Nathan Dougherty | Heavy.com https://heavy.com Sports, Entertainment, Breaking News & Shopping Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:45:50 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.3 Veteran Lions DE on the Hot Seat as Training Camp Nears: Insider https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-romeo-okwara-hot-seat/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-romeo-okwara-hot-seat/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 05:45:50 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4479646 Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara has hit a major rough patch in his career, appearing in only nine games over the last two seasons while dealing with a significant injury and agreeing to take a major pay cut this offseason.

Now, one insider believes that Okwara could be on the hot seat as training camp approaches and may need to battle to keep his position on the team.  The Lions have already made some big investments into their defense, and SI.com’s Vito Chirco believes it is now time for Okwara to “put up or shut up.”

Lions Edge Rusher Has Something to Prove

As Chirco noted, Okwara has struggled with setbacks that have been largely out of his control. After a strong campaign in 2020 where he notched 10 sacks and earned a $37-million contract, the defensive end suffered a torn Achilles in Week 4 of the 2021 season and was not able to return until Week 13 of last season.

Fair or not, the situation has left Okwara on the hot seat this coming season, Chirco noted.

“He’s failed to stay healthy the past two seasons, and has suited up for just nine total games. And remember, the best ability as a pro athlete is availability, and it’s a trait he hasn’t possessed for a couple of seasons now,” Chirco wrote.

Chirco added that Okwara has already given a significant concession, agreeing to have his base salary reduced to $2 million this coming season, down from the original $11 million he would have been owed.

The pay cut came after Okwara’s production dropped significantly in each of the two injury-shortened seasons. He made just 14 total tackles with three sacks over the course of the last two years, and in 2022 appeared in just 39% of total defensive snaps.

Romeo Okwara Feels ‘Maybe Even Better’ Than Before

After two seasons shortened by injury, Okwara is confident that he will return strong for the upcoming year. Speaking to 97.1 The Ticket, the Lions defensive end said he feels “more explosive, stronger, faster” this year and that his body is “maybe even better” than it felt before he suffered the torn Achilles.

Okwara also spoke about his willingness to take a pay cut, saying he wanted to remain in Detroit and was willing to give back a bit.

“Detroit’s my home,” Okwara said. “And I think it was really important for me to be here and just keep building on what we’ve started since I’ve been here. So I didn’t really think too much of it. That’s just part of the business and I’m glad to be here.”

While the reduced salary could give Okwara a leg up in the battle for a roster spot, his future in Detroit is not assured as he is entering the final year of his contract. But Okwara remained focused on the season ahead and said he was excited to enter the season as favorites to win the NFC North — and ready to work at making it happen.

“Whatever’s expected for us, we gotta work for it,” Okwara said. “We gotta keep our head down and just work.”

]]> 0 Romeo Okwara celebrates a play in 2019 with Detroit. Bills Rumors: Buffalo’s Chances at DeAndre Hopkins Becoming Clear https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-rumors-deandre-hopkins-final-decision/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-rumors-deandre-hopkins-final-decision/#respond Mon, 26 Jun 2023 02:33:48 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4479622

The Buffalo Bills were once the odds-on favorites to land DeAndre Hopkins, but appear to have fallen out of the race as the All-Pro wide receiver grows closer to a final decision.

The NFL Network’s Albert Breer reported back in May that the Bills and Kansas City Chiefs were the only teams to hold substantive trade talks with the Arizona Cardinals, but after the Cardinals opted to release Hopkins the race appears to have changed. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on June 20 that Hopkins was down to a final two, including one top rival of the Bills.

DeAndre Hopkins Mulling Over Options

Russini reported that Hopkins is considering offers from two teams that he had recently visited — the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added that Hopkins isn’t in a rush to make a decision, and both the Titans and Patriots remain committed to landing him.

“There’s a lull in action right now. Training camp’s not for a month, not a lot of rush,” Fowler said, via Bleacher Report. “He met with the Titans, met with the Patriots. Both teams made clear that they have major interest in signing him. I’m told there is some mutual interest and respect between the Patriots and Hopkins, that something could go down, but they couldn’t get that deal done while he was on the visit.”

Fowler noted that the situation could still change, and the fact that Hopkins is considering offers from the Titans and Patriots doesn’t preclude another team from jumping back into the mix. He specifically called out one top AFC contender that had previously engaged in trade talks — though it wasn’t the Bills.

“You still have teams, like maybe the Chiefs, if they could clear up some money later, closer to training camp, then they could get involved,” he said. “There’s some contenders there but right now, he is staying put and waiting for the right situation.”

Though many pundits identified the Bills as a strong contender, general manager Brandon Beane also tempered enthusiasm when he hinted on June 5 that the Bills would likely be priced out of the race.

“It would definitely have to fit with how we would restructure the salary and all that, so never ruling it out,” Beane said in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” “I know he’s a good player and he’ll likely demand a decent contract.”

Bills May Have Another Move to Make

Though it appears the Bills have fallen out of the race to land Hopkins, some insiders believe they could still have one more big move left this offseason. They have been linked to Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook, who was rumored to be interested in Buffalo as well.

A June 1 report from Outkick’s Armando Salguero noted that Cook was intrigued with the idea of joining the Bills and playing alongside his younger brother or playing for his hometown team, the Miami Dolphins.

“Cook is from Miami,” Salguero wrote. “[He] has made it known through sources he’d like to play either for the Dolphins or with his brother James Cook on the Bills. And the Vikings have let it known Cook probably isn’t in their future.”

But adding any player would be difficult for the cash-strapped Bills, who would likely need to make some form of corresponding move in order to create the cap space needed to sign Cook or any other impact player.

]]> 0 DeAndre Hopkins remains unsinged going into the final five weeks before training camp. Bills’ Jordan Poyer Speaks Out on Controversy With His Charity Event https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-jordan-poyer-cancel-trump-golf-charity-event/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-jordan-poyer-cancel-trump-golf-charity-event/#comments Sun, 25 Jun 2023 14:31:31 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4479212 Buffalo Bills safety Jordan Poyer is speaking out after a backlash over his charity golf event led him to cancel it.

Poyer had panned to hold his Celebrity Open golf tournament in July at the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami, a course owned by former President Donald Trump’s company. After Poyer received criticism and the event’s beneficiary decided to pull out, he took to Instagram on June 24 to announce that it was canceled.

Poyer expressed regret over the turn of events while offering some criticism of politics in New York state versus his now-home state of Florida.

Jordan Poyer Explains Cancellation

The Bills safety noted that a number of people complained to the Erie County Medical Center, which had been the beneficiary of his tournament’s earnings. Poyer said the pressure campaign worked, and ECMC decided it would not partner with Poyer’s charity effort.

“ECMC decided they can no longer take the pressure from up top, from the people above them and it probably has nothing to do with ECMC at all,” he said.

As the Buffalo News noted, Poyer had received criticism almost immediately after the event had been announced. Poyer, who lives in Miami during the offseason, said the course was one of his favorites in the area.

But in canceling the event, Poyer noted that politics were at play. Many fans had criticized his decision to play at a course owned by the former president, with several pointing to his role in the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building.

“I’m not naïve. I understand where they are on the political spectrum, where New York is on the political spectrum,” he said. “Do I agree with a lot of it? No, I don’t. I’m sorry, but I don’t. … I say the quiet part out loud a lot and some of you don’t like that. My bad. I still went and put my ego aside and went to go help those who needed help or needed a laugh.”

Poyer also offered an apology to the celebrities and athletes who planned to take part in the tournament, but vowed to continue his charitable efforts.

“Am I stressed about it? Not even the slightest bit,” he said. “Am I upset about it? A little, but I’m not even upset about the tournament being canceled. I’m upset about this is where we are in America.”

Jordan Poyer’s Return to Buffalo

While he expressed disappointment in some fans and took aim at the politics in New York in his statement, Poyer has also shown some love for the Bills fans and noted that their support was a major factor in his decision to return to the team. Poyer had been expected to leave in free agency this offseason, but instead re-signed on a two-year deal.

Poyer said that after some deep contemplation, he decided that coming back to Buffalo was what he wanted the most.

“It was one of the things my wife was telling me, ‘What is going to make Jordan Poyer happy? Because whatever makes you happy, will make everyone else around you happy.’ And so being here was going to make me happy,” Poyer told reporters in March.

]]> 2 Bills safety Jordan Poyer #21 runs a drill before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium on August 13, 2022. Bills Fans Share Strong Opinions on Sean McDermott’s Big Extension https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-fans-react-sean-mcdermott-extension/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-fans-react-sean-mcdermott-extension/#comments Sat, 24 Jun 2023 01:49:50 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4478397 Sean McDermott helped the Buffalo Bills break their 17-year playoff drought and turned the team into a perennial Super Bowl contender, and now his future in Buffalo is locked down for at least four more years.

The team announced on June 23 that McDermott — along with general manager Brandon Beane — had both signed contract extensions that keep them in Buffalo through the 2027 season. As the team noted, McDermott has the best win percentage in franchise history and is third in all-time wins, behind only Marv Levy and Lou Saban.

The news was met with praise from many Bills fans but skepticism from others, as some have assigned blame to the head coach for the team’s failure to get over the hump in a competitive AFC.

Bills Fans React to Head Coach’s Extension

While McDermott may have few outright detractors among Bills fans, several expressed mixed feelings about the long-term extension he received. Some saw the move as premature given the team’s inability to win the AFC despite having one of the consistently best records over the last four seasons.

“Yes let’s extend our coach who has come up short of a Super Bowl 4 years in a row with a top roster and has had colossus failures in the post season,” one fan tweeted. “Nothing should go wrong here. Should’ve waited another d**n year”

Others believed that both Beane and McDermott should still be under pressure to perform, with the team needing to break through to the Super Bowl sometime in the near future.

But other fans agreed with the decision, pointing to the extended success that the team has had under McDermott’s leadership.

“For everyone who thinks McDermott being extended is a bad choice, please tell me who you would want instead and why you think he would win us the Superbowl???” a fan tweeted. “If we lost McDermott he would be signed by another team in .2 seconds. Yall are ungrateful and spoiled.”

Sean McDermott’s Future Safe in Buffalo

While the extension itself seems to put to rest any ideas that McDermott could be on the hot seat in Buffalo, NFL.com reporter Chris Trapasso spelled out exactly why his future would be safe. Countering the arguments from fans that McDermott could be replaced if the Bills continue to fall short of the Super Bowl, Trapasso noted that he has been able to turn around the franchise when a series of other coaches failed to do so.

Trapasso added that Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula know all too well how difficult it is to find a good coach, having failed with a high-profile hire in Rex Ryan and suffered through a series of ineffective coaches with their other franchise, the Buffalo Sabres.

