March 2017 - Football Wiretap

Dolphins Waive Dion Jordan After Failed Physical

Mar 31, 2017 8:56 PM

The Miami Dolphins waived former 2013 first-round pick Dion Jordan on Friday after he failed a physical.

The move will save the Dolphins $4.225 million in salary for 2017.

The Dolphins moved up from No. 12 to No. 3 four years ago to select Jordan out of Oregon.

 Jordan had just three career sacks and multiple NFL suspensions for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He hasn't played in a game since the 2014 season.

The Dolphins kept Jordan under contract the past two years because of his potential. 

James Walker/ESPN

Tags: Miami Dolphins, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Waiver

Discuss
Seth Godin Uses NFL, Raiders As Way 'Capitalism Corrupts Our Culture'

Mar 31, 2017 12:01 PM

Seth Godin, a prominent best selling author on marketing and business, wrote a blog post about the NFL's decisions to let the Oakland Raiders relocate to Las Vegas.

Godin's piece is titled 'Merely Transactional'.

""We owe you nothing."

"This week, all but one NFL owner voted to let the Raiders leave Oakland for Las Vegas (I'm not a football fan, but bear with me)," writes Godin.

"A nearly perfect example of how one version of capitalism corrupts our culture.

"The season ticket holder bought a ticket and got his games. Even steven. We owe you nothing.

"The dedicated fan sat through endless losing games. Even steven. Ticket purchased, game delivered. We owe you nothing.

"The problem with 'even steven' is that it turns trust and connection and emotions into nothing but a number. Revenue on a P&L. It ignores the long-term in exchange for a relentless focus on today. Only today.

"There's an alternative view of capitalism. Modern capitalism. Capitalism for the long-term.  In this view, the purpose of an enterprise is to make things better. To minimize negative externalities and create value. Value for the owners, sure, but also for the workers, the customers and the bystanders. 

""We owe you everything."

"You trusted us. You showed up. You tolerated our impact on your world, even when you didn't invite us in.

"It'll never be even steven, but we can try to repay you. Thank you for the opportunity.

"I think this is what sports fans signed up for when they were first offered the chance to support a team. Maybe your customers feel the same way."

Seth Godin

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Legal

Discuss
Veganism Used As Latest Excuse Why Colin Kaepernick Remains Unsigned

Mar 31, 2017 11:33 AM

The latest reason why NFL teams may be reluctant to sign Colin Kaepernick is his vegan diet and his general commitment to the game.

Tom Brady has been celebrated for his diet, which is primarily plant based.

Kaepernick remains unsigned, which has led many to speculate his political beliefs have caused the NFL to blackball him.

Matt Maiocco/Comcast

Tags: Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Cardinals Unafraid Of Overusing David Johnson

Apr 1, 2017 2:36 PM

Bruce Arians says the Arizona Cardinals have no concerns about overusing David Johnson.

"He's still too young to overuse," Arians said of his running back.

"I want to have 30 touches out of him, if possible, because that's going to be a lot of offense," the coach added. "When he has his hand on the ball, either as a wide receiver, coming out of the backfield, in the slot, and running, that's a lot of potential offense for us."

Johnson had 293 carries and 80 catches in 2016, totaling 2,118 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Conor Orr/NFL

Tags: Arizona Cardinals, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Richard Sherman Classifies Trade Talks As 'Business'

Mar 31, 2017 8:29 AM

Richard Sherman is taking recent trade rumors in stride.

"I wouldn't want to leave this city and my guys, but I understand it's a business and organizational philosophies change," Sherman told 710 ESPN.

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly received calls about Sherman, but John Schneider noted that he takes calls about many players but didn't plan to move his best cornerback.

Pete Carroll further doused the speculation, calling it "banter" and saying, "I don't see anything happening."

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

Discuss
Chargers Name LaDainian Tomlinson Special Assistant To Ownership

Mar 31, 2017 8:26 AM

The Los Angeles Chargers have named LaDainian Tomlinson a special assistant to ownership.

