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Who is the "front office" exactly? They use Sheila Ford as a trigger, but she isn't the GM, Brad Holmes is, and executive VP. And above him sits Ron Wood who is the president and CEO of the org. She's considered active in team and league issus, but with this many layers I seriously doubt Ford made a call saying "low ball that long haired #34! I need the cash!" Granted, they had the cap space to pay him what TB did, but they have to keep building a team for the present, and future.
I think Simms is right.
I think Simms is right.
Sound Smart: 4 Observations as NFL Draft Season Begins to Peak | FOX Sports
Key insights on the latest NFL news, with an eye on the Raiders' presumptive No. 1 pick and who'll be their QB1 to start the season.
www.foxsports.com
Strange article claiming that there's a lack of fanfare & hype on Mendoza because of the style of QB he presents. Article states that Mendoza is presented as a "traditional pocket passer" along the lines of Brady, Goff & Ryan as opposed to the dynamic, highly'mobile pocket passers/dual-threats like Mahomes, Allen, Maye, Williams, etc.
I'm not sure how this conclusion was reached. Granted, Mendoza isn't a dynamic scrambler/running type QB but he's far from immobile & would take off running as opposed to getting sacked or having to throw the ball away.
Last year at Indiana he rushed for 276 yds on 90 carries (about 6 rushes per game) & 7 scores. Comparing him to some of the other top passers in this class, he had 3 times as much yardage as Simpson had last season at Bama & more yardage than Beck & Nussmier had in their careers at Miami/Georgia & LSU, respectively.
What I've seen on tape is Mendoza can scramble out of a collapsing pocket, and you give him a lane...he's gone.
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Draft can't come soon enough. Between articles like that. The endless mock drafts and trade proposals. The only other story is the hubbub with Vrabel and Diana Russini having a fling (oh no!).
Excellent, short video on dual-threat QBs (it's a few yrs old so Allen's MVP isn't metioned). Interesting commentary from McNabb, Cunningham, Kordell Stewart, Young & Tarkington
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That was cool. Agree with all those old guys. The game has forever changed and the day of a genius QB sitting in the pocket picking apart a defense are over. Everyone from here on out (or until they radically change the rules) will be a true dual threat or highly mobile. As RGIII pointed out a couple years ago, this creates true 11 on 11 football.
Cool seeing McNabb. Liked that guy a lot years ago. Very dynamic and ahead of his time. Had he won that SB over a superb NE team, he'd be a HOF candidate. This play is not from the SB, but I remember when it happened, and it's still amazing to this day:
Cool seeing McNabb. Liked that guy a lot years ago. Very dynamic and ahead of his time. Had he won that SB over a superb NE team, he'd be a HOF candidate. This play is not from the SB, but I remember when it happened, and it's still amazing to this day:
I don't remember that play specifically but I saw a lot of McNabb. He was very mobile & could scramble with the best of them plus he had elite passing skills (and very agile for a 240 pounder).
Here in an interview with Cam Newton he talks about how if he had won that SB, he might have a Gold jacket. Nonetheless, he's in the Eagles' Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame & they retired his #5:
View: https://youtube.com/shorts/AR3ynYUzILI?si=VazsgMo5raniL39z
No question it's dual-threats or highly mobile QBs. That's exactly the two types of QBs that are dominating the college ranks as well. No HS kid is coming in as pure pocket passer anymore.
And I think the NFL is down to one last pure pocket passer starter...Stafford (?). I incorrectly claimed last year that Darnold was a pure pocket passer & not very mobile. But after seeing that dynamic run he had against NE in the SB, and looking back in his background where he's had some 200 plus rushing yard seasons, he's definitely a mobile pocket passer:
This is iimpressive - the juke he puts on the DB is crazy (and he's a big guy to boot):
View: https://youtube.com/shorts/I6sIksC-gS4?si=hpRo4WgqAE3192QT
Here in an interview with Cam Newton he talks about how if he had won that SB, he might have a Gold jacket. Nonetheless, he's in the Eagles' Hall of Fame, Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame & they retired his #5:
No question it's dual-threats or highly mobile QBs. That's exactly the two types of QBs that are dominating the college ranks as well. No HS kid is coming in as pure pocket passer anymore.
And I think the NFL is down to one last pure pocket passer starter...Stafford (?). I incorrectly claimed last year that Darnold was a pure pocket passer & not very mobile. But after seeing that dynamic run he had against NE in the SB, and looking back in his background where he's had some 200 plus rushing yard seasons, he's definitely a mobile pocket passer:
This is iimpressive - the juke he puts on the DB is crazy (and he's a big guy to boot):
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Darnold reminds me a little of Tony Romo, the way he could move very well within a pocket or when it breaks down. Even though neither guy is really likely to run.
