https://twitter.com/AndrewMarchand/status/1674836027976843272
Biyernes, Hunyo 30, 2023
[Front Office Sports] Steve Young is being laid off by ESPN a source told @byajperez. The Hall of Fame QB was with the network for 22 years.
https://twitter.com/fos/status/1674827868369563648?s=46&t=x5-NzdOmzxVdg9621hs9Tw
Amidst the shocking lay-off of Jeff Van Gundy from ESPN let's revisit one of his craziest rant on ABC: what you are allowed to do with second cousins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXWOc_9L_h8
JVG is actually a fun personality and for TV shows especially broadcasting the game on ABC, they need someone with basketball knowledge, funny enough but is not afraid to speak his minds. Hopefully TNT will get him and CBS will get the new TV contract and can recruit him.
[Charania] The Indiana Pacers are nearing a trade sending guard Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings for draft compensation sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium .
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1674789506149646338
Huwebes, Hunyo 29, 2023
[Haynes] NBA star Kyrie Irving intends to meet with the Phoenix Suns when the free agency period begins on June 30 league sources tell @NBAonTNT @BleacherReport.
https://twitter.com/chrisbhaynes/status/1674458898814865408?s=46&t=gEvQlnNLbU9ke0xn1kR1YA
Who do you think is the most underappreciated player in the NFL past or present?
Anybody that never gets the credit he's due.
For the past, I'd have to say London Fletcher. The guy is one of two players with 2,000 tackles and he still isn't in the Hall of Fame. I'm not saying he was as good as Ray Lewis, but he deserves recognition.
In the present, I'll be a homer and say Goff. People are coming around on this, but my "Goff is Top Ten" argument hasn't won many hearts... yet.
[Schefter] Titans OT Nicholas Petit-Frere is being suspended six games for violating the NFLs gambling policy. Petit-Frere is adamant that he did not bet on NFL games. But he is being suspended for betting on other sports at the workplace.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1674445518125031424
r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season - #60-51
Welcome to the 60-51 Rankings for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!
Link to Previous Post (70-61)
Players whose average rank landed them in places 60-51 are on this portion of the list revealed today. Players are associated with the team they finished playing for at the end of the 2022 season
Below you will see some write-ups from the rankers summarizing the players’ 2022 season and why they were among the best in 2022. Additionally, their ranks from previous years are available for y’all to see
METHODOLOGY
Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology
-
Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Conference Championship games
-
Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 11 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2022
-
Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2022 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.
-
Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.
-
Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/mattkud , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes
-
Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!
And without further ado, here are the players ranked 60-51 in the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!
#60 - Lavonte David - Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Off-Ball Linebacker (LB)
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 95 | 43 | 76 | N/A | 35 | N/A | 99 | 27 | 11 | N/A |
Key Stat:
Became the 3rd player in Buccaneer franchise history with 900 solo tackles, most of any NFL team
Written by: u/Ronon_Dex
This list is supposed to only focus on the most recent season, but it's impossible for me to talk about Lavonte David without at least mentioning that I firmly believe he's one of the 5 most underrated players in NFL history. A complete off-ball LB who truly does it all; excels in coverage, ability to knife into the backfield for run stops and fill gaps, sideline to sideline range, great tackler who is one of the best at forcing fumbles, and plays almost every snap. And all of those skills continued to show in his 11th year, as he is just as good as he has been in past years.
David made 124 tackles, 57 of which were categorized as stops. In over 1000 snaps played he only missed 10 tackles. He allowed just 1 TD on 76 targets in coverage all season per PFF charting, and gave up 0.8 yards/cover snap (the same as Fred Warner). He had 3 sacks and forced a fumble. He posted a top 3 grade at LB (headlined by an elite coverage grade) while ranking in their top 50 players for the season. Here you can see that pass rushing ability on full display, as David fires from the LB spot, quickly curling around the edge (also excellent job by the DL to occupy the blockers) before punching ball out and ruining a Bengals drive before it can even get started. This play has it all - you can see David recognize the counter and point it out, use his ridiculous speed to get to the ball carrier while evading blockers and wraps up cleanly.
All in all, David has been as worthy an heir for Derrick Brooks as Tampa could possibly have hoped for. Sadly, given that he's 33 and has been consistently overlooked for a decade, I don't have much hope he makes the HOF. Even though he absolutely should be right in the convo.
#59 - Jalen Ramsey - Los Angeles Rams - Cornerback
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 8 | N/A | 71 | 10 | N/A |
Key Stat:
6th defensive back since the merger to make 6 Pro Bowls in their first 7 seasons in the league
Written by: u/PhAnToM444
Jalen Ramsey was, is, and will forever remain a bad man. He has achieved something that only a handful of players at his position have done: consistency. Cornerbacks are known for elite stretches, elite seasons, but it seems ever fewer are known for elite careers. Jalen Ramsey is now 7 seasons into his career, and they all look remarkably similar. There’s not all that much to say about this season that couldn’t have been in his writeup last year. There are no outliers, no “what happened there” moments, just a consistent, top-5 performance season after season.
Of course, the Rams as a whole this year were, politely, ass. Now, coming from perennial poverty franchise Jacksonville (y’all are good now so it’s funny not sad), Ramsey is no stranger to playing for dogshit teams. But it’s nonetheless impressive that he maintains his top-tier performance despite his surrounding cast being worse at helping him in every sense. So please enjoy this 2023 Jalen Ramsey highlight reel, which effectively doubles as a 2023 Rams highlight reel.
I wrote Ramsey’s writeup when he was first traded from Jacksonville. It included a much maligned tongue in cheek welcome message about how terrified I was of his Florida Man behavior on Twitter. It’s been cool seeing Jalen mature into a bona fide leader and cornerstone of the team. And, of course, watching him break ankles has been cool too.
Jalen has unfortunately decided to return to his Florida Man era and go to Miami. He was a centerpiece in our Super Bowl run and will definitely be one of the biggest losses of the rebuild. I wish this man luck as he is in the AFC and no longer our problem.
#58 - Jaycee Horn - Carolina Panthers - Cornerback
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
2nd in the league in coverage snaps per target, trailing only Patrick Surtain II
Written by: u/MattyT7
Jaycee Horn entered the NFL with (well-deserved) hype. Drafted one spot ahead of Pat Surtain in the 2021 NFL draft, the Panthers took Jaycee at 8th overall and made him the first defensive player drafted in 2021. In just Horn’s second year of playing in the league, the Panthers are already seeing return on their investment. Horn has taken major strides in his professional development and is already one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
What makes Jaycee so special? For starters, he is an incredibly sticky, physical defensive back. Nothing comes easy for opposing receivers in his area. He pushes, he grabs, he holds, but he does so within the rules and at an elite level. He is not one to back down from a physical battle, and most of the time he’ll get the better of his counterpart. He’s also a great tackler. He wrapped up and brought down multiple guys as the only defender in the area. A corner that can take advantage of tackling skills and not let skill players fight for extra yards is very valuable. Here, he shuts down a Jamaal Williams catch perfectly, ending the play and doing so with a little bit of violence.
Horn is also a very intelligent defender. Against my Seahawks in week 14, he showcases his elite intelligence and ability. Horn intercepted one (nearly 2) Geno Smith throws en route to a 30-24 Panthers victory in Seattle. On the play he intercepted, Horn plays masterful defense. The Panthers are in cover 2, having Horn lock down a zone. Horn first finds DK on the quick out and blankets him. Simultaneously, he baits Geno into thinking Tyler Lockett will be open for the hole-shot. Horn sees Geno’s eyes go from DK to Lockett, so he breaks from DK and starts toward Lockett before Geno has even put the ball in the air. He easily makes up the gap and picks off a slightly under thrown pass, making it look easy. In 13 games played this past season, Horn only surrendered 28 receptions for 310 yards. He did not allow a single passing touchdown against his coverage and only allowed 83 yards after the catch.
In 2022, Horn lived up to his 8th overall hype and showed that the only way he’ll go from here is up. He is a physicality master, knowing how and when to rough opposing receivers up and blanketing any guy in his area. His tackling ability, even in the open field, is quite dominant. It is not easy to get by Jaycee Horn. He’s got all the tools to be a dominant, shutdown corner. And in 2022, it looked as though he was well on his way.
#57 - Matt Milano - Buffalo Bills - Off-Ball Linebacker (LB)
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Milano was the only linebacker this year with 80+ PFF grade in pass rush and in pass coverage
Written by: u/confederalis
Yes, a white linebacker is ranked this high. And yes, he should probably also be higher. Entering his 6th year in the NFL, Matt Milano was a great player but underrated, overshadowed by the bigger names on the fantastic Bills defense. But 2023 proved to be a complete breakout for Milano, ascending to elite status and firmly cementing himself as the indispensable anchor of the Bills defense. Alongside his first Pro Bowl and 1st Team All-Pro Honors, Milano rides his fantastic season into #57 on the /r/NFL Top100 List.
