31 Hawks on NFL Rosters. 3 on Practice Squads. 9 Free Agents. (Updated Oct 2)
- Thread starter Franisdaman
- Start date
Packers fans or others... tell me about Mr. Josh Jackson...
Edit- he has to be hurt right? Zero tackles tonight. I didn't watch the game but the box score eludes to no PT.
Edit- he has to be hurt right? Zero tackles tonight. I didn't watch the game but the box score eludes to no PT.
Last edited:
Again, didn't watch but Butler had 8 carries for 32 yards. Lots of negativity on Twitter about him tonight.
Monday Night (7 pm CT) will be must see TV.
6 of the 37 Hawkeyes in the NFL will either see action or will be seen on the sideline.
CJ Beathard, George Kittle & Ross Reynolds
.................vs..............................
Josey Jewell, Noah Fant & Casey Kreiter (#42)
Here is a pretty cool pic from a joint 49'er/Bronco practice.
6 of the 37 Hawkeyes in the NFL will either see action or will be seen on the sideline.
CJ Beathard, George Kittle & Ross Reynolds
.................vs..............................
Josey Jewell, Noah Fant & Casey Kreiter (#42)
Here is a pretty cool pic from a joint 49'er/Bronco practice.
In last night's 27-14 Bills win at Carolina, Nick Easley did not show up in the box score. Not sure how much time he saw on the field. Link: https://www.espn.com/nfl/boxscore?gameId=401128188
Anyone watch the game?
See the tweet that follows. Joe is a Bills beat reporter for the Athletic.
This is what he had to say about Nick Easley prior to the game (see point #3, where he discusses Bills WR depth):
Anyone watch the game?
See the tweet that follows. Joe is a Bills beat reporter for the Athletic.
This is what he had to say about Nick Easley prior to the game (see point #3, where he discusses Bills WR depth):
Will Kittle, TJ and Noah soon be the top 3 Tight Ends in the entire NFL?
I think there is potential for that. I think they will all pass up Kelce (of KC) and Ertz (of Philly).
49ers GM John Lynch: No Trade Discussions for QBs Nick Mullens, C.J. Beathard
TYLER CONWAY
AUGUST 18, 2019
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters Saturday that the team hasn't "had talks at all" about trading backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard.
Lynch acknowledged it's possible teams begin reaching out ahead of 53-man roster cuts, but he has yet to have any discussions.
Mullens and Beathard are competing for the top backup spot behind Jimmy Garoppolo, who is returning from a torn ACL. Mullens replaced Beathard in the starting lineup for the final stretch of last season and appears to have a significant leg up in the race.
Beathard performed better in the 49ers' first preseason game, throwing for 141 yards and a touchdown against an interception on 13-of-17 passing. Mullens completed 11 of his 17 passes for 105 yards, also throwing a touchdown and a pick.
“I thought both of them made some good plays, but I thought both of them definitely had one really bad play,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. “Thought that they [each] threw a pick that was pretty easy to see.”
Beathard will be the second quarterback to receive snaps behind Garoppolo in Monday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Mullens received the start in the preseason opener against Dallas.
It appears more likely that the 49ers would carry three quarterbacks into the 2019 season than trade either Beathard or Mullens. Garoppolo still only has 10 NFL starts under his belt and has already suffered two serious injuries during those appearances. Beathard and Mullens have value to the 49ers as basic insurance policies alone.
If a team is willing to part with a solid mid-round pick, the 49ers might wind up taking a phone call. But there's little reason to punt on value at the league's most important position given Garoppolo's inability to stay healthy thus far as a starter.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...eathard?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
TYLER CONWAY
AUGUST 18, 2019
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters Saturday that the team hasn't "had talks at all" about trading backup quarterbacks Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard.
Lynch acknowledged it's possible teams begin reaching out ahead of 53-man roster cuts, but he has yet to have any discussions.
Mullens and Beathard are competing for the top backup spot behind Jimmy Garoppolo, who is returning from a torn ACL. Mullens replaced Beathard in the starting lineup for the final stretch of last season and appears to have a significant leg up in the race.
Beathard performed better in the 49ers' first preseason game, throwing for 141 yards and a touchdown against an interception on 13-of-17 passing. Mullens completed 11 of his 17 passes for 105 yards, also throwing a touchdown and a pick.
“I thought both of them made some good plays, but I thought both of them definitely had one really bad play,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters. “Thought that they [each] threw a pick that was pretty easy to see.”
Beathard will be the second quarterback to receive snaps behind Garoppolo in Monday's preseason game against the Denver Broncos. Mullens received the start in the preseason opener against Dallas.
