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We got a hot list of headlines for you this week. But first, a couple quick things:
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Now on to the headlines!
News and Notes:
Kerryon Johnson has been waived by the Eagles.
The Jaguars have released Tim Tebow.
Eagles QB-turned-TE Tyree Jackson has a fractured bone in his back and is expected to be sidelined 8-10 weeks.
Coachspeak and Beat Reports:
“If there was any previous doubt that James Robinson was the early candidate to be the Jaguars' No. 1 running back entering the 2021 season, that doubt should be mostly put away by now. Robinson was on the field for eight of Lawrence's 15 snaps, including the entire first drive. He had a strong game in pass protection and saw more work on the ground (three carries in just eight snaps) than both Carlos Hyde and Travis Etienne saw. Robinson got the first snaps for the Jaguars and the most significant snaps with the first-team offense, showing the importance and value he holds for Jacksonville's starting offense.” … “This is why James Robinson is the #Jaguars starting RB. Points out the blitz to Lawrence pre-snap then picks it up perfectly to give him time to convert the first third-down of the game.”
“Frank Reich on Jonathan Taylor: ‘That guy looks so good right now … I can’t even tell you.’ Taylor’s been the best player on this offense throughout camp.”
Fangio on Javonte Williams: “...ultimately the No. 1 job of a running back is to be able to make people miss or break tackles. And he was able to do that. And you could only find that in a game. So I was really anxious to see him, and obviously he didn’t disappoint.”
"Hockenson might be having the best summer of anyone in Allen Park, and has been Jared Goff’s No. 1 target in the passing game.... has been the best target in camp, and it’s not close."
Hype for the entire Chargers passing game: “I told you guys, best passing offense in the league. We’re going to throw this shit down the field.” - Brandon Staley
“As the running-back-by-committee approach grows in popularity across the league, Seattle will be a bit more traditional and build its run game around one clear-cut starter in [Chris] Carson. ‘We roll with Chris,’ Morton said. ‘That’s how it goes.’”
“Kyle Allen says Washington is trying to push Antonio Gibson into a similar role as Christian McCaffrey played in Carolina. That's a big role.”
“Nick Sirianni says Jalen Reagor’s 1v1 reps yesterday were “special” Says he can see Reagor’s elite athleticism starting to pair up with strong fundamentals”
“I have a hunch Marquez Valdes-Scantling is going to have a monster season, for him at least. I’m talking 1,000 yards and eight TDs. His hands have looked much more reliable during camp than they have in seasons past, and I think he’ll be far more than just the deep-ball threat”
“Marquez Valdes-Scantling is easily having his best camp. Showed great hands just now”
“[Joe Burrow] bobbed and weaved, feinted and fired on his way to 11 of 15 passing in team drills. And he has old pal Ja'Marr Chase to thank. Chase had a monstrous day himself and scored three times on tight goal line fades despite blanket coverage by [CBs] that was defeated by perfect Burrow lofts.”
“Justin Fields' first preseason game for the Bears:
14-for-20, 142 yards, 1 TD, 106.7
5 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD”
“Ron Rivera has compared rookie RB Jaret Patterson to Chargers great Darren Sproles. And now Rivera says he wants to see Patterson get some reps as a punt returner. Very, very interesting. Patterson looked good last night in preseason opener”
“[Nico] Collins has been one of the better wideouts in camp, often moving the chains over the middle of the field. At 6-foot-4, Collins is the team’s tallest receiver — the sort of target the Texans lacked a season ago when they emphasized speed above all else at the position.”
Video of Derek Carr hyping up Bryan Edwards.
There is a fast-growing sentiment among Eagles’ players that Jalen Hurts is undoubtedly the franchise QB. His work ethic, intangibles and overall skill level have captured the entire locker room. Players I’ve spoken with are consistently blown away by Hurts - on/off the field.
“Jalen Hurts in 11v11 today vs. Patriots: 16/17, 1 TD, 0 INT His one incompletion was a drop. He had one perfectly thrown TD called back bc of a penalty, so should have been 2 TDs.”
“Connection with Tua Tagovailoa and Jaylen Waddle looks sweet out here. Chemistry starting to look reminiscent of Tuscaloosa. Waddle making several tough catches look routine today.”
“For whatever it’s worth, Carson Wentz has been out at practice each of the last six days, no boot, no cast. He’ll start taking walkthrough reps soon. 25 days until the opener.”
Analysis & Hype:
The final installment of the four-part “Ultimate Tight End Draft Guide”
(Graph) — Looks great for David Montgomery and Mike Davis: “How often RBs broke tackles as pass-catchers in 2020 per @SportsInfo_SIS. I don't like using elusiveness rating in a vacuum because it's easier to force a missed tackle as a receiver. This chart separates receiving from rushing:”
“Corey Davis receives each of Zach Wilson’s first 4 NFL throws. Some trust clearly built between the rookie and his WR1.”
