even more than usual if they tell inquiring teams they’d prefer picks in 2021 or, heck, 2022.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers made one of the biggest trades of the offseason when they sent star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the Colts for the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 Draft. A bold and prudent decision by John Lynch and Co. 

As owners of that selection and No. 31 overall, San Francisco initially appears to be in a luxurious situation in this draft. And two first-round picks is pretty luxurious. However, their next pick doesn’t come until the fifth round (!), No. 157 overall. Sure, the 49ers have a wide-open Super Bowl window, so conventional wisdom would suggest staying put at No. 13 and drafting the prospect who’d be a quick-fix for any glaring problem would be the correct course of action.

But the 49ers want to sustain their status as a top NFC contender beyond the 2020 campaign, particularly with a young head coach — Kyle Shanahan only turns 41 this December — and a relatively young GM in John Lynch at age 48. To do that, they have to stay at least a year ahead and maintain the talent level on the roster well into the future.

Joe Staley turns 36 in August. Richard Sherman is 32. Those are key cogs in San Francisco at premium positions. Penciled in right guard Tom Compton is almost 31. And despite Shanahan’s uncanny ability to scheme passing efficiency, the wideout group consists of Deebo Samuel then a variety of question marks. George Kittle’s going to break the bank after this season. What happens with Jimmy Garoppolo when his cap hit nearly hits the $27 million mark in 2021 and his dead cap would only be $2.8 million if released?

Don’t get me wrong, the 49ers have many foundational pieces, and Shanahan’s brilliance is time-tested. But moving back into the early 20s and grabbing a receiver there while adding a few picks on the second day of this draft would go a long way in San Francisco reloading for the long-term.

Atlanta Falcons

This suggestion comes with a caveat — if one of Jeudy, Ruggs, or Lamb are on the board when the Falcons go on the clock at No. 16 overall, then I believe the wisest move for Atlanta would be to trade down.

At that point, there’ll likely be an abundance of teams like the Eagles, Patriots, Vikings, Ravens eager to snatch one of those top-tier prospects in this draft class at receiver.

Atlanta moved a second-rounder in the trade for Hayden Hurst, and the offense looks pretty loaded. The defense is in dire need of an explosive edge rusher, the cornerback room is missing a true No. 1 with Desmond Trufant gone, and Grady Jarrett could use a disruptive running mate on the interior of the team’s defensive line.

The Falcons’ Super Bowl window is closing given the age of their two marquee players — Matt Ryan and Julio Jones — but that doesn’t mean adding another second-round selection in this draft would be foolish at the price of moving back a few spots in Round 1.

THE “REVISED” CBA

The NFLPA pushes back against the claims of S ERIC REID and his Kaepernick attorneys that the CBA was altered after the vote.

The NFL Players Association has responded to the accusation that the Collective Bargaining Agreement was altered between the version on which the players voted and the final draft. And the NFLPA has rejected the claim that the CBA was improperly revised.

According to a document provided to all players, a copy of which PFT has obtained, the union calls the claims made by lawyers from the firm of Geragos & Geragos “completely false.”

The NFLPA characterizes the changes made to Article 60, Section 4 of the CBA as the repair to a “cross reference” between the CBA and a disability plan, and that the revisions “reflects no substantive difference whatsoever from what players were told about the proposed CBA and what the players voted to approve.”

The adjustment came via a so-called “side letter” that was employed to make the final document accurately reflect the terms of the deal.

“It is correct that the final version of the 456-page CBA includes an additional subparagraph with a cross-reference to a section of the Disability Plan that the parties had inadvertently omitted in an earlier version,” the union explains to its members. “The final CBA corrected the omission, as the bargaining parties were required to do based on their agreement that ‘if any typographical errors or incorrect cross-references are found in the 2020-2030 Agreement, the parties will act in good faith to correct them’ (just as the parties had similarly agreed when finalizing the 2011 CBA). . . . This correction did not, however, change what had been agreed to with the NFL, what information had been provided to players, or what players had voted upon.”

The union has informed the players that its position will be communicated to the lawyers, who were retained by free-agent safety Eric Reid to address the issue. The lawyers had asked for the CBA to be invalidated, for a new CBA vote to be taken, and for an independent investigation into the matter to be conducted.

