Tag: OTAs

Ryan Fitzpatrick makes Washington debut at OTAs

For the first time since signing with the Washington Football Team in March, we finally saw Ryan Fitzpatrick in the Burgundy & Gold.

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For the first time since signing with the Washington Football Team in March, we finally saw Ryan Fitzpatrick in the Burgundy & Gold. Sure, it was just practice, as Washington kicked off its first OTA, but the journeyman quarterback was on the field for the first time with his new teammates.

Fitzpatrick had some nice moments in his first practice, but it was about getting on the same page with his receivers for the veteran passer.

After practice, Fitzpatrick met with the media and described his first on-field work with Washington.

“The air was crisp today; that was something,” Fitzpatrick said to reporters. “I didn’t walk out into the sweltering heat, that was a nice change-up, and I know it’s coming. I woke up, saw some deer in the backyard. It was almost out of a Disney movie or something.”

Fitzpatrick spent the past four years of his career in Florida.

Fitzpatrick also described his new group of receivers.

I mean, it is super early in the process, I completed my first pass to Terry (McLaurin) today. Completed my first pass to Curtis (Samuel). Open dialogue, get to have some experiences with these guys. My expectations on certain routes, certain coverages, and listen to them, have an open dialogue with them.

It didn’t take long for Fitzpatrick and McLaurin to link up on the field.

Fitzpatrick was also spotted discussing specific routes with starting tight end, Logan Thomas.

You can’t read too much into the first OTA practice. However, for Washington, it was a big day with 86 of 91 players participating in the voluntary OTAs. But, most importantly, it had its quarterback on hand, already getting a head start on the 2021 season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AVAg4g0hwM

 

Watch highlights from Day 1 of Falcons OTAs

The third phase of the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason has begun with organized team activities kicking off on Monday.

The third phase of the Atlanta Falcons’ offseason has begun with organized team activities kicking off on Monday. While these meetings aren’t mandatory, this is where you start to see the team coming together as the season approaches. The Falcons OTAs will continue for 10 days and conclude with mandatory minicamp from June 8-10.

This is the first time we get to see players in live-action drills, such as 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 (if there is no live contact occurring).

Here’s a video clip of Atlanta’s first day of organized training activities, as shared by the team’s Twitter account. Check out rookie pass-catchers Kyle Pitts and Frank Darby, along with veteran tight end Hayden Hurst catching passes from QB Matt Ryan. Plus, rookie CB Avery Williams got to field some punts.

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Ten players not in attendance at Packers’ OTAs on Tuesday

Among the 10 absences were five wide receivers missing OTAs on Tuesday.

Five wide receivers were among the 10 players that weren’t with the Green Bay Packers during OTAs on Tuesday.

Receivers Davante Adams, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Allen Lazard, Equanimeous St. Brown and Devin Funchess did not attend the voluntary offseason workout session. They were joined by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, left tackle David Bakhtiari and cornerbacks Jaire Alexander, Ka’dar Hollman and Stanford Samuels.

Quarterback Blake Bortles was in attendance but did not participate.

Overall, 79 of the 89 players on the roster were at OTAs in some capacity, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.

Adams, Valdes-Scantling, Lazard and St. Brown handled most of the snaps at receiver for the Packers last season, but coach Matt LaFleur did not believe it was a coordinated effort by the wide receivers to miss OTAs. The absences created more opportunities for rookie Amari Rodgers and the handful of other receivers on the roster, including Malik Taylor, Reggie Begelton and Juwann Winfree, three holdovers from last season.

It’s unclear why the five receivers weren’t available at OTAs, although it’s not hard to guess.

Adams, a first-team All-Pro in 2020, is entering the final year of his current contract. So are Valdes-Scantling, Lazard and Funchess, likely providing the individual incentives to miss OTAs and avoid a potentially significant injury. It’s possible Adams won’t show up for any of the offseason program unless he agrees to a new deal.

Funchess, who missed 15 games with injury during the 2019 season and opted out of the 2020 season, still hasn’t been on the field with the Packers.

Without Rodgers or Bortles, second-year quarterback Jordan Love and former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kurt Benkert handled all of the snaps at quarterback during the session.

LaFleur said the Packers are “progressing” Bortles through the transition process and are expecting him to participate at some point during the offseason workout program.

