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March 10, 2017 at 1:16 am in reply to: Rams cut Barnes, Sims, & Kendricks & trade Hayes…also Watts & Mason #66081
znModeratorThe Rams announced that they have traded DE William Hayes and the first of the team’s seventh-round pick (No. 223) to the Dolphins for Miami’s sixth-round pick (No. 206).
So they trade Hayes to move up 17 spots from round 7 into round 6.
Which is more than they would have gotten if they had just cut him.
March 10, 2017 at 1:14 am in reply to: Rams cut Barnes, Sims, & Kendricks & trade Hayes…also Watts & Mason #66080znModeratorhttp://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/la/los-angeles-rams\
Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff WriterThe Rams have released TE Lance Kendricks, DL Eugene Sims and C Tim Barnes.
Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff WriterThe Rams announced that they have traded DE William Hayes and the first of the team’s seventh-round pick (No. 223) to the Dolphins for Miami’s sixth-round pick (No. 206).
Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff WriterSo tonight, the Rams parted ways with four players. That frees up close to $16M in salary cap space for 2017. Obviously, though, it opens some holes. They lose a starting DE (Will Hayes) and a key backup (Eugene Sims), their starting TE (Lance Kendricks) and their starting C (Tim Barnes). What it means? Well, Tyler Higbee will probably see a lot more targets, the Rams still need a center, and it will be interesting to see what they do with DE Robert Quinn, with the Rams moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
znModeratorhttp://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/aaron%20-murray?id=2543587
QB AARON MURRAY
6’1″
207 LBS.
30 5/8″ ARM LENGTH
9 1/8″ HANDSSTRENGTHS Has a quick release and is light enough on his feet to escape the first wave and make some plays on the move. Solid decision-maker — takes what the defense gives him. Fine short-to-intermediate accuracy. Good intangibles. Encouraging team leader with a likeable personality. Leads by example. Serves well as the face of the program. Outstanding work ethic. Is very intelligent and football smart. Experienced, four-year starter in the SEC.
WEAKNESSES Short and short-armed with a low release point that leads to batted balls. Very small-framed with a thin waist and a body that is not built to withstand the punishment that comes in the pocket. Average arm talent. Has to set his feet and everything needs to be perfect to function well. Could stand to improve his footwork. Marginal deep-ball accuracy — tends to overstride and forces receivers to adjust. Many passes are pre-determined and often throws to spots. Loses poise under duress and can be rattled easily by pressure. Gets too jittery and anxious (overanalyzes) in big games and has a very low winning percentage vs. top-10 teams. Long-term durability is concerning.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 6-7
BOTTOM LINE Diminutive, game-managing pocket passer still recovering from a torn ACL. Would benefit from a moving pocket that can create open throwing lanes, yet does not have the foot quickness desired for a rollout passing game. Possesses a skill set most ideally suited for a backup or No. 3 role. Intelligence, intangibles and experience are all pluses.
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from the wiki
Professional career
Kansas City Chiefs
Murray was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 5th round (163rd overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. On September 3, 2016, Murray was released by the Chiefs.Arizona Cardinals
On September 4, 2016, Murray was signed by the Arizona Cardinals to their practice squad. On September 12, 2016, Murray was released by the Cardinals.Philadelphia Eagles
On September 13, 2016, Murray was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles to their practice squad reuniting him with former Chief offensive coordinator and Eagle head coach Doug Pederson.Los Angeles Rams
On March 9, 2017, Murray was signed by the Los Angeles RamsznModeratorI want a guy that doesn’t drop the ball.
Woods had just over a 67% catch rate. Which ain’t bad.
znModeratorCunningham’s departure would be a huge loss. Hope he comes back.
I agree. But this draft is supposed to be very deep at RB, which means other RBs ought to be there on the last day or in UDFAs. Cunningham got around 1.5 M last year if memory serves, so it looks like with tagging Tru and signing Whitworth, they are replacing some of those 2-5 M types. Right now the Rams have 9-something M in cap space
What these guys cost in 2016: if you add up Britt, Cunningham, Keenum, McDonald, Quick, Reynolds, Cam Thomas, and Zuerlein, it was 16.2 M and most were in line to make more this year.
znModeratorCunningham’s departure would be a huge loss. Hope he comes back.
