Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports The Green Bay Packers were able to keep star quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the fold this offseason, but ended up trading Davante Adams away to the Las Vegas Raiders . Rodgers and Adams had been one of the NFL 's premier dynamic duos over the past few years, and headlined an explosive offense that won 13 games in three straight seasons. How Rodgers will fare without Adams and how Adams will fare without Rodgers are two big storylines heading in to the 2022 season. Packers legend Brett Favre says his former team will probably be OK, but as for Adams, he's expecting him to take a step backwards from the 1,553-yard, 11-touchdown campaign he had in 2021. "No disrespect to Davante at all -- zero disrespect. I do think that Davante will make Derek Carr better and, in time, they will be a dynamic duo. Now will it be the duo that Aaron and Davante had? Time will tell," Favre told TMZ . "I think Derek Carr's a very good quarterback, but he's … [Read more...] about Brett Favre has prediction for how Raiders’ Davante Adams will play without Aaron Rodgers
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Odell Beckham Jr. claims he played ‘whole back half of’ last season with a torn ACL
© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports NFL training camps start less than a month from now, and star wideout Odell Beckham Jr . is still looking for his next NFL team . OBJ is expected to miss several games in 2022 after tearing his ACL in the Los Angeles Rams ' Super Bowl LVI win over the Cincinnati Bengals , but did he actually tear his ACL in the Super Bowl? Saturday, Beckham took to Twitter and claimed that he actually played on a torn ACL for several games last year, indicating he suffered the tear before Feb. 13. Krazy thought … really played the whole back half of the season without an acl, and won a super bowl! God doesn’t misss, i swea — Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) July 3, 2022 OBJ's ACL injury was always intriguing for different reasons. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network actually reported that the most-recent surgery corrected a "previously bad" surgery -- back when he tore his ACL with the Cleveland Browns . Rapoport even said this surgery could … [Read more...] about Odell Beckham Jr. claims he played ‘whole back half of’ last season with a torn ACL
Russell Wilson has top-selling jersey in 2022 – ProFootballTalk
Getty Images Tom Brady ‘s hammerlock on jersey sales has been broken. Another veteran quarterback who has changed teams has taken the lead. NFL Shop has announced the best-selling jerseys for 2022. Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson has emerged in the top spot. The remainder of the top 10 consists of all but two quarterbacks: (2) Bills quarterback Josh Allen; (3) Raiders receiver Davante Adams ; (4) Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett ; (5) Brady; (6) Patriots quarterback Mac Jones ; (7) Rams receiver Cooper Kupp ; (8) Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert ; (9) Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes ; and (10) Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow . It’s surprising that Pickett, who likely won’t be the Week One starter in Pittsburgh, landed higher on the list than Brady. Brady’s 40-day retirement probably cost him more than a few sales. It’s also surprising that Burrow is so low; he’s currently one of the most-hyped, most-liked young players in the league. Packers … [Read more...] about Russell Wilson has top-selling jersey in 2022 – ProFootballTalk
USFL championship game: How to watch on TV, stream, kickoff time, preview for Stallions vs. Stars
Getty Images The USFL's inaugural season comes down to Sunday, when the Birmingham Stallions and Philadelphia Stars will duke it out in the championship. After a 10-week regular season, both the Stallions and Stars found themselves in Canton, Ohio, for the postseason and were able to defeat their respective division rivals to be the last two clubs standing. Given that we've reached championship weekend, you can say that this was undoubtedly the most successful spring league that the football world has seen thus far. Previous leagues had folded midseason, so the USFL should consider this a tremendous win. With that in mind, it shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that the USFL will be back for a second season in 2023 . While the league will still hold office in Birmingham, Alabama (where it held all of its games for 2022), the plan is to have all eight teams play in two to four markets. Before we go too far looking into the future of the USFL, however, let's finish up this … [Read more...] about USFL championship game: How to watch on TV, stream, kickoff time, preview for Stallions vs. Stars
Scouting take: What LSU gets in 4-star edge Joshua Mickens
