Colts
- Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan says that the signing of K Rodrigo Blankenship, along with the re-signing of K Chase McLaughlin, is an indicator that the Colts will have a two-man kicking competition this offseason.
- Bowen adds that RB Nyheim Hines should be the frontrunner for the punt return duties in 2020 and that WR Parris Campbell could be the new kick returner. Rookie CB Isaiah Rodgers and WR Zach Pascal could also be under consideration as well.
- Andrew Walker of Colts.com believes that the acquisition of DT DeForest Buckner should fuel both veteran DE Justin Houston and DE Kemoko Turay, who is expected to return to his previous form coming off a season-ending ankle injury.
- Walker also mentions that the team is in need of someone to step up in the place of free agent DE Jabaal Sheard and that a player such as DL Tyquan Lewis or DL Ben Banogu may fill this role.
Jaguars
- Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap notes that there is a short window to make a trade involving Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue and agree on a contract worth around $20 million per year.
- Fitzgerald adds that this was probably something that could have been done in the offseason so both sides could save face and move, but now says he would be surprised if a new contract was agreed upon.
Titans
Titans’ veteran S Kevin Byard said he is using a virtual reality system called NeuroTrainer to enhance his brain function.
“When I first heard about it, it was intriguing,” Byard said, via Jim Wyatt of the team’s official site. “It was supposed to be something while when you’re quarantining and in the house, you can put these virtual reality headsets on and it’s supposed to help you be mentally quicker, crisp, and it trains your mind in clutch situations, things like that.”
Although Byard is unsure whether his efforts with NeuroTrainer will translate onto the field, he mentioned that he’s continually improving in the system.
“Honestly, I can’t say it’s helped me on the field yet because we haven’t played football. But every session that I did, I improved. My scores kept getting better.”
Byard said that advice he received from veteran players when he arrived in the NFL helped inspire his decision to use unique methods toward progressing.
“I remember when I first came into the NFL, a lot of vets used to always tell me: This game is more about mental than physical” Byard said. “And I am starting to really understand it, because football is like a chess match, with different matchups, quarterbacks going up against different guys – you want to be able to sharpen yourself up to be the best player that you can be. A lot of guys work on their physical and don’t work on their mental. I try to work on both. At this point in my career, it is more about sharpening the mental part of your game. I want to add to my game any way I can.”
Byard added that his brain exercises are focused on cognitive function and quicker reaction.
“It only takes about 15 minutes,” Byard said. “I feel like it works on the cognitive part of your brain where you are trying to be quicker, you are trying to be faster, trying to react in different situations. I think anything you can do to help you improve and sharpen your mind, it’s a good thing.”
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