National Football League

[Alpe d'Huez]

But it's also unacceptable for a guy who was taken #5 overall, considered a prototypical elite QB, potential MVP, given a $276m monster contract, repeatedly has praise just heaped on him about his "potential" (four plus years running now). And he's done what exactly? It hasn't mattered who his coach was, who his receivers were, he's been completely average, and choked badly in the two playoff games he got to. His fans are just excuse machines and cherry pick stats that don't amount to what matters: winning. It's one excuse after another after another. But my goodness, whatever you do, don't criticize Herbert, after all, look at his potential. And it looks like you're jumping on that bandwagon now.

As to Harbaugh and McDermott, I agree if they don't get to a SB this coming season they are going to be on a very hot seat. If I were their team's owner/GM though, I'd be real careful before up and canning them unless I had a good idea who I'd replace them with. But their teams ability to beat KC (and anyone else) in the regular season, but not get past them in the playoffs, is indeed damning.

For various reasons, I'm currently keeping a closer eye on teams I think could improve this coming season. Who might win more games than expected, and maybe rise to be a contender. Bears, Jets, Panthers perhaps. Maybe the Patriots, Raiders, Falcons. I'm also curious to see if Denver can improve. They lost some players, gained some, and it's going to be interesting to see how Payton makes that work and if Nix doesn't have a sophomore slump. I'm curious to see how Schottenheimer moves things in Dallas, if Dak improves under him (and can stay healthy). And maybe more curious to see how Moore/Shough create in New Orleans. Also if Coen can do anything with TL in Jax. These are the stories that interest me a lot. I'm bored hearing and talking about the Chiefs most of all, but also growing very weary of constant Baltimore and Buffalo speculations.

 

[movingtarget]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IJ2L5nR9dM

 

[SHAD0W93]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IJ2L5nR9dM

On some of the points the Chiefs aurora definitely helps with the opposing team’s mistakes, just like the Patriots before them. With some of the ref calls they are fouls per the rule but the issue was it being ignored all game. Between the two closest three peats we have had the 2016-2018 Patriots > 2022-2024 Chiefs.

 

[Nomad]

But it's also unacceptable for a guy who was taken #5 overall, considered a prototypical elite QB, potential MVP, given a $276m monster contract, repeatedly has praise just heaped on him about his "potential" (four plus years running now). And he's done what exactly? It hasn't mattered who his coach was, who his receivers were, he's been completely average, and choked badly in the two playoff games he got to. His fans are just excuse machines and cherry pick stats that don't amount to what matters: winning. It's one excuse after another after another. But my goodness, whatever you do, don't criticize Herbert, after all, look at his potential. And it looks like you're jumping on that bandwagon now.

I think you mean #6 OA, but close enough & I get your point. IMO, I don't think Herbert's been average as a player - he's an elite passer with Allen type size & cannon (3rd strongest arm in the league & ROY in 2020). He just chokes in the limited postseason that he's been in. And the Chargers have been colossal underachievers since they drafted him (hence the coaching change).

Herbert is classified as a mobile pocket passer & I think he needs to run more. He's identical in size with Allen but faster, similar 20 yd shuttle time, better vertical - so just as athletic. In fact, Greg Roman, hired as OC last season, has said wants to incorporate some designed runs for Herbert & generally wants to see him run more.

This season he had a career high 306 yds rushing with 2 scores and long run of 41 yds (against the Raiders where he looked like Allen taking off). I'd like to see that number come up & Herbert adding dual-threat capability to his game. And there isn't any reason why this can't occur - Herbert is just as talented from a physical standpoint as Allen. This is one big, athletic man - another TE that can throw the snot out of the ball. Lol.

Chargers News: Greg Roman Hints at Justin Herbert Runs Next Season

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman hints at utilizing Justin Herbert in the run game.

www.si.com

 

[movingtarget]

I think you mean #6 OA, but close enough & I get your point. IMO, I don't think Herbert's been average as a player - he's an elite passer with Allen type size & cannon (3rd strongest arm in the league & ROY in 2020). He just chokes in the limited postseason that he's been in. And the Chargers have been colossal underachievers since they drafted him (hence the coaching change).

Herbert is classified as a mobile pocket passer & I think he needs to run more. He's identical in size with Allen but faster, similar 20 yd shuttle time, better vertical - so just as athletic. In fact, Greg Roman, hired as OC last season, has said wants to incorporate some designed runs for Herbert & generally wants to see him run more.

