Tag: Adam Schefter

Schefter: Browns made biggest offer to Jadeveon Clowney but he refused it

Adam Schefter declared the Browns have made the biggest offer to Clowney but he has yet to bite

In an appearance on ESPN 850 WKNR in Cleveland on Wednesday, ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that the Browns have indeed aggressively pursued free agent DE Jadeveon Clowney. In fact, Schefter advised that the Browns have made the biggest offer to the ex-Seahawk, but Clowney rejected the offer.

Speaking about the Browns, Schefter said this on their much-speculated pursuit of Clowney,

“I think they’ve been the most aggressive team with him financially. And I just think he has balked at going to Cleveland, for whatever reason. I think he’s been hesitant to go because if he wasn’t, he would have gone already because it’s the most money. It’s the richest offer on the table and he hasn’t taken it.”

Schefter continued,

“Why is that? I don’t know. Is that not wanting to be in that city? Is that a lack of belief in the organization?”

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He concluded,

“There is no doubt that Cleveland has offered the most money to date. For whatever reason he has not been willing to take it so far. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t change, but it hasn’t changed just yet.”

Clowney is recovering from post-season sports hernia surgery. With the travel situation impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, conducting a thorough physical exam on the 27-year-old, 3-time Pro Bowler has not been able to take place. Clowney had three sacks in 13 games in his one season in Seattle after bagging 29 sacks in his first five seasons with the Houston Texans.

A gift from Steelers RB James Conner for Father’s Day

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner wrote a book about his journey from Pitt to surviving cancer to the NFL.

Add writing to the list of James Conner’s talents. The Steelers running back recently wrote a book detailing his extraordinary journey from ACC Player of the Year to cancer survivor to the NFL.

In the first game of his junior year at Pitt, Conner tore his MCL. During rehab, he had a chest x-ray and a biopsy that confirmed he had Hodgkins-Lymphoma.

In the book, Conner is candid about his life-altering experience with cancer.

“When I was getting treatment and had camera crews around me, I felt like I was undeserving,” said Conner on The Adam Schefter Podcast. “Just because I have a platform and play football and people hold us to a higher standard and put us on a pedestal at times. We’re all humans and we’re no different. People need help when they go through hard times. To hear so many people say that I’ve been a hope and an inspiration for them — it’s about having a strong mind.”

“Life isn’t always going to be smooth sailing; there’s always going to be ups and downs. It’s just about how we keep pushing and evolving.”

“I had so many people who reached out to me,” said Conner. “I feel like with this book — even without knowing people — I can reach out to them and, hopefully, give them some comfort about anything they’re dealing with.”

Conner hopes that when readers finish the book, they come away with a positive outlook. “I believe perspective is everything. Even when you feel like you’re going through something that’s the worst thing in the world, I promise you there’s going to be a pocket of something positive and something good. Realize adversity is coming, and you can grow from it.”

“Fear is a Choice: Tackling Life’s Challenges with Dignity, Faith, and Determination” will be available June 16 on Amazon and other retailers — just in time for Father’s Day.

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Steelers James Conner on Ben Roethlisberger: ‘I’m going to play my heart out for him’

As a guest on The Adam Schefter Podcast, Pittsburgh Steelers running back talks about his expectations for the 2020 season.

Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner has been getting some work in recently with quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Ryan Switzer, and he was asked about it Monday as a guest on The Adam Schefter Podcast.

“I’ve been to his place. He’s looking good throwing the ball and he’s stylin’ now, too,” said Conner of Roethlisberger’s much-talked-about haircut and beard trim.

“It’s a Pittsburgh thing,” Conner added. “[Brett] Keisel had the beard. It’s part of Pittsburgh; that’s just how they do it.”

Conner said the experience of not being able to safely gather until recently has, ironically, brought them closer together.

“I think we’ve really grown this offseason as teammates and friends,” he said. “Just being around them is motivating and it’s encouraging.”

Conner has heart — this is a proven fact that the Steelers organization and its fans have known this since before Conner was even drafted. As he does every season, he’ll be giving his all in 2020.

“I can’t wait to go out there with [Ben] — I’m going to play my heart out for him and the rest of our teammates.”

Conner is no stranger to what Roethlisberger has been through since his season-ending elbow injury. The running back has faced his fair share of challenges, whether it was being diagnosed with Hodgkins-Lymphoma in 2015 or the injures he’s endured since making it to the pros.

“I know his work ethic and his mindset; what he’s capable of and what he wants to do. That’s what we all want to do — that’s win it all and just take it one game at a time.”

