Sunday Reading

Giants

Giants.com: Cover 3: Takeaways from Giants vs. Bengals
https://www.giants.com/news/cover-3-takeaways-from-giants-vs-bengals

Stapleton The Record: NY Giants: 5 takeaways following Thursday's 25-23 preseason victory over the Bengals
https://amp.northjersey.com/amp/2092022001

Duggan The Athletic: Another stellar showing from Daniel Jones and more takeaways from the Giants’ preseason win over the Bengals
https://theathletic.com/1157595/2019/08/23/daniel-joes-continues-exceptional-preseason-and-more-takeaways-from-the-giants-win/

Lombardo NJ.com: Giants stock watch: Daniel Jones, Oshane Ximines rising? Sam Beal, Tae Davis falling after game vs. Bengals?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-stock-watch-daniel-jones-oshane-ximines-rising-sam-beal-tae-davis-falling-after-game-vs-bengals.html

Lombardo NJ.com: Giants depth chart power rankings: Where is Pat Shurmur’s team deepest? Where does it still need help?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-depth-chart-power-rankings-where-is-pat-shurmurs-team-deepest-where-does-it-still-need-help.html

Leonard NYDN: Giants young and old need to learn how to close games
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-pat-shurmur-blown-leads-20190822-z2xqt24jrfepdbibrmvp2plsj4-story.html

Leonard NYDN: Pro Football Focus has changed the way NFL teams such as Giants analyze data
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-pro-football-focus-data-analytics-20190823-tcygdapdsbfprkvpvjiqxnocom-story.html

Schmeelk Giants.com: Film Review: Competitions coming to a head
https://www.giants.com/news/film-review-competitions-coming-to-a-head

Duggan The Athletic: A player-by-player update on where all 90 Giants stand 1 week before cut day
https://theathletic.com/1159094/2019/08/24/a-player-by-player-update-on-where-all-90-giants-stand-1-week-before-cut-day/?

Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants 53-man roster projection: Surprise cut on offensive line? Make room for these receivers
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-53-man-roster-projection-surprise-on-the-offensive-line-make-room-for-these-receivers.html

Dunleavy NJ.com: Giants roster bubble: Last 4 in, first 4 out and who is in the clear | Sam Beal in or out? An unheralded rookie?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-roster-bubble-last-4-in-first-4-out-and-who-is-in-the-clear-sam-beal-in-or-out-an-unheralded-rookie.html

Lombardo NJ.com: Giants depth chart power rankings: Where is Pat Shurmur’s team deepest? Where does it still need help?
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/giants-depth-chart-power-rankings-where-is-pat-shurmurs-team-deepest-where-does-it-still-need-help.html

Coach

Schwartz NYP: Why roster cuts will be extra-tough for Giants’ Pat Shurmur
https://nypost.com/2019/08/23/why-roster-cuts-will-be-extra-tough-for-giants-pat-shurmur/amp/

Raissman NYDN: Giants QB reality show will put Pat Shurmur’s media skills to the test
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-daniel-jones-pat-shurmur-raissman-20190824-qnmw4qmqonemjia7ssndcxr7xm-story.html

QB

Eisen Giants.com: Manning, Jones both excelling in preseason 
https://www.giants.com/news/manning-jones-both-excelling-in-preseason

Lombardo NJ.com: Andrew Luck retires: Here’s why Giants should trade Eli Manning to Colts
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/andrew-luck-retires-heres-why-giants-should-trade-eli-manning-to-colts.html

Orr MMQB: Pat Shurmur Is Handling the Giants’ Complicated Quarterback Situation ... Well?
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/23/giants-daniel-jones-eli-manning-quarterbacks-pat-shurmur

Serby NYP: Daniel Jones has given Eli Manning no room to fail
https://nypost.cjones-has-given-eli-manning-no-room-to-fail/om/2019/08/23/daniel-

Rock Newsday: Pat Shurmur says Eli Manning is the Giants' starter heading into season
https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/eli-manning-daniel-jones-giants-1.35421447

Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz)
8/23/19, 10:36 AM
Loved playing with Eli. He was amazing when it came to blitz ID. There would be times I’d look at the defense and be sure a pressure was coming from one direction. Eli would send us opposite and always be correct

WKRC: Eli Manning embraces Jared Lorenzen's son during preseason game in Cincinnati
http://local12.com/sports/bengals/eli-manning-embraces-jared-lorenzens-son-during-preseason-game-in-cincinnati

Traina Football Maven: Why Daniel Jones is unlikely to be ready for a Week 1 starting assignment
https://mavensports.io/nygiants/news/why-daniel-jones-is-unlikely-to-be-ready-for-a-week-1-starting-assignment-NysyKV-YmUaoqpdZGdhgjw/

Serby NYP: Daniel Jones showing Giants he’s ready to play now
https://nypost.com/2019/08/23/daniel-jones-showing-giants-hes-ready-to-play-now/

Rock Newsday: Giants rookie Daniel Jones again shows toughness gene in preseason game vs. Bengals
https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/giants-daniel-jones-preseason-1.35390047

Schofield BBV: Daniel Jones: A feast of crow after another impressive performance
https://www.bigblueview.com/platform/amp/2019/8/23/20829580/daniel-jones-a-feast-of-crow-ny-giants-bengals-review-pat-shurmur

Martin SNY: Jets' Jamison Crowder believes in Giants' Daniel Jones: 'He has the potential to be a great quarterback'
https://www.sny.tv/giants/news/jets-jamison-crowder-believes-in-daniel-jones-he-has-the-potential-to-be-a-great-quarterback/310217146

Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21)
8/23/19, 10:29 AM
I understand the calls for Jones to start in Week 1, but I don't see that as realistic. But his performance this preseason has undoubtedly made Eli's leash shorter and totally eliminated any public backlash from whenever they make the change

Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar)
8/23/19, 10:35 AM
Per & #8294;& #8234;SportsInfo SIS& #8236;& #8297;, Jones had a 120.4 passer rating in a clean pocket last year, and that plummeted to 52.0 under pressure. Giants have done a god job getting his first reads open and making him comfortable. It's important for his development

WR

Emory Hunt (@FBallGameplan)
8/22/19, 9:37 PM
Giants WR Alonzo Russell has to make this team, strictly off his hustle alone. He threw another crucial block on that PR for a TD

TE

Traina Football Maven: Film Study: How Evan Engram is improving his run blocking
https://mavensports.io/nygiants/news/film-study-how-evan-engram-is-improving-his-run-blocking-q6p3Bhu52kGYiLX3DX-MUQ/

OL

Dunleavy NJ.com: Forget the ugly plays (for now). Here are 2 plays by Giants offensive line that show turning a corner
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/forget-the-ugly-plays-for-now-here-are-2-plays-by-giants-offensive-line-that-show-turning-a-corner.html

Lombardo NJ.com: NFL rumors: Why Giants should trade for Miami Dolphins’ LT Laremy Tunsil
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/nfl-rumors-why-giants-should-trade-for-miami-dolphins-lt-laremy-tunsil.html

Johnson The Trentonian: Veterans Mike Remmers, Kevin Zeitler mesh smoothly on Giants' offensive line
https://www.trentonian.com/sports/veterans-mike-remmers-kevin-zeitler-mesh-smoothly-on-giants-offensive/article_118f1132-c395-11e9-83d9-4322254bf914.html

Traina Locked on Giants Podcast: Offensive lineman Chad Slade who is hoping to make the Giants roster. is today's special guest
(Audio)
http://traffic.megaphone.fm/LKN6018676682.mp

DE

Schwartz NYP: B.J. Hill is poised for next step Giants need him to take
https://nypost.com/2019/08/24/b-j-hill-is-poised-for-next-step-giants-need-him-to-take/amp/

Lombardo NJ.com: Dexter Lawrence offers Giants a glimpse of potential fix for glaring weakness
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/dexter-lawrence-offers-glimpse-of-potential-fix-of-glaring-giants-weakness.html

OLB

Schwartz NYP: Dave Gettleman tip helps lead to Oshane Ximines’ bust out
https://nypost.com/2019/08/23/dave-gettleman-tip-helps-lead-to-oshane-ximines-bust-out/

ILB

Braziller NYP: Alec Ogletree’s transformation could make him Giants threat
https://nypost.com/2019/08/20/alec-ogletrees-transformation-could-make-him-giants-threat/amp/

CB

Bank The Sports Bank: Keys to Julian Love Finding Success with the New York Giants

“Notre Dame defensive backs coach Todd Lyght is the mentor of all mentors to Julian Love, and during Notre Dame Media this past week, he shared his vision of a bright future for Love with the Giants.
“I think Julian will have a great career with New York,” said Lyght on Wednesday afternoon. 
“He’s a great teammate, he loves the game of football, he studies the game, works extremely hard at perfecting fundamentals and technique, has a great understanding of schemes and concepts and having a natural feel for the game, being able to read route combinations and react to what the offense is giving him.”
Love has been playing mostly inside, but also a little bit outside this preseason
“As the season wears on, there will be a lot of opportunities for him to play all over the secondary, and I know that he’ll add a lot of value to that group and make a lot of plays and win a lot of football games with the New York Giants.”

