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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' 12 most intriguing No. 2: Why Jalen Hurts is respected by Michael Jordan, not NFL
PHILADELPHIA − By now, after leading the Eagles to two Super Bowls in three seasons and to the playoffs in all four of his seasons as a full-time starter, Jalen Hurts should be revered like Patrick Mahomes is with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tom Brady was with the New England Patriots. Instead, Hurts was often called a "game manager" last season when the Eagles won the Super Bowl, benefitting from running back Saquon Barkley's 2,000-yard season, a dominant offensive line and defense, and star wide receivers. In some ways, the stats back the critics up. SIRIANNI AND THE SUPER BOWL: The 'r' word Eagles, Nick Sirianni won't use about the Super Bowl. They use this instead BACKING HURTS: 'That's 'B.S.'' Eagles coach rips Jalen Hurts narrative regarding Saquon Barkley, others Hurts threw for less than 200 yards six times in the 14 full games that he played in during the regular season, finishing with 2,903 yards passing. That was the fewest in Hurts' four full seasons as a starter. He threw for less than 200 yards twice more in the playoffs. Then again, the Eagles were 7-1 in those games. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni called the game manager label, "bull(expletive)," then said Hurts "plays the most important position in sports," and that Hurts is perfectly suited to throw the ball or hand the ball off, or keep it himself. "What I admire about him is his selflessness of doing anything we need to do to win," Sirianni said. Perhaps that's why NBA legend Michael Jordan, for one, thinks so highly of Hurts. As part of the Jordan brand, Hurts was invited to Greece recently to participate in Jordan's "Board of Greatness." Hurts has said this spring that he has talked with Jordan and Yankees legend Derek Jeter, among others, about having a winning mindset. So perhaps we're looking at Hurts all wrong. He'll never break Brady's career passing records, or even match Mahomes, who has twice surpassed 5,000 yards passing in his seven seasons as a full-time starter, and 4,000 in six of those seven. But like Mahomes and Brady, Hurts wins. That goes back to his true freshman year at Alabama, when he led the Crimson Tide to the national championship, then transferred to Oklahoma as a senior and led the Sooners to the College Football Playoff. That's why Hurts is No. 2 on our list of 12 most intriguing Eagles heading into the start of training camp on July 22. We're counting them down each weekday from No. 12 to No. 1. The series began July 7 and will culminate with the start of camp. It's always been about winning with Hurts, and it doesn't matter what it looks like. Sometimes, it can look downright ugly, like when Hurts threw for 108 yards in an unimpressive 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers last Dec. 8. After the game, star wide receiver A.J. Brown said one word when asked what has to improve: "Passing." The next week, Hurts threw for 290 yards in a rout over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the Super Bowl, when the Chiefs held Barkley to 57 yards on 25 carries, Hurts completed 17 of 22 passes for 221 yards as the Eagles built a 34-0 lead on their win to a 40-22 win. Hurts was named the game's MVP. Celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl win with our new book Hurts has done this despite being on his fifth offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach as he enters his sixth NFL season. This season, Hurts has a new offensive coordinator in Kevin Patullo, who's replacing Kellen Moore, and a new QB coach in Scot Loeffler, who's taking over for Doug Nussmeier. "There is a dynamic of adaptability that you have to be able to have and find success regardless of what the leadership looks like, what the voice is, who's in the quarterback room coaching me or who's out there calling plays," Hurts said. "So that's really where I put my energy at trying to decode these things and figure it out on my terms a little bit, and find a way to make it go." That sounds like something Jordan would appreciate. The Eagles certainly do, even if many around the NFL do not. Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@ Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles' championship season in 'Flying High,' a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Jalen Hurts: Philadelphia Eagles 12 most intriguing players in 2025
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles 12 most intriguing: No. 4 will be best OL in team history − ahead of Kelce, Peters
PHILADELPHIA − Father Time has nothing on Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson. At least not yet. Johnson is 35 years old, entering his 13th season, and has long been considered the top right tackle in the NFL. Here's the scary part − for Eagles opponents:"I'm 35 and I feel like I'm better than when I was 29, 30," Johnson said. "I feel like I'm getting close to maybe my peak. As weird as it is to say, that's truly how I feel." SIRIANNI AND SUPER BOWL: The 'r' word Eagles, Nick Sirianni won't use about the Super Bowl. They use this instead JALEN HURTS RESPECT: 'That's 'B.S.'' Eagles coach rips Jalen Hurts narrative regarding Saquon Barkley, others But that doesn't tell the entire story of Johnson's dominance, and how he will likely go down as the best offensive lineman in Eagles' history. Yes, better than Jason Peters, Jason Kelce and