Conner wants to “win at all costs”. When he’s healthy, he puts it all out there and is a productive RB. In 37 games, Conner has posted 1,581 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. He’s also an asset to the passing game having recorded 748 receiving yards and an additional four scores.

He’s just two seasons removed from a Pro Bowl year and is determined to stay healthy and do everything he can to help the Steelers win games.

“My expectations are to control everything I can control; to just put it together and have a good year. I’m just going to go out there and play football like I know how to do and like I’ve been doing.”

“The staff believes in me, my teammates believe in me, my family believes in me and that’s all I need,” he continued. “Most importantly, I believe in me. I don’t have any expectations as to what my stats are going to be; I’m not concerned with that. I just want to give my quarterback and this organization and the team — people who believed in me and took a chance on me even when I had health concerns and issues. I just want to give them a ring.”

Although the stakes are high in the final year of Conner’s rookie contract, he doesn’t seem fazed. “You have to go out there and perform, whether it’s a contract year, a second-year, a third-year,” Conner said. “I’m not concerned about it being a contract year — I’m going to go out there and perform regardless.”

If Conner does go to another team during free agency in 2021, he knows how difficult that would be for him. “It would be hard to put another helmet on because of everything this city means to me. I’m Pittsburgh through-and-through. We’ll take it one day at a time. I just want to stay in the moment.”

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NFL Cancels Europe Games for 2020 – College Football Impact

The NFL made an announcement Monday that only means bad news for Notre Dame and Navy fans in regards to their August game in Dublin, Ireland

Think back just a couple of months ago to when conference tournaments were getting going and we thought the NCAA Tournament was about to be played in front of empty stadiums.  What happened that ended that from happening?

Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz tested positive for coronavirus and as soon as the Dallas Mavericks home contest against the Denver Nuggets ended that night we haven’t seen a big-time sport played in the United States since as the NCAA suspended events the next day.

I remind you of that sequence to tell you that the news of the NFL cancelling all of their games abroad for 2020.

The NCAA wasn’t about to be the first league or organization to step in and cancel things but when the NBA did they felt their hand was forced.

I know we sit and hope for everything to go off as scheduled between Notre Dame and Navy at the end of August, but is the NCAA going to let those two play a contest abroad when the NFL won’t even send their players and team employees?

The chances of that happening are slim to none and and slim is waiting for his jacket at the coat check.

I want to be wrong, I really do.  I was fortunate enough to head to the Emerald Isle in 2012 to take in Notre Dame and Navy and as great as a 50-10 opening day victory was, the trip was downright fantastic before even bringing up the football part.

As much as I’d like to be wrong I simply can’t see the NCAA not following the lead of the NFL here and putting a stop to Notre Dame vs. Navy in Dublin from happening.

2021 NFL Draft Gets a Home

Fun times in Cleveland, indeed as the Mistake by the Lake will host the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 2021 NFL Draft is set and will hopefully be held under much better circumstances than the 2020 edition that came and went this past weekend.  Instead of Las Vegas like it was supposed to be this year before everything had to be done the next edition of the NFL Draft will be held in…

CLEVELAND!

What NFL city would be the furthest thing from the Vegas feel that they were planning to have in 2020?

Well, Green Bay is probably the first and correct answer to that question but after that it’s got to be Cleveland, right?

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In all seriousness, for a team that goes to the playoffs once every twenty years (and this is coming from a Bears fan, mind you) it’ll be nice for a change to have something meaningful in regards to professional football happen in a city with such passionate fans.

Report: Seahawks to sign UDFA running back Anthony Jones

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seattle Seahawks plan to sign running back Anthony Jones to a contract following the 2020 NFL Draft.

Former FIU running back Anthony Jones is reported to be set to sign a contract with the Seattle Seahawks after surviving a bullet to the face in a drive-by shooting in 2018. ESPN’s Adam Schefter delivered the news the Seahawks will be signing Jones as an undrafted free agent.

Jones was hospitalized and intubated following the incident. He told the Associated Press that he questioned why something so tragic could happen to him specifically.

“That first night, I asked God, ‘Why me?'” Jones said. “I did. You know I did. I just wished I could rewind time, man. Why me? I don’t ever do anything to anybody. I’m a good dude. I respect everybody. I’m a respectful man. My momma raised me right. I’ve never done anything to anybody. I just want to play football, graduate, get my degree and help my family.”

Doctors told FIU head coach Butch Davis that the bullet passed through Jones with no crucial structural damage inflicted.