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Chargers WR Keenan Allen talks new offense, impressions of Brandon Staley

Find out what Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen thinks of the new coaching staff.

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is set to play under his third offensive coordinator since entering the league back in 2013.

At Monday’s media availability, Allen talked about OC Joe Lombardi’s offense, saying that it is very similar to the one they used last year, but with different terminology and not as strict, adding that he feels that’ll allow them to be able to play more freely.

Lombardi is a Saints HC Sean Payton disciple who leaned heavily on the pass when he was the offensive coordinator in with the Lions. The plan is to mesh some of the concepts learned in New Orleans and what worked for Herbert in college and his rookie season.

Allen also had high praise for his new head coach, Brandon Staley.

“I feel like we have a great staff,” Allen said. “I feel good about Coach Staley. I feel like he’s smart and he knows the game well. I love the way he talks. He talks with passion, energy and confidence. I’m excited.”

Allen, who’s entering Year 9, will be a key piece of the new offense. He will look to surpass 1,000 receiving yards after falling eight yards shy from achieving the feat for the fourth-straight season in 2020.

Chargers WR Keenan Allen talks new offense, impressions of Brandon Staley

Find out what Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen thinks of the new coaching staff.

Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen is set to play under his third offensive coordinator since entering the league back in 2013.

At Monday’s media availability, Allen talked about OC Joe Lombardi’s offense, saying that it is very similar to the one they used last year, but with different terminology and not as strict, adding that he feels that’ll allow them to be able to play more freely.

Lombardi is a Saints HC Sean Payton disciple who leaned heavily on the pass when he was the offensive coordinator in with the Lions. The plan is to mesh some of the concepts learned in New Orleans and what worked for Herbert in college and his rookie season.

Allen also had high praise for his new head coach, Brandon Staley.

“I feel like we have a great staff,” Allen said. “I feel good about Coach Staley. I feel like he’s smart and he knows the game well. I love the way he talks. He talks with passion, energy and confidence. I’m excited.”

Allen, who’s entering Year 9, will be a key piece of the new offense. He will look to surpass 1,000 receiving yards after falling eight yards shy from achieving the feat for the fourth-straight season in 2020.

HC Brandon Staley talks what he wants Chargers to accomplish at OTAs

The Los Angeles Chargers returned to the practice field on Monday. Find out what the sessions will look like.

The Chargers returned to the field, as the team kicked off their organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday.

This is the first time since the summer of 2019 that the team is on the practice field because the offseason of last year was done virtually due to COVID-19 putting everything to a halt.

For the next nine days, Los Angeles is allowed to do on-field drills, including 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills. However, any form of contact is not permitted.

Head coach Brandon Staley made it clear that safety and ensuring that no one gets hurt are the main priorities, which is why they won’t be doing any competitive drills during OTAs.

Even though the sessions are all walk-throughs, Staley wants to create that same game-like mental intensity without doing anything physical.

On Monday, Staley said the Chargers were able to run 65 plays over two 20-minute 11-on-11 periods, as well as two special teams periods.

What we really wanted to do was create our standard for the offseason moving forward. The big thing from a sports science/sports performance standpoint is, all of our individual periods … that’s going to be full speed. But we are not going to have any competitive one-on-ones in this camp. We’re not going to have any competitive 11-on-11, it’s all going to be walkthrough.

What we’re trying to do is create a game-like environment from a mental standpoint, where our guys can learn what to do, how to do it, (and) why it’s important. We can have great tempo before the snap, but then after the snap, there isn’t that pace that exists when you put shoulder pads and helmets on. That was a big goal of ours. We worked as a coaching staff extensively with our leadership council, and we really feel this is the model moving forward that’s going to best-fit the Chargers.

Chase Young, Montez Sweat among those absent from Washington’s OTAs

The Washington Football Team began the next phase of offseason workouts this week with excellent attendance. More than 80 players reported

The Washington Football Team began the next phase of offseason workouts this week with excellent attendance. More than 80 players reported for OTAs this week.

On Tuesday morning, the media was allowed at Washington’s OTAs and noticed those players who were absent. Among them were defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat, newly-signed offensive tackle Charles Leno and wide receiver Steven Sims.

