Why Dak Prescott doesn’t want to throw 6,000 yards this season
After having secured a big bag from Dallas in the offseason, Prescott has his eyes transfixed on success, even if it’s at the expense of his personal statistics.
Returning Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is opting for an unselfish approach to the upcoming season.
After having secured a big bag from Dallas in the offseason, Prescott has his eyes transfixed on success, even if it’s at the expense of his personal statistics.
“I don’t want to throw for 6,000 yards, to be honest with you,” Prescott told local media today. “That means we’re not running the ball. That means we’re not probably doing the things we need to do to be a balanced, winning team.
“Sure, it would be great to have those numbers and to break that or to have that record or whatever it is. But it’s not something that I put in my head.”
Putting his personal targets aside, Prescott wants to take his side of the ball to the NFL’s mountaintop.
“As I said, I want to be the best offense in the NFL, and I think the best way we can do that is if I’m not throwing that many yards, and our run game is working, and we’re playing complementary football, and we’re winning a lot of games.
“And I think if that’s the case, then hopefully I’m not playing as many fourth quarters trying to come back and do the two-minute drills we were doing in the first five games that got me a lot of those numbers.”
Prescott has statistically been a revelation since his rookie season. Last season, before his season-ending injury against the Giants in Week 5, Dak was on pace to pass for 6,310 yards.
It’s likely the Cowboys offense will fire on all cylinders with Prescott back and Zeke looking fitter than ever, the biggest question remains their defense. Over to you Dan Quinn.
Dak, Amari & DeMarcus Lawrence among 16 Cowboys out for Steelers HOF game
It will be Dallas vs. Pittsburgh, but it won’t be Dak vs. Big Ben, with the ‘Boys prized quarterback staying back in Texas as he recovers from a right shoulder (throwing arm) strain suffered in camp last week.
The annual curtain-raiser to the 2021 NFL season begins in Canton where two of the NFL’s most traditional powers will face off.
It will be Dallas vs. Pittsburgh, but it won’t be Dak vs. Big Ben, with the ‘Boys prized quarterback staying back in Texas as he recovers from a right shoulder (throwing arm) strain suffered in camp last week.
Prescott won’t be the Jerry Jones’ only leading light left back in Dallas; star wideout Amari Cooper, defensive end Chauncey Golston, defensive tackle Trysten Hill, and kicker Greg Zuerlein are all on the PUP (physically unable to perform) list.
Veteran o-line pair Tyron Smith and Zack Martin are also confirmed outs alongside T Josh Ball, LB Francis Bernard, CB C.J. Goodwin, S Malik Hooker, TE Blake Jarwin, and CB Jourdan Lewis.
The Cowboys and Steelers face off on Thursday 8PM ET on Fox, or NFL Game Pass for international fans.
Giants’ Logan Ryan creates law enforcement training to dissolve divide and enhance safety of all
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan is known for being an articulate and well-rounded individual within the G-Men’s locker room. Now, the two-time Super Bowl champ has turned his attention to safety of a different kind.
New York Giants safety Logan Ryan is known for being an articulate and well-rounded individual within the G-Men’s locker room. After his first season in the Big Apple, Ryan was awarded the Art Rooney Sportsmanship Award alongside the Giants “Good Guy” Award.
Now, the two-time Super Bowl champ has turned his attention to safety of a different kind. Ryan and his father, Lester, who spent a 25 years in law enforcement, have established Ryan Alternative Solutions Training — a company which “provides law enforcement with use-of-force training and deescalation techniques” in the name of police reform.
Speaking to Good Morning Football on Thursday, Ryan discussed what the training would bring to law enforcement.
“Bringing humanity and harmony back to people,” Ryan said.
“We are honestly preaching and teaching a curriculum that focuses on deescalation first, using your words to deescalate the situation and minimum force techniques if it does get to that point, the first line of defense is minimum force.”
Why does Ryan want to provide a solution to the current division between sections of police and citizens in America?
“So people like my dad can come home to his wife and kids, being a cop for 25 years. And those people who are being arrested or not, can go home to their wife and kids.
“I really wanted to put some skin into the game and take it to the next step and start a company with my dad. There are good apples (police officers) out there, a lot of good apples.
“Just like NFL players, if one of us gets arrested, we’re all deemed bad apples. Oh these NFL guys are spoiled, they’re entitled, they don’t care about winning, they don’t care about life! Well, there’s a lot of good guys who are doing good things behind the scenes just like my Dad…I believe he has some insight that can help with what’s going on with police reform.”
If you’re still wondering what the essence of Ryan’s initiative is, let him leave you with no doubt.
“Empathy, harmony, deescalation, minimum force techniques is what my company is teaching and I really want to get involved as an athlete in police reform.”
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
Ryan Fitzpatrick believes Washington is the best situation he’s had
“Physically, I feel great, mentally, emotionally. I’m in the right spot. I just think I am set up for success this year and really looking forward to it.”
New Washington Football Team quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has endeared himself to his new team and fans alike after stating his new team may be his best situation yet.
“This is the best situation I’ve ever been in or the best situation that I’ve ever gone into as the guy,” Fitzpatrick said on the ESPN Daily podcast.
“I signed to be the starter in Houston. I signed to be the starter in Miami, so this is now the third team that I’ve signed to come in and be the starter for.
