Justin Madubuike changes his name to Nnamdi Madubuike ahead of Week 1 vs. Chiefs glenn erby Justin Madubuike has officially arrived, and nothing says you’re a star in this league like your peers naming you to the NFL’s Top 100 Players list, a brand new contract, and a fresh, new name. Looking to stay centered in his roots and be true to himself and his family, Madubuike is undergoing a name change and is set to take on his middle name, Nnamdi. Ravens reporter Kyle Phoenix was among the first to notice the change to the nameplate on his locker. Madubuike made the change to his Instagram page as well. Madubuike explained his decision to Giana Han of the Baltimore Banner. Madubuike improved significantly in his fourth season with the Ravens. He led the team with 13 sacks, 33 quarterback hits, and 12 tackles for loss, which earned him his first Pro Bowl honor. Madubuike had a breakout season in a contract year, setting himself up for a four-year, $98 million extension.
Justin Madubuike changes his name to Nnamdi Madubuike ahead of Week 1 vs. Chiefs
Reasons for optimism heading into 2024 season – The Splash Zone 9/3/24
Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Football will be back for the Miami Dolphins and the rest of the NFL this week. It’s hard to believe another season is about to begin and expectations for the Dolphins remain high. Since Mike McDaniel took over as head coach, the Dolphins have had one of the most electric offenses in the league with playmakers all over the offense. But while they have been explosive, defenses have figured them out as the seasons went along. It’s up to McDaniel and staff to adapt when it gets late into the season. You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below. Five Biggest Reasons for Optimism for Miami Dolphins Heading into 2024 Regular SeasonThe Miami Dolphins’ explosive offense makes the team almost an automatic contender Mike McDaniel Miami Dolphins Coach Mike McDaniel Discusses Stephen Ross Dinner, Contract ExtensionThe Miami Dolphins head coach has a new three-year extension Dolphins Offense What Made the Difference For Miami Dolphins TE Tanner Conner and WR Erik EzukanmaThe hidden factors that likely affected the roster status of Miami Dolphins TE Tanner Conner and WR Erik Ezukanma. Dolphins Defensive Line New Miami Dolphins team captain Zach Sieler fights to get ‘all emotional’ – Yahoo SportsZach Sieler and David Long discuss what being a Miami Dolphins team captain means to them, joining a list that includes Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill. Dolphins Linebackers Dolphins rookie DE Chop Robinson taking tips from OT Terron Armstead – ESPNChop Robinson eagerly soaked up the knowledge Armstead shared and already has put it to good use. Dolphins Injury Report Miami Dolphins Practice Report: Encouraging Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Aaron Brewer UpdatesThe Miami Dolphins should have their entire starting offense available when they open the regular season Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Dolphins Roster ‘They’ve earned their stripes.’ Meet your 2024 Miami Dolphins captains – Yahoo SportsJalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, Zach Sieler and David Long Jr. are the four newcomers. Phinsider News You May Have Missed Mike McDaniel extension creates continuity – Miami Dolphins News 9/1/24 – The PhinsiderWelcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours. Miami Dolphins fans sound off on the media that covers the team! – The PhinsiderWith the season quickly approaching, I asked the following question this past week: Which Miami Dolphins beat reporters or NFL reporters, local or national, do you both respect and count on to give… Miami Dolphins’ Jalen Phillips talks injury recovery, addition of Calais Campbell ahead of Jaguars in Week 1 – The PhinsiderMiami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips continues to build toward a return from a 2023 Achilles tear. He talked about his recovery and the team’s addition of Calais Campbell this week. Dolphins’ HC Mike McDaniel talks contract, team captains, and Jaguars – The PhinsiderMiami Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel spoke with the media first time since his contract extension as the team prepares for Week 1 vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars. Miami Dolphins starting center Aaron Brewer will practice ahead of season opener – The PhinsiderMike McDaniel doesn’t commit to Brewer playing against Jacksonville Jaguars. Dolphins name Tua Tagovailoa and seven others as 2024 team captains – The PhinsiderQuarterback Tua Tagovailoa has been a team captain each season since Mike McDaniel became coach of the Miami Dolphins. Five Things I Think I Think About the 2024 Miami Dolphins – Season Predictions – The Phinsider“Can’t wait!” — Bart Scott, philosopher Jacksonville Jaguar You Would Steal For The Miami Dolphins – The PhinsiderWe ask Miami Dolphins fans which Jacksonville Jaguar player they would steal for our team if possible.
