MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Darnald sucks, flat out sucks.

 

Falcons coach Arthur Smith pleased with Marcus Mariota’s preseason performance



Some questioned the Falcons’ decision to head into the 2022 season with Marcus Mariota, who hasn’t started a game as 2019, as their starting quarterback. But Falcons coach Arthur Smith says Mariota is proving he’s up to the task.

Mariota turned in a solid performance on Monday night against the Jets, completing six of 10 passes for 132 yards, with one touchdown, no interceptions and no sacks, and Smith said afterward that Mariota is doing everything the Falcons need him to do.


“I’m pleased with Marcus,” Smith said. “He got into a good rhythm. The only drive I thought wasn’t very good was where we tried to simulate a two-minute situation, we got backed up and it wasn’t really clean there, but other than that I thought he was really cleaned when he was in there. I think he got into the offense, got into a rhythm, made a big-time throw.”

Based on preseason betting odds, the Falcons are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL this season. But Smith sounds confident that he’s building something, and that Mariota can prove he belongs as a starting quarterback in the NFL.

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Pete Carroll doesn’t rule out using both of his quarterbacks, Geno Smith and Drew Lock



Until Seahawks coach Pete Carroll selects a Week One starting quarterback, he’ll constantly be asked about the selection process. On Tuesday, he got a curveball of a question — and he provided a curveball of an answer.

Asked whether he would consider playing both of his quarterbacks, Geno Smith and Drew Lock, Carroll said this: “That could happen. Yeah, that could happen.”


That would be something. Because it’s something that few NFL coaches ever do.

For now, Carroll seems to be focused primarily on picking Smith or Lock for the Week One assignment against the Broncos, now led by former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson. Currently, Carroll is deciding how to divide the reps in the preseason finale against the Cowboys.

“We’ve got it worked out where we are figuring out playing time right now,” Carroll said. “Drew needs to play a lot of football because he missed a game [due to COVID]. So that’s the main thing to get done this weekend. . . . This game is really important because it’s kind of the make-up deal. I’m going to make sure to take care of business on that.”

Carroll doesn’t rule out the possibility of Lock overtaking Smith, who has led the competition throughout the offseason and training camp.

“I’m wide open for whatever happens,” Carroll said. “Geno has been the guy in the lead position the whole time. I’ve protected that thought throughout and he’s done a really nice job. He’s been very consistent. We’ll just see what happens. There’s two more weeks of practice too after this. With a timeline, I had a set thought of what we would do with the timeline but that got disrupted. We’re going to use all the time we need.”

But Lock definitely has a real chance. Carroll specifically said on Tuesday that “these guys are so even right now.”

Carroll has no qualms about taking his time to make the decision. And he wonders whether the time-honored cliche about having two quarterbacks could eventually be turned on its head in Seattle.

“Geno has done a really good job of being in that position,” Carroll said. “His voice is solid. He’s on point all the time. He’s been very consistent with his work and all of that, and Drew has been really sharp. I know it’s not supposed to be a good situation when you have two quarterbacks and it means you don’t have one is the old saying, but I don’t know though we might have two [number] ones. We’ll see what happens.”

We’ll have an answer sooner or later. In 20 days, the Seahawks face Denver. And maybe, in the end, the Seahawks will decide that they have two starters — and that they’ll use both of them. That curveball strategy would definitely throw a wrench in the preparations by the Broncos defense.

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Jameis Winston: I’m feeling better every single day



After suffering a foot injury during training camp, Saints quarterback Jameis Winston returned to 11-on-11 drills in practice earlier this week.

Winston said in his Wednesday press conference that he’s feeling “a lot better” as New Orleans gets ready for its final preseason matchup against the Chargers on Friday.


“I’m feeling better every single day,” Winston said. “Yesterday, I could run a little bit more and move around a little bit more, because that’s part of my game. So I’m getting better every day.”

Winston said part of why he was held out was to prevent further injury elsewhere in his lower body from overcompensating — particularly his surgically repaired knee.

“It’s not a major injury,” Winston said. “We don’t want anything else to spring up just from me using one side more.”

Winston tore his ACL midseason in 2021 but said he “wholeheartedly” trusts his knee now.

“When I’m on the field, I’m not thinking about anything besides executing and leading the Saints to a victory,” Winston said. “Injury is not even in my mind.”

There’s a chance Winston could play against the Chargers on Friday — and the quarterback said he’d like to play. But either way, Winston said he’ll be ready for the team’s season opener against the Falcons on Sept. 11.

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Kenny Pickett: I’m happy with what I’ve done, will let chips fall where they may



The Steelers have resisted naming a starting quarterback for the first game of the regular season and head coach Mike Tomlin suggested that the final preseason game could be a determining factor in who gets that job.