“Should Bills’ realistic goal be to win a Super Bowl? Ab-so-lutely. But this extension cements that McDermott wasn’t on the hot seat,” Trapasso tweeted. “Is he perfect? No. Is he above any criticism? Of course not. But he’s proven to be a damn good HC in a league where those are hard to come by.”
]]> 1 Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023. Recent Lions 3rd-Round Pick in ‘Real Peril’ of Not Making Final Roster https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-ifeatu-melifonwu-roster-peril/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-ifeatu-melifonwu-roster-peril/#respond Fri, 23 Jun 2023 21:04:17 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4478270

After a turbulent rookie season and a position change in his second season, Ifeatu Melifonwu could face a battle to even make the Detroit Lions‘ final roster this summer.

Melifonwu came to the Lions as a third-round draft pick in 2021 but failed to make much of an impression his rookie year as he appeared in just seven games. The 24-year-old moved from cornerback to safety for his second season in the NFL, but was still unable to make a significant impact.

Now, Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire has pegged Melifonwu as a player on the “hot seat” this summer, noting that he is far from a lock to make the final 53-man roster.

Rough Start for Lions Defensive Back

As Risdon noted, the Lions seem to have struggled with where to put the former Syracuse standout in their secondary.

“Melifonwu enters his third season with the Lions in real peril of not even making the team,” Risdon wrote. “The 2021 third-round pick started out at cornerback and fizzled as a rookie. In 2022 the Lions moved him to safety and he struggled even more.”

Risdon added that Melifonwu’s struggles are not all attributed to his play, as he battled multiple injuries that cut into each of his first two seasons in the NFL. Melifonwu spoke last year about the “speed bumps” in his career, saying he worked hard to stay connected mentally.

“Mentally, I feel like I’ve handled it pretty well,” he told SI.com’s All Lions in October 2022. “I feel like I easily could have checked out. I feel like that happens a lot with some people, but I feel like mentally, I’m doing the best I can. I think I have good people around me, good teammates, family around me that helps keep me grounded. So, I think I’ve dealt with it pretty well.”

Hope for Ifeatu Melifonwu as Season Approaches

As Risdon noted, the Lions appear to remain committed to finding the right spot for Melifonwu. He spent time at free safety through the team’s minicamp, showing some promise there.

“The team is trying to find any position in the secondary where the physically gifted Melifonwu would be one of the two best options,” Risdon wrote. “The early returns from minicamp showed some progress at free safety, but Melifonwu will need to keep it up.”

Lions head coach Dan Campbell noted that he has seen some growth in Melifonwu this offseason and was confident he could pick up the position if given the right amount of time.

“Yeah, I would say you see growth,” Campbell told reporters on June 8. “To your point, he’s relatively new to the position and you’re right, the injuries hurt him, not being able to get the reps, the repetitions, added time on task. So, this is one of the few times that we’ve had him for a significant amount of time, consistently, consecutively, and so that in itself is paying dividends right now.”

Cambell also shared some praise for Melifonwu’s work ethic and football IQ, which could help him later in the summer if he should find himself in a battle for a roster spot.

“He’s coming along,” Cambell said. “And look here’s the thing, Iffy’s a pretty smart player, he really is, like he gets it. He just needs time. He needs time on task, he needs reps, like a lot of young guys do.”

]]> 0 Ifeatu Melifonwu in coverage in a game against the Atlanta Falcons. Ex-Bills WR Earns Top Honor After Breakout Season in USFL https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-receiver-corey-coleman-all-usfl-team/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-receiver-corey-coleman-all-usfl-team/#respond Fri, 23 Jun 2023 02:23:14 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4477680

After a football career that began with a first-round draft pick and included a very short stint with the Buffalo Bills, Corey Coleman finally found his home in the USFL.

The Philadelphia Stars wideout finished atop the league with 669 receiving yards, and on June 21 was named to the All-USFL Team for offense. Though his NFL career ended in disappointment, Coleman fulfilled his preseason goal of proving that he still has plenty of game left in him.

Record-Setting Season for Former Bills Player

Coleman had a record-setting season in the USFL, breaking the receiving record of 540 yards set by KaVontae Turpin last year. The USFL just completed its second season after being revived in 2022.

For Coleman, the USFL offered a chance to turn around a football career that had fizzled out in the NFL. Though he came into the league as a first-round pick with the Cleveland Browns, Coleman struggled with injuries and appeared in just 27 total games over his first three years.

Coleman left the Browns in a trade during the summer of 2018 sent him to Buffalo, but the Bills released Coleman less than a month later as the team made final cuts. Though he bounced around the league for a few more seasons, Coleman only appeared in eight more games, making five catches for a total of 71 yards.

Coleman appeared to embrace the opportunity in the USFL, telling Fox Sports that he was impressed with what he saw in the league.

“There is some talent in the USFL,” Coleman said. “There are some guys that can really ball.”

Coleman added that he was happy to have been selected by the Stars and given an opportunity to show that he could still play.

“I just really want to give thanks to them for giving me a chance,” Coleman said. “They gave me the opportunity to come in here and really show that I can still play this game at a high level.”

Return to the NFL in His Future?

After his breakout season in the USFL, Coleman could generate some interest from NFL teams. Cory Kinnan of USA Today’s Browns Wire speculated that the strong season could earn him another shot at an NFL roster, a path that several players have already taken. After the USFL’s inaugural season, several players earned contracts from NFL teams and a handful made it through final cuts to land on 53-man rosters.

One of the most successful was the player whose record Coleman just broke. After his strong performance in the USFL’s inaugural season, then-receiving leader Turpin earned a contract from the Dallas Cowboys and shined as a return specialist. He averaged 10.4 yards per punt return and 24.2 yards per kickoff return, earning a Pro Bowl spot as a kick returner.

Turpin got a personal call from Cowboys owner Jerry Jones delivering the news, though the USFL standout admitted he thought it was bad news at first.

“The first thing that hit my mind was ‘Dang I got cut,'” Turpin said. “Because most people don’t get calls from the owner, but that was the first thing that came to my mind. That I had gotten cut.”

“It brought me to tears,” he added. “It’s been a long journey the way I came into the NFL, and to have that individual recognition is a dream come true.”

]]> 0 Corey Coleman warms up before an NFL game. Former Lions Starter Earns Honor as One of USFL’s Top Players https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-john-atkins-all-usfl-team/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-john-atkins-all-usfl-team/#respond Thu, 22 Jun 2023 23:15:42 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4477606

John Atkins Sr. had a mostly unremarkable two-season tenure with the Detroit Lions, but now is making the most of his second chance in the USFL.

The nose tackle earned All-USFL team honors, the league announced on June 22. The 30-year-old made 29 total tackles this season including two sacks, and earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 7.

Atkins joins a number of other former Lions players who made an impression in the second season of the revived league.

Former Lions Star Shines in USFL

Atkins appeared in 14 games over two seasons in Detroit in 2018 and 2010, with six starts in the 2019 season. He made a total of 22 tackles during that time, serving as the anchor of the team’s defensive line.

After Atkins chose to take a COVID opt-out in the 2020 season, he spent time with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021 without ever making the active roster, then joined the USFL last year in its inaugural season.

The former Georgia Bulldogs star told The McDuffie Progress in 2022 that he saw the new league as an opportunity to show what he could still do on the field.

“I wanted to showcase I could still play,” Atkins said.

Atkins was drafted by the Tampa Bay Bandits in the USFL’s draft in 2022, playing one season there before transferring to the Memphis Showboats when the Bandits franchise went on hiatus.

Atkins still has some bigger plans beyond the USFL, telling The McDuffie Progress that he would like to play in the NFL again.

“I want to get back to the NFL, get back into shape, work on my craft, and get better,” Atkins said.

A number of players have already made the jump from the USFL to the NFL, with Fox Sports reporting that 15 former USFL players made final cuts on NFL teams last summer.

The Lions found talent in the USFL last year, signing wide receiver Maurice Alexander after a strong season with the Philadelphia Stars where he caught 20 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

Alexander spent most of the season on Detroit’s practice squad but was elevated to the active roster for three games, and signed a reserve/futures contract with the Lions in January.

Other Former Lions Players Shine in USFL

As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, a number of other former Detroit players were honored on the All-USFL teams — including a former college teammate of Atkins.

“Atkins’ college teammate at Georgia, DT Toby Johnson, ended the 2017 NFL season on Detroit’s practice squad,” Risdon wrote. “He had a chance to make the squad in 2018 but suffered an injury and was released off the Lions’ injured reserve during the roster cutdowns. Johnson had an outstanding season for the New Jersey Generals, making All-USFL for the second straight year.”

Cornerback Mark Gilbert, who played eight games for the Lions in the 2021 season, was also honored on the All-USFL team after leading the league with four interceptions. Offensive tackle Jarron Jones, who was on the Lions’ practice squad in 2018, also earned All-USFL honors for the second straight season.

]]> 0 Detroit Lions Bills QB Josh Allen Blamed for His Role in Stefon Diggs Drama https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-josh-allen-blamed-stefon-diggs-drama/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-josh-allen-blamed-stefon-diggs-drama/#comments Thu, 22 Jun 2023 16:29:57 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4477138

The Buffalo Bills have seen plenty of drama from Stefon Diggs this offseason, but a new report suggests that Josh Allen may share some of the blame.

Diggs has been at the center of controversy dating back to the conclusion of last season, when he was seen blowing up on the sidelines during the team’s playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Diggs continued to stir drama through the offseason with a series of cryptic social media posts hinting at unhappiness and some very public recruiting from his brother encouraging Diggs to bolt Buffalo for the Dallas Cowboys.

The drama spilled over on June 13 when Diggs was absent for the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp, though head coach Sean McDermott said the next day that it was an excused absence.

While both Diggs and the team have remained tight-lipped about the root of the problem, former NFL quarterback turned analyst Robert Griffin III believes that a strained relationship with Allen could be a major part of it.

‘Personal Thing’ Between Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs

In a June 21 episode of the “Rich Eisen Show,” Griffin reported that “some people close” to Buffalo believe there is some unresolved tension between the team’s two top stars.

“I think it’s clear this is a personal thing between Josh (Allen) and Diggs,” Griffin said.

Matt Parrino, a Bills beat writer with Syracuse.com, noted that Griffin’s explanation would make sense given some previous remarks from Allen about the need for better communication. Parrino pointed to the infamous incident from the Bengals loss where Diggs was seen yelling at Allen, who remained focused on the bench and did not appear to acknowledge the receiver.

“Very important little nuggets in here from RG3,” Parrino tweeted. “The one at the end about this whole situation potentially never reaching this level if Allen/Bills didn’t ignore Diggs as he was complaining in Bengals game is very interesting. Lines up with Allen’s organization communication quote.”

If the assertion is correct, it would represent a major shift in the relationship between Diggs and Allen. The pair have been tight ever since Diggs joined the team in a 2020 trade, remaining close both on and off the field and often sharing praise for one another.

