Tag: request

After trade request, James Washington might be the receiver Saints need

After trade request, Steelers wideout James Washington might be a receiver fit for the New Orleans Saints:

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver James Washington has been buried on the depth chart — in Thursday night’s Hall of Fame game, in which top wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster was inactive, he played behind Chase Claypool, Diontae Johnson, and Ray-ray McCloud III. Now he wants out, with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting a trade request filed with the black and yellow.

It’s an open secret that the Saints lack viable options at receiver. With injuries to Michael Thomas and Tre’Quan Smith and a suspension likely on the way for Deonte Harris, second-year pro Marquez Callaway is the only receiver we can say with confidence will be ready for Week 1. The situation is so bad that no one has beaten Ken Crawley (a marked man every time he’s taken the field in recent years) in daily one-on-one drills a week into camp.

So Washington makes sense. The 25-year old would immediately be the most-accomplished receiver under 30, with all due respect to Chris Hogan, and he still hasn’t really scratched his potential in the NFL. And unlike other receivers to request a trade, like Patriots first rounder N’Keal Harry, maybe Washington could be had at lower cost in a contract year.

The former second round draft pick out of Oklahoma State has appeared in 45 regular season games, averaging 2.0 receptions and 29.9 receiving yards per game — and an impressive 14.9 receiving yards per catch. He’s converted a first down on 61 of his 90 catches and scored a personal-best 5 touchdowns last season. He’d be a good fit in New Orleans if the price is right. Pittsburgh’s offensive line is in terrible shape, so maybe the Saints could flip a game-experienced backup like Will Clapp or Ethan Greenidge for him, though you have to think they’d be loathe to part with a better option in James Hurst.

Then again, Sean Payton and Mickey Loomis have done their best to make us believe they genuinely like their options at receiver as the depth chart currently stands. That group of undrafted rookies, practice squad holdovers, and former lacrosse pros doesn’t inspire much confidence outside the building, but maybe the Saints have seen more than we have. Keep an eye out if there’s any movement here.

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Report: Saints among Russell Wilson’s preferred trade destinations

The Athletic reports that if Russell Wilson requests a trade from the Seahawks, the New Orleans Saints could be his preferred landing spot.

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Could Russell Wilson be traded? A lengthy writeup on the star quarterback’s friction with the Seattle Seahawks suggests it’s possible. The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks reported on years of growing discord between Wilson and Seattle’s braintrust, and it’s well worth reading. Unease centering on Seattle’s depleted supporting cast and a lack of trust in Wilson’s ability to carry a pass-first offense has created a situation that sure looks unsustainable.

And, intriguingly, the New Orleans Saints could stand to benefit. Wilson is one of a handful of players around the league whose contract includes a no-trade clause. That gives him rare agency in decision-making, especially if the Seahawks eventually look to trade him.

But let’s be very clear. For now, he hasn’t made a formal trade request. However, the Athletic reports that if he were to be moved, the Saints would be at the top of Wilson’s list of approved destinations — along with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and, bafflingly, the bottom-feeder New York Jets.

The Athletic’s reporting makes it clear that Wilson wants to play behind a strong offensive line that can protect him while he throws (often) to a dynamic receiving corps. The Jets can’t offer that, but they do have the resources to pursue free agents and draft picks, which is an area Wilson appears to want more input. Miami also offers those advantages as well as a more competitive roster. The Raiders are a head scratcher. They aren’t particularly talented and they’re stuck competing with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in their division. Maybe Wilson is just a big fan of Jon Gruden.

So it’s easy to be enticed by the image of Wilson in New Orleans. When his contract was set to expire in 2018, I pondered if the Saints were hoping for a long-shot chance at signing him in free agency (instead, the Seahawks were able to extend his deal at the eleventh hour). While the Saints would have to give up hefty trade compensation to acquire him, it’s not like they’ve made the most of their recent first round picks. The resources invested in Marcus Davenport (two first rounders) and last year’s top pick, Cesar Ruiz (who couldn’t win a starting job) would be better spent on a proven franchise quarterback like Wilson.