Tomlinson, who is an NFL Network analyst, will remain in his current role as well.

"L.T. is one of the most beloved and iconic Chargers of all time," chairman Dean Spanos said in a statement. "His active involvement in our fight for Los Angeles is vital, and he represents the very best of what it means to be a Charger on the field and in the community."

Conor Orr/NFL

Tags: San Diego Chargers, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Andy Reid Vows To Get Tyreek Hill More Involved In Offense

Apr 1, 2017 2:36 PM

Andy Reid wants the Kansas City Chiefs to get Tyreek Hill more involved on offense after the rookie scored 12 touchdowns on just 138 touches as a rookie.

Reid plans to give Hill more looks at running back and wide receiver after he was on the field for less than half of the offensive plays in 2016.

"Growing Tyreek in the offense will be important," Reid said.

Hill had 61 catches, 24 carries, 39 punt returns and 14 kickoff returns last season.

"He was a running back that they kind of moved around a little bit," Reid said. "His routes when he first came were kind of raw. They weren't as disciplined as they need to be in this offense. So much of this offense is timing and being in a certain spot and knowing defenses, knowing secondaries and all that, how you're going to make adjustments. That was all new. He is a smart kid. He picked it up so fast, and he was able to play at our level."

ESPN

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, Misc Rumor

Discuss
49ers To Meet With Myles Garrett In Case Browns Don't Take Him No. 1

Mar 30, 2017 1:35 PM

The San Francisco 49ers will meet with Myles Garrett in case the Cleveland Browns don't take him first overall as widely expected.

The 49ers own the second overall pick.

John Lynch was on hand for Garrett’s pro day workout in College Station, Texas, and seemed dutifully impressed that Garrett participated.

“I thought it was impressive,” Lynch said. “Here’s this kid who really doesn’t need to show everyone much more, but yet he shows up and runs a 40. I think it just speaks to the kind of kid he is. It was impressive. It’s well-documented – I’m not saying anything ground-breaking – he’s a special athlete.

“He checks all the boxes. That’s why people are talking about him in the way they are.”

Darin Gantt/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Draft, Draft Misc

Discuss
Raiders Plan To Discuss Extension With Derek Carr After Draft

Mar 31, 2017 8:34 AM

Derek Carr will soon enter the final year of his contract, but there is little chance he becomes a free agent.

The Oakland Raiders plan to work out a contract extension with their quarterback this offseason. Both sides are motivated to get a done deal and Reggie McKenzie indicated that talks should increase later this spring.

"He knows what we're trying to do in free agency, and he's never saying, 'I need to know now. It's not like that," McKenzie said. "More likely, the serious talks will happen after the (NFL) draft. The communication has been ongoing, just talking about the philosophy of a contract and the thought process around it. Hopefully when the serious talks start going, then it's going to be easier."

Scott Bair/CSN Bay Area

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Mike McCarthy: Aaron Rodgers Can Play As Long As Tom Brady

Mar 30, 2017 9:01 AM

After Robert Kraft said earlier this week that Tom Brady would like to play six or seven more years, Mike McCarthy made the case for Aaron Rodgers to enjoy similar longevity.

Rodgers, 33, first indicated last offseason that he started to think of ways to extend his career.

"I mean mentally and physically, clearly yes; he has that ability," McCarthy said of whether Rodgers could play into his 40s. "I think there's no question there. But I think all positions in football are the same. It's their legs. You watch a player -- and it's no different with quarterbacks -- as long as they have their legs, they can compete at that level."

McCarthy, whose background is as a quarterbacks coach, doesn't see any reason why Brady can't keep going.

"I think you can only go by what's on film and based on his last game, he will accomplish that," McCarthy said. "I would bet on that. But there's a lot of factors that go into that. I think you have to give these athletes an incredible amount of credit what they're doing. With the rest and recovery and nutrition, I think you're now seeing the decade of what it's provided. It's provided for guys to play longer, especially at that position."

