Tag: bama in nfl

Former Crimson Tide LB Rashaan Evans finds new home with the Atlanta Falcons

Rashaan Evans has found a new home!

Rashaan Evans is on the move from Tennessee, according to a tweet by ESPN Senior Insider Adam Schefter. He has signed a deal with the Atlanta Falcons.

Evans will be reunited with his former defensive coordinator for the Titans in Dean Pees, who is now employed under the watchful eye of Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as the defensive coordinator in Atlanta.

A 2018 first-round pick, Evans started 50 games for the Titans and did not miss a start during the 2019 or 2020 seasons. After a midseason IR stay last year during the 2021 season, he returned to help Tennessee win the AFC South and secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed in the playoffs. The Titans did not pick up Evans’ fifth-year option as part of his rookie contract in 2021, meaning that he became a free agent following the conclusion of the season.

Evans wasn’t utilized as much as he probably could have been during the 2021 NFL season. The Titans made the former Alabama standout a healthy scratch for their divisional-round game and had used him sparingly in Weeks 17 and 18. Evans surpassed 100 tackles in 2019 and added 2.5 sacks that year. He intercepted two passes and forced a fumble in his shortened 2021 season.

Perhaps the move to Atlanta will allow Evans to be reinvigorated in a new system with at least one familiar face in Pees.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to keep you updated on all things Crimson Tide athletics.

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Eagles GM says Jalen Hurts is the man for the starting job at QB for the Eagles

The Eagles are sticking with Jalen Hurts at least through the 2022 NFL season

The Philadelphia Eagles appear to be all in on former Alabama and Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts as the starter for the at least the 2022 NFL season.

During a fancy get together at The Breakers resort in Palm Beach for the annual owners meetings, the general manager of the franchise revealed that the Eagles haven’t wavered in their support of the third-year signal-caller.

The 6-1, 220-pound Texas born QB threw for 3,144 yards and 16 touchdowns with nine interceptions during the 2021 season, and posted a QBR of 87.2 during his second year in the league. Prior to that, during the 2020 season he threw for just 1,061 yards and six touchdowns while throwing four interceptions.

Philadelphia will no doubt need to find some talent at the wide receiver position during the 2022 NFL Draft to give Hurts some good options outside. They will have three first-round picks to attempt to find their guy to go along with $23 million in cap space for this season.

The Eagles are likely making the right decision by rolling with Hurts. By going with a big-name free agent, they would have used significantly more cap space in the signing compared to the mere $1.6 million cap hit that comes with keeping Hurts behind the wheel of the offense.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to keep you updated on all things Crimson Tide athletics.

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Ex-Alabama punter JK Scott inks deal with the Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have themselves a solid boot from the leg of JK Scott

Former Crimson Tide punter JK Scott has found a new home in the National Football League after seeing playing time in just one contest this past season for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Los Angeles Chargers signed the punter to a contract, the team announced today, though the terms aren’t yet available to the public.

Scott began his NFL career as a Green Bay Packer. He was drafted by the Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and was signed to a four-year, $2.7 million deal.

In 49 career regular-season games, Scott punted 198 times and posted a 44.5-yard gross punting average. He has also registered 63 punts pinned inside the 20 and a 38.8-yard net average. Scott appeared in all 16 games in each of his three seasons (2018-20) with the Packers and saw action in one game last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Scott posted a 45.5-yard gross punting average in his last season for the Packers, good for the second-best mark in a single season in team history. As a rookie, he became the first punter in Green Bay history to register a punt of at least 58 yards in each of his first three NFL games. The Alabama product played in four postseason games for the Packers, punting 13 times and averaging 43.6 yards per punt (40.1 net avg.).

While punting for the Crimson Tide from 2014-17, Scott was pivotal in changing field position for the Crimson Tide. Over his college career, he averaged 45.6 yards per punt and assumed kickoff duties during his senior season.

Scott is the all-time UA record holder for career punting yards with 11,074 and attempts at 243 and also holds the Alabama record for career punting average at 45.6 yards per punt. He was selected as a First Team All-SEC honoree from the coaches while being named to the conference’s second team by the Associated Press.

Only five punts off the boot of Scott were returned for 36 yards during his senior year, with two of the five returns going for no gain. He dropped 27 of his 54 punts inside the 20-yard line, with only four touchbacks.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to keep you updated on all things Crimson Tide athletics.

