MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

The problem with Trubisky has never been motivation. He works hard, he's a decent guy, no one has ever doubted that. COVID might have saved his job for some time, this season.

 

Derek Carr is getting upset



On Tuesday, we posted an item based on Raiders quarterback Derek Carr claiming that he is tired of being disrespected. The seventh-year quarterback had plenty more to say during his Tuesday sun’s-out-guns-out media availability.

“I played better last year than I did in 2016,” Carr said, among other things.

That sounds like a stretch on the surface, given that Carr in 2016 was one of the top candidates in the MVP race through early December, when a bad performance at Kansas City took him out of the running. But he had a significantly higher completion percentage in 2019 than in 2016, a higher yards-per-attempt figure, and a slightly higher quarterback rating. That said, he threw more touchdown passes (28 versus 21) and fewer interceptions (six versus eight) in 2016.

Regardless, Carr played well last year. Which makes him even saltier about the way he’s treated.

“I just don’t care anymore,” Carr said, proving that he definitely still cares. “You can say what you want. I’m trying to go to the Super Bowl so we can hang one of those banners in this beautiful indoor [facility] that we’ve got and then I want to try and do it again. Then do it again until I’m too old and they kick me out of this place.”

His Raiders career may still die before he gets old. Indeed, the disrespect of Carr isn’t simply external. G.M. Mike Mayock has said, on several occasions, that the team actively is looking for upgrades at every position, including quarterback. While in many respects that’s a given, teams with franchise quarterbacks never say that.

“[W]hen you go 7-9, people like to make stuff up,” Carr said. But what’s being made up? They went 7-9. With Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City, Drew Lock in Denver, and Justin Herbert in L.A., the Raiders could end up languishing in the division for years to come, without a high-end franchise quarterback.

They signed Marcus Mariota this year, possibly as a shot across Carr’s bow. If the Raiders fail to contend for a postseason berth in an AFC playoff field that has expanded to seven, the Raiders may quit trying to coax more wins from Carr, and simply move on.

Whether that happens depends on Carr. It’s good that he’s upset. The question now becomes what is he going to do about it?

NBC/PFT

 

Jarrett Stidham “definitely ready” to compete with Cam Newton



Friday was the day for Patriots quarterbacks to meet with the media and Brian Hoyer, Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham all did their time on Zoom calls with reporters.

Newton talked about how it has been a “breath of fresh air” to join the team after nine seasons in Carolina, but his arrival probably didn’t elicit the same reaction from the other quarterbacks.

Until Newton signed with the team in July, Stidham appeared to be the favorite to wind up as the first post-Tom Brady starter in New England. That outlook has changed, but the 2019 fourth-round pick isn’t shying away from a battle for the job.

“Absolutely. I think I’m definitely ready,” Stidham said, via MassLive.com. “I’ve put in a lot of work this offseason to really improve mentally, physically in a lot of different areas. At the end of the day, I’m extremely excited to compete with Cam and [Brian Hoyer] as we go forward in training camp and getting into the season and things like that. I’m really looking forward to the competition. I love competing in whatever it is, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

There will be no preseason games for the Patriots to use as data points to compare the quarterbacks. That will make practices all the more important and the first padded ones are set to get underway in a little over a week.

NBC/PFT

 

Ravens plan to carry three quarterbacks again this season



The circumstances of playing football during a COVID-19 pandemic have led to a lot of questions for NFL head coaches, including how they’ll work with their quarterbacks to ensure that they won’t be left with a last-minute need for one due to positive tests or a need to quarantine because of close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Keeping a third quarterback on the active roster is one approach, especially if one quarterback is kept apart from the others in order to ensure they’d be available if needed. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh isn’t saying if the the team will go that route, but he is leaning toward keeping three quarterbacks on the active roster.

Harbaugh said on a Friday video conference that the team “historically” preferred to use the roster spot on a player at another position, but kept three last year because they didn’t think Trace McSorley would get through waivers. He said the thinking is similar this time.

“This year, I would say that’s the plan and we’ll have to see how it shakes out,” Harbaugh said.

McSorley ran once for one yard in his lone appearance as a rookie. Lamar Jackson and Robert Griffin III occupy the top two spots on the depth chart.

NBC/PFT

 

Derek Carr is tired of getting disrespected. If he doesn’t play better, he may end up being demoted.

Raiders coach Jon Gruden gushed about newcomer Marcus Mariota, who arrived on a one-year, $7.5 million deal in the offseason.

“He has turned a corner with his ankle [injury] and he is a dazzling playmaker,” Gruden said of Mariota, via Vic Tafur of TheAthletic.com. Gruden added that Mariota “really fired me up today.”

Gruden is known to talk up his players, but the situation with Mariota and Carr obviously is delicate. Then again, it could be that Gruden deliberately is throwing praise onto the new backup in order to see how Carr will respond.