It appears more likely that the 49ers would carry three quarterbacks into the 2019 season than trade either Beathard or Mullens. Garoppolo still only has 10 NFL starts under his belt and has already suffered two serious injuries during those appearances. Beathard and Mullens have value to the 49ers as basic insurance policies alone.
If a team is willing to part with a solid mid-round pick, the 49ers might wind up taking a phone call. But there's little reason to punt on value at the league's most important position given Garoppolo's inability to stay healthy thus far as a starter.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...eathard?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Hooker continues to make plays and open eyes.
A Titans Beat Writer's take;
An ESPN writer's take:
A Titans Beat Writer's take;
An ESPN writer's take:
In the Lions 30-23 loss last night:
TJ was targeted twice. He had one reception for 22 yds.
here's video of the catch.
Watch:
TJ was targeted twice. He had one reception for 22 yds.
here's video of the catch.
Watch:
Mullens or Beathard? 49ers’ Shanahan not saying, but choice appears obvious
Eric Branch
Aug. 12, 2019
Updated: Aug. 12, 2019 10:05 p.m.
On Saturday, nine months after he took C.J. Beathard’s job, Nick Mullens was a game captain and the 49ers’ starting quarterback in a preseason-opening win against the Cowboys.
That cements what everyone logically would assume based on their disparate performances in 2018: Mullens will enter the regular season as the backup QB behind Jimmy Garoppolo, right?
Wrong.
Well, at least that’s incorrect based on what head coach Kyle Shanahan has maintained throughout the offseason. Not surprisingly, Shanahan didn’t change his stance when asked if there was any separation between Mullens and Beathard after the first exhibition game.
“No,” Shanahan said before offering Beathard — not Mullens — would be the first QB off the bench when Garoppolo makes his preseason debut Monday at Denver.
The backup QBs, of course, weren’t dead even last season when Mullens had a quicker release, a better feel in the pocket and superior statistics.
In eight starts, Mullens had a 3-5 record, a 64.2 completion percentage, averaged 284.6 passing yards a game, posted a 90.8 passer rating and took 17 sacks.
Mullens’ 2,277 yards in his first eight career games are the fourth most in NFL history.
In five starts, Beathard went 0-5, had a 60.4 completion percentage, averaged 250.4 passing yards, posted an 81.8 rating and took 18 sacks.
It would seem Beathard would need to clearly outperform Mullens this summer to reclaim his backup spot. And that hasn’t happened.
Both have had solid training camps — and they had statistically similar performances in the exhibition opener — but Mullens has built on last season’s momentum.
Mullens, Beathard and Garoppolo spent time in the offseason with noted throwing coach Tom House in Southern California. General manager John Lynch recently said Mullens, who lacks elite arm strength, returned with more zip on his throws.
Lynch did so while noting Mullens, undrafted and undersized, gradually has proven he has ability to go with those intangibles.
“He continues to do it each and every single day,” Lynch said last week on KNBR. “And I think the one thing we’ve learned inside this building: Don’t put limitations on this guy because at first you say, ‘Look, he’s got that element where he’s not going to wilt under pressure. He’s got something special to him. OK, but how talented is he?’
“But then he comes and works an offseason. Goes with Jimmy down to Tom House. Improves his throwing mechanics. He’s got a little more juice on it. Nick’s playing at a high level.”
Lynch, who was asked specifically about Mullens, wrapped up his answer with this: “… Nick Mullens took an opportunity (last year) and ran with it, and we feel really good about that position. C.J. Beathard’s having a real nice camp as well.”
The 49ers don’t view Beathard, whom they selected in the third round in 2017, as an afterthought. Shanahan has referenced Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins, a fourth-round pick he mentored in Washington, to suggest Beathard could overcome early struggles to flourish in the NFL.
Still, barring a scenario in which Mullens does a preseason face-plant, it’s hard to imagine Beathard leapfrogging him on the depth chart. And that means the relevant question isn’t whether Mullens or Beathard will be the No. 2, but whether Shanahan will keep three quarterbacks on the roster.
Shanahan prefers to keep just two for roster flexibility, but Beathard could make him change that approach. Beathard still has practice-squad eligibility, so if he’s among the 49ers’ final roster cuts, he can return to the team if he clears waivers. In addition, given his third-round pedigree and flashes of promise in 10 starts, Beathard could have trade value to teams with shaky backup QBs.
Last week, Shanahan was asked about the biggest difference in Beathard since the end of last season. He didn’t mention a specific improvement, but he said Beathard had to do a better job of protecting himself: Beathard isn’t afraid to hang in the pocket, but his tendency to hold onto the ball leads to hellacious hits.
“Sometimes,” Shanahan said, “your biggest strength is your biggest weakness.”
Last year, Beathard’s wrist injury sidelined him and opened the door for Mullens to take the starting spot. Mullens seized the opportunity, and Shanahan noted last week he appears to be building on his impressive NFL debut.