One of the biggest moments in Matt Milano’s 2023 campaign was not something he did, but actually the injury to his teammate Micah Hyde. Hyde, who functioned primarily as the Bills’ free safety, was lost for the season with a neck injury, forcing starting strong safety Jordan Poyer and Milano to divvy up the important coverage work that Hyde performed so masterfully at. Milano seamlessly transitioned from a primarily run-stopping linebacker to one who could cover the field with the best of the position. His 83.2 PFF coverage grade was the 4th highest at the LB position, while his 72.8 catch percentage allowed was 7th. He allowed zero TDs and never gave up a reception more than 25 yards, something only 3 other LBs could best him on. All this, combined with 3 interceptions, resulted in Milano allowing a 73.1 passer rating on the season, the lowest of any qualified LB in the NFL. In addition, Milano continued to perform at an elite level in pass rush. His 24 pressures, 5 sacks, and 8 QB hits were all top 5 for LBs. Milano’s ability to read the offense and diagnose the play allowed him to consistently get into the backfield, seal off gaps, and force tackles for loss. He was a force, marauding between the hashes, making sure no offense could break off a big play. Milano’s tackling and run stopping could have been better, but this stat profile ultimately shows a LB who was elite at multiple levels of the game in 2023.
Milano’s film continues to show his explosiveness and his ability play elite at all facets of the LB position. A great example of his coverage ability is this play against the Patriots where Milano gets great depth and stays on top of Jakobi Meyers’ route, allowing time for the safety to come over and forcing a scramble. As mentioned, Milano’s work rushing the line of scrimmage was also elite. Here against the Browns, Milano pieces together excellent timing, a quick get-off, and great block shedding to easily tackle one of the strongest runners in the league for a loss. And just for good measure, here is Milano showing that the previous play was not a one-off. That quick trigger might honestly be Milano’s best single trait, and he used it once more here against the Lions, splitting his blockers and instantly getting into the backfield for the TFL. And for good measure, here is Milano tackling Justin Fields 1-on-1 in open space.
#56 - Jaylen Waddle - Miami Dolphins - Wide Receiver
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
Lead the league in yards per reception
Written by: u/penguinmidteg
“A duck walked up to a lemonade stand… THEN HE WADDLED AWAY 🎶” . If it's gonna be stuck in my head it’s gonna be stuck in yours too.
I’m genuinely not sure where to start when it comes to Jaylen Waddle and how good he is. Much like his partner in crime the easy answer has always been speed, but it really is a lot more than just speed with this kid. Starting off his career with a measly 105 catches, 1,015 yards, and 6 touchdowns, Jaylen Waddle was set for an even bigger breakout during his sophomore campaign and boy did he not disappoint.
With their newest addition on offense in the form of Tyreek Hill, and offensive guru Mike McDaniel at the helm, Jaylen Waddle took major advantage by literally doubling his YPC from 9 to 18! Waddle's role on offense was transformed from an underneath, low air yardage, boring offense, to an explosive high yardage do it all elite receiver. Exploding for 1,356 yards, Waddle has proven himself to be one of the best and most exciting receivers in the NFL, on pace for what should be an amazing career.
Now let's get to the best part, highlights, of which there are plenty. He decided very early on in the season to remind the league of his incredible burst Week 1 vs the Patriots, in Week 2 vs the Ravens Waddle decided to show the world penguins indeed can fly by going up and getting the game winning touchdown during their historic comeback, with a casual 19 targets 171 yards and 2 scores. During their Week 8 game vs the Lions Waddle gives another great example of why he’s just unfair to play against, leaving the defender 0 chance going over the top for a make it look easy touchdown. Finally, in Weeks 14 and 15 Waddle capped off an incredible season by showing off his incredible explosiveness, with his TD catches tearing up the middle of the field vs the Bills, and walking the tightrope vs the Steelers.
Listen, If you like football, this kid is just so awesome to watch, he has not only lived up to his 6th overall potential but sprintedWaddled past it just like he does every sunday.
#55 - Christian Darrisaw - Minnesota Vikings - Offensive Tackle
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
Darrisaw and Trent Williams were the only tackles with a PFF pass block grade above 90 and a PFF run block grade above 80
Written by: u/Nijo32
Entering the 2022 season, Christian Darrisaw presented the Vikings with a significant unknown. The 23rd pick in the 2021 NFL Draft endured an injury-riddled rookie campaign, undergoing multiple preseason core muscle surgeries to address a lingering college groin injury which ultimately delayed his NFL debut. Flashes of high-end play showcased why he was selected in the first round, while lapses in technique made it obvious there was still a rawness to his game. To further complicate matters, the Vikings overhauled their coaching staff and fired the GM who drafted Darrisaw, creating even more uncertainty for what could be expected in year two.
A healthy 2022 training camp had both local and national media outlets buzzing with optimism, but it’s easy to be skeptical of the evergreen trope of a second year player “making the leap” after a rocky rookie season. The true turning point for Darrisaw was Minnesota's week of joint practices with the 49ers, where he was able to finally meet his mentor, Trent Williams, who he had already drawn comparisons to and even inspired his selection of the number 71. The two had met multiple times via FaceTime, but the intra-squad practices enabled Williams to provide hands-on instruction. Williams’ in-person observation led to high praise of his own for the young OT, noting that he did indeed see “the young Trent” in Darrisaw, and that Darrisaw is “such an athlete that he… can just wake up and win” and that his biggest improvement from year one to year two would be cracking down on bad technical habits that stem from such dominant athleticism. Could Darrisaw live up to the lofty praise and comparisons to the best LT in the game?
Darrisaw answered that question with a dominant stretch to begin the 2022 season; through Week 10, he allowed zero sacks and just 10 pressures, anchoring the offensive line during Minnesota’s improbable 8-1 start to the season. Darrisaw’s gaudy pass block win rate was a reflection of a strong improvement to his technique, including what has become a signature move of Darrisaw, the “snatch and trap.” In an NFL where pass rushers are willing to sacrifice balance for speed around the edge, an OT who can mirror and punish the moment of imbalance to put a rusher in the ground is an incredible asset. Darrisaw routinely put defenders in the dirt, collecting souls over the course of the season and announcing himself as an elite OT in the league. Concussions in consecutive weeks put a hiatus in Darrisaw’s breakout season, but he was ultimately able to return to action in Week 15, building back up to his elite level of play.
For the season, Darrisaw ended as PFF's #2 overall OT with a 90.4 grade, with elite marks as both a run blocker (3rd / 90.6) and pass blocker (8th / 82.4). Statistically, the most dominant aspect of Darrisaw's game is his zone run blocking (which Minnesota uses on 69% of running plays), where his PFF grade of 94.7 was 2nd among all offensive linemen. Darrisaw's pass blocking efficiency of 97.7% tied with teammate Brian O'Neill for 10th among OTs, providing the Vikings with bookend tackles and perhaps optimism on the offensive line for the first time in close to a decade.
#54 - Joe Thuney - Kansas City Chiefs - Offensive Guard
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 72 | 79 | 59 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
With Brady's retirement, Thuney is the active leader in snaps played in the Super Bowl
Written by: u/TheUltimate721
Whenever you're thinking to yourself "How on Earth does Mahomes have so much time back there?" when watching the Chiefs play, Thuney is one of the biggest reasons why. He was the best pass blocking guard in the NFL last year, and his excellent efforts in 2022 earned him his second career all-pro nod.
The Chiefs passed the ball on 67.5% of the time he was on the field in 2022. He earned a league leading 89.6 Pass Blocking grade per PFF, giving up just 1 sack, 4 hits, 15 pressures and only 10 hurries, with a 96.6% passblock win rate. One good example of his dominance in pass blocking is this play against the Buccaneers, where he's able to catch Logan Hall on the crossing stunt and pass him off to Orlando Brown before matching Shaq Barrett on the inside. Or frankly you can just look at the entire Raiders game where he just handily beat every single defender that Raiders DC Patrick Graham threw his way. Both of those games, and several others, he had a 100% passblock win rate. Ever seen a guard pull on a pass block before? Well, now you have. I don't think you'd hear anyone describe him as an elite run blocker (he doesn't really need to be with how much the Chiefs pass), but he brings his value to the run game (His runblock win rate was 71.3%, which was 16th amongst guards) in plays like this excellent pull block for a good gain.
The Chiefs have dealt with mediocre tackle play the last few years, but part of the reason they're able to overcome it for deep playoff runs is the three headed monster in the interior (Thuney, Creed Humphrey, and Trey Smith) is so damn strong. They're able to take the fight to any defensive unit they come across on the interior, which gives Mahomes more ability to step up into the pocket safely to better avoid the edge rushers. Because of this, frankly they made the Chiefs tackles look way better than they actually are. The best part for Chiefs fans, and the most terrifying part for the rest of the league is they're going to get to watch Thuney keep dominating. He's 30 and under contract for another 3 years, so even though he's not exactly a spring chicken anymore, he's got a lot of good football left to be played.
#53 - Penei Sewell - Detroit Lions - Offensive Tackle
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
Sewell improved his sacks allowed, hits allowed, hurries allowed, and pressures allowed from his 2021 season
Written by: u/Kewlerd
Here we have arguably the Lions top Wide Receiver, I mean Offensive Tackle. As a Lions fan, I have loved this guy since day 1 and he has been a core component of that fantastic OL. Let’s start with his size. Penei is a monster at 6’5'' and 325 lb which helps him tremendously in both the pass and run game. Penei is also a very gifted athlete, with agility, quickness and great footing at all times.
