Month: September 2024

Cowboys fortunate how their WR situation fell into place

The Cowboys were banking on multiple WRs to progress in 2024 and seem to have succeeded. | From @ReidDHanson

The Cowboys entered training camp with a clear and present need at the receiver position. Yes, they had one of the best WRs on the planet in CeeDee Lamb, but behind him was a grab bag of unknowns and mysteries.

The veteran of the bunch, Brandin Cooks, turns 31 in September and is coming off his worst season in five years. Was he still the guy or was he on decline? The developmental players, Jalen Tolbert and Jalen Brooks, have just 30 career NFL receptions between them and had given little indication last year they were ready to be relied on for a top-three role in 2024. And the rookie draft pick, Ryan Flournoy, was a project player from a small school who was in many ways a longshot to ever play in the NFL, let alone earn a roster spot as a rookie right out of camp.

The Cowboys weren’t just hoping their WR room would step up and play better than they did last season, they were banking on it. The issue at WR became even more apparent after CeeDee Lamb sat out camp amidst a contract dispute.

But it seems to have all worked out.

Not only did Lamb just sign an extension and make his way back into the fold, but the players the Cowboys were banking on to improve successfully paid out as well.

Cooks looks like his down season last year was more about his usage than slippage. Tolbert looks like he has a firm grasp of the WR3 position and may even be the heir apparent for Cooks as Dallas’ No. 2. Brooks looks like he can step in and play a variety of roles, namely filling the hole left by Michael Gallup at the X. Even the rookie Flournoy showed he’s more than just a project player; he’s someone who could be special.

Training camp has to be seen as widely successful for the Cowboys WR position. Hitting on one projection is impressive enough but the Cowboys appeared to hit on multiple projections. This feat can’t be understated.

No one disputes the offense runs through Lamb. It’s probably why the Cowboys gambled at all the other WR positions. Seeing these young prospects improve is important for 2024 and also in seasons beyond.

With Lamb as the second highest paid WR in the NFL, it’s important for the Cowboys to keep costs low around him. Populating the WR depth chart with players on rookie deals is a must going forward. Exceptions can be made for modestly priced veterans, but generally speaking, the strategy is leaning on rookie contracts to keep positional spending affordable.

The entire WR depth chart has explicably fallen into place perfectly for the Cowboys, positioning the team for success in 2024 and beyond.

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UFC free fight: Alexa Grasso, Valentina Shevchenko fight to a draw in highly-debated UFC title bout

Watch Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko fight to a highly-debated draw in their UFC championship rematch.

Although she didn’t lose her title, [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] was unable to put the [autotag]Valentina Shevchenko[/autotag] rivalry to bed last September.

In the inaugural Noche UFC event, Grasso and Shevchenko battled to a split draw in their women’s flyweight championship rematch. It was a 25-minute contest full of ups and downs for both fighters, leaving the MMA world debating who was the rightful winner.

You can watch the Grasso-Shevchenko rematch in the video above.

Grasso (16-3-1 MMA, 8-3-1 UFC) and Shevchenko (23-4-1 MMA, 12-3-1 UFC) are set to meet a third time. Their women’s flyweight bout serves as the co-main event of  UFC 306, which is set to go down on Sept. 14 at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 306.

Don’t overlook Broncos rookie RB Audric Estime in fantasy football

Don’t forget about Audric Estime’s role in the Broncos’ offense during your fantasy football draft this year. This is what you should know.

Denver Broncos starting running back Javonte Williams dropped 11 pounds this offseason and coach Sean Payton has said he “looks like a completely different player.” Williams is now fully healthy two years removed from his 2022 knee injury and there’s no debate that he will be Denver’s lead running back this fall.

How the backfield shakes out behind Williams is less certain.

Many fantasy football analysts have been moving second-year running back Jaleel McLaughlin up draft boards this offseason, understandably so. Audric Estime has been overlooked in the hoopla, however, and fantasy managers might regret not considering the rookie’s impact on Denver’s backfield.

Estime, of course, is a better long-term play than an instant-impact fantasy option. The Broncos had a third-round grade on the Notre Dame running back this spring and they were thrilled to land him in the fifth round. With Williams scheduled to become a free agent in 2025, it’s not hard to imagine a future in which Estime is Denver’s starting running back.

That’s more relevant for dynasty fantasy football managers, though. How about redraft leagues?

