Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images Building a full NFL roster from Rams teams over the past 25 years With the NFL heading into the 2025 season, there are many that will be looking at the last 25 years of the NFL as a whole and celebrate the great teams over that time period. A couple of weeks ago, ESPN published a 53-man NFL “All Quarter Century Team” and Philly Voice’s Jimmy Kempski did an all-Philadelphia Eagles version. That got me wondering what a Rams version would look like. Note: the players will be judged by their level of play specifically with the Rams beginning in the year 2000. In other words, while Von Miller is a first-ballot Hall of Fame player, he won’t make the team. Similarly, Robert Woods’ NFL career wasn’t great, but he had moments of stardom in Los Angeles. QB (3): Matthew Stafford, Kurt Warner, Jared Goff A case could probably be made for Marc Bulger. He played eight seasons for the Rams, surpassing 22,000 passing yards and 120 touchdowns. Bulger leads the Rams in passing yards and touchdowns since 2000. Still, Matthew Stafford led the Rams to a Super Bowl win in 2021. Warner didn’t have the longevity, but he did have an MVP season in 2001. Jared Goff has two Pro Bowl appearances like Bulger, but has the playoff run in 2018 and overall team success that gets him over the edge. RB (3): Marshall Faulk, Todd Gurley, Steven Jackson This trio are very clearly the three best running backs for the Rams during this period. Both Faulk and Gurley have Offensive Player of the Year awards while Jackson surpassed 10,000 yards. Jackson also became the team’s all-time leading rusher during this era. The Rams have some of the best running backs in NFL history and to get these three all within a 25 year period underscores that. WR (6): Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Cooper Kupp, Robert Woods, Puka Nacua, Tavon Austin Torry Holt leads Rams receivers with 817 receptions and 11,800 yards during this period. From 2000-2005, he set a league record with six consecutive seasons with 1,300 yards. Cooper Kupp may only have two 1,000 yard seasons, but he won the triple crown in 2021. That season will go down as one of the best of all-time for a wide receiver. Woods and Nacua round out the group. It may seem crazy to have Tavon Austin in here, but we need someone who can return punts. Austin led the Rams with 1,300 punt return yards and three punt return touchdowns. TE (4): Tyler Higbee, Gerald Everett, Ernie Conwell, Johnny Mundt For as great as the Rams have been on the defensive line, wide receiver, and running back, the opposite can be said about tight end. Tyler Higbee is a lock, but after that, it’s hard to choose. Gerald Everett may not have signed a second contract, but will always have his game-winning touchdown catch against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. A case could be made for Lance Kendricks, but Mundt is a core special teams player and arguably the best blocking tight end that the Rams have had in this era. Meanwhile, Ernie Conwell was the primary tight end for the Greatest Show on Turf and brings blocking and receiving ability. OL (10): Orlando Pace, Rodger Saffold, John Sullivan, Adam Timmerman, Rob Havenstein, Andrew Whitworth, Austin Corbett, David Edwards, Kevin Dotson, Harvey Dahl The starting offensive line in this scenario would be Orlando Pace and Rodger Saffold on the left side with Adam Timmerman and Rob Havenstein on the right side. Havenstein leads all Rams offensive linemen with 141 starts since 2000. John Sullivan may have only played two years for the Rams, but he was very good at center in 2017 and 2018. Andrew Whitworth provides good depth at tackle while Kevin Dotson has been one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL with the Rams. Finally, Harvey Dahl brings good depth and an attitude that the Rams need on the offensive line. EDGE (4): Leonard Little, Robert Quinn, Chris Long, Jared Verse At his best and before the back injury, Robert Quinn was one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He was drafted 14th overall in 2011 and had 19 sacks in 2013 with seven forced fumbles. Quinn finished with 108 quarterback hits with the Rams. Meanwhile, Leonard Little leads all Rams players with 87 sacks during this period. Chris Long may have been drafted second overall by the Rams, but he has embraced his time with the Eagles and Patriots much more than his time with the Rams. That makes sense as he won Super Bowls with both teams. Still, he is one of the most accomplished Rams pass rushers in this time period. While Verse is only a rookie, he won Defensive Rookie of the Year and began to fill the shoes of Aaron Donald. DL (6): Aaron Donald, Michael Brockers, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske, Kendall Langford, A’Shawn Robinson The Rams defensive line during this era would stack up against any group in the NFL. This is a group obviously led by Aaron Donald who leads Rams defensive linemen in sacks during this time period. He’s