Jags’ rookie sensation Travis Etienne likely out for the season
The Clemson product suffered a mid-foot injury during the game, scans later revealing he suffered the dreaded Lisfranc injury, meaning Etienne will require surgery.
It couldn’t have gone much worse for Urban Meyer and his Jacksonville Jaguars last night.
After being comprehensively beaten by the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville received news it feared most.
First-round running back Travis Etienne will likely miss for the entirety of his rookie season. The Clemson product suffered a mid-foot injury during the game, scans later revealing he suffered the dreaded Lisfranc injury, meaning Etienne will require surgery.
Jacksonville haven’t officially ruled Etienne out for the season but according to multiple reports, his rookie year will be over before it has even begun.
A lisfranc injury causes severe pain to the foot and ensures weight bearing is impossible. Patients are generally required to wear a cast or moon boot for 6-12 weeks post-surgery.
The Jaguars do have cover at running back with sophomore sensation James Robinson set to be utilized as a bell cow for Darrell Bevell’s inexperienced offense.
Jacksonville had a night to forget in New Orleans. Despite the closeness of the eventual scoreline, this was a mismatch across all three phases.
Trevor Lawrence and Gardner Minshew combined for 0 touchdowns and one interception, while the defense — which sorely missed star DE Josh Allen — failed to stop Jameis Winston through the air at any point.
Solace for Jacksonville came in the form of third-string quarterback C.J. Beathard who threw two late touchdowns in a relatively promising display.
Deshaun Watson expected not to travel with Texans for opening preseason game
The battle between Deshaun Watson and the Texans rumbles on.
The battle between Deshaun Watson and the Texans rumbles on.
Houston’s No. 4 will not travel to Green Bay for their preseason opener, if their GM Nick Caseiro is to be believed.
Speaking to SportsRadio 610 in Houston, the former Patriots employee said “I don’t expect him to play.”
Speculation surrounds Watson’s immediate playing future — both with the Texans, and in the league more broadly — is under a cloud due to his current legal situation.
Caseiro added “there’s been a lot of speculation” and “a lot of moving parts” regarding the Clemson product. What is clear, in a rather murky situation, is Watson doesn’t want to be in Houston.
Whatever happens with the legal side of things it seems
NFL announces Preseason TV schedule
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel…this includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The NFL announced this week there will be a record number of preseason games will be shown on NFL Network.
Let’s hope we’ll see more of this!
Importantly, all preseason games will be shown on NFL GamePass, which is fantastic news for international and American fans alike.
An enormous 23 games will be shown on the league’s broadcast channel will show eight games through Weeks 1-2 before a final seven during the third and final week of preseason.
This includes to quadruple-headers in Weeks 1 and 2 before two doses of triple-headers in Week 3.
The Football Team kick off NFL Network’s coverage on August 12 at New England, where we should get our first official look at Mac Jones in a Patriots uniform.
Trevor Lawrence is likely to hit your screens on August 14 as Urban Meyer and the Jags host AFC rivals, Cleveland.
Media and fans alike will be hoping to get a glimpse of Jordan Love too, which may come as early as Week 2 (August 21) at home to Zac Wilson and Gang Green.
Below is a full list of the games to air on NFL Network across the preseason:
Week 1
Thursday, August 12
7:30 PM ET – Washington Football Team vs. New England Patriots
Friday, August 13
7:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions
10:00 PM ET – Dallas Cowboys vs. Arizona Cardinals
Saturday, August 14
1:00 PM ET – Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
4:00 PM ET – Denver Broncos vs. Minnesota Vikings
7:00 PM ET – Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 15
1:00 PM ET – Carolina Panthers vs. Indianapolis Colts
Week 2
Thursday, August 19
7:30 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Friday, August 20
8:00 PM ET – Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Football Team
Saturday, August 21
1:00 PM ET – Buffalo Bills vs. Chicago Bears
4:25 PM ET – New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
7:30 PM ET – Detroit Lions vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
10:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. Los Angeles Rams
Sunday, August 22
1:00 PM ET – New York Giants vs. Cleveland Browns
7:30 PM ET – San Francisco 49ers vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Week 3
Friday, August 27
8:00 PM ET – Minnesota Vikings vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Saturday, August 28
1:00 PM ET – Green Bay Packers vs. Buffalo Bills
7:00 PM ET – Chicago Bears vs. Tennessee Titans
10:00 PM ET – Los Angeles Chargers vs. Seattle Seahawks
Sunday, August 29
1:00 PM ET – Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Dallas Cowboys
4:00 PM ET – Las Vegas Raiders vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:00 PM ET – New England Patriots vs. New York Giants
For American fans — NFL Network will blackout live games shown concurrently in local markets.