Stafford once was quite mobile. But the threat of him taking off and running is now non-existent.
Jared Goff isn't very mobile. Kirk Cousins (assuming he starts a handful of games for the Raiders) isn't mobile. I'm not sure how mobile Joe Burrow or Dak Prescott will be, but they aren't pure pocket passers either.
If one wants to see the future/present just watch UFL games. All guys are dual threat or highly mobile.
Stafford once was quite mobile. But the threat of him taking off and running is now non-existent.
Jared Goff isn't very mobile. Kirk Cousins (assuming he starts a handful of games for the Raiders) isn't mobile. I'm not sure how mobile Joe Burrow or Dak Prescott will be, but they aren't pure pocket passers either.
If one wants to see the future/present just watch UFL games. All guys are dual threat or highly mobile.
Darnold can run, just doesn't do it much. Don't remember Romo running much. Dak would have the occasional scramble even Stafford but it's rare. Cousins is less mobile than both of them similar to Goff. Burrow can be elusive but usually on short runs if any. Allen and Lamar are at the top. Mayfield runs more than he used to but takes some punishment and noticeably Dart, Allen and Lamar have been racking up some injuries as well with risky runs as well as Mahomes. Russell Wilson in his peak years was one of the best scramblers and rarely got injured because he always used to slide unlike Allen.
Wilson was definitely one of the best dual-threats in his prime. In his 3rd year he had a 850 yd rushing season. His total rushing yards of 5568 puts him 4th on the QB all-time rushing list. Sad to see his skills diminish so badly to where it's an embarrassment now when he plays.
Rodgers is another one that was a dynamic scrambler/runner in his hey day. But now he's lost a lot of that mobility & elusiveness. I noticed with him that when the pocket breaks down he'll just fall down to avoid a hard hitting sack (smart on his part). Again sad to see him struggle when he's a shadow of his former self. What's the point of Pittsburgh sticking with him as their starter when this is not the HOF version of Rodgers? (I think he could stick around for a few more years as a backup)..
Since coming into the league Nix has shown some excellent scrambling & running ability. In two full seasons he's totaled 786 rushing yards (9 TDs) which is about 23 yds average per game - nearly identical to Mahomes' average. In fact, Payton has even dialed up some QB sweeps from shotgun where both guards pull - reminiscent of the QB sweeps from the single wing formation back in the old days.
Rodgers is another one that was a dynamic scrambler/runner in his hey day. But now he's lost a lot of that mobility & elusiveness. I noticed with him that when the pocket breaks down he'll just fall down to avoid a hard hitting sack (smart on his part). Again sad to see him struggle when he's a shadow of his former self. What's the point of Pittsburgh sticking with him as their starter when this is not the HOF version of Rodgers? (I think he could stick around for a few more years as a backup)..
Since coming into the league Nix has shown some excellent scrambling & running ability. In two full seasons he's totaled 786 rushing yards (9 TDs) which is about 23 yds average per game - nearly identical to Mahomes' average. In fact, Payton has even dialed up some QB sweeps from shotgun where both guards pull - reminiscent of the QB sweeps from the single wing formation back in the old days.
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NFL Network: Jacoby Brissett wants extension, not attending Phase 1 of Cardinals' offseason program
Jacoby Brissett is not attending Phase 1 of the Cards’ offseason program (which began April 7) while seeing an extension that pays him as the starter, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday
Zay Flowers believes John Harbaugh's practices led to Ravens' persistent injuries: 'The load was heavy'
Ravens receiver Zay Flowers believes he's identified a reason many of his teammates ended up in the (ice) tub -- especially later in the season -- over the last few years: Former coach John Harbaugh ran them into the ground on the practice field.
NFL Network: Texans, DE Will Anderson Jr. agree to three-year, $150 million extension
Will Anderson Jr. and the Texans agreed to terms on a three-year, $150 million extension on Friday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday.
Watching him in SEA and having some serious football training experts weighing in the consensus: He went to the well heavily for 2 seasons to be stronger. Getting hit; even with more muscle doesn't help the longevity or flexibility. He was a phenomenally accurate deep passer and that strength seemed to wane suddenly. In Denver.
NFL Network: Giants trading DT Dexter Lawrence to Bengals in exchange for 2026 No. 10 overall pick
The New York Giants are trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick in Thursday's draft, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Saturday.
