Tag: Tyreek Hill

Saints’ Derek Carr, Chris Olave ranked just outside of Top-10 QB-WR duos

Derek Carr and Chris Olave had a rocky first year together, but there’s potential for greatness. B/R ranked them close to the top 10 QB-WR duos:

Where do Derek Carr and Chris Olave rank in the NFL as a duo? The New Orleans Saints’ quarterback and top wide receiver obviously are not on the elite tier with big names like Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase or Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.

Individually, Carr isn’t in that conversation after a decade in the league, and Olave hasn’t reached that status yet going into his third season. But they have a lot of room to grow together. Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton has the pairing ranked right outside the top 10 as an honorable mention:

Derek Carr had an up-and-down first year with the New Orleans Saints in part because he played through injuries, but the 10-year veteran established a strong rapport with Chris Olave, who caught 87 passes for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns as the focal point of the 11th-ranked passing offense.

Perhaps the Saints offense takes a step in the right direction under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. If it does, look out for Carr and Olave to pick up where they left off in 2023.

That rapport took a while to find. Early in the season there was a clear disconnect between Carr and Olave. Olave’s effort was being questioned which led many to question his feelings towards his quarterback. Carr blowing up on Olave, when Carr was in the wrong, didn’t help matters either. As the season went on, however, they began to get on the same page and seemed to have a better relationship.

It’ll be interesting to see if they hit the ground running this year with a season under their belt. Being an honorable mention is a start. In order to crack the top 10, Olave will likely need to surpass 1,200 yards. Carr is who he is at this point in his career, but the addition of Klint Kubiak is here to elevate the passing attack schematically. As important as the players’ chemistry is, the new offensive coordinator is the most important piece.

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Dolphins on the path to 2024 salary cap compliance

A path for Miami to get cap compliant by the start of the league year.

The Miami Dolphins are officially in salary cap-cutting mode heading into next week’s free agency and trading opening around the league.

Miami has made several business decisions this week, most notably deciding not to franchise tag defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, which will allow him to hit the open market in free agency

In addition to passing on putting the tag on the league’s leading tackler among all defensive tackles since 2019, general manager Chris Grier and the Dolphins have parted with linebacker Jerome Baker.

There were reported attempts to renegotiate his contract, but Baker was ultimately released. While there could be a window in a few months to bring him back on a discounted deal, this move was inevitable for the Dolphins to get cap-compliant next week.

Baker’s release frees up roughly $9.8 million in salary cap 2024 for the Dolphins and comes with a dead cap of $4.9 million. The team also saved $2.9 million for 2024 by releasing defensive back and special teamer Keion Crossen.

Miami enters Wednesday, March 6, over the 2024 salary cap by $18.83 million. In exactly a week, at 4:00 p.m. ET, teams must be under the cap, and while that negative $18.8 million may seem daunting, there are several paths to getting into the black here.

Remember, this number doesn’t include the roughly $18 million that Miami will recoup post-June 1 from the Xavien Howard release. Of course, that money will be aimed at paying the rookie draft class, the second wave of free agency, any potential holdovers of potential re-signings of unrestricted free agents, or even a person like Baker.

Getting cap compliant can come from several combinations, and while restructuring contracts does kick the can down the road a bit, strategic reworkings of contracts for specific players could give Grier the keys to unlock what would be needed to retain and even bring in the proper talent.

With unrestricted free agents like Andrew Van Ginkel, Robert Hunt and Connor Williams joining Wilkins in this class, the Dolphins will have plenty of work to do in the next few days, even to give themselves the chips to sit in the middle of the table and offer some or even one of these players.

The easiest path to freeing money is via cuts, and there are about a half-dozen candidates for non-core players like a depth running back and backup linebacker, which can add several million back into Miami’s 2024 cap.

Restructuring veterans’ deals would be a more hazardous road with more work. Here are the players whose contracts could be restructured to help the Dolphins with their 2024 cap and upcoming free-agency efforts.

Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is contracted through 2026, and restructuring his contract would save approximately $12.54 million in the 2024 cap, per Over the Cap. This would kick that money down the line over those next two years of the contract by around $7 million each on those salary caps in 2025 and 2026.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey has the easiest path to a near-instant compliance scenario. He’s set to have a potential 2024 restructure savings of $18.67 million, and according to Over the Cap, about $5-6 million in each of 2025 and 2026 would be added to those cap figures.

With these two contracts being the most fiscally beneficial for the Dolphins, another tricky option could be with linebacker Bradley Chubb. Regardless of saving around $14 million in potential 2024 savings on a restructure, moving money down the line on an injured player whose contract has an out next season may not be the most prudent move for Miami financially.

Another name to watch for potential easy restructuring is Zach Sieler, which could add around $5.5 million for 2024 while just placing about $3 million in 2025 and 2026.

