The scorching canine are out of my home. Something about the way in which Mike Tomlin emphasised how we don’t need to know what’s in them compelled me to chuck them … possibly eternally.
Mike Tomlin simply in contrast the Steelers locker room to a scorching canine. pic.twitter.com/Fxsl12h1nv
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 17, 2024
Tomlin’s 2-0 Steelers are beginning Justin Fields of their residence opener and hoping the elements on this offense begin cooking up one thing scrumptious. I’m listening to they really feel that they're shut to it, too. Fields is getting extra assured and snug in Arthur Smith’s offense. Russell Wilson continues to rehab his calf pressure, however he’s nonetheless not at 100% well being. While the offense remains to be reasonably conservative, the Steelers will strive to take off towards the Chargers.
Jim Harbaugh and firm, on a mission to go 3-0 for the primary time in 22 years, have their very own QB issues. Justin Herbert has a excessive ankle sprain however is making an attempt to play in Pittsburgh. (Context: Former Titans QB Ryan Tannehill had this damage final season; he missed two video games.) For Herbert to play, I’m advised the staff needs to see that he can plant his foot and even rise up on his toes.
That’s two accidents in two months to the identical aspect for Herbert. He missed most of coaching camp with a plantar fascia damage in his proper foot. I’m advised the QB, who is understood within the constructing for his toughness, is making an attempt to play. L.A. is already planning a run-heavy recreation towards a really stingy Pittsburgh protection with or with out Herbert below middle.
This is what I’m listening to this week:
• The Packers and Jordan Love made their choice on his standing Friday however don’t need the Titans to know their closing name.
• Bryce Young was shocked when advised he’d been benched, and the offense is pissed off. One Panthers participant stated, “Young was making the same mistakes over and over.”
• The Vikings are the exact opposite aspect of the coin from the Panthers when it comes to quarterback growth constructions.
• Before the Jets acquired Aaron Rodgers, the staff’s best choice for a veteran QB was Derek Carr.
• Kickers are the brand new star of the NFL.
• And the determined Colts will strive to be extra bodily on protection this week.
Love is a thriller (by way of his Sunday availability)
Jordan Love has been preserving followers (and reporters) on their toes. The quarterback missed final week’s recreation towards the Colts however was at follow all week. He was restricted, however I’m advised he’s getting higher by the day. The staff and Love made their choice on his standing Friday afternoon however don’t need the Titans to know their closing name. Matt LaFleur advised reporters they are going to take a look at the damage all the way in which up till kickoff, however a veteran NFL coach stated, “this isn’t a type of injury you ‘test’ on the field; it’s been decided.”
In different phrases: the Packers are all in on preserving the aggressive edge!
Under the unique restoration timeline, the Week 3 recreation towards the Titans was categorized as “a long shot,” however Love is rebounding faster than anticipated. He is carrying a steel brace on his left knee and a black leg sleeve for added assist. This wouldn’t be his first time enjoying with a brace; at Utah State, he wore one after tearing the meniscus in his proper knee.
It’s over for Bryce Young in Carolina
The NFC South is spicy proper now and may have essentially the most wins of any division after three weeks. It additionally has the Panthers…
Things are dangerous in Carolina proper now. After simply two video games in a brand new offensive system with a brand new head coach, the Panthers made a daring choice and pulled the plug on 2023 No. 1 general decide Bryce Young.
It’s over. No matter what Carolina says, relaxation assured: It’s over.
This isn’t an experiment.
This isn’t a Ross and Rachel break.
This is Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston over.
Bryce Young heads to the bench 18 video games into his NFL profession, with Andy Dalton (left) stepping in. (Grant Halverson / Getty Images)
The quarterback was shocked when advised he’d been benched. On the sphere, the offense is pissed off. One Panthers participant stated, “Young was making the same mistakes over and over.”
Young was absolutely conscious that he wanted to enhance, however he was reassured that he was nonetheless the man. The teaching employees advised him they had been on this collectively. They advised him that “he was fine,” and that they had been all on board to attain their objectives.
