Pandemic? What pandemic? You didn't really think the National Football League was going to let a little old pandemic stop it, did you? No, sir. The calendar has rolled around to September again; and although we may remain locked in the grip of the worst health crisis of our lifetime, there's too much money to be made. So - pandemic be damned - the NFL is going full steam ahead with its 2020 season. Well, at least that's the plan. Indeed while the NFL is open for business, it certainly won't be business as usual. I mean, football (and the other sports too) with no fans in the seats? It just ain't right. But I guess it's better than no football at all.Anyway, I waited until Labor Day (6 days ago) to consult my crystal ball, aka CB2, and get its forecast for the 2020 season. And, I don't know, maybe it got confused because there weren't any preseason games this year to get at least a glimpse of how all teams are going to look .... because its prediction for the two teams it expected to meet in Super Bowl 55 was so ludicrous that it was flat out unacceptable. So, like a 5th grade teacher unhappy with shoddily done homework turned in by a student, I instructed CB2 to "do over."
After CB2's original forecast of a Super Bowl between the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos caused me to scream "WHAT!?!", it tried to explain to me that the last time the Falcons started a season going 1-7 and ended up with a 7-9 record - as they did last year - was 1997, and the next year they went 14-2 and won their first NFC championship before losing to the Broncos in Super Bowl 33. It saw the same thing happening again in 2020, but I wasn't having it. So I overruled CB2 and told it to go back to the drawing board. And in its forecast 2.0 up came a picture of CB Joe Haden (photo above) along with a more plausible but still longshot matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys. And in what would be the 4th all time meeting of those two teams in a Super Bowl, CB2 sees the Steelers coming out on top to win what would be their 7th NFL title.
Like many so called experts also believe, CB2 thinks the return of QB Ben Roethlisberger, who missed the final 14 games of last season due to injury, will tremendously improve the Pittsburgh offense (which btw includes two RBs and two WRs with dreads), while the defense, with Haden and LB Bud Dupree enjoying Pro Bowl seasons, will continue to be very stingy. The Steelers went 8-8 last year and missed the playoffs for the 2nd straight season. It has been 20 years since they've missed 3 years in a row, and according to CB2, they ain't going to miss in 2020. A 2-game sweep of the Baltimore Ravens will propel to the Steelers to a tiebreaker AFC North division crown and the top seed for the playoffs, where they will dethrone the Kansas City Chiefs in an epic AFC championship game before going on to knock out the Cowboys in Super Bowl 55.
The Cowboys also went 8-8 last year, and that was after CB2 predicted them to win the NFC championship. So what's to keep that from happening again? The addition of rookie WR CeeDee Lamb? Don't bet on it. Rather it will be the better coaching they'll get this season than they've had in the past that will make the difference. Unceremoniously dumped by the Packers late in 2018 after a 2nd straight disappointing season (after 8 playoff seasons in a row before that), Coach McCarthy is raring to go and out for revenge this season, and some of the best work of his career will lead the Cowboys to their first NFC crown in 25 years (hard to believe, isn't it, that its been a quarter of a century since the Cowboys last played in the Super Bowl). Despite a magnificent performance by QB Tom Brady, the Cowboys will prevail over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship game (denying the Buccaneers the honor of becoming the first team ever to play in a Super Bowl on their home field), but only after Cody Parkey, the Bucs' 5th kicker of the season, clanks a would be game-winning, chip shot, 29-yard field goal attempt off the right upright on the final play of the game.
CB2's original forecast also included a big season for the Minnesota Vikings, but I nixed that too. In the Coach Zimmer era the Vikings have never made the playoffs 2 years in a row. CB2 is forecasting a terrible season for the New England Patriots (can you say "tanking for Trevor"?), which will be their first losing season since 2000 (which happens to be the last season Brady wasn't their starting quarterback). CB2 is forecasting 9 teams who missed the playoffs last year to make the expanded playoffs (an increase from 6 to 7 teams in each conference) in 2020, including a shocking appearance by the Washington Football Team (that's WFT, not WTF), the team formerly known as the Redskins. And if your favorite team plays in either NYC or the state of Ohio, you won't have to worry about the playoffs. The Jets, Giants, Bengals, and Browns will be among the teams vying for the coveted #1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
At this time last year - in the sarcastically titled post "I'm With Stupid" - I published CB2's 2019 forecast. It picked the correct winner in 143 of the 256 regular season games (a .559 win percentage) in its picks made entirely before the season began, which was 3 games worse than in 2018. But it nailed its prediction that the Chiefs would win Super Bowl 54, and that helped it achieve the best overall grade for either of my two crystal balls in 8 years. After picking the winners of every game in 2020 - pandemic permitting they will all be played as scheduled - here's how CB2 sees it, with (as always) CB2's exact words in italics.
