/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73902242/2198069270.0.jpg?w=1920&resize=1920,1267&ssl=1 "The Linc – In the Super Bowl aftermath, Nick Sirianni “was a man finally unburdened”")
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images Who stood out in the preseason finale? The Buccaneers wrapped up their preseason with a 24-14 win over the Miami Dolphins and finished the 2024 preseason with a 2-1 record. Friday night was the last opportunity for many players to make a name for themselves and try to make the final 53 man roster. Let’s take a look at who stepped up against Miami. QB Baker Mayfield It was quick work for Mayfield, who only had one drive and three pass attempts but he made the most of them. He was 3/3 for 54 yards including a beautiful 28 yard pass to Jalen McMillan that lead to a Bucs touchdown. It was Mayfield’s first and only work of this year’s preseason but he made a great impression. Hopefully it is something that can carry over to the regular season. WR Cody Thompson For the second straight week, Cody Thompson stepped up and lead the way for the Bucs yet again with seven catches for 45 yards and consistently was able to get open and catch the football. Thompson has really made the Bucs decision on which wide receiver to keep. Rakim Jarrett and Sterling Shepard are among the players in the running, but with them being sidelined with injuries, Thompson has made the most of his opportunities. Jarrett and Shepard may be the odd men out as Thompson has showed up and showed out in the preseason. CB Keenan Isaac Cornerback Keenan Isaac is fighting for one of the final cornerback spots on the roster and he has made a name for himself. He had an interception in the first preseason game against Cincinatti and almost had another one tonight. Isaac fought hard and made the final 53 man roster out of camp last year and this year he is trying to do it once again. With corner depth being so important in today’s NFL, Isaac stepping up in year two is a nice development for the Buccaneers defense. K Chase McLaughlin This one was more for the sanity of Bucs fans. After being so good in 2023 and setting a career high in field goal percentage made with 93.5%, McLaughlin missed a kick in each of the first two preseason games to start 2024. One of the misses being a 41 yarder that needs to be made, there was a lot of pressure on McLaughlin to perform and he did just that. Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images Easing Bucs fans minds a bit, he was 4/4 overall on kicks and made his only field goal which was a 51 yarder and made all three of his extra points. It was important for McLaughlin to not give the Bucs and their fans flashbacks of the 2010s when the team went through kicker after kicker trying to find a solution. Hopefully McLaughlin got the misses out of his system and he is ready to roll in 2024. That is a wrap on the 2024 preseason. Who stood out to you during the three games? Would love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below!
Standouts: Preseason Week 3 Dolphins vs Buccaneers
Raiders roster: Top heavy cornerback room is less than ideal
Jack Jones (18) and Jakorian Bennett are slated to be the Las Vegas Raiders starting outside cornerbacks this season. Beyond them and slot corner Nate Hobbs, depth at the position group is concerning. | Photo by Chris Unger/Getty Images Jack Jones, Nate Hobbs provide two premier talent at position group but depth is lacking In Jack Jones and Nate Hobbs, the Las Vegas Raiders have quality starters at outside and nickel cornerback, respectively. Both offer the requisite aggressiveness in coverage and against the run along with the swagger that makes them throwbacks to the storied Silver & Black defensive backs. Yet, outside of those two, the Raiders cornerback room is riddled with question marks. Youngsters Jakorian Bennett and Decamarion Richardson do offer plenty of athleticism and upside, but are relative unknowns as a second-year defender and rookie, respectively. Veteran Darnay Holmes, a free agent signing after he was released by the New York Giants, rounds out the group. That’s five cornerbacks on the active roster as Holmes basically replaces the recently-released veteran Brandon Facyson (injury settlement). Sam Webb and M.J. Devonshire (a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft) are on the practice squad and give Las Vegas a total of seven in the cornerback room. It’s a very top heavy group where depth is lacking. However, as the season wears on and Bennett and Richardson develop and progress, perhaps that changes. The pressure is on Bennett this coming season to showcase he’s a different player from last season. A fourth round pick from the 2023 draft, Bennett initially won a starting job with an impressive offseason but lost his spot along with confidence. The 24-year-old — who has the speed to make Raiders of old proud — has regained the confidence and is slated to be the starter opposite of Jones. “Not too many people can run past me. (Jack Jones & Nate Hobbs) go out there with their swag, they’re talking. They know I’m a dog too. Win my 1-on-1 matchup, they win their 1-on-1, and it’s gonna be fun to watch.” Raiders CB Jakorian Bennett talks about his growth & playing… pic.twitter.com/Wp0hBcVFVz — Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) August 