When asked about the biggest difference in Mullens since the end of last season, Shanahan, who appears to be faced with an easy decision, mentioned Mullens’ excellent decision-making.
“He’s just very confident,” Shanahan said. “You know where he’s going to go with the ball, and it’s pretty easy to think the same with him.”
Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch
Eric Branch
Aug. 12, 2019
Updated: Aug. 12, 2019 10:05 p.m.
On Saturday, nine months after he took C.J. Beathard’s job, Nick Mullens was a game captain and the 49ers’ starting quarterback in a preseason-opening win against the Cowboys.
That cements what everyone logically would assume based on their disparate performances in 2018: Mullens will enter the regular season as the backup QB behind Jimmy Garoppolo, right?
Wrong.
Well, at least that’s incorrect based on what head coach Kyle Shanahan has maintained throughout the offseason. Not surprisingly, Shanahan didn’t change his stance when asked if there was any separation between Mullens and Beathard after the first exhibition game.
“No,” Shanahan said before offering Beathard — not Mullens — would be the first QB off the bench when Garoppolo makes his preseason debut Monday at Denver.
The backup QBs, of course, weren’t dead even last season when Mullens had a quicker release, a better feel in the pocket and superior statistics.
In eight starts, Mullens had a 3-5 record, a 64.2 completion percentage, averaged 284.6 passing yards a game, posted a 90.8 passer rating and took 17 sacks.
Mullens’ 2,277 yards in his first eight career games are the fourth most in NFL history.
In five starts, Beathard went 0-5, had a 60.4 completion percentage, averaged 250.4 passing yards, posted an 81.8 rating and took 18 sacks.
It would seem Beathard would need to clearly outperform Mullens this summer to reclaim his backup spot. And that hasn’t happened.
Both have had solid training camps — and they had statistically similar performances in the exhibition opener — but Mullens has built on last season’s momentum.
Mullens, Beathard and Garoppolo spent time in the offseason with noted throwing coach Tom House in Southern California. General manager John Lynch recently said Mullens, who lacks elite arm strength, returned with more zip on his throws.
Lynch did so while noting Mullens, undrafted and undersized, gradually has proven he has ability to go with those intangibles.
“He continues to do it each and every single day,” Lynch said last week on KNBR. “And I think the one thing we’ve learned inside this building: Don’t put limitations on this guy because at first you say, ‘Look, he’s got that element where he’s not going to wilt under pressure. He’s got something special to him. OK, but how talented is he?’
“But then he comes and works an offseason. Goes with Jimmy down to Tom House. Improves his throwing mechanics. He’s got a little more juice on it. Nick’s playing at a high level.”
Lynch, who was asked specifically about Mullens, wrapped up his answer with this: “… Nick Mullens took an opportunity (last year) and ran with it, and we feel really good about that position. C.J. Beathard’s having a real nice camp as well.”
The 49ers don’t view Beathard, whom they selected in the third round in 2017, as an afterthought. Shanahan has referenced Pro Bowl QB Kirk Cousins, a fourth-round pick he mentored in Washington, to suggest Beathard could overcome early struggles to flourish in the NFL.
Still, barring a scenario in which Mullens does a preseason face-plant, it’s hard to imagine Beathard leapfrogging him on the depth chart. And that means the relevant question isn’t whether Mullens or Beathard will be the No. 2, but whether Shanahan will keep three quarterbacks on the roster.
Shanahan prefers to keep just two for roster flexibility, but Beathard could make him change that approach. Beathard still has practice-squad eligibility, so if he’s among the 49ers’ final roster cuts, he can return to the team if he clears waivers. In addition, given his third-round pedigree and flashes of promise in 10 starts, Beathard could have trade value to teams with shaky backup QBs.
Last week, Shanahan was asked about the biggest difference in Beathard since the end of last season. He didn’t mention a specific improvement, but he said Beathard had to do a better job of protecting himself: Beathard isn’t afraid to hang in the pocket, but his tendency to hold onto the ball leads to hellacious hits.
“Sometimes,” Shanahan said, “your biggest strength is your biggest weakness.”
Last year, Beathard’s wrist injury sidelined him and opened the door for Mullens to take the starting spot. Mullens seized the opportunity, and Shanahan noted last week he appears to be building on his impressive NFL debut.
When asked about the biggest difference in Mullens since the end of last season, Shanahan, who appears to be faced with an easy decision, mentioned Mullens’ excellent decision-making.
“He’s just very confident,” Shanahan said. “You know where he’s going to go with the ball, and it’s pretty easy to think the same with him.”
