The Steelers are still in the lead to sign and pay the talented receiver, Brandon Aiyuk, despite the current drama surrounding him. About this newsletter:
- No. 3 pick QB debuts, kinda
- Dianna with Ryans on Stroud
- Evolving NFL defense
- Daniels and Williams so far
Thursday takeaways: What we learned last night
The Patriots defeated the Panthers 17-3 last night, but the main attraction for us was watching No. 3 pick Drake Maye (as well as sixth-round pick Joe Milton) play center for New England. Unknown still exists:
In their 14-3 victory over the Lions in New York, the Giants ran for 155 yards. Regarding WR Malik Nabers, a standout at training camp, the No. 6 pick:
For a full schedule for this weekendβs preseason games,Β check out our Preseason Week 1 Watch Guide.
What Diannaβs Hearing: How Stroud can level up
We are all excited for C.J. Stroud to really take off. Stroud is as well. Perhaps for that reason, as the Texans prepare for their second season, head coach DeMeco Ryans is advising his star quarterback to embrace blandness.
Ryans discussed how Stroud, who the coach refers to as a βfootball addict,β will bring up plays he sees other teams executing in an attempt to incorporate them into Houstonβs system during our conversation for todayβs episode of the Scoop City Podcast. However, Ryans is stressing that Stroudβs next step is to become proficient with the fundamentals of what is already in place.
β(Tom) Brady, (Peyton) Manning, it wasnβt always about the big play,β Ryans said. βIt was about taking what the defense gave them, getting the offense in the right call, and making the right reads. And it was (doing that) over and over and over again, getting bored with the consistency.β
As a rookie, Stroud had his fair share of Mahomes-like moments, throwing for 4,108 yards with just five interceptions.But come autumn, if you want to succeed at Mahomesβ level, you might have to get good at the mundane. Keep an ear out for more.
The Playcallers: How defense is adapting
In the first three installments of her podcast, Jourdan Rodrigueβs Bonus Batch, she converses with Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, Texans quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson, and Panthers defensive passing game coordinator Jonathan Cooley, combining humor and expertise.
The query βWhat is coming next on defense?β is one of my favorite ones that she poses.Limiting explosive plays is important, according to two coaches (albeit the Chiefs are focusing this offseason on their deep passing game). In what ways does Jourdan think teams will change this season?
βAs the league has emphasized the passing game over the last 10 years or so, defenses have had to adjust. You see much more zone, more βshellβ coverage (literally what it sounds like) and an increase in quarters, which in simplest terms builds a box over the offense.
βDefensive coaches have had to get more comfortable allowing the small gains to prevent passing explosives, which studies have found triple the rate of scoring on a drive in which an offense gains an explosive.
βItβs no wonder the Chiefs are trying to crack this code β seemingly taking a leaf out of the Dolphins strategy and emphasizing high speed at skill positions β because defenses have shifted this way in part as a counter to Patrick Mahomes, other high-skill passers, and explosive offensive schemes.
βI think teams have to get more comfortable running the ball, using heavier personnel to exploit the middle of the field and (as we already see)Β using motions and shiftsΒ to change formations and move defenders out of place.β
As always, it pays to zag when NFL teams start to zig. More information about the Bonus Batch series may be found here. Additionally, click this link to hear Jourdanβs discussions with creative coaches.
The other two βbig-threeβ quarterbacks
Let us also take a look at the two rookie quarterbacks selected before Maye, who we watched last night.Both will play this weekend.
Jayden Daniels appears to be Washingtonβs unofficial QB1.What does this signify? What is his appearance like at boot camp?Let us go there to hear from Ben Standig, the Commanders beat reporter for The Athletic:
Β βThe No. 2 overall pick will start in the preseason opener against the Jets, yes. What that means, however, is a smattering of snaps Saturday at MetLife Stadium. Head coach Dan Quinn didnβt specify the number of series for the first-team offense, but more than two would be surprising.
βDaniels has shown excellent ball placement and decision-making in training camp, along with speed, when he takes off running. As for avoiding the wicked hits the Heisman Trophy winner took at LSU? βHe will. He will, he will,β offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury implored. βWeβve harped on it a lot, but you love the competitive nature.ββ
More on Danielsβ start here.
Over in Chicago, Caleb Williams and the Bears are in the βHard Knocksβ spotlight.Β But itβs mostly Williams, as βthe show was edited around him and [HC Matt] Eberflus, and there wasnβt much room for everyone else,β wrote Jon Greenberg in theΒ Bearsβ βHard Knocksβ takeaways.
From Jon and Kevin Fishbainβs takeaways, the No. 1 pick has been βfun and likable,β βa horrible singerβ and is going through his share of rookie challenges. Yes, βtraining camp has been a struggle for Williams.β Heβll debut against the Bills this Saturday at 1 p.m. ET,Β with Josh Allen also playing.
Around the NFL
During the preseason, the Ravens intend to rest some of their starting players. Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson are examples of this. Malik Cunningham, a former quarterback, switched to wide receiver this offseason and, according to Jeff Zrebiec, has βshown potentialβ at his new position.
Jim Harbaugh, the head coach of the Chargers, said that a few of his starters will play on Saturday. Joshua Palmer, the wide receiver, came up hobbling after a reception on Wednesday, so I do not think he will be one of them.
RamsΒ rookie DT Braden FiskeΒ β whom the team traded up for in the βmost expensive overpayΒ of the last six draftsβ β had the best training camp of any Rams player, according to Jourdan Rodrigue.
Due to a toe injury, Bills wide receiver Chase Claypool has missed every fully padded session thus far. In order to maintain his roster place for this Saturdayβs preseason game, he will need to contribute.
Jacobβs Picks
One hundred and thirty pounds with a six-pack?Tyron Smith, an offensive tackle with the Jets, has wowed colleagues in a number of ways; he is regarded by many as their football idol. From New York, Zack Rosenblatt has the story. (The Sportsman)
Highlights of the 2024 training camp.With Kenny Pickett and Saquon Barkley sporting Eagles jerseys and Joe Burrowβs bleach blonde hair, this video will offer you a close-up view of familiar characters in novel settings. (YouVersion)
(Photo:
Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)
