Jets Wire takes a look at some standout stats from the Jets’ 31-28 Week 13 loss vs. the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Jets were seconds from their first win of the season Sunday, but close doesn’t cut it in the NFL.
New York enjoyed a second-half comeback with its offense running behind Mekhi Becton. The first-round pick out of Louisville helped Gang Green’s rushing attack gain 206 yards on the ground and it seemed enough to win, especially with the way the defense performed in the second half.
Between Derek Carr being largely unimpressive down the stretch and Marcus Maye and Javelin Guidry stepping up to make big plays, the Jets appeared well on their way to playing spoiler. Except, the Jets defense broke down on a head-scratching call from its defensive coordinator and it was just enough for the Raiders to eke out a close victory.
Let’s take a look at what happened on that fateful final play and some other standout stats from the loss.+
ESPN named the most hyped up Georgia football recruit in recent memory.
ESPN recently listed the most-hyped recruits in recent memory for each of its preseason top-25 teams.
Georgia has had a ton of recruits come in with super high expectations, but nobody had more pressure to succeed in Athens than running back Isaiah Crowell, who ESPN chose as Georgia’s most-hyped recruit.
Crowell signed with Georgia as the No. 4 ranked player in the nation in the class of 2011. Out of Carver High School in Columbus, Georgia, we all still remember Crowell making his announcement that he’d be singing with the Dawgs.
Holding a Bulldog puppy and donning a UGA cap, Crowell got the DawgNation thrilled for what he was going to be able to do at Georgia.
National Signing Day's Greatest Moment Ever: 5-Star RB Isaiah Crowell picked UGA (2011), hoisted bulldog pic.twitter.com/yyOve0hF
I joined in on the hype-train as well. I mean how could you not? His high school highlight reel was absolutely sick, he had the speed and the size and was ranked ranked as the top running back by 247Sports and ESPN.
Despite being banged up his freshman season, Crowell still showed why he was ranked as high as he was. He rushed for 850 yards and five touchdowns and constantly showed flashes of greatness. He won SEC Freshman of the Year Award as well.
However, it all ended for Crowell at UGA when he was dismissed from the team in June of 2012.
The 19-year-old Crowell was arrested and charged with a felony count of possessing a weapon in a school zone, a felony count of altered identification mark, and misdemeanor count of possession/carrying a concealed weapon, according to the Athens-Clarke County Jail Booking report.
Crowell then transferred to Alabama State. He was named First Team All- SWAC twice.
The start of NFL Free Agency is over and NFL veterans remain unsigned. UGA studs like Alec Ogletree, Reshad Jones, and more are free agents.
The initial phase of NFL Free Agency is over. The market remains at a standstill before the 2020 NFL Draft. When free agency began NFL teams were quite confident that there would be a 2020 season. Now, there’s a little bit more doubt.
Is doubt over the viability of the 2020 season preventing teams from signing proven veteran talent? Jadeveon Clowney, Cam Newton, Everson Griffen, Logan Ryan, Alec Ogletree, Reshad Jones, and more remain on the market.
Are teams with available cap space waiting to sign these player until after the draft? They could be waiting until the date when players no longer count against the compensatory pick formula.
Either way there will be a market for NFL veterans in the coming months.
Plenty of UGA products have signed new deals. Here are the Georgia Bulldogs who remain NFL Free Agents:
Former New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams linebacker Alec Ogletree. At 28 years old, Ogletree is still productive and has the speed necessary to play linebacker in the modern NFL.
The Miami Dolphins released veteran safety Reshad Jones. Jones is a Pro Bowl level talent when healthy. At 32 years old, Jones will sign look for a short-term deal. He has never won a playoff game and may want to join a contender.
The Bengals released offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Glenn, a second round pick out of the University of Georgia, is a free agent. At 30, Glenn will have a market among teams looking to upgrade their pass-blocking.
John Jenkins, who played in every game last season for the Miami Dolphins as a defensive tackle, is a free agent. The 30 year old Jenkins was quite productive in Miami, where he recorded 34 tackles.
Former Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns running back Isaiah Crowell, who missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury, is now a free agent. Crowell has been Tweeting videos of his best plays (sorry Falcons fans):
The 8 best Browns games since 2009 to stream and re-live on Game Pass
Stuck inside with nothing to do? Missing sports on television? Thanks to the NFL recently opting to make the Game Pass application free until May, you can scratch both itches with some Cleveland Browns football.
All games back to the 2009 season are free and able to be streamed on the app or on the NFL’s Game Pass website.
There are plenty of Browns games that should just be ignored. But even in some dark seasons in Cleveland’s football history there are some bright lights worthy of re-living. From an overtime thriller over the Ravens, the birth of the Peyton Hillis legend and Baker Mayfield’s stellar debut, here are the eight most worthwhile games to go back and watch from the last decade.
Todd Gurley, Leonard Floyd, and Thomas Davis are among many Georgia Bulldogs in NFL Free Agency.
NFL Free Agency is especially unpredictable this off-season. Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are headlining some shocking moves.
In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Rams have released Todd Gurley. Gurley would fit in with the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and more. He was the engine of Los Angeles’s Super Bowl offense in 2018.
The Chicago Bears have released outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. Floyd signed a one year deal with the Los Angeles Rams. Chicago originally selected Floyd with a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Nov 17, 2019; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff (16) makes a pass under pressure from Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd (94) during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins is in for a massive raise. New York, who has minimal pass rushing opinions, will have to pay their 2019 sack leader to coax him to stay.
The Bengals have released offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Glenn, a second round pick out of the University of Georgia, is a free agent. At 30, Glenn will have a market among teams looking to upgrade their pass-blocking.
Recently released former New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree is seeking a new home. At 28 years old, Ogletree is still productive. He has the speed necessary to be a linebacker in the modern NFL.
With C.J. Prosise set to hit free agency, the Seattle Seahawks are eyeing a replacement running back in veteran free agent Isaiah Crowell.
The Seattle Seahawks are reportedly interested in free agent running back Isaiah Crowell, according KJR’s Ian Furness – who reported a deal between the two sides may be close to complete.
Sounds like the #Seahawks and Isaiah Crowell may be close to getting something done. Not confirmed yet. Makes sense though.
However, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times reported that a deal between the two sides isn’t that close, although with free agency just in its infancy, it could still happen.
I'm hearing any deal with running back Isaiah Crowell and the Seahawks isn't THAT close. Not ruling it out, but not sure how quickly it gets done if it does. But as always this time of year, we'll see.
Crowell, 27, did not play last season after tearing his ACL during training camp. Prior to that, however, he was a reliable ball carrier for five seasons, one with the Jets and four with the Browns.
All told, Crowell has carried the ball 880 times for 3,803 yards and 27 touchdowns in 77 games played.
The Seahawks are going into the 2020 campaign with Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny once again as their No. 1 and No. 2 backs, respectively. However, both are coming off major, season-ending injuries, so it would make sense for this team to find some added depth.
C.J. Prosise, the team’s long time No. 3 back, is an unrestricted free agent and seems likely to get signed elsewhere, leaving Seattle with Carson, Penny and Travis Homer, who filled in admirably late last season as a rookie.
Crowell would give the team more experience in the backfield, and while he certainly doesn’t have a spotless injury history, this trio would be among the league’s best if all of them are able to stay on the field in 2020.
Georgia Bulldogs Jordan Jenkins, Cordy Glenn, Alec Ogletree,Thomas Davis, Reshad Jones and more are NFL free agents this off-season.
Several Georgia Bulldogs are NFL free agents and will cash in this off-season. NFL Free Agency started Monday morning, March 16 when the contact/negotiation period began. The new CBA has been approved and teams are ready to roll toward the 2020 season.
March 16th was the deadline for teams to place a franchise tag on players. In fact, the Cincinnati Bengals put a franchise tag on wide receiver A.J. Green. The franchise tag prevents Green from entering into NFL Free Agency. Will he sign the tag with Cincinnati or hold out? Green has already stated he’ll skip OTAs (which may be cancelled due to the Coronavirus).
