Tag: Mike Florio

Richard Sherman gets into war of words with PFT over Thursday night games

Sherman responded with the obvious answer that his employment has no impact whatsoever on the league playing Thursday games or not.

Richard Sherman has never hidden his disdain for the NFL playing games on Thursday nights, just four days removed from their last action. He’s consistently called out the league for claiming to be concerned about player safety when they put two teams at a higher risk for injury every week.

Right now player safety is the hot topic following Tua Tagovailoa’s scary concussion in Thursday night’s contest between the Dolphins and the Bengals. Sherman is now doing commentary for Amazon on their TNF broadcasts, which some folks have taken as a sign of hypocrisy. Some of the more outspoken voices come from Pro Football Talk.

PFT’s Michael David Smith started the action with this tweet:

Sherman responded with the obvious answer that his employment has no impact whatsoever on the league playing Thursday games or not.

Then Mike Florio jumped in, calling out Sherman for not carrying over his anti-Thursday energy into his new job.

Sherman didn’t back down, replying with a few more tweets:

Sherman finished his thread by inviting Florio to continue watching.

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Mike Florio ‘I’m not going to be surprised if (Watson’s) not suspended at all’

One reporter’s sources have painted a picture that could lead to little or no suspension for Watson:

At this point, with the hearing completed, the only two things that matter for Deshaun Watson is what Judge Sue Robinson decides and, if it comes to it, what happens if either side appeals her ruling. Other than that, we are likely to hear conjecture, purposeful leaks and two sides trying to get ahead of what is decided.

We’ve already heard that the NFL doesn’t want to go through the appeal process on Robinson’s first ruling in here role. Following the completion of the hearing, we shared all the information that became available quickly including a significant amount from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

Of the many things Florio tweeted out Thursday night, that the NFL didn’t present evidence of any ‘violence, threat, force or coercion’ by Watson seemed to be the biggest. That could have the most significant impact on Watson playing for the Cleveland Browns this year.

Florio, one of the faces of NBC’s Football Night in America, is a former lawyer and used that history to try to unpack some of the legal details in a video for NBC Sports (the full video can be seen below). You can watch the video for yourself but here are a few, not all, of the key points:

  • He expects a decision around July 25th
  • Robinson’s decision will be detailed with Florio expecting ‘north of 20 pages’
  • Her ‘findings of fact’ are binding on any appeal, NFL/Roger Goodell cannot make decisions based on anything outside of those facts
  • Reiterates Robinson can only rule based on five cases
  • Discusses the baseline of 6 games if evidence of assault or violence not being appropriate
  • Mentions the Robert Kraft issue and how it may be used in comparison to this case
  • Breaks down what Watson’s camp could have done from a PR perspective

In a written piece, in which the video is also included, Florio defended his sourcing of the story:

(1) I take all possible agendas and biases into account before reporting anything; (2) I strive for accuracy, regardless of whether the source may coincidentally have an interest in the information being reported; and (3) no narrative or agenda means a damn thing, because Judge Sue L. Robinson eventually will determine the facts and then apply the Personal Conduct Policy to them.

He also notes that people close to the situation are “VERY” concerned about the public’s reaction if there is little or no discipline handed down, and that seems more likely than ever to him.

Florio is just one reporter with however many sources close to the situation as he has. He has been the most vocal about what his sources are telling him, at least based on this writer’s knowledge, of anyone. His reporting, especially his tweet about no ‘violence, threat, force or coercion’ evidence, has shaped the narrative since Thursday night.

As he notes in his written piece, all that matters is what Robinson decides and, if used, what happens in the appeal. Until then, Florio’s sources are painting a picture that seems to point toward Watson playing most, if not all, of the 2022 season in Cleveland.

NFL Insider weighs in on Renfrow’s new deal

An NFL Insider believes Hunter Renfrow is “betting on himself” and thinks the former Clemson star wide receiver was “really smart” to sign a two-year, $32 million contract extension, including $21 million guaranteed, with the Las Vegas Raiders last …

An NFL Insider believes Hunter Renfrow is “betting on himself” and thinks the former Clemson star wide receiver was “really smart” to sign a two-year, $32 million contract extension, including $21 million guaranteed, with the Las Vegas Raiders last week.

