Tag: starter

How Tua Tagovailoa’s play style makes him a unique NFL QB

Former Alabama QB tua tagovailoa is turning heads and earning the respect of coaches and players at 2020 training camp.

Former Alabama star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has garnered national attention since his true freshman season on the Crimson tide football team. Whether it was his crazy collegiate debut against Vanderbilt, or his impressive second-half performance in the 2017 National Championship vs. Georgia, there’s always been something special about the Hawaiian-born quarterback.

In his three years under Nick Saban at Alabama, and starting two seasons, Tagovailoa accumulated a career total of 7,442 yards with a completion percentage of 69.3%, 87 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions.

Impressive numbers to go along with an impressive resume that consists of an SEC Championship, College Football National Championship, CFP National Championship MVP, 2018 Heisman finalist and a slew of other awards.

It seems that he’s always had the “It factor,” and that is what the Miami Dolphins are hoping to find in Tagovailoa since drafting him with the No. 5 overall selection in the 2020 NFL draft.

If it were not for his numerous injuries throughout college, he likely would have been a strong contender for the No. 1 overall pick and potentially a Heisman winner. Despite his length injury history, he’s still considered to be one of the best quarterbacks in recent years.

Why?

While there is plenty of criticism surrounding Tagovailoa’s style of play, he has risen up to the top of the ‘hype ladder’ and is now atop many national headlines just by completing passes in practice.

Well, Tagovailoa can definitely throw. It may not be the strongest pass, but an accurate one, nonetheless.

Not only is he a lethal passer, as shown in his career stats with Alabama, but he can run, as well.

His numbers while with the Crimson Tide (107 carries for 340 yards and nine touchdowns) may not show it, but anyone who watched the 44-yard touchdown run from Tagovailoa on an injured knee knows that letting him run free outside the pocket his a dangerous decision.

It appears that Tagovailoa’s ability to escape the pocket and take off has found its way to the NFL during the Dolphins 2020 training camp.

As reported by ESPN’s Cameron Wolfe, Emmanuel Ogbah, an outside linebacker for the Miami Dolphins, who won Super Bowl LIV in 2019 with the Kansas City Chiefs, admits he is hard to bring down outside the pocket.

If you spy on Tagovailoa, he’ll take advantage of it and throw the deep ball, if you don’t keep an eye on him, he’s gone for a decent gain.

That’s not all. Wolfe also reported that Dolphins safety Eric Rowe recognizes growth in Tagovailoa’s skills.

He’s not expected to open the 2020 NFL season as Miami’s starter. but that doesn’t mean we won’t see him this season. There’s growing belief that the Alabama product has surprised many in training camp and could make his starting debut sooner than anticipated.

 

 

Lions DC Cory Undlin not ready to name a starter at CB

Detroit Lions DC Cory Undlin has been impressed with Amani Oruwariye and Jeff Okudah, but he isn’t ready to name a starter at corner yet.

Detroit Lions DC Cory Undlin has been impressed with both second-year corner Amani Oruwariye and rookie Jeff Okudah, but with two weeks to go before the season opener, he isn’t ready to name a starter opposite Desmond Trufant just yet.

Third overall pick Okudah has been expected to be the starter from the moment he was drafted but with no spring camp, a limited training camp, and no preseason, it’s a tough ask for him to be ready to compete Day 1.

“He is on a steady incline, which is all we can ask,” Undlin said of Okudah at Sunday’s press conference. “That’s all we can ask from any of our players – vets, rookies, whatever. So, I like the direction that he’s headed in. We’re not there yet. I don’t think any of us are there yet. If you ask any players, we’ve still got two weeks left here to clean it all up and get ready for that first game. But I’m not disappointed on the work he’s been doing and where he’s going.”

Okudah has gotten a lot of time with the starters in camp — especially when Trufant sat out three practices at the end of week 1 — but Oruwariye has been with the starters every practice and appears to have taken a Step forward in his development.

“He’s more than ready (to start),” Undlin said of Oruwariye. “We’re not to that point, we haven’t made that decision yet. Very, very impressed with where he is at. The things that he has done this far, he looks like a seasoned veteran, right now, in everything that he’s doing. I’m really pleased with where he is at. I’m not making any assumptions on what we’re going to do in two weeks, but I’m very happy with him and he’s played very well.”

Regardless of who starts between Okudah and Oruwariye, there is bound to be some bumps and bruises along the way. But the Lions have two young corners who both appear on the cusp of starting — and that’s a really good spot to be in.

Alex Anzalone making the right plays early in critical Saints training camp

New Orleans Saints linebacker Alex Anzalone returned from another shoulder injury to get the jump on a starting job in training camp.

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The final year of a player’s rookie contract is often seen as a make-or-break opportunity. For Alex Anzalone, that’s even more true considering how much time he’s lost to injuries early in his New Orleans Saints career.

