Tag: CBS Sports

Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner land on Pete Prisco’s Top 100 list of 2020

Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (No 3) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (No. 38) have both landed on Pete Prisco’s Top 100 Players of 2020.

CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco recently released his Top 100 list of who he believes are the best players in the league heading into the 2020 NFL season.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has landed in the No. 3 spot, making a huge leap from No. 28th last year, now behind only Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Donald.

“He was outstanding last season and was in the MVP conversation,” Prisco writes of Wilson. “If only the Seahawks let him throw a little more than he does, which is what they should do.”

Next up on the list is Seattle linebacker Bobby Wagner, who can’t be found until all the way down at No. 38 – a drop from last year’s position of No. 9.

“His play declined last season as the Seattle defense wasn’t as dominant,” Prisco notes of Wagner. “He still remains one of the better inside/middle linebackers, but he was off last season.”

Wilson and Wagner are the only Seahawks to earn Prisco’s honors this year, but hopefully there is plenty of football yet to be played in 2020.

[lawrence-related id=62046]

CBS Sports: Bills have a top-five defense

Buffalo Bills in CBS Sports’ ranking of NFL defenses.

The Bills are poised to have a strong 2020 season. While the major additions the team made this offseason were on offense, it’s expected that the defense will keep on churning out success.

Buffalo has sported a top-three defense in recent seasons. That’s helped the team reach the postseason in two of the last three seasons under head coach Sean McDermott.

From top-to-bottom, the Bills have a solid unit. CBS Sports recently reflected that when ranking the NFL’s top-10 defenses.

The Bills landed at No. 4 in the list. Here’s the breakdown:

The Bills were already going to have one of the league’s better defenses in 2020 even despite letting Shaq Lawson walk and seeing Lorenzo Alexander retire. But then they replaced those guys by signing Mario Addison in free agency and drafting A.J. Epenesa, and so they should see little to no drop-off in their production up front. Add in some development from Ed Oliver — who looked like a monster as a rookie — and stabilization of the secondary by adding Josh Norman to a Tre’Davious White-led unit that was already quite good, and this team has the recipe to remain an excellent point-prevention unit.

While not in the top-three of the rankings, the Bills are rightfully among the best of the best in the NFL. The only three units landing above Buffalo are very good as well. The Patriots lost Tom Brady, but still have a good defensive side of the ball, landing them in third. The No. 2 49ers nearly saw their defense win a title in 2019. The Ravens landed at the No. 1 spot. Lamar Jackson has a good defense behind him, a group that got even better the the additions of Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe in free agency and Patrick Queen in the draft.

But worth noting: there’s many upcoming opponents the Bills will have to face in 2020 on CBS Sports’ list. That might make things tough for the Bills on offense next season, putting pressure on the defense to preform as well. Such teams included in that grouping are the already mentioned Pats and 49ers, along with the Steelers (6), Rams (8), Chargers (9) and Broncos (10).

 

[lawrence-related id=62127,62114,62085,61941]

CBS Sports wonders if Seahawks can manufacture more of a pass rush?

Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports asked and answered one burning question for each of the four teams in the NFC West heading into 2020.

With the offseason in full virtual form and NFL facilities yet to reopen, analysts are busy making their projections for the regular season. Sean Wagner-McGough of CBS Sports asked and answered one burning question for each of the four teams in the NFC West heading into 2020.

For the Seattle Seahawks, Wagner-McGough ponders whether or not they can manufacture more of a pass rush.

“The pass rush is obviously a big problem,” he writes. “Jadeveon Clowney remains unsigned. Getting him back would be a nice signing. It would also make a ton of sense for the Seahawks to sign a productive veteran like Everson Griffen.”

But as of this post, neither has happened and Seattle must either stick with who they’ve got or search the other available free agents.

“Otherwise, the Seahawks are relying on Bruce Irvin (back for a second stint) at the age of 32 after he registered a career-high 8.5 sacks with the Panthers a season ago,” Wagner-McGough continues. “They’re also counting on Jarran Reed to have a bounce-back season after he followed up a 10.5-sack season in 2018 with a two-sack season in 2019 and L.J. Collier to justify his selection in the first round of the 2019 draft after failing to register a sack during his rookie season.”