AFC EAST
- BUF 10-6
- MIA 7-9
- NYJ 5-11
- NE 4-12
Hmm. After 19 straight winning seasons, you have the Patriots 4-12??
CB2: Their best players with dreads are opting out, and do you really believe the offense will be improved with Cam Newton at QB instead of Tom Brady?
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AFC NORTH
- PIT 13-3
- BAL 13-3
- CLEV 4-12
- CIN 3-13
CB2: Browns, trying for Week 17 upset, hold Steelers without a 1st down for the entire 2nd half, but Diontae Johnson takes punt return 81 yards to the house with 2:50 remaining in 4th quarter to give Steelers 17-13 lead in Cleveland. On ensuing drive, Kareem Hunt, going for his 3rd TD of the game, is stripped of ball by Bud Dupree at 2-yard line, and Joe Haden recovers in end zone for touchback with :23 on clock as Steelers hang on to win and take division crown.
CB2 thinks that LB Bud Dupree (above) and CB Joe Haden (below) both will make the Pro Bowl, helping Steelers allow the fewest points in the league. CB2 has Haden tying his career high with 6 INT and Dupree finishing with a career high 13 sacks.
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AFC SOUTH
- IND 10-6
- HOU 9-7
- TENN 9-7
- JAC 2-14
TIEBREAKER: Texans finish in 2nd place due to better record than Titans in games against division opponents (HOU 4-2, TENN 3-3)
CB2: In Week 17 thriller at Houston Derrick Henry breaks 3 tackles on 4th and 1 and rumbles 37 yards to house with 22 seconds remaining in overtime to give Titans 33-30 victory, apparently knocking Texans out of playoffs. However, miracle victory by Raiders in Denver later in day allows Texans to back in to playoffs.
According to CB2, DBs are going to be seeing the back of WR T.Y. Hilton often this season, as he leads all NFL players with dreads in TD receptions with 15.
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AFC WEST
- KC 12-4
- LV 11-5
- DEN 9-7
- LAC 8-8
CB2: With Broncos leading 35-10 and apparently cruising to victory in Week 17, Raiders score 4 TD in last 5 minutes of game. Cory Littleton intercepts pass that deflects off hands of Jerry Jeudy and returns it 42 yards to the house with 4:44 to play. Then as Melvin Gordon gains 11 yards on 3rd and 7 to pick up would-be game-clinching 1st down, he is stripped of ball by Littleton, and Damon Arnette recovers and returns it 77 yards to the house to make it 35-24 with 2:01 to play. Then Henry Ruggs takes punt return 92 yards to the house with 12 seconds left to make it 35-31. Then after Raiders recover onside kickoff, Ruggs catches Hail Mary in end zone for 49 yard TD on last play of game to give Raiders stunning 37-35 victory that knocks Broncos out of playoffs!
CB2 is sure that, despite his costly fumble in Week 17, Melvin Gordon, in his first season in a Broncos uniform, will lead all NFL players with dreads with 17 TD, helping the Broncos take the team crown for the most TD by players with dreads with 27.
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AFC TIEBREAKERS
Bills clinch #3 seed due to better record than Colts in games against conference opponents (BUF 8-4, IND 7-5)
Texans clinch #7 seed due to better record than Broncos in games against conference opponents (HOU 7-5, DEN 6-6)
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NFC EAST
- DAL 13-3
- WASH 9-7
- PHIL 8-8
- NYG 3-13
CB2: With Eagles and WFT tied in Week 17 nailbiter, phantom offensive PI penalty nullifies TD catch by Cam Sims, forcing WFT to settle for FG to tie game with 3:17 to play. Then on first play after 2-minute warning phantom roughing the passer penalty on Chase Young on 3rd and 10 keeps Eagles' drive alive. Eagles then kick FG on final play of game to win 23-20. But loss by Falcons later in day allows WFT to back in to playoffs.
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NFC NORTH
- CHI 9-7
- GB 7-9
- MINN 6-10
- DET 5-11
I see you're picking the Bears again. Why?
