Tag: zgamb1

Adam Schefter: Multi-game suspension likely for Chiefs WR Rashee Rice

According to Adam Schefter, #Chiefs WR Rashee Rice may face a multi-game suspension for his involvement in a car accident in Dallas, Texas.

Kansas City Chiefs wideout Rashee Rice is facing eight felony charges after his involvement in a high-speed, multi-car accident in Dallas.

According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, the league is likely to make a decision on punishment for the 23-year-old receiver at some point before the 2024 season. Schefter revealed how the league may choose to handle Rice’s situation in an article that was recently posted by ESPN.

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“He is facing one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury, and six counts of collision involving injury,” Schefter wrote. “He turned himself in to police last week at the regional jail in DeSoto, Texas, before being released on bond. On top of the legal issues and lawsuits he is facing, Rice is expected to be disciplined by the NFL, resulting in at least a multi-game suspension.”

Rice, who established himself as the top wideout in Kansas City’s offense last season, would be sorely missed if the league decides that he must serve a suspension before seeing action for the Chiefs in the 2024 regular season.

Bears GM Ryan Poles doesn’t feel need to add more draft picks

GM Ryan Poles believes the Bears are in a great position with their current four draft picks.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for a franchise-defining 2024 NFL draft, which kicks off Thursday night in Detroit.

The Bears have just four draft picks — fewest in the NFL — after making a few trades over the past few months, including the additions of defensive end Montez Swear, wide receiver Keenan Allen and offensive lineman Ryan Bates. But they do have two selections in the top 10, including Nos. 1 and 9 (and they’ll be using the top pick on quarterback Caleb Williams).

Naturally, the fact that Chicago has just four picks makes them a prime trade-back contender from No. 9. But, if you ask general manager Ryan Poles, he doesn’t feel the need to add more draft selections this year.

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“No, I feel really good with where we’re at,” Poles told reporters Tuesday during his pre-draft press conference.

That could very well be a smokescreen enticing other teams to sweeten any potential offers that might be made as the first round develops Thursday night. But it sounds like the Bears are planning on adding two blue chip players in the top 10.

“If that happens, that’s great,” Poles said. “Whatever we need to do to accomplish what we’re trying to do.”

Depending on how the board falls — especially monitoring the quarterback position — there could be some top prospects on the board. Whether that’s a top three wide receiver falling to them or having their choice of edge rusher, the Bears are in a position to land a couple of studs in the top 10.

But it also wouldn’t be a surprise if Chicago trades back. After all, it’s still lying season.

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WATCH: Falcons GM Terry Fontenot holds pre-draft press conference

WATCH: Falcons GM Terry Fontenot is holding a pre-draft press conference

Despite speculation that the Atlanta Falcons would have to forfeit draft picks, the NFL will reportedly wait until after the 2024 NFL draft to punish the team for tampering allegations. That means the Falcons get to keep all eight of their picks, including the No. 8 overall pick.

While we still don’t know which direction the team will go this year, Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot met with the media on Tuesday to discuss the 2024 draft. Watch Fontenot’s full press conference below, as shared by the team’s YouTube channel:

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Ex-Falcons QB Logan Woodside signs with Cincinnati Bengals

Ex-Falcons quarterback Logan Woodside has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals

The Atlanta Falcons signed quarterback Matt Ryan to a one-year deal on Monday, allowing him to retire with the team that drafted him 16 years ago. In other Falcons quarterback news, Logan Woodside signed a contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday.

Woodside, 29, signed with the team in 2022 before serving as Atlanta’s emergency third QB last season. He appeared in just two games but never threw a pass in the regular season. Woodside, a seventh-round pick by the Bengals back in 2018, now returns to the team that drafted him.

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The Falcons are expected to add a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft to serve as a developmental option behind Kirk Cousins and Taylor Heinicke. Last year’s starter, Desmond Ridder, was traded from the Falcons to the Arizona Cardinals in exchange for wide receiver Rondale Moore.

Atlanta has the No. 8 pick in this week’s draft and while we don’t expect the team to take a QB in Round 1, it’s impossible to rule out. The Falcons sent a group to watch Washington QB Michael Penix. work out in Seattle. Plus, the team met with Spencer Rattler, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy.

The 2024 NFL draft kicks off on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET.

Tyreek Hill felt ‘disrespected’ when Chiefs gave his No. 10 jersey to Isiah Pacheco

On a recent podcast appearance, Tyreek Hill said he felt “disrespected” when the #Chiefs gave his No. 10 jersey to Isiah Pacheco

The Kansas City Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories have placed them in elite company in NFL history. The players involved in the triumph, along with those who battled Kansas City throughout the period, have had plenty to say this offseason.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill began his career in Kansas City and played against his former teammates during those two seasons. He appeared on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast to share his thoughts on the last two years and Isiah Pacheco’s taking jersey number ten after his departure.

