CHAPEL HILL — Billy Edwards Jr. figured his day was done, but UNC football's starting quarterback couldn't sit still during a weather delay in an eventual 35-3 win vs. ETSU.
The Tar Heels (2-0) and Buccaneers (1-1) had to wait for an hour and 19 minutes before the start of the fourth quarter because of multiple lightning strikes near Kenan Stadium.
"It was tough," said Edwards, who completed 15-of-20 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns before exiting the game with UNC up 35-0 late in the third quarter.
"I came into the weight room, and we were all sitting in there talking. Had the iPad up and I sat there for like 8 minutes, then I stood up and was like, 'Oh my gosh.' I immediately felt the effect of having some sort of delay where I was just sitting on my ****** for 10 minutes."
UNC REPORT CARD: UNC football report card vs ETSU: Grading Tar Heels after weather-delayed win

#edwards #sitting

The North Carolina Tar Heels completed their home opener by doing exactly what they needed to do: they easily beat an inferior opponent to improve their record to 2-0. Credit to ETSU for bring a lot of energy to the game, but ultimately they were outmatched from start to finish.
The first quarter opened up with the Tar Heels going three and out thanks to two dropped passes thrown by Billy Edwards, Jr. The Heels were quickly able to make up for it by grabbing an interception thrown by ETSU quarterback, Mason Mims, which led to UNC immediately marching down the field for a touchdown. Jelani Thurman was a bit part of the drive's success, and ultimately caught a 24-yard pass to get into the end zone.
On the Buccaneers' next drive, they were able to chip away at UNC's defense to get to mid-field, but ultimately they weren't able to do enough to finish the drive. They punted and managed to back UNC up to their own end zone, but the quarter finished with UNC moving the ball into safer territory. When the second quarter opened, the Heels proceeded to move the ball down the field, and Edwards was able to find Benjamin Hall for a 26-yard touchdown.
The Buccaneers continued to chip away at UNC's defense, but they continually shot themselves in the foot. A touchdown was negated by a holding call, there was a face mask call after that, and then when they were pushed all the way back to 3rd and 28, the Heels stood tall and were able to get the ball back. They were able to complete another touchdown drive to increase their lead to 21-0 before halftime.
The second half opened with ETSU immediately coughing up the football, which led to a touchdown scored by Demon June. The Buccaneers were without answers from there — despite continuing to gain yards, their inability to finish drives remained constant, and the Heels were able to go up 35-0 before a game delay due to lightning in the area.

#field

The 2026 regular season is just a few days away from beginning for the Chicago Bears as they make their final preparations before heading to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers. It's a battle of two surprise division winners from a year ago, with each team hoping to get a jump start to the season.
For the Bears, they officially turned a corner last year during Ben Johnson's first season as head coach, becoming a dangerous team loaded on offense with talented pass catchers and a punishing rushing attack. And they were spearheaded by quarterback Caleb Williams, who broke out as the prolific playmaker he was billed as during his collegiate days to lead them to an 11-6 record atop the NFC North. The Bears advanced to the divisional round of the playoffs last year and are hoping to take another step in 2026 as contenders.
The Panthers, meanwhile, are coming off a successful season of their own under head coach Dave Canales. Carolina was able to hang around .500 all year long with some big wins against playoff contenders and eventually overtook the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win the NFC South at 8-9. Quarterback Bryce Young took steps towards showing he can be a competent NFL quarterback, in part thanks to weapons such as Tetairoa McMillan, but he's entering a critical year in 2026.
Week 1 can feel like an outlier at times considering how much things can change between now and December. Look at what happened last year with Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. But we're sure to see some big moments on Sunday that turn the tide one way or another. Here are our bold predictions for Bears vs. Panthers.
For all of the talk of the Bears starting slow last season, they got off to hot starts early in the season. The game script was working for Ben Johnson and the offense, even when things still weren't totally clicking yet. In Weeks 1 and 2, they opened the game scoring on their first possession. Johnson has had time to game plan for the Panthers and will be ready with a systematic drive to score six early on.

