Tag: bucky brooks

NFL Network analyst argues for Dolphins to start Tua Tagovailoa Week 1

NFL Network analyst argues for Dolphins to start Tua Tagovailoa Week 1

What to do with a rookie quarterback? That’s always a hot button topic. Start or sit? Protect them or throw them into the fire. If you over-expose them to the NFL game, you may scar them beyond repair. But if they are so easily influenced, were they ever really “the guy” to begin with?

There are no easy answers. But NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks supports the idea of teams tossing their rookies into the fray — including the Dolphins with Tua Tagovailoa — from the jump. Why? His argument is centered around three key points.

You don’t learn from the sideline

This argument aligns with the point made by Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians — you don’t learn by holding the clipboard. Instead, as the starter a quarterback commands not only all of the game day reps but also all of the practice reps. Those repetitions are essential to acclimating to the speed of the NFL, according to Brooks. And you only get them once you become “the man” in the backfield.

The transition to the NFL has never been easier 

Speaking of acclimating to the speed of the game, Brooks refers to the current NFL landscape as the “golden era” of NFL quarterbacks due to the vast collection of college concepts in the game today. “Spread and shred”, as Brooks words it, allows young quarterbacks to assimilate to life as an NFL quarterback easier than ever before — mainly because they have had so much exposure to spacing concepts. The NFL was late to the game, but that will benefit the Miami Dolphins now that they’ve secured one of the more consistent and effective RPO passers in recent memory to pass through the NFL Draft process.

Economically responsible to get snaps on a rookie deal

Rookie quarterbacks are cheap. And to spend a year of paying a quarterback to not play, especially when a second contract will feature seven or eight times the annual average salary, is leaving a valuable year of development in a prime Super Bowl winning window on the table. The Dolphins won’t be one to compete for a championship in 2020 — that still feels a way off. But the groundwork set in 2020 could help see a deep postseason run materialize a year quicker than we would if Tagovailoa sits out his rookie year. That is, of course, according to Brooks’ point of view.

Bucky Brooks comes to Jameis Winston’s defense

After New Orleans Saints quarterback Jameis Winston raised some eyebrows with his recent comments. Bucky Brooks came to his defense.

Jameis Winston had a season for the ages in 2019, which was both good and bad, as the former number one overall pick threw for 5,109 yards, 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, becoming the first player ever to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 picks in the same season.

Winston’s performance didn’t do him any favors, though, as the Bucs opted to let Winston walk in free agency as they turned their sights on Tom Brady. Winston eventually landed in New Orleans with the Saints on a one-year deal where he will serve as a backup to Drew Brees.

And while Winston may not be a starter heading into 2020, he still found himself turning some heads this week after comments he made to Bleacher Report’s Tyler Dunne where he said that “historically I’m one of the best quarterbacks to play the game.”

Many people may have been quick to laugh off this comment, but Bucky Brooks of NFL.com came to Winston’s defense by taking a closer look at the numbers.

Per Brooks:

“Jameis just became the eighth quarterback in league history to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season, joining Dan Marino, Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Peyton Manning, Ben Roethlisberger, Matthew Stafford and Drew Brees, who’s actually accomplished the feat five times. At age 26, Winston has thrown for the second-most passing yards of any NFL quarterback through five seasons, trailing only Manning. Moreover, Winston has more touchdowns (121) through his first five seasons than Brett Favre (108), Kurt Warner (101), Brady (87) and Brees (80). Think about that: The guy who has been the butt of all jokes since becoming the first quarterback with 30 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions in a single season is a certified baller with a slate of numbers that put him in the same early-career stratosphere as a number of Hall of Fame types.”

Brooks does point out that concerns about Winston’s decision making are fair, but believes we are over-blowing his turnovers. It’s unfortunate that we won’t see Winston starting this year. It would’ve been interesting to see how he would have responded after that 2019 season and being let go in favor of Brady.

