Tag: 2020

Former Gators star Pitts has all the tools to shine at the next level

With the loss of the nation’s top tight end Kyle Pitts, the Gators will have a lot of offensive production to replace next season.

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Name: Kyle Pitts

Number: 84

Position: Tight End

Class: Junior

Height: 6’6″

Weight: 246 pounds

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pa.

High School: Archbishop Wood

Twitter: @kylepitts__

2020 statistics:

REC YDS AVG TD LNG
43 770 17.9 12 71

Overview:

Kyle Pitts joined the Gators as one of the top tight ends in the 2018 recruiting class. A four-star recruit from Philadelphia, Pitts was expected to be a major contributor early in his Florida career.

His freshman season in 2018, he saw limited action. He played in 11 games, but most of his time came on special teams. In total, he had three catches for 73 yards, one of which went 52 yards for a touchdown against Idaho. Though his first season was a bit lackluster, his sophomore year saw him take a major step forward.

Pitts became Florida’s starting tight end in 2019, and after starting quarterback Feleipe Franks suffered an ankle injury that ended his season, Pitts became one of the favorite targets of backup quarterback Kyle Trask. He finished the season with 54 catches for 649 yards and five touchdowns.

Heading into his junior season with Trask returning under center, expectations were high for Pitts in 2020. And somehow, he exceeded them. He had 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns, winning the Mackey Award and being nominated for the Biletnikoff Award in the process. He finished 10th in Heisman voting, the first tight end to crack the top 10 in 43 years. Injuries and the bowl game opt-out held Pitts out of four games, and it’s conceivable he could’ve competed with Devonta Smith for the Heisman if he played a full slate.

Pitts enters the 2021 NFL Draft as the top tight end prospect and a bona fide first-round pick, with some even projecting he could go in the top 10. In all likelihood, he will be UF’s first offensive skill position player taken in the first round since Tim Tebow in 2010.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lf0L7tkC5GI&feature=youtu.be

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Florida loses one of its best defensive players in Kyree Campbell

Senior Kyree Campbell, who has been a starter on the defensive line for the last three seasons, is moving on to the next stage of his career

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Name: Kyree Campbell

Number: 55

Position: DL

Class: Senior

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 295 pounds

Hometown: Woodbridge, Va.

High School: Woodbridge

Twitter: @CampbellKyree13

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST SACK
24 3 21 1.5

Overview:

Kyree Campbell was never supposed to play for the Gators. When he graduated high school in 2016, he signed to play with North Carolina. But instead, he ended up attending a college prep, Wyoming Seminary. When his recruitment reopened, he signed with the Gators in December 2016 and enrolled the following January.

His first year on campus saw his action limited to a reserve role. He played in nine games and notched 12 tackles and a sack. His sophomore season in 2018, he started all 11 games he played in and made 37 tackles (3.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks in addition to a fumble recovery.

He retained his starting role heading into the 2019 season, and he played and started all 13 games, earning a career-high 39 tackles. Injuries limited his production this season, and he appeared in just eight of Florida’s 12 games. When he played he made a big impact, such as against Georgia when he had a sack. He finished with 22 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks. Following the conclusion of the 2020 season, he announced that he would not take advantage of an extra year of eligibility and is instead heading to the NFL Draft.

Video:

https://youtu.be/YUT-UVqn_Ig

DK Metcalf on Seahawks’ offensive woes: ‘Teams just started to figure us out’

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf joined the I Am Athlete podcast with Brandon Marshall to discuss the team’s offensive woes.

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DK Metcalf joined former NFL wide receiver Brandon Marshall on the “I Am Athlete” podcast to discuss what went wrong with the Seattle Seahawks’ offense in the second half of the 2020 season.

The second-year wide receiver told Marshall that opposing teams limited Seattle’s offense primarily by taking away the deep ball.

“Teams just started to figure us out,” Metcalf said. “We’ve been running deep pass, ever since Pete [Carroll] got there. Play-action. Run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, go deep. Teams just said, ‘We’re just not gonna let you all go deep.’”

