NFL

Should the Titans trade for Xavien Howard?

Published

3 years ago

October 20, 2021

darragh

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The Miami Dolphins, losers of five straight, should be sellers at the trade deadline (well, hello, Tennessee Titans). Owner Stephen Ross should insist upon it, even if Brian Flores and Chris Grier want to try to salvage the season. No player on the roster should be off-limits — and certainly not cornerback Xavien Howard, the two-time Pro Bowler who led the NFL in interceptions last year.

Yes, the Titans should trade for Xavien Howard

The trade deadline is Nov. 2. And at least once a day between now and then, Titans general manager Jon Robinson needs to get Grier on the phone to talk about Howard, who just three months ago signed a contract adjustment that boosted his incentives and guarantees.

The Titans do not have the defense they need to win a Super Bowl, particularly now that first-round pick Caleb Farley is out for the season. The Titans are somehow 4-2 with the NFL’s sixth-worst turnover margin — that’s unsustainable. But there’s never been an easier fix, assuming Howard’s shoulder and groin injuries are not long-term deals.

Howard led the league in interceptions and pass breakups last year. While his play has slipped some this year — he’s allowed 4 touchdowns in five games — he is still a highly skilled cornerback in a league with precious few of them.

Time for Miami to face the music

Howard has already once demanded a trade this year. He only backed off that demand because the Dolphins improved his contract. But Miami made that tweak believing he would play an essential role in a playoff run. At 1-5, the 14th seed in the AFC with a minus-78 point differential, that dream should be dead. Time for reality.

And the reality for the Dolphins is this: Xavien Howard is more valuable on someone else’s roster than their own. Trading him now would free up some $20 million in cap space over the next two seasons. That is money that could be spent in any number of ways to improve a roster that’s not good enough.

That, of course, presumes competent stewardship by the head of the Dolphins’ personnel. Grier’s job status is on shaky ground because he’s wasted gobs of cap space and high draft picks. But just because the rebuild was executed poorly doesn’t mean the general philosophy was wrong. It’ll be up to Ross and team CEO Tom Garfinkel to decide if Grier deserves one last chance to get it right.

Plus, if the Dolphins are serious about trading for Deshaun Watson or any other veteran quarterback, they need more draft assets — particularly since their own first-rounder in 2022, which very easily could be a top-five pick, is already promised to the Philadelphia Eagles.

What could the Dolphins get for Xavien Howard?

Of course, a deal will only happen if the compensation is right. And this is where Dolphins fans — and perhaps even some employees — could be in for a shock.

The Dolphins will not get the same haul that the Jaguars got for Jalen Ramsey in 2019 (two first-round picks). Grier might not even get the same haul that he got for Minkah Fitzpatrick in 2019 (the 18th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft).

One league source predicted that, unless they eat some of the money he is still owed, all the Dolphins would get for Howard is a third-round pick — a return that would surely infuriate the fan base. But the reality is Howard has missed 25 games in his career due to a series of injuries, most notably to his knees, and he will want a raise from whichever team acquires him.

But a trade would have a hidden benefit. A trade would allow the club to get a complete evaluation of former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene. He’s logged just 353 defensive snaps since the Dolphins took him in the 2020 NFL Draft. Igbinoghene hasn’t been great as a pro. Nonetheless, he’s still not even 22 years old and has shown improvement this year.

Do the Titans have salary cap space to afford the Dolphins CB?

Absolutely. The Titans have nearly enough space to take on the remaining $7 million or so Howard is owed this year. A simple restructure to one of any number of contracts would be more than enough to make the numbers work.

The Titans should be in win-now mode. Derrick Henry is the reason they’re in the playoff hunt, but he will be 28 before the regular season ends and already has logged 1,344 career carries — fifth-most among all active players. He probably won’t be able to maintain this level of play for much longer. The Titans’ window is small. Time to go get the missing piece that could put them over the top.

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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.