https://www.thesportsbank.net/college-fball/notre-dame/keys-to-julian-love-finding-success-with-the-new-york-giants/amp/

Schwartz NYP: Sam Beal is running out of time to prove himself to Giants
https://nypost.com/2019/08/22/injured-giants-cb-sam-beal-running-out-of-time-to-carve-himself-a-role/amp/#click=https://t.co/ub09J2R3JF

Dunleavy NJ.com: Time running out on Giants draft pick Sam Beal? How perception of Dave Gettleman’s 2 drafts could change
https://www.nj.com/giants/2019/08/time-running-out-on-giants-draft-pick-sam-beal-how-perception-of-dave-gettlemans-2-drafts-could-change.html

SS

Leonard NYDN: Jabrill Peppers needs consistency to match his playmaking
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/ny-jabrill-peppers-safety-trade-playmaking-20190824-zw3lqh4tarhbblof675mvmjr6e-story.html

NFL

Volin Boston Globe: Sunday Football Note:
Patriots facing difficult roster decisions this week

“Coaches and general managers won’t just take a player’s football abilities into account. It’s a large factor, but so are a player’s financials — how much the team already has paid him, how he fits into the team’s salary cap, and the cap consequences of cutting a player.
One of the biggest considerations is whether a player is a “vested veteran” — someone with four or more years of NFL service. Vested veterans get their entire 2019 salary guaranteed if they are on the Week 1 roster. But this can work against them, too. Players with three or fewer seasons do not have such guarantees and offer more financial flexibility, as they don’t get paid for a week unless they are on the roster at 4 p.m. each Tuesday.

“The Browns are doing their best to tick off the rest of the league. Baker Mayfield told Complex Sports two weeks ago that “people want to see us lose, just because the hype is so real.” Then this past week, GQ published an interview in which Mayfield seemed to rip the Giants for drafting Daniel Jones with the No. 6 overall pick.
Browns first-year coach Freddie Kitchens tried to deflect the attention.
“I don’t know what a bull’s-eye is. Anybody know?” he said. “If they’re not trying to beat our ass and we’re not trying to beat their ass, I don’t know what else you do. Our team’s going to block out the noise. You guys create noise, they’re going to block it out. GQ creates the noise, they’re going to block it out. Sports Illustrated creates the noise, they’re going to block it out. I have total confidence they’ll block out the noise.”
On paper, the Browns look stacked — give Bill Belichick this roster, and he’d go 16-0. But this is still the Browns, where things always go wrong. Kitchens will either be a coaching genius this year, or this will all blow up spectacularly.”

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/24/patriots-facing-difficult-roster-decisions-this-week/siUgqcOOD53RxI8wq5XwFN/story.html

Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton)
8/24/19, 1:48 PM
Every year, NFL fans worry about players not being able to make it through waivers to get to the practice squad.
That fear isn’t necessary. Only about 3% of the ~1,184 players who were waived in final cuts last year immediately got claimed

Barnwell ESPN: Realistic 2019 goals for the NFL's 10 worst teams

“New York Giants
FPI chance to make the playoffs: 9.9%
Get ownership away from the quarterback position. One of the reasons the Giants have become a laughingstock over the past two seasons is how ownership has meddled publicly and privately in the team's quarterback decision-making. Owner John Mara insisted that the Giants weren't tanking when they benched Eli Manning for Geno Smith in 2017, only for ownership to see the fan base's visceral reaction to the Manning move and reverse it the following week, firing coach Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese in the process.
Now, with the Giants drafting Daniel Jones in the top 10, Mara is back in the news by publicly suggesting how Manning would start all 16 games "in a perfect world" for the Giants in 2019. Coach Pat Shurmur then publicly agreed with Mara in a news conference.

Here are two things I know. One is that organizations say they're going to sit their rookie quarterbacks for as long as possible before the season, only to invariably stick them into the lineup at the first sign of their veteran incumbent slipping. The other is that nothing good ever comes from ownership getting involved in personnel decisions for nostalgia's sake. If Shurmur wants to sit Jones all season and play Manning for 16 games, that should be his decision without any interference or public quotes from Mara.
Find a pass-rusher. While general manager Dave Gettleman has attempted to rebuild the Giants around the sort of running game and physicality the team enjoyed during the Bill Parcells era, he has curiously neglected to find the sorts of pass-rushers the Giants have been built around for decades. Gettleman used Olivier Vernon as a trade chip to acquire another offensive lineman this offseason in Cleveland's Kevin Zeitler, and while the Giants used a first-round pick on nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, their other key moves to address the edge were signing former Cardinals standout Markus Golden and using a third-round pick on Oshane Ximines.

Golden has the best pedigree of the three, given that the former second-rounder racked up 12.5 sacks in his sophomore campaign with the Cardinals, but injuries limited him to 2.5 sacks over the ensuing 15 games. He is signed to only a one-year deal, so New York probably would prefer 2018 third-round pick Lorenzo Carter to make the leap after generating four sacks and 10 knockdowns as a rookie, given that the Giants have him under contract through 2021. They need one of these guys to break through before making a bigger addition at the position (Jadeveon Clowney?) next offseason.”

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27428212/barnwell-realistic-2019-goals-nfl-10-worst-teams?

Yasinkas Touchdownwire USA Today: NFL coaches' hot-seat tiers: From safe forever to impending doom
https://touchdownwire.usatoday.com/2019/08/21/nfl-coaches-hot-seat-tiers-from-safe-forever-to-impending-doom/

Graziano ESPN: Advice for rookie NFL head coaches, and what all six have to prove
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27429292/advice-rookie-nfl-head-coaches-all-six-prove

Seifert ESPN: Inside the NFL's offensive landscape: Will last season's trends continue in 2019?
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27420941/inside-nfl-offensive-landscape-last-season-trends-continue-2019

Brandt NFL.com: Most, least enviable QB situations

“4) New York Giants

Rostered QBs: Eli Manning, Daniel Jones, Alex Tanney, Kyle Lauletta.
It's exceedingly difficult to land a quarterback of Jones' ability without sacrificing a king's ransom to move up for a high draft choice, but Gettleman seized the opportunity in front of him with the sixth overall pick. To me, this situation is looking similar to the Packers' transition from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers, or the Chiefs' transition from Alex Smith to Patrick Mahomes. Jones isn't quite ready yet, as his latest effort -- which included two lost fumbles against the Bears -- showed. But that's OK, because Manning, who looked sharp against Chicago, has at least two years left in him, by my estimation. Meanwhile, Jones has also had moments of brilliance, demonstrating his athletic ability and showing off a level of accuracy that is probably better than what we were led to believe during his time at Duke. In fact, I think Jones is a little bit ahead of where Rodgers was at this point in his career. Whenever Jones does take the torch from Manning, I expect him to do big things -- and the many critics who dogged general manager Dave Gettleman for selecting Jones that high will owe him an apology.”

https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001043284/article/ranking-nfls-most-least-enviable-quarterback-situations-in-19?

Tanier B/R: Life in an NFL QB Room
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2850518-life-in-an-nfl-quarterback-room-how-the-prospect-mentor-dynamic-really-works

ARIZONA
Odegard Cardinals.com: Kyler Murray Bounces Back As Cardinals Fall To Vikings
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/kyler-murray-bounces-back-as-cardinals-fall-to-vikings

McManaman AZ Central: Arizona Cardinals don't plan to change anything offensively even as criticism mounts
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/08/23/arizona-cardinals-dont-plan-changes-criticism-offense-rises/2087165001/

McManaman AZ Republic: Arizona Cardinals rookie quarterback Kyler Murray driven by thirst for winning
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nfl/cardinals/2019/08/20/kyler-murray-ready-arizona-cardinals-final-preseason-tuneup-minnesota-vikings/2066914001/

Odegard Cardinals.com: Kyler Murray Gets Hit With Adversity
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/kyler-murray-gets-hit-with-adversity

Urban Cardinals.com: Cardinals Release Wide Receiver Kevin White
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/cardinals-release-wide-receiver-kevin-white

Urban Cardinals.com: Justin Pugh Confident Cardinals Will Give A Good Look
https://www.azcardinals.com/news/justin-pugh-confident-cardinals-will-give-a-good-look

Weinfuss ESPN AZ: Cardinals CB Patrick Peterson is not dressed for today's game. It looks like his preseason is over, which means he won't see the field again until Week 7 against the New York Giants. He's not just standing around, though. He helped the secondary coaches put the defensive backs through drills during pregame warmups.

