Tag: NFL training camp

Photos of Georgia Bulldogs in NFL training camp

The top photos of former Georgia Bulldogs in the NFL during 2024 training camp

Every team in the NFL has begun training camp in preparation for the 2024 NFL season. There are currently over 60 Georgia Bulldogs in the NFL, so there’s a lot of Dawgs across the league.

The 2024 NFL preseason gets underway at 8:00 p.m. ET on Aug. 1 in the Hall of Fame Game. Preseason, which has been shortened to three games, offers an opportunity for players to prove themselves to their respective teams.

Several former Georgia Bulldogs, like quarterback Stetson Bennett, are trying to make rosters, which will be trimmed down substantially following the preseason. The NFL regular season begins on Sept. 5. Football is so close to being back.

Let’s take a look at some of the best photos of Georgia Bulldogs in NFL training camp including pictures of several of Georgia’s eight selections in the 2024 NFL draft.

New coaching staff having an impact on some young Commanders

Multiple former Washington draft picks already benefitting from coaching change.

When the Washington Commanders selected Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis with the No. 47 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, it was to replace Daron Payne. Payne had one year remaining on his rookie deal. However, Payne would go on to have a career year in 2022, earning a four-year extension that made him the second-highest-paid defensive tackle ever at that time.

Meanwhile, Mathis was injured in Week 1 and missed the remainder of his rookie season. He returned to the field in 2023, appearing in 10 games for the Commanders, recording eight tackles.

The Commanders fired Ron Rivera in January, meaning the man who brought Mathis to Washington was gone. You’d think that would make Mathis nervous, but instead, he looked at it as an opportunity.

Earlier this week, Mathis was scheduled to return to Ashburn from his native Louisiana for the start of training camp. However, a global IT outage canceled flights throughout the country, and Mathis was among those impacted. Instead of using it as an excuse, Mathis took it upon himself to rearrange his travel plans in order to be at camp on time.

That impressed head coach Dan Quinn.

“I’ve really been impressed by Phil,” Quinn said Thursday. “He is just somebody that’s not going to miss this opportunity. I’m sure you guys saw some of the flight stuff. He was going to have a hard time getting in on time, and he wasn’t having it.”

It may seem like a small thing, but it impressed Quinn and the coaching staff. The coaching hasn’t only reenergized stars like Terry McLaurin and Jonathan Allen but other young players looking to turn their careers around, like Mathis.

“I just had to get here on time,” he said, per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “I didn’t want to be late on the first day.”

A big reason for Mathis’ motivation is the new coaching staff.

“I just really feel like this is what a lot of guys needed, especially myself,” he said. “Just a new coaching staff that really just pushes us, man. I think they bring it all out of us. They make it exciting to be here every day. You can tell there’s a new standard around here.”

Washington’s players want to be coached. There’s a greater emphasis on teaching and technique at every position. Health aside, the coaching change could be what saves Mathis’ career in Washington. He’s not the only former Commanders’ draft pick trying to turn things around.

Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is off to a strong start in camp. The staff wanted Forbes to add weight in the offseason, which he did. Through the first few days of camp, Forbes has looked like a different player. There’s still a long way for him to go, but the new staff has already impacted him.

Others, such as Jamin Davis, Benjamin St-Juste, and Dyami Brown, are all looking to turn things around in 2024 and have all expressed excitement about playing for Quinn.

Perhaps, after all, Rivera’s draft picks may not look as bad with a more qualified staff coaching them.

Key fantasy football training camp battles to watch

Here are the most important training camp battles to follow for fantasy football.

All NFL teams have opened training camps, and fantasy football managers get to watch exciting positional battles play out over the coming weeks, helping us make properly informed draft decisions. Here’s a spin around the league’s most important competitions to keep an eye on.

LOOK: Former Wisconsin Badgers report to first day of NFL training camp

LOOK: Former Wisconsin Badgers report to first day of NFL training camp

NFL and Wisconsin Badgers fans got a first look at RB Braelon Allen and LB T.J. Watt as they reported to the first day of their respective NFL training camps this week.

Twenty-three squads, including Watt’s Pittsburgh Steelers and Allen’s New York Jets, kick-started their training camps on Wednesday. Other former Badgers, including Cincinnati’s Maema Njongmeta, Detroit’s Kevin Zeitler and Denver’s Matt Henningsen, also reported Tuesday.

