Ole Miss’ Judkins: ‘Concern’ over RB deals in NFL
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Heather Dinich, ESPN Senior Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Ole Miss sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins, the SEC’s leading rusher last year, told ESPN that the steady decline in value of NFL contracts for running backs is “a big concern” for him as he looks toward the future.
Interest in the topic heightened this week after a pair of the NFL’s best running backs — New York Giants star Saquon Barkley and Las Vegas Raiders All-Pro Josh Jacobs — both failed to reach long-term deals with their respective teams `before Monday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players.
“That’s why I’ve improved my game as far as showing what I can do in the passing game,” Judkins said Thursday during the final day of SEC media days. “I have a lot of receptions, a lot of passing yards. I can not only be used in the backfield, but I can also be used in the slot as well.
“So you can put me all over the field no matter what you need me to do as a playmaker. I think that as far as the next level, the way they’re doing those guys is because I feel like you can only do so much at that position because of the guys who are in the league and dealing with those situations.”
Barkley and Jacobs both would prefer long-term contracts to the one-year, $10.091 million value of the franchise tender for running backs, though neither can now negotiate a long-term deal until after the season.
Monday’s news prompted an outcry from fellow star running backs such as Christian McCaffrey, who called the situation “criminal,” and Derrick Henry, who went so far as to suggest the NFL eliminate the running back position from the game if it’s not valued.
Judkins, who averaged 120.5 rushing yards per game, became the fastest true freshman in the SEC to reach 1,000 yards rushing since Florida’s Emmitt Smith did so in seven games in 1987. Judkins said he’s working to showcase his versatility.
“I just want to be seen as a guy who can really do it all,” he said. “You don’t have to just run the ball with me, rushing. You can use me all over the field. I can throw the ball, catch it, whatever you need.
“I’ve seen the things that they’ve done with the running back position and the contracts and the things in the NFL that the running backs are dealing with.”
Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said college football is a little different from the NFL because the college coaches run the ball a little more and don’t have to worry about the players being 28 years old.
“I feel like for the most part, the skill set is so unique,” Kiffin said. “It’s not like they’re not getting paid at all [in the NFL]. We just had a couple go high in the draft this year. I don’t think that would change that. I’m more interested in if, do collectives start to figure out the value of that?”
The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Michael King on the 15-day injured list Thursday because of left knee inflammation.
King (4-2, 2.81 ERA) had just come off the IL on Saturday, allowing two runs in as many innings of a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox.
It was his first start since May 18 as he dealt with shoulder inflammation.
Now, he’s back on the IL with a knee issue in a move retroactive to Monday.
It’s a setback for a red-hot Padres team, who will carry a five-game winning streak into a weekend showdown against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. First-place San Diego is one game ahead of L.A. in the NL West.
King had been scheduled to start the series opener Friday.
In the corresponding roster move, the Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.
While the Milwaukee Brewers keep on rolling, another Wisconsin business is stocking up on beef and buns.
For the third time in its history, George Webb Restaurants will make good on its promise of giving away free hamburgers as part of a longstanding promotion to celebrate the Brewers winning 12 consecutive games.
The free burger giveaway will be held Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT at all 23 of the restaurant’s locations throughout Wisconsin. Vouchers for a burger at a later date will be available at all locations starting Friday.
“Hungry fans are welcome to stop by any location for a free, juicy burger and some camaraderie with fellow baseball fans,” the restaurant said on its website.
Starting way back in the 1940s, when Milwaukee was home to the minor league Brewers of the old American Association, George Webb promised free burgers if the local baseball team won 17 consecutive games.
The promotion dropped to 13 games by the time the Braves made Milwaukee a big league city in 1953, but that franchise couldn’t make it happen before departing for Atlanta in 1966.
George Webb changed the promotion to 12 games when the Brewers moved from Seattle in 1970. In 1987, the Brewers opened the season with 13 wins in a row, and more than 170,000 burgers were given away to mark the occasion.
The Brewers accomplished the feat a second time in 2018, closing the regular season with eight victories followed by four playoff wins. That streak led to 90,000 free burgers being given away in addition to 100,000 redeemable vouchers.
Prior to reaching the magic mark on Wednesday, the Brewers had come close on a few occasions, including an 11-game winning streak earlier this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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