28, 2024 Facyson wasn’t a world beater by any means, however, the veteran has size (6-foot-2 and 197 pounds) and starting experience (17 starts in 75 career games) to have been in the fight for the other outside corner spot opposite Jones in Patrick Graham’s defense. And one can’t forget Raiders general manager Tom Telesco knows all about Facyson as he inked the corner as an undrafted free agent when the personnel man was the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers GM. “Yeah, I mean, Brandon has shown he’s been a starting level corner in this league. So, he’s just had a tough run of luck the last couple weeks. But when healthy, he’s been a really good player, so we’ll kind of see how it plays out from there,” Telesco noted after he cut the Raiders roster down to the mandated 53-man roster limit. And we saw how it played out. Facyson initially made the roster, was sent to injured reserve, and was let go with an injury settlement after Holmes was officially signed. The 5-foot-10 and 195-pound veteran who is in his fifth year is banking on a change of scenery and familiarity with both Graham and head coach Antonio Pierce resets his career. A part time player who was demoted to special teams work in his final year in New York, the 2020 fourth-round pick provides versatility to the Raiders defense, according to Pierce. “Yeah, position flex. I mean, that’s key for us, right?,” Pierce noted. “Really, the only guy we got that can go inside-outside or outside-inside is Nate Hobbs. So, when you can add another player like that, Isaiah Pola-Mao does it as well from a safety position. You see him a little bit at the nickel position, you’ve seen that obviously in the preseason. So, just the more flexibility you can get, the better it is for our team. It makes us a better overall unit.” Speaking of flexibility, Telesco did reach into his old stomping grounds to claim a safety that can play cornerback in Thomas Harper. The undrafted rookie was waived by the Chargers with the team hoping to get in on the practice squad and the Raiders pounced adding him to the 5-foot-10 and 195-pound 23 year old to the 53-man roster. Former Notre Dame nickel back Thomas Harper picked up a sack in his NFL preseason debut tonight. pic.twitter.com/fcksDqWvNB — Jack Soble (@jacksoble56) August 11, 2024 “Yeah, I like his play style. What I saw on film was a guy with a burst, aggressiveness, kind of controlling the back end as a young player,” Pierce said of Harper. “I watched him in college. You just saw a guy each and every week get better in the preseason. And again, whatever you can do to keep building depth in every room, especially in the secondary for us, is critical. But he does have a skill set to play both safety and nickel position.” Bennett, Richardson, Holmes and potentially Harper buoy the Raiders cornerback room with Jones and Hobbs as the leaders. Richardson, a fourth-round pick from this past draft offers ideal size (6-foot-2 and 188 pounds) and speed. A better tackler than takeaway artist at this point of his career, it’ll be interesting to see how much playing time on defense the Mississippi State product carves out. But for all the intrigue and potential, there’s plenty of questions. For better or worse, those answers will come quickly for the Raiders and Raider Nation.
Bills players poised for a breakout season in 2024
Bills players poised for a breakout season in 2024 TE Dalton Kincaid Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports Kincaid was drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft and made an immediate impact in his first year with Buffalo. His versatility as a receiving-tight end allowed him to line up in various positions while providing a reliable go-to target with elite hands to QB Josh Allen. His role only increased as the season went on and OC Joe Brady took the reins of play calling on offense, and with a full year under Brady, he stands to increase his contributions further. The second-year pro will have the opportunity to take on some of the workload and productivity of previous Bills such as WR Stefan Diggs and WR Cole Beasley, while carving his own niche as well. The Bills have been looking to run more two tight end sets that, along with the departure of receivers like Diggs and Gabe Davis, could see an increase as well for Kincaid and TE Dawson Knox. GM Brandon Beane has added a flush of 6’4 targets to the Bills’ passing game over the past two seasons, and the tight-end duo will represent the two biggest targets of that stature with the most experience with Brady and catching passes from Allen. WR Curtis Samuel Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports Samuel had a career year under Brady in Carolina, racking up over 1,000 all-purpose yards playing at the receiving and running back positions. And he was one of three receivers along with Robby “Chosen” Anderson and DJ Moore to put up at least 1,000 yards that season with QB Teddy Bridgewater under center, no less. Brady has made it publicly known in the press and on the field in preseason play that the plans to use Samuel in the same diverse capacity. Beane brought Samuel in on a three-year pact as the team’s biggest free agent signing this offseason to give Brady and the Bills a player with elite burst off the catch and speed on the ground who can give them their own Tyreek