Linehan on Stafford: Doesn't Feel Like Coaching Rookie

Aug 04, 2009

Scott Linehan is entering his eighth season as an offensive coordinator or head coach in the National Football League and he's been around a lot of quarterbacks. Linehan, in his first season as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, knows how experienced and knowledgeable quarterbacks are supposed to act.

"I don't feel like I'm coaching or talking to a rookie when we work with him,'' Linehan said Tuesday about Matthew Stafford, the Lions' first-round draft pick. "That's not just talking and saying 'That's how it is because he's a No. 1 pick.' He has a very natural feel for the game and understands concepts, he can translate things he's done before to what he's doing now without a lot of repetition. He can go right to it and make that decision. He's pretty impressive that way.''

Stafford, the first overall pick in the draft, is in a battle with veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper for the starting job.

Fantasy Impact:

yesterday

Chargers to sign RB J.K. Dobbins on one-year deal

Tom Pelissero

yesterday · 7:45 PM EDT

Former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is planning to sign with the #Chargers on a one-year deal. Electric when healthy, Dobbins — who averages 5.8 yards per carry in his career — reunites with OC Greg Roman and can hit the market again in March.

Related Players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has had poor injury luck in his career, but has only managed 234 total rushes since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Chargers and might give them a runway to wait a little longer in the '24 Draft before they address the position.

Apr 16

Cowboys sign RB Royce Freeman

Todd Archer

Apr 16 · 8:15 PM EDT

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

Apr 15

Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year extension

Ian Rapoport

Apr 15 · 10:45 AM EDT

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Fantasy Impact:

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.