So it’s very encouraging to see that the linebacker has seized his opportunity. He’s been paired with Demario Davis in the starting lineup for nickel sets (which the Saints use more than most other defensive personnel packages), and remained on the field whenever the Saints roll out their base defense. Rookie draft pick Zack Baun and veteran free agent Nigel Bradham have been rotating in, but Anzalone is the guy to beat if either of them want to start.

And on Thursday, Anzalone was one of two defenders to intercept Drew Brees. Anzalone correctly read where the ball was going pre-snap and jumped a receiver’s route to snatch it away, just minutes after Brees threw up a ball from under pressure by the Saints pass rush. Free safety Marcus Williams put himself in position to pick Brees off that time.

It’s not the first time Anzalone has stood out at practice. He earned some praise from his head coach after Thursday’s training camp practice.

“I think he’s doing well, I know he feels healthy. He looks strong, his weight’s up, I like the way he’s carrying his pads,” Payton said in a media conference call. “He’s working with the first group, he’s someone who’s obviously played a number of plays for us and knows what to do, so I’ve been encouraged.”

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Carlos Hyde understands Chris Carson is Seahawks starting running back

New Seattle Seahawks running back Carlos Hyde acknowledged in a video chat with reporters that Chris Carson is the team’s No. 1 RB.

New Seattle Seahawks running back Carlos Hyde is excited to be in the Emerald City for the 2020 season but has realized that he will not likely be given the starting role.

Hyde stated in a video interview with reporters on Monday that Chris Carson is the undisputed No. 1 running back in Seattle.

“It’s probably an open competition for that second role,” Hyde said. “Me personally, I don’t think there’s probably an open competition for the starting role. I think everybody knows who the starting running back is for Seattle, and that’s Carson. I knew that before I even signed into Seattle, that he is the guy. Would coach [Pete] Carroll change his mind? Maybe. I don’t really know.”

Hyde stated that although he is unlikely to edge out Carson for the starting role, he will do his best to secure a position on the roster for the 2020 season.

“I know maybe the second spot is open,” he said. “Maybe the first spot. I’m going to come in there and compete for the first spot, make sure I solidify myself and go from there. I’m not really sure what’s the plan.”

This is assuming there will even be a 2020 NFL season with the coronavirus pandemic still active.

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Taysom Hill’s new deal tees him up to start at QB in 2021

Now that Taysom Hill has signed a contract extension with the New Orleans Saints, he is the clear heir-apparent behind Drew Brees.

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The NFL landscape was just beginning to settle in the wake of the 2020 NFL Draft when the New Orleans Saints signed backup quarterback Taysom Hill to a two-year, $21 million contract extension. That move doesn’t just grant Hill financial stability — it puts him in the driver’s seat to start at quarterback once Drew Brees has moved on.

That might happen as soon as 2021. While Brees also signed a two-year deal, it’s structured so that the Saints will be accountable for a little over $22 million against the salary cap should he retire after the 2020 season. If he plays, that number climbs up to north of $30 million. Brees has already signed on with NBC Sports in a broadcasting role, so it appears increasingly likely that 2020 will be his last ride.

Which means Hill would be the favorite to start at quarterback, with a salary at around $16 million. That’s comparable to what Andy Dalton and Jacoby Brissett have earned in recent years. It’s tough to complain about that kind of payout for a quarterback who, at worst, might be a one-year band-aid until the Saints can find their next passer. At best, it might end up looking like a bargain if Hill thrives as the full-time starter.

Still, don’t be surprised if the Saints take a proactive approach in adding more quarterbacks next offseason. Hill and rookie seventh-round pick Tommy Stevens are the only passers under contract (assuming Brees retires) past the 2020 season, with Jameis Winston expected to sign just a one-year deal. Things are shaking up in New Orleans and fans should be preparing for it.

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Could Ugo Amadi be starter at nickel corner this upcoming season?

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps recently stated on 710 ESPN Seattle that the team could have Ugo Amadi as a nickel starter.

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps recently stated on 710 ESPN Seattle that the team should have Ugo Amadi in mind as the starting nickel corner.

“I don’t know if you can say confidently that he is the outright, penned in nickel corner starter, but for me, I think they should be going into this year thinking that way,” Heaps said. “Ugo Amadi, when he stepped in and they actually gave him a chance … late in the season, and Pete Carroll even said they should have gotten him out there (sooner).”

Heaps praised Amadi’s ability to make substantial contributions in the form of big plays on the field.

“This guy is a playmaker,” Heaps said. “When you watch his film or his tape from college, he’s a playmaker and I think that’s what Ugo Amadi brings to the table is if you actually roll him out there, and let him play 70% of the snaps during the season, he’s going to be better, he’s going to make plays for you and he’s a guy that is reliable.”

