Tag: NFC North

Bears sign ex-Lions long snapper Scott Daly

Bears sign ex-Lions long snapper Scott Daly to their practice squad a day after Detroit released Daly

Scott Daly was one of the veteran roster cuts by the Detroit Lions ahead of Tuesday’s 53-man roster deadline. It didn’t take long for Daly to find his next team.

Daly, the Lions regular long snapper for the past three seasons, quickly signed with the rival Chicago Bears. The 30-year-old Daly is a Chicago-area native and joined the Bears practice squad. He lost out in Detroit’s camp competition with undrafted rookie Hogan Hatten.

The Bears lost their own long snapper, Patrick Scales, to injured reserve. Daly is expected to be elevated from the practice squad in Week 1.

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Ravens OC Todd Monken should not take preseason struggles lightly

There has been a consistent problem within the Baltimore Ravens offense through all three preseason. OC Todd Monken must adjust.

NFL fans always revert to the “it’s just the preseason” moniker when their favorite team gets blasted during an exhibition game. However, we’ve seen the same consistent problem within the Baltimore Ravens offense throughout all three preseason games. These problems directly relate to offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s execution and scheme.

Firstly, minimum targets have been made towards rookie wide receiver Devontez Walker, who still tends to have an injury. Secondly, countless turnovers on offense indicate that not everyone is in sync throughout the depth chart.

Through 180 total minutes of preseason football, the Ravens failed to produce a game score higher than 17 points and have averaged just 11 first downs per game. Meanwhile, their opponents have averaged 21 first downs a game versus them.

 

Again, it is endlessly presumptuous to assume that the Ravens will be the same defensive powerhouse from a season ago with key losses on their depth chart. This means their offense will need to be sharp, and we’ve seen everything but sharpness from the reserves, which should be feeding off the leadership of NFL MVP Lamar Jackson and company.

Neither the Green Bay Packers nor the Ravens starters were participatory, so that excuse doesn’t fit as a scapegoat. Monken is responsible for establishing a competitive spirit on offense so the team can carry over into the regular season. So far, things have been a struggle.

NFC North watch: Vikings lose QB J.J. McCarthy to a knee injury

NFC North watch: Vikings lose QB J.J. McCarthy to a knee injury which will sideline their first-round rookie for some time

It’s been a rough week on the injury front for the Detroit Lions, with nearly a dozen players sidelined with various ailments. The Lions are not alone in fighting the injury bug around the league and within the NFC North division.

In Minnesota, the Vikings will be without its most prominent rookie to start the season. First-round pick quarterback J.J. McCarthy from Michigan will be idled for at least a few weeks with a knee injury. McCarthy sat out from practice on Monday with knee soreness, and additional testing revealed a torn meniscus.

The Vikings announced that McCarthy “will undergo a procedure for a torn meniscus in his right knee.”

Recovery times for a torn meniscus vary widely and are also dependent upon what type of procedure is performed. Week 1 is four weeks away, and that’s the bare minimum timeline from various medical resources for nonsurgical return to action. Even a minor surgical procedure could keep McCarthy out well into his rookie campaign, though that’s an unknown timeline at this point.

Veteran Sam Darnold figures to now be the unquestioned starting quarterback to start the regular season.

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NFC North watch: How the Lions division rivals fared in preseason openers

NFC North watch: How the Lions division rivals fared in preseason openers, including the rookie QBs and a rookie kicker who shined

The Detroit Lions slogged to a 14-3 preseason loss on Thursday night in soggy New York to the Giants. Playing almost no players who will see the field for meaningful reps in 2024, Detroit dropped the first exhibition game.

How did the rest of the Lions division, the NFC North, fare in its preseason week games?

Chicago Bears

The Bears slaughtered the Bills, 33-6, in Buffalo in what was Chicago’s second exhibition game; Chicago opened the preseason in the Hall of Fame Game a week earlier.

Rookie QB Caleb Williams played the first two drives for Chicago and led the Bears to two field goals, completing four of his seven passes. Former Lions RB D’Andre Swift managed just three yards on his one carry but did pull down a 42-yard catch-and-run reception. Chicago rested some starters on defense but had the projected first-team offense on the field for two drives.

The Bears defense took out some aggression on former teammate Mitchell Trubisky, who was one of three Buffalo QBs under constant pressure from the Chicago pass rush all night. Rookie EDGE Austin Booker bagged 2.5 sacks in his Bears debut.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay went into Cleveland and ran away with a 23-10 victory over the Browns on Saturday evening. The Packers ran out most of the starting lineup for the opening drive, and they didn’t get much work; Jordan Love hit Dontayvion Wicks for an easy 61-yard touchdown on the game’s third play.

