Tag: Darryl Roberts

10 most athletic Patriots’ draft picks of the Bill Belichick era

Who cracked the top-10 most athletic Patriots draft picks? Some names on the list might surprise you.

Whether true or not, New England Patriots fans believe the team typically drafts for old school style players that fit football schemes, while opting to pass on explosive playmaking athletes.

That might have been true when having the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady, leading the offense. The team opted to select more intelligent, passionate players than flashy athletes they needed to develop.

But the truth is the Patriots did in fact draft high-end athletes. Let’s face it, they’re all elite athletes if they’re in the NFL, but in terms of comparing apples to apples (or NFL Players to NFL Players), they did so at a lower clip than most.

RAS, or relative athletic score, has been widely used to quantify just how athletic a player is based on their official combine performances for their position and size. Players are given a 0-10 score, which is derived from other players at the same position throughout history.

The closer a player is to 10.00—and there have been a few—the more “freakish” the athlete. Players like Calvin Johnson, Jordan Davis, and Anthony Richardson are examples of the short list of players since 1987 to score a 10.00 on the RAS scale.

Let’s take a look at the Patriots’ 10 most athletic draft selections in the Bill Belichick era.

Ravens bring in three CBs for tryouts

The Ravens brought in three cornerbacks for tryouts

The Baltimore Ravens went through many different injuries during the 2021 season. One of the positions that was hit the hardest for the team was at cornerback, so the team made sure to improve their depth over the course of the 2022 offseason by signing free agents and drafting prospects that can make an impact both now and in the future.

On Sunday, news came out that Baltimore had tried out three cornerbacks in Ken Crawley, Darryl Roberts and Daryl Worley. The team could look to add one of the three for extra defensive back depth, especially for training camp and the preseason.

Worley, a six-year veteran, has played for eight different NFL teams, which includes a stint with the Ravens during the 2021 season. Worley was signed to the team’s practice squad in December, and in one game with Baltimore notched five combined tackles.

Roberts, another six-year veteran, is also another well-traveled defensive back. Roberts has played for seven NFL teams, most recently with the Washington Commanders. Roberts has notched 223 combined tackles, four interceptions and one fumble recovery in 73 games played.

Crawley, a six-year veteran, has spent most of his time as a defensive back with the New Orleans Saints. He’s also spent time with the Miami Dolphins, and has totaled 138 combined tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble in his career.

Washington signs cornerback off Carolina’s practice squad

Washington made a couple of roster moves on Wednesday.

The Washington Football Team placed cornerback Darryl Roberts on injured reserve Tuesday. In a corresponding move, Washington signed cornerback Corn Elder off the Carolina Panthers practice squad.

Roberts is battling a quad injury after being active on game day for the first time this season in the Week 5 loss to the Saints. His injury comes one week after Washington lost Torry McTyer for the season with a knee injury.

Elder is a familiar face for Washington coach Ron Rivera. Elder was a fifth-round pick by the Panthers in 2017 when Rivera was the head coach and current personnel executive Marty Hurney was the general manager. He spent two seasons with the Panthers before he was released in 2019.

The Giants signed Elder to their practice squad, but the Panthers signed him back to their active roster. He spent the remainder of 2019 and all of 2020 with the Panthers. He signed with the Lions in April but was released this summer during final cuts.

The Panthers again signed Elder, this time to the practice squad. Elder has appeared in 30 career NFL games.

It’s not surprising Rivera uses his former connections to Carolina to add depth to Washington’s roster.

Washington also released kicker Chris Blewitt from its practice squad and re-signed safety Cole Luke to the practice squad. Luke, another former Panther, was with Washington last season and was released this summer.

Washington signs CB Darryl Roberts, adds to defensive depth

Washington got a nice piece of defensive depth on Friday with the addition of CB Darryl Roberts.

After losing cornerback Fabian Moreau to the Atlanta Falcons in free agency, the Washington Football Team has added CB Darryl Roberts to the roster, giving them some solid depth in the secondary.