ATLANTA
Ledbetter AJC: Falcons’ patience with Tavecchio growing thin 
https://www.ajc.com/sports/football/falcons-patience-with-tavecchio-growing-thin/eaZPzi6Pld4EEA6If5OypJ/

BALTIMORE
Walker Baltimore Sun: Five Things We Learned from the Ravens’ 26-15 preseason win over the Philadelphia Eagles
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-eagles-five-things-20190823-qrmtnvnfu5awho2qmrdyrq7ire-story.html

Hensley ESPN Baltimore: Source: Ravens intend to sign LB Worrilow
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27445540/source-ravens-intend-sign-lb-worrilow

Hensley ESPN Baltimore: LB Worrilow leaves Ravens day after signing
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27453806/lb-worrilow-leaves-ravens-day-signing

Shaffer Baltimore Sun: The Ravens don’t take special teams standouts for granted. Just ask Justin Bethel
https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-ravens-justin-bethel-20190821-svtol5oofraero64xqzwgkh73u-story.html

BUFFALO
Maiorana Rochester Democrat: Bills slog through third preseason game to defeat Lions 24-20
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/08/23/buffalo-bills-defeat-detroit-lions-24-20-preseason-game/2101361001/

Maiorana Rochester Democrat: Is it possible that Zay Jones and LeSean McCoy are battling for Buffalo Bills roster spots?
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/football/nfl/bills/2019/08/24/buffalo-bills-53-man-roster-decision-lesean-mccoy-and-zay-jones-offensive-line-depth-chart/2107469001/

Carucci Buffalo News: Above all, Bills' Andre Roberts 'really smart' on returns
https://buffalonews.com/2019/08/20/buffalo-bills-andre-roberts-heath-farwell-nfl-football/

CAROLINA
Marks Charlotte Observer: Projecting the Panthers depth chart, 53-man roster through 3 preseason games
https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article234249647.html

Daniels Providence Journal: Chris Hogan enjoyed reuniting with his former Patriots teammates
https://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20190823/chris-hogan-enjoyed-reuniting-with-his-former-patriots-teammates

CHICAGO
Biggs Chicago Tribune: Bears Q& A: Is there a
problem with the backup quarterbacks? How many touches will Cordarrelle Patterson get? Plus more kicker questions
https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bears/ct-bears-mailbag-chase-daniel-cordarrelle-patterson-20190821-mj5x3ekjoneoxc2fw6epuozpsu-story.html

Nick Korte (@nickkorte)
8/21/19, 6:28 PM
Bears fans, how do you think Mike Davis and Ha-Ha Clinton Dix have done in training camp and the preseason?

If the Bears permanently cut both of them, they would pick up 4th and 5th round 2020 compensatory picks. Would that be worth the tradeoff?

Nick Korte (@nickkorte)
8/21/19, 6:19 PM
2019/2020 dead money for cutting compensatory free agents signed to get back 2020 comp picks:
--Buster Skrine: $4.1M//$4.4M
--Cordarrelle Patterson: $4.5M/$500k
--Mike Davis: $2M/$1M
--Ha-Ha Clinton Dix: $500k/$0

The first 2 are clearly impractical cuts, but the other 2 aren't

Kahler MMQB: Madness at 43 Yards: The Bears Kicker Competition Through the Eyes of Those Who Lived It
]url]https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/21/chicago-bears-kicker-competition-obsession-cody-parkey-miss-matt-nagy-eddy-pineiro[/url]

CINCINNATI
Fay Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals fall to New York Giants 25-23 in a sort of dress rehearsal
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/2091381001

Cosenza CincyJungle: Giants at Bengals: The good, bad and ugly
https://www.cincyjungle.com/analysis/2019/8/24/20829412/nfl-preseason-week-3-giants-bengals-good-bad-ugly

Sheeran CincyJungle: Rodney Anderson returns to football with no regard for measly tacklers
https://www.cincyjungle.com/2019/8/23/20829143/rodney-anderson-bengals-preseason-2019-oklahoma-sooners-football-nfl

Dehner The Athletic: You might not like Bobby Hart, but he’s not listening
https://theathletic.com/1150852/2019/08/20/you-might-not-like-bobby-hart-but-hes-not-listening/?

Dragon Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bengals DE Carl Lawson 'excited' to be back on playing field once again
https://amp.cincinnati.com/amp/2073822001

CLEVELAND
Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Baker Mayfield struggles with backups; defense dominates in 13-12 loss to Bucs in 3rd preseason game
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/baker-mayfield-struggles-with-backups-defense-dominates-in-13-12-loss-to-bucs-in-3rd-preseason-game.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Freddie Kitchens defends Baker Mayfield and Odell Beckham amid backlash for GQ and SI comments
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/freddie-kitchens-defends-baker-mayfield-and-odell-beckham-amid-backlash-for-gq-and-si-comments.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Baker Mayfield is ‘going to be dangerous’ largely because of Drew Stanton, says Damion Ratley
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/baker-mayfield-is-going-to-be-dangerous-largely-because-of-drew-stanton-says-damion-ratley.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Drew Stanton on how he was wrong about Baker Mayfield, Odell Beckham missing preseason and more
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/drew-stanton-on-how-he-was-wrong-about-baker-mayfield-on-odell-beckham-missing-preseason-and-more.html

Patsko Cleveland Plain Dealer: Did Kareem Hunt have an underwhelming preseason by design?
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/did-kareem-hunt-have-an-underwhelming-preseason-by-design-scott-patskos-instant-takeaways.html

Kelly The Ringer: Odell Beckham Jr. Is Exactly What the Browns Need to Take the Next Step
https://www.theringer.com/nfl-preview/2019/8/20/20813215/odell-beckham-jr-cleveland-browns-week

Patsko Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns sign WR Braxton Miller, waive TE Mik’Quan Deane
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/browns-sign-wr-braxton-miller-waive-te-mikquan-deane.html

Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL)
8/24/19, 10:39 AM
If the Browns "revamped" O-line is starting to get you, nervous you're not alone. Earlier in Aug, Tony Romo broke down to me how a lot of what CLE was able to do late in 18 was due to the O-line giving Baker time. He said we'll know right away if that can repeat in 19. I concur

Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns starting defensive line delivers against Buccaneers:
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/browns-starting-defensive-line-delivers-against-buccaneers-dan-labbes-instant-observations.html

Cabot Cleveland Plain Dealer: Myles Garrett won’t face suspended Titans LT Taylor Lewan in opener, the marquee matchup he wanted
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/myles-garrett-wont-face-suspended-lt-taylor-lewan-in-opener-the-marquee-matchup-he-wanted.html

Labbe Cleveland Plain Dealer: Austin Seibert’s four field goals put him in strong position in Browns’ kicking competition
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/austin-seiberts-four-field-goals-put-him-in-strong-position-in-browns-kicking-competition.html

Patsko Cleveland Plain Dealer: Browns kickers are struggling, but The Scottish Hammer is hitting 60-yarders in practice
https://www.cleveland.com/browns/2019/08/browns-kickers-are-struggling-but-the-scottish-hammer-is-hitting-60-yarders-in-practice.html

Bishop SI.com: 'I Failed Tremendously': Hue Jackson on the Blues After the Browns
https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/08/22/hue-jackson-life-after-cleveland-browns

DALLAS
Moore Dallas Morning News: Cowboys LB Sean Lee 'feels great,' hopes to play in preseason game vs. Texans
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/dallas-cowboys/cowboys/2019/08/22/cowboys-lb-sean-lee-feels-great-hopes-play-preseason-game-vs-texans

DENVER
O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos backups struggle to move ball in loss to Rams’ reserves
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/24/broncos-back-ups-fall-rams-preseason/amp/#click=https://t.co/CrIIOodLEE

Klis 9News Denver: NO. 2 QB SPOT STILL UNDECIDED AS BRONCOS LOSE TO RAMS, 10-6, IN PRESEASON GAME
https://www.9news.com/article/news/butt-returns-as-broncos-lead-rams-6-3-at-halftime-in-preseason-battle-of-backups/73-bcd67be5-6438-4073-b4b3-31c10a7cdfd9

O’Halloran Denver Post: With two preseason games left, projecting the Broncos’ 53-man roster
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/20/broncos-roster-projections-preseason/

O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos QB Drew Lock suffers sprained right thumb, expected to miss start of regular season, source says
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/20/drew-lock-broncos-injury-update/

O’Halloran Denver Post: Broncos Takeaways: Bradley Chubb a wrecking crew in 16-snap appearance vs. 49ers
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/20/broncos-takeaways-chubb-49ers/

Keeler Denver Post: Why Bradley Chubb and the Broncos’ D can’t stop having fun, or taking names
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/20/bradley-chubb-broncos-defense-having-fun-taking-names/

Klis 9News Denver: Broncos special teams could use rookie version of Chris Harris Jr.
https://www.9news.com/article/news/broncos-special-teams-could-use-rookie-version-of-chris-harris-jr/73-68f7c163-01b8-451e-9867-5d37421717b4

DETROIT
Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions suffer costly injuries in 24-20 preseason loss to Buffalo Bills
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/23/detroit-lions-injuries-bills-preseason/2098848001/

Meinke Michigan Live: Lions’ Jarrad Davis, Frank Ragnow headed for further medical testing
https://www.mlive.com/lions/2019/08/lions-jarrad-davis-rick-wagner-headed-for-further-medical-testing.html

Rothstein ESPN Detroit: Lions' Davis, Ragnow injuries not season-ending
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27455107/lions-davis-ragnow-injuries-not-season-ending?

