2021 – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Quandre Diggs wants to stay with Seahawks but must be ‘fairly compensated’

Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs will hit free agency in March and Seattle fans are begging the organization to retain him using any means necessary.

Diggs has proven himself to be one of Seattle’s best defensive players over the past three seasons, recording 13 interceptions, 20 passes defended, and 179 combined tackles over that span. He recorded a team-best five picks and was by far the team’s most consistent defensive back. It is easy to see why Seahawks fans would want him to remain for the foreseeable future.

Diggs unfortunately suffered a dislocated ankle and broken fibula in the Seahawks’ final game of the 2021 season, but he still expects to be paid handsomely in the offseason as one of the NFL’s most coveted free agents. He recently stated that he wishes to return to the Emerald City if the Seahawks pay him what he is worth.

“No question,” Diggs said. “If we can make it work and it works out for both sides, and I feel fairly compensated knowing that I’m a two-time Pro-Bowler, [received] All-Pro votes, and one of the best, if not the best free safety in the NFL… I have to be compensated as well, and I feel like I did everything the right way to be compensated as well. If it works out and they say they want to do it, let’s get it done.”

If his statement is any indication, Diggs desires to be the highest-paid free safety in the league. Harrison Smith currently holds the most lucrative contract among free safeties at $16 million per year, so he will likely ask for more than that.

Diggs’ (strong) safety mate Jamal Adams is already owed $17.5 million per year through 2025, but Seattle has approximately $51 million in cap space for 2022. They can also make at least a few moves to create more, so this situation will be something to keep an eye on until March 16.

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25 free-agent options for the Falcons in 2022

25 potential free-agent options for the Atlanta Falcons to consider in 2022.

The Atlanta Falcons hired Terry Fontenot as general manager on January 19, 2021, and after one year on the job, the salary cap is already in better shape.

With over $10 million in cap space — and several different options to free up more money — the team should be a bigger player in free agency during Fontenot’s second offseason.

Here’s an early look at 25 potential free-agent options for Atlanta in 2022.

Packers LB De’Vondre Campbell named first-team All-Pro in 2021

Green Bay Packers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell was named a first-team All-Pro for the 2021 NFL season by the Associated Press.

Campbell, who recorded 146 total tackles and made big play after big play for the Packers defense, received 18 of the possible 50 votes for first-team All-Pro. Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys (46 votes) and Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts (44) were voted as the other two linebackers on the first-team All-Pro team in 2021.

This is Campbell’s first All-Pro selection. A sixth-year veteran, Campbell signed a one-year deal to join the Packers in June after spending five years with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals.

Campbell finished the season ranked third in solo tackles (102) and seventh in total tackles. He missed just four tackles and had the lowest missed tackle percentage (2.9) among linebackers, per Pro Football Focus.

Campbell also delivered two sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, 10 pressures, five pass breakups and six tackles for loss.

Among his biggest plays: a fourth-quarter interception of Jared Goff in Week 2, a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter in Week 3, a fourth-down tackle against JuJu Smith-Schuster in Week 4, an interception of Joe Burrow in overtime in Week 5, a forced fumble on fourth down in Week 7, a sack of Tyler Huntley on fourth down in Week 15.

Campbell had at least 10 tackles in six of 16 games.

In terms of overall grade, Campbell was the highest-graded off-ball linebacker at Pro Football Focus in 2021.

Campbell is the Packers’ first linebacker to be voted to the first-team All-Pro team since Ray Nitschke in 1966.

The Packers had three first-team All-Pros in 2021.

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Packers get 3 first-team All-Pros: Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and De’Vondre Campbell

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams and LB De’Vondre Campbell are all first-team All-Pros in 2021.

The Associated Press voted three members of the Green Bay Packers on the 2021 NFL All-Pro team: quarterback Aaron Rodgers, receiver Davante Adams and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell.

And all three are first-team selections, arguably the highest individual honor for a player in a given season.

Rodgers, a first-teamer for the second straight season, received 34 of the 50 possible votes at quarterback. Tom Brady received the other 16. With first-team All-Pro often mirroring AP voting for major awards, Rodgers appears to be a strong favorite to win NFL MVP. This is his fourth first-team All-Pro selection.

Rodgers tossed 37 touchdown passes and just four interceptions while leading the NFL in passer rating.

Adams, also a first-team selection for the second consecutive season, was a unanimous pick at wide receiver, receiving all 50 votes. He is joined at receiver by Cooper Kupp and Deebo Samuel.

Adams broke team records for receptions (123) and receiving yards (1,553).

Campbell made his first-ever All-Pro team after stuffing the stat sheet for the Packers as an impact inside linebacker in 2021. He received the third-most votes (18), trailing Micah Parsons and Darius Leonard.

Campbell delivered 146 total tackles and missed just four tackle attempts.

Defensive lineman Kenny Clark also received two All-Pro votes, but two wasn’t enough for second-team consideration.