And Wilson’s interest in joining the Saints would make sense. They can offer him the protection of multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl offensive linemen and some of the NFL’s best pass catchers as well as a defense talented at all three levels; to say nothing of their recent addition in Kris Richard, who will be coaching the Saints defensive backs after building the best Seahawks defenses Wilson played with. There are dots to connect here.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The most likely scenario is Seattle taking the hint from Wilson seriously and bringing in the help he needs. He hasn’t requested a trade. He has not demanded a move to New Orleans or anywhere else. Fun as it would be, at this point we’re speculating at best.

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Report: Saints among Russell Wilson’s preferred trade destinations

The Athletic reports that if Russell Wilson requests a trade from the Seahawks, the New Orleans Saints could be his preferred landing spot.

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Could Russell Wilson be traded? A lengthy writeup on the star quarterback’s friction with the Seattle Seahawks suggests it’s possible. The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar, Mike Sando and Jayson Jenks reported on years of growing discord between Wilson and Seattle’s braintrust, and it’s well worth reading. Unease centering on Seattle’s depleted supporting cast and a lack of trust in Wilson’s ability to carry a pass-first offense has created a situation that sure looks unsustainable.

And, intriguingly, the New Orleans Saints could stand to benefit. Wilson is one of a handful of players around the league whose contract includes a no-trade clause. That gives him rare agency in decision-making, especially if the Seahawks eventually look to trade him.

But let’s be very clear. For now, he hasn’t made a formal trade request. However, the Athletic reports that if he were to be moved, the Saints would be at the top of Wilson’s list of approved destinations — along with the Las Vegas Raiders, the Miami Dolphins, and, bafflingly, the bottom-feeder New York Jets.

The Athletic’s reporting makes it clear that Wilson wants to play behind a strong offensive line that can protect him while he throws (often) to a dynamic receiving corps. The Jets can’t offer that, but they do have the resources to pursue free agents and draft picks, which is an area Wilson appears to want more input. Miami also offers those advantages as well as a more competitive roster. The Raiders are a head scratcher. They aren’t particularly talented and they’re stuck competing with Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in their division. Maybe Wilson is just a big fan of Jon Gruden.

So it’s easy to be enticed by the image of Wilson in New Orleans. When his contract was set to expire in 2018, I pondered if the Saints were hoping for a long-shot chance at signing him in free agency (instead, the Seahawks were able to extend his deal at the eleventh hour). While the Saints would have to give up hefty trade compensation to acquire him, it’s not like they’ve made the most of their recent first round picks. The resources invested in Marcus Davenport (two first rounders) and last year’s top pick, Cesar Ruiz (who couldn’t win a starting job) would be better spent on a proven franchise quarterback like Wilson.

And Wilson’s interest in joining the Saints would make sense. They can offer him the protection of multiple All-Pro and Pro Bowl offensive linemen and some of the NFL’s best pass catchers as well as a defense talented at all three levels; to say nothing of their recent addition in Kris Richard, who will be coaching the Saints defensive backs after building the best Seahawks defenses Wilson played with. There are dots to connect here.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The most likely scenario is Seattle taking the hint from Wilson seriously and bringing in the help he needs. He hasn’t requested a trade. He has not demanded a move to New Orleans or anywhere else. Fun as it would be, at this point we’re speculating at best.

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After trade request, Saints must make a run at Texans QB Deshaun Watson

The New Orleans Saints can’t afford to let Drew Brees’ waffling over retirement get in the way of pursuing Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson.

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The long-expected news of Deshaun Watson requesting a trade from the Houston Texans has gone public, and the New Orleans Saints should at least call and see what it would cost to pry him away from the reeling franchise.

It’s a different situation than the one Matthew Stafford is in, where the Detroit Lions have agreed to part ways and are amicably negotiating a trade. Watson’s gripe is with Texans leadership and team owner Cal McNair; this isn’t a relationship first-year head coach David Culley is likely to mend.

For one thing, and most crucially, Watson’s contract includes a no-trade clause. That means he will choose where he goes next; no matter how many draft picks lowly teams like the New York Jets throw at Houston, if Watson doesn’t want to play there, he won’t have to. No trade will go through without his written permission.

It gives an opportunity for teams like the Saints to get in the running. They can offer Watson what he wants in terms of a proven head coach and a strong supporting cast even if they lack the draft capital other teams have stockpiled.

