Latest news with #Pickett
Hamilton Spectator
5 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Ottawa Redblacks' linebacker Adarius Pickett back to being his disruptive self
Adarius Pickett is back to being his disruptive self. The veteran linebacker was enjoying a solid first campaign with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024 before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. But the 28-year-old has returned with a vengeance, currently standing second in the CFL in defensive plays and tied for fourth in tackles. 'That was the goal going through rehab,' Pickett said. 'I had an amazing team I was working with in Los Angeles and I'm just thankful to everyone who chipped in to helping me get back to where I am right now.' The five-foot-11, 195-pound Pickett had 52 tackles, 14 special-teams tackles, a sack, forced fumble and interception last season before being injured in Ottawa's 37-21 road loss to Hamilton on Sept. 14. The Redblacks entered that game with an 8-3-1 record and battling Montreal for top spot in the East but lost five of their final six regular-season games to finish third. Despite the injury, Pickett was named an East Division all-star. He signed a one-year extension with Ottawa in January, which allowed the former UCLA Bruin to concentrate fully on his recovery. After starting his rehab slowly, Pickett progressed to multiple workouts daily five, sometimes six times per week. Pickett began those days getting up around 4 a.m. and often worked out at UCLA with a group that included DeShaun Foster, a former NFL running back who's now the Bruins' head coach. Pickett performed various drills under the watchful eye of John Johnson Jr., a former UCLA defensive back whose younger brother, Jaylon, is a cornerback with the Chicago Bears. 'I had no doubts when I got to camp because I'd put in so much work (during rehab),' Pickett said. 'My physical therapist Dr. Tim (Esguerra) was the guy I worked with in L.A. and he had answers to every question I had and pushed me every day to where I was confident walking into camp. 'When I got there, it was about working to get into football shape pretty much like everyone else in camp. Getting after it on a daily basis in the off-season and putting my body through many of the things you do during camp, I was better able to enjoy myself and being with my team.' Pickett is in his fifth CFL season and second with Ottawa. Entering this week's action, he has 32 tackles (three for loss), six special-teams tackles and two fumble recoveries. Pickett is second overall in total defensive plays (43) and tied four forth in tackles. The Berkeley, Calif., native was the East Division's top defensive player with Toronto in 2023 (105 tackles, 19 special-teams tackles, six interceptions and forced fumble). 'Adarius's '24 season was cut shot by a serious injury,' said Kenny Kim, of Summit Athletes, Picket's Florida-based agent. 'However, knowing his character, I was very confident he'd aggressively tackle his rehabilitation and be fully prepared for this season. 'As the best at his position, I know Adarius will continue to excel and keep leading his team.' Ottawa (1-5), however, hasn't enjoyed a solid a start to its season. The Redblacks have dropped three straight heading into their home game Sunday night versus Hamilton (3-2). The Ticats defeated Ottawa 23-20 last week. Hamilton won the turnover battle 4-1 and secured the victory on Bo Levi Mitchell's three-yard TD strike to Kenny Lawler with 1:54 remaining. Mitchell's second touchdown pass to Lawler capped a 50-yard, six-play drive that was kept alive by a roughing-the-passer penalty against the Redblacks on a second-down incompletion. Earlier in the quarter, Ottawa appeared to go ahead 27-13 on Kalil Pimpleton's 105-yard punt return but it was negated by an illegal block penalty. Not long after, Hamilton's Mack Bannatyne's recovered Pimpleton's fumbled punt return at the Redblacks 15-yard line. Although the Ticats turned the ball over on downs at the four-yard line with 5:12 remaining, their defence forced Ottawa to punt three plays later which gave Mitchell and Co. an opportunity to mount the game-winning drive. 'We've struggled to play a complete game,' Pickett said. 'Teams are finding a way to get it done against us so we've got to find a way to get it done as well. 'The players in the building believe in the team we have. I believe we'll get this thing turned around … it's really on us to go out there and take what we want.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa Redblacks' linebacker Adarius Pickett back to being his disruptive self
Adarius Pickett is back to being his disruptive self. The veteran linebacker was enjoying a solid first campaign with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024 before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury. But the 28-year-old has returned with a vengeance, currently standing second in the CFL in defensive plays and tied for fourth in tackles. 'That was the goal going through rehab,' Pickett said. 'I had an amazing team I was working with in Los Angeles and I'm just thankful to everyone who chipped in to helping me get back to where I am right now.' The five-foot-11, 195-pound Pickett had 52 tackles, 14 special-teams tackles, a sack, forced fumble and interception last season before being injured in Ottawa's 37-21 road loss to Hamilton on Sept. 14. The Redblacks entered that game with an 8-3-1 record and battling Montreal for top spot in the East but lost five of their final six regular-season games to finish third. Despite the injury, Pickett was named an East Division all-star. He signed a one-year extension with Ottawa in January, which allowed the former UCLA Bruin to concentrate fully on his recovery. After starting his rehab slowly, Pickett progressed to multiple workouts daily five, sometimes six times per week. Pickett began those days getting up around 4 a.m. and often worked out at UCLA with a group that included DeShaun Foster, a former NFL running back who's now the Bruins' head coach. Pickett performed various drills under the watchful eye of John Johnson Jr., a former UCLA defensive back whose younger brother, Jaylon, is a cornerback with the Chicago Bears. 