Tag: 2023 Pro Bowl Games

Geno Smith thrills, but some past Seahawks don’t like new Pro Bowl format

Here’s how past and present Seahawks reacted to the new Pro Bowl Games format.

The NFL finally decided to do away with the traditional “football game” at the Pro Bowl between the AFC and the NFC. This year they added some new skills competitions and turned the main event into a flag football game.

Some players appeared to enjoy it a great deal. Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, for one – seemed to be having a ball as he dominated the flag football game, throwing five touchdown passes. Meanwhile, a few former Seattle players found the new Pro Bowl Games unbearably lame. Here’s how past and present Seahawks reacted to the new Pro Bowl Games format.

WATCH: Tyreek Hill mic’d up at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games practice

He always brings the energy.

For Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, being invited to the annual Pro Bowl is not a new experience, as this was the seventh time that he’s received the honor in as many seasons as he’s been in the NFL.

Except, this time, the league wasn’t running it’s usual game. For 2023, the weekend before the Super Bowl consisted of skills challenges and a flag football game with some of the league’s top talents.

Before the event, the Dolphins set Hill up with a mini microphone for practice to have him record some of the best moments for their YouTube channel. Here’s what they caught:

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Best photos of Titans from 2023 Pro Bowl Games

The best photos of Titans players from the 2023 Pro Bowl Games.

The first-ever Pro Bowl Games concluded on Sunday with the Eli Manning-led NFC defeating the Peyton Manning-led AFC after a week of competitions.

You can check out more information on the 2023 Pro Bowl Games right here. We also have Titans highlights from Thursday here, and from Sunday here. Also, Jeffery Simmons was mic’d up, which you can check out here.

Some of the Titans highlights over the course of the week saw players taking part in a floatie challenge that Ben Jones won and Jeffery Simmons tried to cheat in.

We also saw Derrick Henry score a touchdown while almost running into Jones during one of the flag football games, and we saw Morgan Cox come up big in the event he took part in.

Now, the best photos of Titans from the week-long event.

Titans’ Jeffery Simmons was mic’d up at Pro Bowl

Listen to what Jeffery Simmons was saying while mic’d up at the Pro Bowl this past week.

Jeffery Simmons was one of four Tennessee Titans to take part in the Pro Bowl Games this past week, and he was wearing a microphone for some of it, giving us the sights and sounds of the first-ever event.

The other three Titans at the Pro Bowl were running back Derrick Henry, long snapper Morgan Cox and center Ben Jones. You can check out their highlights from Thursday here, and from Sunday here.

Simmons took part in the “Lightning Round” and “Move the Chains” events, helping the AFC win five of the competitions. However, the NFC’s two wins in the three flag football contests on Sunday put the conference over the top.

Now, the sights and sounds of Simmons mic’d up.

Perhaps the biggest thing to come out of Simmons’ trip to the Pro Bowl was his comments on new general manager Ran Carthon, who he fully approves of.

Simmons also revealed he’s “very confident” that he’ll get an extension worked out and stay in Tennessee.

“We had a great talk, and him saying I am one of his priorities, that meant a lot,” Simmons said. “I feel like he is the person for this job. There’s not much I can say especially with talk of the contract — my (agent) is handling that. But whenever we get to that point — I feel very confident that I’ll be here in Tennessee, and I want to be in Tennessee. So, we’ll see how that goes.”

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Jamal Agnew thinks he could beat Tyreek Hill in a race

“I really think I’m the fastest in the league, I’m not going to lie.”

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill earned the nickname “Cheetah” for a reason. The former Kansas City Chiefs speedster earned a seventh trip to the Pro Bowl this season due mostly to his ability to run by NFL defensive backs like they’re standing still.

Jamal Agnew of the Jacksonville Jaguars isn’t intimidated by Hill’s speed, though. In fact, he thinks he could go toe-to-toe with any of the NFL’s speed freaks.

At the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, Agnew — who was there as the AFC’s return specialist — was asked by Hill how a race would go between the two. After initially saying Hill would win, Agnew decided to change his answer.

“Really, if I’m thinking about it right now, you probably wouldn’t beat me, to be honest,” Agnew told Hill in a video posted by the Dolphins. “I really think I’m the fastest in the league, I’m not going to lie. I don’t get the miles per hour, I think something’s wrong with the GPS on my pads and stuff, but I really think I’m the fastest in the league, I’m not gonna lie.”

After a couple seconds of stunned silence, Hill responded with “I have nothing to say.”

Agnew, 27, was clocked at 21.62 miles per hour by NFL Next Gen Stats during an end-around touchdown in the 2021 season. This year, Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. matched that with a 21.62-mph run in Week 17.

Last season, Hill’s legendary speed was put to the test at the 2022 Pro Bowl, but the receiver finished last after a slow start and a half-hearted effort.

Best of Panthers DE Brian Burns at 2023 Pro Bowl Games

Panthers DE Brian Burns dropped jaws with his superhero-esque performance during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games’ Gridiron Gauntlet Challenge.

The Carolina Panthers didn’t run deep at this weekend’s Pro Bowl Games, but they were well represented by defensive end Brian Burns.

Here’s some of the best of the Carolina star from his second consecutive trip to the NFL’s all-star festivities.

Peyton Manning says ‘sky is the limit’ for Trevor Lawrence

Peyton Manning is more than a little impressed with Trevor Lawrence.

Peyton Manning knows a thing or two about good quarterbacking. In addition to his Hall of Fame career in the NFL, the former Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos passer also helps run the Manning Passing Academy.

Alumni of the academy include Jacksonville Jaguars second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has made quite an impression on Manning.

“Trevor, the sky is the limit with this guy,” Manning told the Jaguars social media staff over the weekend while serving as the coach of the AFC at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games. “I like the way he carries himself. … They had great success this year and kind of sent a message to the rest of the AFC that Jacksonville’s here. I expect great things out of him in the next years.”

