April 2018 - Football Wiretap

Thomas Rawls Signs With Jets

Mar 31, 2018 6:01 PM

Thomas Rawls has signed with the New York Jets.

Rawls was an undrafted rookie in 2015.

Rawls started just 10 games the past two years after being slated to take over the full-time duty. He earned just 58 carries and averaged 2.7 yards per carry in 2017.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Tags: New York Jets, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
John Schneider Asks Seattle To 'Trust The Process'

Mar 31, 2018 5:59 PM

The Seattle Seahawks are undergoing a significant reset this offseason and John Schneider is asking their fans for patience.

"It's a constant reset every single year, it doesn't stop," Schneider told ESPN 710 AM in Seattle on Friday. "When I say 'reset' people are like, 'Well it's a rebuild.' We're not rebuilding; it's just a reset."

The Seahawks were 9-7 last season but missed out on the playoffs for the first time since Russell Wilson was drafted in 2012.

"We've got some pretty good players on this football team," Schneider said. "And there's a lot of young players that people don't necessarily -- they haven't heard their names yet ... Tedric Thompson was one of our best special teams players this last year. He didn't get to play much at strong safety. Kam was one of our best special teams players the first year he played. He didn't get to play strong safety because Lawyer [Milloy] was here. Trust the process, man."

Austin Knoblauch/NFL.com

Tags: Seattle Seahawks

Discuss
Chiefs Sign Matt McGloin

Mar 30, 2018 6:07 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs have signed Matt McGloin.

McGloin joins Chad Henne as possible backups at quarterback behind Patrick Mahomes.

McGloin split time between the Eagles and Texans last season.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Kansas City Chiefs, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Raiders Release Marquette King

Mar 30, 2018 5:45 PM

The Oakland Raiders have released punter Marquette King.

King was originally signed by the club as an undrafted free agent in 2012 and spent his first six years with the Raiders. 

King had a 46.8 yards per punt average.

RealGM Staff Report

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

Discuss
Vikings Sign Kendall Wright

Mar 30, 2018 5:43 PM

The Minnesota Vikings have signed Kendall Wright.

Wright will compete for Minnesota's No. 3 wide receiver spot behind Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.

Wright was the only Chicago receiver to eclipse the 50-catch barrier (59) in 2017.

Wright was a first round pick in 2012 by the Titans.

Courtney Cronin/ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

Discuss
Robert Kraft Acknowledges Patriots Have To Draft QB Soon

Mar 30, 2018 8:49 AM

The New England Patriots lack a succession plan for Tom Brady and Robert Kraft is aware that a quarterback will have to be drafted soon.

"I'm going to put my fan hat on, and obviously at some point we have to," Kraft said. "Not just that, but think what happened in the '08 season when in the first quarter against Kansas City, Tom [Brady] goes out. How many people would have said that Matt Cassel would have led us to an 11-5 season? I put my faith and confidence in Bill [Belichick]. He knows his responsibilities. Anything can happen, even if Tom comes in [and is in] tip-top shape.

"Part of why the networks pay us the funding they do, and the reason this is the best entertainment product in America, is you don't know -- one play can change a whole season. One play with one person. To do a good job managing an NFL franchise, we've always said understanding quality depth management, that's our business."

Since taking Brady in 2000, the Patriots have drafted eight quarterbacks. The highest of those selections was Jimmy Garoppolo, who was taken in the second round in 2014.

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: New England Patriots, Draft, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Mike Pereira: Lowering Head Rule Will Be Impossible To Officiate

Mar 30, 2018 8:46 AM

Mike Pereira expects officials to struggle to handle the NFL's rule changes regarding defenders lowering their heads for contact.

Pereira, the league's former vice president of officiating, discussed the topic with Sirius XM NFL Radio.

"I think it's going to be impossible to officiate," he said. "You'll see the same things happen with this as we've seen with the crown-of-the-helmet rule: very few calls. I think most of it will be taken care of after the fact with potential fines."

SiriusXM NFL

Tags: Misc Rumor

Discuss
Bruce Allen: Team Presidents Should Be Judged By Wins And Losses

Mar 30, 2018 8:41 AM

Bruce Allen says he believes that everyone in football should be judged on wins and losses.

"Wins and losses is the most important statistic when it comes to an equipment manager, a team president, a quarterback, a running back, a guard or a coach," Allen said.

Allen believes the Washington Redskins upgraded at quarterback after acquiring Alex Smith and letting Kirk Cousins walk in free agency.

However, Allen's record as Washington's team president is 52-75-1 (.410).

Washington Post

Tags: Washington Football Team, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Randy Gregory To Apply For Reinstatement

Mar 30, 2018 8:35 AM

Randy Gregory is preparing to apply for reinstatement to the NFL, according to Jerry Jones.