On Monday, it modified.
It’s why Young admitted he was stunned by the transfer — he thought he had extra time. First-year head coach Dave Canales advised the world it was his name, nevertheless it was exhausting to discover anybody within the league who believed that proprietor David Tepper had nothing to do with this choice.
History in Carolina tells us that whereas Tepper has tried to be extra hands-off and permit the soccer individuals to make the soccer selections, it’s by no means that simple. Even individuals on the Panthers consider possession stated, sufficient. “Too much changed from Sunday to Monday,” one supply added. Now, veteran Andy Dalton will get a shot at making an attempt to give the offense some life.
Eighteen months in the past, Tepper and the Panthers had a selection: Young or C.J. Stroud with the No. 1 decide. Tepper and firm advised individuals and had been satisfied that they discovered their Drew Brees in Young. The top and weight had been at all times a difficulty for the staff, however the Panthers had been prepared to decide exterior the prototype quarterback in hopes of hitting the jackpot.
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Meanwhile, in Minnesota
When the Panthers benched Young, I texted the information to a trusted league supply. He shortly responded: “They should bench their program.”
I normally consider school soccer when I hear “program,” however taking a look at quarterback growth constructions via that lens is informative. A program encompasses every part: surroundings, assist employees, planning, educating philosophy, and the listing goes on. Speak to of us across the league about QB growth, and they’ll usually point out all of those layers as being important. Carolina is one aspect of the coin — Minnesota is the opposite.
Kevin O’Connell, presently in his third season because the Vikings’ head coach, has created an organizational surroundings constructed on intentionality. Circumstances haven't at all times been optimum, however the various elements haven't pulled O’Connell away from his perception that progress and growth require consistency over time.
Around the NFL, numerous coaches and execs have paid consideration to what O’Connell has achieved. One opposing defensive coach stated, “I’d trust KOC more than anyone in our league to get the most out of his quarterback.”
Sam Darnold’s first two video games below Kevin O’Connell are two of one of the best video games of his profession to this point. (Brad Rempel / Imagn Images)
Last 12 months, veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles in Week 7. A revolving door of kinds occurred in Minnesota, with Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall and Josh Dobbs all beginning in some unspecified time in the future. Remember the run the Vikings had with Dobbs after buying him on a whim? This doesn't occur if not for an overarching philosophy centered round instilling perception and making certain the participant shouldn't be being requested to do greater than he's able to attaining.
It helps to have a surrounding forged that includes Justin Jefferson, Christian Darrisaw, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson, however the ancillary facets converse to O’Connell’s program. Before the Vikings drafted quarterback J.J. McCarthy, they employed longtime NFL quarterback Josh McCown. After they drafted McCarthy, they explored the biomechanics house, even bringing in among the recreation’s greatest minds to discuss quarterback actions.
All of this relates to the stellar play of their present reclamation challenge: Sam Darnold, who has bounced round 4 groups (together with the Panthers). Last week, after the Vikings beat the 49ers, San Francisco’s star edge rusher Nick Bosa stated: “That’s an excellent coach … he’s just really good with the scheme. He knows how to scheme up the big-time players (against) the defense, and he’s got a lot of outstanding players and a good offensive line. You could feel it when you’re playing a good coach who knows what they’re doing.”
All of this brings up an fascinating matter relating to the Vikings’ future. When the staff employed O’Connell and normal supervisor Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in February 2022, it signed them to four-year contracts. This is their third season, and throughout coaching camp, Vikings co-owner Mark Wilf stated extension talks wouldn't be taking place this season. Meanwhile, Mike McDaniel, who was employed similtaneously O’Connell, was prolonged by Dolphins proprietor Steve Ross.
It must be famous that extensions not often occur after two seasons, but when optimum growth packages are as exhausting to discover as they appear to be, why not make investments now? In the eyes of many across the league, O’Connell deserves a brand new contract. If one doesn't come, free company is at all times another.