This season he had a career high 306 yds rushing with 2 scores and long run of 41 yds (against the Raiders where he looked like Allen taking off). I'd like to see that number come up & Herbert adding dual-threat capability to his game. And there isn't any reason why this can't occur - Herbert is just as talented from a physical standpoint as Allen. This is one big, athletic man - another TE that can throw the snot out of the ball. Lol.

Chargers News: Greg Roman Hints at Justin Herbert Runs Next Season

Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman hints at utilizing Justin Herbert in the run game.

www.si.com

Not sure that Herbert will take continual hits as well as Allen. A gun RB and better WR's will also help. although Mahomes didn't really need them after Hill left but he still had Kelce and some underrated RB's and some good young WR's even if not elite. Worthy will get better but Kelce looks almost done. Ravens messed up by not using Henry enough in the playoffs while the Bills would be worse off without James Cook who looks top five in the league at the moment or better. While the Eagles seem to have the best balanced team of all especially on offense.

 

[Nomad]

For various reasons, I'm currently keeping a closer eye on teams I think could improve this coming season. Who might win more games than expected, and maybe rise to be a contender. Bears, Jets, Panthers perhaps. Maybe the Patriots, Raiders, Falcons. I'm also curious to see if Denver can improve. They lost some players, gained some, and it's going to be interesting to see how Payton makes that work and if Nix doesn't have a sophomore slump. I'm curious to see how Schottenheimer moves things in Dallas, if Dak improves under him (and can stay healthy). And maybe more curious to see how Moore/Shough create in New Orleans. Also if Coen can do anything with TL in Jax. These are the stories that interest me a lot. I'm bored hearing and talking about the Chiefs most of all, but also growing very weary of constant Baltimore and Buffalo speculations.

Nice list, btw. One guy you left out is Stroud - what's your take on him & the Texans this year?

So far, it's looks like a success with him? Back to back division titles. 2-2 in the postseason. ROY honors. Not bad for a 2nd OA pick this early in his career (probably should have been the #1 OA pick over Bryce Young. Lol).

But what is it going to take for them to break through the divisional round of the playoffs & make a SB run? They're taking care of business winning the WC round of the playoffs but running into a road block in the 2nd rd (lost to the Chiefs last year & the Ravens the year before).

And the team just disclosed that Tank Dell will miss this entire season from that gruesome knee injury he sustained last Dec (hard to watch it). You have to wonder if it's career ending?

 

[movingtarget]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IHJ36Kv_hI&pp=0gcJCccJAYcqIYzv

 

[Nomad]

The comments are funny on that video. One guy says the Bengals are built like a fantasy football team. Lol. That's what you get with a bad O-line & an immobile, non-running QB. Burrow is becoming a big stiff pocket passer like Peyton Manning was. Lol. Eventually, one of those hits will cause an injury.

OTOH, take Jayden Daniels on what he did last year with a below-average OL (bottom 10 & the Commanders had to draft an OT with their first pick). When the pocket broke down & the heat was on, Daniels found escape lanes taking off to the races for big gainers. Granted, Daniels has 4.5 speed & the moves of an elite WR, but he was able to find the proper escape lanes averting potential sacks & running for positive yardage. This disrupted a lot of defensive game plans that coordinators had designed against him.

In fact, Daniels was one of the most blitzed QBs last year but had a 90.5 QBR against the blitz - 3rd best in the league! That's absolutely amazing for a rookie QB. Some running highlights from last season:

View: https://youtu.be/3XYjFkODYro?si=KrNVw5UvUNggqHi3

 

[SHAD0W93]

Hopefully Worthy is okay.

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy Carted Off Field After Suffering Scary Head Injury During Training Camp Practice (VIDEO)

Xavier Worthy was unable to finish Tuesday’s training camp practice after suffering a scary head injury. Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters that Worthy had to be carted off the field after suffering a head injury during team drills. Farzin Vousoughian posted the clip of...

dailysnark.com

Then good news for the Cowboys on their LT.

Cowboys LT Tyler Guyton To Miss 4-6 Weeks With Bone Fracture After Initial Fear Of Torn ACL

The Dallas Cowboys can breathe a sigh of relief after an MRI revealed left tackle Tyler Guyton did not suffer a torn ACL in his right knee during last Monday’s practice. Guyton, rather, sustained a bone fracture and will miss four to six weeks but will not require surgery, ESPN’s Adam Schefter...

dailysnark.com

Kicking the poor guy when he’s downs, that’s why I think it’s good they get their money when they can.