#bears #last #carolina

The North Carolina Tar Heels will take on the East Tennessee State Buccaneers on Saturday at Kenan Stadium in a Week 2 college football matchup.
Sep 6, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; East Tennessee State Buccaneers quarterback Jacolby Criswell (6) hands the ball off to running back Khalil Eichelberger (23) during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
Date: Saturday, Sept.12, 2026
Time: 12:00 PM ET
Channel: ACC Network

#state

Baker Mayfield gets dangerous weapon back ahead of Bengals clash originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka appears ready to go for Week 1 after a toe injury created some uncertainty around his status during the preseason.
Egbuka returned to full practice this week and is expected to play when Tampa Bay takes on the Cincinnati Bengals, giving quarterback Baker Mayfield one of his most dangerous weapons for a matchup that has the potential to become a high-scoring affair.
The second-year receiver enters the season with plenty of expectations after showing flashes of becoming a legitimate No. 1 option early in his rookie campaign.
Egbuka demonstrated his ability to create separation, make plays after the catch and stretch defenses before injuries became a factor. His own health issues, combined with injuries affecting Mayfield, prevented Tampa Bay from consistently taking advantage of the chemistry the two displayed earlier in the season.

#tampa

After a thrilling, 15-10 Week Zero upset of TCU across the pond, the UNC football team is back in Kenan Stadium for its home opener on Saturday afternoon.
North Carolina (1-0) will host the ETSU Buccaneers for a 12 p.m. kickoff. ETSU (1-1) is coming off a 48-14 stomping of Tusculum University, while the Tar Heels should be well-rested.
In just one game vs. the Horned Frogs, UNC quickly showed it's a much-improved team on both sides of the football. Billy Edwards looks a sizable quarterback upgrade from Gio Lopez, while Xavier Lewis gives North Carolina another threat in the trenches.
Get real-time updates, scoring plays, turning points and expert ******* ysis throughout UNC-ETSU. Follow along here for highlights, injury news, key plays and instant breakdown as the Tar Heels and Buccaneers battle in a mid-September showdown.
Quarter

#team #plays

NFL action is on hiatus until Sunday, when Week 1 resumes with a hefty slate of games.
Here's how to watch, the 2026 NFL schedule, start times, and more.
There are no NFL games scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts: 1 p.m. ET | CBS | Paramount+ | Ravens TV | Colts TV | box score
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals: 1 p.m. ET FOX | Bucs TV | Bengals TV | box score

#colts #games #week #baltimore

Every sport has its unwritten rules, and one of the most universal is simple: Don't give your opponent "bulletin-board material." Don't say something that can be printed out, slapped on a wall, and pointed to by a coach looking for a little extra motivation. Don't give the other team a reason to make the game personal.
In the end, almost anything can be twisted into locker-room material in one way or another. When Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive back Zyon McCollum was asked how he felt about playing against one of the most talented offenses in the league in Week 1, he had plenty of ways he could have answered.
And he made a decision.
"We're going to have opportunities, guaranteed opportunities," he said when asked about his Week 1 opponents. "I mean, they want to get their season started off right. They want to get in rhythm early, so the ball is guaranteed to go in the air. And a ball in the air belongs to us. You know, that's the mentality that we have. That's what we're going into the game thinking. We know we're going to get tested early, so it's an incredible opportunity for us.
"There will be no better feeling than when we take away three, four interceptions."

#going #game #opportunities #guaranteed

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan (knee) is doubtful for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals, according to head coach Todd Bowles.
SOURCE: NFL.com
Why It Matters: With McMillan most likely missing Week 1, it opens the door for WR Chris Godwin and WR Emeka Egbuka to be peppered with more targets. Godwin and Egbuka could likely be played in fantasy lineups as WR2's.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jalen McMillan doubtful for Week 1

#week #likely #cincinnati

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be walking directly into one of Joe Burrow's strengths when they face the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has long relied on pressure, with Tampa Bay blitzing on 37.7% of its defensive snaps during his tenure, the third-highest rate in the NFL, via Sports Illustrated's Joe Goodberry.
That method could be dangerous against Burrow.
"Joe Burrow dices up the blitz. He always has, but last season, Burrow completed 71.4% of his passes against the blitz at 8.3 yards per attempt and had a passer rating of 122.6 passer rating," Goodberry wrote.
Six of his eight touchdowns against extra rushers came on throws released in under 2.5 seconds.