Mitch Trubisky has been the No. 1 quarterback all summer, but the fact that the competition remains open is a good sign for first-round pick Kenny Pickett. He’s steadily picked up more reps and he’s been productive when he’s stepped on the field in games and practices.


On Wednesday, Pickett said that the more time you spend in the offense “the more comfortable you get” and, regardless of what Tomlin said, that he doesn’t think the decision will come down to one game. That’s why his approach involves more than just making sure to play well in games.

“I’m big on being the same guy every day,” Pickett said, via Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m big on being a pro — first guy in, last guy out type of stuff. I just want to be a professional and win. That’s all I want to show. We’ll let the chips fall where they may after the game, but I’m happy with what I’ve done so far.”

The Steelers host the Lions on Sunday and a call on the starter will follow that game. It may not be Pickett, but his work this summer has been good enough that the question of when he’ll take over the job will be hanging over the team’s head until he’s promoted.

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Eagles coach Nick Sirianni says QB Jalen Hurts had his best practice ever



We’re only talking about practice, but Jalen Hurts has improved immensely, and his head coach believes Wednesday was his most efficient day as a professional.

While addressing the media on Thursday morning, Sirianni praised his quarterback, stating that Hurts “had his best practice” since becoming the Eagles’ head coach.

“What he was doing with the football and being able to go through reads and progressions that fast and getting the ball where it needed to go was unbelievable.”

Philadelphia added A.J. Brown on draft night, and the Eagles have the most talented group of weapons on the roster in years, setting Hurts up for success as a potential contract extension looms.

EAGLES WIRE

 

Some of Baltimore’s starters will be on the field for the preseason finale against Washington.

But quarterback Lamar Jackson won’t be one of them.


Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in his Thursday press conference that Jackson will sit out the last preseason game as part of how the team has organized the rotation.

Jackson has traditionally played at least some in August. But given the trends around the league, it’s not entirely a surprise that Jackson won’t be put in harm’s way against the Commanders.

It’s also worth noting that Jackson and the Ravens are currently negotiating a contract extension, which the quarterback has set a Week One deadline to get done.

Aside from Jackson, Harbaugh said starters will play or sit in this weekend’s contest on an individual basis.

“[T]here are some starters that need to work. Some starters don’t — probably most starters don’t,” Harbaugh said. “But some of those guys are going to play, too. We’re just managing some of those guys. They have little things come up or different things. It’s not one size fits all with issues guys have. Some guys took days, some guys are managing loads. We have all this stuff measured so you just try to manage that through camp.”

The Ravens and Commanders will kick off at 7 p.m. ET in Baltimore on Saturday.

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Niners QB Trey Lance 'not going to make too big of a deal' of ugly preseason outing vs. Texans

Trey Lance and many of the San Francisco 49ers' starters played in Thursday night's 17-0 preseason loss to the Houston Texans, an ugly affair in which the offense never found its footing.

Lance played three series -- 22 snaps -- completing 7 of 11 passes for 49 yards, was sacked once, and scrambled once for one yard.

"I wish it was cleaner, just from a whole, but I'm not going to make too much out of it," head coach Kyle Shanahan said of Lance, via The Mercury News. "There weren't too many opportunities and we got in some long down-and-distances, which made it tough."

Lance made a couple of good throws, including a 14-yard connection with Malik Turner, but continued to struggle with short-range accuracy. He missed tight end George Kittle on a short toss and couldn't connect with Deebo Samuel down the sideline.

With starting offensive tackles Mike McGlinchey and Trent Williams sitting, the protection wasn't great for Lance as the Niners continue to work through revamping the O-line. On three drives with Lance under center, the Niners collected five first downs, including one via penalty.

"Some ugly stuff out there, for sure. It definitely wasn't our best night," Lance said. "We're not going to make too big of a deal from it. We'll watch film, learn from it and get better. These 17 days (of practice) will be super important for us for Chicago."

Following their run to the NFC Championship Game, the Niners put all their eggs in the Lance basket in 2022. The preseason showed there will be growing pains, but the young quarterback needs all the reps he can get to continue to develop.


It's easy to dismiss preseason games, especially with some starters sitting, but come Sept. 11 in Chicago, the real tests begin for Lance and the 49ers.

NFL.com

 

Mitch Trubisky to start Steelers’ final preseason game



The Steelers won’t name a starter until giving each quarterback one more chance to prove himself in the preseason finale, but Mitch Trubisky remains the favorite.

Trubisky will start the Steelers’ preseason finale against the Lions on Sunday, head coach Mike Tomlin announced today.


