8.4.22: Watson, Barr, Doubs, Pacheco, Penning, Pitts

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Watson

The NFL to appeal Deshaun Watson suspension; will pursue a one year ban

Details: The league announced the decision to appeal Watson’s six-game suspension on Wednesday.

• In addition to an indefinite suspension lasting for at least one year, the league will also argue for a monetary fine and a mandatory treatment program.

Process: Roger Goodell can rule on the appeal himself or appoint a designee. The ruling will be “final and binding to all parties.” Though multiple reports indicate that the NFLPA will sue the league if Watson’s suspension is increased.

Impact: With a full-year suspension back on the table, Jimmy Garoppolo could receive consideration in Cleveland — as he’d be an obvious upgrade over current backup Jacoby Brissett.

• Garroppolo has been fully cleared to practice and should be able to pass a physical if/when acquired by a new team.

Image: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire

Barr

Cowboys sign LB Anthony Barr

Details: The contract is for one year and is worth up to $3 million.

Profile: Barr totaled 72 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions over 11 games with the Vikings last season (62.9 PFF grade).

• He made four consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 2015 to 2018.

Fit in DAL: Barr, 30, will provide much-needed depth behind Micah Parsons and Leighton Vander Esch.

• It’s possible Barr’s presence will enable Parsons to take on an expanded pass-rushing role.

DAL Defense in 2021: The Cowboys’ defense yielded the seventh-fewest points last season (21.1 per game) but ranked in the bottom half in terms of yards allowed (351.0 per game).

Image: Nick Wosika/Icon Sportswire

Doubs

Packers rookie WR Romeo Doubs is impressing Aaron Rodgers (among others)

A Good Start: Rodgers said of the rookie: “Every single day, there's been at least one kind of 'Wow' play for him. And that's kind of rare for a young guy like that. Now we've had some guys over the years kind of do that, but they're all in the top 10 I think in the Packers' receiving history. So good start for him."

Big Plays: Earlier this week, Doubs wowed reporters when he “burned” CB Eric Stokes (last year’s first-round pick) down the sideline and caught a deep touchdown pass from Rodgers.

• Later in practice, Doubs made a contested touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone… despite being interfered with.

Deep Threat: At Nevada last season, Doubs finished third among all college receivers in deep receiving yards. Across the entire season, he caught 80 of 110 targets (72.7% catch-rate) for 1,114 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Starter? While it's uncommon for a fourth round pick to start as a rookie, Doubs has clearly been the team’s most exciting option at the position thus far in camp. The Packers also have an opening in the starting lineup opposite Allen Lazard.

Image: Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire

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Pacheco

Chiefs rookie RB Isiah Pacheco is “lighting up camp”

Details: The insight comes from Albert Breer, who compares Pacheco to a faster version of Kareem Hunt.

Profile: Pacheco rushed for 647 yards and 5 touchdowns at Rutgers last season. At 5-10, 216 pounds he runs the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.37 seconds.

• Chiefs ST coach Dave Toub, told reporters that Pacheco has already established himself as the team’s kick returner.
• The rookie has also gotten some reps with the starting offense.

Opportunity: Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the starting back — but he disappointed last season and has a history of durability issues. The Chiefs don’t have a set-in-stone option behind Edwards-Helaire, so Pacheco could push for a substantial role if he can keep impressing the coaching staff.

Image: Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire

Penning

Saints first round rookie Trevor Penning was kicked out of practice for fighting

Details: Penning has gotten into a fight every day this week. On Monday he fought with DE Taco Charlton, on Tuesday with DB J.T. Gray and DE Scott Patchan, and yesterday with DL Malcolm Roach.

Tough: When asked about the fights, Penning said: “It’s a tough game for tough people and you’ve got to be able to take that. There’s no bad blood between us. We’re just competitors competing.”

Assaulting: In a previous interview, Penning stated that his favorite part of playing football is "legally assaulting" opposing players.

Role: Penning is competing with veteran James Hurt (69.8 PFF grade) for the starting left tackle job. At Northern Iowa last season, he earned the highest possible PFF run blocking grade (99.9).

More Saints News...

• Tyrann Mathieu (personal) reported to training camp.
• Michael Thomas took part in 7-on-7 team drills for the first time in two years.
• Slot corner Chauncey Gardner-Johnson is not practicing fully as he seeks a new contract.

Image: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

Pitts

Kyle Pitts has been the Falcons’ most dominant player

Details: The statement comes from Michael Rothstein (ESPN), who writes: “On almost every rep, Pitts is winning off the line of scrimmage and then getting open for the quarterback -- both in team and individual drills.”

Example: Rothstein relays a play in which, “Pitts accelerated, stopped for the shortest of seconds and then burst past (linebacker Mykal) Walker for an easy reception on a deep pass.”

Mismatch: Pitts has elite pass-catching instincts, the length/physicality (6-foot-6) of a tight end, and the movement skills (4.44) of a receiver — which makes him nearly impossible to cover one-on-one.

• As a rookie, Pitts caught 68 of 110 targets (61.8% catch-rate) for 1,026 yards and 1 touchdown. He led all NFL tight ends in 30+ yard catches with six.

More Falcons News...

• Marcus Mariota completed 12-of-16 passes on Wednesday. While rookie Desmond Ridder completed 7-of-13.
• WR Bryan Edwards (a projected starter) has returned to practice after missing time with a shoulder injury.

Image: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire

More News

• Titans WR Robert Woods (ACL) looks "totally back to normal"
• Trevor Lawrence won't be playing in tonight's HOF Game against the Raiders
• Cardinals WR Hollywood Brown was arrested for criminal speeding
• Tom Brady turned 45