Titans Waive Former First Round Pick WR Treylon Burks After He Fractured Collarbone

The Tennessee Titans are releasing former first-round pick wide receiver Treylon Burks with an injured designation after he broke his collarbone during the Titans’ training camp practice last weekend. Tennessee signed free agent wide receiver Ramel Keyton in a corresponding move. The injury is...

dailysnark.com

And even more sad times with this guys target the NFL offices as his target smh

REPORT: Gunman Kills Four In Shooting At New York City Building Housing NFL Headquarters

Four people, including in an off-duty New York City police officer were killed and another person critically wounded in a shooting Monday at a midtown Manhattan building that is home to the National Football League offices and some of the country’s top financial firms, authorities confirmed...

dailysnark.com

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

The shooter wasn't specifically targeting the NFL. Several financial firms in that building, for example. However, the guy also appeared to be insane, so who knows.

Worthy had a guardian helmet on at least, but that bounced looked very awkward.

Banks was on his rookie contract, making it an easier pill to swallow than some.

Going back to Burrow, his best bet is to get used to throwing on the run a lot. If guys who were mostly pocket passers but mobile enough to throw on target on the run can do it (Stafford, Rodgers, Alex Smith, Jimmy G, etc. - at least until injuries) then that's what Burrow will have to aspire to. He's not ever going to be a dual threat, as he's too prone to injury. The flip side to this is he ends up like Dak. A guy who was fairly mobile years ago, but never super mobile, then injuries start to pile up...

Of course no one knows who truly makes the decisions in Cleveland, but owner Jimmy Haslem says the decision to draft Shedeur was on GM Andrew Barry (and by default Stefanski), while saying he likes the guys they have. Since Shedeur isn't getting many snaps in camp, none with the 1st team, and at times has been seen playing catch with equipment managers, it makes me wonder if Haslem is putting a lot of pressure on Barry/Stefanski to start winning, and with whom at QB? From what I can gather, it looks like Pickett has looked better than every other QB they have in camp, so far.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says drafting rookie QB Shedeur Sanders in fifth round was GM's decision

 

[Nomad]

Good old training camp fights. It gets intense when low drafted/undrafted guys are fighting for roster spots. Making an NFL roster is every college player's dream. So many try....so few make it.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/nEU5P4hNK_k?si=iibvpIAhL4XIQ2tO

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Not to be out done, Chiefs get in on the action.

Chiefs Practice Erupts in Fight as Rookie Star Throws Punch

The Kansas City Chiefs' padded practice erupted in a fight following a punch thrown by a rookie star.

www.newsweek.com

 

[SHAD0W93]

Another Dolphins out.

https://dailysnark.com/2025/07/30/dolphins-cb-kader-kahou-suffers-acl-tear-covering-tyreek-hill-in-practice-ruled-out-for-season-video/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR4fEYL-LZ_nvUZ9zlJl-bVhLPKFkyMUqJqgBt_jkVc7HrDXzZ-cUOpNo2EuIw_aem_q1eA9h-YDif13MQVrfjxig

 

[Nomad]

Going back to Burrow, his best bet is to get used to throwing on the run a lot. If guys who were mostly pocket passers but mobile enough to throw on target on the run can do it (Stafford, Rodgers, Alex Smith, Jimmy G, etc. - at least until injuries) then that's what Burrow will have to aspire to. He's not ever going to be a dual threat, as he's too prone to injury. The flip side to this is he ends up like Dak. A guy who was fairly mobile years ago, but never super mobile, then injuries start to pile up...

Prescott is an interesting case because at Miss St he was a pure dual-threat QB...and a good one (holds the record for career rushing yards & career rushing TDs by a QB). But that never translated into the NFL - for some reason he didn't want to run or the HC/GM didn't want him running (he had one 300+ rushing season early in his career with less than 250 yds rushing in the subsequent seasons with very little running the last couple of years).

I still think Joe Cool needs to run some. If that rebuilt knee from his rookie season injury is sound & strong, I don't see any reason why he can't take off once in awhile & make a statement (he's got a decent 40). Throwing on the run is hard & requires a whole new skill set a lot of guys don't have - especially trying to throw while running to your weak side. Elway & Young were good throwers on the run though Elway has said his accuracy went down. Probably Mahomes is the best thrower on the run - he's one of the few that throw a dart while running to his weak side without having to stop & pivot his body squaring up shoulders to the the target.

Perhaps Burrow is too "nice" of a guy to be running? Lol

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cEz0DPqYNKs?si=sqk8Q3K18oNeXHDF

 

[Nomad]

Marty's son instilling motivation & enthusiasm with the team (sounds like a Pete Carroll out there). I don't think the Cowboys ever had this kind of energy & enthusiasm at camp with McCarthy?

Hey, Bazooka Joe is even taking some snaps with the first unit & showing off his arm strength (though Schottenheimer seems more impressed with his backflips. Lol).

