He might have missed most of last season, but the Atlanta Falcons aren’t yet ready to consciously uncouple with cornerback Desmond Trufant. Saturday the team announced they’d signed him to a five-year, $69 million extension with $42 million guaranteed.
I wanna thank Mr. Blank, TD, DQ, for giving me this opportunity to continue my career in ATL. Thanks to all my teammates and the fans! TRU
— Desmond Trufant (@DesmondTrufant) April 8, 2017
Trufant probably seemed even more valuable since no one on their team could play pass defense in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl. Trufant appeared in nine games last season before getting injured. He had 30 tackles, two forced fumbles, four pass defenses and an interception.
Trufant has been an elite-level NFL corner since the team drafted him in the first round of the 2013 draft. Until last year, he had started every game as a pro. His best statistical season was 2014 when he hit 61 tackles, one fumble recovery, 16 pass defenses and three picks. Trufant is now the third highest paid corner in the league behind Josh Norman and Patrick Peterson.
Ravens bring Webb back to the flock
The Baltimore Ravens will bring back one of their most productive defensive backs after re-signing Lardarius Webb to a three-year contract. Financial terms haven’t been disclosed. The Ravens actually cut Webb back in March after signing free agent safety Tony Jefferson.
https://twitter.com/RavenNationLlVE/status/850842693055983616
Webb played corner for his fix six seasons with the Ravens, but shifted to safety full time last year. He had 73 tackles, one sack, five pass defenses and one interception.
Ben Roethlisberger stops talking bullshit
Other than the first hint at Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger’s possible retirement, I’ve completely ignored this story for a reason. It was never going to happen.
Roethlisberger finally ended all the silly speculation Friday with a post on Twitter, announcing that he will return for a 14th season.
Informed the team I am looking forward to my 14th season. Steeler Nation will get my absolute best! — Ben.
— BigBen7.com (@_BigBen7) April 7, 2017
There was never a chance in hell Roethlisberger was going to retire this season, but all his flirting with it should wake the Steelers up to its impending reality. It probably won’t be next season, but it’s coming. They need to start thinking about the future and this draft would be a smart place to start. Landry Jones is not going to be that guy.
“As an organization, we have been hopeful that Ben would return this year,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “Ben and I have had many conversations, and I understood at this point in his career he is going to have to think about his long-term future. There is no question Ben wants to win championships for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and we know he will do everything possible to lead our entire team to achieving that goal.”
Last season Roethlisberger missed two games to injury. He completed 64.4 percent of his passes for 3,819 yards, 29 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Love is dead
Well, love hurts. Love scars. Love wounds and marks and this week it all ended as NFL super couple Aaron Rodgers and actress Olivia Munn called it quits according to an authority on the subject, People Magazine.
“They have amicably ended their relationship of three years,” People reported. “…(They) remain close friends and wish nothing but the best for each other moving forward.”
Attention Chicago-based outlets: Taking cheap shots at Aaron Rodgers is like spitting at a lion that has already mauled your entire family.
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) April 7, 2017
Rodgers, of course, has been in the gossip rags a lot more often this season not just because of Munn, but because his brother Jordan was on the Bachelorette and whined about him all the time. I’ve ignored this whole thing.
What you can’t ignore is that Rodgers led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes last season, completed 65.7 percent of his throws for 4,428 yards and threw just seven interceptions. You know, football stuff.
Other NFL news
The San Francisco 49ers have cut cornerback Tramaine Brock after he was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic violence Thursday night. Brock has been with the 49ers since 2010 when the team signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Bellhaven. Brock has started at corner for the last two seasons. Last year he had 58 tackles, one forced fumble, 14 pass defenses and one interception.
Early last week the Baltimore Ravens finalized trading defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan to the Philadelphia Eagles, basically in order to flip the two team’s third round picks. The Ravens now pick at No. 74 and the Eagles move down to No. 99. Last season Jernigan started 15 games for the Ravens and played all 16. He finished with 31 tackles, five sacks, one fumble recovery, three pass defenses and an interception.
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