Category: Latest News

Former Bengals CB Trae Waynes sounds done with football

The former Bengals CB sounds like he’s moving on from the game.

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The Cincinnati Bengals cut cornerback Trae Waynes earlier this offseason and the veteran has made it sound like his name won’t be popping up with other teams this summer.

Waynes appeared on the “Geary & Stein Sports Show” and said he’s effectively retired, even if he didn’t make a formal announcement.

“I mean it’s open but I’m not really exploring anything to be honest with you,” Waynes said. “Multiple teams have actually called, but in my head I’m done. I’m not officially doing it, I’d say, just because I don’t do that…I’m retired, but it’s not like I announced it or anything.”

Waynes, the 11th pick in 2015, will turn 30 years old this summer but sounds ready to call it a career.

The Bengals agreed to a three-year deal worth $42 million in March of 2020 with Waynes. He missed all of 2020 due to injury and only appeared in five games last season as a depth option after further injuries hurt his ability to stay on the field.

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La’el Collins talks about his Bengals tattoo

The new offensive tackle has a certain tiger on his leg.

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Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle La’el Collins added to his notable leg tattoo not long after putting pen to paper with his new team in free agency this offseason.

Though Collins says he didn’t get his first tattoo until last year, he made sure to go all out with a collage that serves as a collection of where he’s been in the football world.

Naturally, one of the most recent additions is a little orange and black to spotlight the Bengals.

“I was just kind of sitting around. I had always wanted one, but I didn’t know what I wanted to get,” Collins said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “It kind of made sense since football meant so much to me, I just wanted to get kind of a collage of where I started. The bottom of the leg is the year I was born. On this side is my little league team. The Rams. And this is my high school team. This is our high school logo … we were the Wolves so I put a wolf right here. Going to Dallas, there’s (the Cowboys’ stadium) and the star.”

The space the Bengals tattoo sits was a question mark for Collins until that wild free-agency saga (that included meeting fans at the mall during the negotiations process) came to an end.

“I was always kind of wondering what I was going to put there,” Collins said. ‘I signed here. Perfect.”

If the Bengals and Collins have their way, the ideal scenario would be his adding some hardware to the collage and not needing to throw any other team’s logos on there.

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Adam Rank predicts outcome of every 2022 Titans game

After nailing Tennessee’s 2021 record, Rank is once again predicting the outcome of every Titans game for 2022.

Prior to the 2019 season, NFL Network’s Adam Rank was very down on the Tennessee Titans, but the team went on to make him eat his words.

Rank predicted the Titans to go 3-13 that year and miss the playoffs. Of course, Tennessee ripped off a season in which they only went 9-7 but advanced all the way to the AFC Championship Game.

The picture of Rank in front of the video board with his 2019 prediction has now become infamous in Titans circles, and fans no doubt basked in the glory of how wrong Rank was as Tennessee upset its way through the playoffs.

In the years since, Rank predicted the Titans to go 8-8 in 2020 before they finished 11-5, and then in 2021 he predicted the Titans would go 12-5, which he nailed.

Rank is back at it once again in 2022 and has predicted the outcome of each of Tennessee’s 17 games. Here’s what he came up with.

Bleacher Report says Ravens should trade for this star WR ahead of 2022 training camp

Bleacher Report says that the Baltimore Ravens should trade for this star wide receiver

The Baltimore Ravens have seen the wide receiver position change quite a bit over the course of the 2022 offseason. The team traded away wideout Marquise Brown and also moved on from both Sammy Watkins and Miles Boykin, leaving them with players such as Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace to step up.

When listing out five NFL trades that should happen before training camps open in 2022, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report has Baltimore adding to their wide receiver room by acquiring Washington Commanders pass catcher Terry McLaurin in exchange for first and third-round selections. Kay talks about how the former Ohio State University star would fill the void left by Brown, and acquiring him before training camp would give the wideout ample time to get familiar with the Ravens’ offense.

“The Ravens have their own picks in each of the first four rounds of the 2023 draft. Kicking over first and a third-rounders to the Commanders for a highly productive and healthy 26-year-old receiver just entering his prime would provide Baltimore with the ideal Brown replacement…Getting the deal finalized before training camp would give McLaurin time to get integrated into the Ravens offense and allow the Commanders to prepare for a campaign without their top offensive weapon.”

There’s no question that McLaurin would add another dynamic to Baltimore’s already potent offensive unit. In three seasons in the NFL, the wideout has accumulated 222 catches for 3,090 yards and 16 touchdowns. He would be a true No. 1 wide receiver for quarterback Lamar Jackson, and would fit in nicely with other pass catching weapons such as Bateman and tight end Mark Andrews. However, there are a few things to think about when it comes to the potential of the Ravens trading for McLaurin.