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Eagles land in the top-5 of list ranking the NFL’s top units in the trenches

Eagles are No. 2 in a ranking of NFL’s top offensive and defensive lines

The NFL is a game predicated on offense and great quarterback play but the one key to every successful team is the talent in the trenches.

The great NFL teams secure a franchise quarterback and then they embark on the process of building the organization from the inside out, fortifying both sides of the line. The Eagles perennially have one of the NFL’s top offensive line units and they have two of the NFL’s top defensive linemen on the roster as well.

NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks recently broke down the top five teams in the league based on their talent in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

Not surprisingly, the Eagles landed at No. 2 on the list.

The Eagles could soar to the top of the NFC behind a talented defensive line that features a diverse collection of playmakers at the point of attack. Fletcher Cox is the marquee name, but his blue-collar teammates (Javon Hargrave, Brandon Graham, and Derek Barnett) also have the capacity to take over games utilizing a committee approach. When the Eagles get that quartet going in the coming season, particularly on obvious passing downs, opposing quarterbacks are going to take a beating in the pocket. Offensively, the Eagles must cope with the loss of Jason Peters, but it is hard to complain with three four-star blockers on the front line. Lane Johnson, Brandon Brooks, and Jason Kelce are not only rock-solid technicians, but they are physical blockers with nasty dispositions. If Andre Dillard can quickly settle in as a first-time starter, the Eagles’ front will pummel opponents with its collective size, strength and athleticism.

The return of a healthy Malik Jackson will only make the group that much more lethal. If Genard Avery, Josh Sweat, and one of the young defensive tackles can take the next step, this group will quickly rise to No. 1 on the list.

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Bucky Brooks: Texans’ offense will be better without DeAndre Hopkins

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks believes the Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson will be better without DeAndre Hopkins in 2020.

Count NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks as another analyst who believes the Houston Texans offense will be better in 2020 without DeAndre Hopkins.

Brooks, who considers the opinion a “lukewarm take” in pro football commentary, joined Jonas Knox on Fox Sports Radio to explain his stance.

“The Houston Texans and Deshaun Watson are going to be better without DeAndre Hopkins,” Brooks said. “And I know that is going to fire people up because DeAndre Hopkins is arguably the best wide receiver in football. He’s a three-time All-Pro. He has ridiculous numbers and stats. He’s been clearly their best offensive player. However, removing DeAndre Hopkins out of the lineup will allow Deshaun Watson to be a better player. It will allow him to flourish because he won’t feel the inherent pressure to get the ball to No. 10.”

Brooks added that Watson, “a star ready to really pop,” will be forced to use every aspect of his game from stretching the field vertically to using the horizontal game. Additionally, running backs David Johnson and Duke Johnson will become integral to the passing game along with wideouts Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller.

“By removing DeAndre Hopkins, they’re actually going to enable Deshaun Watson to be a more efficient distributor,” said Brooks. “And, so, when you think about the best quarterbacks in football traditionally over the last five or six years, Drew Brees. You think about Tom Brady. Those guys have been able to do it with no-name players on the field at times and they’re unafraid to throw to everybody.”

Brooks also made the point that legendary Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre took a step in his development after injuries forced three-time All-Pro receiver Sterling Sharpe to retire after 1994. Favre was forced to distribute the ball, which led to his first of three consecutive NFL MVP starting in 1995.

The Texans have surrounded Watson with more diverse talent. If the move pays off in the form of an AFC Championship Game berth, fans will be pleased the organization’s addition by subtraction.

Bucky Brooks pegs Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray as his 2020 NFL MVP

NFL analyst Bucky Brooks pegs Oklahoma’s Kyler Murray his 2020 NFL MVP

Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks is all-in on Kyler Murray.

Brooks, a current analyst for NFL.com, named Murray his 2020 NFL MVP.

He cited that, while it is early for predictions, it only adds to his confidence in the Cardinals’ quarterback. Murray was 2019’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, something each of the past MVP winners, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, have won.