LSU on Sunday landed an exciting defensive addition to the Tigers' 2023 recruiting class in Joshua Mickens , a promising edge prospect from Indianapolis Lawrence Central. A national top 170 overall prospect on the industry-generated 247Sports Composite and Top247 rankings, Mickens brings production, athleticism, and physical upside to LSU's class. Mickens' three-sport profile combines with what he's put on tape through his junior campaign to provide plenty of evidence to suggest ample developmental potential. As a junior in Fall 2021, Mickens recorded 70 tackles, 22 1/2 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, and five forced fumbles as his production soared relative to his sophomore season (56 tackles, 8 1/2 TFL, three sacks). Regarding his multi-sport profile, Mickens has averaged double-digit scoring each of the last two basketball seasons, and he's got shot put power beyond 50 feet. Why does that matter from a developmental standpoint? A mountain of evidence exists from recent NFL … [Read more...] about Scouting take: What LSU gets in 4-star edge Joshua Mickens
Maryland beats out Indiana for OL Deandre Duffus
Hollywood (Fla.) Chamiande-Madonna Prep three-star offensive lineman Deandre Duffus is headed to College Park. The rising senior announced a verbal commitment to Maryland on Sunday evening. He picked the Terps over Indiana (a school that many thought led throughout the recruiting process) and Syracuse. "It's just the coaching staff," Duffus told 247Sports over the phone. "I just really like Coach [Mike] Locklsey and Coach [Brian] Braswell. They are different. I really liked when they talked about life after football, which is big for me. That's what really separated them from all of the other schools. Like, most schools all have the same facilities and everything, but life after football is what sets me up for life if I don't make the NFL, and they showed me that they would set me up for the future." Duffus was at Maryland for an official visit the weekend of June 10. That's when he got a chance to really bond with Braswell. "The fact that he coached in the NFL just shows … [Read more...] about Maryland beats out Indiana for OL Deandre Duffus
Beavers pick up a commitment from South Florida playmaker Tastean Reddicks
Tastean Reddicks is headed across the country to play college football. The three-star wide receiver out of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) Dillard announced a verbal commitment to Oregon State on Sunday. He picked the Beavers over Pittsburgh. "When I went there, the atmosphere was just great," Reddicks told 247Sports over the phone when asked about his decision. "I loved the college town. The coaching staff was very honest with me and up front. Very blunt, and I like that because that's how I am. I just want it straight forward ... And I love the play style and scheme. I feel like I have a great opportunity to go there and play, especially because I'm and early enrollee." Reddicks, w ho 247Sports pegs as the No. 150 prospect in the Sunshine State, is coming off a junior season at nearby Deerfield Beach where he caught 50 passes for 651 yards and 10 scores. He thinks that his route running and ball skills will lead to plenty of success in the Pac 12. "They think I can be an electric … [Read more...] about Beavers pick up a commitment from South Florida playmaker Tastean Reddicks
Adding a scouting report for 5-star Jonathan Echols, who announces July 4th
One of the nation's top rising juniors will come off the board Monday as Jonathan Echols is using the July 4th holiday to announce a college commitment. Echols hasn't formally named any finalists or who he's picking between, but has talked up Tennessee at various points during the recruiting process. So, it isn't surprising that Josh Heupel and the Volunteers are the current 247Sports' Crystal Ball leader heading into the announcement, especially after Echols spent some time in Knoxville a few weeks ago. Notre Dame, for what it's worth, is also believed to be involved in the recruitment and Echols did tour Alabama, Miami and Florida during the spring months. While Echols made his debut in the 247Sports' rankings as an edge, the rankings council has decided to flip his position over to "athlete" in advance of his decision. That's because Tennessee (and some other Power Five programs) actually want Echols to play tight end at the next level. We'll see if Echols actually ends up … [Read more...] about Adding a scouting report for 5-star Jonathan Echols, who announces July 4th
LSU goes into the Midwest and lands touted pass rusher Joshua Mickens
Indianapolis (Ind.) Lawrence Central Top247 edge rusher Joshua Mickens will play his college football at LSU, announcing his commitment to the Tigers on Sunday afternoon. He also strongly considered North Carolina, Purdue and Michigan State among others. “Really just the relationship I had, especially with Coach (Brian) Polian, him coming from Notre Dame and recruiting me down there, showing love all the way,” Mickens told 247Sports. “At LSU I built a great relationship with him.” The Tigers are getting a great high school player. As a junior, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Mickens racked up 70 tackles including 22.5 stops for loss, 12 sacks and five forced fumbles. For his next act he wanted to see how he could fair in the SEC. “It’s really large,” Mickens said. The 247Sports Composite tabs him as the country’s No. 18 edge rusher and No. 164 prospect overall. “I got a chip on my shoulder doing that. “Everything that the SEC has to offer. I want to showcase my ability and succeed … [Read more...] about LSU goes into the Midwest and lands touted pass rusher Joshua Mickens