Pre-Camp NFL News

On Wednesday, the new NFL season becomes official when the Cowboys and Steelers open training camp. The Buccaneers follow on Sunday, with the other 29 teams all breaking camp on July 27.

The offseason is nearly over, but the changing of personnel that highlights every offseason isn’t quite done. Just because it’s offseason doesn’t mean the NFL betting lines stop moving.

Melvin Ingram Signs with Steelers

The already good Pittsburgh defense added a former Pro Bowler to the mix with the signing of Melvin Ingram on Monday. The deal is reportedly for one year and worth up to $4 million with incentives.

The incentives were the key to getting this done since Ingram is coming off an injury-plagued season that saw him play just seven games while recording zero sacks. The guaranteed money wasn’t there, but if Ingram can stay healthy and play close to his past abilities, then he will get paid, and the deal will be a good one for the Steelers.

Ingram is a three-time Pro Bowler who from 2015 to 2019 never had fewer than seven sacks in a season, twice getting to double digits. He was also durable before last season, missing just three games over the same five-year span. 

Ingram is now 32-years-old and coming off a knee injury. But with the loss of Bud Dupree in free agency, the Steelers made finding another pass rusher to play opposite T.J. Watt a priority. Ingram received interest from the Chiefs and Dolphins but explained that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin made this choice for him.

“I met with coach Tomlin. You can tell he’s very involved and a player’s coach. That’s what stood out to me. He wants to win, and that is what I am on. My role is my role. He just told me to come in and be me.”

Whether this or other offseason moves, the Steelers have notched slightly up in their regular-season win total odds at 8½ for the 2021 season.

Raiders President Steps Down

Marc Badain, a 30-year member of the Raiders front office and one of the chief architects of the team’s move to Las Vegas, has resigned on the eve of the 2021 season. Badain began his time with the Raiders as an intern, became the team’s chief financial officer, and has been serving as the Raiders team president since 2013.

“The successful construction and operation of Allegiant Stadium has been unequivocally the most challenging part of my 30 years with the organization. Seeing it through to the end has been rewarding beyond measure. Together the Raiders and Las Vegas accomplished what seemed impossible. Now that the project is complete, it is time for me to focus on my family and look ahead to new pursuits.”

Team owner Mark Davis said of Badain, “His efforts in helping build the most magnificent stadium in the sports and entertainment capital of the world will never be forgotten.”

Dan Ventrelle, a 17-year member of the Raiders who most recently served as an executive vice president and general counsel, has been named the interim team president. Upon making the promotion, Davis also praised Ventrelle’s contribution to the move to Las Vegas.

“[Ventrelle] has been a primary part of the stadium project from its inception. His experience on both the football and business sides of the organization make him the best choice to lead the Raiders organization at this time.”

Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas opened last year, but Davis opted to wait to have fans until full capacity crowds were permitted, which they will be this season.

Younghoe Koo Car Stolen, Wants Cleats Back

Over the weekend, Falcons kicker Younghoe Koo had his black Jeep Grand Cherokee stolen. He has insurance, so he’s not too worried about the ultimate fate of his vehicle. Its contents, however, are a different matter.

Inside the Jeep, at the time it was stolen, was Koo’s kicking cleats. He wrote on Instagram, “MFs stoke my Jeep smh. Can you just bring my cleats back, though? I won’t even be mad, bro – just bring my cleats back so I can go kick.”

Koo’s career had taken a number of turns to get him to 2020 when he led the NFL in field goals made with 37. He played just four games as a rookie with the Chargers, landed with the Atlanta Legends of the AAF, was signed to the Patriots practice squad, and is now a 1st team All-Pro with the Falcons.