Buffalo Bills practice squad QB started ahead of Patrick Mahomes

Davis Webb started ahead of Patrick Mahomes at Texas Tech

Talk about trading places.

The year was 2014 and Patrick Mahomes was on campus in Lubbock, Tx, with Texas Tech.

However, the quarterback who was to become an NFL and Super Bowl MVP was not deemed worthy of the starting position by coach Kliff Kingsbury.

The Red Raiders went 4-8 that season and it took a while for Kingsbury to replace Davis Webb as his starter with Mahomes. The battled for the position spilled into 2015, too.

When Mahomes took over, he did throw for 1,547 of his 11,252 yards in three college seasons.

Fast forward to 2021 and Mahomes and Davis Webb are on teams that will vie for the AFC Championship on Sunday. Kind of.

While the sports world — okay, the whole wagering world — awaits news on whether Mahomes will clear concussion protocol and face the Bills, Webb is in a different space and place.

Webb is on the Bills’ practice squad. He has made his tour of “New York” teams, drafted in the third round by the Giants in 2017, with the Jets in 2018 and with the Bills’ practice squad since last season.

Mahomes has thrown for 14,152 yards and 114 yards as a pro. Webb? He is still looking for his first NFL stat.

ESPN compared the two before the 2015 season:

With the help of ESPN Stats and Information, here’s a closer look at the 2014 season for Webb and Mahomes:

    • Against the blitz, Webb was 37-of-61 (60.6 percent) for 296 yards with three touchdowns, three interceptions. Mahomes was 13-of-35 (37.1 percent) for 191 yards, three touchdowns, one interception. Takeaway: It should be no surprise Webb was better on third down considering he had more experience heading into 2014. But Mahomes needs to improve against the blitz or teams will attack that weakness even though he is the more mobile of the two.
    • Webb was 14-of-21 (66.7 percent) for 137 yards and one touchdown when blitzed on third down plays. Mahomes was 2-of-9 (22.2 percent) for 9 yards when blitzed on third down plays. Takeaway: Much like the rest of the plays, Webb handled the blitz in critical situations better than Mahomes.
    • Webb was more accurate on passes between 6-14 yards (71-of-115, 61.7 percent) than Mahomes (24-of-46, 52.2 percent) but also threw more interceptions. Webb threw 10 touchdowns and six interceptions on throws of that distance while Mahomes had two touchdowns and two interceptions. Takeaway: This is an important piece of the puzzle as this intermediate pass difference is a key part of the Red Raider offense with the duo combining for 161 passes of this distance. Webb needs to shave down the interceptions while Mahomes needs to increase his accuracy.
    • Both quarterbacks’ accuracy dropped significantly on deep throws (passes of 15 yards or more). But Mahomes threw as many touchdowns as Webb (7) but five fewer interceptions (6 for Webb, 1 for Mahomes). Webb was 22-of-68 for 676 yards on throws of 15 yards or more. Mahomes was 18-of-48 for 590 yards on those throws. Takeaway: Mahomes’ numbers as a deep passer are much better than Webb and he takes better care of the ball on those throws as well. His combination of running ability combines with his ability to make big plays in the passing game to make him a serious run-pass threat.
    • Webb and Mahomes had similar numbers against a regular pass rush (four defenders). Webb was 121-of-201 for 1,455 yards, 7.2 yards per attempt, 13 touchdowns, six interceptions. Mahomes finished 64-for-108 for 906 yards, 8.4 yards per attempt, nine touchdowns and one interception. Takeaway: Neither guy really separates himself against a normal pass rush although Webb’s interception struggles continue to be a issue in those scenarios.
  • The importance of the Red Raider running game is underscored by the play action numbers of both quarterbacks. Webb was 60-of-89 for 901 yards, 10.1 yards per attempt, 10 touchdowns and four interception on play action plays. Mahomes was 37-of-58 for 586 yards, 10.1 yards per attempt, eight touchdowns and one interception. Takeaway: It’s a good thing the Red Raiders have one of the best groups of running backs in the Big 12 because the running game clearly takes pressure off of both signal-callers and makes the offense more explosive with both averaging 10.1 yard per attempt on play action plays.

 

2021 NFL draft order: Jaguars are on the clock at No. 1

2021 NFL draft order: Jaguars are on the clock at No. 1

NFL reveals Week 15 announcers’ schedule

The Week 15 assignments are out for NFL games. What announcers will be where?

We’re down to three weeks of the regular season. The stakes rise for teams trying to make the playoffs. What announcers have gotten the prime calls on games that could impact the postseason?

Here’s your coverage map to see what games will be in your region.

Thursday, 8:20 p.m.

Los Angeles Chargers at Las Vegas Raiders

FOX/NFL Network/Amazon

Announcers: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Erin Andrews (reporter), Kristina Pink (reporter)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m.

Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos

NFL Network

Announcers: Adam Amin (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (analyst), Lindsay Czarniak (reporter)

8:15 p.m.

Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers

NFL Network

Announcers: Mike Tirico (play-by-play), Kurt Warner (analyst), Melissa Stark (reporter)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

CBS

Announcers: Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Evan Washburn (reporter)

San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys

CBS

Announcers: Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (analyst), Melanie Collins (reporter)

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts

CBS

Announcers: Greg Gumbel (play-by-play), Rich Gannon (analyst), Jay Feely (reporter)

Jacksonville Jaguars at Baltimore Ravens

CBS

Announcers: Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), James Lofton (analyst), Sherree Burruss (reporter)

Detroit Lions at Tennessee Titans

(CBS)

Announcers: Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analyst)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons

FOX

Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (analyst), Pam Oliver (reporter)

Seattle Seahawks at Washington Football Team

Announcers: Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst), Shannon Spake (reporter)

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings

FOX

Announcers: Chris Myers (play-by-play), Greg Jennings (analyst), Jennifer Hale (reporter)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

New York Jets at Los Angeles Rams

FOX

Announcers: Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Laura Okmin (reporter)

Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals

FOX

Announcers: Brandon Gaudin (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst), Sara Walsh (reporter)

4:25 p.m.

Kansas City Chiefs at New Orleans Saints

CBS

Announcers: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst), Tracy Wolfson (reporter)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Cleveland Browns at New York Giants

NBC

Announcers: NBC: Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya (reporter)

Monday, 8:15 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

ESPN

Announcers: Steve Levy (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst), Louis Riddick (analyst), Lisa Salters (reporter)

NFL reveals announcers’ schedule for Week 14

What announcers have been assigned to what games in Week 14 of the NFL season?

The NFL has some intriguing matchups in Week 14. Feels like a rare time when the lead voices on CBS and FOX are each on early Sunday games.

Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, and Erin Andrews will be at the Minnesota Vikings-Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, and Tracy Wolfson are assigned to the Kansas City Chiefs-Miami Dolphins.

Thursday, 8:15 p.m.

New England Patriots at Los Angeles Rams

Announcers Fox/NFL Network: Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Erin Andrews (reporter), Kristina Pink (reporter)

Sunday, 1 p.m.

Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

(FOX) Joe Buck (play-by-play), Troy Aikman (analyst), Erin Andrews (reporter)

Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants

(FOX) Kenny Albert (play-by-play), Jonathan Vilma (analyst), Shannon Spake (reporter)

Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati Bengals

(FOX) Kevin Kugler (play-by-play), Chris Spielman (analyst), Laura Okmin (reporter)

Kansas City Chiefs at Miami Dolphins

(CBS) Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (analyst), Tracy Wolfson (reporter)

Houston Texans at Chicago Bears

(CBS) Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Trent Green (analyst), Melanie Collins (reporter)

Denver Broncos at Carolina Panthers

(CBS) Andrew Catalon (play-by-play), James Lofton (analyst), AJ Ross (reporter)

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

(CBS) Spero Dedes (play-by-play), Adam Archuleta (analyst)

Sunday, 4:05 p.m.

Indianapolis Colts at Las Vegas Raiders

(CBS)  Ian Eagle (play-by-play), Charles Davis (analyst), Evan Washburn (reporter)

New York Jets at Seattle Seahawks

(CBS) Greg Gumbel (play-by-play), Rich Gannon (analyst), Amanda Balionis (reporter)

Sunday, 4:25 p.m.

New Orleans Saints at Philadelphia Eagles

(FOX) Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston (analyst), Pam Oliver (reporter)

Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

(FOX) Adam Amin (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (analyst), Lindsay Czarniak (reporter)

Washington Football Team at San Francisco 49ers (in Arizona)

(FOX) Chris Myers (play-by-play), Greg Jennings (analyst), Jennifer Hale (reporter)

Atlanta Falcons at Los Angeles Chargers

(FOX) Joe Davis (play-by-play), Brock Huard (analyst)

Sunday, 8:20 p.m.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Buffalo Bills

(NBC) Al Michaels (play-by-play), Cris Collinsworth (analyst), Michele Tafoya (reporter)

Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns

(ESPN) Steve Levy (play-by-play), Brian Griese (analyst), Louis Riddick (analyst), Lisa Salters (reporter)

 

NFL announces Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award nominees

Who are the nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award?

The NFL on Thursday announced the 32 nominees for the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award.

The award was created in 2014 and honors the late founding owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pro Football Hall of Famer Art Rooney, Sr.

The award is presented each year to an NFL player who best demonstrates the qualities of on-field sportsmanship, including fair play, respect for the game and opponents, and integrity in competition.