Ravens injury report heading into Week 1 against the Chiefs
Ravens injury report heading into Week 1 against the Chiefs glenn erby The Baltimore Ravens released their first injury report of the regular season, and only two of the 53 players on the roster are dealing with injuries. Adisa Isaac missed another practice with a hamstring injury, while rookie running back Rasheen Ali is dealing with a neck injury. For Kansas City, defensive tackle Chris Jones (shoulder), linebacker Nick Bolton (elbow) and offensive guard Joe Thuney (pec) were all full participants. Only wide receiver Hollywood Brown (shoulder), who isn’t expected to play, missed practice. Baltimore will practice one more time on Tuesday in Baltimore, before departing for Kansas City on Wednesday afternoon following the walkthrough.
NFL Fans Not Happy With Punishment Given To Atlanta Falcons
If you thought the NFL was going to slam the hammer down on the Atlanta Falcons for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy, you were sadly mistaken. The NFL announced Thursday that it’s docking the Falcons a 2025 fifth-round pick for their actions. Additionally, the franchise … FLOWERY BRANCH, GEORGIA – MAY 14: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons speaks to the media during OTA offseason workouts at the Atlanta Falcons training facility on May 14, 2024 in Flowery Branch, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images If you thought the NFL was going to slam the hammer down on the Atlanta Falcons for violating the league’s anti-tampering policy, you were sadly mistaken. The NFL announced Thursday that it’s docking the Falcons a 2025 fifth-round pick for their actions. Additionally, the franchise received a $250,000 fine, and Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot was fined $50,000. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk blasted the NFL for this weak punishment. “The NFL took only a fifth-round pick and imposed minimal fines on the Falcons for tampering with THREE DIFFERENT PLAYERS,” Florio said. “Message to league = tamper away.” Most NFL fans agree with this take from Florio, which isn’t something we say often. “Unserious penalty,” one fan said. “I’d run it back.” “A tap on the wrist,” a second fan wrote. “Not even a slap.” Another fan tweeted, “Law and Order in America is non existent. It’s all Mad Max Fury Road now.” It’s hard to blame fans for feeling this way. Stripping the Falcons of a fifth-round pick isn’t exactly going to teach them a lesson. The Falcons, meanwhile, said in a statement they’re “pleased” that the NFL’s review is complete. Well, of course they are. “We are pleased this review is complete,” the Falcons said. “We cooperated fully with the league and its review, and appreciate the NFL’s thoroughness. As we do with every process, we will review how we operate and look for ways to improve.” After seeing how the NFL handled this situation in Atlanta, it wouldn’t surprise us if teams intentionally violate the league’s anti-tampering policy in 2025. Related: NFL Announces Punishment For Falcons For Kirk Cousins Signing
Colts announce signing of ex-Rams CB David Long Jr. for final practice squad spot
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images The Colts have added a former All-Big Ten standout to bolster their secondary depth with their final practice squad spot. On Monday, the Indianapolis Colts announced the signing of former New York Giants cornerback David Long Jr. for the final spot on their practice squad: We have signed CB David Long Jr. to the practice squad. — Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 2, 2024 The All-Big Ten standout for Michigan, who was a former 2019 NFL 3rd round pick, has also played with the Los Angeles Rams (*where he began his career), Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers organizations. At 5’11,” 196 pounds (with 30 3’4” arms), the 5-year veteran has 96 tackles (82 solo), an interception, and 8 passes defensed during 66 career games (12 starts). He appeared in 14 games (2 starts) last season for the Raiders, Panthers, and Packers organizations collectively, recording 19 tackles (15 solo), and a pass defensed. Long doesn’t have the prototypical size and length that the Colts covet from their cornerbacks, but he’s gritty, physical, and competitive—and can also contribute on special teams—which is the type of player a general manager likes for those last few roster spots, particularly on a practice squad. Here’s his former NFL.com draft profile overview from 2019: Overview Death, taxes and David Long sitting under a receiver’s chin waiting to jam and bully the release – all three are inevitable. He lacks height, length and makeup burst, but it is hard to find tape where those areas came back to haunt him very often. He’s patient from press, stays connected to routes underneath, but may have to adjust to off-man and prove he can withstand vertical challenges against taller targets. He’s not as long, loose or fast as teams like, but he’s a consistent cover man with the talent to find reps early in his career. He’s not the impact ‘veteran cornerback addition’ that most Colts fans were envisioning this offseason, but he does provide experience to the tail-end of their cornerback depth chart—if he’s ever elevated from their taxi-man squad on game day.