In one viral moment last year, Diggs expressed his gratitude for Allen prior to the team’s Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions.

“Happy Thanksgiving. I’m thankful for you. You’ll never know how much,” Diggs told Allen.

Stefon Diggs Trade Could Still Be in the Cards

Though Allen and McDermott have expressed optimism that the team will put the drama behind them and focus on the upcoming season, a new report indicates that the team could be open to the idea of trading Diggs.

In a June 19 episode of Broncos Country Tonight, NFL insider Benjamin Albright reported that the team would consider shipping Diggs if the circumstances were right.

“I talked to some people in Buffalo on the condition of anonymity and they said that, ‘Publicly, we’re not moving him. Privately, we would consider it under the right circumstances,’” Albright said.

]]> 1 Stefon Diggs and Josh Allen celebrate a play in a Buffalo Bills game. ‘Hypocritical’ NFL Faces Growing Pressure to Cut Suspension to Lions WR https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/nfl-pressure-cut-jameson-williams-suspension/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/nfl-pressure-cut-jameson-williams-suspension/#respond Thu, 22 Jun 2023 00:57:43 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4476837

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams took responsibility for the sports betting that led the NFL to slap him with a six-game suspension, but admitted he was not even aware of what rule he broke.

The league may now be admitting its own role in the confusion, issuing a new guidance that more clearly spells out what players cannot do regarding sports betting. As the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport noted on Twitter, the league put out a six-point guidance stressing that they cannot ever bet on NFL games, have someone bet on their behalf, or place a bet while at a team facility — which includes hotels during road games.

Rapoport added that the league would be more proactive in teaching the rules to rookies entering the league.

The guidance has drawn new attention to Williams’ suspension, which some supporters believe is too harsh in retrospect.

NFL Under Pressure

As SI.com’s John Maakaron noted, the new guidance from the NFL was seen by some as a tacit admission that it did not do enough to clarify the rules, leading to Williams’ unwittingly falling astray. That has led some to call on the league to slash the six-game suspension to something shorter.

“As a result of the league basically acknowledging players were not fully aware of the rules or were not emphasized enough, supporters of the Lions are clamoring for a decreased suspension for the talented wideout,” Maakaron wrote.

In response to Rapoport’s tweet about the new emphasis, a number of fans shared the hashtag #FreeJamo in support of the Lions receiver. Some explicitly called out the NFL for what they saw as selective enforcement of rules that were not made clear to players.

As Maakaron added, the league has added that it would be doing more to proactively teach players. Jeff Miller, the league’s executive vice president of communications, acknowledged that the increased prevalence of sports gambling means the league must take more efforts to prevent players from improper betting.

“So, sports gambling has a great deal more presence in people’s lives than it did just a few short years ago, which means for us as a sports league — where integrity of the game is the highest single principle — that we have to be thoughtful and careful and scrutinize how we share information and educate people around the rules that govern it,” he said.

Suspension Will Likely Stand, Insider Says

Despite the pressure the league may face calls to cut Williams’ suspension, insider Jeff Risdon wrote that it is unlikely to change. The USA Today writer noted that the Lions receiver serves as an example to other players not to break the rules, “no matter how nonsensical, hypocritical and inconsistent those rules might be.”

While Williams earned some praise for taking responsibility, Risdon added that his admission of guilt makes it all the more unlikely that the league will alter his suspension.

“The NFL is not going to lay down the precedence of shortening the suspension of a player who acknowledged his own violation of the rules,” he wrote. “They don’t do it with performance-enhancing drugs; they certainly won’t with something they’re heavily emphasizing now like gambling.”

]]> 0 Jameson Williams celebrates after a 2022 touchdown with the Lions. New Report Suggests Bills ‘Privately’ Open to Trading Stefon Diggs https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-privately-open-traiding-stefon-diggs/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-privately-open-traiding-stefon-diggs/#respond Wed, 21 Jun 2023 23:22:49 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4476804

The Buffalo Bills have made public assurances that the situation with Stefon Diggs is under control, but a new report claims that team may be privately willing to consider trading the star wide receiver if the circumstances are right.

Diggs stirred up drama when he skipped out on the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp on June 13, with head coach Sean McDermott saying he was “very concerned” about the situation. McDermott made an about-face the next day, saying that Diggs’ absence was excused and chiding reporters for blowing the situation out of proportion.

While some of Diggs’ teammates have downplayed the situation, the public disconnect sparked new rumors that the Bills may be open to the idea of trading Diggs. In a June 19 episode of Broncos Country Tonight, NFL insider Benjamin Albright said sources close to the team confirmed that the front office may now be open to the idea.

Bills Would Trade Stefon Diggs ‘Under the Right Circumstances’

While there are no solid reports that the Bills have engaged in any talks about trading Diggs or fielded offers, Albright noted that it is not out of the question.

“I talked to some people in Buffalo on the condition of anonymity and they said that, ‘Publicly, we’re not moving him. Privately, we would consider it under the right circumstances,’” Albright said.

It was not clear what circumstances would convince the Bills to trade Diggs, who has consistently been the top weapon for quarterback Josh Allen. Despite the tensions off the field, Diggs has not seen a dip in his performance on the field and has ranked in the top five in the NFL for targets, catches, yards and touchdowns since joining the team in 2020.

Source of Team Tensions Remains Unclear

In the days after Diggs missed the first day of minicamp, a number of players and coaches offered assurances that the team would be able to work through the issues with the start receiver. Center Mitch Morse stressed that he did not know the root of the tensions but was confident it would be resolved.

“I don’t know what’s going on so I can’t answer it, but I’m sure they’ll work something out one way or another,” Morse said, via a video shared on Twitter by reporter Dan Fetes.

Exactly what is being worked out between Diggs and the team remains unclear. Neither Diggs nor the coaching staff has identified any specific issue, though the receiver did say he was unhappy with the way last season ended with a blowout loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs.

Insider Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reported that the situation centers on Diggs’ role in the offense. Volin wrote that Diggs wanted to play a bigger part, with that discontent coming to a head during the playoff loss to the Bengals when Diggs was seen yelling in frustration on the sidelines.

“Diggs’s frustration is with his role in the offense and his voice in play-calling, per a league source close to the Bills’ locker room,” Volin wrote. “He was visibly agitated at Allen during the 27-10 playoff loss to the Bengals, stormed out of the locker room almost immediately after the game, and didn’t attend any voluntary workouts this offseason.”

]]> 0 Stefon Diggs looks on during a Buffalo Bills game. Bills Under Fire for Major Change to Sean McDermott’s Coaching Staff https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-under-fire-eric-washington-promotion/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-under-fire-eric-washington-promotion/#respond Wed, 21 Jun 2023 20:53:09 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4476648

The Buffalo Bills announced a significant change to the coaching staff, with defensive line coach Eric Washington earning a promotion to assistant head coach — a move that some fans found curious.

The team announced the move on June 21, noting that it was the second promotion for Washington in the last two years. He originally joined head coach Sean McDermott’s staff as a defensive line coach in 2020, and before last season took over as senior defensive assistant.

Washington is now second in command to McDermott, though his promotion faced scrutiny as the position he previously coached was seen as an area of weakness for the team.

Bills Fans Puzzled at Move

Despite a number of high-profile investments over the last few seasons — including a first-round pick on Greg Rousseau, a second-round pick on Boogie Basham, and a big free-agency move with the acquisition of Von Miller — the Bills have failed to establish a consistent pass rush.

As analyst Warren Sharp noted on Twitter, the Bills had a hot start to last season and had the league’s No. 4 pressure rate, but the performance dropped off significantly after Miller went out with a season-ending injury.

“[T]he Bills pass rush has fallen off substantially since losing Von Miller #4 pressure rate with Von Miller, and that was despite the 4th lowest blitz rate #24 pressure,” Sharp wrote, adding that the Bills had the No. 24 pressure rate after Miller’s injury despite increasing their blitz rate to the 13th-highest.

The Bills also had some misses on draft picks, with Basham coming under fire for his inconsistent performances. Basham had 19 total tackles with two sacks last year while adding an interception and a fumble recovery, and found himself at the back of the team’s defensive line rotation. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia suggested that the Bills could trade Basham this summer.

Some Bills fans questioned why Washington earned a promotion given the inconsistent performance of the position group he led.

“Kind of puzzling considering how bad the line has been…” one fan tweeted.

“Interesting. Is there a unit on this team where this much capital has been invested that has underachieved more than DL? Yeesh,” another fan tweeted.

Big Changes to Sean McDermott’s Staff

The Bills have already made some other major changes to their coaching staff, especially on the defensive side. Defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier decided to take a break from football in 2023, with McDermott taking over the play-calling duties.

McDermott shared enthusiasm for his new role, saying he was excited to once again work with players on a one-on-one basis.

“I love it, honestly,” McDermott said in a May 24 appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. “It feels good to be back with the guys. As a head coach, we coach but we don’t coach. A lot of the time is spent on things outside of coaching. It feels really good to be back in the weeds.”

McDermott added that he feels he can make a major difference in his new, hands-on role.

“To me, the head coach’s seat is a leadership seat and that’s all good, and I love that part of it. But what you miss the most is rolling up your sleeves, getting in with the players side-by-side and coaching and getting in that defensive room, in this case for me and really getting down to the details,” McDermott said. “So I missed that, and it feels good to be back doing that again.”

]]> 0 Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on against the Miami Dolphins during the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023. Insider Reveals Why Bills Were ‘Infuriated’ Before Cutting Matt Araiza https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-infuriated-matt-araiza-lawyer/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-infuriated-matt-araiza-lawyer/#comments Wed, 21 Jun 2023 02:51:15 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4475997

Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza is opening up about the allegations that derailed his career last year and the Bills are facing fresh criticism for their decision to cut ties with him, but one insider is shedding new light on the team’s controversial decision.

Araiza was named in a lawsuit by a woman who claimed that he assaulted her at an off-campus home near San Diego State University when the punter was a senior in 2021. The suit came to light last summer, leading the Bills to release Araiza before the final preseason game.

But as Araiza speaks out for the first time at length, insider Tim Graham revealed the real reason the Bills chose to abruptly release Araiza after the allegations first came to light.

Buffalo Bills ‘Infuriated’ With Lawyer’s Statement

In the months since the Bills decided to release Araiza, police decided not to press charges and a new report cast doubt on the allegations. The report from Yahoo Sports published on May 8 showed that police presented evidence in an interview with the accuser that Araiza was no longer at the party when the woman claimed he led her to a room where she was assaulted by more football players.

Speaking to HBO’s Andrea Kramer in an interview that aired on June 20, Araiza called the allegations a “lie.”

“I just didn’t see how people could do this. To make a lie, like that, about someone’s life, knowing the implications of it. I was in shock. And seeing everyone in the world believe it and knowing that they just completely got misled,” Araiza said.