Hill-like weapon on offense. With Samuel reuniting with Brady he figures to be a frequent part of Buffalo’s offensive attack, which could see him become a breakout candidate. DE Greg Rousseau Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports Rousseau came to Buffalo as a 2021 first-round draft pick with a lot of buzz surrounding his big frame and potential impact as a part of Buffalo’s defense. His development has seen a steady increase each season as he enters the end of his rookie contract, and his sample size of preseason play against Russell Wilson and the Steelers suggests both that 2024 might be his breakout season, as well as that it might be best for the Bills to sign him to a new deal sooner than later. LB Dorian Williams Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports Inside linebacker Matt Milano missed much of last season with an injury, and in his absence, LB Terrel Bernard emerged as a solid contributor while Williams saw rotation gameplay as well. When Williams was drafted, his speed and full range of field coverage abilities were compared to that of Milano, whom the second-year linebacker said at the time that he’s modeled his playing style after. With Milano now again set to miss at least a couple of months with an injury that could sideline him until December or all season, Williams will again have the opportunity to play in regular-season contests. That increased playing time along with his skill set could make him a breakout candidate this season. S Cole Bishop Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images While injuries to starters are never the ideal door to playing time, it is one that is open for Bishop to come in and make a difference. With veteran safety Micah Hyde’s playing future still unknown, and fellow vets Taylor Rapp and Mike Edwards also slotted into the rotation at the safety position, he’ll have competition for playing time. It’s unknown yet how much playing time the rookie will see in his first season with the Bills, but with his pro-ready skill set and speed and tackling abilities, he does figure to see the field in his first season with Buffalo and could earn his way into opportunities to make an impact.
Ultimate Fan Guide is ready to BOlieve!
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images A new era. Again. But this one feels different. For the last several years, I’ve been saying that “it’s been a long time” since Broncos Country has been rewarded with a winning season — especially the ultimate fans. It keeps getting longer and we keep getting our hopes up. Because that’s what ultimate fans do. They believe. And that last few seasons that hasn’t worked out so well. The thing is, this season definitely seems different. I still think it will be tough to get eight or nine wins with such a hard schedule and an inexperienced team, especially at the most important position. But that inexperienced QB is looking pretty darn good, the team got better overall, and the coach is enjoying himself. Plus, everyone knows Sean Payton has never won fewer than seven games in a season, and the Broncos came pretty darn close last season to a winning record and even had an outside shot at the playoffs. And that wasn’t even with Sean Payton’s guy. But now he has his guy and loves his young team, and things feel like they are falling into place. So whether that translates into wins or not this season, it has great promise in coming years. And either way, this season should be fun! We just have to BO-lieve. And I know all you ultimate fans are already doing that. So LFG!!! Bo Nix dropped back to pass 34 times this preseason, which is the equivalent of roughly one full game. – 6.1-yard average depth of target– Zero sacks– Four scrambles The Broncos produced 3 TDs, 205 yards passing, and 110 yards rushing with Nix on the field this preseason. pic.twitter.com/JD5p9eL8SW — Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 26, 2024 As usual, there are a few ground rules for this adventure. INTERACT with each other. No more lurking. No more treating this post like a junior high dance where everyone just stands by the wall and sways and sings by him/herself. Get out there and dance. And that goes MAINLY for the writers. I love having new people use this series as a jumping off point to get into the scrum, but you don’t just get to post your answers to me and then leave. YOU ARE OBLIGATED (by me) TO RESPOND to all the awesome fans that are going to give you props! BE RESPECTFUL. That shouldn’t have to be stated and it’s probably not an issue with the UFG, but given the contentious state of so much else, I’m just stating it as a warning 🙂 BE HONEST. I understand there is a certain amount of pressure from me to be “optimistic” about the team (because, yeah, I’m usually predict 17-0, but whatever). You be you. I mean if you want to be the downer and pick a loss, who am I to stop you? lol. Just kidding. All critiques welcome. Except if yours is stupid and predicts a loss. No, I’m really just kidding. Mostly. And here’s how the whole thing will work: • In the comments below, name the game/week that you’d like to “preview” (please scroll through the comments to make sure the game/week you want is still available). I will update the list throughout the process as much as I can before it’s complete! • First come, first served for the