Hometown Broadcasting Sports Thursday 4/23/20
23 April 2020 Sports
The NFL Virtual Draft kicks off at 7:00 tonight and runs through Saturday. The Packers first round pick is number 30 overall. General Manager Brian Gutekunst addressed the media earlier this week. He was asked by signing free agents Rick Wagner, Christian Kirksey, and Devin Funchess if he had already addressed the needs at right tackle, linebacker and wide receiver. He said it’s a start but said he’s wide open to whose available. Gutenkunst was asked if having the government restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic, will that make it more difficult to sign undrafted players. He said it doesn’t help but team’s will just have to do the best they can, given the circumstances. Because Gutenkunst and other GM’s will be conducting the draft at home, he was asked if he’s had to tell his family to be quiet. He laughed and said he’s had discussions with them and doesn’t expect any issues. As for the season itself and what lies ahead, Gutekunst said doesn’t want to think about not having football.
The Packers currently have 10 picks in this years’ draft, but seven of those are day three selections and five are slated for the final two rounds.
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New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton told players on Wednesday that they will not have any type of offseason program this spring, virtual or otherwise. This according to players who spoke with ESPN’s Dianna Russini.
“Take care of your families, your health, and be ready this summer,” Payton was quoted as saying.
Payton shared the news in a video conference with more than 80 players on Wednesday morning. He said the Saints will not have a team-led offseason program even if the NFL rules change and allow players to return to their facilities. The NFL and the NFLPA agreed to a set of modified offseason workout rules last week to help them navigate through the coronavirus pandemic.
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In a matter of just a few hours on Tuesday, Rob Gronkowski went from retired football player and WWE 24/7 champion to the newest member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gronk’s un-retirement happened so quickly that it seemed like it came out of the clear blue sky, but it appears to have been in Tom Brady’s plans all along.
In an interview with WEEI on Wednesday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said that Brady was shopping himself with Gronk during free agency, essentially telling teams that they were a package deal.
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Former wide receiver Percy Harvin, who retired after the 2016 season, told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he’s coming out of retirement and wants to return to the NFL.
Harvin, who was picked 22nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2009 draft, spent eight seasons in the NFL and battled injury and illness throughout. Early on he had major issues with migraine headaches and it wasn’t until his third season in the pros that he managed to stay active for all 16 games. He missed all of the 2013 season (which he spent with the Seattle Seahawks) recovering from hip surgery, and his final two seasons with the Buffalo Bills were beset by more injuries and migraines.
This is not the first time Harvin has come out of retirement. He initially retired after the 2015 NFL season following a knee injury and continuing issues with his hip, but seven months later returned to the Bills on a one-year contract. He played just two games due to severe headaches and retired again in March 2017.
It’s unclear how much interest there will be in Harvin, who will be 32 in May and hasn’t played in the NFL in over three years.
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