Lammey: Buzz from around the NFL at Super Bowl 51 — Tuesday
Feb 1, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: Feb 2, 2017, 6:31 am
Author’s note: Covering the NFL since 2003, I’ve been able to generate contacts with every team in the league. This is the time of year when those relationships come in handy.
NFL teams have entered the offseason mode, and information is swirling around the atmosphere of the league. If you know who to ask, you can learn some interesting things about the direction of these franchises as they prepare for the 2017 season.
Here’s some of the latest buzz I’m hearing from around the NFL and Super Bowl 51.
Terrell Davis in the Hall of Fame?
Fox Sports analyst and former Denver Broncos Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe spoke honestly about the possibility that we see his former teammate, running back Terrell Davis, in the Hall of Fame.
“I think he’s the best postseason running back in NFL history. It’s not the ‘hall of longevity,’ it’s the Hall of Fame. His career is very comparable to Earl Campbell (Houston Oilers) and Gale Sayers (Chicago Bears).” Sharpe said. “I don’t really know what else you want him to do. It’s not like he can put on the pads and get more numbers.”
Buzz: I’ve talked to some Hall of Fame voters, and they believe this could finally be the year “TD” gets a gold jacket. In fact, some I talk to believe that Davis is among the top five most qualified this year to get inducted into Canton.
Let’s hope this is the year Davis gets the nod.
More Derrick Henry, please
One of the best rushing teams in the NFL is the Tennessee Titans. Led by veteran DeMarco Murray, they ranked third in the NFL with an average of 136.7 rushing yards per game. In addition to Murray, they also had rookie Derrick Henry, a second-round pick in 2016, working as a reserve player.
Buzz: Team sources indicate that Henry may take over in the Titans backfield in 2017. The Titans are incredibly dedicated to the former Heisman Trophy winner, and Henry certainly impressed in limited time as a rookie last season.
Murray turns 29 this year, and that’s around the age where running backs start to fall off. The team could help Murray stay fresh for the season — and perhaps even extend his career — if they start to feature Henry as the top guy.
No retirement for Roethlisberger
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger sent shockwaves across the league when he hinted at retirement after the team’s loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
Gerry Dulac, from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reports that Steelers president Art Rooney II believes Roethlisberger will return in 2017. He’s not the only one who thinks Roethlisberger will be back.
Buzz: Most everyone I’ve talked to believes that Roethlisberger will keep playing football. As one league source said, “Why would he leave? In the AFC, there are really only two quarterbacks — him and Tom Brady. So long as you’ve got talent around you, you’re going to be winning games and competing for a Super Bowl.”