Eagles name Connor Barwin special assistant to the GM

The Philadelphia Eagles have named former defensive end Connor Barwin as the special assistant to the general manager

The Philadelphia Eagles have been hinting add making an addition to the front office and on Friday a new set of eyes arrived in a former pass rusher, Connor Barwin.

Zach Berman of The Athletic is reporting that Barwin has been named as a special assistant to the GM, Howie Roseman.

The Eagles confirmed Berman’s report a short time ago.

Barwin has been a constant presence at the NovaCare Complex and was recently spotted on the west coast getting in some work at the East-West Shrine Game practices. Barwin would bring the perspective of a former player to the role of special assistant.

According to Berman, Barwin will work with personnel staff, evaluating talent during the offseason. Once the Eagles get into the regular season, Barwin will assume a more hands-on role in player development.

Trio of Chargers included in ESPN’s top-50 free agents list

The Los Angeles Chargers have three of the top-50 free agents heading into the offseason.

We still have a couple of months until the new league year begins in the middle of March, but everyone is already gearing up for what will be one of the most enticing offseasons for the Chargers in the last decade.

While there are a number of players from other teams that look like good bait to sign during the free agency period, Los Angeles will have a handful of in-house names that are intriguing other teams that they will have to decide on.

ESPN released their top-50 free agents to hit the market, and the Bolts had three players listed: tight end Hunter Henry, quarterback Philip Rivers and running back Melvin Gordon.

Checking in at No. 9 is Henry:

Henry returned to full strength after a torn ACL cost him the 2018 season, catching 55 passes for 652 yards — both career-highs. The dynamic role of tight ends in today’s offenses suggests he will be highly sought-after if he reaches the market. The Patriots, in particular, seem like an obvious team of interest.

Henry should be a priority for general manager Tom Telesco. Though he has been hindered by a couple knee injuries, he is a difference-maker in the passing game and he is arguably one of the better blockers on the team. It wouldn’t be surprising if Henry becomes the highest-paid tight end in the league.

Seven spots after Henry is Rivers at No. 16:

Rivers slipped in his 16th season, finishing No. 22 in QBR (48.9), and his teary Week 17 postgame press conference suggested he is ready and willing to move on. It’s not outlandish to think he could put a playoff-ready team over the top. Remember, Brett Favre was 39 when he signed with the Vikings in 2009.

All eyes are on the 38-year old during this period. Rivers is coming off one of his worst seasons yet, and it just so happened to occur on a contract year, giving the team some pause in regards to his future. While some of it falls on the offensive line carousel throughout the season, there were clear signs of regression in terms of his arm strength and decision-making.

Lastly, is Gordon, who checks in at No. 24:

The Chargers’ decision to stand firm during Gordon’s 2019 holdout, and Gordon’s career-low 612 rushing yards upon his return, seem to suggest a parting of ways this offseason. Gordon did manage to rush for eight touchdowns, and his total of 26 over the past three seasons ranks No. 6 in the NFL. His holdout reduced the mileage on his body, but at least some teams will view him as an aging running back whose best years have passed.

Gordon spent last offseason and a few games into the 2019 regular season holding out in hopes of receiving a new paycheck. That was never granted, so he decided to return to show his worth. He finished the season with 612 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and nine total touchdowns.

It was an up-and-down year for the former Wisconsin product, but durability concerns still loom and the emergence of running backs Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson could justify the team’s decision to move on from him this offseason.

NFC Championship: Prop bet picks for Packers-49ers

Breaking down the best prop bets ahead of the NFC title game.

The Green Bay Packers will play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday (6:40 p.m. ET, FOX) for the right to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIV.

If you’re a bettor looking for the best prop bets to put your money on before kickoff, we’re here to help. FTW NFL analysts Steven Ruiz, Charles Curtis and Nick Schwartz made their picks on five Over/Unders for the AFC Championship game.

Weather forecast: Weather at Levi’s Stadium should be perfect for the NFC title game, and have zero impact on the game. The forecast calls for a high of 60 degrees, winds reaching 6 mph, and a 10 percent chance of precipitation, per the Weather Channel.

All betting information via BetMGM.

