Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Most of Alabama’s rookies have reported. Here’s your roundup of NFL notes.
Colts’ head coach Chuck Pagano already has some high praise for his rookie center. Again, he has only been in a Colts’ uniform for two practices now.
“He’s a pro. He’s got a long way to go and I’m not going to set him up to fail or anything. But coming from the program that he came from and playing at the level he’s played at, you can tell that he’s way ahead… It was pretty easy. His recall was excellent. You can just tell. He has presence. He fits right in. We knew this. It’s not too big for him.”
Henry has not reported yet, so most of his news has involved his rookie deal and the announcement that he has signed with Nike.
Report: Titans RB Derrick Henry’s rookie contract details
Heisman Trophy winner and second-round pick Derrick Henry has signed a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans worth an estimated $5.4 million, including $3.3 million guaranteed, sources told NFL.com on Monday. Henry’s contract also includes a $2.13 million signing bonus. “I just want to prove myself and earn respect now that I am here,’’ Henry said via the Titans team web site. “It’s a fresh start. I have to come from the bottom and work my way up. I am very motivated, and ready to get to work.
Reggie is already at home in Buffalo, vowing to help change Buffalo’s culture, talking about the Bills’ defense, and becoming tight with Shaq Lawson.
Watch: Bills Linebacker Reggie Ragland
Check out Bills linebacker Reggie Ragland talk after the Bills 1st day of Rookie Mini Camp.
Predicting the best rookie for all 32 NFL teams – 2016 draft
Buffalo Bills: This is a close call between first-round outside linebacker Shaq Lawson and second-round inside linebacker Reggie Ragland. Both will be immediate starters on the defense. I’ll go with Ragland because the Bills have few other options at inside linebacker. Ragland figures to get a healthy percentage of snaps as a rookie, and the belief is that there shouldn’t be a steep learning curve from Alabama’s defense to Rex Ryan’s system. — Mike Rodak
Also making the ESPN list above is the Patriots’ Cyrus Jones.
Film Review: Alabama CB Cyrus Jones is a Perfect Fit for the Patriots Secondary – Pats Pulpit
But ask the best receivers in the SEC who they thought was the best cornerback in the conference, and they all say Jones. “I would have to say Cyrus Jones,” Mississippi State and Patriots undrafted free agent receiver De’Runnya Wilson said at the Combine when asked about the best defender he faced. “He’s a great guy. He played head up a lot. I didn’t get an outside release. He had a lot of help inside so he would try to send me inside on the majority of my routes.” “There were some great guys,” Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell replied to the same question. But the first name that came to mind? “Cyrus Jones.”
Jones is a good fit for New England for multiple reasons. He’s coverage versatile in that he can play both man and zone, press and bail. He’s active against the run and relishes contact. He plugs into the defensive right of the formation, which is where 2017 free agent cornerback Logan Ryan aligns. He also contributes on special teams.
Excellent film breakdown of Cy Jones. A lot of Pat analysts think Jones will be moved to the outside as early as 2017, and his familiarity with the defense and ability to body up bigger receivers will prove the difference — so will his comparatively cheap rookie deal. It is also all-but certain that Jones will feature in the return game this season as well.
Cyrus Jones’ Interview Transcript – 5/06/2016 | New England Patriots
Q: Have you seen any similarities here yet between Coach Nick Saban’s program at Alabama and the program here? Read CJ: Before I came here and going through the draft process and also knowing Coach Saban and Coach [Bill] Belichick’s relationship – and Coach Saban having coached under him prior to going to Alabama – I knew there were similarities. Our program is based a lot on what they do here so I was expecting it to be a program based on discipline and principles similar to that, and just hard working, blue-collar type of atmosphere so I was excited for it.
Lions ink all draft picks except A’Shawn Robinson before minicamp; assign numbers | MLive.com
The team announced Friday it signed nine of its 10 draft picks before the start of camp. Defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson, a second-round pick, is the lone holdout. Robinson did practice on Day 1 and was wearing No. 91. (Which suggests defensive end Jason Jones is not going to be re-signed by the club.)
Robinson’s rookie deal seems to be hanging up his full participation in rookie camp, although, he is participating in full-team OTA camp.
Jake Coker making Cardinals isn’t ‘far-fetched,’ Arizona coach says | AL.com
“All I can say is Phillip Sims was in a worse spot than he is last year, and he got right down to the last three guys,” Arians said. “(Coker) is in a great spot. He’s got to battle one guy.” That one guy is Matt Barkley. He’s No. 3 on the Cardinals’ QB depth chart behind starter Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. “Matt’s got a lot of talent,” Arians said. “Jake and he, they’ll go at it pretty good, and let the best man win.”
Good spot for Jake to be in. Barkley has talent, of course, but he’s never shown an inclination to put it all together (or stay healthy.) If it comes down to who works hardest and has the most upside going forward, Coker is in good shape.
Vandermeer’s View: Rookies take first steps
I did get to talk to former Alabama wide receiver Richard Mullaney who has the catchy nickname of ‘Slottie Pippen.’ He told me about it (I think reluctantly. He’s trying out for Bill O’Brien, after all). “My teammate found it on Twitter.” He said. ” Some Alabama fan did it. My teammate took it from there and made it locker-room-wide.”
There’s a long way to go and a lot to cover. Most of the players in action this weekend won’t make the 53-man roster. But, there are always a few long shots who power through to eventually earn an NFL living. In any case, It’s great to see football back at NRG Park.
Mullaney is still a long shot, but insiders with the Texans think he can contribute immediately, as the Texans have a gutted and unsteady receiving corps. This contract may wind up being a steal for Houston.
When they saw Reed still available late in the second round, the Seahawks moved up from 56 to 49 to grab Reed, who along with Ifedi was one of 26 players Seattle general manager John Schneider said the team gave a first-round grade. The why was simple — “He’s the best run-stuffer I’ve seen in a long time,’’ said Seahawks area scout Jim Nagy. That’s something the Seahawks need with veteran nose tackle Brandon Mebane having signed as a free agent with San Diego. “Different body types, but similar skill sets,’’ Nagy said of Reed and Mebane. Nagy said he thought the idea that Reed can’t develop as a pass-rusher is mistaken. “The way they play their front there (at Alabama) they don’t ask him to really get up the field,’’ Nagy said. “But what you did see on tape was his ability to push the pocket and get pressure that way.’’
Seattle is getting ready to check in, and the Times and Intelligencer can’t believe their luck in getting a guy like Reed in the second round.
Dillon Lee and DJ Pettway will report with the Saints soon, while Dominick Jackson is reporting with the ‘Skins today.