Tag: Wild Card

Jimmy Garoppolo contract with Raiders shows Texans lucked out

The contract details show the Houston Texans were fortunate to miss out on the Las Vegas Raiders landing QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

The Houston Texans were reportedly giving the Las Vegas Raiders healthy competition when it came to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Nevertheless the Raiders came out on top and it may have been for the better.

Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV was able to obtain the contract details between the Raiders and Garoppolo, and it appears the Texans were sparred.

Garoppolo’s three-year contract is worth $48.5 million with $45 million guaranteed. Garoppolo also gets an $11.25 million signing bonus.

The salaries are curiously structured. Garoppolo gets $12.25 million guaranteed in 2023. In 2024, Garoppolo gets $11.25 million, which is guaranteed for injury at signing, and fully guaranteed if he is on the roster on the third day of league year 2024.

Garoppolo also gets $11.25 million in a 2024 guaranteed roster bonus, which is fully guaranteed the fifth day after the contract is finalized. All free agent contracts can’t be finalized until the new league year on March 15 at 3:00 p.m. Central Time.

The contract to enable Garoppolo to join the Raiders is too much complication than what the Texans need on their books as a rebuilding team. Garoppolo needed to be in a system where he could still lead a team, and the Texans are a franchise that needs to devote snaps to a younger, talented signal caller who could develop into being the face of the franchise.

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Chargers’ Tom Telesco on Justin Herbert’s 2022 campaign: ‘Adversity is a great teacher’

Tom Telesco said that he expects Justin Herbert to grow from the experience of his 2022 season.

The gut-wrenching end to the Chargers’ 2022 campaign left a sour taste in the mouths of many fans who thought the team was headed for Super Bowl glory when they clinched a spot in the AFC playoffs. But, alas, their utter collapse against the Jaguars in the Wild Card round proved that the team isn’t quite ready for the biggest spotlight.

Despite Los Angeles’ early playoff exit, general manager Tom Telecso is choosing to see the silver lining in the team’s situation. In comments during his end-of-season press conference, he gave his thoughts on how the Chargers’ current situation might make quarterback Justin Herbert even more effective next season.

“Adversity is a great teacher for anybody, especially at that position,” Telesco explained. “His mentality, when talking about mental toughness and how he handled situations — if you’re a player in the huddle and you’re looking at Justin Herbert, there’s no fear in his eyes, there’s no flinch.

“That’s what great leaders have. Sometimes, it does take some development to get there, to kind of go through those different battles and those different wars and see the success that you can have. That’s the type of guy you want in your huddle when you’re moving the ball down the field.”

Despite dealing with fractured rib cartilage for most of the season, missing multiple starters throughout the year and being hamstrung by an offensive scheme that did not tailor to his strengths, Herbert still put the team in a position to win weekly.

Nevertheless, Herbert did take a massive leap as a leader of the team and solidified himself as the face of the franchise. And now it’s time for him to get paid like one.

Telesco’s positivity is encouraging, though, for a team that hasn’t found postseason success for the better part of a decade, most fans are likely to think that his talk is cheap.

It will take sustained success to have the local or national media buy what Telesco is selling in his comments about the future. Still, if his team can improve in 2023, he may be able to win back some of the faith that was lost when the Chargers blew their massive lead against the Jaguars.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta denies speculation that contract status of QB Lamar Jackson played into postseason absence

Ravens general manager Eric Decosta denied that Lamar Jackson sat out of Baltimore’s postseason loss because of his contract situation

The Baltimore Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in the Wild Card round, ending their 2022 season after a 10-7 regular season campaign. After the loss Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta denied speculation that quarterback Lamar Jackson sat out in the team’s postseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals because of his contract situation, though speculation remains surrounding the true nature of the quarterback’s decision to sit.

For his part, DeCosta reiterated his belief that Jackson was injured, and made the most prudent decision possible when he decided not to play. In comments during the Ravens’ end-of-season press conference, DeCosta didn’t hold back in his analysis of the situation.

