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There is still no major news on the Brandon Aiyuk saga, with the Steelers still the favorites to sign – and pay – the star receiver. As for this newsletter:
- 📓 No. 3 pick QB debuts, somehow
- 💬 Dianna with Ryans on Stroud
- 🛑 Further development of the NFL defense
- 📊 Daniels and Williams so far
Thursday’s takeaways: What we learned last night
Last night, the Patriots beat the Panthers 17-3, although we were primarily interested in seeing No. 3 pick Drake Maye (and sixth-round pick Joe Milton) as center for New England. The mystery remains:
In New York, the Giants ran for 155 yards against the Lions and won 14-3. As for training camp star WR Malik Nabers, number 6:
For a full schedule of this weekend’s preseason games, check out our Week 1 Preseason Watch Guide.
What Dianna hears: How Stroud can rise
We all can’t wait for CJ Stroud to get going. Stroud too. Maybe that’s why Texans coach DeMeco Ryans is telling his superstar quarterback to get used to the boredom in his second year.
During our chat for today’s episode of the Scoop City Podcast, Ryans mentioned that Stroud, whom the coach describes as a “football junkie,” brings up plays he sees in other offenses and wants to incorporate them into Houston’s system. However, Ryans stresses that The next step for Stroud is to master the fundamentals of what is already there.
“(Tom) Brady, (Peyton) Manning, it wasn’t always about the big play,” Ryans said. “It was about taking what the defense gave them, getting the offense to make the right call and making the right decisions. And they did that over and over again, and they got bored of the consistency.”
Stroud had his share of Mahomes-like moments as a rookie, throwing for 4,108 yards and just five interceptions. But getting to Mahomes’ level of success may require mastering the boring this fall. Be sure to listen to hear more.
The Playcallers: How the defense adapts
In the first three episodes of Jourdan Rodrigues’ podcast series “Bonus Batch,” she combines knowledge and entertainment in conversation with Rams OC Mike LaFleur, Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson and Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley.
One of my favorite questions from her is, “What’s next for the defense?” Two coaches talked about the importance of limiting explosive plays (as the Chiefs emphasize their long passing game this offseason). What adjustments does Jourdan think teams will make this year?
💬 “As the league has placed an emphasis on passing over the last 10 years or so, defenses have had to adapt. You see a lot more zones, more ‘shell’ coverage (which is exactly what it sounds like) and an increase in quarters, which in the simplest sense creates a box over the offense.
“Defensive coaches had to get more used to allowing the small gains to prevent explosive passeswhich, according to studies, triples the hit rate during an attacking move in which the offense gains an explosive lead.
“It’s no wonder the Chiefs are trying to crack that code – they seem to be taking a cue from the Dolphins’ strategy of emphasizing high speed at specialty positions – because the defense has shifted in that direction in part to counteract Patrick Mahomes, other highly talented passers and explosive offensive strategies.
“I think teams need to become more comfortable running the ball, using heavier personnel to exploit the middle of the field and (as we are already seeing) using movements and substitutions to change formations and move defenders out of position.”
As always, when NFL teams start zigging, it pays to zigzag. Here’s more background on the Bonus Batch series. And click here to listen to Jourdan’s conversations with innovative coaches.
The other two “Big Three” quarterbacks
We saw Maye last night, but let’s also look at the two rookie quarterbacks drafted before him. Both will play this weekend.
It looks like Jayden Daniels is the unofficial QB1 in Washington. What does this mean? What did he look like in training camp? Let’s go there to hear about The athleteBen Standig, sports reporter at Commanders:
💬 Yes, the No. 2 overall pick will start in the season opener against the Jets, but that means he’ll only see a few snaps Saturday at MetLife Stadium. Head coach Dan Quinn didn’t specify the number of series for the first-team offense, but more than two would be surprising.
“Daniels has shown excellent ball placement and decision-making in training camp, along with speed when he gets going. And how to avoid the nasty hits the Heisman Trophy winner took at LSU? ‘He will. He will, he will,’ pleaded offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. ‘We’ve talked about it a lot, but you love the competitive nature.'”
More about Daniel’s start here.
In Chicago, Caleb Williams and the Bears are in the spotlight of the “Hard Knocks”. But it’s mostly Williams’ fault because “the show was edited around him and (HC Matt) Eberflus and there wasn’t much room for anyone else,” Jon Greenberg wrote in the Bears’ “Hard Knocks” takeaways.
According to Jon and Kevin Fishbain’s findings, the No. 1 pick was “funny and personable,” “a terrible singer,” and has his share of rookie challenges. Yes, “training camp was a struggle for Williams.” He will debut this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET against the Bills, with Josh Allen also set to play.
All about the NFL
The Ravens plan to rest key starters throughout the preseason. That includes Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry. Watch for former QB Malik Cunningham, who switched to WR in the offseason and has shown “potential” at his new position, according to Jeff Zrebiec.
Some starters play for the Chargers on Saturday, according to HC Jim Harbaugh. I don’t expect WR Joshua Palmer to be one of them, as the receiver got up limping after a catch on Wednesday.
Aries Rookie DT Braden Fiske – for whom the team received the “most expensive overpayment of the last six drafts” – had the best training camp of any Rams player, according to Jourdan Rodrigue.
Invoices Due to the toe injury, wide receiver Chase Claypool has been unable to participate in all of Buffalo’s practices in full gear so far. He will need to make a good impression in this Saturday’s preseason game to keep his spot on the roster.
Jacob’s selection
📕 135 kilos with a six-pack? That’s just one thing Jets OT Tyron Smith has done to impress his teammates, many of whom consider him their football idol. Zack Rosenblatt reports from New York. (The athlete)
📺 Highlights of the 2024 training camp. From Joe Burrows’ bleached hair to Kenny Pickett and Saquon Barkley in Eagles jerseys, this video gives you a good look at the old faces in new places. (YouTube)
(Photo:
(Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
