National Football League

[Nomad]

Sean McVay gives another troubling update on Matthew Stafford

Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has yet to participate in training camp as he deals with a back injury.

www.yardbarker.com

Stafford is getting old. Report says he played through the back problems throughout the entire season last year plus two playoff games. Lower back problems can be one of the worse chronic injuries for an aging QB. McVay better get Jimmy G ready to start in case Stafford isn't ready for the opener.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

'Tae Adams gets to team back up with his 'ol buddy Jimmy G!

 

[Nomad]

View: https://youtu.be/5HWkQVwm6Q8?si=nM3WJ9PltPGGlkxH

Fascinating info. Not only wear & tear, but physiological changes that start in the late 20s. The average age of a NFL running back is 26 with very few playing regularly after age 30 (Henry is an old man at 31. Lol). RB is definitely a young man's position.

 

[Nomad]

Matt LaFleur has finally made the Jordan Love change Packers fans begged for

It's the one area where Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love had to improve, and Matt LaFleur is making it happen.

lombardiave.com

The "Allen Effect" here. LaFleur wants Love to scramble & run more. Love is an atheltic QB with good speed. He ran for 247 yds/4 TDs in 2023 - his breakout season. However, hampered with a knee injury that he played through last season reduced his rushing to a mere 83 yards & limited his scrambling. And despite going 11-6, they were eliminated in the WC round of the playoffs by the Eagles where Love played very poorly.

Notice a pattern here where we're seeing more coaches wanting their athletic, mobile pocket passers to play more "off-schedule" & make plays with their legs.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I too would be worried about his durability. Love isn't exactly small, at all. But that 25lb (or so) difference between him and Josh Allen is noticeable. Josh is like having a TE who can pass the ball.

That RB video made me think of two things - Back like Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Frank Gore, lasting as long as they did is amazing. The other thought is I can see why it took forever for anyone to sign Nick Chubb, and the Texans are barely paying him anything on a one-year deal.

My prediction on Micah Parsons - The Cowboys won't trade him, though they may field offers, just to see what the chess board looks like. In the end Jones will cave, paying Parsons about $210m over 5 years, making him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. But a chunk of the deal will have to be backloaded, with much of the money coming in later years, because Dallas only has $7m in cap space for 2026 (this is with Micah off the books, as his contract ends after this year), this means Jerry will have to give up more guaranteed money than likely ever for a defensive player. But he does have about $30m to front load it with in a signing bonus. So there is some wiggle room. The issue is the Cowboys will be tied to Dak, Lamb, and Parsons for a few. years. All paid "get us to the SB" money.

 

[movingtarget]

I too would be worried about his durability. Love isn't exactly small, at all. But that 25lb (or so) difference between him and Josh Allen is noticeable. Josh is like having a TE who can pass the ball.

That RB video made me think of two things - Back like Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Frank Gore, lasting as long as they did is amazing. The other thought is I can see why it took forever for anyone to sign Nick Chubb, and the Texans are barely paying him anything on a one-year deal.

My prediction on Micah Parsons - The Cowboys won't trade him, though they may field offers, just to see what the chess board looks like. In the end Jones will cave, paying Parsons about $210m over 5 years, making him the highest paid defensive player in NFL history. But a chunk of the deal will have to be backloaded, with much of the money coming in later years, because Dallas only has $7m in cap space for 2026 (this is with Micah off the books, as his contract ends after this year), this means Jerry will have to give up more guaranteed money than likely ever for a defensive player. But he does have about $30m to front load it with in a signing bonus. So there is some wiggle room. The issue is the Cowboys will be tied to Dak, Lamb, and Parsons for a few. years. All paid "get us to the SB" money.

Cowboys usually pay their stars big. Don't see this being different. The Dak negotiation dragged on forever and he still got unbelievable money.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I think that's part of the problem Jerry has.

If we look back closely to a year ago (actually, at the end of the 2023 season leading to camp for the 2024 season), everyone knew that the Cowboys would extend Dak at some point. But it was really Jerry Jones that dragged it out. And in the end that's what really cost Jerry. Dak ending up getting a ridiculously huge contract. Now, he's doing the same thing with Micah Parsons. Saying there is no timeline. But this too will cost him more. It's like the noise, the talk, the scuttlebutt is more important to Jerry than building a team. More important than money, NFL money at least. Keeping the Cowboys, and himself, in the limelight. And it has been for some time now.

 

[Nomad]

I too would be worried about his durability. Love isn't exactly small, at all. But that 25lb (or so) difference between him and Josh Allen is noticeable. Josh is like having a TE who can pass the ball.

Allen is in a world of his own as a power runner. However in that 2024 rushing highlight video I posted, you see Allen sliding or running out of bounds on some plays. Though he won't hesitate from stiff arming or lowering the boom on a defender especially if he's going for a score, he does seem to be trying to avoid some hard hits that he typically took in years past.

