Tag: Louis Riddick

ESPN analyst unleashes biggest I told you so comment on Drake Maye

Louis Riddick gets his I told you so moment

ESPN’s Louis Riddick turned New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye’s successful debut start on naysayers who believed the rookie would get ruined by the Houston Texans.

Maye ended up throwing for 243 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in the game. He gave Patriots fans a preview of the future, as he was able to find success against a Texans defense that ranks as the third-best in football.

Many were concerned that starting Maye too early could potentially stunt his development, mostly due to the Patriots having an inconsistent offensive line and a lack of playmaking talent at wide receiver. This was a concern even during the pre-draft process.

Nevertheless, Riddick had confidence in Maye, and he reaffirmed his position after Maye’s performance.

“Kid is a stud. Just needs help around him. A LOT OF IT too,” Riddick posted on social media. 

https://twitter.com/LRiddickESPN/status/1845635866347114688

Sunday’s game was the first of many for the young quarterback. Although he did have some bumps in the road, he showed potential.

Development will be important with the Patriots organization looking to find a sustainable franchise quarterback in the post-Tom Brady era.

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Announcers revealed for Notre Dame-Georgia Tech game on ESPN

Do you like this crew?

Until now, it was unclear whether ESPN or ABC would broadcast Notre Dame’s contest against Georgia Tech. It’s annoying how ESPN often waits until this soon before games it has broadcast rights to to announce where a game specifically will be broadcast, but it’s the reality for many college football fans.

We now know that Irish and Yellow Jackets will face each other on ESPN. The game between Alabama and Tennessee has drawn ABC during the same time slot. It makes sense that the contest with the two ranked teams would be on the network with the bigger reach.

On the call for the Irish’s visit to Atlanta will be Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick, while Kris Budden works the sidelines. It’s been a while since Riddick has announced an Irish game, but he is one of the most respected analysts in college football.

Irish fans who don’t care for Jason Garrett being retained for the NBC coverage this season surely will enjoy this break:

Best of luck to the entire broadcast crew in covering the game.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

ESPN roundtable ‘shocked’ by Josh Allen ‘overrated’ narrative (video)

ESPN roundtable ‘shocked’ by Josh Allen ‘overrated’ narrative (video):

The narrative that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the “most overrated” QB in the NFL has hit the league like a wide fire.

An ESPN poll did the job. A survey of players in the NFL gave Allen that title and many are talking about it… including ESPN.

Following the results being made public, ESPN discussed it on the morning program “Get Up.” NFL analyst Louis Riddick was part of a roundtable which overwhelmingly was surprised by idea of Allen earning that honor.

“I’m shocked,” Riddick said.

The full segment on Allen can be found below:

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ESPN’s Louis Riddick: Bills’ Josh Allen will ‘rip people this year’

ESPN’s Louis Riddick: #Bills’ Josh Allen will ‘rip people this year’

ESPN NFL analyst Louis Riddick sees a big year awaiting Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

Referring to ESPN’s offseason quarterback rankings where an anonymous NFL source called Allen “overrated,” Riddick joined “One Bills Live,” and clapped back.

Calling the source’s thoughts “crap,” Riddick believes the NFL is going to see the wrath of Allen next season.

Riddick’s comments on Allen can be found in the clip below:

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ESPN ranks the Buffalo Bills highly for ‘long-term success’

ESPN ranks the #Bills highly for ‘long-term success’

The Bills are set up well for the long term.

This is according to an ESPN 2024 NFL Future Power Rankings: Projections for all 32 teams list of teams the sports media outlet deems built for the future.

Power rankings this time of the year in the NFL can be speculative, being that it’s the offseason, and those projections are often educated guesses towards the coming year’s campaign.

In the case of ESPN’s rankings, they’re looking farther out ahead to the future in terms of what team’s project to have sustainable success over an extended period of time, and the Bills are among those at the top of the list.

