Tag Archives: football

2025 NFL Draft: Can Ashton Jeanty Reach Eric Dickerson’s Rookie Record of 1,808 Yards??

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There are several teams really having an excellent draft. The Raiders, Packers, Broncos and Giants if Jaxson Dart comes through at QB after nabbing the most sought after defender in Abdul Carter in round 1. The bears are a little behind by takeing Colston Loveland in the 1st round. Shouldn’t draft a TE in the 1st. I know he is a Michigan guy but you need too much to justify a TE in that spot.

 

Pay attention to the Raiders with 2 early offensive linemen in this draft and super back Ashton Jeanty from Boise St. He is the best back since Ladanian Tomlinson to come into the league. This was the recipe for OJ Simpson’s career taking off when they grabbed Raleigh McKenzie & Hall of Famer Joe DeLamilelleure for that Bills offensive line. The Raiders are looking to improve a line that graded 19th by PFF and Caleb Rogers & Charles Grant’s selections received an A grade by CBS Sports. 

Head Coach Pete Carroll is a proponent of a physical running game, whether we’re talking his stints at USC or his Super Bowl teams in Seattle. He had Marshawn Lynch power for 4 straight 1,200 yard seasons 2011-2014 culminating in back to back Super Bowl visits. Remember LenDale White at USC? Well Jeanty’s power comes with quick feet and breakaway speed. He ran into the record books eclipsing former Boise St RB Doug Martin’s exploits a decade before.

If you’re new to Taylor Blitz Times we explained then how Doug Martin would explode on the NFL scene coming from Boise St and this will be greater than that one. Martin came in 2nd to NFL rushing champion Adrian Peterson twice, once as a rookie with 1,454 yds, highlighted by a 251 yard 4TD rushing performance ironically coming against the Raiders. Keep in mind like LaDanian Tomlinson, Walter Payton, & Barry Sanders great talents to flourish in the NFL came from non power schools.

Last year the NFL returned to its roots having 2 different running backs eclipse 1,900 yards in the same season. In a copycat league the Raiders envision Ashton Jeanty in the role Saquan Barkley is to the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Will he go for 2,000? I don’t know but Eric Dickerson’s NFL rookie rushing record of 1,808 yards could be in serious jeopardy. Just as Barry Sanders record in college came under assault from Jeanty, this will also.

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Trevor Lawrence Follow Up

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Trevor Lawrence is not a bust… he’s just not a $252 million quarterback. He isnt what he was hyped up to be. Not even close. Just a middle of the pack quarterback. He is completely getting outplayed by rookie Caleb Williams. Lawrence in season 4 should be improving to a championship game level.


Elway in season 4 made it to Super Bowl XXI
Bradshaw in season 5 won Super Bowl IX (3rd trip to playoffs)
Marino in season 2 dazzled on the way to Super Bowl XIX
Montana in season 3 won XVI
Doug Williams in season 3 had Bucs in NFC Championship
Bernie Kosar in season 3 had Browns in AFC Championship
Mark Sanchez in season 2 had Jets in 2nd straight AFC Chmp
Aikman in season 4 won Super Bowl XXVII

Lawrence now has the Jaguars at 1-5. Sucks teeth and Williams yesterday demonstrated his up and coming arm making all the throws.

Its about improvement and knowing when to reach for heroism and make game winning plays, not just take a check down. If you dont start making these plays Doug Pederson may follow Robert Saleh’s example in coming home from England and being fired.

 

 

The 2024 Minnesota Vikings Are For Real

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We have an old axiom here at Taylor Blitz Times:  “At some point you have to believe what your eyes are seeing.” The Minnesota Vikings are for real! Sam Darnold is the early season comeback player of the year.


Everyone was giving Brian Flores hell for his treatment of Tua when he was in Miami and scoffed at his discrimination suit… yet he brought Van Ginkel (#43) from Miami and he had a pick 6 today. He has a Top 5 defense and is a Belichick disciple… and remember defenses stay well coached all season not just for stretches.
Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gillmore ended Aaron Rodgers last drive with an interception. It looked like the same route when he made a huge 4th quarter interception in Super Bowl LIII for Flores’ Patriot defense. Oh…you forgot Brian Flores and Gilmore were there together.

Time to believe it…Minnesota is for real.

There are many ways to excel on defense in the NFL. Right now they lead the NFL in sacks and are 4th in points allowed with 82 through 5 games, but where they excel is timely defense. As I have alluded to you can do it with brute strength or opt for speed and confusion. Cue the past …some history if you will.

Flores is a disciple of Bill Belichick who was a confidante of the late Fritz Shurmer. Remember my precious article “Birth of The Zone Blitz“? This was the 1989 run where the Rams 2-5 “Eagle Defense” almost stole an NFL title with a confusing defense with 5 linebackers on the field. Lets take you back to Aaron Rodgers 1st quarter pick six.

