Tag: Veterans

Report: Chiefs rookies, specific veterans could return to team facilities in June

A new report says the NFL is discussing a June return for rookies and veteran players who changed teams.

We’re beginning to get solid information about how and when teams will be allowed to have players return to team facilities.

While there remain no set dates for training camp and a return to facilities for the Kansas City Chiefs and other teams, we now know the protocols by which players will be allowed to return to team facilities. According to a new report, we also might have an idea of when some specific players could be permitted to return to the building.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero claims the NFL and NFLPA are discussing the return of rookies and certain veterans on a limited basis. According to Pelissero, no date is set in stone but a return could happen prior to June 26.

The veteran players who would be permitted to return would be those who are new to the team, either via free agency or trade, and have yet to complete a physical with their new team. For the Chiefs, that group includes QB Jordan Ta’amu, RB DeAndre Washington, OT Mike Remmers, TE Ricky Seals-Jones, CB Antonio Hamilton, P Tyler Newsome and DE Taco Charlton.

Rookie players would likely be permitted to return in order to receive physicals, but it’d also help them get their feet under them before jumping right into things when every player returns. It’s an acclimation period they weren’t afforded during a traditional rookie minicamp due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chiefs currently have 25 rookies on their 90-man offseason roster, including undrafted free agents. This could mean that over 30 players are back in the building in Kansas City before the month is over. That’d be important progress for the future reopening of team facilities to all players and staff.

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2020 Saints roster locks, long-shots, and those on the roster bubble

The New Orleans Saints have assembled a talented 90-man roster for the 2020 season, but which players are locks, long shots, and on the edge

The New Orleans Saints are at capacity with their 90-man roster, set to carry a talented group of players through the summer and into training camp. But just 53 of them will be retained for the season’s opening kickoff, with a dozen players hoping to clear waivers and return on the practice squad (per new CBA rules, two practice squad players each week may be promoted to the active roster on game days. It’s more confusing than it needs to be).

But which Saints players are in best position to make the team? Which of them are out on the fringe, on the roster bubble? And who faces the longest odds of making the cut? Here’s a position-by-position preview, starting with the quarterbacks:

Quarterbacks

Locks:

  • Drew Brees
  • Taysom Hill
  • Jameis Winston

On the bubble:

  • Tommy Stevens

The top three passers are locked in, with Hill and Winston setting themselves up to compete for the starting job once Brees has spun his last football in New Orleans. It’s as impressive a depth chart you’ll find around the NFL, regardless of position. How many teams can say their third-stringer is a Heisman Trophy winner?

Stevens is a curiosity. If he can do an admirable job filling in for Hill as a runner and receiver (and maybe on special teams), he might stick around on the 53-man roster. He might pass through waivers and land on the practice squad, but it doesn’t feel like the Saints traded back into the draft just to give up on him after a few weeks in training camp.

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3 bridge options for Chiefs in 2020 free agency

Here are three options that the Kansas City Chiefs should look into to bridge some roster gaps.

The Kansas City Chiefs are, once again, in an interesting situation with their roster.

After concocting a Super Bowl-winning team in 2019, Brett Veach faces the difficult task of assembling a team to defend the title. He’d like to keep as many players from the Chiefs’ championship team as possible, but the reality of the situation is that they’ll lose some quality players.

Teams can set themselves up for both long term and short term success by acquiring bridge players. These are typically veteran players that are closer to the end of their careers than they are the beginning. Signing these players will allow newer players the luxury of developing at their own pace.

We saw the Chiefs grab a few of these players ahead of and during the 2019 season. Guys like CB Morris Claiborne, RB LeSean McCoy, OL Stefen Wisniewski and LB Terrell Suggs come to mind. These plug and play options can bridge roster gaps while those young players get their feet under them in the NFL. The best thing is they won’t cost a lot either.

Here are three players who the Chiefs should consider to bridge various gaps on their roster while they wait for younger players to develop:

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie

Kansas City will likely look to add help at the cornerback spot through the draft and free agency with multiple departures expected. They should invest in the draft, but you need to grab more than one guy at this spot with only four under contract for the 2020 season. I anticipate some sort of veteran signing to happen.

Rodgers-Cromartie abruptly retired during the middle of the 2018 season and returned to the NFL in 2019. He signed a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins. He only made it two games into the season before landing on injured reserve. So why would the Chiefs want DRC?

DRC had some of his best production in his career playing for defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and DB coach Dave Merritt with the New York Giants. In 24 games he had 107 total tackles, nine interceptions, 34 passes defended, three forced fumbles, a sack, and a touchdown. It’s worth kicking the tires on this player to see if the 33-year-old anything left in the tank. At the very least he’ll push and motivate some younger players on the roster.

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Pete Carroll’s message to Seahawks ahead of playoffs: ‘It’s just football’

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll isn’t treating the game-planning any differently in the wild-card playoffs than the regular season.

The Seattle Seahawks head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles this Sunday in the wild-card round of the postseason. For many young players, this will be their very first experience in a playoff game.

Coach Pete Carroll had a message for his squad Friday after practice.

“That it’s just football – it’s the same as it is week in and week out – it’s not different,” Carroll said. “What makes it different is the way you perceive it. As soon as that ball is kicked off, this game is the same and we have to play like we’re capable and not try to play to the moment or to the matchup. They’ve heard that message from the older guys and the guys who have been around.”

And the mantra isn’t just for the rookies, it’s also for the seasoned veterans, some who will be making their career-first playoff appearance – like safety Quandre Diggs.

“Really, the whole buildup is with that messaging,” Carroll continued. “The same messaging you’re asking questions about a first-year guy, well here’s a guy that’s dreamed of being in the playoffs and now he gets a chance. That can change you and the whole point is to not let the event change you so that you can play like you’re capable.

“That’s been the message throughout the week.”

The Seahawks and Eagles are set to square off Sunday at 1:40 p.m. PT.

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