36 mins. ago
Jesse Minter notched his first win as the Baltimore Ravens' head coach on Saturday night, taking down the Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 24-7.
"It was a great experience," Minter said after the game. "I want to give a ton of credit to our coaching staff."
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle led his unit to 440 yards and 31 first downs, dominating with long drives throughout the game and putting up lopsided time-of-possession and play-count numbers. On the other side of the ball, Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver oversaw a near-shutout; the Eagles' only points came with 2:24 left in the game after averaging just 4.0 yards per play and going 0-for-9 on third down.
Special teams was the Ravens' shakiest area with second-year kicker Tyler Loop missing an early 49-yard field goal and rookie punter Ryan Eckley shanking his first pro attempt for just 31 yards. Both bounced back later in the game, but their performance did little to quell questions about the team's specialists.
Minter also gave a "major shout-out" to undrafted rookie quarterback Joe ****** nano, who completed 22 of his 28 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Minter even downplayed the turnover, saying that he "liked the throw that he made" and crediting Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo for making a great play.
#down
"It was a great experience," Minter said after the game. "I want to give a ton of credit to our coaching staff."
Offensive coordinator Declan Doyle led his unit to 440 yards and 31 first downs, dominating with long drives throughout the game and putting up lopsided time-of-possession and play-count numbers. On the other side of the ball, Minter and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver oversaw a near-shutout; the Eagles' only points came with 2:24 left in the game after averaging just 4.0 yards per play and going 0-for-9 on third down.
Special teams was the Ravens' shakiest area with second-year kicker Tyler Loop missing an early 49-yard field goal and rookie punter Ryan Eckley shanking his first pro attempt for just 31 yards. Both bounced back later in the game, but their performance did little to quell questions about the team's specialists.
Minter also gave a "major shout-out" to undrafted rookie quarterback Joe ****** nano, who completed 22 of his 28 passes for 224 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Minter even downplayed the turnover, saying that he "liked the throw that he made" and crediting Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo for making a great play.
#down
1 day ago
Senior punter Daniel Hughes transferred from the New Mexico Lobos to play for Florida State in 2026. He's coming off a season in which he was an honorable mention All-Mountain West selection, which has landed him on the Ray Guy Award Preseason Watch List.
The Ray Guy Award is presented to the nation's top FBS punter. It was first given to Kevin Stemke of the Wisconsin Badgers in 2000. No FSU punter has ever won the honor, but Alex Mastromanno finished as the runner-up in 2023 and 2024.
Hughes had a very good season for New Mexico in 2025. He averaged 45.4 yards per punt on 41 attempts with 13 punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Hughes also booted 13 punts over 50 yards last season.
Florida State has a few other players that are on preseason watch lists. Wide receiver Duce Robinson is on the Maxwell and Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, and kicker Gabe Panikowski is on the Groza Award Watch List.
Contact/Follow us FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X StarConscience
#watch #punter #season
The Ray Guy Award is presented to the nation's top FBS punter. It was first given to Kevin Stemke of the Wisconsin Badgers in 2000. No FSU punter has ever won the honor, but Alex Mastromanno finished as the runner-up in 2023 and 2024.
Hughes had a very good season for New Mexico in 2025. He averaged 45.4 yards per punt on 41 attempts with 13 punts landing inside the 20-yard line. Hughes also booted 13 punts over 50 yards last season.
Florida State has a few other players that are on preseason watch lists. Wide receiver Duce Robinson is on the Maxwell and Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, and kicker Gabe Panikowski is on the Groza Award Watch List.
Contact/Follow us FSUWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida State news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Matthew on X StarConscience
#watch #punter #season
4 days ago
On Wednesday morning, the Kansas City Chiefs are having the 13th full-team practice of this year's training camp on the grass fields at Missouri Western State University in St. Joe.
The morning has started with a delay for fans entering the gates at practice, the third time that has happened this summer. It is expected to be extremely hot on Wednesday, with early-morning storms moving away as the day goes on.
Arrowhead Pride will not have boots on the ground at training camp for the rest of the week, so we'll be following along with local media's coverage of practice. Wednesday's should feature pads, while Thursday is expected to be a lighter day ahead of an off-day Friday.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub, tight end Travis Kelce, punter Matt Araiza and rookie offensive lineman Kahlil Benson is expected to speak to local media at the podium following Wednesday's practice.
The team is preparing for its preseason opener on Saturday, a home game against the Los Angeles Rams that will kick off at 3:00 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.
#practice #morning #arrowhead #local
The morning has started with a delay for fans entering the gates at practice, the third time that has happened this summer. It is expected to be extremely hot on Wednesday, with early-morning storms moving away as the day goes on.
Arrowhead Pride will not have boots on the ground at training camp for the rest of the week, so we'll be following along with local media's coverage of practice. Wednesday's should feature pads, while Thursday is expected to be a lighter day ahead of an off-day Friday.
Special teams coordinator Dave Toub, tight end Travis Kelce, punter Matt Araiza and rookie offensive lineman Kahlil Benson is expected to speak to local media at the podium following Wednesday's practice.
The team is preparing for its preseason opener on Saturday, a home game against the Los Angeles Rams that will kick off at 3:00 p.m. at Arrowhead Stadium.
#practice #morning #arrowhead #local
4 days ago
Former Indianapolis Colts punter and now ESPN podcast host Pat McAfee attended the 2026 Patriot Games with Donald Trump.
McAfee has previously had Trump on his show and even took his show to Washington, D.C. for the UFC White House event at Trump's and Dana White's behest.
However, few would have expected McAfee to be right next to the President of the United States during the 2026 Patriot Games.
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
To mark the finals of the 2026 Patriot Games, US President Donald Trump walked out alongside legendary NFL punter Pat McAfee.
#president
McAfee has previously had Trump on his show and even took his show to Washington, D.C. for the UFC White House event at Trump's and Dana White's behest.
However, few would have expected McAfee to be right next to the President of the United States during the 2026 Patriot Games.
Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
To mark the finals of the 2026 Patriot Games, US President Donald Trump walked out alongside legendary NFL punter Pat McAfee.
#president
4 days ago
KENT — Kent State redshirt sophomore receiver Wayne Harris is one of 113 nominees nationwide on the watch list for the 2026 Wuerffel Trophy, college football's top community service award.