the only player to eclipse 100. Michael Brockers was never special, but he was a solid player while Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are becoming franchise staples. As depth, Kendall Langford and A’Shawn Robinson were good role players. LB (4): James Laurinaitis, Will Witherspoon, Ernest Jones, Cory Littleton James Laurinaitis was the heart and soul of the Rams defense when they were a very bad team from 2009-2015. He deserved much more success than what he got with the Rams, but accumulated 854 tackles which is over 300 more than any Rams player in that past 25 years. Ernest Jones only played three years for the Rams and just one as a full-time starter. However, he was the starting linebacker in the Super Bowl. Littleton was
Rams quarter century team: 53-man roster
Phinsider Question Of The Day: 4th Of July Plans Edition
Photo by Rick Kern/WireImage This isn’t your typical Phinsider Question Of The Day post. It’s more of a casual chat about your plans for the three-day weekend starting tomorrow, the 4th of July. Let us know what your plans are, big or small, for the weekend. Are you visiting friends and family, or hosting this weekend? Perhaps you and your family took this extra time to go somewhere for a mini-vacation. What about the food and drink? What do you or your hosts have planned for this weekend’s cooking, grilling, and picnicking? Will you be attending fireworks or one of the many concerts taking place this weekend around the country? While this is one of our random live open threads, where anything is on the table for discussion, we still ask you to follow all site rules as you would in any other post. Please share your big 4th of July weekend plans in the comments section below-
Bengals and Shemar Stewart have made no progress on getting a deal done
Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images The two sides recently tried to reignite contract talks, but they went nowhere. Training camp is less than three weeks away, and the Cincinnati Bengals have yet to sign first-round pick Shemar Stewart. Will both sides be able to reach an agreement before Day 1 of camp arrives? For now, it doesn’t appear anything is close to happening… According to Tyler Dragon of The Cincinnati Enquirer, there has been no progress made on getting Stewart’s deal done after the two sides recently tried to reignite contract talks. The Bengals and Stewart’s team discussed the rookie’s contract details last week but no progress was made, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter. The two sides haven’t spoken since. It has been well-documented why Stewart and the Bengals are at an impasse due to the contract wording, as well as the wording in the participation agreement that could have gotten Stewart onto the practice field without signing his rookie contract. Alas, unless either side budges, there’s a very real possibility that Stewart isn’t on the field when training camp arrives.
Braden Smith is set to help the Colts revamped o-line after time away
Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Smith is an important piece of the Colts offense, so his return is highly anticipated. Braden Smith had quite the 2024. His journey on the field was cut short with the Indianapolis Colts as he had to seek treatment for his OCD. It was so bad that he considered retirement and even taking his own life. Missing the last five games of the season was the furthest thing from his mind as he battled his religious scrupulosity (from of OCD that diverts from typical religious practice). Smith is back with the team, however, and looking to return to form. Smith saw a psychologist, checked himself into a mental health facility, and eventually turned to a psychedelic. That psychedelic is credited by Smith for saving his life. Of course, all of this was hush-hush during the season as the Colts granted Smith the space he needed to get help. Fans were unaware of what was occurring as “personal reasons” was the official response from the team, but they were also hopeful he would return to the team at some point. Five games away and treatment seem to have done Smith good. The Colts wanted him back under a restructured deal to which Smith agreed. Both sides are looking to move forward, and having Smith back is a huge boost to the team. The offensive line will already look extremely different with the departures of Ryan Kelly and Will Fries. Losing Smith would have made a difficult situation worse. He has battled knee injuries and his own mental demons, but he is a valuable asset on the field. The Colts and Smith have to thrilled he is back in action. Braden Smith is a perfect example of why the Colts created “Kicking the Stigma”. If Smith hasn’t sought help, it sounds like it would have cost him his life. He got the necessary treatment and not only gets to return to football, but also gets to be there for his family. Hopefully, Smith will be able to return to form and have a solid season for the Colts and continue down the path of recovery.