With the start of the season still to be determined, the Seahawks still have some time to put the finishing touches on their pass-rush efforts.

[lawrence-related id=61341]

Former Miss America, CBS football host Phyllis George dies at 70

Phyllis George had a remarkable life. Miss America, pioneer for women in sports broadcasting and a First Lady of Kentucky.

Phyllis George, one of the pioneers for women in sports broadcasting, died Thursday at age 70.

The former Miss American and First Lady of the State of Kentucky had developed a rare blood disorder in his 30s and had been told it would be problematic as she aged.

“Phyllis was a fighter and her children have shown her incredible love during this struggle,” Gov. John Y. Brown. “She was an incredible first lady for Kentucky.”

Per Kentucky.com:

The Browns, who divorced in 1998, had two children: Lincoln Tyler George Brown, a Lexington businessman, and Pamela Ashley Brown, who is White House correspondent for CNN.

Lincoln Brown said that he and his sister were with their mother during her final days.

“It’s an extraordinary story what she has been through in the last seven years with this,” he said.

George lived and extraordinary life.

She was crowned Miss America in 1971.

In 1975, George joined the cast of CBS Sports’ “The NFL Today.” She co-hosted live pre-game shows before NFL games, one of the first women to hold such a job. She worked with Brent Musburger, Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder, and Irv Cross on the pre-eminent show.

Each Sunday afternoon, The NFL Today aired three live versions of the half-hour pregame show — one at 12:30 p.m. for the East, another at 1:30 for Midwest stations and again at 3:30 for the West Coast — in addition to brief half-time breaks during the long afternoon. Until then, pregame shows had little cache; it was the postgame program with highlights from the Sunday games that held sway.

“When you’re the first, you’re a pioneer,” George told USA Today in a 1999 interview. “I felt they didn’t know who Phyllis George was. They played me up as a former Miss America, a sex symbol. I can’t help how I look, but below the surface, I was a hard-working woman. If I hadn’t made that work, women eventually would have come into sportscasting, but it would have taken them longer.”

 

Tony Romo to disperse wisdom to 3 young NFL QBs in CBS special

Tony Romo’s new show airs Sunday, May 24, on CBS.

Tony Romo was hired by CBS to be the lead color analyst after retiring in 2017, and in just three seasons has became the highest paid commentator in professional sports. Now with no live sports to  occupy the airwaves, CBS is airing a new show for Romo to further display his traits that made him such a natural in the booth.

The show is titled, “In The Huddle with Tony Romo,” and will feature Romo in an online interview with three up-and-coming quarterbacks, all who happen to be playing in the New York area; Josh Allen of the Bills, Sam Darnold of the Jets, and Daniel Jones from the Cowboys NFC East foe, the Giants.

Romo will be discussing the X’s and O’s of the position, the challenges created by a virtual offseason, and other aspects of the three young quarterbacks mentioned above lives on and off the field.

This 30-minute special is set for Sunday, May 24 (2 p.m. ET), will be on CBS, and will be hosted by Tracy Wolfson.

[lawrence-related id=645985]

[vertical-gallery id=645744][lawrence-newsletter]

Bills’ Matt Barkley ranks near bottom of backup QB rankings

Buffalo Bills QB Matt Barkley ranks near bottom of CBS Sports backup quarterback rankings.

Just one snap away, right?

Heading into the offseason, that’s how things were for Bills quarterback Matt Barkley. Now he’s going to have to earn that honor behind Josh Allen.

The Bills drafted Georgia QB Jake Fromm in the fifth-round of the recent NFL Draft. Perhaps CBS Sports has shed some more light as to why.

In their recent rankings of backup quarterbacks in the NFL, Barkley landed near the bottom at No. 26 overall:

My favorite Matt Barkley fun fact is that he once wore a wetsuit under his uniform as a member of the Bears to stave off the cold. He actually played halfway decent football in that game too considering his lack of experience as an NFL starting quarterback and the fact that he was wearing a wetsuit under his uniform during a real live NFL game. Unfortunately, I don’t have many more great things to say about Barkley as an NFL quarterback. There’s a reason he’s a backup; he carries a career 65.7 passer rating. It wouldn’t be entirely surprising to see rookie Jake Fromm usurp him at some point during the upcoming season. In fact, I flirted with the idea of ranking Fromm here instead of Barkley.

