Trenton Simpson says it’s ‘awesome’ to be teammates with Nate Wiggins again Kevin Oestreicher The Baltimore Ravens drafted Nate Wiggins in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft. He is expected to play a big role as a young member of Baltimore’s defense, but he isn’t the only former Clemson star to have that role with the Ravens this year. Wiggins’ college teammate Trenton Simpson was selected in the third round of 2023, which means the two are re-united in Baltimore. Simpson was asked about playing with Wiggins again, to which he said it’s been “awesome” to have Wiggins on his team once more. “It’s been awesome. Just us being at Clemson and growing together, winning some games together, [and] being on the ACC championship team with [Nate Wiggins] was awesome. But [I’m] just seeing him come in every day, competing. I mean, he’s young, just like I was last year, so him asking ‘Marlo’ [Marlon Humphrey] questions, ‘B. Steve’ [Brandon Stephens] questions, it’s awesome, because the vets we have in this organization are taking all the guys under, and I feel like that’s good to help improve a lot of guys’ careers.” Simpson had plenty of good things to say about Wiggins, a player that the Ravens will need to play well in order to continue being a top defense in the NFL this season. Both Clemson alumni hopefully have big things ahead, and have the tools to have long and successful careers.
Trenton Simpson says it’s ‘awesome’ to be teammates with Nate Wiggins again
The Two NFL Running Backs With ‘Hardest’ Fantasy Schedules In 2024
As we get closer and closer to the start of NFL training camp, we’re also approaching the start of many fantasy football drafts. For one of the key positions, running back, there are two players that could be in for a rough time. On Wednesday, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released a ranking of the two … SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 22: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys looks on prior to an NFL divisional round playoff football game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Dallas Cowboys at Levi’s Stadium on January 22, 2023 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) Michael Owens/Getty Images As we get closer and closer to the start of NFL training camp, we’re also approaching the start of many fantasy football drafts. For one of the key positions, running back, there are two players that could be in for a rough time. On Wednesday, Pro Football Focus (PFF) released a ranking of the two players at every position who have the toughest schedules according to their metrics. In the case of the running back position the two starters who look primed for a rough season are Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys and Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons. For Elliott, PFF rated his matchups 0.0/10 due to the brutal slew of run defenses that the Cowboys face this season. “The Dallas Cowboys didn’t make much of an investment in the run game this offseason, missing out on Texas prospect Jonathon Brooks in the draft and eventually re-signing veteran Ezekiel Elliott with not much else in the way of competition outside of Rico Dowdle,” PFF wrote. “Elliott heads into his age-29 season coming off a campaign where he posted career lows with 3.5 yards per attempt, 69.2 rushing grade, 2.54 yards after contact per attempt and a 2.6 breakaway yard percentage. Pair his waning performance with shakeups on the offensive line and the absolutely brutal schedule ahead, and Elliott suddenly looks like one of the biggest red flags on the draft board, even if he could be in line for significant volume on one of the league’s most productive offenses.” As for Bijan, who received a matchup rating of 0.6/10, the Falcons’ schedule and changes to the passing game are believed to be a big reason that he may not do as well as he did as a rookie. Does this information make you any less likely to take the two in fantasy football? Related: Dak Prescott Doesn’t Hold Back On Cowboys Signing Ezekiel Elliott
2024 Bengals captains announced
Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images Joe Burrow is 5/5 on being a Bengals captain. The Cincinnati Bengals have announced their 2024 captains. On offense, quarterback Joe Burrow, offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr., and center Ted Karras received the nod. On defense, safety Vonn Bell, linebacker Germaine Pratt, and defensive end Sam Hubbard got the nod. And on special teams, kicker Evan McPherson and backup linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither are getting the captain patch. Burrow is a captain for a fifth straight year, while Hubbard got the honor for a fourth time. This is Bell’s fourth time as a captain with the Bengals, the last three coming during his first stint in Cincinnati (2020-22). Karras is also a three-time captain for the Bengals. Brown, Davis-Gaither, Pratt, and McPherson are first-time captains. The Generals : https://t.co/UAjTUaOL27 pic.twitter.com/wDmjOuWtqM — Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 2, 2024 Follow our Twitter page and go like our Facebook page for more Cincinnati Bengals news, views, and more fun stuff. Check out our podcasts here on CJ, the Bleav in Cincy podcast feed, Spotify, Amazon, our YouTube channel, and iTunes! And Who DEY!
