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More than four years after his last game, Philip Rivers retires as a Charger

More than four years after his last game, Philip Rivers retires as a Charger

NBC Sports3 days ago
Often overlooked in an age of Peyton Manning and Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson is a quarterback who joined the NFL in 2004 as a first-round pick and performed at a high level for 17 seasons.
More than four years after his last game — a playoff loss in Buffalo with the Colts — Philip Rivers has officially retired, with the Chargers.
While stats like this aren't regularly kept, it's got to be one of the longest gaps between a player's last game and his official retirement with one of his former teams. Still, it was a nice surprise on the Monday afternoon of training-camps-are-open week. Even if my first thought was that the algorithm had dug deeper into the past than it usually does.
Rivers ranks sixth all-time in passing yards, with 63,440. More than Matt Ryan, Dan Marino, Eli Manning, Warren Moon, and (for now) Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford. Rivers is also sixth in passing touchdowns with 421. More than Ryan, Marino, Eli, Moon, Ben Roethlisberger, and (for now) Stafford.
While not on the same level as the team's schedule-release videos, the segment posted on social media by the Chargers is worth your time. If only to remember his squeaky-voiced taunt to a Jaguars defender about a 'NINETY! YARD! TOUCHDOWN!'
It's a shame he never played in a Super Bowl. And it's a shame he doesn't get the attention he should. Philip Rivers was a great player, and a great character, of the past 20 years in the NFL.
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5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp
5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp

Yahoo

time10 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp

After a pair of acclimation days on Wednesday and Thursday, the Denver Broncos kicked off the first official day of training camp on Friday with about 800 fans in attendance (capacity has been reduced due to construction). Here are five quick takeaways following Day 1 of camp as we head into the weekend. 1. injury report: Wide receiver A.T. Perry (ankle; PUP) remains sidelined, and right tackle Mike McGlinchey was absent for the second straight day on Friday. Denver coach Sean Payton seemingly indicated that it's nothing to be concerned about. "He should be returning, I'm going to say, either tomorrow or Monday," Payton said. "We'll keep you posted. No announcements.' 2. Cornerback rotation: After getting reps as an outside cornerback earlier in the week, first-round draft pick Jahdae Barron lined up in the slot on Friday. Barron's versatility will be a great addition to Vance Joseph's secondary, and it improves depth at multiple positions because he's even capable of filling in at safety. "[T]here are a handful of guys that are going to dual train and there's a handful that would be outside," Payton said. "Every once in a while, you have a corner that can go to safety. There's a vision with each player relative to where we see him at. The flexibility certainly helps, especially on third down.' Payton noted that the team envisions Barron "starting off competing inside," but he's clearly capable of playing outside, too. 3. Troy Franklin's trending up: Multiple reporters after Friday's practice noted that Franklin had an impressive day. Payton also praised Franklin this spring, but after the first day of camp, the coach pushed back on potential Day 1 overreactions. 'We just started," Payton said when asked if Franklin's taking a step up in Year 2. "But do I think he has a chance to? [Yes.] I felt like we began to see that towards the latter part of last season. I'm looking forward to seeing him. He's had a real good offseason. It's just a little early to make headlines, 'Troy Franklin's making steps up.' He had a good day.' A good day. Just hold off on the headlines -- for now. 4. Que Robinson has also impressed: Robinson, the team's fourth-round pick in April's draft, is projected to begin his pro career primarily as a special teams player because the Broncos are so deep at outside linebacker. Robinson impressed this spring, though, and that seems to have carried over into training camp. "Que is coming on for sure," veteran Jonathon Cooper said Friday. "Definitely a big talent for us. I think he's going to be a great addition to the team." If Robinson continues this trend, the rookie pass rusher might end up getting more snaps on defense than initially expected. 5. Stay tuned for Monday: The pads aren't on yet, so it's hard to judge the running backs (and the trenches). Everything's different when players are wearing shorts and shirts. That will change when the pads arrive on Monday. "It's difficult for those guys, honestly," Payton said of the running backs taking reps without pads. "It's difficult for the offense and defensive lines. They're trying to do their jobs and to keep it safe. It becomes a little bit easier when we're in pads. I think up until then, it's difficult.' Denver is set to practice again on Saturday before a day off on Sunday. The team will have 13 total practices open to fans this summer (but tickets are required due to the limited capacity). Next week, the Broncos will have six straight days of practice as camp heats up. Stay tuned. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans. This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: 5 takeaways from Day 1 of training camp

College football analyst reveals thoughts about Bill Belichick coaching UNC football
College football analyst reveals thoughts about Bill Belichick coaching UNC football

USA Today

time11 minutes ago

  • USA Today

College football analyst reveals thoughts about Bill Belichick coaching UNC football