The former college standout added that he felt helpless against the allegations.

“No chance to defend myself. No waiting for the police to back any of these statements,” he said “Not waiting for the trial for anything to be proven in court. There was a feeling that society was sure about this. They were 100-percent sure.”

In a roundtable discussion that was part of Tuesday’s broadcast, host Bryant Gumbel criticized the Bills for cutting Araiza so quickly. Graham, a longtime Bills reporter, noted that the criticism failed to address the real reason the team decided to part ways — what he called an inaccurate report from Araiza’s lawyer about the team’s knowledge of the allegations.

At the time, Araiza’s lawyer misrepresented the information that the Bills had about the case, Graham said. That played a major factor in the team’s decision to release him.

“The sentiment doesn’t take into account that in the 48 hours between lawsuit and release, Araiza’s attorney lied publicly about what the Bills knew. This infuriated the Bills,” Graham tweeted.

The “lie,” according to Graham, came when Araiza’s lawyer, Kerry Armstrong, said publicly that NFL teams were aware of the allegations before the NFL Draft.

“That, of course, besmirched only the Bills, who drafted him and gave him the job,” Graham tweeted.

Another Chance for Matt Araiza

While the Bills moved on and signed veteran punter Sam Martin, Araiza could have another chance at making the NFL as he landed a workout with the New York Jets in May.

As ESPN reported, the Jets did not end up signing Araiza, as they have made a significant commitment to veteran punter Thomas Morstead, but the tryout itself was seen as an important step in his attempt to make an NFL roster.

]]> 3 Former Buffalo Bills punter Matt Araiza. Lions WR Faces Growing Concern Over Shaky Performances, ‘Maturity’ Issues https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-jameson-williams-maturity-concerns/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-jameson-williams-maturity-concerns/#respond Wed, 21 Jun 2023 00:31:20 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4475982

The Detroit Lions had high hopes for wide receiver Jameson Williams when they snagged him in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, but he failed to make much of an impression in an injury-shortened rookie season and the 22-year-old now faces growing questions as he heads into his second season.

Williams missed the first three months of the season as he completed rehab for a torn ACL, and failed to make much of an impression through six games as he made just one catch for 41 yards — though it was good for a touchdown. The Lions receiver will now miss the start of the coming season as he serves a six-game gambling suspension, which combined with some uneven performances in OTAs has raised some concerns for the coming season.

Jameson Williams Under Scrutiny

The Lions moved Williams along slowly in his rookie season, limiting his snaps over the final stretch of the season and gradually working him into the offense. There had been hopes that he could emerge as a major part of the passing game in 2023, but his gambling suspension will now keep him out until Week 7.

Jeremy Reisman of SB Nation’s Pride of Detroit noted some growing concerns about Williams, both physically and mentally.

“Obviously, the six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling rules puts a bit of a damper on expectations for Williams’ second year,” Reisman wrote. “The suspension will not only cost the team six games of Williams’ potential contributions, but it has also raised some questions about his maturity—some fair, some not so much.”

The SB Nation writer added that Williams struggled at times through the team’s early practices, with quarterback Jared Goff growing visibly frustrated at times as he missed assignments.

“Beyond that, Williams’ game still looks a bit unrefined based on OTAs and minicamp,” Reisman wrote. “His chemistry with Goff is still clearly not there, there were issues with drops, and there are nuances to route running he’s still trying to learn.”

Williams also stirred up a minor controversy this offseason when he liked a tweet that suggested the Lions as a trade destination for quarterback Lamar Jackson, though both he and Goff have insisted there was no deeper meaning behind it and no tensions within the team.

Detroit Lions Legend Offers Help

Williams could have some help as he works to get his career back on track, with legendary Lions receiver Calvin Johnson saying publicly that he would like to mentor the young receiver. In an appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s “Stoney and Jansen with Heather,” Johnson said he has been impressed with the talent he sees in Williams and wants to help him stay on track.

“I connected with Jamo yesterday really for the first time, and I look forward to just being around and being a shoulder for him to lean on,” Johnson said. “Extremely talented kid. We saw him when he touched the field last year for the first time. I look forward to just helping him build the level of consistency and being the pro he wants to be, man. Anything I can to do help him, I’ll do that and I’ll be there.”

]]> 0 Jameson Wlliams celebrates a touchdown in 2022. Insider Predicts Bills Trade Underperforming 2nd Round Pick https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/insider-predicts-bills-trade-boogie-basham/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/insider-predicts-bills-trade-boogie-basham/#comments Tue, 20 Jun 2023 23:04:47 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4475889

The Buffalo Bills have made considerable investments into their edge rushers in the last several years, using high draft picks and taking a big free-agency swing to sign Von Miller.

With competition for roster spots at the position expected to be tight this summer, one insider predicts the Bills will sell off one of those recent investments.

The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia made his early prediction for the team’s final 53-man roster, which included some difficult decisions for the edge rushers. Buscaglia predicted that the recent acquisition of veteran Leonard Floyd gives the team some flexibility and will allow them to explore a trade for second-round pick Boogie Basham.

Boogie Basham’s Uneven Tenure in Buffalo

Basham came to the Bills as a second-round pick in 2021, a year when the Bills used their first-round pick on fellow edge rusher Greg Rousseau. Though Rousseau has shown steady growth as a disruptive force on the defensive line, Basham has endured a more uneven tenure, making 19 total tackles with two sacks last year while adding an interception and a fumble recovery.

Basham often found himself near the end of the team’s defensive line rotation, and Buscaglia believes the team could move on this summer if they are able to find a trade partner willing to pay the right price.

“The depth [at edge rusher] also allows the Bills to recoup a pick potentially on a draft investment who hasn’t panned out as they’d hoped,” Buscaglia wrote. “Boogie Basham still will carry some trade value with rebuilding teams around the league as a change-of-scenery high pick that can be had at a discounted price.”

Bills general manager Brandon Beane has shown a penchant for making late-summer trades, shipping marginal roster candidates for mid- to late-round draft picks. Others have already predicted that the Bills will explore a trade for Basham. David De Cristofaro of USA Today’s Bills Wire wrote before the NFL Draft that Basham could end up on the block if the Bills were looking to make a jump up the draft board.

Slow Start for Von Miller

Buscaglia also predicted that the Bills would take a careful approach with former All-Pro Von Miller, who is still going through rehab for an ACL tear suffered in last year’s Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions.

Buscalglia predicted that Miller would start the season on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list, with former Los Angeles Rams teammate Floyd penciled in as a starter until his return.

“The addition of Floyd gives them roster flexibility and a starter opposite Rousseau until Von Miller is ready to play,” Buscaglia wrote. “It also gives the Bills the depth and flexibility to save Miller from himself a bit and allow for a successful, long-standing return from a severe injury. Until Miller takes legitimate strides near the end of his projected nine-month rehab, the reserve/physically unable to perform list should remain a consideration to begin the year. Doing so would give Miller, at minimum, a four-week ramp-up period within the regular season without being allowed to play in a game.”

]]> 1 Boogie Basham prepares to take the field at Buffalo Bills' training camp. Lions Advised to Target Pro Bowl Pass Rusher in Free Agency https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-advised-target-yannick-ngakoue/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-advised-target-yannick-ngakoue/#respond Tue, 20 Jun 2023 01:42:17 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4474829

The Detroit Lions have made it a priority to improve a defense that ranked at the bottom of the NFL last season, and after some key additions through the draft and free agency they could still have one more big move to make.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes said after the conclusion of last season that the team would look to bolster a defense that relied heavily on a group of rookies, and SI.com’s Christian Booher identified a free agent who might be able to help — Pro Bowl edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue. The veteran is one of the top remaining free agents, and Booher wrote that he could give a needed boost to a pass rush that showed flashes of strong play last year.

Detroit Lions Could Bring ‘More Heat Off the Edge’

In a June 15 rundown of some potential free agents for the Lions to target, Booher noted that Ngakoue would be a solid addition alongside second-year standouts Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston.

“Detroit has plenty of pop at the spot already, but Ngakoue could make a strong impression if he gets an opportunity,” Booher wrote.

“If the Lions are looking for more heat off the edge, Ngakoue brings it,” he added. “He has taken his lumps as a run-defender, but he still has the ability to put pressure on the quarterback.”

Ngakoue had a strong season with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, racking up 29 total tackles including 9.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits. While he is now six years removed from his lone Pro Bowl season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 28-year-old edge rusher has never had fewer than eight sacks in a season during his career.

Ngakoue is seen as one of the top defensive free agents still available, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that he is taking steps to ensure he finds the right destination for next season.

“Colts’ free-agent DE Yannick Ngakoue, one of the top remaining unsigned free agents, has hired Drew Rosenhaus to get him signed before training camps begins,” Schefter tweeted on June 13.

Other Pass Rush Options for Detroit Lions

The Lions could have some other options available if they choose to add a veteran to the pass rush mix. In a previous article for SI.com’s All Lions, Booher pegged veteran Frank Clark as another potential free-agent target who could help their promising young players develop.

“The Lions have a very promising core of EDGE rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston. Both are entering their second season, and with high expectations,” Booher wrote.

“Behind them, Detroit has a mix of youth and veterans serving as depth. If the Lions were to add Clark, they would secure the services of a proven veteran who could mentor the young players on the defense.”

Clark signed a five-year, $104-million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs after a 2019 trade from the Seattle Seahawks, but was released in March when the two sides could not come together on a reworked deal.

Some insiders have hinted that Clark could be headed for a reunion with the Chiefs. Christian Martinez of UMKC Roo News wrote on Twitter that there is “belief” that he will be back in Kansas City, though the two sides have yet to hash out a deal.

]]> 0 Yannick Ngakoue #91 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after sacking Patrick Mahomes Lions QB Jared Goff Entering ‘Make-or-Break’ Season: Insider https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-jared-goff-make-break-season/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-jared-goff-make-break-season/#respond Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:59:13 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4474422

The Detroit Lions have their quarterback depth chart etched in stone as training camp approaches, but one insider believes they could be facing a controversy as soon as next year depending on how starter Jared Goff fares in the upcoming season.

Goff turned in one of the best seasons of his career in 2022, completing 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. But with just two seasons left on his contract, SI.com’s Christian Booher noted that the Lions could face a looming decision whether to hand Goff an extension or plan to turn over the reins to a new quarterback of the future.

Detroit Lions Must Make Decision on Quarterback

As Booher noted, Goff’s strong end to the 2022 season erased any lingering questions about whether he might just be a bridge quarterback as the team seeks a permanent starter. The Lions must now determine whether to lock him down for longer than the next two seasons, Booher noted.