First off, the star is in line for a massive second contract, which he absolutely deserves. However, with Baltimore’s offense being a run-heavy one, it’s up for debate just how much they’d be willing to pay a wide receiver, especially when a contract for a player of McLaurin’s caliber is likely to exceed $20 million per season. There is also the question of how much draft capital the Ravens would want to give up, as the team values their draft picks.

McLaurin would be a phenomenal addition for Baltimore. However, depending on how the Ravens feel about dishing out big money to a wideout as well as surrendering major draft capital in the process, a deal might not be in the cards.

Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry named Titans’ best duo

Jeffery Simmons and Harold Landry were named the Titans’ best duo by CBS Sports.

Prior to the 2021 season, if you were to pick out the Tennessee Titans’ best duo, the pair likely would have come from the offensive side of the ball after the Titans sported one of the best units in the NFL in 2019 and 2020.

We likely would have chosen either quarterback Ryan Tannehill and wide receiver A.J. Brown, or Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry.

However, after Tannehill and the offense struggled with consistency in 2021, and with Brown no longer on the team, choosing a duo from the defense, which experienced a revival last season, makes sense.

And we’re on the same page with CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr, who listed outside linebacker Harold Landry and defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons as Tennessee’s best duo.

Here’s why:

The Titans defense is anchored by two of the most productive players at their respective positions. A second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection last year, Simmons finished with 52 pressures and 8.5 sacks with 16 quarterback hits. He was just one of three defensive tackles to finish with 50 tackles, eight sacks and 15 quarterback hits last season — joining Aaron Donald and Jonathan Allen. 

Landry had a breakout season with the Titans last year as he finished with a career-high 75 tackles, 12 sacks and 22 quarterback hits — earning his first Pro Bowl appearance after four seasons in the league. Landry also recorded a career-high 57 pressures and finished with 41 hurries. 

Both Simmons and Landry are 26 or under and should be anchoring the Titans’ pass rush for a long time. The best is yet to come for this duo. 

Simmons and Landry made up half of one of the best front fours in the NFL last season, combining for 20.5 sacks between the two of them. Along with defensive lineman Denico Autry, the dynamic trio tallied a combined 29.5 sacks and was largely responsible for the turnaround.

Both Landry and Simmons had career years and received recognition as Pro Bowl replacements, and Landry even netted himself a huge extension worth $87.5 million over five years. Meanwhile, Simmons has emerged as one of the best interior defenders in the NFL.

Outside linebacker Bud Dupree was the weakest link, but he did finish the season strong with three sacks in the final five games (including playoffs). Things figure to be better in his second season removed from a torn ACL.

Overall, the defense is returning all but one starter from last season, so the Titans’ unit should be among the best once again in 2022 — and the aforementioned duo will play a big role in that once again.

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Bengals hoped C.J. Uzomah would return even after agreeing with Jets

The Bengals still had hope despite C.J. Uzomah agreeing with the Jets.

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It’s no great secret the Cincinnati Bengals were surprised that tight end C.J. Uzomah decided to leave for the New York Jets in free agency.

And as it turns out, those Bengals were hoping Uzomah would change his mind, even after agreeing to sign with the Jets.

This little detail came out over the weekend courtesy of NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who wrote the following: “Yup, the Bengals were hoping he’d go back even after he agreed to terms with NYJ. We saw a few of those this free agency but Uzomah was set on the Jets and the NY market.”

There were a couple instances this offseason of players agreeing with one team, only to go and end up with another, as nothing’s final until a contract gets signed.

The fact the Bengals were hoping Uzomah would do the same speaks to how much they wanted him back for a number of reasons. After he elected to head for New York, the Bengals pivoted and signed Hayden Hurst.

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BR suggests Titans trade OLB Bud Dupree to Bears

Bleacher Report has drawn up a trade scenario that has the Titans dealing Bud Dupree to the Bears.

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Bud Dupree had a disappointing first season in Nashville, but is it time for the Titans to part ways with him already?

According to Bleacher Report’s Ian Wharton, they should. Wharton drew up a trade scenario for each team ahead of training camp and suggested the Titans deal Dupree and a 2023 second-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round pick.

Here’s Wharton’s take:

Dupree was a complete nonfactor in his first season with the Titans. He totaled 17 tackles and three sacks in 11 games. Even at his best in Pittsburgh, he was a complementary rusher to T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. Tennessee was reckless and misevaluated Dupree’s talent.

With Chicago in a full rebuild and needing extra draft picks, it should take on Dupree’s contract to effectively buy a mid-round pick. Chicago could then offload Dupree’s deal after the season for a modest $3.2 million dead-cap hit in 2023, 2024, and 2025.

