2023-07-06 14:55:00
A little pickle time is still the order of the day for NFL fans, but things will be back to normal in a few weeks. Reason enough to slowly get in the mood for the new regular season – with ten names that you should definitely have on your screen for the coming season.
Big plans in the new Jets guise: Aaron Rodgers. IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
At the beginning of September, the new regular season of the National Football League (NFL) begins with the comparison between the reigning Super Bowl champion from Kansas City and the Detroit Lions, who would like to trip the Chiefs directly. Until then, however, there is still a lot of training for the players of the 32 teams on the program. And with the start of the season, many of these players are in the spotlight – as with these ten selected professionals from whom a lot will be demanded.
1. Kyler Murray: After a cruciate ligament rupture, the quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals wants to attack once more under the new head coach – Jonathan Gannon has taken over. And it has to. Because the cards have high expectations of him – and last season in particular was a disappointing one for the now 25-year-old first overall pick of the 2019 NFL draft. As of now, it’s hard to predict how Murray will fare. Does he even play at the start of the season? Does he deliver correctly? Or will his underperforming Arizona bosses force him into replacing him with someone else despite a six-year contract?
2. Stefon Diggs: The 29-year-old is undoubtedly one of the best receivers in the entire NFL. So there is no question that Diggs can deliver in full health in the Buffalo Bills team and especially in cooperation with quarterback star Josh Allen. But something happened: the passport recipient missed the first training session at the Bills mini-camp and made headlines as a result. Coach Sean McDermott and playmaker Allen then spoke of problems. Diggs is said to have felt less comfortable in Buffalo recently. So this scenario has to be closely monitored: do the parties get along well with the start of the regular season? Or not?
July 06, 202358:55 minutes
#57: Unser Rookie-Radar (Defense)
Whoever says O must also say D! After Kucze, Detti and Michael talked regarding their favorite rookies on offense in the last installment of “Icing the Kicker,” today’s turn is for the NFL’s brightest young defensive players. Which prospects have the best chance of hitting the ground running in the first year of their career? Which candidates fly under the radar and might surprise? Listen up! The next edition of “Icing the kicker” will be available on July 20 – then the Division Previews 2023 will begin. Photo Credit: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
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3. Jonathan Taylor: Caught in the second round by the Indianapolis Colts in 2020, the running back has developed into one of the best in his guild – apart from last season. Also due to injury problems, the 2022-23 runner didn’t reach the 1,000 yards rushing and had a meager four touchdowns (1,811 yards and 20 total TDs the previous season). Particularly interesting: Next year, Taylor might extend his rookie contract for the first time with top salaries. But this requires health and strong performances once more.
Because the market for running backs is a difficult one: while elsewhere (quarterbacks, receivers) are paying increasingly crass salaries, the teams are cautious regarding this (injury-prone) position. Appropriately: seasoned aces such as Saquon Barkley (Giants), Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Cowboys) are currently only held via franchise tags. Professionals like Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette are currently without teams.
4. Aaron Rodgers: Of course, the “Gunslinger” should not be missing here. After 18 NFL years with the Green Bay Packers, the now 39-year-old quarterback left cheese town and joined the New York Jets. Expectations in the “Big Apple” have skyrocketed with this obligation alone, and ticket prices have multiplied. The minimum goal: to lead the team, which has not been in the play-offs since 2010/11, back into the NFL finals – preferably straight into the Super Bowl and to the title. Whether that can succeed?
Will Donald stay with the Rams? How is Adams doing?
5. Aaron Donald: With 32 years and ten years of NFL experience, the future Hall of Famer has already experienced a lot – and won the Super Bowl. So what else is to be expected of the nightmare of many playmakers, especially in a Los Angeles Rams team marked by upheaval? At 5:12, coach Sean McVay’s team was the worst defending Super Bowl champion in history so far. Theoretically, it’s even conceivable that the Rams might part ways with Donald in the course of another bad season – to get some value for the defensive tackle. If another team shows interest.
6. Back Tag: concussions! The Hawaiian had missed a few games in the recent regular season due to this diagnosis and at the same time caused many spectators to frown. How fit is the leader of the Miami Dolphins now in 2023/24? Clearly: If Tua is in full health, he can carry the strong fins around top receivers like Tyreek Hill or Jalen Waddle far – ideally even very far.
7. Jared Goff: Despite missing the play-offs, Detroit was a hot potato in 2022/23 – and are now aiming for their first NFC North victory since 1993 and a long-awaited play-off participation. Returning is veteran playmaker Goff, who had 4,438 passing yards, 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. But how strong will the 28-year-old be now? One thing is clear: Goff is also playing for a new contract and for being the quarterback solution in “Motor City” in the long term. A realignment in 2024 would be comparatively cheap.
8. Deshaun Watson: Much had been written regarding the Cleveland Browns’ dearly paid playmaker – above all regarding the many allegations of sexual abuse including the eleven-game suspension imposed by the NFL. From a purely sporting point of view, the 230 million US dollar player has been fully prepared for the first time with the well-established team, isolates himself quite a bit and definitely wants to revive his undoubtedly existing talent on the football field.
9. Russell Wilson: What hadn’t the Broncos hoped for from the longtime Seahawks ace? In the end, far too much, as the now 34-year-old was one of the biggest disappointments of 2022/23. Now the very expensive star quarterback, who the team gave a long-term contract to before the last regular season, is supposed to deliver – with the new and well-known head coach Sean Payton. There is no question that this project will be awaited with excitement. Will Wilson do in year two?
New coach, first Broncos luck? Russell Wilson. IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
10. Davante Adams: Before the 2022/23 regular season, what is possibly the best receiver in the entire NFL had said goodbye to his congenial partner Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers to Las Vegas. There he first found friend Derek Carr. However, he is now active for the New Orleans Saints – and “Tae” Adams has to “settle” for Jimmy Garoppolo. Publicly, the passport recipient had already opened up regarding not understanding Carr’s departure and being skeptical regarding “Jimmy G”. And the business is known to be fast-paced: So if the Raiders don’t deliver and feed Adams, maybe there might be a bit of a stink here – and the wide receiver wanting to leave the game town. Certainly everything as of now is pure speculation.
Of course, the list might be much longer: There will also be a lot of talk regarding established stars like Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Bills ace Josh Allen or Bengals playmaker Joe Burrow. The same applies to the Ravens around the expensive Lamar Jackson and the top receiver Odell Beckham Junior, who is returning following a cruciate ligament rupture.
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