Aaron Rodgers passing yards total: Over/Under 237.5 (-112)

Steven: Over

The Packers run game did well in the first game between these teams, but Green Bay won’t stand a chance if they aren’t picking up big plays in the passing game. I think Matt LaFleur understands that and will put together a pass-heavy gameplan.

Charles: Over

I think the game script lends itself to Rodgers
needing to go to vintage Rodgers and throw a bunch.

Nick: Under

We’ve seen multiple times this season that even when Rodgers has a high number of attempts, it doesn’t often translate into major yardage days. Dating back to November, Rodgers has failed to hit 237 yards in six of nine starts, and the 49ers’ defense looked stellar last week.

Will Aaron Rodgers throw an interception? Yes (+130) No (-167)

Steven: Yes

I’m guessing the 49ers will take a big lead late and Rodgers will have to force some passes downfield. One of them will get picked off.

Charles: Yes

Yes. The Niners’ secondary is tough and Rodgers has tossed
an INT in two of his last three contests.

Nick: No

To be clear, I wouldn’t actually bet “no” at -167, but I also don’t believe Rodgers will be picked on Sunday. He’s only thrown four picks all year (the best mark in the league), after throwing just two in 2018.

Davante Adams receiving yards total: Over/Under 84.5 (-112)

Steven: Over

Adams should be a major part of the Packers’ gameplan. They should line him away from Richard Sherman and attack the 49ers’ right cornerback. That’s been a problem spot for San Francisco’s defense in recent weeks.

Charles: Over

If you’re betting on a big Rodgers game, then you’re betting a lot of his passes go to Adams even if he’s covered by Richard Sherman.

Nick: Under

Adams has been a bit of a feast or famine player in 2019, as his fantasy football owners can attest, and the 49ers have only allowed opposing receivers to break the 87-yard mark in six of their 17 games this season.

How many points will the Packers score? Over 19.5 (+105) Under 19.5 (-134)

Steven: Over

Green Bay managed only eight points in the first game, but LaFleur will have a better idea of how to attack the 49ers defense. The Packers offense will put up a better fight in this one.

Charles: Over

I don’t think they’ll be completely shut down by the Niners.

Nick: Over

This line is giving the 49ers’ defense a little too much credit, but I don’t think the Packers (who have scored 20 points in all but three games this season) will be over by much.

How many points will the Packers score in the first half? Over 7.5 (-106) Under 7.5 (-134)

Steven: Over

If they’re going to score more than 20, the Packers better score at least eight in the first half. LaFleur typically has a good opening script, which should get Green Bay on the board early.

Charles: Over

I think a nice, round 10 points seems about right to me.

Nick: Over

In the regular season, the Packers scored 34 percent of their total touchdowns in the first quarter – though they weren’t a great second quarter team, with just 52 percent of their touchdowns coming in the first half. Still, a touchdown and a field goal is all we need here.

How many points will the 49ers score? Over 26.5 (-139) Under 26.5 (+110)

Steven: Over

Kyle Shanahan vs. Mike Pettine? Yeah, that’s a mismatch. Shanahan’s offense will move the ball at will on the Green Bay defense.

Charles: Under

The Packers defense is underrated and could keep this one close enough to hit the under.

Nick: Under

The Packers only gave up 27 or more points in two of their 17 games this season, and they’ll presumably be shortening the game with a bunch of Aaron Jones rushes. Take the under.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

Kyler Murray expresses desire to play both baseball and football

“I’ve been playing both my whole life. I would love to add that to the resume.”

A year ago at this time, it was not yet known whether or not Kyler Murray would declare for the NFL draft as he was under contract with the Oakland Athletics in Major League Baseball. He eventually chose football and became the first player ever to be a first-round pick in both baseball and football.

Could he be a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders were in the 1990s?

He was asked about it by AZCentral Sports’ Bob McManaman. Murray believes he could pull it off.

“I think I could,” he said, according to a tweet by McManaman. Athletically, I think yeah, I could do it. I’ve been playing both my whole life. I would love to add that to the resume.”

One might read this as how he would like to do both. However, as much as he would like, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes, he really can’t.

The Cardinals can’t overtly prohibit him from returning to baseball, but the verbiage in his contract puts him in default if he tries out, participates in an exhibition or anything of the like for baseball.

It would be quite the accomplishment to do these days, but it looks like it will never actually occur.

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Ep. 255

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Ep. 254

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