“The veteran will be under pressure to lead the Lions to fulfill their high expectations,” he wrote. “If he can lead the team to the playoffs and perhaps a postseason win, he should land an extension. However, struggles could force Detroit to look elsewhere.

“This upcoming season is a pivotal one for Goff and the future of the Lions at the quarterback position.”

There are already some rumblings that rookie Hendon Hooker could eventually challenge for the starting job. Though the former Tennessee quarterback is entering what head coach Dan Campbell called a “redshirt” season while he recovers from a torn ACL, Hooker has earned good reviews from the coaching staff and is expected to take on a bigger role next season.

NFL.com writer Gregg Rosenthal believes Hooker could have the chance to compete on an even footing with Goff by next season.

“The Lions needed to upgrade their backup quarterback situation and did so with third-round pick Hendon Hooker,” Rosenthal wrote. “Give Hooker a year before he’s challenging Jared Goff for playing time.”

High Hopes for Jared Goff

The Lions may have already laid the groundwork for Goff’s contract extension. General manager Brad Holmes said in a May 2 appearance on 97.1 The Ticket’s “The Stoney & Jansen Show” that the team had spoken with Goff’s representation, but did not say how far the process was moving.

“We’ve had dialogue there,” Holmes said. “We’ve had dialogue with his agent, and we’re in a good place right now.”

SI.com’s Conor Orr believes Goff is headed for a deal that would eclipse the $40 million annual average the New York Giants gave to quarterback Daniel Jones, predicting that Goff was headed to another strong performance in 2023 and likely a contract extension before the season ends.

“He is going to throw for at least 28 touchdowns and 4,400 yards. Whether or not the Lions want to keep him long-term, he’s going to make a lot of money in 2024,” Orr wrote. “Goff is 28 and just rounding into the best years of his career. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions move to extend him midseason, especially if he’s playing well.”

]]> 0 Jared Goff throws a pass for the Lions against Minnesota in 2022. Insider Reveals Bills WR Stefon Diggs’ Frustration With Coaching Staff https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/stefon-diggs-frustration-role-bills/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/stefon-diggs-frustration-role-bills/#respond Mon, 19 Jun 2023 18:27:06 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4474307

After all the drama that built up over the postseason and came to a head at the start of mminicamp last week, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ frustration with the team boils down to a simple request — he wants the ball more often.

Insider Ben Volin of the Boston Globe shared insight on the friction that arose between Diggs and the team as the wide receiver missed the first day of mandatory minicamp. In a June 17 story, Volin revealed that Diggs was upset with his role and wanted to play a bigger role in the offense, which could become a bigger issue in the coming season.

Stefon Diggs Wants Bigger Role

Diggs had expressed frustration with the team dating back to the end of last season, when he was seen having an outburst on the sidelines during the team’s playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Diggs later said he was just unhappy with the way the team’s season was ending, but continued to stir speculation with some cryptic tweets that hinted at deeper frustrations.

When Diggs did not take the field with teammates at the start of mandatory minicamp on June 13, Bills head coach Sean McDermott said he was “very concerned” about the situation. But the next day, McDermott backtracked and said that it was an excused absence, and Diggs was back at practice for the next day before the team canceled the third and final day of minicamp.

Though McDermott said the situation had been addressed, Volin wrote that this was a “sanitized” version of the story and that Diggs was still frustrated with his role in the offense.

“Diggs’s frustration is with his role in the offense and his voice in play-calling, per a league source close to the Bills’ locker room,” Volin wrote. “He was visibly agitated at Allen during the 27-10 playoff loss to the Bengals, stormed out of the locker room almost immediately after the game, and didn’t attend any voluntary workouts this offseason.”

Stefon Diggs Saw Drop in Production

As Volin noted, Diggs had plenty of opportunities last season and ranked in the top five of the league in targets, catches, yards and touchdowns.  

“Since joining the Bills for the 2020 season, Diggs is top six in all of those stats, and his 484 targets rank second behind only Davante Adams,” Volin wrote.

But the Boston Globe reporter noted that Diggs saw a drop in production late in the season and through the playoffs.

“Over the last six games in 2023, including two playoff games, Diggs caught just one touchdown pass and averaged a meager 63 receiving yards per game,” Volin wrote. “In the playoff loss to the Bengals, a listless, blowout defeat at home, Diggs had just four catches for 35 yards.”

Based on some of the team’s offseason moves, Diggs could actually see another dip in production in 2023. The Bills made a number of postseason moves intended to spread out the offense, with general manager Brandon Beane saying they wanted to take pressure off Diggs.

“We were looking for guys to add to our skill positions that can be matchups and whether it’s receiver, tight end, whatever it is, just a guy, another weapon to say, ‘Hey, you can’t double Stef every play,’ ” Beane said. “If you do, we’re expecting this guy to win his one-on-one matchup or Gabe [Davis] to win his one-on-one matchup. Khalil Shakir, we’ve got a lot of hope for him. I thought he really played well down the stretch when he had his opportunity.”

]]> 0 Stefon Diggs #14 of the Buffalo Bills takes the field prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023. Bills Projected to Cut 2023 Draft Pick in Surprise Move https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-projected-cut-alex-austin/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-projected-cut-alex-austin/#respond Mon, 19 Jun 2023 15:20:21 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4474092

The Buffalo Bills added to their secondary depth with the team’s final pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, but the player they snagged could now face a battle to make the final roster.

In his early projection of the final 53-man roster, Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News predicted that the Bills would cut seventh-round draft pick Alex Austin. The Oregon State cornerback will be part of a tough competition in a position where the team has made some considerable investments over the past two years, and Skurski believes he could be one of the odd ones out.

‘None of the Cuts Will Be Easy’

Skurski noted that the Bills have “enviable” depth at cornerback, with former All-Pro Tre’Davious White entering the season healthy after missing the start of last season while recovering from a torn ACL. The Buffalo News writer noted that there will be a “spirited competition” for the other starting cornerback spot, with second-year Kaiir Elam expected to take the job.

Fellow 2022 draft pick Christian Benford, who started five games last season, is also expected to play a significant role in the secondary along with veterans Dane Jackson and nickel corner Taron Johnson. The Bills also value the veteran leadership and special teams contribution of Siran Neal, who is also projected to return to the 53-man roster.

Beyond the top six, the Bills will be faced with some difficult decisions and will likely be forced to part ways with some otherwise talented players, Skurski wrote. That could leave Austin on the outside looking in.

“In this projection, the team is cutting a draft pick (Austin), a former third-round draft pick who has made 26 career starts and is just 24 years old (Cameron Dantzler Dantzler) and two players the organization has spent significant time developing (Ja’Marcus Ingram and Cam Lewis),” he wrote. “None of those cuts will be easy to make, but the projected top six all have defined roles.”

Buffalo Bills High on Alex Austin’s Potential

If the Bills do part ways with Austin at final cutdowns, he would likely be a strong candidate to return to the practice squad. Bills general manager Brandon Beane spoke highly of him after the NFL Draft, saying he was seen as a player likely to contribute to the team this year.

“Austin at the end, you’re kind of coming down to ‘who’s got the best chance to help?’” Beane said, via SI.com’s Bills Central. “We just hadn’t had a defensive back, so we liked him and what we think he can add to the team.”

The SI.com report added that the Bills were impressed by Austin during a meeting at the NFL Combine, where the prospect showed off his “football smarts” to complement his strong college career where he logged 104 tackles, four interceptions, and 17 pass breakups over the last two seasons at Oregon State.

Austin also spoke highly of the Bills, saying he was excited to join fellow Oregon State alum Jordan Poyer in Buffalo’s secondary.

“I’m excited to be able to get up there and work with him, be beside him and be able to learn some things from him,” Austin said, via SI.com. “I know he’s been in the league for a very long time and he’s a veteran, so I look forward to just taking on the little bro role and getting to learn and soak up as much knowledge as I can from him.”

]]> 0 Alex Austin participates in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine. Lions Insider Shares Definitive Update on Teddy Bridgewater Rumors https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-teddy-bridgewater-rumor-update/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-teddy-bridgewater-rumor-update/#respond Sat, 17 Jun 2023 18:29:40 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4473191

The Detroit Lions made a strong bid at free-agent quarterback Teddy Bridgewater earlier this offseason, but an insider said the team now appears content with their current stable of signal callers and unlikely to bring in any more competition.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on May 8 that the Lions had expressed significant interest in the former Minnesota Vikings starter and made a “strong” contract offer, but Bridgewater has yet to make a decision about his next destination. Meanwhile, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy reported that Detroit’s quarterback room is likely set heading into the season.

Detroit Lions Quarterbacks Look Sharp in Practice

Pouncy noted that starter Jared Goff had a strong showing last season, especially late, and is set to return as the starter with no real competition for the job. Backup Nate Sudfeld had also looked sharp through the first few weeks of offseason practices, earning praise from quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and cementing his spot as No. 2.

“Brunell said Nate Sudfeld was ‘perfect’ in a support role for Goff last year and mentioned his growth this offseason,” Pouncey reported. “Sudfeld ripped some impressive throws with the second-team offense in scrimmage periods. He’s a QB who knows the system, isn’t going to rock the boat and is willing to help others around him. The Lions clearly value that.”

Rookie Hendon Hooker has not had much chance to show off his skills as he continued to rehab from an ACL tear that cut short his final season at Tennessee. But Pouncey noted that the team has high hopes for the rookie, and Brunell was impressed with the “mental reps” the rookie was able to take.

With three quarterbacks who have all earned the support of the coaching staff, Pouncey said the team would likely be done pursuing other options like Bridgewater.

“It sounds like the immediate pecking order will be Goff-Sudfeld-Hooker (when healthy), and at this point, an outsider like Teddy Bridgewater seems unlikely,” he wrote.

As Fowler reported in May, the Lions at the time were strong in their pursuit of Bridgewater.

“Free agent QB Teddy Bridgewater has interest from several teams, including a strong contract offer from the #Lions, per source,” Fowler reported on Twitter. “Bridgewater hasn’t decided where he’s playing as he takes his time this offseason. Bridgewater can reunite w/ Dan Campbell from their New Orleans days.”

Jared Goff Earns MVP Buzz

Goff is coming off one of the best seasons in his career, completing 65.1% of his passes for 4,438 yards with 29 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He helped to lead the Lions to a 9-8 record, their best finish since going 9-7 in 2017.

The Lions are going into the upcoming season as favorites to win the NFC North, and Goff has also earned some buzz as a contender for MVP. Writer Adam Schein of NFL.com listed Goff as a sleeper candidate for the award, though said he believes the Lions could have a more even balance of passing and running next season.

“Now, while I believe the Lions can break through into the playoffs, I don’t think they’ll be true Super Bowl contenders,” Schein wrote. “And while I like Goff to enjoy another fine season under brilliant young offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, I don’t think he’ll rank among the NFC’s top two quarterbacks again this fall. Partially because it appears Dan Campbell’s team could be looking to run teams over with a road-grading O-line and overhauled backfield.”