The Kaepernick lawyers have not shown that the change in any substantive way impinges upon the players.  Seems like the kind of infuriating technicality which some judges use to free the guilty.

PROSPECT PROFILE

With a little extra time on our hands, between now and the draft, we will take a look at a different likely early draftee.  There will be some football involved, but we want it to take more of a look at who they are as a person and where they come from

JOE BURROW

Starting at the top with Joe Exotic or Tiger King, the likely first pick of the draft was an LSU Tiger before he becomes a Bengal.

But before that he was an Athens High Bulldog and a The Ohio State Buckeye.

Joe is the son of a coach, Jim Burrow, who had been on the staff at Iowa State when Joe was born in Ames, Iowa.  Jim, a former Nebraska player, was actually coaching at Ames High School in 1996 after his time at Iowa State ended.

Joe was nine years old when his family moved to Athens Ohio where his father began a long run as the defensive coordinator at Ohio U.  Before that young Joe also lived in Lincoln (Nebraska) and Fargo (North Dakota State).

Athens High had never won a playoff game until Joe showed up there.  Under his leadership, which included 157 career TD passes, they won seven.  As a senior, he was Ohio’s Gatorade Player of the Year when Athens went 14-1.  He also was an all-state point guard in basketball.

He went 75 miles to the northwest to college at The Ohio State.  He was on campus for three seasons – and did not start a game, throwing just 39 passes.  In those three years, he did excel in the rigorous academic curriculum of The Ohio State, earning a degree in consumer and financial family services.  With J.B. Barrett departed, he and Dwayne Haskins battled for the 2018 starting job in the spring.  When Urban Meyer picked Haskins, Burrow took his coveted degree and made a graduate transfer to LSU.

He won the starting job in 2018 – and played okay with 16 TD passes and under 3,000 yards.  In 2019, he went crazy, leading the undefeated Tigers to the national championship while winning every conceivable award including the Heisman Trophy. 

At this point, we have to ask – who was so smart at LSU to recruit Burrow?  Did anyone else want him?

We found this in The Sporting News:

When Burrow left Ohio State, many wondered whether he would stay in the state of Ohio — particularly Cincinnati — or go to Nebraska, where his father Jimmy Burrow had played from 1974-75, as had brothers Jamie Burrow (1997-2001) and Dan Burrow (2004).

But Nebraska, according to reports, seemed uninterested in Burrow at best. Burrow, on the Dec. 7 episode of “College GameDay,” said Nebraska didn’t think he was good enough coming out of high school.

“I’ve been told I wasn’t good enough since recruiting. I had one offer after my junior year of high school, and it was my dad’s team (Ohio University),” Burrow said. “I wanted to go to Nebraska. They told me I wasn’t good enough. Ohio State was really my only big-time offer.”

That seemed to remain the case after Burrow transferred, as first-year Nebraska coach Scott Frost already had his quarterback of choice in Adrian Martinez. So when Burrow left Ohio State, his two main options were Cincinnati and LSU. Cincy was considered an early favorite because of Burrow’s relation to coach Luke Fickell, who was on Ohio State’s staff in 2015 and ’16 with Burrow.

But, according to a report from Sports Illustrated, LSU coach Ed Orgeron managed to lure Burrow away from favored Cincinnati over the course of a weekend in May in which he, Joe Burrow, father Jimmy and brother Dan talked football, including Joe Burrow’s future place in LSU. That, and a couple Cajun meals that featured boiled crawfish, helped Burrow make his decision in favor of LSU.

This from The Spun:

After a one-day trip to Cincinnati, the Ohio native made his way down to LSU, and was blown away by the time he spent breaking down film and talking offense with Orgeron and offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger. While it took over a year, the offensive changes that they discussed have really taken hold this year, with the addition of Joe Brady to the staff.

But no, the food probably didn’t hurt.

Joe Burrow expanded upon that fateful visit to Baton Rouge, and the crawfish story is way better than Coach O originally let on. Per ESPN’s David Hale, the quarterback said that when they showed up, the restaurant didn’t have crawfish on the menu, so Orgeron told them to go find 15 pounds of it to cook.