Eric Branch is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: ebranch@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Eric_Branch
Hitchens embraces task of leading Chiefs defense
A year ago, he dedicated his focus to learning a 3-4 scheme designed by former defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
After falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, coach Andy Reid chose to part ways with Sutton, yet again leading to change with the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo. The outcome resulted in a change to a 4-3 scheme. It’s nothing Hitchens is too concerned about.
“It’s a lot of challenges, but at the end of the day we’ve gotta get it done,” Hitchens said. There’s other teams in the league that’s going through the same things. No one’s gonna feel sorry for us in Week 1. We’ve gotta find a way to get it done, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Since putting on pads for the first time, Hitchens and the defense have focused on improving in live action with the help of an offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
In the process, Hitchens has been learning numerous roles, something he had as part of a 4-3 defense with the Dallas Cowboys. There, he started 48 games playing in all three linebacker spots.
Hitchens has worked throughout the offseason and training camp to find a way to be able to fit anywhere as a linebacker if needed.
“I’m sweating and lose about 10 pounds a day when we’re in pads,” Hitchens said. “It’s just more energy, more running, more plays. It’s just different. It’s gonna burn a lot of calories and energy.”
The Chiefs have noticed Hitchens’ effort to grow throughout training camp, something he didn’t have the opportunity to do much due to an injury last year. He went on to play 17 games after missing time in the preseason.
“Hitchens brings a great energy every play everyday, and he’s smart,” Reid said. “He leads the middle of that defense.”
Learning has been a crucial part of Hitchens’ training camp performance. It has led to a natural step up to a leadership position for the second-year Chief.
“I take pride in being a leader. I set the defense and I get everyone lined up,” Hitchens said. “I try to lead by example the right way, on and off the field. (Mathieu and Clark) are the same way — a lot of energy.
Hitchens appreciates the energy of his teammates, but also notes he isn’t the one to show it on the field.
“Everyone leads in different ways. I probably won’t be the one who’s jumping up and down and rah-rahing, but there’s other ways to lead,” Hitchens said. “Mine’s more in the classroom, getting guys right and making sure we perform on Sunday.”
https://www.newspressnow.com/sports...cle_16131d74-b63a-11e9-bdf6-5fffbe7cd4dc.html
- By Joe Andrews News-Press NOW
- Aug 3, 2019
A year ago, he dedicated his focus to learning a 3-4 scheme designed by former defensive coordinator Bob Sutton.
After falling to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, coach Andy Reid chose to part ways with Sutton, yet again leading to change with the hiring of Steve Spagnuolo. The outcome resulted in a change to a 4-3 scheme. It’s nothing Hitchens is too concerned about.
“It’s a lot of challenges, but at the end of the day we’ve gotta get it done,” Hitchens said. There’s other teams in the league that’s going through the same things. No one’s gonna feel sorry for us in Week 1. We’ve gotta find a way to get it done, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”
Since putting on pads for the first time, Hitchens and the defense have focused on improving in live action with the help of an offense led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
In the process, Hitchens has been learning numerous roles, something he had as part of a 4-3 defense with the Dallas Cowboys. There, he started 48 games playing in all three linebacker spots.
Hitchens has worked throughout the offseason and training camp to find a way to be able to fit anywhere as a linebacker if needed.
“I’m sweating and lose about 10 pounds a day when we’re in pads,” Hitchens said. “It’s just more energy, more running, more plays. It’s just different. It’s gonna burn a lot of calories and energy.”
The Chiefs have noticed Hitchens’ effort to grow throughout training camp, something he didn’t have the opportunity to do much due to an injury last year. He went on to play 17 games after missing time in the preseason.
“Hitchens brings a great energy every play everyday, and he’s smart,” Reid said. “He leads the middle of that defense.”
Learning has been a crucial part of Hitchens’ training camp performance. It has led to a natural step up to a leadership position for the second-year Chief.
“I take pride in being a leader. I set the defense and I get everyone lined up,” Hitchens said. “I try to lead by example the right way, on and off the field. (Mathieu and Clark) are the same way — a lot of energy.
Hitchens appreciates the energy of his teammates, but also notes he isn’t the one to show it on the field.
“Everyone leads in different ways. I probably won’t be the one who’s jumping up and down and rah-rahing, but there’s other ways to lead,” Hitchens said. “Mine’s more in the classroom, getting guys right and making sure we perform on Sunday.”
https://www.newspressnow.com/sports...cle_16131d74-b63a-11e9-bdf6-5fffbe7cd4dc.html
For Broncos TE Noah Fant, “blueprint” was provided by 49ers’ George Kittle at Iowa
By RYAN O'HALLORAN
rohalloran@denverpost.com
The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: August 16, 2019
As a true freshman at Iowa in 2016, Noah Fant watched senior George Kittle. How he trained in the weight room. How he worked on his routes and run-game blocks. How he studied film. All of it.