Free agents who make sense for the Las Vegas Raiders
Safety Justin Simmons, right, celebrates his fourth-quarter interception against the Las Vegas Raiders. Simmons played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 and is an unrestricted free agent. | Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Veterans like Justin Simmons, Mike Hilton, Quinton Jefferson can fill needs, bolster Silver & Black defense We’ve rounded the corner past June we’re about three weeks out from the kickoff to Las Vegas Raiders training camp. It’s an integral offseason in the augural year with general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll at the helm and when rookies kick off camp July 17, the hard work and grind the Silver & Black are engaging in with eyes of competing and not floundering in 2025 recommences. The veterans follow their neophyte counterparts on July 22 and we’ll find out plenty about this rendition of the Raiders. Pads will come on and the competition should begin to produce expected starters. And when Carroll and his Raiders meet the Seattle Seahawks (his former team) on August 7 to kick off preseason play, we’ll learn even more. As NFL teams embark on their respective training camps, rosters sit at 90. According to both Over The Cap and Spotrac, Las Vegas has about $31.2-plus or $31.8-plus million in cap space available. And with that in mind, let’s take a look at available free agents that make sense for the Raiders. How is Justin Simmons still a free agent???#NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/GrdlwUCRJl — Locker (@PlayLockerLive) July 21, 2024 Justin Simmons, Safety I’m surprised Simmons remains on the open market as the Boston College product is an impact defensive back since his arrival to the NFL as the Denver Broncos’ third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s older at 31 but is a 6-foot-2 and 202-pound safety who remained an effective safety and takeaway artist for the Atlanta Falcons in 2024 (62 total tackles, two interceptions, and seven pass deflections). Pro Football Reference charted Simmons as allowing 22 receptions on 37 targets for 229 yards and three touchdowns. The 59.5 percent completion rate he allowed when quarterbacks targeted him is impressive. Simmons has the size, awareness, instincts, and capability to be a thief on the Raiders back end and would be a better option in three-safety alignments alongside Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao than Lonnie Johnson Jr. (who is of similar size, but two years younger). That all said, with the Pittsburgh Steelers trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to acquire cornerback Jalen Ramsey from the Miami Dolphins, there’s another AFC squad who needs a safety. Mike Hilton, Cornerback I’m pretty sure everyone has written about Hilton at this point. Yet, Las Vegas’ depth at the slot/nickel cornerback spot is less than ideal and despite being 31 and “only” 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, the Mississippi product plays much bigger than his size and is a fierce defender. Hilton’s 24 total tackles for loss the last two seasons (12 in 2023 and 2024) showcase the cornerback’s ability to mix it up and get dirty where many others simply make “business decisions”. Hilton isn’t a volume interception machine (one in 2024, two in 2023, one in 2022 as examples) but holds up well in coverage and he’s accustomed to be activated on the blitz — something Graham likes to do with his defensive backs both against the run and pass. Never let your guard down when Quinton Jefferson is around pic.twitter.com/8T1t16ysoV — Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 10, 2022 Quinton Jefferson, Defensive Tackle Now here’s a defender that’s no stranger to either Carroll or the Raiders. While the defensive tackle position has intriguing young pieces along with veteran leadership, the absence of Christian Wilkins looms large and Adam Bulter could use another savvy vet in the trenches. While the 32-year-old Jefferson hasn’t been a multi-game starter over his nine-year career, he did play in and start 17 games for the Raiders back in 2021 and racked up 47 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and five tackles for loss. As a rotational pass rushing-type tackle, Jefferson still has the juice to get in the backfield and brings decent size and movement at 6-foot-4 and 290 pounds. Jefferson is coming off a 2024 campaign where he finished with 14 total tackles and two sacks. But he did have