Tag: Nate Burleson

One NFL analyst wants Chase Young on the cover of Madden NFL 22

EA Sports released a hype video on Monday teasing the next cover athlete for the Madden NFL 22 video game. 

EA Sports released a hype video on Monday teasing the next cover athlete for the Madden NFL 22 video game.

In the video, two goats are busting through barn doors with former Madden NFL 12 cover athlete Peyton Hillis, talking on the phone, petting the goats.

This led to much speculation over social media regarding the goats. Could Tom Brady be one of the goats (G.O.A.T.)? What about Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, or Aaron Donald?

On the Tuesday edition of “Good Morning Football,” each host was asked which athlete they would like to see on the cover of Madden NFL 22. Nate Burleson made it clear he would like to see Washington star defensive end, Chase Young on the cover.

Let’s go with a guy who was dominant — and I mean dominant — in his rookie season. Every time he was on the field, it seemed like he was making a big play. His personality is bigger than life; his muscles are just as big.

Each of the four hosts picked their preferred cover athlete, and GMFB displayed a graphic with each choice.

Young looks pretty good on that cover.

While Burleson admitted that Young being on the cover of this year’s Madden might be a stretch, perhaps he could be on the cover of Madden 23 or Madden 24.

Burleson talked about how EA Sports will often select the league MVP or Super Bowl MVP for the cover, which makes sense. But, he also noted how sometimes they choose a guy for the future.

“But then occasionally, Madden will select a guy who is the future of the game. That’s why I believe Chase Young should don the cover of Madden,” Burleson said.

In the past, only two solo defensive players have graced the cover of Madden: Richard Sherman and Ray Lewis. On Madden NFL 10, Troy Polamalu shared the cover with Larry Fitzgerald.

Young may not be on this year’s Madden cover, but it’s clear Washington now has a player who could eventually grace the cover of the popular video game for the first time in franchise history.

 

 

 

Watch: Nate Burleson on Jaylen Waddle’s perfect fit with Dolphins

Watch: Nate Burleson on Jaylen Waddle’s perfect fit with Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins’ selection of Jaylen Waddle with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft brings the team’s offense an exciting level of explosiveness that we haven’t seen from the Dolphins in quite some time. And, when paired with speedy WR Will Fuller V, the Dolphins should be expecting plenty more chunk plays than they enjoyed in 2021. The icing on the cake for this selection is, of course, the previous relationship between Waddle and the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.

Tagovailoa and Waddle overlapped for two seasons in Miami, producing a total of 78 receptions for 1,408 receiving yards and 13 receiving touchdowns over the course of 2018 and 2019. Despite the presence of three other 1st-round wide receivers (Denver’s Jerry Jeudy, Las Vegas’ Henry Ruggs III and Philadelphia’s DeVonta Smith), the chemistry between the pair was real — and ‘Good Morning Football’ analyst and former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson put that chemistry under the microscope in a recent segment of “The Bur-Lesson”.

Burleson goes on to spotlight Waddle’s ability to create after the catch, his vertical receiving skills, Tagovailoa’s trust and timing on the deeper routes and also Waddle’s toughness to attack the football in traffic.

Whether or not Miami chooses to take advantage of Waddle’s special teams ability is yet to be determined — but if they do, that will tap into another dynamic of the Waddle choice that would add even more impact to his role with the team. Waddle returned three combined punts and kickoffs for touchdown over his two years of play with Tagovailoa on the roster — making him a threat in any capacity he can touch the football, too.

The challenge with implementing Waddle on special teams is if the increased exposure is worth the risk of injury. Waddle’s significant leg injury suffered in 2020 against the Tennessee Volunteers came on the opening kickoff.

The good news is that even if Miami opts to play someone else back to return kicks and punts, Waddle’s previous relationship and play with Tagovailoa gives him a leg up in creating an impact — as Burleson points out. And with so many different ways and phases that Waddle is capable of impacting a game plan, the big question for Miami will be how to best get their top choice in the 2021 NFL Draft started. With Will Fuller V serving a 1-game suspension to open the season, Miami will likely have plenty of reps on his plate ready to go.

Nate Burleson: Giants got one of draft’s biggest steals with Kadarius Toney

Nate Burleson believes the New York Giants got the biggest first-round steal with Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney.

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When the New York Giants traded back in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL draft and then used the 20th overall pick on wide receiver Kadarius Toney, there was some immediate skepticism.

Some believed the Giants had reached for Toney, while others criticized general manager Dave Gettleman for making a “panic move.” But retired NFL wideout and current NFL analyst, Nate Burleson, is not one of those people.

In fact, Burleson had been pounding the drum for Toney even prior to the NFL draft. So when the Florida receiver ultimately landed with the Giants, Burleson was first up to call it a steal.