'I had no doubts when I got to camp because I'd put in so much work (during rehab),' Pickett said. 'My physical therapist Dr. Tim (Esguerra) was the guy I worked with in L.A. and he had answers to every question I had and pushed me every day to where I was confident walking into camp. 'When I got there, it was about working to get into football shape pretty much like everyone else in camp. Getting after it on a daily basis in the off-season and putting my body through many of the things you do during camp, I was better able to enjoy myself and being with my team.' Pickett is in his fifth CFL season and second with Ottawa. Entering this week's action, he has 32 tackles (three for loss), six special-teams tackles and two fumble recoveries. Pickett is second overall in total defensive plays (43) and tied four forth in tackles. The Berkeley, Calif., native was the East Division's top defensive player with Toronto in 2023 (105 tackles, 19 special-teams tackles, six interceptions and forced fumble). Ottawa (1-5), however, hasn't enjoyed a solid a start to its season. The Redblacks have dropped three straight heading into their home game Sunday night versus Hamilton (3-2). The Ticats defeated Ottawa 23-20 last week. Hamilton won the turnover battle 4-1 and secured the victory on Bo Levi Mitchell's three-yard TD strike to Kenny Lawler with 1:54 remaining. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. Mitchell's second touchdown pass to Lawler capped a 50-yard, six-play drive that was kept alive by a roughing-the-passer penalty against the Redblacks on a second-down incompletion. Earlier in the quarter, Ottawa appeared to go ahead 27-13 on Kalil Pimpleton's 105-yard punt return but it was negated by an illegal block penalty. Not long after, Hamilton's Mack Bannatyne's recovered Pimpleton's fumbled punt return at the Redblacks 15-yard line. Although the Ticats turned the ball over on downs at the four-yard line with 5:12 remaining, their defence forced Ottawa to punt three plays later which gave Mitchell and Co. an opportunity to mount the game-winning drive. 'We've struggled to play a complete game,' Pickett said. 'Teams are finding a way to get it done against us so we've got to find a way to get it done as well. 'The players in the building believe in the team we have. I believe we'll get this thing turned around … it's really on us to go out there and take what we want.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 17, 2025.
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Diontae Johnson identifies Kenny Pickett as favorite in Browns QB battle
The Cleveland Browns are hosting a wide-open quarterback competition for the 2025 NFL season. The team's newest wide-out, Diontae Johnson, believes an early favorite emerged in the four-man race during minicamp. "I think they are going to roll with Kenny [Pickett] for right now," Johnson said during an appearance on the "Sports and Suits" podcast. "I've been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then Joe [Flacco] will come in." The Browns acquired Pickett in an offseason trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, who acquired Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a fifth-round pick in the deal. It marked the second consecutive offseason during which Pickett was traded, as the 2022 first-round pick was dealt from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Eagles in 2024. Pickett served as the backup behind Jalen Hurts during his lone season in Philadelphia. He played sparingly, winning his lone start while completing 25 of 42 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Pickett saw action in the Eagles' 40-22 blowout win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59, failing to complete his only pass and taking a knee three times to seal the victory. NFL DRAFT: Adding NBA's lottery could be quite fun − but it's unlikely for 3 reasons Johnson – who played with Pickett in Pittsburgh – thinks that recent experience with a Super Bowl-winning team could aid the 27-year-old as he looks to establish himself as an NFL starter. "I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see like coming off the season – he was with Philly and having a Super Bowl," Johnson said. "So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then, you know, they can live with what Joe comes and brings to the table." Johnson didn't provide much information on where rookie draft picks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders fall in Cleveland's current pecking order. Generally, the soon-to-be 29-year-old is trying not to focus too much on Cleveland's quarterback battle. Instead, he is simply trying to re-establish himself as a top NFL receiver after he played for three different teams in 2024 and was cut by the Baltimore Ravens after refusing to play in a game because of the cold. "I just want to attack every day one day at a time," Johnson said. "Not try to think too much about what's ahead and just be where my feet are because if I do that, I feel like I'm going to be pressing."