Colts HC Shane Steichen on injured WR Josh Downs: He’s ‘progressing well,’ but no further update
Filed under: Colts HC Shane Steichen on injured WR Josh Downs: He’s ‘progressing well,’ but no further update The Colts are still hoping to get Josh Downs back for the regular season opener this week, but they’ll be cutting it close—with no clear date yet for his expected return. By Luke Schultheis Sep 2, 2024, 5:36pm EDT
Raiders open as 3-point underdogs in Week 1 vs. the Los Angeles Chargers
Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images Raiders open up as 3-point underdogs in their first game of the 2024 season The Las Vegas Raiders and their fanbase are ready for Week 1. The preseason is over and it is time for the real games that count. Las Vegas head coach Antonio Pierce made his case for the job in 2024. His leadership and personality are connected with the players, and he had the defense playing at a high level. It helped the Raiders win games and have a chance at the playoffs late in the season. Now he has a chance to put his imprint on Raiders history with the full-time job. His first test is the Los Angeles Chargers with new head coach Jim Harbaugh on the road. Fan Duel Sportsbook posted odds for all the Week 1 action, with the Raiders opening as 3-point underdogs on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers next Sunday with an O/U of 40.5 With every team playing in Week 1. According to FanDuel, the biggest favorites for the upcoming games are the Cincinnati Bengals, who are 9.5-point favorites over the New England Patriots. Check out the opening odds below: Raiders vs. Chargers Moneyline: Raiders+146 , Colts -174 Opening point spread: -3 Opening point total: 40
Khalil Shakir names his top-three receivers in the NFL
Who are your top three? Khalil Shakir names his top-three receivers in the NFL Nick Wojton Khalil Shakir was tasked with answering who he believe are the best wide receivers currently in the NFL. Appearing on the “Centered in Buffalo” podcast with Eric Wood earlier this offseason, Shakir was not allowed to select any of his teammates. That’s how the likes of Keenan Allen, Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb came into the fold. How did he rank those three? Shakir’s breakdown can be found in the clip below: Read all the best Bills coverage at the Democrat and Chronicle and Bills Wire.
Vikings’ NFC North Rival Oppo Research: Chicago Bears
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images I conclude my series on the Minnesota Vikings division rivals with a closer look at the Chicago Bears. Recap of the Bears’ 2023 Season If running the ball well and stopping the run were what mattered the most in the NFL, the Bears would’ve been a good team last year. They ran it the second-most offensively, with the sixth-best yards per attempt, and allowed the fewest rushing yards and 5th lowest yards per carry defensively. But the NFL is a passing league and the Bears struggled offensively and defensively when the ball was in the air. They were near the bottom of the league in passing yards and passing yards allowed, and in yards per attempt and yards per attempt allowed. The one positive is they led the league in interceptions with 22 on the season. Overall, the Bears ranked 18th in points and 20th in yards offensively, and 20th in points allowed and 12th in yards allowed defensively. They also ranked 31st in the red zone defensively, which explains the differential between points and yards allowed. They also ranked 29th in 3rd down conversions allowed but were 5th in takeaways. In DVOA terms, the Bears finished 22nd in total DVOA at -7.1%. Offensively, they ranked 22nd at -6.5% and 17th defensively at +0.8%. Those stats suggest a slightly below average team overall and that was reflected in their 7-10 season record. In terms of luck factors, the Bears were moderately unlucky, with a -54.6% net win probability added. They also ranked 9th in adjusted games lost due to injury, which is relatively fortunate in that regard, with just 50.5 AGLs last season. As a baseline for the 2024 season, the Bears offensive in 2023 can be thrown out given the changes in personnel and coaching, but defensively 2023 remains a good baseline for the 2024 season. Coaching Changes The Bears moved on from Luke Getsy as offensive coordinator, replacing him with Shane Waldron. He was previously offensive coordinator for the Seahawks for three seasons and before that passing game coordinator for the Rams under Sean McVay. As such, Waldron runs a new-school West Coast offense with plenty of pre-snap motion and some newer concepts. But expect the Bears to be as pass-heavy as they’ve ever been, given the personnel changes since last season. The Bears