Tag: all pro

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin projected as first-team All-Pro selection

Terry McLaurin finally receiving the recognition he deserves.

What a difference a quarterback can make. Six years into his NFL career, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin finally has his quarterback.

Through 13 games, Washington is 8-5 with the rookie quarterback, and McLaurin is off to the best start in his already outstanding career. McLaurin has 61 receptions for 896 yards and nine touchdowns this season — with four games remaining.

McLaurin established a new career-high with nine touchdowns in last week’s win over Tennessee. His previous career high was set back his rookie season of 2019. McLaurin has three games this season with at least two touchdowns.

Everyone around the NFL has taken notice. McLaurin is in the top five in receiving yards despite not having a legitimate threat opposite him. McLaurin has made the Pro Bowl once in his career. Could he earn a second Pro Bowl trip?

Or could McLaurin earn his first All-Pro selection?

Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team recently named his All-Pro predictions for the 2024 season as we inch closer to the playoffs. Brooke had McLaurin as one of the three receivers, joining Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.

That’s elite company.

Two of the names at wide receiver are already established superstars, while Terry McLaurin gets the first All-Pro recognition of his career.

McLaurin is having the best year of his career, thanks to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. With 61 catches for 896 yards and nine touchdowns, he’s already set a career-high mark for touchdowns. He’s also pacing for his fifth straight season with 1,000 receiving yards.

There are so many reasons why McLaurin should be considered for this honor. He’s his team’s only true receiving threat, so he often faces double teams. Secondly, he will go over 1,000 yards again. Finally, he’s getting into the end zone now, which will certainly help his case.

All McLaurin ever needed was consistency at quarterback.

Raiders TE Brock Bowers Yards After Catch numbers already on pace for elite company

Rookie tight end Brock Bowers leads all tight ends in the NFL in Yards After Catch (YAC) and is on pace for All Pro level numbers.

It’s becoming clear just what makes Brock Bowers so special as a player. And it starts with his ability to get yards after the catch.

The rookie tight end’s ability to get every extra yard imaginable and a few yards you didn’t think were possible almost defies logic and reason.

Raiders offensive coordinator set about trying to explain just how Bowers does it.

“Some guys like…he’s a natural football player,” Luke Getsy said of Bowers’ YAC abilities. “What I mean by that is he understands spacing, he understands his awareness of what’s all going on around him. I think all that’s real. So, when he catches the ball and he knows he has space, there’s no wasted movement. There’s no figuring out, there’s no bubble around him. It’s catch, drop step, get vertical, and go. So, you’re seeing him catch check downs and you’re seeing him turn them into explosives. And so all that awareness of space and the people around you is something special that not everybody has. But he has it and that on top of understanding where he’s supposed to be conceptually and the toughness prt of it. That part is probably the most important.”

The rookie 13th overall pick leads all NFL tight ends over the first six weeks of the season with 206 yards after catch. That’s tenth in the league at any position. With 384 yards receiving, that means well over half his yards have come after the catch.

His numbers put him on pace for 584 yards after the catch on the season. The list of tight ends to have better numbers than that over the past five years is short.

2022 *Travis Kelce — 648
2019 *George Kittle — 602
2023 **David Njoku — 599
2020 *Travis Kelce — 587

*All Pro season
** Pro Bowl season

This is nothing new for Bowers. Twice in his three years at Georgia he led all FCS tight ends in Yards After Catch. But it’s one thing to do it on the collegiate level, it’s another to treat NFL defenders the same way.

Chiefs All-Pro defensive lineman comments on three-peat talks: ‘It’s just so far-fetched’

Kansas City #Chiefs DT Chris Jones comments on three-peat talks: ‘It’s just so far-fetched’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones appeared as a guest on The Rich Eisen Show on Wednesday to reveal whether or not the team thinks about their chances at a three-peat.

“Not at all. It’s just so far-fetched. And you got to get through the division, not only the AFC West, you got to get through the AFC so much adversity can come about.” said Jones. “So I think more so for us; it’s about the smaller goals of winning the AFC West, which is the first thing we can do. We win the AFC West, we can put ourselves in a position to be in the playoffs. “

Jones was named AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his fantastic performance against the Los Angeles Chargers last Sunday. His third-career Player of the Week Award, surpassing Neil Smith and Art Still for the most-ever by a Chiefs defensive lineman.