Estime isn’t more than a late-round flyer at this very moment, but he might eat into McLaughlin’s projected workload more than some pundits expect.

“This [Estime] was a guy when we did all the studies on him, we took 15-yard runs or more — first in his class,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said in June. “Minus runs — sometimes running backs have plays where they don’t [get past the line] — first in his class. Really good vision in the hole. Rarely did you see [him] lose yards.

“He had good feet for someone who is 220 pounds. So I saw runner first and value on where we took him. He was one of those guys that I really — when the draft starts, every once in a while there’s a player you could say, ‘When this thing is all over with, I’d love to have this player.’ Fortunately, we were able to get this player.”

McLaughlin is a speedy change-of-pace back in Payton’s offense, but he still needs to improve as a pass blocker and he only had 31 receptions last fall. He might not be a lock for third-down duties like some expect, especially after Estime showed signs of promise in pass protection during preseason.

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Estime wasn’t asked to make plays as a receiver out of the backfield often at Notre Dame, but he did average 10.7 yards per reception on a small sample size of 26 catches from 2022-2023.

“We saw potential in it, but we couldn’t say that was the reason why we’re drafting him,” Payton said of Estime’s receiving ability. “A little bit with [Alvin] Kamara, we had a receiver vision until he ran the ball for 52 yards against Arizona, and then very quickly we had a runner vision too. So I think with Audric, we’ll see how that expands. He’s smart, he’s tough and I like his size.”

While his third-down role is still to be determined, Estime’s size (5-11, 227 pounds) immediately makes him a candidate for Denver’s goal-line carries this season. Williams rushed for three touchdowns last fall. McLaughlin rushed for two touchdowns in 2023. NFL and NCAA comparisons obviously aren’t apples to apples, but Estime scored 18 times last fall, and he could easily “steal” short-yardage touchdowns from Williams and McLaughlin this fall.

“Man, that dude Audric has great intensity,” McLaughlin said last month. “He’s playing with that fire and he’s playing with a great mentality. I would say that’s tough to come from college to do. Come with that swagger and that intensity. He’s bringing that fire.

“Especially getting drafted, he’s not taking anything for granted out here on the football field. He’s doing an awesome job, so I’m excited for him. I’m excited to play alongside him as well. The competition here is unbelievable, but that shows the sign of a great team. We’re going to keep working hard.”

In real life, having three capable running backs is great news for Denver’s offense. In fantasy football, it could hurt McLaughlin’s value in 2024. Estime’s standalone value is relatively low going into Week 1, but he shouldn’t be overlooked by fantasy football managers this fall.

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Commanders’ GM Adam Peters: ‘We are trying to win now’

Peters talked about the Dotson trade and trading to teams within the division.

George Allen came to Washington in 1971, became the head coach and general manager, and proclaimed, “The future is now.”

Adam Peters boarded the Washington NFL ship in 2024, and he again told Grant & Danny (106.7 the Fan) Thursday, “It’s not a rebuild; it’s a recalibration.”

This being his first time as a team’s general manager, Peters expressed to Grant and Danny, “We are trying to win right now. We do have goals to be really good this season.”

In recent history, the NFL has had a team each season rebound really well from a really down year the previous season. Last season, it was the Houston Texans, who had been 3-13-1 in 2022 and fired Lovie Smith. They hired Demeco Ryans, drafted C.J. Stroud, and finished 10-7 atop the AFC South in 2023.

Peters feels the responsibility on his shoulders to get the Commanders turned around in 2023 after not having a winning regular season since Kirk Cousins was the quarterback in 2015 (9-7) and 2016 (8-7-1). “It is my job as a general manager and really in conjunction with DQ  (Dan Quinn), and we make every decision together, is to be good now and to build for a sustainable team for the future, a team you guys will see compete for championships every year.”

It’s a delicate balance, but Peters and Quinn are attempting to make decisions not simplistically based on winning now or winning in the future. They seek to embrace both—getting better for 2024 and beyond.

As for why he traded receiver Jahan Dotson to division rival Philadelphia, Peters expressed, “That was clearly the best offer. A tie is going to go to the team outside the division. But there’s not always going to be a tie. In this case, they (Eagles) were very bullish on Jahan, and rightfully so. But every time, it is going to be different. If it’s the Cowboys and the Steelers, and everything is the same, and we are making a trade, it’s probably going to go to Pittsburgh.”