CB2: With Akiem Hicks healthy, defense will be dominant, like it was in 2018, Packers not as good as last year's record indicates, Vikings have too many ??, Lions are still the Lions.
CB2: With winner-take-all showdown in Week 17 at Soldier Field tied in closing seconds, Aaron Rodgers is hit as he throws, and as pass hits ground 10 yards downfield it apparently incomplete; but officials rule it a fumble, and while all other players stand around and do nothing Buster Skrine scoops up ball and scampers 63 yards untouched for winning TD with :24 on clock to give Bears 23-16 victory and division crown.
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NFC SOUTH
- TB 11-5
- ATL 8-8
- NO 8-8
- CAR 2-14
CB2: With Falcons needing a win to lock down final NFC playoff spot in Tampa in Week 17, 2-yard TD run by Todd Gurley followed by reception by Gurley for 2-point conversion with :05 on clock sends game into overtime. On first possession of OT, Takk McKinley strip sack of Tom Brady on 1st and goal gives Falcons ball at their 7-yard line. But on next play Jason Pierre-Paul sacks Matt Ryan in end zone for safety that gives Bucs 26-24 win and #2 NFC seed for playoffs, also keeping Falcons out of playoffs.
NFC WEST
- SF 11-5
- ARIZ 11-5
- LAR 10-6
- SEA 6-10
TIEBREAKER: 49ers finish in 1st place due to better record than Cardinals in games against division opponents (SF 4-2, ARIZ 3-3)
Oh, come on, CB2, the other three teams make the playoffs, and the Seahawks go 6-10? A lot of people think Seattle will win the NFC championship.
CB2: Seahawks headed for worst record in Coach Carroll era.
But why??
CB2: Injuries and the most COVID positive cases in the league.
CB2: After last-minute TD catch by Larry Fitzgerald sends Cardinals-Rams Week 17 thriller into OT, De'Vondre Campbell intercepts Jared Goff on first play of OT and returns it 59 yards to the house to give Arizona 29-23 victory and apparent division title. But minutes later, with Seahawks one yard away from road upset of 49ers on first possession of overtime, Marcell Harris intercepts Russell Wilson in end zone on 2nd and goal and races 102 yards for TD to give 49ers 27-21 victory and division crown.
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NFC TIEBREAKER
Buccaneers clinch #2 seed due to better record than 49ers in games against conference opponents (TB 9-3, SF 8-4)
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PLAYOFFS
ROUND 1
- KC over HOU
- BUF over LV
- BAL over IND
- TB over WASH
- LAR over SF
- CHI over ARIZ
ROUND 2
- PIT over BAL
- KC over BUF
- DAL over LAR
- TB over CHI
CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS
- PIT over KC
- DAL over TB
SUPER BOWL 55
- Steelers 30 Cowboys 27 (MVP: Big Ben, of course)
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CHANGES FOR 2020
As usual, I will use the abbreviations PS for practice squad, IR for injured reserve list, and PUP for physically unable to perform list in parenthesis after a player's name if he is not currently on a team's active roster. For the most part the following lists of players reflect team rosters as of the start of the 2020 season.
EX-DREAD
These are players that had dreads when the 2019 season ended but have cut them off since then.
- Eli Apple (CAR) (IR)
- Mike Boone (MINN) (photo below, helping Dalvin Cook during a drill at training camp)
- Michael Brockers (LAR)
- Marqui Christian (CHI) ..... from his Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CFTMoD3gsg5/
- Ronald Darby (WASH) (photo below)
- Sean Davis (PIT)
- Cameron Erving (DAL)
- Will Fuller (HOU) (photo below)
- Willie Gay (KC) (rookie)
- Holton Hill (MINN) (photo below)
- Bryce Huff (NYJ) (rookie)
- Cameron Jordan (NO)
- Justin March (DAL)
- Tim Patrick (DEN)
- Bryce Perkins (LAR) (PS) (rookie) (photo below, ouch!)
- Roy Robertson-Harris (CHI)
- Malik Turner (DAL)
I almost included Robby Anderson (CAR) on the list. He had his dreads untwisted during training camp but has them going again; so I'll keep him in the house ... for now.