anybody else. That's why Johnson is No. 4 on our list of 12 most intriguing Eagles heading into the start of training camp on July 22. We're counting them down each weekday from No. 12 to No. 1. The series began July 7 and will culminate with the start of camp. There's the longevity factor. Over the past two seasons, franchise icons Brandon Graham, Fletcher Cox and Kelce retired. That leaves Johnson, who was the Eagles' first-round pick (No. 4 overall) in 2013, as the longest-tenured Eagle. By far. The next closest to Johnson is kicker Jake Elliott, who was signed in 2017. After that, it's left tackle Jordan Mailata and tight end Dallas Goedert, both drafted in 2018. Incredibly, as dominant as the Eagles' offensive line has been over the last several years, right guard, the position next to Johnson, has been a revolving door. Since 2021, the Eagles have had a different starter there every season. That will be the case this season, too, whether Tyler Steen or Kenyon Green or somebody else wins the job after Mekhi Becton played there last season. "No one ever talks about that − how many guards has he played next to, and has had stellar performances year after year?" Mailata said. "If it wasn't for (offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland) and Lane being able to adapt and be as great as he is, that's the reason why we're able to fill in that position." Johnson isn't close to being done, either. Johnson had his contract extended last spring through the 2027 season, when Johnson will be 37 years old. That would be his 15th season, tying Brandon Graham for the longest tenure in Eagles' history. If Johnson plays in 49 of the 51 games over these next three seasons, he will surpass Graham's franchise record of games played. Graham played in 206; Johnson is at 158. Johnson has missed five games over the last three seasons. Celebrate the Eagles' Super Bowl win with our new book In addition, Johnson has been selected for the Pro Bowl six times, including each of the last three seasons. If Johnson gets one more Pro Bowl nod, he'll tie Peters, Kelce, Brian Dawkins and Reggie White for second most in Eagles history with seven. If Johnson gets two more, he'll tie Chuck Bednarik for first place. And three more will put Johnson alone in the Eagles' record book with nine. All of which is possible, even as Johnson ages into his late 30s. Have you seen Johnson's workouts? There's one video posted on social media in which Johnson is carrying an entire weight set, estimated at 705 pounds, at least 20-30 yards. Johnson, who's listed at 6-foot-6, 325 pounds, does all of it to stay ahead of not only Father Time, but all of the bigger linemen coming into the NFL. The Eagles drafted three linemen last spring − tackles Myles Hinton and Cameron Williams, and center/guard Drew Kendall. Hinton is 6-7, 323; Williams is 6-6, 317; and Kendall is 6-4, 308. That's in addition to Mailata, who's 6-8, 365; and left guard Landon Dickerson, who's 6-6, 332. "They're big," Johnson said about the young players. "Everybody's big. ... They're very smart; they're in tune. They've been a lot of fun so far." Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@ Follow on X @Mfranknfl. Read his coverage of the Eagles' championship season in 'Flying High,' a new hardcover coffee-table book from Delaware Online/The News Journal. Details at This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Lane Johnson: Philadelphia Eagles 12 most intriguing players in 2025
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cowboys Fans Vote On Six Levels of 'What Would Mean Success' in 2025
Cowboys Fans Vote On Six Levels of 'What Would Mean Success' in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Which way to the bar? No, not that "bar,'' even though the Dallas Cowboys often drive their fans to drinkin'. Advertisement We mean "the bar of expectations'' under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys have the "Blow It Up'' plan (and a 7-10 season) behind them. There is the ever-present criticism of owner Jerry Jones and QB Dak Prescott, of course, but there is also a much-celebrated "culture shift'' under new coach Brian Schottenheimer. Many critics have predicted a modest to underwhelming season for Dallas in Schottenheimer's first year at the helm. Others have projected a successful first campaign. And why? But, Cowboys Nation, before we predict "success,'' we have to define it. And our Mike Fisher in the Fish Report below is here to help. Advertisement So, you vote. Pick one of the six as you decide in your own heads and hearts where the "bar of expectations'' should be for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys. Your choices ... 1. BETTER 'N: Last year Dallas was 7-10. Be better than that, and forge a foundation going forward, and that's enough. 2. PLAYOFFS IN: Is a playoff berth enough? Damn right - especially climbing out of the brutal NFC East. 3. PLAYOFFS WIN: Postseason wins are a real measure. Dallas has gotten their plenty. Win one. 4. "TRUE SUPER BOWL CONTENTION:'' What is "rue Super Bowl contention''? You define it. And pick No. 4 if that's what must be. Advertisement 5. NFC CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE: End that 30-year drought, please. 6. SUPER BOWL! Because in Dallas, that's all that really matters. So there you go, Cowboys fans ... rock the vote! Related: Cowboys Culture Change Goes Greek in Viral Video Related: Cowboys' Dak Prescott Given Shocking Ranking Among Top 10 Quarterbacks Want more Cowboys? Come on inside the Fish Report! - This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson
The most critical injury to the Lions season - and the #1 injury story of 2024 - occurred on October 13, during the 47-9 blowout win over the Cowboys. During this otherwise festive game for Lions fans, disaster struck in the third quarter when Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula. Repercussions were felt the rest of the season culminating in the playoff loss. LEFT TIBIA/FIBULA FRACTURE VIDEO - October 13, 2024 IMPACT ON 2024 SEASON This was the top injury news of the season because of the devastating impact to the team. Behind Jared Goff, Hutchinson was likely the second-most critical player on the entire team due to his positional value, elite performance, and irreplaceability. Advertisement Pass rush was already a major concern entering the season even with Hutchinson healthy. It got worse in Week 3 when two front-seven starters - Marcus Davenport, EDGE and Derrick Barnes, LB - had season-ending injuries. When Hutchinson was hurt in Week 6, the situation looked dire. With the defensive line struggling to generate a pass rush, the Lions responded by trading for Za'Darius Smith in Week 10. No one was able to come close to replacing Hutchinson's production though. When you look at the final team stats, Hutchinson still finished with the team lead in sacks despite missing 13 games. Here are the season sack totals: Hutchinson 7.5 Smith 4.0 (in 8 games with Lions) Alim McNeill 3.5 DJ Reader 3.0 Al-Quadin Muhammad 3.0 Further season-ending injuries to key defenders McNeil and Carlton Davis (both in Week 15) compounded the loss of Hutchinson. Credit to the rest of the team for losing only one more regular season game following Hutchinson's injury - finishing with a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. Advertisement However, the lack of pass rush caught up to the team in the 45-31 playoff loss to the Commanders. The defense did not register a single sack and only forced one punt all game. SPECULATION ON SUPER BOWL RETURN The big, recurring question after the injury was whether Hutchinson might return for the Super Bowl. Typically, a tib/fib fracture carries a 6+ month timeline, so a Super Bowl return at the 4-month mark would have been aggressive. However, the Super Bowl is not a normal game, and there are many examples of players who have returned extremely early in recovery to play in that game - Terrell Owens (ankle fracture) 2005, Thomas Davis (forearm fracture) 2016, and Brandon Graham (triceps) 2025. Advertisement The Super Bowl speculation was started in the days after the injury by sources close to Hutchinson, who stated an early return was a possibility due to the uncomplicated nature of the injury. Dan Campbell, in the first week after the injury, also offered an anticipated 4-6 month timeline. In December, Hutchinson himself fueled the speculation by saying he was "on track" to play in the Super Bowl. While he would not have been close to full strength for the big game, a limited return would still have provided an emotional boost to the team and fanbase. Unfortunately, the Lions did not make it that far to see if the inspirational return might happen. INJURY OUTLOOK The outlook for Hutchinson's recovery is very good, as the injury spared his joints and there were no signs of any complications. But there are still some hurdles to overcome. Residual effects of the injury, or discomfort with the metal hardware are possible. The other hurdle is a mental one, which could include a tweak to his technique. Does Hutchinson need to adjust his technique to avoid a recurrence? Hutchinson's tib/fib fracture is at least the second time his leg has whipped around in a powerful fashion. The first time was in 2023, when the impact spared Hutchinson, but injured Alim McNeill's MCL. McNeill was placed on IR and missed four weeks. Advertisement Here are the still frames comparing the two incidents: Aidan Hutchinson leg whip 1 Aidan Hutchinson leg whip 2 Whether this leg action is a fluke or something more pervasive would require exhaustive film review - not just of Hutchinson but of other elite edge rushers. The results of this kind of review would help determine if a technique adjustment is warranted. Can he overcome the mental hurdles? If Hutchinson is worried about a recurrence, this could impact his aggressiveness and productivity. If he decides to adjust his technique, this will take time and reps before he's comfortable again. Either way, it may take some time to mentally get back to the level he was playing at prior to injury. EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD Hutchinson was deemed a "full" participant at June OTA which signals that he will be ready for the season. This recovery timeline is in-line with typical expectations for a tib/fib fracture. As far as a return to previous level of performance, that remains to be seen. I think the odds are good, and Vegas agrees, as he is currently one of the top 3 consensus betting favorites to win the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The other favorites are Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. CONTRACT IMPLICATIONS Hutchinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension. His 5th-year option was picked up, but I don't expect the Lions to wait until then to extend him. He will start the 2025 season at a youthful 25 years old and should be in his prime for many more years. Advertisement Despite his injury, expect him to get the biggest, non-QB contract in the history of the NFL very soon, so he can continue to make these kinds of ridiculous plays in Honolulu Blue.... This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson
USA Today
20-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Top 10 injury news of the Lions 2024 season - #1: Aidan Hutchinson
The most critical injury to the Lions season - and the #1 injury story of 2024 - occurred on October 13, during the 47-9 blowout win over the Cowboys. During this otherwise festive game for Lions fans, disaster struck in the third quarter when Aidan Hutchinson fractured his tibia and fibula. Repercussions were felt the rest of the season culminating in the playoff loss. LEFT TIBIA/FIBULA FRACTURE VIDEO - October 13, 2024 IMPACT ON 2024 SEASON This was the top injury news of the season because of the devastating impact to the team. Behind Jared Goff, Hutchinson was likely the second-most critical player on the entire team due to his positional value, elite performance, and irreplaceability. Pass rush was already a major concern entering the season even with Hutchinson healthy. It got worse in Week 3 when two front-seven starters - Marcus Davenport, EDGE and Derrick Barnes, LB - had season-ending injuries. When Hutchinson was hurt in Week 6, the situation looked dire. With the defensive line struggling to generate a pass rush, the Lions responded by trading for Za'Darius Smith in Week 10. No one was able to come close to replacing Hutchinson's production though. When you look at the final team stats, Hutchinson still finished with the team lead in sacks despite missing 13 games. Here are the season sack totals: Further season-ending injuries to key defenders McNeil and Carlton Davis (both in Week 15) compounded the loss of Hutchinson. Credit to the rest of the team for losing only one more regular season game following Hutchinson's injury - finishing with a 15-2 record and the #1 seed. However, the lack of pass rush caught up to the team in the 45-31 playoff loss to the Commanders. The defense did not register a single sack and only forced one punt all game. SPECULATION ON SUPER BOWL RETURN The big, recurring question after the injury was whether Hutchinson might return for the Super Bowl. Typically, a tib/fib fracture carries a 6+ month timeline, so a Super Bowl return at the 4-month mark would have been aggressive. However, the Super Bowl is not a normal game, and there are many examples of players who have returned extremely early in recovery to play in that game - Terrell Owens (ankle fracture) 2005, Thomas Davis (forearm fracture) 2016, and Brandon Graham (triceps) 2025. The Super Bowl speculation was started in the days after the injury by sources close to Hutchinson, who stated an early return was a possibility due to the uncomplicated nature of the injury. Dan Campbell, in the first week after the injury, also offered an anticipated 4-6 month timeline. In December, Hutchinson himself fueled the speculation by saying he was "on track" to play in the Super Bowl. While he would not have been close to full strength for the big game, a limited return would still have provided an emotional boost to the team and fanbase. Unfortunately, the Lions did not make it that far to see if the inspirational return might happen. INJURY OUTLOOK The outlook for Hutchinson's recovery is very good, as the injury spared his joints and there were no signs of any complications. But there are still some hurdles to overcome. Residual effects of the injury, or discomfort with the metal hardware are possible. The other hurdle is a mental one, which could include a tweak to his technique. Does Hutchinson need to adjust his technique to avoid a recurrence? Hutchinson's tib/fib fracture is at least the second time his leg has whipped around in a powerful fashion. The first time was in 2023, when the impact spared Hutchinson, but injured Alim McNeill's MCL. McNeill was placed on IR and missed four weeks. Here are the still frames comparing the two incidents: Whether this leg action is a fluke or something more pervasive would require exhaustive film review - not just of Hutchinson but of other elite edge rushers. The results of this kind of review would help determine if a technique adjustment is warranted. Can he overcome the mental hurdles? If Hutchinson is worried about a recurrence, this could impact his aggressiveness and productivity. If he decides to adjust his technique, this will take time and reps before he's comfortable again. Either way, it may take some time to mentally get back to the level he was playing at prior to injury. EXPECTATIONS GOING FORWARD Hutchinson was deemed a "full" participant at June OTA which signals that he will be ready for the season. This recovery timeline is in-line with typical expectations for a tib/fib fracture. As far as a return to previous level of performance, that remains to be seen. I think the odds are good, and Vegas agrees, as he is currently one of the top 3 consensus betting favorites to win the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The other favorites are Micah Parsons and Myles Garrett. CONTRACT IMPLICATIONS Hutchinson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is eligible for an extension. His 5th-year option was picked up, but I don't expect the Lions to wait until then to extend him. He will start the 2025 season at a youthful 25 years old and should be in his prime for many more years. Despite his injury, expect him to get the biggest, non-QB contract in the history of the NFL very soon, so he can continue to make these kinds of ridiculous plays in Honolulu Blue....
