Tyrod Taylor not open to another restructuring of deal

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tyrod Taylor learned in 2017 to make sure he looks out for himself when he has the chance.

Benched in the middle of a playoff run, Taylor returned a half later after his replacement, rookie Nathan Peterman, crashed and burned in his starting debut. Taylor started all but one of the remaining games, going 3-2 in his final five starts as the Bills ended the NFL’s longest active playoff drought.

And yet, Taylor enters yet another offseason filled with contract questions. This time around, he’s not down for a restructuring. Continue reading

Super Bowl LII comes down to Patriots vs. Eagles’ four

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Football is again on its annual grand stage.

Millions around the world will watch the New England Patriots take on the Philadelphia Eagles, and watch multi-million-dollar commercials in between the action. Long runs, touchdown passes and acrobatic plays await.

Also included are the warriors of the trenches, the big uglies who battle to establish supreme leverage and position. In the game of inches, these increments are often the most important and influential in determining a winner. But rare are the offensive lines — and those who play it — considered sexy enough for spotlight attention during the lead up to the sport’s biggest contest.

Not here.

As we’ve done all season, we not only appreciate but understand and explain what goes on with these large fellas. It’s time again to go Behind The Offensive Line (PRESENTED BY FORD) for a Super Sunday edition. Let’s explore how one offensive line’s group matchup could determine what retailers love to call the Big Game. Continue reading

Von Miller on how to beat Patriots: ‘Sack Tom Brady’

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Von Miller‘s Broncos once defeated Tom Brady in an important postseason contest.

On the doorstep of another Super Bowl berth, Brady’s Patriots were cut down by Miller, DeMarcus Ware and the rest of a swarming Broncos defense that ended up harassing its way to a Lombardi Trophy. Denver sacked Brady four times and hit him many more (17), wreaking so much havoc, Brady was essentially seeing ghosts by the second half, anticipating rushers who weren’t even there.

Miller probably has a pretty good idea of how to stop Brady. How should the Eagles attempt to do it, Von? Continue reading

Deshaun Watson: I want to be better than Tom Brady

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Deshaun Watson temporarily lit the league on fire with his play in 2017 before a knee injury cut his season short.

That’s just a small bump in the road Watson envisions for himself — which includes surpassing the achievements of one Tom Brady.

“If Tom wins, it’s going to six, right? I want to be at seven,” Watson said during his Friday appearance on Good Morning Football. “Whatever it takes to be the best, the greatest, and not just for me, but for any athlete, especially quarterback … if you don’t want to chase Tom Brady and [be] above him, you’re selling yourself short. I always put my mentality with [being] the best, and Tom Brady is the best right now, so whatever I have to do to get to that level at age 40, that’s what I’m going to do.” Continue reading

Patrick Peterson: Kirk Cousins can ‘get us over the top’

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Kansas City’s agreement to trade Alex Smith ensured one theory: Kirk Cousins will soon be on the move.

But in a league in which nearly a third of its teams are in need of a signal-caller, where might the quarterback be headed?

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller wasn’t bashful about his desire to welcome Cousins to the franchise earlier this week. Neither was running back C.J. Anderson, who said “it would be huge having Kirk.” Continue reading

Alshon Jeffery: Eagles to bring ‘trophy back to Philly’

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Once upon a time, a pre-planned parade route inspired an underdog New England Patriots team to pull off a stunning upset in the Super Bowl.

Apparently, at least one member of the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles doesn’t care much for history lessons.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero spoke to Eagles receiver Alshon Jeffery this week, ahead of Philadelphia’s meeting with New England in Super Bowl LII. Jeffery provided some piping-hot bulletin-board material when Pelissero began a question with “If you win this game on Sunday…” Continue reading

Blake Bortles undergoes surgery on right wrist

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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As we approach an intriguing offseason for the Jacksonville Jaguars, a new wrinkle has been added into the situation surrounding the franchise’s starting quarterback.

Blake Bortles underwent wrist surgery last week to fix an issue he dealt with during the entire 2017 season, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed of the quarterback’s situation.

The injury was in his right wrist, serving as part of his throwing hand. Bortles is expected to make a full recovery, Rapoport added. Continue reading

Patriots coaching trio approaches final stand in SB LII

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Super Bowl LII brings New England, football’s most dominant franchise in this millennium, to the game’s biggest stage yet again.

It’s the eighth time it has happened for the Tom Brady-led Patriots. For this group of coaches, it very well could be their last time together.

Bill Belichick’s coaching tree has been picked many times over the last two-and-a-half decades, and it’s borne some quality fruit over that time (Nick Saban, Kirk Ferentz). But it’s also had its share of excellent coordinators who didn’t end up sticking as head coaches (Romeo Crennel, Charlie Weis). Continue reading

Eagles arrive in Minnesota ahead of Super Bowl LII

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Eagles have landed.

Philadelphia’s team plane touched down at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport on Sunday ahead of Super Bowl LII. The championship game will be played between the Eagles and New England Patriots on Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Super Bowl LII will be the first Super Bowl in Minneapolis since Super Bowl XXVI, played between the Buffalo Bills and Washington Redskins on Jan. 26, 1992, at the since-demolished Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. It is Philadelphia’s first appearance in the game since the Eagles fell to the Patriots in Super Bowl XXXIX on Feb. 6, 2005, in Jacksonville, Florida. Continue reading

Tom Brady gets stitches out; Rob Gronkowski practices

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Football’s most scrutinized hand is now stitch-free.

Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had his 12 stitches removed from his right hand earlier this week, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Brady had played against Jacksonville with the stitches in his hand, protected by a bandage that received plenty of pre- and in-game attention. Continue reading