assigment! • Up to two people per game (but fill in all the games first before adding your name to a game that already has someone, please!) • Bye Week is a legit week to comment. • Expect an email from me the week of your preview with the questions. THIS ONE IS SUPER IMPORTANT…You have to check the email that is listed with your SBN account because that is where I will get in touch with you. If you don’t hear from me by Thursday (and let’s be honest, it will come at the last minute) you are more than welcome to email or DM me on twitter to remind me I am late 😉 [[email protected] or @docllv] • Once again, I’m adding some “backup QBs” in case the person signed up doesn’t respond…so sign up for that role if you don’t mind having to jump into the game mid-quarter. *And since Brahncos had to email me to remind me it was time to get this post out, he gets first dibs and chose Week 2! OK, on your mark, get set, go! Game Commenter Week 1: Broncos at Seahawks TwoPolesOneChain Week 2: Broncos v. Steelers Brahncos Week 3: Broncos at Buccaneers Week 4: Broncos at Jets NYCBronx Week 5: Broncos v. Raiders SickBoy67 Week 6: Broncos v. Chargers Week 7: Broncos at Saints on TNF jlfreck Week 8: Broncos v. Panthers joebeggs43 Week 9: Broncos at Ravens pootflute Week 10: Broncos at Chiefs WarpathU Week 11: Broncos v. Falcons BoomSauce18 Week 12: Broncos at Raiders TheOmen Week 13: Broncos v. Browns iknowftbll Week 14: BYE Week 15: Broncos v. Colts TopherDoll Week 16: Broncos at Chargers jeffrod Week 17: Broncos at Bengals TheGueroLoco Week 18: Broncos v. Chiefs DBforlife Backup QB bill2975 Backup QB Alexander Wall On to the UFG Selection via THE COMMENTS!
Bo Nix has fourth shortest odds to win NFL OROY
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images The Broncos rookie QB sits at +1,100 at FanDuel to win the award. Good morning, Broncos Country! The Bo Nix hype train is full steam ahead. And we’re seeing the shift in the odds as well. Before the first preseason game, Nix was at +2,000 to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year at FanDuel Sportsbook. Now, the Denver Broncos rookie quarterback sits at +1,100. That’s a major shift in just a few week’s time. Chicago Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is the favorite to win NFL OROY at +120. He’s followed by Jalen Daniels at +600 and Marvin Harrison Jr. at +650. Nix is followed by Drake May at +1,400 and Malik Nabers at +1,500. A lot will have to go right for Nix to win the award this season. But the way he looked and played in the preseason, as well as training camp, is why Nix was named the Broncos starter. And you know that Sean Payton has the offense that will allow Nix to put up the numbers that he would need to win the award. Some other notable odds for Denver: Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain is +10,000 to win the Defensive Player of the Year. Denver futures odds have shifted since before the first preseason game. At that point, the Broncos were +760 to make the playoffs. Now, Denver is +540. Broncos news ‘I think it just allows you to play free’: Why the Broncos believe their youth will be advantageous in Week 1 and beyondVeteran players John Franklin-Myers and Mike McGlinchey believe the energy and positivity of Denver’s younger players can fuel the team to success this season. Jonas Griffith announces he will have another ACL surgery | 9news.comDenver Broncos inside linebacker Jonas Griffith is undergoing a season-ending ACL surgery for a second consecutive year. Bronco notes: All 3 QBs to dress against SeattleBo Nix, Jarret Stidham and Zach Wilson will all dress when the Broncos open their season against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on Sept. 8. in week 1 of NFL. Youth served in Broncos’ running back, wide receiver corps – ESPNThey might not be quite the Baby Broncos, but Denver will have six first- or second-year skill-position players when the season opens. Brandon Aiyuk re-signing with 49ers: Broncos a main reason why Steelers didn’t land WR via trade, per report – CBSSports.comWe reportedly almost had a three-team trade in the NFL NFL news National NFL fans believe Detroit Lions have most promising future – Pride Of DetroitIn our national NFL survey, the Detroit Lions came out #1 when it comes to franchise’s future outlook. Details here: 49ers’ Ricky Pearsall ‘stable’ after attempted robbery shooting – ESPNSan Francisco 49ers rookie receiver Ricky Pearsall is in “serious but stable” condition after being shot in the chest during an attempted robbery. Which teams might pursue Dak Prescott? – NBC SportsTeams will be looking for quarterbacks in 2025, and everyone knows Dak will be available. Ravens vs. Chiefs prediction, odds, time, betting lines: 2024 NFL Kickoff Game picks from expert on 48-20 roll – CBSSports.comSportsLine’s Mike Tierney just revealed his Chiefs vs. Ravens picks for the 2024 NFL Kickoff Game on Thursday, Sept. 5 Brazil X ban ahead of NFL game sparks calls to cancelA week ahead of the first NFL game in Brazil, the country has banned X/Twitter. That’s sparked even some calls to cancel the game. NFL restricts Brady as analyst while Raiders deal is pending – ESPNBrady is not permitted to be in another team’s facility, is not permitted to witness practice and is not permitted to attend broadcast production meetings, either in person or virtually.
