First Down And Tenn: Stories From Around The NFL
By Les Bailey
Since starting the First Down And Tenn morning news links almost a month ago here at Titan Sized, it has been a work in progress. During the offseason, Friday tends to be the end of the week, and there is usually not much new news on Sunday. That leaves Saturday for a weekly recap, and Sunday is open for a league recap. So look for links to major stories around the NFL on Sunday morning.
Aaron Rodgers reigns among top 10 QBs; Tom Brady takes a hit – Bucky Brooks NFL Media Analyst
When Dave Dameshek asked me to list my top quarterbacks on a recent installment of “The Dave Dameshek Football Podcast” — a topic we revisited in the following episode — I thought it was important to avoid citing the same old names based on career achievements. In the scouting world, evaluators not only monitor and assess players on how they perform; they also project whether a player should be considered to be ascending or descending, based on his expected production in the upcoming season.
NFL’s breakout players for 2015? Here are 20 on stardom’s doorstep – Pete Prisco CBS Sports
Titans G Chance Warmack: He hasn’t quite lived up to expectations his first two seasons. But he has his body in great shape, even though he’s heavier, so expect a potential Pro Bowl season. He has the power to be a force in the run game and just needs to improve on his pass protection.
Appeal of Tom Brady’s suspension to be held June 23 – ESPN News
The appeal hearing for Tom Brady‘s four-game suspension will be held June 23, a league source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.
If necessary, the hearing would continue June 25, the source said.
The NFL Players Association has asked commissioner Roger Goodell to recuse himself from hearing the appeal because it said he lacked impartiality and would be called as a witness.
Goodell has indicated he will not recuse himself, though he has not officially answered the union’s request.
Adrian Peterson asks Vikings to ‘honor’ his contract – Marc Sessler Around The NFL
One day after Adrian Peterson insisted that his absence from Vikings OTAs had “nothing to do with wanting to be traded,” the All-Pro running back made it crystal clear on Thursday what has him miffed.
Taking to Twitter, Peterson unleashed a rant centered around his seven-year, $96 million contract, which runs through 2017.
"“I love people who think they know it all!,” Peterson wrote. “Smh, Research how many NFL teams hasn’t honored a player’s contract & learn something. Question for the people, is a contract two sided or one? Ok great two sided! Well why when one party decides … Mr. ? we wan’t you to take a pay cut now or better yet flat out release you! There’s never no talk about honoring a contract!”"
Cleveland Browns mishandling Johnny Manziel from a football perspective – Joe Soriano NFL SpinZone
The Cleveland Browns have become a lightning rod for criticism in recent years due to several snafus, including Textgate, quarterback busts, and a coaching carousel at the three main positions (head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator) that has made this an organization bereft of stability. Perhaps Johnny Manziel is the next first-round QB to notably bust under the Browns watch, but their mishandling of their second pick in last year’s draft is troubling in itself.
Observations from NFL’s first full week of OTAs include Peyton, Peterson – Tom Pelissero USA Today Sports
Parting shots from the first week of NFL-wide organized team activity practices:
Peyton will survive
Important context to the Denver Broncos’ loss of Pro Bowl left tackle Ryan Clady for the season: quarterback Peyton Manning is, in many ways, his own pass protection.
In the 16 seasons he’s been on the field, Manning-led offenses have ranked fourth or better in fewest sacks allowed 14 times. That includes a No. 1 ranking in 2013 (when Clady missed 14 games with a Lisfranc injury), and another in 2014, when the Broncos shuffled line combinations and a quadriceps injury hindered Manning down the stretch.
Next: Is Marcus Mariota The Second Best QB In The AFC South?