The Official 2024 NFL Preseason Discussion Thread

[Cwalker]

Terrible news

But at least it’s the most curable form. Prayers up for the young man

 

[Doom]

Buffalo Bills OT Rodger Saffold injured in car crash, starts camp on NFI list​

ESPN

PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Rodger Saffold is opening training camp on the non-football injury list after injuring his ribs in a car crash.

Coach Sean McDermott announced Saffold's status before the team's first training camp practice Sunday, saying the crash took place in the past couple of weeks. Saffold, 34, was at the opening session and is slated to be the team's starter at left guard when healthy.

"You don't want to put a timetable on it, but those generally take some time. I mean, it's tough for him to sleep. Anybody that's ever cracked some ribs can probably speak to that," general manager Brandon Beane said. "He's sore. Fortunately, you know, that's all it was. Any time you get a car wreck, those can be life-threatening. But we're glad that's the worst it is. There's never good timing, but probably better now than in the season. And so, we'll be patient."

Beane added that the Bills expect to have Saffold back before the start of the season.

Cornerback Tre'Davious White is starting camp on the physically unable to perform list as he continues to make his way back from a torn ACL he suffered on Thanksgiving.

"He's on schedule. He looks really good," McDermott said. "He's working his tail off, and I mean, Tre is a consummate pro. So that has not changed, and we're just excited to get him back when we can get him back."

Beane said White is "dying to get back out there" but that the team would not rush him back.

McDermott said White remains on schedule with his rehab. Defensive lineman Eli Ankou (calf) and offensive lineman Ike Boettger (Achilles) are also on the PUP list.

Safety Jordan Poyer, 31, was in attendance and participating despite requesting a contract extension through his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, in the offseason.

Poyer is in the final year of his contract and was named first-team All Pro for the first time in his career in 2021. Rosenhaus attended Sunday's practice and scheduled to meet with Beane. Poyer said he is "optimistic" that something could get done.

"Drew is here today talking things out with Brandon, and I know they're both working things out on each side," Poyer said. "I'm just really excited to be here with my teammates and to see the guys again and to start this journey and try to get better every single day."

 

[Doom]

That's good news for Metchie, hearing that the type of leukemia he has is very curable.

 

[Doom]

Colt's owner Jim Irsay acquires a big part of boxing history:

Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay pays $6M for Muhammad Ali WBC championship belt at auction​

ESPN

INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts owner Jim Irsay made a major late-night acquisition at a hefty price tag.

Irsay's latest move wasn't football-related. Instead, it is the newest addition to his growing historic collection: Muhammad Ali's WBC championship belt won in the fighter's 1974 "Rumble in the Jungle" victory over George Foreman in Zaire.

Irsay acquired the item for $6 million at auction after a bidding process that lasted until nearly 4 a.m. Sunday morning. It is considered one of the most treasured examples of boxing memorabilia in existence. The belt sold in 2016 for $358,500 and then sold in 2017 for $120,000. According to Heritage Auctions, the belt is one of just two known Ali WBC belts; the other is held in a private museum collection and unlikely to be sold, according to the company.

"Proud to be the steward!'' Irsay tweeted.




The belt is just the latest piece of Ali memorabilia to come into Irsay's possession. He previously purchased the shoes Ali wore in the in 1975's "Thrilla in Manila," Ali's famous victory over Joe Frazier. And earlier this year, Irsay purchased the walkout robe Ali wore in his first fight after changing his name from Cassius Clay -- a 1965 rematch with Sonny Liston.

Irsay has compiled a historic collection of hundreds of items. They range from rare rock 'n' roll memorabilia such as the famous black Stratocaster guitar of Pink Floyd's David Gilmour ($4 million) and Beatles drummer Ringo Starr's drum kit ($2.2 million), to documents written by America's founding fathers. But the Ali belt represents one of the most expensive items Irsay has ever purchased.

Ali defeated Foreman in the 1974 fight but was given the belt retroactively when belts began being awarded in 1976. Ali defended the WBC title nine times before yielding it in 1978.

Information from ESPN's Tom VanHaaren was used in this report.

P.S. this should have been in the Boxing section.

 

[Swerve]

Jets, Bengals and Eagles drop new alternate helmets​

The Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets revealed new alternate helmets Friday ahead of the 2022 season.