Raiders offense: Abundance of caution shows how integral Brock Bowers will be
Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers hauls in a pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the two team’s preseason game on August 10. Bowers lined up at fullback and caught the pass in the flat on this play. | Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images Talented rookie being held out of practices with a foot ailment, but should be ready to go in season opener The absence of Brock Bowers at practice due to a foot injury was eyebrow raising, to say the least. But fear not, says Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce. The Silver & Black’s prized first round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft is slated to be a full go come Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. “Yeah, just precautionary. He got a foot injury, and we just want to protect him,” Pierce said two week ago. Asked about the No. 13 overall pick missing practices last week and Pierce sounded confident the tight end will be ready to go against the Bolts. “Yeah, I feel really good about that to be honest. Just again, I’m going to go back to protecting the young guy. Sometimes you get in the league, you have got to be smart and sometimes you have got to protect them from themselves. So, that’s all it is.” Every preseason play for Brock Bowers. More blocking than Fantasy drafters would probably prefer. Maybe the Raiders just wanted to test him out in that regard. Zero snaps with Week 1 starting QB Gardner Minshew. pic.twitter.com/5klGMIrRm4 — Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 26, 2024 That abundance of caution just goes to show how integral Bowers is to the Raiders’ offense and plans this coming 2024 campaign. It became clear from the time the Georgia product stepped onto the practice field for Las Vegas, the Raiders have something special on their hands. At 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds with soft hands, the ability to run crisp and sudden routes, and smooth running like a full-speed gazelle, the tight end has nightmare matchup written all over him. Bowers has the skillset to compliment fellow young tight end Michael Mayer (second year as a second-round pick (No. 35 overall) out of Notre Dame in the 2023 draft) and be a true weapon in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s 12 personnel package. As a Bulldog, Bowers lined up all over the field and wasn’t solely relegated to the traditional in-line tight end spot. He lined up at the slot and the perimeter — areas normally reserved for wide receivers — and even in the backfield. Georgia was intent on maximizing the return on investment (ROI) it got from Bowers and Las Vegas would be wise the do the same. We saw some of it in preseason action. Without a traditional fullback on the roster — a break in Raiders longtime tradition — both Bowers and Mayer lined up as lead blocker. And it was Bowers who hauled in a pass out of the flat as fullback on a play action play against the Minnesota Vikings. That has potential to cause headaches and mistakes from opposing defenses as Bowers has shown he is an asset and not a liability as a blocker (both as pass protector and lead in the ground game) so making him position versatile by lining up in the backfield will force the opposition to adjust — or else. Brock Bowers The Raiders plan to utilize Bowers in a non-traditional TE role. Similarly to how Travis Kelce lines up everywhere in the Chiefs offense… This is GREAT for fantasy. Took LV about 5 snaps to launch Bowers from the fullback position. Epic.pic.twitter.com/GXNce0G3lU https://t.co/xDIG6DOyoU — Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) August 12, 2024 While having Bowers line up in a variety of spots in a multitude of formations may be juicy for fantasy football junkies, it’ll also make Las Vegas offense more potent overall. The 21-year-old rookie (not 22 until December 13) offers the ability to line up at outside receiver, in the slot, in-line and split end. He offers truly “move” tight end skill sets. This was done a lot in practices and preseason and it’ll be intriguing to see it come to fruition during the regular season. “Just a dynamic player that’s doing a good job just from a mental standpoint,” Pierce said of Bowers. “Everything that we’re asking him to do, he’s doing, and he’s not blinking. Not a lot of mental errors, not a repeat offender. Going to get better each and every week.” But here lies the rub: Las Vegas can line Bowers up where ever it wants, but can it get the talented rookie the football? Gardner Minshew is well aware he’s at the point of the Raiders attack and he has shown a penchant to get the ball to his playmakers over the course of his career. Minshew’s improvisational skills when plays break down can help create even more plays. But it’ll be up to the offensive line to give Minshew time to find the receiving targets at his disposal which not only include Bower and Mayer, but also elite wide receiver Davante Adams, reliable wideout Jakobi Meyers, and speedster Tre Tucker. The Raiders may be intent on getting the ball in the talented rookie tight end’s hands due to special yards after the catch capability, but will Minshew have the time and acumen to not only find Bowers, but the other receivers, too? The first opportunity to answer that question comes on the road at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. against the Chargers on September 8.
