Tag: 2020 Pro Bowl

Broncos put a GoPro on Courtland Sutton at Pro Bowl practice

Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton wore a GoPro camera at the first day of Pro Bowl practice.

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The Broncos put a GoPro camera on wide receiver Courtland Sutton for his first day of practice in Orlando on Wednesday. The resulting footage can be seen in the above video, courtesy of the team’s official website.

In just his second season, Sutton became the fastest wide receiver in franchise history to reach the NFL’s all-star game. Sutton was initially voted a second alternate for the Pro Bowl and was added as an injury replacement for Texans star DeAndre Hopkins last week.

Sutton has been enjoying his time in Orlando and has been showing off some one-handed catches at practice.

Sutton and outside linebacker Von Miller are the only two active Broncos players at the Pro Bowl but they aren’t the only two Broncos in Orlando. Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis, who won back-to-back Super Bowls in Denver, will serve as one of the AFC’s team captains.

The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The game will be simulcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC and Disney XD. Tickets to the game start at $45 on Ticketmaster.

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Bucs’ signing of Shaq Barrett ranked as one of the best moves of last offseason

See why ESPN’s Dan Graziano thinks the Bucs signing Shaq Barrett was one of the best offseason moves of 2019.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaq Barrett is prepping for the Pro Bowl this week, his first appearance in the NFL All-Star game.

Barrett came over to the Bucs last offseason after signing a one-year deal, and he more than outperformed his contract. Now, he’s in line for a big payday this offseason, and he’s made it clear that Tampa Bay is the place he wants to stay.

After a season in which he led the league with 19.5 sacks and broke the Bucs’ single-season franchise record, it’s not surprising to hear him say that. He had a career year playing for Todd Bowles, and, according to Barrett, he doesn’t feel like moving again.

And, as ESPN’s Dan Graziano points out, Barrett’s signing was one of the five best moves of last offseason.

“Tampa Bay’s signing of the former Broncos linebacker to a one-year, $4 million contract generated barely a ripple on the free-agent market, but it may have been the steal of the season. Barrett needed 10 sacks to trigger a $1 million incentive clause, and he got nine in the Bucs’ first four games. He ended up leading the league with 19.5 sacks on the season and should fare considerably better in free agency this time around.”

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Pete Carroll brings competition Wednesday to Pro Bowl

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll hosted a basketball competition among Pro Bowl players, continuing the competition Wednesday tradition.

Always compete. It has been the mantra of the Pete Carroll-led Seattle Seahawks for just over a decade now, and love him or hate him, it has helped lead this team to two Super Bowl victories and, to date, the team’s only win.

It has also spurned a culture of constant competition, which can sometimes get very heated but often leads to fun camaraderie.

Carroll decided to take some fun aspects of his competitive culture with him to the Pro Bowl, which he and the rest of the Seahawks staff are coaching this upcoming weekend.

In a video posted by the Seahawks twitter account, Carroll can be seen leading a group of NFC Pro Bowlers – Michael Thomas and Jared Cook of the Saints, Chandler Jones of the Cardinals and Darius Slay of the Lions, in a basketball shooting competition in the team meeting room.

Carroll’s fun, but competitive, culture has often been a favorite among players, which could help this team recruit high profile free agents to the Emerald City.

For now, Carroll will focus on having fun and interacting with the best of the best this week, leading up to the actual Pro Bowl game which will kick off at 12:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, January 26.

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Best moments from Chargers in Pro Bowl practices

Defensive end Melvin Ingram and wide receiver Keenan Allen have been characters during the Pro Bowl practices.

The Senior Bowl has been the theme of the week from me, but we can’t forget that the 2020 Pro Bowl is also going on a little more south in Orlando, FL.

Despite the fact that the event doesn’t attract many fans anymore, it does showcase some entertaining moments between players from all 32 NFL teams in one big setting.

Defensive end Melvin Ingram and wide receiver Keenan Allen are the players representing the Bolts and we know they both have unique personalities – which we’ve been fortunate to see, thanks to the team’s official Twitter account.

Here are some of the best moments thus far.