The Bengals have released offensive tackle Cordy Glenn. Glenn, a second round pick out of the University of Georgia, is a free agent. At 30, Glenn will have a market among teams looking to upgrade their pass-blocking.
New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins is in for a massive raise. New York, who has minimal pass rushing opinions, will have to pay their 2019 sack leader to coax him to stay.
Recently released former New York Giants linebacker Alec Ogletree will look for another payday. At 28 years old, Ogletree is in his prime and will command a longer term contract.
Oct 10, 2019; Foxborough, MA, USA; New York Giants outside linebacker Alec Ogletree (47) tackles New England Patriots running back Brandon Bolden (38) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
The Miami Dolphins released veteran safety Reshad Jones. Jones is a Pro Bowl level talent if he can stay healthy. At 32 years old, Jones will sign a short-term deal.
Drawing upon Andersen’s “The Ugly Ducking,” Touchdown Wire highlights eleven players who could thrive in a new situation come next season.
So they felt quite at home. But the poor duckling who had been the last one out of his egg, and who looked so ugly, was pecked and pushed about and made fun of by the ducks, and the chickens as well. “He’s too big,” said they all. The turkey gobbler, who thought himself an emperor because he was born wearing spurs, puffed up like a ship under full sail and bore down upon him, gobbling and gobbling until he was red in the face. The poor duckling did not know where he dared stand or where he dared walk. He was so sad because he was so desperately ugly, and because he was the laughing stock of the whole barnyard.
-Hans Christian Andersen: “The Ugly Duckling”
We all remember the tale, although perhaps some of us are more removed from elementary school than others. Back in 1843 Danish poet and author Hans Christian Andersen penned the tale of “The Ugly Duckling,” which told the story of a small bird born in a barnyard who suffered abuse from the others around him until he matures into a beautiful swan, stunning those who previously mocked and ridiculed him.
With the start of free agency in the National Football League upon us, there are some potential ugly ducklings waiting to hear the phone ring. Players who perhaps need a change or scenery, a new scheme fit, different coaching or just another shot to become the players they can be. The league’s own versions of the Andersen classic. Here are 11 potential swans for the 2020 NFL season, listed with either their current or their most recent team.
Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
As we await word on what Bruce Arians will do with his current quarterback, it is important to remember that if he moves on from Tampa Bay or not, Jameis Winston is going to need a bit more development to be a solid and consistent NFL quarterback.
Last season, in Arians’ vertical-based passing offense, Winston had quite the roller-coaster ride. Sure, he threw for 5,109 yards, the most in the league. Sure, he threw 33 touchdowns, second only to Lamar Jackson. But when you move away from some of these counting statistics you get the full picture of Winston’s 2019 campaign. His NFL quarterback rating of 84.3 placed him 26th in the league, behind Daniel Jones, Jacoby Brissett, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Josh Allen and even Joe Flacco. His Adjusted Net Yards Per Attempt (ANY/A) of 6.15 was good for 18th in the league, and his interception percentage of 4.8 was the highest in the league.
Due to another counting stat: His league-high 30 interceptions.
That big number might force Arians to move on from Winston, but when you pour through his film from a season ago, you might find some of what you see. For example, take this deep shot to Mike Evans against the Carolina Panthers:
Facing a first-and-10 against the Panthers, Tampa Bay lines up with Winston under center and with a tight bunch to the right. Evans is isolated to the left. The Buccaneers run a vertical concept sometimes termed 969, with dual go routes on the outside and a dig route in the middle of the field. Winston sees the Panthers in single-high coverage and comes to Evans on the go route. The receiver does an excellent job with his release off the line and gets to the outside, quickly beating the press coverage and getting open for his QB. Combine the release and route with a perfect throw, and Tampa Bay has a big play.
And yes, every route was open on this snap, just to be clear.
Then there was this read and throw in the red zone, also against the Panthers:
To the three-receiver side the Buccaneers run a Dino – or double post – concept with O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin. Evans runs a go route on the backside of the passing concept. Concerned with Evans, the one safety drops to help over the top of a potential vertical route. That creates dual one-on-one matchups backside, with no inside help on either post route.