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Seahawks great Cliff Avril: Calls for Pete Carroll’s firing ‘kind of unnecessary’

Avril sat down with 710 ESPN Seattle and declared that the “Fire Carroll” crowd is overreacting to this season.

A disappointing 2021 season has left some Seahawks fans demanding that certain members of the organization be fired, specifically coach Pete Carroll. However, other fans have opposed the notion that Seattle should part ways with its head coach who has led them to sustained success over the past decade, along with former Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril.

Avril sat down with 710 ESPN Seattle and declared that the “Fire Carroll” crowd is overreacting to this season and that significant changes should not be made unless Seattle consistently misses the postseason.

“Is that a real question? Twelve seasons and you have one bad season and everybody’s like, ‘Oh, we change.’” Avril said. “No, the grass is not greener on the other side. If this is a consistent thing for the next three years, OK, now we’ve got to have that conversation. But one bad season? I feel like it’s kind of unnecessary.”

It is true that this is the Seahawks’ first losing season in a decade, but that does not necessarily mean it has been their only bad season in that time span. The 2016 Seahawks team benefitted from being in the worst division in the NFL and barely managed a winning record while some questionable officiating played a role in a few victories.

The 2017 squad featured an anemic offense with one of the worst running games of all time carried by Russell Wilson and kicking woes spearheaded by the scorned Blair Walsh, and nobody should be fooled by the 9-7 record. They have played down to the level of inferior opponents for several years and continue to do so.

External factors such as injuries have come into play over the years, but the fact of the matter is that Seattle has not looked like a legitimate championship contender since Super Bowl XLIX with the exception of 2020, in which they started out 5-0 and finished 12-4, suffering a humiliating wild card loss to the Los Angeles Rams soon after. Different players and coordinators have come and gone, but the one constant here is Carroll.

However, Avril has argued that the lack of a solid defense and running game in recent years has made the Seahawks’ continued achievement of 10+ win seasons under Carroll all the more impressive.

“None of that has been around the last couple of years. And they still have won double-digit games,” Avril said. “They might not have gone far in the playoffs per se, but they still are winning ball games and we can’t negate that.”

That sentence is fairly key, though: “They might not have gone far in the playoffs.” They have not. Strong regular seasons do not mean much when a team consistently gets bounced in the first or second round and many 12s seem to share that sentiment. Carroll has retained his job for now, but will he last much longer?

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Rashaad Penny earns FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week honors

Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny has earned the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Week award for his rushing performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 17. As a result, FedEx will donate $2,000 in his name to HBCUs, funding scholarships for deserving students.

Seattle’s fourth-year running back rushed for 170 yards and two touchdowns on the day, continuing his incredible late-season surge and also earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He is approaching free agency in March and may have dramatically increased his stock at the perfect time, as he could receive lucrative offers from a few teams once the new league year officially begins.

Penny has been ineffective for most of this season but has compiled at least 135 rushing yards in three of the last four games and has looked like a star while doing so, which gives the Seahawks yet another difficult decision to make this offseason.

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Rashaad Penny hopes to be with Seahawks beyond 2021 season

Penny added himself to the list with his strong production in the last three weeks.

Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny may have breathed new life into his career with a few strong performances in the waning weeks of the 2021 season after years of injuries and ineffectiveness. The four-year veteran is near the end of his rookie contract and a player who looked like he would hit free agency with little to no teams looking to acquire his services seems to have raised his personal stock.

Seattle’s postseason ambitions for this year have been officially destroyed following their 25-24 loss to the Bears and the organization could be in for a major shakeup. The futures of numerous Seahawks players and coaches are up in the air and Penny added himself to the list with his strong production in the last three weeks.

Penny rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown against the Bears Sunday. When asked by reporters if he thought he had made himself a part of Seattle’s future plans, Penny responded with hopeful optimism.

“I hope so,” he said. “I mean, I come out to win games and help contribute and I think that’s the number one thing for me, and again, staying injury-free. Being positive and just doing whatever it takes to help win. That’s all it is.”

Penny has seen increased playing time as a result of Chris Carson’s neck injury and Alex Collins being placed on the COVID-19/reserve list. He has been making the most of his opportunities and his most recent performance earned him effusive praise from Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll.

“Yeah, there’s no doubt that he’s a factor,” Carroll said. “He really looked big-time running the football today and he busted a number of different types of runs. …It’s really great to have him back. He’s legit.”

“I feel like I didn’t make any statement,” Penny said after the game. “I knew what I can do, I was just never on the field. It’s unfortunate, but I’m thankful for whatever I’ve been doing these last few weeks and I couldn’t have done it without these guys. Giving me an opportunity to show what I can do and just never giving up on me.”

Penny has shown flashes in the past, but he is heating up at a crucial time and his recent games should make him at least a little more enticing to teams in free agency, including the Seahawks.

“I think this journey for me is far from over.”

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Russell Wilson says finger ‘definitely not’ 100% in return from injury

After weeks of speculation, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson finally confirmed the truth about the finger injury he suffered in Week 5.

On Thursday, Wilson told reporters that his finger did not heal completely by the time he returned against the Green Bay Packers.