“Yeah, man, Kansas City [has] got a [really] good running back today. You can hear and see every step he takes, [they are] so hard,” Hill said of Pacheco. “I did feel disrespected when they gave him ten, tho I didn’t like that. There should be only one ten in your heart, man.”

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Hill had many great seasons in Kansas City, with the No. 10 jersey becoming a popular item at games at Arrowhead Stadium. He spoke about not wanting to watch Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

“The first year that they went [to the Super Bowl], my wife and I took a trip to Tokyo because it was kind of hard for me,” Hill explained. “I don’t want to look at no game. Oh, well. Let’s just go to Tokyo. Let’s get away from it. Right, and let’s do our thing. So we went to Tokyo for the first year. And when they won, I reached out to all the guys.

“I’m like, ‘Man, I’m happy for y’all. I’m proud of all of you.’ But the second year, this year, when they won, like I watched the whole game, I’m like, ‘Y’all, we gotta win this thing, you feel me?’ I’m cool. Nah, but the first year it was kind of hard, I’m saying, trying to get over that hump of seeing the guys, do they thing out there.”

Hill’s departure before the 2022 season appeared sudden when the trade was announced with the Miami Dolphins. He reiterated in the interview that he desired to remain with the Chiefs during contract negotiations.

“I wanted to be in KC 100 percent. Yeah, 100 percent,” said Hill. “Before we even knew about the Dolphins. Yeah, I wanted to be in Kansas City, I told them that.”

The Chiefs defeated Hill’s Dolphins twice last season en route to the Super Bowl LVIII title. He ranks as one of the best wide receivers in franchise history.

Bears announce T.J. Edwards, Darnell Wright recipients of Brian Piccolo Award

Every year, the Bears select a veteran and rookie to honor with the Brian Piccolo Award. This year, it’s T.J. Edwards and Darnell Wright.

Courage. Loyalty. Teamwork. Dedication. A sense of humor. Those are just a few traits that described the late Brian Piccolo.

On Tuesday, the Bears announced linebacker T.J. Edwards and offensive tackle Darnell Wright as this year’s recipients of the Brian Piccolo Award. Each year, the Bears recognize a veteran and a rookie who best exemplify the traits Piccolo displayed during his time with the team.

Edwards finished up his first season in the navy and orange after he signed a three-year deal in free agency, coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles. He quickly became one of the team’s best defenders and formed a solid duo with Tremaine Edmunds, who also came over in free agency.

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In 2023, Edwards led the team with 155 tackles (eight for a loss), totaled 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and three interceptions. He was also one of the select players who joined presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at dinner when he was in town for his top-30 visit.

Wright, meanwhile, was the top draft choice a year ago when he was selected No. 10 overall out of Tennessee. The hulking offensive lineman started as a rookie immediately at right tackle and started every single game. Though he allowed seven sacks on the season, Wright showed plenty of promise and is a building block for this offense going forward.

Piccolo is most known for his relationship with former Bears Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers, and their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left a profound impact on many who have watched it.

Piccolo passed away after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character.

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Is this WR a potential 1st-round surprise for 49ers?

If the 49ers make a surprise pick on Day 1 of the draft, this WR could be on their radar:

With the NFL draft set to begin Thursday the world of pre-draft analysis has give us a good idea of what players may be available when the 49ers are on the clock at No. 31 overall. While that range of players is fairly large, there is still plenty of room for surprises.

One potential surprise for the 49ers in the first round is South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette, who told Justin Melo of the Draft Network he had a 30 visit with San Francisco during the pre-draft process. The 49ers were one of at least 13 teams to have Legette in for a pre-draft visit.

Legette hasn’t gotten a ton of first-round buzz. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah has him at No. 49 on his big board. Jeremiah’s colleague Lance Zierlein has the 23-year-old projected as a second-round pick. Dane Brugler of the Athletic has him tagged as a third-round pick.

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A selection of Legette would surely be marked down as a reach, but it’s easy to see why the 49ers would fall in love with him as a prospect. He’s built like a tank at 6-1, 221 pounds and he wields that size effectively to wall off smaller defenders and win both at the catch point and after the catch. His on-field speed was backed up by a 4.39 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

While Western Kentucky’s Malachi Corley is the one drawing Deebo Samuel comparisons in this year’s class, it’s not hard to envision Legette holding a similar role in the 49ers’ offense.

There’s a reason Legette has been getting Day 2 projections though despite his size and athleticism. He’s not a super crisp route runner or separator. He was also an extremely late breakout player. Through his first four college seasons he played in 41 games with 20 starts and posted only 42 catches for 423 yards and five touchdowns. In 2023 he broke out in a big way though, hauling in 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns.