The Wuerffel Trophy honors players who lead through community service while excelling in the classroom and on the field. It is named after former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner.
Harris' service activities include food security through canned food drives and food recovery efforts, youth mentorship through Tru2U and Bulldog Boys and education through reading programs, the I Promise School and elementary school engagement. He saw action in all 12 games in 2025, caught a season-long 42-yard touchdown pass against Ball State and had a 59-yard punt return for a TD against Central Michigan.
The Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be chosen by the trophy's selection committee with input from a fan vote. The winner will be announced on Dec. 11.
Hariis is one of seven Kent State football players on this this year's Pro Football Network preseason All-Mid-American Conference team. He earned first team honors as a punter returner.
#service #school
The Wuerffel Trophy honors players who lead through community service while excelling in the classroom and on the field. It is named after former Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel, the 1996 Heisman Trophy winner.
Harris' service activities include food security through canned food drives and food recovery efforts, youth mentorship through Tru2U and Bulldog Boys and education through reading programs, the I Promise School and elementary school engagement. He saw action in all 12 games in 2025, caught a season-long 42-yard touchdown pass against Ball State and had a 59-yard punt return for a TD against Central Michigan.
The Wuerffel Trophy finalists will be chosen by the trophy's selection committee with input from a fan vote. The winner will be announced on Dec. 11.
Hariis is one of seven Kent State football players on this this year's Pro Football Network preseason All-Mid-American Conference team. He earned first team honors as a punter returner.
#service #school
4 days ago
Every position on an NFL roster is important in its own way. Each man does their job to the best of their ability to impact the game in their own way. Position groups that often get slept on or easily targeted for replacement are the special teams units. Having a great kicker and punter is very important, and while Minnesota has one half of this equation down with Will Reichard at kicker, could they also have the punter down as well?
While speaking to the media, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels had nothing but glowing reviews about rookie undrafted free agent Brett Thorson:
"When you talk about the leg strength, being able to control it is always going to be rule number one. The ball pops off his foot. You can hear what it sounds like. Got a very strong leg, but how good can we be about controlling it?"
There is something special about hearing the ball explode off a kicker's foot live. Thorson showcased his leg strength while at Georgia and has a real shot to win the starting job for Minnesota entering 2026.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings excited with the addition of a National Champion punter
#special #Vikings #teams #down
While speaking to the media, special teams coordinator Matt Daniels had nothing but glowing reviews about rookie undrafted free agent Brett Thorson:
"When you talk about the leg strength, being able to control it is always going to be rule number one. The ball pops off his foot. You can hear what it sounds like. Got a very strong leg, but how good can we be about controlling it?"
There is something special about hearing the ball explode off a kicker's foot live. Thorson showcased his leg strength while at Georgia and has a real shot to win the starting job for Minnesota entering 2026.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings excited with the addition of a National Champion punter
#special #Vikings #teams #down
5 days ago
SOUTH BEND — Jasper Scaife, freshman punter for Notre Dame football, has provided the early soundtrack of this fall training camp with his thunderous boots.
Just as impressive, however, is the supple silence the Australian's strong hands have produced. So quiet are they when receiving the football from long snapper Joseph Vinci that Scaife, of all people, has emerged as the first-string holder on placement kicks.
"He is a stone-cold competitor," said Marty Biagi, Notre Dame's special teams coordinator and a former kicking specialist himself. "Even when recruiting him, it was like, 'Hey, if I come here, it's all business. I have intention.'"
Scaife, who turns 22 in late September, also shows the sort of advanced attention to detail that kicking coaches love. While playing as a so-called key forward in the Australian and Victorian football leagues back home, the West Perth product handled more than his share of bad hops and wind-blown Sherrins.
"When I was recruiting him, I was watching some of his AFL film, and you can see the intent and the focus," Biagi said. "He is an extremely hard worker, but you can tell he has spent a lot of time or been trained up on the mental aspect of performance."
#scaife #south
Just as impressive, however, is the supple silence the Australian's strong hands have produced. So quiet are they when receiving the football from long snapper Joseph Vinci that Scaife, of all people, has emerged as the first-string holder on placement kicks.
"He is a stone-cold competitor," said Marty Biagi, Notre Dame's special teams coordinator and a former kicking specialist himself. "Even when recruiting him, it was like, 'Hey, if I come here, it's all business. I have intention.'"
Scaife, who turns 22 in late September, also shows the sort of advanced attention to detail that kicking coaches love. While playing as a so-called key forward in the Australian and Victorian football leagues back home, the West Perth product handled more than his share of bad hops and wind-blown Sherrins.
"When I was recruiting him, I was watching some of his AFL film, and you can see the intent and the focus," Biagi said. "He is an extremely hard worker, but you can tell he has spent a lot of time or been trained up on the mental aspect of performance."
#scaife #south
9 days ago
Notre Dame football got its fall camp started today, and a portion of practice was open to the media.
The Irish have a loaded team, one that has plenty of returning known star power, but there are more than a few positions that still have competitive battles for starting spots as the fall gets under way. While it was just one practice, it's always interesting to see who has stood out, and it very much seems like more than a few did that earlier today.
Expectations are extremely high in South Bend, and starting off fall practice on the right foot is always a good idea. It does seem like that was the case for Notre Dame, as it very much looks like players have been chomping at the bit for camp to get started.
There were multiple media members who went to social media to say who they believed had a great practice. Take a look below who stood out for Notre Dame during its first fall practice of 2026.
A few of these aren't surprising at all, as Moore, Carr and Viliamu-Asa have plenty of hype surrounding them this season. Wide receiver Matt Jeffery is a name that I didn't expect to pop off, but that is an interesting development. Punter Jasper Scaife most likely was booming more than a few attempts which is great to see. Not surprised to see running back Nolan James on the list, as he needs to make the jump as the running back depth isn't the same as it was last fall. Transfer corner Jayden Sanders having a good first day is also great to see.
#fall #dame #Media #started
The Irish have a loaded team, one that has plenty of returning known star power, but there are more than a few positions that still have competitive battles for starting spots as the fall gets under way. While it was just one practice, it's always interesting to see who has stood out, and it very much seems like more than a few did that earlier today.