However, Heaps went on to state that Amadi’s run defense is questionable and is the reason why he is not the clear-cut starter at nickel yet.

“You’ve got to remember, you’re taking Mychal Kendricks out, a player like him or Cody Barton, and you’re putting Ugo Amadi in there, and typically, their nickel corners have been excellent run defenders,” Heaps said. “That’s the one question that you just don’t know because he hasn’t played enough snaps to have a full answer (for) that and unfortunately, I think that’s been a mistake for them, is that they don’t have a clear-cut answer as to ‘is Ugo Amadi our penned-in starter.’ If not, I think he has everything it takes to be that guy and be their next great nickel corner in the future.”

Amadi’s rookie year certainly looked promising. We will see if he gets more playing time in the future.

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Is Shy Tuttle ready to step up if the Saints don’t re-sign David Onyemata?

The New Orleans Saints may not be able to re-sign David Onyemata, a pending free agent. Shy Tuttle should be seen as an in-house replacement

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The New Orleans Saints are facing a tough decision with David Onyemata, a co-starter at defensive tackle the last few years. Onyemata is a pending free agent who will entertain offers from other teams beginning March 16 (though he can’t sign anything until March 18), and it’s unclear whether the Saints will bring him back.

That’s troubling because Onyemata led his position in snaps played per game last season. Here’s how that hierarchy shook out, per Pro Football Reference:

  • David Onyemata, 37.7 snaps per game (15 games)
  • Sheldon Rankins, 32.2 snaps per game (10 games)
  • Malcom Brown, 30.4 snaps per game (16 games)
  • Taylor Stallworth, 23.3 snaps per game (4 games)
  • Shy Tuttle, 21.3 snaps per game (16 games)
  • Mario Edwards Jr., 20.9 snaps per game (14 games)

The Saints have already paid out veteran contracts to teammates like Brown ($6 million salary cap hit in 2020) and Edwards ($3.24 million), with Rankins set to play out his fifth year with the team on a team option valued at $7.69 million. That’s a combined $16.93 million in cap commitments to the defensive tackle position. Even if Onyemata signs a deal comparable to what Brown earned (three years, $15 million), it’ll be tough to fit in another contract for Onyemata.

However, the Saints may already have replacement waiting in the wings. While Rankins would be the logical choice, he’s recovering from another lower-leg injury and isn’t a sure thing to be ready for the season-opener (at least until we get an update from the Saints). That puts Tuttle, the second-year pro, squarely in the driver’s seat to start next to Brown.

But is Tuttle ready for that? He played well for the Saints on a limited basis in 2019, registering two sacks, a knockdown, and two hurries per Pro Football Reference. Tuttle was active at the line of scrimmage, creating four tackles for loss and deflecting six passes (including the playoffs). He was also credited with just one missed tackle on 19 attempts, a rate of 5.3%. And we’d be remiss to not mention his interception of Matt Ryan on Thanksgiving, followed by the most iconic stiff arm in recent Saints history. Tuttle’s a playmaker.

That all projects well to an increased role in 2020, but what may be more encouraging are Tuttle’s grades from the analysts at Pro Football Focus. He was the team’s highest-graded interior lineman in both run defense (73.2) and pass rush (70.5), finishing second in coverage (54.9, not bad for a 300-pounder). His overall grade (75.9) was also the highest on the team. In fact, Tuttle received the 20th-best overall grade among all NFL defensive tackles.

Does this mean that he’s ready to double his workload and play 40-plus snaps per game? Maybe, maybe not. That’s up for the coaches to decide. But Tuttle was a real success story as an undrafted signing out of Tennessee, and he’s been someone Saints coach Sean Payton has been quick to recognize when discussing last year’s rookie class. It’s a safe bet that we’ll see more of Tuttle in 2020, but it’s too soon to guess the extent of his upgraded playing-time.

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WATCH: Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace says ‘Mitch [Trubisky] is our starter’

No quarterback controversy here: Mitch Trubisky is the Chicago Bears’ starter for 2020.

No quarterback controversy here: Mitch Trubisky is the Chicago Bears’ starter for 2020.

At a year-end press conference on Tuesday, Bears GM Ryan Pace said, “We believe in Mitch and we believe in the progress he’s going to continue to make.”

Trubisky took a step back in 2019, producing a lower QB rating, pass completion percentage and touchdown total from what he did in 2018. He also proved inconsistent in pivotal moments, converting just 35.6% of his third-down attempts this season.

But that’s not a red flag for Pace or Bears coach Matt Nagy. At least not yet.

“This season was about regression and inconsistencies in way too many areas,” Pace said. “We have to learn from our failures, and we believe we have an opportunity to improve. We believe we have the right foundation and the right pieces in place, but we have to make the right decisions going forward.

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