Tag: mentor

Justyn Ross describes Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a mentor

Justyn Ross described veteran receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling as a mentor in comments to the media after #Chiefs practices on Wednesday. | from: @EdEastonJr

Players’ journies in the NFL vary widely depending on their status upon entering the league — from the highly touted collegiate stars to the less heralded breakout talents. The latter group’s path is often defined by their performances in training camp, where they have a chance to secure a spot on a regular-season roster to defy the odds and carve out a career in pro football.

The Kansas City Chiefs have a few notable players attempting to do just that at Missouri Western State University, where the team has been hard at work preparing for a champion defense in 2023.

Justyn Ross has been a standout in training camp and seems ahead of the curve in his effort to remain healthy and debut for the team in a preseason game. He spoke with reporters following Wednesday’s practice about the mentorship he’s getting from veteran wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling, which seems to be aiding in his development in St. Joseph.

“[Valdes-Scantling] has [made] a great impact. I look at MVS [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] as a big brother for sure,” Ross explained. “He’s always that guy that’s going to want you to finish [each] rep; he’s always going to want you to finish the catch and everything like that, so I look at MVS as a big brother for sure.”

During his successful career at Clemson, Ross was a starter and primary receiving option. He isn’t afraid of any challenge, and with Valdes-Scantling at his side to guide him into a breakout role in Andy Reid’s offense, it seems that Ross is carrying a head of steam into the Chiefs’ preseason, where he will seek to prove that he belongs on a Super Bowl-caliber roster.

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Chiefs WR Justin Watson says he always wanted to stay in Kansas City

Justin Watson told reporters about his desire to stay with the #Chiefs and his disinterest in signing anywhere else as a free agent. | from: @EdEastonJr

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive depth chart features many wide receivers that have yet to play many, if any, games in the NFL. The limited experience concerns some critics, but the Chiefs are confident in their game plan and the veterans on their roster to help educate the younger crowd that is still learning Andy Reid’s offensive system.

One such veteran is Justin Watson, who told reporters on Sunday that he had no interest in exploring free agency during the off-season. Watson, who re-signed for a second season in Kansas City back in April, spoke to the media Sunday’s practice, sharing his reasoning for not wanting to leave the Chiefs after buying into their culture.

“You know, secretly, I always knew that I was coming back here,” Watson explained. “You know, we [were] going back and forth on the numbers. But that’s why when you get into year six, and you’ve played in big-time football games and, once you experience Arrowhead and Chiefs Kingdom, you want to be a part of it.”

Watson finished last season with 15 catches for 315 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. He played a significant role on special teams and built solid chemistry with Patrick Mahomes on deep pass plays. He made it clear later in his comments that other franchises were interested in procuring his services for the upcoming year, but he had no intention of leaving.

“There [were] probably six or seven teams that were making real offers,” Watson said, “[I was] telling my agent, it was always ‘Well, let’s go back to the Chiefs. Let’s go back to the Chiefs.’ Because this is where I really wanted to be the whole time.”

Watson is a veteran alongside Marquez Valdes-Scantling and injured pass-catcher Kadarius Toney in the Chiefs’ receiving corps, a group that has been praised by head coach Andy Reid for their mentorship of younger players in training camp.

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George Karlaftis describes Chiefs legend Tamba Hali as his ‘mentor’

Karlaftis described #Chiefs legend Tamba Hali as his mentor when telling reporters about his preparation for the 2023 season after practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs have selected edge rushers in the first rounds of consecutive drafts and are committed to getting after opposing quarterbacks with extreme prejudice during the 2023 season.

One of the team’s most legendary pass rushers, Tamba Hali, has even stepped in to help Kansas City develop their newest crop of defensive ends, as second-year lineman George Karlaftis explained to reporters after Wednesday’s practice.

“Tamba [has] taught me a lot from a mental and physical perspective,” Karlaftis told the media. “Pass rushing, run stopping, the mentality. Just a lot. He’s a great friend and mentor.”

Hali’s continued presence with the Chiefs in his retirement should be a welcome sign for fans who remember the legendary seasons he put up with Justin Houston and Jared Allen in the 2000s and 2010s.

