Tag: Sooners In NFL

Former Sooner Tony Jefferson shows out in preseason finale

Tony Jefferson has been making plays since his days in Norman.

Former Oklahoma Sooners defensive back [autotag]Tony Jefferson[/autotag] had a fantastic three-year career in Norman. He then went on to bring his hard-hitting ways to the NFL and played for five teams from 2013 to 2022.

His career was thought to be over, but he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers this season and had a vintage performance in LA’s preseason finale against the Dallas Cowboys.

Jefferson totaled 12 tackles, one sack, one tackle for loss, one QB hit, two passes defended, one forced fumble and two interceptions, bringing it back to his days dominating in the secondary at Oklahoma.

Jefferson was the [autotag]Big 12[/autotag] Co-Freshman of the Year in 2010 and a Freshman All-American that same season. He had seven sacks and 18 TFLs as a Sooner, impressive numbers for a defensive back.

He also picked off eight passes, including four in 2011. He played for current Oklahoma head coach and former OU defensive coordinator [autotag]Brent Venables[/autotag] for two seasons before finishing up under Mike Stoops in 2012.

Coming out of retirement may prove to be the right decision for Jefferson, as he could make a major impact in the Chargers’ secondary if he continues to play like he did on Saturday.

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Social media reacts to Baker Mayfield’s big win over the Eagles in the NFL playoffs

Baker Mayfield had a big game in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win over the Philadelphia Eagles and here’s how social media reacted.

Vindication. Redemption. There are a number of words you could use to describe Baker Mayfield’s performance against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

Mayfield was 22 of 36 for 337 yards and three touchdowns in the Buccaneer’s 32-9 win to move on to the divisional round of the playoffs, where they’ll face the Detroit Lions.

The former Sooner and Heisman Trophy winner completed passes to nine different receivers while completing 61% of his passes.

Mayfield was the first quarterback in Bucs history to throw for 300 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs. He joined Tom Brady as the only quarterbacks to throw for 300 yards in the playoffs for Tampa Bay.

It was quite the statement to an NFL that had written off the former No. 1 overall pick. Mayfield was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL draft and in 2020, helped Cleveland win its first playoff game since the 1994 season. But after playing through an injury to try and help Cleveland get back to the playoffs, the Browns went in a different direction.

This win provided further evidence that [autotag]Baker Mayfield[/autotag] is a quarterback that you can win with in the NFL. Now he and the Bucs take their story on the road to see if they can knock of the Detroit Lions who are having their own magical season.

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia agree to extension making him the highest paid player in NFL History

Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles signed a 5-year contract extension to make him the highest-paid player in NFL history.

If there’s one player in the NFL that defines work ethic, it’s former Oklahoma Sooners and Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts.

Since losing his job to Tua Tagavailoa at Alabama, Hurts has done nothing but put the work in and be rewarded for it. He’s improved every year since he got to college, and that work paid off with an MVP-type season, a trip to the Super Bowl, and now Jalen Hurts just got paid.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Jalen Hurts have agreed to a contract extension worth $255 million with $179.304 million guaranteed. Of the guarantee, $110 million is paid at the signing of the deal. He’ll get $51 million a year in new money in the extension. Contract figures are according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Hurts also gets a no-trade clause in the deal.

Hurts was entering the final year of his four-year rookie contract that would have paid him $4.2 million. Now he’s the highest-paid player in NFL history.

He had a career year in 2023, throwing for 3,701 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He also ran for 760 yards and 13 touchdowns during the Eagles 14-3 regular season.

In the Super Bowl, Hurts had a fantastic game, going toe-to-toe with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Hurts threw for 304 yards and a touchdown and carried the ball 15 times for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Here’s a look at how Twitter reacted to the breaking news.

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Cowboys Executive says CeeDee Lamb in Dallas Cowboys long-term plans

After a 1,300-yard season for Dallas, Executive Vice President Stephen Jones shared that CeeDee Lamb is in the Cowboys long-term plans.

CeeDee Lamb has been fantastic for the Dallas Cowboys since coming into the league in 2020. Having played three years in the NFL, Lamb is eligible for a contract extension with America’s Team.

He had a fantastic season in 2022, taking over for Amari Cooper as the No. 1 wide receiver for Dak Prescott and the Dallas offense. The front office’s trust in Lamb was rewarded after they moved Cooper to the Browns for a late round pick.

And according to Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones, Lamb is in their long-term plans.

“Obviously, they’re in our plans long-term,” Jones told media members, echoing the sentiment he used in a Monday report when talking about the club needing a plan “to ultimately extend” quarterback Dak Prescott.

Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs are both now eligible for contract extensions. And Jones says both fourth-year players stand to be key components of the roster moving forward.

It is expected the Cowboys will go this route with last year’s 1,300-yard receiver. The fifth-year option- due by May 1- would bump Lamb’s salary up to just under $18 million in 2024. That’s a massive raise over what he’s getting now, but still below what the league’s top receivers are hauling in. – Todd Brock, Cowboys Wire

As he did in his final year in Norman, CeeDee Lamb became the focal point of the passing offense and was nearly unstoppable along the way. He’s increased his production each year he’s been in the league and has been the most reliable option for one of the NFL’s best offenses.

And if things go the way the Dallas Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb want them to, the former Sooner will be playing with a star on his helmet for years to come.

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Oklahoma Sooners tied with Florida for most players in the Super Bowl

Led by Jalen Hurts, the Oklahoma Sooners are tied with the most players heading to the Super Bowl.

The Oklahoma Sooners share the distinction of most players from their school heading to the Super Bowl. Both the Sooners and the Florida Gators are sending seven to compete for the NFL’s greatest prize.

The Sooners

  • [autotag]Jalen Hurts[/autotag], QB – Philadelphia Eagles
  • [autotag]Lane Johnson[/autotag], T – Philadelphia Eagles
  • [autotag]Tyrese Robinson[/autotag], G – Philadelphia Eagles
  • [autotag]Creed Humphre[/autotag]y, C – Kansas City Chiefs
  • [autotag]Orlando Brown[/autotag], Jr., T – Kansas City Chiefs
  • [autotag]Blake Bell[/autotag], TE – Kansas City Chiefs
  • [autotag]James Winchester[/autotag], LS – Kansas City Chiefs

The Sooners are well-represented on both sides with several players set to play a huge part in deciding the Super Bowl. That includes Pro Bowl selections Brown and Humphrey for Kansas City and, across the sideline, Hurts. (He could also be counted with Alabama, where he spent his first three college seasons, which would give the Crimson Tide four Super Bowl representatives.) Johnson is one of the most accomplished linemen in franchise history – not bad for the former Kilgore College backup quarterback. – Paul Myerburg, USA TODAY Sports

The Oklahoma Sooners are represented by players from both the Bob Stoops and Lincoln Riley eras. By way of playing the most important position on the field, Jalen Hurts is the most significant name on the list. If he plays well, the Eagles are going to have a great chance to win. The argument about “who can claim Hurts” is silly. He was fantastic for Alabama and helped them win a lot of games. It’s just convenient that both schools sport crimson.

It’s possible, though, that Hurts isn’t even the best player on his team. If offensive linemen or lines could win an MVP award, Lane Johnson would be in the running as well. His emergence into one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL is nothing short of extraordinary. Hurts and Johnson are evidence of what’s possible if you’re willing to work for it. Of course, they have the God-given talent to make their work ethic mean something.

On the Chiefs side of things, former Bill Bedenbaugh pupils Orlando Brown and Creed Humphrey will be tasked with keeping Patrick Mahomes upright. Humphrey is arguably the best center in the game, and Brown is no slouch at tackle either. That duo is a significant reason why the Chiefs are back in the Super Bowl.

Sooner faithful will have no shortage of rooting interests when the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs meet on Super Bowl Sunday.

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Social Media reacts to CeeDee Lamb’s incredible catch against San Francisco

CeeDee Lamb made a big catch for the Dallas Cowboys while being interfered with and social media reacted accordingly.

Locked in a battle with the San Francisco 49ers, CeeDee Lamb made a huge play to get the Dallas Cowboys out of the shadow of their own endzone.

The Dallas Cowboys were backed up inside the 10-yard line and they came out in what looked like a run formation. On the snap, Dallas ran play action and Lamb had one-on-one coverage down the left sideline.

The ball from Dak Prescott was a bit underthrown and Lamb had to come back to the ball. As he did, the defensive back interfered with him and Lamb still made an incredible over the shoulder catch.

Here’s how social media reacted.

Watch: CeeDee Lamb encourages Cowboys kicker after PAT struggles in Dallas playoff win

In a moment on the sideline during Dallas’ win over Tampa Bay, CeeDee Lamb provided some encouraging words for Cowboys kicker Brett Maher.

The Dallas Cowboys picked up a big win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football in the wildcard round. Taking out Tom Brady in dominating fashion put the Cowboys into the divisional round, where they’ll take on the San Francisco 49ers.