I agree. But this draft is supposed to be very deep at RB, which means other RBs ought to be there on the last day or in UDFAs. Cunningham got around 1.5 M last year if memory serves, so it looks like with tagging Tru and signing Whitworth, they are replacing some of those 2-5 M types. Right now the Rams have 9-something M in cap space
znModeratorVid. There are other vids back up in the thread.
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Rams vid: Robert Woods career highlights.
znModeratorSounds old. I hope he holds up.
Maybe he is eating the same diet that Tom Brady is…
Well he was drafted in 2006. That’s the same year as Staley, who still starts with SF, and 2 years after Jason Peters, who starts for the Eagles, and 1 year before Joe Thomas. So tackles can play effectively for a while.
znModeratorHaven’t seen enough of Thomas to have a feel either way, but have had enough of a tease to know it is time to part with Quick.
I think they mean Cam Thomas. There, it looks you think it’s Mike Thomas.
znModerator..
Hard to overstate the loss of Andrew Whitworth to the Bengals. Was a steadying force in a locker room that's always had characters in it.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 9, 2017
znModeratorRams quietly making some decent moves today. https://t.co/8v40WIhEpe
— trey wingo (@wingoz) March 9, 2017
znModeratorGet used to "culture" being a big part of everything the #Rams do moving forward https://t.co/hiGs0Xk29J
— Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) March 9, 2017
znModeratorSo, Jared Goff gets a new: head coach, offensive coordinator, QB coach, left tackle, center and secondary receiver. Big moves.
— Rich Hammond (@Rich_Hammond) March 9, 2017
znModeratorhttp://www.espn.com/nfl/player/stats/_/id/15880/robert-woods
Woods, who is listed at 6-foot-1 and 201-pounds fits the mold of your prototypical No. 2 pass-catcher. He’s got good speed, is a polished route runner that doesn’t waste any steps. He has reliable hands and is extremely physical and a willing run blocker.
me: pretty much sounds like a younger, less expensive Garcon.
znModerator–
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znModeratorAfter splash at LT, Rams go safe route with Robert Woods at WR
By Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES — Robert Woods is coming back to Southern California, agreeing to terms Thursday with the Los Angeles Rams, who also picked up veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Woods, who starred at USC and will again play out of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, was a second-round pick by the Bills in 2013 and has amassed 2,451 receiving yards over the past four years, playing in 57 of 64 games. He basically replaces Kenny Britt, who agreed to a four-year, $32.5 million contract with the Browns. Woods’ signing will help shore up a position that has been a major problem for the Rams for about a decade.
Terms: Five years, with a maximum value of $39 million if all incentives are are reached. $15 million guaranteed.
ESPN 150 ranking: 37th (eighth among wide receiver)
Grade: I’ll give it a solid C, because it means the Rams didn’t sign any of the most elite receivers available. Woods isn’t Alshon Jeffery or DeSean Jackson or Pierre Garcon, but he gives the Rams some size and nice pass-catching ability. He’s solid, but nothing flashy. The 6-foot Woods won’t zip past defenders to stretch the field vertically and he probably won’t demand consistent double-teams, but he is a good route runner and a great blocker with dependable hands. He’s a nice complement to Tavon Austin, a speedy receiver who struggles in the areas where Woods is strong. But the Rams still need help at this position.
What it means: That a lot of the pressure is still on Austin. The Rams gave him a four-year, $42 million extension weeks before the start of the 2016 season, and in some ways he’s probably still their No. 1 target in the passing game. Austin has game-changing speed but he isn’t a good route runner, and his size — 5-foot-8 — makes him a difficult target downfield. But new Rams head coach Sean McVay is hopeful that Austin can be for him in Los Angeles what Jackson was for him in Washington. That’s a tough ask, but Woods brings some much-needed stability to that position. After Woods and Austin, the Rams have Bradley Marquez, who is primarily a special-teams contributor, and five guys who barely played as rookies, led by Pharoh Cooper.
What’s the risk: There’s very little risk in this move, unless you count the fact that it means the Rams still don’t have a true, superstar No. 1. Woods was basically the Bills’ No. 2 receiver. In 13 games last season, he caught 51 passes for 613 yards and a touchdown. He battled back from a knee sprain in November last season and played through a torn groin for all of 2015, a season when he caught 47 passes for 552 yards and three touchdowns through 14 games. Pro Football Focus graded Woods 59th among 115 qualified receivers this past season (Britt was 39th and Austin was 81st). But Woods is amazingly also only 24, heading into his age-25 season. He might still have some upside.
znModeratorRams solidify LT with Andrew Whitworth signing
Alden Gonzalez
LOS ANGELES — Early Thursday morning, hours before unrestricted free agents can formally sign with other teams, the Los Angeles Rams addressed their most pressing need: protecting quarterback Jared Goff’s blind side.