Now in the 2020s, it seems that Kansas City is keen to rejuvenate their defensive system with top-tier bookend pass rushers in Karlaftis and 2023 first-round pick Felix Anudike-Uzomah.

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WATCH: Ravens legend Ray Lewis had the time of his life at the 2023 Pro Bowl Games

Former Ravens inside linebacker Ray Lewis looked like a veteran coach during the 2023 Pro Bowl Games

Though the 2023 Pro Bowl Games featured a game of flag football instead of a full four-quarter event, passion ran high for the AFC’s defense which was led by Baltimore Ravens legendary inside linebacker Ray Lewis. The Hall of Famer served as the conference’s defensive coordinator, and gave it his all while having fun in the process.

Lewis was mic’d up on the sideline for the occasion and gave fans a great look at his competitive spirit with his enthusiasm and investment in the game that took place. He interacted with his players, joked around, and shared his love for the Ravens in the process.

Patrolling the sideline like a veteran coach, Lewis called plays for the AFC’s defense with a walkie-talkie, which made for some interesting shots of his involvement in the affair. Fabled rapper Snoop Dogg, an avid football fan and successful youth football coach, was the team captain for the AFC and accompanied Lewis on the field to comedic effect.

Watching Lewis instruct his squad in the friendly matchup, one could be forgiven for thinking that he might have aspirations of getting back into the NFL as an assistant coach. While that would be unlikely given that he seems content in his retirement, Lewis’ presence in Baltimore as a mentor for younger talent is well documented, and could possibly have a spot on the Ravens’ staff should he ever want one.

Why former Seahawks DE Cliff Avril would be good fit for coaching staff

Former Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril, now retired from the NFL, would be a great fit for Seattle as a member of the coaching staff.

There is no denying former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril has become one of the most dependable mentors around, but could he eventually take on a permanent coaching role with his former teams?

Avril joined Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton on Seattle Sports radio’s “Wyman & Bob” show and was asked just that.

“I would love to. For sure,” Avril said. “I would love to be a part of the organization. And my whole thing is, honestly, on the coaching side, being on the field would be great. I work with a lot of the young guys already, I work with the D-linemen already anyways. But I think it’s more along the lines of just having some veteran players that know what it looks like to be a pro.”

Avril spent five seasons with the Seahawks before officially retiring from the NFL in 2018 after he sustained a neck injury the prior season. He has remained a figure in Seattle sports ever since, including working as a part of the media as an on-air host for Sports Radio KJR.

“Sometimes coaches — and I’m not putting this on the Seahawks, I’m just saying in general in the NFL — sometimes when you look at the young player, he’s cheaper, all these different things,” Avril continued. “But if he doesn’t have a leader to help him understand what he’s getting himself into, his career ends up being shorter than it needs to be. So having some leadership, guys that have been in the locker room, guys that have been in the trenches that have seen the same plays that they’re seeing.

“I think there’s just a different level of respect that’ll come with that.”

You can listen to the complete interview with Avril here.

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Marvin Jones Jr. ready to take Quintez Cephus under his wing

Detroit Lions veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. is ready to take rookie receiver Quintez Cephus under his wing during training camp.

The Detroit Lions have a lot of depth at skill positions on offense and wide receiver is arguably the deepest of those positions. Lions veteran receiver Marvin Jones Jr. joined local media on Thursday, and he discussed his excitement over such a talented group of players.

“We’re definitely excited,” Jones said. “It’s going to be big, because (of) the people that we have. You look to the left, you look to the right, and we have ballers. That’s something that’s very exciting. An obviously, this is our second year in (offensive coordinator Darrell) Bevell’s offense, which we love. So, excitement is definitely up.”

One of those exciting players is rookie receiver Quintez Cephus and Jones has already gotten an up-close look at him.

“We got acquainted this offseason,” Jones said of Cephus. “He came up to the BZN training facility (Jones’ training area set up at his home in San Diego) and got some good work in.”

“He definitely has the tools,” Jones continued. “His strength. His explosiveness. Dude can jump out of the gym. So, it’ll be great to see him go once we start picking everything up (in training camp).”

