Congratulations Bears fans...!! @BearsWillWin @Bear-man 11 @dlinebass5 @EvertonBears Pace is gone. Can’t think of a fanbase happier to see how their season has changed their future this year. (Maybe Giants?) I’m a bit surprised Miami moved on from Flores. Miami staying Miami??
Couldn't be happier. Now it's just a matter of making the right hires....getting a VP or President of Ops would be nice. Flores was shocking. Especially with them keeping their GM. Not a good move in my opinion.
Thank you RTTRUTH. We all said this should've happened 12months ago and were proven right. But its a measure how badly this team is run and how little faith we have in them that none of us are even harking on that, we're all just completely relieved the Bears didnt totally F it up again. A lot of us were hanging by a thread re this team. We needed this. Re Flores, im very surprised by this i rate him as a HC. I think the Dolphins have made a big mistake.
The only thing I have seen since reported that their front office just wasn’t on the same page. How much of that is fact and how much is politics, who knows I guess. But it would explain why you fire a guy that most would seemingly think was doing a good job and had them moving the right direction. They may well regret that one though.
Report: Jameson Williams suffers torn ACL in national championship game The pursuit of a national championship carried a major price for one of its key players. Alabama receiver Jameson Williams, one of the top draft prospects in the 2022 class, suffered a torn ACL in Monday night’s game, via Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Williams was regarded as a potential top-10 pick. Although doctors reportedly expect a full recovery (don’t they always?), the injury necessarily will impact his status, and it will potentially result in much later selection than previously anticipated. It’s extremely unfortunate, and it’s a reminder that college football players deserve to be paid for their skills, abilities, and sacrifices. Williams, by helping the Crimson Tide pursue yet another championship, compromised his future earnings, significantly. It’s unfortunate, and it’s unfair. It will become less unfair only if/when players like Williams begin getting a slice of the billions that college football generates for the various universities. PFT
I didnt know this was on till now... sounds very interesting. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl will air exclusively on NFL Network at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday. The NFLPA Collegiate Bowl is one of the top annual all-star showcases for draft-eligible prospects.
Sure glad you pointed that out Will. I already had the other bowl games circled in my calendar but I didn’t know about this one. It was mislabeled on my tv programming too, but I hit record anyways while I took my daughter tobogganing. Sure enough, bowl game. I’ll watch it tonight.
Kenny Pickett: 'Would be unbelievable' to be drafted by Steelers MOBILE, Ala. -- If the Pittsburgh Steelers want to look in their own backyard for Ben Roethlisberger's replacement, Kenny Pickett won't be hard to find. Having spent his college career playing at Heinz Field, the home stadium for both Pitt and the Steelers, the quarterback prospect is keenly aware that Big Ben's former team is likely to be in the market for a passer in the 2022 NFL Draft. And getting an opportunity to be the Steelers' next quarterback would be a dream scenario for Pickett, one of the top QBs in the draft class. "The possibility of getting drafted there, would be unbelievable," Pickett said on Tuesday at the Reese's Senior Bowl introductory news conference. "Pittsburgh's really my second home. That'd be kind of a dream that started once I got recruited to Pitt, and maybe now at the next level, so we'll see what happens." Pickett will compete this week alongside most of the draft's top quarterback prospects with NFL scouts and coaches looking on -- Tuesday marks the first of three practices ahead of Saturday's annual all-star game (2:30 p.m. ET on NFL Network). Other quarterbacks in attendance include North Carolina's Sam Howell, Western Kentucky's Bailey Zappe, Nevada's Carson Strong, Liberty's Malik Willis and Cincinnati's Desmond Ridder. Pickett led Pitt to an ACC championship last season, passing for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns and only seven interceptions. But his connection to the Steelers, who hold the draft's 20th overall pick, doesn't end with his experience at Heinz Field. Pickett's quarterback coach at Pitt, Mark Whipple, was Roethlisberger's first NFL quarterback coach with the Steelers. Whipple tutored Roethlisberger in his first three seasons with the Steelers, from 2004-2006. "Obviously, Ben's a Hall of Famer. He had an unbelievable career," Pickett said. "He was coached by coach Whipple, which is pretty cool, to be coached by coach Whip. A lot of things that he taught Ben, he's been teaching me these past three seasons at Pitt." The task of replacing Roethlisberger is a daunting one for a club that hasn't had to deal with turnover at the quarterback position in nearly two decades. Backups Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins figure to get their chance, but with general manager Kevin Colbert approaching his final NFL draft with the club, a successful long-term starting quarterback out of the draft would be an ideal parting gift from Colbert to Steeler Nation. One question Pickett will look to answer in the draft process relates to his hand size, but he won't have his hand measured in Mobile. Scouts generally prefer quarterback prospects to have hands measuring at least nine inches for ball security reasons, particularly those who play in cold-weather cities. Scouts have previously measured his hands below the 9-inch mark, and he's doing stretching exercises on his hand, due to a double-jointed thumb that affects his measurement, in advance of the NFL Scouting Combine. But playing at Heinz Field, of course, means there is no shortage of Pickett game film for NFL clubs to evaluate him in cold-weather conditions. "The good news is I played in Pittsburgh. Anyone that's been to Pittsburgh knows it's not the nicest place to play in October and November, so I have experience playing in tough weather," Pickett said. And he wouldn't mind staying there as a pro. NFL.com
With Super Bowl LVI finished, it’s on to 2022. The 2022 NFL draft order is set for the first round, which will be held Thursday, April 28, in Las Vegas. Five teams don’t have a first-round draft choice, including the Super Bowl champion Rams. The Giants have two of the top seven choices and the Jets two of the top 10. The Eagles have picks 15, 16 and 19, and the Lions picks 2 and 32. Here is the entire first-round draft order: 1. Jaguars (3-14) 2. Lions (3-13-1) 3. Texans (4-13) 4. Jets (4-13) 5. Giants (4-13) 6. Panthers (5-12) 7. Giants (via 6-11 Bears) 8. Falcons (7-10) 9. Broncos (7-10) 10. Jets (via 7-10 Seahawks) 11. Washington Football Team (7-10) 12. Vikings (8-9) 13. Browns (8-9) 14. Ravens (8-9) 15. Eagles (via 9-8 Dolphins) 16. Eagles (via 9-8 Colts) 17. Chargers (9-8) 18. Saints (9-8) 19. Eagles (9-8, Wild Card loser) 20. Steelers (9-7-1, Wild Card loser) 21. Patriots (10-7, Wild Card loser) 22. Raiders (10-7, Wild Card loser) 23. Cardinals (11-6, Wild Card loser) 24. Cowboys (12-5, Wild Card loser) 25. Bills (11-6, Divisional round loser) 26. Titans (12-5, Divisional round loser) 27. Buccaneers (13-4, Divisional round loser) 28. Packers (13-4, Divisional round loser) 29. Dolphins (via 10-7 49ers, NFC Championship Game loser) 30. Chiefs (12-5, AFC Championship Game loser) 31. Bengals (10-7, Super Bowl loser) 32. Lions (via 12-5 Rams, Super Bowl winner)
And the Colts are now paying the price for their gamble on Wentz. Could ultimately be the decision that ends up getting Reich and Ballard (God I hope not) fired. Personally I'd give both of them another 2 years at minimum regardless of how those seasons go. Personally I think Ballard has earned at least three. I'd argue he's been a top 3 GM since being hired for us.
Messing up first round picks is a major reason why GM's get fired. When the results are easy to say "I predicted that wouldn't work!" like it is with Wentz... that's a bad look. But I think you are right that guy is a real good GM. He went and got his coach the QB he wanted and he didn't work. It should be a blip and not ultimately much more for Ballard as long as he keeps drafted as well as he has...
Ikem Ekwonu “wouldn’t be shocked” if he went No. 1 overall In many recent drafts, we’ve had a very good idea about who will go first overall and that player is often a quarterback who has separated himself from the pack during his time in the college ranks. This year’s draft doesn’t have such a quarterback and it doesn’t have any other player who is a sure thing to be the first pick. The Jaguars have a few options, including a pair of offensive tackles. Alabama’s Evan Neal is the betting favorite at the moment, but North Carolina State’s Ikem Ekwonu is also highly regarded and he told reporters at the Scouting Combine on Thursday that it won’t come as a surprise to him if he hears his name called when the Jaguars make their selection. “It would mean a lot to me,” Ekwonu said, via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. “I’ve worked really hard throughout all my years at N.C. State and throughout the offseason. I wouldn’t be shocked if I went No. 1 overall. I feel like that is something I put the work in for it. I feel like when the time comes, I would deserve it.” Ekwonu also played guard during his time in college, but he said on PFT Live and in his press conference that he sees himself as a left tackle at the professional level. If the Jaguars feel he’s the best one available, he might have a very short wait to hear his name called come late April. PFT