What is Bills LB Matt Milano’s injured reserve status in 2024?
What is #Bills LB Matt Milano’s injured reserve status in 2024? What is Bills LB Matt Milano’s injured reserve status in 2024? Nick Wojton While it’s a bummer that the Buffalo Bills will be without linebacker Matt Milano for the start, and most, of the 2024 NFL season… there was good news to be found. During the NFL’s roster cut-down day, the All-Pro linebacker was placed on injured reserve. As were running back Darrynton Evans and offensive lineman Travis Clayton. But IR has layers. Clayton (shoulder) will not play in 2024. The England international was considered a long-term project piece regardless. In a new rule for this season, NFL teams were allowed to place two players on IR ahead of roster cut-down day. Previously they had to make the 53-man roster then be placed on the injury designation if their season was not over. Not anymore, which allowed Buffalo to move Milano (and Evans) to an important placement. Milano (bicep) and Evans (hamstring) were slapped with the “designated to return” status. That means Milano could still be back even though he’s on IR. That’s a good update. Milano’s future outlook remains murky as he’s labeled as “out indefinitely,” potentially until December… time will tell. Bills Wire will provide all injury updates throughout the 2024 NFL season.
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Forecast for the Vikings’ 2024 Season
Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images The Minnesota Vikings are officially into Week One of the 2024 NFL season and its time to make some predictions about how this season will play out for our favorite team. Past Track Record This will be my ninth prediction over the past ten seasons, having abandoned any prediction in 2016 after Teddy Bridgewater went down just prior to the start of the season. Here are the results: 2015 Prediction: 10-6. Actual: 11-5. Preseason over/under: 7.5 2016 No prediction after Bridgewater went down. Acutal: 8-8. Preseason over/under: 9.5 (pre-Bridgewater injury). 2017 Prediction: 12-4. Actual: 13-3. Preseason over/under: 8.5 2018 Prediction: 13-3. Actual: 8-7-1. Preseason over/under: 10 2019 Prediction: 11-5. Actual: 10-6. Preseason over/under: 9. 2020 Prediction: 11-5. Actual: 7-9. Preseason over/under: 8.5 (March) 2021 Prediction: 13-4. Actual: 8-9. Preseason over/under: 9. 2022 Prediction: 12-5. Actual: 13-4. Preseason over/under: 9.5. 2023 Prediction: 11-6. Actual: 7-10. Preseason over/under: 8.5. Last season’s prediction turned out to be four games too high and was easily attributable to Kirk Cousins going down to injury during Week 8, and to a lesser extent Justin Jefferson also missing half the season. My predictions are always made under the assumption of something close to “normal” in terms of injuries over the course of the season and losing a starting quarterback for half the season typically has an adverse impact (though not in 2017) and isn’t a ‘normal’ injury scenario for any team. I suspect if Cousins had not been injured, however, the Vikings would’ve ended pretty close to my 11-6 prediction, so I continue to like the process I’ve used the last two seasons in making my forecast. The 2024 Consensus View The over/under win total for the Vikings this season by oddsmakers suggests a 7-10 record is the most likely outcome for the Vikings this season, although I’ve seen one or two lower than that. A rough consensus is a 6.5 over/under win total for the season. If anything, national pundit predictions come in lower than that, confirming that oddsmakers and national sports media take a dim view of the Vikings’ 2024 season. Clearly starting quarterback Sam Darnold is the primary reason for the dim view of the Vikings’ prospects this season, coupled with more excitement around all of the Vikings’ NFC North rivals. But whatever the reason, the Vikings have been written-off as also-rans for the 2024-25 season. From a division perspective, the Lions are +140 to win the division, followed by the Packers at +200 and the Bears at +275 followed by the Vikings after a substantial gap down at +950. Analyzing the Changes from Last Season In analyzing the changes for the Vikings since