“I just feel like the way that I’m playing the last four years, kind of the progression of my career, it doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense that 17 years in, physically, I feel great, mentally, emotionally. I’m in the right spot. I just think I am set up for success this year and really looking forward to it.”
Fitzpatrick, now 38 years young, has played for 8 teams — excluding Washington — for context, that’s 25% of the league!
Despite father time closing in, Fitzmagic is still feeling it and is ready to rock out in the nation’s capital.
He is embracing whatever time he has left playing the game he (almost always) loves.
“The other major point in my career when there was a transition was after my year in 2016 with the Jets, which was miserable and the first time in my life I hated football and just didn’t want to play anymore,” Fitzpatrick said. “Since then, it’s almost like I’ve been playing on borrowed time. The last four, I’ve really been able to enjoy. Hopefully everybody has been able to see that for me on the field, from some of the goofy stuff and the interviews. My personality has really come out the last four.”
According to the latest Fanduel odds, Fitzmagic and WFT are second favorite to clinch the NFC East (+270), trailing only Dak Prescott and his Dallas Cowboys (+105).
“I’m ready to play ball” - Adrian Peterson wants year 15 in NFL
Despite accomplishing so much throughout his decorated NFL career, Adrian Peterson isn’t done wrecking opposition defenses yet — well, according to him anyway.
Peterson may not be the force he once was but All Day believes teams will be interested in him soon enough.
"The training is going well and I'm going to control the things that I can control right now, and, when that time comes, somebody will give me a call," Peterson said, via Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790.
“That’s all I’m asking for. My body feels good. I came out healthy from last season. My body feels strong. I still feel young. I still feel good. I’m ready to play ball.”
AP knows what he’s got plenty left in the tank and has his sights set on getting at least another 450 yards to break Barry Sanders’ rushing total. The feat would move Peterson up one spot to third on the NFL’s all-time rushing yards list.
"Yeah, I've been chasing it for a long time. It would be nice to finally get one."
Peterson has still managed to cause havoc in later years, rushing 156 times for 604 yards and seven touchdowns with Detroit last season.
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)
Terry McLaurin - WFT receivers are ready to flourish after new additions
There’s a reason he’s called Scary Terry.
McLaurin was Washington’s undisputed #1 receiver last season, establishing himself as one of the best pass-catchers in the NFC East. With the addition of free-agent wideouts Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries this offseason, Scary Terry should be left in single coverage far more often…frightening indeed.
“I just think it’s going to open it up, for me personally, down the field, intermediate and short,” McLaurin said, via the WFT website. “But also, it’s gonna allow other guys to make some plays. . . . Most top receivers have another guy or another two guys outside of them and that helps everybody.”
Head Coach Ron Rivera delivered new quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and his receiver group another gift via the draft, adding North Carolina stud Dyami Brown.
One thing is for sure, the Football Team will be a terrifying prospect on offense with burners on the outside with a little bit of Fitzmagic sprinkled in.
Devonta Smith hoping to recapture old magic with jalen hurts
Former Alabama duo Devonta Smith and Jalen Hurts were reunited after the Eagles traded with division rival Dallas to swoop on Smith with the 10th Pick in this year’s NFL draft.
Smith’s selection has brought newfound optimism to Philly after a shaky offseason which included the firing of Super Bowl winning Head Coach Doug Pederson and the hiring of first-time HC, Nick Sirianni.
Prior to the commencement of OTAs, Smith downplayed the symmetry between he and Hurts.
“Just because we had that connection in college doesn’t mean that it’s the same now,” Smith told Philadelphia reporters.
Now though, his tune has changed. Addressing media at a recent football camp, Alabama’s Heisman Winner hinted there may be some magic left.
“It’s great to have that connection come back,” Smith remarked, via John Clark of NBC Sports Philadelphia. “It just feels like old times. Like back in college.”
If Smith — let alone Hurts — can produce anywhere near his numbers under Nick Saban, Philly won’t have to wait too long to restore the house that Doug built.
Ezekiel Elliott ‘way quicker, way more explosive’
The Cowboys running back is set for a phenomenal comeback year according to his personal trainer and teammate Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys running back is set for a phenomenal comeback year according to his personal trainer and teammate Dak Prescott.
Prescott said Elliott was in “the best shape of his life” back in June. Now, his trainer Josh Hicks has backed those claims.
“Zeke’s in good shape,” Hicks told Jon Machota of The Athletic.
“I agree with Dak. I agree with Tony [Pollard]. I was on the outside looking in. They’ve been with this man three, four years. They see him way more than I see him. They’ve seen him work in practice, and they’ve seen him work in the offseason.
“I don’t think Zeke has ever worked like this in the offseason. I could be mistaken. But me, personally, when it comes to my drills and what I do and how I do it, I know he hasn’t worked like this.”
Hicks asked Elliott to perform a drill he had completed three months earlier and the results were stark, Zeke was “way quicker, way more elusive, more fluent.”
Elliott had his worst year as a pro in 2020, rushing for a career-low in yards (979) and yards per attempt (4.0). Many questioned whether No. 21 was as quick as previous seasons.
“Everybody said it,” Hicks said, “and he probably saw it and felt it himself, that he probably slowed down a little bit or lost a step a little bit or whatever.”
Judging by what we’ve seen on social media too, Zeke could be feasting on defenses once again in 2021.