Bengals, Eagles and Jets drop new alternate helmets

The Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Jets revealed new alternate helmets Friday ahead of the 2022 season.

arizonasports.com

 

[Doom]

Green Bay Packers extend contracts of head coach Matt LaFleur, general manager Brian Gutekunst, executive VP Russ Ball, source says​

ESPN

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers quietly reached contract extensions with general manager Brian Gutekunst, coach Matt LaFleur and executive vice president/director of football operations Russ Ball this offseason, a league source told ESPN on Monday.

Terms of the extensions were not immediately available.

Packers president Mark Murphy would not confirm the extensions earlier Monday, but said: "I'll just say I'm confident not only Matt and Brian but Russ Ball will continue to be Packers' employees for years to come." Gutekunst was promoted to GM in 2018, and LaFleur was hired in 2019.

Both were nearing the ends of their original contracts as the 2022 season approached. Gutekunst initially signed a five-year contract that was set to expire after this season. LaFleur originally signed a four-year contract with a fifth-year option. Ball has been with the Packers since 2008, but was promoted to his current role -- which includes managing the salary cap -- in 2018, so he also was nearing the end of his deal.

Murphy praised the work of all three during his address Monday at the Packers' shareholders meeting at Lambeau Field.

This is not the first time the Packers did not announce a contract extension for a key member of their football operation. They gave then-coach Mike McCarthy a one-year extension before the 2017 season ended but never acknowledged it (McCarthy was fired after the 2018 season).

The deals for Gutekunst, LaFleur and Ball were completed earlier this offseason, well before the Packers returned for training camp this week, the source said.

"I'd prefer to keep [contract extensions] internal, but obviously you can see from my comments [to the shareholders] that I feel like they're doing an outstanding job," Murphy said.

The Packers are 45-19-1 since Gutekunst replaced Ted Thompson. That includes a 39-10 record under LaFleur. That record passed George Seifert (who was 38-10 from 1989 to '91) for the most wins by an NFL head coach in his first three seasons. The Packers have reached the NFC Championship Game twice and lost in the divisional round once but have not made a Super Bowl appearance in the Gutekunst-LaFleur era. Murphy hired both Gutekunst and LaFleur. Both report directly to him, but Gutekunst and Ball were part of the process to hire LaFleur.

Murphy publicly supported Gutekunst last offseason when the GM was at the center of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' dissatisfaction with the organization. Rodgers and Gutekunst have since repaired their working relationship to the point where Rodgers praised Gutekunst unprompted on multiple occasions last season and this offseason.

One of Gutekunst's biggest moves was trading up to draft quarterback Jordan Love at No. 26 overall in 2020. Love is entering his third season as Rodgers' backup, and it remains unclear if Love will ever take over for Rodgers, who signed a three-year, $150 million extension in March.

 

[Doom]

Longtime receiver Danny Amendola retiring from NFL​

ESPN

Longtime receiver Danny Amendola has decided to retire from the NFL despite receiving interest from multiple teams this offseason.

"It was better than I could have ever imagined," Amendola told ESPN's Adam Schefter about his career.

Amendola, 36, spent 13 seasons in the league, including stints with the Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. He won two Super Bowl titles with New England, in 2014 and '16.

He finishes his career with 617 receptions for 6,212 yards and 24 touchdowns.

Amendola told Schefter that he is ready to pursue various other interests, including having initial talks with broadcasting networks.

 

[Swerve]

He was a Great player.

 

[Bobby Barrows]

 

[Apoho Creed]

Fuckin great Tom already have two damn good WRs and now he gets another one in Julio. Might as well peg them into the NFC Championship if they stay healthy Jesus.

 

[Bobby Barrows]

 

[Canadian Dragon]

lol shit

 

[Cwalker]

STOP GIVING BRADY WEAPONS!!!

 

[Daddy Dom]

Brady gonna be singing this

 

[Doom]

Damn what an acquisition for the Buccaneers and I hate it lol

Honestly, the receiving core looks dangerous on paper, with Chris Godwin cleared to practice after tearing his ACL last season and Mike Evans that was a big weapon for Brady. All it comes down to if Julio can stay healthy the great majority of the season and quickly learn the Bucs playbook.