Wednesday’s report to camp marked the conclusion of summer gridiron action and signals the first motion of the 2024 season.

After being selected with the No. 134 overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft, Allen will participate in his first training camp as an NFL athlete. The Wisconsin native will be 20 years old during the Jets’ entire 2024-25 campaign.

The talented running back departed campus at No. 9 on Wisconsin’s all-time leading rushing list with 3,494 yards. He punched in 35 touchdowns and averaged 99.8 yards per appearance during his three-year college career, and now figures to be New York’s second-string running back behind Breece Hall.

Watt, on the other hand, enters his eighth season with Pittsburgh. With six Pro Bowls, four first-team All-Pros and the 2021 AP Defensive Player of the Year under his belt, the Pewaukee, Wisconsin native is arguably the most feared defensive player in the NFL.

He is poised to continue to wreck havoc against opposing offenses during his 2024-25 slate.

Texans OC Bobby Slowik on WR Stefon Diggs: “He’s one of us”

Bobby Slowik already believes that Stefon Diggs is fitting right into the system with the rest of the Houston Texans receivers.

Not everything was perfect Saturday for C.J. Stroud during Day 3 of Houston Texans’ training camp at the Houston Methodist Training Center.

The former No. 2 overall pick threw his first pick of the summer after overshooting a wide-open Tank Dell.

He missed Nico Collins on a post pattern that on gamedays would have led to a punt.

The Texans’ projected starting offense struggled to close out the day while the defense feasted on miscues in the sweltering Texas heat.

Stroud missed more on Saturday than he plans to for the rest of the summer, but he didn’t miss Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs streaking across the middle of the field.

If that’s the most significant takeaway from Saturday’s offensive production, consider that a victory for the long-term.

“I just love his personality,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said following practice. “He’s extremely competitive, he’s got energy, he’s got juice. I’d never been around him prior to this and I think I speak for the entire offseason and the entire team that he just – he’s fun to be around.”

Acquired for a 2025 second-round pick from Buffalo, Diggs seems to be the missing piece of a “five-head monster” for an offense looking to elevate its status to Super Bowl contention this fall.

Fans have already seen the dynamics of Stroud’s relationship with Collins and Dell. They understand there’s an established connection between the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year and tight end Dalton Schultz.

But where does Diggs fit into the equation? Based on Saturday’s showcase, quite well and perhaps even better than expected.

“He’s somebody who loves the game and doesn’t cheat it and that’s why he’s been successful and I think he’ll continue that success,” Stroud said earlier this week.

While Stroud continues to dish the ball around to all his targets, Diggs consistently has found ways to get noticed. On Saturday, he was the go-to option, hauling in three passes and turning up-field for what would have been first-down gains.

One reception went for a gain of 15. Another went for 12. The first play, however, might have been Diggs’ best one of camp. After initially beating Derek Stingely Jr., the four-time Pro Bowler made a second move on the third-year defensive back and broke free across the middle.

He then juked a pair of defenders for a 30-yard gain, placing Houston’s offense at midfield.

“He wants to help teach young guys. He wants to be a leader,” Slowik said. “He also wants other guys in the room, when they have something for him, to coach him and to teach him and get something from Nico, get something from Tank.”

Since arriving in April, Diggs and Stroud have been working away from the facility. The two worked out with Dell and John Metchie III in Los Angeles shortly after he was traded.

They later worked out in France during fashion week and again at the University of Miami’s indoor complex before reporting to camp.

Diggs has been the model of consistency since his days in Minnesota. He has six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons dating back to 2018. The All-Pro also has caught at least 103 passes per season since 2020, including a league-leading 127 during his first season with the Bills.

During his four seasons in Buffalo, Diggs led the NFL in total receptions with 445 and posted 37 career touchdowns.

The Texans have ample offensive talent outside, but Diggs is the proven commodity. Three months into his new adventure, Diggs already feels like part of the crew.

“That’s the number one thing that jumps out to me. He’s one of us,” Slowik said. “He’s a competitor, he loves football and he’s been a great dude.”

Patrick Queen better be ready to tackle Ravens RB Derrick Henry

Pittsburgh Steelers LB Patrick Queen better be prepared for a head-on collision with Baltimore Ravens HB Derrick Henry this season.