#week

Week 1 of the NFL season is already underway, and it's time to get those bets in for the weekend's matchups.
We've compiled where the public is betting at sportsbooks, along with some notable wagers, and asked several oddsmakers at various sportsbooks around the country to find out where the sharp action has come in for this weekend's games.
Sunday
1 p.m. ET
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (-3.5, 50.5)

#week #buccaneers

Mike Evans had to travel outside the United States to score his first touchdown in a San Francisco 49ers uniform. The former Texas A&M star caught six passes for 49 yards and a touchdown during San Francisco's 27-7 victory over the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne, Australia.
After spending 12 seasons in Tampa Bay, where he owns virtually every major Buccaneers receiving record, the future Hall of Famer proved he still has plenty to offer. Evans tied Deebo Samuel for the team lead with six receptions and averaged 8.2 yards per catch. More importantly, three of his catches moved the chains on third down, and his touchdown also came on third down.
It was only one game, and Evans may no longer have the youthful legs he once did, but he still knows how to get open and make contested catches. His 109th career touchdown reception was a perfect example.
After Samuel opened the second half with a 45-yard kickoff return, the 49ers quickly moved into the red zone. That is where Evans came through. It was nothing complicated. Evans used an outside release, and Brock Purdy gave him an opportunity to make a play. Evans went over the defensive back and pulled down the two-yard touchdown to give San Francisco a 17-7 lead.
You can watch the catch below.

#touchdown #francisco #samuel

49ers news: Mike Evans era off to red-hot start with debut history not seen since 2023 appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mike Evans' debut with the San Francisco 49ers couldn't have gone any better following their 27-7 win over the Los Angeles Rams in Australia on Thursday night.
Evans started the 13th season of his NFL career, his first with the 49ers. Following 12 years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the veteran receiver decided to start a new chapter of his career by signing with San Francisco for a three-year deal worth up to $42.4 million.
San Francisco valued Evans' services, needing to bolster the receiving attack after parting ways from Jauan Jennings. Safe to say they got a solid upgrade with Evans' presence on the field.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

#following #start #preferred

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season with plenty of uncertainty, and our staff predictions reflect it.
Tampa Bay finished 8-9 in 2025 after a 6-2 start, losing seven of its final nine games and missing out on the NFC South ******* le through a tiebreaker. The Bucs scored 380 points but allowed 411, finished 3-3 inside the division and went just 1-4 over their final five games.
There is reason for optimism, particularly after Baker Mayfield signed an extension that gives Tampa Bay stability at quarterback. Mayfield has become the unquestioned leader of the offense and gives the Bucs a proven veteran to build around. But much of that optimism could disappear quickly if the defensive backfield struggles. Questions in the secondary remain one of the team's biggest concerns, and against a schedule featuring several dangerous passing attacks, breakdowns on the back end could turn winnable games into losses.
That makes the range of predictions from our staff interesting. Evan has the Bucs finishing 8-9, an exact repeat of last season. Mike sees a slight improvement at 9-8, while Will is the most optimistic of the group at 10-7. I'm on the other end, predicting a 7-10 finish.
Collectively, that puts our average prediction at exactly 8.5 wins and 8.5 losses — essentially a .500 football team.

