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Yahoo
2 minutes ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Buccaneers have lofty goals as they kick off training camp for franchise's 50th season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lofty goals entering the franchise's 50th season. They want to celebrate their golden year with their third Vince Lombardi trophy. Every team hopes to win the Super Bowl, of course, but it's more realistic for some than others. Count the Buccaneers among those who should be considered legitimate contenders even though they don't get much attention. Tampa Bay is tied with Chicago for the 14th-best Super Bowl odds, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. 'I know we can get it done,' veteran linebacker Lavonte David said Wednesday. 'I feel like we fell short last year, I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year, honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what we are capable of and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together and I always say, 'Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it.' We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that.' With Baker Mayfield turning into a top-tier quarterback and dynamic playmakers like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving around him, the Buccaneers have an offense that can compete with the best. Mayfield last season became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 4,000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns and a completion percentage over 70. Evans flashed midseason form when training camp kicked off with a morning practice. But with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders watching from the bleachers, Antoine Winfield Jr. and the defense made more big plays for a unit that's looking for more takeaways. 'It's just good to see him healthy,' coach Todd Bowles said of Winfield, an All-Pro in 2023 who missed eight games last year. 'I'm not going to put too much into the first day — we're in shorts and T-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and a T-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.' Sanders, who is the head coach at Colorado, was in town to see his son Shilo. The Buccaneers signed safety Shilo Sanders as an undrafted free agent to add depth in the secondary. His younger brother, Shedeur, was selected in the fifth round by the Browns. He's competing for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. The Buccaneers finished 10-8 last season, including a 23-20 home loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Commanders ended up reaching the NFC championship game. General manager Jason Licht upgraded the offense in the offseason by re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and drafting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. He bolstered the defense by signing veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round) and edge David Walker (fourth round). Tampa opened camp with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs sidelined after having knee surgery earlier this month. Bowles is optimistic about Wirfs and Godwin returning sooner than later. ___ AP NFL:
Al Arabiya
4 minutes ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Buccaneers have lofty goals as they kick off training camp for franchise's 50th season
The four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lofty goals entering the franchise's 50th season. They want to celebrate their golden year with their third Vince Lombardi trophy. Every team hopes to win the Super Bowl of course, but it's more realistic for some than others. Count the Buccaneers among those who should be considered legitimate contenders, even though they don't get much attention. Tampa Bay is tied with Chicago for the 14th-best Super Bowl odds according to BetMGM Sportsbook. 'I know we can get it done,' veteran linebacker Lavonte David said Wednesday. 'I feel like we fell short last year. I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what we are capable of, and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together, and I always say, Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it. We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that.' With Baker Mayfield turning into a top-tier quarterback and dynamic playmakers like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving around him, the Buccaneers have an offense that can compete with the best. Mayfield last season became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 4000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns, and a completion percentage over 70 percent. Evans flashed midseason form when training camp kicked off with a morning practice. But with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders watching from the bleachers, Antoine Winfield Jr. and the defense made more big plays for a unit that's looking for more takeaways. 'It's just good to see him healthy,' coach Todd Bowles said of Winfield, an All-Pro in 2023 who missed eight games last year. 'I'm not going to put too much into the first day – we're in shorts and T-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and a T-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.' Sanders, who is the head coach at Colorado, was in town to see his son Shilo. The Buccaneers signed safety Shilo Sanders as an undrafted free agent to add depth in the secondary. His younger brother Shedeur was selected in the fifth round by the Browns. He's competing for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. The Buccaneers finished 10-8 last season, including a 23-20 home loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Commanders ended up reaching the NFC championship game. General manager Jason Licht upgraded the offense in the offseason by re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and drafting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. He bolstered the defense by signing veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round) and edge David Walker (fourth round). Tampa opened camp with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs sidelined after having knee surgery earlier this month. Bowles is optimistic about Wirfs and Godwin returning sooner than later.
