Connect with us

NFL

Jordan Addison, Dalvin Cook, and the Secondary Will Dominate Conversations

Published

on

[ad_1]

The Minnesota Vikings OTAs commence Tuesday, and the team has more than a few questions needing to be answered as they prepare for 2023. While the team isn’t entirely cap-strapped after trading Za’Darius Smith to the Cleveland Browns, the Vikings don’t have much room to work with to improve the roster more before September.

Before we find out whether Minnesota can replicate their surprising 13-win performance from a season ago, we must first know what the roster will look like once June hits. They’ve already traded veterans like Adam Thielen and Smith, and they’re likely not done moving money around just yet.

2023 Minnesota Vikings OTAs Preview

There will be a lot of pressure on Jordan Addison to produce early for the Vikings. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin Stefanski will have uncomfortable questions to answer surrounding Dalvin Cook’s future. Minnesota’s pass defense was troubling. Have they done enough in the offseason to fix that flaw?

Can Jordan Addison Step Into the No. 2 Role?

Thielen has averaged 70 catches, 789 yards, and 10 touchdowns over the past three seasons. That is not an insignificant amount of production over the past three seasons.

OTAs don’t tell that much of a story about what could become in September, but it will be interesting to see Addison’s rapport with Kirk Cousins early on. Addison has shown he can flourish in multiple roles, but his downfield receiving prowess made him a Biletnikoff awardee during his final season at Pittsburgh.

MORE: Minnesota Vikings 2023 Season Preview

But downfield attempts are low-percentage throws. Additionally, they demand an innate understanding between QB and WR to be truly efficient, and that can only be accomplished on the field with hundreds of repetitions.

His addition should create a legitimate three-layer threat between Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and himself. Hockenson helped take some of the pressure off of Jefferson and Thielen a season ago. But Addison’s addition could create even larger voids in the intermediate area that Jefferson feasts in as a route runner.

Dalvin Cook Questions Will Be Asked

Although trading Smith did change the math on Minnesota’s cap situation, it probably didn’t change the outcome for the Vikings regarding Cook’s future employment status.

Cook will almost certainly be away from the team facility during this time. He’s still recovering from a shoulder procedure to repair an injury that has bothered Cook for the past few seasons.

Cutting him after June 1 saves Minnesota $9 million against the cap in 2023. He holds a dead cap hit of $5.1 million in 2023 and $3.1 million in 2024, according to Spotrac and Over the Cap.

MORE: Minnesota Vikings Super Bowl Odds — The Future of Dalvin Cook, Kirk Cousins, and the Vikings’ Super Bowl 58 Hopes

Among 42 qualifiers with 100 rushes, Cook had just the 36th-best DVOA. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s rushing offense ranked 29th in EPA. Although he posted the second-longest run of the season, an 81-yarder, Cook struggled to consistently make splashes, and he was only marginally good after contact a season ago.

With a significant amount of movement among Vikings veterans already in full swing, it appears Cook is next in line. Although OTAs won’t be open to the public, the local beat will have an opportunity to speak with higher-ups. They’ll ask about Cook’s future, and it will be fascinating to see how they handle the answers.

Did Minnesota Improve the Secondary Enough?

Brian Flores is a lot different than Ed Donatell. A Flores defense is much, much more aggressive. There will be more man coverage, even though his scheme is multiple.

“That has been one of the main messages that B-Flo has put on us,” assistant player personnel director Chisom Opara said Saturday. “He is built on being multiple and the idea of having an aggressive scheme, the idea of having a scheme that can dictate to the offense. Part of that is having players that can play multiple roles so you don’t develop tendencies; you don’t have certain guys that specialize at doing certain things.”

MORE: Vikings 2023 NFL Schedule

On the surface, adding Byron Murphy makes sense. He’s able to play on the outside or in the slot with success. However, he doesn’t have the high-end reaction athleticism that would allow him to recover if he’s outmanned on a particular rep. Murphy’s an intelligent defender, but he’s better suited to keep things in front of him so he can use his eyes.

The Vikings must rely on the ascensions of Andrew Booth Jr. and Lewis Cine. Harrison Smith is an elder at this point of his career. Having him play a more limited role alongside Cine and Camryn Bynum would probably be best for everyone involved.

One of Akayleb Evans, Mekhi Blackmon, or Jay Ward needs to prove themselves early in the offseason. Minnesota is banking on these young cornerbacks. While they’ve thrown darts at the position, if the Vikings miss the board on all of them, they’ll struggle to cover anybody.

[ad_2]

Source link

NFL

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

Published

on

By

[ad_1]

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.

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!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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.



[ad_2]

Source link

Continue Reading

NFL

What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

on

By

[ad_1]

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.

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.

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.

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

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.



[ad_2]

Source link

Continue Reading

NFL

NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

on

By

[ad_1]

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)

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+.

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

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.



[ad_2]

Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending