‘I understand the kind of player I can be:’ Nakobe Dean ticking down the days till 2024 first appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Nakobe Dean’s message: Give him up at your own risk.
“I know who I am,” Dean explained. “I know who I am, and I haven’t gotten it wrong. I know who I am. I’m confident in my abilities. I understand the type of player I can be. I understand the kind of person I can be for this city.”
After playing just 34 defensive snaps as a rookie in 2022, Dean was given the opportunity to start as a linebacker this fall, becoming the Eagles’ youngest defensive opening-day starter since corner Brandon Boykin in 2012, but he sustained a right foot injury in Foxboro and missed four games.
He returned for the Jets in Week 6, but did not feel fully recovered until the Cowboys game a few weeks later. And that’s when he sustained the Lysfranc injury in his left foot, which ruined his season.
Dean received a lot of hype coming out of Georgia, and his first two NFL seasons haven’t lived up to it.
However, he is only 23 years old, has only played a few healthy snaps in his career, and both the Eagles and Dean believe he will be an important part of a rebuilt 2024 defense.
“You’re going to get some criticism,” Dean remarked. “You’ll get detractors. You’re going to find motivators. However, if I live for their compliments, I will die for their criticism. So I am not listening. I don’t pay attention to the positive or negative. I take things with a grain of salt.
“Everyone will always have something to say.” Whether you’re the best or worst linebacker in the league, they’ll always have something nasty to say.”
Dean and Ben VanSumeren, an undrafted rookie from this past season, are the Eagles’ only off-ball linebackers under contract in 2024. Dean has 216 career snaps to VanSumeren’s 50.
Howie Roseman understands that he must do a lot of work to provide new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio with the personnel he requires to compete. However, he stated that the Eagles continue to have great expectations for Dean.
“I have a lot of belief – and I know (Nick Sirianni) does as well – in Nakobe Dean,” he went on to say. “I believe in this player. I believe in this individual. We lost two linebackers (from 2022) at that position, two solid players from our Super Bowl team, and Nakobe was waiting in the wings. We drafted him for that position.
“Obviously, things didn’t go well for him this year. That does not change our conviction in the player.”
Dean claimed he made the most of his time on the sidelines, but it must be difficult to watch everything go apart in front of your eyes and know there is nothing you can do about it.
“Not being out there, it hurt me,” Dean added. “I wasn’t able to be as present for the squad as I could have been. Regardless, I made every effort to be present.
“It was crazy because I’ve been rehabbing hard, just basically trying to get my foot up and everything and the only thing I can think about is, ‘I can’t wait for the OTAs, I can’t wait for training camp, I can’t wait until next year,'” Dean stated,. “But then I look at the other guys, and they’re still playing this season, and I’m like, ‘Oh, it’ll be a minute, I won’t be there for a while.'”
“But just keep the faith, keep the faith, keep the confidence, and do everything I can do in my power to come back and be better than I’ve ever been.”
Dean, a third-round pick in 2023, is only the third linebacker picked by Howie Roseman since he became general manager in 2010.
He selected Mychal Kendricks in the second round in 2012 and Davion Taylor in the third round in 2020. Chip Kelly was the Eagles’ general manager when they drafted Jordan Hicks in the third round in 2015. Kendricks is the Eagles’ only off-ball linebacker selected in the top 50 since Barry Gardner in 1999.
“I feel like I really barely ever get hurt and then for me to just have two foot things back-to-back like that, it’s kind of crazy,” Dean went on to say.
“I finally didn’t feel any pain at all in the Cowboys game and that was the best I ever felt – and then I got hurt again,” he told reporters. “As someone who had never missed a game in high school or college, let alone a practice, missing more than half of the season hit me hard.
“But don’t be sorry for yourself. As soon as they let me, it was time to get to work and improve, and I’m still working on myself cognitively, physically, emotionally, and spiritually in a variety of ways to be the best version of myself.
Dean has been lifting since shortly after surgery, and he says his boot will come off in the next several weeks, allowing him to really ramp up his rehab and conditioning.
