NFL News: Around the league in 32 plays
By Ben Almquist
Los Angeles Rams: The Rams will be without running back Tre Mason and safety TJ McDonald for OTAs as both players are resolving legal matters from earlier in the offseason.
In addition to this, quarterback Nick Foles is also missing OTAs as he believes that his chances of making the roster are very limited and he needs to push for another option.
- Author’s Take: Foles is using the old “break up with them before they can break up with me” move. Classic.
New England Patriots: Super Bowl hero and Pro Bowl cornerback Malcolm Butler is reportedly seeking a new deal before the start of the season. He is in the last year of an UDFA deal that will pay him just $600k in salary this season. What’s more, the Patriots control his rights as a RFA in 2017. Butler has threatened to hold out, but appears to have backed off that stance by showing up for OTAs this week.
Oakland Raiders: The Raiders recently had an OTA practice session get out of hand when three separate fights broke out. All three fights took place between offensive and defensive linemen. And while fights aren’t uncommon in the NFL, they usually are at OTAs. This has prompted the league to open an investigation into whether or not rules have been violated in regards to contact and pad use.
- Chiefs’ Take: Yup, still the Raiders. But on a more serious note, this isn’t a good sign for the team. There are really only two realistic reasons for fights at OTAs…1) The team has violated the league rules regarding contact and pads. This will result in a fine, and possibly more given the league already handed out a warning to the Ravens. 2) The team did nothing wrong, and six different players decided to get into it at a non-contact practice. In that case, you apparently have a serious locker room issue between some very important players.
- Author’s Take: It really is the dumbest thing imaginable for OTAs. You’re not wearing pads. You’re not hitting each other. What in the hell is there to fight about?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers have extended the naming rights on Raymond James Stadium through 2027. The stadium is also currently undergoing renovations and is in the mix as a host for future Super Bowls, which suggests both the team and city are convinced the Bucs will be calling Tampa home for the foreseeable future.
Washington Redskins: In what is sure to become a huge story, the medical records of thousands of NFL players were located on a laptop that was stolen from a Redskins trainer. The team has stated that there is no sensitive information (social security numbers or HIPAA protected medical info) on the computer, and that there is no reason to believe the password is compromised. Still, this will certainly ripple through the league.
Well, that’s going to do it for me, Addicts. Be sure to check back in next week for another roundup of all the NFL news and rumors from around the league.