Now, remember, these workouts/practices are strictly voluntary. Head coach Ron Rivera has previously reiterated these OTAs were voluntary, but he still expected a large number of his team to attend. However, for those who choose not to attend, the team will not hold it against them in any way.

Leno is absent as his wife recently gave birth to the couple’s second child.

Ben Standig of The Athletic reported that Young and Sweat are both expected to be in Ashburn at different points during the voluntary OTAs.

It is unclear why Sims is absent. However, he was present during Phase 1 of the offseason program, per John Keim of ESPN.

 

 

More than 80 players present as Washington begins next phase of offseason program

As several NFL players released statements about skipping offseason programs this offseason, Washington Football Team head Ron Rivera

As several NFL players released statements about skipping offseason programs over the last few months, Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera was confident most of his players would attend the voluntary offseason workouts.

Well, as the next phase of Washington’s offseason kicked off on Monday, Rivera was right as more than 80 players attended. Washington will begin on-field work on Tuesday, per John Keim of ESPN.

This is huge for Rivera. As more and more players are opting out of the voluntary portion of the offseason, Washington gets close to perfect attendance. That speaks volumes about how these players believe in Rivera and his coaching staff.

In these OTAs, players and coaches can have in-person meetings, and up to 10 practices are allowed. However, there is no live contact allowed. Instead, teams can do 7×7 and 11×11 drills.

This is important for Rivera. Last season, he didn’t get any time with his players in his first season as coach. Everything was virtual. So, for Washington to have this type of turnout for OTAs is a win for the coaching staff.

Sure, championships aren’t won in the offseason or in OTAs, but this is an important time for players and coaches.

News: Julio Jones slams Cowboys rumor, Dak Prescott makes return

Also in Cowboys news, Jabril Cox contract details and defensive preview, Randy White remembers, and is Ezekiel Elliott the most overpaid?

Falcons wideout Julio Jones being photographed wearing Cowboys gear caused a bit of a minor stir, prompting whispers that maybe he was being traded to- or at least lobbying for a trade to- Dallas. But a Monday phone call from Shannon Sharpe of Fox Sports 1 all but registered on the Richter scale around the league. In the span of 90 seconds, Jones not only confirmed that he wants out of Atlanta, but he also dismissed the Cowboys as losers, and stated for the record that he has no interest in wearing the star.

The Cowboys nevertheless added to the wide receiver room before the day was over, providing yet another pass-catching target for Dak Prescott, who made his first appearance in a helmet and game-speed action since last October’s injury. The quarterback looks to build on his return with Tuesday’s OTA session. Contract details have been revealed for linebacker Jabril Cox, who could be the key to fixing the team’s woeful pass defense. Ezekiel Elliott is part of one of the NFL’s best rushing duos, even as one outlet pegs him as grossly overpaid. Amari Cooper could be on the verge of something big, and Cowboys legend Randy White sits down with his college alma mater. That’s all ahead in the News and Notes.

Check out photos, videos from Chargers’ first day of OTAs

The Los Angeles Chargers hit the field as a team for the first time since January.

The Chargers are back in action, as Monday marked the first day of organized team activities (OTAs). The team was able to run drills without pads or contact.

This marked the first time that head coach Brandon Staley and the rest of the new coaching staff all came together on the field with all the players, returning and the fresh faces.

To get a feel of what went down at Hoag Performance Center in Costa Mesa, CA, here’s a compilation of photos, courtesy of USA Today Sports’ Kirby Lee, and various videos from media members.

Receiver Tyron Johnson (83)

Outside linebackers coach Jay Rodgers

Receiver Jalen Guyton (15) and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell (20)

Receiver Josh Palmer (5)
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi
KJ Hill Jr. (84) and John Hurst (80)
Tackles Brenden Jaimes (64) and Rashawn Slater (70)
Tight ends coach Kevin Koger (left) with tight end Stephen Anderson (82)
Offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett
Cornerback John Brannon (38)
Linebackers coach Michael Wilhoite (left) with tight end Tre’ McKitty (88)
Quarterback Justin Herbert (10)
President of football operations John Spanos
Tight ends coach Kevin Koger with tight ends Stephen Anderson (82) and Donald Parham Jr. (89)
Receiver KJ Hill (84)
Quarterback Easton Stick (2)