@ADavidHaleJoint

Joe Burrow said that during his recruitment, he went out to dinner with Ed Orgeron. When they got to the restaurant, Orgeron found out they didn’t serve crawfish. So Orgeron had the restaurant manager go out and get 15 lbs of crawfish and cook it for them anyway. That’s peak O.

Local cuisine plays a big part in recruiting for Coach O and his Tigers. Just last week, he discussed how excited he is to eat “18 to 22 gumbos” when he visits various recruits in Louisiana.

And how did Orgeron get so smart?  A birdie named Bill Busch, his safeties coach, was whispering in his ear:

Ohio State let a good one get away.

And a former Buckeyes staffer knew it after Joe Burrow entered the transfer portal following Ohio State’s spring practice in 2018.

According to longtime Buckeyes beat writer Dan Hope, LSU safeties coach Bill Busch — who previously served as a quality control assistant in Columbus — jumped at the opportunity of landing Burrow when the quarterback became a free agent.

In fact, Busch told Tigers coach Ed Orgeron at the time he needed to pursue the former four-star that Urban Meyer once signed as the heir apparent to J.T. Barrett.

Hope tweeted this tidbit from Orgeron following Saturday night’s Heisman ceremony: “Coach, if we can get Joe Burrow, we’re going to be in the College Football Playoff.”

We found this about Busch, who couldn’t seem to hold a job when LSU signed him early in 2018.  He hadn’t coached a down for the Tigers when a few months later he began campaigning for a quarterback, not a safety.

Ed Orgeron’s 2018 staff is now complete.

Thursday, LSU announced the signing of safeties Bill Busch. Busch is LSU’s 10th and final assistant on Orgeron’s coaching staff for the upcoming season. Last season, Busch served as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for Rutgers.

Busch also has experience at Ohio State, Wisconsin, Utah State and Nebraska. During his time with the Badgers, Busch crossed paths with LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. LSU’s defensive mastermind is clearly glad to reunite with Busch.

What if Busch had stayed on at Rutgers?  Does Burrow go there because of Busch or settle for Cincinnati?  Apparently, North Carolina was also interested during the transfer portal.  And if at UC, does he have the performance epiphany with Joe Brady that made him great?

Next question – is Burrow the only prominent two-year graduate transfer?  We can think of RUSSELL WILSON (NC State to Wisconsin) as the only current NFL elite who did a one-year graduate transfer.  NICK FOLES, PATRICK MAHOMES and BAKER MAYFIELD are three that we can think of off the top of the head who prospered after under-grad transfers.

2020 DRAFT

Here is a Mock Draft from Peter Schrager at NFL.com:

My first mock draft of the year comes in the most unique of times — both for our country and for the NFL. I’ve had multiple coaches and general managers tell me just how different this year is, with hour-long interviews happening over Skype instead of in person, coaches living in different states and communicating over Zoom, and countless prospects who won’t have the luxury of a pro day turning to Instagram to showcase their skills.

And yet, the 2020 class is one of the deepest in recent history, and it includes a ton of great talents, leaders and personalities. Let’s get into it.

1 – CINCINNATI

Joe Burrow – QB

School: LSU | Year: Senior (RS)

Burrow won’t be pulling an Eli Manning. He won’t be pulling a John Elway. The Bengals went against their history and spent big money in free agency. There’s a lot for Burrow — an Ohio native — to like about Cincinnati, and vice versa.

2 – WASHINGTON

Chase Young – Edge

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

I thought long and hard about going with Tua Tagovailoa here, but think Young is the pick. Washington quietly boasts one of the better young defensive lines in the NFL. Young would put the group in that top-tier conversation.

3 – DETROIT

Jeff Okudah – CB

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior

The Lions could trade back here, but I won’t be shocked if they stay put and select Okudah. A polished product from a big-time program that’s been a defensive back factory over the past few years, Okudah wowed teams in interviews at the NFL Scouting Combine. He’s an NFL starter at CB from Day 1 — and could be a No. 1 corner by midseason. Add in the departure of Darius Slay, and this pick makes sense.

