ATLANTA — After a day full of loitering …
Snyder: Kevin Jairaj/USA Today Sports; Murray: Michael Chow/USA Today Network; Donald: Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
• I wouldn’t count on a lot motion on the standing of Commanders proprietor Dan Snyder over the league’s two days right here in Buckhead. In response to the USA Today story that homeowners are “counting votes,” one government right here stated, “We’d have to know a lot more than we do now” for the league to get the 24 votes essential to take Snyder’s group from him. That, to be clear, doesn’t imply that homeowners aren’t counting votes—all of them are bracing for the results of former Securities and Exchange Commission chair Mary Jo White’s investigation, which could, in actual fact, cause them to know much more.
The actual challenge in getting the votes includes precedent, and the bar the opposite homeowners wish to set for taking one other proprietor’s group away. And the one factor I’d say we will all depend on is that bar can be set very excessive (or low, relying on your perspective) for that. So keep tuned for the White report; its contents in all probability dictate the place this goes subsequent.
• While we’re there, the Commanders’ buy of land that could be used for a stadium in Woodbridge, Va., was acquired in D.C. just like the group was shifting to Mars. And with the visitors in that space, it’s comprehensible why that might be the sentiment. That stated, by comparability to the place different groups are, the Woodbridge location, 23 miles from the town, isn’t all that far-flung.
The Patriots play in Foxboro, Mass., 28 miles from Boston. The 49ers play in Santa Clara, 42 miles from San Francisco. The Cowboys play in Arlington, 19 miles from Dallas. The distinction right here is that these groups are additionally near different comparatively giant cities (the Patriots to Providence, the Niners to San Jose, and the Cowboys to Fort Worth), however the NFL hasn’t precisely had a historical past of shying away from suburban places (the Jets and Giants are one other instance, taking part in 11 miles from Manhattan).
Ideally, I’d say most of us consider that the RFK Stadium web site stays the best one for the Commanders. But I’m undecided that’ll occur absent the group being offered.
• It’s hardly a shock to anybody in Arizona that Kyler Murray wasn’t there on Monday for the beginning of Cardinals OTAs. Last yr, with out a contract dispute, Murray missed a bit of OTAs whereas coaching in Texas. So add Murray’s need for a brand new deal into it, and the Cardinals having pushed the negotiation later into the offseason, and it is smart that he wouldn’t be there as we speak (He’s clearly comfy along with his routine in Texas).
Kliff Kingsbury did say Monday he expects Murray there for minicamp in June, however clearly rather a lot could occur between at times.
• Accordingly, the Cardinals being the group featured on the in-season version of Hard Knocks has an opportunity to be fairly fascinating.
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• To me, Aaron Donald not exhibiting for Rams OTAs might be a little bit extra fascinating.
Donald has three years and $55 million in money left on his present contract. To redo the deal, the Rams should work by $21.5 million in cap prices on high of that, the de facto bank card debt for the unique construction and restructures of the contract. Normally, the way in which to work round all that’s so as to add a pair of years on the again finish, and transfer cash up. But navigating this one, and getting Donald the $30 million or so per yr he deserves is perhaps a little bit tough. And it’s value noting that, previously, Donald hasn’t been afraid to attract a line.
Joe Nicholson/USA Today community
• The Colts’ resolution to bring in Nick Foles is an efficient inform into the place they see themselves as a group. Last yr, they spent a fourth-round choose on Texas QB Sam Ehlinger, and Ehlinger has acquitted himself effectively within the time since. But with a well-rounded, ready-to-win roster and a quarterback in Matt Ryan that they really feel is a major improve, going out and getting an achieved backup who has the expertise within the system that Foles has with Frank Reich is insurance coverage in opposition to Ryan taking place for a number of video games in some unspecified time in the future in the course of the season.
And should you’re a championship contender, shopping for that sort of insurance coverage may be very invaluable, on condition that it might make a distinction in seeding, and even entry to the postseason in any respect.
• I feel we have already got proof on the character half of predraft assessments on Chris Olave testing, primarily based on how he’s already gone to work with Saints star Michael Thomas (whom he knew earlier than New Orleans drafted him, since each performed at Ohio State). One New Orleans official advised me the day after the draft that Olave being their “type of guy” was an element within the resolution to commerce up for him. So far, so good on that entrance.
• One match I’m wanting ahead to seeing, and I do know the individuals in Vegas are too—Darren Waller taking part in in Josh McDaniels’s offense. The tight finish has been even higher than anticipated, and, because of this, it’s fairly fascinating to think about what he and Davante Adams will appear like taking part in collectively for one of the game’s greatest play callers.
• The distinction Matt Ryan has created from a cultural standpoint for the Colts, even thus far, has been palpable. And the tempo and element at which he works must be good for everybody on the roster—keep in mind, the yr Philip Rivers was in Indy was the COVID yr, so most of the gamers on the group don’t have very a lot expertise working with a quarterback on the degree of Rivers and Ryan.
• Somehow, the Dwayne Haskins story got even sadder on Monday. Here’s hoping for peace for his household.
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