]]> 0 Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, formerly of the Miami Dolphins, warms up prior to an AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills in January 2023. Bills Get Good News on Return of Key Offensive Lineman https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-good-news-return-tommy-doyle/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-good-news-return-tommy-doyle/#comments Sat, 17 Jun 2023 14:58:44 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4472918

The Buffalo Bills made some moves to bolster their offensive line through free agency this offseason, and could now get another big boost in the form of a key player’s return from a season-ending injury.

Offensive tackle Tommy Doyle suffered a torn ACL in the team’s September loss to the Miami Dolphins and spent the rest of the season on injured reserve, but has progressed through his rehab and was able to participate in a limited fashion at this week’s mandatory minicamp. As The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reported, Doyle appeared healthy and could now be on track to join teammates as a full participant in training camp in July.

‘Huge Marker’ for Buffalo Bills Tackle

As Buscaglia noted, this week’s practice was a major milestone for Doyle, a fifth-round pick in 2021. Doyle has been an important depth player for the Bills, serving as the top backup and catching a touchdown pass in the team’s 47-17 win over the New England Patriots in the AFC Wild Card game in 2022.

Doyle now appears on track to rejoin the team soon and could be ready to start the season, Buscaglia noted.

“But mandatory minicamp marked a huge marker for Doyle, as he worked in team drills for the first time since his season-ending injury,” Buscaglia wrote. “That step likely puts him in a great spot for training camp in late July, not only to be healthy and ready to play but to compete for the Bills’ primary reserve tackle role in 2023.”

Doyle suffered the injury in a heat-scorched game on the road in Miami in which the Bills suffered a spate of other injuries. After losing three offensive linemen, Doyle filled in and played through the remainder of the game with his own injury — which the team learned after the game was actually a torn ACL.

“We get done with the game and you know, I knew that he had had a knee injury or a leg injury,” head coach Sean McDermott said at the time. “I go back on the plane on the way home just to check on the guys and I said ‘Tommy, how you doing?’ he’s like, ‘Ah, I’m fine, it’s nothing.’ And then next morning, I get the communication from our training staff that has a torn ACL and he’s out for the season.”

Buffalo Bills Making Moves at Offensive Line

Doyle’s expected return could help add depth to a position that saw some major moves this offseason. The team signed free-agent guard Connor McGovern, who spent the last four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and is expected to compete for a starting job this year.

The Bills also used a second-round pick on Florida guard O’Cyrus Torrence. Spectrum News 1 reporter Jon Scott tweeted that the rookie could challenge incumbent starter Ryan Bates for the starting role in the coming season.

“Bates contract isn’t big enough to feel he *has* to start should O’Cyrus Torrence come in and win the job this year. It’s absolutely one they could get out of in 2024 to open spot for Torrence… or not too bad to eat as reserve… or even kick in to center.”

]]> 1 Tommy Doyle looks on before a Buffalo Bills game. Lions Urged to Pursue 3-Time All-Pro WR as ‘Added Insurance’ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-urged-pursue-deandre-hopkins-insurance/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-urged-pursue-deandre-hopkins-insurance/#respond Sat, 17 Jun 2023 01:55:27 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4472882

The Detroit Lions could have a major offensive liability in the early stretch of the season, and one insider suggests they take out a high-profile insurance policy in the form of All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.

The Lions have high hopes for the wide-receiving duo of Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, but the two won’t be on the field together until at least Week 7 as Williams serves out his six-game suspension. The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy believes that could leave the Lions vulnerable in the opening stretch of the season.

“We already know Jameson Williams will miss the first six games of the season, leaving the team without its main vertical threat,” Pouncy wrote. “But if Amon-Ra St. Brown goes down — especially during that six-game window — the Lions might have to get creative elsewhere.”

Detroit Lions Could Get in on DeAndre Hopkins Sweepstakes

That creativity, Pouncy suggested, could come in signing the now free-agent Hopkins.

“Josh Reynolds, Marvin Jones Jr. and Kalif Raymond are solid secondary options, but St. Brown is the only established difference-maker,” Pouncy wrote. “We saw what happened when he missed time a year ago. Part of me wonders if the Lions should pursue DeAndre Hopkins, for the right price, as added insurance.”

Without Hopkins, an early injury or other setback to the wide receiving corps could force the Lions to rely more heavily on other parts of their offense, Pouncy noted. The team did invest heavily in the run game, using a first-round draft pick on running back Jahmyr Gibbs.

Gibbs told reporters this week that he hopes to make a difference as both a rusher and pass-catcher.

“I love how they use me,” Gibbs said at the conclusion of Detroit’s minicamp. “It’s something I’m used to – through high school, at Tech and at Bama. I’m pretty used to being used all around – learning all the routes and concepts.”

DeAndre Hopkins Getting Big Interest

Though the Arizona Cardinals were unable to find a trade partner for Hopkins, the wide receiver has gotten significant interest now that he is on the open market. He has taken visits to the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots, though may not be in a rush to make a decision. ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported that both Hopkins and the Patriots plan to take some time to assess their next steps after the conclusion of his visit.

Reiss noted that Hopkins is earning some strong interest from the Patriots, including some public praise and a bit of recruiting from quarterback Mac Jones.

“I think DeAndre is a great player. You watch his film from college all the way through the NFL, he’s done a great job,” Jones said. “So obviously we’d love to have him, but we do have a great group of guys,” Jones said at the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp this week.

“I’ve been really pleased with the playmakers we have on the team; we’ve come out here and really bought into the system. We have a good group and I feel like we need to keep growing together and whoever is in that room, we’re going to try to dominate together.”

]]> 0 Free agent receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Analyst Suggests Bills Fire ‘Tone Deaf’ Head Coach Sean McDermott https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/colin-cowherd-bills-fire-sean-mcdermott/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/colin-cowherd-bills-fire-sean-mcdermott/#comments Sat, 17 Jun 2023 00:03:42 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4472836

After leading the Buffalo Bills to the playoffs for four straight seasons and turning the team into perennial Super Bowl contenders, head coach Sean McDermott could be on the hot seat before the next season ever starts.

McDermott came under criticism this week for his handling of wide receiver Stefon Diggs’ one-day absence from the team’s mandatory minicamp. After saying he was “very concerned” that Diggs was not at practice on June 13, McDermott walked back the statement the next day and said his absence was excused.

FS1 analyst Colin Cowherd believes the incident was an indication of a bigger problem with the Bills head coach.

“Sean McDermott, last chance,” the pundit said on “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on June 14. “He’s the issue. I watched him get out-coached by (Miami’s) Mike McDaniel three times.”

Colin Cowherd Calls out ‘Rigid’ Sean McDermott

Cowherd noted that the Bills appeared poised to challenge Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs for supremacy in the AFC, but he said the team instead has taken a step back while Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals have surpassed them as a contender in the conference.

“Where is Josh Allen? With a rigid defensive coach, fifth year, can’t get the offensive line right,” Cowherd said. “Last year, if you took out Josh Allen’s rush yards, [they still have] a crappy run game … Josh Allen is running too much, getting hit too much.

“Now the star receiver is unhappy and they can’t develop a second receiver. Gosh, I wonder what it could be? The defensive rigid, conservative head coach Sean McDermott.”

Cowherd said that McDermott is the main issue with the Bills, noting that the team’s offensive line has yet to develop in his five years as head coach — all while McDermott has placed a higher priority on the defensive line.

Sean McDermott Under Fire for Stefon Diggs Situation

While Cowherd’s criticism of McDermott centered largely on his ability to get the team over the hump in a competitive AFC, a number of fans took aim at the Bills coach for his role in the controversy with Diggs this week.

The main issue was with McDermott’s mixed messaging, as the Bills coach starting the week by saying he was “very concerned” about the receiver’s absence but explained the next day that Diggs had been excused from practice after reporting to the team facility and undergoing a physical in the morning.

“Bills ownership and PR obviously didn’t like the mess McDermott made by going public with his ‘concern’ about Diggs. He is now in damage control,” one fan tweeted. “Like the Wizard of Oz he doesn’t want you to look behind the curtain he pulled back.”

The team appears to be trying to put the controversy behind them. Veteran center Mitch Morse pushed off a question about whether Diggs has been a distraction to the team, saying he was focused on his own job and confident that Diggs would work through whatever issues he might have.

“We let the people do what they do,” Morse said, via a video shared on Twitter by reporter Dan Fetes. “I love Stefon Diggs, [but] I’ve got s**t to do. I’ve got to come out here and do my job. I want Stef and everyone to be the happiest version of themselves. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve been around. I also think that they’re working through it, doing the things they’re supposed to do, which is to have possibly uncomfortable conversations, have some candidness which can be hard at times.”

]]> 1 Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills looks on during the the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023. Bills’ Stefon Diggs Appears to Clarify Relationship With Josh Allen in IG Post https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-stefon-diggs-josh-allen-instagram-post/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-stefon-diggs-josh-allen-instagram-post/#respond Fri, 16 Jun 2023 18:50:22 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4472462

Josh Allen had insisted for months that there was no bad blood between himself and Buffalo Bills teammate Stefon Diggs, even after the wide receiver was seen getting very animated toward his quarterback during a playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.

Now, Diggs appears to be backing Allen as well.

After a drama-filled day on June 14 as Diggs left the team facility early prior to the start of mandatory minicamp, the receiver took to Instagram to share a picture of himself beside Allen during practice. Diggs tagged Allen in the Instagram story on June 15, a post that caught some viral attention from fans as it appeared to clear up any lingering doubts about their relationship.

“It doesn’t look like Stefon Diggs has any beef with Josh Allen,” noted Nick Wojton of USA Today’s Bills Wire.

Josh Allen Opens Up on Relationship With Stefon Diggs

Bills head coach Sean McDermott stirred up some controversy at the start of minicamp when he said he was “very concerned” about Diggs’ absence, though clarified the next day that it had been an excused absence for the star wide receiver.

“We had a good conversation, great communication,” McDermott said on June 14. “We got to a point yesterday where we just felt like we all needed a break and some space. So, I gave Stef permission to get some space and head out and picked up those conversations after practice. So let me make it clear: It was not Stef leaving unexcused — he was excused, by me. And so those conversations have got us to, what I think and believe, is a great spot.”

Allen also clarified to reporters that he had no personal problems with Diggs, using uncharacteristically strong language to shoot down any lingering rumors of tensions between them.

“Internally, we’re working on some things,” Allen said, via Pro Football Talk. “Not football-related. Stef, he’s my guy. I f***ing love him. He’s a brother of mine. This does not work, what we’re doing here, without him.”