last season, I consider the following major components: roster changes, coaching/scheme changes, sustainability factors such as outliers in injuries, turnovers, and other luck factors, and finally strength of schedule. I then assign a positive or negative win factor for each component to arrive at the net change in wins from the previous season. Roster Changes Here is a breakdown of roster changes for the Vikings since last season, by position group, along with a positive (+), negative (-) or about the same (=) assessment of those changes relative to last season. Quarterback (=). If we are comparing Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold, this would be a downgrade. But the relevant comparison is Kirk Cousins, Jaren Hall, Josh Dobbs, and Nick Mullens to Sam Darnold, as those were the guys who played quarterback for the Vikings last season. And given that, an equal comparison is the most appropriate. Darnold isn’t likely to be as good as Cousins (although he has that upside), but he’s likely better than the backups that played just over half the season last year too. I did a piece a week or two ago on Sam Darnold, outlining his previous performance and issues going forward, along with the positive team factors he has with the Vikings. Clearly Darnold is in the best situation he’s ever had as a starter in terms of the players around him, but he also has better coaching and play-calling- something I didn’t go into as much in that piece. But consider these are the offensive coordinators and play callers for Darnold since he entered the league, with head coaches listed if offensive-minded: 2018: Jeremy Bates. Bates has not coached in the NFL since. 2019-2020: Adam Gase (head coach) and Dowell Loggains (OC). Apparently both Gase and Loggains called plays for the Jets, depending on the situation (red zone, two-minute, goal line, run, pass, etc.). Loggains and Gase have not coached in the NFL since. 2021: Matt Rhule (HC) Joe Brady (OC and playcaller) and later Jeff Nixon. Brady was fired mid-season and replaced with Jeff Nixon. Brady didn’t coach for a year but then became OC for the Bills in 2023. Nixon was demoted back to running backs coach in 2022 before being fired. He became running backs coach for the Giants in 2023 and was fired now coaches at Syracuse. 2022: Matt Rhule (HC), Ben McAdoo (OC). Rhule was fired after the 2022 season and now coaches at Nebraska. McAdoo was also fired, did not coach in 2023, and is now a Senior offensive assistant with the Patriots. Of all these coaches, only Joe Brady remains a key part of an NFL coaching staff. Brady was a rookie OC when he coached Darnold. So it’s not too much to say that not only did Darnold not have good coaching, he had a collection of the worst offensive coaches in the NFL in recent years. As a result, Darnold has said in the past he often felt he had to do it all, primarily because he didn’t have much quality help either from the coaching staff or the team around him. Now Darnold said he feels more like he just needs to distribute the ball effectively and everything else will take care of itself, relieving a lot of pressure he was feeling in previous stops as
Ravens restructure Roquan Smith’s contract to create extra salary cap space
Ravens restructure Roquan Smith’s contract to create extra salary cap space glenn erby We previously wrote about Baltimore needing to get salary cap compliant before Thursday’s season opener against the Chiefs, with GM Eric DeCosta having several options at his disposal. DeCosta used one on Monday, restructuring the contract of All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith, freeing up close to $5 million in salary cap space. Roquan Smith approaches the game with an intense mindset, always playing with anger and never showing signs of weakness. The star linebacker was acquired by the Baltimore Ravens from the Bears in 2022, and since then, he has recorded over 245 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two interceptions and earned a 75.0 grade from PFF in 25 games. Smith had 84 solo tackles, 74 assists, 1.5 sacks, and one interception in 16 games in 2023, and he’s the best leader the Ravens have had since Ray Lewis retired.