“Was I 100 percent? Definitely not,” Wilson said, per the Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. “But at the same time, you go out there and learn as much as you can learn, play as hard as you can, and try and help us win, but unfortunately it didn’t go that way.”

That last bit is certainly an understatement, as Wilson looked like a shell of himself in his first three games back from injury. However, he stated that his finger felt markedly better six weeks from the time his finger collided with Aaron Donald’s helmet, or around the Week 11 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

“I would say that I really felt good at the sixth week, maybe, I felt really good coming back,” he said. “I’m not sure exactly the date or the games, but I was feeling really great. Then over the past several games, the ball is coming out of my hands great, I feel really good, and I’m really confident.”

After steadily improving in victories against the San Francisco 49ers and Houston Texans, Wilson played awfully in Seattle’s most recent defeat against the Los Angeles Rams, completing only 17 of 31 passes for 156 yards and an interception while missing quite a few opportunities, particularly to wide receiver DK Metcalf. At 33 years old, his struggles may be beyond his finger injury.

The 2021 season is all but over for the Seahawks and Wilson’s future in the Emerald City is murky. The trade rumors are circulating once again and we will see if this is actually Wilson’s last hurrah in the blue and green this offseason.

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Lost 2021 season could be what Seahawks need for necessary change

A lost season could force the hand of Seahawks management to make major changes around the organization, and it is clear that they must be made.

The 2021 season will not be fondly remembered by Seahawks fans for obvious reasons, but perhaps it is exactly the kind of season they needed. The team currently holds a 5-8 record and have little to no chance at the postseason unless they win out and get some help from their conference rivals. A lost season could force the hand of Seahawks management to make major changes around the organization, and it is clear that they must be made.

Former Seattle quarterback Jake Heaps stated on 710 ESPN Seattle that if the team makes the playoffs, the organization could get complacent and refrain from making necessary changes.

“What is the best thing for this team?” Heaps told his co-host Stacy Rost on Friday. “Honestly – is it making the playoffs by being able to win out and sneak into the playoffs? Or is it at this point for this team, I’m not saying lose every game, but for them to not be in a position where they can ride high, go undefeated through the rest of the way and say, ‘Hey, we can make all the excuses as to what happened in the season and not make any changes moving forward,’”

“There are things within the franchise that are currently broken, there are things in practices going on right now and it’s just very clear, just very open,” Heaps continued. “From a player acquisition standpoint, that’s broken, it’s not working. A drafting perspective, that isn’t working. From an overall play standpoint, we’re running into the same issues, the same conversations for multiple, multiple years now. So to me, that is something that I look at and I say there needs to be change, there needs to be serious change in terms of the way that either the power dynamics are set or getting in new eyes, making a concerted effort to make sure that you’re improving rather than staying stagnant.”

But what changes should be made in particular? It starts with the two in charge of football operations.

Numerous fans and analysts hold the opinion that Seahawks coach Pete Carroll should be fired as well as general manager John Schneider to a lesser extent. This is not to discredit Carroll and Schneider’s contributions to the franchise’s sustained success over the past decade, but the team has not advanced to an NFC Championship since the 2014 season despite making the postseason nearly every year since 2012.

While Carroll’s teams have nearly always been competitive, they have consistently played down to inferior competition for years now. His philosophy of winning by running the ball extensively seems dated in today’s pass-heavy NFL and his offense’s lack of creativity has been on display for some time.

As for Schneider, a good number of his decisions regarding trades and drafting have been disappointing. While one cannot expect anyone to hit on every trade and pick in a given year, one could also argue that too many of his decisions in recent seasons have harmed the organization, most notably the Jamal Adams trade for two first-round picks and a third-round pick. The roster as currently constructed is not talented enough to make a championship run and Schneider has played a large role in that.

For a long time, these Seahawks have been too good to force ownership to make drastic changes, but also not good enough to truly contend for a Super Bowl.

“My fear is that if you win out and you get into the playoffs, you’re going to fall into this trap of being content and being complacent and saying, ‘We were fine all along and we’re not going to make any legitimate change to progress the franchise forward,’” Heaps said. “And here we are next year having somewhat of the similar conversations, again.”

Heaps makes a lot of good points, but it will be up to owner Jody Allen to make the right personnel decisions for the franchise moving forward. This disappointing 2021 season could be what Seattle needs for change to come and this upcoming offseason will be very intriguing, to say the least.

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12 most-watched college football games of 2021

How many of these 12 did you tune in for?

The college football regular season has officially come and gone after Army and Navy’s annual battle last Saturday and we now know which games brought the highest viewership in.

Despite Alabama and Georgia’s meeting in the SEC Championship being the only battle between two eventual College Football Playoff teams this season, it actually didn’t take home the top spot.

Notre Dame showed up on the list just once this season after being included in a few of the very top spots a season ago.

So what else made the list and what game ultimately took home the highest viewership?

Here are the 12 most-viewed college football games of 2021 according to Stewart Mandel of The Athletic.