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' preseason games don't matter. So why should Matthew Stafford play?
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/23/detroit-lions-sitting-matthew-stafford-right-thing-preseason/2083236001/

Birkett Detroit Free Press: Detroit Lions' backup QB situation may be the worst in the NFL: Here are their options
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/20/detroit-lions-backup-quarterback-spot/2062912001/

Beard Detroit News: Backup QB Josh Johnson rushing to find his feet with Lions
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/24/backup-qb-josh-johnson-rushing-find-his-feet-detroit-lions/2095130001/

Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Lions QB Josh Johnson runs well, plays better in second game
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2109327001

Monarrez Detroit Free Press: Trey Flowers: Detroit Lions' defense can be 'whatever we want to be’
https://amp.freep.com/amp/2067383001#click=https://t.co/0UOaPH9rTK

Birkett Detroit Free Press: 'Weird' injury has Teez Tabor's future with Detroit Lions in doubt again
https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2019/08/21/teez-tabor-injury-detroit-lions/2067079001/

HOUSTON
McClain Houston Chronicle: McClain's takeaways from Cowboys 34, Texans 0
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/amp/McClain-s-takeaways-from-Cowboys-34-Texans-0-14376618.php#click=https://t.co/oblmDy7dvr

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans' Duke Johnson practices for first time
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-Duke-Johnson-practices-for-first-time-14363648.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Versatile Jordan Akins has the bases covered with Texans
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texans/article/Versatile-Jordan-Akins-has-the-bases-covered-with-14365224.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Julién Davenport gets start in Texans-Cowboys preseason game
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Julien-Davenport-gets-start-in-Texans-Cowboys-14376415.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Rusty return for Texans center Nick Martin
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Rusty-return-for-Texans-center-Nick-Martin-14376684.php

McClain Houston Chronicle: Nick Martin is back as Texans center of attention
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/mcclain/article/Nick-Martin-is-back-as-Texans-center-of-attention-14362095.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans' J.J. Watt enters 9th season among all-time greats
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/football/article/Texans-J-J-Watt-enters-9th-season-among-14361562.php

McClain Houston Chronicle: Jadeveon Clowney on his way out of town?

“I believe the Texans are going to trade outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney for an offensive tackle when he signs his franchise tender.
They should try to get a running back thrown into the deal to replace Lamar Miller, who suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of Saturday night’s 34-0 loss to Dallas and had to be carted off the field.

I think coach Bill O’Brien, the de facto general manager, has a deal worked out with another team, but he can’t complete the trade until Clowney is under contract. He’s due to make $15.97 million this season after he signs the tender.
“Until he decides to come in and sign his tender, the ball’s in his court relative to playing for the Texans,” O’Brien said after Saturday’s loss. “Until he signs the tender, there’s not much to talk about. I don’t have any idea of a specific date that he’ll decide if he wants to be here.
“(With) any trade, you’re always looking at the value of the trade relative to your team and your future team. And sometimes in different trades you have to give up a little more to get what you want. With JD, it’s up to him when he wants to sign the tender, and then we’ll all go from there.”
The Texans have talked to a lot of teams about Clowney. Miami was interested three weeks ago. Might still be. There are a lot of reports about the Texans trading Clowney to the Dolphins, but Miami would have to part with left tackle Laremy Tunsil, their best offensive player and one of the two best players on the team.

There were reports Saturday the Dolphins wouldn’t trade Tunsil. He’s too valuable to their rebuild.
Tunsil was the 13th overall pick in the 2016 draft. He got embarrassed when a video leaked of him smoking marijuana in a gas mask, but he weathered that storm and hasn’t had an issue since he arrived in Miami.
Tunsil, who turned 25 earlier this month, has been a starter on the left side in each of his three seasons.
His base salary this season is $2.1 million. The team can pick up his fifth-year option in 2020 for $10.3 million.
If not Tunsil, then another left tackle, but who?
Many of you want to know why?
The Texans are trying to win the AFC South again. Their chances increased Saturday when it was disclosed that injured Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck is retiring. O’Brien has to maximize Clowney’s trade value to ensure he makes the right move to help them successfully defend their division title.
The Texans never are going to sign Clowney to a long-term contract, so they’re going to unload him for what could amount to a fire sale at this time of the year depending on whom they get in return.
O’Brien better get a left tackle that causes fans to say, “Aha, that’s why they did it!” If not, O’Brien will get widespread criticism, and team chairman Cal McNair will hear cries of, “The Texans must hire a general manager!”
I think the Texans’ defense will absorb a colossal hit without Clowney. He’s the team’s second-best defensive player behind J.J. Watt and, along with quarterback Deshaun Watson and receiver DeAndre Hopkins, one of the team’s four biggest stars.
Watt and Clowney are the defense’s only disruptive forces who strike fear in offensive coordinators who have to game-plan for them. Without Clowney to worry about, those offensive coordinators will lose only one night of sleep before they play the Texans.
Without Clowney, offenses can direct more attention to Watt. Without Clowney, his replacement, Brennan Scarlett, will be under enormous pressure to produce better than at any time in his four-year career.
And there will be even more pressure on outside linebacker Whitney Mercilus to bounce back in the last year of his contract and join Watt as a defensive player who can get to the quarterback.
Without Clowney, imagine the strain on Romeo Crennel’s defense when the Texans play their first six games against quarterbacks Drew Brees (New Orleans), Nick Foles (Jacksonville), Philip Rivers (Los Angeles Chargers), Cam Newton (Carolina), Matt Ryan (Atlanta) and Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City).
Imagine the relief those teams will feel knowing they won’t have to worry about Clowney, which will allow them to focus more on Watt.
Trading for a left tackle is understandable. O’Brien wants to acquire as much protection as possible for Watson. He’s their most valuable commodity, and O’Brien has to do everything within his power to maximize his quarterback’s productivity.
We thought the Texans took significant steps toward solving their problem when they used first- and second-round picks on offensive tackles Tytus Howard and Max Scharping. Howard and Scharping are starting, but it’s at guard, not tackle.
Howard has been out the past two games with a fractured finger and isn’t expected to return until the New Orleans game.
Scharping started at right guard against the Cowboys before moving to right tackle. He struggled for the first time in preseason against the Cowboys’ defensive front that’s a lot better than what he saw against Green Bay and Detroit.
O’Brien started Julién Davenport at left tackle against the Cowboys rather than Roderick Johnson, who played so well against Detroit.
Davenport started at left tackle last season, but he has fallen behind Matt Kalil (injured) and Johnson. O’Brien probably wanted to get another look at Davenport, who could be in danger of not making the 53-man roster if a new left tackle is acquired for Clowney and Johnson is kept as the swing tackle.
Six days remain until the roster is reduced to 53. Lots of questions need to be answered. Will Clowney be part of the roster, or will he have a new zip code? And if he is sent packing by O’Brien, will Watson be the biggest beneficiary?
Those questions should be answered soon. Real soon”

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/columnists/mcclain/article/Jadeveon-Clowney-on-his-way-out-of-town-14376454.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Javier 'Big Sexy' Edwards fighting for spot with hometown Texans
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Javier-Big-Sexy-Edwards-fight-spot-hometown-Texans-14373126.php

Wilson Houston Chronicle: Texans rookie corner Lonnie Johnson has encouraging game
https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Texans-rookie-corner-Lonnie-Johnson-has-14376678.php

INDIANAPOLIS
Doyel Indianapolis Star: Colts QB Andrew Luck shocks world by retiring, and for his sake I hope he's right
https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2019/08/24/why-did-andrew-luck-quit-colts-qb-shocks-his-coach-gm-owner-city-chris-ballard-jim-irsay/2110681001/

Paylor Yahoo Sports: In Indy there's shock and boos of Andrew Luck's retirement as Jacoby Brissett suddenly takes control
https://sports.yahoo.com/in-indy-theres-shock-and-boos-of-andrew-lucks-retirement-as-jacoby-brissett-suddenly-takes-control-033708460.html

Thamel Yahoo Sports: What’s next for Andrew Luck? 'Don’t worry … he’ll be just fine.'
https://sports.yahoo.com/whats-next-for-andrew-luck-dont-worryhell-be-just-fine-052229404.html

Barnwell ESPN: The NFL-altering Andrew Luck retirement, and what comes next
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/27457169/barnwell-nfl-altering-andrew-luck-retirement-comes-next?

Cannizzaro NYP: The reminder Andrew Luck’s retirement brings Jets, Giants fans
https://nypost.com/2019/08/25/the-reminder-andrew-lucks-retirement-brings-jets-giants-fans/amp/

Rosenthal NFL.com: Why Jacoby Brissett is set up to succeed
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001044263/article/jacoby-brissett-set-up-to-succeed-after-andrew-lucks-retirement

Walker Colts.com: Colts Will Not Play Most Starters Saturday Against Bears
https://www.colts.com/news/most-starters-not-playing-against-bears

Walker Colts.com: Colts’ Tight End Race Heats Up Down The Stretch
https://www.colts.com/news/ross-travis-hale-hentges-tight-end-race

JACKSONVILLE
Reid Florida Times Union: Nick Foles throws for TD, interception in preseason debut game vs. Dolphins
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190822/nick-foles-throws-for-td-interception-in-preseason-debut-game-vs-dolphins

Reid Florida Times Union: Who's in, who's out: Projecting the Jaguars' 53-man roster
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190824/whos-in-whos-out-projecting-jaguars-53-man-roster?