Barkley vs. Fromm is going to be a training camp storyline to watch, for sure. When camp is over, we’ll have a more clear picture on which one earned it. But having said that, would the Bills keep three quarterbacks? Under head coach Sean McDermott, he’s had a liking for only keeping two with a third on the practice squad, which could be Davis Webb. If Fromm wins, Barkley is certainly a salary cap cut candidate. Barkley, once viewed as the “veteran” backup, is also not really that. Allen is the veteran, with 27 career starts to Barkley’s seven.

In terms of the rest of the league, the Saints’ Jameis Winston is pegged as the league’s best backup, who edges out the Cowboys’ Andy Dalton. At three is Dolphins rookie Tua Tagovailoa. But he could be the starter by Week 1.

 

[lawrence-related id=61219,61207,61196,61160]

One analyst thinks Sam Ehlinger could be most productive college QB

CBS Sports has polled its staff, asking who would be the most productive college QB in 2020. One analyst has selected Sam Ehlinger.

CBS Sports has polled its staff, asking who they thought would be the most productive college quarterback in 2020. Not necessarily who would be the best or a Heisman favorite, but who would put up the most yards and touchdowns throughout the season.

Some elite-level quarterbacks were taken such as Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields were taken.

USC’s budding star Kevin Slovis was also taken off the board, reigning under Graham Harrell’s air raid attack.

Even Stanford transfer KJ Costello, who will be working with Mike Leach at Mississippi State, was predicted to put up big numbers against SEC West defenses.

When given his chance to select, Chipp Patterson chose Sam Ehlinger to be the most productive in the country next season. A bold prediction while working with brand new offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich and losing his top two wide receivers to the NFL Draft.

Here is Patterson’s explanation as to why he selected Ehlinger:

The question is for “most productive” not “best” or “most popular,” though I’d feel comfortable with my selection if we were only polling in the state of Texas. Ehlinger is the nation’s leader among returning players for total offense, ranking No. 4 in the country a year ago with 332.8 yards per game. Ehlinger might be dealing with a change at offensive coordinator, but when the stage is the biggest, Tom Herman reflects shades of that Urban Meyer coaching tree with the commitment to putting the game in the hands of the quarterback. The four-year starter is going to carry a heavy load in the Texas offense, and that’s going to help power another year of ranking in the top-five nationally in total offense.

Ehlinger comes into the 2020 season as the best returning quarterback in the Big 12. His 32 passing touchdowns were tied with Jalen Hurts of Oklahoma for the most in the conference last season, with Iowa State’s Brock Purdy’s 27 finishing second.

The difference between Ehlinger and Purdy, however, is the feet of the Texas quarterback. Ehlinger ranked inside the top 10 of the Big 12 in rushing yards, tallying 663 yards on 163 attempts. Add in seven touchdowns and Ehlinger was responsible for 40 touchdowns in 2019.

Bringing in Yurich from Ohio State is expected to improve offensive production all around. Playing against some other offensive juggernauts in LSU, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State this season, the Longhorns could find themselves in a few shootouts if Ehlinger produces the way he is predicted to.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Bills crack top-five of CBS Sports power rankings

Buffalo Bills in CBS Sports’ latest power rankings following the 2020 NFL Draft.

In CBS Sports‘ latest NFL power rankings, the Buffalo Bills round out the top-five.

Behind only the Chiefs, Ravens, Saints and 49ers, respectively, the Bills garner some high-praise once again in the five hole.

Here’s how CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco breaks down the ranking:

Here come the Bills. They’ve stocked the roster and now it’s all about Josh Allen growing as a passer, which I think he will do.

Overall, the Bills jumped two spots in the latest ranking by CBS Sports. The two teams the Bills jumped were the Seahawks and Packers. Of the four teams ahead of the Bills, the Chiefs and 49ers, last year’s Super Bowl teams, are two teams Buffalo will face next year. Depending on how those go, the Bills might be able to get comfy-cozy in the top-five range.