After the sarcasm and slights in the media, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen better be prepared for a head-on collision with Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry.

Sure, Queen might not like seafood, but he definitely won’t like the task of having to chase MVP quarterback  Lamar Jackson and Henry around for 60 minutes. To add insult to injury, Queen will additionally have to guard speed running back Justice Hill or match up versus arguably the best TE Duo in the NFL on passing downs.


Perhaps Queen isn’t processing the fact that the Ravens ranked No. 1 in rush yards per game last season. This may greatly compromise the time of possession luxury previously afforded to him. With the QB situation not yet settled in Pittsburgh, Queen may be spending more snaps on the field gasping for air instead of on the sideline enjoying comfortable leads. 

Ultimately, whatever Queen delights in nutritionally, or atmospherically, he better be prepared to deal with the very physical Henry this upcoming season.

Commanders reveal full 2024 training camp schedule

The Commanders revealed their full training camp schedule including how many dates are open to fans.

The Washington Commanders will open training camp next month, with the rookies scheduled to report on Thursday, July 18, and the rest of the team due in Ashburn on Tuesday, July 23.

With the opening dates revealed, the Commanders released their full training camp schedule, including the number of dates fans can attend in Ashburn.

Here’s the full schedule courtesy of commanders.com:

  • July 28
  • July 29
  • August 2
  • August 4
  • August 6

Season ticket members with select membership types can attend two additional practices on July 30 and August. All practices will begin at 9:00 a.m. and are subject to change.

Fans can claim their free training camp tickets beginning on Thursday, June 20 at 11 a.m. by visiting commanders.com/trainingcamp.

Here are the events the team will hold at training camp:

  • Back Together Weekend: The team will kick off Training Camp by taking part in the NFL’s annual “Back Together Weekend” celebration on Sunday, July 28. There will be a series of activations suitable for families, including a Commanders Kids Zone, Washington Legends meet and greets, appearance by Major Tuddy, giveaways, and much more!
  • Military Appreciation Day: Washington Salute, the Official Military Appreciation Club of the Washington Commanders, will host a few hundred local military members, veterans, and their families for a practice experience with players and coaches and a special recognition for service to our nation on Monday, July 29. This year’s Military Appreciation Day is presented by USAA, official salute to service partner of the Washington Commanders.
  • Kids Day: On Sunday, August 4, the Washington Commanders Foundation “Kids Zone” presented by Pepsi will host Youth Football teams from across DC, Maryland, and Virginia as part of Kids Day.

Last year was the first year the team had bleachers installed for training camp, and it went over well with fans.

Ravens TE Isaiah Likely should see more snaps in 2024

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely may be the x-factor for the offense in 2024.

Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely may be the x-factor for the offense in 2024.

Likely plays behind All-pro tight end Mark Andrews on the team depth chart but has a big-play ability that cannot be overstated. Considering this, should the Ravens frequent more two tight-end sets on offense this season?

With running back Derrick Henry acquired, offensive coordinator Todd Monken may deploy the usage of more play-action and 12 personnel.

Andrews missed eight games due to injury last season and Likely was excellent in his absence. With Monken already aiming to get Henry 300-plus carries this season, it would be sensible to use two tight-end sets that include Likely.

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Likely made 30 receptions on 40 targets last year and played all 17 games. Likely deserves credit for his run blocking on an offense that ranked No. 1 in the NFL In rush yards per game.

Ultimately, Andrews and Likely should spend more time on the field as a tandem and not separately. 12 personnel would create play-action opportunities and assure physical run-blocking for quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Henry.

Big changes coming for the NFL offseason

The NFL is looking to lengthen training camp and make all other offseason workouts voluntary.

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, the NFL is proposing some significant changes to how the league will handle OTAs and training camps as early as next offseason.

End of OTAs? The NFL Players Association is working to finalize a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as soon as 2025, eliminating voluntary on-field work in the spring in favor of a longer training camp ramp-up, with players reporting in mid-June to early July, per sources.

The proposal would mean everything team-related prior to training camp would be voluntary but the start of training camp would be adjusted to start in some cases a couple of weeks sooner.

One big benefit of this for players would be in contract negotiations. Often times players will sit out mandatory workouts during contract negotiations but this would give them multiple weeks in the spring and early summer to work on those negotiations with less concern about repercussions.

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