Focus Turns to Upcoming Season

Veteran Bills lineman Mitch Morse also spoke about the situation with Diggs, saying the team is working through the issues. Though the drama spilled over to start the week, the Bills were focused on the field through two days of mandatory minicamp before McDermott canceled the third day.

As The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia noted, Diggs and Allen still seemed to have a strong connection, even though the wide receiver was a limited participant.

“During the stretching line, Diggs and star quarterback Josh Allen were constantly chatting as they went through the drills side by side,” Buscaglia wrote. “Once positional drills began, they included some routes vs. air reps with Allen throwing him the ball. In all, Diggs looked like his usual self in practice. He was sharp in his routes, and he and Allen were quickly on the same page in the low-stress drill.”

Buscaglia added that Diggs was engaged with teammates on the sidelines during the day, even dancing during the session to keep things loose.

“If there were any lingering feelings from the previous day, it certainly wasn’t on display during the Bills’ minicamp practice,” he wrote.

]]> 0 Bills quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs shared a special moment after defeating the Detroit Lions on November 24, 2022. Lions’ Recent 2nd-Round Pick Could Lose Roster Spot to UDFA: Report https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-levi-onwuzurike-roster-battle/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-levi-onwuzurike-roster-battle/#respond Fri, 16 Jun 2023 02:30:44 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4471949

The Detroit Lions could have a roster battle brewing at defensive line, and a former second-round pick could end up being a casualty come the end of the summer.

Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire published an early production of the final 53-man roster in Detroit, predicting that Levi Onwuzurike could face a fight to keep his position — if he’s cleared to play from the back injuries that have derailed his early career. Onwuzurike missed all of last season and continues to rehab from back surgery, but Risdon noted that even if healthy he could still find himself on the outside of the roster bubble.

Detroit Lions Have Tough Decision on Former Second-Rounder

Risdon noted that the Lions are set at the top of the roster, with Alim McNeill and Christian Covington likely locked in as starters. He added that Brodric Martin and Isaiah Buggs will likely back up the pair, and the fifth and final spot is where the summer could get interesting.

“If the team opts to keep five DTs on the active roster, a battle between Benito Jones, Levi Onwuzurike (if cleared to play) and UDFA rookies Chris Smith and Cory Durden figures to be highly competitive in training camp and preseason,” Risdon wrote.

Onwuzurike has had a disappointing career, appearing in 16 games in his rookie season and making a total of 35 tackles with one sack. Though he has been working his way back from back surgery, Onwuzurike faces an uncertain future.

Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn said he first wants to see Onwuzurike get his health back on track before worrying about what he can do on the field.

“The only thing I hope for Levi — and that’s first and foremost — looking forward to him getting a chance to come back and play,” Glenn said, via MLive.com. “But man, it’s the health of that player, cause when you’re dealing with a back, that’s just a thing you have to be sure with. … The first thing I’m thinking about, I’m not thinking about the player playing. I’m thinking about the player being healthy. And then if he plays, that’s just icing on top.”

There could be some positive signs for Onwuzurike’s recovery. Risdon shared a video on Twitter from the team’s practice on June 8, noting that the defensive lineman looks as quick as he had before his injury.

Big Opportunity for Detroit Lions’ Rookies

With Onwuzurike’s availability for the coming year still in question, undrafted rookies Durden and Smith could have an opportunity to make the final 53-man roster. Dane Brugler of The Athletic noted in a pre-draft report that Durden showed some strong potential during four seasons at Florida State and one at NC State, but still has some work to make it in the NFL.

“Overall, Durden flashes disruptive qualities when all cylinders are firing, but he needs to improve his overall consistency to warrant an extended look in the NFL,” Brugler wrote.

Risdon added for Lions Wire that Smith was efficient in his one season at Notre Dame after transferring from Harvard.

“His best quality is his ability to finish under control and with power,” Risdon wrote. “Notre Dame didn’t log him for a single missed tackle, and in his three seasons at Harvard the Crimson had Smith for just one missed tackle. He wraps well and uses his reach to corral ball carriers and occasionally the opposing QB (5.5 sacks in 42 career college games).”

]]> 0 Levi Onwuzurike looks on during a Detroit Lions game. Bills Sign Ex-Packers Tight End With Unusual Path to the NFL https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-sign-packers-tight-end-nick-guggemos/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-sign-packers-tight-end-nick-guggemos/#respond Thu, 15 Jun 2023 23:45:19 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4471828

The Buffalo Bills made quick work to replace a reserve tight end lost to a season-ending injury, landing another player with an unconventional path from Division III college to the NFL.

Just a day after they placed Zach Davidson on injured reserve, the Bills announced on June 15 that they had signed veteran tight end Nick Guggemos to a one-year deal. The 27-year-old has spent time on a number of practice squads, including a stint with the Green Bay Packers last season.

Guggemos caught the eye of scouts after a relatively uneventful college career that included a long break from football.

Nick Guggemos Waited Years for NFL Chance

After playing college football at Division III St. Thomas (Minnesota), Guggemos had short stints with a number of teams but never made an active roster. He signed with Green Bay Packers in Novembe and spent the remainder of the season on the practice squad, earning a reserve/futures contract in January. He was released again in May, and had a tryout with the Bills earlier this week before being signed on Thursday.

As Bill Huber of SI.com’s Packer Central noted, Guggemos had an unconventional ascension from little-known college player to NFL prospect. He was a receiver on the Division III powerhouse St. Thomas team but had little impact on the field, making just one reception for 8 yards and one rush for minus-4 yards in his collegiate career.

Guggemos also spent several years away from football while training and hoping to jump onto the NFL radar.

“His college career ended in 2018. While putting his engineering degree to work, he trained in hopes of getting a shot in 2020,” Huber wrote. “Instead, COVID struck and shut the door on any opportunities. He continued to train at an ETS Performance opened by Vikings receiver Adam Thielen.”

Guggemos earned an invite to the University of Minnesota’s pro day in 2021 and turned in some impressive performances, with a 4.49-second time in the 40-yard dash and one of the best broad jumps of all time for a tight end.

Guggemos earned a look from Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider, himself a St. Thomas alum. He was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Seahawks.

“He did a nice job in a couple workouts that our scouts had seen,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters at the time, via SI.com. “Then when we brought him in here for a workout, he really did well and so, we thought he deserved a chance to be part of this.”

But Guggemos lasted only a month with the Seahawks before being released.

Buffalo Bills Beefing Up at Tight End

The Bills have made another big to their tight end room this offseason, trading up in the first round of the NFL Drafy to snag Utah’s Dalton Kincaid.

Bills offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said the team will find plenty of ways to get the 6-foot-4, 234-pound tight end involved in the offense next year, even if the exact plan isn’t yet clear.

“We’re nowhere close to knowing exactly ‘Hey, this is what the big picture is going to be’ because we have to learn him and he is going to learn us in a lot of ways,” Dorsey said, via New York Upstate.

]]> 0 Head coach Sean McDermott of the Buffalo Bills stands with general manager Brandon Beane on the field before a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on September 8, 2019. Bills WR Stefon Diggs’ Trainer Drops Eye-Opening Statement on His Absence https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-stefon-diggs-trainer-statement-absence/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-stefon-diggs-trainer-statement-absence/#comments Wed, 14 Jun 2023 01:54:57 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4469904

Stefon Diggs had not yet spoken about his decision to skip the first day of the Buffalo Bills‘ mandatory minicamp, but his trainer may have revealed some of the wide receiver’s motivation.

Diggs returned to Buffalo and was at the team facility early on June 13 for a physical, but left before the start of the team’s practice. His absence came after an offseason filled with drama, including some cryptic social media posts from Diggs and very public recruiting from his brother trying to persuade the Bills receiver to join the Dallas Cowboys.

While the reason for Diggs’ absence this week is still not clear, the receiver’s trainer may have revealed some tensions with the team.

Stefon Diggs’ Trainer Says More Work May Be Needed

Reporter Henry McKenna of Fox Sports shared an interview with trainer Myron Flowers, who had been working with Diggs this offseason. Flowers said he didn’t know of any specific issues that Diggs had with the team’s coaching staff, but knew that Diggs was unhappy about the way the season ended.

“I don’t know that he’s upset with the coaches,” Flowers said. “I mean, there’s a lot of frustration that goes with losing a game [in the postseason].”

Diggs was seen visibly upset and yelling at quarterback Josh Allen on the sidelines during the team’s 27-10 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in the playoffs. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reported that Diggs tried to leave the locker room quickly after the game but was stopped by a teammate and ultimately returned to listen to the postgame message from coaches.

Digger later explained that he was not happy to see a season that started with Super Bowl hopes end in such a dismal way, saying that the criticism of his reaction was not warranted.

Flowers said that more work could be needed to address those lingering tensions, suggesting that Diggs have an open discussion with the team’s coaching staff to address any issues.

“Because of the level of frustration and not knowing, I think it’d be good that he’s there and they open up a conversation of what the plan is. ‘What did you guys find after evaluating last season to figure out what we need to do? What do I need to do?’ ”

Mixed Message from Bills After Absence

Bills head coach Sean McDermott spoke to reporters on Tuesday, saying he was “very concerned” about the star wide receiver’s absence but not wanting to speak any further.

“I’m not gonna get into it,” McDermott said, via WGRZ-TV. “Look, I respect everyone’s questions and what they want to know about our team. Right now, I’m just not gonna get into that anymore.”

But quarterback Josh Allen sounded less concerned, saying Diggs’ absence was “not football-related.” As Pro Football Talk noted, Allen appeared assured that they would be able to work out whatever concerns he had.

“Internally, we’re working on some things,” Allen said, adding. “Stef, he’s my guy. I f***ing love him. He’s a brother of mine. This does not work, what we’re doing here, without him.”

]]> 1 Bills receiver Stefon Diggs warms up prior to a game at Highmark Stadium on December 11, 2022. Lions Rookie WR in Hot Water With Coach After Practice Mishap https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-rookie-antoine-green-hot-water-ota/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-rookie-antoine-green-hot-water-ota/#respond Tue, 13 Jun 2023 23:19:04 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4469763

Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Antoine Green had his “welcome to the NFL” moment at the team’s June 12 practice.

On the same day that the seventh-round pick sliced up the Lions defense for a long gain, he also got an “earful” from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson after missing his assignment on another play. Green is expected to compete for snaps in a talented wide receiver group but could have an early opportunity to make an impact this coming season.

Highs & Lows for Lions Rookie Antoine Green

During a red-zone drill, Green made a mistake that landed him some hot water with Johnson, the team’s second-year offensive coordinator.

“Green heard the ire of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who loudly expressed frustration at the rookie lining up incorrectly in the red zone,” Sports Illustrated’s John Maakaron wrote.

Earlier, though, Green turned in a memorable play, according to Maakaron, connecting with rookie quarterback Adrian Martinez during 7-on-7 drills.