Tennessee would save about $18 million between 2022 and 2023 by trading Dupree compared to cutting him now. The Titans need cap flexibility, justifying the use of a second-round pick to open space for another free-agent swing next year when the cap space rolls over.

Despite Dupree’s struggles in his first season with the Titans, this is a trade Tennessee cannot make, especially when it has them also trading away a second-round pick just to get it done.

For starters, this would leave a huge hole off the edge opposite fellow outside linebacker Harold Landry, as the Titans would be left with a career backup in Ola Adeniyi and an unproven Rashad Weaver, who is coming back from a significant injury, to take Dupree’s spot.

Furthermore, there is hope Dupree will be better in his second season removed from a torn ACL.

The veteran started showing signs of returning to form late last season with three sacks in Tennessee’s last five games (including playoffs). He also recently admitted he didn’t start feeling better about his knee until January.

“I’d say it was in the playoff game [against the Bengals], that’s when things started to really unfold, started feeling a little better,” Dupree admitted. “Then going into this offseason, [I’ve] had a lot of opportunities to go and keep rehabbing and continue on that [road to recovery].”

Tennessee will no doubt hold on to Dupree for at least one more season, but we wouldn’t rule out him getting cut in 2023 if he fails to once again perform up to the standards he set during his days with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

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Bengals salary cap: Where Cincinnati stands now that all draft picks are signed

An update on the Bengals cap space.

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It took some time but the Cincinnati Bengals have every draft pick under contract, meaning now is a great time to step back and look at the team’s cap situation.

After years of sticking around near the top of the league in terms of free cap space the Bengals…are still pretty high up the list.

According to the numbers at Spotrac, the Bengals boast the 11th-most cap space in the NFL right now at roughly $14.9 million.

An important note — that’s with franchise-tagged safety Jessie Bates checking in at roughly $12.9 million despite the fact he hasn’t technically signed the tag yet. He will, barring an extension before the July 15 deadline. Also worth noting — an extension wouldn’t impact this year’s cap number that much, if any.

Anyway, this sort of cap space suggests the team could probably add a veteran free agent to the mix. Bengals players have kept Larry Ogunjobi’s number available, for example. They could also perhaps take on some cash in a trade.

The Bengals do like to roll over some cap to the next season and will need to keep some space clear for eventual injuries and general housekeeping, but there’s some wiggle room there if they want to add to the roster soon.

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Ravens HC John Harbaugh praises OLB Daelin Hayes for practice performances

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh praised the practice performances of OLB Daelin Hayes

The Baltimore Ravens have plenty of up-and-coming contributors that could make a huge impact during the 2022 season. One of those players is outside linebacker Daelin Hayes, who showed flashes in 2021 but lost most of his rookie year due to injuries.

Hayes has been making an impact during the early portions of 2022 practices, impressing in both voluntary organized team activities as well as mandatory minicamp. When Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh was asked about his thoughts on Hayes and what he’s strung together so far, he had a plethora of praise for the second-year player.

“All those guys … Daelin [Hayes] is a great example of it, and all those guys, they’re flashing and they’re showing some good things. The next step will be training camp [and] getting to the quarterback, as much as we allow them to, when the pads come on, and then in the games and all that. But he [Daelin Hayes] has flashed. He knows the defense, he’s very confident out there right now, and there are a lot of guys like that.”

 

Ravens WR coach Tee Martin discusses mentality of team’s WR group

Ravens wide receiver coach Tee Martin discussed the mentality of the team’s wideout group

The Baltimore Ravens have become known for their ability to draft at a high level. However, there are certain positions that they are better at drafting than others, and wide receiver is one that hasn’t produced as much consistent homegrown talent as the team would have liked.

After the trade of Marquise Brown and the departures of both Sammy Watkins and Miles Boykin, Baltimore will be relying on four players that they invested draft picks in at receiver. When Ravens wide receiver coach Tee Martin was asked about if the wideouts have a chip on their shoulder, Martin discussed their mentality.

“No question. That’s exactly what the mentality is right now. The guys do have a chip on their shoulder, and they want to go out and prove that they’re ready for their opportunity. And when we don’t draft a wide receiver, what the organization is saying to you is, ‘We brought you here for a reason, and it’s your time.’ And so, whether it’s Rashod [Bateman], whether it’s Devin [Duvernay], Tylan [Wallace], James Proche, guys like that, they’ve been here, they know the system, they played, sparingly, in some roles, and now you’re going to look out there and see them on the field more often, getting an opportunity to make more plays for us.”

The more playing time that receivers such as Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace get, the better chance they have to make an impact and prove that they are better than any possible veteran wide receiver that could be brought in by the team. Each has plenty of talent, and should get plenty of opportunities to make a name for themselves.