Frenette Florida Times Union: Waiting before pronouncing Jaguars' O-line ready to roll
https://www.jacksonville.com/sports/20190823/gene-frenette-waiting-before-pronouncing-jaguars-o-line-ready-to-roll?

Phillip Heilman (@phillip_heilman)
8/23/19, 12:15 AM
Myles Jack on Josh Allen: “He’s a beast. They did their research on that pick. That was a great pick. Josh is very talented, very athletic. It’s freaky, man. That’s why I call him ‘LeBron James.' He’s athletic. He can do a lot of things.”

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Hayre Chargers.com: Easton Stick Sparks Late Comeback, but Chargers Lose 23-15 to Seahawks
https://www.chargers.com/news/easton-stick-sparks-late-comeback-but-chargers-lose-23-15-to-seahawks

Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams)
8/22/19, 5:24 PM
Lynn on final roster cuts: "The best 53 is not always the right 53 that you need to build a team, chemistry and playing together -- a lot of the core values we believe in here. I think you need the right guys, and sometimes it’s not always the best guys.”

Miller LA Times: Improving Cardale Jones must pass more preseason tests to make Chargers’ roster
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2019-08-21/cardale-jones-needs-to-improve-to-make-chargers-roster

Miller LA Times: Can Troymaine Pope finally cut it with Chargers after years of falling short in NFL?https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2019-08-19/troymaine-pope-chargers-years-falling-short-in-nfl?

Miller LA Times: Chargers believe they’re covered with Adrian Phillips at safety in place of Derwin James
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2019-08-20/chargers-believe-theyre-covered-with-adrian-phillips-at-safety-in-place-of-derwin-james?

Miller LA Times: Jaylen Watkins works toward his long-awaited Chargers debut
https://www.latimes.com/sports/chargers/story/2019-08-24/chargers-seahawks-nfl-preseason-jaylen-watkins?

LOS ANGELES RAMS
Klein LA Times: John Wolford making the most of his opportunity with Rams in preseason
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-08-24/john-wolford-rams-long-shot-chance-denver-broncos-preseason-nfl?

Klein LA Times: Robert Woods says Josh Reynolds makes Rams’ receiving corps a four-headed monster
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-08-22/robert-woods-josh-reynolds-rams-receivers?

Klein LA Times: Linebacker Natrez Patrick, receiver Nsimba Webster aim to convince Rams to keep them
https://www.latimes.com/sports/rams/story/2019-08-23/rams-denver-broncos-preseason-linebacker-natrez-patrick-receiver-nsimba-webster?

MIAMI
Schad Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins: Are assets already in place to trade up for QB in 2020 NFL Draft?
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/20190824/miami-dolphins-are-assets-already-in-place-to-trade-up-for-qb-in-2020-nfl-draft

Deen Sun Sentinel: Sell high, buy low? Laremy Tunsil, and other Miami Dolphins trade rumors ahead of the 2019 regular season
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-laremy-tunsil-trade-rumors-20190824-uzprujdvmzca5p72witdt35n4u-story.html

Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz)
8/24/19, 11:21 AM
A Tunsil synopsis: I received call early this week from credible person that Tunsil had come up in trade talks, without further detail. Pro Football Network reported last night he's being dangled. Dolphins convey to Tunsil camp he's not being shopped/dangled but teams called...

Salguero Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins don’t look like a good team, but they promise to be interesting
https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article234257907.html

Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero)
8/24/19, 10:53 AM
Dolphins need OL help. Dolphins plan to draft a QB high next April. And they’re gonna trade away a 25-year-old left tackle they can control without a new deal until 2022?

Deen Sun Sentinel: Dolphins’ Brian Flores says he was challenging Kenny Stills with Jay-Z playlist; supports player protests because they represent him
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-brian-flores-kenny-stills-20190823-iz36r3xbn5cjpime7cd7oddlte-story.html

Kelly Sun Sentinel: Dolphins coach Brian Flores made a rookie mistake by creating a distraction with Jay-Z playlist
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-kelly-column-20190823-nzjsnfxl3vgljj3wsk3x4iuobe-story.html

Deen Sun Sentinel: Josh Rosen impresses following Ryan Fitzpatrick’s struggles vs. Jaguars, forcing Brian Flores to re-evaluate Dolphins’ starting quarterback job
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-jags-recap-20190823-6cnpwfyw2fanbaamq7pcb7axwu-story.html

Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero)
8/22/19, 6:32 PM
Robert Nkemdiche, who joined the Dolphins a couple of weeks ago and is on active/PUP, doesn't seem to be in any sort of football shape. Tried to run gassers pregame and could not complete run across field (53 1/3 yards) and all the way back

Kelly Sun Sentinel: Sam Eguavoen’s emergence with Dolphins could make Raekwon McMillan and Kiko Alonso expendable
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-dolphins/fl-sp-dolphins-sam-eguavoen-tues-20190820-sti5lbgtgvd4hdrnmweevi2cs4-story.html

Poupart Dolphins.com: Eric Rowe Showing Full Potential, Capitalizing On Opportunity With Dolphins
https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/eric-rowe-showing-full-potential-capitalizing-on-opportunity-with-dolphins

MINNESOTA
Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor)
8/23/19, 9:35 AM
Alright, time to unpack the notebook from a great 2-day visit at the Vikings’ superb new training facility.

First off, let’s be clear — the Vikings are definitely putting all their eggs in the “We’re Gonna Make Damn Sure Kirk Cousins Will Be Better This Year, Damn it” basket

GM Rick Spielman and HC Mike Zimmer decided to maximize their $84 million investment by building the offense around what Cousins does best — playaction and boots, hence the hire of playaction guru Gary Kubiak as an offensive assistant

Kevin Stefanski is the OC, but Spielman told me the 37-year old has been on the Kubiak bandwagon from the start, which is impressive since others might have seen it as a threat. “I think that’s what makes Kevin unique — for a young, upcoming guy to want that experience,” he said

Kubiak, to his credit, is going out of his way to make it known that Stefanski is in charge. But Stefanski sees it as a partnership, since their preferred schemes are similar and the verbiage is, too. The trick is melding it all together to maximize Cousins

Cousins believes “clutch” is a real thing & he has to be better. “I think that’s an important piece of playing the position, absolutely,” he said. “I think that’s an area where I think I can be better in or do more in, and I think that’s something I’m excited to do this year.”

Cousins is in good shape, right around 200 pounds, and feeling great in part due to tennis, which he played for an hour 3 times a week with a local pro this offseason. “I’ll probably try that again next offseason because that was a fun way to switch it up,” he told me

The bootlegs in the new off. system lend themselves to QB scrambles & defensive teammates are now noticing a nimbleness in No. 8. “He’s a sneaky athlete — he can get outside the pocket and he can get first downs on the run when you don’t expect it,” MLB Eric Kendricks told me

I asked Spielman if thinks there will be another fully-guaranteed deal after Cousins. “That was such a unique situation; when does a guy like that get on the open market at that age? Never happens, so basically you’re just jumping in the bidding war because it’s a rarity.”

The Vikings are absolutely over the moon with their 1st-round pick, C Garrett Bradbury. “I think he’ll be a great player in this league,” one teammate said. He'll be the centerpiece of a revamped OL that is athletic & adept at the zone-running concepts Stefanski & Kubiak lean on

Seriously, the Vikings talk about Bradbury with an optimism approaching, but not quite equal to, the Colts & Quenton Nelson last year. Bradbury is their OL prototype & he’s picked up the playbook quickly. “He didn’t have a choice — we shoved it at him day one,” Kubiak told me

Also keep an eye on RT Brian O’Neill, who the Vikings are really excited about. A former tight end, the 6-foot-7, 297-pounder — who is entering his second season — is athletic and starting to grow into his body. He’s physically maturing, and hopes are high he’ll be better in '19

One player who stands to benefit from the improved OL & one-cut zone game is RB Dalvin Cook, who was healthy this offseason for the first time in 2 years & could be primed for a huge '19. “Dalvin Cook’s made for any scheme,” Stefanski told me. “I really think he’s that talented.”

But wait! We’re not done. Keep an eye on rookie Alex Mattison, who is impressing as a change-of-pace back, while there was lots of buzz about 2nd-round TE Irv Smith Jr., who play a lot with Kyle Rudolph. Cousins loves his TEs and the skills of “Rudy” and Irv are complementary

Defensively, one player that is ascending is CB Mackensie Alexander. Things started to click for him the last three or four games of last season, when the Vikings internally noted that he was playing like their best DB. He’s matured and made big gains entering year three

The Vikings surrendered a 5th for K Kaare Vedvik, so they obviously think a lot of him. He can handle FGs, punts or kickoffs and the Vikings think he’s unique but must figure out his role. It would be hugely valuable if he could one day handle all those things; I'm just saying

Lastly, Minn. is already $12m over the cap for '20, but Spielman thinks it’s worth it to give this group a shot at the SB. “If your goal going into training camp is not to win the damn thing, then why are you in the business to begin with? We shove it to the table every year.”

Tomasson Twincities.com: In between Dalvin Cook TD run and Kyle Sloter-led finish, Kirk Cousins struggles mightily in win over Arizona
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/24/in-between-dalvin-cook-td-run-and-kyle-sloter-led-finish-kirk-cousins-struggles-mightily-in-win-over-arizona/

Cronin ESPN Minn: Right off-schedule: Why Vikings want to see Kirk Cousins run more
https://www.espn.com/blog/minnesota-vikings/post/_/id/28666/right-off-schedule-why-vikings-want-to-see-kirk-cousins-run-more

Mizutani Twincities.com: Vikings QB Kyle Sloter continues to let his play do the talking
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/24/vikings-qb-kyle-sloter-continues-to-let-his-play-do-the-talking/amp/

Tomasson Twincities.com: Do Kyle Sloter’s preseason numbers add up to shot at Vikings’ No. 2 QB job?
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/19/vikings-kyle-sloter-continues-to-put-up-big-preseason-stats-but-backup-job-might-be-out-of-reach/amp/#click=https://t.co/aHECj0zJnk

Mizutani Twincities.com: Dalvin Cook showcases how good the Vikings can be with him leading the way
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/24/dalvin-cook-showcases-how-good-the-vikings-can-be-with-him-leading-the-way/

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings coach: Reserve receivers need to ‘get their rear ends going’
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/20/vikings-coach-mike-zimmer-again-says-reserve-wide-receivers-must-get-rear-ends-going/

Terada Minn Star Tribune: Vikings defense healthy entering third preseason game
http://www.startribune.com/vikings-defense-healthy-entering-third-preseason-game/557785092/

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings are healthy on defense and looking to return to their 2017 form
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/21/vikings-are-healthy-on-defense-and-looking-to-return-to-their-2017-form/amp/#click=https://t.co/CYO7ZZvZEM

Chris Tomasson (@christomasson)
8/21/19, 5:02 PM
Vikings Mike Zimmer on D-line coach Andre Patterson: “Terrific teacher. He can be very hard on the players. He can be very loving on the players like a mother hen. He has a good way about him He demands excellence from them He’s a great teacher And the players all swear by him’’

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings’ Linval Joseph returns as full practice participant, says he’s ‘way stronger’ than last year
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/20/vikings-linval-joseph-returns-as-full-practice-participant-says-hes-way-stronger-than-last-year/

Tomasson Twincities.com: Vikings’ Mike Zimmer says concern level about Kaare Vedvik is ‘high’ after two misses
https://www.twincities.com/2019/08/24/vikings-mike-zimmer-says-concern-level-about-kaare-vedvik-is-high-after-two-misses/

NEW ENGLAND
Reiss ESPN Boston: Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the Patriots & NFL (veteran DE Michael Bennett experiences a 1st in New England; director of skill development Joe Kim makes mark; N'Keal Harry's availability for opener on radar; Elandon Roberts; "relentless" Gunner etc.)
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4817977/michael-bennett-in-11th-season-experiences-new-formation?

Volin Boston Globe: Patriots get banged up, but why were they playing in a meaningless preseason game?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/22/there-nothing-gained-from-taking-such-huge-risk/i7TMmnyCEaQ0UsZqfdpMHL/story.html

Guregian Boston Herald: Tom Brady’s first game action has its moments
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/22/tom-bradys-first-game-action-has-its-moments/

Hewitt Boston Herald: Bill Belichick likes Jarrett Stidham’s pocket presence, but Patriots rookie QB has room to improve
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/23/bill-belichick-likes-jarrett-stidhams-pocket-presence-but-patriots-rookie-qb-has-room-to-improve/amp/

Duffy Boston Herald: Patriots takeaways: Sony Michel in position for breakout season
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/24/patriots-takeaways-sony-michel-in-position-for-breakout-season/amp/

Princiotti Boston Globe: Patriots need to strike a balance between slot and outside receivers
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/21/patriots-need-strike-balance-between-slot-and-outside-receivers/6PZ33VarabzlL9U25baOII/story.html

Guregian Boston Herald: Patriots great Troy Brown lending helpful hand to receiver group
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/24/patriots-great-troy-brown-lending-helpful-hand-to-receiver-group/amp/

Sullivan Boston Herald: NFL’s handling of Josh Gordon case is encouraging
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/20/nfl-handling-josh-gordon-case-encouraging/KdsZKuIpsTsZHfP6GxxaKM/story.html

Gasper Boston Globe: Patriots can welcome back Josh Gordon, but they shouldn’t rely on him
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/19/patriots-can-welcome-back-josh-gordon-but-they-shouldn-rely-him/uL6VAIVYSlT6v4vcZHayvN/story.html

Duffy Boston Herald: With Josh Gordon back, competition heats up for Phillip Dorsett, Patriots WRs
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/19/with-josh-gordon-back-competition-heats-up-for-phillip-dorsett-patriots-wrs/

McBride Boston Globe: Demaryius Thomas takes another step toward a return to action
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/20/demaryius-thomas-takes-another-step-toward-returning-action/YUA3yIGNTMB2xXIYDPzjGK/story.html

Myers Providence Journal: Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers hopes to learn from slow start
https://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20190823/patriots-wr-jakobi-meyers-hopes-to-learn-from-slow-start?

Guregian Boston Herald: Patriots TE Lance Kendricks suspended one game by the NFL
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/24/patriots-te-lance-kendricks-suspended-one-game-by-the-nfl/amp/

Sullivan Boston Globe: How the Patriots are counting on second-year tackle Isaiah Wynn
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/24/how-patriots-are-counting-second-year-tackle-isaiah-wynn/aZmffDGvkcb6GRbdFQfDJO/story.html

McBride Boston Globe: Patriots’ defense shines in win over Panthers
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/22/patriots-danny-shelton-believes-last-season-benching-may-have-been-blessing/e7O1OkCXtybqkNc5uGdb9O/story.html

Duffy Boston Herald: A slimmed-down Danny Shelton is among breakout players at Patriots training camp
https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/08/20/a-slimmed-down-danny-shelton-is-among-breakout-players-at-patriots-training-camp/

Daniels Providence Journal: Patriots say they're standing behind Patrick Chung
https://www.providencejournal.com/sports/20190822/patriots-say-theyre-standing-behind-patrick-chung?

Yang Boston Globe: What impresses the Patriots about rookie punter Jake Bailey?
https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2019/08/20/what-impresses-patriots-about-rookie-punter-jake-bailey/4yrJGCi2iEKsZYb5n0kGAK/story.html

NEW ORLEANS
Just Nola.com: For 12 Saints, hundreds in NFL camps: Small-school road makes for uphill climb: 'Patience is key
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_2238bcb6-c30b-11e9-afd1-e33851d122f9.html

Nola.com: Interactive: How Saints small-school finds stack up in NFL? 23 players, coaches -- one's named Payton
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_ca5e599c-c396-11e9-a683-c7a64fe734e2.html

Just Nola.com: Saints' special teams scores lead way in preseason victory over Jets
https://www.nola.com/sports/saints/article_8c87339a-c6df-11e9-bb95-cbf4507b70fe.amp.html

Johnson Lafayette Daily Advertiser: After 'wake up call' 2018 season, Trey Hendrickson is ready to shine for the Saints
https://amp.theadvertiser.com/amp/2096402001

NEW YORK JETS
Costello NYP: Jets GM Joe Douglas facing first big test
https://nypost.com/2019/08/25/jets-gm-joe-douglas-facing-first-big-test/amp/

Cannizzaro NYP: Sam Darnold ends on high, now can focus on games that count
https://nypost.com/2019/08/24/sam-darnold-ends-on-high-now-can-focus-on-games-that-count/

Glauber Newsday: The divergent paths of Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown since leaving Pittsburgh
https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/bob-glauber/leveon-bell-jets-antonio-brown-raiders-1.35350933

Mehta NYDN: Should the Jets trade for Jadeveon Clowney?
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-jadeveon-clowney-trade-joe-douglas-20190824-chtyr5clzbcfbgr6qx22go5vqi-story.html

Cannizzaro NYP: Jets’ Brandon Copeland suspended four games for PEDs
https://nypost.com/2019/08/21/jets-brandon-copeland-suspended-four-games-for-peds/amp/#click=https://t.co/3z7tL7itmW

Cimini ESPN NY: Cornerstone to corner crisis: Post-Revis Jets mired in 12-year slump
https://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/80641/cornerstone-to-corner-crisis-post-revis-jets-mired-in-12-year-slump?

