Combine notes: day three … Its day three of the annual scouting combine in Indianapolis with three of the four position groupings now in the house. Today the defensive linemen and LBs will undergo orthopaedic exams and meet with the NFLPA; the defensive backs and specialists will have their general medical exams; while the QBs and receivers will go through registration and orientation. Of course, things will start to heat up tomorrow when the defensive linemen and LBs hit the field for their physical testing and positional drills. Otherwise, there’s currently not a whole of buzz as it relates to the combine. However, there has been plenty of news relating to veteran players. Former Las Vegas QB Derek Carr, for example, confirmed that he met with Carolina and New Orleans yesterday and will sit down with the NY Jets later today. Interesting to note that ownership was part of the Panthers’ delegation talking with Carr yesterday and will also be part of the Jets’ team today. And while one doesn’t want to read too much into it, the fact that ownership is part of the talks tends to indicate real interest. Elsewhere in no particular order:
- Atlanta released veteran QB Marcus Mariota with at least for now Desmond Ridder the Falcons’ heir apparent at the poisition.
- Tampa Bay released veteran RB Leonard Fournette, reportedly at his request. The leaves something of a hole in the Bucs’ line-up that they could look to address early at the 2023 draft. However, it is hardly the team’s biggest concern as undistinguished journeyman Kyle Trask remains the only QB on the roster after the retirement of Tom Brady.
- To absolutely no one’s surprise, the Giants released WR Kenny Golladay, one of the most disappointing free agent signees in league history. In the two seasons in NY where the Giants paid him over $40M, Golladay had just 63 receptions and one lonely TD. And to no one’s surprise, the Giants are likely to be looking for a legit #1 type receiver with the 25th pick at this year’s draft, but they likely would have been doing that whether they kept Golladay or not.
- Of course, the Giants could also look to trade for a top WR this year. However, one guy who apparently won’t be available is Tee Higgins of Cincinnati. There had been some speculation that the Bengals might not be able to afford Higgins, along with QB Joe Burrow and star WR Ja’Marr Chase both of whom need to be resigned sooner rather than later, but at least for now the Bengals are telling other teams ‘to go find their own receiver!’
- Similar story in Tennessee where the Titans are saying that QB Ryan Tannehill isn’t going anywhere. Again, there had been speculation that Tannehill could be released or traded after the Titans late season collapse, but truth be told they just don’t have many options to replace him.
- More QB news in that Miami has reportedly still not decided whether to exercise the 5th year option on QB Tua Tagovailoa. And the issue there isn’t his ability but his potential availability after he missed multiple games with concussion injuries.
- And it should be no real surprise that Seattle head coach Pete Carroll says that the Seahawks will at least look at their QB options with the 5th pick in April’s draft. The Seahawks are currently negotiating with Geno Smith, the NFL’s comeback player of the year in 2022, but he is 31, has never been very productive in the past, and the Seahawks have to wonder if when they’ll have that high a pick again any time soon.