Isnt this Fritz Shurmer’s 2-5 “Eagle?”

Who is the Mike? Who is blitzing and who will drop out of those 5 linebackers? Notice 5 of the front 7 standing up as linebackers? All we need is Kevin Greeene’s blonde locks sticking out of his helmet on the corner. Well Van Ginkel will have to do… At the snap he dropped from his blitz ploy into the slant lane where Rodgers “hot read” should be.

The game Bill Belichick learned of the 5 LB concept when he was with the Giants and Fritz’s Rams ran it.

Pick six… 7-0 lead and complete strategic control and competitive advantage in the game. Flores opted for speed and confusion and Rodgers being hit often had his clock sped up. He tossed 3 interceptions with Gilmore’s game sealing steal.

At 5-0, this defense will be a problem all season as its a staple from the Patriots dynasty that lives on. However we should pay homage to the late Fritz Shurmer and the evolution of defensive concepts he pioneered.

The Vikings and this defense are for real and are confusing offenses

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Trevor Lawrence Is The Most Overrated Player in the NFL

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Now that the Jaguars have started 0-2 its time to take a hard look at Trevor Lawrence. In year 4 his play has been stagnant when this is when he should be ascending to the ranks of best young signal callers with a championships in his sights.

The Browns formidable defense withstanding, Lawrence was 14 of 30 220 yds 0TDs and sacked for a safety. He missed a series of throws in the game and had the look of a rookie. Even on the safety his internal clock should have signaled him to get rid of the football.

The safety put the game out of reach in a defensive struggle where the Jags had only found the endzone once losing 18-13. Had the safety not occurred, the Jags could have tied it with a field goal and gone to overtime. Now at 0-2 Jacksonville has a 9% chance to make the playoffs.

Well… the ink just dried on Lawrence’s $255 million contract signed 2 months ago.Now its time to take a look at a few things when it comes to a #1 overall pick at QB.

John Elway led the Broncos to Super Bowl XXI in year 4.

Troy Aikman won Super Bowl XXVII in year 4.

Steve Young won Super Bowl XXIX in his 4th season as a starter in San Francisco.

Brett Favre won Super Bowl XXXI in his 4th season as a starter in Green Bay.

Of course Steve Young and Brett Favre weren’t #1 overall selections but they further illustrate my point. Lawrence came to the NFL with more press clippings thsn any player in recent years. He did endure a horrible rookie season with Urban Meyer but showed incredible improvement with Coach Pedersonin year 2.

However the training wheels have come off and now the Jags have scored just 17 & 13 in their 1st two games. As for Lawrence:

These woes date back to last season and the Jaguars signed him to his huge contract extension. At this point great quarterbacks and their play are on an ascending arc. It may be early to say the Jags have buyer’s remorse but clearly these arent the expected results. Whether its his play or the Jaguars offensive performance thus far.

Is he the most overrated player in football? The Chancellor of Football says yes.

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DeShaun Watson’ Career May Be Over

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DeShaun Watson you have 4 more games to save your career. By week 5 if you’re not the reason the Browns are winning, it’s over. The Browns will have to make a move at QB to save the season. You’ve had years to recover from the issues in Houston. You’ll have Nick Chubb back but you have to be the reason the team is moving the football.
Not just playing from the hip but completing passes in the progression of the offense.

No excuses to look as poor as you did today. Sure the Cowboys have a decent defense but you werent facing the 85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens.

At this point you dont look competent. Yes many of us are pulling for you but at some point you have to develop and progress in the offense and right now you look as lost as if my 54 year old ass got off the couch and just arrived in Cleveland and suited up. You have been there years now… its time. You dont turn this around by the trade deadline your career is over.

The Soul of The Game: The Essence of the Game Will Always Be Hitting

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The NFL has been around for 105 years and the essence of the game has been the hitting and collisions. Recent changes have been made to make the game safer however that has come at the expense of what many fans found intoxicating about the game and the wars former players regale participating in. The rough and tumble play to hold that line or make a big hit that changed games.

The litigation and subsequent concussion settlement is why the NFL started to change the game. This was borne not in the name of player safety, but the decades long dodgeball they played to keep from paying former players and their families on disability claims. While its imperative the game be made safer, many fans believe the essence of the game is being lost. This game was predicated on toughness, endurance and physical play.  Taking the unnecessary blows to the head out of the game needed to happen but the collisions.. the WOOO hits need to remain.

I enjoy quarterbacks being assaulted. Go hit the quarterback and strike fear in the offense you’re facing! Hit your opponent with all your might. This is what we were all taught and I’m not giving in to this softer way to look at the game. I love the hitting…the collisions.. Its late summer and its time for training camp and some hitting. The smell of grass and “nutcracker” or “Oklahoma drill” time.