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Browns Pro Bowler Announces Shocking Starting Quarterback Prediction
Browns Pro Bowler Announces Shocking Starting Quarterback Prediction originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The biggest talking point up until and throughout Cleveland Browns training camp is a simple one. One Browns fans have reluctantly grown accustomed to asking for decades. Advertisement Who will be the starting quarterback? Kevin Stefankski and staff will be tasked with deciding between four signal-callers in one of the most intriguing position competitions around the league. Joe Flacco has returned to Cleveland after a brief stint with the Indianapolis Colts last year. Kenny Pickett was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles after he backed up the Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts in 2024. Then Cleveland generated waves of speculation that carried NFL Draft content for weeks by picking experienced Oregon lefty Dillon Gabriel and famed NFL legacy Shedeur Sanders from Colorado. All four were in action throughout mandatory minicamp a few weeks ago, and now until training camp commences in about a month, it's time for fans and the media to give their best predictions for who will win the job. Advertisement Browns players have also gotten in on guessing who the next starter will be. Former Pro Bowl receiver Diontae Johnson made what some might say a surprising pick for who will be throwing him the football. "I think [The Browns] are gonna roll with Kenny right now," Johnson said on The Comeback podcast. He mentioned that Pickett has gotten some reps with the first team at minicamp, but that Flacco has also rotated in with the starters. Johnson did clarify that he expects Pickett to start the preseason games, as it's unnecessary for the 41-year-old Flacco to get learner reps in those contests. "They can live with what Joe can bring to the table," Johnson said about the Browns eventually turning to him. Advertisement Flacco has fielded the most projections to start thanks to his experience, but both rookies have generated a lot of buzz after solid showings at minicamp. Pickett, 27, is entering his fourth year in the NFL. He spent his first two years with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was teammates with Johnson. The wideout brought in nearly 1,600 yards and five touchdowns in those two years with Pickett under center as the predominant starter. Johnson bounced around in 2024, spending time on three separate teams before signing a cheap one-year contract with the Browns this offseason. After a mad shuffle last season, Johnson could finally get back to some familiarity if his prediction comes true and Pickett becomes the Browns' starting quarterback this season. Advertisement Related: Analyst Predicts Browns QB Struggles Continue Related: Browns Insider Declares Shedeur Sanders 'No Longer Special' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Diontae Johnson expects Kenny Pickett to win starting job
The Browns have four quarterbacks competing for the starting job. Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco have a leg up on rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders from an experience standpoint. Flacco has 191 career starts and Pickett 30. Advertisement Wide receiver Diontae Johnson, who signed with the Browns as a free agent, has a favorite for the job. "I think they are going to roll with Kenny for right now," Johnson said during an appearance on the Sports and Suits podcast. Pickett made 24 starts in Pittsburgh his first two seasons before a trade to Philadelphia, where he sat behind Jalen Hurts for all but one game last season. He's still only 27. "I've been seeing Kenny going like right now with the ones. Then, Joe will come in," Johnson said. "I think they are probably going to roll with him just to see like he's coming off a season with Philly and having a Super Bowl. So, I think they are going to stick with him through the preseason. Then, you know they can live with Joe and what he brings to the table." Advertisement While the Browns have talked about keeping four quarterbacks on the active roster, it's unlikely. Most teams keep only two on the 53-player roster with another on the practice squad. Even if the Browns keep three quarterbacks on the active roster, one will have to go. That's likely either Flacco or Pickett, with the other starting the season under center.
