Tag: Donald Payne

8 USFL players the Detroit Lions should consider

8 USFL players the Detroit Lions should consider after the league’s first season completed

The first season of the rebooted USFL completed Saturday night in Canton, Ohio. The Birmingham Stallions held off the Philadelphia Stars in a very entertaining and competitive championship game.

Much of the USFL talent pool is filled with players who would love to advance into the NFL. And more than a few showed they have enough ability or unique traits for NFL teams like the Detroit Lions to take a longer look at them now that the USFL season is complete.

Here are eight USFL players who stood out as players the Lions scouting department should dive deeper on in advance of training camp.

Report: Washington signs LB Donald Payne for 2020 season

In light of the news that Reuben Foster failed the football part of his physical, Washington has signed LB Donald Payne.

The Washington Football Team is adding some depth to their roster this week ahead of training camp, this time by adding a linebacker, Donald Payne, to the depth chart.

It was also announced on Tuesday that LG Kevin Pamphile was also signed.

This is an interesting move, as the news came out on Monday that LB Reuben Foster was being placed on the PUP list, meaning that his availability for the 2020 season is uncertain. With Washington signing another linebacker to play alongside Thomas Davis and Cole Holcomb, it could mean that they are trying to add as much depth to that position as possible and covering all of their bases.

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What decisions could Jags make with restricted, exclusive rights free agents?

With the league’s 2019 deadline coming up, the Jacksonville Jaguars have some decisions to make on who they will allow to hit the open market. In total, they currently have 21 players with contracts that will expire on March 18 at 4:00 p.m. ET. …

With the league’s 2019 deadline coming up, the Jacksonville Jaguars have some decisions to make on who they will allow to hit the open market. In total, they currently have 21 players with contracts that will expire on March 18 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Amongst their group of free agents will be two restricted free agents in receiver Keelan Cole and linebacker Donald Payne. What this basically means is that both players have basically garnered three accrued seasons and can be offered a tender by the Jags. At that point, they can either sign it or sit out, limiting their options, unlike an unrestricted free agent. Another team can also shoot the player an offer, but would have to give up draft compensation based on the tender the player is designated to if he original team doesn’t match the offer.

Due to the production over the 2019 season, fans should expect both back as depth pieces for the final 53-man roster. In the case of Cole, it wouldn’t be shocking for the Jags to utilize a second-round tender on him, which would mean a team would have to give the Jags a second-round pick if the Jags aren’t willing to match an opposing offer. The reason for that is because he could garner a lot of interest from teams. Additionally, if the Jags release receiver Marqise Lee as many expect, they might need Cole as he’s been with the team since 2017.

The Jags used the second-round tender back in 2018 with running back Corey Grant, which made it easy to keep his services. Back then the second-round tender was worth $2.914 million, but with the price tag increasing over time, it would be slightly more now.

As for Payne, the Jags should definitely bring him back as they need depth at the linebacker position, which is arguably their worst unit as it is. He started in five games and accumulated 61 tackles. Due to him being a low-key player, the Jags might elect to tender him without there being any draft compensation connected.

The players who are scheduled to become exclusive rights free-agents include running back Devante Mays, offensive lineman Brandon Thomas, linebackers Austin Calitro and James Onwualu. Unlike restricted free-agents, these players have garnered less than three accrued seasons. They too can negotiate with other teams, however, their original team can retain them with a one-year contract that pays the league’s minimum. This is also based on the player’s credited seasons.

It wouldn’t cost the Jags much to retain all of their exclusive-rights players but Calitro is the most interesting for the same reasons mentioned with Payne. He started in four games and accumulated 40 tackles and the Jags could want to retain him for that experience alone.

Ultimately, time will tell what direction the Jags go with their restricted free agents but expect them to start shooting their offers within a week or so because the new league year is closing in.

4 Jaguars to watch on defense vs. Chargers

The Jags will need their defense to step up if they are to defeat the Chargers Sunday, making Yannick Ngakoue a key player to watch.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ chances to make the playoffs are slim, but they at least want to go out with a bang this month. They will have a chance to end their four-game losing streak against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday but will need some help from their defense, which has looked like a shell of themselves as of late.