4 – NY GIANTS

Jedrick Wills – OT

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Dave Gettleman’s never traded his first selection in an NFL draft. If things shake out the way they do here, he’ll be able to pick any of the top four offensive linemen in this year’s class. Joe Judge has a history with Alabama’s Nick Saban, who has spoken positively of Wills to coaches around the league. Multiple coaches have told me Wills is the guy who goes first.

5 – MIAMI

Tua Tagovailoa – QB

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Tua’s a rare deal. He’s maybe as unique a draft prospect as there’s been in recent years, and that was before the current state of the country, in which team doctors won’t get another chance to see him up close and personal before Round 1 kicks off. I’d think the Dolphins would be elated to see him sitting there at No. 5 overall, texting/Slacking/emailing that pick to the league office ASAP.

6 – LA CHARGERS

Justin Herbert – QB

School: Oregon | Year: Senior

Herbert reminds me a bit of Daniel Jones a year ago. Not the loudest guy in the room, but an Academic All-American, the Senior Bowl MVP and someone who won games in college. Herbert had a fabulous combine week in Indy when the two quarterbacks who’ll go before him in the draft didn’t throw in the field drills. Tyrod Taylor can assume his role as the mentor; Herbert can be the heir apparent.

7 – CAROLINA

Isaiah Simmons – LB/S

School: Clemson | Year: Junior (RS)

How’s this for a perfect fit? A Clemson superstar, who does it all, staying in the Carolinas to help start a new era of Panthers football. Simmons is 6-foot-4, runs a sub-4.4 40 and can play multiple positions. Matt Rhule values speed and leadership. Here’s the first pick of his tenure.

8 – ARIZONA

Derrick Brown – DT

School: Auburn | Year: Senior

The Cardinals added Jordan Phillips to their defensive line in free agency, but they won’t be done bolstering that unit if Brown is still on the board at No. 8. The DeAndre Hopkins acquisition makes all those Kyler Murray/ CeeDee Lamb dreams a little less likely. Brown blowing up opposing teams’ offensive lines? Far more likely.

9 – JACKSONVILLE

Javon Kinlaw – DT

School: South Carolina | Year: Senior

The Jaguars love what they’ve gotten out of their first-rounder from last year (Josh Allen) and could find themselves going D-line again on Day 1. Calais Campbell is gone and Yannick Ngakoue’s future with the team is a giant question mark. Meanwhile, Kinlaw could be the third-best defensive lineman in this class. The South Carolina product dominated the Senior Bowl before exiting with an injury and impressed in combine interviews.

10 – CLEVELAND

Mekhi Becton – OT

School: Louisville | Year: Junior

The Browns have a glaring need at tackle, and Becton could be the best of the entire bunch. The dominant run blocker is compared to Trent Brown and Bryant McKinnie due to his massive size ( 6-7, 364 pounds), and yet, he’s still fairly nimble and can run (5.1 40-yard dash!). The Browns have all those weapons; they need to protect their quarterback.

11 – NY JETS

Tristan Wirfs – OT

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

The Jets re-stocked their offensive line the best they could in free agency, but they’re not done. If Wirfs is still on the board at 11th overall, I could see GM Joe Douglas — a former offensive lineman himself — taking very little time submitting the pick to the league. Wirfs can be an NFL offensive tackle or guard. He’s an athlete with tremendous power who comes from an offensive line factory. He’s a Day 1 starter wherever you use him.

12 – LAS VEGAS

Jerry Jeudy – WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Think Raiders fans would be happy with how this ended up? I’ve had an NFL offensive coach tell me Jeudy has a “master’s in footwork.” My colleague Nate Burleson compared Jeudy’s quick feet and route-running ability to Chad Johnson’s. Jeudy joining Josh Jacobs for a little Alabama connection out in the Vegas desert? Sure sounds good to me (and Jon Gruden/Mike Mayock).

