Tag: potential

Chiefs LB Nick Bolton on Chiefs’ boundless defensive potential

#Chiefs LB Nick Bolton told reporters about the boundless potential of Kansas City’s defense during comments to reporters.

The Kansas City Chiefs would not be set to compete in a second-consecutive Super Bowl without the stellar performance of their defense throughout the season.

Star linebacker Nick Bolton is one of the key players on Kansas City’s defense, and he has always felt that the unit had great potential, even back in the 2023 offseason.

While speaking with the media on Thursday, Bolton told reporters about the high expectations he had for the Chiefs defense, and when he noticed that it could be one of the NFL’s top units.

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“In training camp, I mentioned that we had the opportunity to be a top defense,” Bolton explained. “I meant that. I could tell from the guys and how we were able to recall from last year, adding new guys to the system, and how fast they were able to pick up stuff.

“We have the core guys that played last year. I think the experience and building where we left off from last year, everyone is a year older and a little more comfortable playing around each other. I feel like that helped us get to where we are now.”

Kansas City’s defense has overperformed all season and is widely regarded as one of the league’s best units despite being one of the youngest in the NFL.

Examining a potential trade for Mike Evans by the Texans

Could Mike Evans be a potential trade target for the #Texans heading into the regular season?

Last week, news broke that Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans had set a hard deadline with the organization regarding his future status. The recently turned 30-year-old wide receiver has had nine consecutive 1000-yard seasons with Tampa in addition to four Pro Bowl appearances and contributing to the 2021 Super Bowl team. However, the organization has been reluctant to extend the aging wideout in their post-Tom Brady era while they face one of the worst financial situations in the league.

Unsurprisingly, Evans feels quite differently. He’s set a deadline of September 9th for Tampa Bay to arrive at a contract extension or that his camp will shift their attention to his next team. Evans’ contract is set to expire at the end of the 2023 season and the Buccaneers would find it quite expensive to exercise the franchise tag, meaning that September 9th could ultimately signal the end of his time with the organization after this year.

Why does it matter? In a rebuilding year for Tampa Bay, featuring Baker Mayfield starting at quarterback, many are left to wonder if Evans makes sense as a logical trade candidate before the Buccaneers lose his services for nothing in the spring.

Could the Houston Texans make sense as a candidate to bring Evans back to the state where he dominated as a college football player at Texas A&M? There are multiple angles worth looking at.

Making a case for Marquez Valdes-Scantling as Chiefs’ WR1 in 2023

Our @LazarczykLogan continues his four-part series with a look at Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s potential to be the #Chiefs’ No. 1 receiver in 2023.

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Kansas City Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling is entering his second season with the team after signing a multi-year contract last year. Although he is entering year two in the Chiefs’ system, Valdes-Scantling is the longest-tenured NFL veteran in the receiver room.

When discussing options for the top wide receiver in Kansas City, Valdes-Scantling doesn’t get enough credit. We already know the type of player he is at this point in his career, yet it’s not impossible that the 28-year-old wideout could wind up as the top receiver for Mahomes in 2023. There are many unknowns with the other players in the room and Valdes-Scantling can be a constant at the very least.

Before arriving in Kansas City, Valdes-Scantling was primarily used as a field stretcher in Green Bay. With the Chiefs, he was asked to be more effective in the intermediate parts of the field while still being used to exploit defenses down the field at times.

Valdes-Scantling failed to surpass 700 yards in 2022 and only caught two touchdowns on 42 receptions. Stacking his production against others in the room will reveal that he’s the only receiver on the roster with more than 570 yards receiving in a given season.

If there were another piece of evidence to prove that Valdes-Scantling could be the leader in the receiving room, it would have to be the AFC title game against Cincinnati. Albeit, Kansas City was without Justin Watson going into the contest, Travis Kelce was dealing with a back injury that almost kept him sidelined, and Juju Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, and Toney all left the game with injuries. Nonetheless, Valdes-Scantling was instrumental in the win, catching six passes for 116 yards and one touchdown.

The 6-foot-4, 206-pound receiver has the lowest ceiling among the top receiving options in this offense in 2023, but he also possesses the safest floor.

Part 1 Kadarius Toney
Part 2 Skyy Moore
Part 3 Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Part 4 Rashee Rice

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Teammates, coaches excited for Shaquem Griffin’s bigger role in defense

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin was praised by his teammates and coaches ahead of Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Shaquem Griffin got the green light in the team’s 27-24 victory against the San Francisco 49ers. He only played 14 defensive snaps, but defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. had a great deal of praise and saw major potential in him going forward.

“When the opportunities arise, that you have to really step up,” Norton told reporters Wednesday. “Griff really, he’s always shown his ability. If you watch his college tape, that’s what he did mainly, was a guy coming off the edge, having a lot of spark, doing a lot of spins. Lot of juice. So, we’re excited about where he can go with this.”

Veteran Seahawk and fellow linebacker Bobby Wagner appreciates Griffin’s ability to get to the quarterback.

“When we watched him practice, it was amazing,” Wagner said Wednesday. “His get-off, his turn, the way he was getting to the quarterback. Then, after that, when you don’t get to the quarterback, the quarterback throws the ball [away]. If you guys watch the film, him coming out of his stack and trying to make a play 10 yards downfield. You notice his energy, you notice his effort, and I feel like he’s been growing and growing.”

With Jadeveon Clowney being a game-time decision for Sunday and the rest of the Seahawks pass rush struggling, Griffin could see significant time against the Eagles. Clowney himself raved about Griffin as well.

“He does everything. I don’t ever put it past him that he can’t do anything now,” Clowney said. “He showed me so much. When he’s over there, I don’t even worry. He’s going to take care of his own. Even with one hand, he still goes out there and does his thing. I’m a big supporter and a big fan of his since I’ve been here.”

Fans may soon see if Griffin can be a significant contributor in a crucial game against Philadelphia.

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