Mehta NYDN: Brian Poole brings a nasty edge Jets cornerbacks desperately need
https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/ny-brian-poole-cornerback-20190821-3a3nmqgrc5csti5bsstkwau6ze-story.html

Braziller NYP: Jets kicker Taylor Bertolet may have just saved his job
https://nypost.com/2019/08/25/jets-kicker-taylor-bertolet-may-have-just-saved-his-job/

OAKLAND
Bair NBC Sports Bay Area: Who won? Evaluating Raiders' position battles as preseason winds down
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/raiders/who-won-evaluating-raiders-position-battles-preseason-winds-down?amp

Kawahara SF Chronicle: These five undrafted Raiders rookies are making a roster push
https://www.sfchronicle.com/raiders/amp/Theses-five-undrafted-Raiders-rookies-are-making-14376042.php

Simmons LV Review Journal: Raiders pass rush showing signs of life
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/raiders/raiders-pass-rush-showing-signs-of-life-1833838/amp/

Dubow AP: Rookie safety Abram makes big impression on Raiders
https://www.sfgate.com/sports/amp/Rookie-safety-Abram-makes-big-impression-on-14376182.php

PHILADELPHIA
Bowen Phil.com: As Eagles season approaches, some questions are answered, and others remain
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-football-carson-wentz-doug-pederson-roster-nfl-20190824.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Eagles can’t afford another season of slow starts
https://www.inquirer.com/newsletters/eagles/carson-wentz-eagles-slow-starts-2017-2018-41-points-doug-pederson-776-passer-rating-penalties-turnovers-20190823.html

Zach Berman (@ZBerm)
8/22/19, 9:32 AM
Sign of a deep roster: Eagles have waived five healthy players in August. All but one was quickly claimed/signed elsewhere. By comparison, Eagles waived seven healthy players in first 22 days of August 2016. Only one was signed that month -- and it was back to Eagles

Jones USA Today: More than ever, Eagles need Carson Wentz to find a way to stay on the field
https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/2067342001#click=https://t.co/vfvd4McSE7

McLane Phil.com: Josh McCown makes Eagles debut and strong case to be Carson Wentz’s permanent backup
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-josh-mccown-carson-wentz-nate-sudfeld-ravens-20190823.html

McLane Phil Enquirer: Quarterbacks Nate Sudfeld, Cody Kessler react to Eagles’ Josh McCown signing
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-nate-sudfeld-cody-kessler-josh-mccown-20190819.html

Ford Phil Inquirer: Eagles running back Corey Clement puts his belief into practice |
https://www.inquirer.com/sports/columnists/eagles-running-back-corey-clement-ravens-scrimmage-darren-sproles-20190819.html

Sielski Phil Inquirer: The Eagles’ Alshon Jeffery is living with a big mistake. Mitch Williams understands
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/eagles-alshon-jeffery-mitch-williams-phillies-saints-super-bowl-20190821.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Rookie wide receiver J.J. Arcega-Whiteside could provide a big boost to Eagles’ red-zone offense
https://www.inquirer.com/news/jj-arcega-whiteside-eagles-stanford-alshon-jeffery-nelson-agholor-desean-jackson-20190823.html

Bowen Phil.com: Eagles tight end Richard Rodgers to miss ‘multiple weeks’ with foot injury
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/richard-rodgers-eagles-out-foot-injury-20190821.html

McLane Phil Inquirer: Eagles film breakdown: Jim Schwartz’s picket-fence defense has been unqualified success, despite perception
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/jim-schwartz-philadelphia-eagles-picket-fence-sticks-defense-film-review-20190821.html

Domowitch Phil Inquirer: Diamond in the rough? DE Daeshon Hall, a former third-round castoff, in position to earn job with Eagles
https://www.inquirer.com/eagles/daeshon-hall-third-round-carolina-panthers-eagles-defensive-end-sacks-jacksonville-roster-job-20190820.html

PITTSBURGH
Dulac Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Ben Roethlisberger can't wait to take a hit in Tennessee
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/22/ben-roethlisberger-steelers-titans-preseason-sunday-night-football/stories/201908220362

Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac)
8/22/19, 2:37 PM
Did you know Ben Roethlisberger has been sacked more times (501) than any active quarterback. And is third all-time behind Brett Favre (525) and John Elway (516). But, in the past 3 years, no fulltime starting QB has been sacked fewer times than Roethlisberger (62)

Fittipaldo Pittsburgh Post Gazette: JuJu Smith-Schuster happy Ray Sherman is stepping in to help Steelers receivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/21/JuJu-Smith-Schuster-Darryl-Drake-Ray-Sherman-receivers-coach-Mike-Tomlin/stories/201908210133

Batko Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Competition to carve out a role heats up for Steelers receivers
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/24/diontae-spencer-eli-rogers-johnny-holton-steelers-wide-receivers/stories/201908240022

Batko Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Ryan Shazier, headed back to school, shows love for teachers and Steelers
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/20/Ryan-Shazier-college-degree-Pitt-Steelers-Devin-Bush-defense-NFL-Rooney-family/stories/201908200156

Batko Pittsburgh Post Gazette: Tuzar Skipper staying 'realistic' but enjoying rush of preseason with Steelers
https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2019/08/20/Tuzar-Skipper-Steelers-Ola-Adeniyi-preseason-stars-2019-toledo-rockets-nfl/stories/201908200100

Bouchette The Athletic: Steelers are working to extend Joe Haden, but will not extend Javon Hargrave, Sean Davis or Bud Dupree
https://theathletic.com/1150395/2019/08/20/steelers-are-working-to-extend-joe-haden-but-not-three-other-defenders/

Gorman Pittsburgh Tribune Review: Steelers defensive backs raving about Teryl Austin’s impact on secondary
https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-defensive-backs-raving-about-teryl-austins-impact-on-secondary/

SAN FRANCISCO
Branch SF Chronicle: Exhale: 49ers’ Garoppolo calms fears with bounce-back performance
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Exhale-49ers-Garoppolo-calms-fears-with-14376471.php

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Jimmy Garoppolo might not play enough before it’s time to play for real
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-Garoppolo-may-not-play-enough-before-14365268.php

Killion SF Chronicle: Hysteria drills: 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo sizzling in hot seat
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/annkillion/article/Hysteria-drills-49ers-Jimmy-Garoppolo-14371599.php

Branch SF Chronicle: Shanahan: 49ers plan to keep Garoppolo, Mullens and Beathard
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Shanahan-49ers-plan-to-keep-Garoppolo-Mullens-14376659.php

Didion NBC Sports Bay Area: Why George Kittle's dad writes him a letter before every 49ers game
https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/49ers/why-george-kittles-dad-writes-him-letter-every-49ers-game

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ Mike McGlinchey encouraged by his performance, not worried about Garoppolo
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-McGlinchey-encouraged-by-performance-vs-14368879.php

Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch)
8/20/19, 4:32 PM
Kyle Shanahan said he's hoping center Weston Richburg (knee) can come off PUP next week and have a chance to play in Week 1

Branch SF Chronicle: 49ers’ undrafted rookie Azeez Al-Shaair has plenty of motivation
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/49ers-undrafted-rookie-Azeez-Al-Shaair-has-14375066.php

Branch SF Chronicle: Chris Foerster working for 49ers as consultant
https://www.sfchronicle.com/49ers/article/Chris-Foerster-working-for-49ers-as-consultant-14375688.php

SEATTLE
Condotta Seattle Times: Impressions from the Seahawks’ preseason win against the Los Angeles Chargers
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/impressions-from-the-seahawks-preseason-win-against-the-los-angeles-chargers/

Condotta Seattle Times: What we learned from Seahawks-Vikings: Seattle knows what it has in DeShawn Shead
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/seahawks-vikings-what-we-learned-seattle-knows-what-it-has-in-deshawn-shead-special-teams-standing-out-and-more/?

Bell News Tribune: Hustlin’ Joey Hunt may have cemented his place on 2019 Seahawks with one, unique play
https://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/nfl/seattle-seahawks/article234266012.html

TAMPA BAY
Encina TB Times: Bruce Arians has interesting assessment of Friday’s five-sack display
Taking the pressure off his offensive line, the Bucs coach said Jameis Winston could have negated two or three sacks with quicker decisions
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/24/bruce-arians-has-interesting-assessment-of-fridays-five-sack-circus/?

Stroud TB Times: Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston needs to be better, not battered
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/24/bucs-quarterback-jameis-winston-needs-to-be-better-not-battered/

Encina Tampa Bay Times: Bucs backup quarterback Blaine Gabbert suffers shoulder injury
Inside linebacker Deone Bucannon left Friday’s game with a knee injury
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/24/bucs-backup-quarterback-blaine-gabbert-suffers-shoulder-injury/

Encina TB Times: Gabbert injury leaves Bucs scrambling for quarterback help
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2019/08/24/gabbert-injury-leaves-bucs-scrambling-for-quarterback-help/?