Roberts is a former 7th-round draft pick out of Marshall in 2015, and he has spent time with the New England Patriots and Detroit Lions. In 2020, Roberts had one interception and six passes defended with a total of 39 tackles. Roberts has 4 interceptions in his career.

By no means should fans be jumping off of the walls about a Roberts signing, but his presence on the defense will give some much-needed depth, with him now being able to rotate in with Jimmy Moreland and provide some relief in the secondary. This still remains a slight position of need in the draft, but Washington got a guy that they like.

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Ranking the Detroit Lions unrestricted free agents heading into the 2021 offseason

Ranking the Detroit Lions unrestricted, restricted, and exclusive rights free agents heading into 2021 offseason.

The Detroit Lions will enter the 2021 offseason with 18 of the 53-players on the active roster unrestricted free agents. They also have one restricted free agent and three exclusive rights free agents.

In this piece, we have separated the players into six ranked tiers based on the level of importance to the team and the role they would fill if they return next season.

Detroit Lions Week 16 injury designations: Kenny Golladay and Tyrell Crosby ruled OUT

The Detroit Lions (5-9) have declared their injury designation for their Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5).

The Detroit Lions (5-9) have declared their injury designations for their Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5).

Despite the close contact exposures to the COVID-19 virus keeping several coaches away from Allen Park, the players remain available to practice and they were back out on the field again today.

Lions players took the field with a new coaching staff structure, led by wide receivers coach Robert Prince, who will be temporarily taking over interim coaching duties from Darrell Bevell, who has not yet been cleared.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ Thursday injury report, with the updated changes from yesterday’s injury status listed in bold.

Ruled OUT

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice No Practice No Practice
Tyrell Crosby Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice

No real surprises here as Golladay and Crosby continue to miss games. Golladay has been out since Week 9, while Crosby has missed the last two and a half games due to injuries.

With only one game left in the season after this week, it’s possible one or both of them get placed on injured reserve so that the Lions could add depth to the 53-man roster.

Questionable

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Matthew Stafford Rib/Right Thumb Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice
Frank Ragnow Throat No Practice No Practice Limited Practice
Taylor Decker Groin Limited Practice No Practice Limited Practice
Hal Vaitai Concussion No Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
Jamie Collins Neck No Practice No Practice No Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip Limited Practice Limited Practice Full Practice
Jayron Kearse Hip Not Listed Not Listed Limited Practice
Matt Prater Back Not Listed No Practice Limited Practice

Stafford is ahead of where he was last week at this time and he looks good to play this week. His availability will make new offensive play-caller Sean Ryan’s (QB coach) job a bit easier this week.

Ragnow was scheduled to see a specialist today, and while we have not received any word on the results of that exam, the fact that he was listed as limited could be a good sign.

With Crosby out, the Lions will be hoping Decker and Vaitai will be available to man the offensive tackle positions for this game. Decker getting back to a limited practice is encouraging, while Vaitai still needs to be medically cleared by an independent doctor — he has cleared the on-field concussion protocols.

Collins not practicing all week is concerning, but the questionable tag leaves the door open. This could very well be extra rest for a banged-up veteran on a short week.

Roberts getting in a nice week of practice is a good sign he could return to the starting lineup opposite Amani Oruwariye and Justin Coleman.

Kearse is a new addition to the injury report today which is cause for concern, as most late week injuries limit players on game day. If he is not ready to go, expect the Lions to turn back to Tracy Walker in the starting lineup.

Prater was back at practice today, and with no other placekicker on the roster, the tea leaves say he will most likely be ready to play.

No injury designation

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Julian Okwara Knee On Injured Reserve Full Practice Full Practice
Mike Ford Foot Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice

Okwara was just added to the active roster this week and his two full practices, along with no designation, is a terrific sign for his availability this week.

Ford looks ready to return to his fourth cornerback role, while also offering insurance against Roberts being limited.

Injured reserve/COVID-19

Detroit Lions Week 16 injury report: Taylor Decker downgraded to no practice on Wednesday

Examining the Detroit Lions Wednesday injury report as they prepare to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.