OTAs are just four months away. Training camp is six months away. Opening day is eight months away.
When asked how eager he is to get back to work, Nakobe shook his head.
No.
“I’m not hungry,” he said. “I’m starving.”
It is difficult for coaches with high expectations to earn Coach of the Year.
On Friday, 49ers tight end George Kittle commended coach Kyle Shanahan before expressing displeasure that Shanahan has never been named NFL coach of the year.
Shanahan’s simple reality is that he missed his greatest opportunity to win it. When a head coach is recognized as one of the finest in football, it becomes much more difficult to be named coach of the year.
The distinction has essentially grown into a trophy for the coach whose club outperforms its commonly acknowledged expectations beginning a particular season. Under that standard, Texans coach DeMeco Ryans should be the clear winner this year. Given what he achieved with a revolving door at quarterback, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, whose team was a wild card in preseason projections, has emerged as a potential option.
Ryans and Stefanski were chosen finalists for the award, joining Shanahan, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, and Lions coach Dan Campbell.
Although the Ravens were not projected to win the AFC’s top seed this season, Harbaugh (like Shanahan) is already regarded as a terrific head coach, making it more difficult to win in any given year. In terms of Campbell, the Lions largely surpassed their preseason predictions, finishing first in their division and third overall. That’s probably not enough to propel Campbell to the top.
Shanahan’s best chance to win it came in 2019, when the 49ers surged to prominence in his third season on the job. That year, however, Harbaugh guided the Ravens to an unexpected top seed in the AFC and a 14-2 record.
Bottom line, established coaches will find it difficult to win. Bill Belichick last received the honor in 2010. Andy Reid has not won it since 2002, for crying out loud. Mike Tomlin has never won in his 17 years on the job. And Packers coach Matt LaFleur, who spent four years tiptoeing around a fragile genius before developing Jordan Love into a darn fine quarterback in his first year on the job, doesn’t even get a look at the title.
In a strange way, the fact that it is more difficult for Shanahan, Harbaugh, and Tomlin to win the honor demonstrates respect. A playoff berth or a division title will not suffice to impress the voters.
Jalen Hurts will allegedly have a new quarterback coach in 2024.
Jalen Hurts will reportedly have a new quarterback coach in 2024, originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
It appears that Jalen Hurts will have a new position coach in 2024.
The Eagles’ current quarterbacks coach, Alex Tanney, has been granted permission by the team to “explore other coaching opportunities,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported.
This is not surprising given that the Eagles are now looking for a new offensive coordinator to replace Brian Johnson, who was recently fired. When discussing the duties of the next offensive coordinator, head coach Nick Sirianni notably highlighted instructing the quarterback.
“We’re working on getting the best guy in here for the job and a guy who has a vision,” Sirianni went on to say, “a guy who’s going to call the plays, a guy who’s going to be able to coach the quarterback in the same sense there.”
Last offseason, Johnson was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator, and Tanney was promoted from assistant quarterbacks coach. The Eagles’ offense wasn’t bad in 2023, but there was some noticeable decline, particularly at quarterback.
Hurts was a front-runner for MVP prior to the Eagles’ late-season slump, but that rapidly faded.
Here’s a comparison of Hurts’ numbers for 2022 and 2023:
2022: 15 games, 66.5%, 3,701 yards, 22 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 101.5 rating; 760 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns.
2023: 17 games, 65.4%, 3,858 yards, 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 89.1 rating; 605 yards rushing, 15 touchdowns.
Tanney, 36, had an NFL career as a quarterback that ended in 2020. He later joined the Eagles as a quality control coach in 2021. He was promoted in the following two offseasons and appeared to be on pace to become an NFL offensive coordinator. But then the Eagles went apart in 2023, and a slew of coaches will be looking for new opportunities.
On defense, the Eagles are signing veteran coach Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator and have already begun interviewing some position coaches. The process will most likely be similar on the other side of the ball once the new offensive coordinator is found.