Will Bill Belichick work out at UNC? The North Carolina Tar Heels are nowhere close to a college football powerhouse, but they made a massive move this offseason in hopes they become a future powerhouse. In December 2024, UNC hired 8-time Super Bowl Champion Bill Belichick to be their next head coach. Belichick started his coaching career with the then-Baltimore Colts in 1975, coaching in the NFL until January 2024 with the New England Patriots. The Tar Heels are hoping that Belichick can find success early on in his college coaching career. But some analysts are not convinced he will. On his latest podcast, 247Sports' Josh Pate said he doesn't think the Belichick experiment will work at North Carolina. 'Swallow this about North Carolina: I flat out don't think it's (Belichick) going to work," Pate said. "I don't think that college football is remotely as comparable to the NFL, as the broad brush artists out there tend to paint it. Even if you have the investment, let's just say North Carolina's invested. A lot of the feedback I've gotten is they're taking it seriously. They're not going to pay him $10 million a year, but not get behind him. Even if you're behind him, you gotta go out-recruit Georgia or Alabama, or Clemson, or Miami. You can't just try and stay close to them and hope to out-develop them. Cause they're good at developing and recruiting.' Despite Belichick's extensive professional success, he's a first-time college coach. Belichick is no stranger to college football, spending his early childhood days in Kenan Stadium with his father, but hasn't coached a collegiate game before. There's plenty of hope weaving its way through Chapel Hill right now, as the Tar Heels have a multi-time Super Bowl Champion coaching them. In a perfect world, UNC wins the CFP National Championship this fall, but there's also plenty of risk with a first-time college coach. Belichick's collegiate coaching debut will come Monday, September 1 at 8 p.m. against TCU, with the Horned Frogs traveling to Kenan Stadium for a primetime kickoff on ESPN. How North Carolina plays in that game will be a key, early indicator of if the Belichick experiment. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.

Aidan Hutchinson already looking like his old self: Lions training camp news and notes
Aidan Hutchinson already looking like his old self: Lions training camp news and notes

New York Times

time12 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Aidan Hutchinson already looking like his old self: Lions training camp news and notes