To me Sewells biggest strength is his run blocking, which is arguably a top 5-10 in the league. In this clip for example against the packers he has a monster block which lets swift get an extra 10 yards in a crucial moment. Being in a top tier offensive line, he works well with his strong teammates, I mildly dislike the Packers so I’m gonna show some more clips of him against them in week 18 that show his great ability to open up holes for the run game
Overall Penei has shown in just 2 years he can be a real threat against opposing defenses and can very well turn out to be a top 5 tackle in the league. I can’t leave out this though which is me, and many other lions fans favorite play from him
#52 - Saquon Barkley - New York Giants - Running Back
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | 94 | 8 |
Key Stat:
Saquon's first 16 game season since his rookie year
Written by: u/Enthereal
Saquon Barkley. You know him. You know his quads. But what you and me and everyone else didn’t know was how he would perform this season. After three years of injury (in order: ankle, knee, ankle) where he played in less than 60% of his teams games (28 of 49), it seemed as though everyone forgot what a healthy Saquon Barkley looked like. But with legs like those, you may as well call him an elephant, and an elephant never forgets.
In 2023, Saquon came out roaring like a lion. Week 1 saw him call upon the spirit of the wildebeest and stampede through the Titans to the tune of 164 yards and a touchdown on only 18 carries, not to mention 6 receptions and a game-winning 2-point conversion. Was this his best performance of the season? Maybe. But it cannot be overstated what this game did for the Giants faithful: it gave them hope. His gazelle-esque agility combined with his strong rhinoceros-like power told Giants fans from the get-go that this season would be different.
In the end, Barkley finished with 1312 yards and 10 touchdowns, good for fourth and ninth in the league. With a respectable 4.4 yards per carry, Saquon was a force of nature this season. He also was PFF’s #1 ranked pass-blocking running back, something with which he has previously struggled. Perhaps most importantly, he had 53 yards on 9 carries and 2 TDs in a massive playoff win over the Vikings. Unfortunately, there was a massive nationwide blackout afterwards and the season was canceled. Anyway, while his future with the Giants is as of yet unseen due to some contract shenanigans, I know I’m speaking for everyone when I say the NFL is better when Saquon Barkley is balling.
#51 - Amon-Ra St. Brown - Detroit Lions - Wide Receiver
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
Marques Colston and Amon-Ra St. Brown are the only players drafted in the 4th round or later since the merger to have more than 2000 receiving yards in their first two seasons
Written by: u/mattkud
Amon Ra “The Sun God” St. Brown was the machine of the revamped explosive Lions offense in 2022. Since week 13 of the 2021 season, Amon has developed into one of the smoothest slot receivers in the NFL. It was in question whether the Lions offense and especially Amon Ra could continue their flashes to end the 2021 season. The Lions offense finished 3rd in total yards, bringing back an offensive prowess that hasn’t been seen in Detroit since the Stafford/Megatron days.
Finishing the 2022 season with 139 targets and 106 receptions with a reception percentage of 76.3% which was good for 4th best in the league. One of Amon’s best attributes is his yards after catch. He finished 3rd in the NFL among WRs with 565 yards after the catch and T6th in YAC/Reception. Amon is a chain mover and a huge red zone threat despite his smaller stature. Tied with Justin Jefferson, he finished with 6 red zone touchdowns and 4 of those within the 10 yard line. Amon is an automatic first down with 68 first downs only behind Tyreek Hill, Stefon Diggs and Justin Jefferson. He also gained a first down on third down at a league high 18.2% on third down routes. Amon made the most of his targets and had an 18% success rate per target, good for 1st in the league and 2.4% higher than 3rd overall.
The Sun God can do it all. With his ability to make spectacular catches with his legs. Or serve as an elusive running back. Even make defenders look silly with his redzone highlights. Amon serves as Detroit’s true new #1 receiver who will look to become the best slot receiver in the NFL.
Link to Positional Tracker Sheet
Link to Ranker Reveal Sheet
Link to Hub
[Stein] Sixers insist to me that they were prepared to support Nick Nurse if he wanted to continue coaching Canadas national team. Nurse stunningly stepped down from the post relinquishing one of his dreams to coach in the Olympics to focus on his new job & settling his family in Philadelphia
🏀 The Sixers insist to me that they were prepared to support Nick Nurse if he wanted to continue coaching Canada’s national team. Nurse stunningly stepped down this from the post — relinquishing one of his dreams to coach in the Olympics — to focus on his new job and settling his family in Philadelphia. In a statement released Wednesday, Nurse said the “difficult decision to step down” was his and that he helped Canada Basketball with its search to find Kings associate head coach Jordi Fernandez to take over as his replacement. It will be interesting to see if Nurse’s exit so close to this summer’s World Cup will have any effect on the roster. As recently as June 12 in a podcast appearance with my former ESPN teammate Brian Windhorst, Nurse spoke of his excitement to try to steer Canada to its first Olympic berth in basketball since Steve Nash starred in the Sydney Games in 2000 and the prospect of coaching both Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray alongside Lu Dort, Dwight Powell and Kelly Olynyk. “As far as Canada goes, we’ve had a lot of consistency … we’ve stayed together throughout this whole three-year run,” Nurse said on the Hoop Collective podcast. (H/T to our FIBA-loving pal Charlie Saturday for his help with the Nurse quotes.)
[Stein] Multiple rival teams have told me this week that they expect Dallas to come to terms early in free agency with former All-Star center Andre Drummond.
Drummond is expected to decline his $3.36 million player option with Chicago before Thursday’s deadline.
Drummond would be the third new center for the Mavericks alongside recent acquisition Richaun Holmes and No. 12 overall pick Dereck Lively II.
JaVale McGee and unrestricted free agent-to-be Christian Wood are out of Dallas’ plans, but McGee remains on the Mavericks’ roster for the moment after their recent trade pursuit of Deandre Ayton was ultimately rejected by Phoenix.
[Wojnarowski] The Cleveland Cavaliers are fully guaranteeing forward Cedi Osmans $6.7 million contract for 2023-2024 sources tell ESPN. Osman has averaged nearly 10 points a game in his six seasons with the Cavaliers.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1674431583774994432?s=61&t=lkvVxqfE98gHJVXVNQ8xGA
Miyerkules, Hunyo 28, 2023
Clippers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard Paul George May Not Get New 4-Year Max Contracts
https://ift.tt/jglUm0V
[Schefter] A handful of NFL players including Colts cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers are expected to receive season-long suspensions this week for allegedly gambling sources tell ESPN.
https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1674094126802042880
[Giannotto] Davonte Pack also said under oath Ja Morant owns a Glock 40 gun. He said he told Morant as Morant was pulled away from Joshua Holloway last July You dont need to be doing this. We dont need to be doing this.
The biggest concern for Morant is that nobody involved denies he punched Holloway when this altercation occurred over a pickup basketball game last July at the home in which Morant’s parents live. Same goes for Morant’s close friend and co-defendant in this case, Davonte Pack. They can only claim that Holloway initiated the fracas by throwing the ball at Morant’s face during the aforementioned “check ball situation.”
The documents and depositions related to this case have already made Morant’s living arrangements, car purchases and several potential business deals available to the public. Through the deposition of Pack, it was revealed that Morant planned to do a series of paid club appearances in various cities – of which Pack would receive a cut of the money – this offseason. While not illegal, imagine what the inevitable parade of photos and videos with Morant drinking across the country would have done for his image.
Chiefs' Travis Kelce estimates that up to 80 percent of NFL players use cannabis
https://ift.tt/aOMSfLD
Martes, Hunyo 27, 2023
r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season - #70-61
Welcome to the 70-61 Rankings for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!
Link to Previous Post (80-71)
Players whose average rank landed them in places 70-61 are on this portion of the list revealed today. Players are associated with the team they finished playing for at the end of the 2022 season
Below you will see some write-ups from the rankers summarizing the players’ 2022 season and why they were among the best in 2022. Additionally, their ranks from previous years are available for y’all to see
METHODOLOGY
Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology
-
Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Conference Championship games
-
Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 11 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2022
-
Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2022 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.
-
Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.
-
Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/mattkud , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes
-
Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!
And without further ado, here are the players ranked 70-61 in the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!
#70 - Za’Darius Smith - Minnesota Vikings - EDGE Rusher
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 42 | 26 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Smith and Danielle Hunter are the first pair of Vikings to have 10 sacks each since Kevin Williams and Lance Johnstone in 2004
Written by: u/SoDakZak
The Vikings D had a dry year, so before I get into it, here is a pic of Smith (making his one year with the Vikings worth it) to satiate your thirst.
Za’Darius Smith lives up to his name:
Za’Darius: King or kingly (ViKING)/one who is wealthy: ($67 million made so far through 2022)
Smith: forging through heating, and hammering….the opposition, especially the quarterback or a reliable run stopper on short yardage situations. Remember, our defense was led by the since-fired DC Ed Donatell played so badly… we were historically bad. Seems “Forge” to Ed was “Forge-t about rushing the QB, you’re gonna be on the field 40 minutes of the game and we will do the same next week.”
Despite all of that, and being used in coverage with that “scheme” Za’darius stayed laser focused on the target: the QB. He managed 10 sacks (his 3rd double digit season in his career) and 5 passes defended at the line. Through 7 games he was even leading the NFL with 8.5 sacks and 13 TFL. While the Za’Darius Smith/Danielle Hunter tandem definitely could have been used more aggressively, they both did their part to give a 13-win Viking team some spark on defense. Za’Darius managed to put up 37 pressures 24 QB Hits and 44 tackles this season, bouncing back from an injury-riddled 2021, made the Pro Bowl, and even received 4 Comeback Player of the Year votes.
