NFC Notes: 49ers, Rams, Redskins

March 20, 2018

During his introductory press conference on Tuesday, new 49ers CB Richard Sherman (Achilles) said he expects to be back on the field this summer.

“I’ll be back on the field May, June,” Sherman said, per Matt Maiocco.

Alden Gonzalez mentions that the Rams might need to tread lightly with their pursuit of free agent DT Ndamukong Suh and be conscious of not further alienating DT Aaron Donald, who is in line for a massive extension.
Gonzalez points out that Los Angeles has between $20 and $25M in cap space to work with right now including their draft pool, but they still need to have room for a Donald extension and some of their roster holes.
Regarding Suh, Gonzalez says the Rams are unlikely to offer him the most money or the best fit schematically, but he would get an opportunity to join a great defense and put himself in position to cash as a free agent in 2019 with a strong season.
Suh tells Jordan Schultz that he has a strong relationship Rams strength and conditioning coach Ted Rath from their time together in Detroit and the other keys to LA’s pitch include: 1) Contending team predicated on healthy culture, 2) Wade Phillips‘ ability to put guys in a position to win.
Suh added that he’s intrigued by playing on the same line with Aaron Donald and Michael Brockers and in Phillips 3-4 defense. (Jordan Schultz)

Redskins HC Jay Gruden told Grant Paulsen that there’s a “good possibility” they’ll select a running back early in this year’s draft.
The Washington Redskins announced Tuesday that they’ve named Phil Rauscher their assistant offensive line coach and hired Kevin O’Connell as their passing game coordinator.
John Keim reports that Redskins DL Terrell McClain‘s base salary of $3.25 million was set to become fully guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year, but they agreed to a restructured deal that changed the language of his contract so that his salary is guaranteed for injury only.
This means that the Redskins could release McClain and only be on the hook for the prorated portion of his signing bonus.