Sirianni stated earlier this week that position coach positions are still open. The new coordinators may choose to have their own individuals fill certain positions, however some coaches may be retained. Jeff Stoutland, offensive line coach and run game coordinator, is the most apparent choice to maintain.
The NFL filed a move to dismiss Jim Trotter’s wrongful termination claim.
As expected, the NFL has officially argued that Jim Trotter’s wrongful termination claim from September should be dismissed in court.
According to A.J. Perez of FrontOfficeSports.com, the NFL filed a move to dismiss the action Friday night, accompanied with a 26-page legal brief arguing that Trotter has no case.
Although the NFL’s paperwork describes the failure to renew Trotter’s contract as a “routine and sound business decision,” the core point is that, even if Trotter’s allegations are genuine, there has been no violation of law.
The document has the typical legalese and jargon. The core of the case goes as follows: Trotter argues that the NFL did not offer him a new contract because he was perceived as a troublemaker due to the paucity of Black employees and supervisors in the NFL Media newsroom, while the NFL claims that the law does not provide him with a remedy, even if his charges are correct.
The league is attempting to win the case at this stage in order to avoid the discovery process, which will include sworn testimony from — and aggressive questioning of — individuals such as Commissioner Roger Goodell (who was questioned about representation issues in the newsroom twice by Trotter at Super Bowl press conferences), Bills owner Terry Pegula (who allegedly made a racially insensitive remark), and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones (who allegedly made a similar comment).
The NFL must resolve this lawsuit in court because Trotter’s contract did not include a condition mandating him to submit any and all disagreements to arbitration under Goodell’s supervision, as many NFL employment contracts do. So, in order to avoid (or at least postpone) a complete reckoning, the NFL will make every possible argument at every point, probably limiting Trotter’s access to records or witnesses who could help him prove his case.
They’ll probably try to turn the tables and make it about Trotter at some time, especially if they can find any semblance of plausible proof to back up such an attack.
That’s how cases like this normally go when someone tries to challenge a huge corporation for unlawful employment practices. Deny, delay, and eventually eliminate all of the employee’s arguments.
If all else fails, make the plaintiff an irresistible deal to avoid the sunlight of open court and the disinfectant of a jury verdict.
According to the injury report, Deebo Samuel may return to kickoffs on Sunday.
Deebo Samuel, a 49ers receiver, is ready for the NFC Championship game. And he might be doing more than just playing his usual position.
On Friday, coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Samuel may return kickoffs.
Before agreeing that Samuel “may” return kicks, Shanahan remarked, “I’m not sure. “We haven’t thought about it yet.”
Shanahan stated that Deebo will not be limited in any way and that playing will not cause more harm to his shoulder.
But Shanahan doesn’t know much else. When asked if Samuel has a bruised shoulder, Shanahan replied, “I don’t know. I do not ask inquiries like that.”
Aren’t you curious?
“Not at all,” Shanahan replied. “Then I would have to lie right now. It’s quite easy for me when I don’t know.”
What we do know is that Samuel will play. And he might be returning kickoffs. If there are any kickoffs that may be returned.
Samuel has six kick returns this season, totaling 154 yards. He returned three kickoffs for 75 yards in 2021, but none in 2022.
In 2023, the Lions had 27 opponent kickoff returns out of 93 total kickoffs.
The Falcons want to interview LSU co-offensive coordinator Cortez Hankton.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Falcons have requested an interview with LSU co-offensive coordinator Cortez Hankton for the offensive coordinator position.
Hankton has spent the last two seasons coaching the Tigers’ wide receivers and coordinating the passing game.
Earlier this week, head coach Brian Kelly elevated Hankton to co-offensive coordinator alongside quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan. Mike Denbrock, LSU’s former offensive coordinator, departed for Notre Dame last month.
The Rams interviewed Hankton for the position of offensive coordinator in 2022.
The Falcons hired Raheem Morris as head coach on Thursday, and Hankton is the first known candidate for the offensive coordinator position to replace David Ragone.