Expectations are extremely high in South Bend, and starting off fall practice on the right foot is always a good idea. It does seem like that was the case for Notre Dame, as it very much looks like players have been chomping at the bit for camp to get started.
There were multiple media members who went to social media to say who they believed had a great practice. Take a look below who stood out for Notre Dame during its first fall practice of 2026.
A few of these aren't surprising at all, as Moore, Carr and Viliamu-Asa have plenty of hype surrounding them this season. Wide receiver Matt Jeffery is a name that I didn't expect to pop off, but that is an interesting development. Punter Jasper Scaife most likely was booming more than a few attempts which is great to see. Not surprised to see running back Nolan James on the list, as he needs to make the jump as the running back depth isn't the same as it was last fall. Transfer corner Jayden Sanders having a good first day is also great to see.
#fall #dame #Media #started
10 days ago
The New England Patriots held tryouts for two punters during rookie and mandatory minicamp this offseason. Neither was signed.
Instead, the team entered training camp with confidence in Bryce Baringer.
The 27-year old is coming off a season in which he punted a career-low 51 times in the regular season before a busy playoff run. Baringer continued to showcase his big leg by again eclipsing the 70-yard longest punt mark and recording a career-best 4.41-second average hang time, but remained hampered by the occasional mishit — such as a 22-yard punt in Week 13 against the Giants.
That's why Baringer's offseason focus was centered on one thing.
"I want to be more consistent," he said. "No. 2, big emphasis was hang time and distance. Kind of having that relationship. Just knowing what I'm capable of doing, trusting myself, my process. Like I said, [Jeremy Springer], [Tom Quinn], [Mike Vrabel], they all know what I'm capable of. It's just going out and being able to do it, and just trusting myself wholeheartedly."
#baringer #hang #time #capable
Instead, the team entered training camp with confidence in Bryce Baringer.
The 27-year old is coming off a season in which he punted a career-low 51 times in the regular season before a busy playoff run. Baringer continued to showcase his big leg by again eclipsing the 70-yard longest punt mark and recording a career-best 4.41-second average hang time, but remained hampered by the occasional mishit — such as a 22-yard punt in Week 13 against the Giants.
That's why Baringer's offseason focus was centered on one thing.
"I want to be more consistent," he said. "No. 2, big emphasis was hang time and distance. Kind of having that relationship. Just knowing what I'm capable of doing, trusting myself, my process. Like I said, [Jeremy Springer], [Tom Quinn], [Mike Vrabel], they all know what I'm capable of. It's just going out and being able to do it, and just trusting myself wholeheartedly."
#baringer #hang #time #capable
11 days ago
We're going back to the 1982 season for our New Orleans Saints Play of the Day, which you can see for yourself right here. With 39 days left until the Saints kick off their regular season, we're highlighting this 39-yard touchdown pass from punter Russell Erxleben to defensive back Bill Hurley. What was supposed to be a trick play for a long-shot fourth down conversion ended up being a turning point in a blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons, their oldest rivals.
Erxleben took the snap and threw to Bill Hurley for what would have converted a first down. Instead of just keeping the drive alive, Hurley shrugged out of a Falcons tackle and took off down the sideline, cutting back across the middle of the field to race towards the end zone. A great downfield block by wide receiver Rich Mauti bought enough time for Hurley to get inside the 10-yard line. A pursuing Falcons player tripped him up, but Hurley leapt across the goal line for the score. Morten Andersen's extra point kick put the Saints up 21-6 in the fourth quarter, and a couple of Wayne Wilson touchdown runs later in regulation extended their lead to 35-6. It made for some nice payback after the Falcons shut out the Saints in Atlanta 35-0 a few weeks earlier.
It was the only catch of Hurley's career, but he made it count. Erxleben's time with the Saints isn't remembered fondly. The former eleventh overall draft pick became a cautionary tale about investing premium draft picks in specialists after washing out of New Orleans in just five years. Even so, on this Sunday, Saints fans had something to cheer for.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints embarrassed Falcons on this trick-play TD, the Play of Day 39
#saints #play
Erxleben took the snap and threw to Bill Hurley for what would have converted a first down. Instead of just keeping the drive alive, Hurley shrugged out of a Falcons tackle and took off down the sideline, cutting back across the middle of the field to race towards the end zone. A great downfield block by wide receiver Rich Mauti bought enough time for Hurley to get inside the 10-yard line. A pursuing Falcons player tripped him up, but Hurley leapt across the goal line for the score. Morten Andersen's extra point kick put the Saints up 21-6 in the fourth quarter, and a couple of Wayne Wilson touchdown runs later in regulation extended their lead to 35-6. It made for some nice payback after the Falcons shut out the Saints in Atlanta 35-0 a few weeks earlier.
It was the only catch of Hurley's career, but he made it count. Erxleben's time with the Saints isn't remembered fondly. The former eleventh overall draft pick became a cautionary tale about investing premium draft picks in specialists after washing out of New Orleans in just five years. Even so, on this Sunday, Saints fans had something to cheer for.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints embarrassed Falcons on this trick-play TD, the Play of Day 39
#saints #play
11 days ago
Two of the biggest listings in market history are queued up for the back end of this year, and punters are already pricing the run-in.
Polymarket has opened books on where OpenAI (Unlisted:OPAI) and Anthropic (Unlisted (US):ANTHRO) private valuations land at the end of August, settled on the price reported by Nasdaq Private Market.
The contrast between the two is the interesting bit. OpenAI's market is tightly clustered and reasonably well traded, with 54% on a valuation of $800 billion to $900 billion, and a further 23% on $900 billion to $1 trillion.
That is basically a bet on nothing happening, since OpenAI was last marked at $852 billion in March and has sat there ever since. A related market gives it a 57% chance of touching $900 billion by 31 August.
Anthropic's book, by comparison, is barely trading, with most brackets showing no volume at all and prices that do not add up to a coherent picture.
#unlisted #polymarket
Polymarket has opened books on where OpenAI (Unlisted:OPAI) and Anthropic (Unlisted (US):ANTHRO) private valuations land at the end of August, settled on the price reported by Nasdaq Private Market.
The contrast between the two is the interesting bit. OpenAI's market is tightly clustered and reasonably well traded, with 54% on a valuation of $800 billion to $900 billion, and a further 23% on $900 billion to $1 trillion.
