NFL

All Eyes on Will Levis, Stephen F. Austin Standouts, and More

Published

1 year ago

March 25, 2023

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The Kentucky, Stephen F. Austin, and San Jose State Pro Days were the next stops on the NFL Pro Day schedule, as several highly-rated prospects worked out in front of NFL decision-makers. Let’s take a look at how prospects such as Will Levis, BJ Thompson, and Viliami Fehoko performed during today’s events, as well as the other headlines coming out of Kentucky, SFA, and San Jose State.

Pro Day News and Rumors | Kentucky QB Will Levis’ Performance

It was a who’s who at Kentucky’s Pro Day. Front offices from the teams selecting at the top of the draft made their final stop this week after checking out Ohio State’s and Alabama’s Pro Days.

The internet and sports media world was buzzing about the deep passes delivered by Will Levis today, and he was able to spin the ball with ease. But that tells just a small part of the story.

Once again, scouts came away unimpressed with the shorter throws delivered by Levis and his inability to put touch on passes. All too often, the big-armed quarterback was trying to throw the ball through a brick wall rather than deliver a catchable pass in the short-to-intermediate field.

MORE: Key Takeaways From Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis’ Pro Days

The general consensus was he was throwing darts when he should be putting touch on passes or air under the ball. Even in warm-ups, scouts noted Levis was trying to throw the ball through pass catchers.

Running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. had a good day and cemented himself as a middle-round choice. He timed in the high 4.4s to low 4.5’s in the 40-yard dash — depending on the watch — and hit 33″ on the vertical jump. Rodriguez looked good in RB drills, which were run by the Indianapolis Colts, and caught the ball extremely well.

BJ Thompson, Xavier Gipson Highlight Stephen F. Austin’s Pro Day

More than two dozen teams were on hand for SFA’s Pro Day — a large number for an FCS school with just two late-round prospects. The wind made the conditions difficult, but there were solid performances.

Shrine Bowl participant BJ Thompson performed well despite suffering from food poisoning and being physically ill before the workout. He measured 243 pounds (after vomiting), up six pounds from his Shrine Bowl weight of 238 and 22 more than his season-ending weight of 221.

Thompson measured a shade under 6’5 1/2″ at the Shrine Bowl. He touched 37.5″ in the vertical jump and 10’5″ in the broad, despite jumping into a stiff wind. His 40 times ranged from 4.55 to 4.62 seconds. Thompson was put through defensive end and linebacker drills under the watchful eye of the Cincinnati Bengals defensive line coach. He’s already had official top 30 visits with the Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions.

Xavier Gipson, quite possibly to most underrated wide receiver/return specialist in this year’s draft, also had a good day. He measured slightly over 5’9″ and tipped the scale at 189 pounds, 12 heavier than scouts expected. Gipson then timed as fast as 4.38 seconds in the 40. He looked terrific in receiver and return drills.

Gipson’s college stats are pretty astounding — he averaged 18.1 yards per catch on 146 receptions the past three seasons, with 22 TDs. He’s also averaged 20.2 yards on 17 punt returns the past two seasons, with 3 TDs. The Dallas Cowboys are expected to invite Gipson to their local pro day, and he’s drawing a lot of interest from the Chicago Bears.

Large Turn Out at San Jose State for Viliami Fehoko

More than 40 scouts were on hand for SJSU’s Pro Day, quite likely a record for the Mountain West program. And most were on hand to see defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko, who did not disappoint. Fehoko tipped the scales at 282 pounds, six more than his weight at the Combine.

He ran in the low 4.7s (4.72 seconds on many watches) and looked outstanding in position drills. He was relentless during defensive line drills, which were run by the Philadelphia Eagles. The Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons had DL coaches on-site as well.

Fehoko measures a shade under 6’4″ and comes with arms that are 33″. He’s one of the most intense defenders you’ll find in this year’s draft class and offers the versatility to be used at a number of spots up front. He projects as a middle-round pick, and Fehoko could sneak into the third round.

MORE: 2023 NFL Draft Big Board

Receiver Elijah Cooks measured 6’3″ and 219 pounds. He touched 37 1/2″ in the vertical jump and 10’6″ in the broad. Cooks then timed in the mid-to-low 4.5s in the 40.

Cooks accounted for more than 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns last year at San Jose State — his first with the program. He was one of Carson Strong’s favorite wideouts at Nevada in 2019 before struggling with injury the following year. Cooks is not a deep threat but rather a solid possession receiver that is a proven red-zone target.

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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

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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

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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+.