The Detroit Lions (5-9) reported two positive COVID-19 results on Tuesday and closed their Allen Park training facility. The practice report for that day was an estimated report only. Today, the team announced that they had no new positive COVID-19 results and would hold an outdoor practice.

Unfortunately, several coaches had been identified as close contact exposures — including interim coach Darrell Bevell, defensive coordinator Cory Undlin, and nearly the entire defensive coaching roster — and those identified have been isolated from the training facility, meeting only virtually with the team.

Bevell did say they still had enough coaches to cover all the position groups at practice, but until things play out a bit further, he did not feel comfortable disclosing the team’s plans for replacing coaches who do not clear COVID-19 protocols ahead of Saturday’s game.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ Wednesday injury report, with the updated changes from yesterday’s injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/COVID-19

No Practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice No Practice
Frank Ragnow Throat No Practice No Practice
Taylor Decker Groin Limited Practice  No Practice
Tyrell Crosby Ankle No Practice No Practice
Jamie Collins Neck No Practice No Practice
Matt Prater Back Not Listed No Practice

Golladay continues to miss practices, and with Everson Griffen and Danny Shelton returning to practices today, it’s fair to speculate that he could be a candidate to be placed on I.R. in order to make room for one of them to be added to the active roster later in the week.

Ragnow will see a specialist tomorrow, who will most likely determine if he can play on Saturday or not.

Decker being downgraded to no practice is awful news. With Ragnow and Crosby also vulnerable to miss this game, the Lions could be down three starters — not ideal.

Collins misses another practice and now it’s time to be concerned about his status this week. The Lions need his speed at the second level in order to stay competitive.

Prater went from not being listed to missing practice, which is typically not a good sign, but he may also just be getting a veteran rest day. Kicker is literally the only position on the roster where there is not a backup on the active roster or practice squad — but the fact that they have not added another kicker this week is a positive note for his status.

Limited practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Matthew Stafford Rib/Right Thumb Limited Practice Limited Practice
Hal Vaitai Concussion No Practice Limited Practice 
Darryl Roberts Hip Limited Practice Limited Practice

Stafford said his ribs are sore but not any worse than they were last week, and the fact that he is getting limited practices are both encouraging signs he will play on Saturday.

While Decker was downgraded, Vaitai was upgraded. He still needs a full practice tomorrow, then to be cleared by an independent doctor before he can clear the league’s concussion protocol. If he can, he has the potential to play right or left tackle, but if he doesn’t, this offensive line could be in big trouble.

Roberts getting in another limited practice is encouraging but he is not out of the woods yet.

Full Practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Julian Okwara Knee On I.R. Full Practice
Mike Ford Foot Limited Practice Full Practice

It was unclear if Okwara was added to the active roster because the Lions ran out of time on his 21-day evaluation clock or because he was ready to return, but a full practice indicates the latter is the more likely option.

Ford being upgraded to full will be a massive help to the Lions depth at corner. If he can play, he is the fourth option at worst, with the potential to find himself starting again.

Bucs’ Report

Detroit Lions Week 16 injury report: Estimated 4 OL limited or unable to practice on Tuesday

Examining the Detroit Lions Tuesday injury report as they prepare for a Saturday matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16.

The Detroit Lions (5-9) have officially been eliminated from the 2020 playoffs, but they still have two games remaining on their schedule, both at home. First up is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-5) in a Week 16 matchup that was flexed to Saturday, December 26, at 1:00 p.m. EST

Because it’s a Saturday game, the practice schedule gets moved up a day, meaning the team will release practice reports on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week.

Unfortunately, the Lions reported two positive COVID-19 results this morning and needed to shut the facilities down, meaning today’s injury report was only an estimated guess from coaches.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ Tuesday injury report, with the updated changes from last week’s injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve/COVID-19

No Practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice
Frank Ragnow Throat No Practice
Tyrell Crosby Ankle No Practice
Hal Vaitai Concussion No Practice
Jamie Collins Neck No Practice

Golladay estimated to have been unable to practice again today. Conversations surrounding shutting him down should be happening behind the scenes.