#bucs #staff

There are now many signs pointing to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase being full-go for the team's season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's a good starting point for the latest Bengals player to indicate his only goals for the 2026 season are to win the Super Bowl.
Speaking during a Sept. 10 news conference at Paycor Stadium, Chase said he felt good and has taken on his normal workload in practice. Chase injured his knee during an Aug. 25 training camp practice when he collided with cornerback DJ Turner II.
The missed practices for Chase that followed the collision were precautionary, he said. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipated both Chase and receiver Tee Higgins would be available for the Sept. 13 home opener, and Chase was listed in the Sept. 9-10 injury reports as a full participant in practice.
More: Dexter Lawrence may be Bengals' missing piece. Dabo Swinney, Daniel Jones, others reveal why
With health seemingly no longer threatening his ability to begin the season on time, Chase is set to begin his sixth NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, but no personal or statistical aims he felt were worth mentioning during his Sept. 10 news conference.

#bengals #cincinnati #receiver

There are now many signs pointing to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase being full-go for the team's season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's a good starting point for the latest Bengals player to indicate his only goals for the 2026 season are to win the Super Bowl.
Speaking during a Sept. 10 news conference at Paycor Stadium, Chase said he felt good and has taken on his normal workload in practice. Chase injured his knee during an Aug. 25 training camp practice when he collided with cornerback DJ Turner II.
The missed practices for Chase that followed the collision were precautionary, he said. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipated both Chase and receiver Tee Higgins would be available for the Sept. 13 home opener, and Chase was listed in the Sept. 9-10 injury reports as a full participant in practice.
More: Dexter Lawrence may be Bengals' missing piece. Dabo Swinney, Daniel Jones, others reveal why
With health seemingly no longer threatening his ability to begin the season on time, Chase is set to begin his sixth NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, but no personal or statistical aims he felt were worth mentioning during his Sept. 10 news conference.

#chase

Cornerback DJ Turner was added to the Bengals injury report on Thursday.
The team listed Turner as a limited participant due to a hamstring injury. Mid-week additions to the report can foreshadow a Sunday absence and the team's Friday report will show if there's reason to worry about Turner missing the matchup with the Buccaneers.
Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and B.J. Hill took rest days on Thursday.
Wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase (knee) and Tee Higgins (foot) remained full participants and both players are on track to play in the opener. Head coach Zac Taylor was less certain about defensive end Shemar Stewart (knee), but he was also able to get in a full session for the second day in a row.

#turner #sunday

To cap off Week 1 of the NFL season, on Monday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs will host the Denver Broncos for a "Monday Night Football" bout at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. The game will be broadcast nationally on ABC and ESPN.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Kansas City begins the week as a 2.5-point favorite.
The last time these two franchises faced off was Christmas Day at Arrowhead; Denver closed as a 13.5-point favorite against the Chiefs without quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City covered, but the Broncos pulled away from a tie game in the fourth quarter to win 20-13.
Of course, Denver's victory sealed the clean sweep of the Chiefs in 2025: in Week 11, the Chiefs were four-point favorites on the road against the Broncos, but lost 22-19.
In the 2026 preseason, the Chiefs were defeated by the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Seattle Seahawks. The Broncos beat the Atlanta Falcons and Minnesota Vikings, but lost to the Green Bay Packers.

#chiefs #point #Monday #denver

The New York Jets didn't draft David Bailey third overall to be a developmental player, he was drafted him to make an immediate impact. ESPN believes that's exactly what's about to happen.
In ESPN's 2026 rookie season guide, it is projected that Bailey will finish as the NFL's rookie sack leader. ESPN forecasted eight sacks for the Jets' edge rusher, placing him ahead of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defender Rueben Bain Jr. (6) and Los Angeles Chargers EDGE Akheem Mesidor (5).
The estimation is another sign of the expectations surrounding Bailey as he prepares for his first NFL season.
The Jets entered the offseason looking for pass-rush help and found it in the former Texas Tech Red Raiders standout. Bailey quickly impressed throughout training camp and the preseason, flashing the explosiveness and athletic traits that made him one of the top prospects in the 2026 draft class.
An eight-sack season would be a significant accomplishment for any rookie pass rusher, especially one expected to play a major role immediately. It would also provide a major boost to a Jets defense looking to rebound after a disappointing 2025 campaign.

