Player Notes

2023 Rams offense: Position-by-position breakdown ·

It’s never been a secret that the offensive side of the ball has been Rams head coach Sean McVay’s baby. A vaunted offensive tactician, the Rams have typically spent more capital – whether in the draft, free agency or trade market – on that side of the ball.So when looking at the Rams’ 2023 youthful roster, it isn’t much of a surprise that most of the veterans are on offense. But that doesn’t mean ...

New Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur helps Sean McVay ·

Mike LaFleur and Sean McVay go way back.Well, far back for 30-somethings.LaFleur was on the periphery of the NFL coaching incubator that was the Washington staff about a decade ago, and he eventually became a part of the same coaching tree.So when McVay was searching for a new offensive coordinator this offseason, he turned to a familiar name.LaFleur, 36, is the younger brother of Green Bay Packers ...

Could Cowboys' Micah Parsons become NFL's highest-paid defender? ·

FRISCO — Cowboys safety Jaylon Kearse may not have the master’s degree in business that team owner Jerry Jones brandishes or decades of high-stakes negotiation experience. When it comes, however, to someday paying hybrid linebacker Micah Parsons, Kearse may be on to something.His approach is simple and to the point.And certain to work.“Give him the checkbook,” Kearse said Monday with a smile. “Just ...

What are Justin Fields’ most important checkpoints in 2023? Setting goals for the Chicago Bears QB in 7 categories. ·

As the season nears and the year-over-year progress of Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields continues to be measured, offensive coordinator Luke Getsy considered what he wants the passing attack to look like when the curtain lifts for the opener against the Green Bay Packers.After months of watching Fields grow in his understanding of the Bears system, after confirming Fields’ increased knowledge ...

Brian Burns wants a huge new contract. The Carolina Panthers have only one option. ·

Pay the man.Simply put, that’s what the Carolina Panthers need to do with edge rusher Brian Burns, who is suddenly playing a bit of hardball in his contract negotiations.After a summer of Burns showing up for every training camp practice and meeting, the two-time Pro Bowler hasn’t worked out with the team at either of its past two practices. He’s still going to meetings and still showing up at the ...

Falcons release official depth chart for Panthers game ·

By D. Orlando LedbetterFLOWERY BRANCH — As projected last week after the cutdown to the 53-man roster, the Falcons listed Bijan Robinson at RB1 for season opener on the first official depth chart of the season Tuesday.Running back Tyler Allgeier, who rushed for a franchise rookie record 1,035 yards last season, is listed at RB2 and Cordarrelle Patterson, who is struggling with a soft-tissue injury, ...

Arizona Cardinals release depth chart, roster for NFL Week 1 vs. Washington Commanders ·

The Arizona Cardinals have released their first depth chart of the 2023-24 regular season ahead of Sunday's NFL Week 1 game against the Washington Commanders.With Kyler Murray on the PUP list, all eyes are on the quarterback position for the Cardinals, and the depth chart doesn't offer any clarity on who will start for Arizona in Week 1, listing Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune as the starter (update: ...

Cowboys' Gil Brandt left legacy that will be 'celebrated forever' ·

FRISCO – Gil Brandt, the innovative Cowboys executive who was part of two Super Bowl-winning teams, one of the founding fathers of the advances of scouting and the signing and drafting of players from HBCUs and other sports died in the early morning hours Thursday.He was 91.Sara Brandt, who was married to Gil for 34 years, said he died just before 2 a.m. from an undisclosed illness. She said her husband ...

Joe Montana gives his take on 49ers’ QB situation, Nick Bosa holdout ·

If there is anyone who knows all about the San Francisco 49ers and quarterback controversies, it is be Joe Montana.The four-time Super Bowl champion and three-time Super Bowl MVP had plenty to say as he made a media blitz while promoting a new whiskey on Thursday morning, when he appeared on 95.7 The Game, KNBR and ESPN’s First Take, all in the 8 a.m. PR hour.What did the Hall of Famer who had a years-long ...

