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Hopefully, mothers everywhere celebrated yesterday by getting to sleep in. Speaking of sleep, I can’t wait to wake up on Thursday, September 5 to watch Ravens-Chiefs, announced this morning as the season’s first game.
Today’s NFL update:
- 1️⃣ First-round QB showings
- 📹 Minicamps: Two injuries, many standouts
- 👔 Patriots find their “GM
Rookie Minicamps: First-round Quarterbacks
Well before becoming the youngest starting QB to ever win a playoff game (at just over 22 years old), C.J. Stroud made his first impression at the Texans’ rookie minicamp last May. Right away, Stroud looked like he belonged.
That contrasted with Bryce Young, who mainly inspired jokes about his lack of stature.
Here’s what you should know from this year’s first-round quarterbacks at rookie minicamps (plus other positions below). As always at this point in the offseason: grain of salt.
- Bears QB Caleb Williams is already being touted for his leadership, with OL Kiran Amegadjie saying, “He’s a person that works hard. He’s always the first one in, in the morning.” Even his bear-claw gesture is catching on, notes Kevin Fishbain. Williams “carries himself like a franchise quarterback,” wrote Jon Greenberg.
- Broncos QB Bo Nix has been “exactly what we saw” during scouting, said HC Sean Payton. One beat reporter called Nix “unbelievably accurate, especially on downfield throws,” adding that “Bo hit nearly every single receiver in stride right on the money.” Nick Kosmider has more on the 24-year-old.
- Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is working on progression-based passing and (probably) not throwing another interception in camp, a time which HC Kevin O’Connell described for McCarthy as a “total learning environment.” Alec Lewis has more on McCarthy’s first impression.
- QB Michael Penix Jr.’s arm was the draw at Falcons rookie minicampwhere he arrived early, led the offensive rookies on a pre-practice walk-through and even met Kirk Cousins, who said he was happy to have the newcomer there. Several times, the rookie backup zipped the ball through the hands of teammates and coaches.
- Washington‘s QB Jayden Daniels was grateful punter Tress Way gave up jersey No. 5, and there’s more to that story than you’d expect. As for his on-field impression, “What you don’t see on the tape is how much this guy loves football,” HC Dan Quinn said. Rookie TE Ben Sinnott summarized his reaction: “[Daniels] has the ‘it’ factor.”
As for the first-round rookie QB in New England:
What Dianna’s Hearing: The Patriots on Maye
Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye took center stage this weekend, showing up for rookie camp for what could be best described as a light workout.
Head coach Jerod Mayo explained after the practice session, “[Maye] has a lot to work on. A lot to work on. But I have no doubt that he will put the time in. He was here all night trying to get on the same page as everyone else.”
Sounds like Mayo learned a few “never compliment the star player” tips from his previous boss. Jokes aside, the new head coach is setting reasonable expectations for Maye, who is just dipping his toe into the Patriot playbook.
I had a few conversations with those around the organization over the weekend, and it appears the Patriots like what they see from the rookie in terms of his physical ability and commitment to learn. He’s impressing teammates, too.
Back to you, Jacob.
Rookie Minicamps, Pt. II: More intel
What you should know from rookie minicamps, outside of the quarterbacks. Let’s start with the positives:
- After the Panthers ranked last in passing yardage, they hope WR Xavier Legette helps turn around their receiver room. Based on early reports from Carolina camphis explosiveness has stood out.
- Patriots fourth-round WR Javon Baker distinguished himself as “one of the best players of the morning” and “made a couple of nice plays with [QB Drake] Maye,” noted Jeff Howe during his review of New England’s first open rookie camp session since early in the Bill Belichick era.
- Colts WR Adonai Mitchell impressed beat reporter James Boyd, who watched the 6-2 wideout take a crosser to the house from roughly 70 yards out. Boyd has more from Indy’s minicampincluding on Mitchell: “Asked if he could name the 10 wideouts chosen before him … Mitchell quickly dismissed the question. ‘No,’ Mitchell responded. ‘Nobody got a name. Nobody got a face.’”
- In a limited showing, WR Malik Nabers impressed in drills during Giants minicamp. HC Brian Daboll said he was happy with the way Nabers handled that ROY bet with former LSU teammate Jayden Danielscalling it off after speaking with the Giants’ support staff.
- Tyler Guyton, moving from RT at Oklahoma to LT in dallasspent the last two weeks working with an OL expert to ease the transition. The Cowboys have high hopes for him and fellow rookie Cooper Beebe, who was getting reps at center.
- The top pass catcher at 49ers rookie minicamp wasn’t first-round WR Ricky Pearsall, but fourth-round RB Isaac Guerendo, who has a background as a receiver.
- Titans rookie DT T’Vondre Sweat was “the biggest dude on the field” but did not struggle to move, nor struggle to pop up from the ground and punish a blocking sled, as he did in one drill. As Joe Rexrode explains, Tennessee is excited by the 6-4, 366-pounder, who could play a crucial role alongside Jeffrey Simmons.
- Lions CB Terrion Arnold knows what HC Dan Campbell likes to hear: “If my mom were a receiver, I’d jam her in the dirt. And she knows that.” Happy Mother’s Day.
The question marks:
- Don’t expect RB Javonte Williams to get guaranteed touches in Denver. Sean Payton said Jaleel McLaughlin, Blake Watson and others will compete for playing time. “Who knows what we’re going to get.”
- Washington‘s second-round DT Johnny Newton, who had surgery on his right foot in January, wore a boot on his other foot while watching practice. He will undergo another surgeryagain for a Jones fracture.
- Bears WR Rome Odunze left practice with hamstring tightness but still walked through several drills.
The “are you okays?”
- Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh said he woke up at 4 AM, stared straight at the ceiling and said to himself, “It’s not just another day, it’s to-day.”
- When asked what it’s like to bring Ezekiel Elliott back (into a RB committee), Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy said“He’s an old school guy. He’ll go up and smack a 60-year-old man in the ass, and it hurts. It’s those kinds of things that you just enjoy him — not that I enjoy getting smacked in the ass.”
Around the NFL
Longtime NFL executive and former Chargers GM A.J. Smith passed away over the weekend at age 75. Smith, the winningest GM in franchise history, memorably drafted Eli Manning No. 1 before trading him for Phillip Rivers and additional picks.
Edge rusher Bud Dupree is signing with the Chargers. The 31-year-old had 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss with the Falcons last season.
The Patriots have never had an official GM during Robert Kraft’s time as owner, partly due to Bill Belichick long having de facto control of the roster, but that’s effectively what Eliot Wolf has become after being named the franchise’s executive vice president of player personnel.
Looking for the next breakout RB? Target year-two playersas they have historically seen the biggest workload increases (that mattered). Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Zach Charbonnet and Devon Achane are four to watch.
The Saints signed veteran OL Lucas Patrick to a one-year contract. The 30-year-old is a stronger run blocker than pass blocker who started 15 games for the Bears last season.
Jacob’s Picks
📕 The NFL’s best defense, explained. Ted Nguyen gives a masterclass on the defensive model created by new Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald, breaking down plays from last year while sharing the underlying principles, like bringing pressure through a variety of looks. (The Athletic)
🎙 Interesting draft picks as noted by former GM Randy Mueller, in his discussion with Mike Sando. Around the 16-minute mark: “41 of the first 43 players drafted were at premium positions … QB, WR, edge, DT, OT and CBs.” (The Athletic Football Show)
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(Photo: @ChicagoBears / X)
2024-05-13 22:11:43
#NFL #rookies #impressing #minicamp #Notable #takeaways #beat #writers