Like with Kenny Golladay three years ago, Jones plans on taking Cephus under his wing during training camp to help the rookie further acclimate to the NFL.

“That’s what we do,” Jones said. “When you’ve been in the league for this long, and the type of people that we are, it’s always to help. Because if you help somebody, that’s just going to make the team better. Especially when you see potential in somebody. We saw that with Kenny (Golladay) – and you obviously know how that turned out.

“But it’s not just for one person, we do that for everybody, all rookies. We treat them all the same. We (tell them) stick with us and you’ll know the way. And the people who are motivated will do that. And we see that in him (Cephus) and we’re going to go out here in training camp and let the young man do what he does.”

The Lions have begun phase 2 of training camp and have been getting in some light fieldwork, are headed towards non-padded practices, and are likely to put the pads on as early as Monday.

Chiefs RB DeAndre Washington likens Clyde Edwards-Helaire to Josh Jacobs

Washington mentored Jacobs as a rookie with Oakland last season, now he’ll do the same with Edwards-Helaire in Kansas City.

Kansas City Chiefs RB DeAndre Washington finds himself in a familiar situation with his new team.

The Oakland Raiders spent pick No. 24 in the 2019 NFL Draft on Alabama RB Josh Jacobs. Washington was suddenly part of a rotation that featured Jacobs and included Jalen Richard. In 2020, after joining the Chiefs as a free agent, Kansas City drafted Clyde Edwards-Helaire at pick No. 32 in the draft. Once again, Washington finds himself in a situation where he looks to be part of a rotation. He didn’t fret, though. Washington knows that it’s a long season and his opportunity will come.

The situations are so similar that it’s a bit uncanny. Washington even likens the two young running backs to each other. He’s been advising Edwards-Helaire just as he did with Jacobs in 2019.

“[It’s] a pretty similar experience,” Washington began. “Both – I feel like they’re both great backs, great strengths to their game.  My experience with Josh (Jacobs) last year and like the same thing I told Clyde (Edwards-Helaire), it’s a long season, just take care of your body. Guys are going roll, guys are going to get reps and he doesn’t have to feel like he takes every rep or be the guy right now.”

As a rookie, Jacobs had 242 carries for 1,150 yards and seven touchdowns in 13 games started. He also caught 20 passes for 166 yards. A shoulder injury caused Jacobs to miss the last three games of the season. That’s when Washington had to step up for the Raiders.

Washington understands the angst of being a rookie. In his rookie season in 2016, he appeared in 14 games and started in two, rushing for 467 yards and two touchdowns. After working with Jacobs last season, he also knows how to be a supportive teammate to a blossoming star.

“I understand you’re coming in as a rookie, you’re hungry,” Washington continued. “I want him to shine. And Josh would get hot in the game, I would tell Josh to stay in the game, no reason to come out. I know we’re in a rotation, but you’re hot, stay in the game and keep it going. And I’ll keep that same energy with Clyde. Any game I give him, just from my experience, I’m definitely going to shoot it out to him and I’m looking forward see him shine.”

A supportive, yet competitive running back room in Kansas City will only help each of these players improve and be the best possible version of themselves during the 2020 season. Washington’s support to the rookie Edwards-Helaire is already defining the type of teammate and player that he’ll be with Chiefs.

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Courtland Sutton to help Broncos’ young WRs like Thomas and Sanders helped him

“You don’t understand everything, there are things that you need help and guidance on,” Courtland Sutton said of playing in the NFL.

When the Broncos drafted Courtland Sutton and DaeSean Hamilton in 2018, the team already had two star wide receivers in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. Despite knowing that Sutton and Hamilton would likely eventually take their roster spots, Thomas and Sanders served as mentors for the young receivers.

“DaeSean and I both came into a room where we had Demaryius and Emmanuel who were Pro Bowlers, Super Bowl-winning guys,” Sutton said on May 14. “We walked in there and it was like we must be sponges. These dudes have seen what we want to see and have done what we want to do. It would be crazy for us not to go in there and absorb that knowledge.”

