Tag: 2021 Free Agency

Aaron Rodgers has ‘no regrets’ after ‘I still own you’ comments vs. Bears

It’s Bears-Packers week, which means a lot of things. But this week, it also means rehashing Aaron Rodgers’ ‘I still own you’ comments.

It’s Bears-Packers week, which means a lot of things. But this week, it also means rehashing what went down when Chicago hosted Green Bay back in Week 6.

After Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers ran in a 6-yard touchdown, he shouted to the Soldier Field crowd: “I still own you.” Which isn’t exactly a lie, but in a season where taunting has been a focus, it’s a wonder that wasn’t considered it.

Naturally, Rodgers’ comments are going to be rehashed repeatedly this week, from questions in the media to the Sunday Night Football broadcast to the inevitable postgame when those comments are proven right yet again.

Rodgers garnered everything from praise to criticism around the league for him remarks. So when he was asked about his “I still own you” incident, he doubled down.

“I don’t know that you can question a whole lot of what I said,” Rodgers told the media. “…I have no regrets for saying what I did.”

Rodgers is 21-5 against the Bears, where he’s thrown for 6,208 yards and 57 touchdowns in those games — the best numbers against any opponent.

While Bears fans would love nothing more than to shut Rodgers up, it’s going to be hard to convince anyone that Chicago stands a chance in this game, given the injuries and struggles that have happened since their Week 6 matchup.

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Cowboys add depth, sign new WR after recent tryout

The Cowboys have announced the signing of WR Johnnie Dixon, who played at Ohio State and has spent time with three NFL clubs.

The Cowboys’ tryout last week of Brett Hundley resulted in a signing after all. But it wasn’t the journeyman quarterback who Dallas inked to a deal on Monday.

It was one of the two guys Hundley had been throwing to.

The Cowboys announced on Monday that they have come to terms with wide receiver Johnnie Dixon. Dixon played college ball at Ohio State, where he caught 67 career passes for 1,146 yards and 16 touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2019, but spent time with the Texans before landing on Arizona’s practice squad. He worked out with the Browns this spring, but left Cleveland without a contract.

At Ohio State, Dixon was a teammate of Ezekiel Elliott in 2014 and 2015, and was voted a team captain as a senior in 2018. He helped lead the Buckeyes to three Big Ten titles and a national championship during his time in Columbus.

 

Dixon now joins a talented group of receivers in Dallas that includes Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Michael Gallup, Cedrick Wilson, Noah Brown, and fifth-round pick Simi Fehoko, among others.

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Cowboys News: Julio Jones rocking Cowboys gear, Parsons vs Sanders

Sean Lee discusses a tradition after injuries. Power rankings, cornerback depth, and a feud between Dallas rookies and the Eagles?

The Dallas Cowboys are always in the news and when it comes to free agency they always seem to be used to drive up the notoriety and potentially price. But when a player is on the trade market? That’s interesting. Even more interesting is when it’s a wide receiver and there’s no room at the inn. Julio Jones in a Cowboys’ t-shirt? Prepare for the Monday morning water cooler talk.

Meanwhile in more serious news, Sean Lee opens about who helped motivate him while injured. Products of Lee’s alma mater Penn State have engaged in some friendly banter as new rivals in the NFC East. The corner situation, depth at quarterback and whether or not the Cowboys should be considered as one of the top teams in 2021 are all up to bat.

QB Visit: Cowboys to bring in former McCarthy draft pick for workout

Coach Mike McCarthy is looking to a familiar face as a possible veteran backup to Dak Prescott; Brett Hundley made 9 starts for the Packers.

The Cowboys continue to search for quarterback depth behind Dak Prescott. While the team worked out journeyman Jeff Driskel last week, the 2016 sixth-round draft pick with nine starts for three different squads left Dallas without a contract. The club brought in former Ohio State passer J.T. Barrett and Illinois State’s Brady Davis for last weekend’s rookie minicamp, too, but ultimately signed neither player.

Now Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy is dipping into the old Rolodex from his Green Bay days by inviting Brett Hundley in for a visit, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

Hundley is a former fifth-round pick out of UCLA who spent his first three pro seasons with the Packers during McCarthy’s tenure. The 27-year-old saw considerable playing time in 2017 when he took over for an injured Aaron Rodgers in Week 6 and then finished out the season as the starter.