69 - Justin Simmons - Denver Broncos - Safety
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | 55 | 24 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Joins Champ Bailey and Tyrone Braxton as the only Broncos to lead the NFL in interceptions
Written by: u/BlindManBaldwin
2022 was a disappointing year for the Denver Broncos. The team's high profile acquisition of Russell Wilson failed to deliver the expected results on offense. New head coach Nathaniel Hackett became the first one-and-done coach in team history (a feat not even Josh McDaniels could do). Frequent injuries made a bad situation worse. Despite everything, Justin Simmons put together another high-level season that ranks him among the best at his position.
Now the longest tenured Bronco, Justin Simmons finished 2022 with his third second-team All-Pro selection. Things weren’t looking great for Simmons at the start of the season after a Week 1 injury in Seattle. Simmons hadn’t missed a game since the 2017 season, and at one point played over 3200 consecutive snaps. By the time he returned to the active roster, the Broncos fell to 2-3 and were quickly becoming the laughing stock of the NFL. Could the return of their defensive stalwart provide a spark to get things rolling again for the team?
No.
While the Broncos limped to a 5-12 finish (3-9 in games featuring Simmons), the defense remained the lone bright spot during the season. Thanks in no small part to the play of Simmons, who finished tied for the league-lead in interceptions. Reunited with former head coach Vance Joseph (now defensive coordinator under Sean Payton), Simmons will need to continue his usual consistent quality play if the Broncos are to make the playoffs for the first time in his career.
#68 - Javon Hargrave - Philadelphia Eagles - Interior Defensive Lineman (IDL)
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 99 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
2nd straight season with a PFF pass rush grade above 90
Written by: u/scmsf49
One of the best pass rushers in the league shocked everyone by opening this year’s free agency window with a move from one NFC powerhouse to another. Hargrave is coming off a season where he manned the middle for one of the best pass rushing defenses in NFL history, drawing double teams and helping a trio of edge rushers hit double digit sacks. He got in on some of that action himself, recording 57 pressures of his own and directly accounting for 11 of the Eagles' 70 sacks.
Hargrave has deceptive speed for a nose tackle, illustrated here where he collects one of the easiest looking sacks you’ll ever see when the Eagles rush 5 and he can’t be doubled. On a similar play against the Bears, Hargrave abuses a guard for a quick sack, again demonstrating his ability to get outside of a guard and seemingly run right past them. On a crucial third down inside the 5, the Eagles again rush 5 and the center is able to get Hargrave onto the turf but he’s relentless and gets a sack on his way down anyway. Hargrave's speed makes for some fun highlights, but you can't really discuss a 300 lb interior lineman without mentioning his strength. On this play Hargrave brings his man with him to the quarterback on a 4 man rush when the Texans decide to double Fletcher Cox instead of him.
Hargrave’s Twitter handle is Jay_MostWanted, and that was pretty evidently the case for San Francisco when they chose to dole out 80 million dollars to him and shore up the biggest weakness on the defense with one of the most impactful players in the league at that position.
#67 - Roquan Smith - Baltimore Ravens - Off-Ball Linebacker (LB)
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 98 | 65 | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
5th player since 1970 to receive AP All-Pro 1st team while being traded midseason
Written by: u/Yedic
It was a tale of two halves for Roquan Smith in 2022. After a shaky first half of the season as part of a poor Bears front-seven, the Ravens traded for Smith in the leadup to Week 9, and he immediately made his mark on a defense that was sorely needing a leader at the LB position. Here, 6 minutes into his first game with the Ravens, Roquan stands Alvin Kamara up for a stop on 3rd and 1.
The acquisition allowed Patrick Queen to slide over to his more comfortable weak-side position, and the Ravens defense proceeded to allow fewer than 17 points in 7 out of the 9 regular season games with Roquan, after doing so in only 1 out of 8 games previous. Here's a neat play where he sifts through three linemen in order to make a tackle on a screen (h/t Huddle It Up Films for the clip). This year, Roquan's motor was always on display, and he helped anchor a Ravens defense that was instrumental in dragging an injured offense into the playoffs.
#66 - Trevor Lawrence - Jacksonville Jaguars - Quarterback
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
Key stat: 3 wins after trailing by 2 or more scores, only Kirk Cousins and Justin Herbert had more this year
Written by: u/Christy427
This was an offense designed around his strengths to spread the ball around to whichever receiver had the best match up, Trevor was not one to get hung up on a certain read or lock onto a single receiver. He also knew how to quickly identify key match ups that he could exploit such as well-timed jump balls to Marvin Jones and Evan Engram when he knew they had an edge there. The offense utilized a lot of mesh and crossers to get players the ball on the run using his ball placement to keep them running forward. The Jaguar receivers had few spectacular catches as he threw such great balls. It heavily utilized his ability to make quick decisions and his brilliant accuracy and weighting of mid-level passes over a first line defense and into the receiver. Overall, to pick one play to highlight his ability to make quick decisions and be accurate under serious pressure I think this 4th and 5 with the game on the line shows it off beautifully.
If the above broke down then receivers knew to keep running, Trevor had great pocket presence under pressure and kept his eyes downfield when scrambling looking for the pass but also opening space by the threat of his running ability. This running ability was used sometimes on scrambling but also in the red zone using his 6’6” frame in sneaks or in a more traditional QB run.
He posted a 66.3% completion rate and over 4000 yards with a receiving core generally near the top of dropped passes lists, though those lists are always subjective. He had just over 3 to 1 TD to Int ratio with a team that didn’t have any pro bowlers on the initial selection so while the Jags had decent players he was not surrounded by superstars to help him out.
Why isn’t he higher? After all that, why isn’t he higher up the list? For all the good games he had a few down games. The 4 fumbles in the Eagles game. In both the Texans and the Broncos game he threw similar interceptions. Interceptions happen but there were a few critical moments he needed to learn from a bit quicker if he wanted to be classed with the absolute greats for this season. Combined with high level but not elite level stats give Lawrence his place in the top 100.
#65 - Michael Onwenu - New England Patriots - Offensive Guard
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|
| N/A | 86 |
Key Stat:
Played all 1033 snaps at right guard in 2022 after splitting time between LG (402 snaps), RG (187 snaps), LT (892), and as a 6th linemen (92) in 2020 and 2021
Written by: u/KingDing-a-Ling13
For the 5th season in a row, a Patriots guard has made the top 100, and after Shaq Mason and Joe Thuney claimed two of those seasons apiece, there is new(ish) blood breaking into the guard scene. Sort of. Drafted in the 6th round in 2020, Michael Onwenu was an afterthought to most, but quickly showed he may be the heir apparent to the Patriots 6th round dynasty. After limited game time in the first two weeks of the season, Onwenu was elevated to starting right tackle, and as a 6th round rookie, he did not miss a single snap for the rest of the season. His impressive campaign led to Onwenu making the list, placing at 86. However, midway through his sophomore season, Onwenu was somewhat inexplicably relegated from a starting role into a jumbo package sub, and the future looked murkier. Then, in a classic Bill Belichick move, Shaq Mason was traded away, opening up the right guard spot for Onwenu, and as good as Onwenu was as a rookie right tackle, he showed that his real position was at right guard all along. And so, despite a somewhat unorthodox path there, Onwenu is the next man up in a long line of top Patriots OGs.
Before I dive into what makes Onwenu so great, I would just like to say that NFL+ is an absolutely terrible service that didn’t recognize that I had a subscription, so I was unable to get clips from All-22 for this write-up. It is incredible how the league has progressively made Gamepass/NFL+ worse every season, but enough of that. Any discussion about Onwenu’s game starts with his size. At 6’3”, Onwenu is on the shorter side for an NFL guard, but he packs a massive 350 pounds on that frame. In fact, according to PFR, Onwenu is the second heaviest guard in the league, and tied 10th across any position. Now, weight can only take you so far without having a rock solid base, but you can bet Onwenu has that. Watch him (RG #71) take on Quinnen Williams, one of the best DTs in the league, in pass protection on this play. Quinnen tries to put his head down and bull rush through Onwenu, who absorbs the initial contact like it’s nothing, resets his base, and flushes Quinnen around the outside of the pocket. PFF assigned Onwenu with only 14 allowed pressures all season, fewer than Zack Martin. A 350 pound behemoth shouldn’t have the technique needed to be an elite pass blocker, yet Onwenu does. In the run game, he is an absolute rock, and helped pave the way for Rhamondre Stevenson’s excellent campaign. Look at this play when the Patriots are backed up against their own goal line. Onwenu engages with great hand technique, keeps his base strong, and absolutely bullies the DT backwards five yards, giving Rhamondre a gaping hole to hit for a big gain. This play highlights Onwenu’s sheer size and also his awareness. His assignment is initially to double team the DT, who is quickly neutralized. Onwenu then looks to the hole on his left, where the LB is trying to shoot the gap. Despite the LB having a head of steam and Onwenu standing relatively still, Onwenu simply stonewalls him, knocking the LB backwards in a beautiful display elastic collision. Onwenu’s quick feet also allows him to excel as a pulling guard, used to great effect throughout the season. If you’re looking for holes in his game, you’re going to be looking for a long time.