also changed defensive coordinators, replacing Alan Williams with Eric Washington. He was previously defensive line coach for the Bills for several years and spent many years as the Panthers defensive line coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator for his last two seasons in Carolina. I wouldn’t expect much change defensively for the Bears, however, as head coach Matt Eberflus is the de facto defensive coordinator and will continue to call the defensive plays this season. Player Moves The Bears completely transformed their offense over the off-season, moving on from Justin Fields and selecting Caleb Williams with the first pick in the draft, while also adding Keenan Allen and first-round draft pick Rome Odunze to D.J. Moore to create a formidable passing attack. The Bears also signed running back D’Andre Swift, who’ll be their new lead back. Defensively, the Bears added safety Kevin Byard while extending top cornerback Jaylon Johnson in a big money deal. Injuries The Bears do not have any injured starters at the moment. Schedule The Bears have the easiest schedule in the division this season, drawing the Panthers, Commanders and Patriots based on division rank last season. A week seven bye isn’t too bad either. The toughest part of their schedule begins Week 11, with five division games in six weeks, along with the 49ers, and a three-game road stretch. Their first real test will be the Texans in Week 2. But overall the Bears have an easier schedule than the rest of the NFC North, which should help them. Week 1: Tennessee Titans Week 2: @ Houston Texans (Sunday night) Week 3: @ Indianapolis Colts Week 4: LA Rams Week 5: Carolina Panthers Week 6: Jacksonville Jaguars (London) Week 7: BYE Week 8: @ Washington Commanders Week 9: @ Arizona Cardinals Week 10: New England Patriots Week 11: Green Bay Packers Week 12: Minnesota Vikings Week 13: @ Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving) Week 14: @ San Francisco 49ers Week 15: @ Minnesota Vikings (Monday night) Week 16: Detroit Lions Week 17: Seattle Seahawks (Thursday night) Week 18: @ Green Bay Packers Forecast for 2024 There is a wide range of outcomes this season for the Bears, given both a rookie quarterback with a less-than-ideal offensive line and a defense still missing some pieces. But Caleb Williams’ high-end potential is undeniable and he has as good a wide receiver trio as any quarterback could hope for. Williams is often compared to Patrick Mahomes for his off-script playmaking ability, but I believe Kyler Murray is the more apt comparison. Williams is a big-play hunter with the rare ability to make them happen, but also the fault for making them for the other team too. Williams’ turnovers in college are hardly mentioned, and yet often they accompany quarterbacks into the NFL. He didn’t have as many turnover-worthy plays per game as Sam Darnold (who also played at USC), including both turnover-worthy passes and fumbles, but he was up there. Kyler Murray, who has a similar style of play, also has had a lot of turnovers in Arizona. Williams also took a lot of sacks while at USC. We’ll see if he’s able to overcome those downsides, but there is definitely an explosiveness to his play style that can and probably will lead to a lot of big plays, particularly given three top receivers to throw to. But the other downside offensively for the Bears is their offensive line. Apart from left guard Teven Jenkins, who is good not great, the Bears have average to mediocre starters across their offensive line. Opposing defenses will try to exploit this and pressure the rookie quarterback, rather than play coverage with
Phinsider Question Of The Day: Jacksonville Jaguar You Would Steal For The Miami Dolphins
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images The long-awaited kickoff of the 2024 regular season for our Miami Dolphins takes place this coming Sunday afternoon from Hard Rock Stadium at 1:00 PM EST against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team will again look much different from the previous season, and I suspect we are all very anxious to see how this new edition of the Phins roster performs against another NFL team when things matter. Will the Dolphins miss some of the significant losses this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball? Will the offensive line look better than we all suspect it will? We will have answers to all of those things and more very soon. With that, this evening’s Phinsider Question Of The Day is: If you could steal any player from the Jacksonville Jaguars roster to place on the Miami Dolphins roster, which player would it be and why? Please give us your answers and thoughts on the question of the day in the comments section below-