Mike Florio of NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk expressed those sentiments while weighing in this week on Renfrow’s new deal, which will keep the Raiders’ 2019 fifth-round draft pick under contract with the team through the 2024 season.

“Hunter Renfrow drafted by the former regime in Las Vegas at the time they were in Oakland, when the mindset was hey, just take guys from Clemson, Clemson’s really good, let’s just take guys from Clemson and we’ll be fine. (Former Clemson defensive end) Clelin Ferrell, no, Hunter Renfrow, yes,” Florio said.

“And he signed a two-year extension. I thought this was really smart. The money’s not gigantic as the receiver market goes. It’s a two-year, $32 million extension, $21 million of it is guaranteed. So, it’s $16 million a year at a time when the market is $25, $26, $27, up toward $30 kind of. This is a short-term band-aid where Hunter Renfrow is kind of betting on himself, betting on the fact that when he gets through the next couple of seasons, he’ll be in position to make even more.”

Renfrow is coming off a breakout season in 2021, when he recorded career highs with 103 catches, 1,038 receiving yards and nine touchdown receptions en route to his first Pro Bowl selection.

Florio sees the potential for Renfrow, 26, to make even bigger bucks on his next contract, whether it be with the Raiders or another team, after the new deal that he inked last week expires.

“As (Raiders wide receiver) Davante Adams is cycling through the early big-money years of his deal, and he’ll be 10, 11 years into his career, maybe Renfrow is valued differently than he is now and he makes a lot more on his next deal, or he goes somewhere else, because again, he’s under contract for just three more seasons,” Florio said.

–Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images 

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Mike Florio throws in another name for potential Dolphins QB in 2023

He’s still not buying in on Tua Tagovailoa as the long-term starter.

It’s not a normal day in the media landscape if the world isn’t talking about Tua Tagovailoa’s job security.

The Miami Dolphins quarterback brought his team to a winning record in his 12 starts in 2021, but a lot of the credit was given to the defense, and deservedly so.

However, essentially everyone has agreed that Tagovailoa dealt with a number of factors that impacted his performance including rumors of other quarterbacks coming in to take his job.

Last week on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Eisen answered if it was more likely that Tagovailoa combined for 30 touchdowns or that Tom Brady would be the Dolphins quarterback in 2023.

Eisen asked the same question to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio on Monday.

“He’s got 33 total [touchdown] in his career and we need 30 combined,” Florio said. “I think there’s a chance his numbers will go up with Mike McDaniel but there will still be flaws in his game that McDaniel will do a great job concealing. I still say that between those two, it’s more likely that he struggles and it’s Brady in 2023.”

That’s the same answer Eisen had given to the question. However, Florio added a name that hasn’t been talked about much to this point.

“Or…Lamar Jackson in 2023,” Florio said. “If the Ravens don’t get this deal done with him – and he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to negotiate this season – there’s going to be a window of opportunity for them to finally do this after the season, assuming he engages. There’s going to be a point where I think the Ravens get exasperated.

“I think that at some point the Ravens are going to throw their hands in the air and say, ‘We’ve got to move on. If this guy’s not going to take our money, we just have to move on.’ You tag him and you trade him and you maybe trade him to the Miami Dolphins if they’re looking for an upgrade over Tua after this season.”

The Dolphins have two first-round picks next year as well as a second and two thirds. It’s unclear what the trade price would be for Jackson, but expect it to be high. Plus, the team would then have to pay him, much like Miami just did with Tyreek Hill.

If Tagovailoa struggles in 2022, and they think Jackson can put them over, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Chris Grier, or whoever is making the decisions next year, make some calls.

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What history tells us about Bears QB Justin Fields’ ability to succeed with a new regime

Justin Fields is the latest QB selected by a GM that was fired after drafting him. Here’s how other QBs have fared in similar situations.

As the 2022 NFL draft inches closer and closer, the Chicago Bears can check “quarterback” off their needs list as it has become abundantly clear from both new general manager Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus that Justin Fields is their guy heading into the fall.

Fields of course was selected by former GM Ryan Pace when the Bears traded up to nab him in the 2021 NFL draft. But after just one season with him, Pace was fired, along with head coach Matt Nagy, for failing to show adequate growth and win enough games.

Fields is looking to build off an uneven rookie season that saw him throw for 1,870 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also coughed up the ball 12 times in 2021 and was beaten up in the pocket. But with a new offensive coordinator and different philosophy, the hope is that Fields develops into the dynamic franchise quarterback fans have been dreaming of for a lifetime.

Poles and Eberflus have publicly backed Fields as their guy heading into the 2022 season. But even with those assurances, some insiders aren’t convinced the new regime will stick with him for the long term.

One of them is Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who shared with 670 The Score’s Dan Bernstein Show earlier in the week that he thinks the Bears could look to distance themselves from Fields after this season.

“It feels like the Bears are deliberately taking a step back,” Florio said. “And the problem is usually teams do that when they don’t have a QB they believe in…Maybe that’s the hidden message here, that the new regime doesn’t believe in Justin Fields.”

Florio’s take was universally panned across social media, with fans and other media members having strong opinions. After all, Fields has been front and center since Poles and Eberflus were introduced in January. He spoke at the introductory press conference and both men have raved about how the Bears are “his team” as they prepare for the upcoming season. But if recent history is any indicator, Fields may not last too long with the new regime in place.

When the Bears decided to fire Pace at the end of the 2021 season, they chose to do so knowing that he had just mortgaged the future for a rookie quarterback. Now that same quarterback is under a new GM who, while still supporting him, didn’t choose him. Firing a GM after a season in which they selected a quarterback in the first round of the NFL draft isn’t exactly common, but it’s happened a few times in recent years.

Since 2010, five GMs were fired less than a year after they had selected a quarterback with a first-round draft pick, including the Bears and Pace. Of the previous four, none of the quarterbacks selected went on to earn a second contract with their original team.

Two other general managers, Rick Smith with the Houston Texans and Buddy Nix with the Buffalo Bills, stepped down due to other circumstances after selecting a quarterback in the first round, but were not included in this list.

Commanders’ dysfunction continues to be a distraction

Another day of drama for the Washington Commanders.

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Mike Florio and Chris Simms responded Tuesday on Pro Football Talk to the Washington Commanders’ statement:

“There has been absolutely no withholding of ticket revenue at any time. Those revenues are subject to independent audits by multiple parties. Anyone who offered testimony suggesting a withholding of revenue has committed perjury, plain and simple.”

Jason Friedman recently made the allegation and also recently testified before the Committee of Oversight and Reform. Friedman’s attorney, Lisa Banks then responded to the Commanders’ statement:

Florio: “Let this guy tell his story, Washington Commanders. If he is wrong and tells his story publicly, sue him for defamation…If he wants to speak publicly, let him do it, at his own legal peril, if he is telling a lie about the Commanders…Let’s go, let’s find out, let’s see the evidence, let’s hear the testimony. Let’s see whether or not there is something to this.”

Simms: “It’s unbelievable where Washington is; it seems they have enemies in every corner. You get the feeling they have mistreated and not been great to people for so long it seems the pied piper has finally come home. Karma is here; it is like the payback. It is dysfunctional to say the least down there (DC). If this is found to be true, Holy Cow, see you later Dan Snyder.”

Florio: “How can the league not be looking into this? If you are the NFL and this lands on your radar screen unexpectedly…maybe the league doesn’t want to look into this because they were supposed to catch it.”

Simms: “Maybe the NFL doesn’t even want to be associated with Washington right now. Let them deal with this crap, the releasing of the statement, let it all pile on them right now.”

Florio: “Yes, good point. Right now it is crumbling, and we are just going to let it keep crumbling. We are not going to help, we are not going to throw a life line. We are not going to make it worse, we are not going to make it better. Right now, we are just going to let it happen.”

The ongoing chaos is good for us (media) but it is not good for the league. Every day it is something with the Commanders… At a certain point, this is not good for anybody.”

Simms: “I know all this is allegedly, but there is a point where this is not helping the NFL in any way, shape or form. It’s not. It looks horrible right now. With Washington it’s gotten to the point where (I was with the Rodgers and Brady stories) would you just go away? I am so sick and tired of talking about them every day…Holy Cow, Washington is a disaster.”

Florio: “The only person who probably likes this is Jerry Jones since no one is paying the kind of attention to the things that have been going on with the Cowboys that they normally would be. It is a nice distraction.”

 

Washington owner Daniel Snyder faces more allegations

Mike Florio continues to pile on the Commanders.