#draft

After going undefeated in preseason, the Cincinnati Bengals are looking to keep the momentum going heading into the regular season.
The Bengals kick off their regular season with a Week 1 matchup in the jungle against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The regular season opener at Paycor Stadium is an Open in Orange theme, as the team will wear orange jerseys and white pants.
Here's everything you need to know to tune into Sunday's game.
Date: Sunday, Sept. 13.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET.

#week #buccaneers

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) — ETSU football got back in the win column Saturday, but head coach Will Healy knows there is still plenty to clean up as the Buccaneers prepare for their first road test of the season.
The Bucs evened their record at 1-1 with a 48-14 win over Tusculum, finishing with 259 passing yards and 225 yards on the ground. Freshman quarterback Mason Mims completed 13 of 21 passes, while running back TJ Peyton rushed for a career-high 121 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries.
Despite the lopsided victory, Healy said lapses in execution remain a concern.
"We have explosive ability in all three phases, but we are not near consistent enough," Healy said. "We have mental lapses that are going to get us beat, lapses that got us beat a week ago."
That Week 1 loss to Campbell left a "bitter taste" for the Bucs, according to linebacker Jarvis Johnson. ETSU responded by putting an emphasis on discipline and preparation against Tusculum.

#yards #lapses #etsu #beat

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Giants signed backup quarterback James Winston to a two-year, $13 million contract extension, according to a person with knowledge of the move.
The person spoke to The **** ociated Press on condition of anonymity Sunday because the deal had not been announced. The extension saves salary cap **** e this season and keeps Winston under contract through 2028.
Winston, 32, was going into the second of a two-year, $8 million deal, initially signed before the Giants traded up to select Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 draft. He appeared in two games last season after starting third on the depth chart behind Russell Wilson and Dart.
Now firmly No. 2 and serving in a mentor role, Winston gives new coach John Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Matt Nagy an experienced QB to step in when Dart is unavailable. He is also on Harbaugh's leadership council, a group of players counted on to serve as a liaison between the staff and the rest of the team.
Winston is going into his 12th NFL season since being the No. 1 overall pick by Tampa Bay in 2015 after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2013. The Giants are his fourth organization after stints with the Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns.

#season #york #year #million

STATESBORO, Ga. (AP) — Max Johnson threw for 281 yards, three Eagles scored rushing touchdowns, and Georgia Southern cruised past FCS member Charleston Southern 31-0 on Saturday night.
Johnson was 28-for-39 passing and Ashton Hollins caught eight passes for 106 yards and a score. Jamarian Samuel, Ty **** s, and Weston Bryan each scored on the ground.
The Eagles scored touchdowns on each of their first three opening drives in the first quarter to take a 21-0 lead.
Samuel capped off the opening drive with a 7-yard rush, Hollins reeled in a 59-yard scoring grab, and Bryan punched it in from one yard out before the end of the quarter.
The Eagles defense held Charleston Southern to 35 yards of total offense. The Buccaneers had just four drives that lasted longer than four plays.

#hollins

The University of North Carolina's football program has struggled, as they currently hold a losing record under head coach Bill Belichick. Amid the losses, UNC general manager Michael Lombardi has resigned after being placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation. And recently, the current defensive coordinator Steve Belichick is also under investigation on suspicion of drug use while on the job. ESPN ****** yst Kevin Clark gives his take on the UNC saga as the team is only one game into their 2026 season.
On the latest episode of First Take, Clark was asked, "Should UNC already regret hiring Bill Belichick?" to which he gave a brazen response, ripping Belichick and the organization as a whole for their incompetence.
"Yeah, yes, and part of it, there's so much that goes into it; part of it is that the ceiling is eight wins, nine wins for Bill Belichick in college football. They simply don't have the resources; they don't want to put the resources towards building a playoff team. And I think that there was maybe an expectation that this was going to be old college football, and that Belichick could go into a living room and say 'look at my Super Bowl rings' and get five stars. That is no longer the case, if it ever was the case," Clark said.
"This is UNC football; it's always going to be on the back burner. So what this has done, this era in the last two years, has brought embarrassment to the university; the Michael Lombardi saga has brought more embarrassment to it, and now we have the Steve Belichick investigation; it's not gonna work from a football perspective and hasn't worked from an on-field perspective… Yes, they should regret hiring Bill Belichick, and yes, I think it will end sooner rather than later."
As the 1-0 Tar Heels try to look past the off-field turmoil, their next matchup will be a home opener against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers on August 12th.