The Packers had 11 different players register rushing attempts and receptions in the game, which devolved into a snoozefest with the deep reserves for both teams in after halftime.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings edged past the Las Vegas Raiders in what was the most closely contested game of the weekend. Rookie kicker Will Reichard drilled a 38-yard field goal as time expired to give Minnesota the home exhibition win.

First-round QB J.J. McCarthy played extensively for Minnesota and looked very good. The Michigan product completed 11 of his 17 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns, also throwing an interception. Both teams played most of their starters for the first few drives, though McCarthy technically isn’t the starter (yet) in Minnesota, with Sam Darnold still above him on the depth chart. The Raiders won the first half, 20-7.

NFC North watch: Vikings CB suffers torn ACL in first practice

Blackmon was being counted on as the Vikings No. 3 CB in his second season

Unfortunate injury news for a division rival of the Lions as Minnesota Vikings cornerback Mekhi Blackmon suffered a torn ACL during the team’s first day of practice Wednesday. Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the news.

Blackmon appeared in 15 games and started three as a rookie last season. Blackmon recorded 41 tackles (34 solo) and an interception with eight passes defended. The Vikings selected Blackmon in the third round of the 2023 draft out of USC.

This likely prompts the Vikings to be in the market for a cornerback for depth behind Byron Murphy and recently signed Shaq Griffin.

NFC North watch: Packers QB Jordan Love not practicing without new contract

Lions’ rival Packers’ Jordan Love not practicing without new contract

The Detroit Lions locked up their starting quarterback, Jared Goff, to a four-year contract extension worth $212 million with $170 million guaranteed. They have no quarterback contract concerns heading into training camp. One of their division rivals, however, does, at least to an extent.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love is opting not to practice until a new contract is worked out. One key note to keep in mind here is that this is not a full-blown holdout. Love reported to camp Sunday with the rest of the veterans and will take part in team meetings. He just won’t practice until his contract is taken care of. Love is entering a contract year after he signed a one-year extension last offseason that effectively acted as his fifth-year option, just much cheaper. Love is set to make just $10.5 million this season.

Via The Athletic:

“I feel we’re close,” Gutekunst said. Of Love’s practice absence, he added, “Not unexpected and we’ll work to get it done. Hopefully he won’t miss too much time.”

Green Bay did the deal as there were still questions about Love and if he was ready to take over for Aaron Rodgers. Love went on to become one of the best quarterbacks last season, arguably the best in the second half of the season and led the Packers to a playoff berth and a dominating road win over the No. 2 seed Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card Round.

Love now wants to be paid among the top quarterbacks after the market exploded again this offseason. Goff’s extension averages $53 million per year while Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence matched Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow with a $55 million average. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa are also waiting in the wings for a new deal.

A deal does seem imminent and this will all blow over quickly in Green Bay. Nonetheless, it’s an interesting note that Love is going to “hold out”.

Colin Cowherd gives his pre-training camp NFL standings predictions

Cowherd says the Commanders will be a playoff team.

Colin Cowherd announced Friday, “This is my pre-camp, before any injuries, pre-camp predictions.”

Here is the video for all of his comments, and below, we provide a short quote from Cowherd on each team as he predicted the standings.

AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills: “The Bills have won the division four straight years.”

Miami Dolphins: “Tua passed for 4600 yards last year.”

New York Jets: “Aaron Rodgers has taken four snaps in 559 days with the Jets.”

New England Patriots: “One of the worst rosters in the league.”

AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens: “Top-five offense, top-five defense.”

Cincinnati Bengals: “Last year, with Jake Browning, they had a winning record.”

Pittsburgh Steelers: “They can’t get their O-Line or OC figured out.”

Cleveland Browns: “Total question mark on Deshaun Watson.”

AFC WEST

Kansas City Chiefs: “Until further notice, won the division 8 straight times.”

Los Angeles Chargers: “Have limitations on the perimeter.”

Denver Broncos: “PFF says they have the worst roster in the league.”

Las Vegas Raiders: “Rookie coach and quarterback issues.”

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: “Strong draft, added Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon.”

Jacksonville Jaguars: “Trevor Lawrence’s best roster yet.”

Indianapolis Colts: “Question Anthony Richardson’s playing style and health.”

Tennessee Titans: “Questions at QB and their O-line is worse than Will Levis.”