The concern over Evans draws potential safety help away from the three-receiver side of the formation, and leaves both the backside safety and backside corner on islands with no help to the inside. Winston throws a strike, and the Buccaneers are in the end zone.
Winston might have racked up the interceptions a season ago, but reads and throws like this show he still has promise in a vertical-based passing offense. That would make him still a fit for what Arians runs, but if he does have to find a new home, there is a ton of potential for his next offensive coordinator to mold and sculpt.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are scheduled to become NFL free agents this off-season including: A.J. Green, Reshad Jones, and more.
Numerous Georgia Bulldogs are becoming NFL free agents this off-season. Each of these Bulldogs will get one of the largest paydays of their life or simply another shot to make an impact in the NFL.
NFL free agency kicks-off on Monday, March 16th when the legal tampering period begins. March 16th is also the deadline for teams to place a franchise tag on players. The new CBA is currently being voted on and could complicate the free agency process.
There’s no doubt about the top potential University of Georgia product who could be headed for NFL Free Agency: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green. The Bengals are expected to give Green the franchise tag to prevent him from hitting free agency.
When healthy A.J. Green is one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL. Unfortunately he missed the entire 2019 season after suffering an ankle injury in training camp. Swelling prevented his attempted return late in the season.
Green, who is 31 years old, has over 600 career receptions for 8,907 yards. He’s scored 63 touchdowns as well, but has never won a playoff game. Will he sign the franchise tag with Cincinnati or holdout? The Bengals have needs across the board and may want to stick with their talented young receivers, who will look to mesh with projected number one overall pick Joe Burrow.
New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins will be in for a massive raise. Jenkins led New York in sacks in 2019 with 8.0 sacks. The Jets are desperate for a better pass rush. Green was the only Jets linebacker or defensive lineman with more than three sacks! Look for him to command around ten million dollars per season.
Sep 8, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins (48) celebrates during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Recently released linebacker Alec Ogletree will be looking for another payday. The New York Giants elected to release him instead of paying his hefty salary. At 28 years old, Ogletree is still in his prime and will command league-wide interest.
The Miami Dolphins released veteran safety Reshad Jones to open up cap space. Jones, when healthy, is an impact player. At 32 years old, Jones will sign a shorter deal.
John Jenkins, who played in 16 games for the Miami Dolphins as a defensive tackle, is set to be a free agent as well. Jenkins is coming off one of his best seasons, where he recorded one sack along with 34 total tackles. Look for him to re-sign in Miami.
Buffalo Bills receiver Isaiah McKenzie will hit the NFL Fee Agent market. The 24 year-old had an career-best 2019 campaign, where he caught 27 passes for 257 receiving yards and scored a touchdown. His versatile skill-set will be coveted.
Ben Watson, who played with the New England Patriots in 2019, is a free agent. Watson announced his retirement following New England’s defeat to the Tennessee Titans in the postseason. Watson has returned after retiring before, so don’t be shocked if he plays one more season.
Bonus: Las Vegas Raiders running back Isaiah Crowell, who missed the 2019 season with an Achilles injury, is set to become a free agent. Crowell never got to play for the Raiders, but he’ll look to make an impact somewhere in 2020.
Eagles to utilize running back by committee in 2020 NFL season
The Philadelphia Eagles are likely to make several additions on offense and although running back is not expected to be a huge priority, the Birds could still look to add talent at that position.
According to ESPN’s Matthew Berry, who approached the NFL Combine from a fantasy football viewpoint, the Eagles may not be ready to make Miles Sanders a workhorse running back.
The Eagles really missed Jordan Howard down the stretch last season and with Howie Roseman always aggressively pursuing talent, here are seven ball carriers Philadelphia could target in free agency.
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1. Jordan Howard
Despite analysts and critics already securing his ticket out of town, Howard can play with Miles Sanders and it’s not out of the realm of possibility for the Eagles to retain the bruising running back.
Sanders finished his rookie season with 1,327 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns, but he was banged up at times and Howard would provide a needed change of pace and size. Boston Scott will replace Darren Sproles’ role in the offense nicely, and with Corey Clement likely returning, Howard could give the Eagles a formidable rushing attack on paper.
