Category: Tar Heels in the pros

Josh Downs breaks Indianapolis Colts Rookie record

Former UNC Wide Receiver Josh Downs breaks an Indianapolis Colts Franchise record Saturday night.

Former UNC Wide Receiver [autotag]Josh Downs[/autotag] has broken the Indianapolis Colts rookie record after grabbing his 66 recepition, surpassing NFL Hall of Fame WR Marvin Harrison (64) and Bill Brooks (65).

Downs broke the franchise record for receptions by a rookie in the Colt’s win and you’re in the playoffs game against the Houston Texans, where the speedy receiver finished with three receptions for 48 yards. The Colts weren’t able to secure the victory, losing in heartbreak fashion to officially end Down’s rookie campaign.

Downs this season have been special for Indianapolis, finishing with 68 receptions, 771 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He made a year of big splash plays, averaging 11.3 yards per catch.

The Colt’s investment has paid off already, pulling in these numbers while playing with a backup Quarterback. Downs should only improve next season with the return of Colt’s dynamic QB Anthony Richardson, making Downs a player to watch next year.

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Coby White moves into the top three betting odds to win Most Improved Player

Former UNC star Coby White top three in odds to win NBA Most Improved Player.

Coby White has been playing lights out for the Chicago Bulls this season and has started to pick up some buzz for the Most Improved Player Award.

Right now, as the calendar flips to 2024, White has the third-best odds to win the award on Bet MGM, with Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey leading the race and Alperen Şengün second a bit of a distant second. Here is how the odds look on Bet MGM:

  • Tyrese Maxey -275
  • Alperen Sengun +700
  • Coby White +1100

White signed a three-year 36M deal in the offseason and it paid off big time for Chicago.

This season, White is averaging 17.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists (all career highs). He’s playing the most minutes in his five-year career averaging, 35 minutes a game. He has been a walking highlight reel, with monstrous dunks over former Duke players and clutch threes.

There’s no denying Whites’s impact on Chicago, as he’s been able to carve out his role perfectly into the rotation. Right now, it’s Maxey’s award to lose, but White has made the race intriguing.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

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Sam Howell can’t overcome the 49ers defense in Week 17

Former UNC star Sam Howell struggles continue in loss to San Francisco 49ers in Week 17.

It was a forgettable day for Washington Commanders quarterback [autotag]Sam Howell[/autotag], whose struggles continued Sunday afternoon.

Days after being benched, Howell was named the starter after backup QB Jacoby Brissett sustained a hamstring injury. Howell played with a depleted offensive line, and going up against one of the best teams in the NFL, the 49ers made the start that much more daunting.

The Commanders kept pace at first, surprisingly, with their rushing attack leading the way. Howell even made well-placed throws, including a touchdown to Wide Receiver Terry McLaurin. However, the interceptions returned, with Howell tossing two, ultimately giving the 49ers the win.

Howell’s future is still uncertain, with the Commanders in prime position to draft a quarterback in the 2024 NFL draft. However, with offensive line struggles, Washington could go the route of patience, by drafting an offensive lineman.

Still, it’s going to be an interesting offseason for Howell and the future of the Commanders overall.

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Julius Peppers named a finalist for the 2024 Hall of Fame class

UNC legend Julius Peppers was named as 1 of the 15 finalists for the 2024 NFL Hall of Fame class.

UNC football great [autotag]Julius Peppers[/autotag] is a step closer to entering pro football’s elite club after being named a finalist for the 2024 Hall of Fame class.

Peppers was one of 15 finalists named for the honor, which also features Antonio Gates, Devin Hester, Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Jared Allen, Patrick Willis, Fred Taylor, Dwight Freeney, Darren Woodson, Rodney Harrison, Jahri Evans, Eric Allen and Willie Anderson.

Out of the 15 players, only five will be picked for the high achievement, with Peppers having the opportunity as a first balloter, being his first year of eligibility.

Peppers was one of the more feared defensive players during his tenure in the NFL, playing for three teams, most known for the ten years spent in Carolina as a Panther. Peppers has 159.5 sacks in his playing career, ranking 5th most in NFL history, and 52 forced fumbles, ranking second most in NFL history.

Peppers won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2002 and was selected to nine pro bowls.

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Social Media reacts to Cam Johnson dunk over Mark Williams

Social media reacts to former UNC Tar Heel Cam Johnson posterizing former Duke star Mark Williams.

Another day, another Tar Heel posterizing a Duke star in the NBA. That is what happened Thursday night, as Brooklyn Nets [autotag]Cam Johnson[/autotag] posterized Charlotte Hornets Mark Williams.

Johnson’s dunk comes weeks after Cole Anthony’s viral dunk and Coby White slamming it on Paolo Banchero.

The dunk came in the fourth quarter with seven minutes left to go, giving Brooklyn a 115-112 lead in a tightly contested game. The dunk has since gone viral, as personalities, outlets, and fans shared the clip around social media. In two hours, the clip has already gathered over 100k views.