Breece Hall, Kenny Walker blaze 4.3 40-yard dashes in record-setting RB night at NFL Scouting Combine INDIANAPOLIS -- The running back position hasn't received much love in this draft cycle, but that could change after a surprisingly speedy showing at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine. A whopping six running backs posted 40-yard dash times in the 4.3s on Friday evening: Isiah Pacheco, Rutgers: 4.37 Pierre Strong, South Dakota State: 4.37 Ty Chandler, North Carolina: 4.38 D'vonte Price, Florida International: 4.38 Kenny Walker III, Michigan State: 4.38 Breece Hall, Iowa State: 4.39 Not only is that the most running backs to crack 4.4 at a single combine since NFL Network began keeping records in 2003, but it's more than the combined total (five) of the past seven combines. The last two names on that list are the most significant, as they top RB draft boards for a number of analysts, including two of NFL.com's own. Bucky Brooks has Hall at No. 1 and Walker at 2, while Lance Zierlein's rankings are flipped. Showcasing such electric long speed on the Lucas Oil Stadium track only boosts the two backs' draft stock. Hall also posted another eye-catching combine figure: 40 inches in the vertical leap. That's a cherry on top for the top-ranked back and No. 35 overall player on Daniel Jeremiah's board. With a versatile all-around game that draws comparisons to Le'Veon Bell and Matt Forte, Hall could have the best chance of this year's RBs to sneak into Round 1 next month. "I really respect those other guys' games," Hall said during Thursday's press availability. "I just feel like I'm the best running back in this draft." Friday evening's work did nothing to contradict Hall's claim. Meanwhile, Zamir White and James Cook -- the thunder-and-lightning offensive engine of Georgia's national title run -- just missed the 4.3 club. White ran a 4.40, while Cook clocked in at 4.42. This RB class didn't arrive in Indy with great fanfare, but it certainly went out with a bang! NFL.com
I wouldn't be shocked if the Jags traded out of number 1 to the three or Four spot. Lions, Texans, and Jets all need defense and Texans or Jets could try to jump to get Hutchinson or Thibodeaux. Jags get a few more picks and still get their top OL target
I don't think Thibodeaux did himself any favors by saying for weeks that he was going to participate in all the drills at the Combine, and then at the last minute pulling out and refusing to do the drills, listing his only reason as, "It's been a really long day."....
I agree but I also think he had some discussions on day one with top 5 or 6 teams for defense and they told him something that made him change his mind as well as his agent.
Report: Giants open to trading a 2022 first-round pick for one in 2023 With the fifth and seventh picks in this year’s draft, the Giants have a chance to add a couple of top prospects to a roster in need of talent across the board but there’s no guarantee they’ll be making both of those picks. Ralph Vacchiano of SNY reports that the team is open to trading one of those picks. Such a report is no surprise with the draft a little over a month away, but the return they are looking for is a bit less expected. Vacchiano reports the team is looking for a package that includes a 2023 first-rounder in return. One reason cited for that desire is financial. The team remains short on cap space and dealing away a first-round pick would lessen the cap hit the incoming draft class will bring to the team and possibly allow them to hold onto cornerback James Bradberry for the 2022 season. Another is that the team will be in the quarterback market if Daniel Jones‘ 2023 season resembles his first three pro outings and two first-round picks for the 2023 offseason would help their ability to make moves on that front. Their chances of pulling off such a deal would improve if teams in the market for quarterbacks now fall in love with a prospect and feel the need to jump over other clubs and we’re sure to hear more chatter about that in the coming weeks. PFT
Lions GM Brad Holmes has talked with 'a couple of teams' about trading back from No. 2 pick Sitting with the No. 2 overall pick in next month's NFL draft, the Detroit Lions are open for business. Lions general manager Brad Holmes reiterated this week that he'd consider trading down and noted he's talked with multiple teams on the topic. "We've had dialogue with a couple of teams," Holmes said, via the team's official website. "I wouldn't say it's been a lot, but there has been a couple teams that we've had some dialogue with." In the nascent stages of a massive rebuild, with multiple needs, it makes sense that the Lions would look to move down. However, finding a partner willing to give up future capital to jump up the board is another story. In a draft lacking in sure-fire top-five quarterback prospects, teams like the Lions will have a harder time trading back and amassing a big haul. With the Jaguars seemingly poised to pass on an offensive tackle to take an edge rusher at No. 1 overall, and the Lions also socked at the OT spot, teams looking for a big-time blindside protector also might not be motivated to jump too high either. Even so, Holmes noted that he'd be willing to pull the trigger on a trade before the draft if another team is willing. Guiding his second draft in Detroit, Holmes noted that he expects chatter to pick up as we get closer to the April 28 draft. "I would expect for it to heat up," Holmes said. "Especially with the pick that we have this year because it definitely heated up at No. 7 last year. I expect to have more dialogue." If no trade materializes, Holmes said he has a cluster of several prospects he'd be happy to see wearing Honolulu Blue. "There's multiple players at multiple positions that if we turn the card in today, we could turn that card in today and sleep well at night," he said. "That's a testament to everyone in our building, our personnel department. We're so far ahead in the process, our scouts." NFL.com