Alec Ingold can work a quick restructure and save $1.7 million for 2024 without making a significant dent in the following years.

Lastly, the two longest-tenured Dolphins in Durham Smythe and Jason Sanders can restructure their contracts to free up $1.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively.

Miami has several paths to salary cap freedom and flexibility to do business when the free agency and trade markets open in a week. The question is, just how much business can they get away with, and how significant will that potential business be?

The action should continue this week. On March 11, teams can negotiate with their own unrestricted free agents, and just two days later, it’s open season for NFL moves around the league’s landscape.

NFL star Tyreek Hill expresses interest in combat sports, fighting Jake Paul

NFL star Tyreek Hill has expressed interest in taking part in combat sports and fighting Jake Paul.

Tyreek Hill might be on the wrong track.

The superstar NFL receiver for the Miami Dolphins said during on the Fully Tilted podcast recently that he would like to give boxing or mixed martial arts a try at some point.

The 29-year-old wants to meet with UFC President Dana White to discuss what it would take to make that transition.

“Just take it to the cage, bro,” Hill said. “That’s why I want to meet Dana White, I want to get in the cage. I want to get in the cage or I want to box.”

And logic evidently tells Hill that he should target as an opponent someone who also has limited experience in the ring or cage. Someone like YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Hill said he boxed growing up, which he feels would be enough for him to compete with an opponent who has only nine pro fights (8-1, 5 KOs).

“My first fight needs to be like Jake Paul or something like that, he said. “… I don’t think [he’s tough]. I grew up boxing.”

The problem for Hill might be that Paul has been in the gym for more than five years. He’s still a work in progress but he has some ability.

Plus, even his critics acknowledge that he has been blessed with good punching power, as he demonstrated once again by stopping Andre August in the first round in December.

Paul undoubtedly would jump at the chance to make that fight. It sounds as if Hill would, too, which might be his mistake.

Paul is scheduled to face boxer Ryan Bourland (17-2, 5 KOs) on Saturday in San Juan Puerto Rico, where local hero Amanda Serrano will defend her undisputed 126-pound championship against Nine Meinke in the main event.

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NFL star Tyreek Hill expresses interest in combat sports, fighting Jake Paul

NFL star Tyreek Hill has expressed interest in taking part in combat sports and fighting Jake Paul.

Tyreek Hill might be on the wrong track.

The superstar NFL receiver for the Miami Dolphins said during on the Fully Tilted podcast recently that he would like to give boxing or mixed martial arts a try at some point.

The 29-year-old wants to meet with UFC President Dana White to discuss what it would take to make that transition.

“Just take it to the cage, bro,” Hill said. “That’s why I want to meet Dana White, I want to get in the cage. I want to get in the cage or I want to box.”

And logic evidently tells Hill that he should target as an opponent someone who also has limited experience in the ring or cage. Someone like YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Hill said he boxed growing up, which he feels would be enough for him to compete with an opponent who has only nine pro fights (8-1, 5 KOs).

“My first fight needs to be like Jake Paul or something like that, he said. “… I don’t think [he’s tough]. I grew up boxing.”

The problem for Hill might be that Paul has been in the gym for more than five years. He’s still a work in progress but he has some ability.

Plus, even his critics acknowledge that he has been blessed with good punching power, as he demonstrated once again by stopping Andre August in the first round in December.

Paul undoubtedly would jump at the chance to make that fight. It sounds as if Hill would, too, which might be his mistake.

Paul is scheduled to face boxer Ryan Bourland (17-2, 5 KOs) on Saturday in San Juan Puerto Rico, where local hero Amanda Serrano will defend her undisputed 126-pound championship against Nine Meinke in the main event.

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Tyreek Hill praises Demarcus Robinson after Rams deal: ‘He deserves more’

Tyreek Hill had high praise for Demarcus Robinson after getting a new deal, saying “he deserves more”

The Los Angeles Rams made a great decision last week to re-sign Demarcus Robinson to a one-year deal. Robinson emerged as the team’s No. 3 receiver last season and will now get a chance to maintain that role behind Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua in 2024.

The deal is a bargain for the Rams, who will pay Robinson $5 million for one season, and even his former teammate Tyreek Hill knows it’s a steal for Los Angeles. After Robinson’s deal was reported, Hill posted on social media that Robinson “deserves more.”

He’s probably not wrong, but clearly Robinson wanted to remain with the Rams and felt comfortable taking $5 million for one year before hitting free agency again next offseason.

Last season, Robinson caught 26 passes for 371 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (four starts). He also caught three passes for 44 yards in the playoffs, which was his eighth straight year of making the postseason.

Hopefully he will make it nine years in a row next season as a member of the Rams.

Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle responds to trade talk

No. 17 speaks on trade talks.

While the NFL world is a bit slow after the Kansas City Chiefs were crowned Super Bowl champions, the media is already bringing up some wild hypothetical, including former Miami Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum saying the Dolphins and Chiefs should swap wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Trent McDuffie.

Fans across social media roasted Tannebaum for the suggestion, and Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill shared his thoughts on the topic.

Now, Waddle, himself, has reacted to the discussions.

Waddle has been extremely successful with the Dolphins. Despite battling injuries last season, he became the first in team history to record 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

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Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill reacts to Jaylen Waddle trade discussions

The Cheetah responds to the Jaylen Waddle trade talk.

Former Miami Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum set the NFL world on fire on Tuesday when he proposed that the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs should swap wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and cornerback Trent McDuffie.

Fans went crazy in response on social media, but the first Dolphin to share their thoughts on the topic was wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who has been vocal about supporting his teammates since he was traded to Miami from Kansas City just two years ago.

Through three seasons, Waddle has recorded 251 receptions for 3,385 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has the most receiving yards by any Dolphin through the first 47 games of their career, and he’s the first in team history to put up 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Even before Hill and head coach Mike McDaniel arrived in South Florida in 2022, Waddle was already off to an impressive start in aqua and orange, setting the NFL’s rookie record for receptions (104, which was broken by Puka Nacua this past year).

Hill has three years remaining on his contract with the Dolphins, and it looks like he wants to keep Waddle around with him. Miami should want that as well.

 

Tyreek Hill dismissed Jaylen Waddle trade talk with a bold claim about his Dolphins teammate’s talents

Tyreek Hill is tired of people talking about Jaylen Waddle like he’s expendable.

The Miami Dolphins might be in a state of crisis.

Despite two consecutive solid regular seasons, Mike McDaniel’s bunch has yet to win a single playoff game. Perhaps more disconcertingly, they’ve more or less faded hard down the stretch on both occasions. This has led some people to claim that Miami needs a major shake-up to contend, like perhaps trading promising young receiver Jaylen Waddle.

All-Pro receiver/teammate Tyreek Hill seemingly couldn’t hate an idea more.

After catching wind of Waddle trade talks — at least among Dolphins fans — Hill took to Twitter to rebuke the conversation entirely. He ended up claiming that Waddle, at age 25 and entering his fourth NFL season, was better than Hill at the same time.

Hmm, I don’t know if I agree with that. At age 25, Hill was already a two-time First-Team All-Pro and the No. 1 option on a championship-caliber Kansas City Chiefs team. Waddle is good, perhaps even great at his best, but he’s had struggles staying healthy and disappears for extended stretches far too often to say he’s comparable to his future Hall of Fame teammate.

That said, Hill is just being a good teammate, gassing up his guy. I don’t blame him one bit for going to bat for Waddle like this.

Saints hire Keith Williams as their new wide receivers coach

The Saints hired Keith Williams as their new wide receivers coach. Before coming to the NFL, he was a personal trainer for All-Pros like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill:

The New Orleans Saints have a wide receivers coach: Keith Williams announced on social media that he has accepted the job on Klint Kubiak’s offensive coaching staff under head coach Dennis Allen. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that he received a two-year contract with the team.

Williams previously worked as the Baltimore Ravens assistant receivers coach. But before that, he spent two decades working as a personal trainer for All-Pro wide receivers like Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill. He’s also coached at the college level, having worked with Adams (and Saints quarterback Derek Carr) at Fresno State.

So he has a strong resume. The Saints have a number of young wide receivers for him to develop in Chris Olave, A.T. Perry, and exclusive rights free agent Rashid Shaheed, who is expected to return on a one-year deal before becoming eligible for a long-term extension in 2025. It looks like the Saints have filled all their vacancies on offense, but stay tuned for confirmation and any late additions to the coaching staff.

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Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill shares thoughts on Chiefs winning another Super Bowl

The Cheetah shares thoughts on his old team winning again.

The Kansas City Chiefs won their third Super Bowl in five years on Sunday, as they downed the San Francisco 49ers 25-22 in a battle that went to overtime.

Kansas City has had an impressive amount of success since trading star wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who had made six straight Pro Bowls at the time, to the Miami Dolphins for a package of picks.

Hill, despite playing for a new team and seeing his former team win two Super Bowls in the two years since he’s been gone, continues to support his old teammates and coaches on social media.

Hill even went as far as to say he was jealous of his good friend Mecole Hardman, who got a congratulations message from former President Barack Obama.

Hill has been adamant that coming to Miami has been great for him, and he’s had two incredible statistical seasons, but he’d obviously like to win a ring in the near future.

If he can do that in South Florida, he’ll be immortalized in the eyes of Dolphins fans and those around the NFL.