Brooklyn would eventually lose 129-128, but the dunk will live to be the most memorable moment of the game. Johnson returned recently, making the moment that much sweeter, on top of posterizing a Duke player on the pro stage.

Let’s take a look at how social media reacted to Johnson’s monstrous dunk on Williams.

Theo Pinson and Tony Bradley share a hilarious story about the 2017 natty game

Theo Pinson and Tony Bradley share a hilarious story about the 2017 national championship celebration.

[autotag]Theo Pinson[/autotag] is back dishing out the tea from behind some of UNC’s legendary moments, this time with special guest [autotag]Tony Bradley[/autotag].

Bradley appeared on the Run Your Race podcast by Tidal League, hosted by Pinson, to speak on numerous topics ranging from high school to collegiate, and pro playing days. The legendary 2017 national championship was brought up, and it was not what happened during the game that was talked about.

Instead, Pinson and Bradley joked about what happened after the net was cut down. According to the pair, due to Bradley playing more minutes because of foul trouble, Bradley experienced a full-body camp during the locker room celebration.

Watch below for the hilarious banter between the two.

Pinson continues to deliver when it comes to giving UNC fans the backstory of some great Tar Heels moments. You can watch the full episode via their YouTube .

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Social media reacts to Kenny Smith’s new-look beard

Social media reacts to Kenny Smith’s new-look beard ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks vs Miami Heat game on TNT.

The NBA in-season tournament has been underway, with many of the big matchups televised on TNT with Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Earnie Smith, and former Tar Heel [autotag]Kenny Smith[/autotag] providing pregame, halftime, and post-game commentary.

The crew known for usually picking fun at one had another viral moment centered around Smith. Pointing out the obvious, last week Shaq asked Smith about his facial hair in a hilarious way about half of his beard missing.

Well, tonight, Smith came prepared, displaying a new-looking beard, and it had social media in a frenzy. Smith spoke about Draymond Green, who was recently suspended for choking Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.

Though Smith made some powerful points about Green running out of apologies, his new-looking beard took some of the attention.

Let us look at how social media reacted to Smith’s new-looking beard.

Social media reacts to Cole Anthony’s alley-hoop posterizing dunk

Social media reacts to former UNC Tar Heel Cole Anthony posterizing alley-hoop dunk over Boston Celtics Derrick White.

Former Tar Heels have been making some highlight plays in the NBA, most recently [autotag]Cole Anthony[/autotag], whose alley-hoop posterizing dunk over Derrick White sent social media into a frenzy.

Weeks after former UNC guard Coby White baptized former Duke star Paolo Banchero, fans got to witness Anthony soar in the air for a thunderous dunk during the NBA in-season tournament, where the Orlando Magic took on the Boston Celtics.

Anthony, who has become a pivotal part of Orlando’s rebuild, had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of an alley hoop, and what seemed like an impossible finish turned into magic. The nasty slam has since gone viral, with the moment being shared throughout social media, garnering over 1 million views in less than 24 hours.

Unlike the White dunk, this Anthony dunk did come with a win over the Celtics, pushing the Magic to their 11th victory and the No. 2 spot in the east. Let us see how social media reacted to the viral dunk.

Joe Theismann believes Sam Howell can be Washington’s franchise QB

Legendary Washington Commanders QB Joe Theismann believes Sam Howell can be the next franchise QB.

It’s been quite the year for former Tar Heel [autotag]Sam Howell[/autotag] as he gets established as the Washington Commanders quarterback.

This season, Howell has impressed teammates, analysts, and fans with his tight-window throws that only experience QB throws. Despite being a fifth-round draft pick just a year prior, Howell has been looked at as the potential franchise QB for the future.

Many analysts have echoed the belief that Howell is the right guy to command Washington into a bright future, and now he’s picking up faith from legendary Washington QB Joe Theismann. When speaking with ESPN Commander’s reporter John Keim, the legendary QB explained his belief in Howell.

 

It was always a shock to see Howell drop so low in the 2022 NFL draft, so it’s nice to see his talent finally get the recognition it deserves.

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Michael Carter talks fresh start with Arizona Cardinals

Former North Carolina Tar Heel Michael Carter talks New York Jets departure and a fresh start with Arizona Cardinals.

It’s been quite the week for former UNC running back [autotag]Michael Carter[/autotag], who was released by the New York Jets before finding his new home with the Arizona Cardinals in less than 48 hours.

The stunning departure from the Jets created a whirlwind of speculation as Carter was seen as a locker-room favorite among players. What made the situation even more bizarre was the timing of the release, coming on the heels of a team meeting where it was reported that the players let out their frustration on the offensive struggles.

Well, we are now getting more insight into what could’ve caused the release, with Carter opening up about the departure while talking with Cardinals media.

It will be good to see Carter with a new opportunity to shine. Despite being a talented running back with fresh legs, New York had a logged jam at the running back position.

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