In terms of the division, CBS Sports has the Patriots as the second-best team in the AFC East, slotting in at No. 17. The Dolphins have also picked up some ground, but are still all the way in No. 24, while the Jets round it out at No. 28.

[lawrence-related id=61196,61160,61124,61080]

Bills address defense, trade in CBS Sports Day 2 mock

In a pre-Day 2 2020 NFL Draft mock draft from CBS Sports and the Buffalo Bills.

The Bills don’t have many holes on their roster. Let alone their defense. Let alone their stout secondary. But that group gets even deeper in CBS Sports‘ latest mock draft draft, which was released on Friday after the conclusion of Round 1 of the 2020 NFL Draft on Thursday.

In it, the Bills stand pat at pick No. 54, their current first selection of the draft in the second round. With it, Buffalo nabs Southern Illinois safety Jeremy Chinn.

After their first pick, the Bills do decide to do some moving. In the third round, Buffalo jump up four spots from pick No. 86 to pick No. 82 in a mocked trade with the Cowboys. There is another defensive back as the selection, Mississippi State’s Cameron Dantzler.

Here’s the breakdown on both picks:

Yes, Buffalo has other, more obvious needs, but Chinn is part of the future as a “positionless” defender.

The Bills see the length, instincts, and feisty nature in Dantzler and make a move to get him.

While the Bills have a set safety duo in Micah Hyde and Jordan Poyer, Chinn could be in play for the Bills because of his versatility. Some project him as a mix between a safety, linebacker and big slot cornerback in the NFL. That versatility will be coveted by Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott. The 6-foot-3, 221-pound defensive back has impressive size and just as impressive combine numbers. Chinn ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash time and followed that up with a 41-inch vertical jump.

At SIU, Chinn, a senior, finished his career with 13 interceptions, 31 passes defended and six forced fumbles. The Bills also reportedly had a pre-draft meeting with Chinn. 

While the Bills did add Josh Norman and EJ Gaines to their cornerback room this offseason, those two have some health and consistency concerns. In addition, if the Bills don’t view Levi Wallace as their long-term answer, Dantzler could be that guy across from Tre’Davious White for years to come.

At 6-foot-2, Dantzler has the athleticism and length to match up with NFL receivers. He recorded 40 tackles and two interceptions last season.

[lawrence-related id=59839,59826,59768,59752]

CBS Sports mocks Texans taking edge defender, receiver in 2020 NFL Draft

CBS Sports’ latest mock draft has the Houston Texans address their edge defense and also grabbing a receiver to help replace DeAndre Hopkins.

The Houston Texans need to fix their pass rush and also bolster their receiving corps, and it has to be within the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.

That is what CBS Sports has the AFC South champions doing in their latest mock draft. In Round 2, the Texans select outside linebacker A.J. Epenesa from Iowa.

Epenesa would provide youth and talent off the edge for Houston, who finished with 31 sacks in 2019, tied with the Cincinnati Bengals for the sixth-fewest in the NFL. At 6-5, 275 pounds, Epenesa would only be an inch taller than outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus and about 20 pounds heavier. However, he would be part of a youth movement on the edge with outside linebackers Duke Ejiofor, Jacob Martin, and even Brennan Scarlett to a degree.

In the third round, Houston selects Bryan Edwards from South Carolina. The 6-3, 215-pound wideout would be a big target for quarterback Deshaun Watson, and it would be an interesting Palmetto State pairing given that the QB is from rival Clemson. Receiver was a need in the 2020 NFL Draft irrespective of the club trading away DeAndre Hopkins. Former 2016 first-round receiver Will Fuller is in his final year with the Texans, and he has yet to play a full 16-game season for Houston. The Texans have to find a way to transition towards having healthier, more available players take key roles in the passing game. Edwards could allow the Texans to accomplish that goal.

Addressing edge rusher and receiver would be a prudent way to go for the Texans through the first three rounds. Whether or not Epenesa and Edwards are the smart choices to make would be up to coach and general manager Bill O’Brien and the personnel staff. However, these are positions that needed upgrades heading into the offseason, and the Texans ought to use premium picks.