The Rams have agreed to terms with veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth, solidifying a position that has been a problem for quite a while. Whitworth, 35, has spent his previous 11 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and has gone to the Pro Bowl three times. Now he joins the Rams, whose offensive line struggled mightily to protect Goff or open up holes for running back Todd Gurley throughout the 2016 season.
Terms: Three years for $36 million, with $15 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. In Year 2, $2.5 million is guaranteed.
ESPN 150 ranking: 16th (second among tackles)
Grade: The Rams get an A for this, and the cost doesn’t mean all that much. That’s how important the left tackle position is. For three years, they tried to make it work with Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick from 2014, and they clearly needed to move on. And considering what they gave up to select Goff first overall in last year’s draft, it was crucial that they brought in somebody who can protect him. Keep in mind: Goff was sacked 25 times over the last six games last season, including seven in the regular-season finale. That can’t continue to happen. Whitworth was the best left tackle available — Rick Wagner, rated higher than him, plays on the right side — and the Rams did what it took to get him. Good on them.
What it means: It means the Rams now have the flexibility to move Robinson elsewhere, either to right tackle or right guard. They have one year left on his rookie contract — unless they pick up his fifth-year option — and can experiment with such a move before he becomes a free agent. Robinson’s 6-foot-5, 332-pound athletic frame screams left tackle. But he can also maul interior linemen at guard, without the responsibility of being on an island. Robinson struggled with that responsibility, committing an NFL-leading 31 total penalties over the past two years. But if he can get comfortable at right guard — and if right tackle Rob Havenstein can bounce back from a surprisingly rough second season, and Rodger Saffold can lock down the left guard position — then the Rams may suddenly have the makings of an adequate offensive line.
What’s the risk? It’s all about the mileage here, of course. Whitworth is heading into his age-36 season and is the league’s oldest left tackle. But he also has been to the Pro Bowl each of the past two years, including being named first-team All-Pro in 2015, and is still considered among the NFL’s best pass-blockers. Pro Football Focus graded Whitworth the second-best left tackle in the NFL last season, trailing only the Redskins’ Trent Williams. So, yes, he’s still elite. But for how much longer?
znModeratorBengals make huge mistake in losing Andrew Whitworth to Rams
By Katherine Terrell
CINCINNATI — This one could sting for a long time.
Left tackle Andrew Whitworth was expected to play his entire career in Cincinnati. On the opening day of free agency, he’s on his way to Los Angeles to sign with the Rams.
Whitworth is getting a three-year, $36 million contract with the Rams that includes $15 million guaranteed — with $2.5 million guaranteed in the second year — according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Bengals’ start to free agency already looked bleak before the signing period, which officially starts at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Now they have a hole at left tackle and a huge void in their locker room.
The Bengals wanted to keep Whitworth, and he wanted to return to Cincinnati. So why didn’t it happen?
It seemed the Bengals targeted Whitworth as their first priority among their free agents, a group that also includes Kevin Zeitler and Dre Kirkpatrick.
But it was a head-scratching, and perhaps telling, sign that the first major signing of free agency for Cincinnati was not Whitworth, but wide receiver Brandon LaFell.
It wasn’t that the Bengals didn’t try. A source close to the negotiations said they were competitive in their offers, but the gap between the money offered in the first year and the amount of fully guaranteed money the second year was just too great.
Whitworth, now 35 and potentially on his last contract, wanted more protection than a one-year deal.
For several years now, the Bengals have been reluctant to give him long-term security based on his age. The Bengals didn’t want to mortgage their future salary cap by giving a huge deal to a player who is the oldest at his position in the NFL.
The Bengals tried to plan for this day, looking to the future by drafting tackles Cedric Ogbuehi and Jake Fisher in the first and second rounds of the 2015 draft. But Whitworth was just too good to lose his spot, and Ogbuehi and Fisher weren’t good enough to even challenge him for it.
To understand what happened, it would be necessary to go back to 2015, when Whitworth and the Bengals were trying to negotiate a contract extension. The talks dragged on through September of that year before the Bengals gave in and gave Whitworth a one-year, $9 million extension.
The Bengals’ reluctance to move forward with the negotiations did not sit well with Whitworth’s camp. It was a bitter taste that lingered.
It appeared that both sides were moving forward when the Bengals made offers to Whitworth’s representatives in the weeks leading up to free agency, but they did not take the necessary steps to ensure he would not leave for another team.
A source close to Whitworth wondered why the team did not place the franchise tag ($14.8 million for one year), or transition tag ($12.6 million) on him. The transition tag would have allowed them to assess Whitworth’s value while having the opportunity to match, while the franchise tag, though expensive if Whitworth actually played on it, could have protected their investment while they continued to negotiate.
The Bengals did neither.
Now the team is essentially left scrambling. They continue to express optimism in Ogbuehi and Fisher, who were drafted with the idea that they would be the tackles of the future. Neither has come close to looking like a full-time starter.
Ogbuehi struggled so much at right tackle that the team resorted to rotating him with veteran Eric Winston before finally benching him. They moved Whitworth to guard for one game so they could see if Ogbuehi could play left tackle, which he said was his natural position.
It didn’t go much better on that side.
With Whitworth gone, the Bengals have lost the longest-tenured player in their locker room, a valuable leader and the best player on their offensive line.
The team might have balked at paying one of their oldest players so much money, but last year proved Whitworth, who made the Pro Bowl as an alternate, is still as good as he ever was. They should have gritted their teeth and made every effort to match.
Now they’re left watching as one of their best players suits up elsewhere.
znModeratorAlden Gonzalez@Alden_Gonzalez
Told Greg Robinson is expected to move to the right side, either at tackle or guard, now that Andrew Whitworth is the LT.
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@Ryan_Kartje
In his past 3 seasons, Andrew Whitworth allowed a total of 4 sacks (zero last yr). Last season, Greg Robinson allowed 7 sacks in 14 games.
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Steve Wyche @wyche89
Besides upgrading talent, Whitworth brings some MUCH needed veteran leadership and toughness.
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Also keep in mind that with Whitworth being able to hold down LT w/out help, frees up TE's to be more available in pass game https://t.co/RgNNBwz0Td
— Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) March 9, 2017
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11 seasons into his career and OT Andrew Whitworth is playing at a tremendously high level. Expected to sign w/ the Rams, per @AdamSchefter. pic.twitter.com/CaN9hST8Xn
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 9, 2017
znModeratoralyoshamucci wrote this:
I’m a fan. He can show he’s worth it or we can drop him … no worries on the deal. Great route runner, great hands. Wasted on a terrible team playing in terrible weather with a terrible set of QBs, coming home to his warm weather home with a good QB.
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Merlin wrote this:
Woods is a very good and consistent route runner who provides an option in the passing game a QB can trust.
The Jay Gruden offense is known for precisely-run routes and execution. McVay is going to expect the same. Route runners are going to benefit come camp and Woods is a fit for this offense, Britt isn’t.
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Hacksaw_64 wrote this:
Woods is a great route runner and has good hands which suddenly gives the Rams offense something they have been missing, a consummate professional WR option. He may not be the splash FA everyone wanted, but he is solid. This offense needs solid.
The entire franchise hinges on the the development of Goff. The more reliable pieces this regime can insert into play on the board around him to solidify a stable foundation to develop the better.
znModeratorRams to swipe LT Andrew Whitworth from Bengals
Kevin Patra
The Los Angeles Rams found a solution to their left tackle problem.
The Rams have the framework for a deal in place with veteran Andrew Whitworth, the offensive tackle’s agent announced on Thursday morning.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the deal is for three years, worth $36 million with $15 million guaranteed, including $2.5 million guaranteed in Year 2. The deal pays more than $13 million in the first season and $24.5 million over the first two years.
It might be a haul to pay a 35-year-old, but Whitworth was by far the best left tackle hitting the open market — and there appears little immediate aid in the draft. He sat No. 18 overall on Around The NFL’s Top 101 Free Agents list. The next true left tackle on the list doesn’t pop up until Russell Okung at No. 46.
Rapoport adds that the plan is to move disappointing first-round pick Greg Robinson to guard — a plan GM Les Snead intimated last week at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Swiping Whitworth from the Cincinnati Bengals is a coup for Snead. The attempt to grow a young line the past several seasons has failed miserably for the Rams. Adding a veteran presence in Whitworth on Jared Goff’s blind side and swinging Robinson inside could stabilize the unit.
