NFL

Sean Payton Hopes Less Is More

Published

11 months ago

May 23, 2023

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Last season, the Denver Broncos OTAs opened with tons of optimism. By the time players showed up, the ink on the deal that sent Russell Wilson to the Broncos from the Seattle Seahawks had been dry for a few months. A young receiving corps was ready to take the next step forward, and a new coach, fresh off of a season in which he ran an offense led by a league MVP, was coming into the building.

Of course, that coach was supposed to lead to the NFL MVP going to Denver, and Wilson was a consolation prize. So, it was no surprise that it went all downhill from there. Nathaniel Hackett didn’t last the full season, Wilson became a punchline, and the locker room fell apart. Now with Sean Payton running the ship, optimism is back in Denver. But, this year, it’s tempered.

2023 Denver Broncos OTAs Preview

Can Russell Wilson Return To Form?

This isn’t really breaking news. The Broncos need to make the Wilson situation work. Their success is dependent on it. Before Wilson was a punchline among NFL fans (Let’s ride!), he was a perennial MVP candidate and one of the best passers in all of football. When he was traded to Denver, the expectation was that winning would follow. Broncos fans got everything but.

There had long been murmurs about Wilson as a teammate, dating back to Seattle’s legion of boom era. Richard Sherman notably criticized the treatment he received from the coaches and felt he was distant from his teammates. It didn’t take long for those same issues to begin making headlines in Denver. But on the field, Wilson’s talent was never in doubt. Until last season.

Hackett was brought to Denver with the thinking that he would be able to lure Aaron Rodgers with him. Instead, Hackett needed to settle for Wilson, and the lack of chemistry was evident from Day 1.

Payton is now in command, and if anyone can get Wilson right, it’s him. When Wilson was in Seattle, his passing skills often drew comparisons to Drew Brees. The soon-to-be Hall of Famer was coached by none other than Payton.

MORE: Denver Broncos Schedule 2023

Payton will build this offense around Wilson and give him the opportunity to be successful doing what he does best. Even Brees is expecting big things. Back in February, Brees told ESPN’s Ed Werder, “To me, this is set up to be Russell Wilson’s prime — especially with Sean Payton and a system that’s going to be built around him,” Brees told Werder. “This is a great opportunity for Russell Wilson.”

When the Broncos’ OTAs open, all eyes will be on Payton and Wilson. Will we see signs of early chemistry and future success? Or are more growing pains expected? If it’s the latter, Wilson could be next out in Denver. If it’s the former, the Broncos could be a sleeper team in the AFC playoff race.

How Different Will Sean Payton Be From Nathaniel Hackett?

When Denver’s OTAs opened last year, it must have felt to Broncos players as if they were going back to school and taking nothing but AP courses, but without ever taking the foundations of the subjects. Then, Hackett had the players study the new verbiage of his playbook, the concepts, etc.

There were tons of position group meetings. Meetings about meetings. In fact, on-field work didn’t start until two weeks into Denver’s OTAs.

At the time, according to 104.3 The Fan in Denver, Hackett famously said, “We have a very, very large playbook.” The word “very” doesn’t appear in the quote twice by accident.

MORE: Are the Broncos Closer To Rebuilding Than Contending?

This year, Payton is taking a much different approach. Judging by how the team did last year, who can blame him?

Under Payton, the Broncos will not be holding a voluntary veteran minicamp, something with having a new coach, they are entitled to. They also aren’t having any meetings. This is a starkly different approach compared to how Hackett ran the Broncos’ OTAs.

Will the players be more loose? One common complaint of last year’s squad was how tight they seemed, playing unsure and slow. The thinking is that it was due to all of the information they were given from Day 1 without being able to put any of it into practice. Information overload can prevent players from simply performing.

Payton’s approach could pay dividends. When Denver’s OTAs open, we’ll get a chance to see if different is equivalent to better.

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NFL

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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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+.