Michael Onwenu was the anchor for a Patriots o-line that struggled with injuries and consistency all season. He didn’t miss a snap until the 4th quarter of the final game of the season, when he tragically suffered an injury and missed his only six snaps all year. Onwenu underwent ankle surgery earlier this offseason, and missed voluntary OTAs. As the Patriots look to bounce back from a down year, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, his health will be a critical factor. If he recovers without complication, though, Onwenu will continue paving his way towards recognition as one of the top offensive guards in the entire league.
#64 - Marlon Humphrey - Baltimore Ravens - Cornerback
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 70 | 53 | 94 | N/A |
Key Stat:
PFF's highest graded corner in man coverage
Written by: u/Yedic
After a slight down year in 2021, Marlon Humphrey was back to his usual lockdown self in 2022. He's been known as a tough, physical, man coverage corner in the past who plays a ton both in the slot and outside. This year was a little different with our new DC, as he played a much higher percentage of snaps outside and in zone. He showed off his versatility as even with the changes, he put together a great season as the only dependable corner on the roster. Check out this play where Humphrey runs Devante Parker's route for him and comes down with a redzone pick in the 4th quarter of a one-score game (h/t Huddle It Up Films for the clip).
According to PFF's charting, Marlon didn't give up a single TD reception all year. Talking about game-to-game consistency, he didn't allow more than 5 receptions in a single game, with 7 games allowing 2 or fewer receptions, including 2 games not allowing a single reception. In this play, he lines up in the slot and ends up fooling old friend Baker Mayfield for the 4th quarter pick.
He had a single bad game this past year, and other than that was a sorely-needed rock that we could depend on for the whole season. We even got to see a vintage Fruit Punch, reminding us of 2020! (shoutout Peanut Tillman)
#63 - Austin Ekeler - Los Angeles Chargers - Running Back
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Ekeler, Marshall Faulk, Harlon Hill, and Don Hutson are the only players in NFL history to lead the league in scoring touchdowns in back to back seasons with 5+ receiving touchdowns in both seasons
Written by: u/Shion314
Undervalued and underutilized. Two words that sum up this past year for Austin Ekeler.
Much like 2021, Ekeler showed why he is one of the better do it all running backs in the league. He again led the league in scrimmage TDs at 18 this year as well as being the only RB with over 100 receptions (breaking LTs franchise record of 101) with a crazy 87% catch rate (highest in the league amongst backs with any notable volume). Averaging almost 4.5 yards a carry and over 95 scrimmage yards a game, Ekeler was often the only bright spot on offense outside of his QB.
His slight drop in rankings can be attributed to a 2022 similar to 2021 despite an extra game to try and push him over the 1000 rush yard mark. The offense under outgoing coordinator Joe Lombardi struggled at times to run the ball and often the run game was forgotten even in wins (Ekeler had one of the lowest rush attempts in the league with just over 200). Unfortunately this means his highlight reel was a little sparse this year (only two 100+ rush yard games) but just tasting bits of his dynamic playmaking ability is enough to see how he can shine.
Still one of the best multipurpose backs in the league, Ekeler gets a chance to show he can improve once again in a contract year with a new coordinator and return to a spot in the top 50.
#62 - Geno Smith - Seattle Seahawks - Quarterback
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
4286 passing yards last season, compared to 1346 passing yards the previous 7 seasons combined
Written by: u/hendrix67
I can remember the exact moment I began to have hope for the 2022 season. Week 1 against the Broncos, first drive of the game, 3rd and 2. Geno Smith drops back and is immediately under pressure from a linebacker up the middle. He evades the rusher and scrambles through traffic before tossing a dime to a wide-open Will Dissly who takes it in for the score. That moment proved to be a glimpse of what was to come. Throughout the season, Geno Smith provided not just consistent production on offense but highlight reel plays and clutch wins. In doing so, Geno and Co. dragged a 25th ranked defense to 9 wins and a playoff berth.
Geno Smith’s play this season speaks for itself. Highest completion percentage in the league. Top five in touchdown passes and passer rating. Set a new franchise record for passing yards in a season. Comeback Player of the Year. He did this against all reasonable odds, first winning the starter spot that was reportedly Drew Lock’s to lose. Despite getting only five starts over the previous six seasons, Geno came out looking like a seasoned vet. His chemistry with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett made for some fantastic highlights. Geno didn’t just surpass expectations; the bar was low enough that this would not have been too monumental a task. But he did so with flying colors, making Seahawks football fun and exciting in a way that few fans could have foreseen. He showed the NFL that you can’t write him off so easily.
#61 - Tariq Woolen - Seattle Seahawks - Cornerback
Previous Ranks
N/A
Key Stat:
No rookie in the last 30 years had more interceptions as a rookie taken in the 5th round or later
Written by: u/MattyT7
Entering his rookie season, Tariq Woolen didn’t have any sort of crazy expectations. A freshly minted fifth round pick in the 2022 draft, Woolen wasn’t even the first cornerback the Seahawks selected in the draft (Coby Bryant drafted 109th overall). Woolen began making noise even before making it into the NFL. At the 2022 combine, Woolen posted a 4.26 40 yard dash time, the fastest ever for a player over 6 feet. The Seahawks would soon find out what a blessing it would be to have Woolen fall into their laps in the fifth round.
Let’s begin with production. Woolen had one of the most productive rookie cornerback seasons in recent memory. He tied for the lead in interceptions for the season with 6 (returning one for a touchdown), which included a string of four consecutive games with an interception. Sure, one of the interceptions may have been on a pass from Leonard Fournette to Tom Brady, but that does not take away that he was still a magnet to the football. He finished tied for 4th on the year in passes defended with 16 and racked up 63 tackles. Woolen earned NFC Defensive player of the week honors in week 6 when the Seahawks defeated the Cardinals and he finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. Simply put, Tariq Woolen made a hell of a splash entering the NFL.
One reason Tariq found success his rookie season is because of his downright freakish speed. Even if he is beaten early, opposing quarterbacks have to make quick decisions if they want to take advantage. Tariq Woolen already has maybe the best closing speed in the NFL. Here he is catching up on a ball thrown by the best quarterback in the league and recovering well enough to shut it down. Against the 49ers and expecting help over the top, Woolen manages to close on a massive gap and stop what should’ve been an easy touchdown. He is able to bait quarterbacks into making guys look more open than they actually are because of his elite speed and length. Woolen has great instincts and plays to them well. He is able to diagnose routes and defend them at a top tier level. He’s a very sticky defender when he wants to be, and uses his physical traits to his advantage. At 6'4 and weighing 210 with 4.26 speed, the dude is an ANIMAL.
Tariq Woolen’s rookie year was a great career beginning. But there is absolutely room to grow. The Seahawks drafted Devon Witherspoon with their first pick of the 2023 draft at 5th overall, so Woolen should have a nice, new running mate this season that will make locking down opposing offenses all the better. I expect Tariq to take a step forward his sophomore season, and improve upon an already impressive debut.
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[Jackson] According to two sources the Heat has been giving thought to potentially using the waive-and-stretch provision on Kyle Lowry if Miami is unable to trade him.
According to two sources, the Heat has been giving thought to potentially using the waive-and-stretch provision on Lowry if Miami is unable to trade him, though a firm decision on that has not been made.
In other words, if the Heat goes the waive-and-stretch route, Lowry would have a cap hit of $9.9 million each of the next three seasons instead of $29.7 million next season, which would be his cap hit otherwise.
The upshot of that: Miami’s 2023-24 salary cap commitments would shrink from $178.5 million to $158.5 million, below the $165 million tax line and the $182.5 million second apron, a threshold that carries significant restrictions, including the inability to sign buyout players who were making more than $12 million from the team that released them.
That extra flexibility could allow the Heat to re-sign guard Gabe Vincent in the days ahead without paying an enormous tax.
[PFT] Josh Allen loves new Bills receiver Trent Sherfield: "He's one of the hardest-working guys on the team. Doesn't complain about anything."
https://twitter.com/ProFootballTalk/status/1673692980455038978
Lunes, Hunyo 26, 2023
[Haynes] Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard and his agent Aaron Goodwin are meeting with the team today to discuss the franchises direction league sources tell @NBAonTNT @BleacherReport.
https://twitter.com/chrisbhaynes/status/1673391826865373185?s=46&t=gEvQlnNLbU9ke0xn1kR1YA
[Haynes] Phoenix Suns will host a free agent workout on Wednesday featuring notables Jabari Parker and Stanley Johnson league sources tell @NBAonTNT @BleacherReport.
https://twitter.com/chrisbhaynes/status/1673365594635382784?s=46&t=hdMYR5VNI3D4hupTVErxeg
[Wojanrowski] ESPN Sources: The Hawks are finalizing a trade to send F/C John Collins to the Jazz for Rudy Gay and a future second-round pick. Atlantas largely unloading Collins three years $78M for some roster building flexibility and alignment with looming changes to salary cap.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1673386654373928960?s=46&t=gEvQlnNLbU9ke0xn1kR1YA
[Sam Amick]: One solution that is known to be a dream scenario from Lillards vantage point: Re-sign forward Jerami Grant and add four-time All-Star/four-time champion Draymond Green in FA"
https://theathletic.com/4640012/2023/06/26/nba-free-agency-news-rumors-damian-lillard-james-harden/
Nearly spit out my drink when I saw this. Dame and his team cannot be serious if adding Draymond Green to this sad team is enough to make them contenders and enough to stay
"Yet while there are all sorts of shared enthusiasm about the additions of Scoot Henderson (with the No. 3 pick), Kris Murray (at No. 23) and Rayan Rupert (at No. 43), the source said nothing has changed about Lillard’s strong desire to play with the kind of high-level players that would make the Blazers contenders again. The youth movement, impressive though it might be, isn’t enough.