Drew Brees: not a matter of ‘if,’ but ‘when’ he re-signs with Saints

New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees didn’t characterize his pending free agent status as any different than past years at the 2020 Pro Bowl.

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New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees sure doesn’t sound like someone who’s ready to call it a day after nearly two decades in the NFL. Brees, 41, is a pending free agent in March and has several potential avenues ahead of him: re-signing with New Orleans, joining a new squad in free agency, or quietly retiring from football. But when asked how he was feeling about his relationship with the Saints — and whether things have changed from his previous stance of staying as long as they’ll have him, Brees may over tipped his hand a little.

“Each one of these contracts, I don’t know how many it’s been, I’ve played with them 14 years. Each one it’s just not a matter of ‘if’ it gets done, it’s ‘when,'” Brees told NFL Network’s Jane Slater during an interview after Thursday’s Pro Bowl practice. “You know obviously at this stage of my career it’s not a given that I’m coming back every year but when that time comes, I’ll always be a Saint.”

That feels like a quarterback who’s preparing for year No. 20 in the NFL, and No. 15 in New Orleans. Brees has been the face of the Saints franchise throughout his tenure, shattering more all-time records than anyone to come before him. With other aging passers like Eli Manning, Philip Rivers, and maybe Tom Brady moving on from their old teams, it wouldn’t be a huge shock if Brees joined them in what’s looking like a mass exodus. But from the way he’s talking about the situation, fans can probably expect him to compete for one more Super Bowl title before it’s all said and done.

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2020 Pro Bowl: Eddie Jackson would rather be playing in Super Bowl

Who has it better than Eddie Jackson? Jackson was voted to his second Pro Bowl, although, there’s one place he would rather be.

Who has it better than Eddie Jackson right now?

The Bears’ safety just signed a massive four-year extension worth $58.4 million, and he was voted to his second career Pro Bowl in just three seasons.

While making the Pro Bowl is an honor, there’s one place Jackson would rather be.

“I’d rather be playing in [the Super Bowl] than here any day,” he said following Wednesday’s practice in Orlando. “We’ve got next year coming and I’m excited about it. We’ve got a while to go before football starts back up. But we’re just ready to get back to it for real.”

The Bears are coming off a disappointing 2019 season, where they went 8-8 and missed the playoffs. When you factor in the high expectations for this season — where some considered the Bears Super Bowl contenders at one point before the season — it makes 8-8 feel more like 3-13.

Chicago is aiming to right the ship for 2020, which will focus primarily on getting the offense on track. Questions linger at quarterback, tight end, offensive line and especially the run game.

But the defense is in much better shape, with their only concern is the decline in takeaways from a season ago. Luckily for the Bears, they locked up a core player in their defensive backfield in Jackson for the long term.

Jackson is appearing in his second Pro Bowl, where he’s one of three players representing the Bears in Orlando this week. Kick returner Cordarrelle Patterson and cornerback Kyle Fuller are also in attendance, while Khalil Mack bowed out with an injury.

“It’s always a blessing when you get picked to come out here,” Jackson said. “It’s fun just to be around the guys and see different type of personalities off the field.”

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2020 Pro Bowl: Saints struggle to fit everyone in a photo before practice

The New Orleans Saints sent 10 players to the 2020 Pro Bowl, and struggled to fit all of them together for a photo before NFC team practice.

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The New Orleans Saints sent a huge delegation to the 2020 Pro Bowl, even with star cornerback Marshon Lattimore declining an invitation due to injury. They’re represented with ten players from all three units: offense, defense, and special teams. It’s given the NFC team practices the look of a Saints group workout, due as much to the number of players from New Orleans as this year’s white-and-gold uniforms. Here’s the full list of participants:

  • #13 WR Michael Thomas (starter)
  • #94 DE Cameron Jordan (starter)
  • #11 KR Deonte Harris (starter)
  • #3 K Wil Lutz (starter)
  • #9 QB Drew Brees (backup)
  • #72 LT Terron Armstead (backup)
  • #87 TE Jared Cook (alternate)
  • #75 LG Andrus Peat (alternate)
  • #67 RG Larry Warford (alternate)
  • #41 RB Alvin Kamara (alternate)

Unfortunately, the downside to having that much star talent in one place is that it can be difficult to get a photo of everyone gathered together. But the Saints made their best effort, putting undrafted rookie phenom Deonte Harris front-and-center with taller teammates Armstead, Cook, and Peat in the background. They’ll get an “A” for effort:

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Shaquill Griffin fired up for his first Pro Bowl appearance

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson loves playing with the Griffin brothers, and is happy Shaquill joined him at the Pro Bowl.