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I think that's a smart move for the Giants. It was now or never to get rid of him, or deal with him/sign him to huge money when they are in the middle of turning their ship around. It's also not a bad deal for the Bengals in a way after losing Hendrickson. IF Burrow can stay truly healthy, and they get some OL help (draft, coaching, more deals), there is no reason they can't win that division.
That Will Anderson contract is astounding, $50m a year, nearly all of it guaranteed. Makes the Raiders paying Maxx Crosby a paltry $33m seem like a screaming team-friendly deal, when a year ago it was (briefly) the highest a non QB had ever been paid. Expect QB contracts to get even more insane in just a couple years. Wait until Caleb, Maye, Daniels (Mendoza, Sayin, Arch, Moore) look to cash in towards the end of the decade. Someone is going to hit $70m or even $75m a year.
If I were the Steelers I'd accept this year as a reset, or total tank. Skip Rodgers, just go with Will Howard, and if he doesn't have it, so be it. Then come next year try to draft one of the guys coming out to lead them into the future.
That Will Anderson contract is astounding, $50m a year, nearly all of it guaranteed. Makes the Raiders paying Maxx Crosby a paltry $33m seem like a screaming team-friendly deal, when a year ago it was (briefly) the highest a non QB had ever been paid. Expect QB contracts to get even more insane in just a couple years. Wait until Caleb, Maye, Daniels (Mendoza, Sayin, Arch, Moore) look to cash in towards the end of the decade. Someone is going to hit $70m or even $75m a year.
If I were the Steelers I'd accept this year as a reset, or total tank. Skip Rodgers, just go with Will Howard, and if he doesn't have it, so be it. Then come next year try to draft one of the guys coming out to lead them into the future.
Yeah not a bad move from the Giants or the Bengals although the Bengals will also hope to hit pay dirt in the draft as well with some good defensive rookies and o line. Thought the Anderson deal was an overpay for someone that had half as many sacks as Garrett. They are paying a fortune for their top two defenders but the Texans defense is obviously doing well at the moment. Their biggest concerns are on offense. They need a gun WR at least and some improvements to the O line. I think the Steelers are obviously targeting next year's draft for a franchise QB, the Cardinals the same. Be interesting to see what the Rams do although it sounds like McVay thinks Stafford might be around for another few seasons. They had two first round picks this year but one went into the trade with the Chiefs to get McDuffie. Looks like plenty of teams are waiting for the 2027 draft re QB. Probably Browns as well unless Sanders keeps improving. Who knows what the Jets will do ?
Why/how did his arm strength dismissing so quickly? (did he injure his throwing arm though I don't see anything in his injury history?). The QB Tier ranking report from last year stated that some of his throws he was good at are not there from him anymore. They say he can no longer "rip passes" like he use to & his deep throws have become "floating airballs." He's ranked as a Tier 4 - down from a Tier 1 back in his prime (Tier 4s & 5s are considered backup QBs under their ranking system). In the 3 games he started for the Giants last year he was absolutely terrible. So bad, Daboll had to the make the change to Dart - whom he wanted to sit for his rookie year (and Daboll ultimately got fired. Lol).
That's a pretty rapid decline in throwing ability without an arm injury as the cause. Wilson is only 37 which isn't that old for a QB that hasn't had a signifcant injury history. Stafford is 37 & is still throwing with the best of them. Elway was throwing the ball pretty well & won two SBs back to back in his late 30s. Rodgers is 42, and though he has lost some arm strength, it's not nearly to the decline of Wilson.
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Howard must be their man I guess? (remember this Big Ben's endorsement). New OC Brian Angelichio said he's excited for the opportunity to develope Howard as their future starter. And Cam Heyward went on Rich Eisen stating the whole team is behind Howard as their starter if Rodgers doesn't return (I bet that makes Rudolph feel real good. Lol)
New Steelers OC Immediately Singles out QB Will Howard
New Pittsburgh Steelers OC Brian Angelichio mentioned quarterback Will Howard by name when asked what's exciting about his new job.
heavy.com
My question is if Howard is suppose to be so good & endorsed by Roethlisberger -- why was he a near bottom 6th rd pick? (he's the lowest drafted Ohio St starting QB in recent memory).
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I wouldn't doubt it the way Stafford can still throw the ball. 37 yrs old with a bad back & he led the league in "big time throws" with 58 -- which was the 3rd highest all-time since the NFL began charting this metric:
Matthew Stafford had 3rd-most big-time throws ever during 2025 season
Matthew Stafford continued to air it out in 2025 despite turning 37 years old.
theramswire.usatoday.com
It's got to be a bionic arm -- you just don't see that kind of power with an aging QB in his late 30s nearing the end of his career. Lol.