“I think Lamar was hurt,” he explained. “We see him every single day – he’s hurt. And his unique style as a player, as a quarterback, but as a mobile quarterback, as, really, a freaky-type of athlete out there on the field, having a knee injury – a serious knee injury – makes it difficult. And so, it’s just unfortunate that he got hurt [and] the timing of it. I know he was trying to come back. We’d see him daily. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last two years down in the training room. Lamar, along with a lot of other guys, were trying to get back and play, and it was just bad timing, and I think bad luck for us and bad luck for Lamar.”

While fans may never find out the true nature of Baltimore’s circumstances in the playoffs this year, DeCosta’s words are certainly an indication that the team has faith in their franchise quarterback as they look to solidify a long-term deal in the coming months.

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Ravens GM Eric DeCosta heaps praise on S Chuck Clark

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta shared high praise for safety Chuck Clark

The Baltimore Ravens are heading into the 2023 offseason with a massive chip on their collective shoulders, and would be wise to retain as much of their defensive talent as possible in the offseason as well as keep who already is around. One player who has been as steady as ever on the Baltimore defensive unit over the years is safety Chuck Clark, but his future is a bit unclear.

Clark requested a trade last offseason, and it’s unknown what his future might hold in the coming weeks and months. However, general manager Eric DeCosta addressed Clark’s status and told reporters that he has been impressed by what he has seen from the safety.

“You know what? Chuck [Clark] had a phenomenal season, and we haven’t made any decisions about any players right now; the season just ended,” DeCosta explained. “Again, we’ll make those decisions later on. Chuck has proven to be an outstanding safety in this league. He has been probably one of the most consistent guys we’ve had. He’s probably started as many games as anybody over the last, what, three or four years? He’s been a great [special] teams player in the past; he’s an excellent safety. He’s tough, he’s a competitor, he’s a leader, and he’s a player that we’re very proud of.”

Clark is one of the players that the Ravens would benefit having on their roster come Week 1. Based on DeCosta’s comments, it would seem that Baltimore is keen to keep Clark around, though they will be sure to weigh all of their options before they do anything rash.

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Chargers’ Brandon Staley says Joey Bosa “feels bad” for crucial penalty vs. Jaguars

Brandon Staley said that Joey Bosa personally addressed his brutal penalty against the Jaguars with him “as only Joey could.”

Joey Bosa’s untimely penalty against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs served to help seal the Chargers’ fate and end their season.

There has been plenty of talk about Bosa’s behavior since the outburst, and head coach Brandon Staley addressed the matter in his end-of-season press conference.

When he was asked if Bosa addressed the indiscretion with him personally, Staley answered the question in the affirmative.

“As only Joey could,” Staley explained, laughing. “Obviously, he feels bad about losing his composure and what kind of happened as a result of it because it hurt us. We have to have poise in moments like that.

That’s what we talk a lot about, is having your best when your best is required. Joey cares a lot. We’re going to learn from that. I think he holds himself to a high standard. I have to continue to keep holding him to a high standard.”

Clearly, penalties like the one Bosa committed against Jacksonville are brutal reminders that discipline is everything in the NFL. Staley would be wise to continue stressing that fact to his players in the hopes of avoiding a similar situation next season, when a playoff loss might cost him his job.

Tom Telesco unperturbed by the Chargers’ cap situation heading into offseason

Tom Telesco didn’t seem to think the Chargers’ cap situation was an issue heading into the 2023 season.

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco talked about the team’s future and his organization’s trajectory heading into the offseason.

With a total cap liability well over the league’s maximum, Los Angeles seems destined to make some hard moves over the next several months to get their spending back to where it needs to be before the new season starts.

Asked how the upcoming free agency frenzy might differ from previous years, Telesco wasn’t sure how the Chargers’ cap situation might affect his ability to make moves to improve Los Angeles’ roster.

“I don’t know about other offseasons. It may be different than last year’s offseason. Every year is a little bit different. This year will be a little bit different, not as much [salary cap] space to work with, which is fine. Every offseason is a little bit different. Certainly, this year will be different than last year’s.”

The Chargers are currently projected to be $19.4 million over the salary cap in 2023, the fifth-worst situation in the NFL. Therefore, after going all out in free agency a year ago, it’s unlikely that Telesco will swing for the fences.