That’s no surprise: Trubisky has been atop the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart throughout the offseason. Unless he turns in a terrible performance or gets hurt against the Lions, from all indications Trubisky will start the Week One opener against the Bengals.

Perhaps more interesting will be the competition between rookie first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett and veteran Mason Rudolph for the No. 2 job. Pickett now appears to be the favorite to win that competition.

Assuming Trubisky does start the regular season, Tomlin may have a quick hook, as Pickett has impressed in the preseason. It shouldn’t be surprising to anyone if Trubisky opens the season as the starter, but closes the season on the sideline.

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Report: Jameis Winston is expecting to play tonight



Saints coach Dennis Allen said earlier this week he would be comfortable with quarterback Jameis Winston not seeing any preseason action.

But with the Saints closing out the preseason tonight against the Chargers, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that Winston is expecting to play “in some capacity.”


Presumably, that means getting a few reps before getting back to the sideline.

Winston is returning from a sprained foot. He practiced in team work Monday for the first time since his injury.

He has not played in a game since Oct. 31 when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

Allen had said Monday that Winston was “a little rusty” in his return to 11-on-11 drills in Monday’s practice and we’ll find out how much more rust the team will try to knock off tonight.

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Seahawks name Geno Smith the starter



Seahawks coach Pete Carroll buried the lead Friday night.

Carroll was almost two minutes into his opening statement in his postgame news conference when he announced Geno Smith has won the starting quarterback job. Smith will start the season opener when former quarterback Russell Wilson returns to town with the Broncos.


“He’s earned it. He’s won the job,” Carroll said. “The timing got messed up for us for Drew (Lock). He just ran out of time in his bid for it. I’m clear about that.”

Lock contracted COVID-19 days before his scheduled start in the second preseason game. He didn’t start in the final preseason game Friday night against the Cowboys but saw extended action.

In nine possessions, he threw three interceptions and one touchdown, and the Seahawks scored 20 points with Lock as their quarterback.

But it was clear from the moment Smith re-signed with the Seahawks that it was his job to lose. He spent two seasons as Wilson’s backup and has 34 career starts, giving him a head start on Lock from day one of the competition.

“Geno, he knows our stuff and he does really well and he understands it and he commands everything that we’re doing,” Carroll said. “He’ll give us the best chance to play great football right off the bat.”

Carroll told the team of the decision in the locker room after the 27-26 loss to the Cowboys.

“It wasn’t a major reaction,” Smith said. “Obviously, I’m thankful for the opportunity and grateful, but I have a lot of work ahead of me. That was my mindset from the start is getting ready to go out there and win games. This is just step one in the process, but it’s really about winning. None of this will matter if we don’t go out and win the games we’re supposed to win.”

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Justin Fields: Bears’ offense showed we’re getting better with big preseason performance



Bears quarterback Justin Fields looked excellent in Saturday’s third and final preseason game, completing 14 of 16 passes for 156 yards, with three touchdowns, no interceptions and no sacks. Afterward he said the Bears’ offense has proven that it has taken great strides this offseason.

“We’re continually getting better, each and every day,” Fields said. “We’re going to get back to work next week and keep building.”


Fields said the Bears approached this week as the closest thing they’d have to a regular season game in the preseason, and they felt great about having a 21-0 lead over the Browns when most of the Bears’ starters left the game in the second quarter.

“This week was like a mock game in the regular season week, so we’re coming into the regular season off a good game,” Fields said. “It gives all the guys confidence.”

Fields will see if he can keep it going when the Bears open the regular season against the 49ers on Sunday, September 11.

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Brian Daboll: Tyrod Taylor should be OK



Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor was carted from the sideline to the locker room during Sunday’s preseason matchup with the Jets. But it sounds like Taylor won’t be out for an extended period of time.

Via Dan Salomone of the team’s website, head coach Brian Daboll told reporters after the game that Taylor should be OK. Daboll and Taylor talked at halftime following the QB’s departure.


Taylor got hit hard by Jets defensive lineman Micheal Clemons late in the first quarter. He finished the day 2-of-4 for 29 yards with an interception plus a 13-yard run.

Davis Webb played the rest of the game and was 30-of-38 for 202 yards with a touchdown.

Taylor is expected to be the Giants’ backup QB behind starter Daniel Jones.

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Mike Tomlin on whether he has a starting quarterback: “I might but you guys are not gonna have it today”



Mitchell Trubisky seemed to make a compelling closing argument to become the first starting quarterback for the Steelers of the post-Big Ben era. Primarily since Trubisky received the first-team opportunities in the preseason finale against the Lions, and made the most of them — including a 92-yard two-minute drill to cap the second quarter.