Now, sure, that doesn’t mean Watson would be a cheap pickup. The Saints would still have to put multiple first-round draft picks on the table and maybe a player — a blue-chip talent like Marshon Lattimore or Ryan Ramczyk, maybe. Franchise quarterbacks don’t become available often, and acquiring someone as gifted as Watson is going to cost more than we may expect.

Especially if teams with similar selling points to New Orleans and more resources get involved. The Miami Dolphins could offer a possible replacement in Tua Tagovailoa and the draft picks Houston needs (ironically, some of those selections were their own, lost in Bill O’Brien’s blundering trades as de facto general manager) while presenting an up-and-coming roster and solid braintrust between head coach Brian Flores and G.M. Chris Grier.

The salary cap accounting for Watson is affordable, too. He’s only on the books for $15.94 million in 2021, and his future cap hits rise after the Saints expect to shed the dead money from Drew Brees retiring (whenever that actually happens). While they’ve been respectful to Brees and preached patience in letting him announce his decision to return or move on, they can’t let that get in the way of possibly landing Watson. They can’t bet on Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston suddenly erasing all of their flaws, either.

And while trading a package of, say, three first rounders is daunting, consider how the Saints invested their last three first-round picks: Cesar Ruiz, who couldn’t win the starting job at right guard as a rookie; and the pick traded to move up in 2018 and select Marcus Davenport, who has been injured, inconsistent, and too often unproductive. There’s no guarantee the Saints hit on their future picks in the first round, whereas Watson is a proven commodity.

So. Here’s hoping the Saints at least put themselves in the running. This is the sort of aggressive move that can define the next era of football in New Orleans and ensure a smooth transition from Brees. But as I pointed out, they’re hardly in the best position to pull off a blockbuster trade like this. With so many options available at quarterback, this offseason could be the most exciting we’ve seen for the Saints.

Report: Detroit Lions request to interview Bucs’ DC Todd Bowles

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo is reporting that the Detroit Lions have put in a request to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo is reporting that the Detroit Lions have put in a request to interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

Garafolo noted that the “interview (is) not scheduled yet as the sides wait for the outcome of tonight’s (NFL playoff) game but Bowles (is) expected to meet with Detroit and the (Atlanta) Falcons”.

Bowles played defensive back for eight years in the NFL, beginning and ending his career in Washington, with a one-year stint with the San Francisco 49ers.

After retiring from the NFL, Bowles began his coaching career as a defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Morehouse College in 1997. His next stop was at Grambling State in the same two roles during the 1998 and 1999 seasons.

In 2000, Bowles landed a job with the New York Jets, coaching their secondary. He would spend the next 13 seasons coaching NFL secondaries, occasionally adding additional titles, like assistant head coach, at different stops. Bowles was the interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins (2011) and Philadelphia Eagles (2012), before landing a defensive coordinator position with the Arizona Cardinals in 2013-14.

In 2015, Bowles was named head coach of the New York Jets. He would record a 24-40 record over the next four seasons and was eventually let go at the end of the 2018 season. One of his most notable victories came in the 2018 opener when his Jets team demolished then Lions coach Matt Patricia in his debut 48-17 on “Monday Night Football”.

In 2019, he became the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator and helped turn them into a Top-6 DVOA defense. Then followed that up with a Top-5 DVOA finish in 2020.

Bowles defense is known for its run-stopping prowess, and the Bucs produced the No. 1 run defense in the NFL both seasons he was calling plays, allowing just 73.8 yards on the ground in 2019, and just 80.6 yards rushing in 2020.

While the Bucs run defense is suffocating, their ability to rush the passer is also very impressive. In 2019, Shaquil Barrett — who we profiled as a potential free agent the Lions should be watching in the Playoffs — led the NFL with 19.5 sacks (the team finished 8th overall), while in 2020 Jason Pierre-Paul finished 11th with 9.5 sacks (the team finished 5th overall).

The Lions have struck a balance of interviews this offseason. A Bowles interview would be the third with a defensive coach, with Marvin Lewis (Former Bengals HC, currently an assistant at Arizona State) and Robert Saleh (49ers’ DC) being the other two. While also interviewing three offensive-minded coaches, Eric Bieniemy (Chiefs’ OC) and Darrell Bevell (Lions’ OC) already having interviewed, and Dan Campbell (Saints’ TE coach, Asst. HC) tentatively scheduled for next week.