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Mike Florio and Chris Simms took their turn on Pro Football Talk taking shots at Snyder and the organization, clearly sounding like they are both tired of the controversies surrounding the Commanders and Snyder in particular.

Florio has numerous times said the NFL owners are protecting Snyder to protect themselves started, “Do whatever you want in your workplace, but if you pick my pocket you’re done.” (Emphasizing “if” this is true.)

Simms: “IF this reporting is accurate, he will be seeing his butt on its way out the door…You start stealing money from us, you are out of here.”

Florio: “It is possible, but one would think the deterrent of getting kicked out of league would be enough to keep you from doing it.

“The problem with constantly thinking you are smartest person in the room is you eventually learn the hard way you are the dumbest.”

“That’s what you get when you let the person who can show up with the biggest bag of cash buy the franchise and we will worry about the details later.”

Simms: “Alex Smith, who doesn’t say anything about anybody and couldn’t be the more professional guy in the world, came out last week and said, ‘It’s weird, of course, it affects us.’

“It’s one disaster after another. Of course, it affects the coaches, the staff and everybody else… D____, Ron Rivera has had to deal with a lot of crap, since taking over this team.”

Florio: “Why did he (Rivera) take that job? He kind of rushed into that one, when there were other opportunities out there. Unless he saw an opportunity to go in and take over. That somebody needs to go in stuff Dan Snyder in a locker and show leadership here…”

Florio and Simms were both ready to echo the accusations of the weekend. Yet, Jason Friedman has yet to show any evidence.

It is always so much easier to jump in when others are leading the way with accusations. It is quite different to let the evidence form your opinions of what actually transpires.

Washington fans are no doubt hoping the accusations are true, and that Snyder will soon be removed from ownership of the Commanders. But I recall several years ago the CBS show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. The lead character Gil Grissom would often need to remind the staff to not follow the accusations, but “follow the evidence.”

When will the NFL say, ‘Enough of Daniel Snyder?’

When will the NFL say, “enough is enough” with Washington owner Dan Snyder?

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Daniel Snyder could indeed again be in big trouble.

On Saturday night, A.J. Perez of Front Office Sports reported Congress is not only looking into the accusations of inappropriate behavior by Snyder toward Tiffani Johnston but also digging into a new accusation that the Commanders withheld funds the NFL had arranged to be surrendered to the visiting-team pool.

Washington fans have experienced several times over the last few years where bad news was reported on Snyder, their hopes spiked that he would be removed as owner, only to be disappointed yet again.

But this time, it looks as if other NFL owners “MIGHT” have been shorted ticket receipts the NFL arrangement says is rightfully theirs. “Might” because this is so early in this story’s path, Washington Wire doesn’t want to be premature.

However, “if” this is the case, has Dan Snyder lost enough of the trust of his fellow NFL owners? Might that be the beginning of the end of their working relationship?

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk was rather direct Sunday posting, “His (Snyder) partners have protected him when it comes to the investigation regarding workplace misconduct because, indirectly, they are protecting themselves from having similar allegations threaten the hold on their franchises. If it can be proven that he has been picking his partners’ pockets, his partners quite likely will be kicking his ass out of the house.”

A major concern for me at this point is Snyder, having built a reputation for being litigious, might NFL owners determine it appropriate to punish the Commanders via salary cap reductions, lost draft choices and who knows what else?

That would permit owners to keep Snyder, avoiding a litigious mess on their hands, yet be the worst possible news for current business and football staff, coaches, players, and yes, true fans. It would serve to punish many others innocent in this, while also leaving Snyder as the owner.

I can already envision the other three NFC East owners voting for such a proposal for competitive reasons. Personally, I am already dreading that possibility, as it would be most unfair to most of us.

After completing this story, I see my friend Mark Tyler of “Hogs Haven” had also tweeted the same concern a couple of hours earlier.

Mike Florio believes Ron Rivera can help Carson Wentz

Mike Florio joined “Grant and Danny” this week and believes Ron Rivera can help Carson Wentz turn his career around.

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Mike Florio, the host of NBC Sports’ Pro Football Talk, joined “Grant and Danny” of 106.7 the Fan in Washington, D.C., Monday talking the Washington Commanders, Dan Snyder and Florio’s new book, “Playmakers.”