Instead, he may have to make some tough decisions to free up some cap space to sign a rookie class and free agents, as well as extend eligible players like quarterback Justin Herbert.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh details process of departure for former OC Greg Roman

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh made it clear that he didn’t take the departure of former offensive coordinator Greg Roman lightly

The Baltimore Ravens made the decision to part with offensive coordinator Greg Roman after their playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, and are currently undertaking a search for the right candidate to fill the role in 2023. The team has put together a good list of reported candidates, and will leave no stone unturned in the process.

During his end-of-season press conference, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters about his role in Roman’s departure. He made it clear that moving on from the veteran coordinator was not a task he took lightly, with hours of conversation coming between the end of the season and the decision

“I’m not going to be able to take you through every step of the way because it’s an ongoing process, Harbaugh explained. “We’re talking every day throughout the season; these conversations are going on consistently and constantly. So, I think just after the season, Monday we talked, Tuesday we talked, [and] Wednesday we talked. There were just hours of conversation that delved in all kinds of different things [and] directions. We’re talking families, we’re talking our kids, we’re talking the team, we’re talking the plays in the game – we’re talking about everything. Just through all that, we’re partners, but we’re also friends. It just worked its way into that place where I think he felt like that was the best, and we felt like that was the best, too. We just understood where we were at.”

While fans wait to find out who the Ravens’ next offensive coordinator will be, they can take solace in the fact that Harbaugh and the team are working diligently to assemble the best possible coaching staff to help Baltimore compete for a Super Bowl in 2023.

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Ravens GM Eric DeCosta says only one player will have 2023 offseason surgery

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta told reporters that only one player from the team will have 2023 offseason surgery

Football is a sport where injuries are extremely common, and the Baltimore Ravens know all too well how important each player’s availability will be heading into the 2023 season. The team went through a plethora of different injuries in 2021, and while 2022 saw players from the team go down, there was an improvement in overall availability.

In his comments to reporters in the Ravens’ end-of-season press conference, general manager Eric DeCosta said that Baltimore only has a single member of their roster slated for a medical procedure in the offseason, which should bode well for team health moving forward. In a lengthy response to a question, DeCosta couldn’t reveal which player would go under the knife.

“I actually think there’s only … This is crazy, but we only have one player right now that’s going to have an offseason surgery, which is a record for us,” DeCosta explained. “I can’t talk [about] who the player is, but that’s unusual, to say the least. [Reporter & former front office executive] Vinny [Cerrato] knows with his experience that at the end of the year, you always have a bunch of guys who are having surgeries and clean-ups and various things. We only have one guy, so if you’re going to look for a real positive this year and moving forward into the offseason program, that’s a huge positive.”

As the offseason progresses and the Ravens optimize their roster for a shot at the Super Bowl next year, watch for the team’s injury status to be a crucial part of their 2023 campaign. They should move into next season at full strength, which would be a major plus for what should be yet another very talented roster.

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Ravens top defensive performers in 2022, according to PFF

These 10 Ravens were Baltimore’s top defensive performers in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus

Though the Baltimore Ravens’ 2022 campaign was cut short after their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC Wild Card round, the team’s future is bright. Improvement will be necessary for the team to compete for a Super Bowl next season, but given the exceptional play of their bend-don’t-break defensive unit in 2022, they seem primed for something special.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson is their best threat on offense, but his outstanding abilities wouldn’t count for much if the Ravens’ defense didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. These top-10 defensive performers led the way for the team’s success on that end, according to Pro Football Focus.

Ravens’ top offensive performers in 2022, per Pro Football Focus

These 10 Ravens led the way for Baltimore’s offense in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus

The Baltimore Ravens’ 2022 season is officially over, but that doesn’t mean that they will stop trying to improve as they seek to contend for a Super Bowl in 2023. The team’s offense was on a torrid pace before the bye week, but losing Lamar Jackson to injury in Week 13 began a downward trend of poor offensive play.

Baltimore had to see multiple different players step up over the course of the 2022 season on offense, especially due to some of the injuries that the team suffered. Nobody knows what next season will hold for the Ravens, but these 10 players were their top performers on offense in 2022 according to Pro Football Focus.