In what was a 31-14 win over the Bucs, it wasn’t without some drama for Dallas as kicker Brett Maher missed his first four extra point attempts in the game. Maher hit his fifth attempt after the Cowboys scored to make it 30-14. Did some encouraging words from a teammate help him shake out of his funk?

After every win, the team over at DallasCowboys.com puts together their “Sounds from the Sideline,” highlighting the players’ reactions to big moments in the game. Their audio/video crew caught this moment between Lamb and Maher on the sideline.

As Maher walks to the bench, Lamb reaches out to his teammate for a high five and lets him know, “we’re behind you, bro. You’re good.” Later in the video, he reminds Maher that he’s bailed the team out with his kicking prowess plenty of times.

It was a terrible day for Brett Maher. There’s no way around it. But out of that came something beautiful that highlights the best of team sports. When everything went wrong for Brett Maher, CeeDee Lamb didn’t shy away from addressing it and letting him know that he had full confidence in his kicker.

We all have bad days, and sometimes that impacts our performance. Having a friend, family member, or teammate encourage you in a low moment can make all the difference. CeeDee Lamb fulfilled all of those roles on Monday Night, providing an encouraging word for Maher in the Cowboys’ win.

As for Lamb. After a rough start to the game, which included two drops, Lamb caught four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Nice way to bounce back for the Cowboys’ lead wide receiver.

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Kyler Murray out for the season with torn ACL

Kyler Murray was lost for the season with an injury he suffered on Monday Night Football.

The 2022 season hasn’t gone according to plan for Kyler Murray and the 4-9 Arizona Cardinals. That all came to a head on Monday Night Football as Murray exited early and looks to be done for the year.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported early Tuesday that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.

Murray sustained the injury in the Cardinals 27-13 loss to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football.

It’s been a down year for Murray and the Cardinals. 2022 marks the lowest yards per attempt, the lowest touchdown rate, and also the lowest interception rate of his career. Murray had just six multi-touchdown games this season for a Cardinals offense that’s 20th in the NFL in total yards and 27th in yards per play.

The Cardinals’ struggles haven’t been completely on Murray. The defense ranks 21st in the NFL in yards allowed and 32nd in the league in points.

Prior to his fourth season in the league, Murray signed a long-term contract extension with the Cardinals that will take him through the 2028 season, when Murray will be 31 years old. That contract will pay him an average of $46.1 million a year.

It’s a disappointing ending to the 2022 season for Murray, who will work to be back in time for training camp next summer.

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Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today. You can also follow John on Twitter @john9williams.

Social Media Reacts: CeeDee Lamb’s heads up play to score for Dallas Cowboys on SNF

Showing off that Sooner DNA, CeeDee Lamb displayed incredible awareness to keep playing and scored for the Dallas Cowboys.

The 8-3 Dallas Cowboys are hoping to keep pace with Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles. CeeDee Lamb is doing his part to help the Cowboys keep up with his former teammate in the NFC East.

With Dallas trailing 3-0, the Cowboys faced a third-and-9 deep in Indianapolis Colts territory. Dak Prescott dropped back to pass and found Lamb on the drag route over the middle. It looked as if Lamb was going to be stopped short of the line to gain after being wrapped up by a Colts defender. But the defender didn’t do enough to bring him down. Lamb rolled off the defender and kept his feet to run into the end zone.

It was a fantastic play on prime-time television, and social media reacted accordingly. Here’s a look at some of the best Twitter reactions to the big play.

Best of Jalen Hurts, Kyler Murray and more former Sooners from week 5 in the NFL

A look back at the best photos of week six from Sooners in the NFL.

The Oklahoma Sooners season has gone off the rails, but there is plenty of good football to enjoy at the NFL level as several former Sooners are having strong starts to their 2022 campaigns.

Jalen Hurts has been incredible, helping the Philadelphia Eagles get off to a 5-0 start to the season. Though the Arizona Cardinals are just 2-3, Kyler Murray and Marquise Brown have provided highlights that have created some entertaining football along the way.

CeeDee Lamb, in his first season as the No. 1 WR for the Dallas Cowboys is having a good season, despite playing the last four games with backup quarterback Cooper Rush. Lamb has 28 receptions for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Again, these aren’t great numbers, but those should start to come once Dak Prescott returns from a thumb injury.

After his third game this season with 89 receiving yards and a touchdown, Mark Andrews has joined the elite at the tight end position while Joe Mixon continues to be a steady rushing presence in the Cincinnati Bengals backfield.