Kansas City #Chiefs Justin Reid and Drue Tranquill featured in ‘NFL Films Presents: The Game of Chess’ | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to make their mark with activities and competitions that match their success on the field. The team is featured in a new NFL project that challenged veteran defensive players with strategy in a classic game.
Chiefs defensive starters Justin Reid and Drue Tranquill are featured in ‘NFL Films Presents: The Game of Chess.’ Narrated by retired wide receiver and three-time BlitzChamps participant Larry Fitzgerald. Head Coach Andy Reid makes a cameo commenting on his players’ chess mastery in the documentary.
Reid became a chess champion after winning BlitzChamps III. In the grand final of an eight-player double-elimination bracket, he defeated Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray 2-0. Tranquill won BlitzChamps II, and the film explains the annual event as a chess tournament series in which NFL players compete against each other to see who is the best on the chessboard.
What Marcus Mariota said to Jayden Daniels before the game-winning touchdown.
Although Marcus Mariota has only played two games for the Washington Commanders this season, his importance cannot be measured by the number of touchdown passes or the snaps he takes. Upon signing with Washington, the veteran understood his role was to mentor rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
This season, Daniels has often spoken about Mariota and what his presence has meant to him. Head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury have said similar things about Mariota.
During Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Falcons, Mariota stepped on the field to offer some encouraging words to Daniels. It was overtime, and Daniels carried his team into the red zone with several runs. Just before Mariota spoke to Daniels, the rookie took a hard hit just short of the goal line before a timeout.
That’s when Mariota walked onto the field to meet Daniels. When play resumed, Daniels found Zach Ertz for a touchdown and the Washington win.
After the game, reporters asked Daniels what Mariota said to him.
“Stand up, catch your air, get your wind, and go out there and execute,” Daniels said Mariota told him. “Use your God-given abilities, and let’s win this game.”
On Tuesday, audio of Mariota’s words to Daniels was revealed, as NFL Films had Daniels mic’d up during the game.
“Stand up, get your air,” Mariota said. “Stand up and get your air. Hey, use your God-given ability. Go win us the game.”
“Stand up, get your air… use your god-given ability. Go win us the game.”
Marcus Mariota’s words to Jayden Daniels before the OT game-winner 🙏
It was almost word-for-word what Daniels said Mariota told him.
When head coach Dan Quinn preaches brotherhood, he exactly means this. The veteran leader saw the young quarterback gassed and approached him, offering some encouraging words.
There was some mystery on how Mariota’s time with Atlanta ended two years ago. Some believed he quit on the team, but even former Falcons coach Arthur Smith said that’s not what happened. In his first season with the Commanders, Mariota has shown his value as a veteran presence.
In week 13, the Ravens were defeated 24-19 by the Philadelphia Eagles, and the loss came in cinematic fashion. Quarterback Lamar Jackson missed a few open pass targets, and kicker Justin Tucker missed two crucial field goals.
However, Philadelphia Eagles nickel-back Cooper DeJean did not miss when he blasted running back Derrick Henry in the fourth quarter.
Football coaches are going to tell their players, “I want you to watch Cooper DeJean tackle Derrick Henry.”
Harbaugh is still always unbothered, comes up short, and gives fans the most empty rebuttals and explanations. NFL Films may have positioned themselves to make a masterpiece of the Ravens’ season, especially with the teams’ pending rematches with the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 5 and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Dec. 21.
The Ravens have lost to both the Browns and Steelers this season, but an opportunity to play them at home down the stretch might give them some momentum and favor.
Harbaugh needs to be the hero in 2024. The Steelers are pulling away with the division, and fans have rekindled angst from Harbaugh’s shortcomings in the most recent AFC Championship.
“They were an unwatchful offensive product…25th in points per game, 24th in yards per game, 29th in turnovers, 28th in the red zone, it was bad.”
“They threw more than any team; they ran less than any team.”
“The O-Line 65 sacks taken, tied for 30th; their tackles were rough as Charles Leno and Andrew Wylie gave up ten sacks each.”
“Terry McLaurin is a star waiting for a quarterback.”
“Washington’s offense may not have sparkled; Washington’s defense was worse.”