a solid 2023 season with the New York Jets (34 total tackles, career high six sacks, and four tackles for loss). Keenan Allen, Wide Receiver Do the Raiders really need a veteran possession receiver who turned 33 not to long ago? With Jakobi Meyers as the only established wideout on Las Vegas roster, Allen can come in and compete for the WR1 role from the jump. His 2024 campaign may have been light (70 catches for 744 yards in 15 games (15 starts)), Allen still hauled in seven touchdowns for the Chicago Bears last year. The connection to the Raiders is present as wide receivers coach Chris Beatty was Allen’s position coach with the Los Angels Chargers (2021-23) and then the Bears this past season. With his precise route running, Allen can be an ample and productive target for quarterback Geno Smith in Las Vegas. Neville Hewitt has become one of the best special teams players in the NFL. Hewitt knew he had to change his mindset if he wanted to remain in the NFL. ️@Neville_Hewitt: “Every business, you gotta have a niche. You gotta be good at something.” ⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/74RK88JF9o — Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelV) December 1, 2024 Neville Hewitt, Linebacker A career special teamer who shines when given the opportunity on defense, Neville would be another patchwork-type defender the second level of Las Vegas defense. But the 32-year-old Marshall product brings something other Raiders linebackers don’t: Pass coverage chops. The 6-foot-2 and 234-pound linebacker is a nuisance when dropping back in coverage and, last year with the Houston Texans, Neville was targeted 14 times allowing nine completions for 68 yards and one touchdown. The lone season where he was an every-down linebacker in 2020 with the New York Jets, Neville amassed
Minnesota Vikings News and Links: TJ Loves Him Some JJ
Cant wait for training camp! Minnesota Vikings News and Links Vikings’ T.J. Hockenson Sends Message on J.J. McCarthy McCarthy missed his rookie season due to a meniscus tear and surgery, so the former Michigan star and No. 10 pick hasn’t played a regular season snap yet. However, the Vikings handed over the keys of the offense to McCarthy and let quarterback Sam Darnold leave in free agency despite a career year in 2024. “That’s my dog,” Hockenson told Fox News during Tight End University in June. “He is one of the best people I have been around. Just a young guy that’s hungry and wants to learn, he wants to get better.” “I mean, he’s making a trip down here soon, and so he wants to be great in this league and I respect that and he is willing to do the things and the hard things it takes to be great,” Hockenson added. Hockenson participated in the annual tight end summit in Nashville, Tennessee, led by star tight ends George Kittle and Travis Kelce plus former NFL tight end Greg Olsen. A Nashville area resident in the offseason, Hockenson said TEU has been beneficial for on-field improvement and connecting with fellow NFL tight ends. “Coming here and having all the guys, it’s good to be around Travis, be around George. I mean, I’m around (Kittle) every day, we’re around each other every day,” Hockenson said. “To see some of the guys off the field, and really make the connection, really meet them outside of football. It’s a lot of fun,” Hockenson added. “So that’s what I try to get out of it every year, learning some things on the field, some tidbits, helping guys each year, and then being able to make those connections and build relationships off the field with those guys.” For Hockenson, he will be catching passes from his third different starting quarterback in four seasons with the Vikings. However, Hockenson believes McCarthy can make the big throws and noted that his “arm talent is insane.” “He’s got that switch. He turns that on when he gets on the field,” he said. “You don’t really notice that when you’re just hanging out and talking with him, but he really wants it.” “He really wants everything to be perfect, and he’s a perfectionist for sure, which is awesome. That is how you need to be as a quarterback in this league,” Hockenson added. The Vikings’ QB1 Has an Actual Issue with His Arm 2025 All-NFC North Preseason Team: Vikings dominate the wide receivers 2025 All-NFC North Preseason Team: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason voted top 5 Vikings UDFA profile: Texas WR Silas Bolden is a dynamic return threat SILAS BOLDEN 75-YARD PUNT RETURN TO THE HOUSE‼️ pic.twitter.com/QsW24fqYhg — ESPN (@espn) January 1, 2025 Josh McCown Talks About His Coaching Style & Communicating with Quarterback J.J. McCarthy 45 thoughts on the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive players ahead of training camp Logan Brown, T: If we were to rank the undrafted players worth keeping an eye on in training camp, Brown would hover near the top. He was a huge recruit who found his footing last year at Kansas. Right tackle will likely be his primary position. Remember the name. NFL Draft Stuff 10 linebackers to know in the 2026 NFL Draft Anthony Hill Jr., Texas Hill entered college as a five-star recruit and immediately lived up to the hype, starting immediately as a true freshman. He’s constantly around the football, whether that’s as a run defender, pass-rusher or in coverage. Since 2023, his 32 coverage stops are tied for the most among FBS linebackers, while his 10 sacks and five forced fumbles are tied for the most among Power Four ones. Hill has had 127 plays where he’s made first contact on the ballcarrier in that same span, the most of any returning Power Four linebacker. Hill is a versatile athlete who wears many different hats for the Longhorns’ defense and could find his way into the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft Sonny Styles, Ohio State Styles began his career as a safety for the Buckeyes before transitioning to linebacker this past season. It was a move that paid off for the former No. 4 overall recruit in the 2022 high school class, as he finished his junior year as one of the 20 most valuable linebackers in the nation, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. Styles still looks like a safety in coverage, tying for fifth among Power Four linebackers with 16 coverage stops last season. He also adjusted well to the more physical style of play that playing linebacker requires, tallying six sacks and 75 plays with first contact on the ball carrier. Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh Louis was one of six linebackers in the FBS with 80-plus grades as a run defender and in coverage last season. The sophomore led the Power Four with 22 tackles for loss/no gain and four interceptions last season. Louis’ movement ability in coverage is reminiscent of a slot cornerback, and he has elite agility. He does need to get bigger, though, looking more like a safety at 225 pounds. Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new: No discussion of politics or religion No feeding of the trolls Leave the gender hatred at the door Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must) Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasm
Majority of Lions fans expect Jared Goff to exceed projected passing totals
What’s new at Pride of Detroit Direct? If you want more Lions coverage, our newsletter is the answer for you. There, we have weekly columns, deep analytical dives, and exclusive podcasts to offer comprehensive coverage of free agency, the draft, and everything in between as we prepare of a momentous 2025 Detroit Lions season.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/74161380/usa_today_26241047.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Ranking every 1st round QB since 2021 (and why it’s painful)")
Ranking every 1st round QB since 2021 (and why it’s painful)
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images If the Los Angeles Rams are going to target a quarterback early in next year’s draft, as many people expect them to, the cautionary tales go back as far as when they were recruited as high school graduates to some of the NFL’s most recent first round picks. Not only could development be getting stunted in college over the past five years, but the league hasn’t done themselves any favors by using early first round picks on projects and passers who never learned how to read a defense. Of the nine quarterbacks drafted in the first round between 2021 and 2023, five of them are already on their third teams. Before the Rams go into the 2026 draft with two first round picks, gung-ho to find Matthew Stafford’s successor, it’s important to look back at what recent history has taught us about modern day first round quarterbacks. While the 2024 rookie class offers reasons for optimism, they have to walk over a trail of massive busts to complete the journey that will make teams feel confident again. Think of it like the future of the box office: You may feel good about the last new movie you saw in theaters compared to some of the schlock we had to