Indeed, numerous teams constantly threw the Seahawks two-deep looks to eliminate shot plays, and it worked. Those big plays were a crucial component in Seattle’s volcanic offensive production in the first five weeks. They were never able to recapture that form for the rest of the season and they exited the postseason with a whimper because of it despite the defense improving by a considerable margin over the course of the year.

The Seahawks must work to maximize the talent they have on offense and find ways around the two-deep looks if they want to have any chance of competing for a title in 2021.

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K.J. Wright satisfied with his individual season despite playoff defeat

Seattle Seahawks linebacker K.J. Wright views his individual season as a success despite the team bowing out in the wild-card round.

Despite the Seattle Seahawks’ 2020-21 season ending earlier than anticipated, veteran linebacker K.J. Wright views his own personal season as a resounding success.

Wright had a chip on his shoulder and made a sizable positive impact on the defense in 2020, racking up 86 tackles (60 solo), 11 TFLs, two sacks, 10 passes defensed, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, and an interception in 16 games. He played a part in the defense’s unexpected turnaround in the middle of the season along with numerous other players.

“This season was everything that I hoped it would be,” Wright told reporters. “… I was balling, just looking good, making plays all over the field and it felt really, really good because a lot of people counted me out, a lot of people doubted that I could do it, and I proved to myself how good I am, I proved to the whole world how good I am.”

As he approached his tenth season in the league, Wright’s mindset was to keep working at it and enjoying himself rather than think about Father Time at age 31.

“I got to 10, and 10 looked really good,” he said. “So, OK, let’s keep looking good. I’m having fun, I love this city, I love this team, so let’s make it happen.”

A free agent this offseason, Wright stated that he is open to returning to the Emerald City in 2021, but that coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider will make the final call. The linebacker exhibited unbridled confidence in his abilities a decade into his NFL career.

“That’s up to Pete and John,” Wright said. “They know how much I mean to this team. They know that I’m a baller, they know I’m a great teammate, a great leader and it would be a great investment — in my opinion — if they invest in K.J. and to bring him back into the building. You get what you pay for and I bring a lot to the table still.”

Wright may want to stay, but he may also demand a large sum of money if he knows his worth. The Seahawks also have a few other notable free agents to make decisions on such as Chris Carson and Shaquill Griffin. How they handle this offseason will certainly be interesting.

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Damien Lewis only Seahawk named to 2020 PFWA All-Rookie Team

Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis was the only member of the organization named to the 2020 PFWA All-Rookie Team. He looks promising.

Seattle Seahawks guard Damien Lewis had a strong rookie season in 2020, making the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team and being the only Seahawk to do so this year.

The Seahawks selected Lewis in the third round in the 2020 NFL Draft with the No. 69 overall pick and he made an immediate impact, playing every snap in the season opener against the Falcons and going on to start all 16 regular-season games and the postseason loss against the Rams.

Lewis proved himself a solid run blocker this year and Pro Football Focus gave him a run-blocking grade of 81.5. He could use improvement in the passing game but has plenty of room to grow.

Lewis could prove crucial to the stability of the Seahawks’ offensive line in the near future, especially considering the uncertainty of several other players positioned adjacent to him.

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Marco Wilson finishes tumultuous career in the Orange and Blue

Defensive back Marco Wilson finishes an up-and-down Florida career that saw many positive moments but many regretful ones, as well.

Name: Marco Wilson

Number: 3

Position: Defensive Back

Class: Redshirt Junior

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 191 pounds

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

High School: American Heritage

Twitter: @MJW_era

2020 statistics:

TOT SOLO AST SACK FF FR YDS INT YDS AVG TD LNG
33 24 9 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Overview:

Marco Wilson joined the Gators with high expectations as a four-star recruit and the younger brother of Quincy Wilson, a star cornerback who had left for the draft the prior year. In 2017, he became just the fourth true freshman in school history to start at cornerback on opening day. Wilson went on to start all 11 games that season, notching 34 tackles and a team-high 10 pass breakups (the most by a true freshman since Vernon Hargreaves’ 11 in 2013).

