What Did I Miss?
It's been about a month since the last post. But have no fear! Football season is right around the corner. In less than three weeks, preseason will begin. While it may not be super interesting to some, this is crunch time for those late round rookies to earn their spot on the 52-man roster rather than going to the practice squad.
But this is a few weeks away. Since my last post, a good deal of football news has gone down. So in case you missed it, here is what you missed!
Deflategate is Over!
Thank all that is good, we can finally stop talking about this case. Tom Brady has decided to no longer appeal for his suspension to be repealed. He will serve his four-game suspension starting week one this year. It looks like Roger Goodell did something right for once and won his feud with the former Super Bowl MVP.
He will be missing at Cardinals and a three-game home stretch against the Dophins, Texans, and Bills. Third-year quarterback Jimmy Garapollo will be taking the reigns for these games. With all of this time to practice with the first team and with a new defense, the Patriots hope that it will keep them from falling behind before Brady's return in week five.
By the way, that game is against the Browns. #prayforcleveland
Arian Foster is Taking His Talents to South Beach
The past two seasons have been injury ridden for the former Pro-Bowler. Houston decided that enough was enough and parted ways with Foster, despite his past performances. After not being signed early in the free-agency cycle, Miami came knocking.
There had been rumors that Foster would sign with the Dolphins for the past month, but now it is official. The Texans and Dolphins switched running backs. Lamar Miller heads to the Lone Star State and Arian Foster will be kicking it on the shores of Miami.
Foster signed a one-year, $1.5 million deal with around a possible $2 million in incentives. He will be seen, most likely, splitting carries with second-year running back, Jay Ajayi. Foster will add some diversity in the backfield and could help to solve some problems the Fins have been having with the run game over the past few seasons.
Charles Tillman Retires
The former Bears and Panthers cornerback has called it a carrier only a few days ago. Tillman was part of the Bears' AFC Championship team in 2006 and the Panthers' NFC Championship team this past season.
He was drafted in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, his hometown team. He was a two-time Pro-Bowler in 2011 and 2012. He also won the 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, an honor given to players who exemplify great character and community awareness outside of the stadium.
Over his 12-year career, Tillman forced 82 turnovers and nine touchdowns. He was an underrated player and he will be missed on the field.
Baylor Losing Commitments After Scandal
After the sexual abuse scandal, the Baylor Athletic Department was given little choice in having to fire Art Briles, the Baylor Head Coach. He held the position since 2008 leading the Bears to a record of 65-37 including six bowl appearances (4-2).
Along with this, Baylor recruits from the upcoming 2017 class elected to pull out of their intended commitments to the school. Of these included tight end Kendrick James, defensive tackle Jayden Peevy, safety Donovan Stiner, and wide receiver Hezekiah Jones. All were on the ESPN Top 300 recruits entering the commitment process. They have all reopened their recruiting to other schools.
The bad news did not stop there for the Bears. The school granted five freshman a release from their national letters of intent, signed back in February on National Signing Day. Those players include defensive back Parrish Cobb, running back Kameron Martin, offensive lineman Patrick Hudson, offensive lineman J.P. Urquidez and defensive back Donovan Duvernay. They have all been courted and some even signed with other Big 12 schools.
Carson Wentz May Start the Year Inactive
The second overall pick may be looking on as the Eagles take the field this fall for awhile. First-year Eagle's Head Coach Doug Pederson knows that the NFL only allows 46 players to be dressed to play on game days. He wants Wentz to be one of the seven that is allowed to be on the field, but not dressed to play.
Pederson stated that the "third quarterback is down." Now we know where Pederson sees his pick on the depth chart: behind starter Sam Bradford and backup Chase Daniel. Pederson was never shy about his plans to have Bradford be the starter. It does make us wonder when the second overall pick will see playing time. This is why we watch preseason people.