After the game, coach Mike Tomlin was asked the obvious question, now that the preseason hay has been forked into the barn. Does he have a starting quarterbacK?


“I might, but you guys are not gonna have it today,” Tomlin told reporters. “Again, like I told you guys the other week, man, we’re not gonna make knee-jerk reactions or statements following a performance. We’ll go through our proper professional procedure. We’ll evaluate the game. We’ll meet with our front-office people. We’ll have discussions. We’ll talk internally. We’ll talk external possibilities. We’ll go through our normal procedure this time of year. And we’ll disclose it to you at our leisure, to be quite honest with you.”

The mention of external possibilities seems confusing, frankly. Surely, they’re not going to trade for someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or search for a free agent at this point. It could have been an unwitting reference to the reality that a trade of Mason Rudolph, who had one series in Sunday’s game, seems to be on the way out — and possibly could be traded.

Sunday’s developments put a pin in the Kenny Pickett balloon. And Tomlin made it clear that fans clamoring for Kenny won’t be a factor in the decision-making process.

The best news for Tomlin and the Steelers is that all three quarterbacks performed well. Asked about the fact that none of them threw an interception, Tomlin said, “It speaks for itself.”

Beyond that, Tomlin isn’t speaking much about who’ll be starting in Cincinnati. Sunday’s game whispers pretty loudly that it’s pointing toward Trubisky. But Tomlin knows there’s an advantage in keeping his cards close to the vest. And that’s precisely what he’s doing, and presumably what he’ll keep doing for as long as he can.

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It will be Trubisky on a short leash. Ownership will make sure of that. If the team isn’t meeting the standard with Trubisky ( winning) then they will turn to the rookie. With the opening schedule it won’t be easy to stack wins if the QB isn’t performing.

 

Gonna file this in the same place I put all your other analysis on the Steelers plan at QB.

 

Trubisky has to produce W’s or Mr. Roonie will pressure Tomlin to make the change.

 

It's as if you're a brand new Steelers fan. Tomlin has 100% control of the 53 man roster, depth chart, etc. Rooney would never, ever demand something like that. That's what happens in other cities, not in Pittsburgh.

Heck, even back when Dan was in charge and Cowher wanted to draft Shawn Andrews instead of Ben he famously said, "I would never tell you who to draft but I always regretted not drafting Dan Marino..."

 

Rooney told them to draft Roethlisberger. Please, the owner isn’t going to watch the team suck if the answer is on the roster.

 

Lamar Jackson chimes in on contract negotiations with Ravens



As the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson close in on his Week One deadline for doing a long-term deal, Jackson has peeled back the curtain, a bit, on social media.

Responding to Twitter users who made comments about his status, Jackson dropped a few hints about what he may be looking for. And he seems to be looking for a Deshaun Watson-style fully-guaranteed deal.


After one user said the Ravens should give Jackson $250 million guaranteed and another responded by saying that “they already offered that” and Jackson wants more, Jackson said this: “No they didn’t.”

Then, after another user said, “As much as I love Lamar, a fully guaranteed deal would be bad business,” Jackson replied, “You don’t love Lamar.”

Clearly, the Ravens haven’t offered $250 million fully guaranteed to Jackson. The Browns gave $230 million to Watson, and that was enough to get Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti to publicly grouse about the development.

Although Jackson didn’t come out and say it, his two tweets strongly imply that, to Bisciotti’s dismay, Jackson wants a fully-guaranteed contract.

Frankly, he should. Although contracts for franchise quarterbacks rarely are ripped up prematurely, Jackson plays the position in a more dangerous way than other quarterbacks. The physical risk for him is real. Without guarantees, he’s at risk of being released.

And while the Ravens can try to dismiss the Watson deal as an aberration, it also can be called a new high-water mark. Which is what groundbreaking contracts typically are. The people pulling the purse strings always want to disregard a market-changing contract as an accident, not a trend. Because of course they do. And the Ravens may be inclined to hold firm with Jackson because the Cardinals successfully did it with Kyler Murray.

Lamar has every right to push for a fully-guaranteed deal, if he’s willing to assume the risk of walking away from whatever the Ravens are willing to do and play for $23 million this year with no guarantees for 2023 and beyond. And if he’s willing to do that, there will be no new contract this year, or possibly ever, in Baltimore.

Eventually, that contract could come from another team. In response to a comment thatLamar, who grew up in South Florida, possibly wants to play for the Dolphins the same way a Baltimore native would want to play for the Ravens, Jackson said, “I grew up a Dallas fan but Dolphins were second no doubt.”

He could have said something like, “I’m a Raven for life.” He didn’t. And all that that possibly implies.

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