Tag: Evan McPherson

Winners and Losers: Week 5 roundup of Florida Gators in the NFL

Take a look at how former Florida Gators played in the NFL, including an overdue performance from Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.

There are 29 active NFL players who attended the University of Florida and 24 of them have a starting job this season.

Week 5 saw a lot of success and letdowns from Gators across the league, including Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts and speedy Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson has been having trouble staying on the field with the Indianapolis Colts, getting injured for the third time in four starts. Meanwhile, down in Tampa Bay, quarterback Kyle Trask is learning and sitting behind Baker Mayfield.

There were plenty of individual winners and losers in the NFL last week, but let’s take a look at the best and worst performances of Florida Gators in the NFL.

Two former Gators on USA TODAY Sports’ All-Ekeler Team

These two former Gators deserve a bit more respect than they have received so far.

While the upcoming college football season is on the minds of most of the Gator Nation, plenty of alumni will also be gearing up for the 2023 National Football League schedule as well.

Florida is still the only team in the conference to have a player selected in every draft of the common draft era, which continued once again last April, which means there is no shortage of former players to keep an eye on.

Among those former Gators who still have orange and blue running through their veins are a pair who earned a spot on USA TODAY Sports’ All-Ekeler Team. This particular honor is given to players who have put up exemplary performances at the highest level of the sport without any proper recognition.

The list is named after Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, whose 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons are 12 more than any other player during that stretch, while his 3,195 yards from scrimmage since 2021 rank fourth in the league. Much like Rodney Dangerfield, this guy seems to get no respect.

The first mention was defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who is currently with the Detroit Lions.

DB [autotag]C.J. Gardner-Johnson[/autotag]’s background is just a touch different (than CBs Rasul Douglas and Kendall Fuller), given he was a fourth-rounder and has yet to win a championship. However he was a key component of Philly’s NFC champion defense in 2022 while tying for the league lead with six picks. We’ll let Douglas and Fuller – each has a pair of pick-sixes over the past two seasons – line up wide while motormouth Gardner-Johnson, now with Detroit, can plug into the secondary anywhere – though we especially value his ability to man the slot.

Also listed was place-kicker [autotag]Evan McPherson[/autotag], who has proven his worth after the Cincinnati Bengals took a gamble on him in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL draft — the highest-picked special teams player that year.

Evan “Money Mac” McPherson has typically been on the money for the Bengals in his two NFL seasons, drilling 52 of 62 field-goal tries. But he really shines in the playoffs, where he’s been perfect on 19 FG attempts, including a pair of game-winners on the final play on the way to Super Bowl 56. We also value McPherson’s swagger… and didn’t really mind when he skipped Cincinnati’s halftime in order to watch the epic Super Bowl halftime show in Los Angeles. When you’re playing in Justin Tucker’s perennial Pro Bowl shadow, gotta do whatever you can to snatch some limelight.

The NFL kicks off its 104th season on Thursday night, Sept. 7, in Kansas City, Missouri, with the league’s annual primetime kickoff game. The defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs will host the Detroit Lions at Arrowhead Stadium with a start time of 8:20 p.m. EDT and can be watched on NBC Sports.

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Watch: Bengals’ Evan McPherson nails field goals through smaller uprights

A fun practice moment with Bengals K Evan McPherson.

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson is a man of many talents.

After all, who can forget that vial video of McPherson booting a ball that spun the cap off a bottle during the sprint to an NFL draft?

While McPherson’s feats from Day 11 of Bengals training camp during joint practices with the Green Bay Packers weren’t nearly as viral-worthy, they’re still worth a look.

In the footage, McPherson hits some attempts through a set of uprights that are much smaller than the typical NFL standard.

Nothing too wild — and a pretty smart way to practice, all things considered. Here’s a few looks at it:

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Bengals’ Evan McPherson spent part of offseason promoting good cause

A notable offseason pursuit for Bengals kicker Evan McPherson.

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson spent part of his recent offseason free time meeting with middle school and high school students at Crossroads Church in Oakley.

The two-night event let students play games and eat while McPherson and others stressed important themes.

“This year’s message is based on voices and just really listening for God’s voice and putting God’s voice first in your life,” McPherson said, according to Fox 19’s Morgan Parrish. “I think it’s really important to engage with this age group and just to let them know that everybody struggles no matter where you come from, what walk of life you’re in. This age is the future of the church and we have to really preach to them and motivate them to want to get better.”

As always, it’s fun to check in on what Bengals players get up to during the offseason. McPherson has spent some of his public time in an important way while spreading positivity.

Crossroads Church shared photos of one of McPherson’s appearances:

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Evan McPherson’s Super Bowl halftime mishap comes up again

Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni fielded a question about Evan McPherson’s viewing the halftime show last year.

During last year’s Super Bowl, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson earned a ton of unwanted attention by staying on the field during halftime to see the performance by Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and surprise guest 50 Cent.

It was strange for a rookie to do so and back in March, his coordinator described it as a “real sore subject.”

It’s also a subject that just came up during press conferences before this year’s Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.

Theo Ash asked Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni if he anticipates any similar issues for his team this year.

“No. No. No,” Sirianni said. “They know what the standard is with everything. We try to paint a clear picture with everything like that. I don’t anticipate any of our guys staying out to see Rihanna even though it would probably be a really good show.”

It’s a funny little anecdote in what is usually a pretty unserious sequence of media events before the big game. But the fact it comes up at all and gets that sort of reaction from other coaches possibly reveals how it was thought of within the Bengals and around the league.

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Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling has hilarious hopes to catch Rihanna during Super Bowl halftime show

Well, can you blame him?

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling might have alternative plans for halftime during Super Bowl 57.

