Tag: Tony Pauline

Insider names three more WR targets Steelers show interest in

Insider Tony Pauline has reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have three WR targets in mind as the trade deadline draws near.

Much to the chagrin of some Steelers fans, the trade rumors keep on coming. Insider Tony Pauline originally reported that the Denver Broncos had a ’50-50’ chance of trading Russell Wilson’s former WR1, Courtland Sutton. However, according to his sources, there appear to be not one but two more wide receivers linked to the team’s trade plans, bringing their total number of WR trade targets up to three.

Pauline states that these receivers are the New York Jets’ Mike Williams, the New York Giants’ Darius Slayton, and the recently reported Broncos’ Courtland Sutton.

The draft capital Pittsburgh would be willing to part with in any of these potential trades remains to be seen. The November 5th trade deadline is less than one week away, and Steelers fans, while polarized by the recent bombardment of trade rumors and speculation, could finally see their team pull off a blockbuster trade to land a WR2 for the team.

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Steelers fans react to team’s latest WR trade target, per insider

Insider Tony Pauline stated that Broncos’ WR Courtland Sutton has a 50/50 shot of being traded, and Steelers fans are reasonably skeptical.

Steelers fans, similar to Pittsburgh’s DT Cameron Heyward, seem to be growing tired of the speculation and rumors surrounding their team’s potential trades by the November 5th deadline. 

There was some obvious excitement after the first three trade rumors broke, regarding receivers Brandon Aiyuk, Davante Adams, and Cooper Kupp, but an empty receiver room to show for it has left a lot of resentment in the hearts of the Steel City faithful. 

To throw more gasoline on the proverbial fire, Insider Tony Pauline has referenced that one of the first names mentioned as a Steelers’ trade target almost two months ago, Courtland Sutton, has a ’50-50′ chance of being traded by the Denver Broncos. 

Ultimately, this sent Steelers fans on social media into a craze, begging for General Manager Omar Khan to bring an additional playmaker to Pittsburgh via trade. However, this time around, there seems to be a voice of reason based in reality. Here are some of the best split-reactions from Steelers fans regarding the WR trade rumor. 

 





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Draft insider names 3 defensive players Jaguars are rumored to covet

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline says there are three first-round prospects the Jaguars are rumored to covet.

Last week, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke told reporters that the team has narrowed its list of first-round targets to “two or three guys.” On Monday, Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network pulled back the curtain to reveal three players the Jaguars are rumored to covet.

“What I heard is the three defensive players they really covet are Lukas Van Ness, Devon Weatherspoon, and the aforementioned Deonte Banks,” Pauline said in an appearance on 1010XL.

Weatherspoon and Banks are two of the top cornerback prospects in the class. While the former is largely expected to be a top 10 pick, the latter has been paired with the Jaguars often in mock drafts. Van Ness is a 6’5, 272-pound pass rusher who is largely expected to come off the board before Jacksonville selects at 24th overall.

Pauline — who longtime Jaguars fans may remember as the former Sports Illustrated insider who first sniffed out the team’s interest in Tyson Alualu more than a decade ago — suggested that Banks may be an early selection and Van Ness could be the likeliest of the trio to be available to Jacksonville.

“I have not heard anything about the offensive players,” Pauline later added. “But you’ve got to think if Darnell Wright’s there, they’ve got to consider him. They spent a lot of draft capital on defense last year, much more than I expected. You’ve got a franchise quarterback there … you better start to protect him, you better start to add more weapons around him.

“I think if Darnell Wright is still on the board — and I don’t know that he’s gonna be there — when the Jaguars are on the clock, they absolutely have to consider him.”

Wright is a 6’5, 333-pound offensive tackle who has been projected by most to be a right tackle in the NFL.

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2020 NFL Season: What changes are being considered on and off the field?

2020 NFL Season: What changes are being considered on and off the field due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

The NFL and NFLPA are now within a month of players reporting to training camp.  The players, led by Cleveland Browns center and NFLPA president JC Tretter, want information on what the league protocols for a return to the field will be. Meanwhile, the NFL is trying to gather as much information it can before they have to roll out their protocols and attempt to achieve an accord with the players.

There are a lot of possibilities that have been floated, so let’s see if we can make some sense of what we know.