“We can think about the AFC, where we are in the AFC, and then we can think about winning an AFC Championship,” said Jones. “They win that. Then you can think about the three-peat, but it’s so far-fetched, so far away, man. So you gotta, I think you can focus on the smaller goals. If you’re able to hit those, you’ll be where you want to be.”

The three-time Super Bowl champion has always kept the right mindset and understands the importance of building the team throughout the season.

Kene Nwangwu signs with the New York Jets practice squad

After failing the New Orleans Saints’ entry physical, former All-Pro kick returner Kene Nwangwu signed with the New York Jets practice squad:

Kene Nwangwu has found a new home with the New York Jets as a member of their practice squad, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. This means he passed their physical which was not the case in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Saints initially claimed Nwangwu in August after he was waived by the Minnesota Vikings. The vision was that he could pair with Rashid Shaheed to give the Saints two All-Pro returners. With the NFL looking to increase the amount of kickoff returns, this combination could have paid dividends for the squad.

Unfortunately, we were never able to see this as the Saints failed Nwangwu’s physical. It wasn’t revealed what exactly led to the failed test, but it has been a week and a half since then. It was either something minor or this is an example of how all team physicals aren’t the same.

For the Jets, this is their second attempt at adding a dynamic kick returner. New York now adds Nwangwu to the practice squad. Expect him to be called up to the active game-day roster at least once. If he’s productive, he has a skillset that creates an easy path to the 53-man roster.

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Kene Nwangwu waived due to failed physical a day after signing

Kene Nwangwu offered a potentially exciting kick return duo with Rashid Shaheed, but a failed physical stopped that thought in its tracks.

There was immediate excitement when the New Orleans Saints claimed running back Kene Nwangwu off waivers Wednesday. Unfortunately, Nwangwu failed his physical on Wednesday which led to him hitting waivers again.

Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak was familiar with Nwangwu from his time in Minnesota. Nwangwu offered explosion that would have made a slightly bigger sample size an interesting possibility in New Orleans. His primary role would be as a returner, though.

Nwangwu was an All-Pro returner in 2022 and could have paired with fellow All-Pro returner, Rashid Shaheed, to give the Saints a dangerous tandem under the new return rules.

Prior to signing Nwangwu, Mason Tipton, Taysom Hill and Alontae Taylor joined Shaheed in taking kick return reps at practice.

Saints claim former All-Pro return man Kene Nwangwu off waivers

The Saints claimed a former All-Pro return man in Vikings running back Kene Nwangwu, adding more options for the new kickoff format:

The New Orleans Saints utilized their waivers position at No. 14 to make a claim Wednesday, bringing in 2022 All-Pro returner Kene Nwangwu per NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill. This move was also officially confirmed via the NFL waiver system transaction report, shared  by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

First off, this move will require a respective move to be made, whether that be another player to injured reserve or someone being released or waived.

As for Nwangwu, he has been an exceptional kick return man throughout his career, leading the league in 2022 with 35 kick returns, and in 2021 with two kick return touchdowns (three of them in his career). His most notable of the three was a 99-yard return touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, which conveniently came when Klint Kubiak was with the Vikings as well. Nwangwu only ran the ball sparingly for Kubiak that season but he averaged 4.7 yards per carry.

With the new kickoff format coming to the NFL this season, the Saints will now have two All-Pro returners on the team in Nwangwu and Rashid Shaheed, which should help their chances at being one of the first teams to really get accustomed to it quickly.

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Countdown to Kickoff: Rashid Shaheed is the Saints Player of Day 22

Countdown to Kickoff: Rashid Shaheed is the Saints Player of Day 22. The third-year pro is looking to take a big leap forward in a new offense

We’ve got just 22 days left until the New Orleans  Saints open up  their 2024 regular season against the  Carolina Panthers, which means the current owner of the No. 22 jersey is our Saints Player of the Day. Rashid Shaheed is going into 2024 with a ton of momentum, having earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition for his skills in the return game while breaking out as one of Derek Carr’s favorite receivers last season — and then he signed a contract extension to stay with the Saints through 2025.