“The doctor at the hospital when it happened told me, ‘Coach, I’ve been doing this for like 18 years and I’ve never seen anybody survive this,'” Davis told the Sun-Sentinel. “And then he described the bullet wounds, where they went, what they didn’t touch. For that shot to go through and not hit any organs, any bones, any nerve tissue, he said it’s a miracle. It honestly is a miracle.”

At the very least, Jones will get an opportunity to show what he can do at the professional level.

“I have that chance now,” Jones said.  “A second chance.”

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Report: Bears not expected to pick up 5th-year option for Mitchell Trubisky

It seems as if Bears GM Ryan Pace has already made his mind up about whether or not to exercise QB Mitchell Trubisky’s fifth-year option.

The 2020 NFL Draft is rolling on for the Chicago Bears and while it’s still up in the air as to whether or not general manager Ryan Pace selects a quarterback in the late rounds, he may have already made up his mind on one of his own.

According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, league sources aren’t expecting the Bears to pick up the fifth-year option on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

This news doesn’t come as a surprise given Trubisky’s struggles last season and the team’s willingness to trade draft capital for quarterback Nick Foles earlier in the offseason. The Bears acquired Foles from the Jacksonville Jaguars for the their fourth-round pick in the 2020 draft.

Trubisky’s option would also guarantee him approximately $24 million during the 2021 season, but it is only guaranteed for injury. The former second overall pick regressed last season following a Pro-Bowl appearance in 2018, throwing for 3,138 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 15 games.

Pace and the Bears front office have until May 4 to exercise the option on Trubisky. The Bears GM has only picked up the option once during his tenure; exercising outside linebacker Leonard Floyd’s option last year before rescinding it this offseason.

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Shefter: Lions did not receive a trade offer for the No. 3 pick

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that despite rumors of the Detroit Lions being in trade talks, they never received an offer for pick No. 3 overall.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting on the 2020 NFL Draft broadcast that despite rumors of the Detroit Lions being in trade talks, they never received an offer for pick No. 3 overall.

In fact, the first trade didn’t come until pick 13, when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved up to the Indianapolis Colts spot and grabbed Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs.

While acquiring additional picks in a deep class would have surely benefited the Lions, they were still able to land an instant impact player in Ohio State corner Jeff Okudah with the third pick. At the end of the day, the Lions have to be happy landing their guy.

Seahawks may be exploring options on trade for Leonard Fournette

Reports have come out that the Seattle Seahawks are possibly considering their options on trading for running back Leonard Fournette,

 

The Seattle Seahawks have possibly emerged as trade contenders for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette along with a few other NFL teams.

ESPN reporter Adam Schefter tweeted the news on Saturday afternoon.

The News Tribune’s Gregg Bell took to his own Twitter account to report that the Seahawks may be looking at their options regarding Fournette.

The concept of Seattle trading for a running back may be baffling to some because Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny can both be strong offensive weapons. However, they are both entering 2020 coming off season-ending injuries. It would not be out of the question for the Seahawks to at least think about acquiring Fournette.

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Report: Jaguars have had discussions to potentially trade RB Leonard Fournette

The Jaguars continue to ship assets as Adam Schefter reports they are open to trading Leonard Fournette.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have already ridded themselves of several veterans from their 2017-19 squad and with the draft coming up, others could follow. Of course, the name that most are aware of is disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue but it appears he may not be alone as Leonard Fournette’s name has also been discussed on the trade block.

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Jaguars are open to possibly shipping the former No. 4 overall pick, with multiple teams interested in the 25 year-old.

Fournette is approaching the final year of his rookie deal and is scheduled to make $4.16 million in 2020. That’s a figure he’ll make despite having had his guarantees voided by former front office executive Tom Coughlin following a string of disciplinary infringements.

This news concerning Fournette comes after he recently raised some eyebrows this week by publicly stating his desire for free agent Cam Newton to join the Jaguars. However, he later came out to clarify that his pitch for Newton was simply to better the team by adding competition.

Whilst he has struggled to build upon his impressive rookie season, last year Fournette managed to add a different dimension to his game, leading the team in receptions with 76. He also was able to garner 265 touches for 1,152 rushing yards (a career-high), and three touchdowns.

The Jaguars already own 12 picks in this year’s draft and have done their due diligence on the running back position, perhaps in preparation for life without their running back. If he is moved prior to the draft, Fournette would join the long list of players from the 2017 AFC Championship game to leave Jacksonville over the span of the last five months like A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, and perhaps Ngakoue.