It’s hard to ever be on the Raider’s side but I find it odd that we haven’t heard anything from Wilkins’ side. No statement by him or his agent. Not even one of those vague “the truth will come out” or “we look forward to telling our side of the story once the arbitrator rules”.
I wonder if Anthony Richardson might be a Taysom Hill in waiting: crazy athletic, fast, strong but unlikely to ever be an acceptable NFL starting QB?
On the “players in multiple positions” subject, I saw on Antiques Roadshow the other night someone peddling a bunch of Lou Groza’s personal stuff, including his HOF blazer. It never occurred to me that there could be a secondary market in HOF blazers.
Sir - I'm 100% with you on Anthony Richardson as a faster Taysom Hill, with two nagging concerns: 1 - From my sofa, it always seemed like the Saints trusted TH to exercise good judgement with the football. 2 - From my sofa, it seems like AR is convinced that he's a starting QB in this league... Bill
I hear you regarding AR. He would need to get through all of the stages of grief before he could accept a Taysom role. Even then he might not be up to it and would end up as a better-than-Tebow tight end.
“ Their hopes on defense — their only chance to not go 7-10 due to a bunch of losses by final scores like 41-31 — rest with a disgruntled employee. Maybe Hendrickson will play lights-out for his next contract.” He already played lights out, and they still lost a bunch of games 41-31. The DC and rest of the defensive roster will be much more determinate on whether they go 7-10 or not than a disgruntled employee.
Interesting that the Bengals chose to pre-disgruntle their best chance at improving their defensive front. That franchise makes some strange choices. The AFC North, for all the talent therein, seems to have a high-and-getting-higher weirdness factor.
>> The NFL may be full of cornerbacks who could be package slot guys. It’s also full of edge rushers who could probably outperform the backup tight ends...
Many times over the years I thought Ray Lewis would've made an AMAZING running back. Him getting some carries as RB2 or RB3 would've been interesting.
>> ...and strongside linebackers with more to offer the offense than the token fullback.
Speaking of fullbacks: Patrick Ricard began his NFL career as a DT.
>> Would you trade Justin Jefferson for, let’s say, Rashod Bateman and Nate Wiggins?
>> The Vikings probably wouldn’t; the Ravens probably would.
What a SPECIFIC scenario. (And invitation. You rang?)
I think this is one of those trades that *both* sides turn down.
● The Vikes obvsly aren't eager to trade Jefferson because he's, y'know, Justin Jefferson.
● On the Ravens side, I think they view Nate Wiggins as "2026 All-Pro corner Nate Wiggins", like Kyle Hamilton 2.0: not yet 22 yrs old and under team control for potentially 5 more seasons (factoring in 5th-yr option followed by franchise tag). I suspect Eric DeCosta would laugh at most trade proposals for Wiggins –
Unless they involve a player the caliber of a Justin Jefferson. No laughing matter. But then you have to calculate "the delicate balance of Ravens football". JJ has cap hits around $40M in 2026-27-28. The Ravens are working on an extension for Lamar. Potential All-Pros on rookie contracts, like Wiggins, are exactly the kind of players who make it feasible to put a good team around Lamar.
Bateman is under team control thru 2029, with cap hits around $12M in 27-28-29. That's a friggin bargain for a solid WR2 in this economy.
I dunno: make it Bateman and Chidobe Awuzie, and you got yourself a deal.
Maybe I'm being stubbornly dumb here. Lamar + Derrick Henry + Justin Jefferson seem like the kind of triplets who almost guarantee a Super Bowl. Figure out the 2027 salary cap next year: trophies are forever.
I am STOKED to be a subscriber for this season. Mahalo, Mike!
This Wilkins situation furthers the Raiders' (well-deserved) reputation for dysfunction.
It’s hard to ever be on the Raider’s side but I find it odd that we haven’t heard anything from Wilkins’ side. No statement by him or his agent. Not even one of those vague “the truth will come out” or “we look forward to telling our side of the story once the arbitrator rules”.
There’s always money in the banana stand.
Love your getting into the pedagogy of the Travis Hunter situation.
I wonder if Anthony Richardson might be a Taysom Hill in waiting: crazy athletic, fast, strong but unlikely to ever be an acceptable NFL starting QB?
On the “players in multiple positions” subject, I saw on Antiques Roadshow the other night someone peddling a bunch of Lou Groza’s personal stuff, including his HOF blazer. It never occurred to me that there could be a secondary market in HOF blazers.
Sir - I'm 100% with you on Anthony Richardson as a faster Taysom Hill, with two nagging concerns: 1 - From my sofa, it always seemed like the Saints trusted TH to exercise good judgement with the football. 2 - From my sofa, it seems like AR is convinced that he's a starting QB in this league... Bill
I hear you regarding AR. He would need to get through all of the stages of grief before he could accept a Taysom role. Even then he might not be up to it and would end up as a better-than-Tebow tight end.
I'm still bummed the Seahawks never put Sherman in at WR during any of the blowouts they enjoyed during the Legion of Boom era.
“ Their hopes on defense — their only chance to not go 7-10 due to a bunch of losses by final scores like 41-31 — rest with a disgruntled employee. Maybe Hendrickson will play lights-out for his next contract.” He already played lights out, and they still lost a bunch of games 41-31. The DC and rest of the defensive roster will be much more determinate on whether they go 7-10 or not than a disgruntled employee.
Interesting that the Bengals chose to pre-disgruntle their best chance at improving their defensive front. That franchise makes some strange choices. The AFC North, for all the talent therein, seems to have a high-and-getting-higher weirdness factor.
>> The NFL may be full of cornerbacks who could be package slot guys. It’s also full of edge rushers who could probably outperform the backup tight ends...
Many times over the years I thought Ray Lewis would've made an AMAZING running back. Him getting some carries as RB2 or RB3 would've been interesting.
>> ...and strongside linebackers with more to offer the offense than the token fullback.
Speaking of fullbacks: Patrick Ricard began his NFL career as a DT.
>> Would you trade Justin Jefferson for, let’s say, Rashod Bateman and Nate Wiggins?
>> The Vikings probably wouldn’t; the Ravens probably would.
What a SPECIFIC scenario. (And invitation. You rang?)
I think this is one of those trades that *both* sides turn down.
● The Vikes obvsly aren't eager to trade Jefferson because he's, y'know, Justin Jefferson.
● On the Ravens side, I think they view Nate Wiggins as "2026 All-Pro corner Nate Wiggins", like Kyle Hamilton 2.0: not yet 22 yrs old and under team control for potentially 5 more seasons (factoring in 5th-yr option followed by franchise tag). I suspect Eric DeCosta would laugh at most trade proposals for Wiggins –
Unless they involve a player the caliber of a Justin Jefferson. No laughing matter. But then you have to calculate "the delicate balance of Ravens football". JJ has cap hits around $40M in 2026-27-28. The Ravens are working on an extension for Lamar. Potential All-Pros on rookie contracts, like Wiggins, are exactly the kind of players who make it feasible to put a good team around Lamar.
Bateman is under team control thru 2029, with cap hits around $12M in 27-28-29. That's a friggin bargain for a solid WR2 in this economy.
I dunno: make it Bateman and Chidobe Awuzie, and you got yourself a deal.
Maybe I'm being stubbornly dumb here. Lamar + Derrick Henry + Justin Jefferson seem like the kind of triplets who almost guarantee a Super Bowl. Figure out the 2027 salary cap next year: trophies are forever.