The ‘youth movement’ by the 2024 Broncos is loved by fans
Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images It helps that this movement towards youth has been led by a promising first-round quarterback selection. Fans are bo-lieving in this team. Earlier this week, I dropped a survey about the youth movement this team has experienced heading into Week 1 compared to last year. In 2023, Denver entered Week 1 as the third oldest team in the NFL and today they are the 10th youngest. That is a rapid shift towards youth. 71% of fans are loving the move and 28% are neutral on it. Then we have a Las Vegas Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs fans filling out the last 2%. The movement to get younger has not gone unnoticed by the local media. In fact, veteran defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers was asked about what it means for a team to be ‘young and hungry’ in the NFL. Myers actually had a really good explanation of how a young team feels different from a more veteran-heavy one. “I think there’s a different level of physicality [and] there’s a different level of effort playing with guys who are young and hungry,” Myers explained. “What’s kind of understood is that when you first get into the league, we’re all excited. We all just want to run and hit. You see that a lot here. Guys just want to run, they want to hit and they play with extreme effort and physicality. Those are the two things [I said] in my first press conference [that] if you ask anybody about my game, that’s what they’re going to tell you I play with. So I fit right in with these guys, and [I’m] looking forward to the season.” The seven-year veteran enjoys the kind of atmosphere this young locker room has in Denver this season and he went on to say that the hunger to win is always there with him. “It’s been a while,” Myers said of winning. “I went to the Super Bowl my rookie year, and I’m in year seven now. The hunger is [there].” As a rookie, Myers was with the Los Angeles Rams when they lost to the New England Patriots. He ended up with the New York Jets every year since and that franchise has been stuck in a long rut just like the Broncos have. Hopefully that changes this season for Denver. However, if you ask most NFL fans the optimism that Denver is heading in the right direction is about 50-50. While that might seem like a bad number, its actually the 13th best rank out of all 32 teams. This survey was of all NFL fans, not just Broncos fans. Obviously, we’re about as close to 100% as we can be after two un-bo-lievable preseason games. What did you think of these results? Share in the comments section below.
Future Broncos: Denver’s 2025 NFL Draft picks and early needs analysis
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images This collegiate football season is underway which means this year’s series of Future Broncos begins. This year’s collegiate football season is underway—which means my annual series of Future Broncos is back as well. For all you Colorado locals, I’m sure you watched the Buffalos take down the North Dakota State Bison on Thursday night. That was a tough one for me being a Bison alumnus, but it was a fun game to watch. Shadeur Sanders and Travis Hunter sure looked pretty awesome, and I’ve got to say Hunter would be a great selection for the Broncos to bolster their offense. For my initial Future Broncos entry, I’ll take a look at what the Broncos have for selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. Moreover, pontificate on some early potential needs now that the 53-man roster and practice squad has been set. Feel free to give your thoughts on what you feel are Denver’s top needs for next offseason in the comments section. The Broncos’ 2025 Slate of Draft Selections The franchise doesn’t have a full slate of selections for the 2025 NFL Draft, but the good news is that they have all their premium selections after several seasons without them. The Broncos are without their original fifth round pick which was sent to the Miami Dolphins in the Bradley Chubb trade. Additionally, they lack a pick in the seventh round due to the Albert Okwuegbunam trade to the Philadelphia Eagles but will receive their sixth-round selection from that trade. General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Sean Payton are known for making a lot of trades, so it’s very likely the franchise will have more picks than what is on deck here. 1st Round Selection 2nd Round Selection 3rd Round Selection 4th Round Selection 6th Round Selection 6th Round Selection (via Philadelphia) What are the Broncos’ biggest future needs on the roster? The Broncos scratched their biggest long-term need of their list when the drafted Bo Nix with the 12th selection in the 2024 NFL Draft. While Pro Football Focus and several outlets ranked the franchise’s roster as one of the worst in the National Football League, I don’t think that it’s as bad as it appears. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to be redone to make them a formidable contender worthy of hoisting another Lombardi Trophy. My top three choices for early round draft investment are definitely focused on upgrading their trenches on both sides of the ball. Offensive Tackle Mike McGlinchey will be in the fold for at least this season and the 2025 campaign based on his contract structure. Though I’d argue it’s almost a certainty the team cuts ties with him after 2026 to save a gargantuan amount of cap space (over $17 million) to help retool the roster. However, if his play drastically improves, his $23 million dollar deal might not look so bad a few years down the road when other players at his position eventually reset the market. That being said, the biggest wildcard along the offensive line and perhaps the entire team is Garett Bolles’ future with the franchise. Bolles has been the team’s starting left tackle since he was drafted in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft but is in the final year of his extension. It’s entirely possible the team is able to come up with a multi-year extension to keep him in the fold and be Nix’s blindside protector, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the team decides to move on and subsequently utilizes their top selection in 2025 on a franchise caliber left tackle. LSU standout Will Campbell and Texas product Kelvin Banks Jr. are the top two names too watch, but the only shot Denver has at getting either of them is by picking in the Top 10 next April. Another player to scout this year is Arizona Wildcat Jonah Savaiinaea. He has played right guard and right tackle, but definitely has the tools and traits to be a fantastic left tackle in NFL. Top 15 Offensive Linemen in the Big 12 in 2024 3. Jonah Savaiinaea – Arizona 2. Dalton Cooper – Oklahoma State 1. Wyatt Milum – West Virginia Who should’ve made the list? Follow for more #Big12 content. pic.twitter.com/jztZRsiiZh — Week-to-Week CFB (@CFBW2W) August 26, 2024 Defensive Line The Broncos added some beef to their offensive line by trading for John Franklin-Myers during last year’s draft and signing Malcolm Roach in free agency. Zach Allen is an ascending and underrated player, but D.J. Jones is in the final year of his deal and the Broncos desperately need top-tier talent for the long haul at the position. Michigan’s Mason Graham and Kentucky’s Deone Walker are two high-profile players to watch that would certainly beef up Denver’s defensive line. Tyleik Williams of Ohio State and Graham’s teammate Kenneth Grant (Michigan) are also two players to watch that have preliminary first-round grades in my book. Edge Rusher The Broncos have a nice foursome of pass rushers in Jonathon Cooper, Baron Browning, Nik Bonitto, and rookie Jonah Elliss. But it’s important to keep in mind both Cooper and Browning are free agents at the end of this season. There is no such thing as having too many good pass rushers and team lacks an alpha in that room as is. If the Broncos stumble in 2024, utilizing their top selection on a premier edge rusher would be a smart move. Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. is the top prospect at the group in 2025, but Georgia’s Mykel Williams might have something to say about that when it is all said and done. Don’t sleep on Nic Scourton of Texas A&M (previously with Purdue) and Abdul Carter of Penn State. They all have traits to become top-notch players at EDGE in the pros. Could Texas A&M edge rusher Nic Scourton blossom into the state’s best defender? My full breakdown #GigEm: https://t.co/9p4lE8d0PN pic.twitter.com/rIEIrutZsQ — Carter Yates (@Carter_Yates16) August 26, 2024 Honorable
Horse Tracks: Mike McGlinchey says ‘moment is not too big’ for Bo Nix
Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images Bo Nix is a rookie first-round pick, but Mike McGlinchey already sees a veteran composure in how he carries himself. We have officially entered Week 1 of the 2024 regular season and the Denver Broncos begin an entirely new era. The Bo Nix era. The first-round rookie has impressed all through training camp and looked impressive in two preseason outings completing 76.7% of his passes for 205 yards and two touchdown passes. He also added 29 yards rushing. Now he has to prove it against real competition and that starts Week 1 on the road against the Seattle Seahawks. Earlier this week, right tackle Mike McGlinchey was asked about Nix and how he has shown such poise and maturity for being a rookie and after an offseason with the rookie he is convinced there is no moment that is going to be too big for him this season. “I don’t know if it’s a specific example, but certainly the rapid improvement has been super impressive to me,” McGlinchey said. “From OTAs when he first got here in May to where he’s at now, he’s a different football player. It’s a great sense of who he is as a pro and who he is as a competitor to learn that fast and put himself in a position to lead our football team. Everybody is excited for him to do that. There have been so many examples of him showing composure and his collection in the huddle. His ability to stay calm no matter the situation out there. He was the same on the practice field as he was in the two games that we’ve lined up so far. That speaks to his composure as much as anything. The moment isn’t too big for him. He’s ready for it, and he’s ready to go attack it.” “The moment isn’t too big for him. He’s ready for it, and he’s ready to go attack it.” – Mike McGlinchey on Bo Nix. Probably the most difficult part to being a rookie first-round quarterback in the NFL is instantly becoming the head of the franchise. If you are