Tag: rookie minicamp

Commanders Dan Quinn explains why he wore T-shirt

Dan Quinn had a good reason why he wore the T-shirt that seemed to upset some.

Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn went viral on Saturday during the team’s rookie minicamp. It was not because of anything said but, instead, because of the shirt he was wearing.

Quinn wore a non-licensed Commanders’ shirt with feathers from the team’s former logo on the current logo, which some made a big deal of.

On Tuesday, Washington opened the third phase of its offseason program with its first Offseason Training Activity (OTA). Before Washington took the field, Quinn spoke to the media and, of course, was asked about the T-shirt.

“I think one of the parts of me taking this job, I was excited to bridge the past and the present,” Quinn said. “What a cool privilege that is to do. And, I also recognize there’s a lot of layers to that. So, it was a great lesson for me. What I really hate is that any attention that would’ve been taken away from these rookies and this awesome crew. So, yeah, nobody wants to do that.”

There you have it. Quinn discussed the shirt. His reasoning for wearing it was plausible, and it went over well with not only the fan base but also some of the franchise’s former players.

This doesn’t need to turn into another debate about the name. It’s not coming back. Quinn wasn’t trying to reignite the name debate. We can all move on now.

Dolphins sign CB Jason Maitre after rookie minicamp tryout

Jason Maitre joins Ireland Brown as another rookie who made the most of a tryout at the Dolphins’ rookie minicamp.

The Miami Dolphins are signing cornerback Jason Maitre to their roster after the Wisconsin alum impressed at the team’s rookie minicamp, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.

Among the more than two dozen players who participated in the minicamp on a three-day tryout contract, Maitre joins offensive lineman Ireland Brown as the only two players (so far) who have reportedly turned their auditions into spots on the roster.

Just like Brown, Maitre began his collegiate career at Boston College and transferred elsewhere. The defensive back left as a grade transfer after the 2022 season and landed at Wisconsin where he played slot cornerback in the Badgers defense. Prior to his departure, Maitre mostly played safety in his last two seasons at Boston College.

According to PFF, the 5’10, 181-pound cornerback didn’t allow any touchdowns in coverage during his time at Wisconsin. He finished the 2023 season with one interception, one tackle for loss, and three pass breakups.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots rookie minicamp photos: Best of Drake Maye, Joe Milton III on the field

Here are the best photos of Drake Maye and Joe Milton III from rookie minicamp

Both rookie quarterbacks, Drake Maye and Joe Milton III, took the field for the first time for the New England Patriots at rookie minicamp over the weekend. With Saturday’s practice being open to the media, people got their first look at the future in action.

Maye, the No. 3 overall pick, is believed to be the eventual starter under center and next great hope to shift the narrative from the dumpster fire football team that finished with a 4-13 record last season.

The combination of Maye and a much-improved wide receivers room, coupled with a returning defensive unit that ranked amongst the best in football last year, could be just what the doctor ordered for New England.

Milton being drafted with a sixth-round pick came as a bit of surprise to some. Eliot Wolf, the executive vice president of player personnel, claimed the arm talent was too good to pass up with the former Tennessee Volunteer. One look at Milton throwing a football is all that’s needed to make sense of the move.

The arrival of Maye and Milton with Jacoby Brissett and Bailey Zappe creates a situation where the Patriots will experience one of the greatest quarterback competitions they’ve had in years. Who will come out on top?

The process started with Maye and Milton getting up to speed at rookie minicamp over the weekend. Here are the best photos of the two quarterbacks in action:

Dolphins sign OL Ireland Brown after rookie minicamp tryout

Ireland Brown impressed coaches enough at rookie minicamp to earn a contract with the Dolphins.

More than two dozen players attended the Miami Dolphins’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis — including veteran pass rusher Aaron Lynch — but almost all were turned away. That wasn’t the case for offensive lineman Ireland Brown, though.

According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 in Houston, the Dolphins signed Brown on Monday.

Brown began his collegiate career as a defensive tackle at Boston College before transferring to Rutgers. He played on the defensive side of the ball with the Scarlet Knights for one season before making the move to the offensive line in 2021.

He took over as the starting center for Rutgers in 2022, but was a backup in his final season after Gus Zilinskas won the job in 2023. While he was only on the field for 62 snaps as a senior, Brown earned a 90.5 grade from PFF.

Early in his collegiate career, Brown was named Ireland Burke. He changed his name to Brown out of respect and love for a family that took him in when he was 15.

In Miami, Brown will face an uphill climb for a roster spot even though the team’s depth on the interior offensive line is lacking.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

HC Kevin O’Connell praises J.J. McCarthy for minicamp work

When the Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy the thought was the pairing with Kevin O’Connell would be perfect, so far it seems true.

When the Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy, they thought the pairing with Kevin O’Connell would be perfect, and so far, it seems true.

Rookie minicamp has gone well for everyone but it seems the new franchise quarterback has done extremely well right off the bat. When speaking to the media, Kevin O’Connell praised McCarthy’s approach to the first bit of NFL he experienced.

“He’s doing a great job of handling everything. I’m just enjoying seeing the process: rep-to-rep improvement, taking coaching points from Josh (McCown) or Wes (Phillips)or myself and just continuing to build.”

The team has been vocal in stating that McCarthy has a checklist of sorts to hit when it comes to earning the starting job. The team wants him to be the future but they aren’t willing to throw in him into a situation he isn’t full prepared for.

O’Connell also praised McCarthy’s preparation due to him coming in early to work with guys before practice and staying late to go over his misses and to work things out with the receivers.

It is very early in the process, but these have all been great things to hear if you are a member of the organization or simply a fan.

Steelers sign veteran CB Anthony Averett

Pittsburgh added a veteran cornerback after last weekend’s rookie minicamp.

One of the NFL veterans who attended the Pittsburgh Steelers rookie minicamp this weekend was cornerback Anthony Averett. Averett did enough at the minicamp that the team signed him to a one-year contract at its completion.

Averett is a six-year veteran and former fourth-round pick. After two straight seasons hampered by injuries, Averett is hopeful he is fully healthy and ready to contribute at cornerback for the Steelers.

Pittsburgh traded away starting wide receiver Diontae Johnson at the start of free agency to land starting cornerback Donte Jackson but there is still more work to be done at the position.

Averett will join Beanie Bishop Jr., Darius Rush, and Cory Trice Jr. in what could be a heated position battle to round out the cornerback depth chart.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Lions sign veteran TE Parker Hesse after rookie minicamp tryout

Lions sign veteran TE Parker Hesse after rookie minicamp tryout

There is another addition to the Detroit Lions tight end room. After a rookie minicamp tryout, the Lions have signed Parker Hesse to a contract. The team announced the signing on Monday morning, with no contractual terms revealed.

Hesse was one of the veterans working in the weekend rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. The 28-year-old spent the 2023 season on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad and was active for three games. He started seven games and played in all 17 for the Falcons in 2022, catching nine passes for 89 yards.

Lions fans might remember Hesse catching a touchdown pass from Desmond Ridder in a preseason game against Detroit in Ford Field back in 2022.

The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Hesse played college football at Iowa, but was not a tight end. Like former Lions OT Matt Nelson, Hesse was a defensive lineman for the Hawkeyes. He switched to the offensive side of the ball as an undrafted rookie in Tennesee Titans training camp back in 2019.

 

LOOK: Former Wisconsin Badgers QB at San Francisco 49ers minicamp

Former Badgers QB is battling to make the 49ers roster:

Former Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai began his NFL career last week at San Francisco 49ers rookie minicamp.

Mordecai signed with the defending NFC champions as an undrafted free agent after not hearing his name called during the 2024 NFL draft.

Related: Post-spring Big Ten football 2024 power rankings, starting quarterback rankings

The former Wisconsin, Oklahoma and SMU signal-caller spent one year with the Badgers. That year included 10 games played, a 65% completion rate, 2,066 passing yards, 6.6 yards per attempt, 9 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.

His six-year college career finished with 34 starts, 9,857 passing yards, 85 touchdowns, 27 interceptions, 606 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns.

Mordecai enters the NFL as a wild card. He was one of the NFL draft’s most athletic prospects, receiving position comparisons to Robert Griffin III (Baylor), Geno Smith (West Virginia), Tyrod Taylor (Virginia Tech), Kordell Stewart (Colorado) and Taysom Hill (BYU).

But he signs with a 49ers team that returns Brock Purdy at starter and signed Josh Dobbs this offseason to be the backup. The former Badger could push to make the roster, but he might have a hard time jumping up the depth chart.

Mordecai had a chance to showcase his skills before the entire team is together this summer at preseason training camp. Here are some photos from his debut:

Commanders have no comment on Dan Quinn’s T-shirt

The Commanders have no comment on Quinn’s shirt.

Can you believe some out there believe the Washington Commanders should comment on head coach Dan Quinn’s attire?

During his media session on Saturday, Day 2 of Washington’s rookie minicamp, Quinn wore a T-shirt with the team’s logo that had feathers from the franchise’s former logo.

Here’s the shirt:

Of course, some were appalled that Quinn would dare wear such a shirt. Really. So, it was no surprise that those folks would reach out to the Commanders for a comment on Quinn’s shirt.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk apparently contacted the organization for comment but was told there would be “no organizational comment.”

Good for the Commanders. Why would they need to comment?

Many fans searched for places online to buy the shirt, as it was not licensed by the team or the NFL.

Washington begins OTAs this week and has its mandatory minicamp next month. Maybe Quinn will break out the shirt again next month.

 

Bucs sign two tryout players

The Buccaneers are signing two tryout players following their rookie minicamp.

As the Buccaneers close out their rookie minicamp, the opportunity for many players comes to a close for now. However, for two players, their journey in the NFL may just be beginning as they go from tryout hopefuls to Tampa Bay’s official roster.

Former Central Arkansas CB Andrew Hayes and Kentucky RB Ramon Jefferson are signing with the Bucs according to Fox Sports’ Greg Auman:

To create space on the roster for Hayes and Jefferson, the Bucs are cutting CB Quandre Mosley and OL Logan Stenberg, per Auman. Both were on Tampa Bay’s practice squad last season.