So, what would it take to convince Lillard that Portland is still the place to be for the rest of his NBA days? Here’s one solution that is known to be a dream scenario from Lillard’s vantage point: Re-sign forward Jerami Grant and add four-time All-Star/four-time champion Draymond Green in free agency."
[The Athletic] "Here's the thing about Pacman Jones that not enough people know" Rich Rodriguez says. "He's got the biggest heart you could possibly have." Pacman Jones was the NFL's poster boy for reckless behavior. Now he's raising the kids of a former teammate whose life was cut short.
https://twitter.com/TheAthletic/status/1673330019538546691
Linggo, Hunyo 25, 2023
[PFF] - The highest-graded WR on screens in 2022 - Deebo Samuel
https://twitter.com/pff/status/1672650800319922179?s=46&t=1AFIvWg6XERJYEEpkF_D0w
[Gambadoro] This is incredible just total BS. Suns have no interest. Once again - I do NOT expect them to trade Ayton.
Gambadoro refutes the report made by Keith Pompey.
This is incredible just total BS. Suns have no interest. Once again - I do NOT expect them to trade Ayton.
— John Gambadoro, Local Sports Radio Host & Suns Insider
[Haynes] Phoenix Suns are moving forward with the plan of keeping Deandre Ayton to play alongside Devin Booker Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal league sources tell @NBAonTNT @BleacherReport.
https://twitter.com/chrisbhaynes/status/1672995568099160064?s=61&t=5mQ2izGdBH_fnwI5Jmn68w
The Race to 1000 Wins and Losses
Today I saw a tweet how on this day a few years ago the St. Louis Cardinals hit 10,000 wins as a franchise. I knew that now NFL teams play about 1/10 the games, but the NFL is much younger, and even 16 game seasons are relatively recent.
Currently, the Packers and Bears are safely in the lead ahead of every other franchise with 790 and 786 wins, respectively. (The Giants are at 715)
Currently the Cardinals are safely in the lead ahead of every other franchise with... 790 losses. (The Lions are at 702).
To see two over-100 year old franchises tied like that is pretty neat, and really begs the question: Who hits 1,000 first?
Will the Packers continue and the Bears turn it around? Will the Cardinals begin to show some competence? We should have an answer in ~20 years!
[Around the NFL] Free-agent TE Marcedes Lewis waiting for call from team to play 18th NFL season: "I just want to compete"
https://twitter.com/AroundTheNFL/status/1672950106025521153?t=wzYl5qwotCarVSWBHQz2RQ&s=19
Sabado, Hunyo 24, 2023
[Bears Talk] "Our friendship has grown a crazy amount since my rookie year." - Justin Fields on his relationship with Darnell Mooney
https://twitter.com/NBCSBears/status/1672667455724847111?t=nIQPm37aovw8OJBzALJzLQ&s=19
[Popper] Knicks will not exercise option on Derrick Rose's contract. Rose was beloved by Thibs and the organization had a diminished role on the court but was a pro throughout his benching a voice in the locker room and this will give him a chance to explore available opportunities.
Knicks columnist Steve Popper tweets that Derrick Rose has been let go by the New York Knicks.
Rose, the veteran guard, is now a free agent and can pursue available opportunities next week in free agency. (He can also technically re-sign with the Knicks on a veteran's minimum deal, if the Knicks would offer it).
Jimmy Butler joins Damian Lillard's troll and posts Dame D.O.L.L.A's song on his IG story.
If you follow Jimmy's instagram closely, you would notice that he usually starts off his day by posting few songs he's listening to on IG story. And today, he decided to join the troll party by posting Dame's rap song on his IG Story.
[Reynolds] Tim Duncan David Robinson Sean Elliott and Manu Ginobili had dinner with Victor Wembanyama last night after his arrival in San Antonio. Welcome kid.
https://twitter.com/ByTimReynolds/status/1672622779676479492?t=dibIChDcWidnkSze2YM39w&s=19
Soliciting Updates to the r/NBA Approved Twitter List Team Reporters
As you may be aware, r/NBA has an approved twitter list - https://www.reddit.com/r/nba/wiki/approved_twitter_list where national and team reporters are auto-approved for direct links to the twitter posts. This doesn't limit other twitter accounts as they can still be linked to in a self/text post with the same format.
The season is over so some reporters are retiring or moving on to other things. An example is Mark Berman with the Rockets, who I have removed from the approved twitter list as his work account is actually gone now. If there are any team reporters in a similar situation, let me know and I will remove the account after verification.
These team reporters must be real beat reporters with legitimate accounts who have regular original reporting and interviews with players/coaches/front offices of their NBA team.
If you are suggesting a new beat reporter please have it in the following format.
Team - First name Last name - Organization - twitterhandle
Example: Houston Rockets - Jonathan Feigen - Houston Chronicle - https://twitter.com/jonathan_feigen
The accounts will be checked prior additions. Teams with many beat reporters (Celtics) are not likely to get additional reporters added. Teams with only 1-2 accounts (Hornets, Pacers, Magic) are more likely to get new accounts added, again as long as there are legitimate reporters recommended.
Biyernes, Hunyo 23, 2023
[Around the NFL] Melvin Gordon: RB market "started going downhill" after Todd Gurley deal
https://twitter.com/AroundTheNFL/status/1672268273633599489?t=d2BtOW8g069-XFAzfP_aZw&s=19
[Keith Smith] The Washington Wizards are far from done with rebuilding their roster. They're engaged with several teams on trade talks involving the veterans on their roster sources tell @spotrac . Washington is motivated to clear out some of their new logjam at point guard.
https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1672255858661548032?s=20
[Pelissero] The Texans signed No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr. to a fully guaranteed four-year $35212818 million deal with a fifth-year option per source. Anderson gets a $22609320 signing bonus as part of the deal which was negotiated by Nicole Lynn of Klutch Sports.
https://twitter.com/tompelissero/status/1672273259117572096?s=46&t=x5-NzdOmzxVdg9621hs9Tw
[Rod Boone] Hornets have agreed to a two-way contract with Leaky Black league sources confirm to the @theobserver . The Concord native gets to shuffle between Charlotte and playing for the @greensboroswarm . He worked out for the #Hornets on June 3.
https://twitter.com/rodboone/status/1672221448830582786?s=20
[Wojnarowski] Undrafted Villanova guard Caleb Daniels has agreed on a training camp deal with the Miami Heat sources tell ESPN.
https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1672128809087238144?t=bIWtqB8G23IZ-2FnpB5pYA&s=19
Huwebes, Hunyo 22, 2023
[Himmelsbach] New: Sources said Marcus Smart was completely shocked by last nights trade and is still trying to process it today. Marcus loves Boston. He thought he was going to retire there. He wanted to retire there.
https://twitter.com/adamhimmelsbach/status/1671929286800949257?s=46&t=DMnS3J-zs7RXhxH1hQoiig
Outside of Tom Brady and Shannon Sharpe which late round/undrafted player had more success than anyone thought they would?
I only listed Brady and Sharpe because those were the first two that came to mind.
[Charania] Sources: Scoot Henderson is gaining serious momentum at No. 2 with the Charlotte Hornets in tonights NBA draft. Hornets have been torn over the last week between Henderson and Brandon MIller. Team has final meetings today to settle on decision.
https://twitter.com/shamscharania/status/1671914311093043203?s=46&t=3MN91oJhL7tCeLgkvFUZ_g
r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season - #80-71
Welcome to the 80-71 Rankings for the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!
Link to Previous Post (90-81)
Players whose average rank landed them in places 80-71 are on this portion of the list revealed today. Players are associated with the team they finished playing for at the end of the 2022 season
Below you will see some write-ups from the rankers summarizing the players’ 2022 season and why they were among the best in 2022. Additionally, their ranks from previous years are available for y’all to see
METHODOLOGY
Link to more detailed writeup on our methodology
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Step 1: A Call to Rankers right after the Conference Championship games
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Step 2: Rankers from each team nominated players to rank, with a 11 game minimum threshold. Players are associated with the team they played for in 2022
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Step 3: The Grind. We instructed users to tier positions groups into T25, T50, etc based on 2022 regular season play only. This took several weeks as the rankers tiered each position group and discussed them. There were no individual player threads and no arbitrary position caps. Just questions and rankings.
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Step 4: Users submitted their own personal Top 125 lists.
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Step 5: User lists were reviewed by myself, u/mattkud , and u/MikeTysonChicken . The rankers were expected to answer questions about their lists. They were allowed to make any changes to their list, and were not forced to make any changes
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Step 6: The Reveal… where we are now!
And without further ado, here are the players ranked 80-71 in the r/NFL Top 100 Players of the 2022 Season!