Three years later, Sutton is now the experienced receiver in Denver’s wide receiver room and he will be tasked with helping mentor rookies Jerry Jeudy and KJ Hamler. He’s more than happy to take on that role.

“I think the roles have transformed in their own way to where DaeSean and I are looked at as the older guys in the room,” Sutton said. “It’s something that we take upon ourselves to want help ‘Coach Z’ [wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni] coach these guys because that’s what we got when we came into the room. We came into a room where Demaryius and Emmanuel were not afraid to give us guidance on the field, off the field, whatever it may be.

“Those guys didn’t hesitate to give us guidance to help us understand how we’re supposed to move around the league because you feel like you have an understanding. You think that everyone in their age no matter what it is — you feel like you understand everything. To be able to take a step back and understand that you don’t understand everything, there are things that you need help and guidance on, we had that when we came into that room.”

Sutton made the Pro Bowl as an alternate last season after catching 72 passes for 1,112 yards and six touchdowns. He hasn’t yet reached the level that Thomas and Sanders reached in their careers but he is ready to pass down the instruction that those receivers gave to him.

“Being able to give that back to the guys that are coming into the room now, it’s awesome to be able to be in a position where we had good leaders who showed us the way,” Sutton said.

“They gave us a blueprint to be able to pass this knowledge on and continue this trend so that our room can continue to grow and continue to get that respect around the league that we feel like we deserve from what we are capable of producing on the field.”

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High school football schedule: Top games of Week 15

Katy vs. North Shore and Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco are just two of the exciting high school football games on this week’s schedule.

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There are championships abound and playoff games to watch for, and the two most highly-anticipated rematches have rolled around: Mater Dei vs. St. John Bosco in California and Katy vs. North Shore in Texas.

See those and eight other high school football games to keep an eye on this week as the season nears its close.

For many teams, this will be the end of the season.

SUPER 25: National football rankings

Katy receiver Jordan Patrick (13) catches a pass along the sidelines and is tackled by North Shore defensive back Upton Stout (5) (Photo: Joe Buvid, Houston Chronicle Contributor)

MATCHUP

No. 7 Katy (Texas) (12-0)

vs.

No. 13 North Shore (Houston, Texas) (11-1)

When: 11/29, 5 p.m. ET

Tale of the Tape: The North Shore Mustangs started the season at the No. 2 spot in the Super 25. They dropped their first game of the season, a 24-21 loss to Katy. It was revenge from the Tigers, who fell to North Shore in the playoffs last year, a 49-38 game. Now, while this is just the regionals of the six-round Texas playoffs, this could be the best game of the entire gauntlet. If running back Ron Hoff is unable to go for Katy, the Tigers will have to find production from its running back position to counter North Shore’s Zach Evans. Maybe Jalen Davis can pick up where he left off last week – a 30 carry, 219-yard, two-touchdown performance.

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High school football schedule: Top games of Week 13

Some teams are in the playoffs. Others are in the championship game. Take a look at the top 15 high school football games of the week.

Some states are in the playoffs. Others are deciding champions.

This rendition of Top Games of the Week features 15 teams in win-or-go-home situations. One team has four straight championships on the line; another is set to play for its 11th in a row.

Take a look at the schedule of best games of the week.

RELATED: Super 25 National | Regional Rankings

Southlake Carroll wide receiver Wills Meyer (Photo: Cameron Been/Friday Night Glory)

MATCHUP

No. 18 Southlake Carroll (Texas) (11-0)

vs.

DeSoto (Texas) (9-2)

When: 11/22, 6:30 p.m. ET

Tale of the Tape: DeSoto may have been beaten twice this year, but both of those losses were one-point games. This team is just a couple breaks away from being undefeated. Southlake Carroll, though, is undefeated; the closest game was a 12-point win, and last week, the Dragons won by 78 points. They have been unstoppable behind sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers and freshman running back Owen Allen. It will take a big performance from some DeSoto player to keep up: maybe cornerback Jabbar Muhammad or Devyn Bobby, or perhaps an offensive weapon like leading wide receiver Lawrence Arnold. More likely, it’ll take a big performance from several Eagles.

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