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Tennessee Titans plan to release WR Julio Jones after just one season

The former Crimson Tide standout is likely on the move after a one-and-done season in Nashville.

Julio Jones may be on the move after just one season in Nashville, as the future Hall of Fame wide receiver will be released by the Tennessee Titans, according to a report Dianna Russini and Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Jones gave the Crimson Tide three solid seasons as a wide receiver in Tuscaloosa, amassing 2,653 total yards and 15 touchdowns in his college career at Alabama.

For 10 years, Jones spent his NFL career in Atlanta, playing for the Falcons of the NFC South, before being traded in 2021 to the Titans in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

During the 2021 NFL season, Jones caught just 31 passes for a grand total of 431 yards and just a single touchdown. He was expected to help lead Tennessee in a deep playoff run. However, it just never came to fruition following his jersey exchange.

Russini joined Schefter in taking to Twitter to announce the move.

The All-Decade wideout isn’t entering first-time free agency with a whole lot of momentum, unfortunately. He ripped off a record-setting stretch from 2014-19, surpassing 1,390 yards in each season and making six straight Pro Bowls. But injury absences began to pile up in 2020. That proved to be a bad sign for the Titans, who could only get 10 games out of the high-level trade acquisition.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Jones’ situation as it progresses.

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Calvin Ridley suspended by the NFL for entire regular season

Things are not looking good for the former Crimson Tide standout

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver and current Atlanta Falcon Calvin Ridley has been suspended for at least the entire 2022 NFL season. Ridley was found to have bet on NFL games during the 2021 season during a five-day period in November while he was on the non-football injury list, according to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Back in late October, Ridley announced that he would be stepping away from football due to mental health concerns.

After the conclusion of the 2021 season, talks of Ridley returning started hitting the rumor mill, leading to talks of a potential trade for Ridley from the Atlanta Falcons.

Schefter also reported that multiple NFL teams had reached out to the Falcons inquiring of a potential trade for Ridley, but it was reported that the Falcons were declining those talks in good faith, knowing the potential ramifications Ridley could be facing in the near future.

Here is the NFL’s statement on the matter, also provided by Schefter.

It remains to be seen rather Ridley will again be able to play football in the NFL following the conclusion of the 2022 season.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for continued coverage of the Crimson Tide and its NFL alumni.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29. 

Alabama lands 3 on NFL media analyst’s 2022 NFL Draft prospect rankings

The Crimson Tide lands three prospects in one NFL Media analyst’s top-50.

This year’s draft class for the Crimson Tide may not be as rich as many are used to, but Alabama boasts some solid prospects that could make an immediate impact on an NFL roster from day one.

According to NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah, Alabama has three prospects in the Top 50 of all 2022 NFL Draft hopefuls. The highest-ranked among them, to nobody’s surprise, is Evan Neal.

Evan Neal

Neal signed with the Crimson Tide in 2018 and sacrificed his body at three different positions on the offensive line for Alabama. He started as a left guard as a freshman and sophomore before switching to left tackle in 2020. He finished his career in a crimson uniform as a left tackle,  protecting the blind-side of Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young in 2021. This fact suggests that he has not yet reached his full potential since he hasn’t logged consecutive seasons at his likely professional position (left tackle).

The underclassman allowed only 24 pressures over the last two seasons between right and left tackle, per PFF. As a run-blocker, Neal graded in the 96th percentile in percentage of positively graded plays, according to PFF’s Eric Eager.

There are rumblings around the profession suggesting that Neal could go as high as the No. 1-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, which belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars for the second consecutive year.

He is ranked at No. 5 on Jeremiah’s top-50.

Jameson Williams

Jameson Williams didn’t spend a whole lot of time at Alabama, but the time he was able to contribute for Nick Saban proved to be more than worth the wait in getting him to Tuscaloosa.

Prior to transferring to Alabama, Williams caught just 15 passes for 266 yards in 10 games over his first two college seasons.

The transfer proved to be a good move for both parties, however, as Williams recorded a spectacular season, hauling in 79 passes for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.

His decision to declare for the draft was expected following his incredible season. He has elite speed that is highly coveted at the professional level and has fantastic acrobatic acumen, which he shows by catching difficult passes that look to be uncatchable for the average wideout.

Whoever lands this 6-2, 189-pound speed machine will not be disappointed.