Aaron Rodgers accuses Giants' Jihad Ward of 'making s--t up' in escalating feud ·

The best tennis in town is not being played at the U.S. Open.It is the volleying back and forth between Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Giants linebacker Jihad Ward.It was Rodgers’ turn to return serve Thursday and he responded to Ward’s accusation that he and Jets wide receiver Randall Cobb were laughing after Cobb’s illegal block gave Giants safety Bobby McCain a concussion.“So he thought we were ...

Recent Stories

NFL roster madness explained

Something always has to have a nickname. Like “Black Monday” in the NFL, when head coaches are fired the day after the end of the regular season, it was only a matter of time before someone slapped a name on the cutdown in the NFL. Some have called it “Black ...

CeeDee cashes in, sets stage for rookie WR class

Now that the Dallas Cowboys finally quieted the daily discussion about wide receiver CeeDeee Lamb with a massive contract, there is no doubt the trend is to covet these pass catchers second only to the almighty quarterback. The prolific All-Pro wideout agreed ...

Must-see 2024 NFL rookie QB battles

After the first 12 picks in this year’s draft were complete, the 2024 quarterback class was destined to be forever linked to that celebrated 1983 draft, which also saw six quarterbacks, including three Hall of Famers, taken in Round 1. With the countdown to the ...

Rookie IOLs with mettle to medal

Amid the Summer Olympics, the NFL season has officially begun with a full slate of preseason games. This is the time of year when the attention is typically on the skilled position players as fantasy football degenerates are fine-tuning their draft strategies to ...

When Life Choices Become Grave Mistakes

I'm deeply saddened to hear about the tragic "accident" that claimed the lives of three young men: Khyree Jackson (24), Isaiah Hazel (23), and Anthony Lytton Jr. (24). These childhood friends shared dreams and aspirations of becoming professional athletes. They ...

Running back: Devolution of a proud position

In this, the first in a series on the state of running backs, we discuss how a dramatic evolution has negatively impacted a once proud position. The series will look back at RBs selected in the 2024 draft, ahead to a 2025 class that seems loaded with runners and ...

Trump's forgotten charge: Killing the USFL

July 11, 2024, is already etched in history as the day former President Donald Trump will be sentenced for 34 felony convictions. Regardless of the outcome, I am reminded of July 29, 1986, when he actually won his battle in a New York court and lost the war. Trump ...

Larry Allen: A long road to respect

Arguably the most dominant offensive lineman in football history, Larry Allen died Sunday while on vacation with his family in Mexico. He was 52.   His life story redefined perseverance. It could have been the original plot line for Straight Outta Compton, but ...

Controversy: Are punters, kickers NFL-draft worthy?

Kansas City Chiefs’ placekicker Harrison Butker made an impression in 2023 by making 33 of 35 field goals. Last week, he made quite an impression at Benedictine College, where Butker, shall we say, pushed his commencement speech wide right.   Controversy and ...

Jim Otto, the original Mr. Raider, dies at 86

The original Mr. Raider has passed. Jim Otto, the first Raider to touch a football, died Sunday at his Auburn (CA) home, with his family at his side. He spent most of his 86 years sneering at the inevitable, enduring last rites three previous times. Otto is survived ...

2024 Draft: A next-gen affair

As we look forward to watching the 257 draftees selected last week in the 2024 NFL Draft, we also gaze in the rear-view mirror at those relatives who preceded them and established the family name long ago. Fathers, uncles, and brothers with names everyone ...

Calculating the 2024 Draft grades of all 257 picks

 2024 DRAFT: 32 TEAMS AND 257 PLAYERS GRADED Exhale. The 2024 NFL Draft did indeed conclude when Mr. Irrelevant, Jaylen Key (DB, Alabama) was drafted by the New York Jets with the No. 257 selection. We can break out the calculators and over analyze the selection ...