Associated Press
33 minutes ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Buccaneers have lofty goals as they kick off training camp for franchise's 50th season
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The four-time defending NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers have lofty goals entering the franchise's 50th season. They want to celebrate their golden year with their third Vince Lombardi trophy. Every team hopes to win the Super Bowl, of course, but it's more realistic for some than others. Count the Buccaneers among those who should be considered legitimate contenders even though they don't get much attention. Tampa Bay is tied with Chicago for the 14th-best Super Bowl odds, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. 'I know we can get it done,' veteran linebacker Lavonte David said Wednesday. 'I feel like we fell short last year, I feel like we would have had a great run at it last year, honestly. We just fell short, and definitely unfortunate, but probably one of the main reasons why I came back, and I know what we are capable of and I know what we can do. We have the talent to do it, and we have the mindset to do it. So, we just got to put it all together and I always say, 'Offense just do their thing, defense we just have to take care of it.' We have just got to do a better job defensively, and I think we'll get to the promised land if we do that.' With Baker Mayfield turning into a top-tier quarterback and dynamic playmakers like Mike Evans and Bucky Irving around him, the Buccaneers have an offense that can compete with the best. Mayfield last season became just the fourth player in NFL history to have 4,000 yards passing, 40 touchdowns and a completion percentage over 70. Evans flashed midseason form when training camp kicked off with a morning practice. But with Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders watching from the bleachers, Antoine Winfield Jr. and the defense made more big plays for a unit that's looking for more takeaways. 'It's just good to see him healthy,' coach Todd Bowles said of Winfield, an All-Pro in 2023 who missed eight games last year. 'I'm not going to put too much into the first day — we're in shorts and T-shirts getting acclimated. He made some plays in shorts and a T-shirt that I know he can make in pads. I was just happy to see him moving around.' Sanders, who is the head coach at Colorado, was in town to see his son Shilo. The Buccaneers signed safety Shilo Sanders as an undrafted free agent to add depth in the secondary. His younger brother, Shedeur, was selected in the fifth round by the Browns. He's competing for the starting quarterback job in Cleveland. The Buccaneers finished 10-8 last season, including a 23-20 home loss to Washington in the playoffs. The Commanders ended up reaching the NFC championship game. General manager Jason Licht upgraded the offense in the offseason by re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin, who is still recovering from a severe ankle injury, and drafting Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka 19th overall. He bolstered the defense by signing veteran edge rusher Haason Reddick and drafting cornerbacks Benjamin Morrison (second round) and Jacob Parrish (third round) and edge David Walker (fourth round). Tampa opened camp with All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs sidelined after having knee surgery earlier this month. Bowles is optimistic about Wirfs and Godwin returning sooner than later. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL training camp: 4 big storylines to watch, including J.J. McCarthy taking reins of NFC contender
By the end of Wednesday, all 32 NFL teams will have reported for training camp. Storylines will develop as practices and preseason games begin, and teams get a look at who's stepping up and what areas of need they still must address. Four big storylines stand out as teams report. Let's take a look. Advertisement Is J.J. McCarthy ready for Vikings' starting QB role? McCarthy has a great situation and a tough role to play this year for Minnesota. At their best, they can probably win a Super Bowl, or at least go on a run to threaten the NFC. In order to do that, they'll need first-year starter J.J. McCarthy to come in and play like a top half of the first round player right off the bat. He missed his entire rookie season due to a knee injury, and now steps in for Sam Darnold, who had a Pro Bowl campaign in 2024 before struggling in the Vikings' final two games and leaving for Seattle in free agency. The NFC North is going to be loaded with talent this year that will make it a difficult journey for this young quarterback, but the supporting cast and coaching staff that includes Justin Jefferson and Kevin O'Connell should at least help him on that journey. We'll find out soon. And if there are struggles, is a Kirk Cousins reunion potentially out there? Latest on Browns' QB competition Shedeur Sanders is the talk of Cleveland, despite apparently being buried on the Browns' depth chart to start training camp. (Ken Blaze-Imagn Images) (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect / Reuters) Nothing yet, really, with rookies having reported Friday. But a fifth-round rookie quarterback on a rebuilding team that has two first-round picks in the next NFL Draft continues to draw attention from the outside. Advertisement Shedeur Sanders is the talk of NFL fans everywhere, even ignoring his current reality of being a fringe roster candidate going into camp. Instead of competing against Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett for the starting job, Sanders is really more competing with fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel for a back-up role. We'll just have to see what happens here, but the admiration and time being spent on this isn't worth where he actually is on the Browns roster at this point in time. Maybe a few solid preseason games can change this, but he's fighting a massive uphill battle to still be a fixture in the Browns quarterback room this time next year. Win out among the four quarterbacks in the battle. Be good enough on a bad team for Cleveland to skip out on what looks to be a much better quarterback class next year. Yeah, good luck. Hopefully people can be reasonable about this situation, but it hasn't happened yet. We're likely looking at Flacco starting the year. Trey Hendrickson still doesn't have the contract he's looking for For the love of God, Mike Brown. Pay your players. No one has time for anymore 'Bengals didn't pay player X' headlines. Enough! Trey Hendrickson is apparently in Florida instead of reporting to training camp and still doesn't have a deal, saying his offer was "atrociously, atrociously low." First-round pick Shemar Stewart doesn't have a deal, one of only two players from this past 257-man draft class without one. Advertisement Are the Bengals competing for a Super Bowl or not? Having public feuds with two players who are going to play a huge role in Cincinnati achieving their goals this season feels a little shortsighted. Jerry Jones still hasn't signed Micah Parsons + other holdouts This has been written ad nauseam, but Cowboys team owner and GM Jerry Jones still hasn't paid arguably the best edge rusher in the league. Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt both got market-resetting deals this offseason, which has only made the price for Parsons higher than it was in the past. (Imagine if Trey Hendrickson signs before Parsons, too.) Jones continues to be difficult, but paying Parsons is still his only real option. This is just a brutal story to have lingering for over a year now. Advertisement Elsewhere in the division, the Commanders are having a bit of an issue getting wide receiver Terry McLaurin signed to a deal. That's definitely something they'll want to have cleaned up before camp given how much Jayden Daniels relied on McLaurin as a rookie. The Packers are also having a holdout issue with offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins, who wants a new deal shortly after the Packers signed fellow offensive lineman Zach Tom. The Rams will also reportedly negotiate a contract extension with running back Kyren Williams during training camp, though Williams has said he'll practice while it's happening. And 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings has reported to training camp, with head coach Kyle Shanahan dispelling reports he requested a trade last week.
