Category: Tar Heels in the pros

Highlights of former Tar Heels in action in week three of the NFL preseason

Take a look at what some of your favorite Tar Heels did in the NFL this past weekend with the NFL preseason officially wrapped up.

The NFL regular season countdown has officially started as the final preseason games wrapped up this past weekend, and some former North Carolina players made an impact.

UNC fans are in for a treat, with many former Tar Heels favorites set to make their team’s final 53-man roster. This season should be good for some former Tar Heels, with many players getting the nod as starters on the depth chart.

Among those starters is quarterback Mitch Trubisky who will take over for the Steelers, beating out Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett for the job.

Running back Javonte Williams earned the starting job in Denver with expectations of splitting carries with Melvin Gordon. However, some former UNC players are on the cuff to make the final 53, making this final preseason weekend one of the most important.

As the season continues, we will highlight some Tar Heels for break-out performances. Here are highlight plays from your favorite UNC players.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell shines in the final preseason game

Washington Commanders quarterback Sam Howell got the opportunity to play the entire final preseason game and did not disappoint.

Washington Commanders rookie quarterback [autotag]Sam Howell[/autotag] shined in the final preseason game.

Howell had the opportunity to close out the preseason for the Commanders and did not hold back in the passing or rushing game. The rookie quarterback out of UNC showed Washington fans what Tar Heel faithful already knew, his ability to use his feet to move the chains.

Howell rushed for 62 yards on eight carries, for an average of 7.8 yards. The passing attack was also solid, completing 24 out of 35 passes for 280 passing yards and one touchdown. The one downside of the Saturday game was Howell seeing the turf a lot, being on the receiving end of five sacks and 12 quarterback hits.

The same sort of damage Howell took at UNC cant be sustainable on the NFL level, and the issue of holding onto the ball too long needs to be addressed.

Howell’s strong outing put the league on notice but was not enough to get the victory, as Washington fell short in the 17-15 nail-biter. As it stands, quarterback Carson Wentz is the starter, with Taylor Heinicke playing back up and Howell set as a third string. However, a few slip-ups could offer Howell the opportunity to see the field in the regular season.

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Chicago Bears release WR Dazz Newsome

The Chicago Bears have waived Dazz Newsome one season after drafting the wide receiver in the 6th round of the NFL draft.

After spending just one season with the Chicago Bears, wide receiver [autotag]Dazz Newsome[/autotag] has been waived.

Wednesday morning, the Bears waived Newsome, making the Tar Heel a free agent. Newsome was drafted in the sixth round by the Bears in 2021 to help their depleted wide receiver position.

This marks the second time that the speedy wide receiver was waived by Chicago. He was released last year before training camp after sustaining a broken collarbone injury. However, after clearing waivers he was brought back onto the Bears practice squad. Newsome did see some regular season action for Chicago, catching two passes out of five targets in three games.

Newsome appeared in both preseason games for Chicago this season, finishing with two receptions, 27 receiving yards, and one touchdown. The Bears did attempt to use Newsome as a punt returner in both games, muffing one punt in the process.

It will be interesting to see where Newsome lands, as the age and speed would be too hard to pass up on.

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Tomon Fox seals game two of the preseason for New York Giants

Undrafted rookie Tomon Fox made waves Sunday night after sealing a week two preseason victory for the New York Giants on a monstrous hit.

[autotag]Tomon Fox[/autotag] delivered a moment in the second preseason game for the New York Giants, sealing the victory Sunday night with a hit that echoed throughout MetLife.

The undrafted rookie out of UNC was the late game hero, delivering a monstrous hit to force Bengals wide receiver Trenton Irwin to cough up the ball, and ending the Bengals’ late attempt at a comeback drive. The Giants were up 25-22 with the Bengals at the 50-yard-line with nine seconds left in the game when quarterback Jake Browning tossed it to Irwin, looking to go up the sideline when Fox came in like a wrecking ball to cause the fumble.

Fox brought many hard hits to the UNC football program after spending six seasons there due to being awarded an extra year of eligibility from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In those years suiting for UNC, Fox finished with 179 total tackles, 44.5 tackles for loss, 30.5 sacks, one interception, and five forced fumbles.

Fox made the unofficial depth chart for the New York Giants, getting listed at the rush position behind Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oshane Ximines, and Quincy Roche.

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Chicago Bears defensive end Robert Quinn cracks NFL top 100

Chicago Bears defensive end Robert Quinn cracks NFL top 100 list, showcasing the talents he used in Carolina.

The NFL season is almost here, which means the annual top-100 list is slowly rolling out, and one Tar Heel has already been announced in the top 50.

Chicago Bears defensive end [autotag]Robert Quinn[/autotag] came in at 48 on the list after failing to make this list since 2015. The 11-year veteran had a sweet comeback season for an overall sour year for the Chicago Bears, showcasing the talents that got him drafted as the 14th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Last year, Quinn eclipsed over 100 sacks in his career after posting his highest amount of sacks in a single season with 18.5. Quinn finished second in sacks behind Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watts’ 22.5 sacks, tying Michael Strahan for second-most all-time.