put up with in 2021, but the U.S. still has 5,700 fewer screens than they did before the pandemic. This is a ranking of the nine QBs drafted in the first round from 2021-2023 and a reminder of what’s been lost. (I won’t include the 2024 class because they haven’t had enough time in the NFL yet, but I’ll share a rough, too-early ranking at the end of the article. If I was including 2024, then Jayden Daniels would be ranked first on this list. Maybe the 2024 class is hope for the future because the three years before it indicate an extremely dark past.) 1. C.J. Stroud, Texans The Texans won 11 games between 2020-2022, so just the fact that Houston has gone 19-13 and won a playoff game in both seasons with Stroud is enough reason to believe they have a legitimate franchise quarterback. Stroud led the NFL in passing yards per game and interception rate as a rookie, but perhaps more importantly quieted the skeptics who were worried that he can’t improvise when a play breaks down. That being said, the absolute best quarterback on this list was downright below average in year two, literally ranking below-average in virtually every passing metric, including completion rate, touchdowns, adjusted net yards per attempt, sack percentage, and passer rating. Stroud’s TD% dipped from 4.6 to 3.8, while his INT% more than doubled from 1% to 2.3%. People who are fans of Stroud may push back on sharing these findings and say that his offensive coordinator (fired) was bad and his supporting cast was even worse. That’s fine, I have absolutely no skin in the game, I’m simply sharing facts of what happened. There are QBs who win MVP in their second season (Lamar Jackson) and QBs who make the Super Bowl (Joe Burrow), but Stroud’s second year was worse than his first. That’s not an opinion. The Texans responded to last season by hiring Nick Caley (off of the Rams staff) to be the new OC and overloading on new weapons for Stroud. The Rams will be the first team to get a taste of those changes in Week 1. It seems weird to think people would have to defend Stroud on a list that ranks him number one overall, but that is the state of these recent first round quarterbacks. 2. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars Lawrence’s career-start was the opposite of Stroud’s experience: Rookie season: 3-14, 12 TD/17 INT, 6 Y/A, 71.9 passer rating, 39.1 QBR, 59.6% completions Year 2: 9-8, 25 TD/8 INT, 7 Y/A, 95.2 rating, 56.1 QBR, 66.3% completions As you might expect, the Jaguars had a coaching change between years one and two, going from Urban Meyer to Doug Pederson, but also adding receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, as well as tight end Evan Engram. The moves worked, but only for a couple of seasons and only “kinda”. It was one step forward, two step backwards for Lawrence in 2023 and 2024, with an interceptions and accuracy problem that has never actually gone away. By hiring Liam Coen to replace Pederson this offseason, that now makes two-of-two for QBs on this list who are now being coordinated by someone who used to work for Sean McVay. The Jaguars are committed to Lawrence by way of the $275 million contract that they gave him in 2024 despite Lawrence showing no real improvement in year three, and if anything playing worse than he did in 2023. Lawrence ranked 35th in the NFL in completion percentage (60.6%) and the only thing that stopped him from hitting the basement entirely was Anthony Richardson’s 47.7%. (We’ll get to him later.) He was below-average in almost every category and yet surprisingly some of his numbers (like Net Yards/Attempt and QBR) were actually BETTER than C.J. Stroud’s. Guessing who will be better between the two AFC South QBs this season is a coinflip and it is perhaps not a coincidence that the top two success stories on this list also both play in one of the NFL’s worst divisions. 3. Bryce Young, Panthers A quarterback who I can COMFORTABLY rank third on this list of recent first round quarterbacks, was also the worst starting quarterback in the NFL in 2023 (by a significant margin): 2-14 record as a starter 32nd in passer rating 32nd in yards per game 31st in TD% 31st in completion percentage 32nd in adjusted net yards per attempt (by a HUGE margin) 31st in success rate Second-most sacked QB in the league (behind Sam Howell) By the way, the three-worst QBs of 2023 are all on this list, while Justin Fields and Kenny Pickett are close behind, and Richardson may have been the worst but
Minnesota Vikings All Quarter Century Team: Offensive Guard No. 1