#bill

Jalon Daniels entered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offseason program as an undrafted rookie simply trying to earn a place in the organization. A few months later, he will open the regular season one play away from being Tampa Bay's starting quarterback, and that unlikely rise has certainly caught the attention of general manager Jason Licht.
Speaking with NFL Network's Sara Walsh, Licht summed up Daniels' path to becoming Baker Mayfield's backup with some significant praise. "There's no blueprint for an undrafted rookie becoming your number 2 quarterback," Licht told Walsh. "Jalon basically wrote his own." That statement carries even more weight given how rare Daniels' situation is. According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last undrafted rookie quarterback to be active for Week 1 was Trevone Boykin with the Seattle Seahawks in 2016. Daniels didn't simply survive roster cuts, either. He beat out veteran Jake Browning for the job and convinced Tampa Bay it could enter the season with only two quarterbacks on its initial 53-man roster.
Licht has made it clear that Daniels' draft status won't prevent him from winning the job. "The number-one thing is, he earned it," Licht said. "It wasn't just given to him."Daniels steadily climbed throughout the summer, but his preseason performance helped solidify his case. He completed 27 of 44 passes for 239 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions while adding 37 yards and another touchdown on the ground. More importantly, Tampa Bay saw poise and command from a quarterback who was supposed to be a developmental project. The Bucs apparently began viewing Daniels differently after their first preseason game against the Jets. Licht said conversations shifted from Daniels needing to prove he could be the backup to essentially needing to prove that he couldn't. He never gave them a reason to change course. There is still considerable risk involved. Daniels has never taken a regular-season NFL snap, and Tampa Bay is trying to contend for another NFC South ****** le. If Mayfield misses time, the Bucs would be handing their offense to an undrafted rookie. Yet Licht doesn't appear interested in keeping a veteran around simply for the comfort of experience. He said Tampa Bay would rather have a talented, prepared, inexperienced quarterback than choose experience just for the sake of it. The Bucs aren't treating him like an undrafted rookie they hope to develop eventually. They've trusted him with one of the most important backup jobs on the roster because they believe he earned it.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Jason Licht's praise shows just how much Jalon Daniels impressed

#daniels #bucs #jalon #simply

Once again, Nick Caserio made another under the radar, savvy move to bolder the roster.
Chris Braswell was a five-star recruit out of high school but had to wait his turn behind a star-star-studed Alabama roster. Braswell replaced Will Anderson Jr. at Alabama as the Jack linebacker in their 3-4 front and didn't disappoint. His impressive eight sacks and 10 tackles for loss were second on the team behind Dallas Turner who went 17th overall to the Vikings in 2024.
He was a redshirt junior when he entered the draft after only one year of true production at Alabama. The NFL Stock Exchange podcast had him rated as the fourth and sixth defensive end in the 2024 class. They noted "how raw of a player" he was and that he is built exceptionally well, but lacked a "pass rush plan" and could only rush with power. A 'toolsy" prospect with an Alabama pedigree, NFL stars have been made of much worse material.
Peering back into my own draft ****** ysis from 2o24, I noted that his pass rush ability was "simple" rather than nuanced. It didn't shine off the tape like his counterpart Turner did. I thought he set the edge well, was asked to contain, but wasn't the money-maker on defense. He would go on to be selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round.
The limitations mentioned came true. His lack of a plan and limited bag of tricks made him easy to predict in the pass rush. At 6'3", 250 pounds, he's a thick and powerful edge but never earned a start in two seasons with Tampa Bay. A lack of production immediately soured his relationship with the coaching staff. It's not as though the Bucs were great at rushing the passer either, Yaya Diaby led the team with seven sacks. His ineffectiveness lead to the team selecting Ruben Bain in the first round of this year's draft.

