NFL

Kei’Trel Clark and AJ Finley Dominate in the Secondary

Published

1 year ago

January 30, 2023

darragh

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LAS VEGAS — The 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl practices moved into their second day on Sunday as 2023 NFL Draft prospects continue trying to impress NFL scouts and decision-makers. Let’s take a look at the East Team highlights from Sunday’s practice.

Sunday’s Shrine Bowl Practice Report Headlined by Secondary and Defensive Line

On Day 1 of the East Shrine Bowl practice, A.T. Perry was a headliner. He was dominant that first day, and he did have a couple nice plays on Sunday. But Louisville CB Kei’Trel Clark was able to clap back, showing off his competitive fire.

Clark isn’t the biggest cornerback. But he’s a twitchy short-area athlete who can stick to receivers and stay in their grill with his physicality. He had a pass breakup in team drills on account of his sticky coverage and also made a nice run-support play, coming downhill without hesitation on the boundary.

MORE: Sunday 2023 Shrine Bowl Risers and Sliders

Clark’s aggression and authoritative mentality for his size are very appealing, but he wasn’t the only DB to make plays during the East’s practice. Houston safety Gervarrius Owens had a great interception in team drills, tracking a lofted pass and extending to snare it. And Ole Miss’ AJ Finley had two picks — both of them opportunistic plays on which he used his length to convert.

Talent Clashes in the Trenches

The battles in the trenches garnered the most buzz on Saturday. On Sunday, the talent once again shined through, with several prospects coming away with standout performances.

The contingent of defensive linemen on the East Team is absolutely brimming with natural talent. Rice’s Ikenna Enechukwu was a constant disruptor on his second day. After struggling with hand placement at times on Saturday, he came back with a vengeance, engineering a violent swim in 1-on-1s and using his length to pry through gaps.

Enechukwu is a high-energy athlete, but he isn’t the only one. Ferris State’s Caleb Murphy toasted Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu with his lateral agility on an outside-inside move in one-on-ones. Murphy was so quick, he didn’t even have to make contact with his opponent to penetrate the pocket. After struggling in coverage drills on Saturday, Murphy looked right at home as a pass rusher.

The standout performers don’t stop there on the defensive line. Brevin Allen once again distinguished himself with his raw tools. He was also able to beat Aumavae-Laulu in 1-on-1s, this time wth a rip move that featured impressive ankle flexion.

MORE: Sunday 2023 Shrine Bowl West Team Practice Report

Length and flexibility is a combination that Ochaun Mathis also proved himself to possess. Beyond that, he has the length to splice through gaps and plow through blockers. He flashed that ability on the interior, as did Texas’ Moro Ojomo. Ojomo was a handful in 1-on-1s. His natural leverage accelerates his elite power generation and makes him very hard to stall.

The defensive line won the day for the East. That much is hard to dispute, but the offensive linemen weren’t devoid of strong reps.

Juice Scruggs was once again a quality player, anchoring with ease against Keondre Coburn and Dante Stills. And UCLA’s Jon Gaines II, who played at both guard and center, showed off great balance and violent hands, at one point using independent hands to stall a rush from Brodric Martin.

Quick Hitters

Deneric Prince is drawing more eyes with his play. He had a few very nice runs during Sunday’s practice. Prince weighed in at 217, but he’s surprisingly slippery for his size. More than once, he used swift footwork to navigate through congestion and also showed off good instincts upon encountering early rushers in the backfield.
It’ll take more than one day for Cincinnati DB Arquon Bush to make an impression at the Shrine Bowl, but he’s absolutely a player to watch after arriving on Sunday. Late in practice, he had a nice coverage rep on Antoine Green, who tests defenders with his explosiveness. Bush has the physicality and slot versatility to earn fans down the stretch.
Jadon Haselwood is an exciting prospect, with the size and athleticism to pique interest from teams. A problem for him on Saturday was focus drops. But on Sunday, Haselwood was not only able to separate, but also convert when the ball came his way. He’s starting to use his hands more naturally away from his frame. Now, all that’s left is to maintain consistency.
At 6’4 1/2″, 317 pounds, with 34 3/8″ arms, Boise State’s John Ojukwu has overwhelming size, and it checks out on the field. At the moment, playing controlled and keeping his balance at that size is an issue that Ojukwu will have to correct. But at a position where length is so important, Ojukwu has it in spades.
Speaking with Leonard Taylor in person, you hear how important the details of separation and route running are to him. He showed a little bit of that on Sunday and also converted at the catch point with strong hands. Taylor is a natural hands catcher who extends beyond his frame and uses his physicality to compound separation as well.
Fordham QB Tim DeMorat has an opportunity to get himself on the map at the Shrine Bowl. It’s still early, and he has more ground to gain. But one thing DeMorat did show on Sunday was underrated mobility for his size. He was able to roll downfield and use his scrambling ability to find space.
Sunday was the first day for Penn State WR Mitchell Tinsley. It was an up-and-down debut for the Nittany Lions product. Tinsley is a visibly crisp route runner, and his natural separation ability lifts his floor. He did have a focus drop on a designed screen, however. That’s something he’ll have to iron out in the days to come.
Louisville’s Trevor Reid is a player to watch in the days to come. He had a quiet Saturday practice, and he wasn’t perfect on Sunday. But Reid did flash the size-relative athleticism that earned him his Shrine Bowl invite. He was able to anchor effectively versus Caleb Murphy in 1-on-1s, and he displayed good recovery capacity against Jose Ramirez.
Anfernee Orji is explosive and physical. That much has been very clear through two days, just as it was clear on his Vanderbilt tape. He’s fearless as a run fitter and has the frame density to hold his own in congested areas. The Commodores product has put forth a complete showing at the Shrine Bowl thus far.
Michigan State’s Daniel Barker has quietly been very good in Las Vegas. At 6’3″, 241 pounds, he’s an underrated athlete for his size, with visible twitch as a route runner. But he also has the ability to extend beyond his frame to secure acrobatic catches and has soft hands when taking passes in stride over the middle of the field.

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Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.