not up to the task, like say a Paxton Lynch type, then the NFL will chew you up and spit you out. In many ways, you’ve got to come in and be good and be a leader right away. Leadership was another quality that McGlinchey spoke of. Called him a great person and a natural fit for the quarterback leadership position of the offense. “I think he’s been great,” McGlinchey said. Bo [Nix] is a great dude. He’s a great guy to hang out with [and] a great guy to have a conversation with. I think he’s fit in unbelievably well, and he has come in and been authentically himself. I think that’s all you can ask for from him. For us, he doesn’t have to be somebody that he’s not just because he’s the quarterback of an NFL franchise. He’s a homegrown dude that really likes playing football and really likes being a teammate. That’s definitely shown through to the rest of us in the way that we appreciate his work so far.” That’s really what leading a team is all about. You are authentic and your teammates respect you. It sounds easy, but a lot of rookie quarterbacks come in and struggle to assume those responsibilities. Those that do thrive. Hopefully Bo Nix follows in that mold and thrives this season like C.J. Stroud did last year. Horse Tracks Terrell Davis tours Broncos’ stadium artist series | Salute to Broncos CountryOn this episode of “Salute the Broncos Country,” Terrell Davis and James Palmer tour the Broncos’ stadium artist series and try their hand at some artwork of their own. Owner & CEO Greg Penner encouraged by Broncos’ camp“I’m encouraged by what I saw in training camp,” Penner said Thursday. Broncos officially break ground on new Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit“I believe this new facility — like the one we opened 34 years ago — will mark the beginning of the next great chapter in Broncos history,” Owner & CEO Greg Penner said. Jonas Griffith announces on Instagram he’ll have another ACL surgeryCut by the Broncos earlier this week, linebacker Jonas Griffith announced Friday that he would undergo another ACL surgery. LB Levelle Bailey returns on practice squadBroncos rookie linebacker Levelle Bailey survived the waiver wire and will now join the team’s practice squad. Riley Dixon remains Broncos’ punter regardless of whether competition was ‘close’Riley Dixon has won the punting competition against Trenton Gill to become the Broncos’ punter.
Turns out the Giants never made an offer to Josh Jacobs
Josh Jacobs | Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images Star running back signed with Green Bay during free agency [UPDATE: Dan Pompei of The Athletic has corrected his reporting on this one.] Okay so since this came out, a league source tells me the Giants never made an offer to Jacobs. Apologies for the spikes in blood pressures. And please permit Joe Schoen to see another sunrise. https://t.co/QVc7ACgOon — Dan Pompei (@danpompei) September 1, 2024 Josh Jacobs may have just shattered the idea that New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is unwilling to pay big money to a running back. In an article in The Athletic detailing why Jacobs went from the Las Vegas Raiders to the Green Bay Packers in free agency this offseason of an four-year, $48 million contract with $12.5 million fully guaranteed, Jacobs revealed that it was actually the Giants who offered him the money. The Athletic’s Dan Pompei writes: The Giants came on strong with an offer between $3 million and $4 million more than he eventually accepted. But Jacobs was turned off by the New York taxes, lifestyle, media and the artificial turf at MetLife Stadium. The Giants, of course, wouldn’t go anywhere near matching the three-year, $37.75 million contract with $26.5 million guaranteed that former Giants star Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Pompei does not make clear whether the Giants were willing to exceed the $48 million total of Jacobs’ deal, or the $12.5 million guarantee. Best guess is the reference is to guaranteed money, because even $16 million guaranteed is far less than Barkley received or had been asking for. Still, it feels like a stunning revelation that the Giants were apparently willing to give a big-money, long-term deal to the 26-year-old Jacobs when they weren’t willing to do so for the 27-year-old Barkley. The Giants, of course, signed veteran Devin Singletary to a two-year, $16.5 million contract with $9.5 million guaranteed.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73558160/1954153525.0.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1 "Vikings’ NFC North Rival Oppo Research: Green Bay Packers")
Vikings’ NFC North Rival Oppo Research: Green Bay Packers