OTOH, there are a couple of lighter dual-threats that are more finesse runners & slide a lot. Lamar is only ~205 lbs on a 6-2 frame. He reportedly has lost 25 lbs from his career high weight in 2022. Daniels at 6-4 & 210 is built like a NBA point guard & is definitely a finesse runner sliding or running out of bounds as much as possible. Murray is only 207 but it's on a 5-10 frame where he looks stocky & built more like a RB.

And what can you say about Lamar's durability as the most prolific running QB in the history of the game. In 7 seasons he's carried the ball 1014 times (about 300 more times than Allen over the same span). Those carries puts him at #3 all-time behind Newton (1118) & Wilson (1024) - both numbers he should easily surpass this season.

And given the amount of running Lamar has done over the years, it's mind-boggling that he's missed a total of only10 games due to injury - none of which were major injuries.

Lamar drops weight in effort to 'be more agile'

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson indicated Wednesday that he has dropped weight this offseason to "be more agile."

www.espn.com

 

[Nomad]

Bills GM Brandon Beane wasn't 'fully aware' of James Cook hold-in plans: 'Not something we want'

Too funny - this isn't on anyone's radar. Beane says they're going to treat it as an injury situation with the "next man up" philosophy. And why not...they have big Ray Davis (4th rd pick last yr) & Ty Johnson standing by.

 

[movingtarget]

ESPN acquiring NFL Network, other NFL media assets in exchange for 10 percent equity stake in ESPN

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

That could be awful if they just fold it into ESPN. I've bought either RedZone, or various discount packages offered by NFL.com off and on for a few years. I no longer have a TV, and watch on my computer. There is no possibly way I'm going to ever get a subscription to cable TV, and I have no interest in buying any sort of ESPN "package", to watch the rest of their mostly crap content, at all.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Meanwhile, not content with the five QBs they have on contract now, the Browns have added Tyler Huntley.

 

[SHAD0W93]

Meanwhile, not content with the five QBs they have on contract now, the Browns have added Tyler Huntley.

Sounds like they’re prepping for when the NFL goes to a 20 plus game season. Start filling in quarterbacks like pitchers.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Some amusing comments floating around, such as...

"With six quarterbacks, the Browns have one for every day of the week, except Sunday."

"Maybe they can trade all of them to Tampa for Baker Mayfield."

 

[red_flanders]

The Pete Carroll bowl is on tonight. Since I "killed my television" as the hippies used to say, I guess I gotta go down to the local pub to see what's what. Raiders playing starters.

Gotta see Jeanty. Also super interested in seeing what Geno can do. Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech are also really interesting to me–feel like Spytek might have really hit some gold in the draft.

 

[Nomad]

Meanwhile, not content with the five QBs they have on contract now, the Browns have added Tyler Huntley.

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/ycWLuKz4Z0Q?si=NihpBnKcCZ8G4WE6

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Anthony Richardson didn't last long in the first preseason game, injuring his finger early in the game. We'll know more later.

I'm more curious how Cam Miller does for the Raiders, and he is likely to play more than Geno. Cam is the first dual-threat QB the Raiders have had in who knows how long. Granted, a 6th round pick, and not likely to run a lot in the NFL, he is never the less significantly more mobile than Aiden O'Connell, and his going is going to be to impress, to one day knock Aiden off that spot is my guess.

 

[movingtarget]

NFL news roundup: Travis Hunter to play both WR, CB in Jaguars' preseason opener; Ravens, Colts lose rookie CBs for season

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Seahawks-Raiders game was okay. Too many penalties and mistakes, but I think both teams had positives they will see on film. As a Raider fan Cam Miller looked even better than I expected. Though of course, 1st preseason, against 3rd, 4th stringers. I thought it was peculiar the way the Raiders moved some of the starters on their OL around. JPJ, Merideth, and Parham all played center at one point, for example. Jamal Adams looked comfortable at LB. Jalen Milroe looked a bit out of sync at first for Seattle, but did put together some nice throws, and showed his pocket awareness and athleticism. You can see the potential for sure. I think Seahawk fans will be happy with how assertive their 1st string defense played. Most awesome thing of the game was seeing Marshawn Lynch on the sidelines with media credentials as a photographer with a camera around his neck (did he even take photos?! LOL!).

Only saw highlights of the other two games. May try to catch the condensed replays later.

 

[Nomad]

I didn't watch any of the game but just saw some highlights of Milroe. You definitely saw his dual-threat running capability with his 4.4 speed when he took off on that 27 yd scamper off an RPO play (glad to see Kubiak having Milroe operate some plays out of a spread RPO scheme similar to what he played under at Bama). Looks like he also threw the ball pretty well and finished with an impressive 77.5 QBR. But like you said, it's against 3rd & 4th stringers & he's still has to beat out Lock for the backup spot which shouldn't be that hard (as of today, Milroe is still listed as #3 on the depth chart). Definitely need to see him against starters if that's at all possible in preseason. And Hermie Edwards was impressed with his performance on the ESPN talking heads show this morning (said he saw some shades of Lamar).