The 11-year pro ranked as Pro Football Focus’ No. 2 overall tackle in 2016 and was the best pass blocker among the group.
Los Angeles boasted one of the worst blocking units in the NFL last season. The group struggled to open holes for Todd Gurley and couldn’t protect whichever quarterback was under center. Adding Whitworth to replace the turnstile Robinson immediately solves the Rams biggest problem.
Now Snead and new coach Sean McVay must continue plugging the plethora of holes on the roster.
znModeratorAndrew Whitworth to sign with Rams
Michael David Smith
Andrew Whitworth to sign with Rams
The Bengals were optimistic they could re-sign offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth. But they won’t.
Whitworth plans to sign with the Rams today on a three-year deal worth a total of $36 million with $15 million guaranteed and $13 million coming in the first year of the contract.
That puts Whitworth on one of the worst offenses in the league — unless he can be part of a turnaround effort led by new head coach Sean McVay. The 35-year-old Whitworth has started all 16 games the last three years, and he’s a well-respected veteran who was a team captain. His absence will be a loss in Cincinnati.
Whitworth was the No. 20 player on our Free Agent Hot 100.
znModeratorCan confirm #Rams have signed FA OT Andrew Whitworth. FYI: Expect Rams to be more active today. WR specifically
— Vincent Bonsignore (@DailyNewsVinny) March 9, 2017
#Rams deal for Andrew Whitworth: 3 years, $36M w $15M guar, including $2.5M guar in Year 2. Deal pays more $13M in Year 1 and $24.5M over 2
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
Framework of Andrew Whitworth deal between Rams and @_SportsTrust: 3 years, $36M, $15M guar, including $2.5M guar in Year 2.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2017
The #Browns are signing WR Kenny Britt, source said (as @caplannfl reported). 4 years, $32.5M.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2017
znModeratorhttp://www.espn.com/nfl/team/_/name/la/los-angeles-rams
Alden Gonzalez
ESPN Staff WriterThe Rams didn’t agree to terms with any receivers on Wednesday and a few of them came off the board, including Pierre Garcon with the 49ers (multi-year deal that will pay him $16M in the first), Kenny Stills to the Dolphins (4 years, $32 million) and Brandon Marshall to the Giants (2 years, $12 million). Rams are still hopeful of agreeing with a WR by the time free agents can sign on Thursday, at 1 pm PT, and Stills’ deal could help set the market for that second tier. Rams probably won’t go higher than that range.
znModeratorHow Will the Rams Approach Free Agency?
Myles Simmons
The NFL’s “legal tampering” period is already underway, with free agent deals reportedly being agreed to in principle across the league. With the Rams sporting a new coaching staff, it’s reasonable to assume the club’s roster will undergo a fair amount of turnover between now and the start of the regular season. Free agency is one avenue for Los Angeles to make that happen.
So how will the Rams approach free agency this year? Last week at the NFL Combine, general manager Les Snead detailed the organization’s usual methodology when it comes to offseason talent acquisition.
“Philosophically we’re always: Draft first and develop from within. But you’ve definitely got to use free agency to supplement,” Snead said. “With that, similar to the draft but different is, OK, you’ve got a board of UFA’s, that you would like to acquire. Some of them get franchised before we get to next Monday and maybe your board changes. And then the market forces that go into it, because we’ve got a budget to work with.
“We’re definitely planning to be active, but you’ve got to wait to see how the process goes and see who goes off the board, what they get paid, and do they factor into your big picture,” Snead continued. “But I definitely think we need to use free agency to supplement our roster.”
While head coach Sean McVay is heading into his first free agency period with the club, he said last week having Snead continue as Los Angeles’ general manager is helpful in putting together a free agency plan.
“The thing you feel great about with Les being where it’s a new staff coming in, he’s got a jump on kind of what the draft has available, where there’s depth at certain positions that we need to address,” McVay said. “And that’s going to dictate what we do in free agency — maybe we’re able to address a certain need in the draft because there is a little more depth at a certain spot. So we expect to acquire some good players both through free agency and the draft and it’s something we’re looking forward to.”
