A random collection of topics around the NFL:
- The Rams acquired running back Sony Michel from the New England Patriots in exchange for fifth- and sixth-round draft picks in 2022. The two late-round picks are conditional. The selections potentially become a fourth-rounder if the Rams get a fourth-round compensation pick (expected to come from losing John Johnson this year) -- the Rams don't yet have a fourth-rounder in 2022 before the comp pick process. Barring something odd taking place, we can colloquially consider the trade: Sony Michel for a fourth-rounder. Sony Michel had a chance to get cut by the Patriots as they have a stacked backfield. Michel just couldn't stay healthy but we'll see how the trip to the west coast works for him. - Jaguars Rookie running back Travis Etienne's Lisfranc injury has been diagnosed as a significant tear that will require surgery and will end his rookie season before it began. Etienne's original recovery timeline was a minimum of 12 weeks, but Jacksonville officially placed Etienne on injured reserve Tuesday, which means Etienne will have to wait for 2022 to make his NFL debut. - Lamar Jackson thinks that defenses haven't figured him out. I think they have, the question is whether your defense has the speed to stop a QB with 4.3 speed and tall tight ends. - Former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch and 15-year NFL head coach Dick Vermeil were selected as the senior finalist and coach finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2022. - Cam Newton had to go into Covid protocol because of testing procedure confusion. This will give Mac Jones the majority of first team reps until later this week. Cam is off to a good start and will likely start the year but unless he is amazing, he probably won't finish it. Preseason Ups and Downs: - Cowboys' new linebacking duo of Micah Parsons and Keanu Neal: Neal came with Dan Quinn and changed positions. He is now officially a starter alongside Parsons, with veterans Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch coming off the bench. This is remarkable, considering Smith's contract and Vander Esch's draft pedigree combined with his electric rookie season. But Parsons is simply too good to keep off the field; the No. 12 overall pick's lining up at middle linebacker, Vander Esch's position. Neal passing Smith so quickly is a bigger eye-opener and raises more questions about Smith's future. - Patriots' front-seven depth: New England's offense may get better, but it's unlikely to be too far above average no matter who is at quarterback. The Pats' defense, on the other hand, has a chance to improve far more in 2021 with Matt Judon, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux and the returns of Kyle Van Noy and Dont'a Hightower making the team's front seven look vastly better than a year ago. They are all showing up in the preseason, especially Judon. - Teddy Bridgewater: It felt like the Broncos coaching staff was gearing up to name Drew Lock the team's starting quarterback until Teddy pitched a near-perfect game (in two possessions) against the Seahawks. Bridgewater was excellent at buying time in the pocket, earning comparisons to Tom Brady from Vic Fangio after the game. The coach said Teddy played "extremely well" and applauded his "quarterback awareness," which is the nicest thing I've ever heard Fangio say about a Broncos offensive player. Lock was forgettable in his relief appearance, partly due to a leaky backup offensive line. Bridgewater has a PFF grade of 83.4 through two games, while Lock is at 64.0. These grades -- like all preseason evaluations -- are from a tiny sample size where a few plays make all the difference. There has to be a better way to choose a starter. (Such as the body of work, when the coaching staff is so familiar with both players. This shouldn't be that hard.) - J.J. Watt: He is returning to practice Monday from a hamstring injury, although "return" feels like a misnomer. He's missed all of training camp and his buildup to the season is worth watching closely on a Cardinals defensive line that has been banged up all August. The Cardinals have already talked about Watt being on a pitch count which makes sense as they need him for later in the year and him getting hurt at the beginning isn't helpful. - DeVonta Smith: I don't care that he dropped a few passes, especially the ones thrown late and behind him by Joe Flacco. I do care that he's back on the field getting wide open against quality competition like New England's J.C. Jackson. Smith's route-running jumps off the screen. - Cowboys' offensive line: Tyron Smith, Zack Martin and La'el Collins were on the field at the same time for the first time since 2019. If that continues, this Cowboys offense should be just fine. - Jaret Patterson: Preseason MVP candidate! It's safe to say the undrafted running back from the University at Buffalo is going to make the Washington Football Team. He's great on returns and power runs, finding space through tight quarters by moving laterally. I wonder if Peyton Barber's going to make the team now. - Jimmy G: His barely playing and not being lights out continues to set the stage for a departure from the 49ers after this year. I'm throwing the idea of the Texans picking up in the off season and they trade away Watson. - - Bears' quarterbacks: This is no huge slight to the play of Andy Dalton or Justin Fields on Saturday. They were both uneven, with Fields showing more spark. This is a recognition of how tough their jobs could be with the current state of Chicago's offensive line. It's not just left tackle, where the Bears are hoping Jason Peters can save the day at age 39; right tackle Germain Ifedi also just came off the PUP list Monday. On the offensive line, you need coaching, talent or cohesion. I'm not sure the Bears have any of the above. While the boos for Dalton in the preseason felt unnecessarily cruel, it's worth wondering if Fields' mobility is a better fit behind such a faulty offensive line. Dalton may not get a chance to hit many throws on schedule. - O.J. Howard: He doesn't look the same coming off a torn Achilles tendon. A pair of drops and a blocking mishap further hurt Howard's chances of having a major role in Tampa when the season starts. Tampa fans are ready to dump him as he can't stay healthy and isn't the explosive player he was in college. Signings: - Panthers re-sign WR Robby Anderson (2 years, $29.5 million) Robby Anderson is coming off the best season in his career, catching 95 passes for 1,096 yards. It's not a surprise that the Panthers extended him, especially given that he has experience playing with the team's new quarterback, Sam Darnold. Paying Anderson about $15 million per year seems like a lot, but this is a short-term contract, so the risk isn't too high. This contract provides no value, but keeping Anderson for a couple more years is a good decision. - Seahawks re-sign S Jamal Adams (4 years, $70 million; $38 million guaranteed): Given how much Jamal Adams struggled last year, I thought the Seahawks would get a discount if they extended the former Jet. That did not happen, as Adams received a colossal contract for a player at his position. I'm not a big fan of this deal. Adams logged 9.5 sacks last year, but was routinely torched in coverage. Some of that happened to do with an injury, so the 25-year-old is expected to perform better in 2021. However, it doesn't seem right that the Seahawks couldn't get a bargain at all. Also, Adams isn't the greatest presence in the locker room, so that weighed down this grade as well. I don't hate this signing, but the Seahawks greatly overpaid for the production they got from Adams in 2020. - Josh Rosen to Atlanta to replace AJ McCarron (torn ACL). Rosen is now on his 5th team in four years in the NFL. And the guy is still only 24 so he has plenty of time to catch up to Ryan Fitzpatrick's nine teams. Can you name the QB who has been on the most teams? I'll give you a hint, he runs his own YouTube channel called The QB School.
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