The Seattle Seahawks have two representatives playing in the 2020 Pro Bowl this season, quarterback Russell Wilson and cornerback Shaquill Griffin.

While this is Wilson’s seventh appearance in the last eight years, it’s the first time for Griffin, who is returning to Orlando after spending his college days at the University of Central Florida.

Griffin is not alone, thanks to Wilson, but he has also been joined by his twin brother Shaquem who has spent time with Shaquill at the first few days of festivities.

Wilson spoke about the two brothers to gathered media on Wednesday, discussing what it is like having them as teammates and being joined by Shaquill in the Pro Bowl.

“Having the Griffin brothers on our team is pretty amazing,” Wilson said. “Those guys are so dedicated to the game, they work so hard. It’s cool having them here, too. Shaquill’s been special for us. To have him out here is great and I know he’s fired up about that. They’re both from Orlando—they played here.”

Griffin earned a spot on the Pro Bowl as an alternate for Marshon Lattimore, who is not participating due to injury. Griffin finished third in the league with 14 pass breakups in 2019, his third NFL season.

The Pro Bowl will kick off at 12:00 p.m. PT on Sunday, January 26.

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Watch: Josh Allen receives pass rushing tips from Von Miller at Pro Bowl

When it comes to the art of pass rushing, none are better than Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller. He annually puts together a Pass Rushing Summit alongside Chuck Smith Training Systems and it has helped a lot of young players tremendously in the …

When it comes to the art of pass rushing, none are better than Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller. He annually puts together a Pass Rushing Summit alongside Chuck Smith Training Systems and it has helped a lot of young players tremendously in the early stages of their careers.

Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Josh Allen is one of many young students of the game who has had early success and found himself in this week’s Pro Bowl after a phenomenal 10.5 sack season. While there he’s seemingly took the time to pick Miller’s mind for some tips as the two were seen interacting before Thursday’s practice.

Allen and Miller got to see each other first-hand this regular season when the Jags went down to Denver for a nail-biter which the Jags won with a last second field goal from Josh Lambo. Now, they will be taking the field together Sunday for the Battle of the Conferences.

After seeing the two in cohesion, it appears the quarterbacks for the NFC are going to have a hard time getting passes off though the tackling will be toned down. That said, as talented as the NFC is, it also wouldn’t be a shocker to see Sunday’s game produce similar results as 2019’s game as the AFC won handily by a score of 26-7.

Von Miller, Courtland Sutton enjoy first day of Pro Bowl practice

Broncos linebacker Von Miller and receiver Courtland Sutton completed Day 1 of Pro Bowl practice Wednesday.

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller and wide receiver Courtland Sutton checked in with fans through the team’s official Twitter page from Florida on Wednesday. Miller and Sutton are preparing to play in the 2020 Pro Bowl on Sunday.

Miller participated in the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown in 2018 and 2019 and he will do so again this year. The 2020 skills showdown will air on ESPN on Jan. 23. Two years ago, Miller took home co-MVP honors at the 2018 Pro Bowl after his strip-sack sealed a 24-23 win for the AFC.

This year marks Sutton’s first appearance in the All-Star Game. The second-year receiver is clearly having a good time.

Sutton showed off his impressive hands with a one-handed catch during Wednesday’s practice.

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis will serve as one of the AFC’s team captains at the All-Star Game this year.

The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played in Orlando, Florida on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 1:00 p.m. MT. The game will be simulcast on ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ABC and Disney XD. Tickets to the game start at $45 on Ticketmaster.

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