For this list, ESPN’s focus is long-term projection over the next three seasons (2024 through 2026) and the analysis is provided by Dan Graziano, Louis Riddick, and Aaron Schatz. The trio was asked to rate each team’s quarterback situation, the rest of each club’s non-QB roster makeup, as well as each franchise’s front office and coaching staff, using the following scale:

  • 100: A+ (elite)
  • 90: A (great)
  • 80: B (very good)
  • 70: C (average)
  • 60: D (very bad)
  • 50 and below: F (disastrous)

Once the results have been averaged, each of the four categories are weighted creating each team’s respective overall score: quarterback (20%), roster (30%), front office (25%) and coaching (25%).

The final outcome projects how well each team is positioned for the future, along with the three analysts reasons for optimism, reasons to worry, and crucial stats/nuggets to know for each club.

Here’s what ESPN had to say about the Bills, who they have ranked at third overall on the list behind only the Chiefs (1), and Ravens (2):

3. Buffalo Bills
Overall score: 89.5

ESPN’s Louis Riddick: Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘showed he can win’

ESPN’s Louis Riddick: #Bills’ Keon Coleman ‘showed he can win’

ESPN’s NFL analyst Louis Riddick doesn’t sound like he thinks that the Buffalo Bills are going to have a massive drop in wide receiver production this season.

After seeing the departures of Stefon Diggs via trade and Gabe Davis during free agency, Buffalo used their top selection at the 2024 NFL draft on Keon Coleman. While the team is insisting that Coleman is not a plug-and-play replacement for that duo, on paper, he is.

Riddick joined the team’s radio show and discussed Coleman’s ability to do so. Riddick thinks that the rookie will be able to, but not because of his football talent. Rather, Riddick thinks Coleman’s basketball prowess, having played at Michigan State briefly before transfering, helps him out there.

“He showed at Florida State he can win,” Riddick said.

Riddick’s full breakdown can be found in the One Bills Live clip below:

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ESPN analyst Louis Riddick with some clarity on Davante Adams to the New York Jets

Louis Riddick is done talking about Davante Adams to the Jets.

Leave it to Louis Riddick to have a sane moment in the otherwise whirlwind of discussions surrounding the possibility of Davante Adams moving to the New York Jets.

No matter that Adams’ base salary is nearly double the Jets available cap space…let’s talk Adams to be re-united with Rodgers, his former teammate.

And yes, it is newsworthy to talk about the possibility of Adams being a (possible) trade target of the Jets. Sure, when Aaron Rodgers or Breece Hall or Garrett Wilson are asked about the possibility of adding Adams, it is news.

And when Adams himself speaks about wanting to play with Rodgers again, it makes a ton of sense to cover it, right?

But for Riddick, it is all a bit too much. The former NFL safety and Philadelphia Eagles executive let off some steam on Wednesday when asked by ESPN host Mike Greenberg about the Adams to the Jets rumors.

“Why don’t they try and go out and get Trent Williams too? And maybe they should go out and try and get Lane Johnson too? Since why not? Why they don’t try and get everybody – ask every team can I have your best player? Can I get your best player? You know what? We spend so much time talking about – how about the quarterback just stays healthy? How about they just protect him? How about he just stays on the field for 17 games? How about they just do that?” Riddick said on ESPN.

“Greeny, I’m tired of your team to be honest with you, dude.  I’m tired of talking about your team man. I’m tired of talking about your team. They’re fine right now. They’re fine. Just let them play. Just let them play.

“I think they’re good enough right now to compete.”

 

By the end of more Davante Adams Jets fantasy talk, Louis Riddick had enough.

“Why don’t they just try to get everybody? Just ask every team, ‘Hey, can I have your best player?'”

“Greeny, I’m tired of your team to be honest with you.” pic.twitter.com/EqjGK4X4Dm

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Adams spent the first eight years of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers and as a teammate of Rodgers. The All-Pro wide receiver had 103 receptions for 1,144 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last year with the Raiders.

Daniels and Commanders are actually scaring others to death?

The Daniels talk is exciting, but it’s important to remember he’s still a rookie.

It’s that time of year again, and everyone’s favorite NFL team is going to be much better than they were in 2023.

All of the draft selections your team made in April have tremendous upside. Your fan base is busy projecting how good they are going to be in 2024.

I remember how George Allen was always acquiring a couple of new veterans every off season. “The future is now,” Allen would proclaim, firing up the fan base. The Redskins were going to be even better next year.

That was 50 years ago, and I’ve been watching this phenomenon ever since.

But this offseason, may take the cake regarding the Commanders.

Three weeks ago, ESPN’s Louis Riddick declared Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels was “going to take the town by storm.” After three weeks, Riddick has had more than enough time to calm down and become more realistic, right?

After the latest workouts Riddick talked of how the ball rarely hits the ground, Jayden Daniels is that good. Not to be outdone, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler last week exclaimed that others around the NFL are saying, ” I am kinda scared to death of what Washington could be with Jayden Daniels.”

But “Scared to death of Washington…” People, they were 4-13 last year, and Daniels is going to be so great in his rookie season. Are other NFL insiders already scared to death of Washington?

If Daniels and the Commanders are already scaring them to death, what is Washington’s record going to be this season? Scared to death? Does that mean 12-5?  13-4?

Excuse me, did you forget about the offensive tackles? How about the defense that was absolutely last in several categories last year? Noticed how Ron Rivera’s four first-round choices have performed?

Of course, Adam Peters and Dan Quinn have worked hard to improve the roster, and Daniels will make exciting plays, but do you remember great NFL quarterbacks like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen who struggled at times as rookies?

Have those guys forgotten Justin Herbert still hasn’t won a playoff game?

We here at Commanders Wire want very much for Daniels to have a productive rookie season, but lets’ have some realistic expectations, shall we?

How many Commanders were among the NFL leaders in officially licensed merchandise sales?

How many Commanders were among the NFL leaders in officially licensed merchandise sold?

The Washington Commanders weren’t marketable over the past few seasons. Whether it was the multiple name changes, fans hating the current jersey lineup, or the lack of a franchise quarterback, the Commanders weren’t at the top of NFLPA’s leaders in jersey sales.

That could change in 2024. Washington drafted quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall, and many fans have already ordered his jersey. If Daniels takes Washington by storm, which ESPN’s Louis Riddick said he would do, Daniels will be one of the NFL’s top jerseys sold around Christmas.

The NFLPA revealed the year-end top 50 list for all officially licensed NFL player merchandise. This doesn’t mean only jersey sales but all officially licensed merchandise of that player.

Two current Washington Commanders made the list — but only one played for Washington last season.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner, who played for the Seahawks, came in at No. 35. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin was No. 46. Could you imagine the merchandise McLaurin could sell if he had consistent quarterback play?

If the Commanders have a surprise season in 2024, multiple players could be on this list one year from now. Daniels is almost a certainty.

Louis Riddick predicts huge things for Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

Riddick thinks Daniels is going to take Washington by storm in 2024 and beyond.

ESPN’s Louis Riddick played in the NFL and spent several years working in NFL front offices, including Washington. Riddick is now one of the most respected voices in the media regarding the NFL.

Riddick is a big believer in Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. In a recent appearance on NFL Live, Riddick continued to heap praise on the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.

“It’s hard not to get super excited about Jayden Daniels,” Riddick said. “And I think everyone knows how I feel about him. He accepted the challenge at LSU, mastered it, and became the Heisman Trophy winner. He’s going to accept the challenge now, playing on a football team where 3/5 of the offensive line is going to be new. They have one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL in Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson is a playmaker in his own right, they drafted Ben Sinnott out of Kansas State, who’s a fantastic athlete at tight end and they got Austin Ekeler.”

Riddick then discussed what to expect this upcoming season.

“You’ve seen some of the clips that the Commanders have put out there, in terms of some of the throws that he has made during OTAs, and it’s spectacular,” he said. “And I’ve had correspondence with people down there who have said, ‘Look, very rarely does the ball hit the ground.’ He puts the ball exactly where it needs to be put. He can throw with touch, he can throw with velocity, he is a student of the game. And he is someone, most importantly, that the players will gravitate towards already. They want to be around him. They want to be accountable to him. They want to do better for him. That’s pretty damn cool. He is going to take that town by storm as everything else around him grows with him. I have 100% confidence in that.”

Washington’s coaching staff and front office clearly agree with Riddick. Can Daniels get off to the same fast start that Robert Griffin III did in 2012? If he can, the Commanders will be one of the NFL’s surprise teams in 2024.