Gutekunst Isn’t Satisfied With Green Bay’s Kicking Situation

20/06/2024 Raymond 0

The kicking competition is crucial for the Packers, especially with the trend of NFL teams moving away from drafting kickers due to the risks associated with inexperience. The UFL provides a valuable platform for identifying talented kickers, as seen with Bates and Andre Szmyt of the Battlehawks, who led the league with 19 field goals and a 90% success rate. Head coach Matt LaFleur has not yet decided if all three current kickers will attend training camp, but the interest in Bates highlights the ongoing search for strong competition.

2024 Opponent Preview: New York Giants, Week 12

17/06/2024 Raymond 0

Following a 2022 playoff campaign, the Giants faltered in 2023 but will see QB Daniel Jones return from injury and have strengthened their edge rush, offensive line, and receiving corps. With 12 weeks until the first airing of Monday Night Football in 2024, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have already started their regular season. As those dates approach, we examine each team the Buccaneers will face, focusing today on the Giants, whom Tampa Bay will play after their Week 11 bye.

In 2023, the Giants regressed to a 6-11 record, tying for the sixth worst in the NFL. Their season began poorly, highlighted by a 40-0 loss to the Cowboys on Sunday Night Football in Week One. The Giants’ struggles continued with a 1-5 start, punctuated by multiple significant losses. Despite some wins, including a game led by backup QB Tyrod Taylor, the Giants’ season was marred by injuries, including a torn ACL for Daniel Jones.

The Giants made significant moves in the offseason, securing the sixth pick in the 2024 draft and adding notable players like LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers and Pro Bowl outside linebacker Brian Burns. They also revamped their offensive line, signing former Packers guard Jon Runyan and former Raiders tackle Jermaine Eluemunor. Running back Devin Singletary joined the Giants, replacing Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Eagles. Additionally, the Giants fortified their defense with former Bills defensive tackle Jordan Phillips and several rookies, including Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin.

Significant departures included Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney, who joined the Eagles and Packers, respectively. Tyrod Taylor moved to the Jets, while other players found new homes across the league. The Giants also saw coaching changes, bringing in Shane Bowen as the new defensive coordinator and promoting Mike Kafka to assistant head coach.

Key questions for the Giants include whether Daniel Jones can solidify his role as the long-term franchise quarterback and how the defense will perform with new additions and a new coordinator. Jones, who signed a four-year, $160 million contract, faces a crucial season to prove his worth. The defense, bolstered by Burns and other key players, aims to improve significantly under Bowen’s direction, moving away from the blitz-heavy schemes of former coordinator Wink Martindale.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised for ‘massive’ role in Seahawks offense

15/06/2024 Raymond 0

The Seattle Seahawks are entering a new chapter this year with Mike Macdonald stepping in as head coach, succeeding Pete Carroll after his impressive 14-year leadership. Carroll, the only coach in Seahawks history to secure a Super Bowl victory, instilled an enthusiastic spirit in the team that often led to overachievement, despite some recent struggles. As the Seahawks transition into the Macdonald era, they are eager to leverage a dynamic offensive unit, with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba poised to deliver big plays.

The Seahawks’ offensive talent is remarkable, featuring standout wide receivers Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf, both known for their game-changing abilities. The running game is equally strong, with the formidable duo of Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet expected to provide a reliable ground attack.

Kenny Pickett impressing the Eagles as he tries to get over Steelers breakup

13/06/2024 Raymond 0

Kenny Pickett is reportedly off to an impressive start with the Philadelphia Eagles. His departure from the Pittsburgh Steelers, after just a year and a half as their starting quarterback, was abrupt and tinged with disappointment. This past offseason saw significant changes: Russell Wilson joined the Steelers, and Pickett, seeking a fresh start, was traded to the Eagles. In return, the Steelers acquired Justin Fields to strengthen their quarterback lineup.

Although Pickett is not expected to vie for the starting position, he has been making notable plays during practice. Currently, the Eagles and Pickett appear to be enjoying a favorable beginning, much like the Steelers with their new quarterbacks, Wilson and Fields. The Eagles view Pickett as a potentially reliable backup who might one day reclaim a starting role in the NFL. His current performance in OTAs is promising, but consistency remains to be seen.