After that draft had concluded, Burleson took is a step further, claiming Toney was the biggest steal of the entire first round.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLfTXsNC_TA

“New York landed a major steal at pick No. 20,” Burleson said. “You can literally use [Toney] everywhere — outside, inside, backfield and you can use him on special teams. . . You guys got a playmaker that fits your system.”

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer certainly agrees with Burleson’s take, admitting over the weekend that losing out on Toney to the Giants broke the organization’s heart.

“I’ve gotten to know him over the last couple weeks and obviously my connection with [Gators] coach [Dan] Mullen and those guys,” Meyer told ESPN. “You watch [Toney] play, he’s a human highlight reel.”

No, the Giants did not land Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith, but Toney, a 2022 first-round pick and a 2022 fourth-round pick is the better overall haul.

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Nate Burleson discusses what Marvin Jones Jr. brings to the table for Jags

The former NFL wideout said Marvin Jones will be a big-time upgrade for Jacksonville, both with his on-field play and off-field leadership.

Though Jacksonville likely isn’t done adding to its receiver corps this offseason, it made a major signing when it brought veteran wideout Marvin Jones Jr. in from Detroit. Coming off a nine-touchdown 2020 season that saw him fall just 22 yards short of 1,000 yards, the Jags believe the 31-year-old still has a lot of high-level football left in him.

One person who’s very high on that signing is NFL Network analyst and “Good Morning Football’ co-host Nate Burleson, who played 11 seasons as a receiver in the NFL. He said that the experience Jones brings to the table is invaluable, though the team already has a top option in D.J. Chark.

“You have a guy who can come in right away and show you how to be a consistent wide receiver,” Burleson said. “Now, D.J. Chark is a beast. That dude is a No. 1 wideout on any team. So let’s not act like he’s just going to come in and play second fiddle.

“But what else you get with Marvin Jones is you get the other side of what being a professional athlete is, and that’s understanding the ins and outs of being a pro. How to take care of your body, how to take care of your diet, how to balance and multitask, show up and be an absolute professional while being a grown man and handling your business off the field.”

Coming from a franchise in Detroit that has also struggled in recent years, Burleson said Jones would be an important locker room resource during tough times. For the Jaguars, who are expected to improve in 2021 but are still coming off a 1-15 season, that’s good news, as struggles could be plentiful in Year 1 under coach Urban Meyer.

“He’s seen the highs and the lows, he’s been considered one of the best wide receivers but has also been on a team that wasn’t winning,” Burleson said. “So having a guy in the locker room that can speak to you when the tough times come, that goes a long way.”

With a young quarterback, running back and receiving corps, leadership from a veteran like Jones could be huge for the Jaguars. Though his production likely won’t surpass that of Chark, he gives Jacksonville and Lawrence a lot more options in the passing game.

Nate Burleson warns NFL fans to keep an eye on Jags in 2021

If the Jags have a solid 2021 NFL Draft roundup, Nate Burleson believes they could be a respectable team that takes some by surprise.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars, even though most national writers don’t see them winning more than six games. The reason for that excitement, of course, is because they will be spending the No. 1 pick on Trevor Lawrence. However, he won’t be the only player they will have to hit on to make a postseason push as they will need to knock the draft out of the park,

Aside from quarterback, there is a variety of needs that need to be addressed by the Jags. They need a tight end early in the draft, could use another defensive lineman in the trenches, and a safety, too. Luckily, for Urban Meyer and Co., there will be nine more picks for the Jags to build with after taking Lawrence, and if they hit on most of them, “Good Morning Football'” co-host Nate Burleson believes they can be a dangerous team.

Check out what he had to say Monday morning.

Burleson isn’t wrong. Many fans league-wide look at the Jags’ 1-15 season and believe that they are further away from contending than they might be. Sure, the team is nowhere near on the same level as the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Bucs, or Baltimore Ravens, but they also should’ve won more than a game in 2020.  In fact, they lost five games by four points or less, and in one of those games, they even took the Green Bay Packers to the limit.

Additionally, Lawrence will be walking into a situation where the offense does have weapons in James Robinson, Laviska Shenault Jr., DJ Chark Jr., and Collin Johnson. If the line can be serviceable, that’s more than enough for Lawrence to make some noise with.

Of course, the big question mark will be the defense, who gave up 400 yards or more various times. This may be where the Jags may want to focus a majority of their 10 picks on.

The team named Joe Cullen their new defensive coordinator this season, and he’ll be a key to the Jags having a chance to go from 1-15 to the postseason. If he can develop the Jags’ young defense as he saw his fellow assistants do in Baltimore, the Jags could shock many in 2021 as they did in 2017, or at the least, hit the six-win mark.

