Tag: rookie

Chiefs DeAndre Hopkins embraces mentor role in receivers room: ‘Here to be that big brother’

Kansas City #Chiefs DeAndre Hopkins embraces mentor role in receivers room: ‘Here to be that big brother’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has immediately impacted the team since being acquired weeks ago. He has already caught two touchdown passes and made highlight-reel plays on the field, but it’s his role off the field that is garnering extra attention.

Hopkins spoke with the media on Wednesday shortly before the start of practice, addressing his role as a mentor to the younger receivers on the roster.

“I tell those guys to go out and be themselves. They mess up, make a mistake, go out, just be yourself,” said Hopkins. “Put it behind you. They do good; I’m the first person to try to be there for them when they do (bad) as well. But they’ve definitely been asking me a lot of questions. Just about football and life. That’s why I’m here to be that big brother.”

During last week’s press conference, Rookie Xavier Worthy mentioned being all ears to anything Hopkins offered advice regarding his journey in the league. The talented speedster has shown flashes of greatness in games this season while having rookie moments to match. Worthy and Hopkins’ combination will continue to be crucial to the Chiefs’ success as the season’s second half takes shape.

Taliese Fuaga is about to face the biggest challenge of his rookie season

Myles Garrett will line up in front of Taliese Fuaga the majority of this week’s game, making this the toughest challenge of Fuaga’s rookie season:

The main storyline when the New Orleans Saints take on the Cleveland Browns is the return of Jameis Winston to New Orleans. The biggest matchup, however, will be Taliese Fuaga versus Myles Garrett. Derek Carr will thank him if Fuaga is able to rise to the occasion.

This is the most difficult challenge Fuaga has had to face in his rookie season so far. Garrett is the reigning, defending Defensive Player of the Year and has made 1st team All-Pro three times. Simply put, Myles Garrett is in on the short list of best pass rushers in the NFL.

Fuaga faced another one of those players earlier this season, Micah Parsons. The difference between those games is the amount the rookie will see each player. Parsons plays on both sides of the defensive line. Against the Saints, his snaps were split almost evenly.

Garrett aligns primarily over the left tackle. He has played 82.5% of his snaps on that side of the defensive line. If the Browns stay consistent with his alignment, and they probably will, Fuaga will face him nearly every play. On obvious passing downs, you can almost guarantee Garrett is coming from that side.

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Raiders 2024 midseason awards: Top newcomer, breakout player, best position group, more

It’s the midway mark for the NFL season. And it happens to also be the bye week for the Raiders. So, with that in mind, let’s dole out some awards.

It’s the midway mark for the NFL season. And it happens to also be the bye week for the Raiders. So, with that in mind, let’s dole out some awards.

This was an easy choice. Bowers has been on a record pace this season for rookie tight ends. His 580 yards receiving is best among tight ends and his 57 catches is second in the league at any position behind only Jets WR Garrett Wilson.

Not a lot of competition for this award. But prior to Wilkins’s injury he was one of the best free agent signings of any team this offseason. They’re hoping he can return this season.

He was benched four games into his rookie season. Now he’s playing at a high level as an earned starting cornerback. He hasn’t logged an interception, but he routinely shows great skills and sticky coverage on some very talented deep threats.

No Raiders players are either coming back from a major injury or coming back to previous from off of a down season. Perhaps that will change by season’s end, but for now, there’s simply no one who fits this award.

If you’d prefer to put Luke Getsy here, I get it. But, personally, I don’t think a lot was expected of Getsy. He was not nearly the Raiders top choice for the job and was somehow even worse. Minshew was expected to at least add a steady presence at QB to settle down the offense. He wasn’t seen as someone who would win games for the Raiders, but rather not lose them. And he hasn’t lived up to that.

Not only did he not jump in and take the reins of the offense in camp as the Raiders had hoped, he’s been benched several times this season as he has thrown more interceptions (8) than touchdowns (8).

When all else fails — and it has — at least the Raiders have their kick squad. Daniel Carlson and AJ Cole are still arguably the best kicking duo in the league.

You could also go with “Only good game” as the title of this award. That win in Baltimore looks more and more like a fluke the farther down the line we get from it. Their other win was because Deshaun Watson was so determined to lose it for the Browns. The Ravens game was the only game this season the Raiders actually went out and earned the victory. Not coincidentally, it was also the only game they increased their scoring in the second half.

There were many to choose from for this one. Just pick one, really.

Could go with the home opening loss to the Panthers in which they never led and Andy Dalton led offense to put up 33 points in in the first 47 minutes.

Maybe the Rams where the Raiders turned the ball over four times?

Perhaps the Chiefs game where the running backs averaged less than a yard per carry?

Or the Steelers game where Pittsburgh rattled off 26 unanswered?

Or the Broncos who had a 100-yard pick six and rattled off 34 unanswered?

There’s always this past week against the Bengals when the Raiders gave up scores on the Bengals first five drives — four of which went for touchdowns — and allowed a season-high 41 points?

Too many options to choose from to pick just one.

Best punter in the league. Periodt.

Yes, the best rookie has also been their best offensive player. Not ideal, but there’s no one else who is even a viable candidate for this award.

He won AFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the team’s come-from-behind win in Baltimore in Week two. He’s been battling an ankle injury for several weeks, which has limited his effectiveness, but he’s still their top defender.

Saints make a couple of roster moves amid blockbuster Marshon Lattimore trade

The Saints made a couple of roster moves amid their blockbuster Marshon Lattimore trade, including the return of a rookie who was injured at training camp:

After an eventful day with the New Orleans Saints shipping their Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders, they made a couple of low-level transactions along the offensive and defensive lines.

The Saints re-signed guard Kyle Hergel to their practice squad while also releasing defensive end Niko Lalos and rookie defensive end Trajan Jeffcoat. Jeffcoat suffered a dislocated elbow at the start of Saints training camp so he’s back for another look.

The undrafted free agent Hergel has been active in five games this season, serving as a young depth piece along the interior offensive line. With an impressive training camp it isn’t surprising that the Saints want to continue to develop him if they can.

Lalos on the other hand, has been a guy the Saints have viewed highly of the last few seasons, as they’ve continued to add him back to the roster when  available. He has shown many flashes in the preseason over the years, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the team decided to bring him back at some point. Jeffcoat needs to practice hard and prove he’s a better option.

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Mike Tomlin impressed by Commanders’ offense ahead of Week 10 matchup

During media availability on Tuesday, Mike Tomlin spoke highly of the team’s Week 11 opponent, the Commanders, and their offensive success.

It’s safe to say the 6-2 Pittsburgh Steelers have their work cut out for them in an extremely difficult Week 10 matchup against the 7-2 Washington Commanders.

While some coaches shudder at the idea of solving the difficult puzzle that is Washington’s offensive prowess, Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin welcomes the opportunity.

Tomlin spoke during media availability on Tuesday and praised what the Steelers’ Week 10 opponents are doing right on offense.

“They lead the NFL in rushing touchdowns,” Tomlin stated. “His [Jayden Daniels’] quarterback mobility is a component of that. They’re eleven of eleven on fourth-down conversions.” He continued to highlight what the Commanders do well, including their impressive ball security, noting that the team has only turned the ball over three times, which Tomlin called “a record of some description through nine games in the NFL.”

While Tomlin seems in awe of Washington’s offensive capabilities, make no mistake—his game planning and preparation will be exactly what the Steelers need to win in Week 10.

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Drew Brees compares Spencer Rattler to another rookie QB

Drew Brees recently shared his thoughts on Spencer Rattler, who he compared to another rookie quarterback. Brees sees some similarities with Bo Nix:

The Saints haven’t had nearly the success at quarterback to be desired since the retirement of legendary signal-caller Drew Brees, and only ahead of the loss to the Panthers did New Orleans get its starter back.

Before veteran Derek Carr was able to return to the field after missing weeks of action due to injury, the team leaned into rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler.

Brees recently weighed in on Rattler, also comparing him in some ways to Denver quarterback Bo Nix.

“It’s interesting to see the two offenses – the Saints and the Broncos – with Klint Kubiak and Sean Payton,” Brees said in an interview with RG.org.

“I think there’s a lot of similarities between Spencer Rattler and Bo Nix. They’re both really athletic guys. The Saints were under center a lot more. I think that’s how they set up their run game and their play action. Spencer Rattler was on the move so much, throws the ball and runs very well – very similar to Bo. I think where both of those guys will need to make strides – just as any young player – is in the drawback passing game.”

Rattler finished out his most recent appearance, the 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in which he was benched, 12 for 24 passing for 156 yards. While he has had his bright moments, the former Oklahoma and South Carolina quarterback has had a rough go of it in his first year in the NFL.

It will be interesting to watch what the Saints do at backup quarterback moving forward, especially in the event that Carr is to go down again this season, but there’s no question that Rattler was put in a tough situation when he was unexpectedly thrown into the fire like this.

Regardless, the Saints’ main focus right now is on the big picture, and that starts with snapping a seven-game losing streak. New Orleans will attempt to take their first hack at that when the Atlanta Falcons head to to New Orleans next Sunday.

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Saints punter Matt Hayball fools Panthers on fake punt

The New Orleans Saints got a little creative during Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, and it paid off. Rookie punter Matt Hayball made the play of the day:


The New Orleans Saints got a little creative during Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers, and it paid off.

After a week in which head coach Dennis Allen pulled the trigger on the decision to punt the ball in one of the most cowardly manners we have ever seen in football history, the team actually made a smart special teams call here.

On 4th & 1 with just under nine minutes remaining in the third quarter, punter Matt Hayball faked it and carried the ball himself for the first down. Plays like this could be crucial in the ultimate outcome in what’s been perhaps an even closer game than anyone originally expected.

The Saints, despite hading into the game on an abysmal six-game losing streak, were still favored by a slight margin, with some going so far as to expect to New Orleans to record a double-digit victory.

If anything, that’s a testament to just how poorly both teams have performed this season.

The Saints currently trail the Panthers by just one point, 17-16.

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Is Xavier Legette playing today? Saints vs. Panthers injury update

Xavier Legette is dealing with an injury suffered in practice, but is expected to be the focal point of the Panthers’ passing attack against the Saints:

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette is expected to play in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints, per FOX Sport’s Jordan Schultz. Legette’s became in jeopardy when appeared on the injury report Thursday with a toe injury.

Dionte Johnson is the Panthers’ leading receiver on the season. The thing is he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens earlier this week. That makes Legette the leader in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns among players still on the Panthers roster.

There is no other receiver on the team with multiple touchdowns or over 200 yards. Legette is still looking to get his feet underneath him in his rookie season, but the importance of his development and presence to the Panthers’ passing game is clear when looking at the rest of the roster.

As the Saints prepare to stall out a stagnant Panthers passing attack, the focal point is the rookie receiver. He hasn’t had a big game, but he was still a first round pick this year. If Legette has a breakout game this year, it wouldn’t be shocking. The Saints just need to make sure that game doesn’t happen against them.

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Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. named Defensive Rookie of the Month

Steelers’ CB Beanie Bishop Jr. has become one of the team’s best 2024 acquisitions so far, and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month.

K Chris Boswell isn’t the only Steelers player to earn recognition for his performance in the month of October. Rookie CB Beanie Bishop Jr., who seems to improve each week, has been named the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Month for his outstanding play in October. 

Bishop turned heads in Week 7 when he intercepted four-time MVP QB Aaron Rodgers not once, but twice. In Week 8, the rookie intercepted QB Daniel Jones, sealing the victory for his team. The young slot cornerback has admirably filled what appeared to be an area of concern for the Steelers heading into the 2024 season. 

With veteran CB Cameron Sutton, whose natural position is also in the slot, returning from suspension in Week 10, no one can truly justify benching Bishop after the rookie’s dominant performance in October.  Fans of the Steel City are more than excited to see what the future holds for the undrafted rookie.

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Saints re-sign a running back to their practice squad

The Saints have re-signed a familiar running back to their practice squad. Preseason fan-favorite Jacob Kibodi is back on the team:

The New Orleans Saints have re-signed running back Jacob Kibodi to the practice squad, per a report from Saints News Network’s John Hendrix.

This comes shortly after Saints rusher Kendre Miller went down with a hamstring injury after he only played 10 snaps offensively on Sunday.

The undrafted rookie out of ULL was originally released from the practice squad at the beginning of October. He received a lot of love from the fan base and took advantage of the opportunity to play for a team that was all but completely in his own backyard.

“That was a dream come true. Coming from Louisiana, that’s a blessing. Everybody dreams of that as a kid,” Kibodi said after his two-touchdown preseason gamje against the Tennessee Titans, adding that his mother Meta and brothers Uriah and Caleb were in attendance.

It will be interesting to see how this venture with the Saints pays off for Kibodi in his second shot in New Orleans.

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