That is basically a bet on nothing happening, since OpenAI was last marked at $852 billion in March and has sat there ever since. A related market gives it a 57% chance of touching $900 billion by 31 August.
Anthropic's book, by comparison, is barely trading, with most brackets showing no volume at all and prices that do not add up to a coherent picture.
#unlisted #polymarket
11 days ago
Tennessee first fielded a football team in 1891. International players have played for the Vols through the years.
Student-athletes from Australia, Canada, Germany, Nigeria and Northern Mariana Islands have played at Tennessee.
Two players went to Tennessee from Australia. Both are punters and are on the Vols' 2026 roster. Jackson Ross is a redshirt senior, while Logan Foley is entering his first season with the Vols as a freshman.
Ross, a native of Melbourne, Australia, was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist in 2025. He is the first Tennessee player to accomplish the feat since Michael Palardy in 2013. Ross averaged 44.0 yards per punt and had 20 punts inside the 20-yard line, 11 punts inside the 10-yard line and four punts inside the 5-yard line.
Entering his final year with the Vols, Ross is a four-year starter. He averages 43.4 yards per punt, which ranks third in program history.
#inside
Student-athletes from Australia, Canada, Germany, Nigeria and Northern Mariana Islands have played at Tennessee.
Two players went to Tennessee from Australia. Both are punters and are on the Vols' 2026 roster. Jackson Ross is a redshirt senior, while Logan Foley is entering his first season with the Vols as a freshman.
Ross, a native of Melbourne, Australia, was a Ray Guy Award semifinalist in 2025. He is the first Tennessee player to accomplish the feat since Michael Palardy in 2013. Ross averaged 44.0 yards per punt and had 20 punts inside the 20-yard line, 11 punts inside the 10-yard line and four punts inside the 5-yard line.
Entering his final year with the Vols, Ross is a four-year starter. He averages 43.4 yards per punt, which ranks third in program history.
#inside
13 days ago
Linebacker Kain Medrano is ready to get on the field at Commanders training camp.
Medrano was placed on the physically unable to perform list to open camp, but the team announced that he has been activated on Monday morning. Medrano has been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Medrano was a sixth-round pick last year and he appeared in nine games as a rookie. He had five tackles and a fumble recovery while playing exclusively on special teams.
Washington still has cornerback Trey Amos, defensive end Dorance Armstrong, and defensive end Deatrich Wise on the PUP list. Punter Tress Way is on the non-football injury list.
#injury #kain
Medrano was placed on the physically unable to perform list to open camp, but the team announced that he has been activated on Monday morning. Medrano has been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Medrano was a sixth-round pick last year and he appeared in nine games as a rookie. He had five tackles and a fumble recovery while playing exclusively on special teams.
Washington still has cornerback Trey Amos, defensive end Dorance Armstrong, and defensive end Deatrich Wise on the PUP list. Punter Tress Way is on the non-football injury list.
#injury #kain
13 days ago
As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2026 NFL season, Bills Wire will take a look at the most important contributors on their roster. The team has some cornerstone players who will be returning for another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo, and they'll have help from some new additions as well.
Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2026, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year.
First on the countdown is Tommy Doman Jr.
Position: Punter
Age at start of season: 24
#important #roster #players
Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2025 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2026, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year.
First on the countdown is Tommy Doman Jr.
Position: Punter
Age at start of season: 24
#important #roster #players
14 days ago
Daron Payne isn't the longest-tenured Commanders player. Punter Tress Way holds that **** le.
The defensive tackles has been around the block a few times now, entering his ninth season in Washington. The Alabama product has seen some things during that time.
He has been to the playoffs twice, including 2024's deep postseason run. Results, however, have largely been unpleasant. Payne has experienced just one winning season (in 2024) since being selected No. 13 overall in the 2018 NFL draft.
Payne has worked with four defensive coordinators and five defensive play callers heading into this season, when Daronte Jones now taking control.
As someone who has been to the puppet show and seen the strings, we can trust Payne when he says something feels different in the best possible way.
#Commanders #tress #washington
The defensive tackles has been around the block a few times now, entering his ninth season in Washington. The Alabama product has seen some things during that time.
He has been to the playoffs twice, including 2024's deep postseason run. Results, however, have largely been unpleasant. Payne has experienced just one winning season (in 2024) since being selected No. 13 overall in the 2018 NFL draft.
Payne has worked with four defensive coordinators and five defensive play callers heading into this season, when Daronte Jones now taking control.
As someone who has been to the puppet show and seen the strings, we can trust Payne when he says something feels different in the best possible way.
#Commanders #tress #washington
18 days ago
Wide receiver River Cracraft is back with the Commanders.
Cracraft played two games for the team last season and the Commanders announced his signing on Wednesday morning. They also confirmed the signing of punter Matt Haack.
Cracraft returned a pair of punts during last year's stint in Washington. He had 32 catches for 374 yards and three touchdowns in 53 games for the Dolphins, 49ers and Broncos before landing with the Commanders.
The Commanders released linebacker Andre Carter and tight end Anthony Firkser to create **** e on the roster for the new arrivals. They also announced that they have activated cornerback Fred Davis from the non-football illness list.
#cracraft #games #announced
Cracraft played two games for the team last season and the Commanders announced his signing on Wednesday morning. They also confirmed the signing of punter Matt Haack.
Cracraft returned a pair of punts during last year's stint in Washington. He had 32 catches for 374 yards and three touchdowns in 53 games for the Dolphins, 49ers and Broncos before landing with the Commanders.
The Commanders released linebacker Andre Carter and tight end Anthony Firkser to create **** e on the roster for the new arrivals. They also announced that they have activated cornerback Fred Davis from the non-football illness list.
#cracraft #games #announced
18 days ago
The Washington Commanders begin training camp on Wednesday. But before the players hit the field, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn met with the media to preview camp and provide some updates.
Peters began the media session with a pair of injury updates from training camp. Last week, the Commanders placed cornerback Trey Amos, edge rusher Dorance Armstrong and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to begin training camp.
Those moves weren't unexpected, considering all three players finished last season on injured reserve after suffering season-ending injuries.
You can add two more players to Washington's injury list to kick off camp: punter Tress Way and linebacker Kain Medrano. Fortunately, neither will be added to the PUP list.
