Category: NFL News

  • Bob Brown, Hall of Fame offensive lineman in pro and collegiate football, dies at 81

    Bob Brown, Hall of Fame offensive lineman in pro and collegiate football, dies at 81

    Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bob Brown, known for his aggressive and intimidating style of play in the 1960s and early 70s, died on Friday, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced.

    “Bob Brown demonstrated different personalities on and off the field,” Hall president Jim Porter said in a statement Saturday. “On the field, he was as fierce an opponent as any defensive linemen or linebacker ever faced. He used every tactic and technique – and sometimes brute force – to crush the will of the person across the line from him. And took great pride in doing so.

    “Yet off the field, he demonstrated a quiet, soft-spoken and caring nature that his son, Robert Jr., captured eloquently when he presented his dad for enshrinement in 2004. The Hall extends its thoughts and prayers to CeCe and Robert Jr. for their loss,” Porter said.

    An All-American at the University of Nebraska, Brown led the Cornhuskers to a conference title in his final season in 1963. He would be enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

    Once called “the most aggressive lineman that ever played” by the legendary John Madden, Brown was selected with the No. 2 pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1964 NFL Draft. The towering 6-foot-4 and 280 pound lineman made an immediate impact with the Eagles, where he made three All-Pro teams in his five years with the team.

    After requesting a trade ahead of the 1969 season, Brown was dealt to the Los Angeles Rams, where he continued his success by earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl recognition in his two years with the team. During his first year with the Rams, the team allowed only 17 sacks in 416 pass attempts.

    Following his stint with the Rams, Brown was traded to the then-Oakland Raiders in 1971, now known as the Las Vegas Raiders, where he played under Madden. Recurring knee injuries would force Brown to retire in 1973.

    “Bob was the most intimidating player I’ve ever seen. I had opponents come up to me during games and say, ‘Gene, tell…

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  • USFL 2023 schedule, scores: Times, dates for the entire 10-week regular season and playoffs

    USFL 2023 schedule, scores: Times, dates for the entire 10-week regular season and playoffs

    Getty Images

    The USFL is back for its second season — four decades after its original incarnation from 1984 to 1986 — and there will be a few changes.

    All the league’s regular season games were held in Birmingham last year, but three new venues have been added to the mix for 2023: Memphis, Canton and Detroit. Birmingham, home to the defending champion Stallions, will also be a host.

    The 10-week regular season kicks off on April 15. The top two teams in each division will qualify for the playoffs, with semifinals on June 24-25. The USFL Championship Game will be played in Canton on July 1.

    Here’s a look at the full schedule (check out all our USFL coverage here):

    Week 1

    Philadelphia Stars 27, Memphis Showboats 23

    Birmingham Stallions 27, New Jersey Generals 10

    Michigan Panthers 29, Houston Gamblers 13

    New Orleans Breakers 22, Pittsburgh Maulers 15

    Week 2 

    New Orleans Breakers 38, Houston Gamblers 31

    Birmingham Stallions 42, Memphis Showboats 2

    New Jersey Generals 20, Pittsburgh Maulers 3

    Michigan Panthers 24, Philadelphia Stars 10

    Week 3

    New Orleans Breakers 45, Birmingham Stallions 32

    Houston Gamblers 30, Memphis Showboats 26

    Pittsburgh Maulers 21, Philadelphia Stars 13

    New Jersey Generals 28, Michigan Panthers 13

    Week 4

    Houston Gamblers 41, Philadelphia Stars 16

    Memphis Showboats 29, Michigan Panthers 10

    New Orleans Breakers 20, New Jersey Generals 17

    Birmingham Stallions 24, Pittsburgh Maulers 20

    Week 5

    Pittsburgh Maulers 23, Michigan Panthers 7

    Houston Gamblers 27, Birmingham Stallions 20

    Philadelphia Stars 24, New Jersey Generals 21

    Memphis Showboats 17, New Orleans Breakers 10

    Week 6

    Memphis Showboats 22, Pittsburgh Maulers 0

    Birmingham Stallions 27, Michigan Panthers…

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  • Broncos position preview for 2023: Special teams

    Broncos position preview for 2023: Special teams

    As we continue our Denver Broncos position previews ahead of the 2023 NFL season, we’re taking a look at special teams today and the five main positions for those units — kicker, punter, long snapper, punt returner and kick returner.

    Broncos head coach Sean Payton made sweeping changes to special teams this offseason. First, Payton brought in a new special teams coordinator in Ben Kotwica and a new assistant head coach with a special teams background in Mike Westhoff.

    Payton then changed the team’s personnel, making a change a punter, a change at long snapper, a change at kick returner, a change at punt returner and a change at kicker. The special teams units underwent a complete overhaul this offseason.

    Be sure to also check out our 2023 position previews for running back, tight end/fullback, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, outside linebacker, inside linebacker, cornerback and safety.