ALLEN PARK, Mich. — On Friday, the Detroit Lions were in full pads for the first time this training camp. Also known as Dan Campbell's favorite day of the summer. 'This is where you find out who's who,' Campbell said Friday morning. This is when the real evaluation begins. It's when players distance themselves and the physicality Campbell has had to temper can be unleashed. Advertisement So, then, who's who? Let's discuss. The last time we saw Aidan Hutchinson in an NFL game, he was the frontrunner for defensive player of the year. He was the league leader in sacks, pressures, pass-rush win rate — pretty much any metric designed to tell you how good an edge rusher is. His team was up big against the Dallas Cowboys. It was a statement game for a team that had everything it needed to win a Super Bowl. Hutchinson was turning into a star before our very eyes. Then, in the blink of one, it all ended with a major leg injury. It has Hutchinson thinking about Sept. 7 already. 'In these hard days, you look forward to September and opening up with Green Bay,' Hutchinson said, speaking for the first time this training camp. 'So that's kind of the thought pattern. Everything is to be ready for that game.' There is little doubt that Hutchinson will be ready for that game. He thought he'd be ready for the Super Bowl if the Lions made it. He was ready in OTAs, taking the field for the first time since his injury without restriction. And he's certainly ready for training camp, especially now that the mental hurdle has been cleared. 'I would say the first day of OTAs, I went out there, I got kicked, stepped on, you can think of everything under the sun, on this leg,' Hutchinson said Friday, 'And after practice, I got up and I was like, 'All right. We're good.' I think it takes those physical things to happen to you to mentally solidify where you're at and the confidence and moving faster.' That's paved the way for this portion of the schedule. All eyes have been on Hutchinson. Recapturing the level of play he attained last season is one of the most fascinating storylines heading into 2025, and we won't truly know until the games begin. But the expectations are there. The Lions need him. Advertisement 'It's amazing to have Aidan back, man,' Lions defensive tackle DJ Reader said. 'He's one of the best in the game, so it's good to have him back and just keep building confidence for him.' 'He's trying to put himself in a position to have an All-Pro year,' Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said of Hutchinson. Hutchinson is already looking like Hutchinson. During one-on-one drills between the offensive line and defensive line, Hutchinson unleashed a nasty spin move — a staple of his repertoire — on Dan Skipper. Perfectly in stride, no wasted movement, right to the QB. Gotta feel for Skip. It was the quickest rush win I've ever seen in this drill. In a team period late in practice, the No. 1 offense was facing the No. 1 defense. Hutchinson won his rep against tackle Penei Sewell and would've put Jared Goff in the dirt if he were allowed to. He's making it look easier than he should for a player still shaking off the rust — if there was any. No coincidence his best practice of training camp just so happened to be the first time he's worn full pads in nine months. Hutchinson doesn't look or sound like a player with anything to prove, like he did in his first couple of seasons. He doesn't sound like a player still regaining confidence after a devastating injury. When Hutchinson obtains a certain level of play, that's the new bar to clear. He sounds like a player who believes he's found his standard. 'I'm at a point now in my career where it's like, you're shooting for the stars every year,' Hutchinson said. 'And if that's not the expectation or standard you put to yourself, it's got to be that way. I think from here on out, those first couple of years, you're getting in the league and figuring it out. But now, it's every year. The standard is what it is.' Earlier this week, Dan Campbell revealed a conversation he had with his young linebacker — Jack Campbell. Though there's no relation, these two share the same football DNA. Campbell was selected 18th two years ago to one day anchor this defense. That time is now. 'This is his defense,' the coach said. 'He's taken ownership and sets the tone for everybody.' Advertisement This wasn't always the case, but Campbell's tremendous growth from Year 1 to Year 2 paved the way for this moment — and anyone paying attention could've seen it coming. The tools that made Campbell a first-round pick never went away despite a rocky rookie season in 2023. Back then, Campbell was playing out of position and going through typical first-year struggles. The speed of the game and the mental requirements of playing multiple positions as a rookie showed up in his film. But toward the end of the season, Campbell was playing better football, looking more and more like the player he has become after a move to middle linebacker. That's what he was drafted to be. The Lions didn't toy with him in his second year. It led to a breakout season — leading the team in tackles, playing every game in the heart of an injured unit and making the calls for the defense. He has the look of one of the NFL's best young linebackers. He's positioned himself for this opportunity. 'When I came back, we talked individually and he just let me know that,' Jack Campbell said, when asked his reaction to Dan Campbell's words. 'And it definitely means a lot. I take pride in that, but it's not going to change who I am. … I'm not going to change who I am, but it's an honor. But it also takes 10 other guys on the field with me to be able to produce what we want to do. It takes all of the other guys who aren't on the field, it takes all the assistant coaches, it takes all the coaches to make one big group, one heartbeat, and that's what we're working towards right now.' Campbell is the man in the middle during training camp. He's leading every huddle and directing traffic on the field. Veteran Alex Anzalone isn't practicing right now, so Campbell has taken it upon himself to be that guy for this defense. He's off to a strong start, based on the first few practices. A few days ago, he made a diving play on a pass to tight end Sam LaPorta during a team period. He scooped up a fumble forced by cornerback Terrion Arnold and ran it back for a would-be touchdown. He's seeing run plays at a lightning-quick pace, and even when the tackle isn't there to be made, he's redirecting ball carriers by being one of the first to break through. Campbell said his focus is on eliminating mental errors. It also feels like he has more playmaking upside in his game, and if he can take another step in man coverage, he'll be recognized as one of the game's best. If this is his floor, Campbell is going to be a very good player in this league for years to come. But he has a chance to be discussed among the best in the game with another leap. He has a different approach, however. Advertisement 'I'm just out there playing football,' Campbell said. 'I'm trying to be the best Jack Campbell I can be every single day, nobody else. Whatever I got to do to make this defense the best it can be, I'm going to do it.' • Arnold (leg) and Derrick Barnes (finger) returned to practice Friday after exiting Thursday. No issues there. • Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams didn't practice Friday. It looked like wide receiver Tim Patrick was limited. • I caught up with defensive tackle Roy Lopez (foot) and cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (bruised chest) briefly after practice. They're still out, but both said they expect to be back soon. • A couple of highlights from the one-on-one tackling drills: Arnold and wide receiver Jameson Williams were the first pairing. Williams got the best of Arnold with a spin move. Arnold came right back on the next matchup and stonewalled Williams upon first contact. These two are fun to watch. • Campbell and running back David Montgomery were also paired up on a rep. This drill hasn't always been too kind to Campbell — mostly because they almost always pair him against Montgomery. On the first rep, Montgomery won easily. On the second, though, Campbell laid down a huge hit that fired up the defense. It was the last rep of the drill. Great win, great way to end. • Here's Jack Campbell on Montgomery: 'David, in my opinion, is one of the hardest backs to tackle just because he can put his foot in the ground and his one-cut and his burst is insane, and he can also run you over. … He got me earlier and then I kind of went back to the line, thought about how it happened and then the next play I just let it rip and it all worked out.' • Wide receiver Dominic Lovett tried to hurdle cornerback Amik Robertson during the open-field tackling drill. It went about as well for him as you'd expect. Robertson put him in the dirt. Advertisement • Wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa was ready for the moment. He was physical in the tackling drill and used to his size to 'Moss' cornerback Avonte Maddox during a team period. • LaPorta's blocking looks like it has improved tremendously. The Lions had offensive players blocking blitzing defenders in a one-on-one drill and LaPorta won each of the two reps I saw without trouble. It was impressive stuff. • Guard Christian Mahogany just looks like a seasoned veteran. He made quick work of defensive tackle Chris Smith in the OL-DL drill. Didn't look like he broke a sweat. • The Lions spent a good portion of their team periods running the ball. Graham Glasgow handled center reps, with Tate Ratledge at right guard. The results were mixed. • Defensive lineman Keith Cooper, an undrafted free agent, got some first-team reps in the team period. Coaches are giving him opportunities.

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