"Tress Way and Kain Medrano are both dealing with injuries, so they won't be dressed up tomorrow," Peters said.
#tress #medrano
Peters began the media session with a pair of injury updates from training camp. Last week, the Commanders placed cornerback Trey Amos, edge rusher Dorance Armstrong and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list to begin training camp.
Those moves weren't unexpected, considering all three players finished last season on injured reserve after suffering season-ending injuries.
You can add two more players to Washington's injury list to kick off camp: punter Tress Way and linebacker Kain Medrano. Fortunately, neither will be added to the PUP list.
"Tress Way and Kain Medrano are both dealing with injuries, so they won't be dressed up tomorrow," Peters said.
#tress #medrano
18 days ago
The Tennessee high school football season got a little closer this week as TSSAA football padded practices began July 27.
Here's a look at August's preseason scrimmages. The Tennessean will update its list as more submissions are made.
Coaches who wish to have their games added can email time, date and location information to tpalmateertennessean.com.
East Robertson at Gordonsville, 6 p.m.; Forrest at Moore County, 6 p.m.; Hillsboro at Stratford, 6 p.m.; Spring Hill at Warren County, 6 p.m.; Kenwood at Montgomery Central, 6 p.m.
More: Ranking Nashville area's top 15 kickers, punters for 2026 TSSAA football season
#tssaa #tennessee #east
Here's a look at August's preseason scrimmages. The Tennessean will update its list as more submissions are made.
Coaches who wish to have their games added can email time, date and location information to tpalmateertennessean.com.
East Robertson at Gordonsville, 6 p.m.; Forrest at Moore County, 6 p.m.; Hillsboro at Stratford, 6 p.m.; Spring Hill at Warren County, 6 p.m.; Kenwood at Montgomery Central, 6 p.m.
More: Ranking Nashville area's top 15 kickers, punters for 2026 TSSAA football season
#tssaa #tennessee #east
19 days ago
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — Even after 18 seasons in the NFL, kicker Nick Folk says he still gets excited about the dawn of a new season.
"Always exciting," Folk said Tuesday after reporting for his first training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. Folk, 41, and the Falcons will have their first practice on Wednesday.
"I tell everyone, there is nothing like playing on Sundays," Folk said. "Being in front of people, being in front your fans and playing, there's nothing like it. So training camp is just the start of that. And I'm just excited to kind of get going."
Folk signed with the Falcons on March 9, three days before the team signed free-agent punter Jake Bailey.
The Falcons' interest in Folk was easy to explain after the team went through three kickers — Younghoe Koo, Parker Romo and Zane Gonzalez — in 2025.
#excited #first #nothing #like
"Always exciting," Folk said Tuesday after reporting for his first training camp with the Atlanta Falcons. Folk, 41, and the Falcons will have their first practice on Wednesday.
"I tell everyone, there is nothing like playing on Sundays," Folk said. "Being in front of people, being in front your fans and playing, there's nothing like it. So training camp is just the start of that. And I'm just excited to kind of get going."
Folk signed with the Falcons on March 9, three days before the team signed free-agent punter Jake Bailey.
The Falcons' interest in Folk was easy to explain after the team went through three kickers — Younghoe Koo, Parker Romo and Zane Gonzalez — in 2025.
#excited #first #nothing #like
22 days ago
The Miami Dolphins summoned their rookies back to their facilities on Tuesday to prepare for training camp at their Baptist Health Training Complex, and their veterans will follow next Tuesday, July 28.
While many position groups have plenty of players returning from 2025, Miami's specialists are almost all completely new, as they let a kicker, punter and long snapper leave in free agency.
Before training camp starts, let's take a look at the four Dolphins that currently make up the specialist room.
Patterson played at Memphis from 2017-20 before going undrafted in 2021. Since then, he's had stops with eight different teams, making 87.4% of his field goals (90-of-103) and 96.6% of his extra points (143-of-148).
As the lone holdover in the room, Patterson may have a small leg up in the competition. In 17 games filling in for Jason Sanders in 2025, he made 93.1% of his field goals (27-of-29) and 97.1% of his extra points (34-of-35).
#tuesday #field
While many position groups have plenty of players returning from 2025, Miami's specialists are almost all completely new, as they let a kicker, punter and long snapper leave in free agency.
Before training camp starts, let's take a look at the four Dolphins that currently make up the specialist room.
Patterson played at Memphis from 2017-20 before going undrafted in 2021. Since then, he's had stops with eight different teams, making 87.4% of his field goals (90-of-103) and 96.6% of his extra points (143-of-148).
As the lone holdover in the room, Patterson may have a small leg up in the competition. In 17 games filling in for Jason Sanders in 2025, he made 93.1% of his field goals (27-of-29) and 97.1% of his extra points (34-of-35).
#tuesday #field
22 days ago
The 2026 SEC media days have come and gone this week in Tampa, Florida, and that means we're one step closer to the college football regular season.
As per usual, the SEC released the Preseason Media Poll All-SEC team on Friday, which was voted on by the media that was on hand covering this week's event. After the Oklahoma Sooners had just three players make the all-league predictions a year ago, OU was much more well-represented in 2026.
On the first team, both kicker Tate Sandell and long snapper Ben Anderson represented the Sooners. Sandell returned after winning the Lou Groza Award last season, while Anderson has established himself as one of the league's best long snappers over the course of his career.
OU had eight players selected to the second team. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, defensive linemen David Stone and Taylor Wein, linebacker Kip Lewis, defensive backs Eli Bowen and Peyton Bowen, and kicker/punter Grayson Miller all got the nod.
Sategna returns as OU's top wide receiver after showing off his explosiveness last year. Fasusi had an impressive true freshman season in Norman, establishing himself as Oklahoma's starting left tackle. Stone and Wein were breakout stars for the Sooners last year on the front line of the defense. Lewis continues to be OU's emotional leader on defense and is the longest-tenured Sooner. The Bowen brothers are back for another year patrolling the Oklahoma secondary, and Miller returns after becoming OU's starter at punter early last season. He put together an impressive year in 2025.
#year #last #sandell #anderson
As per usual, the SEC released the Preseason Media Poll All-SEC team on Friday, which was voted on by the media that was on hand covering this week's event. After the Oklahoma Sooners had just three players make the all-league predictions a year ago, OU was much more well-represented in 2026.