    Broncos’ (Projected) Special Teams Depth Chart

    Kicker: TBD

    (AP Photo/Nick Cammett)

    After parting ways with Brandon McManus, the Broncos signed Elliott Fry. Payton has said that the team will continue monitoring the kicker market, though, so there’s no guarantee that Fry will be the team’s Week 1 kicker. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Denver claim a kicker off waivers in August.

    (Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports)

    The Broncos signed Dixon to a two-year deal during free agency and then cut Corliss Waitman. This will mark Dixon’s second stint in Denver.

    After allowing Jacob Bobenmoyer walk in free agency, the Broncos are turning to Fraboni, who snapped in four games last year while Bobenmoyer was injured. At the moment, Fraboni is the only long snapper on the roster.

    (Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)

    Smith returned 40 kickoffs for 954 yards over the last two seasons with the Texans. He signed a two-year deal with the Broncos this offseason and now appears poised to handle kickoff return duties in 2023.

    Punt returner: Marvin Mims

    Mims averaged 16 yards per…

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  • NFL rookie QB takeaways: Analyzing how Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, other top draft picks fared in minicamp

    NFL rookie QB takeaways: Analyzing how Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, other top draft picks fared in minicamp

    The NFL offseason is flying by. Free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft are behind us, and all 32 teams are in the process of completing OTAs and mandatory minicamp. At this stage, we get a nice little break before players return to team facilities for training camp.

    As you’ve probably noticed by now, the NFL news cycle is 24/7, 365. One of the storylines fans and journalists alike are keeping tabs on are how the rookies are acclimating to NFL life — especially when it comes to the quarterbacks. A total of 14 quarterbacks were selected in this year’s draft, including a record-breaking 11 in the first 150 selections. 

    Some of these quarterbacks are expected to be franchise players, while others are signal-callers in waiting. Let’s take a look around the league at how some of them have fared thus far. 

    By all accounts, the No. 1 overall pick has impressed since his first day with the Panthers. Head coach Frank Reich said Young’s command was “10 out of 10” in the first practice session, and new teammate Andy Dalton said the rookie pointed out an incorrectly labeled play or formation during that first…

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  • Davante Adams, J.J. Watt, NY Jets coach Robert Salah among first-timers headed to 2023 American Century Championship

    Davante Adams, J.J. Watt, NY Jets coach Robert Salah among first-timers headed to 2023 American Century Championship

    Several new faces will be in the field this summer at the celebrity golf tournament at Edgewood, along with many of the longtime fan favorites.

    Among the newcomers, Las Vegas Raiders receiver Davante Adams is making his debut in the American Century Championship, set for July 12-16 at Edgewood.

    One notable absence is Justin Timberlake, who will not be able to play in this summer’s event due to a scheduling conflict.

    The celebrity golf event at Edgewood, entering its 34th year, also raises funds for local and national charities and distributes a purse of $600,000. The tournament is a 54-hole modified Stableford format.

    Annika Sorenstam during the ACC Golf Tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe on Sunday, July 11, 2021. (Photo by Tom R. Smedes/Special to RGJ)

    *Davante Adams, NFL All-Pro wide receiver, Las Vegas Raiders

    Josh Allen, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, Buffalo Bills

    Marcus Allen, NFL Hall of Fame running back

    Ray Allen, Hall of Fame NBA guard

    Bret Baier, FOX News chief political correspondent

    Ronde Barber, NFL Hall of Fame cornerback

    *Nate Bargatze, comedian

    Charles Barkley, NBA Hall of Famer / analyst: Inside the NBA

    Brian Baumgartner, actor/comedian: The Office

    Jerome Bettis, Pro Football Hall of Fame running back

    Tim Brown, NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver

    Joe Buck, play-by-play Monday Night Football

    Reggie Bush, former All-Pro NFL running back / Heisman winner

    Canelo Alvarez, best pound-for-pound boxer in the world

    Derek Carr, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback, New Orleans Saints

    Vince Carter, former NBA All-Star guard/forward

    Chace Crawford, actor, “The Boys” and “Gossip Girl”

    Dell Curry, former NBA guard

    Seth Curry, Brooklyn Nets guard

    Stephen Curry, four-time NBA champ and two-time NBA MVP, Golden State Warriors

    Vinny Del Negro, former NBA head coach

    Jay DeMarcus, singer/musician, Rascal Flatts

    Dylan Dreyer, Today Show anchor and meteorologist

    John Elway, NFL Pro Bowl quarterback

    Marshall Faulk, NFL Hall of Fame running back

    Mardy Fish, professional tennis…

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  • Ranking top 10 backup RBs for 2023: 49ers, Packers make cut; Mattison off list with Vikings releasing Cook

    Ranking top 10 backup RBs for 2023: 49ers, Packers make cut; Mattison off list with Vikings releasing Cook

    Running backs are top of mind in the NFL, with the Vikings set to cut ties with Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook ahead of the 2023 season. Money is a big reason for Cook’s departure, but Minnesota is also primed to transition thanks to belief in backup Alexander Mattison, who this offseason signed a two-year deal in anticipation of an expanded role.