#alabama #made #star

Skip Bayless took issue with one of the most notable omissions from ESPN's Top 100 player rankings ahead of the 2026 NFL season. The longtime sports commentator made his feelings clear after Baker Mayfield was left outside the list despite another productive season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Mayfield's absence stood out because he has continued to rebuild his reputation since arriving in Tampa Bay. After reviving his career with the Buccaneers, the veteran quarterback has established himself as one of the league's more reliable offensive leaders and has helped keep the franchise competitive.
Feb 1, 2026; Tampa Bay, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield walks on the field prior to the 2026 Stadium Series ice hockey game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Boston Bruins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The Top 100 rankings are shaped by evaluations from league executives, coaches and scouts, making every major omission a subject of debate. Bayless viewed Mayfield's exclusion as particularly difficult to justify given the quarterback's recent production and his ability to succeed in an increasingly competitive NFC.
Mayfield has spent much of his career responding to skepticism, beginning with questions about his size and continuing through his departure from the Cleveland Browns. His path eventually included stops with the Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams before he found stability and a long-term opportunity in Tampa Bay.

#buccaneers

Baker Mayfield faces a $50M crossroads amid uncertain Buccaneers future originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have refused to pay Baker Mayfield a big new contract extension, as they enter the 2026 NFL season with some long-term question marks at the position.
But, for at least 2026, Mayfield is the starting quarterback. He'll be the starter in 2026 and have a real chance to prove himself one more time. A lot is on the line for Mayfield in 2026.
As ESPN's Bill Barnwell highlighted, there is a $50 million-plus crossroads that Mayfield is facing this season. Depending on how he plays in 2026, Mayfield could potentially wind up playing elsewhere next year.
"There will be organizations angling for Arch Manning, Dante Moore and other options at the top of next year's draft, but if a team such as the Steelers isn't drafting high enough to land one of the top prospects, will it be willing to pay north of $50 million per season to lock in Mayfield?" Barnwell writes. "His 2026 production might determine whether that's a realistic path."

#buccaneers #barnwell

Mainland offensive lineman Chevin Davis' suspension appeal was denied by the Florida High School Athletic ***** ociation on Sept. 2, head coach Jerrime Bell confirmed in a text message to the Daytona Beach News-Journal.
Davis was ejected from the Buccaneers' opener against Carol City on Aug. 21 when Chiefs defensive tackle Michael Williams Jr. suplexed Mainland quarterback PJ Miller well after the ball had left his hands for a third-quarter incompletion. Davis came to Miller's aid and ***** ped Williams to the ground. He did so a second time when he saw Miller still down a few seconds later.
According to Bell, he was told on the field Davis was ejected for shoving Williams to the ground and standing over him. That was changed to "an open-hand slap or blow" in the official report, per Bell.
Section 30.2.1.1 of the FHSAA handbook states an ejected athlete is ineligible to compete for the remainder of that contest and a minimum of the next game. It can be appealed, as the Bucs did in Davis' case, and the FHSAA can reverse, modify or uphold the suspension.
It is getting chippy out here pic.twitter.com/qQtuD9weO5

#williams

The Southeastern Conference has filed a lawsuit against LSU, its board of supervisors and head football coach Lane Kiffin.
The lawsuit comes as college football programs and schools fight over eligibility rules when it comes to former professional players.
This is a developing story. We're going through the lawsuit and will have updates on Channel 2 Action News at 5:00 p.m.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The complaint alleges LSU is recruiting players who had signed NFL contracts with the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The ****** ociated Press reports the players include Zxavian Harris, Dae'Quan Wright and Blake Cotton.

#southeastern