The watching and learning hasn’t stopped as Kittle moved on to the San Francisco 49ers and Fant was a first-round pick by the Broncos this year.
“He’s a blueprint for how to be successful,” Fant said earlier this week.
The Broncos will be thrilled if Fant is able to match Kittle’s rookie-year production (43 catches). Kittle and the rest of the 49ers will be at the Broncos’ training facility Friday and Saturday for joint practices (closed to the public). The teams play Monday at 6 p.m.
The practices will be a chance for Kittle and Fant to catch up.
“Before starting camp, we talked pretty normally, just seeing how each other was doing and if he had any advice for me,” Fant said. “He’s a great role model and a great guy to have close to me.”
Kittle and Fant have much in common.
College: Iowa.
College starting experience: Kittle started 17 of 49 games and Fant 14 of 36.
Size: Kittle is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds and Fant 6-4, 249.
Speed: Kittle ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds at the 2017 Combine and Fant ran 4.50 seconds this year.
And they were arguably underused in college: Kittle had 48 catches (10 touchdowns) and Fant 78 receptions (19 touchdowns).
Kittle slid to the fifth round (No. 146) and represents a steal who is in line for a big contract after the season. The first-year expectations are much higher for Fant.
Kittle is confident Fant can have an instant impact.
“Noah is a guy you can put anywhere on the field and he can make a play,” Kittle said in a phone interview with The Denver Post this offseason. “That’s a gift he has. If you have a guy running 4.5 down the middle of the field and then he unhitches his trailer and gets faster, you can’t line up a (middle linebacker) against him. It’s a hard matchup and if you double-team him, that gives other guys opportunities.”
Fant played 11 games as a freshman at Iowa, but had only nine catches. But his potential was displayed in practice.
“You kind of felt it as soon as he walked on campus,” Kittle said. “He was mature for his age and he went out there and picked up things pretty quickly. He did a great job just showing his athleticism and making plays. After I was gone, he kept stepping up and making big plays. That’s something he does naturally.”
When the Broncos last saw Kittle, he made catching seven passes for 210 yards (all in the first half) look easy.
The mega game was part of Kittle’s breakthrough 2018. He caught 81 passes for 1,377 yards (most-ever by a tight end) and seven touchdowns.
Current Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was San Francisco’s quarterback coach the last two years. When he began installing the offense this spring, it included plenty of Kittle tape.
“When (Kittle) got into the San Francisco offense, they really utilized him to the best of his abilities and everybody saw what I already knew was there,” Fant said. “(Our offense) is similar to theirs and he’s a guy who I can relate to and do some of the same things.”
Fant has had a quiet training camp, which isn’t a negative. The injuries at tight end have provided him snaps with the first- and second-team offenses and he started last week’s game at Seattle.
Fant said he is “for sure” getting more comfortable.
“When I first got out here (last month), it was like a scramble with a lot of moving pieces at once,” he said. “Now it’s slowing down and it’s easier to go through things.”
LINK to Story: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/...w&utm_content=tw-denverpost&utm_medium=social
Ryan O'Halloran
Ryan is the lead Denver Broncos beat reporter for The Denver Post. In Feb. 2019, he was named one of the 10 best beat reporters in the country by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
By RYAN O'HALLORAN
rohalloran@denverpost.com
The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: August 16, 2019
As a true freshman at Iowa in 2016, Noah Fant watched senior George Kittle. How he trained in the weight room. How he worked on his routes and run-game blocks. How he studied film. All of it.
The watching and learning hasn’t stopped as Kittle moved on to the San Francisco 49ers and Fant was a first-round pick by the Broncos this year.
“He’s a blueprint for how to be successful,” Fant said earlier this week.
The Broncos will be thrilled if Fant is able to match Kittle’s rookie-year production (43 catches). Kittle and the rest of the 49ers will be at the Broncos’ training facility Friday and Saturday for joint practices (closed to the public). The teams play Monday at 6 p.m.
The practices will be a chance for Kittle and Fant to catch up.
“Before starting camp, we talked pretty normally, just seeing how each other was doing and if he had any advice for me,” Fant said. “He’s a great role model and a great guy to have close to me.”
Kittle and Fant have much in common.
College: Iowa.
College starting experience: Kittle started 17 of 49 games and Fant 14 of 36.
Size: Kittle is 6-foot-4, 250 pounds and Fant 6-4, 249.
Speed: Kittle ran the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds at the 2017 Combine and Fant ran 4.50 seconds this year.
And they were arguably underused in college: Kittle had 48 catches (10 touchdowns) and Fant 78 receptions (19 touchdowns).