Ultimately it’s not likely the 49ers make Legette a first-round pick. If they wind up going with a wide receiver on Day 1 the options appear to be players like Georgia’s Ladd McConkey or LSU’s Brian Thomas if he falls. Pre-draft projections would indicate Legette is more likely a Day 2 target for San Francisco.

His name is definitely worth knowing for 49ers fans though and if the 49ers do make a surprise Day 1 selection there’s an easy case to make for it to be Legette.

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49ers may change contract negotiation tactics for Brandon Aiyuk

The 49ers have a typical timeline for contract negotiations. They may change that for Brandon Aiyuk.

49ers general manager John Lynch wasn’t interested in talking about the team’s ongoing contract negotiations with wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. Lynch opened his press conference by saying he wanted to focus on the draft, so naturally he was asked about the Aiyuk negotiations right away.

While the GM didn’t divulge much in the way of progress on the negotiations, he did offer some fascinating insight into how the team might change its typical contract negotiation timeline.

Under Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan the 49ers have done a nice job retaining their home-grown stars. Those long-term contracts typically come late in the offseason either right before camp or early in camp. For defensive end Nick Bosa it took until the week the season started. Doing it that way gave the team the maximum amount of time to negotiate a deal while also using soft deadlines like training camp start dates as leverage.

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Now it sounds like San Francisco could be rethinking that strategy after recent negotiations with Bosa and WR Deebo Samuel bled into camp and limited some of their preparations for the season.

“I think there is human nature is that deadlines force these things, but I think you can always learn from situations and you’d be a fool not to,” Lynch said. “I’d like to have our business tidied up a little. Those things, they ran the course they needed to. I’m proud of our record of getting the guys we want to get done, done. But I’m right there with everyone else. I’d sure like it to happen sooner.”

This could be genuine reflection from Lynch and an indication that the club believes dragging out negotiations is somehow damaging for players who have the contract lingering over them throughout the offseason. It might also be lip service since hoping a deal happens sooner than later has been a common theme for the 49ers during these types of negotiations.

Fans would certainly love to see the club shrink the timeline on such deals though. An offseason where Aiyuk speculation is ceased well before training camp would be boring, but a welcome reprieve from the standard turbulent offseason contract negotiations.

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2024 NFL draft: 49ers number of 1st-round and draftable grades

Here’s how many first-round and draftable grades the 49ers have on this year’s class:

There are slated to be 257 picks in the 2024 NFL draft, but the number of players with draftable grades in the 49ers’ war room falls well short of that. This is true for virtually every team. The challenge of the draft is trying to maneuver and pick as many players with draftable grades as possible

General manager John Lynch on Monday told reporters in a press conference that San Francisco has 170 players with draftable grades in the 2024 class. Of those 170, just 22 have first-round grades.

The bad news for the 49ers is they pick 31st overall, which doesn’t bode well for their chances to get one of their 22 players with first-round grades. They may need to trade up to find one of those.

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The good news is the 49ers hold six selections in the top 170, and another at 176. That gives them a really good chance of adding a handful of players with a grade the team deems draftable.

It’s nigh impossible San Francisco will connect on all of those picks, but giving themselves as many opportunities as possible to find a couple of long-term starters is a good strategy for building through the draft.

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Dan Hurley credits Kyle Shanahan as inspiration for UConn’s championship offense

The back-to-back national champion basketball coach mentioned Kyle Shanahan as an inspiration behind his offense with the UConn Huskies.

Over the last two seasons, college basketball has been run by one team, the University of Connecticut Huskies. With another recent win over the Purdue Boilermakers to cap March Madness, UConn became the first team to win back-to-back national championships in basketball since the Florida Gators won a pair of titles in 2006 and 2007.

Coming off the success of another national title, UConn head coach Dan Hurley mentioned the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in a recent interview. In an appearance on Tommy Alter and J.J. Reddick’s podcast “The Old Man and the Three,” Hurley gave credit to Kyle Shanahan for inspiring his different offenses with the Huskies.

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Via The Old Man and the Three:

I think the inspiration the last two years, especially this year is like — watching college football now or [Kyle] Shanahan from the NFL, they’ll have like — obviously the pace and the tempo of their cuts and their actions.

But like how they’ll have trips out of the shotgun, with two in the backfield, and out of that formation, there’s like seven or eight different things they do out of — There’s a sweep, a play action, you know, a deep post right, all these different things.

So I think going into this year, me and Luke Murray, we got together, and we’re like, ‘you know, we want to have like, you know, 10 different formations…’

Via @RonStewart_ on Twitter:

Listen to the full podcast between Hurley and Reddick here.

This post originally appeared on Niners Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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