“To conclude the period, wideout Antoine Green found himself wide open in the flat and completely tricked the defense, which had shifted to the left,” Maakaron wrote. “The seventh-round pick proceeded to get open.”

Big Opportunity for Antoine Green

Despite the misstep in the team’s third and final OTA session, which runs through June 15, Green could have the chance to make an early impact with the Lions with fellow receiver Jameson Williams starting the season on a six-game suspension for violating the league’s rules against gambling. The team also parted ways with receivers Quintez Cephus and Stanley Berryhill as part of the same gambling probe, giving Green even more of a chance to find a spot in the rotation.

Going into the NFL draft, Green had gained some buzz for his speed and ability to stretch defenses at North Carolina. Prior to the draft, Lance Zierlein of NFL.com pegged Green as an “intriguing” prospect but suggested that he would not be a lock to make an NFL roster in his rookie season.

“Green’s size and deep-ball success make him a more intriguing Day 3 prospect than the overall production and skill set might suggest,” Zierlein wrote. “Like most vertical specialists, he’s not going to shake man coverage on intermediate routes, but he has decent hands and consistently finds himself overtaking deep coverage with his build-up speed. He might find himself fighting for a spot on a practice squad or the back end of a roster.”

Green said he hoped for the chance to show off his multiple talents with the Lions, expanding beyond the role he played in his last season at North Carolina as mostly a deep-ball specialist.

“I wanna be able to do it all. Our offense at UNC, I was a vertical threat for that offense, mainly,” Green told MLive.com in a May interview. “I just wanna show that I can do everything else outside of running that deep ball.

“Compared to the offense that I was in, it’s a lot of diversity in this offense. I’m real excited just to be a part of the offense and learn more about the game and just the people that’s here.”

]]> 0 Antoine Green of the Detroit Lions. Bills HC Sean McDermott ‘Very Concerned’ as Stefon Diggs Skips Minicamp https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-sean-mcdermott-concerned-stefon-diggs/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-sean-mcdermott-concerned-stefon-diggs/#respond Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:44:20 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4469344

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said he was “very concerned” as wide receiver Stefon Diggs failed to show up on the first day of the team’s mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

After weeks of voluntary OTAs, the Bills kicked off their mandatory portion of offseason practices on June 13. Diggs had skipped the previous practices, but Bills teammates and management seemed assured that there was no tension and they expected him to return to the team once mandatory practices kicked off.

But Bills head coach Sean McDermott told reporters on Tuesday that Diggs had not joined teammates at the team’s facility in Orchard Park.

“Stef is not here,” McDermott said, via a video shared on Twitter by WHAM-13 reporter Dan Fetes. McDermott added that he was, “very concerned, very concerned” about the wide receiver’s absence.

Bills Coach Doesn’t Discuss Reason for Stefon Diggs’ Absence

McDermott spoke to reporters briefly about Diggs’ absence but said he did not want to delve into the reason for his absence.

“I respect everyone’s questions and what they want to know about our team, but right now we’re not going to get into it anymore,” McDermott said.

Diggs also did not offer a reason for his absence, though had posted pictures on social media earlier in the week showing him going through workouts.

Diggs has drawn controversy since the turbulent end to last season, when he was seen having an outburst on the sidelines during the team’s playoff loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia reported that Diggs tried to bolt out of the locker room following the 27-10 loss, leaving even before coaches arrived, but he was stopped by practice squad running back Duke Johnson and returned.

Diggs later took to social media to say that he was upset at the way the season ended and the outburst was his competitive spirit spilling over. In a series of tweets posted the next week, Diggs said that he did not feel the criticism of his reaction was warranted.

“It’s easy to criticize my reaction more than the result,” he wrote. “Want me to be okay with our level of play when it’s not up to the standard ? Nah”

Diggs added, “Want me to be okay with losing ? Nah”

Team Assured Stefon Diggs Would Return

Prior to the start of minicamp on Tuesday, several members of the Bills organization gave assurances that there was no lingering drama with Diggs. General manager Brandon Beane said during a May 1 appearance on “The Rich Eisen Show” that he was confident Diggs would be back when the time is right.

“I think we’re in really good shape there and I know he’ll — at the right time — get here and join and be ready to roll for the season,” Beane said.

While the reason for his absence on Tuesday had not been reported, there were reports that Diggs did return to Buffalo. Adam Benigni, sports director for WGR 550, tweeted that the All-Pro wide receiver was at the team headquarters for pre-minicamp medical testing on Monday, though did not join teammates at minicamp on Tuesday.

]]> 0 Sean McDermott and Stefon Diggs talk on the sidelines during a Buffalo Bills game. Lions’ UDFA Quarterback Earns Unexpected Chance to Shine at OTAs https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-quarterback-adrian-martinez-shine-otas/ https://heavy.com/sports/detroit-lions/lions-quarterback-adrian-martinez-shine-otas/#respond Tue, 13 Jun 2023 00:28:15 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4468860

Adrian Martinez may face long odds in his bid to make the final 53-man roster of the Detroit Lions, but the undrafted free-agent quarterback got a little extra time to make an impression this week at OTAs.

The team met on June 12 for optional practices, which came a few days after the conclusion of last week’s mandatory minicamp. Though Martinez likely has a lot of work to do to climb the depth chart, he got the chance for extra reps as the only quarterback on the field for practice to start the week.

Rookie’s Opportunity

As Tim Twentyman and Mike O’Hara noted for the team’s official website, Martinez had the chance to show off as the only quarterback on the field for Monday’s practice as his competitors were either away or injured.

“Rookie quarterback Adrian Martinez got more practice time to show his skills,” the report noted. “He was the only healthy quarterback available. Veterans Jared Goff and Nate Sudfeld had departed with the other veterans, and rookie third-round draft pick Hendon Hooker is still recovering from a knee injury.”

The Lions signed Martinez in May after taking quarterback Hendon Hooker in the third round of the NFL Draft. As Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted, Martinez had a middling tenure as Nebraska’s quarterback but turned heads in his final college season at Kansas State.

“His one year with the Wildcats opened up both his game and the NFL’s eyes,” Risdon wrote. “In K-State’s overhauled offense, Martinez found a better balance between his aggressive tendencies and making better decisions with the ball. He improved his pocket presence and patience, putting more trust in his line and his receivers than he ever demonstrated at Nebraska.”

The improvement was enough to earn Martinez some draft buzz, and ultimately a contract with the Lions as an undrafted rookie free agent.

Fight to Make Lions Roster

Martinez comes into OTAs as the No. 4 quarterback on the depth chart, behind starter Goff and backup Sudfeld. The rookie Hooker is entering what head coach Dan Campbell called a “redshirt” season as he continues to rehab an ACL tear, but NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal believes the former Tennessee quarterback can challenge for the starting job as early as next season.

“The Lions needed to upgrade their backup quarterback situation and did so with third-round pick Hendon Hooker,” Rosenthal wrote. “Give Hooker a year before he’s challenging Jared Goff for playing time.”

Martinez will likely be competing for a spot on the practice squad as he continues to learn and adjust to the NFL. But as Risdon noted, Martinez could eventually give the Lions a dual-threat quarterback if he’s able to sort out his accuracy issues.

“Martinez offers a lot of running ability,” Risdon wrote. “He accelerates quickly and has natural wiggle, power, and vision as a runner. He isn’t a threat to throw once he starts running, however. The 4.55 40-yard dash time at the NFL Scouting Combine is legit and translates to the field. The 23-year-old rushed for over 500 yards in all five of his college seasons.”

]]> 0 Adrian Martinez throws a pass in a Kansas State game. Ex-Bills QB Named League’s Top Backup by Former NFL Coach https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-giants-tyrod-taylor-top-nfl-backup/ https://heavy.com/sports/buffalo-bills/bills-giants-tyrod-taylor-top-nfl-backup/#respond Mon, 12 Jun 2023 19:45:18 +0000 https://heavy.com/?p=4466538

Tyrod Taylor struggled to hold down a starting quarterback job after the Buffalo Bills traded him in 2018, but the journeyman may have now achieved the next best thing.

Retired NFL coach Marty Mornhinweg shared some big praise for Taylor, who is currently the No. 2 quarterback behind Daniel Jones with the New York Giants. Writing for The 33rd Team, the Super Bowl-winning coach named Taylor as the best backup quarterback in the league, singling out his deep experience as a starter and the history of mistake-free play.

Big Praise for Former Bills QB

Mornhinweg ranked the league’s top 10 backup quarterbacks, putting Taylor first ahead of longtime starter Andy Dalton for the No. 1 overall spot. The former head coach of the Detroit Lions noted that Taylor has found success over the course of his career, including leading the Bills to a 9-7 record in 2017 and snapping the team’s long playoff drought.

“This might be a bit of a surprise,” he wrote of Taylor’s top ranking. “Tyrod Taylor is a savvy 33-year-old veteran with an 88.2 career passer rating. He has 53 starts, and he led the Buffalo Bills to their first playoff appearance in 18 years in 2017.”

 

Mornhinweg noted that the 33-year-old Taylor still has plenty of athleticism left and a history as a quarterback who avoids costly mistakes.

“Taylor still shows the ability to move and groove,” he wrote. “He’s got a lot of experience and has thrown more than twice as many touchdowns (60) as interceptions (26). Taylor gives the New York Giants the NFL’s top backup quarterback.”

Taylor was one of the most successful quarterbacks of the “Drought Era” in Buffalo, the stretch between 2000 and 2016 where the team fell short of the playoffs every year. Taylor threw for 8,857 yards with 51 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 44 games in Buffalo, adding another 1,575 rushing yards during that stretch.

The Bills traded Taylor following the 2017 season, paving the way for the rookie Josh Allen to take over as the starter early in the 2018 season. Taylor started four games for the Cleveland Browns that season before losing his job to another rookie, Baker Mayfield. Taylor bounced around for the next four seasons, starting seven more games before settling in as the backup to Jones with the Giants last year.

Tyrod Taylor Locked into Backup Role

Though there was a brief quarterback controversy last summer when Taylor earned starting reps ahead of Jones during Giants’ training camp, he appears to be cemented into a backup role when the Giants gave Jones a new four-year, $160-million contract extension in March.

Taylor has some familiar faces in New York, including Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who served as assistant general manager during Taylor’s final season in Buffalo. After Taylor signed with the Giants in 2022, the veteran quarterback said he developed a good relationship with Schoen during their year together.

“We definitely talked with each other the year we spent together in Buffalo,” Taylor said. “I wouldn’t say it was a strong relationship or bond, but we’re definitely familiar with one another, just the way that we go about our business each and every day. The opportunity presented itself for me to come here, I’m thankful for it, thankful for them, their trust in me to bring me here. I’m looking forward to getting to work.”

]]> 0 Tyrod Taylor could feature with the first-team offense when the Giants face the Bengals in preseason.