13 – SAN FRANCISCO (from Indianapolis)

CeeDee Lamb – WR

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

Kyle Shanahan, John Lynch, Adam Peters and Paraag Marathe — the 49ers’ brain trust — have been so disciplined in acquiring talent at the wide receiver position over the past two seasons. They knew they loved Deebo Samuel at the Senior Bowl and were patient enough to wait until the second round to take him in 2019. They resisted swapping a top pick for Odell Beckham last offseason. They didn’t trade for or sign Antonio Brown when there was interest from the player a year ago. All that patience could pay off if Lamb falls to the 49ers at 13. Samuel and Lamb together? Watch out, NFC.

14 – TAMPA BAY

Andrew Thomas – OT

School: Georgia | Year: Junior

The Bucs may have landed the big fish of free agency in Tom Brady, but bringing back Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaq Barrett could be just as important in 2020. Keeping Brady upright so he can get the ball to his two 1,000-yard receivers is, of course, a priority. Thomas can play guard or tackle for Tampa Bay and was a dominant run blocker for a host of running backs during his time at UGA.

15 – DENVER

Kenneth Murray – LB

School: Oklahoma | Year: Junior

I had an NFL GM tell me at the combine that Murray was the best interview subject he’s had in years. Teams love what they see on film, but Murray might be an even better leader and person. The Broncos obviously already have two absolute studs on defense in Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Make it three with Murray.

16 – ATLANTA

K’Lavon Chaisson – Edge

School: LSU | Year: Sophomore (RS)

The Falcons loaded up on former first-round picks in free agency — Todd Gurley (No. 10 in 2015) and Hayden Hurst (No. 25 in 2018) should make immediate impacts on the offense. The defense could still use a pass rusher. Chaisson is raw and didn’t compete in field drills at the combine, but could be a stud pass rusher at the next level.

17 – DALLAS

Xavier McKinney – S

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Cowboys fans could be salivating if they see Henry Ruggs III on the board here, but I could see Dallas going with the uber-versatile McKinney to elevate the back end of the defense instead. As disciplined and instinctive a safety as there is in this draft, McKinney can also be used as a nickel LB. With the departure of Byron Jones, don’t be surprised if the ‘Boys go DB in Round 1.

18 – MIAMI (from Pittsburgh)

Henry Ruggs III – WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior

Miami has done an outstanding job adding talent on the defensive side of the ball in free agency. If the Dolphins could snag Tua and his teammate Ruggs with their first two selections of the 2020 NFL Draft, their fans would be very pleased. Ruggs is one of the true X-factors in this year’s class, a game-breaker with all-world speed and very good hands. He and DeVante Parker would form a very nice 1-2 combo at receiver.

19 – LAS VEGAS (from Chicago)

Patrick Queen – LB

School: LSU | Year: Junior

The Raiders struck gold with a deep draft class a year ago, and will likely add at least one defensive starter with their first two picks this year. Queen was a breakout performer in his lone season as a starter for LSU, though he’s anything but a flash in the pan. Teams love his athleticism, tackling and ability to go sideline to sideline (4.50 40 speed).

20 – JACKSONVILLE (from LA Rams)

C.J. Henderson – CB

School: Florida | Year: Junior

Jags GM David Caldwell and coach Doug Marrone know there’s an emphasis on getting impact players who can contribute right away. In Henderson, they would be scooping up a starting cornerback with 4.39 speed who plays smart and both inside and outside. Terrific player and, from all accounts, leader, as well.

21 – PHILADELPHIA

Justin Jefferson – WR

School: LSU | Year: Junior

If the Eagles don’t trade up for one of the “Big Three” receivers (Ruggs III, Lamb, Jeudy), they could end up feeling pretty good about sitting tight and scooping up Jefferson. Crazy statistics in last year’s championship season (111 catches, 1,540 yards, 18 TDs) matched by great interviews and surprising speed at the combine (4.43 40) make this a perfect fit.

22 – MINNESOTA (from Buffalo)

Austin Jackson – OT

School: USC | Year: Junior

Jackson has an incredible backstory, and he’s a heck of a player, too. The Vikings have invested in the offensive line over the past few drafts, but they may not be done. Still just 20 years old, Jackson’s upside is off the charts.

23 – NEW ENGLAND

Jeremy Chinn – S

School: Southern Illinois | Year: Senior

The Patriots will be in the hunt for a quarterback, but I’m not sure Jordan Love, Jacob Eason, Jake Fromm or Jalen Hurts make a ton of sense at this point in the draft. Does a do-it-all safety from a small school? Maybe not initially, but scouts rave about Chinn, whose metrics lined up with Isaiah Simmons’ at the combine. Capable of playing safety or linebacker, Chinn would be learning from Bill Belichick, the linebacker corps, the McCourty brothers and Patrick Chung, and could be used in a variety of ways.

24 – NEW ORLEANS

Denzel Mims – WR

School: Baylor | Year: Senior

The Saints’ roster is loaded. With the addition of Emmanuel Sanders, Drew Brees finally has a No. 2 to Mike Thomas. But I don’t think GM Mickey Loomis and coach Sean Payton are done stocking up on playmakers just yet. Mims is far more than just a combine breakout star. A big-play guy who’ll more likely burn you for 80 yards along the sideline than make the tough catch over the middle, he’s the home-run threat akin to Ted Ginn.

25 – MINNESOTA

A.J. Terrell – CB

School: Clemson | Year: Junior

Terrell had an outstanding combine and solidified himself as one of the top cornerbacks in this draft. The national title game was not his best showing, but Terrell has interviewed extremely well and has answered any doubts about that performance. He also has as much big-game experience as just about any top defensive back in this class. Minnesota’s strength was once that defensive backfield. Not so much anymore. It’s time to reload.

26 – MIAMI (from Houston)

D’Andre Swift – RB

School: Georgia | Year: Junior

Miami goes offensive skill position (Tua), offensive skill position (Ruggs III) and offensive skill position (Swift) with its three first-round picks, snagging the top running back on most teams’ boards with their final selection. Swift can run both inside and outside, block in the passing game and catch out of the backfield. Josh Jacobs had an outstanding rookie season and made an impact right away. Swift could do the same.

27 – SEATTLE

A.J. Epenesa – Edge

School: Iowa | Year: Junior

Epenesa is a favorite of a lot of NFL GMs. He’s all business, a student of the game, was a multi-sport star in high school and can play different positions across the defensive line. The Seahawks have one of the savviest front offices in the sport. Epenesa would be a good fit with what they do up in Seattle.

28 – BALTIMORE

Yetur Gross-Matos – Edge

School: Penn State | Year: Junior

I think GM Eric DeCosta continues the Ravens’ annual tradition of adding franchise cornerstones at key positions. Gross-Matos is an above-average pass rusher who can also stop the run. Wink Martindale runs one of the fiercest defenses in the league. Gross-Matos could be an immediate impact guy.

29 – TENNESSEE

Marlon Davidson – Edge

School: Auburn | Year: Senior

Davidson is a high-level performer (more SEC Player of the Week awards in 2019 than teammate Derrick Brown) and high-energy leader who can line up outside or inside in the Titans’ defensive scheme. Mike Vrabel will love Davidson’s personality, and Titans fans will love his effort.

30 – GREEN BAY

Zack Baun – LB

School: Wisconsin | Year: Senior (RS)

Quarterback will, of course, be a thought for many here. But I don’t see it. Baun is a versatile linebacker who can not only replace Blake Martinez in the middle, but can be a bit of a jack-of-all-trades type in Mike Pettine’s defense. Baun can be your traditional LB or he can work in the passing game and blanket tight ends. Not a first-round pick in many mock drafts, but I know quite a few teams who like him as an end-of-first/early-second-round guy.

31 – SAN FRANCISCO

Kristian Fulton – CB

School: LSU | Year: Senior

Don’t be shocked if the 49ers trade back here and pick up additional selections (they currently have zero picks in Rounds 2-4). Fulton has good size and big-game experience, and would be a great apprentice to Richard Sherman. For as good as the 49ers’ defense was last year, the second cornerback spot was an issue.

32 – KANSAS CITY

Ross Blacklock – DT

School: TCU | Year: Junior (RS)

The defending champions scoop up one of the fastest-rising prospects in the draft. Blacklock is a dynamic pass rusher and run stuffer, but an Achilles tear in 2018 could scare some teams off. Kansas City’s D stepped up when needed last year down the stretch. Blacklock would be a promising young addition.