During the NFL combine week, Florio expressed that both Ron Rivera and Martin Mayhew were certainly not shy in voicing they “were very motivated buyers” and the Colts listening “were very motivated sellers.”

“I am not completely convinced that Wentz is going to be horrible,” proclaimed Florio. I know he has become a pin cushion, a laughingstock and a punching bag… Now he is getting kicked out of the other family member’s house (Frank Reich) and now he is moving in with the stranger.”

Florio said the time is now, “If he is ever going to wake up, if he is ever going to realize it is him, that he does need to take coaching, that he does hold on to the football far too long as if every play is the last play of the Super Bowl, and he does need to work on his leadership.”

“I have faith in Ron Rivera to have that tough conversation with him to get through to him, that his career is riding on his willingness to listen, on his willingness to submit, and on his ability to iron out the rough spots.”

Florio is confident Wentz has the ability, the size, the arm strength to get the job done, but feels Wentz must realize if he does not get the other areas turned around this season, “then next season he will be searching around the NFL for a backup job.”

Florio then was asked regarding his understanding of Tom Brady’s brief retirement and return to the Tampa Bay Bucs. Florio had been correct saying on his PFT program Brady would play next season.

Deshaun Watson’s behavior, the charges, civil suits, possible NFL suspensions and trade of Watson were the next subject of discussion.

Other topics were Mitch Trubisky certainly being the starter over Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins in Pittsburgh, the investigation of Dan Snyder by Mary Jo White as “the NFL gets what the NFL wants.”

“Just because it dies down, doesn’t mean it goes away,” said Florio. “This is about the other owners protecting themselves against a similar mess if someone brings an allegation against them…”

 

Ron Rivera, the man in ‘Command’

Ron Rivera talks John Madden, and tells the origins of “Riverboat Ron.”

How did Ron Rivera become “Riverboat Ron?”

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera aka “Riverboat Ron” recounted the story Friday as a guest on Pro Football Talk with host Mike Florio.

As a high school football player, he and his friends were out one day in Monterey, California, when suddenly Rivera spotted this large man and his family together. It was Oakland Raiders head coach John Madden. Rivera approached him, introduced himself, they chatted briefly and Rivera told Madden he was going to play in the NFL someday. To which Madden responded, encouraging Rivera to follow his dream, signing an autograph for Rivera. Rivera still possesses Madden’s autograph in an old scrapbook.

30 years later, Rivera had been a head coach for two seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson advised Rivera he needed a mentor, instructing Rivera his good friend was expecting Rivera’s call. Richardson’s friend was none other than John Madden.

Rivera telephoned Madden and was told directly that he was only 3-13 in games decided by 6 points or less. Madden encouraged Rivera to look at those games again, asking himself what he could do differently. Following Madden’s advice, watching the film, taking notes on those games, resulted in about a 15-to-20-page report.

Rivera traveled to Madden, bringing the report for Madden to see, only to be told by Madden the report was not for Madden, but for Rivera, asking, “What did YOU learn?” Rivera felt perhaps he had been too safe, to which Madden responded, “Ron, there is no book. You’ve coached enough, you’ve played enough, go from your gut.” Thus “Riverboat Ron” was born, the man willing to gamble when his gut tells him, it is time.

Florio inquired how quarterbacks are more available today than in previous decades and Rivera agreed, pointing to Detroit letting Matthew Stafford go to the Rams for his opportunity to win a Super Bowl, while the Lions have an opportunity to build through the draft choices obtained in the trade.

Would Washington like to do something like that this offseason? “Yes, if the right situation is available, we want to get in on it,” expressed Rivera.

Wearing the new burgundy and gold Commanders’ jacket, Rivera spoke of the Commanders developing and building their own culture. However, the former Chicago Bear linebacker was quick to point out that Joe Gibbs accomplished so much in the past for Washington, winning three Super Bowls with three different quarterbacks. Remembering their great teams Rivera spoke of needing to honor them for their great accomplishments.

He spoke of the NFL owners needing to hire more minorities but also voiced current coaches and front office personnel perhaps need to be introducing owners to other minorities more often along the way.

Florio inquired as to the overtime rule that permits the team first on offense to win the game right away. Rivera understands that can happen, but feels defenses need to make something happen in the overtime. Rivera spoke of fans not complaining about the rule when the defense makes something happen in the overtime period.