Photo by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Images In my second installment on oppo research on the Minnesota Vikings’ NFC North rivals, I take a closer look into the Green Bay Packers. Recap of the Packers’ 2023 Season The 2023 season was a tale of two halves for the Packers. The first half ended with a 3-6 record and fear and loathing in Packerland about the future of Jordan Love. After a 38-20 dismantling of the hapless Bears to start the season, the Packers’ offense was generating just 17.6 points per game on average during that span. And over the first eight games, Jordan Love was averaging just under 200 yards per game passing, with 8 of his 11 interceptions during the regular season occurring in that same span. Love had a stretch of five games between weeks 3-8 where his average passer rating was just 66.3. To be honest, the Packers were lucky to beat the Saints in week 3, as the Saints were up 17-0 in the third quarter when Derek Carr was injured and left the game, allowing the Packers to pull off an 18-17 comeback. Similarly, they faced the Rams- quarterbacked by Brett Rypien- in week 9, leading to a three-point offensive showing for the Rams and an easy win for the Packers. Otherwise, they would’ve likely been 1-8 after week ten with an eight-game losing streak and looking to 2024. But starting week 9, Jordan Love began to improve. His adjusted completion percentage (on-target passes not including drops or throw-aways) went from 65.9% over the first eight weeks- worst in the league and borderline off-the-charts bad- to 77.8% from weeks 9-18 which was sixth-best over that span. Love’s average passing yards per game improved to 263, and with only 3 interceptions. That helped the Packers finish the season 6-2 and sneak into the playoffs as a wildcard with a 9-8 record. The capstone of Love’s second-half performance came in a 48-32 embarrassment of the Dallas Cowboys in the Wildcard Round in which Love had just 16 completions (out of 21 attempts) but for 272 yards and 3 TDs and a near-perfect 157.2 passer rating. Unfortunately for Packers fans, Love’s next game in the Divisional Round against the 49ers encapsulated Love’s first half of the season performance, in which he went 21/34 for 194 yards (63.6 adjusted completion percentage), 2 TDs and 2 INTs, ending the Packers season. Outside of Jordan Love, the Packers had a solid ground game last season, ranking 9th in yards per attempt with AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones providing a solid 1-2 punch. Overall, the Packers finished the season ranked 12th in points and 11th in yards offensively. The Packers also had a solid defense that ranked 10th in points allowed and 17th in yards allowed. They did not produce many takeaways, however, and were weak against the run. In DVOA terms, the Packers finished 13th in total DVOA at 1.6%. They ranked 6th in offensive DVOA at 13%, but just 27th in defensive DVOA at +8.2% (negative is better). Lastly, while it’s often said that the Packers have been the luckiest team when it comes to the ball going the right way for them, last year they actually were the luckiest team. The chart above shows the key ‘luck factors’ and the cumulative net win probability added over the course of the 2023 season. The Packers were easily the luckiest team in the league last year by this measure, which is something typically not sustainable year-to-year and suggests the Packers could be susceptible to some reversion to the mean this season. The Packers ranked 24th in adjusted games lost due to injury. All-Pro LT David Bakhtiari missed almost the entire season, but that was more-or-less a known issue going into the season. CB Jaire Alexander missed half the season, as did S Darnell Savage, while CB Eric Stokes missed twelve games. The Packers also were beat up at running back, with Aaron Jones, AJ Dillon, and Emanuel Wilson all missing several games. WR Christian Watson also missed several games. Overall, however, if you subtract Bakhtiari as being a known, preseason issue, the Packers were about average last season when it came to injuries. Coaching Changes The Packers moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Barry this season, replacing him with Jeff Hafley. Hafley last coached in the NFL as defensive backs coach for the 49ers back in 2018 before coaching in college for Ohio State as co-defensive coordinator in 2019 and then head coach of Boston College for four seasons. Hafley is known for an aggressive style of defense with a penetrating defensive front including more linebacker blitzes, with single-high safety behind and either man coverage or a cover-3 zone. That can lead to more of a feast-or-famine result depending on the quality of defenders. This is his first season as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. Otherwise, the Packers have continuity with head coach Matt LaFleur, offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich, and special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia. Player Moves After letting Aaron Jones go, the Packers signed Josh Jacobs to be their lead back this season. He’ll likely be the bellcow back for them this season, but share carries with third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd. After a stellar 2022 season, Jacobs had an average 2023 campaign for the Raiders, who didn’t make much of an effort to extend him. His elusive rating- a PFF stat meant to measure the success and impact of a runner independent of blocking, has declined consistently since his rookie season in 2019. The biggest free agency signing for the Packers was safety Xavier McKinney, who is coming off his best season with the Giants in 2023 and will replace Darnell Savage. The Packers drafted G Jordan Morgan in the first round, followed by LB Edgerrin Cooper and S Javon Bullard in the second round. Morgan looks to be a backup initially behind 2022 3rd round pick Sean Rhyan, and Cooper at LB, along with 3rd round pick