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Before Rodgers, Jets wished ‘future Hall of Famer’ Carr
Aaron Rodgers’ Thursday evening efficiency towards the Patriots was unbelievable. That is what the New York Jets had been ready for since signing him.
Before they acquired Rodgers within the spring of 2023, the staff’s best choice for a veteran QB was Derek Carr. Members of the group eagerly recruited him, expressing their unwavering perception in his skills. At a dinner, head coach Robert Saleh advised Carr that he noticed the quarterback as a future Hall of Famer.
While many doubted that assertion, Carr’s stellar efficiency to this point in 2024, together with Sunday towards Mike Zimmer’s formidable Cowboys protection, means that Saleh might need been on to one thing. First-year Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has injected a brand new stage of dynamism into the staff’s offense, harking back to the high-powered Sean Payton-Drew Brees years.
Though as one defensive coordinator identified: “The Payton offense is out of the building, the run game has made a huge difference in making sure Carr is not carrying the offense solely on his shoulders. Credit to Carr too, who has been really efficient.”
Pre-snap shifts and play-action passes are all a part of the offense, with Carr below middle 70 % of the time. That leads the league, and the Saints lead the league in factors. Who noticed that coming?
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Kickers play the lengthy recreation
If Taylor Swift was the speak of the NFL all of final season, this 12 months there’s an much more well-liked star dominating the sport: your staff’s kicker.
Yep, this would be the solely place you ever learn that sentence. There is nothing horny about kickers, after all, however what they're doing proper now has everybody admiring elite toes. Kicking lengthy discipline objectives within the NFL rapidly appears simple. (It isn’t.) League-wide this season, kickers have made 35 of 39 (90 %) of their discipline objective makes an attempt from 50 yards or longer. What’s behind the long-range pattern? I requested across the league.
The commonest reply is that climate situations and enjoying surfaces have been preferrred. Most surfaces are in nice form this time of 12 months — considerably, the pure grass fields — main to fewer points for kickers. We will doubtless see the success charge go down as soon as it will get colder, windier and the climate shifts.
One coach stated: “There are more indoor stadiums. There are more specialist coaches. There is more exposure to kicking as a specialized skill. Guys are actually growing up aspiring to be kickers, compared to how it used to be when guys kicked and played another position.”
A normal supervisor added: “Specialists are their entity, and that’s all they work on, so they should be good at it. Snap, hold and kick timing can be worked on regularly so you can get good at the process. And teams likely really don’t spend too much time on FG Block since they’re devoting resources to other areas.”
Another head coach expanded on that final level: “Since the rule changes in recent years, it’s almost impossible to block a kick. You can’t cover the center, you can’t jump and land over the line of scrimmage, and you can’t push interior linemen … blocking kicks is almost a non-factor.”
Three of Ka’imi Fairbairn’s six NFL-leading discipline objectives of 50-plus yards got here on Sunday evening. (Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
And a particular groups coach added: “They’ve gone the way of a lot of the positions — personal coaches, and there is politics in that, but they do a really good job of refining their craft, swing mechanics, technique, strength. They have summits like the other positions do. They can self correct … and if they can’t there’s a talent pool to go get someone else. They don’t necessarily have the same career path where they have to have immediate success, and you may not hear about them for a few years. It truly has to be a passion for them.”
The strangest half about all these boots on hearth is that the one kicker who has been burning up the file books for years, Baltimore’s Justin Tucker, is off to a sluggish begin. He’s already missed two kicks — although his file for longest discipline objective, 66 yards, nonetheless stands. For now.
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And lastly…
The determined 0-2 Colts will strive to be extra bodily on protection this week towards the Bears. The mixed quarterback age in that recreation is 44: Caleb Williams is 22, and Anthony Richardson is 22.
I’m undoubtedly not feeling 22. (I’m allowed one Taylor Swift lyric reference a season. Thank you.)
Make certain you check out the “Scoop City” podcast this Tuesday to get extra data and perception on the Week 3 video games. Two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Long will be a part of co-host Chase Daniel and I to tell us which groups and quarterbacks have him in shock.
(Top photograph: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
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