Category: Latest News

Titans agree to terms with DB Greg Mabin

The Titans agreed to terms with DB Greg Mabin on Monday.

The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with defensive back Greg Mabin, the team announced on Monday. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

A former undrafted free agent signing of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2017, Mabin has had multiple stints with the Titans over the past few seasons, spending time on the practice squad.

In 2021, he appeared in five games (two starts) and tallied 10 tackles and one pass defended.

Mabin has been well traveled since entering the league, playing in contests with the Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars.

In 39 career games, Mabin has 51 tackles, seven passes defended and one fumble recovery.

Mabin joins a crowded group in the secondary in Tennessee and will look to earn a spot as a backup on the 53-man roster out of training camp. The Titans added two others to their secondary recently in cornerback Roger McCreary and defensive back Theo Jackson via the 2022 NFL draft.

Ravens S Kyle Hamilton reveals early impressions of new teammates

Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton discussed his early impressions of his new teammates

The Baltimore Ravens selected Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 draft. Not many expected Baltimore to be in a position to nab the former Irish star, as he was projected to go in the first 10 selections of the first round.

When participating in the Ravens’ rookie minicamp, Hamilton was asked about his first impressions of his new teammates. He had great things to say, talking about how even though they’ve only been together for a few days, they’re already joking around like they’ve known each other for a long time.

“Everybody is cool. Everybody is real cool. Even guys who weren’t drafted who are free agents … It’s so funny with this sport. We’ve known each other for literally two days, and we come in, joking around like we’ve known each other for a while. So, I think it’s pretty cool. The whole locker room situation, it’s fun.”

Ravens CB Jalyn Armour-Davis discusses ‘Alabama pipeline’ in Baltimore

Ravens cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis discussed the team’s “Alabama pipeline”

The Baltimore Ravens have been known for their love of players from the University of Alabama. Former general manager Ozzie Newsome was a star tight end for the Crimson Tide, and would consistently bring in players from his alma mater to Baltimore. That hasn’t changed with new general manager Eric DeCosta, as the team selected Alabama cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL draft.

When Armour-Davis was asked if he was aware of the “Alabama pipeline” for the Ravens, the rookie said that he’s very familiar with it, and has even been compared to a now-former Baltimore cornerback who also played for the Crimson Tide in Anthony Averett.

“I’m very familiar with it. I think it was kind of ironic for me. One of my family members said to me when Anthony Averett was chosen, he was chosen like one pick before me, or something like that. So, people always try to compare our game, or something like that. Or they say, ‘Hey, you look like Anthony.’ So, I’m very aware of it, and I look forward to being the next one in line.”

Even though Averett is no longer a member of the Ravens, Armour-Davis will still have an Alabama player at his position group in star Marlon Humphrey. It’s possible that the rookie could play a decently sized role for Baltimore in 2022, so to learn under Humphrey as well as Marcus Peters should benefit him both in the short-term and in the future.

Should Bengals have interest in free-agent CB James Bradberry?

Should the Bengals pursue the free agent?

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The Cincinnati Bengals don’t figure to be done in free agency now that the 2022 NFL draft is in the books.

And while they most likely project to be active at wide receiver and tight end, an interesting name just popped up, too — cornerback James Bradberry.

The Giants cut Bradberry on Monday, with PFN’s Aaron Wilson reporting a trade worth a possible late-round pick never happened because of the money Bradberry would cost on a long-term deal.

Bradberry’s release cleared $10.2 million in cap space for the Giants, and he’ll likely want something similar in free agency. Turning 29 this summer, Bradberry allowed 60 catches on 92 targets with four interceptions while earning a 62.8 PFF grade last season.

On one hand, outside corners like Bradberry don’t normally become available at this stage of the offseason. There’s a reason Wilson mentioned a contender like the Chiefs as a possible suitor.

On the other, the Bengals going after Bradberry might not make a ton of sense at this stage. Not only will he likely command notable money on the open market, the team just used a second-rounder on boundary prospect Cam Taylor-Britt, who they’ll probably want to rotate in with Eli Apple right away. Coaches have also said they think first-rounder Dax Hill can play on the boundary if necessary, too.

Were Bradberry a cheap addition it would be a smooth move to bring him to town. But with CTB ready to make an impact already, the Bengals might be better to spend the cash on other spots, if not hold it for potential long-term extensions.

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Bengals’ Dax Hill was best pick of the draft, says one insider

Another rave review for the Bengals and Dax Hill.

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A favorite exercise for many football media outlets is their favorite pick of the draft or favorite draft class, things like that. ESPN had their own version with their writers and insiders and the Cincinnati Bengals made an appearance thanks to one writer.

ESPN senior writer Dan Graziano named Bengals’ first-round pick Daxton Hill as his favorite pick in the draft:

S Daxton Hill to the Bengals at No. 31. Look, my answer is probably Hamilton, but I have to think he’s going to be a popular one, so let’s pivot here and highlight what I thought was a really smart value pick by the defending AFC champs. The Bengals see Hill as a Swiss Army knife-type of defensive back who can play safety, slot corner and basically whatever else they need him to do in their secondary. They hit the offensive line hard in free agency, as they should have, but they had some holes to fill on defense, too. Hill can help them fill whatever those turn out to be. And he’s not a bad leverage play for the team in case Jessie Bates III’s contract dispute continues to linger.

The selection of Hill at No. 31 has gotten plenty of praise throughout the media landscape.

On top of that, the ESPN experts were also asked which pick they thought was the most head-scratching and, fortunately for Bengals fans, none of the Bengals picks made that list.

So overall, yet another positive outlook for the Bengals top draft choice.