A closer look at Nebraska’s victory over UTEP

The Nebraska Cornhuskers took care of business in week one of the college football season.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers took care of business in week one of the college football season. The Huskers defeated UTEP 40-7 in front of 86,072 fans on Saturday afternoon.

The victory was the Cornhuskers’ first season-opening victory since the 2019 season. Following the game, head coach Matt Rhule praised the fans for creating a home-field advantage.

“There’s not many places in the country where people stay for the whole game. The way that our fans do that is unbelievable, right? Usually, by the end of the game, you can yell out like ‘Hey. Give it to so and so run it.’ We were still having to use the headset. If you noticed in the game, I started off with a single and had to go to a double earphone because it was so loud on the field.

Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola finished the game 19-of-27 for 238 yards and two touchdowns. Isaiah Neyor led all receivers with six catches for 121 yards and a touchdown.

Malcolm Hartzog Jr. led all tacklers with five solo tackles and an interception. Rahmir Stewart also had a pick during the victory.

Nebraska will now host the Colorado Buffaloes this Saturday at Memorial Stadium. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and can be seen on NBC/Peacock.

Find a photo gallery of Nebraska’s victory over UTEP below.

Peyton Manning names Bills’ Josh Allen among best QBs in the NFL

Peyton Manning names Bills’ Josh Allen among best QBs in the NFL:

Josh Allen has a fan in Peyton Manning.

The Buffalo Bills quarterback was named among the best quarterbacks in the NFL currently by Manning.

Speaking at “Fanatics Fest” in New York City, Manning named five total quarterbacks. He put Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the top of the list, but the rest weren’t exactly ranked at all–But Allen appears nonetheless.

Manning’s QB analysis can be found in the clip below:

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Armando Bacot attends Michigan State football game

Armando Bacot supported his friend and former UNC defensive back Lejond Cavazosat Michigan State.

Former North Carolina Tar Heels’ standout Armando Bacot is enjoying life after his college basketball career. Bacot is getting involved in some more NIL opportunities and has even been around the program to run some scrimmages.

But on Friday, Bacot was taking in the opening weekend of college football in the Midwest. No, Bacot was not in Minnesota for the UNC game but instead, he was in Michigan to support his friend and former UNC defensive back Lejond Cavazos. Bacot was spotted on Michigan State’s campus and then on the sideline before the game in a Cavazos jersey. Check out the picture of Bacot below:

Bacot and Cavazos have been friends since their time together at IMG Academy. Bacot was even helpful in recruiting Cavazos to North Carolina after he transferred out of Ohio State.

While it was an ugly game, Bacot got to see Michigan State and Cavazos get a win at home to open the season.  Spartans fans probably aren’t too excited about seeing Bacot there, seeing that he and the Tar Heels ended Michigan State’s season in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Where will we see Bacot next? Stay tuned.

Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Chiefs TE Travis Kelce reveals thoughts on the behind-the-back pass: ‘I screwed this one up’

Kansas City #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce reveals thoughts on the behind-the-back pass: ‘I screwed this one up’ | @EdEastonJr

The tale of Patrick Mahomes’ behind-the-back pass during the Kansas City Chiefs’ second preseason game has had several versions. We’ve heard Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid’s story, leaving only Travis Kelce to officially give his take on the moment.

Travis joined his brother on the latest episode of the New Heights podcast to give his version of the moment that shocked the football world.

“Yeah, man, I motioned over, and I’m looking at Pat while I’m motioning over, like, What did you say? Here’s the thing: when you’re in preseason, you don’t get a week to prepare for the game plan,” said Kelce. “Yeah, basically, I wasn’t in tune with the game plan. And Pat Mahomes had something in the back of his head when I walked across the line of scrimmages, like, would you say that I didn’t know what I was doing, so he was gonna have to make something shake. And that’s why we love playing with Pat Mahomes, ladies and gentlemen because even when you f***, he makes things right.”

Mahomes completed the unbelievable pass to Kelce, who was ready for various options on the play.

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“There are options in Andy Reid’s offense, and it’s because of a guy like Pat Mahomes that you can run these different options,” said Kelce. “You see, just a little point to him right there, like we’re on the same page. I had no idea. I felt Pat pull the football and start to roll out, and I was just gonna start running that way and like, oh, he might need my help in blocking. He might need my help to be available. So when I turned around, he was in the mid, behind-the-back pass, like a sports card. It was just slow motion, and the ball was floating to me. Sure enough, I knew it was third and short, so I just made sure that I got the sticks there.”