I haven't seen any highlights yet of Miller - but I guess he LIT it up with an outstanding passing display. If I'm reading it right, he finished with a 151 QBR!?! Un-freaking-believable!...that's going to make Chip Kelly smile! And Miller is the talk of Raider Nation right now quickly becoming a fan favorite. He definitely outperform O'Connell, who has to be a little nervous now moving forward. Lol

Do you think Miller can actually beat out O'Connell? If he does, that would be incredible putting Miller in a position to start if something were to happen to Smith. And Miller is the guy that Brady endorsed at draft time. And I would think Tom knows a thing or two about QB talent. Amazing to think this is a FCS player from North Dakota St.

Tom Brady’s handpicked quarterback shines during Raiders' first preseason action

Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady handpicked rookie quarterback Cam Miller, who impressed against the Seattle Seahawks.

justblogbaby.com

 

[Potomac]

More kickoff rules nonsense.

And they changed overtime again?

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

Do you think Miller can actually beat out O'Connell?

Can he? Yes. Will he ? That remains to be seen. But he did look impressive. Like he had total command of the offense. As I said before, he's highly mobile, and O'Connell is not. Another perspective is if Milroe looked as good as Lock, and we're assuming (I am) that he will beat Lock out for the 2nd string position for Seattle, then Miller can beat out O'Connell.

By sheer luck (Pickett and Gabriel out), Shedeur played most of the game starting for the Browns in an easy win over the Panthers. How did he look? I'd say decent. Many short throws. Some inaccurate throws. A few really nice passes with poise, including a couple TDs. He wasn't fast when scrambling, but seemed aware of the pocket. But the fact that he hadn't had many reps with 1st or 2nd team players, and played at least decent, is something Browns fans are positive on.

Morice Norris badly injured for the Lions in the game against the Falcons, taken away in an ambulance, and the game was suspended. It looked like Norris his his head on a RB's knee. It looked like he had a seizure, or fencing position then out cold. Scary.

Tanner McKee very impressive for the Eagles against the Bengals.

 

[Nomad]

Highly mobile & meets the criteria for a dual-threat QB (according to the NCAA, at least 15% of total offense must come from rushing.) And not only is Miller the all-time passing leader at North Dakota St but the all-time QB rushing leader & QB rushing TD leader. No question that O'Connell is immobile - when it comes to athleticism & rushing the football, it's like night & day between the two (O'Connell is more like the traditional pocket passer that's quickly becoming obsolete).

It'll be very interesting to see that if Miller continues to play well & exceed expectations, will Carroll feel comfortable in giving the rookie the backup job? And what would become of O'Connell? Keep a 3rd QB on the roster? Practice squad? Trade? This could get interesting (I would think O'Connell would want a trade to a team that needs a QB).

As we saw excellent performances from Miller & Milroe - not so good from Riley Leonard in his debut. Struggled in the passing dept but shined in running the football. Big problems with accuracy & a badly thrown ball that was picked. A very disappointing QBR of 48. He's going to need a lot of development in the passing dept if he expects to make it in the NFL - a long term project, IMO (he's got the running part down but very deficient in the passing dept). And what a QB mess the Colts seem to have with their current corp. It's either "Danny Dimes" or AR...what a choice at this point. Lol

View: https://youtube.com/shorts/L-5ZFcAJOK0?si=b7qJka_VxjtKVSX8

 

[Oldman]

The Pete Carroll bowl is on tonight. Since I "killed my television" as the hippies used to say, I guess I gotta go down to the local pub to see what's what. Raiders playing starters.

Gotta see Jeanty. Also super interested in seeing what Geno can do. Dont'e Thornton and Jack Bech are also really interesting to me–feel like Spytek might have really hit some gold in the draft.

It was fun watching an actual aggressive pre-season game with reputations at stake: Pete Carroll returning to Seattle w/Geno, Adams and the new kid Jeanty. The offensive starter played a series and then sat; letting the other new guys have fun against the Seahawks. Then the Hawks had their turn and both offense and defense were pretty damn good. Watch it for some good plays by both sides with the new rosters!
I can't divulge the winner.

 

[red_flanders]

It was fun watching an actual aggressive pre-season game with reputations at stake: Pete Carroll returning to Seattle w/Geno, Adams and the new kid Jeanty. The offensive starter played a series and then sat; letting the other new guys have fun against the Seahawks. Then the Hawks had their turn and both offense and defense were pretty damn good. Watch it for some good plays by both sides with the new rosters!
I can't divulge the winner.

I thought Seattle's trenches pushed the Raiders around on both sides of the ball. Extremely concerning, the size mismatches. Vegas looked outmanned by an offensive line that didn't look good at all last year.