#80 - Terry McLaurin - Washington Commanders - Wide Receiver
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | 71 | N/A |
Key Stat:
Most receiving yards by a player on a team where no quarterback had over 2000 passing yards since Deandre Hopkins in 2017
Written by: u/confederalis
Terry McLaurin is an elite Top 10 receiver in the NFL and I’m tired of pretending he’s not. Even after four years of terrible QB play, bad playcalling, and being the only offensive threat on Washington, “Scary” Terry has produced only one thing: three consecutive 1000+ yard seasons. No drama and no trade requests; just ballin 'out. After a brief holdout this offseason, Washington rewarded Terry with a mega extension, and the Ohio State product immediately proved to be worth the money, earning #80 on the 2022 /r/NFL Top100 List.
While Terry’s 1191 yards ranked 9th in the NFL, he did this on much fewer opportunities than his compatriots (15.5 yds/rec, good for 4th in the league). Terry was a complete all-around threat, excelling in every facet of the receiver position. He was great after the catch: 5.1 YAC/rec (T-7th highest). He played clean: only 3 drops and 2 penalties. He moved the chains: 56 first downs (11th). He was explosive: 13 25+ yard catches (T-7th). These stats are already very substantial at face value, but they become even more impressive when the additional context of who was throwing the ball is added into the equation. Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, and Sam Howell all threw to Scary Terry in 2022 and all were not good. This resulted in a 69.6% catchable target rate for Terry, which was 79th in the league. And he still put up ridiculous numbers. Terry had a 67% catch percentage, barely lower than his catchable target rate; an insane feat. Much of this can be attributed to Terry’s best trait: his jump ball ability. He led the entire NFL with 13 contested catches and put up a 68.4% catch rate on contested balls, good for 2nd behind Stefon Diggs. There’s no better to way to make up for poor QB play than by grabbing everything tossed your way, no matter how bad the throw.
Stats don’t tell the whole story, however and while Terry’s still pop off the page, he passes the eye test even moreso. In one of my favorite plays from this past year, Terry runs a quick curl before turning into a go-route as Heinicke begins to scramble. The ball is rainbowed all the way to the goal line, where Terry has to come back 10 yards, climb the ladder, high point the ball, and rip it out of Stephon Gilmore’s hands. Just an unbelievable catch with the game on the line. Keep in mind, Terry is only listed at 6’0” and he manages to fully moss one of the better corners in the league. While not as impressive, Terry still manages something very similar on this play against the Packers. With Eric Stokes draped all over him, Terry has to slow down and come back to the throw, fighting through contact and tracking the ball all the way into his arms. This play against my beloved 49ers is just as ridiculous and exemplifies Terry’s play all season long. Just look at the second replay and watch a masterclass in ball tracking and repositioning, all while keeping the defender on his back. And here’s another fantastic grab in traffic from the same game. Against the Giants, Terry proved that he wasn’t just a jump ball merchant, making a terrific one-handed catch on a ball thrown behind him, shedding a strong tackle, and prancing into the endzone. His route running is also superb, showing it off against the Eagles, where he sells an inside move before spinning out into a post-corner, leaving the DB in the dust. He does something very similar against Houston, selling inside to get the corner turned, before quickly turning into an out route.
Terry McLaurin is a phenomenal receiver and deserves to be mentioned as one of the NFL’s absolute elite. If Washington managed to field a competent QB, Terry might be putting up 1500 yard seasons with his backpack of skills. With his extension kicking in and Sam Howell showing promise to end the season, we may see Terry take that next step to superstardom. No matter what, though, Scary Terry will continue to terrify opposing defenders.
79 - Mark Andrews - Baltimore Ravens - Tight End
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | N/A | 80 | N/A |
Key Stat:
2nd most receiving yards and receiving touchdowns among tight ends since 2019
Written by: u/Victory_SSB
After having a Travis Kelce like season in 2021, Mark Andrews followed up with a worse, but still very good season in 2022. Andrews had games this past year where it felt like he was the best tight end in the game, and others where he seemed obsolete. Two examples of the former were his week 2 and 6 performances. Having a touchdown in both games and having 106 and 104 yards in each of them. But then for the latter, you had games like week 4 against Buffalo where he had only 2 catches for 15 yards while playing 94% of snaps.
Despite regressing in the receiving game especially in his hands where his drop rate shot up by 5.1%, he was an amazing run blocker. He had a big role in the Ravens' run game as Greg Roman just loved outside runs and just running the ball in general. Our top three backs all averaged over 5 yards per carry and Mark did his part by making their jobs much easier on handoffs.
Mark Andrews, despite having a down year compared to last year and missing about 3 whole games, still managed to earn the 79 spot on this years addition of the r/NFL Top 100. Oh yeah he also has type 1 diabetes.
#78 - Corey Linsley - Los Angeles Chargers - Center
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 26 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Career high 90.2 PFF pass blocking grade
Written by: u/BigLewi
One of the most dominant pass blocking Centers in the NFL, Corey Linsley continued to show how important of an acquisition he has been for the Chargers in 2022. His adjustments at the LOS help hide perhaps Justin Herbert's biggest weakness as a young QB. This, paired with his ability to react in real time to missed assignments or stunts makes him one of the most integral parts to the Chargers pass offense. Corey's ability to help neutralize multiple pass rushers in the same play is a quality only the elite linemen in the NFL possess and it managed to help an undermanned and poorly coached offense to still produce at a fairly high level all season.
Linsley also excelled at getting up the field in run protection often helping the guard before moving to the second level. It was a credit to him that he continued his elite play while losing an Pro Bowl caliber LT and having 2 rookies start for the majority of the season, hopefully with a new OC and more consistency with his surrounding linemen, he can continue to produce at an All Pro and challenge Kelce and Humphrey to become the best Center in football.
#77 - Terron Armstead - Miami Dolphins - Offensive Tackle
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 45 | 51 | 73 | N/A | N/A | 45 | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
The Dolphins averaged 16 points per game when Armstead didn't play, compared to 25 points per game when he did play
Written by: u/pengionmidteg
Death, Taxes, Terron Armstead being an elite left tackle in the NFL. To be quite honest with you, I’m not exactly sure what to write about Terron Armstead that hasn’t already been said about him. As a saints fan, I got very used to watching this guy dominate at the left tackle position for a decade.
Armstead has established himself as one of the best Left Tackles in the NFL for a decade now, due to his great pass blocking and even better run blocking. As a pass blocker, Armstead continued his dominance this year allowing only 1 sack on 435 pass block attempts, while also only allowing 2 hits and 12 hurries on his way to his 4th pro bowl season. Here are some great examples of Armstead not giving up any ground to the outside edge rusher giving tua a ton of space to get his throws off.
Armstead isn’t just a good pass blocker though, his run blocking is even better, and he excels in double teams. New offensive guru head coach Mike McDaniel follows in the footsteps of his predecessor when it comes to finding great run blocking left tackles. Armstead is often being pulled or motioned into zone runs, in which he begins to excel finding ket initial blocks to open up holes, or further blocks down field for big gains. His speed and agility are key to front lining this fast and explosive monster offense the Dolphins have created this year and the distant future.
#76 - Jonathan Allen - Washington Commanders - Interior Defensive Linemen (IDL)
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Tied for third in tackles for loss among all DT's, per pfr
Written by: u/Ch-i-ef
Heading into the 2022 season, there were many questions surrounding the Washington Commanders. From ownership (cough Dan Snyder) to their offense (cough Carson Wentz), there were many doubts about the legitimacy of the team. However, there was one unit to not be taken lightly, and that was their Defensive Line. From the edges; Montez Sweat and Chase Young who was returning from an ACL injury...eventually anyway. From the interior; Daron Payne and of course, Jonathan Allen, who came off an outstanding 2021 season that produced 9 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 30 QB hits, and a Pro Bowl nomination. With the 2022 season coming up, Allen looked to make another impactful season.
Despite a lot of short-comings for the Commanders this season, their Defensive Line never let up in production. Not to be overshadowed by Daron Payne's fantastic season with 11.5 sacks, Jonathan Allen had a big impact for the Commanders. 7.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 30 QB hits, 2 Forced Fumbles, and an Interception, leading to his second Pro Bowl nomination in 2 years. And his tape is just flat out fun to watch. Allen has a combination of strength to completely overpower the opposing lineman as well as great technique and speed to get around a lineman in a flash. Here's a few highlight clips:
Shouldering a Center all the way to the RB in the backfield? Check.
Big man pick? Big man pick.
How about a swim move strip sack?
One of my favorite highlights of his season. A quick step with a burst of speed off the line of scrimmage as well as pure strength to plow through a double team and wrap up the RB on the outside run. All Jonathan Allen here.
So what's next for Jonathan Allen? There's 2 years left on his $72,000,000 contract he signed back in 2021, and he's doing everything to prove he's worth the money. He may be approaching the later half of his NFL career at age 28, but with what Allen has shown on the field, he has more then enough gas left for another phenomenal year and then some.
#75 - Christian Wilkins - Miami Dolphins - Interior Defensive Linemen (IDL)
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Lead all DT's in tackles, solo tackles, and stops
Written by: u/cnvas_home
Christian Wilkins' cemented role as the leader of a chronically "overperforming" NFL defense after nearly 5 years has only seen his on-field performance continue to speak for itself. Ranked behind only Chris Jones in total snap count out of the position in the past season, Wilkins' ability to stay healthy and impact the blitz at an elite level goes on like clockwork. Still comfortably ranked within the top 5 in most metrics against the run (in sheer volume and niche PFF metrics alike) Wilkins is a run specialist who still had a higher snap count against the pass than everyone not named Chris Jones.