On the first team, both kicker Tate Sandell and long snapper Ben Anderson represented the Sooners. Sandell returned after winning the Lou Groza Award last season, while Anderson has established himself as one of the league's best long snappers over the course of his career.
OU had eight players selected to the second team. Wide receiver Isaiah Sategna III, offensive lineman Michael Fasusi, defensive linemen David Stone and Taylor Wein, linebacker Kip Lewis, defensive backs Eli Bowen and Peyton Bowen, and kicker/punter Grayson Miller all got the nod.
Sategna returns as OU's top wide receiver after showing off his explosiveness last year. Fasusi had an impressive true freshman season in Norman, establishing himself as Oklahoma's starting left tackle. Stone and Wein were breakout stars for the Sooners last year on the front line of the defense. Lewis continues to be OU's emotional leader on defense and is the longest-tenured Sooner. The Bowen brothers are back for another year patrolling the Oklahoma secondary, and Miller returns after becoming OU's starter at punter early last season. He put together an impressive year in 2025.
#year #last #sandell #anderson
23 days ago
Our **** ysts just identified a stock with the potential to be the next Nvidia. Tell us how you invest and we'll show you why it's our #1 pick. Tap here.
JD Wetherspoon issued another profit warning after sales came in weaker than expected and costs kept rising across food, labor, repairs, energy and business rates. Like-for-like sales rose 4% in the 12 weeks to July 19, but that was not enough to offset margin pressure or satisfy investors hoping the World Cup and warm weather would deliver a bigger pub rush. Shares fell sharply. The punters are still showing up. The profits are not keeping pace.
Wetherspoons warned that full-year profits are likely to come in below market expectations when it reports results in October. The company blamed "marginally lower sales than anticipated" in the final quarter and higher costs across food, labor, repairs, energy and business rates.
Like-for-like sales rose 4% in the 12 weeks to July 19. Year-to-date like-for-like sales were up 4.2%. That is growth, but not enough for a pub chain that investors hoped would benefit from the FIFA World Cup, warm weather and customers heading out to watch matches.
Shares fell around 9% to 10% after the update.
#shares
JD Wetherspoon issued another profit warning after sales came in weaker than expected and costs kept rising across food, labor, repairs, energy and business rates. Like-for-like sales rose 4% in the 12 weeks to July 19, but that was not enough to offset margin pressure or satisfy investors hoping the World Cup and warm weather would deliver a bigger pub rush. Shares fell sharply. The punters are still showing up. The profits are not keeping pace.
Wetherspoons warned that full-year profits are likely to come in below market expectations when it reports results in October. The company blamed "marginally lower sales than anticipated" in the final quarter and higher costs across food, labor, repairs, energy and business rates.
Like-for-like sales rose 4% in the 12 weeks to July 19. Year-to-date like-for-like sales were up 4.2%. That is growth, but not enough for a pub chain that investors hoped would benefit from the FIFA World Cup, warm weather and customers heading out to watch matches.
Shares fell around 9% to 10% after the update.
#shares
25 days ago
The Arizona Cardinals held tryouts for five players on Tuesday, the day before reporting to training camp. They brought in two punters and three defensive linemen.
Per the NFL transaction report, these were Arizona's tryouts:
P Jack Browning
P Brad Robbins
DL Kameron Hamilton
#cardinals #tuesday
Per the NFL transaction report, these were Arizona's tryouts:
P Jack Browning
P Brad Robbins
DL Kameron Hamilton
#cardinals #tuesday
1 month ago
As a follow-up to the top 10 list of players we put out over the last few weeks, I wanted to give you my top 13 players on our squad, and my reasoning behind why I ranked each player where I did. These rankings did factor into the overall rankings you saw over the last few weeks, but Scott Bair promised you a Tyler’s Take with my thoughts – so here it is!
Editor’s note: We’ll count down the top 10 Commanders players on the 2026 roster regardless of position sporadically over the next few weeks. Before we get to it, here’s how we arrived at the ranking: Our Scott Bair, Scott Jennings and Mark Tyler compiled a top 13 – no ranking was identical — with points ****** igned to each ranking slot from all three lists. We used these point values to form a consensus top 10 ranking. We’ll write a story on each member of the top 10 and another on others receiving votes at the end. Plus, Mark will probably have a Tyler’s Take with his thoughts. You’ll surely object to some of these rankings, though debate is kind of the point with lists like this. Today we focus on No. 1:
Our roster rankings: 10. Leo Chenal | 9. Chig Okonwko | 8. Nick Cross | 7. Sam Cosmi | 6. Sonny Styles | 5. Daron Payne | 4. Odafe Oweh | 3. Terry McLaurin | 2. Jayden Daniels | 1. Laremy Tunsil
13. P Tress Way: I know punters don’t get enough credit (and I’m guilty of this too), but Way is fantastic at what he does!
12. DL Javon Kinlaw: It may not have shown up on tape a lot last season, but Kinlaw was often double-teamed yet still held his own on a very poor front seven. I think he’ll show out in this new, attacking scheme.
Editor’s note: We’ll count down the top 10 Commanders players on the 2026 roster regardless of position sporadically over the next few weeks. Before we get to it, here’s how we arrived at the ranking: Our Scott Bair, Scott Jennings and Mark Tyler compiled a top 13 – no ranking was identical — with points ****** igned to each ranking slot from all three lists. We used these point values to form a consensus top 10 ranking. We’ll write a story on each member of the top 10 and another on others receiving votes at the end. Plus, Mark will probably have a Tyler’s Take with his thoughts. You’ll surely object to some of these rankings, though debate is kind of the point with lists like this. Today we focus on No. 1:
Our roster rankings: 10. Leo Chenal | 9. Chig Okonwko | 8. Nick Cross | 7. Sam Cosmi | 6. Sonny Styles | 5. Daron Payne | 4. Odafe Oweh | 3. Terry McLaurin | 2. Jayden Daniels | 1. Laremy Tunsil
13. P Tress Way: I know punters don’t get enough credit (and I’m guilty of this too), but Way is fantastic at what he does!
