Tag: Practice

Patrick Mahomes talks importance of preparation ahead of Super Bowl LVIII

Patrick Mahomes told reporters about the importance of preparation ahead of the #Chiefs’ matchup against the #49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to compete in a second-consecutive Super Bowl, and their third in the last four seasons.

After going through the process of preparing for the championship game so many times throughout his career, quarterback Patrick Mahomes understands the importance of dialing in his strategy ahead of Kansas City’s matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

While speaking to the media on Thursday, Mahomes explained the significance of understanding Andy Reid’s entire game plan.

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“We’re pretty locked in this — I mean both weeks, but you’re really locked in this week,” Mahomes said. “You want to make sure you get the whole game plan in, get all your questions asked and answered so next week when you’re reviewing you can just go into the fine details that you might not have the chance to do in the regular game week. I’ll have that mindset all through practice. I’ll make sure the guys have the same mindset.”

The Chiefs will have their hands full against a stacked 49ers team that possesses hall-of-fame talent throughout the roster. Kansas City’s coaching staff and players must have everything organized if they want to defend their Super Bowl title and claim yet another Lombardi Trophy.

6 prospects who dominated Senior Bowl Week on offense

Some prospects shined more than others at Senior Bowl practices this week. Here are our six standouts on offense:

The road to the 2024 NFL draft isn’t as long as it looks like — before we know it, the New Orleans Saints will be on the clock. And the first big milestone on this journey is in Mobile, Ala., which hosts the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Teams will be watching how some of the top draft-eligible players across the country perform as they compete against each other in practices leading up to the all-star game.

Prospects took the field for three times this week and made their cases to impress scouts. Here are six of the best offensive players of this past week:

Notes and observations from 2024 Senior Bowl American Team practice Day 2

Notes and observations from Day 2 at the 2024 Senior Bowl: American Team looks to impress

The road to the 2024 NFL draft isn’t as long as it looks like — before we know it, the New Orleans Saints will be on the clock. And the first big milestone on this journey is in Mobile, Ala., which hosts the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Teams will be watching how some of the top draft-eligible players across the country perform as they compete against each other in practices leading up to the all-star game.

Prospects took the field for a second time as units on Wednesday. Here is our notebook for the second day from the American Team practices:

Notes and observations from Day 1 2024 Senior Bowl practices

Notes and observations from Day 1 2024 Senior Bowl practices: Battles between the offensive and defensive lines impress right away

With the 2024 NFL draft on the horizon, the NFL world has gathered in Mobile, Ala. this week for the 2024 Reese’s Senior Bowl. Teams will be watching how some of the top draft-eligible players across the country perform as they compete against each other in practices leading up to the all-star game.

The first day of practices are always interesting. Players and coaches are just getting to know each other, so it’s more of a light practice. Here is our notebook for the day from both the National and American Team practices:

Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo: Chris Oladokun is portraying Lamar Jackson at practice

Kansas City #Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo says Chris Oladokun is portraying #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson at practice.

The Kansas City Chiefs are one victory away from returning to the Super Bowl and a chance at winning back-to-back titles. The effort from everyone on the roster is essential to the team’s success, and it stretches well beyond the active players we see on game days.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo knows the importance of slowing down Baltimore Ravens star Lamar Jackson in the AFC Championship game.

On Thursday, he spoke with the media about working with Chiefs third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun as he is performing on the scout team against the defense, trying to replicate Jackson’s actions.

“He did it yesterday for us,” Spagnuolo explained. “I will say we’re fortunate that we have Chris (Oladokun). He did it last week for us. He was Josh Allen, and Blaine (Gabbert) did a little bit of it too, but you can’t simulate it.

“Even in practice, because you’re not tackling anybody, see, not finishing on a guy. But there are some things that we have talked about in how we should practice to prepare for him. And I think Chris gives us as good a look as we’re gonna get during the course of a practice week.”

Oladokun has spent the season as the Chiefs’ emergency option, primarily relegated to work on the practice squad. He showed well in preseason to earn a spot on the practice squad, and he continues to be a significant help in practice for Spagnuolo’s defense.

Jackson will likely be named league MVP after his incredible regular season. The efforts in practice from Oladokun will hopefully prove to be helpful in the tall task Kansas City’s defense faces on Sunday.

Steelers QB Kenny Pickett working with the 2nd team on Wednesday

Kenny Pickett is working his way back quickly.