Two orders of business the Rams have taken care of over the last week are placing an original-round tender on restricted free agent defensive tackle Dominique Easley and placing the franchise tag on cornerback Trumaine Johnson for the second year in a row. While trade rumors regarding Johnson surfaced on Monday, last week Snead said the club will likely get through the offseason program before having any more long-term contract discussions with the 2012 third-round pick.
“I think what we’re going to do with Trumaine is, because everyone is knew, we need to work together, live together, see if we all fit. Does Tru fit Wade, does Wade fit Tru? Because it’s obvious by the tag number and what corners get paid, it’s a heavy investment and you want to be right. Especially when you go long term,” Snead said.
But when it comes to the Rams’ own unrestricted free agents, two of the most notable names are safety T.J. McDonald and wide receiver Kenny Britt. Asked about them at the Combine, Snead essentially had the same answer for both players.
“We have to figure out if there’s a fit with us, with him,” Snead said of Britt. “With the new offense, we have to make sure that we’re going to put in the skill guys who are fits for Sean. We’re still in that process, but I know Kenny’s going to test the market.”
And McDonald?
“It’s definitely a different scheme, but that’s what we come to the Combine for. T.J., all of our upcoming UFAs, we’re definitely meeting with them here going into next week, see how that goes and evolves,” Snead said. “Again, it’s a big-picture map. Where does TJ fit, do you need something else instead of him, thinks like that. That’s what we’re working through now.”
As for external additions, two offensive positions the Rams may address are wide receiver and offensive line. Snead said the Rams have a good sense of the market and who may fit with McVay’s offense. But it’s a bit more difficult to turnover a majority of those on the offensive line.
“I do know this: We’re definitely inclined to try to figure out who in house is going to be one of our best five. And not just best five, but No. 6, No. 7, because that means something on game day,” Snead said. “But we’re also talking about, ‘Hey, what’s the advantage of adding someone in free agency, even the draft, to help that unit out?’ It’s a puzzle that we’re trying to figure out now. But there’s definitely going to be some guys in house that are in our lineup next year.”
Still, Snead said the Rams will likely target some defensive players as well, with the scheme change from a 4-3 to a 3-4.
“There’s some positions we’re adding to our defense we didn’t have before,” Snead said. “It’s not just one position, it’s multiple.”
znModeratorReport suggests that Kirk Cousins will likely end up as the 49ers quarterback
The Kirk Cousins drama is far from over. Even though the Redskins have placed the franchise tag on Cousins , effectively locking him onto the roster for the 2017 season, there’s still drama that can be played out .
For instance — as I recently played out in my 2017 NFL Mock Draft — a trade could happen. And according to Mike Silver of the NFL Network, that’s exactly what will ultimately go down.
Basically, the Redskins are a mess and aren’t that high on Cousins right now, while the 49ers are interested in letting Kyle Shanahan “get his kind of quarterback that can run his kind of system.”
Cousins’ unhappiness in Washington, where the Redskins refuse to commit to him as the long-term answer, only exacerbates the situation.
“However, when it comes to the quarterback position, I believe Kirk Cousins wants to be in San Francisco, I believe that Kyle Shanahan, who has been very, very high on Kirk Cousins since he was the offensive coordinator in Washington when they drafted Cousins, I believe that marriage wants to happen on both ends,” Silver explained.
“It’s an expensive marriage and we’ll see in terms of trade compensation that would take to get him, maybe something that happens in a year. But if I had to make a guess one way or another at this early stage, I would say it’s more likely than not that Kirk Cousins ends up being the 49ers quarterback.”
It’s not really that far-fetched to imagine a scenario where the 49ers land Cousins. They have the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, while the Redskins have the No. 17 overall pick.
Flip those two selections (Washington gets No. 2, while San Francisco gets No. 17), give San Francisco Cousins and mix in a couple more picks to even things out and you have the parameters of a deal in place pretty easily.
Giving up Cousins for a 15-pick difference is crazy, up until you consider how much he commands immediately. The Redskins owe him $24 million for the 2017 season and either have to give him a 44 percent raise in 2018 or sign him to a long-term deal.
Cousins has the Redskins over a barrel when it comes to said deal, because of how they’ve handled negotiations up until now.
If he doesn’t want to stay there, this might be his final season, and the Redskins are going to get a third-round compensatory pick for him. If they don’t believe in him as the long-term quarterback, the best move is to let him go for a high draft pick and try to start figuring out an alternate way to operate the offense and handle the position.
A trade is the best way to do that.znModeratoralyoshamucci wrote this
combine DB review
Just a note … a 4th round pick in this draft is a starter.