But what’s his story? What are realistic expectations for Shaheed in 2024? Let’s dig in.

  • Name (Age): Rashid Shaheed (25)
  • Position: Wide receiver/returns specialist
  • Height, weight: 6-foot, 180 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: N/A
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $1,235,000
  • College: Weber State
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2022 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: 3rd season

Shaheed grew up in San Diego (where he happened to cross paths with Drew Brees once as an elementary school student) and played high school football at Mt. Carmel, where he was recruited to Weber State in Utah. He earned All-American honors four times in college and finished with the third-most all-purpose yards in school history, which helped put him on the Saints’ radar as an undrafted free agent despite suffering a serious knee injury in his senior year.

Still, the Saints took a patient approach with Shaheed’s recovery, and it paid off. He made some exciting plays as a rookie in 2022 (while wearing the No. 89 jersey), ripping off a 44-yard touchdown run with his first touch and a 53-yard touchdown catch with his first reception. Then he switched to No. 22 before the 2023 season and truly broke out after getting in a full offseason of work.

He  totaled 719 receiving yards along with 384 kick return yards and 339 punt return yards last season (plus 37 rushing yards), scoring five touchdown catches and a punt return touchdown. Shaheed was the only player in the NFL to have 300-plus return yards on both punts and kickoffs while also gaining more than 500 yards of offense. Look at the runners-up:

  • Rashid Shaheed (Saints): 756 scrimmage yards, 384 KR yards, 339 PR yards. 1,479 all-purpose yards
  • Xavier Gipson (Jets): 297 scrimmage yards, 511 KR yards, 319 PR yards. 1,127 all-purpose yards
  • Marvin Mims (Broncos): 407 scrimmage yards, 397 KR yards, 312 PR yards. 1,116 all-purpose yards
  • Derius Davis (Chargers): 167 scrimmage yards, 374 KR yards, 385 PR yards. 926 all-purpose yards

The hope is for Shaheed to take another step forward with Klint Kubiak calling plays instead of Pete Carmichael. Finding new, creative ways to get Shaheed involved and taking full advantage of his athleticism is a high priority. At the same time, he needs to prove he’s a more well-rounded player. Last season he was rotated out of games in favor of guys like Keith Kirkwood and Lynn Bowden Jr. because Shaheed couldn’t throw his weight around as well blocking for his teammates. He’s currently dealing with a toe or foot injury, so we’ll have to wait and see whether it’s severe, but the expectation is for Shaheed to be a big player for the team this year.

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Demario Davis was ready to retire before coming to the Saints

Demario Davis was ready to retire after a frustrating season with the Browns. But he’s made the most of an opportunity to rewrite his career with the Saints:

When will Demario Davis choose to retire? It’s a fair question. He’s one of the oldest defenders in the NFL and one of the most-experienced pros regardless of position. The New Orleans Saints linebacker’s 180 career starts  are tenth-most among active players. Some day, sooner or later, he’s going to step away from the game.

And when Colin Cowherd asked him when that might be, Davis reflected on his career to this point. He acknowledged that retirement was something he’s considered before, back when he was a member of a struggling Cleveland Browns team. He’d been worn down by four years of wear and tear with the New York Jets before signing with the Browns, who went 1-15. He’d asked himself if continuing on was worth it.

“I mean I go back to 2017, I was in Cleveland, like I was ready to retire,”  Davis recounted. “And I said to God, I said ‘My body is broken down, my mind is broken down. I can’t do it anymore. But if you want me to go forward I’ll keep going.'”

Davis credits his Christian faith for giving him the resilience to keep going — the Browns traded him back to the Jets that summer and he signed with the Saints as a free agent the next year. The rest is history. He made the Associated Press All-Pro first team in 2019 and has been recognized on the second team every season since. He’s the oldest linebacker in the NFL and still playing at a high level as he invests in a six-figure support staff to help him prepare to fight Father Time.