On Tuesday, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett was working out as he continued to rehab his surgically repaired ankle. He was doing it with the fourth team behind Mason Rudolph, Mitch Trubisky and Trace McSorley.

But on Wednesday, Pickett had worked his way up the depth chart in a hurry during the portion of workouts the media are allowed to attend and was running with the second team behind Rudolph.

Pickett has missed the last two starts with a high ankle sprain that he opted for surgery on to speed up recovery. Mitch Trubisky started the last two games but found himself being benched late last week and was replaced in the starting lineup by Mason Rudolph if Pickett can’t come back this week.

Tomlin didn’t rule Pickett out for Saturday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals. In his Wednesday press conference, head coach Mike Tomlin said Pickett had a good day of work on Wednesday and Thursday would be big for him going forward ahead of Saturday’s game against the Bengals.

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Notre Dame incoming freshman quarterback already practicing with team

Early, early enrollee.

Incoming freshman quarterback CJ Carr hasn’t even signed his national letter of intent yet but he’s already practicing at Notre Dame.

That’s because a new rule allows early entrees to practice for bowl games with their squads.  Carr, a four-star quarterback from Saline, Mich. has taken advantage of exactly that and the early returns are positive.

“Today he was slinging the ball around,” Marcus Freeman told the media Saturday. “He’s going to be a great player.”

Carr is of course the grandson of former Michigan head football coach Lloyd Carr.  Carr was one of Notre Dame’s first commitments in the 2024 recruiting class and helped played recruiter for over the past calendar year.

“It’s just good to have him here in that comfort,” Freeman said. “As you move into winter and you move into spring ball, he’s not starting Ground Zero. He knows what the expectations are. He’ll know where to go. He’ll be able to help those guys that are coming in January figure it out.”

The early signing period officially opens on December 20 as Carr and several other recruiting prospects will make their pledges to Notre Dame official.

Chiefs LB Nick Bolton returned to practice Wednesday as a full participant

#Chiefs LB Nick Bolton returned to practice on Wednesday as a full participant

The injuries are stacking up for many teams around the NFL, and the Kansas City Chiefs are no exception. The recent loss to the Green Bay Packers yielded multiple injuries, especially on defense, but help might be quickly on its way.

Chiefs starting middle linebacker Nick Bolton has been out of action for weeks due to a wrist injury. He returned to practice on Wednesday as a full participant for the first time since the injury. Chris Jones shared his appreciation and excitement for Bolton’s progress during his pre-practice press conference.

“I’m excited to have my linebacker back,” said Jones, “That’s my linebacker man. So excited to have him back. I know he makes a huge difference for this defense, its leadership, its play calling, and its adjustments to the game. He does a tremendous job for us as a leader. ”

There is still no official word on whether Bolton will play this Sunday, but his return to full-time practice duties is a promising sign. Drue Tranquill continues to be in concussion protocol, adding more of a need for Bolton’s presence during the game.

Dennis Allen says concussion is the only thing holding back Derek Carr

Derek Carr is recovering well from shoulder and rib injuries suffered against the Lions, but his concussion could keep him out of Week 14.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr left Sunday’s game due to injury. After the game, it was reported he was dealing with a concussion along with injuries to his shoulder and ribs. The rib injury is new.

Carr suffered a concussion and an AC joint sprain to his throwing shoulder, however, when he left the Saints’ Week 3 loss versus the Green Bay Packers. That shoulder issue was aggravated a few weeks back when he was hurt in their game with the Minnesota Vikings, but Dennis Allen said it checked out upon further evaluation.

Allen shared an update on Carr’s health Wednesday, saying he felt “Pretty good” about Carr’s injured shoulder and rib. The concussion is the only thing that could stop Carr from playing on Sunday.

Unlike the rib and shoulder injuries, concussions aren’t about pain management. The protocol is the same for repeat entrants to the concussion protocol as first-timers, though Allen said doctors may take a more conservative approach given how recently Carr’s brain injury occurred. Carr still has to clear protocol to be active on Sunday. For now, he’s listed as a limited participant in practice.

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Steelers vs Cardinals: 8 players show up on Wednesday practice report

The Steelers got Minkah Fitzpatrick and Montravius Adams back to practice on Wednesday.

On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers got back to work preparing to take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13 of the NFL regular season. Eight players showed up on the practice report but there was much more good news than bad on the injury front.