12. DL Javon Kinlaw: It may not have shown up on tape a lot last season, but Kinlaw was often double-teamed yet still held his own on a very poor front seven. I think he’ll show out in this new, attacking scheme.
1 month ago
Punters on Polymarket are all but certain that Anthropic's valuation will breach $1 trillion by the end of the year.
The prediction market puts the odds of a valuation topping $1.1 trillion at 97%, and even the $1.25 trillion threshold at 92%, reflecting how firmly a thirteen-figure price tag is now **** umed.
The more interesting action sits further up the ladder, where the disagreement actually lives.
A leap to $1.75 trillion is priced at a coin-flip 50%, while $2 trillion is given a 39% chance and $2.5 trillion a still-punchy 32%.
Those are the numbers doing the real work, because they price not whether Anthropic is a giant but how fast it keeps compounding.
The prediction market puts the odds of a valuation topping $1.1 trillion at 97%, and even the $1.25 trillion threshold at 92%, reflecting how firmly a thirteen-figure price tag is now **** umed.
The more interesting action sits further up the ladder, where the disagreement actually lives.
A leap to $1.75 trillion is priced at a coin-flip 50%, while $2 trillion is given a 39% chance and $2.5 trillion a still-punchy 32%.
Those are the numbers doing the real work, because they price not whether Anthropic is a giant but how fast it keeps compounding.
2 months ago
Our Commanders roster rankings are now complete. The top 10 has been revealed over the past few weeks, starting with Leo Chenal at No. 10 and ending with Laremy Tunsil in the top spot.
The 10 talents you see below weren't the only ones receiving votes from the panel.
Our roster rankings: 10. Leo Chenal | 9. Chig Okonwko | 8. Nick Cross | 7. Sam Cosmi | 6. Sonny Styles | 5. Daron Payne | 4. Odafe Oweh | 3. Terry McLaurin | 2. Jayden Daniels
Several others were close to inclusion, and we thought they deserved a shout out and warranted some discussion about their value to the Commanders and whether they should've been ranked higher.
The Commanders punter received points from every panelist – we did a top 13 to account for some variance – and it's clear that respect for Tress Way is sky high. That's warranted for the three-time Pro Bowl selection, with his latest coming in 2025.
The 10 talents you see below weren't the only ones receiving votes from the panel.
Our roster rankings: 10. Leo Chenal | 9. Chig Okonwko | 8. Nick Cross | 7. Sam Cosmi | 6. Sonny Styles | 5. Daron Payne | 4. Odafe Oweh | 3. Terry McLaurin | 2. Jayden Daniels
Several others were close to inclusion, and we thought they deserved a shout out and warranted some discussion about their value to the Commanders and whether they should've been ranked higher.
The Commanders punter received points from every panelist – we did a top 13 to account for some variance – and it's clear that respect for Tress Way is sky high. That's warranted for the three-time Pro Bowl selection, with his latest coming in 2025.
2 months ago
A day after the Washington Huskies secured one high school specialist from Arizona in long snapper Braylon Logan, the Big Ten program dipped back into the Grand Canyon State to get a potential replacement for senior punter Hunter Green.
On Friday, a week after Casteel High School punter Nolan Balke began his official visit to UW, the standout junior made his college decision, choosing Jedd Fisch's program over the Arizona Wildcats after trips to both schools in June.
Balke, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior, is the No. 5-ranked punter in the 2027 class by Kohl's Kicking and should be able to give the Huskies an instant boost.
"Balke attended his first Kohl's ranking camp in May of 2026 and showed very promising upside as a punter," Kohl's Kicking wrote in an evaluation of UW's newest commit.
"His drill work was at the D1 level. He has the leg strength, coordination, and athleticism to play college football. Balke scored 109.26 points during the charting phase of camp and then really showed well in the afternoon drill work phase of camp. Balke is someone to watch in the month of June as a class of 2027 college prospect."
On Friday, a week after Casteel High School punter Nolan Balke began his official visit to UW, the standout junior made his college decision, choosing Jedd Fisch's program over the Arizona Wildcats after trips to both schools in June.
Balke, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior, is the No. 5-ranked punter in the 2027 class by Kohl's Kicking and should be able to give the Huskies an instant boost.
"Balke attended his first Kohl's ranking camp in May of 2026 and showed very promising upside as a punter," Kohl's Kicking wrote in an evaluation of UW's newest commit.
"His drill work was at the D1 level. He has the leg strength, coordination, and athleticism to play college football. Balke scored 109.26 points during the charting phase of camp and then really showed well in the afternoon drill work phase of camp. Balke is someone to watch in the month of June as a class of 2027 college prospect."
2 months ago
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most accomplished and well-paid punters in the NFL in Bryan Anger. The 37-year-old special teamer is a two-time Pro Bowler, and the oldest expected starting punter in the league. The former third-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars has enjoyed quite the career, also playing in Tampa Bay and Houston during his 14 accrued seasons.
But with age, accolades and compensation come a certain degree of expectations, and for whatever reason, Anger and the Cowboys' coverage team has failed to live up. It's a situation previous broached by Cowboys Wire's Terence Watson and a situation that deserves continued attention as the Cowboys head to Oxnard next month.
Special teams is a group effort and that's especially true in matters of punt coverage. Punters don't simply receive snaps and boom the ball as far as humanly possible. They must play within the limitations of their coverage team. Before the phrase "outkicking his coverage" became **** ociated with the arena of finding a mate, it held a quite literal meaning. Punters must weigh the perimeters of the situation and calculate how far they can send a ball to land it just ahead of his trusted gunners. Too much room gives the returner an advantage. Too little room and he leaves meat on the bone. It has to be just right.
The conclusion of the 2025 NFL campaign saw Dallas rank just 14th in net yards per successful punt attempt (includes regular and postseason stats). It's not terrible, but hardly what one would expect from one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL. Anger might not be to blame for such average performance, but if this is as good as the unit is then maybe this would be a good time to get younger and cheaper at the punter position.
It would behoove the Cowboys to kick (punt?) some tires this summer in Oxnard. Whether it's identifying prospects to groom for next season when Anger's contract expires or whether it's to consider this year as a preemptive replacement, a little research could do a team good.
But with age, accolades and compensation come a certain degree of expectations, and for whatever reason, Anger and the Cowboys' coverage team has failed to live up. It's a situation previous broached by Cowboys Wire's Terence Watson and a situation that deserves continued attention as the Cowboys head to Oxnard next month.