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NEW DREADS
You know, way back in 2008 when I first started this blog the hardest part about knowing whether a player had begun growing dreads was actually seeing him with his helmet off. Almost all baby and beginner dreads had twisted locks, and it was easy to tell the difference between dreads and braids. But as dreads have evolved over the years things have become much trickier. These days most athletes start their dreads with either freeform locks or with braided (instead of twisted) locks; and this makes it way harder to determine when I need to welcome someone to the house or not. Specifically ..... with freeform dreads, which look like a mess while they're forming, at what exact point do they become dreads instead of a mess? And with braided locks, how is anyone supposed to know if that person is planning to let those locks actually lock together or to just keep them as braids?
And the pandemic we're in isn't make things any easier. With many people electing to avoid the barbershop and let their hair grow longer, it seems like half of all NFL players are conspiring to put me in this are-they-braids-or-dreads quandary. Well, I just call 'em as I see 'em. If they look like dreads, I'll add them to the house. If it turns out they're not, I can always kick them out of the house later. That's what I did with 11 of the 42 players I had in this category last year. Marquise Brown and Elandon Roberts landed on the ex-dread list during last season; Justin March is an ex-dread this year; and the rest I decided had braids not dreads: Jaire Alexander, Alex Armah, Kenjon Barner, Xavier Grimble, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Justin Jackson, William Jackson, and Chandon Sullivan. Also, in a comment I included early last season, I thought Peyton Barber and Sean Murphy-Bunting had dreads, but I was wrong about both.
Before I list the players who have just gotten their dreads started this year, here are the ones who started theirs last season that I didn't know about until after the season was underway.
- Chidobe Awuzie (DAL)
- Christian Blake (ATL)
- Shilique Calhoun (NE)
- Ashton Dulin (IND)
- John Franklin (TB) (IR)
- Dontrell Hilliard (CLEV) (PS)
- Kareem Orr (TENN)
- Cameron Sutton (PIT) (on right in photo below, doing the non-handshake handshake with Terrell Edmunds during training camp)
- Vincent Taylor (CLEV) (BUF in 2019)
- Laquon Treadwell (ATL) (PS) (MINN in 2019)
- Blidi Wreh-Wilson (ATL)
Now here are those I am welcoming to the house this year. No doubt I'll be wrong about some of them. Hopefully not too many.
- Bruce Anderson (IND) (IR)
- Darius Anderson (IND) (PS)
- Antoine Brooks (PIT) (PS) (rookie)
- Jayon Brown (TENN) (photo below, welcome back)
- Malcolm Butler (TENN)
- Chris Conley (JAC) (photo below, welcome back)
- Jashon Cornell (DET) (IR) (rookie)
- Dennis Daley (CAR)
- Cody Ford (BUF)
- Myles Garrett (CLEV) (photo below, alongside Larry Ogunjobi, whose dreads are now long enough to easily be seen outside of his helmet. Garrett has his hair in the braided locks that are so popular now; hopefully he'll let them turn into dreads)
- C.J. Henderson (JAC) (rookie) (photo below)
- Jason Huntley (PHIL) (rookie)
- Brandon King (NE) (PUP)
- Desmond King (LAC)
- Justin Layne (PIT)
- D.J. Montgomery (NYJ) (PS)
- Eric Murray (HOU)
- Cam Newton (NE) (photo below) (I didn't welcome him to the house last year because I wasn't sure what he was doing with his hair. But now it looks like dreads (enough) and I guess this makes him the NFL's first quarterback with dreads)
- Derrick Nnadi (KC)
- Chris Orr (CAR) (PS) (rookie)
- Logan Ryan (NYG)
- Henry Ruggs (LV) (rookie)
- Victor Salako (BUF) (PS)
- Isaiah Simmons (ARIZ) (rookie)
- LeShaun Sims (CIN)
- Saivion Smith (DAL) (PS)
- James Smith-Williams (WASH) (rookie)
- Kevin Toliver (DEN) (PS)
- K'Von Wallace (PHIL) (rookie)
- Darryl Williams (KC) (PS)
- Preston Williams (MIA) (photo below)
- Chris Williamson (NYG) (PS) (rookie)
- Brandon Wilson (CIN)
- Renell Wren (CIN) (IR)
- Isaiah Wynn (NE) (photo below)
Two names that are not on this list (unfortunately) are WR Calvin Ridley of the Falcons and WR Chris Godwin of the Buccaneers. I was hoping to welcome them to the house this season; but after having dreads during training camp, they changed their minds and switched back to normal hair for the regular season. But I didn't find out until after CB2 had made its predictions.