Hundley was traded to Seattle prior to the 2018 season, but did not play. He spent the last two seasons in Arizona, backing up Kyler Murray.

The Cowboys, after losing Andy Dalton in free agency, have retained Garrett Gilbert, Ben DiNucci, and Cooper Rush behind starter Dak Prescott. Gilbert and DiNucci each got a start in 2020; Rush was with Dallas from 2017 until last May. He returned to the club in October after a short stint on the Giants’ practice squad.

In 18 game appearances and nine starts, Hundley is 199-of-337 with 1,902 passing yards. He’s thrown for 9 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

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What Bobby McCain adds to Washington’s secondary

The Washington Football Team had a solid secondary in 2020. It could’ve been better but more than held its own throughout the season.

The Washington Football Team had a solid secondary in 2020. It could’ve been better but more than held its own throughout the season. However, the coaching staff entered the 2021 offseason wanting to add a true free safety and quality depth at cornerback.

For the most part, Washington has accomplished that mission. The WFT’s signing of veteran defensive back Bobby McCain gives the team another veteran defensive back who can play multiple positions. McCain has played free safety, slot corner and outside corner during his six seasons in Miami.

Washington head coach Ron Rivera values versatility in his defenders. So, with the signing of McCain, Washington now has McCain, Landon Collins, Kamren Curl, Troy Apke, Deshazor Everett, Jeremy Reaves and Darrick Forrest as options at safety.

As for cornerback, WFT has Kendall Fuller, William Jackson III, Jimmy Moreland, Daryl Roberts, Benjamin St-Juste, Danny Johnson and Greg Stroman.

That’s not a bad group, especially considering McCain can play corner and Fuller has the versatility to play free safety and both slot corner and outside corner.

Forrest, a rookie from Cincinnati, also played both safety spots in college.

McCain isn’t going to remind anyone of Ed Reed. That doesn’t mean he’s not good, though. McCain’s versatility is what made him appealing to Washington. The defense can disguise coverages better when you interchangeable players in the secondary. That’s something Washington has lacked for years.

The addition of McCain also means Curl will remain at strong safety. There was some talk that Curl could move to free safety in order for Landon Collins to return to his position of strong safety.

This is a good move for Washington for various reasons. For one, you have a player who can move around if a rash of injuries hit the cornerback position one week.

Consider this is another smart signing by Washington head coach Ron Rivera.

Veteran safety Bobby McCain to visit Washington

The Washington Football Team was busy on Thursday, scheduling two visits for recently released veterans on Monday. 

The Washington Football Team was busy on Thursday, scheduling two visits for recently released veterans on Monday.

Earlier on Thursday, Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network reported that former Pro Bowl offensive tackle Charles Leno would visit Washington on Monday. Later in the evening, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported former Miami safety Bobby McCain would also visit the Football Team on Monday.

A former fifth-round pick out of Memphis in 2015, McCain played six seasons for the Dolphins. He was a team captain and starting free safety for Miami in 2020. He made his name as a slot cornerback for the Dolphins before becoming the starter at free safety over the last two seasons.

Miami saves just under $6 million against the salary cap with McCain’s release.

If Washington signs McCain, he would likely play free safety. Washington has a pair of talented strong safeties in Landon Collins and Kamren Curl. However, the team is still looking for the ideal free safety.

The Football Team selected Cincinnati safety Darrick Forrest in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft last weekend, but he is expected to begin his career on special teams.

Known as a scrappy overachiever, McCain would be an ideal fit for Washington coach Ron Rivera’s culture. Not only is he a hard worker and a former captain, but he also offers Washington defensive versatility.

Washington signs a pair of veteran free agents

The 2021 NFL draft is over, but that doesn’t mean the Washington Football Team is done adding talent to the roster. 

The 2021 NFL draft is over, but that doesn’t mean the Washington Football Team is done adding talent to the roster.

The Football Team announced on Wednesday they had agreed to terms with a pair of veteran free agents in tight end Deon Yelder and cornerback Linden Stephens.