Murray joined free agent Cam Newton as the only rookie quarterbacks to throw for 3,500 yards and rush for 500. He led all rookies in passing yards and completions, and finished third best all-time on rookie completions begind Carson Wentz and fellow Sooner Sam Bradford.

“Think about that.” Brooks wrote in an article on NFL.com. “Murray put up historic numbers on an offense that was adapting to a former college head coach/play-caller transitioning to the pro game while managing a roster littered with holes along the offensive line and limited in playmakers on the perimeter. If that’s not enough of a challenge, the electric QB1 needed to compensate for a leaky defense that finished last in yards allowed and 28th in points allowed. How do you like that for context?”

The Cardinals are currently slated to begin their regular season on September 13, barring any cancellations or postponements due to the coronavirus.

Where does Danielle Hunter rank among top edge rushers?

Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter became the first player in NFL history to pile up 50 career sacks before turning 25 years old.

Last season, Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter became the first player in NFL history to pile up 50 career sacks before turning 25 years old.

Hunter is coming off of back-to-back 14.5 sack seasons and is one of the young stars of today’s game.

Bucky Brooks over at NFL.com ranked his top-five edge rushers in the NFL and Hunter came in at No. 3.

Here’s what Brooks wrote about Hunter:

The former third-round pick has quickly joined the ranks of the elite, notching 48.5 sacks over the past four seasons. Hunter has outstanding first-step quickness, and he’s capable of winning with speed or power off the edge. He uses a slippery dip-and-rip maneuver to turn the corner and complements it with a variety of hand-to-hand combat moves that enable him to win with power. Hunter is an artistic technician with a refined game that’s about as polished as you’ll find at the position.

The Vikings hope the two-time Pro Bowler can turn in another elite season as this new-face defense will surely need it.

Last season, Hunter finished with a Pro Football Focus grade of 89, a mark that ranked eighth among edge rushers in the league.

Chargers pegged as worst-to-first candidate for 2020 season

An NFL Network analyst believes that the Los Angeles Chargers will have a bounce-back season in 2020.

After finishing with a 12-4 record and earning a trip to the playoffs during the 2018 season, the Chargers followed that up with a dud of a season in 2019, going 5-11 and finishing last in the division.

Many analysts pegged Los Angeles to go to the Super Bowl this time around last year, but they clearly failed to live up to all of the hype that they received.

The talent was there, but the woeful campaign was a result of injuries to key players, a coaching change midway through the season and failing to finish games as a handful of those 11 losses were within a touchdown.

Heading into the new decade, the Bolts have the majority of the roster intact, but they received some more reinforcements with offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga, guard Trai Turner, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and defensive tackle Linval Joseph via free agency and some through the draft.

The biggest difference is at the quarterback position where Philip Rivers will no longer be the one under center after 14 seasons as the starter. The show will now be ran by Tyrod Taylor and first-round selection Justin Herbert.

With the pieces that the Chargers have, NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks believes that they’re good enough to turn it around after a dreadful outcome last season.

“We can talk about that defense being lights out with [Joey] Bosa, [Melvin] Ingram, Derwin James and Kenneth Murray, but let’s look at the obvious,” Brooks said. “Justin Herbert. I know Tyrod Taylor is slated to start, but let’s say Justin Herbert gets the opportunity to run this offense.

The weapons that he has on the outside with Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry. But what about Josh Kelley? Joshua Kelley playing the role as the running back. Look, get your t-shirts ready. I think it’s going to happen in L.A. The Chargers with their draft picks can get it done.”

Not mentioned by Brooks, who should be a huge contributor on the offensive side of the ball, is running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler made a significant impact as a runner and a pass-catcher, which is why he earned a four-year contract extension earlier this offseason.

Even though Rivers won’t be calling the shots anymore, I believe Los Angeles is still capable of getting the job done with Taylor or Herbert, especially with the new offense that they’re going to run, which should be similar to the Ravens of last season, and given the amount of talent they have from top to bottom.

