NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • Former Steeler Antonio Brown blames James Harrison for giving him CTE

    Former Steeler Antonio Brown blames James Harrison for giving him CTE

    Just when we think the saga of former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown cannot get more bizarre, he tops it. This time it came in the form of an Instagram Live video.

    Brown said in the video that former teammate James Harrison gave Brown a big hit with what he called an illegal helmet and ever since that day Brown was super aggressive.

    “I wanted to tell you guys that I think James Harrison gave me CTE,” Brown said. “James Harrison had an illegal helmet for over 20 years in the NFL. And he hit me one time. And ever since he hit me I’ve been super aggressive. So blame James Harrison for my CTE.”

    At this point, it is impossible to know when Brown is joking and when he isn’t. I’m not sure he even knows anymore. Making the claim that Harrison wore an illegal helmet for over 20 years in the NFL is wild, especially since Harrison played in the NFL for 16 seasons.

    List

    2023 NFL draft: 7 mid-round prospects for the Steelers to consider

    Story originally appeared on Steelers Wire

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  • Texas Tech vs Baylor Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

    Texas Tech vs Baylor Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

    Texas Tech vs Baylor prediction, game preview, odds, how to watch. Saturday, February 4

    Texas Tech vs Baylor How To Watch

    Date: Saturday, February 4
    Game Time: 1:00 ET
    Venue: Ferrell Center, Waco, TX
    How To Watch: CBS
    Record: Texas Tech (12-10), Baylor (16-6)
    – Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

    AP Poll, All-Time College Basketball Rankings 
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    Texas Tech vs Baylor Game Preview

    Why Texas Tech Will Win

    Texas Tech pulled that out of nowhere.

    It was favored against Iowa State, but it was getting rocked at home at what seemed like an easy Cyclone win, and then …

    Texas Tech clawed back, forced overtime, and was able to pull it off in overtime after coming up with a victory over a punchless LSU.

    It lost to Baylor the first time 81-74, but it shot well, hit from three, and did everything right but …

    Why Baylor Will Win

    Texas Tech didn’t force enough turnovers against Baylor. Actually, it almost didn’t force any – the Bears only turned it over three times.

    Baylor has too many ways to score. It’s great from three, it’s decent enough on fast breaks, and it generates enough offensive rebounds to clean up the mistakes.

    Texas Tech isn’t good enough on the boards, it’s not strong on the free throw line, and …

    What’s Going To Happen

    Baylor won’t collapse like Iowa State did.

    Texas Tech will be plucky and hang around for about 30 minutes, but the Bears will start to pull away in the second half. They’ll hit the free throws, find an energy burst for a run of a few key points, and then it’ll start to get away at the end.

    Texas Tech vs Baylor Prediction, Line

    Baylor 73, Texas Tech 61
    Line: COMING, o/u: COMING
    ATS Confidence out of 5: COMING
    Must See Ranking:…

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  • Tom Brady retires: What’s next for Buccaneers after legendary QB says farewell, top options to fill position

    Tom Brady retires: What’s next for Buccaneers after legendary QB says farewell, top options to fill position

    Less than a year after signing with them, Tom Brady helped lift the Buccaneers from mediocrity to NFL champions. Now that Brady has officially retired, Tampa Bay once again finds itself in the market for someone to fill the sports’ most importation position. 

    It’s incredibly far-fetched to think the Buccaneers’ next quarterback will have the same impact Brady had. The Buccaneers surely know that, but that doesn’t mean that Tampa won’t try to find the best available person to succeed the seven-time Super Bowl champion, who in just three seasons added to his long list of career goals by becoming the best quarterback in Buccaneers history. 

    Blaine Gabbert and 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask are the two remaining quarterbacks on the Buccaneers’ roster. Gabbert, 33, is a journeyman who was good enough to beat out Trask for No. 2 on the depth chart last year. While Gabbert is a solid player, the fact that Trask wasn’t able to supplant him on the depth chart is not a promising sign. 

    Gabbert is set to be a free agent, but given his likely affordability and Todd Bowles’ glittering praise of him, it seems highly likely that the Buccaneers will re-sign him. Trask will likely be back, too, given he has two years left on his rookie contract. 

    With two quarterbacks already in tow, Tampa Bay will probably acquire two other quarterbacks. The team could sign a “camp arm” and someone who will compete to be the starting quarterback. But the more likely scenario is Tampa Bay drafting a quarterback and signing a veteran to compete for the starting job.