NFL Training Camps begin this week- When does your team return?
Football season is fast approaching with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers kicking off their respective training camps on Wednesday.
Football season is fast approaching with the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers kicking off their respective training camps on Wednesday.
All players from the Cowboys and Steelers are scheduled to report, with the teams facing off in the Hall of Fame Game on August 5.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers will host its rookies on Tuesday, with veterans coming through on Saturday.
Below you will find exactly when each team reports for training camp ahead of the NFL preseason which begins on Thursday, August 12.
Reporting dates and locations for NFL training camps this offseason - courtesy of NFL Communications.
NFL announces joint practices - Who your team is playing and why
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
Joint practices aren’t a new phenomenon in the NFL. They essentially act as an opportunity for teams and players to go through scrimmages against different personnel.
After practicing against your own same players throughout OTAs and training camp, it is a great opportunity to move through different plays, schemes against foreign opponents.
Not all 32 teams are participating in joint practices though. Only 21 teams are will involve themselves with another organization.
New Orleans and Jacksonville were set to meet in Louisiana on August 20, but since the release of the schedule both teams have confirmed otherwise.
Teams NOT involved in joint practices this offseason:
Arizona Cardinals
Buffalo Bills
Cincinnati Bengals
Detroit Lions
Houston Texans
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Seattle Seahawks
Washington Football Team
Some teams will engage in two bouts of joint practices; the Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Philadelphia Eagles, and both the New York clubs (Jets and Giants).
Arguably, the most famous joint practice moment of recent memory involved then-Houston’s DeAndre Hopkins and Washington’s DeAngelo Hall getting into it. Things got interesting, real quick…
Thankfully for DB’s everywhere their ankles won’t be tested by D-Hop until preseason at the earliest.
Full list of this year’s joint practices:
Courtesy of NFL Communications
Who will play under the franchise tag in 2021?
The NFL list of franchise tagged players is relatively short this season. Only six players will go through the 2021-22 NFL season under the conditions of the tag.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Giants defensive lineman Leonard Williams and Broncos safety Justin Simmons were all tagged and looked likely to remain that way until they agreed new deals with their respective teams.
Carolina right tackle Taylor Moton was similarly fortunate after agreeing a four-year, $72 million deal with the Panthers just before today’s deadline.
The unlucky six on this season’s franchise tag are:
Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR)
Allen Robinson (Chicago Bears WR)
Marcus Maye (New York Jets S)
Marcus Williams (New Orleans Saints S)
Cam Robinson (Jacksonville Jaguars T)
Brandon Scherff (Washington Football Team G)
Darren Waller wants to help Tim Tebow succeed at tight end
Tim Tebow may not have received an invite to Tight End University but one star pass catcher is willing to help him at the position.
Tim Tebow may not have received an invite to Tight End University but one star pass catcher is willing to help him at the position.
Star Raiders tight end and all-round good guy Darren Waller wants to offer Tebow some one-on-one mentoring as he tries to make the Jacksonville roster at Waller’s position.
“If he thinks he can learn from me, then I’d love to help him and help make his transition smoother,” Waller told TMZ.com.
Waller, like Tebow, wasn’t a tight end growing up, though he made a far easier transition from wide receiver.
“I tried to find any information I could from watching guys play or asking people when I moved,” Waller said regarding his position change.
“I’d love to continue to pass that on and help him be a better player.”
Some believe Tebow has a shot because of his dogged spirit and experience as a high-level football player. The Raiders’ prized piece echoed this sentiment.
“Football is in his blood,” Waller said.
“I feel like he’ll find a way. He’ll find a way. He’s physical, he’s athletic. So I wish him nothing but the best going forward.”
Tebow’s last appeared in the NFL wearing New York Jets uniform, before spending time at New England and Philadelphia in offseason capacities. The devout Christian is best known for his time with the Broncos however, particularly this magical play below.
Trevor Lawrence signs rookie contract with Jacksonville Jaguars
The No. 1 pick has formally committed his future to Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The No. 1 pick has formally committed his future to Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Lawrence has signed a customary four-year rookie deal — worth $36.8 million in addition to a $24.1 million signing bonus. Naturally, the Jags will have the option to exercise Lawrence’s fifth-year option in 2024.