He entered 2018 with high expectations, as he was selected to the Preseason All-SEC Third Team. But he suffered a season-ending injury in the second game, and he took a medical redshirt.

He returned in 2019 and started all 13 games. It was his best season at UF, as he had 36 tackles (2.5 for loss) and three interceptions.

During his final season in 2020, he struggled at times. He played in nine games (starting eight of them), and he had 33 tackles and four pass breakups. His season is perhaps best remembered for the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty he drew for throwing an LSU player’s cleat after a third-down stop, setting up a game-winning drive.

After the season, he declared for the 2021 NFL Draft, where he is considered to be a potential Day 3 pick.

Video:

Kyle Trask ends Florida career with record-setting 2020 season

Kyle Trask finishes his Florida career as the school’s sixth all-time leader in career passing touchdowns despite only starting 22 games.

Name: Kyle Trask

Number: 11

Position: Quarterback

Class: Redshirt Senior

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 240 pounds

Hometown: Manvel, Tex.

High School: Manvel

Twitter: @ktrask9

2020 statistics:

CMP ATT CMP% YDS AVG TD INT LNG RTG
301 437 68.9 4,283 9.8 43 8 71 180

Overview:

Kyle Trask finishes his Florida career as the school’s sixth all-time leader in career passing touchdowns despite only starting 22 games. He finished his career with arguably the best season of any quarterback in school history in 2020, setting single-season school records in passing touchdowns (43) and passing yards (4,283) despite a shortened season against SEC-only competition.

For a while, though, it appeared Trask might not get his chance. He wasn’t even expected to get an offer at Florida. A backup in high school to D’Eriq King (now the starter at Miami), Trask’s only Division I offers other than UF were Houston Baptist, Lamar and McNeese State. But former coach Jim McElwain liked what he saw when Trask camped with the Gators, and he brought him on.

Trask joined the class with top quarterback recruit Feleipe Franks, and both redshirted their first seasons in Gainesville in 2016. The following year, Trask suffered an injury before the season that held him out the entirety of 2017. Meanwhile, Franks became the starter.

After a rocky first year under center for Franks, McElwain was fired and replaced with Dan Mullen. Franks initially struggled in 2018 and was benched during a blowout loss to Missouri for Trask. But a foot injury following that game ended Trask’s season, and he finished with 162 yards and a touchdown on 14-of-22 passing.

Trask entered the 2019 season as the backup once again but was thrust into the starter role when Franks suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Kentucky in September. Trask started the next 10 games, leading the Gators to an 11-2 record and finished with 2,941 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Franks transferred after the season, solidifying Trask’s role as the starter heading into 2020.

He improved in almost every way his last season. He was second in the nation in yards per game with 356, and he threw for 400 yards in five games (a school record). He also threw for at least four touchdowns in seven consecutive games this season, making him just the ninth FBS player since 2000 to do so.

He was a Heisman finalist for his efforts in 2020, finishing fourth in voting behind Trevor Lawrence, Mac Jones and the winner, Devonta Smith. He enters the 2021 NFL Draft as a potential Day 2 pick.

Video:

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Seahawks must improve offensive line to contend in 2021

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps stated that the team must improve the offensive line to contend in the 2021 season.

After the Seattle Seahawks’ 2020 season ended abruptly at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams, calls for change were directed towards all areas of the organization.

Coaching, schematics, Russell Wilson, run defense . . . all were blamed for the loss. However, former Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps pinpointed another area in need of improvement – the offensive line.

“There’s only one that is abundantly clear, and that is your offensive line. You have to improve in that area,” Heaps said on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake and Stacy.

Heaps elaborated that the best quarterbacks of the modern era have all had solid offensive lines throughout their careers, and this has consistently allowed them to work their magic on opposing defenses.