    The Buccaneers have a blueprint for how to replace a Hall of Fame quarterback should they choose to mimic what the Steelers did last year in finding Ben Roethlisberger’s successor. While it wasn’t without some speed bumps, Pittsburgh did ultimately find Roethlisberger’s successor in 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett while also finding a more than…

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  • Nick Saban kicks tires on Jeremy Pruitt as Alabama continues search for next defensive coordinator

    Nick Saban kicks tires on Jeremy Pruitt as Alabama continues search for next defensive coordinator

    Alabama coach Nick Saban has reached out to former Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt regarding the Crimson Tide’s vacant defensive coordinator position, sources tell CBS Sports. It is believed no offer has been made at this time, and Alabama would not speak on Pruitt’s candidacy when contacted for comment.

    Sources indicate Pruitt would face long odds to getting hired by the Tide as the subject of an ongoing NCAA investigation. He was fired at Tennessee two years ago as the NCAA levied allegations of 18 Level I violations on the Volunteers. Level I violations are most serious on the NCAA’s scale of infractions.

    There has been widespread speculation that Pruitt would be involved in Saban’s search to replace Pete Golding, who left for the same position at Ole Miss earlier this month. Golding was not expected to be retained by Alabama.

    Pruitt’s candidacy is questionable as it is unknown whether he would be allowed to accept the job if offered. 

    SEC Bylaw 19.8.1.2 requires any SEC school that “considers hiring an individual … who has participated in activity that resulted, or may result, in a Level I, Level II, Level III or major infraction” to have its president or chancellor “consult directly with the Commissioner prior to offering employment to the individual.”

    While that language does not directly disqualify Pruitt, Alabama would need to consult with SEC commissioner Greg Sankey before making the hire.

    “We have a specific bylaw that defines there has to be a consultation,” Sankey told reporters earlier this month. “It’s not an approval process. Our campuses — despite whatever mythology may exist — make their own personnel decisions. But we provide, for any hiring decision, here’s the background from a compliance standpoint.”

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  • 49ers’ season unravels after Brock Purdy’s injury, prompting questions about future at QB

    49ers’ season unravels after Brock Purdy’s injury, prompting questions about future at QB

    PHILADELPHIA – “When you have two quarterbacks, you have none.”

    It’s one of those longstanding NFL maxims – who knows who first uttered it? – that pithily suggests that if you don’t have a star, or at least an established passer, under center, then your team is up a creek.

    But the San Francisco 49ers turned the phrase on its head during the 2022 season, riding a trio of QBs to the NFC West title, which included a 12-game winning streak that extended into the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, the Niners proved during Sunday’s 31-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game that, “When you have to use your fourth-string quarterback, you have no chance.”

    HOW IT HAPPENED: Philadelphia dominant in 31-7 trouncing of San Francisco

    ANALYSIS ON AFC TITLE GAME: Everything to know for Bengals-Chiefs

    San Francisco’s season finally unraveled on its first offensive possession Sunday when Brock Purdy, “Mr. Irrelevant” as the final selection of the 2022 draft but vying to become the first rookie quarterback to guide his team into the Super Bowl, injured his throwing elbow while being sacked by linebacker Haason Reddick.

    San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy injured his elbow during the NFC championship game.

    A few practice throws and multiple trips to the medical tent seemed to effectively signal Purdy’s day was over, though he was forced to return in the second half after QB4 Josh Johnson suffered a concussion. But by that point, San Francisco trailing 21-7 and Purdy effectively unable to throw the ball more than a few yards, the Niners’ season was effectively over.

    Yet it’s amazing they made it this far – and coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch deserve all the credit for resourcing and managing a position that devours the salary cap and depth chart for so many clubs. San Francisco was on the verge of becoming the first squad in six years to reach the Super Bowl while starting three quarterbacks in the regular season.

    Now the Niners…

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  • 4-star LB commit to Florida after visiting for Junior Day

    4-star LB commit to Florida after visiting for Junior Day

    Florida earned another commitment from the class of 2024 on Saturday as four-star Largo (Florida) linebacker Adarius Hayes pledged his services to the university.

    Hayes was in town for Florida’s final Junior Day of the January recruiting period and announced his decision before leaving the Swamp. He was also in town last weekend to check in with the program, according to Swamp247. Hayes told Gators Online that he always planned on being a Gator and came into Saturday’s visit knowing that he’d be joining the class.