Lawrence, 23, bounced back from a rough rookie season when he threw 12 touchdowns and led the league in interceptions with 17. In his second season, Lawrence thrived under new Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. The Jaguars quarterback threw 25 touchdowns with eight interceptions and earned Pro Bowl honors.

With Pederson at the helm for the foreseeable future, Manning thinks Lawrence is in good hands.

“[Lawrence]’s got a great knowledge of the system,” Manning said. “I think with Doug Pederson, they could be a tough combination for a long time for years to come. I’m really happy for him.

“I like when a head coach is calling the plays often because that means there’s continuity in the offense. Even if Doug’s not calling them, it’s going to be the same system. That’s good for a quarterback. If your quarterback is having to learn a new system every single year, that’s difficult. So I like the situation that Trevor’s in.”

In January, the Associated Press announced that Pederson is one of three finalists for the Coach of the Year, which will be announced Thursday night.

Watch: Trevor Lawrence hits Stefon Diggs for deep TD in Pro Bowl

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the AFC to a flag football win, ending his day with a 45-yard bomb to Bills receiver Stefon Diggs.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence got off to a shaky start in the flag football competition at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games, throwing a pick six on his first drive.

Lawrence redeemed himself late in the game by connecting with the Buffalo Bills’ Stefon Diggs for a huge touchdown.

After three straight incompletions — including one to a streaking Jamal Agnew — the AFC faced a fourth down from its own 5-yard line. While 20 yards would’ve been enough a first down, Lawrence went for it all and found Diggs down the right sideline for a 45-yard touchdown.

It was the second touchdown pass of the game for Lawrence, who led a lengthy drive in the first half that ended with a short touchdown pass to the Las Vegas Raiders’ Davante Adams.

Earlier in the game, the AFC ran a trick play with a couple backward passes that eventually led to Lawrence running a route in the end zone and Diggs throwing a pass his direction. However, that throw was intercepted by Diggs’ younger brother, Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs.

With Lawrence at quarterback, the AFC won the second flag football game of the day, 18-13.

Commanders participating in the Pro Bowl Games competitions

Five Commanders are participating in the Pro Bowl Games and thus far, Terry McLaurin is the top performer.

London Fletcher spoke of highly of the NFL Pro Bowl Games competitions, which have gotten underway out in Las Vegas.

“I thought the NFL did a great job with the different skills challenges, especially the dodgeball. I was very impressed with it.”

Fletcher had fun watching the Commanders’ Daron Payne in the Water Balloon competition. Jeremy Reaves was there in support of Payne. After watching, Fletcher laughingly declared, “Yeah, he needed to help out Daron Payne. Daron definitely did not have the best technique on catching that water balloon. ”

Terry McLaurin, however, impressed Fletcher by catching the water balloons. “It was Terry being Terry, going down, making sure he secures the catch. We’ve seen that plenty of times since he’s been here in Washington. He knew that catch was smooth right there.”

When it came to the Long Drive Competition, Julie Donaldson volunteered that “Daron Payne might need to take a few more practice swings.” Fletcher echoed, “Yes, not so much a golfer with Daron. But I was impressed with Jonathan Allen’s swing. And Tress (Way) he could definitely hit the ball.”

Dodgeball was the only event the NFC won from the AFC on the first night of the competitions, as the AFC concluded the first day of activities with a 9-3 lead over the AFC.

McLaurin and Reaves appeared in a video together, talking about how this was their first time at the Pro Bowl, but both were very thankful and grateful.

Tress Way appeared on a video with his son Beau on his knee. Tress asked his son, “Who is your favorite player?” Beau quickly responded, “Jahan” (Dotson).  Tress then asked, “Who else is your favorite?” Without batting an eye, young Beau responded, “Terry (McLaurin).”

At this point, Tress turned toward the camera, saying, “Ok, that is two tries.” Asking a third time, “Who else is your favorite?” Again rather quickly. the younger Way replied, “Daddy.”

The elder Way responded, “Alright, sweet. I’ll take number three.”

“I thought the NFL did a great job with the different challenges. You know, having the linemen catching punts. Really mixing things up, getting them out of their elements. Kudos to the league for coming up with something different. You saw the competitive nature, the competitive spirit of these players.”

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5 Commanders representing team at Pro Bowl Games

Five Commanders are in this year’s Pro Bowl Games.

The Washington Commanders have five players representing the Commanders at this year’s NFL Pro Bowl Games.

The lifeless and lethargic football game, which for the last 25 years was an embarrassment to the league is no longer being played–Hallelujah!

So Tress Way, Jonathan Allen, Daron Payne, Terry McLaurin and Jeremy Reaves will be involved in the various other activities which now make up the week for the players.

This year the activities include:

Flag Football Game

Epic Pro Bowl Dodge Ball

Lightning Round

Longest Drive

Precision Passing

Best Catch

Gridiron Gauntlet

Kick-Tac-Toe

Move the Chains

As for the Commanders players themselves?

Terry McLaurin– Lightning round and Flag Football

Jonathan Allen – Longest Drive and Move the Chains

Daron Payne – Longest Drive and Move the Chains

Tress Way – Longest Drive and Kick-Tac-Toe

Jeremy Reaves – Lightning Round and Flag Football

“I like the changes and you will see the competitive spirit of these guys,” said four-time Pro Bowler and former Washington Redskins linebacker London Fletcher to Julie Donaldson on Command Center 2-2-23. “You will see these guys compete at a high level, and that is what you really wanted to see. The actual tackle game (Pro Bowl) had gotten to the point it wasn’t even competitive. I am happy the NFL made the change.”

We are too, London. We are too.

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