Training Camp Dates

According to Mike Florio of PFT, Rookies can be required to report to NFL facilities as early as July 19th for their initial COVID-19 testing and conditioning on July 21st. Injured veterans can be required to report for testing on July 21st and conditioning on July 23rd. The rest of the training camp roster will report for testing on July 26th with conditioning on July 28th. Full squad training camp can start on July 28th.

Roster Size

I spoke with Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network Thursday on my podcast, ‘All Eyez on Cleveland’ and he said that team’s roster size would likely be cut down to 75 by the start of camp on July 28th.

The interesting part here is that there are two approaches being considered to get to 75 players. Pauline went on to tell me that teams could potentially bring in rookies, UDFAs, roster invites and even some second year players for a few days of work before the rest of the players report. Front offices could use this short period to evaluate the back end of their roster and cut to 75 before things officially get underway on July 28th.

The other option would require front offices to take a closer look at their 90-man roster and get it down to 75 based on information they already have. Either way, teams will be cutting players right away to get their roster size down.

Hotels not mandatory

A month ago, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that all 32 NFL teams were going to be required to hold training camp at their home facilities. Many teams have mandated hotel stays during these periods in the past but due to the pandemic, no one will be required to stay in a hotel.

There may be rookies who don’t have homes in their team’s location yet who will need to be accommodated with a hotel room. It is also possible that some players may choose to use a hotel as a way to keep potential infection away from their homes, where their loved ones reside. However, teams will not be able to require hotel stays as they have in the past.

Travel

Obviously, this changes when a team travels for away games. The concept of game day travel has been discussed and met with some resistance from multiple players.

It is understandable that the players would push back against this idea and I’m sure coaches can’t be too keen on the idea either. Jumping off a plane and going straight to the stadium is asking for additional injury concerns.

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Seahawks might not be Jadeveon Clowney’s top team to sign with in 2020

The Seattle Seahawks are not Jadeveon Clowney’s first team to sign with for the 2020 season. He is still waiting for the right deal.

Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline reported that free agent defensive end Jadeveon Clowney does not view returning to Seattle as one of his top options for the 2020 season.

“I was told the two teams on top of Clowney’s list, as far as where he would like to end up are the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints,” Pauline said. “He would definitely help both of those teams.”

However, Clowney stated that a return to the Emerald City is not out of the question, expressing his appreciation for the organization.

“I loved Seattle when I was there this last year,” Clowney said. “I loved everybody on the coaching staff. I wouldn’t trade them guys in. I hope we can work something out if anything happens. I did like it up there. I love Russ. I loved all the guys I played with.”

Pauline said that Clowney’s objective is still to join a contending team that is capable of giving him a sizable payday.

“If he can get a decent one-year deal from a team that was in the playoffs, a team that he could help take to the next level . . . I’m told he would be very happy to do that,” Pauline said.

Clowney has been a free agent for over three months now, but with the 2020 season looming with each passing day, he may sign with a team sooner than anticipated.

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Bears training camp still expected to begin in late July

The NFL is expected to begin training camps on time in late July and in person.

The NFL has had to call multiple audibles this offseason, thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, such as holding a virtual draft and at-home mini camps for players. But when it comes to training camp later this summer, the league reportedly isn’t budging on its plans.

According to Pro Football Network’s Tony Pauline, the NFL is expected to begin training camps on time in late July and in person. Pauline also states the league likely won’t make a decision on whether to cancel or postpone camps “until the last minute” and says first-year players will be allowed at team facilities. He goes into more detail below:

I’m told training camps are expected to open on time in July and the league will wait until the last minute before making any announcement should any changes be necessary. Team facilities are not expected to be fully opened until July camp. As one source told me, teams do not want players working out at their facilities in May or June.

The one exception to that will be physicals for rookies and undrafted free agents. As travel restrictions begin lifting across the country, most teams are expected to bring in the first-year players for comprehensive physicals.

Unlike the other three major sports leagues in the country, which were suspended in mid-March, the NFL has the benefit of starting their season in the fall. They can forge ahead with plans and make decisions at a later date depending on the situation. As of today, the only part of the NFL season disrupted by the pandemic was the league’s international series, which was cancelled Monday morning.

Like all NFL fans, the league is hopeful the season will begin on time and having training camp take place as scheduled will be a major step in achieving that goal.

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