“What have Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes, all these great quarterbacks in this league had?” Heaps continued. “They’ve had tremendous protection, top-line protection.”

Wilson has never had a top-tier offensive line, but the big guys up front have not always been to blame for his struggles, as we saw from Wilson’s play in 2020. Additionally, Seattle currently suffers from a dearth of draft picks in 2021 and a few other areas to be concerned about. We can only wait until free agency and the draft to see how the Seahawks will address their situation.

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Ravens’ 2020 season ‘eerily similar’ to 2012’s Super Bowl-winning run

CB Jimmy Smith pointed out the “eerily similar” aspects of the Baltimore Ravens’ 2020 and 2012 seasons as Super Bowl LV looms large.

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith has been with the team since he was selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. Over those 10 years in the league, Smith has seen just about everything the game has to offer. He’s been on a 5-11 team in 2015 and he won a Super Bowl with Baltimore in 2012. So when he says this season is shaping up a lot like that 2012 Super Bowl-winning campaign, it’s time to listen.

“It’s similar,” Smith said about comparing the 2012 and 2020 seasons. “I’m not going to say it’s the same, nothing’s the same, but it’s eerily similar to us hitting a little adversity and then going on a hot streak and then being a wild card in the playoffs. That’s kinda the route we took then and we’re kinda on pace, but we’ll see.”

Smith isn’t joking when he says it’s eerily similar. While I’m not one for conspiracy theories, the two seasons have far more in common with one another than seems possible by accident. And, it all starts with that adversity he talked about.

That 2012 season saw the Ravens drop four of their final five games, including key contests against playoff contenders like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos. Baltimore would then get some revenge by beating the Broncos in the playoffs on their road to Super Bowl XLVII. This season, the Ravens dropped four of five games in the middle of the season, including big losses to the Steelers and Tennessee Titans. But last week, Baltimore got revenge on the Titans in the postseason to advance to the divisional round.

There are some other odd similarities in the schedule of both seasons.

  • In both 2012 and 2020, the Ravens played the NFC East, as well as going up against the Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots in the regular season. When combined with games against the AFC North, that’s 10-of-13 opponents being the same.
  • The Ravens opened the 2012 season with a beatdown of an AFC North rival in the Cincinnati Bengals, winning by a 31-point margin of victory. This season, Baltimore beat the Cleveland Browns by a 32-point margin of victory in Week 1.
  • The Ravens got matched up with the New York Giants in Week 16 of both seasons. Baltimore beat New York by at least 14 points in each season.

While these can just as easily be chalked up to how the NFL’s scheduling system works, the sheer number of similarities and specifics are difficult to ignore.

Even the setups to both playoff runs are eerily similar. The Ravens, in both instances, had quarterbacks that were having their place in the league questioned by outsiders. Joe Flacco was seen as a mediocre quarterback that couldn’t get over the hump, much like the narrative Jackson carried into the playoffs this season. Even the defenses, which were good but not great in the regular season, found a way to step up their play in the playoffs.

Smith also pointed out how both seasons were answers to disappointing playoff exits the year before.

“The first year in 2011, we went and kinda didn’t make it — kinda similar to last year, got all the way up there and basically didn’t make it. And then coming back and having, pretty much, the same team but still hitting some adversity that year — dropping like four games in a row and then squeezing into the playoffs and making that run.”

Whether destiny is a thing or Baltimore just faced enough adversity with enough talent on the roster to make a Super Bowl run possible is up for debate. But one game into the playoffs and the Ravens are hot right now. They still have a long way to go before the two seasons sync up perfectly but the fact so much aligns shouldn’t be ignored.

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Texas climbs four spots in final USA TODAY Sports Re-Rank

In the final USA TODAY Sports Re-Rank of the 2020 college football season, Texas climbed four spots.

It’s now a time for review and reflection after the 2020 college football season Continue reading “Texas climbs four spots in final USA TODAY Sports Re-Rank”