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Ravens HC John Harbaugh discusses Baltimore’s depth at safety

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh discussed the team’s depth at the safety position during rookie minicamp

The Baltimore Ravens drafted multiple talented prospects below their projected draft spots and maintained their “best player available” mentality when it came to selecting players. One of Baltimore’s first-round picks was safety Kyle Hamilton out of Notre Dame. Hamilton was projected to go within the first 10 selections, but fell to the Ravens at No. 14. His position wasn’t one that was featured on many mock drafts as a team need, especially with the signing of Marcus Williams in free agency to go along with longtime Baltimore safety Chuck Clark.

The Ravens hosted their 2022 rookie minicamp over the weekend, where the first-year players showcased their skills and began getting acclimated to playing schemes at the NFL level. When speaking with the media during day two of rookie minicamp, Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh discussed the team’s depth at the safety position.

“We’re very deep at safety. We were deep at safety before, and then you add a guy like Kyle [Hamilton] and then the depth explodes in your face. It’s like, man, the depth chart is full with really good players. We know all about the guys that are playing back there. Chuck [Clark], we know about Chuck. You guys have seen Chuck; he’s one of the best safeties in football, in my opinion. Marcus [Williams], obviously, was a high-price free agent that we were pleased to get. After that, Tony Jefferson … Tony Jefferson can play football. Geno Stone is a really good, young safety. Brandon Stephens who started last year at safety for us, he also has corner flexibility. With all of those safeties, he’s probably going to be moving to corner a little bit and playing, but he can play all the spots. So, there’s flexibility there. I’m really happy with that group.”

Not only are the Ravens deep at safety, the players they have at the position are known playmakers. Hamilton now joins a group that includes Clark, Williams, Brandon Stephens, Tony Jefferson II, Ar’Darius Washington and Geno Stone. Baltimore has plenty of options to make their secondary one of the best in all of football, especially with how much depth they have from top to bottom.

Titans to play Bills in Week 2 on ‘Monday Night Football’

The Titans will take on the Bills on “Monday Night Football” in Week 2.

The Tennessee Titans and Buffalo Bills will meet in Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season as part of a two-game slate on “Monday Night Football.”

The contest will take place at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo on Monday, September 19 at 7:15 p.m. ET, and will be broadcast on ESPN.

Starting just a little over an hour later, the Minnesota Vikings will take on the Philadelphia Eagles at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC.

This is the first known date and time for a Titans game in 2022. The league will reveal the full schedule on Thursday, May 12.

Former Titans DL Du’Vonta Lampkin dead at 25

Former Titans DL Du’Vonta Lampkin has passed away at the age of 25.

Former Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Du’Vonta Lampkin has died after being discovered with a single gunshot wound on May 5, the Dallas Police Department announced. He was only 25.

According to a statement from Dallas police on Facebook, someone checked on Lampkin after he didn’t answer phone calls. When police arrived, Lampkin was found with a single gunshot wound and died on the scene.

On May 5, 2022, at approximately 10:10 p.m., Dallas Police responded to a request by fire at 500 S. Ervay St. Upon arrival, officers discovered Du’Vonte Lampkin, a 25-year-old male, lying on his back with a single gunshot wound. Dallas Fire and Rescue responded and the victim died at the scene.

A preliminary investigation determined when the victim was not answering phone calls, a witness went to check on the victim and found him injured and called for help.

The investigation determined the victim was staying at the location, rented, while waiting to move into a new apartment.

The Dallas Police Department is asking for anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Homicide Detective Josue Rodriguez, #10284, at 214-671-3994 or by email at josue.rodriguez@dallascityhall.com. Please reference case #079583-2022.

After starring in high school and the University of Oklahoma, Lampkin went undrafted in 2018 before going through training camp with the Titans.

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Former Titans WR Taywan Taylor shines in USFL Week 4

Former Titans WR Taywan Taylor had his best game in the Breakers’ Week 4 win over the Gamblers.

Former Tennessee Titans third-round pick and wide receiver Taywan Taylor was a standout performer in USFL Week 4, as his team, the New Orleans Breakers, held on to win against the Houston Gamblers, 23-16.

Taylor had a game-high 112 yards on four catches, with a long reception of 43 yards in the winning effort. The Western Kentucky product’s career-high in receiving yards in a single game during his time in the NFL was 104.

Three of Taylor’s catches came on scoring drives. Taylor had gains of 27 and 25 on receptions during New Orleans’ first touchdown drive of the game in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter, Taylor’s long reception of the afternoon helped set the Breakers up for a game-tying field goal.

New Orleans would go on to get the ball back with just under one minute left to play and orchestrated a touchdown drive to ultimately grab the win and improve to 3-1. New Orleans sits in second place in the South division.

Taylor also chipped in with a pair of kick returns for 27.5 yards per, including a long return of 35 yards.

On the season, Taylor has 169 receiving yards, ranking fourth on the team, and another 127 kick return yards, which leads New Orleans.

After spending two disappointing years in Tennessee and totaling 53 catches for 697 yards and two touchdowns, Taylor was traded to the Cleveland Browns in 2019 for a seventh-round pick.

He failed to record a catch in six games over two seasons with the Browns. In 2021, Taylor was signed by the Houston Texans but never played in a game. He was taken in the 16th round of the USFL draft back in February.

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4 things to love, 3 things to question about Bengals 2022 draft class

Some things we love and question from the Bengals in the 2022 NFL draft.

A little while removed for the 2022 NFL draft now, it’s clear reviews of how the Cincinnati Bengals performed have been mostly positive.

That’s a credit to the team finding good value while hitting on some notable needs. And that was set up thanks to some major spending in free agency on the offensive line, which freed up the draft resources for a best-player-available approach, especially in the all-important early rounds.

Still, there are always some nitpicks worth highlighting along with the great stuff, so let’s step back and look at a few things to love and question about the team’s trip to the 2022 draft.