The Dallas Cowboys are hopeful, but not confident that the defensive end will play in 2018.

"I'm not confident but I do see where his heart is," Jones said. "He's one of the smartest people that have played this game. By documentation he is. So he's smart. That's a tremendous step. Of course he's had that same IQ since he's had these issues. That's the issues. This is definitely a medical issue. There's no doubt in my mind (it's) medical. That's another campaign right there."

Gregory has had multiple violations of the NFL's substance-abuse policy when it comes to marijuana. A combination of failed and missed tests caused his season-long suspension in 2017.

He is eligible to apply for reinstatement and has been meeting what Jones called "subjective," and "factual" standards in the process.

Todd Archer/ESPN

Tags: Dallas Cowboys, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Geno Smith Meets With Seahawks

Mar 29, 2018 5:42 PM

Geno Smith is visiting the Seattle Seahawks.

Last week, Smith visited the Los Angeles Chargers.

Russell Wilson is the only quarterback currently on Seattle's roster.

Smith played well last season as Eli Manning's backup with the Giants.

Pat Leonard/New York Daily News

Tags: Seattle Seahawks, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

Discuss
Checkered History Of Teams With Two Top-5 Picks In Same Draft
The Browns own the first and fifth overall picks in this year's draft.

Pat McManamon/ESPN

Inglewood Stadium Complex Estimated To Cost Nearly $5 Billion
The cost of the stadium alone was originally projected to cost $2.6 billion.

Vincent Bonsignore/Los Angeles Daily News

Texans Installing New Offense For Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson excelled in the Texans' offense before he tore his ACL in early November.

Chris Wesseling/NFL

NFL Exploring Possibility Of Eliminating Kickoffs
The location of the kickoff has already been moved up five yards and this week the temporary change of moving touchbacks to the 25-yard line was made permanent.

Nick Shook/NFL

Brandon Graham Still Waiting For New Deal With Eagles
The Eagles currently have about $5 million in cap space and may have to get creative if they are going to add years and money to what remains on Brandon Graham's contract.

Jeff McLane/Philly News

Jim Kelly Recovering After Cancer Surgery
Jim Kelly is recovering after undergoing a grueling surgery in New York City to treat a recurrence of oral cancer.

Jay Skurski/Buffalo News

Richard Sherman, Josh Norman Blast 'Lowering Helmet' Rule
Richard Sherman and Josh Norman, never afraid to speak out, are blasting the new NFL rule that will penalize a defender 15 yards for lowering a helmet into an offensive player.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Browns Trade Cody Kessler To Jaguars
Cody Kessler became expendable on Sunday when the Browns signed veteran Drew Stanton.

Mary Kay Cabot/Cleveland Plain Dealer

Giants Seek At Least Two First Round Picks For Odell Beckham Jr.
The Giants insist, however, they are not shopping Odell Beckham Jr. in trade talks.

ESPN

Owners Vote Down Proposal Limiting Early Kickoffs For West Coast Teams
The proposal was brought forward by the 49ers, Cardinals and Chargers.

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Vikings Had Concerns About Teddy Bridgewater's Knee
The Vikings had concerns about Teddy Bridgewater's knee following a postseason medical evaluation.

Courtney Cronin/ESPN

Odell Beckham Has Reportedly Told Rams Players He'd Welcome Trade
It remains to be seen if the Giants have real interest in trading Odell Beckham, Jr., but it's clear that the Rams would like to acquire the wide receiver.

Gary Myers/New York Daily News

Peyton Manning Rejects Offer From Fox For Thursday Night Football
Peyton Manning had been offered as much as $10 million per year.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN

Seahawks Cut Trevone Boykin After Alleged Domestic Violence Incident
Shabrika Bailey told WFAA that Trevone Boykin attempted to choke her and broke her jaw in two places.

Brady Henderson/ESPN

NFL Approves Change To Catch Rule
The rule will eliminate the requirement to maintain control of the ball throughout the process of going to the ground.

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Dan Patrick Won't Return To NBC's 'Football Night In America'
Dan Patrick has been doing NBC's pregame for the last nine years.

Andrew Marchand/New York Post

Seahawks Refute Notion They're Rebuilding
The Seahawks have parted ways this offseason with Michael Bennett, Jimmy Graham, Richard Sherman, Sheldon Richardson and Paul Richardson.

Brady Henderson/ESPN

Andrew Luck Resumes Throwing
Andrew Luck missed the entire 2017 season.

Ian Rapoport/NFL.com

London Mayor Angling For Franchise, Super Bowl
The NFL continues to push for a presence in London, and Sadiq Khan is certainly on board.

TalkSport

Carson Wentz Ahead Of Schedule With Rehab
Howie Roseman says Carson Wentz is ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation from a torn ACL.

Tim McManus/ESPN