Minnesota Vikings News and Links: John Randle Provides Comedic Relief in his “Keys” to the 2024 Season
Pundits rightfully have pointed out the Vikings will go as far as Sam Darnold’s right arm will carry them | Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports One of the Vikings’ defensive GOATs remains entertaining in retirement We made it. We’re finally to the week before Week 1! We can call it….Week 1 eve!? I don’t think that’ll catch on. But in order to get into the spirit, why don’t we try to get inside the head of one of the most vocal leaders in franchise history — none other than John Randle: On this Purple Friday, please consider my keys to the NFL season! @Vikings @NFLLegacy @ProFootballHOF @CruxCigars pic.twitter.com/pMPUKjHH2S — john randle (@johnnyrandle93) August 30, 2024 Basically, it’s just a light-hearted post as we, as fans, get amped up for a season that has a wide variety of different possible outcomes. ESPN released its team-by-team breakdown over the weekend — and it. is. massive. Like most publications, the Worldwide Leader is down on the Vikings, ranking them 26th while raining pessimism on the Vikings for reasons such as quarterback and strength of schedule. NFL team previews 2024: Predictions, rankings, depth charts In other words — nothing you haven’t heard already. But with that said, all of this seems to point to the idea that the Vikings’ chances will ride or die with Sam Darnold’s right arm. And that pessimism seems…..fair. Minnesota Vikings News and Links Speaking of Darnold — wouldn’t a “HEY DARNOLD!” meme be fun, like move it football-head! — Matthew Coller has a great story over at Purple Insider about how it’s more or less now or never for Darnold. It’s Sam Darnold’s time to fulfill his potential The concept of a former No. 3 pick needing to get their act together in Year 7 is hardly a unique concept — unless you mean that they’re even getting that chance again that far into their career. But Coller has a fascinating deep dive on what’ll go into making Darnold’s season a success — and here’s a hint: a lot of it has to do with how he grows under his head coach in 2024. You knew we had to have a reaction to Mike Zimmer going bonkers on the Star Tribune, right? Zulgad’s reaction to Mike Zimmer’s candid interview with the Star Tribune Aforementioned interview Zimmer left virtually no stones unturned in his long-form conversation with Mark Craig, ranging from how he felt about his firing, having Eric Kendricks in the middle of yet another one of his defenses to how relationships with him and his players have deteriorated over the years. I’d like to tell you it’s a feel-good read based on how it starts — but I don’t think I can. Over at Zone Coverage, site founder Tom Schreier wonders if Kevin O’Connell is up to a tall task — leading a team that lost its starting quarterback, a draft pick in a car accident, and perhaps its entire identity as KOC. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s remake of the roster appears to be about halfway through. Can Kevin O’Connell Inspire Hope After A Trying Offseason? Still, KOC remains positive — and that alone is a big first step, especially when considering the team is the consensus pick to finish fourth in a four-team division. Over at the main site, Craig Peters has his weekly mailbag — this time in advance of Week 1. Monday Morning Mailbag: Vikings Enter Week 1; Quarterback Shuffle One thing Peters addresses is the Jaren Hall situation, as the quarterback was waived in favor of Brett Rypien. While Peters suggests the Hall situation wasn’t fully played out — more on that in a minute — he also notes his trust in the team’s leadership to find players who fit their system. And it’s one Rypien has played in with the Rams — where KOC came from before being hired. In the news Jaren Hall landed with the Seahawks on Monday, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Hall will join the team’s practice squad, and be behind Geno Smith and Sam Howell on the team’s quarterback pecking order. Given the way the team’s depth chart looks, Hall could be elevated to third quarterback on game days — and perhaps it isn’t the worst landing spot as neither are locks to be NFL-caliber quarterbacks in the medium-ish term. MarShawn Lloyd practiced for the Packers on Sunday, and looks like he may be ready to go Friday for the opener after having spotty availability all summer. We’ll be watching closely to see how the Packers replace Aaron Jones this season with a combination of Josh Jacobs and friends. The Giants signed cornerback Adoree’ Jackson over the weekend, and it seems like this is the cascade effect of the Vikings signing Stephon Gilmore a little while back. A lot of times, veteran player gluts at a position just need one player to sign to get the trickle opening back up again. Jackson was not particularly good last season for the Giants, ranking 71st out of 72 cornerbacks with at least 400 coverage snaps with a PFF grade of 45.9. For some context, Akayleb Evans was the Vikings’ worst-graded corner with at least 400 snaps (52.6). 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 Also: if you’re looking/lurking, come join the fun. Create an account and leave comments to join the discussion! It’s always fun with more!