TENNESSEE
Skribina The Tennessean: From math books to playbooks, Titans TE Anthony Firkser has studied it all
https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/2079623001

Skribina The Tennessean: 'A hell of a fight': Titans OL David Quessenberry beat cancer. Now he's on another mission
https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/2047881001

Bacharach The Tennessean: Could Titans rookie David Long’s sharp instincts make him a special teams ace?
https://amp.tennessean.com/amp/2048029001

WASHINGTON
Copeland Washington Post: Derrius Guice returns, Jordan Reed is hurt, and the Redskins earn a preseason win over the Falcons
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/derrius-guice-returns-jordan-reed-exits-and-the-redskins-earn-a-preseason-win-over-the-falcons/2019/08/22/cd91e558-c502-11e9-9986-1fb3e4397be4_story.html#click=https://t.co/A9Xp6BRc5G

Svriluga Washington Post: The Redskins’ quarterback competition is over, and it belongs to Case Keenum
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/redskins/the-redskins-quarterback-competition-is-over-and-it-belongs-to-case-keenum/2019/08/23/0394070c-c554-11e9-b72f-b31dfaa77212_story.html

Carpenter Washington Post: Josh Norman says Redskins’ defense is ‘much closer than we ever have been before’
https://beta.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/24/josh-norman-says-redskins-defense-is-much-closer-than-we-ever-have-been-before/?

Colleges/ Draft

Brugler The Athletic: Dane Brugler’s Top 50: Ohio State’s Chase Young headlines preseason NFL Draft Board
https://theathletic.com/1145536/2019/08/21/dane-bruglers-top-50-ohio-states-chase-young-headlines-preseason-nfl-draft-board/

Forde Yahoo Sports: Too soon? Miami-Florida slog shows why Week Zero is a bad ideab
https://sports.yahoo.com/too-soon-miami-florida-slog-shows-why-week-zero-is-a-bad-idea-053752655.html

Rang Football Maven: Future NFL prospects stand out in Florida's 24-20 win over rival Miami
With all due respect to the senior NFL draft prospects playing for Florida and Miami in Saturday's opener, it was a pair of underclassmen - CB C.J. Henderson for the Gators and TE Brevin Jordan for the 'Canes - who made the strongest first impression
https://mavensports.io/nfldraftscout/api/amp/nfldraftscout/news/future-nfl-prospects-stand-out-in-florida-s-24-20-win-over-rival-miami-DUmyFpVRPUmxqvjE-1loIg/#click=https://t.co/Q0IdsICQEq

QB
Thamel Yahoo Sports: Why evaluating QBs may be hardest job in sports: 'Like putting a jigsaw puzzle together'
https://sports.yahoo.com/why-evaluating-q-bs-may-be-hardest-job-in-sports-like-putting-a-jigsaw-puzzle-together-220307233.html

Forde Yahoo Sports: Teflon Trevor: Why it’s so hard to hate on Clemson's Trevor Lawrence
https://sports.yahoo.com/teflon-trevor-why-its-so-hard-to-hate-on-clemsons-trevor-lawrence-215527212.html

Thamel Yahoo Sports: Here's the surprising reason why top NFL prospect Justin Herbert returned to school
https://sports.yahoo.com/surprising-reason-why-top-nfl-pick-justin-herbert-returned-to-school-195739489.html

Forde Yahoo Sports: Why Tua Tagovailoa may need to 'admit defeat' for Alabama to win it all
https://sports.yahoo.com/alabamas-tua-tagovailoa-better-qb-070112785.html

Casagrande Alabama.com: Inside intel on Tua Tagovailoa from opponents speaking candidly about Alabama QB
https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2019/08/inside-intel-on-tua-tagovailoa-from-opponents-speaking-candidly-about-alabama-qb.html

Baker TB Times: Florida Gators, Feleipe Franks beat Miami Hurricanes 24-20
Saturday night was the perfect encapsulation of #Gators QB Feleipe Franks. Good. Bad. Ugly. A bad pick. Meh numbers. And the game-winning TD and drive to beat Miami
https://www.tampabay.com/sports/gators/2019/08/25/florida-gators-feleipe-franks-beat-miami-hurricanes-24-20/

Stone Seattle Times: With QB job apparently his, Jacob Eason gets chance to take UW Huskies to new level
https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/uw-husky-football/with-qb-job-apparently-his-jacob-eason-gets-chance-to-take-uw-huskies-to-new-level/

WR
Trapasso CBS Sports: 2020 NFL Draft: From Jerry Jeudy to CeeDee Lamb to sleepers, 14 wide receivers to keep your eyes on
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2020-nfl-draft-from-jerry-jeudy-to-ceedee-lamb-to-sleepers-14-wide-receivers-to-keep-your-eyes-on/

DE
Sparks The Tennessean: How Vanderbilt football's Dayo Odeyingbo can make 2021 NFL Draft if he doesn't freelance in defense
https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/college/vanderbilt/2019/08/21/vanderbilt-football-dayo-odeyingbo-nfl-draft-2021/2040174001/

LB
Tuls The Draft Network: LSU LB JACOB PHILLIPS IS THE COMPLETE PACKAGE
https://thedraftnetwork.com/articles/lsu-lb-jacob-phillips-is-the-complete-package

Metcalfe AZ Republic: Antonio Pierce relates to ASU linebacker Merlin Robertson juggling football, fatherhood
https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/college/asu/2019/08/19/coach-relates-asu-linebacker-merlin-robertson-juggling-football-fatherhood/2055632001/

History

RIP Dick Woodard Giants LLB/RLB/DE/C D21-Iowa 1948, NYG 1950-1951, 1953 7-28-1926

Former NFL player Dick Woodard dies at age 93
https://amp.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000001043901/article/former-nfl-player-dick-woodard-passes-away-at-93?

Woodard related on birthday 91:
2016: Redskins Quarterback Kirk Cousins' Great Uncle Used To Play In Washington
http://redskins.com/news/blog/article-1/Redskins-Quarterback-Kirk-Cousins-Great-Uncle-Used-To-Play-In-Washington/919fb5d7-a7a7-4640-b38a-76c6165454d6

Browns Held Scoreless First Time in 62 Games as Giants Win 6-0 Battle
"Once, the Browns got as far as the 10 in that last period but lost the ball on a third-down effort when Marion Motley collided with Graham as he was about to take a handoff on the oldest play in the Cleveland book, the trap play. The ball was knocked from Graham's hands and center Dick Woodard recovered for the Giants on the 9-yard line."
http://www.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/1950/10/browns_held_scoreless_first_ti.html

Judge Football Maven: State Your Case: Voters need to wake up to what made Brian Mitchell so special
https://mavensports.io/talkoffame/api/amp/talkoffame/state-your-case/state-your-case-voters-need-to-wake-up-to-what-made-brian-mitchell-so-special-J74aVJjyQUamRcG71H-RFg/#click=https://t.co/93QaQx3eh9

Culpepper Washington Post: As the bizarre American habit of college football turns 150 years old this autumn, the University of Chicago’s decision to quit big-time football remains one of the game’s boldest, most outlying turns
https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/23/university-chicago-made-one-college-footballs-boldest-plays-it-quit/

Giants Birthdays 8-25

Stephen Goodin G UDFA-Nebraska-Kearney 2012 NYG 2012-2013 8-25-1988

Montori Hughes DT W-IND 2015 NYG 2015-2016 8-25-1990

Pete Shaw SS TR-SD 1982 NYG 1982-1984 8-25-1954

Joe Szczecko LDT TR-ATL 1969 NYG 1969 8-25-1942

Dave Thomas LCB FA-JAC 2000 NYG 2000-2001 8-25-1968

In Memoriam

Joseph Byler T UDFA-Nebraska 1946 NYG 1946 Born 8-25-1922 Died 5-05-1994

From small town Nebraska to the NFL:

Joseph Byler from Republican City, pop. 150

High School: Alma High School
College/years: Nebraska
Games played in the NFL: 7
Fun facts:

Played seven games at tackle for the New York Giants in 1946.
Lettered for Nebraska in 1941 and 1942.

https://fremonttribune.com/news/local/from-small-town-nebraska-to-the-nfl/collection_41bea6a9-65ce-54c9-ad73-80dfbbe9978b.html

R.I. man recalls days in the NFL (2000)

“Mr. Franck's best season was in 1946, when he averaged 6.3 yards per carry and amassed well over 600 yards in a 10-game season.
``That year we had a guy, Joe Byler, a linemen, he was probably 6-foot-7 and weighed 350 pounds,'' Mr. Franck said, a smile creeping across his face. ``He was huge, and I would put glue on my hands and just stick behind him. Something went on between him and this other guy off the field, and on one play, I pointed this other guy out and Joe hit him so hard the guy flipped backwards. Joe only played one year. He was wounded fighting in Germany during the war and had so much pain he had to quit.''

https://qconline.com/news/local/r-i-man-recalls-days-in-the-nfl/article_57a6afd0-79fa-5a23-a1bb-72f2853f763f.html

Robert Patton G D5-Clemson 1952 NYG 1952 Born 8-25-1927 Died 11-15-1990

Clemson University: “Bob Patton lettered at Clemson as a left tackle from 1949-1951.

Patton was All-South in 1950 and 1951 and All-State in 1951. Patton was a captain during his senior year and during his career at Clemson played in both the Orange Bowl and the Gator Bowl.

Patton played one year with the New York Giants in the NFL before returning to South Carolina as a high school coach. Patton eventually became a college coach at The Citadel and South Carolina before returning to Clemson as a coach in the early 1960’s.“

Bryan Stoltenberg C W-SD 1997 NYG 1997 Born 8-25-1972 Died 1-04-2013