Five Things I Think I Think About the 2024 Miami Dolphins
Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports “Can’t wait!” — Bart Scott, philosopher I’ve finally emerged from my self imposed exile in The Red Waste of Essos. I was gone for so long that I missed my offseason article and my recap article of last season’s predictions. Just gonna take a little peek here and…welp, let’s just say they brought down my average as much as math allows. A lot has changed in the meantime, but many of the critical pieces have stayed the same: We have a Reek. We have a Ramsey. We have a Mother of Dragons? Close enough. Here’s what I see for the 2024 Miami Dolphins when I tap into my Greenseer powers. The Dolphins’ defense will improve in at least two major categories Vic Fangio had me excited when he came in as Miami’s defensive coordinator. The results kept me excited. The Fins were ranked 10th in Total Defense in 2023. That’s solid. But, as with all seemingly grouchy guys who’d rather be in Philly and coach with a style that doesn’t appear to mesh well with players, Fangio bounced immediately, leaving the coaching staff with a void to fill. Enter Anthony Weaver, fresh off the staff in Baltimore. Weaver, I dare say, has me more excited than Fangio. While he may not have the historical pedigree, he has a philosophy that, at least on the surface, aligns with Mike McDaniel’s and, therefore, the players’. Miami’s defensive ranks for 2023 were as follows: Total Defense – 10thPassing Yards Allowed – 15thRushing Yards Allowed – 7thScoring Defense – 22ndRed Zone Defense – 28th3rd Down Defense – 20th I see them increasing their ranks in Red Zone defense (hard not to), 3rd down defense, and, in an unrivaled display of confidence (haha; just wait til later) passing yards allowed. They shall rebuff the advancing troops as surely as the great Wall. Or something like that. Miami will make the playoffs for a third time under Mike McDaniel Look, I don’t even think this is that risky of a prediction. And that’s coming from a lifelong Dolphins fan. But the team has made it two seasons in a row and it feels like they’re in a position to make some noise. Why not a bolder, perhaps sillier prediction like “Miami will beat the Bears in the Superb Owl by 49 points and return glory to the Lands of Florida!”? Injuries, mostly. I know by now that it only takes a few unlucky bounces to tumble from the top tier inTua terrible tragedy. Depth is key. Hopefully the Dolphins are as deep as The Narrow Sea. The Fins will repeat as the league’s top offense Now we’re talkin’. Miami went nuts in 2023, offensively. They averaged over 29 points and 400 yards per game. They put up 70 points on the Broncos. They were the most explosive looking team in my memory. Statistics say that won’t sustain. But statistics are just numbers and numbers are boring and lame. I see the Dolphins’ offense going berserk again weekly. Tua and his big ol’ contract will be hucking fat satchels of corn (I think that’s the expression) to Tyreek Hill and his big ol’ contract while Terron Armstead and his big ol’ contract stand in the way of the oncoming pass rush. Feels like for all the big ol’ contracts, the offense has a financial obligation to remain the kings of trial by combat. Tyreek Hill will break 2,000 yards receiving I said what I said. And that’s not even my Big Bold Prediction. Big Bold Prediction: Chop Robinson will have more sacks than Bradley Chubb “Now wait a minute. Is this just some homer Penn State prediction?” — You, famed jerk Yes. However, I think there are two ways this can come to pass: The first would be magnificently disappointing. In this scenario, Bradley Chubb’s injury lasts much further into the season than anticipated, his return is so late and gradual as to be a non-factor, and he ends the year wih 0 sacks while Chop Robinson takes the bulk of the season to get up to NFL speed, struggling mightily along the way, but manages to nab a single half sack, making the final tally Chop – .5, Chubb – 0. That would ruin us all. The second is what I think could be kind of feasible. If the praise Robinson is getting so far is warranted, he could have a rookie season akin to Jaelan Phillips, notching something like 8.5 sacks while Chubb, coming off a major injury, only has a slight downturn from his 2023 production (of 11 sacks) to the tune of 8.0. Chop – 8.5, Chubb 8.0 would be a situation I’d sign up for pretty quickly. If all goes well, Chop and Chubb could be crashing into the backfield causing chaos like the Cleganes. Night gathers and now our watch begins. Do you agree with my prognostications? Do you think the Dolphins are better than I do? What, you think you’re better than me? Storm the Red Keep in the comments below.