Why Kittle feels Purdy’s doubters continue to mistrust 49ers quarterback
Detractors of Purdy continue to question why Kittle believes him. The 49ers quarterback originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area.
SANTA CLARA— Quarterback Brock Purdy shattered team records while leading the NFL in passer rating and yards per attempt.
Purdy went from being the final choice in the 2022 NFL Draft to receiving more Pro Bowl votes than any other player in the league in his first full season as the 49ers’ starter and being named a finalist for league MVP.
However, several media outlets have given Purdy a mixed evaluation, as the 49ers prepare to face the Detroit Lions in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday.
Perhaps some of those thoughts come from those who haven’t seen him play much or are attempting to get attention by opposing viewpoints.
All-Pro Tight End George Kittle suggested a reason why Purdy might have some doubters.
“My guess is he’s the most normal-looking, average dude that you could possibly look at,” Kittle said of Purdy during an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area.
“So, why is he so good?” It has to be because he’s surrounded by All-Pro players. He has a good offensive line. He has an incredible running back next to him. The defense is quite good. There is no strain on him. Kyle Shanahan excels at his job.
Kittle, on the other hand, argues that Purdy’s success stems primarily from his own exceptional abilities.
Kittle, echoing teammate Brandon Aiyuk’s comments earlier this week, stated that he feels Purdy is not just along for the ride. Kittle believes Purdy is a critical component of the 49ers’ offensive performance.
“The reason that we’re here today is because of what (No.) 13 has done — what he does every single day; what he does on Sundays; when he gets us the ball in space,” he remarked.
“I’ve seen a lot [of] quarterback play that isn’t great — not here with the 49ers but around the league,” he said. “Brock’s style of play consistently lifts us and helps us to perform at a high level. There’s a lot of rubbish. I think he’s the easiest target for people to make fun of.”
Purdy earned the 49ers’ long-term starting job at the end of last season, taking over for the injured Jimmy Garoppolo.
Purdy led the 49ers to two playoff victories and an appearance in the NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Purdy tore his elbow ligament in the first quarter, effectively ending the 49ers’ season.
“(When) we got on the plane, I had no doubts that Brock Purdy was going to be our starter that year unless the surgery went wrong or something,” Kittle told reporters.
Kittle said he does not feel compelled to respond to all of Purdy’s high-profile opponents because he believes Purdy is unflappable and impervious to such criticism.
“If I was worried about Brock’s confidence and his self-monologue or his self-talk, sure, I’d feel like I’d have to defend him,” he added.
“But Brock is a really confident person. He understands what he can do. He understands what he does well. He understands what he means to the team. He understands the confidence he instills in us. “I never worry about Brock.”
Jared Goff: It’s nice to be a part of a city that cares so much.
Jared Goff was not well received in Los Angeles.
Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in 2016, the Rams transferred him to the Lions in the 2021 offseason for Matthew Stafford (and other assets). It came after Goff led the Rams win Super Bowl LII at the end of the 2018 season.
It’s tough to argue with the Rams’ decision, given that they won Super Bowl LVI with Stafford.
However, it has become a rare win-win bargain.
The Lions have gone 21-13 in the regular season over the last two seasons and will play in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. This offers Goff the opportunity to become only the fifth starting quarterback to lead two different organizations to the Super Bowl.
Goff is popular in Detroit.
During the Red Wings’ game on Thursday night, a “JA-RED GOFF!” cry broke out. Goff wasn’t there, but he had heard about it.
“Yeah, that was pretty cool,” Goff remarked Friday, according to Tony Paul of the Detroit News. “Pretty fun to be a part of a city that cares so much.”
The Lions will participate in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since January 1992. They’ve never played in the Super Bowl. So the attitude in Detroit differs from what he experienced five years ago in Los Angeles, a town with two football teams and, for the most part, little emotional affinity to either.
“Not like this,” Goff answered when asked how his time with the Rams compared to this one. “This is a bit different. These fans are wonderful. I anticipate to see a large number of them this weekend.”
