Colts
Regarding the Colts acquiring DT DeForest Buckner, DC Matt Eberflus said their staff knew what they were getting with the Pro Bowl defensive tackle when deciding whether to trade the No. 13 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft for him.
“We asked the question, if we could draft ‘X’ player, or this other player at 13, or would you rather have DeForest Buckner?” Eberflus said, via Kevin Bowen of 1075TheFan. “At least you know what you are getting with DeForest. You are getting a Pro Bowl talent, a high-level player that has dominated his position. There’s a lot of things that benefits from having a really good three-technique. We’ve talked about that as a franchise and it’s so important to have that…”
Eberflus pointed out that Buckner plays in the “high 80s, 90 percent” of defensive snaps and checked all of the Colts’ boxes “from A to Z” as a player.
“When we first started talking about it early on, I went and watched a few of his games and some of the playoff games (and) what’s amazing to me is what he’s done in terms of the percentage of plays,” Eberflus says. “We are talking about high 80s, 90 percent of play time. He just plays and he loves to play football. A couple of the guys that I know that have been around him, contacted us right after and said, ‘You have no idea what you are getting in terms of a practice player, in terms of a leader and the impact that he’s going to have on your football team.’ From A to Z we were like yes, and again, yes.”
Colts WR T.Y. Hilton believes he could have an “All-Pro year” in 2020 with new veteran QB Philip Rivers.
“I think it could be special,” Hilton said, via George Bremer of the Herald Bulletin. “I feel like the way I’m training, the way my body feels and Philip (Rivers) doing his thing, I feel like this can be an All-Pro year for me.”
Hilton, who is entering the final year of his contract, said he would like to be a “Colt for life” but it is up to owner Jim Irsay and GM Chris Ballard.
“I want to be a Colt for life, but it takes two sides,” Hilton said. “It is up to (owner) Mr. (Jim) Irsay and (general manager) Chris (Ballard) to get the job done. So, for me, I want to be a Colt. So you heard it from me.”
Jaguars
- Jaguars HC Doug Marrone told Adam Schein that the team is “pretty much done” when it comes to adding another quarterback to the roster. Marrone declined to comment on whether or not free agent QB Cam Newton is on the team’s radar.
- Marrone also spoke about the commitment of RB Leonard Fournette and said that he believes the team will get the best out of him due to it being the final year of his contract.
- On QB Gardner Minshew needing to make more plays from the pocket, Marrone said the team focuses on rhythm and reads and the deciphering of coverage as priorities. Marrone did, however, say they would never discourage Minshew from using his creativity and they just want him to make good decisions. (Michael Giardi)
- Marrone says RG Will Richardson is moving to left tackle full time, and that rookie Ben Bartch will fill in at right guard. (Mark Long)
Titans
Titans HC Mike Vrabel is yet to speak with free agent edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney this offseason.
“I have not talked to JD personally,” Vrabel said, via Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. “I would say that Jon and I continue to evaluate the roster and the available free agents. As of now I would say that nothing is off the table. But nothing is certainly on the table either – he is not on our team.”
During an interview earlier this month, Clowney said he’s been working out and “waiting on the right opportunity”. He also mentioned that he has offers from multiple teams.
“I just want to let people know I am ready,” Clowney said. “I am ready to go whenever the time comes. And whoever I sign with is going to get the best version of me.”
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