Here are four players who the Jags will need to step up come Sunday if they are to defeat the Chargers, who are also looking to end a losing streak of their own:

Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

LB Donald Payne

Donald Payne played lights out while starting in Myles Jack’s place Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Bucs. He was able to accumulate 13 total tackles and a sack and will now be the starter at middle linebacker for the remainder of the season because Jack was placed on injured reserve this week. 

With Jack having a terrible showing in the middle this year, it’s unknown if he’ll play there next year, especially with the possibility of the coaching staff being let go. That said, Payne can make his case to start in the middle with a strong day against the Chargers and beyond.

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Winners and Losers from Bucs vs. Jaguars

There weren’t many positives to take from the Jags’ loss to the Bucs, but they did have some reserves step up in a big way Sunday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars once again came away from game day with another one in the losers column after falling to the Tampa Bay Bucs in Week 13. The Bucs got off to a fast start and the Jaguars never seemed to get going. The Jags were shut out in the first half and it prompted Doug Marrone to make the switch from Nick Foles to Gardner Minshew II.

In another losing effort that ended with a final score of 28-11 here are the winners and losers from Jacksonville’s Week 13 game against their in-state rivals.

Winners

In a game like this, it is hard to identify many “winners,” but a few players stuck out to me.

Pass rusher Josh Allen

Josh Allen continued his sensational rookie campaign against the Bucs. The Kentucky alum registered two quarterback hits, and a sack in yet another solid performance. While he had a great day no doubt, Allen is a winner today for breaking the Jaguars’ rookie sack record with his ninth sack on the season.

Allen was recently second in Pro Bowl voting for AFC defensive ends and his production has been a big reason as to why. With four games still left to be played, Allen will only continue to bolster his lead on the Jaguars record and may even near Javon Kearse’s NFL rookie record of 14.5. He has been one of the Jags’ best and most consistent players, which is a truly remarkable and exciting feat for the young Jaguar.

The Jaguars’ reserve defenders stepped up

Continuing on the defense, both linebacker Donald Payne and safety Andrew Wingard had to be called on to start for Myles Jack and Ronnie Harrison, and neither disappointed. Payne and Wingard were first and second, respectively, as far as tackles go with 13 and seven tackles on the day. Payne also nearly had a pick while Wingard caused a fumble on Jameis Winston which was recovered by the Jags.

If anything, the Jags left the game confident in the two reserves if they have to be called upon again and should look to continue playing both players with the postseason out of reach. Fans should also be mindful of both players in the future because the Jags could be rebuilding, and often times depth is an issue for a team that has reset. If Wingard and Payne continue to make progress, however, the Jags’ depth might be better than expected in the future.

Losers

QB Nick Foles

Nick Foles didn’t have a good day against the Bucs — and he has yet to have one at all since returning. In fact, it’s looking like the Jags may be losing money after signing Foles to an $88 million contract in March.

Sunday, Foles arguably had his worst day aside from his Chiefs debut. Foles couldn’t seem to get anything going and was the reason for three first half turnovers and no points being put on the board. As a result, Marrone decided the offense needed a ‘spark’ and made the change at quarterback.

Minshew instantly gave the offense new life, accumulating their only touchdown drive of the game. Going forward, it seems he’ll be the guy the team might roll with. That would certainly mark a bad season for the former Super Bowl MVP.

The Run Game

Early in the year, Leonard Fournette was on a tear, leading the AFC in rushing yards at the mid-season mark. However, the team has moved away from their strong run game as of late in favor of a more pass-heavy attack. Fournette has become a reliable receiver, but the run game has suffered dearly.

With the return of Minshew under center, the team may return to a more run-based offense, but ultimately, time will tell. Hopefully, the offensive line can open up some more holes for Fournette as the young tailback ran for just 38 yards on 14 carries Week 13. If they can, the Jags would make things much more interesting heading into the last stretch.