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SAME DREADS, NEW THREADS
As usual, a large number of players with dreads have switched teams since last year. Here are those that are wearing the uniforms of different teams than they did at the end of 2019, with last year's team listed first followed by their current team, which will be underlined.
- Mario Addison (CAR, BUF)
- Robby Anderson (NYJ, CAR)
- Kalen Ballage (MIA,NYJ)
- Mark Barron (PIT, DEN) (photo below)
- Jamon Brown (ATL, PHIL)
- Vernon Butler (CAR, BUF)
- Josh Bynes (BAL, CIN)
- De'Vondre Campbell (ATL, ARIZ) (photo below)
- Adrian Clayborn (ATL, CLEV)
- Jadeveon Clowney (SEA, TENN) (photo below)
- D.J. Fluker (SEA, BAL)
- Melvin Gordon (LAC, DEN)
- Todd Gurley (LAR, ATL)
- P.J. Hall (OAK, HOU)
- Ronnie Harrison (JAC, CLEV) (photo below)
- DeAndre Hopkins (HOU, ARIZ)
- Germain Ifedi (SEA, CHI)
- Bruce Irvin (CAR, SEA)
- John Jenkins (MIA, CHI)
- Sidney Jones (PHIL, JAC)
- Linval Joseph (MINN, LAC) (photo on left below)
- Dre Kirkpatrick (CIN, ARIZ) (photo on right above)
- Christian Kirksey (CLEV, GB) (photo on left below)
- Cory Littleton (LAR, LV) (photo on right above)
- Bradley McDougald (SEA, NYJ)
- John Miller (CIN, CAR)
- Parry Nickerson (JAC, GB)
- Josh Norman (WASH, BUF)
- Dare Ogunbowale (TB, JAC)
- Senorise Perry (BUF, TENN) (photo below)
- Jordan Phillips (BUF, ARIZ)
- Darryl Roberts (NYJ, DET)
- Seth Roberts (BAL, CAR) (photo below)
- Nickell Robey-Coleman (LAR, PHIL)
- Brandon Shell (NYJ, SEA)
- Taylor Stallworth (NO, IND) (photo below)
- Julian Stanford (BUF, CAR)
- M.J. Stewart (TB, CLEV)
- Mike Thomas (LAR, CIN)
- Desmond Trufant (ATL, DET) (photo below)
- Trae Waynes (MINN, CIN (IR))
- Derek Wolfe (DEN, BAL)
- Isaac Yiadom (DEN, NYG)
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UPDATE: 10/3/2020
Since the start of the season several more players with dreads have signed with teams for which they did not play last season. They are:
- Ziggy Ansah (SEA, SF)
- Kalen Ballage (MIA, NYJ)
- Jamon Brown (ATL, PHIL)
- Todd Davis (DEN, MINN)
- Devonta Freeman (ATL, NYG)
- Ryan Lewis (MIA, NYG)
- C.J. Prosise (SEA, HOU)
- Curtis Riley (OAK, ARIZ)
- Tremon Smith (GB, IND)
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IT'S BETTER TO RECEIVE ....
This year's class of rookies with dreads is record setting in number. (Let's hope it is also record setting in the number of touchdowns they score this season.) Of the 255 total players picked 49 of them have dreads, including the 9 listed earlier that did not have them during their final college season in 2019. The 49 smashes the old record of 41 picked in 2018. 11 of the 49 were picked in the 1st round, also a new record.
Here are all 49, and they made their respective teams' rosters unless otherwise noted.