    It raises the question: Which other No. 2 backs boast starting-caliber stuff? In a day and age where RB rotations are the norm, most teams depend on a whole stable of ball-carriers as opposed to a single featured back. And these 10 backups stand out as some of the best going into 2023:

    At 33, on his fourth team in as many years, Murray is a wholehearted journeyman. But there’s a reason clubs keep picking him up. While offering little as a pass-catcher these days, he’s such a steady runner whose confident, upright style has translated across systems. It wouldn’t be stunning to see him steal carries behind James Cook and Damien Harris in Buffalo.

    Jeff Wilson Jr.
    USATSI

    Fellow 49ers product Raheem Mostert is technically Miami’s starter (until a potential Dalvin Cook arrival), but Wilson is now owed slightly more money on his new deal. He’s never played a full season, but when healthy, he pairs burst with aggression as a change-of-pace option. On top of that, he benefits from Mike McDaniel’s speedy setup.

    Through two NFL seasons, the former sixth-rounder has missed a combined 18 games due to injury, making him a somewhat fragile complement to Christian McCaffrey. Still, when upright, he’s been incredibly smooth as a focal point for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, showcasing solid vision in relief and as a starter.

    Like Mitchell, he’s been severely hampered by injuries, playing more than 10 games just once in five seasons. But the…

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  • Peter Schrager makes bold choice for Chiefs’ breakout wide receiver

    Peter Schrager makes bold choice for Chiefs’ breakout wide receiver

    Kansas City Chiefs WR Justyn Ross has an unstoppable train of hype surrounding him this offseason. It’s so prevalent within Chiefs Kingdom, that his name is now picking up steam at the national media level.

    Good Morning Football’s Peter Schrager recently revealed his top-5 breakout wide receiver candidates for the 2023 NFL season. Ross came in at No. 5 on his list.

    “Number five is Justyn Ross,” Schrager said. “I’ve got practice footage of No. 8 Justyn Ross making a play. Ross was an undrafted free agent out of the University of Clemson a couple of years ago. He had the injury and yet everyone has spoken about Justyn Ross for two years in Kansas City circles. Like, ‘Just wait until we get Ross on the field.’ This was the one play you saw last week and it was from the Chiefs’ (Twitter) account and you were like, ‘Ah! He’s coming! It’s Justyn Ross time.’”

    The aforementioned practice footage shows Ross beating second-year CB Nazeeh Johnson on a deep route in team drills. There seems to be a good blend of internal excitement from the team and hype for the fans with Ross — who spent last season on injured reserve following surgery to repair a foot injury after signing with K.C. as an undrafted free agent.

    There’s some legitimate concern about his ability to stay healthy and on the field long-term. However, should he stay on the field, opportunity is an area that Schrager thinks could benefit Ross.

    “When you look at this roster at the wide receiver position, they lost JuJu (Smith-Schuster), they lost (Mecole) Hardman. In years past they lost other players,” Schrager said. “Who is going to step up? (Marquez) Valdes-Scantling was the guy against the Bengals. (Kadarius) Toney was awesome in the Super Bowl. (Justin) Watson, we know his name. You’ve got the second-round pick (Rashee) Rice. You got (Skyy) Moore last year. Richie James from the Giants. Justyn Ross just might be a guy to watch.”

    At the same time, he recognized just how bold…

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  • Lions OC Ben Johnson expects another ‘huge step forward’ in 2023 from a rising offense

    Lions OC Ben Johnson expects another ‘huge step forward’ in 2023 from a rising offense

    Last season, the Detroit Lions were one of the NFL’s most unexpected success stories. The Lions didn’t make the playoffs, but they were in contention until the final week of the season, largely on the strength of their explosive and efficient offense. 

    The Lions finished the season fourth in yards, fifth in points, fifth in Football Outsiders’ offensive DVOA, and third in Tru Media’s version of EPA per play. With one of the league’s top offensive lines protecting him, Jared Goff had his best season in years, and players like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jamaal Williams, D’Andre Swift, D.J. Chark, and more played significant roles in elevating the team’s performance. 

    Also key to the evolution was offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who became a hot name on the coaching circuit this offseason but decided to pull his name from consideration for several jobs and return to Detroit for at least another year. And Johnson sees big things coming for his offense this season. 

    “I personally expect a huge step forward in terms of the growth and knowledge base of our players the experience they have under their belt,” Johnson said this week, per the team’s official website. “That’s why the emphasis has been on the basics. Let’s get really good at the fundamentals because that’s what helped us win games at the end of last year.”

    As for where the team can get better, Johnson doesn’t think the Lions need to do anything new. They just need to do what they need to do what they already did, better. 

    “When we look back at what we did in self scout all of our plays from last year I came away from it personally that even if we didn’t run one new play this year, if we ran all the same plays that we ran last year, that we would be a better offense because we have to execute better than we did,” Johnson said. “We did a lot of nice things a year ago, but it really means nothing going forward to this year. We have to…

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