Williams comes in at No. 27 on Jeremiah’s top-50.

Christian Harris

Christian Harris arrived in Tuscaloosa as a four-star recruit out of high school from Louisiana and started for three years for Nick Saban at linebacker.

In 2019, Harris recorded 63 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss. The following season Harris recorded 79 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 4.5 tackles for loss, and one interception.

This past season Harris recorded 79 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

Harris shows impressive technique in blitzing the quarterback, which was reflected in his stat-line over the course of the last two seasons in which he recorded 10 sacks and recorded 21 quarterback pressures.

The linebacker prospect may not go off the board until day two of the NFL Draft, but wherever he lands you can expect him to put forth significant effort.

Harris comes in at No. 44 on Jeremiah’s list of top 2022 NFL Draft prospects.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for continued coverage of the Crimson Tide.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29. 

5 potential trade destinations for WR Amari Cooper

Not that it’s a guarantee, but where could Amari Cooper land if he is dealt by Dallas?

Amari Cooper’s 2022 salary is fully guaranteed after the fifth day of the league year in March under his current five-year, $100 million contract with the Dallas Cowboys that was signed in March 2020.

The Cowboys have minimal time to come to a decision on whether or not they will retain Cooper on the roster for the 2022 NFL season. But after June 1, Dallas will only be on the hook for $2 million of dead money on Cooper’s contract.

After only catching 68 passes for 865 yards and eight touchdowns, some in Dallas are pondering their prospects if they were to deal Cooper out.

While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones maintains that he intends to keep the contract as is, it’s interesting to think about different locations that would benefit both parties were he to be dealt by Dallas.

Derrick Henry poised to make return in NFL playoffs

Derrick Henry could see the field on Saturday.

Former Alabama and current Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry is continuing to make strides toward returning to the playing field for the Titans as they hope to make a deep playoff run.

The Titans take on the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday in an AFC Divisional round matchup.

The Titans held a padded practice Tuesday and had some of the defensive players bang into Henry as he went through drills during the individual period of practice with the running backs. Coach Mike Vrabel said they wanted to replicate some of the things Henry would be asked to do if he played in a game.

“I felt great,” Henry said Wednesday. “I just wanted to get some pads on. Haven’t them on in a while and got some contact going.”

Henry was placed on injured reserve Nov. 1 because of a fractured foot he suffered in the team’s 34-31 win over the Indianapolis Colts in Week 8.

The decision on allowing Henry to play in the game on Sunday will be made following his continued incident-free participation in practice throughout the week.

They are expected to make a decision on his availability on Friday.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.

WATCH: Amari Cooper scores Cowboys’ first points on TD grab

Amari Cooper just grabbed a much-needed touchdown reception for the Cowboys!

Things haven’t been going great for the Dallas Cowboys offensively in their Wild Card matchup against the San Fransisco 49ers today, but Amari Cooper perhaps just lit a fire under the Cowboys with a touchdown grab from Dak Prescott midway through the second quarter.

After going down 13-0 following a 49ers field goal, Prescott and company drove 67 yards down the field to set up a third and five from the San Fransisco 20-yard line.

On the ensuing play, Prescott dropped back to pass and found the former star Crimson Tide receiver deep right for an easy pass and catch for a touchdown.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all updates regarding former Crimson Tide stars in the NFL playoffs.

Stay tuned to Roll Tide Wire for all the latest on the Crimson Tide!

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.

 

Titans officially activate Derrick Henry from IR just in time for playoffs

The former Crimson Tide star could see some playoff playing time!

The Tennessee Titans have been without arguably the best running back in the NFL for just over two months after Derrick Henry had surgery on a Jones fracture suffered earlier in the year. He has missed the past eight games due to the injury.

However, the designation doesn’t mean to say that Henry will be able to participate in Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. It simply means he can begin a 21-day window to return to the active roster from the IR.

Henry can now practice with his teammates and prepare for a potential postseason return.

In eight games this season, Henry netted 937 yards on 219 carries with 10 touchdowns. Despite not playing since Halloween, Henry still ranks sixth in the NFL in rushing yards.

The Titans offense, while getting on track in recent weeks, hasn’t been the same sans the punishing running back.

Roll Tide Wire will keep you updated on Henry and all other Alabama alumni in the NFL.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Layne Gerbig on Twitter @LayneG_29.