“The offense will have seven new faces starting for it this season. with just as many changes for the defense.”
“Washington’s pass defense was probably the easiest to pass on.”
“Checking the last box on the defense, Washington didn’t defend the run well, either.”
“(Clelin) Ferrell’s track record makes it hard to assume anything with him.”
“Their secondary probably carries the biggest question mark outside of the quarterback spot.”
“A 6.5 over/under (wins total) does indicate improvement. They only play one team that has a lower over/under (Carolina Panthers 5.5). The Giants are their equal, so give them a home win there. They get the Tennessee Titans at home, and their preseason expectations are similar.”
“Their schedule, plus a rookie quarterback, is why their floor is a 3-14.”
“But if you look at their year from the glass-half-full perspective, all the changes make this an 8-win type team maybe.”
Could Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton possibly be the best safety in the entire NFL?
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton began turning heads last season, and his acclaim is well deserved. Could Hamilton possibly be the best safety in the entire NFL?
The Ravens tallied an NFL record 60 sacks last season, with Hamilton contributing three to that total. It’s relatively easy to pass-defend when the opposing quarterback can’t even get a pass attempt off.
Nevertheless, Hamilton still recorded four interceptions and 13 pass deflections, alongside 63 solo tackles, in 15 games played.
The NFL’s best tight ends at the strong safety position often challenge Hamilton. This scenario was when he matched up with Kansas City tight end Travis Kelce in the AFC Championship. Though Kelce got the better of Hamilton in the game, things may be different in the future.
At just 23, Hamilton has yet to reach his pinnacle, and with consecutive seasons of NFL-level strength and conditioning, he is likely to bulk up.
With enough speed to keep up with anyone and sure tackling ability, Hamilton is undoubtedly among the best safeties in the NFL.
Jalen Guyton runs a 4.39, and Kyle Hamilton, who supposedly runs 4.59 at 220 pounds, easily runs with him in coverage.
Some excellent insight here as Cosell goes in-depth on Daniels.
No one watches more NFL tape than Greg Cosell. The longtime NFL Films producer created the “NFL Matchup” show over 30 years ago, which has remained football’s premier Xs & Os show. The only complaint is it’s not long enough.
Cosell is a popular guest on the podcast and radio circuit and co-hosts a podcast with Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.
Cosell recently joined the “John Keim Report” podcast, where he talked exclusively about the Washington Commanders. He also extensively covered rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.
What does Cosell think of Daniels? First of all, he really likes him.
“He’s not just a runner; obviously, he’s incredibly dynamic, but I think as he’s played more, he’s a pocket quarterback,” Cosell said. “He leaves the pocket when, for the most part, it’s a last resort.”
The NFL has changed over the years with quarterback style, but being able to throw consistently from the pocket remains one of the most important traits for any successful NFL passer.
Remember, one criticism of Daniels ahead of the 2024 NFL draft was that he didn’t throw to the middle of the field enough. Analysts praised his deep ball but believed others, like Drake Maye, did a better job throwing between the numbers.
Cosell sees no issues here.
“For the most part, he lets the system work,” Cosell continued. “I thought one of the things that really stood out this year from his LSU tape was his willingness to work through the progressions and make progression-read throws. And particularly make throws in the middle of the field between the numbers. Which for a lot of quarterbacks coming from college to the NFL, John, and you know this, is an issue because the hash marks are closer. And sometimes it seems to young quarterbacks like there are 15 defenders on the field when they have to make throws in the middle of the field because it’s tighter. In college, you don’t necessarily have that issue because the hash marks are wider, and the defense has to stretch horizontally to deal with that, and therefore the middle is often wide open.”
What about his arm strength?
“He doesn’t have a power arm, but he can certainly make all the throws,” he said. “I just thought there was a calmness and a poise, composure to his game. He played effectively and efficiently from the pocket. And he made the kinds of throws you see in NFL games. He wasn’t one of those guys that built up his numbers throwing tunnel screens.”
Cosell doesn’t buy that Daniels became a top prospect because of his 2023 season. He started looking at him as a potentially elite prospect last summer based on his 2022 tape. Cosell also noted how good Daniels was as a true freshman at Arizona State, and he has continued to improve.