Mahomes initially blamed Kelce for running the wrong route after the game, but according to Reid, that wasn’t the case. Kelce set the record straight and blamed himself for the moment.

“Like i said, I screwed this one up; I did not look at Coach Reid.” Said Kelce. “Instinctually being able to do this is insane. To have the cojones to be able to throw something behind your back in traffic like that is insane. And Patty (Mahomes), he made a great point. He’s not going to do it, just to do it. He’s only going to do it when he needs to do it; sure enough, it was a perfect situation for him. Sometimes it just takes somebody to f*** it up.”

Regardless of how the play happened, it will always be rewatchable for years and part of NFL highlight reels.

A bold prediction for the Commanders running backs in 2024

A prediction for Washington’s running back tandem in 2024.

There is a lot of mystery surrounding the 2024 Washington Commanders, specifically on offense. Under offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, the Commanders didn’t show much in the preseason. With a new quarterback, coordinator, and offensive scheme, it’s to Washington’s advantage not to reveal anything in the preseason.

There is significant excitement about rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner had a terrific offseason, impressing teammates, opponents (in the joint practices), and fans.

How will Washington’s offensive line hold up protecting Daniels? Who will be Daniels’ favorite target outside of Terry McLaurin?

While there are questions about the Commanders’ offensive playmakers, people shouldn’t be sleeping on Washington’s backfield behind Daniels.

Brian Robinson Jr. enters his third NFL season and is ready for a breakout. Robinson was outstanding last season when he received opportunities, but former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy did not like running the ball. The positive was that it allowed Robinson to show his ability as a receiver.

Joining Robinson is veteran Austin Ekeler. The league’s top pass-catching running back for years, the Commanders signed Ekeler to a two-year deal in March, and many have questioned how much he has left.

In his annual surprise predictions for all 32 NFL teams in 2024, ESPN’s Dan Graziano offered the following:

Don’t be surprised if … Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler combine to catch more than 100 passes.

What I’m hearing: The Commanders are fired up about rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and believe he can have a big season as a thrower and a runner. But there are questions about the offensive line and the receiver group behind Terry McLaurin. While rookie receiver Luke McCaffrey and rookie tight end Ben Sinnott work to get up to speed, expect Daniels to try to get the ball into the hands of his running backs and let them try to make plays with it. Robinson and Ekeler had 36 and 51 catches, respectively, last season.

Graziano’s prediction is based on various things, including his visits to training camps and his calls and texts with various sources.

In the preseason, we saw Kingsbury calling plays to limit how long Daniels held the ball. That’s by design with the Commanders’ questions on the offensive line. Getting rid of the ball that quickly often leads to more opportunities for the running backs to impact the passing game. That bodes well for Robinson and Ekeler.

If what we saw from Ekeler in training camp is any indication, he hasn’t lost a step.

 

Eyioma Uwazurike gets second chance with Broncos after returning from suspension

With his gambling suspension over, Eyioma Uwazurike made the 53-man roster. “He’s learned from it,” Sean Payton said. “He’s moved forward.”

The NFL placed an indefinite suspension on Denver Broncos defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike on July 24, 2023, after he violated the league’s gambling policy.

After sitting out his entire second season in the NFL, Uwazurike had his suspension lifted on August 5, 2024. Despite being out of football for more than a year, Uwazurike was welcomed back by coach Sean Payton.

“‘Enyi’ has taken full responsibility for his actions,” Payton said last week. “I feel like he’s learned from it. He’s moved forward, he’s shown remorse and been accountable. Since he showed up here, he showed up in shape. He’s only been here for three weeks. He’s not quite there — he’s rusty, but he’s big, he’s athletic, he’s talented and he plays hard.

“We thought the talent was too much [to waive him]. We love the kid. [He’s] a really good kid who made a mistake. We weren’t able to see him for a year, so when he showed up and he looked like he did, we thought that was really positive that he had been keeping himself in shape. We’re glad he’s here. He’s going to help us.”

Uwazurike made the team’s 53-man roster and while it might take a few weeks to get his legs under him, he should be ready to contribute later this season. Uwazurike dressed for eight games as a rookie in 2022, totaling 17 tackles and two quarterback hits. He’ll look to build on those totals in 2024.

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