Gruden wants his quarterbacks to have a certain demeanor, to act a certain way. To be ready to kick some ass and take some names. Carr, despite his penchant for periodically complaining and/or blocking people on Twitter, has yet to become the Sheriff Swagger the head coach seems to want. The dalliance with Mariota seems to be both an effort to irritate Carr into finally carrying himself the way Gruden wants (and performing accordingly, by taking chances and not playing it safe) and a potential Plan B, in the event Carr is injured or regresses.

When the Titans added Ryan Tannehill last year, plenty of people shouted down the possibility that the writing was on the wall for a Mariota demotion, given that he was making north of $20 million. And then Mariota was demoted. This year, if Gruden ends up flipping the switch from Carr to Mariota, no one should be surprised.

If that possibility makes Carr mad, good. That’s part of what Gruden hoping will finally happen, if it translates to Carr being more of the gunslinger Gruden wants at the position.

PFT

 

You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.
I don’t like you when you’re not.

 

Gardner Minshew excited to enter camp as the starter for first time since high school



Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew was a starter at Northwest Mississippi Community College, at East Carolina and at Washington State. But in all three places, he had to compete in training camp to win the job. Not this year.

Minshew had a strong enough rookie season in Jacksonville last year that he’s not at risk of losing the job to backups Mike Glennon, Josh Dobbs or Jake Luton. Minshew is excited about that.

“I actually haven’t had a camp like this, going into it, since I guess my senior of high school; it’s awesome,” Minshew said.

New Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden said Minshew is making the most of his status as the starter.

“We’re starting the meat and potatoes of our offense,” Gruden said. “I like where his mind’s at, number one. We’re trying to challenge him with these challenges and protections. So far, it’s been great. He’s got a skillset that’s really unlike a lot of players at that quarterback position. He’s not real tall. He doesn’t have a cannon, but he’s just a highly competitive guy. He’s got great anticipation and accuracy. He can make plays happen when the plays break down. It’s going to be fun to work with him.”

The Jaguars hope Minshew can grow in Year 2, and remove all doubt that he’s the starter for several training camps to come.

PFT

 

The Jaguars hope Minshew can grow in Year 2, and remove all doubt that he’s the starter for several training camps to come.

Hopefully NOT.......I'm thinking Jags go 6-10.

 

6-10

Why so optimistic?

 

A game ahead of Buffalo.

 

Washington QB Alex Smith expected to be activated from PUP list as soon as Sunday

Another encouraging development has unfolded in the story of Alex Smith.

The Washington quarterback is expected to be activated from the physically unable to perform list on Sunday, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Saturday night, per a source informed of the situation.

The team would confirm Smith's activation early Sunday morning.

The move allows him to participate in football drills for the first time since working his way back from the catastrophic leg injury he suffered in November 2018.

JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington first reported the news.

After enduring a strenous and lengthy rehab period, things have progressed rather quickly for Smith since late last month.

The 36-year-old was cleared by his doctors to return to football activity just prior to the start of training camp on July 24. Upon undergoing a team physical on July 27, Smith began camp on the active/PUP list.


In the weeks since, Washington coach Ron Rivera has expressed numerous times that Smith would be in the mix as long he's healthy. Saturday's update means that remarkable scenario could soon become a reality.

Last Tuesday, second-year QB Dwayne Haskins stated that he was "excited" for Smith as he neared full strength and viewed him as a mentor. The 2019 first-rounder also addressed the possibility of the two competing for reps in camp, saying that if that happens he's "trying to make sure he gets me better, and I get him better."

There are still several dominoes that would have to fall in order for him to see gameday action again but Smith re-joining the team on the practice field is a hugely important step in that process.

NFL.com

 

A game ahead of Buffalo.

Bills might surprise Gidi and go 9-7...of course Pats will be the team to beat.

 

Are you serious, or is this just a feeble effort to laugh while you can.

The Bills are SB contenders.

The Pats lost a QB and then got gutted by Covid. Their offense had problems that only a GOAT could mask.

The Buffalo Bills will not make any further comments at this time.

 

My take is this...

Buffalo has a legit shot at 11-5. They have some real good teams on the schedule, but draw most of them at home (Pittsburgh, Rams, Chiefs, Patriots, Seahawks).

I think I like them at home over some of those good teams and then throw in the Dolphins and Jets for 4 games and they could do it.

They (Bills) are as legit as anybody, in my opinion. Cant wait to see how things go.

 

The bills shot their load last season. Either the Dolphins or Jets win the AFC Least this season.

 

The Buffalo Bills will not make any further comments at this time.


LOL Dan.........I gave the Bills 9 wins because let us not forget they have some real tough games and will Lose on Oct 11th........lol

 

Dolphins have a snowball's chance in h*ll of winning the division. They will fight the Jets for 3rd place. The Bills should be favorites to dethrone the Patriots as the divisional champs. With Cam Newton, the Pats will make some noise, but the opt outs really hurt their chances. Its a two team race in the AFC East, and the Bills should be getting a home playoff game if they stay healthy and covid free.