The former Clemson product is one of only two quarterbacks from the 2020 draft class to sign their rookie deals.
Chicago’s Justin Fields put pen to paper last month, though fellow first-rounders; New England’s Mac Jones, San Francisco’s Trey Lance and New York’s Zac Wilson have yet to sign on.
Lawrence will likely make his first official start for the Jags at home to Houston on September 12.
Urban Meyer: Trevor Lawrence ‘not ready yet’
First-time NFL head coach Urban Meyer has tempered expectations on generational rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Meyer, who maintains legend status in nearby Gainesville, revealed the Clemson grad isn’t guaranteed the starting quarterback job in Jacksonville.
First-time NFL head coach Urban Meyer has tempered expectations on generational rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Meyer, who maintains legend status in nearby Gainesville, revealed the Clemson grad isn’t guaranteed the starting quarterback job in Jacksonville.
“He’s not ready yet, but he doesn’t have to be ready yet,” Meyer told Mackenzie Salmon of Sports Seriously.
“We got a long training camp coming up. He’s probably advanced maybe a little quicker than we would’ve thought, so which was a positive.
“One thing that we worked on — when we made a decision that Trevor was going to be our No. 1 pick, we went from the evaluation stage to the preparation stage. And that means that I want to see — I can’t remember the exact date, but we started installing the playbook with him well before the draft. So you can see the retention, he’s got a really good work ethic and he’s progressed very well.”
Meyer did his homework on Lawrence, like the rest of the country during his three-year stint in Death Valley. There isn’t much unknown about Lawrence but Meyer was pleasantly surprised by one trait.
“I knew a lot about Trevor,” he said. “I think we all did. Obviously, I was in the college game for so many years. I’m really close with Dabo Swinney, his former head coach. And really, I’ve seen him up close and live and in person several times. So I knew a lot about him, but I think one of the most refreshing things is he’s worried about one thing. He’s married. He has no distractions, which is amazing to me.
“In 2021, the world’s about distractions, and there is none with him. It’s our job to keep it that way. His focus is on being a good husband, being strong in his faith and winning games, and that’s really cool.”
Why Von Miller believes Peyton Manning - and not Tom Brady - is the GOAT
Hold up now, just wait a second.
Before the outcry, we must be fair to Von and point out his thoughts are from late October 2020 -- long before Brady and the Bucs got it together and dominated the Chiefs. Perhaps his opinion has since changed, but judging by his love for Peyton that’s as likely as a flying pig.
What’s perhaps most interesting about Von Miller’s GOAT take is the question was never raised about Manning or Brady was never raised. Von decided to take it upon himself to assert Peyton Manning as the greatest of all time.
Irrespective of who you side with, Von’s love and admiration for Peyton -- both as a player and as a human being -- is palpable.
“He is the real deal and he’s the GOAT,” Miller said of his former Super Bowl winning teammate.
“They have these discussions about Peyton and Tom Brady, and Tom Brady, he’s won a lot of Super Bowl’s and I’m a Tom Brady fan but Peyton Manning, he changed the position of quarterback from an audible position on the line to being a technician, going about his game, knowing the defense and that’s why Peyton Manning is the GOAT in my eyes.”
“Of course we’ve got Tom Brady and I’m a big Tom Brady fan and everything he does man, but I played with Peyton Manning man, and I got to experience what type of guy he was, what type of player he was and what type of leader he was. He’ll always get my vote on being the GOAT, ‘cause he truly was.”
As for what Peyton Manning was truly like, away from the public eye, Von took us into the Broncos locker room, detailing the tendencies and nuances of Denver’s favorite son.
“I’m just taken to the image that I have of Peyton Manning. Him being in the locker room, just being around Peyton Manning, he was just a true leader man, a true leader of men,” he said when asked about Peyton’s most memorable qualities.
“If he did mess up on anything, he went about his business, so professional man and he never made the same mistake twice. He handled adversity off the football field, on the football field, he was the same guy every single day.
“He knew the coaches, he knew the players, he knew the players’ kids, he knew the janitors by first name and had conversations with all these guys. He was a real superhero man, it’s not a facade, it’s not anything fake, it was just him.”
Does Peyton Manning really run around in Von Miller’s backyard?! To find out, along with more of Von Miller’s conversation with Patrick Djordjevic, click here.