Virtual Radio Row: Good Morning Football’s Nate Burleson talks Mahomes vs. Brady

SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon connects with Good Morning Football’s Nate Burleson on USA TODAY’s ‘virtual’ radio row.

SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon connects with Good Morning Football’s Nate Burleson on USA TODAY’s ‘virtual’ radio row.

Barry Sanders, Nate Burleson discuss Lions trade for Jared Goff

SportsPulse: Barry Sanders and Nate Burleson break down what Jared Goff can bring to their former team and what he needs to do to succeed.

SportsPulse: Barry Sanders and Nate Burleson break down what Jared Goff can bring to their former team and what he needs to do to succeed.

Did Nickelodeon just change how we watch football?

Could the NFL keep some of the ingenious graphics used by the children’s television station, Nickelodeon?

This afternoons NFL Wildcard game that featured the New Orlean Saints and Chicago Bears broke a barrier of sorts due to their broadcast on Nickelodeon. It was the first of what I expect to be many of, a potential game-changing event for the future of football games on television.

Their broadcast team consisted of four members: former NFL star Nate Burleson, Noah Eagle (son of megabroadcaster Ian) and Nickelodeon star Gabrielle Neveah Green in the booth with Nick star Lex Lumpkin on the sidelines. It wasn’t about this, although it was interesting to hear child stars making their NFL debuts. The game changing aspect was how the children’s station showed some of their graphics.

This was probably the most important one of them all, giving the NFL plenty of marketing ideas for their future games. Keep in mind that previously the NFL has had advertisements on the netting during field goals, but nothing like what Nick did. Imagine the NFL changing out Sponge Bob for a beer sponsor.

At the end of the day, the NFL’s bottom line is about making money and this surely planted at least a semblance of an idea in their heads. That wasn’t all Nick did, the slimezone was a unique added function as well.

We might have just seen history today with this broadcast. Not just in the NFL but at the collegiate level as well. Hat’s off the Nickelodeon and their ingenuity for bringing these elements to an NFL game.

Nate Burleson names Darius Slayton as an under-the-radar player

Nate Burleson of Good Morning Football has named New York Giants WR Darius Slayton an under-the-radar player in 2020.

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The impressive and somewhat surprising rookie season of wide receiver Darius Slayton put him on the map last year for the New York Giants. As Slayton enters his sophomore season, he hopes to have an even bigger impact despite the challenges of the offseason due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good Morning Football’s Nate Burleson picked the Giants’ second-year receiver as his under-the-radar player of the 2020 season.

“He might not be familiar to you, but Darius Slayton went off,” Burleson said. “Last year when there were so many things going on with this offense — Daniel Jones trying to get his footing, wide receivers being banged up, Golden Tate was suspended — Darius Slayton came in and led the Giants with in receiving yards with 740.

“You know who led the NFL rookie wide receivers in touchdowns? A.J. Brown. Do you know who tied him? Darius Slayton with eight TDs. The dude was everywhere, and he did this in a year that had so many question marks. Now you have a quarterback that is the man for the future and has a rhythm with you. I want to tell you guys this. It might not be crazy to think that this dude ends up being the number one wide receiver for Daniel Jones this season.”

In Monday night’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, it will be the first time that Slayton’s fellow 2019 draftee, Daniel Jones, will have his full cast of weapons.

Slayton’s rookie numbers were certainly impressive and the Giants hope that the best is yet to come from the Auburn product.

The connection (which Burleson pinpointed) between the two 2019 draft picks (Jones and Slayton) is one the Giants hope can develop and flourish for years to come.

In a crowded offense that includes Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram, Sterling Shepard, Golden Tate and Dion Lewis, it may be hard for Slayton to truly breakout in 2020 if the Giants spread the ball. However, Jones and Slayton have a clear chemistry, so that may play into Slayton’s favor.

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Nate Burleson thinks there’s a legit QB battle brewing for Patriots

There could be a quarterback competition brewing in New England.

With Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham taking center stage in the New England Patriots quarterback competition, many analysts are wondering what these two will bring to the table. Newton is a veteran who has competed at a high level. Stidham is a second-year quarterback who is ready to prove himself.

The combination of those two scenarios should make for an interesting training camp in Foxboro. On Good Morning Football Monday, Nate Burleson noted how surprised he was that it took New England as long as it did to bring in a quarterback like Newton. Burleson also made note of the fact that Stidham knows the system and playbook and is ready for his chance.

This is just one of the many storylines the New England Patriots have heading into the 2020 season. In a season unlike any other, this one should provide intrigue in particular for players and fans alike.

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