Starting March 15, NFL players on expiring contracts were free to sign with new teams. Now that we’re a few weeks removed from the madness, it’s becoming clearer how the reshuffling of NFL free agents will affect next season.
This offseason has been bizarre. Aside from the usual ramifications of operating through the pandemic, the financial fallout from the 2020 season has been brutal—last summer, the league estimated it would lose between $2 billion and $4 billion because of the loss of fan attendance. The NFL’s salary cap (the amount teams can spend on players) is tied to league revenue. And with revenue down, the salary cap for the 2021 season wasn’t clear until just days before free agency began. The final number was $182.5 million, an eight percent drop from the season before.
Despite the financial belt-tightening, some of the most important players in the league changed teams (a few clubs managed to retain their stars, too). Here are seven free agent signings that could have a big impact this season and beyond.
Outside linebacker Bud Dupree to the Titans for five years and $82.5 million
NFL contracts are a bit hard to parse because the full amounts are almost never guaranteed on long-term deals. Dupree’s deal only includes $35 million guaranteed, according to the contract tracking website Spotrac, and the Titans could get out of it after just two years. But it’s still a significant deal, and Dupree, a former Steeler, should be a key player in Tennessee.
The 28-year-old Dupree is a former first-round draft pick who took a few years to come into his own. The last two years, he was paired with the Steelers’ TJ Watt to form arguably the best pass-rushing duo in the league. The Titans had one of the league’s worst defenses against the pass in 2020, in part because they couldn’t generate much pressure against opposing quarterbacks. Dupree should help with that.
Left tackle Trent Williams staying with the 49ers for six years and $138.06 million
Williams likely won’t play out this entire contract, which has “just” $55.1 million guaranteed. Instead, it’ll function like a three-year deal that pays a little more than $20 million a year until Williams turns 36. But he’s definitely worth it. Williams has been one of the best offensive tackles in football for the better part of the last decade.
After contract negotiations stalled between Williams and Washington, his old team, the WFT (as they’re now known) traded him to the 49ers for a fifth-round pick in last year’s draft. Williams then made his eighth Pro Bowl in his first year in the Bay. The Niners might keep Jimmy Garoppolo at QB or draft a rookie to replace him, but either way, Williams will be the key protector for whoever’s throwing the ball.
Cornerback Mike Hilton to the Bengals for four years and $24 million
The former Steeler has been one of the best slot cornerbacks in the NFL for the last four years. Teams didn’t always invest heavily in slot cornerbacks, but they have seen more playing time as NFL offenses have spread out and deployed more formations with three wide receivers. In those situations, slot corners have increasingly replaced a linebacker in the defense.
Hilton breaks quickly on the ball and even joins the pass rush from time to time. In his four years in Pittsburgh, he had 9.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 32 pass breakups, and three forced fumbles. Despite his 5’9” stature, he’s a game-changer, and as a bonus, the Bengals get to take him away from a division rival. Hilton is likely to play out most or all of this contract in Cincinnati.
Receiver Kenny Golladay to the Giants for four years and $72 million
Golladay has $40 million guaranteed, one of the largest sums in the league, and the game-breaking wideout will very likely play at least three of the four contracted years. A former third-round pick from Northern Illinois University, Golladay made just under $4.6 million in four seasons with the Lions—this deal with the Giants is a big raise.
He’s worth it. The Giants have lacked game-breaking talent at the offensive skill positions since trading Odell Beckham Jr. before the 2019 season. (Injuries to running back Saquon Barkley have not helped.) The team’s leading receiver in 2020, Darius Slayton, had just 751 yards and three touchdowns, and he caught just over half the balls thrown to him. Golladay gives the Giants a truly elite receiver at a time when QB Daniel Jones needs one.
Running back Kenyan Drake to the Raiders for two years and $11 million
In the modern NFL, running backs do not command big contracts. Teams have shifted to viewing rushing success as a byproduct of offensive line play and how the defense chooses to defend near the line of scrimmage. Even so, you should be excited to see how Drake fares in Vegas. The Alabama alum has been a useful runner for both the Dolphins and the Cardinals in the first five years of his career, and he ran for nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. He has also been valuable in the pass game, with 1,244 receiving yards in his five seasons.
The Raiders needed a shifty back to complement the bulldozing Josh Jacobs, and Drake is a good fit. Interestingly, Jacobs is also a Bama product, and the addition of Drake gives the Raiders an all-Crimson Tide backfield.
Tight end Jonnu Smith to the Patriots for four years and $50 million
The Patriots missed the playoffs in 2020 for the first time since 2000, Bill Belichick’s first year as head coach. The most glaring problems for the Patriots: Tom Brady was suddenly in Tampa Bay, and the defense declined after a strong season the year before. But one of the reasons Brady’s replacement, Cam Newton, struggled at QB is that the Patriots just didn’t have the same kind of talented pass-catchers they’ve put on the field in recent years.
Smith, a former Titan, should be a big boost. He hasn’t posted huge numbers in his four-year career, but that’s partly because he never received more than 44 targets in a year until 2020, when the Titans threw to him 65 times. Last year, he caught 41 for 448 yards and eight touchdowns, emerging as one of the best threats in the NFL when the Titans were near the opponent’s end zone.
Tight end Hunter Henry to the Patriots for three years and $37.5 million
The Patriots also signed former Chargers TE Hunter Henry (that means New England landed the two most expensive tight ends in free agency). With these acquisitions, Belichick is trying to give Cam Newton the kind of tools Brady used to have in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez (before Hernandez’s career and life collapsed with his conviction for murder).
Belichick doesn’t seem content with his record six Super Bowl wins, and it’ll be fun to watch the Patriots try to make a run in 2021.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top. Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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