Commanders’ WR Deebo Samuel has a message for his detractors – Bryan Manning, USA Right now
Deebo Samuel, like Washington final 12 months, is out to show doubters improper.
In 2021, Deebo Samuel was arguably the NFL’s most harmful offensive participant. The then-third-year large receiver caught 77 passes for 1,405 yards (18.2 YPC) and 6 touchdowns. Samuel additionally rushed for 365 yards and eight touchdowns.
Nevertheless, since then, Samuel has failed to succeed in these numbers, with some calling his play disappointing and each he and the 49ers eager to separate. In March, San Francisco traded Samuel to the Washington Commanders. In Washington, Samuel would reunite with Commanders’ GM Adam Peters, the previous 49ers’ assistant GM who performed a big function within the Niners deciding on Samuel within the 2019 NFL draft.
Samuel has one season remaining on his contract. The Commanders altered that contract for 2025, making Samuel completely satisfied. Samuel, for his half, seems extra motivated than ever. Not solely does Samuel wish to land a second profitable contract extension, however he additionally needs to close down among the nonsense concerning his play, together with his weight and conditioning. The Commanders and Samuel have shared quite a few posts on social media displaying Samuel trying to be in wonderful form.
The Commanders consider Samuel can thrive in offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. Whereas Samuel was on some profitable 49ers groups, he’s by no means performed with a quarterback like Daniels and reverse a receiver akin to Terry McLaurin.
Guess in opposition to Samuel. However don’t be stunned if he proves his doubters improper and has a giant 12 months for the Commanders in 2025.
Prime Eagles storylines heading into 2025 OTAs – Dave Zangaro, NBC Sports activities Philadelphia
Storylines surrounding the defending Tremendous Bowl champions.
The Eagles are reigning Tremendous Bowl champions they usually’ll take their first steps to defending that title this week after they kick off their spring practices.
Whereas the Eagles started their offseason exercise program again on April 21 and had their rookie minicamp after the draft, OTAs are the start of Section 3 of the NFL’s offseason exercise plan, as outlined by the collective bargaining settlement.
This isn’t actual soccer but but it surely’s shut.
The Eagles this 12 months have six days of OTAs scheduled: Could 27-28, Could 30, June 2-3 and June 5. Additionally they have someday of necessary minicamp on June 10. The Eagles expect to carry their media availability later within the week.
Listed here are some key storylines this spring:
A brand new OC
The Eagles are coming off a Tremendous Bowl season however may have a brand new offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore left for the Saints’ head teaching job. Whereas the Eagles would have clearly most well-liked to maintain Moore — after you win a Tremendous Bowl, you wish to run it again — it’s not just like the Eagles’ passing offense was spectacular for many of 2024. The passing recreation was there when the Eagles wanted it however they really completed with the No. 29-ranked passing offense within the NFL (they have been No. 2 in speeding) within the 2024 common season. Bear in mind when A.J. Brown had his notorious “passing” line about what wanted to enhance with the offense? That got here in December.
Coping with the goal
The Eagles may have tremendous excessive expectations going into the 2025 season. Even after shedding some key gamers in free company, they nonetheless have a ton of expertise and are the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions. That places a goal on their again.
The excellent news is that the Eagles nonetheless have head coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in place in addition to a bunch of expertise. Even going through a troublesome schedule, this staff appears poised to compete for an additional Tremendous Bowl in 2025. Actually, coming into the spring, they’re the Tremendous Bowl favorites.
Giants Rookie QB Jaxson Dart Unsuccessful in Acquiring Jersey No. 2 from Teammate – Patricia Traina, Sports activities Illustrated
The rookie didn’t need his quantity that badly.
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxsn Dart, who wore No. 2 at Ole Miss, was unsuccessful in securing the jersey quantity to put on with the Giants.
That’s as a result of the quantity, at present held by third-year cornerback Deonte Banks, who earlier this 12 months gave up No. 3 to quarterback Russell Wilson, was going to price Dart a reasonably penny to make the swap.
“Yeah, it’s an excessive amount of,” Dart advised Cllct Media. “An excessive amount of.”
Dart, who has but to signal his rookie contract as of this writing, didn’t say what Banks’s asking value was to give up the quantity, however he clearly wasn’t serious about ponying up the money to get the quantity beforehand worn by quarterback Drew Lock final season.
Dart was assigned No. 6 for his present jersey. He advised reporters on the rookie minicamp that he would check out the quantity and see how he regarded in footage sporting it earlier than deciding whether or not to maintain it or search a brand new one.
In line with Over the Cap, Dart’s four-year rookie deal is projected to be price $16.977 million, with an $8.987 million signing bonus and an $840,000 base wage.