Quinn set the pace during his time at UNC, becoming a household name in the two years he played in 2008 and 2009. In his 2009 season with the Heels, Quinn finished with 11 sacks, second most in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He also finished with 19 tackles for loss, which led the ACC and was the 10th most in the NCAA.

After posting his best stats since 2015, it will be interesting to see if Quinn can continue to turn back the clock and produce at the same high level.

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Highlights of former Tar Heels in action Week 2 of the NFL preseason

Take a look at what some of your favorite Tar Heels did in the NFL this past weekend with the NFL preseason officially underway.

The NFL regular season is near as week two of preseason football is behind us and one again some former North Carolina players made an impact.

This season should be fruitful for Carolina fans, as many former players are not only gearing up in the NFL but are written on a few depth charts as starters.

Mitch Trubisky is in the driver seat to lead the huddle this season in Pittsburgh, while Javonte Williams is set as the lead back in a split workload for the Denver Broncos.  Running back Ty Chandler looks to be making a case for a spot in Minnesota with 10 carries for a 6.9-yard average, and Antonio Williams looks to secure a spot with the New York Giants.

As the season continues, we will highlight some Tar Heels for break-out performances. Here are highlight plays from your favorite UNC players.

Sam Howell, Commanders fall short of comeback

Former UNC quarterback Sam Howell takes the field late for Washington nearly leading a preseason comeback against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Former UNC football quarterback [autotag]Sam Howell[/autotag] is finding his rhythm in the NFL preseason, showcasing a balanced attack Saturday afternoon against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Howell was the third quarterback used in the contest, playing behind expected starter Carson Wentz and back-up Taylor Heinicke, entering the game at the 8:46 mark of the third quarter. Howell came in with Washington down 17-7 and nearly had a bomb TD pass to former UNC star wideout Dyami Brown, instead resulted in a slightly underthrown ball, bringing out the kicking unit.

As the defense did its job holding the Chiefs to 17, Howell and the offense eventually figured it out, driving down the field for a touchdown midway through the 4th to bring Washington within three.

The Commander’s defense stopped the Chiefs’ offense, setting Howell up for a preseason comeback under three minutes. That comeback was short-lived after Howell tossed an interception in Kanas City territory, setting up the easy score for the Chiefs.

Howell finished the game completing 10 of 18 passes for 122 yards and 13 rushing yards.

As it looks, Howell is set to be the third-string quarterback with a year to learn behind Wentz and Heinicke.

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Dazz Newsome haș standout catch in Bears practice

Former UNC football standout Dazz Newsome had some nice plays during Monday’s practice, following a touchdown in the Bears preseason opener.

Fresh off of a good showing in the first preseason game for the Chicago Bears, former UNC football standout [autotag]Dazz Newsome[/autotag] impressed in practice on Monday.

Newsome, a former sixth-round draft pick in 2021, made some spectacular plays in practice to get the week started after scoring a touchdown over the weekend.

Newsome scored on a 13-yard pass from Trevor Siemian in the right corner of the end zone.

Final cuts are approaching Aug. 30 and Newsome is continuing to do everything he can to make a roster spot with the Bears.

Here is what people were saying regarding Newsome’s play on Monday afternoon.

LOOK: First look at Brady Manek in Perth Wildcats jersey

Former UNC basketball forward Brady Manek has officially joined the Perth Wildcats and was introduced with his new jersey on Monday.

Former UNC basketball forward [autotag]Brady Manek[/autotag] has officially joined his new team down under.

Last month it was announced that Manek would be signing with the Perth Wildcats in Australia, one of the top professional teams outside of the United States.

The Wildcats are the most successful team in the NBL — the highest professional league in Australia. They have 10 championships, winning six since 2010.

On Monday, Manek was officially introduced to the roster and it’s the first time to see Manek in his new uniform.

In his lone season with UNC, Manek averaged averaged 15.1 points per game this season while shooting 40.3 percent from three — both career highs. He also chipped in 6.1 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game — also a career-high.

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New York Giants rookie Marcus McKethan placed on IR

Tough news out of New York as Giants rookie Marcus McKethan has been placed on injured reserve after tearing his ACL during fan fest.

Saturday provided some tough news for a former Tar Heel as New York Giants rookie [autotag]Marcus McKethan[/autotag] has been placed on the injured reserve list after a being carted off in practice.

The 22-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament during a Giants’ fan fest scrimmage leading to the UNC football guard to miss his NFL rookie season. Throughout training camp, McKethan had been seeing a majority of his time as the back up to the right guard position as he learned the NFL pace. This big blow tacks on to an already depleted depth chart with the New York Giants now scrambling for a replacement.

McKethan was a fifth-round pick, selected No. 173 overall in the NFL draft as the Giants looked to beef up their offensive line after watching Daniel Jones get sacked 22 times in just 11 games.

As it stands now, McKethan will be getting his NFL experience on the sideline as a student first with a comeback year awaiting his return.

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