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Tags: Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

Discuss
T.J. McDonald Suspended 8 Games
Free agent safety T.J. McDonald has been suspended without pay for the first eight games of the 2017 regular season.

Alden Gonzalez/ESPN

Jameis Winston Working Out With Adrian Peterson
The Buccaneers haven't chased Adrian Peterson in free agency, but Dirk Koetter was interested to hear that Jameis Winston spent Thursday working out with the running back.

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Colin Kaepernick Remaining Unsigned This Late Is Historical Anomaly
Since 1966, only one under-30 quarterback has had as good a year as Colin Kaepernick’s 2016 has gone unsigned the next year.

Kyle Wagner, Neil Paine/Five Thirty Eight

Roger Goodell's Job Again Considered Stable By Owners
Owners have privately expressed their belief that the NFL has managed to maneuver past Deflategate, CTE and the Ray Rice situation.

Mike Freeman/Bleacher Report

Saints Agree To Sign Chase Daniel
Chase Daniel was most recently with the Eagles.

Adam Caplan/ESPN

CBS Interested In Tony Romo To Replace Phil Simms
Tony Romo will not return to the Cowboys for 2017 but remains in limbo with several teams interested.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

Seahawks Willing To Listen On Richard Sherman Trade Offers
The Patriots were among the teams who contacted the Seahawks on Richard Sherman.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Cowboys Will Have Resolution On Tony Romo 'Before Training Camp'
The Cowboys are in no rush to decide Tony Romo's future.

Tom Pelissero/USA Today

Adam Gase Wants Ryan Tannehill To Be More Aggressive
Adam Gase isn't worried about Ryan Tannehill making mistakes, he simply wants the quarterback to be more aggressive.

PFT Live

Roger Goodell Says He'll Attend Season Opener In New England
It has become tradition that the first game of the season is hosted by the defending Super Bowl champion, which means the 2017 opener will be at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts.

Curtis Crabtree/Pro Football Talk

NFL Denies Jaguars' Request For Early Offseason Workouts
The Jaguars will begin their offseason workouts on April 17, despite requesting to start working out as a team two weeks earlier.

Associated Press

Browns Won't Trade First Overall Pick
The Browns are widely expected to draft Myles Garrett even though they're publicly non-committal.

Pat McManamon/ESPN

Jerry Jones' Legends To Profit Immensely Due To NFL Relocations
Jerry Jones is a large shareholder of Legends, a hospitality-marketing company that will now sell the suites, concessions and sponsorships for the Las Vegas stadium for the Raiders.

Tim Kawakami/San Jose Mercury News

John Harbaugh Doesn't Believe Colin Kaepernick Is Being Blackballed
Colin Kaepernick remains a free agent but John Harbaugh believes it is "stupid" and "intellectually lazy" to believe he is being blackballed by NFL teams.

NFL.com

Chris Long Signs One-Year Deal With Eagles
Chris Long announced before the start of free agency that he wouldn't be returning to the Patriots.

Tim McManus/ESPN

Jason Witten, Cowboys Agree Upon Four-Year Extension
The Cowboys can restructure Jason Witten's contract and earn close to $4 million in cap space whenever they need it.

Todd Archer/ESPN

Broncos 'To Stay The Course' With Young Quarterbacks
The Broncos are confident in their young quarterbacks, according to John Elway.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL

Colin Kaepernick Wants Chance To Start, $9-10M Annually
Colin Kaepernick may still be unemployed because his asking price is too high.

Dan Graziano/ESPN

Steelers Will Pay 'Special Attention' To QBs In Draft
The Steelers have aggressively evaluated draft-eligible quarterbacks in the past few years and will do so this year.

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

NFL Expected To Ban Leaping Blocks On Field Goal Attempts
NFL owners are expected to pass a rule change that would prohibit the "leaper" block attempt on field goal and extra-point plays, according to sources.

Adam Schefter/ESPN