Kittle slid to the fifth round (No. 146) and represents a steal who is in line for a big contract after the season. The first-year expectations are much higher for Fant.
Kittle is confident Fant can have an instant impact.
“Noah is a guy you can put anywhere on the field and he can make a play,” Kittle said in a phone interview with The Denver Post this offseason. “That’s a gift he has. If you have a guy running 4.5 down the middle of the field and then he unhitches his trailer and gets faster, you can’t line up a (middle linebacker) against him. It’s a hard matchup and if you double-team him, that gives other guys opportunities.”
Fant played 11 games as a freshman at Iowa, but had only nine catches. But his potential was displayed in practice.
“You kind of felt it as soon as he walked on campus,” Kittle said. “He was mature for his age and he went out there and picked up things pretty quickly. He did a great job just showing his athleticism and making plays. After I was gone, he kept stepping up and making big plays. That’s something he does naturally.”
When the Broncos last saw Kittle, he made catching seven passes for 210 yards (all in the first half) look easy.
The mega game was part of Kittle’s breakthrough 2018. He caught 81 passes for 1,377 yards (most-ever by a tight end) and seven touchdowns.
Current Broncos offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello was San Francisco’s quarterback coach the last two years. When he began installing the offense this spring, it included plenty of Kittle tape.
“When (Kittle) got into the San Francisco offense, they really utilized him to the best of his abilities and everybody saw what I already knew was there,” Fant said. “(Our offense) is similar to theirs and he’s a guy who I can relate to and do some of the same things.”
Fant has had a quiet training camp, which isn’t a negative. The injuries at tight end have provided him snaps with the first- and second-team offenses and he started last week’s game at Seattle.
Fant said he is “for sure” getting more comfortable.
“When I first got out here (last month), it was like a scramble with a lot of moving pieces at once,” he said. “Now it’s slowing down and it’s easier to go through things.”
LINK to Story: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/...w&utm_content=tw-denverpost&utm_medium=social
Ryan O'Halloran
Ryan is the lead Denver Broncos beat reporter for The Denver Post. In Feb. 2019, he was named one of the 10 best beat reporters in the country by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
Five Broncos to watch in Monday’s Preseason game against San Francisco
By RYAN O'HALLORAN
rohalloran@denverpost.com
The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: August 18, 2019
Five Broncos to watch in Monday’s preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers (6 p.m.):
1. Joe Flacco
Eleven snaps and a drive that ended with a field goal was Flacco’s work against Seattle and he is expected to play more against the 49ers. There were no real things to clean up from last week except avoiding the communication-type errors that led to him bumping into running back Phillip Lindsay. “I think Joe’s still getting a feel for the offense,” general manager John Elway said. “He’ll get better as he gets more play time in these preseason games.”
2. Noah Fant
Fant, the Broncos’ first-round pick, has three catches for 21 yards in two games, but particularly in the last week of practice, he is showing a definitive comfort level with the passing system. Fant exhibited good hands and route-running throughout the six practices since the Seattle game and on Saturday, he had his way with a 49ers linebacker via a pattern down the left seam. With more playing time Monday, it will be interesting to track where Fant lines up.
3. Bryce Callahan
Callahan was a healthy scratch against Atlanta and held out with a foot injury at Seattle. A nickel back covering the slot receiver for coach Vic Fangio in Chicago, Callahan has moved outside since signing with the Broncos. Pre-foot injury, Callahan was having a terrific camp, consistently showing up during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 by being around the football. Even if just for a few snaps, Callahan’s No. 29 is one to watch.
4. Trey Marshall
Can Marshall, who has five tackles and one pass break-up in the preseason, wedge his way onto the roster as a fourth or fifth safety? Monday will be key because No. 3 safety Will Parks (hamstring) is out and Su’a Cravens, who is competing for the Nos. 4-5 spots, isn’t expected to play after missing three consecutive practices with an illness.
5. Ahmad Gooden
An undrafted rookie, Gooden has three tackles in 34 snaps of work through two preseason games. He could exceed that play-time total against San Francisco because Jeff Holland was waived on Aug. 11 and camp standout/fellow undrafted rookie Malik Reed missed the last three practices because of an oblique injury. Since Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and top reserve Dekoda Watson will play sparingly, Gooden has a chance to make a practice squad case statement.
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/18/broncos-to-watch-49ers-game/
By RYAN O'HALLORAN
rohalloran@denverpost.com
The Denver Post
PUBLISHED: August 18, 2019
Five Broncos to watch in Monday’s preseason home game against the San Francisco 49ers (6 p.m.):
1. Joe Flacco
Eleven snaps and a drive that ended with a field goal was Flacco’s work against Seattle and he is expected to play more against the 49ers. There were no real things to clean up from last week except avoiding the communication-type errors that led to him bumping into running back Phillip Lindsay. “I think Joe’s still getting a feel for the offense,” general manager John Elway said. “He’ll get better as he gets more play time in these preseason games.”
