NFC Notes: Falcons, Giants, Redskins

Falcons

• Joel Corry of CBS Sports includes Falcons RB Todd Gurley as one of the notable players at a crossroads heading into 2020.
• Gurley has dealt with knee issues in recent years, which led to the Rams cutting him loose this offseason. Even so, Corry says that if Gurley is able to regain his prior form, he could be in for another decent payday, considering he’s still only 25 years old.
• Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes the Falcons are one of 11 teams where QB Colin Kaepernick would be a fit. 

Giants

• Giants OLBs coach Bret Bielema has filed a lawsuit against the University of Arkansas Razorback Foundation for over $7 million, claiming they committed a breach of his buyout agreement after being the school’s head coach from 2013-17, per Mark Schlabach of ESPN.
• According to Bielema’s lawsuit, the Razorback Foundation accused him of being “well aware” of his “material breaches,” and “made no efforts, diligent or otherwise, to obtain replacement employment of the same or similar character.“
• Schlabach notes that the Razorback Foundation demanded that Bielema return more than $4.5 million they had already paid him in monthly buyout payments: “[T]o the extent you did obtain employment, you did so only to maximize your personal income to the detriment of the Foundation and, at the same time, contractually bound yourself to avoid your obligations to the Foundation.”
• Razorback Foundation attorney Marshall Nye claimed that Bielema filed his lawsuit first in order to avoid being sued for the $4.5 million: “It appears that Bielema filed suit in order to avoid being sued.”
• Dan Duggan notes Bielema is currently making a $400,000 annual salary with the Giants.

Redskins

As a third-round rookie, Redskins WR Terry McLaurin entered 2019 with relatively low expectations. He never caught more than 35 passes in a season in college but shattered that ceiling with 58 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in his first year in the NFL. While his speed — 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the Combine — stood out as his most visible weapon, those close to McLaurin credited his early success with his demeanor that more closely resembled a 10-year vet than a rookie. 

“For a rookie to be as emotionally mature and detailed and talented, he’s obviously resilient. He’s a quick learner. There are just so many things I could say,” Redskins WR coach Ike Hillard said via the Athletic’s Ben Standig. “It’s just been a joy to be around him.”

Going into 2020, McLaurin is locked in as the unquestioned No. 1 receiver for Washington. The team believes there’s even greater things in store for him in the future. 

“If Terry stays healthy and he gets a certain amount of opportunities per game,” Hillard said, “I don’t think there’s a ceiling on what he can do.”