Special teams is a group effort and that's especially true in matters of punt coverage. Punters don't simply receive snaps and boom the ball as far as humanly possible. They must play within the limitations of their coverage team. Before the phrase "outkicking his coverage" became **** ociated with the arena of finding a mate, it held a quite literal meaning. Punters must weigh the perimeters of the situation and calculate how far they can send a ball to land it just ahead of his trusted gunners. Too much room gives the returner an advantage. Too little room and he leaves meat on the bone. It has to be just right.
The conclusion of the 2025 NFL campaign saw Dallas rank just 14th in net yards per successful punt attempt (includes regular and postseason stats). It's not terrible, but hardly what one would expect from one of the highest-paid punters in the NFL. Anger might not be to blame for such average performance, but if this is as good as the unit is then maybe this would be a good time to get younger and cheaper at the punter position.
It would behoove the Cowboys to kick (punt?) some tires this summer in Oxnard. Whether it's identifying prospects to groom for next season when Anger's contract expires or whether it's to consider this year as a preemptive replacement, a little research could do a team good.
2 months ago
Steve Zabel, a tight end and pass rusher who was Oklahoma's last two-way player and then played both positions in the NFL, has died at the age of 78.
Zabel could do everything in college at Oklahoma, playing tight end, linebacker and punter, and the Eagles selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft. Zabel recalled in a 2021 interview with the Eagles' website that his status as a two-way player began because he was one of the few Sooners playing well during a tough start to the 1968 season.
"Chuck Fairbanks called me in his office and said, 'Steve, we've proven we can't outscore people. We want you to play defensive end as well as tight end and see if we can't win some games.' For me, it was a great transition. I played both ways and punted, and we won our last six games in a row and won the Big Eight Championship," Zabel said.
When he got to Philadelphia, Zabel again started as a tight end, only to have his coaches decide that his violent style of play would make him a better fit for hitting people on defense.
"As a rookie tight end, I'd gotten kicked out of three games for fighting. And at the end of the year, they told me they didn't think I had the proper temperament to be successful on offense and wanted to move me to outside linebacker," Zabel recalled. "I jumped at the opportunity. My rookie year, I came into camp weighing almost 270 pounds. They told me they wanted me to get big to be a blocking tight end, and it really hampered my speed and agility. My second year, I came to Training Camp as an outside linebacker weighing 230 pounds. I gained all my quickness and speed back. It was a wonderful thing. I was all for playing linebacker, believe me."
Zabel could do everything in college at Oklahoma, playing tight end, linebacker and punter, and the Eagles selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 1970 NFL draft. Zabel recalled in a 2021 interview with the Eagles' website that his status as a two-way player began because he was one of the few Sooners playing well during a tough start to the 1968 season.
"Chuck Fairbanks called me in his office and said, 'Steve, we've proven we can't outscore people. We want you to play defensive end as well as tight end and see if we can't win some games.' For me, it was a great transition. I played both ways and punted, and we won our last six games in a row and won the Big Eight Championship," Zabel said.
When he got to Philadelphia, Zabel again started as a tight end, only to have his coaches decide that his violent style of play would make him a better fit for hitting people on defense.
"As a rookie tight end, I'd gotten kicked out of three games for fighting. And at the end of the year, they told me they didn't think I had the proper temperament to be successful on offense and wanted to move me to outside linebacker," Zabel recalled. "I jumped at the opportunity. My rookie year, I came into camp weighing almost 270 pounds. They told me they wanted me to get big to be a blocking tight end, and it really hampered my speed and agility. My second year, I came to Training Camp as an outside linebacker weighing 230 pounds. I gained all my quickness and speed back. It was a wonderful thing. I was all for playing linebacker, believe me."
2 months ago
The Atlanta Falcons finished the 2025 season in a three-way tie at the "top" of the NFC South division, winning four straight games to end the year with an 8-9 record.
Since then the Falcons have made a lot of changes - mostly to their front office - where they have a new head coach, new GM and Matt Ryan is their new "President of Football," which could mean all kinds of things but definitely puts him higher on the pecking order than Ian Cunningham according to the league office.
However, when it comes to actually improving their roster Atlanta really hasn't done much to move the needle. In fact, some ***** ysts think they had one of the worst offseasons in the NFL. Jordan Dajani at CBS Sports has the Falcons' offseason ranked fifth-worst in the league.
"The Falcons had what I would describe as a middle-of-the-road draft (Lead NFL Draft Insider Ryan Wilson ranked it No. 14), so there's nothing to complain about there other than Atlanta not having a first-round pick because of the Pearce trade. The Falcons also stuck to the bargain bin in free agency. Their two biggest deals totaled just $9 million in value. Those contracts went to kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey. I don't think a team "loses" free agency just by not signing anyone, but did the Falcons really get better this offseason?"
While we strongly disagree with Dajani's criticism of the Tua Tagovailoa signing, it's difficult to say he's wrong about their 2026 NFL Draft class and their extremely-underwhelming additions in free agency.
Since then the Falcons have made a lot of changes - mostly to their front office - where they have a new head coach, new GM and Matt Ryan is their new "President of Football," which could mean all kinds of things but definitely puts him higher on the pecking order than Ian Cunningham according to the league office.
However, when it comes to actually improving their roster Atlanta really hasn't done much to move the needle. In fact, some ***** ysts think they had one of the worst offseasons in the NFL. Jordan Dajani at CBS Sports has the Falcons' offseason ranked fifth-worst in the league.
"The Falcons had what I would describe as a middle-of-the-road draft (Lead NFL Draft Insider Ryan Wilson ranked it No. 14), so there's nothing to complain about there other than Atlanta not having a first-round pick because of the Pearce trade. The Falcons also stuck to the bargain bin in free agency. Their two biggest deals totaled just $9 million in value. Those contracts went to kicker Nick Folk and punter Jake Bailey. I don't think a team "loses" free agency just by not signing anyone, but did the Falcons really get better this offseason?"
While we strongly disagree with Dajani's criticism of the Tua Tagovailoa signing, it's difficult to say he's wrong about their 2026 NFL Draft class and their extremely-underwhelming additions in free agency.
