The one former NFL quarterback who understands the injury Alex Smith has overcome admits he’s living vicariously through him.
“Heck yeah!” former Washington quarterback Joe Theismann told ESPN in a telephone interview. “Go, Alex, go.”
Washington activated Smith off the physically unable to perform list Sunday morning, a remarkable development since he broke the tibia and fibula in his right leg in a November 2018 game against Houston.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Selfish. Not committed. Questionable work ethic and drive.
Gets angry when things don’t go his way on the field. Doesn’t take football seriously.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette has been described these ways at one point or another over the past three years. It’s obviously not the kind of reputation anyone — not just a football player entering a contract year — wants.
Fournette says the reputation is undeserved and completely wrong.
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He reinforces that by relaying what he said newly signed running back Chris Thompson told him when they first met earlier this spring: “He said, ‘You ain’t nothing like people say you are,’” Fournette said. “[Thompson thought] I was always upset about things. Most of you guys know I’m always joking and playing; that’s just me. I think it kind of got out of hand, so I just wanted to get that out there.”
Fournette admits that his attitude after some games hasn’t been the best — especially after losses, mainly because there have been a lot of them. There were a combined 21 in 2018 and 2019, which piled up just after the Jaguars came within 10 minutes of making the Super Bowl in Fournette’s rookie season.
His postgame answers were short and blunt. It was easy to see that he either believed he wasn’t given the ball enough, the offense didn’t stick with the run game long enough or he wasn’t happy with a playcall.
“At the end of the day, I want to win,” Fournette said. “Who doesn’t want to win? I came from a 2017 season with a team who was 10-6, we had [a good] talent level and then the next couple of years went down the drain. So I just want to address a lot of things, too, especially since the media came out and said I was an angry guy. No. 1, would you be angry if you’re losing week in and week out? That is one of my biggest problems; I do get upset when we lose and it takes me a while to get over it. I expect, just like anybody else, if you put the work in, you want the W, but a lot of times last year it didn’t go like that.
“I guess they kind of misinterpreted that, and don’t get me wrong, I was upset from the losing, but that’s just the winner in me. That’s any guy who plays this professional level of sports.”
Patriots’ Cam Newton makes good first impression on Bill Belichick “Cam’s a hardworking kid. He really is,” Belichick said Friday morning. Newton’s introduction to the Patriots’ system since officially signing July 8 is one of the most compelling storylines of training camp. Several teammates have noted the energy that Newton, 31, has brought to the team.
Dalvin Cook says he’s ‘full go’ with Vikings despite no new deal
Three days ahead of the Vikings’ first padded practice of training camp,Cook vowed to participate in Monday’s session with or without a contract extension. “I’ll for sure be out there coaching, cheering, running the ball,” Cook said. “I’m locked up full go, a thousand percent. I’m trying to get better. I’m trying to lead this young group that we’ve got.”
Baker Mayfield says ‘I lost myself’ in Browns’ chaos last season
The Browns quarterback said Friday that he’s now in a better state both physically and mentally and admitted to losing his way and doubting himself last year amidst the chaos in Cleveland. “Having success all through high school and college, and having that standard so high, and then (last year) not nearly as much success as I’m used to — so I would say I lost myself,” said Mayfield.
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The ? Duo.@DeAndreHopkins x @LarryFitzgerald pic.twitter.com/njXeoMAwPJ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) August 14, 2020
Loving every minute ?#SteelersCamp pic.twitter.com/BPQoWjDqKK
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) August 14, 2020
Just two guys out here having fun. ? pic.twitter.com/PT2J12J4t6
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) August 14, 2020
All ? cause ? is ?#FridayFeeling | #CowboysCamp pic.twitter.com/2JSr7H5Dje
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) August 14, 2020
Here are the QBs in the red jerseys pic.twitter.com/XigTyXUmat
— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) August 14, 2020
FOOTBALL IS BACK ?? pic.twitter.com/Q4DMIdEqxl
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 14, 2020
Adam Gase, with mask, begins Year 2. #Jets pic.twitter.com/gG2q4h0P5o
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 14, 2020
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— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) August 14, 2020
Every day is a great day to wear a mask. #MaskUpMA pic.twitter.com/TzPaDzomhg
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 14, 2020
Inspired by @TomBrady’s IG story ? pic.twitter.com/60prePYqOf
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 14, 2020
CeeDee Lamb had the play of the day at Dallas Cowboys camp with a one-handed catch over his head on a high pass near the sideline. The rookie also had a fumble later on as he turned up field, but the first rounder was noticeable even in an OTA-type practice. He even served as one of the punt returners, which is a sign the Cowboys want to get the ball in his hands as often as possible.
“He’s the same guy I’ve been watching on TV the past two, three years,” Ha Ha Clinton-Dix said. “I mean he’s very focused, very fast, man, and he’s just getting comfortable. I can’t wait to see what he has in store being around so many veteran wide receivers.” — Todd Archer
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The Kansas City Chiefs held their their first practice in pads and they wasted no getting to the run game. The first practice period in full team drills was centered on the run with rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire first in line as the featured back. Here’s what coach Andy Reid said about Edwards-Helaire:
“He’s been doing a lot of work with the first group. That’s valuable work for him,” Reid said. “Is everything perfect? No, not right now. But he’s working like crazy to get there.” — Adam Teicher
For the first time in the three days since media was allowed to observe camp, the Las Vegas Raiders offense went against the defense in non-padded drills. Rookie Damon Arnette was a starting cornerback in both nickel and the 4-3 base defense. On offense, the Raiders opened in 11 personnel and rookie Bryan Edwards, rather than first-round pick Henry Ruggs III, was a starting wideout, along with Zay Jones and Nelson Agholor. Not much should be made of this … yet.