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Contract squabbles are the top NFL storyline as teams kick off training camp
Contract squabbles. Quarterback competitions. Comeback quests. Those will be just a few of the storylines to watch during NFL training camp. When the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Falcons report on Wednesday, all 32 teams will be ready to go. Each one is 0-0 and can dream about winning the Super Bowl. It's a much more realistic thought for some teams than others. Still, it's a long road that requires key players staying healthy, plenty of luck and exceptional performances in the biggest moments. Here are five of the most compelling storylines to watch: Contract issues Micah Parsons is going to become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history because Jerry Jones and the Dallas Cowboys have waited to give the two-time All-Pro a contract extension. Last year, Jones made Dak Prescott the league's first $60 million man. How long will it take to get the deal done? Will it impact Parsons' participation in practice? All-Pro edge rusher Trey Hendrickson wants a new contract from the Cincinnati Bengals, who also haven't signed first-round pick Shemar Stewart. The Bengals are holding their ground. Something has to give if they want to compete for a championship because their defense needs the help. Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin also is seeking an extension. Washington, which lost to the Eagles in the NFC title game, acquired Deebo Samuel and reworked his contract. They'll want McLaurin on board to make the offense even more dynamic. Quarterback battles The Cleveland Browns have used 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999. That number will increase by Week 1 unless veteran Joe Flacco wins a four-way competition against Kenny Pickett and rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco, the Super Bowl 47 MVP, was the AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year when he led the Browns to the playoffs in 2023. He's the favorite going into camp. The Indianapolis Colts brought in veteran Daniel Jones to battle Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023 who has been injured often and has a lingering shoulder problem. Rookie Tyler Shough, second-year pro Spencer Rattler and unproved Jake Haener will compete to replace Derek Carr, who retired after two seasons in New Orleans. The New York Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency and then traded up to get Jaxson Dart in the first round. General manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll are in win-now mode so whichever quarterback gives them the best chance to compete in a difficult NFC East will get the job. Comeback kids Prescott returns in Dallas after a serious hamstring injury forced him to miss nine games. After getting the richest contract in NFL history, Prescott has plenty to prove for the Cowboys, who haven't played in NFC championship game since the 1995 season. Christian McCaffrey, the 2023 AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, is back for the San Francisco 49ers, who went 6-11 after losing the Super Bowl the previous season. McCaffrey missed 13 games last season, a year after finishing third in voting for the NFL MVP award. The Detroit Lions welcome back star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson after going one-and-done in the playoffs following a 15-win season. Hutchinson had 7 1/2 sacks in five games before he broke his leg. QB J.J. McCarthy will make his NFL debut after sitting out his entire rookie season because of a knee injury. McCarthy replaces Sam Darnold, who led Minnesota to 14 wins. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave wide receiver Chris Godwin a $66 million, three-year contract despite an ankle injury that ended his season after seven games. Godwin had 50 catches for 576 yards and five touchdowns before his injury. Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa missed six games last season, including the final two with a hip injury. He missed four games because of a concussion and his history of head injuries has been a concern. Curtain call for Rodgers Aaron Rodgers has teamed up with Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh, aiming to help the Steelers win another Lombardi trophy. The four-time NFL MVP couldn't get the New York Jets to end their playoff drought. Now, he's looking to go out on top and bring Pittsburgh its seventh Super Bowl. Tomlin, the longest-tenured coach in the NFL, has never had a losing season but the Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season. Are the Eagles prepared for a repeat? Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and the Eagles ended the Kansas City Chiefs' bid for a three-peat with a dominant victory in the Super Bowl. Philadelphia lost Josh Sweat and Milton Sweat, who combined for 4 1/2 of the six sacks against Patrick Mahomes. But general manager Howie Roseman found ways to fill holes and kept a dynamic offense together. ___