Joe Noteboom has opportunity to steal Rams left tackle job from Alaric Jackson
Photo by Mike Lawrence/Getty Images Could Joe Noteboom steal the LT job with Alaric Jackson serving a suspension To say the least, Joe Noteboom hasn’t become the player that some thought when the Los Angeles Rams drafted him on the third round or signed him to a contract after 2021. Seen as the heir apparent to Andrew Whitworth, Noteboom has become an extension of the offensive line as the sixth-man rather than a starter at left tackle. However, through the first two weeks of the season, Noteboom will have an opportunity that he hasn’t gotten since the 2022 season. For the first two weeks Alaric Jackson will be sidelined due to a suspension and in those games it will be Noteboom who subs in at that spot. With that will come the opportunity for Noteboom to potentially take over Jackson’s spot at left tackle. At the end of the day, what Jackson offers at left tackle and what Noteboom offers aren’t that much different. They are both average to below average starters who provide swing depth and the ability to fill in at multiple spots. If Noteboom performs well over the first two weeks, an argument could be made that the Rams would just keep him there. In fact, the Rams might actually prefer it. This season, they are paying Noteboom $11.6M compared to Jackson’s $4.3M. In the case the Noteboom does play well, there would be no reason to make a change, especially when Jackson provides similar depth. The first two weeks of the season allows for Noteboom to build chemistry and cohesion with others along the offensive line. When it comes to successful offensive line play, that chemistry and cohesion is important. If the level between the two players is even somewhat similar, it’s not always worth disrupting that. A similar situation happened last year with Noteboom on the other end of it. In Week 5, Noteboom had to move to left tackle due to Jackson missing the game. Because of that Kevin Dotson took over in his place at right guard. Dotson started the game against the Colts and never looked back. In fact, he became one of the more important pieces along the offensive line. This isn’t to say that Noteboom will take over for Jackson. There’s a reason that the former third-round pick hasn’t been able to take the next step as a proven starter in the NFL. While he’s played well in spots, he’s lacked week-to-week consistency needed over a 17-game season. However, that also doesn’t mean that there isn’t an opportunity here for Noteboom. Over the first two weeks of the season, he will have a chance to show the coaching staff what he can do as the starting left tackle. In the case that he does play well, given that Jackson provides similar swing depth, there wouldn’t necessarily be reason to replace him. Outside of the Colts game last year, Noteboom started Week 17 against the New York Giants. In that game, he allowed zero pressures and had a pass-block grade of 90.6 according to PFF. Again, when it comes to the offensive line, the Rams do value chemistry and cohesiveness. Noteboom hasn’t necessarily lived up to his expectation as the starting left tackle, but he’ll have a chance to prove himself as more than just a sixth-man over the first two weeks of the season. With Jackson missing the first two games combined with Steve Avila moving back to left guard from center, the Rams offensive line certainly isn’t without its drama heading into Week 1. Most of the time, that’s not something you want to see. It’s certainly going to be interesting to see how this group performs in the early stages of the season. One player everybody will be watching is Noteboom and if he plays well, he may just take the starting spot.