And while the Raiders did see the return of defensive end Maxx Crosby on Friday from the COVID-19 reserve list, neither running back Josh Jacobs nor right tackle Trent Brown practiced for the third straight day, though coach Jon Gruden insisted neither of them were “out,” per se. “The head coach gets to make a decision or two and you’ll see those guys soon enough,” Gruden said. “They’re not out; they’re working. You just don’t see them.” The Raiders are off on Saturday but return Sunday. — Paul Gutierrez
Baltimore Ravens nose tackle Brandon Williams believes the two additions to the defensive line — Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe — will help a run defense that allowed 217 yards in the playoff loss to the Titans.” I’ve got the twin towers right next to me – those two giants,” Williams said. “I don’t see how offenses can come at us, man. Those two dudes are good.” — Jamison Hensley
When the Green Bay Packers step on the field, most probably consider Kevin King to be the No. 2 cornerback behind rising star Jaire Alexander. But it was actually King who led the team in interceptions last season (five to Alexander’s two, although King dropped two others). And it doesn’t bother King if he’s labeled as CB2.
“No, look, I ain’t got no problem with that,” King said Friday. “People are going to think what they’re going to think but when you’re out there on that field, it’s two No. 1s. It’s going to be hard to go to the left side. It’s going to be hard to go to the right side. The film is going to speak for itself for sure. Ja has established himself as one of the elite corners in this league and I’m right there, too. A few more healthy seasons, one more healthy season and I’m going to establish myself as well.” — Rob Demovsky
With no preseason games or joint practices, one of things Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia has been considering is how to handle hitting when it comes to training camp practices. He doesn’t want the first time his players face real contact to be in the season-opener against the Bears next month, so he has been trying to figure out ways to work it into practices over the next few weeks.
“You need to feel it; you need to see it; you need the see the speed of it. The question is: How do we do that in a safe environment,” Patricia said. “Certainly from the preseason games, that’s where you get your live-action in there with the tackling part of it. But we’re going to have to do that, and I think for us, it’s putting them in, we call it in-line situations, where maybe they collision and the contact isn’t as great and it’s a little bit of a safer play and try to eliminate some of the more space and speed type of plays. But they still need to feel that — they need to be able to drive through and just get that out of the way.” — Michael Rothstein
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Todd Wash, who has had the job since 2016, says he is going to be more hands-on with the defensive line this season because of the glut of new guys and the loss of Calais Campbell (who was traded to Baltimore). He also said he’s going to lean on defensive tackle Abry Jones, the longest-tenured player on the roster, to replace the vocal leadership the defense lost when Campbell was traded.
“The first day that we had the vets in the building, Abes and I sat down — eight years ago I was coaching Abes so we have a very good relationship — and I said, ‘It’s time. It’s time for you to really take control. I know before, you were a vocal guy in that room, but I think Calais was really the leader in that group and now we’re putting that on [pass-rusher] Josh [Allen] even though he’s a young player.’ But him and Abes really need to step up and lead that group.” — Michael DiRocco
Two things that Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule was proud of on Friday after his team completed its first “competitive” practice of camp. First, Carolina is one of a handful of NFL teams that hasn’t had a player test positive for COVID-19. Rhule is realistic enough to know that will happen at some point, but for the timing being he’s comfortable with the protocol and doesn’t see the need for a bubble system even though there is a hotel available for players who want to use it. Second, the energy in practice has been good across the board and the top players have stepped up so far in leadership roles. Rhule’s also realistic to know the key is what happens on Monday when the pads go on. “What you do with helmets and shells is one thing. Once you put the pads on it’s a different thing,” Rhule said. — David Newton
The Tennessee Titans took the field for the first time as a group on Friday. Despite the muggy, humid weather, practice was uptempo and productive. Coach Mike Vrabel made his rounds, working with almost every position group during individual period. Safety Kenny Vaccaro left midway through practice and didn’t return. Vaccaro walked into the building without a limp. The Titans safeties are an area of depth with Vaccaro, Kevin Byard, Amani Hooker and Dane Cruikshank. Safeties coach Scott Booker said he could see the Titans using big nickel (three-safety looks) in the sub packages. — Turron Davenport
Bryce Callahan with the PICK??#BroncosCamp pic.twitter.com/pZ28VJYvAu
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) August 14, 2020
.@gregolsen88 gets to work ?#GoHawks x #SeahawksCamp pic.twitter.com/q8jYzDudMx
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 14, 2020
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Newest weapon on the offense.@tylereifert | @GardnerMinshew5 pic.twitter.com/66gt8B6SRW
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 14, 2020
We love this energy from Sammy & Le’Veon ? pic.twitter.com/RA7dpxoZnU
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 14, 2020
Flight attendants, please prepare for departure. ?@PCampbell21 | #ColtsCamp pic.twitter.com/dDWndh2285
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 14, 2020
Who’s the fastest on the team? ? pic.twitter.com/fCFErCcmXM
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 14, 2020
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The Seahawks have placed only one player on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Carroll confirmed on Wednesday that it was the result of a false positive test with wide receiver John Ursua, who has since been reactivated.
Siverand went undrafted out of Oklahoma State and received a $2,000 signing bonus from Seattle. That was tied for the third-smallest bonus among the Seahawks’ 17 undrafted free agents.
Siverand’s agent declined to comment on the matter when reached via text by ESPN.