Tag: Tom Pelissero

Report: Lions agree to terms with CB Darryl Roberts

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with cornerback Darryl Roberts.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero is reporting that the Detroit Lions have agreed to terms with cornerback Darryl Roberts.

Roberts was originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2015 NFL Draft (pick No. 247 overall) but spent his rookie season on injured reserve, was released at training camp cutdowns in 2016, never playing an NFL snap for them.

After his release, Roberts was swept up by the New York Jets who added him to their active roster. He would spend the next four seasons with the Jets, earning a starting role in 2018, then a 3-year $18 million contract extension in the 2019 offseason, and was released just over 10 days ago.

He has played in 56 NFL games, starting 26, is 6-0 tall with 4.38 speed and the range to play corner and safety. Roberts earned above-average grades across the board from Pro Football Focus in 2017 and 2018 but took a step back in 2019.

Roberts is experienced enough to challenge Amani Oruwariye to start opposite Desmond Trufant and is likely viewed as an insurance option if the Lions are unable to land a top-tier cornerback in this draft class. The addition of Roberts should not keep the Lions from taking Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah at the top of the first round.

NFL teams expect David Onyemata to earn double-digit free agent contract

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata could earn $10 million or more per year in free agency, per an NFL Network report.

[jwplayer OyAzPM80-ThvAeFxT]

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata figures to draw plenty of interest next week as an unrestricted free agent, but a recent report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero suggests he could be in for an unprecedented payday. While teams Pelissero has spoken with expect all-star interior linemen such as Chris Jones and Arik Armstead to be taken off the market with the franchise tag, a second tier of starting-quality linemen is beginning to emerge that could reset the standards in free agency.

Onyemata being included in that group is no surprise. He’s just as productive as other starters around the league, and is likely seen as an ascendant talent after quickly picking up the game in college (at Manitoba, in Canada) before receiving high-level coaching from Saints assistant Ryan Nielsen in the NFL. Here’s a quick note from Pelissero on which players Onyemata is being compared to by interested teams:

Teams wouldn’t be surprised if Javon Hargrave (Steelers) commands close to $14 million a year — huge money for a nose tackle. Jarran Reed (Seahawks), D.J. Reader (Texans), David Onyemata (Saints) and A’Shawn Robinson (Lions) could all land north of $10 million, too.

Now, just because there’s a report that Onyemata might command $10 million or more a week before free agency doesn’t mean he’ll actually reach those heights. But it’s definitely worth considering that possibility. The Saints may not have the budget to fit Onyemata under the salary cap on such a salary, which would increase the likelihood that rookie standout Shy Tuttle earns more action in his second year.

But what’s the logic from a team paying out that kind of cash for someone who created just three sacks last year? Onyemata just turned 27 back in November, and he’s gotten better every year he’s been in the NFL. Some team desperate to strengthen the middle of their defense could certainly bet that Onyemata can rack up seven or eight sacks a year in a more prominent role, based on his career trajectory. But is that an argument the Saints would make to themselves? We’ll find out soon enough.

[lawrence-related id=29541]

[vertical-gallery id=29781]

Seahawks expect to have tight end Will Dissly back by Week 1

The Seattle Seahawks reportedly expect to have star tight end Will Dissly back from his Achilles injury by Week 1 of the 2020 season.

The Seattle Seahawks expect tight end Will Dissly to be healthy by Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season in the wake of his Achilles injury that ended his 2019 campaign.

The report comes from Tom Pelissero of NFL.com, who said the Seahawks expect Dissly to complete his rehabilitation in time for the start of the year.

“My understanding is they fully expect in Seattle for Will Dissly to be healthy and ready to go by Week 1 next season,” Pelissero said.

Coach Pete Carroll stated at the end of the season that Dissly’s rehab was already proceeding smoothly. This is great news for the Seahawks, who recently signed veteran TE Greg Olsen to bolster the unit.

Dissly has been a force of nature when healthy, but he has suffered two season-ending injuries in a row and has only played 10 games throughout his two-year career.

The Seahawks could certainly use a full season of Dissly alongside their other offensive weapons in Tyler Lockett, DK Metcalf and Chris Carson among others to reach their full offensive potential with Russell Wilson at the helm.

[lawrence-related id=56560]

Report: Bears will not play Jaguars in London next season

The Bears played the Raiders in London last season. And Chicago has been excused from playing the Jaguars in London next season.

The Chicago Bears returned to London last season for the first time since 2011, where they lost to the then-Oakland Raiders 24-21 on Oct. 6. Would they be making a trip back across the Atlantic to face another AFC opponent in 2020? Not according to one NFL insider.

The Bears have an away game scheduled against the Jacksonville Jaguars next season, who announced on Tuesday they will play in back-to-back home games in London this fall. The Jaguars are the first NFL team to play two home games outside of the United States.

Because a quarter of their home schedule will now take place overseas, questions arose as to whether the Bears would be one of the two opponents.

But according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, their home game against the Bears is protected and will remain in Jacksonville.

The Bears could still play one of their games in London as two more games have yet to be decided. But since the NFL International Series began in 2007, only the Jaguars, Raiders, and Los Angeles Rams have played overseas in consecutive seasons.

The NFL schedule will be released in late April.

[lawrence-related id=437333,437308,437166,437221]

Marshawn Lynch began preparing weeks ago for potential return

A visit to the practice facility two weeks ago set the stage for Marshawn Lynch’s improbable return to the Seattle Seahawks.

On December 12, four days after Rashaad Penny suffered a season-ending ACL injury, Marshawn Lynch visited the Seattle Seahawks practice facility in Renton, Washington – a visit the team was required to report since Lynch had not filed retirement paperwork.

The team downplayed it as Lynch visiting old friends and family, as his cousin works at the VMAC, and at the time no one had any indication Beast Mode would be back – except Lynch himself.

According to NFL.com reporter Tom Pelissero, Lynch began an intense workout regimen shortly after with his long-time coach, Tareq Azim, which included Azim basically beating up Lynch in an effort to simulate the contact absorbed in an NFL game.

“The one thing I can tell you is you can be 100 percent certain that he’s well aware of what his body can and can’t do,” Azim told Pelissero. “He’s made a choice to contribute to a team and a city that’s given him a lot.”

The Seahawks made the reunion with the 33-year-old official late Monday night. Lynch has not played in an NFL game since October of last year, but his freak athleticism and intense training – at least over the past few weeks – could help him be ready for a small workload on Sunday against the 49ers.

Of course, Lynch’s return is about far more than just what he can and can’t do against San Francisco. His arrival gives Seattle a much-needed shot in the arm as they look to bounce back from an ugly loss and win the NFC West against their long-time division rivals on Sunday Night Football.

[lawrence-related id=53534]