Ragnow is still unable to talk much, per Bevell, but he has another appointment with a specialist on Thursday when the team will get an update on his health and “that will tell us all the information that we need to know – how well he’s healed, and if he’s healed well enough to go out there and perform.”

Crosby enters his fourth week in a row of being unable to practice. Last week, he was replaced by Vaitai at right tackle, who suffered a concussion, pushing Matt Nelson back into the starting lineup again. Recently signed Dan Skipper will continue to be an emergency option.

On a short week, and with practice not an option today, Vaitai may have trouble passing through the league’s concussion protocols. If the building is shut down tomorrow, and he is not able to get in a limited practice, he will not be available on Saturday.

Collins’ injury is a new one, and he didn’t noticeably miss time last Sunday, so it’s unclear the severity of this issue.

Limited practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday
Matthew Stafford Rib/Right Thumb Limited Practice
Taylor Decker Groin Limited Practice
Mike Ford Foot Limited Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip Limited Practice

“He was sore, obviously coming out of the game,” interim coach Darrell Bevell said of Stafford. “He did take a couple hits in that game that we talked about yesterday. Again, he’s tough as they come. He’s tough as nails. So we’ll basically do the same plan. I think he may be a little bit better than he was last week, but again, we’ll just continue to take it day-to-day.”

Decker’s injury is new, and he did not miss a snap in last week’s game, so an expected limited practice is an encouraging sign he will be available on Saturday.

Ford injured his foot during the game but was able to return to action. This looks like early week rest for the Lions’ third option at corner.

The reason Ford is the third option at corner is that Roberts was unable to play this last game. If he is able to find his way back on the field this week, he could push Ford into a more comfortable fourth corner role in the secondary.

Full Practice

Player Injury Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

There are no players listed in this section at this time.

Bucs’ Report

Detroit Lions Week 15 injury designations: Matthew Stafford headed towards a game time decision

The Detroit Lions (5-8) have declared their injury designations for their Week 15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans (9-4).

The Detroit Lions (5-8) have declared their injury designations for their Week 15 matchup with the Tennessee Titans (9-4) and they will be without four starters, two on each side of the ball: WR Kenny Golladay, OL Tyrell Crosby, DL Da’Shawn Hand, and CB Darryl Roberts.

QB Matthew Stafford and C Frank Ragnow have not been ruled out at this time and both appear to be headed towards game-time decisions in Nashville.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ full injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Ruled OUT

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice No Practice No Practice
Tyrell Crosby Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice
Da’Shawn Hand Ankle No Practice No Practice No Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip No Practice No Practice No Practice

The conversations surrounding shutting Golladay down for the season are coming. “We’re really trying to get him back,” interim coach Darrell Bevell said. “He really wants to play, he wants to be in there. But that’s a conversation that — where we’re at in the season — that it might come to that (shutting him down).”

Expect Mohamad Sanu and rookie Quintez Cephus to continue to split Golladay’s snaps in Tennessee.

Crosby will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Matt Nelson, who, along with left tackle Taylor Decker, are currently the only healthy offensive tackles on the active roster. Expect a roster move on Saturday, either removing Vaitai from IR or signing Dan Skipper to the active roster (as he is out of practice squad elevations) for depth.

It’s worth noting that the Lions do have an open spot on the active roster after placing Okudah on IR earlier this week.

Hand was back for one game, suffered a new injury, and is missing another game. This opens the door for Kevin Strong to take on a bigger role this Sunday.

Roberts being ruled out leaves the Lions with just three healthy corners on the active roster — Amani Oruwariye, Justin Coleman, and Mike Ford — with the fourth option being recently signed to the practice squad Tramaine Brock, who will likely be elevated on Saturday.