The entire list of nominees:

2020 Art Rooney Sportsmanship Nominees

Table inside Article
Team Player
Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker
Atlanta Falcons C Alex Mack
Baltimore Ravens DE Calais Campbell
Buffalo Bills CB Tre’Davious White
Carolina Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater
Chicago Bears LB Khalil Mack
Cincinnati Bengals LB Josh Bynes
Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb
Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
Denver Broncos CB Bryce Callahan
Detroit Lions C Frank Ragnow
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
Houston Texans DT Brandon Dunn
Indianapolis Colts DE Justin Houston
Jacksonville Jaguars DE Josh Allen
Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes
Las Vegas Raiders QB Derek Carr
Los Angeles Chargers DE Joey Bosa
Los Angeles Rams S John Johnson
Miami Dolphins LB Kyle Van Noy
Minnesota Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph
New England Patriots WR Matthew Slater
New Orleans Saints T Ryan Ramczyk
New York Giants DB Logan Ryan
New York Jets DL Folorunso Fatukasi
Philadelphia Eagles C Jason Kelce
Pittsburgh Steelers DT Cameron Heyward
San Francisco 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk
Seattle Seahawks LB K.J. Wright
Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Lavonte David
Tennessee Titans QB Ryan Tannehill
Washington Football Team WR Terry McLaurin

The winner is determined by a vote of current NFL players. From the eight finalists, each team’s players will submit a consensus vote of their choice for the winner. The winner will be announced as part of NFL Honors. He will receive a $25,000 donation from the NFL Foundation to a charity of his choice.

 

NFL reveals announcer schedule for Week 12

A week off for Al Michaels turned into one with another game to call

The deck has already been shuffled for the Week 12 announcing slate because the Baltimore Ravens-Pittsburgh Steelers game was moved to Sunday due to COVID-19 issues with the Ravens. Al Michaels was going to have the week off … was being the keyword.

Thursday

Houston at Detroit, CBS 12:30 p.m.
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo & Tracy Wolfson

Washington at Dallas, FOX 4:30 p.m.
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman & Erin Andrews

Sunday

Las Vegas at Atlanta, CBS 1 p.m.
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green & Melanie Collins

LA Chargers at Buffalo, CBS 1 p.m.
Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon & Jay Feely

NY Giants at Cincinnati, FOX 1 p.m.
Kevin Kugler, Chris Spielman & Laura Okmin

Tennessee at Indianapolis, CBS 1 p.m.
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis & Evan Washburn

Cleveland at Jacksonville, CBS 1 p.m.
Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta

Carolina at Minnesota, FOX 1 p.m.
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma & Shannon Spake

Arizona at New England, FOX 1 p.m.
Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston & Pam Oliver

Miami at NY Jets, CBS 1 p.m.
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton & AJ Ross

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, NBC 1:15 p.m.
Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth & Michele Tafoya

New Orleans at Denver, FOX 4:05 p.m.

Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth & Lindsay Czarniak

San Francisco at LA Rams, FOX 4:05 p.m.
Chris Myers, Greg Jennings, Brock Huard & Jen Hale

Kansas City at Tampa Bay, CBS 4:25 p.m.
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo & Tracy Wolfson
Compass Media: Bill Rosinski, Chad Brown

Chicago at Green Bay, NBC 8:20 p.m.
Mike Tirico, Tony Dungy & Kathryn Tappen

Monday

Seattle at Philadelphia, ESPN 8:15 p.m.
Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick & Lisa Salters

NFL reveals Week 9 announcer schedule

The NFL schedule for announcers is out and the broadcasters are planning their treks.

Week 9 of the NFL season is upon us. The Packers visit the Niners to start play and the Jets play host to the Patriots to finish it.

Here’s your coverage map.

Thursday

Green Bay at San Francisco, FOX|NFL|Amazon 8:20 p.m.
Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews & Kristina Pink

Sunday

Denver at Atlanta, CBS 1 p.m.
Greg Gumbel, Rich Gannon & Jay Feely

Seattle at Buffalo, 1 p.m.
Chris Myers, Brock Huard & Jen Hale

Baltimore at Indianapolis, CBS 1 p.m.
Ian Eagle, Charles Davis & Evan Washburn

Houston at Jacksonville, CBS 1 p.m.
Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta

Carolina at Kansas City, FOX 1 p.m.
Kevin Burkhardt, Daryl Johnston & Pam Oliver

Detroit at Minnesota, CBS 1 p.m.
Kevin Harlan, Trent Green & Melanie Collins

Chicago at Tennessee, FOX 1 p.m.
Dick Stockton, Greg Jennings & Laura Okmin

NY Giants at Washington, FOX 1 p.m.
Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma & Shannon Spake

Las Vegas at LA Chargers, FOX 4:05 p.m.
Joe Davis, Mark Schlereth

Miami at Arizona, CBS 4:25 p.m.
Andrew Catalon, James Lofton & Michael Grady

Pittsburgh at Dallas, CBS 4:25 p.m.
Jim Nantz, Tony Romo & Tracy Wolfson

New Orleans at Tampa Bay, NBC 8:20 p.m.
Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth & Michele Tafoya

New England at N.Y. Jets, ESPN 8:15 p.m.
Steve Levy, Brian Griese, Louis Riddick & Lisa Salters

Byes: Cincinnati, Cleveland, L.A. Rams, Philadelphia