Tag: Pro Dawgs

Jalen McMillan has the trust of Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff has a lot of faith in former Washington star Jalen McMillan.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have always had a lot of faith in the Washington Huskies. That’s why general manager Jason Licht has six Husky alumni on the roster, including wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who has earned the trust of offensive coordinator Liam Coen and is poised to become a big part of the team’s passing game going forward.

“I had a really good conversation with Jalen, I think it was on Sunday, and just said, ‘Hey, this is the week,'” Coen told ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “We talked about it, ‘This is the week that you have to really kind of emerge and I trust you.'”

Although it wasn’t a true emergence without All-Pro receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who missed the game with injuries, McMillan finished Tampa Bay’s 31-26 loss to the Atlanta Falcons with a modest 4 catches for 35 yards, adding a carry for 17 yards. But quarterback Baker Mayfield made a point to try and get the ball to the former third-round pick early and often, which is a good sign for the rookie’s future.

“It was rough seeing [Godwin’s injury],” McMillan said on Friday. “Chris is the focal point; he’s a leader, he’s somebody that I kind of lean on when it comes to maneuvering in the league and being a rookie. So, you know, it sucked, but we have to pick up where we left off. At the end of the day, them being absent shouldn’t make our offense worse; it should stay the same. We just want to continue to improve and be better every week for those guys as well.”

McMillan will have to see an incredibly tough matchup in his next game, as the Buccaneers are set to take on the stout Kansas City Chiefs defense on Monday Night Football, led by his former teammate Trent McDuffie, but then has a slate where he could see some favorable matchups, as Tampa Bay’s next four games are against the San Francisco 49ers, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, and Las Vegas Raiders.

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WATCH: Cade Otton finds the end zone twice on National Tight Ends Day

Cade Otton had a dominant first half on the NFL’s made-up holiday.

National Tight Ends Day is nothing more than a silly annual celebration started by San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle to give the position more attention, but the NFL has bought into it since its inception in 2018.

Former Washington Huskies star Cade Otton was one of its biggest benefactors in the first half of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ NFC South matchup with the Atlanta Falcons. With or without it being National Tight Ends Day, Otton was going to be a huge part of offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s gameplan, and the former fourth-round pick delivered in the first half.

He was targeted 8 times in the first half, pulling in 7 of them for 73 yards and a five-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7. That wasn’t Otton’s only first-half highlight, as he also pulled off a hurdle reminiscent of current Huskies Jonah Coleman and Giles Jackson, going over Pro Bowl safety Jessie Bates III to pick up 29 yards.

Then in the fourth quarter, quarterback Baker Mayfield looked Otton’s way again near the goal line, connecting for the second time, this time from four yards out, cutting Atlanta’s lead to 31-25 midway through the fourth quarter.

Otton has also been a weapon for fantasy football players in Week Eight, tallying 29.1 points in PPR (points per reception) leagues following his second score.

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Drake Maye offers support for Ja’Lynn Polk amid struggles

Wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk has had a rough few weeks but got some words of support from his quarterback.

Since he was ruled out of bounds on what would have been a game-winning touchdown against the Miami Dolphins, it has been rough sledding for former Washington Huskies star Ja’Lynn Polk during his rookie season with the New England Patriots.

He has been scrutinized by head coach Jerod Mayo for drop problems and has pulled in just 1 catch for 4 yards in his last two games. Polk also had to leave that second game, a London contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars, early with a concussion after taking a hard hit on an underthrown ball.

On Wednesday, Maye, the No. 3 overall pick in April’s draft, said during his press conference that he’s confident his connection with Polk, who was taken at No. 37 overall, will improve as there are lofty expectations surrounding both of their futures.

“It’s only our second game out there together,” he said. “I feel like we’ve left some plays out there, both ball placement-wise, and I’m sure he’d like to have some plays back himself. I think it’s just building the camaraderie, and I think we’re going to get there.”

As Polk works through concussion protocol, Maye explained how he’ll continue to stand by his receiver.

“I think just pump him up. I think that’s the biggest thing you can do, especially a guy coming in the same class,” he continued. “I’m the first-round; he’s the second-round pick. We built a connection early during camp, and during the summer, I felt like we had it going. I think just still finding it, still working together.”

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Dejounte Murray nears triple-double, suffers fractured hand in Pelicans debut

New Orleans Pelicans guard and former Washington Huskies star Dejounte Murray nearly recorded a triple-double in his debut, but fractured his hand in a win over the Chicago Bulls.

Former Washington Huskies point guard Dejounte Murray made his New Orleans Pelicans debut on Wednesday after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks in July. In nearly 30 minutes, Murray opened the Pelicans offense, freeing forward Brandon Ingram for 33 points and guard CJ McCollum for an additional 23.

Those efforts led to a 123-111 win for the Pelicans to open the NBA season. Murray neared a triple-double in his debut, scoring 14 points with 10 assists and pulling down 8 rebounds from his starting point guard spot.

Despite a 4-for-15 shooting night, including 0-for-3 from three-point range, Murray got to the free throw line seven times, knocking down six of them. The Husky alum also added a steal en route to the win.

It turned into a bittersweet night for the Pelicans, however, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Wednesday night that New Orleans fears that Murray fractured his left hand in the win.

It’s a frustrating injury for Murray, who dealt with hamstring, back, calf, and quad injuries last season with the Hawks. The Pelicans will likely insert guard Jose Alvarado into the starting lineup with Murray out. Alvarado played nearly 13 minutes on Wednesday, scoring 3 points and dishing out 3 assists off the bench.

Murray’s timetable is yet to be determined.

Two former Washington stars could turn into valuable fantasy plays

Two Washington Huskies should be at the top of every fantasy football player’s priority list in Week Eight.

Monday Night Football was a tough loss to stomach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for multiple reasons. Not only did they lose 41-31 to the Baltimore Ravens, but All-Pro wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin suffered injuries that will keep them out for an extended period.

In their stead, two former Washington Huskies are poised to assume bigger roles in an offense that has been very kind to fantasy football players this season. Godwin and Evans rank No. 2 and No. 10, respectively, in fantasy points among wide receivers in 2024, and with them out, rookie Jalen McMillan has become the de facto top receiver.

Although he pulled in just 3 catches for 15 yards, he received a career-high eight targets on Monday Night Football, and with the Atlanta Falcons next on their schedule, who have allowed 963 yards and 9 touchdowns to wide receivers in 2024, he could be in for a breakout day.

Tight end Cade Otton could also immediately become the top pass catcher on the team. He has been consistent even with Godwin and Evans in the lineup, pulling in 27 catches for 263 yards and a touchdown on 41 targets this season.

10 of those targets from quarterback Baker Mayfield came on Monday Night Football, and he appears to be on the verge of becoming an elite option in fantasy football. He ranks No. 14 per FantasyPros in points and could see a massive uptick in targets without the two All-Pros in the fold.

For any fantasy managers who are looking to make a midseason push, check out the waiver wire or send an offer for one or both of the former Husky stars.

Michael Penix Jr. pledges his allegiance for Saturday’s “Penix Bowl”

Michael Penix Jr. pledged his allegiance for Saturday’s matchup between his two former schools

When the Washington Huskies take on the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday in a game that can unofficially be dubbed the Penix Bowl, coined by The Seattle Times’ Mike Vorel, in honor of one of the best college quarterbacks in recent memory, both sides have a strong argument to claim Michael Penix Jr.

Penix spent four years with the Hoosiers and stayed with them through a plethora of season-ending injuries, showing off his exciting potential when healthy before transferring to Washington in 2022, where he shattered school records. Although he played just two seasons in purple and gold, he has a very strong argument for the title of the best quarterback in Husky history, thanks to his 9,544 yards and 67 touchdowns.

After his NFL debut on Sunday, Penix chose his side.

A lot of people ask me who I’m cheering for,” Penix told Vorel after the Atlanta Falcons suffered a 34-14 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. “I definitely want ‘The Dub’ [Washington] to win. At the same time, I am an alum from Indiana, so there’s no bad blood. But I want ‘The Dub’ to win.”

Following the Jimmy Lake era, the energy Penix brought to the Washington program is immeasurable, as his vibrant personality and spectacular work ethic helped turn him into an icon in Seattle.

Then, of course, there are his accolades on the field. He finished his Washington career with a 25-3 record, a Pac-12 championship win, a College Football Playoff victory over Texas, a trip to the national championship, and a second-place finish for the Heisman Trophy, the highest in school history.

Read Vorel’s full story on Penix here.

Multiple Huskies had big showings in Buccaneers loss to Ravens on Monday Night Football

Despite a 41-31 loss, multiple Washington Huskies alumni played critical roles for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a big loss in many ways on Monday Night Football, losing both of their star wide receivers on their way to a 41-31 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens.

In the second quarter, All-Pro receiver Mike Evans ran a 25-yard go route to the end zone but could not come down with the ball. He had entered the game with a lingering hamstring injury and appeared to aggravate it on the play when he landed.

After Evans left the game, former Washington star tight end Cade Otton became quarterback Baker Mayfield’s favorite target. The Tumwater, Washington native had a stellar game, hauling in 8 catches on 10 targets for 100 yards, including a spectacular one-handed catch for 28 yards on a ricochet.

Otton was instrumental in head coach Todd Bowles’s comeback effort, which came up short, logging 29 of his yards in a series that set up a one-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Bucky Irving.

That came shortly after All-Pro wide receiver Chris Godwin suffered a gruesome dislocated ankle, visibly shaking his teammates.

Former All-Pac-12 wide receiver Jalen McMillan is expected to take his place and started the game off hot with an 11-yard jet sweep on fourth and one to give Tampa Bay a new set of downs on the Baltimore 25-yard line on the game’s opening drive. He set up a 25-yard touchdown from Mayfield to Evans on the very next play to put Tampa on the board first.

After the injuries, McMillan’s role in the offense ramped up. He was targeted in the end zone four plays after Evans left the game, but with the injuries, Baltimore’s defense had the ability to double-team the former third-round pick and forced a poor decision from Mayfield on a ball that was intended for McMillan in the end zone but was intercepted by cornerback Marlon Humphrey.

McMillan finished the game with 3 catches on 8 targets for a meager 15 yards, but with both Evans and Godwin out, look for both former Huskies to take on a much larger role in offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s game plan and become the top targets for Mayfield.

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Will Dissly has career night for Los Angeles Chargers in 17-15 loss

Former Washington Huskies tight end Will Dissly set a career high in receptions for the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday in a 17-15 loss.

With the Los Angeles Chargers’ receiving corps depleted by injury, quarterback Justin Herbert needed to find a primary target on Monday Night Football against the Arizona Cardinals.

Enter Huskies alum Will Dissly.

The former Washington Husky and Seattle Seahawk, who signed with the Chargers in the offseason, set a new career high in receptions (8) while tying his second-best yardage output (81). Dissly’s only better game by yardage came in his NFL debut when he had 105 yards against the Denver Broncos in Week 1 of the 2018 season.

Dissly was Los Angeles’ primary receiver on Monday with second-year receiver Quentin Johnston (ankle) out due to injury. Veteran receiver DJ Chark (groin) and return specialist Derius Davis (hamstring) were both out as well.

With rookie Ladd McConkey (hip) and depth piece Simi Fehoko (shoulder/groin) questionable coming into the game, the Chargers had only three fully healthy wide receivers available – Joshua Palmer, Brenden Rice, and practice squad elevation Jalen Reagor.

Dissly was also the unquestioned tight end for Los Angeles on Monday with Hayden Hurst out with a groin injury.

The tight end’s contributions led to Herbert’s best passing performance of the season with 349 yards on 39 passes. Arizona, however, was able to hold the Chargers to just 59 yards rushing all night and forced LA to kick five field goals en route to a 17-15 win.

Dissly also committed some Husky-on-Husky crime on Monday, stiff arming his former college teammate, Cardinals safety Budda Baker, into the turf at State Farm Stadium on a screen pass to end the first quarter.

Geno Smith has high praise for Michael Penix Jr.

Geno Smith called Michael Penix Jr. “special” following the former Washington star’s NFL debut on Sunday.

Washington Huskies fans got the moment they were waiting for on Sunday afternoon when quarterback Michael Penix Jr. took the field for the first time. In a full-circle moment, he got to experience his NFL debut in front of former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who now holds the same position with his adopted city’s team, the Seattle Seahawks.

Although his Atlanta Falcons lost 34-14 to Grubb’s Seahawks, Penix took seven snaps and completed his first pass in the NFL, a 14-yard gain to fellow rookie Casey Washington, and that moment wasn’t lost on the runner-up for the 2023 Heisman Trophy.

“It was kind of a surreal moment,” Penix said after the game. “It’s not the best situation we were in, with us being down, but to be able to go in and operate at a high level, it was definitely good.”

That moment also wasn’t lost on Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith, who has watched Penix since the pair first met while working out together in the spring of 2023.

“He’s a special player,” Smith told reporters. “I think when he gets his opportunity, he’s going to be ready for it. I really believe in him. Obviously, him and Grubb have done great things together, and it was great to see them have a moment before the game. Really rooting for Mike and hoping for the best for him.”

Penix’s short-term future still feels cloudy at best due to starting quarterback Kirk Cousins and his four-year, $180 million contract, but the rookie looks ready for his opportunity whenever it may arise.

Indianapolis Colts sign Salvon Ahmed to practice squad

Former Washington Huskies RB Salvon Ahmed has found a new home.

Former Washington Huskies running back Salvon Ahmed has found a new home with the Indianapolis Colts, signing with the team’s practice squad on Wednesday. He also may not be on the practice squad for long.

Ahmed, who has taken 163 carries for 593 yards and 5 touchdowns in his career, could push for a spot on the active roster depending on the injury status of star running back Jonathan Taylor, who suffered a mild high ankle sprain in the Colts’ 27-24 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 29.

Taylor hasn’t played since then, and in his stead, running backs Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson have struggled. Ahead of Indianapolis’ matchup with Ahmed’s former team, the Miami Dolphins, Taylor has yet to practice but offered an update on his status.

“We’ve been progressing every single day, just pushing myself, trying to find a way to get the pain out,” he told  Anything you can do. Anything you can do to get back on the field with your guys you’ve been working, scratching, and clawing with all offseason, all training camp, and all offseason. Doing everything in my power to get back on that field.”

Along with the Miami Dolphins, Ahmed has also spent time with the San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos but has only ever appeared in a game with Miami. If Taylor is unable to suit up and Indianapolis chooses to activate Ahmed, that could change on Sunday.