    “It was the plan the whole time. I’m blessed to be a Gator. Go Gators,” Hayes said. “I’ll be a MIKE only. They said I’ll just be a middle linebacker and come off the edge more on third down. Basically, I would be like Amari Burney/Ventrell Miller.”

    Hayes shadowed linebackers Shemar James and Derek Wingo on this trip and the duo did their best to reel him in. He got a glimpse of the role he’ll be playing on Florida’s defense and locked in with the Gators over Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State and others.

    This is the second blue-chip linebacker Florida has reeled in from the 2024 class. Myles Graham, who is ranked No. 30 overall on the 247Sports composite and No. 36 on the On3 consensus, picked Florida in August and seems locked in as a legacy commit.

    Hayes is the No. 61 overall recruit in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite. He’s also No. 7 among edge rushers in the class and No. 12 among prep players from the Sunshine State. On3 is even more bullish on him, ranking Hayes at No. 55 overall on the consensus rankings and No. 33 on the site’s independent list.

    Florida now has four players under commitment in the class. In addition to Hayes and Graham, UF has five-star quarterback DJ Lagway and four-star running back Chauncey Bowens on board as well. The…

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  • Meet Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson, the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL

    Meet Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson, the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL

    Getty Images

    Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson is the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL today.

    As the Eagles head into Sunday’s game one step from the Super Bowl, Johnson has risen to be several potential head coaches’ pick for their offensive coordinator. According to multiple sources, at least three head-coaching candidates have tabbed Johnson as their would-be OC.

    Whether Johnson leaves Philadelphia is another question entirely, though. Johnson hasn’t taken any interviews as of yet, and sources believe he’s waiting to see whether current Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen gets a head-coaching job. If that happens, it’s believed that Johnson would be the top candidate to replace Steichen as OC in Philly.

    That sort of promotion would create consistency in Philadelphia and give Johnson the ability to call plays for an MVP-caliber quarterback, giving Johnson the opportunity in 2023 to make his case as a potential head coach in next year’s cycle.

    Interestingly, a source told CBS Sports that one of the five teams in need of a head coach asked a veteran coaching candidate whether he’d be willing to bring on Johnson in an assistant head coach capacity. The idea being that the franchise would then be turned over to Johnson when he was deemed ready.

    Johnson is in his second year as the Eagles QBs coach. A former star quarterback at Utah, Johnson worked as a quarterbacks coach and/or offensive coordinator at Utah, Mississippi, Houston and Florida during the 2010s before joining Nick Sirianni’s staff in 2021.

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  • The Hunt Report: Power 5 QB earns Senior Bowl invite, plus more standouts from NFLPA Collegiate Bowl week

    The Hunt Report: Power 5 QB earns Senior Bowl invite, plus more standouts from NFLPA Collegiate Bowl week

    Last year was my first year attending the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Pasadena, California, and I said I would always return for this game, as the level of talent was tremendous. That was also the case this year, as both rosters were stacked with excellent pro prospects from across the country. 

    What was also cool about last year was that former Tennessee Titans and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams coach Jeff Fisher was coaching one of the teams. And then, later on that same week, he ended up getting the head coaching job for the upstart/restart USFL’s Michigan Panthers. 

    He returned this year to coach the American Team, and I was able to catch up with him after practice to ask about seeing his former player and current Tennessee State coach Eddie George coaching against him on the other side, his thoughts on the USFL’s first season, and what we can expect from his Michigan Panthers in 2023.

    Before getting into the standouts from both teams throughout the practice week, here’s all of the game information for the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

    How to watch 

    Date: Saturday, Jan. 28 | Time: 6 p.m. ET
    Location: Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, California)
    TV: NFL Network | Stream: fuboTV (try for free)  

    American Team

    QB Lindsey Scott Jr.: 5-10 215, Incarnate Word

    The 2022 Walter Payton Award winner (best offensive player in FCS) had an impressive showing throwing the football all week in Pasadena. What really stood out was the decisiveness and accuracy shown over the middle of the field. Scott has a complete mastery of the passing game, as well as the type of throws necessary on any given play.

    I was able to catch up with him post-practice to get his thoughts on the week.

    WR Malik Heath: 6-2 216, Ole Miss

    Heath played like a man amongst boys all week at…

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