One thing to look for next time you watch a Fins' game is how quickly Wilkins will finish plays against the run. He routinely comes out of nowhere. We can only hope his high impact play will translate next year into his first Pro Bowl (or All-Pro Team) berth. The Dolphins soon face a crucial impasse as Wilkins' fifth year option expires, but for now, Miami can still take refuge within what he offers on the field game-in-and-game-out.
#74 - Brian Burns - Carolina Panthers - EDGE Rusher
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | 100 | N/A |
Key Stat:
174 pressures in the last three years - 4th most in the NFL
Written by: u/MattyT7
There is a reason the Rams reportedly offered first round picks in 2024 and 2025 (as well as a second round pick) in exchange for the services of Brian Burns. Just 25 years old, Burns is one of the best young pass rushers in the league right now, and can succeed from almost anywhere on the line of scrimmage. As a rookie in 2019, Burn registered 7.5 sacks, followed by back-to-back 9 sack seasons, and accumulating 12.5 this past season. He is a major force to be reckoned with, and will anchor any line he’s on for years too come.
Burns has a near elite combination of speed and power. Do not try to pick him up with a tight end, do not try to pick him up with a running back. You will not succeed. At 6’5 250 pounds, Burns is big and long whilst still maintaining speed that can blow past any offensive lineman in the league. He has a killer bullrush and utilizes great handwork to dominate opposing lineman. Burns truly is a jack of all trades, capable of winning against offensive lineman using power, speed, and/or technique. Against the Bucs, Burns showcases both his nimbleness as a rusher as well as the respect he has earned as a dominant edge. Burns is able to exemplify his strengths as a pass rusher and hit the LT with a beautiful stutter/swim to get to Brady on the sack. He stops on a dime and makes the LT over-leverage himself out of position, giving him a clear path to Brady. Speaking about his incredibly length, he makes use of his wingspan on this awesome strip-sack on Russell Wilson. As a Seahawks fan, I am glad to not see Burns on the same DL as Aaron Donald, regardless of the price it would have taken. He has an arsenal of weapons and can use any depending on what the opposing OL gives him.
Entering his 5th-year option season, the Panthers will need to lock Burns down… unless they decide to trade him. He is due an extension, and will cost a pretty penny. But he is one of the most talented and exciting young defensive players in the league. He and cornerback Jaycee Horn are the type of players you can build an elite defense around. Having already turned down 2 first rounders and a second rounder in exchange for him, it’s hard to envision the Panthers sending him elsewhere. They would be wise to lock this man down ASAP.
#73 - Jeffery Simmons - Tennessee Titans - Interior Defensive Linemen
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
Rushes against the middle of the Titans line averaged by far the fewest Adjusted Line Yards, per Football Outsiders
Written by: u/ThatOneGuyFrom93
Power, hand usage, and quickness are the three key attributes that helped Jeffery Simmons become one of the most impactful interior defensive linemen during his fairly young career. Simmons stayed pretty consistent following his breakout 2021 season.
He remained a problem for opposing QBs in 2022 racking up 7.5 sacks and 7 passes broken up at the line of scrimmage. Simmons was able to do most of his damage in the passing game using either his overwhelming power in one on ones with a bullrush or by using his quickness & hands to execute his stutter-swim technique to quickly get by opposing guards. Here is another example of him using a quick stutter to freeze Matt Feiler allowing him to immediately brush his hands off of him at 1st contact .
Simmons was no slouch against the run, particularly against inside and outside zone runs. Due to his combination of strength and overall quickness/speed for his position, he is partially adept at getting the upper hand on lineman moving horizontally to the LOS.
He displayed the quickness to not lose the position battle and if he did he had the strength to easily turn the offensive players movement against him, pushing them right into the play. On this first play in particular you can see this power being displayed to force the lineman right into Saquon's lap with a yank-bullrush . The second play showcases his quickness again as he's able to quickly get past guard without losing speed.
It's safe to say that the 25 year old Defensive Tackle has more than earned his 4 year extension and has even more to show going forward.
#72 - DeVonta Smith - Philadelphia Eagles - Wide Receiver
Previous Ranks
| 2021 |
|---|
| N/A |
Key Stat:
6 of 7 touchdowns game against divisional opponents
Written by: u/penguinmidteg
Tim Brown, Desmond Howard, DeVonta Smith. What’s one thing all these players have in common? Yep. Extremely basic last names… But it doesn’t end there! They also won a heisman thing too apparently. As for Brown and Howard, this is where the similarities end, with Brown going on to have a Hall of Fame career, and Howard, well he did win a Super Bowl MVP award but his wide receiving career left some to be desired. The question was, which type of career was the newest Heisman winner going to have?
After receiving his award, and being taken 10th overall by the Eagles in 2021, DeVonta HeiSmithTM made quick work in showing his historical collegiate career was no fluke, as he would go on to have over 100 targets along with 916 yards and 5 scores as a rookie. With many questioning Smiths size and ability to play in the NFL during his first season, this past offseason a new challenge arose as Smith would now have to take a back seat to fellow superstar wr AJ Brown…. Right?.... WRONG
Even with a now much more limited opportunity, Smith continued to not only produce, but produce at an extremely elite and efficient level. Playing as lightning to AJBs thunder, Smith flourished, often taking the lead himself as wr1 on the eagles, finishing the year with 1,200 yards 140 targets and 7 tds, with another 200 yards over 3 games in the playoffs. Many could even argue the second half of the year AJB was often the thunder to Smiths lighting, as Smith lead the entire NFL in receiving from week 11 on including playoffs.
Buuuuut stats are boring, lets take some time to enjoy this mans incredible season with some of my favorite plays of his; Week 3 v the Commanders. En route to having 12 targets for 169nice yards and a score, Smith also decided to show the world his elite ball playing skills (pause). Seriously though, this play makes me smile everytime I see it, the way he tracks, pinpoints, waits for the ball, finishing off with a beautiful over the shoulder catch while toe tapping the sidelines, I just can’t say enough about this play.
This next play against the Titans in Week 13 is not a flashy play, but it’s one that needs to be shown as it’s something Smith has always excelled at, and thats turning a defender's hips before breaking on his route. Although it is somewhat off screen, and not great from the corner, this route for Smith and the eagles was dominant all year, and felt it needed to be shown. This next route was probably Smiths most dominant, which is an out route for a touchdown. This catch is nothing special other than a very well run route, but it was one Smith dominated with all year, that also capped off a 60 yard drive from our HeiSmith for a touchdown..
These last few highlights are just some more of my favorites, that will also make you say wow. contested over the shoulder Week 14 v Bears, another great cut outside for a touchdown , and by far my favorite catch of his, this insane toe tap catch vs the Cowboys... just lol.
After two great seasons, DeVonta HeiSmithTM is bound for another incredible 2023 season, and if you’re a fan of wide receivers, then this kid is must see tv.
#71 - Frank Ragnow - Detroit Lions - Center
Previous Ranks
| 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | 60 | N/A | N/A |
Key Stat:
First Lions OL to make multiple pro bowls since Kevin Glover in the 90's. First season with multiple Lions OL Pro Bowlers since Glover and Lomas Brown in 1995
Written by: u/puntfootballs
More than any other position group, the offensive line depends on complete cohesive play from all 5 starters in order to produce even a passable product. It’s the truly great offensive lines around the league, however, that have a linchpin star who rises the talent around them, like a Peyton Manning in a room full of Austin Collies. For the elite offensive line of the Detroit Lions, I believe Frank Ragnow is that linchpin.
In 2021, Frank dealt with injuries, and we saw the Lions entire offense suffer for it. It's no coincidence that in 2022, a healthier Linchpin Ragnow came back and we saw the entire Lions offensive operation rise with his tide, with Ragnow allowing just 1 sack, and accounting for just 4 penalties in over 1,000 snaps. Frank “Poseidon” Ragnow wasn’t just great at keeping Goff upright in the middle of the field (the Lions allowed the second fewest sacks in the league with a statue QB in Jared Goff), he was an absolute anchor in the interior for the running game. Against some highly touted athletes, like Philadelphia’s Jordan Davis, Frank not only held his own, but took his man out of the play, and was consistently excellent at finding his next block up the field. Ragnow, along with his 4 counterparts, played like a 24-hour ihop delivering pancake after pancake blocking for a middling RB room to the tune of 4.5 YPC, and producing the NFL’s 11th ranked running attack.
If you need any more evidence in say, pass protection, take 5 minutes out of your day to watch any play in this Jared Goff highlight reel. In every one of these plays, whether Goff throws a dime, or Aman-Ra turns a duck into YAC, the amount of space Goff has in the middle of his line of vision to make reads and find his man is remarkable, and part of the reason the QB had a career year. His anchor and strength in pass pro are amongst the best in the league and make up for his (minor) weakness by way of his slower get-off. Linchpin Frank “Poseidon” Ragnow is now the league’s second highest paid center, behind just one Canton-bound Kelce brother and the Lions made a wise investment in keeping him for the long haul. Expect Ragnow to stay on this list for years to come, should he stay healthy.
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