View: https://youtu.be/unHbsBK9umY?si=4WVhjBbv4S8ZHu2M

 

[movingtarget]

The shooter wasn't specifically targeting the NFL. Several financial firms in that building, for example. However, the guy also appeared to be insane, so who knows.

Worthy had a guardian helmet on at least, but that bounced looked very awkward.

Banks was on his rookie contract, making it an easier pill to swallow than some.

Going back to Burrow, his best bet is to get used to throwing on the run a lot. If guys who were mostly pocket passers but mobile enough to throw on target on the run can do it (Stafford, Rodgers, Alex Smith, Jimmy G, etc. - at least until injuries) then that's what Burrow will have to aspire to. He's not ever going to be a dual threat, as he's too prone to injury. The flip side to this is he ends up like Dak. A guy who was fairly mobile years ago, but never super mobile, then injuries start to pile up...

Of course no one knows who truly makes the decisions in Cleveland, but owner Jimmy Haslem says the decision to draft Shedeur was on GM Andrew Barry (and by default Stefanski), while saying he likes the guys they have. Since Shedeur isn't getting many snaps in camp, none with the 1st team, and at times has been seen playing catch with equipment managers, it makes me wonder if Haslem is putting a lot of pressure on Barry/Stefanski to start winning, and with whom at QB? From what I can gather, it looks like Pickett has looked better than every other QB they have in camp, so far.

Browns owner Jimmy Haslam says drafting rookie QB Shedeur Sanders in fifth round was GM's decision

The story I read was that he was blaming the NFL for his head issues after playing football earlier in his life. He went to the building housing the NFL head office but got out of the lift on the wrong floor. As you say he was having mental issues so who knows. Took his own life before the police found him.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Hall of Fame Game tomorrow (Thursday). Chargers vs. Lions. Two players I'm looking at: Hendon Hooker for the Lions, and DJ Uiagalelei for the Chargers. Though Tre Lance will play the first half, it's DJ I want to see. He has a huge arm, and was a talent until injuries ruined the end of his college career. So is he the next Joe Milton? Or the next Logan Thomas?

I saw a shorter clip with Schottenheimer before, which is why I earlier posted I'm curious how their team responds to him. Some pundits quickly wrote him off as a consolation prize because Jerry couldn't act quickly, but I think there's potential there. Very curious to see how the Cowboys respond. There is depth and talent on that roster. Can he make it work?

Dolphins signed former Raider CB Jack Jones just the other day. He is a high risk player, not consistent. Plays like a ball hawk, but hot/cold in coverage, prone to not wanting to tackle. Now, he will be a starter for the Fins. Oh my.

The Christian Wilkins story just gets weirder and weirder.

 

[movingtarget]

Hall of Fame Game tomorrow (Thursday). Chargers vs. Lions. Two players I'm looking at: Hendon Hooker for the Lions, and DJ Uiagalelei for the Chargers. Though Tre Lance will play the first half, it's DJ I want to see. He has a huge arm, and was a talent until injuries ruined the end of his college career. So is he the next Joe Milton? Or the next Logan Thomas?

I saw a shorter clip with Schottenheimer before, which is why I earlier posted I'm curious how their team responds to him. Some pundits quickly wrote him off as a consolation prize because Jerry couldn't act quickly, but I think there's potential there. Very curious to see how the Cowboys respond. There is depth and talent on that roster. Can he make it work?

Dolphins signed former Raider CB Jack Jones just the other day. He is a high risk player, not consistent. Plays like a ball hawk, but hot/cold in coverage, prone to not wanting to tackle. Now, he will be a starter for the Fins. Oh my.

The Christian Wilkins story just gets weirder and weirder.

Touching other players and doing weird stuff when he was supposed to be rehabbing and maybe lying about his condition isn't a good look. Sounds like a locker room distraction at the least. He received 49.7 million for playing five games ! Sounds like he's taking legal action.

 

[movingtarget]

Prescott is an interesting case because at Miss St he was a pure dual-threat QB...and a good one (holds the record for career rushing yards & career rushing TDs by a QB). But that never translated into the NFL - for some reason he didn't want to run or the HC/GM didn't want him running (he had one 300+ rushing season early in his career with less than 250 yds rushing in the subsequent seasons with very little running the last couple of years).

I still think Joe Cool needs to run some. If that rebuilt knee from his rookie season injury is sound & strong, I don't see any reason why he can't take off once in awhile & make a statement (he's got a decent 40). Throwing on the run is hard & requires a whole new skill set a lot of guys don't have - especially trying to throw while running to your weak side. Elway & Young were good throwers on the run though Elway has said his accuracy went down. Probably Mahomes is the best thrower on the run - he's one of the few that throw a dart while running to his weak side without having to stop & pivot his body squaring up shoulders to the the target.

Perhaps Burrow is too "nice" of a guy to be running? Lol

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/cEz0DPqYNKs?si=sqk8Q3K18oNeXHDF

Chip Kelly wanted to draft Dak when he was at the 49ers but he said that Trent Baalke vetoed it Not sure why Baalke didn't want him as he went in the 4th round. Not sure that Dak would have done better than Jimmy G or Purdy re the two SB losses. Dak has shown that he struggles in the playoffs and ironically the Cowboys were knocked out of the playoffs by both Purdy and Jimmy.

 

[Nomad]

Hall of Fame Game tomorrow (Thursday). Chargers vs. Lions. Two players I'm looking at: Hendon Hooker for the Lions, and DJ Uiagalelei for the Chargers. Though Tre Lance will play the first half, it's DJ I want to see. He has a huge arm, and was a talent until injuries ruined the end of his college career. So is he the next Joe Milton? Or the next Logan Thomas?

He isn't very good - I watched him in his college career particularly at Clemson where he was a highly touted 5-star recruit & the #1 QB prospect in the ESPN top 300 list. He sat his freshman yr behind Trevor Lawrence, given the keys as a starter his sophomore season & played average at best the next 2 yrs before he transferred to Oregon St. Dabo Swinney (my favorite college coach) has high expectations for his 5 star QB recruits & Uiagalelei wasn't cutting it. Some of Swinney's other 5-stars were Deshaun Watson, Lawrence & now Cade Klubnik, who decided to stay for his senior year & is projected as a high 1st rounder.

Uiagalelei is a mammoth of man & has a monster of an arm. But he's inconsistent & his accuracy diminishes when throwing into tight windows. He also not very mobile with poor pocket awareness where under pressure he forces bad throws or takes sacks. Being undrafted should tell you something. Maybe a position change to TE if he can catch the ball - he certainly has the size.

I'm more interested in seeing what Harbaugh can do with Lance. Time is running out for Lance - Shanahan couldn't do anything with him, the Cowboys couldn't do anything...it's now up to Harbaugh to be a miracle worker. Lol.

It's still hard to believe that Lance was the #3 OA pick in the 2021 draft with comparisons being made to Mahomes ("Mahomes 2.0" is what some scouts were calling him). After 3 yrs in the league, he can't make it as starter let alone even a backup.

 

[Nomad]

Chip Kelly wanted to draft Dak when he was at the 49ers but he said that Trent Baalke vetoed it Not sure why Baalke didn't want him as he went in the 4th round. Not sure that Dak would have done better than Jimmy G or Purdy re the two SB losses. Dak has shown that he struggles in the playoffs and ironically the Cowboys were knocked out of the playoffs by both Purdy and Jimmy.

If I recall correctly, I think Prescott was projected in the late 1st/early 2nd round until he had that DUI arrest about a month before the draft. And we all know DUI arrests & QBs don't go over very well with owners & GMs. And Prescott does struggle in the postseason : 2-5.

If Jones really wants "America's team" to win a SB, I think they have to move on from Prescott.

 

[movingtarget]

Terry McLaurin requesting trade from Commanders as no progress has been made toward extension

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

He isn't very good ...

Your analysis on DJ was pretty accurate. About all we really saw in this game was his arm strength. He didn't show much else.

Lance looked decent. Better in the 1st half. Detroit turning the ball over five times led to an ugly score.

But this is also a meaningless pre-season game. In fact, it looked like a lopsided UFL game, with a few more names we recognize.

If Jones really wants "America's team" to win a SB, I think they have to move on from Prescott.

Who are they going to replace him with? Bazooka Joe?

There's another problem. A HUGE problem, and that is Dak's contract. They are tied to him through at least 2026, maybe 2027. No other team will take on his ridiculously bloated contract. But if they cut him after 2025 it's a cap hit like none other in NFL history, making the Russell Wilson mistake look like pennies, a staggering $180m dead cap hit. If they cut him after 2026? A $129m dead cap hit. In 2026 he alone will account for 24% of their entire team salary, and it's almost as bad in 2027. So even if they cut him before June of 2027 the cap hit will be $55m. They'd have to restructure it into a new 5+ year deal, then hope some team with cap space will absorb the money in some Dak for picks/cash type of trade, paying Dak into his late 30s.

Dak and his agent Todd France completely fleeced Jerry Jones. Took him to the cleaner.