The 26-year-old Yelder is entering his fourth season in the NFL. After going undrafted out of Western Kentucky, Yelder signed with New Orleans as an undrafted free agent. He was cut at the end of training camp.

Yelder then signed with Kansas City’s practice squad on Oct. 4, 2018. He was promoted to the active roster and appeared in three games that season. Yelder played in a total of nine games for the Chiefs in 2019, catching three passes for 50 yards.

Yelder appeared in 14 games for Kansas City in 2020. He caught seven passes for 36 yards.

He comes to Washington with a chance to compete for a roster spot as the backup to starter Logan Thomas. Washington drafted Boise State tight end John Bates in the fourth round of the draft. Yelder joins Thomas, Bates, Sammis Reyes, Marcus Baugh and Temarrick Hemingway as the tight ends on Washington’s roster.

Stephens entered the league, coincidentally enough, in 2018 as an undrafted free agent with the New Orleans Saints. He has spent time with the Saints, Broncos, Rams, Dolphins and two stints with the Seahawks. He played 13 games for Seattle in 2020.

The 6-foot-0, 193-pound Stephens played collegiately at Cincinnati.

 

Twitter reacts to the Bears signing speedy WR Damiere Byrd

Twitter had plenty to say about the addition of Damiere Byrd, including how it all but signals the end of Anthony Miller in Chicago.

The Chicago Bears added more speed and depth to the wide receivers room with the signing of former New England Patriots wideout Damiere Byrd to a one-year deal.

The move adds another weapon for new franchise quarterback Justin Fields — and Andy Dalton — and brings some much-needed depth at receiver and even a bit of kick return experience. Oh, and did I mention he ran a 4.28 40-yard dash back in college?

Naturally, Twitter had plenty to say about the addition of Byrd, including how it’s another solid pick-up by GM Ryan Pace and how it all but signals the end of Anthony Miller in Chicago.

4 Veterans the Cowboys should consider signing following the draft

Now that the 2021 NFL draft is over, the Dallas Cowboys can find even more help if they signed any of these defensive veterans.

After months of preperation and projection, just like that, the 2021 NFL draft is over. The Dallas Cowboys, shockingly, made 11 picks and are poised to add an additional 13 undrafted free agents if things go according to plan. That’s quite a haul for a team looking to add talent after a disappointing season.

With the draft now over, the Cowboys shouldn’t stop their pursuit of getting better. There are veteran players still available who can help Dallas in their championship aspirations. The Cowboys didn’t fill all their holes in the draft and even if they did address their positions of need, there are more experienced options out there.

The Cowboys are one of the teams who prefers to wait on signing some veterans until after it doesn’t affect their compensatory pick formula, a period that ends on May 3. While money is tight without working some restructure triggers or release some fringe veterans, expect Dallas to take another look at a few free agents who haven’t yet been signed.

Here are some names that could make a difference with the Cowboys.

Here are details of WR Marquise Goodwin’s contract with Bears

The Bears signed Marquise Goodwin to add valuable depth to the wide receivers room. Here are details of Goodwin’s contract.

The Chicago Bears added some valuable depth and speed to the wide receivers room addition of former San Francisco wideout Marquise Goodwin to a one-year contract.

Chicago has a lot of questions at the wide receiver position behind Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney, especially with Anthony Miller’s future in doubt. The Bears have reportedly been discussing trading Miller this offseason, which doesn’t come as a surprise given his inconsistent performance and his ejection in the wild-card playoff game back in January.

Which is where the addition of Goodwin comes in, especially with a ton of inexperience with Javon Wims and Riley Ridley. Chicago will likely still target a receiver in the NFL draft, but Goodwin gives them solid depth and some speed.

Now, we have details of Goodwin’s contract with the Bears.

Goodwin signed a one-year deal worth $1.21 million, including $350,000 guaranteed and a $137,500 signing bonus. In 2021, Goodwin will earn a base salary of $1.075 million while carrying a cap hit of $987,500 and a dead cap value of $350,000.

By comparison, Miller is slated to earn a base salary of $1.21 million while carrying a cap hit of $1.70 million and a dead cap value of $493,400, which is quite similar to Goodwin. Perhaps it’s an indication of what’s to come of Miller’s future in Chicago.

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