The most vital key to any kind of success for them is health of the players. Like last year, if they can’t stay injury-free it’ll be hard to have a bounce-back season. If they do, the Chargers are capable of making some serious noise during the regular season and into the playoffs.

Another key to success will be dethroning the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, who are 27-3 against AFC West teams since 2015 and have claimed four straight division titles.

Bucky Brooks’ new mock draft is predictable for the Bucs, but a shocker for Tua

Bucky Brooks’ new mock draft over at NFL.com is no shocker when it comes to who the Bucs pick, but it is when it comes to where Tua goes.

With the NFL draft just a little over a week away, final mock drafts are coming in and beginning to provide some clarity before the big day. As usual, almost every single mock draft since day one has had LSU quarterback Joe Burrow pegged as the top pick by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Burrow is just one of several high-profile college quarterbacks expected to go early in round one, along with Justin Herbert of Oregon and Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama. (Even Jordan Love of Utah State could find himself going high in round one.)

Tagovailoa is one of the more interesting cases. Despite having a decorated career at Alabama, a hip injury last November has left some NFL teams questioning his long-term durability. While many mocks still have Tua going in the top five to the Miami Dolphins, Bucky Brooks over at NFL.com made a bold prediction today in his latest mock draft.

Brooks has Tagovailoa falling all the way to No. 9 to the Jacksonville Jaguars, after the Dolphins go with Herbert at the five spot and the QB-needy Los Angeles Chargers opt for Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons.

Per Brooks:

“This should be a no-brainer for the Jaguars if Tagovailoa slides to this point. The Alabama standout is a significant upgrade over Gardner Minshew and gives the team a long-term option at QB1.”

It’s hard to imagine Tua falling that far, but stranger things have happened.

As for who Brooks thinks the Bucs will select at the 14th spot, well, there’s no surprise there (thankfully). He, like many draft experts, like Georgia OT Andrew Thomas. “Adding protection around Tom Brady is priority No.1 for the Buccaneers,” Brooks said.

Thomas would be a great selection by the Bucs. SI even said in their recent mock draft that Thomas may very well be the most pro-ready offensive tackle in this year’s class.

Still, when it comes to offensive tackles and the NFL draft, nothing is guaranteed.

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Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks propose a realistic Lions trade in Twitter mock draft

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks did a mock draft on Twitter and executed what they believed was a realistic trade for the Detroit Lions.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah and Bucky Brooks — who also co-host the Move the Sticks podcast — did a mock draft on Twitter, altering selections between themselves.

Brooks opened the draft by giving Joe Burrow (QB, LSU) to the Bengals, while Jeremiah paired Washington with Chase Young (EDGE, OSU). But when the Lions got on the clock at pick No. 3, Jeremiah proposed a trade offer to Brooks for the pick.

Jeremiah, having the even-numbered picks, offered Brooks the Los Angeles Chargers No. 6 overall pick, as well as pick No. 37 in the second round, and the Chargers second-round pick in the 2021 draft.

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Brooks entertained the offer but countered by also asking for the Chargers fourth-round pick in 2020, No. 112 overall. Jeremiah accepted the counteroffer and selected Tua Tagovailoa (QB, Alabama) for the Chargers.

Jeremiah then gave the Giants Mekhi Becton (OT, Louisville), with Brooks selecting Justin Herbert (QB, Oregon) for the Dolphins.

With the Lions back on the clock Brooks had the option to choose from Jeff Okudah (CB, OSU), Isaiah Simmons (LB/S Clemson), or Derrick Brown (DT, Auburn) — and in a mild upset, Brooks went with Simmons.

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A haul of Simmons picks No. 37 and No. 112, as well as a future second-round pick, would make most Lions fans very happy — and realistically, that is a scenario that could very well play out this April.

Here’s a look at how the entire mock draft played out: