Tag: Sam Acho

Mitchell Trubisky, Allen Robinson participate in Sam Acho’s community event

Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky and WR Allen Robinson were among those Chicago athletes that attended former Bear Sam Acho’s special event.

Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky and receiver Allen Robinson were among those Chicago athletes that attended former Bear Sam Acho’s special event Thursday at the By the Hand Club for Kids on Chicago’s West Side.

Among the other athletes in attendance were Cubs Jason Heyward and Jason Kipnis, Blackhawks Jonathan Toews and Malcolm Subban and Bulls Ryan Arcidiacono and Max Strus.

According to ChicagoBears.com, these athletes met with local youth and leaders from the By the Hand Club, BUILD and the Westside Health Authority, and with Chicago police officers, which included “healing circles.”

“We got together and we just listened,” Acho said, via ChicagoBears.com. “We listened to the people who are hurting. We sat and stood in circles with some kids from the West Side of Chicago, some police officers from the West Side of Chicago and pro athletes as well, and just allowed each other to have an open dialogue about what’s been going on, how do we feel about the situation and where can we go from here.”

Acho hosted this event as a way for those that were hurting to be heard and encouraged following the brutal and senseless murder of George Floyd.

“One thing that came from me was thinking about those kids in the city who are affected by this,” Acho said. “I was like, ‘What they need is just some encouragement. They need somebody to listen to them and love on them,’ so that’s what we did.

“I gathered a couple guys from each team. It was like Noah’s Ark, two-by-two. We listened to the kids and what they’re going through and listened to their heart, talked to some police officers as well and just listened and learned, and tried to find out what we could do to help change the city.”

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The “other” Michael Thomas is up for NFLPA president

The NFLPA is voting on a new union president, which may be Giants safety Michael Thomas, not to be confused with the Saints wide receiver.

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Michael Thomas is a top candidate to be named president of the NFL Players Association, but it’s not the Michael Thomas that New Orleans Saints fans may be thinking of. The 30-year-old safety for the New York Giants made his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2018, and he’s received endorsements from prominent voices including Richard Sherman and Russell Okung.

The NFLPA counts 2,400-plus active players within its membership, with more than 8,700 former players relying on the labor union to negotiate benefits for them in retirement. Former Cincinnati Bengals offensive lineman Eric Winston has served as NFLPA president since his election back in 2014, replacing Dominique Foxworth; the union president works with executive director DeMaurice Smith to spread information and coordinate votes within the sprawling union membership.

Thomas has been nominated against three other candidates, including Okung, who withdrew his candidacy and stumped for Thomas. The remaining two options are Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Sam Acho and Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter. If Thomas wins, expect some light confusion among fans mistaking him for the 27-year-old Saints wide receiver.

However, there shouldn’t be any immediate impacts on the in-progress NFLPA membership vote on a new collective bargaining agreement. The union’s board of representatives agreed to extend the voting deadline to 11:59 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 14, giving all players opportunity to make an educated decision before casting their ballot. Whether it’s Thomas, Acho, or Tretter in the president role, they’ll be charged with managing the transition to a new era should the CBA be ratified.

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Five former Texas Longhorns set to become NFL free agents

With the NFL season ending with the Super Bowl, there are five former Longhorns who could be on the move in 2020.

The NFL season is all wrapped up with the conclusion of the Super Bowl that crowned the Kansas City Chiefs as the world champions. On March 14th teams can begin negotiations with their unrestricted free agents and they can begin signing them on March 16th as free agency opens for the 2020 NFL season.

Adrian Phillips, Safety, Los Angeles Chargers

Phillips could be on the move in 2020, the former Longhorns defensive back finished his sixth season in San Diego/Los Angeles with the Chargers. During that time, Phillips has snagged five interceptions in 24 starts and 64 games overall. Should the Chargers allow Phillips to walk in free agency, there is no shortage of teams in need of help on the back end of the defense.

Potential Suitors: Cleveland, Dallas, New England, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle

Hassan Ridgeway, Defensive Tackle, Philadelphia Eagles

The oft-injured Hassan Ridgeway could be on the move once again this offseason. Ridgeway started out in with the Indianapolis Colts in 2016 where he played in all 16 games and started five. Over the last two seasons, Ridgeway has played a combined 12 games and five starts. The former Longhorn accumulated 6.5 sacks, 10 tackles for loss and 14 quarterback hits.

Potential Suitors: Carolina, Dallas, Denver, Indianapolis, Minnesota, Seattle and Tampa Bay, 

Marcus Johnson, Wide Receiver, Indianapolis Colts

In 2019 Johnson saw his first season with any significant production at wide receiver. In the two seasons prior, he caught just 11 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown. This past season saw his numbers jump up to 17 for 277 yards and two more touchdowns. Johnson could be on the move in hopes of a bigger role in 2020.

Potential Suitors: Arizona, Buffalo, Dallas Green Bay, New England, New Orleans, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Washington

Sam Acho, Linebacker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Acho will be going into his 10th season in the NFL. He has been more of a reserve of the last two years. Recording just three combined tackles in 12 total games. Acho would be a player that can bring depth to the position and he brings veteran leadership to a young team.

Potential Suitors: Carolina, Cleveland, Las Vegas and Green Bay.

Colt McCoy, Quarterback, Washington Redskins

The Longhorns all-time winningest quarterback will be on the move should he decide to continue his NFL career. McCoy enters his 10th season in the NFL after stops in Cleveland, San Francisco and Washington. He can be a spot starter and good depth with a wealth of knowledge for a young quarterback.

Potential Suitors: Arizona, Dallas, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami

4 free agents with connections to Rams DC Brandon Staley

John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports In a somewhat surprising move, the Rams parted ways with Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator. Sean McVay replaced him with 37-year-old Brandon Staley, who has been an outside linebackers coach under Vic Fangio …

John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports

In a somewhat surprising move, the Rams parted ways with Wade Phillips as their defensive coordinator. Sean McVay replaced him with 37-year-old Brandon Staley, who has been an outside linebackers coach under Vic Fangio for the last three years; two in Chicago and one year in Denver.

Staley has only been an NFL coach since 2017, so his connections to players don’t exactly run deep. However, these four players are set to hit free agency in March and have played for Staley in the past.

OLB Aaron Lynch

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Lynch spent one year with Staley as his coach in 2018 with the Bears, playing 13 games with three starts. He recorded three sacks, eight QB hits, one interception and 16 total tackles that year, which are admittedly not overly impressive numbers.

Lynch isn’t a prolific pass rusher, but rather a better run defender at 6-5, 285 pounds. He fits best on the strong side as a left outside linebacker, which is where Clay Matthews currently resides.

No one is saying Lynch would solve the Rams’ issues at outside linebacker, but he wouldn’t be a bad depth piece as he could probably play defensive end in sub-packages, too.

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