* Wild Card Teams: Bengals, Chargers, Jaguars

NFC EAST

Philadelphia Eagles: “Easily the best roster in the division.”

Washington Commanders: “The surprise team in the NFL.”

Dallas Cowboys: “Overly dependent on Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb.”

New York Giants: “Just not good enough at quarterback.”

NFC NORTH

Detroit Lions: “Best offensive line in football.”

Green Bay Packers: “Best young offensive talent in the sport.”

Chicago Bears: “Can’t wait to watch them play, HC on the hot seat.”

Minnesota Vikings: “Best fourth-place team, love their offense.”

NFC WEST

Los Angeles Rams: “Back-to-back sensational drafts.”

San Francisco 49ers: “Good, but an old, expensive football team.”

Seattle Seahawks: “Gino Smith good enough to win games.”

Arizona Cardinals: “Just don’t think they compete with the rosters above them.”

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: “Second-best O-Line in football.”

Tampa Bay Bucs: “Baker is more than capable.”

Carolina Panthers: “Not very good.”

New Orleans Saints: “Don’t like their coaching situation at all.”

* Wild Card Teams: 49ers, Commanders, Packers

 

Ravens defensive backs may benefit from upcoming joint-practice vs. Packers

With Green Bay Packers QB Jordan Love ranked No. 2 in the NFL pass TD’s last year, joint practice may benefit the Baltimore Ravens DB’s.

Did you know Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love ranked No. 2 in pass touchdowns and No. 7 in passing yards last season? Perhaps the Baltimore Ravens will benefit by having their defensive backs run practice reps in Wisconsin next month.

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Keep a close eye on rookie defensive backs Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa in the upcoming joint practice with the Packers. The Packers’ wide receiving core includes Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, targets shown to be serviceable in head coach Matt LaFleur’s offense.

With the addition of running back Josh Jacobs, the Packers will be the perfect offense for the Ravens to test their defense versus play-action. 

Ravens inside linebacker Roquan Smith will be responsible for familiarizing the rookies with pre-snap identifiers and playcalling. With new intricacies to be introduced in defensive coordinator Zach Orr’s playbook, the rookies must prepare by studying film and getting many practice reps.

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The Ravens will get back to it when training camp begins Jul. 20. Orr knows that with the departure of a few key players on defense, the world will be watching to see how the team reinvigorates. 

NFC North: Vikings, Justin Jefferson agree to terms on blockbuster extension

Justin Jefferson’s contract extension with the Vikings has reset the WR market.

The Chicago Bears are quite familiar with the Minnesota Vikings, so they’re always keeping an eye on their NFC North rivals. That also means they must contain their best players if they want to win, which includes Minnesota star receiver Justin Jefferson.

Not only is Jefferson one of the best players on the Vikings, but he is also one of the best in the NFL. He is right there as the best wide receiver in the league. Now, he’s finally being paid as such.

After months of trade and extension rumors, Jefferson has officially agreed to terms on a contract extension with the Vikings, which makes him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.

It’s a four-year deal worth $140 million ($35 million per year) with $110 million guaranteed. It is a huge contract that will officially reset the market. Few players in the league deserve it more than Jefferson.

We’ve seen Minnesota develop some elite talent at the receiver position over the years but never keep them when it is time for them to get paid. Jefferson has now broken that mold.

He now has to be there to help develop rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, a first-round pick in 2024 after winning the National Championship with Michigan. He has a decently high ceiling but has a lot of work to do if he wants to become an impact player in the NFL. A receiver like Jefferson can help.

Overall, this was a great move made by both Jefferson and the Vikings. Staying loyal to each other is a nice story. As for the Bears, their defensive backs will prepare to face him for the foreseeable future.

‘Hard Knocks’ will feature the Chicago Bears

The regular summer edition of “Hard Knocks” will feature the Chicago Bears, a chance for Lions fans to get to know the enemy.

The seminal training camp documentary “Hard Knocks” is returning to the NFC North for the 2024 season. The training camp edition of the HBO series will feature the Chicago Bears.

Two summers ago, “Hard Knocks” offered an in-depth look behind the scenes at the Detroit Lions. It made stars of players like Malcolm Rodriguez and Aidan Hutchinson, but where the series really shone was in spotlighting the coaching staff and philosophical approach of head man Dan Campbell.

Now the Bears, with No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams and a fair amount of hype, will go under the documentary microscope. It should be a fun watch for Lions fans to get to know the divisional enemy and its offseason growth.

Earlier this month, the NFL and HBO announced that the New York Giants will be the subject of a new offseason version of “Hard Knocks,” which will debut on July 2.

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