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The concerns with Stafford are he's had plenty of injuries, and is really one hit from missing who knows how many games. I think it's an anomaly he made it through last year unscathed. He still throws well on the run, but the league is now about dual threat QBs and highly mobile QBs. He's an aging outlier who can't run, at all. This means the team must rely heavily on their OL, receivers, and a running game as the days of a Brady/Manning/Brees/Stafford sitting back there picking defenses apart is about gone. Just look at the UFL, every QB is pretty much dual threat. Even Luis Perez, who was the league MVP a couple years back and had gotten more mobile the last two years, even took off and ran a few times last year, he's been benched for a guy who is a true dual threat (and the team is playing better).
As to Howard, recall he had a lousy Combine, with some saying he didn't take it seriously. It was also noted that his excellent Ohio State team propped him up some in college. But maybe after sitting a bit was the lesson he needed? Only one way to find out. Oh, and Mason Rudolph is a career backup.
Wilson needs to retire. He's not going to make a team, and the only way he plays is if mid-season the injuries pile up and some team signs him of the scrap heap. He's done. Sad in a sense because he actually was elite at one point. I think he's played himself out of the HOF, and his personality didn't help him one bit in this regard.
It's funny how the talk of the Browns is about Shedeur. Can he do it? What does he have? Is it him or Watson? But you look at last year and he was clearly outplayed by Dillon Gabriel. Then again, it's the Browns.
As to Howard, recall he had a lousy Combine, with some saying he didn't take it seriously. It was also noted that his excellent Ohio State team propped him up some in college. But maybe after sitting a bit was the lesson he needed? Only one way to find out. Oh, and Mason Rudolph is a career backup.
Wilson needs to retire. He's not going to make a team, and the only way he plays is if mid-season the injuries pile up and some team signs him of the scrap heap. He's done. Sad in a sense because he actually was elite at one point. I think he's played himself out of the HOF, and his personality didn't help him one bit in this regard.
It's funny how the talk of the Browns is about Shedeur. Can he do it? What does he have? Is it him or Watson? But you look at last year and he was clearly outplayed by Dillon Gabriel. Then again, it's the Browns.
One thing about Howard that I left out was that he injured his throwing hand during the opening week of preseason camp, went on IR at the start of the season & didn't return to the active roster until Nov. So he missed a lot of practice time & preseason games. And on second thought, Fields was a high drafted QB out of Ohio St (11th OA) & he's a bust, so Howard probably can't do any worse.
On Gabriel: IMO, he should be the starter going into this season hands down. Last year they both had basically the same number of regular season starts (6 for Gabriel vs 7 for Sanders). Gabriel blew Sanders away in every statistical passing category -- it wasn't even close. And Gabriel, being a dual-threat, gives you a scrambling & running threat.
I don't know what kind of shenanigans is going on at Cleveland but if they're favoring Sanders over Gabriel, then something fishy is going on. Lol.
On Gabriel: IMO, he should be the starter going into this season hands down. Last year they both had basically the same number of regular season starts (6 for Gabriel vs 7 for Sanders). Gabriel blew Sanders away in every statistical passing category -- it wasn't even close. And Gabriel, being a dual-threat, gives you a scrambling & running threat.
I don't know what kind of shenanigans is going on at Cleveland but if they're favoring Sanders over Gabriel, then something fishy is going on. Lol.
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It's the name, and hype. It will always exist. You know that.
As t Ohio State, they've had a slew of QBs who were either NFL busts, or just couldn't make it. Troy Smith, Bobby Hoying, Terrell Pryor, Cardale Jones, Art Schlichter, I suppose we'll never know on Dwayne Haskins, but he was struggling. Mike Tomczak had a long career but mostly as a backup. And then Justin Fields who is pretty much a bust at this point. I see him floating around as a backup a few years, then fading away. Probably a few more I don't know of because they never did anything.
The only good one I know of is CJ Stroud. Hard to tell if he'll be as great as his rookie year, but at least he's a solid starter and should be for some years.
As t Ohio State, they've had a slew of QBs who were either NFL busts, or just couldn't make it. Troy Smith, Bobby Hoying, Terrell Pryor, Cardale Jones, Art Schlichter, I suppose we'll never know on Dwayne Haskins, but he was struggling. Mike Tomczak had a long career but mostly as a backup. And then Justin Fields who is pretty much a bust at this point. I see him floating around as a backup a few years, then fading away. Probably a few more I don't know of because they never did anything.
The only good one I know of is CJ Stroud. Hard to tell if he'll be as great as his rookie year, but at least he's a solid starter and should be for some years.
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To be fair for his deep balls, they’ve always been a floating airball. They just stay floating for longer now.
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