NFL Notes: NaVorro Bowman, 49ers, Buccaneers, Lions

NaVorro Bowman

• According to Mike Jurecki, the Cardinals aren’t interested in free agent LB NaVorro Bowman.
• A source tells Troy Renck that, as of now, the Broncos aren’t in the market for Bowman.
• Jerry McDonald points out that the Raiders allowed a young, faster linebacker in Zach Brown to sign just a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Redskins this offseason. With this in mind, McDonald wonders why Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie would now be willing to pay an older linebacker with a history of injuries like Bowman.
• While Mike Reiss writes that Bowman would likely be an upgrade for any team, the question for the Patriots is just how much of an upgrade would he be over David Harris.

49ers

49ers GM John Lynch told reporters during a news conference on Friday releasing LB NaVorro Bowman was actually in the best interest of all parties involved.

“Some people are going to question whether this is, but I truly do feel it’s best for us and I truly do feel it’s best for Bo, for him to go and have an opportunity somewhere where if someone brings him in, I will imagine they will have a role and that role will be easier,” Lynch said, via Nick Wagoner of ESPN. “It’s harder to do in the place you’ve been. It’s just the way it is. And having lived through that, I think we were able to have a discussion last night, the three of us, and I told him, I’ve been exactly where you’re at. And that’s what contributes to my opinion that it’s best for everyone.”

49ers HC Kyle Shanahan admitted that this is a hard decision to make, but it’s still one that will help them now and in the future.

“This isn’t a fun decision and this is a decision that it’s one that I would love to avoid and not have to make, because this is hard,” Shanahan said. “And one thing I think John and I, when we got into this and one of the reasons that we wanted to come here was no matter what happened or no matter how hard something was, I wanted to be in a place where if we thought something was right and it was in the best interests of an organization and we were convicted of that, then we were going to make that decision and not worry about the things that might be hard. And once we fully talked and got to that point, then you’ve got to do what’s right. That’s, I feel, what I get paid to do. I feel that’s what John gets paid to do. We strongly felt this would be the best decision for us right now and going forward. And as not fun as this is, it’s something that we believe will help us now and in the future.”

Buccaneers

• Buccaneers HC Dirk Koetter tells Alex Marvez that DE Robert Ayers, LB Lavonte David, G Ali Marpet, and S T.J. Ward will all play against the Cardinals, despite all four players being listed as questionable.

Lions

• While Greg Robinson has struggled at left tackle for the Lions in the absence of Taylor Decker, Michael Rothstein doesn’t think they’ll be making a chance at the position until Taylor is ready to return to the starting lineup.
• Rothstein mentions the importance of continuity on the offensive line and the fact that the Lions don’t have any potential replacements that would be a clear upgrade.
• If the Lions were to make a change, it would make the most sense for them to do so during the bye week, but it’s also possible Decker could be ready to return by then.