Another criticism of Daniels was that he threw to elite receivers at LSU. As we’ve stated before with Joe Burrow, that was a foolish criticism. Cosell used the same comparison.
There was a lot more in this conversation that we’d encourage you to check out, with more on Daniels and some good stuff on offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
You can watch the entire segment below.
Cosell’s opinion carries a lot of weight. He’s seen it all over the years and he studies every player — every throw. He views Daniels as a complete quarterback who can run.
Malik Nabers will be a part of NFL Films “Hey Rookie” series
Former LSU wide receiver [autotag]Malik Nabers[/autotag] will be getting some extra attention as he prepares for the NFL draft.
Nabers was announced as a member of NFL Films’ 2024 “Hey Rookie” class.
According to the NFL, “Hey Rookie” is an “annual series following several top college players as they prepare for their NFL future. An intense real-life mystery, culminating in a sensational reveal: backstage at the draft as each player learns his fate.”
Nabers will be joined by Penn State’s Chop Robinson, Alabama’s Terrion Arnold, and UCLA’s Laiatu Latu. All four are projected to be first-round picks later this month, but Nabers is considered the group’s top prospect.
Nabers finished his LSU career as the Tigers’ all-time leading receiver in catches and yards. He led college football with 34 receptions for 20+ yards in 2023.
His stock continues to rise, with some suggesting he could be the best receiver in the draft. That says a lot given he’s sharing the class with Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr.
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#Chiefs assistant coach Porter Ellett was featured in a clip from NFL Films for his role in Kansas City’s Super Bowl LVIII victory.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ spectacular 2023 season ended with a Super Bowl LVIII victory against the San Francisco 49ers, due in no small part to the exceptional efforts of the team’s coaching staff.
One recognizable figure on Kansas City’s sideline last season was assistant running back coach Porter Ellett, who is affectionately known as Andy Reid’s left-hand man.
Ellett has been with the Chiefs since 2017 and was featured by NFL Films for his role in Kansas City’s latest Super Bowl run.
.@Chiefs Assistant RBs coach Porter Ellett has never let disability slow him down.
He's always been Andy Reid's left-hand man, and now he's a 3-time Super Bowl champion 🙏 pic.twitter.com/wZXwSTLsE2
While assistant coaches rarely steal the spotlight, Ellett’s steady presence with the Chiefs made for an intriguing story and warranted a closer look.
It takes a concerted effort by every part of a team’s organization to achieve the success that Kansas City has found in recent seasons, and insights like the ones NFL Films gave fans with this video serve to illustrate the group effort that lifted the Chiefs to their latest championship.
The Broncos, Bears and Saints can’t say no if the NFL asks them to be featured on ‘Hard Knocks’ this summer.
Each summer, NFL Films cameras follow a team through training camp and preseason for Hard Knocks, HBO’s behind-the-scenes look at an NFL team.
Any team can volunteer for the show, but they rarely do, so the NFL has a mandate that teams that meet certain requirements can be forced into the show.
If a team (1) does not have a new head coach, (2) has not made the playoffs within the last three years and (3) has not been featured on Hard Knocks within the last 10 years, they can’t say no if asked to be featured on the show.
The Denver Broncos are one of three teams that match all of those criteria, joining the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. If they stick with Derek Carr, the Saints seem to be the least intriguing option. The Bears might be the top choice if they use the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft on a quarterback. The Broncos might have a new rookie QB this summer as well.
The NFL announced the 2023 Hard Knocks team (the New York Jets) last July. Two years ago, the 2022 team (the Detroit Lions) was announced in March. It’s unclear when the 2024 team will be announced.
There was no way Josh Allen was going to be denied on this touchdown against the Chiefs in Week 14.
The Bills took a 14-0 lead on the Chiefs when quarterback Josh Allen carried the ball in. It was a much different looking rushing score from the QB than we’re accustom to seeing.
Allen needed help. He bull rushed the defensive front of the Chiefs. When he needed help, his offensive line pushed him from behind into the end zone.
As it turns out, NFL Films was on the Bills sideline after Allen broke the goal line. When heading back to his teammates, Allen had a pretty good line he was yelling out.