While he’ll most likely be with his Kansas City teammates preparing for the second half, Valdes-Scantling shared on Twitter that he might see if he can catch some of the halftime show performance from Rihanna.

It’s undoubtedly one of the more relatable hopes that any NFL player would have if they made the Super Bowl, especially when the performer is someone as universally beloved as Rihanna.

Going to the Super Bowl is, of course, a dream for all NFL players, but it’s also a free ticket to catch one of the biggest musical performances of the year. You can’t blame a guy for seeing if he can make both work.

If you’ll recall, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson stayed on the field last year to watch the Super Bowl halftime show. Will Valdes-Scantling follow his lead?

If the Chiefs are up 250-0 by halftime, we bet Andy Reid will let a couple of his guys stay out there to take in the music.

If not, we’re guessing a player as integral to the offense as Valdes-Scantling is will be around for the halftime adjustments. There’s always the replay!

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Bengals aren’t worried about Evan McPherson’s brief struggles

McPherson and others addressed the topic this week.

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson has had his struggles this season, including some notable misses on both attempts and extra points.

Jarring compared to last year, at least, when McPherson took the league by storm as a rookie and was perfect in the playoffs.

One would think most of the issues stem from the fact he’s got a new long-snapper (Cal Adomitis) and holder (punter Drue Chrisman). But McPherson (22-27, 37-41XP) shot that idea down before Week 17.

“It’s a little different, not much,” McPherson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “All it takes is repetition and a little more time. It’s probably a little of that and me needing just to kick better and the conditions.”

Adding to this, special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons says these swaps are things the team preps for and watches closely before the season even starts.

In fact, Simmons goes on to suggest it’s all mental:

“We tracked every possible scenario through training camp, combinations of snappers and holders, and there was really no negligible difference between who was holding and who was snapping and his make percentage. Obviously it’s something that he’s got to get solidified in his own mind. But that’s not the issue. The issue is not the operation. He’s the one who’s got to make the kick. But, it does. And inevitably in the back of your mind, it is different. It’s a different snapper and holder than it was a year ago. That’s something he’s got to fight through. That’s not something that’s physical. It’s a mental thing he’s got to fight through.”

That doesn’t sound like a coach or player too concerned about the sporadic struggles. Provided Simmons is right and McPherson can overcome the hurdle, expecting him to perform in the playoffs this year as he did one season ago still isn’t unwarranted.

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Zac Taylor addresses Evan McPherson’s struggles, Drue Chrisman’s breakout

A fun look at Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talking about key members of special teams.

Somewhat lost in the chaos of the win for the Cincinnati Bengals last weekend over the New England Patriots were the struggles of kicker Evan McPherson.

McPherson has appeared to struggle a little more this year than he did last season as a rookie. But that game in Foxboro was especially problematic, as he missed a field goal and an extra point.

But Bengals head coach Zac Taylor attributed the issues to the cold and that they’re actually a good thing because McPherson can now better prep for those circumstances.

Here’s what he told Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com:

“ZT: Obviously we didn’t make those kicks but if you take the rest of special teams, I thought they played really well. They handled field position for us really well. They did a great job getting the most out of most of those units. And it’s a good learning experience for Evan. Playing in that cold weather and taking the approach that’s necessary to be successful in that environment so I think that’s something he’s going to file away and be better for the next time.”

Good points, plus the Patriots had some miscues on special teams during that game as well.

Speaking of special teams, Taylor also praised Chrisman, who has come along nicely after needing to take over for veteran Kevin Huber. He had a key coffin-corner punt in crunch time that pinned the Patriots deep.

In all, not a terrible outlook for Bengals special teams with January football on the way again.

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Wooden among SEC Players of the Week following Texas A&M game

Wooden’s strip-sack in the 4th quarter of Auburn’s win over Texas A&M set up the Tigers’ final score of the game.

[autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag] may not have recorded the most tackles in Auburn’s win over Texas A&M last Saturday, but he still had a memorable night.

It was Wooden who forced a strip sack of Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman with six minutes to go in the 4th quarter of Auburn’s win, which set up an [autotag]Evan McPherson[/autotag] field goal that would result in the game-clinching score.

Because of this, Wooden has earned SEC co-defensive lineman of the week for week 11, joining Alabama‘s Byron Young in claiming the honor.

On the season, Wooden has made 42 stops, with his best game coming two weeks ago against Arkansas, when he made eight tackles with one sack. He is second on the team in sacks with six, one behind [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag]. His total is the sixth-highest in the SEC.

According to Pro Football Focus, Wooden has been on the field for 532 snaps this season, and holds a 74.6% grade, with a pass rush grade of 76.9%.

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Evan McPherson’s struggles aren’t worrying Bengals just yet

Some unexpected misses by Evan McPherson aren’t stressing the Bengals yet.

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As a rookie, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson just couldn’t miss, seemingly from any range, angle or critical game scenario.

That idea has dramatically shifted in 2022 though as McPherson undergoes what appears to be a slight sophomore slump.

McPherson missed his only attempt during a blowout win over the Panthers last weekend, one that admittedly came from nearly 50 yards out. That wouldn’t normally be too concerning, but he had missed another kick and an extra point during the loss to the Browns the week prior.

To date? McPherson has missed four kicks, one of them in the 20-29 range and he has missed two extra points, the same number he missed during all of last season.

But it sounds like Darrin Simmons views this as something McPherson can work out over the bye week, per ESPN’s Ben Baby:

Ditto for McPherson himself.

“It’s just a me thing,” McPherson said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “The one Monday night, I hit it well, I just didn’t play the wind right. This last one, I didn’t hit it really well. You take what positives you can out of it and move on.”

No word on if the change at long-snapper after Clark Harris’ injury in the opener has played a role in these issues. But like the injury bug, it appears the bye couldn’t have come at a better time for the special teams unit.

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