So, I just don’t know that I’ve seen a position group this good, even looking back in hindsight.
I came in wanting to shake out the top 10 CBs … and it honestly ended up making the entire top 20 more muddled than ever. I can figure who the top players to be drafted will be … but of the remaining in the 2nd and 3rd rounds … I have almost no way to distinguish between them. It will come down to scheme fits for Wade’s D … so if anyone has input on what types of CBs he likes I’m all ears.
1st round probables … maybe this will change, but I really doubt it.
The 3 safeties …
Then Lattimore, S Jones, Tankersly, Conley, Humphrey, and Adoree Jackson.I cut both Florida kids from the 1st and added Tankersly because of the 4.40 … can’t ignore a 98 mph fastball.
Helped themselves a lot?
King, Awuzie, Witherspoon, Langley, Shaq Griffin, and Moreau. Wow. They put on a SHOW. And of course Obi M may get a first round call now … I could add him to the above list easily …Who hurt themselves?
Rasul Douglas, Tabor, Wilson, Kazee, Corn Elder, and Howard Wilson … and only the last three were not in 1st round consideration. I still love Douglas and the last 3 still have great feet and can play football, so they didn’t hurt themselves THAT badly.So the second round pool got really deep with Sutton, Jourdan Lewis, and all the above names …
My guess is that guys like Awuzie, Moreau, Witherspoon, and King are now top 50 possibilities … along with Rasul Douglas, Tabor, Wilson, Tredavius White, etc. But any of those kids could easily slide to the third. Could Jourdan Lewis be had in the 4th? What about Sutton?
I have to run some simulations now to even get my bearings, but I feel GREAT about a CB anywhere from 37 to 90.
Lorenzo Jerome gave me a late birthday present by running slower than he plays … then showing me smooth movement skills. Im still a huge fan, I just think I can get him in the 5th or 6th now and walk away with a gifted football player.
The top 3 safeties should all go top 10.
This is all considering the fact that there are another 10 players or so who I thought should have been invited and weren’t … maybe more than ten.
znModeratorTrump’s Wiretapping Accusations: Here’s What the Government Can Actually Do
Ashley Gorski, Staff Attorney, ACLU National Security Project
& Patrick Toomey, Staff Attorney, ACLU National Security ProjectOn Saturday morning, President Donald Trump posted a series of angry tweets, accusing former President Barack Obama of engaging in a “Nixon/Watergate”-style plot to tap the phones at Trump Tower during the election.
As an initial matter, it’s important to emphasize that little has actually been reliably verified. While many critical details remain unknown, portions of President Trump’s statements seem consistent with earlier news reports that, prior to the election, the FBI sought to surveil members of the Trump campaign team under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). That law, passed by Congress in 1978 to prevent abuses of executive power, allows the government to surveil foreign powers and their agents with the approval of a secret court.
Given Trump’s claims, the ongoing investigations into his campaign’s ties with Russia, and the confusion and speculation that Trump’s tweets have caused, it’s crucial to understand how FISA surveillance actually works.
In 1978, largely in response to unlawful and improper surveillance by the executive branch, Congress passed FISA to regulate surveillance conducted for foreign intelligence purposes. Under FISA, when the government seeks to conduct certain types of surveillance on U.S. soil, it is generally required to apply for and obtain an individualized order from a judge on the FISA Court. If an American is the target of the surveillance, that application must be reviewed and approved by the attorney general before it goes to the FISA Court.
In order to authorize the wiretapping, the FISA Court judge must find — based on evidence presented in the application — that there is probable cause to believe that the “target” of the surveillance is a foreign power or agent of a foreign power. The judge must also find probable cause to believe that the phone line, email account, or computer where the surveillance will occur is being used by a foreign power or agent of a foreign power. Individuals who are in contact with the government’s target may have their communications swept up too, though the government must apply court-approved procedures, known as “minimization” procedures, to limit the intrusion into Americans’ privacy.
Despite Congress’s laudable aims in enacting FISA originally, the ACLU has long argued that surveillance under FISA raises serious constitutional concerns, because FISA orders are not nearly as protective as wiretapping warrants in criminal cases. With a traditional wiretap, the government must establish probable cause that its surveillance will lead to evidence of a crime, and strict minimization rules are applied to protect the privacy of non-targets whose information could get swept up by the wiretap. With FISA surveillance, the government need only establish that there’s probable cause to believe that its target is an agent of a foreign power and is using a particular phone line, email account, or other communications “facility.” In addition, the purpose of FISA surveillance — to obtain wide-ranging “foreign intelligence information” — is much broader than a typical wiretap, and can extend, for example, to information related to the foreign affairs of the United States. Those are extremely broad parameters. Finally, the minimization rules under FISA are far less protective of Americans’ privacy interests.
The Guardian reported that, last summer, the FBI sought an order from the FISA Court for permission to monitor four members of the Trump campaign team suspected of “irregular contacts” with Russian officials. Reports suggest that the initial application was denied — a detail President Trump appears to have confirmed in his tweets. But, according to other news reports, a judge on the FISA Court eventually granted a narrower surveillance application in October 2016. While these accounts all indicate that the FBI relied on FISA to conduct its spying, we don’t know exactly whom the FBI sought to target or on what grounds. One story suggests that the government ultimately obtained permission to target individuals or entities in Russia who were believed to be communicating with then-candidate Trump and at least three other members of the Trump campaign. Because the identities of the “targets” named in the wiretap order are still unknown, it’s unclear whom, exactly, the FISA Court found to be a foreign agent when it authorized the surveillance.
Regardless of who the target was, however, it is critical to note that this FISA surveillance would have been individually approved by a court and could not simply have been conducted on President Obama’s order — a point made clearly in a statement released over the weekend by a spokesperson for the former president. Indeed, that was the very type of abuse that FISA was enacted to prevent.
There is no doubt we need more information to shed light on what did and did not happen. But one thing is clear. Anyone genuinely concerned about the unconstitutional surveillance of Americans should turn their attention to reforming one especially problematic section of FISA: Section 702, which the government relies on to surveil essentially all Americans’ international communications. Unlike “traditional” FISA, which at least requires the government to obtain an individualized court order to conduct surveillance, Section 702 authorizes the warrantless surveillance of vast quantities of international communications, with virtually no judicial oversight.
Assisted by companies like Facebook, Google, AT&T, and Verizon, the government uses this law to monitor Americans’ communications with foreigners abroad. In doing so, the government sweeps up billions of international emails, web-browsing activities, and phone calls — which NSA, CIA, and FBI analysts can then sift through looking for information about Americans. While there have been no public indications of this to date, it’s possible that Section 702 surveillance also captured communications between the Trump campaign team and the same Russian entities abroad.
Section 702 is set to expire at the end of the year, unless Congress renews it. Instead, Congress must reform this law, which harms the privacy rights both of people abroad and virtually all Americans.
March 7, 2017 at 1:16 am in reply to: Westbrooks arrested Sunday on domestic violence charges…updated 3/14 #65962znModeratori’m guessing westbrooks won’t be coming back.
Just speculating but if he’s gone that could move DE up the list to get this off-season, either in the draft or through free agency. I would think that Westbrooks was a good bet to be a genuine 3/4 DE. Yes it’s a gap attack system but still, my understanding is that a DE still has to be stouter in that system than in a 4/3. And Westbrooks at 6.4 is a bit more like it than the rest. (Not counting the potential NTs, Brockers and Thomas). One complaint about the Denver D last year is that they were not strong enough against the run, and a lot of that went to the DL, people say.
March 6, 2017 at 10:49 pm in reply to: Westbrooks arrested Sunday on domestic violence charges…updated 3/14 #65960znModeratorEthan Westbrooks arrested in Sacramento domestic violence incident
BY CATHY LOCKE
Ethan Westbrooks, a defensive tackle with the Los Angeles Rams, was arrested Sunday night in Sacramento after he was accused of domestic violence, according to Sacramento police.
Westbrooks, 26, played football at Elk Grove’s Franklin High School and Sacramento City College.
Officers were called to the 8700 block of Center Parkway at 9:06 p.m. Sunday regarding a child custody dispute, according to a Police Department news release.
When officers arrived, they contacted the caller and saw that the woman had injuries to her upper body. An investigation determined that she sustained the injuries during a domestic violence incident involving the father of her child, the news release said. The injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Officers then went to a residence in the 7100 block of Clearbrook Way, where they located Westbrooks. He was taken into custody and booked into Sacramento County Main Jail on suspicion of domestic violence.
Westbrooks was released from jail Monday, according to jail inmate information available online.
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