Questionable

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
Matthew Stafford Rib/Right Thumb No Practice No Practice Limited Practice
Frank Ragnow Throat No Practice No Practice No Practice
John Penisini Shoulder Limited Practice Limited Practice Limited Practice

Despite Bevell suggesting Stafford would miss practice on Friday, it appears he got in some work, testing out his rib injury. Stafford will travel with the team to Nashville, but will he play?

“You guys have seen it,” Bevell said. “You guys have covered this team way longer than I have been here, and you know what he’s done and what he’s played through. So I’m not putting him past it.”

Ragnow missed practice again, this time to see a specialist regarding his throat injury, and his status for the game will be the determining factor, per Bevell: “The communication from him (the specialist) will be able to tell us, is it safe for him to play, is it totally clear, all those types of things are what we’re looking for.”

Both Stafford and Ragnow look they’re headed towards a game-time decision.

Penisini was limited all week but played a full game last week, and despite being listed as questionable, he seems in a good spot to play.

No Injury Designation

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday
Adrian Peterson Forearm Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
Jason Cabinda Illness No Practice Full Practice Full Practice
Austin Bryant Thigh Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
Tracy Walker Shoulder Limited Practice Full Practice Full Practice
C.J. Moore Ankle Full Practice Full Practice Full Practice

Back-back full practices and no injury designation for everyone in this group is a sign they should not be limited on Sunday.

Injured reserve

Detroit Lions Week 15 injury report: Matthew Stafford misses practice again on Thursday

Examining the Detroit Lions Week 15 Thursday injury report as the team prepares to take on the Tennessee Titans.

The Detroit Lions (5-8) were practicing indoors again on Thursday as they prepare to take on the Tennessee Titans (9-4) in Week 15, and outside of upgrading a handful of limited players to full practices, not much has changed from yesterday’s report.

Here’s a look at the Lions’ full injury report, with the updated changes in injury status listed in bold.

Injured reserve

No Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Matthew Stafford Rib/Right Thumb No Practice No Practice
Kenny Golladay Hip No Practice No Practice
Frank Ragnow Throat No Practice No Practice
Tyrell Crosby Ankle No Practice No Practice
Da’Shawn Hand Ankle No Practice No Practice
Darryl Roberts Hip No Practice No Practice

Stafford missed another day of practice, as expected, and interim coach Darrell made a point of mentioning the Lions have had no talks of shutting him down for the season. He is still in play for Sunday and a decision could come down to the wire.

Golladay is still not ready to practice.

Ragnow’s throat fracture received some more clarity today, with Bevell pointing out that the injury is in the vocal cord cartilage, not the bone. The plan for Ragnow is to rest his vocal cords, then reevaluate on Friday to determine if playing on Sunday is an option. Bevell wouldn’t disclose who would start in Ragnow’s absence at center, but did say he was “confident with the plan that we’ll have going forward.”

Of note: Joe Dahl, the most likely candidate to replace Ragnow at center, said today that he feels very comfortable at the position.

Crosby continuing to miss practices is also an indicator the Lions may need to keep his replacement options at the ready. Matt Nelson filled in the last game and a half, but Vaitai is practicing and could be an option.

Hand missing practice is a statement Lions fans have become all too familiar with. He’s an important member of the defensive line and a valuable player at getting inside pressure — but he needs healthy.

Roberts missing another practice is concerning as it leaves the Lions with only three healthy corners, with the fourth option being 10-year Tramaine Brock, who the Lions just signed to the practice squad.

Limited practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
John Penisini Shoulder Limited Practice Limited Practice

Penisini getting in back to back limited practices after not missing a snap last week is a good sign for his availability on Sunday.

Full Practice

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Designation
Adrian Peterson Forearm Limited Practice Full Practice
Jason Cabinda Illness No Practice Full Practice
Austin Bryant Thigh Limited Practice Full Practice
Tracy Walker Shoulder Limited Practice Full Practice
C.J. Moore Ankle Full Practice Full Practice

Peterson, Cabinda, Bryant, and Walker all being upgraded to full practices meaning they are likely headed towards full availability this weekend. Moore appears to be on track to play as well.

Titans’ Report

This section will be updated when info becomes available.