2. Noah Fant
Fant, the Broncos’ first-round pick, has three catches for 21 yards in two games, but particularly in the last week of practice, he is showing a definitive comfort level with the passing system. Fant exhibited good hands and route-running throughout the six practices since the Seattle game and on Saturday, he had his way with a 49ers linebacker via a pattern down the left seam. With more playing time Monday, it will be interesting to track where Fant lines up.
3. Bryce Callahan
Callahan was a healthy scratch against Atlanta and held out with a foot injury at Seattle. A nickel back covering the slot receiver for coach Vic Fangio in Chicago, Callahan has moved outside since signing with the Broncos. Pre-foot injury, Callahan was having a terrific camp, consistently showing up during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 by being around the football. Even if just for a few snaps, Callahan’s No. 29 is one to watch.
4. Trey Marshall
Can Marshall, who has five tackles and one pass break-up in the preseason, wedge his way onto the roster as a fourth or fifth safety? Monday will be key because No. 3 safety Will Parks (hamstring) is out and Su’a Cravens, who is competing for the Nos. 4-5 spots, isn’t expected to play after missing three consecutive practices with an illness.
5. Ahmad Gooden
An undrafted rookie, Gooden has three tackles in 34 snaps of work through two preseason games. He could exceed that play-time total against San Francisco because Jeff Holland was waived on Aug. 11 and camp standout/fellow undrafted rookie Malik Reed missed the last three practices because of an oblique injury. Since Von Miller, Bradley Chubb and top reserve Dekoda Watson will play sparingly, Gooden has a chance to make a practice squad case statement.
https://www.denverpost.com/2019/08/18/broncos-to-watch-49ers-game/
49ers 24, Broncos 15
Starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo was just 1-of-6 with one interception and a 0.0 passer rating in three unflattering series. CJ Beathard took over from there.
Notes from last night's 49'er/Bronco game from the San Jose Mercury News:
The Back up QBs:
CJ Beathard replaced Jimmy Garoppolo with 1:19 left in the first quarter, and Beathard’s debut series ended with a third-down sack and fumble. Beathard was 5-of-11 for 81 yards before Mullens took over in the fourth quarter.
Mullens was 2-of-3 for 27 yards and a 134.7 rating.
Wilton Speight entered for the final four minutes and fumbled as the ball slipped free.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08...15-top-takeways-amid-garoppolos-clumsy-debut/
Starting QB Jimmy Garoppolo was just 1-of-6 with one interception and a 0.0 passer rating in three unflattering series. CJ Beathard took over from there.
Notes from last night's 49'er/Bronco game from the San Jose Mercury News:
The Back up QBs:
CJ Beathard replaced Jimmy Garoppolo with 1:19 left in the first quarter, and Beathard’s debut series ended with a third-down sack and fumble. Beathard was 5-of-11 for 81 yards before Mullens took over in the fourth quarter.
Mullens was 2-of-3 for 27 yards and a 134.7 rating.
Wilton Speight entered for the final four minutes and fumbled as the ball slipped free.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/08...15-top-takeways-amid-garoppolos-clumsy-debut/
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James Butler started last night for the Raiders.
He led all rushers through the first half of play with 31 yards on seven carries. For consecutive weeks, Butler led the run game, finishing with 15 carries for 56 yards (3.7 avg.).
Game Notes: Oakland Raiders 22 Green Bay Packers 21
Thursday, Aug 22, 2019 10:19 PM
Raiders 22, Packers 21
WR Marcell Ateman
LT Brandon Parker
LG Jonathan Cooper
C Andre James
RG Denver Kirkland
RT David Sharpe
TE Luke Willson
WR Keon Hatcher
QB Mike Glennon
RB James Butler
FB Keith Smith
Starters – Defense
DE Ethan Westbrooks
DT Maurice Hurst
DT Gabe Wright
DE Quinton Bell
SLB Brandon Marshall
MLB Jason Cabinda
WLB Marquel Lee
CB Keisean Nixon
CB Nick Nelson
S Erik Harris
S Curtis Riley
Game Themes
https://www.raiders.com/news/game-notes-oakland-raiders-22-green-bay-packers-21
He led all rushers through the first half of play with 31 yards on seven carries. For consecutive weeks, Butler led the run game, finishing with 15 carries for 56 yards (3.7 avg.).
Game Notes: Oakland Raiders 22 Green Bay Packers 21
Thursday, Aug 22, 2019 10:19 PM
Raiders 22, Packers 21
- The Raiders defeated the Green Bay Packers in their third preseason contest of 2019 by a score of 22-21, bringing their preseason record to 3-0.