2020 NFL DRAFT
ROUND 1
2. DE Chase Young (WASH))
8. LB Isaiah Simmons (ARIZ)
9. CB C.J. Henderson (JAC)
12. WR Henry Ruggs (LV)
14. DT Javon Kinlaw (SF)
15. WR Jerry Jeudy (DEN) (photo on right above)
17. WR CeeDee Lamb (DAL) (photo on left above)
19. CB Damon Arnette (LV)
22. WR Justin Jefferson (MINN) (photo on right below)
25. WR Brandon Aiyuk (SF) (photo on left below)
29. OT Isaiah Wilson (TENN)
ROUND 2
36. S Xavier McKinney (NYG) (IR)
37. S Kyle Dugger (NE)
39. G Robert Hunt (MIA)
42. WR Laviska Shenault (JAC) (photo on left below)
49. WR Chase Claypool (PIT) (photo on right below)
51. CB Trevon Diggs (DAL)
61. CB Kristian Fulton (TENN)
ROUND 3
69. G Damien Lewis (SEA)
73. DT DaVon Hamilton (JAC)
86. RB Zack Moss (BUF)
95. DT McTelvin Agim (DEN) (photo below)
96. OT Lucas Niang (KC) (opted out of 2020 season)
ROUND 4
109. G John Simpson (LV)
111. G Solomon Kindley (MIA) (photo on left below)
124. RB Anthony McFarland (PIT) (photo on right below)
127. S K'Von Wallace (PHIL)
138. CB L'Jarius Sneed (KC)
144. RB DeeJay Dallas (SEA)
ROUND 5
155. LB Trevis Gipson (CHI)
155. LB Trevis Gipson (CHI)
169. CB Harrison Hand (MINN)
172. RB Jason Huntley (DET) (cut at end of training camp, but claimed on waivers by PHIL)
174. DT Larrell Murchison (TENN) (photo below)
176. WR K.J. Osborn (MINN)
177. LB Mike Danna (KC)
ROUND 6
184. DT Bravvion Roy (CAR) (photo below)
194. DT Khalil Davis (TB) (*)
198. S Antoine Brooks (PIT) (PS)
205. S Josh Metellus (MINN) (PS)
ROUND 7
216. S Kamren Curl (WASH)
221. CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (CAR) (photo below)
223. CB Chris Claybrooks (JAC)
227. OT Lachavious Simmons (CHI) (PS)
229. DE James Smith-Williams (WASH)
232. DT Carlos Davis (PIT) (*)
235. DE Jashon Cornell (DET) (IR)
242. DE/LB Jonathan Garvin (GB)
247. CB Chris Williamson (NYG) (PS)
252. WR Tyrie Cleveland (DEN)
(*) Khalil Davis and Carlos Davis are identical twin brothers!
UNDRAFTED
Last year Rams WR Nsimba Webster (not Walker) was the only undrafted rookie with dreads to make any team's opening day roster; but this year there are 6! ......
LB Asmar Bilal (LAC)
WR Marquez Callaway (photo on left below)
RB Rico Dowdle (DAL)
WR Trishton Jackson (LAR)
CB James Pierre (PIT) (photo on right below)
WR Isaiah Wright (WASH)
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INJURED RESERVE
The NFL is handling the IR list much differently this season. The minimum time a player must spend on the list was reduced from 8 weeks to 3, and an unlimited number of players can be added back to the active roster after they get healthy instead of only two. So, for this year only the IR list is like a revolving door, and there are too many names on it to list them all. I'm going to list the players under the old, usual IR rules. These players with dreads all have injuries suffered before the season that will keep them out of action for all or most of the season.
- Alex Brown (KC)
- Jashon Cornell (DET) (rookie)
- Duke Ejiofor (HOU)
- Reuben Foster (WASH)
- John Franklin (TB)
- Travin Howard (LAR)
- Jalen Hurd (SF)
- Derwin James (LAC)
- Xavier McKinney (NYG) (rookie)
- Kemoko Turay (IND)
- Trae Waynes (CIN)
- Renell Wren (CIN)
Ronald Blair (SF) and Brandon King (NE) are on the PUP list and will be out for at least the first 6 games of the season. Gerald McCoy would have been on this list; but after signing with the Cowboys as a free agent and being injured during training camp, the Cowboys decided to release him instead of putting him on IR.
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OPT OUTS
Any player uncomfortable or afraid of playing this season due to the pandemic was given the option by the NFL to opt out of playing, in which case he does not play at all this season and his contract is put on hold until next season, with $150,000 of next year's salary being paid in advance this year. A handful of players with dreads took the NFL up on its offer, so you won't see them in uniform this season:
- Travis Benjamin (LAC, SF)
- Brandon Bolden (NE)
- Maurice Canady (NYJ, DAL)
- Patrick Chung (NE)
- Dont'a Hightower (NE)
- C.J. Mosley (NYJ)
- Lucas Niang (KC) (rookie)
- Michael Pierce (BAL, MINN)
- Shakial Taylor (DEN, NYG) (*)
- Marvell Tell (IND)
(*) Shakial Taylor actually was released by the Giants before the start of training camp; but since they were the last team he was with when he decided to opt out, they're on the hook for his 150 grand.
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ONE LAST THING
LB Jatavis Brown, who after playing his first 4 NFL seasons with the Chargers signed as a free agent with the Eagles, decided instead to retire at age 26.
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