And his perspective on retirement is the same. Davis says it won’t the team’s performance or gut instinct that determines when he should hang up his cleats: “I think it’s all about identity and knowing who you are. I’ve been so blessed by this game, I’ve played a lot longer than I ever thought I would. I’ve had a chance to experience so much. And to be able to be where I am, and to have set my family up for far longer after I leave this place. You know, why am I still playing? It’s because God is not done with what he’s doing with me in the game yet. I’ll play as long as he tells me to keep going.”

The Saints have already laid the groundwork for continuing on without Davis when he chooses to call it a career. Pete Werner signed a three-year extension this summer that ties to the team through 2027, ensuring some consistency at linebacker once Davis is ready to rest. But for now he’s working hard to lead the team himself. Davis has acknowledged before that the Saints have not met their standards or fans’ expectations in recent years. He can’t control everything, but he’s endeavoring to perfect as much as he can, so he can help as many people as he can and make a positive impact on his teammates. Leaving a legacy he can be proud of doesn’t stop at the football field.

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Here’s where Chiefs OL Joe Thuney ranks outside the ‘NFL Top 100’ list

Here’s where Kansas City #Chiefs OL Joe Thuney ranks outside the ‘NFL Top 100’ list | @EdEastonJr

The annual NFL Top 100 list, voted by the players, is a ranking everyone looks forward to and sets the bar for the upcoming season. The Kansas City Chiefs have regularly featured multiple players on the list in previous years.

Chiefs starting offensive guard Joe Thuney was mentioned in this year’s program but only for missing out on making the list. The multiple-time Super Bowl champion ranked 101st, sitting just outside the top 100 list. In his recorded testimonial, Atlanta Falcons offensive guard Chris Lindstrom spoke highly of the Chiefs All-Pro.

“He’s phenomenal (and) a really good technician, so he drops back the way he does.” said Lindstrom. “and I just love and respect the way he plays.”

Thuney’s late-season injury last year may have affected his ranking, as he was forced to miss the rest of the Super Bowl run. The pectoral injury is healed as he was cleared to return to practice a few days ago at training camp.

Thuney just missing out on the top 100 is disappointing, but it’s interesting that he only lost out by one spot. The decision could be used as fuel for the veteran offensive lineman heading into the 2024 season.

Countdown to Kickoff: J.T. Gray is the Saints Player of Day 48

Countdown to Kickoff: J.T. Gray is the Saints Player of Day 48. He’s already an All-Pro on special teams, but can he get in the defensive rotation at safety?

The countdown to the New Orleans Saints 2024 regular season kickoff is underway as we highlight every player who wears the corresponding jersey number. With now 48 days remaining before the Saints’ Week 1 game against the Carolina Panthers, linebacker J.T. Gray is the Saints Player of the Day:

  • Name (Age): J.T. Gray (28)
  • Position: Safety
  • Height, weight: 6-foot, 202 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 7.90
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $3,480,000
  • College: Mississippi State
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2018 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: 7 years

J.T. Gray has been one of the more consistent players for the Saints since his arrival to New Orleans. Although his primary role is as a core special-teamer, Gray’s ascension in that role has allowed his name to ring across the league for a while now. In 2019, Gray received second-team All-Pro honors as a specialist in only his second season in the league, leading the league with 16 tackles on special teams. Gray would follow that up with his second All-Pro selection in 2021, this time with the first-team. He would also get his first Pro Bowl nod that same season, solidifying his status as one of the league’s best.

Gray’s play has continued to impress in the seasons following, enough to earn him a three-year extension with the team in 2023. Not only does his performance on the field do the talking but he’s also been one of the Saints respected leaders in their locker room as one of the team captains each of the last four years.

When it comes to this upcoming season, Gray’s presence will continue to be instrumental. His play could very well be a deciding factor on where the team ranks on special teams at year’s end. Something that is interesting though is where the team is at in terms of the safety position. With some uncertainty at the position opposite Tyrann Mathieu, Gray could push his way into some rotational snaps if things look the way they do now. It isn’t very likely, but the team hasn’t been this low on depth at the position in quite some time.

Could Gray make his way into the rotation in ’24?

We’ll just have to wait and see.

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