(Graph) “2020 Rushing TDs Over Expected: Kamara +4.5 Dobbins +3.7 Chubb +3.4 Gibson + 3.4 --- Zeke -5.6” “Ezekiel Elliott had nearly 12 expected rushing TDs last year *without Dak*. Fantasy’s biggest positive regression candidate.”
OBJ speaking about Elijah Moore: “He’s the one… Just wait, he knows [things] I didn’t know at that age. Mark my words! May be all-pro as a rookie.”
“Per @PFF_NateJahnke, Clyde Edwards-Helaire played on 10 of a possible 11 snaps on Kansas City’s first two drives (w/ the first team O) He played on both 3rd downs (one was 3rd & 4 @ KC 32, the other 3rd & Goal @ SF 8) He also ran a route on every passing play”
“Damien Harris will run behind a top 5 OL on a team that will be top 5 in carries”
/r/fantasyfootball thread: “This sub was spot on for Mahomes breakout year, Lamar’s breakout year, and Josh Allen breakout year. Who’s your breakout QB this year?”
/r/fantasyfootball thread: “Your 5 takes for the 2021 fantasy season”
Some pretty serious Trevor Lawrence hype. “At QB15 (124 overall) Trevor Lawrence is the best value in all of Fantasy Football” (video)
An elite club: WRs to average 2+ yards per route run at 22 or younger over the past 10 seasons: 2.75 - OBJ 2.68 - AJB, Jefferson, Josh Gordon 2.38 - Mike Evans 2.27 - D Hopkins 2.17 - A-Rob, JuJu 2.06 - DK Metcalf 2.03 - DJ Moore
/r/DynastyFF thread: “What's a notable player that you're ready to sell high on if they have a big game week 1?”
Deep (Mostly Dynasty) Sleepers:
Eagles WR Quez Watkins had beat writers in an absolute frenzy this week, sharing takes and highlights:
“Quez Watkins is the second best wide receiver on the Eagles behind DeVonta Smith.”
(video) “Quez Watkins can flat out FLY”
(video) “Quez Watkins cooking a top-10 CB in JC Jackson. Starting to become regular.”
“Remember Quez Watkins last year had the second fastest 40 time at the combine 4.35 behind Henry Ruggs”
Quez Watkins reached a top speed of 21.56 MPH in the 1st pre-season game — the fastest speed reached by any player that week.
“Quez Watkins needs to start Week 1. One of the most dangerous weapons the #Eagles have on offense”
“Quez Watkins again another huge touchdown. He is fast! Darius Slay said he is the most improved WR in camp”
“I guess the cat is out of the bag” -Quez Watkins when asked about Jalen Hurts saying he is no longer a secret
“There may be something to this Quez Watkins hype. Hurts missed him for a 98 yard TD bomb. Now he just took a bubble screen 79 yards for a TD.”
“After missing time early in camp with an illness, Watkins has been the Eagles’ best receiver since DeVonta Smith’s injury. If he keeps this up, a case might be made to start Watkins – even over 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor.”
Colts rookie WR Michael Strachan has also been getting a lot of buzz lately:
"He's on his way up," says TY Hilton. "…Michael Strachan, whose ascent the past few weeks has been startling. Strachan, a 7th-round pick, has been among the biggest surprises of camp. Put simply, the kid can play. He proves it every time he’s out there."
“Strachan flashes every day”
(video) “Michael Strachan making it look easy against eighth overall pick Jaycee Horn.”
Reggie Wayne: “Okay. I've seen the practice highlights and was like ok ok. Now my my antennas are up for [Mike Strachan]”
Coach Nagy on Bears rookie RB Khalil Herbert: "He's really caught my attention. He's very, very smooth. When he gets the football, you can see the burst that he has."
Cold Water:
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said the Dolphins will continue to use a three-player backfield rotation.
“My concern w/ [Logan] Thomas has been whether that usage will continue. He was 28th among 34 qualifying TEs in YPRR last year. And w/ Samuel's arrival and Gibson allegedly getting more work in the passing game (questionable after last night) ... those targets gotta come from somewhere.”
“One of the only consistent notes I've seen come out of Jets camp is that pass protection for [Zach] Wilson has been an issue. The impossible thing for us to know, however, is how many of these sacks are on the line, and how many are on the quarterback.” … “Zach Wilson today was 12 of 23. He was sacked 7 times.”
“In 1-on-1 drills, Ben Niemann overwhelmed Clyde Edwards-Helaire in 2 repetitions.
Eric Bieniemy wasn’t pleased.”
The Fun Stuff:
Urban Meyer cutting Tim Tebow.
This one-handed grab by Jalen Reagor is bonkers. Another angle.
Fantasy mangers 1 week into the preseason.
Reporter trolling Aaron Rodgers.
“Kerryon my waivered sonnn”
Travis Kelce’s new profile pic.
Jameis Winston is becoming a regular in “The Fun Stuff” section.
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