- The Raiders now own a 7-5 advantage in the all-time preseason record against the Packers and are now 135-134-1 all-time in the preseason.
WR Marcell Ateman
LT Brandon Parker
LG Jonathan Cooper
C Andre James
RG Denver Kirkland
RT David Sharpe
TE Luke Willson
WR Keon Hatcher
QB Mike Glennon
RB James Butler
FB Keith Smith
Starters – Defense
DE Ethan Westbrooks
DT Maurice Hurst
DT Gabe Wright
DE Quinton Bell
SLB Brandon Marshall
MLB Jason Cabinda
WLB Marquel Lee
CB Keisean Nixon
CB Nick Nelson
S Erik Harris
S Curtis Riley
Game Themes
- QB Nathan Peterman tossed two touchdowns and finished with a passer rating of 95.6.
- Raiders totaled three sacks in the contest, coming from LB Nicholas Morrow, LB James Cowser and DT P.J. Hall.
- K Daniel Carlson finished with three field goals and one extra point, accounting for 10 of the Raiders 22 points.
- The Raiders offense finished with a 67 percent red zone efficiency (2-for-3) and 100 percent conversion rate on fourth downs (2-for-2).
- RB James Butler
- Butler led all rushers through the first half of play with 31 yards on seven carries.
- For consecutive weeks, Butler led the run game, finishing with 15 carries for 56 yards (3.7 avg.).
- * LB James Cowser*
- Cowser recorded his first sack of the preseason, taking down QB DeShone Kizer in the third quarter for a loss of four yards. Cowser’s sack helped the Raiders force a punt on the next play.
- Cowser finished the game with two tackles and one sack.
- WR Keelan Doss
- For consecutive games, Doss led the team in receiving yard with 52 yards on four receptions (13.0 avg.).
- WR Rico Gafford
- Gafford led all Raiders through the first half of play with 31 yards on four catches (7.8 avg.), while adding one stop on special teams.
- QB Mike Glennon
- Glennon led the offense down the field on the final drive of the first quarter, orchestrating a nine-play, 55-yard drive lasting 3:21, which culminated in a 42-yard FG by K Daniel Carlson.
- Glennon finished the night completing 4-of-9 passes for 38 yards, exiting the game after the first quarter.
- * DT P.J. Hall*
- Hall recorded his first sack of the preseason, taking down QB DeShone Kizer in the third quarter for a loss of six yards.
- * DT Maurice Hurst*
- Hurst finished the game with three tackles (three solo) and one pass defensed.
- LB Nicholas Morrow
- Morrow recorded his first sack of the preseason, taking down QB DeShone Kizer in the third quarter for a loss of 12 yards, forcing a turnover on downs.
- Morrow finished the night tied with a team-leading five tackles (five solo), including two for loss.
- CB Nick Nelson
- Nelson recorded the Raiders first pick of the 2019 preseason, intercepting QB DeShone Kizer with :03 remaining in the fourth quarter.
- Nelson finished with five tackles (four solo), one interception and one pass defensed.
- QB Nathan Peterman
- On his first offensive series of the game, Peterman orchestrated an eight-play, 75-yard drive lasting 3:39, which culminated in a 5-yard touchdown pass to FB Keith Smith.
- Peterman led the Raiders on a second touchdown drive with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter, connecting with WR De’Mornay Pierson-El for a 17-yard reception.
- Peterman led the Raiders down the field on a 11-play, 61-yard game-winning drive, which was capped by a 33-yard field goal by K Daniel Carlson.
- Peterman ended the night completing 23-of-37 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns for a passer rating of 95.6.
- WR De’Mornay Pierson-El
- Pierson-El led both teams in punt returns, totaling two punt returns for 32 yards (16.0 avg.) with a 17-yard long to set up the Raiders first scoring drive.
- With 5:53 left in the fourth quarter, Pierson-El recorded his first career touchdown on a 17-yard reception from QB Nathan Peterman to cut the Packers lead to 21-19.
- Pierson-El finished with a game high six receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown.
- FB Keith Smith
- In his first preseason action, Smith hauled in a 5-yard touchdown pass from QB Nathan Peterman to cap off an eight-play, 75-yard drive lasting 3:39.
- Smith finished with four receptions for 15 yards with one touchdown.
- *K Daniel Carlson *recorded three field goals in the contest, including a game-winning 33-yarder with :12 remaining in the game. Carlson was perfect on one extra point and scored 10 points.
- *P A.J. Cole *punted six times for 253 yards (42.2 avg.) with a long of 54 yards, placing one punt inside the 20-yard line.
https://www.raiders.com/news/game-notes-oakland-raiders-22-green-bay-packers-21
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