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NFL

Sources: Rams agree to trade for CB Peters

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams agreed to acquire All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters from the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday, a move that was first reported by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Details of the trade, which won’t be processed until the start of the new league year on March 14, have yet to be disclosed. But the Chiefs are expected to receive a package of draft picks, not players, in return, according to Schefter’s sources.

Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters has 19 interceptions in his first three NFL seasons. John Rieger/USA TODAY Sports

Peters steps in as the Rams’ primary cornerback, which might spell the end of Trumaine Johnson’s tenure with the team. Peters, a two-time Pro Bowler who was named first-team All-Pro in 2016, has compiled an NFL-leading 19 interceptions since being drafted 18th overall three years ago.

The 25-year-old will cost $1.74 million toward the salary cap this season, which is nearly one-tenth of Johnson’s cap hit last year. The Rams would then have until May 3 to pick up Peters’ fifth-year option for 2019.

The Rams entered the offseason with a desperate need at cornerback. Johnson, who spent the past two years playing under the franchise tag, and slot corner Nickell Robey-Coleman are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Their No. 2 cornerback, Kayvon Webster, ruptured an Achilles tendon in December. Beyond them, there isn’t much depth.

The Peters acquisition gives the Rams salary-cap flexibility, which they could use on pending free agents such as safety Lamarcus Joyner and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. It also helps them sign defensive tackle Aaron Donald to an extension that is expected to eventually make him the game’s highest-paid defensive player.

Just as important, it provides a shutdown corner for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

Peters is the first player since Ed Reed (from 2002 to 2004) with five interceptions in each of his first three seasons, even though opposing quarterbacks have continually shied away from him. From 2015 to 2017, Peters’ combination of sacks, forced fumbles and interceptions (25) easily led the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

But Peters also joins the Rams with some character concerns. He was thrown off his collegiate team at Washington for an altercation with an assistant coach. In December, he was suspended by the Chiefs for one game after tossing an official’s penalty flag into the crowd and then retreating to the locker room without being ejected during a game against the New York Jets.

Peters was also seen at different times on the sideline last season shouting at defensive coordinator Bob Sutton or others. In at least one instance, he directed expletives at a group of fans behind the Chiefs’ bench. The Rams are hopeful that a change of scenery can help fix that.

ESPN’s Adam Teicher contributed to this report.

Soccer

Mourinho's defensive tactics keeping Pogba from expressing himself

Further evidence of a disconnect between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba was provided Wednesday at Sevilla. The out-of-form Frenchman came on as a substitute after initially taking a seat on the bench, and although he wasn’t at his worst, he couldn’t really influence the match.

He mostly jogged about the pitch at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium, picking his moments to get involved. Whether he was still ill from the weekend or not, Pogba looked disengaged until the final moments of the 0-0 draw. It was as if he was told to restrain himself, to focus on seeing out a scoreless result that United could then build on in the second leg at Old Trafford.

Related: De Gea stars as Manchester United settles for Sevilla draw

And therein lies one of the main reasons for Pogba’s struggles. It’s not just a personal problem, it’s down to Mourinho’s tactics. The Portuguese manager prefers soldiers to individual brilliance and defensive responsibility over freedom of expression, and it’s prevented the attack-minded Pogba from truly affecting the play on the pitch.

The same could be said for many of United’s players. Mourinho’s commitment to conservative football has forced the Red Devils to abandon their natural talent and follow a more pragmatic approach.

“If you look at the players they have – (Marcus) Rashford, (Anthony) Martial, (Alexis) Sanchez, (Romelu) Lukaku being backed up by Pogba – wouldn’t that frighten you?” former Arsenal striker Ian Wright told BBC Radio 5 Live. “United should be doing better with the players got (sic) they’ve got. I’m baffled with the sterile football. If I was a United fan, I would be disgusted.”

Every team has to play within a system, and there’s a time and place to line up defensively, but Mourinho seems either unable or unwilling to see his team’s attacking strengths.

His uncompromising devotion to playing not to lose has harmed Pogba’s development the most. The kind of player who thrives on confidence, he has to be allowed to make runs through the heart of midfield and dictate the pace of the game.

(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)

On Wednesday, he wasn’t allowed to do much of that. Pogba didn’t exactly help himself – he was slow to close down players and easily dispossessed – but he gave a glimpse of what he can do in the last 15 minutes. There was more combination play with Lukaku and Rashford, a few decent turns, and one moment when Pogba found the Belgian forward with a smart overhead pass.

It was as if Mourinho, knowing Sevilla would’ve tired itself out after firing shot after shot, let his players attack once the result looked safe.

Pogba also looked freer when Sanchez went off. The Chilean often encroached on the space Pogba would otherwise inhabit, dropping deep and running into the channels. There’s just not much room for Sanchez and Pogba to co-exist. That’s another tactical imbalance that Mourinho has to solve.

But the Portuguese manager may not care at all about Pogba’s personal growth. He just wants his players to carry out a plan, and those who can’t, such as Henrikh Mkhitaryan, will be disposed of. It’s why Mourinho, faced with question after question about Pogba, hugged a reporter who instead asked about Scott McTominay’s workmanlike performance.

“In the press conference, the questions were about Paul, but the question should be about the kid,” Mourinho told BT Sport’s Des Kelly. “He was fantastic. He did everything well. He put pressure on (Ever) Banega and stopped him playing. He’s their playmaker. I think Scott was brilliant.”

McTominay was indeed lively and more willing to press. Responsible for United’s sole shot on target, the youth product was deserving of praise.

But titles aren’t won with a 21-year-old McTominay. It’s with Pogba at his best. And until Mourinho can find a way to tap into his player’s undeniable match-winning talent, it’ll be one colossal waste of time.

“If you think about it, I've never held a job in my life. I went from being an NFL player to a coach to a broadcaster. I haven't worked a day in my life.”
-John Madden


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