 

Joe Burrow feeling confident, comfortable in Bengals offense



The pads went on at Bengals camp on Tuesday and that meant a new experience for quarterback Joe Burrow.

Burrow said he felt he’d “like to play better” than he did in the session, but that it felt good to be in pads for the first time since he left LSU. He also made it clear that any misgivings he had about his performance in Tuesday’s practice had nothing to do with his overall feel about how things are coming together for his rookie season.

“Very confident. I feel very comfortable with the offense right now. I feel very comfortable with my guys,” Burrow said. “I think we’re going to be pretty good on offense. I’m excited more so than nervous.”

Burrow was asked if he was surprised that he felt that way at this point in his career.

“Absolutely not,” Burrow said. “Have you ever heard anything else about me about being nervous?”

The Bengals likely wouldn’t have taken Burrow first overall if they thought he’d fade in the face of the pressure he’ll face in the early part of his career. With less than a month to go before the Bengals face the Chargers, it won’t be long before we see if Burrow’s actions match his words.

NBC

 

Report: Several weeks before Jarrett Stidham will be 100 percent



Patriots quarterback Jarrett Stidham was at Friday’s practice, but the day hasn’t brought much reason to think that he’ll be starting at quarterback when New England faces Miami in Week One.

A report on Friday morning said Stidham is dealing with discomfort in his leg. Michael Giardi of NFL Media added that it is a hip issue and that it will be several weeks before Stidham is 100 percent. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that he had precautionary tests at a local hospital on Thursday that came back negative.

The opener against the Dolphins will be three weeks from this Sunday and it seems unlikely that Stidham would get the nod to start that game over Cam Newton or Brian Hoyer if he’s not totally healthy. Stidham’s also had some iffy play in practice recently, but head coach Bill Belichick downplayed that during a Friday video conference.

“I don’t think it’s really good for us as a coaching staff to over-evaluate an individual play when we have so many plays to work with,” Belichick said. “Every player makes mistakes out there, every player gets corrected, every player gets coaching points on things that they can do better, differently. I would say ultimately we’re going to reach a point where we have to really evaluate what the performance is.”

There’s plenty of time to evaluate the overall performance of all three quarterbacks, but Stidham’s health looks like it will be another big factor for the Patriots to consider this summer.

PFT

 

Bill Belichick 'very impressed' with Cam Newton's quick grasp of Patriots' offense

The world has long known about the special (and at times superhuman) abilities of Cameron Jerrell Newton.

Bill Belichick likely did well before this summer, too, especially considering how their two on-field meetings turned out (Newton 2, Belichick 0). The usually stoic and, well, bland coach did something a little out of character on Monday now that Newton is on his team: He showered the quarterback with compliments.

"Being with him every day, he's an extremely hard-working player. First guy in, last one out type of guy," Belichick said of Newton during an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show. "He's really studied hard and has spent a lot of extra time trying to learn our offense, our communication, our calls, nomenclature. I've been very impressed with that. He's done a very good job of picking it up. He's a very skilled athlete."

None of this is revelatory information. We all know how skilled Newton is, and his Instagram and YouTube channel will hit you over the head with how hard he works. Hearing it from Belichick is refreshing, though, because of a change in tone from a coach who typically shoots straight and never veers. It's also centered on a player who isn't afraid to be himself, which some saw as a potential clash with an organization that is about embracing its way -- The Patriot Way -- and falling in line while pushing toward the goal of another Lombardi Trophy.

Newton called being with the Patriots a "breath of fresh air" earlier this month, and it seems as if Belichick has also embraced the benefits of new oxygen for his seasoned approach.

This evaluation, however brief and relatively typical it is, comes just days after NFL Network's Mike Giardi noted veteran Brian Hoyer seemed to have the best grasp of the offense. Two days later, Giardi reported Newton was seeing an increase in reps as Jarrett Stidham dealt with a hip issue, indicating Newton had perhaps taken a step forward in whatever battle there might be for the starting job.

Look, let's be real: This is Newton's job to lose, and he's not going to lose it as long as he stays healthy. The former NFL MVP gives the Patriots the best chance of contending in their first year of the post-Tom Brady era, provided he has command of a notoriously complex offense by Week 1. Hoyer exists as a reliable understudy with a very visible ceiling who understands Josh McDaniels' system from his time backing up Brady, and Stidham is the possible long-term developmental player.


The moment the Patriots signed Newton, this was the logical course of action. Belichick would benefit from refusing to reveal his starter for Week 1, forcing a team to prep for either Newton or Hoyer (Stidham's injury essentially eliminates him from serious opposing consideration), which would include anticipating two differing styles of signal-callers. Always one for an edge, Belichick isn't going to volunteer such information and lose a possible advantage in use of time.

But again, we should expect No. 1 under center in Week 1. He's already impressed Belichick enough for him to admit it, which is more than some can say.

NFL.com