Photo by Tom Dahlin/Getty Images Steve Hutchison headlines the group of offensive guards seeking to land on our Vikings All Quarter Century Team. Now that we’ve got our bookends of the offensive line voted on, it’s time to work inside and figure out which players will make up the interior! The Vikings haven’t been nearly as lucky with their offensive guards as they have been with their tackles this century. However, the top end of the guards is ELITE, it’s just that the rest of the players who make up the pool have a ceiling of long-term starter with no accolades to go along with them. At the very top of the list is obviously former Vikings great Steve Hutchison who you will Steve Hutchinson (2006-2011) I think we all know who the runaway favorite will be in this first poll, but we’re going to run through it anyway. Hutchison was originally drafted in the first round by the Seahawks in 2001, but he made his way to Minnesota in 2006 as a free agent with a then-record deal for an offensive guard at seven years and $49 million. During his time with the Vikings, Hutchison was named a First-Team All-Pro three times (2007-2009) and a Second-Team All-Pro in 2006. He also made the Pro Bowl from 2006-2009, as well. Hutchison was such a dominant guard in his day (7 total First or Second-team All-Pro selections in his career) that he was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 2000s and was recognized as one of the 50 greatest Vikings of all time. In 2020, Hutchison was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Anthony Herrera (2004-2011) Herrera joined the Vikings in 2004 as an undrafted free agent following a collegiate career at the University of Tennessee. He started six games as a rookie while making an appearance in 10 total contests. After being limited to two games (zero starts) in 2006, Herrera would go on to start double-digit games in every season for the Vikings through the rest of his career, including a career high 16 games in 2008. David Dixon (1994-2004) Dixon may be the longest-tenured Vikings offensive guards in franchise history as he started 134 games while playing in 152 total. This century, roughly half of those starts were made with 77 in 78 games played from 2000 until his career ended in 2004. The 6’5, 343-pound Dixon was an active rugby player before joining the Arizona State football team and getting drafted by the Patriots in the ninth round back in 1992. His success was not only unlikely, but the ability to stay with one football team long enough and play in over 150 games for the same franchise is dang near miraculous.
Eagles schedule preview: Los Angeles Chargers
Photo by Brandon Sloter/Getty Images Do the Chargers have enough juice? When and Where: Week 14 in Los Angeles, so basically a home game Last season: Committed just 9 turnovers during the regular season, then 4 in one playoff game. Added: Mekhi Becton, Benjamin St-Juste, Tyler Conklin, Donte Jackson, Andre James, Da’Shawn Hand, Najee Harris, Mike Williams Lost: Kristian Fulton, Josh Palmer, Poona Ford, Morgan Fox, Joey Bosa Players added or lost in order of snaps played last season. Top draft picks: Omarion Hampton, Tre Harris Biggest question facing this team: Do they have the horses to run with the top of the AFC? It was no surprise that Jim Harbaugh immediately made the Chargers a winning team. They were 1st in scoring defense, and Justin Herbert had the most efficient season of his career. This is what Harbaugh does, he makes his team hell to play against and, even with Greg Roman as his play caller, gets good seasons out of his QBs. But Harbaugh and Herbert alone won’t get the Chargers into the next tier in the AFC. This team needs more talent to move up from being good enough to win double digit games but not good enough to make a playoff run. They scored 17 or fewer points in 7 games last year, and 20% of their points scored were against the Patriots and Raiders in the final two games of the season. This is a team that employs Jalen Reagor. The players they have brought in probably won’t help. Najee Harris? Bringing back Mike Williams? Tyler Conklin? These are not floor raising moves, let alone ceiling raising. Omarion Hampton might be a difference maker, but the Chargers aren’t just a RB away from leveling up to the top of the AFC. No one can get more out of less than Jim Harbaugh. And while this should be a playoff team once again, it should not come as a surprise if the Chargers fail to make the playoffs.
