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A bit of cheating, yes, but these two are interlocked and have similar Jaguars origin stories. A former Cowboys Round 2 pick, Smith caught on with the Jags in 1995 on a low-end deal. McCardell, an ex-Browns auxiliary wideout, joined him a year later. No Jaguar receiving tandem has approached their work, and their first four seasons together produced six 1,000-yard campaigns between them and four Jacksonville playoff berths. Both landed higher-paying extensions, but the Jags capitalized on the exclusive negotiating rights that came with signing the duo in the mid- 90s. The partnership lasted six years.
Sam Robinson is a Kansas City, Mo.-based writer who mostly writes about the NFL. He has covered sports for nearly 10 years. Boxing, the Royals and Pandora stations featuring female rock protagonists are some of his go-tos. Occasionally interesting tweets @SRobinson25.
The Lions Win the Blockbuster Trade of the Year in the NFL
The L.A. Rams were in a contract bind. A few years ago, they gave a huge contract extension to QB Jared Goff, who just took them to the Super Bowl. A 4 year 134 million dollar deal that essentially tied one hand behind their back. The Rams HAD to trade Goff. They had no financial wiggle room and have a roster that could make a deep run in the playoffs if they had a few more pieces on the offensive line. Now they can afford to do that. It cost them a heavy price. 2 first round draft picks and a 3rd rounder.
Rivers
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Last week, Philip Rivers retired from the NFL after 17 incredible seasons. Under normal circumstances, he would have held a press conference. It would have been
huge. Media would have packed into a conference room and former teammates and coaches from all over the country would have flown in to celebrate an amazing man, an unbelievable football player, and the best teammate anybody could ask for.
I know I would have been there.
I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
But unfortunately, these are unusual times.
So, as his former teammate, former center, and someone who is honored to call him a good friend, in place of speaking at a press conference, I wanted to write something to let the rest of the football world know just what the NFL is losing when a guy like Philip Rivers decides to hang it up.
Pick your favorite of 3 different 7-round Cowboys mock drafts
There are a ton of different ways for the Cowboys to go this year in the draft.
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The Senior Bowl is going on this week, and even though the annual combine event will look drastically different this year, draft season is in full swing now. And with the Cowboys currently slated to pick tenth overall, there is no shortage of speculation on what they might do with it. The draft is still very far away and prospect rankings are sure to fluctuate quite often between now and then. For example, the case for Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore being worthy of the Cowboys’ first round pick.
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
A lot has happened since our last draft simulation with the firing of Doug Pederson and an ongoing search for a new head coach. Without someone at the helm of the team, it’s difficult to project the Eagles’ preferences going into the 2021 NFL Draft. So here we are working off basic needs and obviously good fits, regardless of who the coach could be.
Pick 6: DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Other Players Available:
Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida
Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Alabama
Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
The Ja’Marr Chase v. DeVonta Smith debate becomes a lot easier if Chase is off the board by the sixth pick, as he is in this simulation. I have not been shy in my love for the Alabama playmaker and the Eagles would be smart to target him regardless of who is coaching the team. There isn’t a scheme where DeVonta Smith isn’t a game-changer.