Why Comeback Player of the Year is controversial
FTN Fantasy Chief Analytics Officer Aaron Schatz joins BTE to discuss the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award betting market, and how to analyze "best comeback" vs. "best player" when weighing the criteria.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
28-05-2025
- USA Today
Joe Flacco praises Shedeur Sanders, but says being mentor 'not the main focus'
Joe Flacco praises Shedeur Sanders, but says being mentor 'not the main focus' Show Caption Hide Caption Shedeur Sanders not feeling pressure from his doubters After sliding in the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders explains why he's not bothered by his many doubters as Browns career begins. Sports Pulse Joe Flacco made it clear Wednesday he wants to be known as more than a potential mentor to the Cleveland Browns' young quarterback room. Flacco, entering his 18th NFL season, said he doesn't have any fundamental issues aiding 26-year-old Kenny Pickett, 24-year-old Dillon Gabriel and 23-year-old Shedeur Sanders as the young trio gets acclimated in Cleveland. The 40-year-old simply wants to focus on playing at as high a level as possible after signing a one-year, $4 million deal with the Browns. "It's not really about that. It's just not the main focus," Flacco said at the second day of Cleveland's OTAs Wednesday when asked about being a mentor. "I see myself as a guy that can play in this league. So, if your main focus was just like, 'hey, but I'm going to get you ready,' you're just not taking care of business." How does Flacco envision his potential role as a mentor? He sees himself as more of a lead-by-example type who will benefit from being on the field. "The best way to be a mentor, honestly, is to show people how you go to work and like I said, hope that they pick up on that stuff, but not necessarily force them to pick up on the things that you do," Flacco said. 'ANOTHER LIE': Shedeur Sanders disputes custom Rolls-Royce rumor Flacco has been given an early opportunity to test that theory. He appears to have the early edge in the Browns' starting quarterback battle after beginning OTAs as Cleveland's first-team quarterback. Whether that lasts may depend on how Pickett, Gabriel and Sanders progress as the season draws near. Flacco – the Super Bowl 47 MVP and 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year – is welcoming the competition. He also said he is enjoying the vibe in the team's quarterback room and working with younger quarterbacks like Sanders. "Shedeur has been great. I mean, he's a lot of fun to be around in those meeting rooms," Flacco said, per ESPN. "I think so far, there's been at least once in the meeting room that he's made me crack a smile, and that's what it's all about. You know, he's a young guy trying to learn some football and come out here and practice well and do those things. And like I said, he's been a lot of fun. I probably wasn't too far away from playing against his dad, and now I'm playing with him."
USA Today
28-05-2025
- USA Today
Joe Burrow wins award as Bengals start OTAs
Joe Burrow wins award as Bengals start OTAs Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was with his team on Tuesday as OTAs got started. He was also winning awards in the process. Burrow was voted the 2025 George Halas Award winner by the PFWA, an honor presented annually to a player, coach, or other individual who overcomes the most adversity. RELATED: Shemar Stewart's contract beef with Bengals revealed in report Thematically, it follows Burrow's triumph of reeling in his second NFL Comeback Player of the Year award this year after his return from injury to throw for 4,918 yards and 43 scores. From a Bengals franchise perspective, Burrow joins Tim Krumrie (1990) and Mike Zimmer (2010) as winners of the award. RELATED: Bengals takeaways and thoughts on Jermaine Burton, contract drama
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Minnesota Vikings' Greatest Position of Need – Per Mr. DVOA
During their busy offseason, the Minnesota Vikings have reconstructed their roster through a gangbusters free agency class, a short-handed NFL Draft class and a strong crop of UDFAs. Now that the bulk of general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's offseason work is over, it's time for head coach Kevin O'Connell and defensive coordinator Brian Flores to mold this new-look squad into something that can build on a surprising 14-win campaign from 2024. Aaron Schatz calls out MN Vikings cornerback room Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images But should Kwesi be sitting on his hands between now and the start of training camp? Or, is there more work on the 2025 roster that still needs done? That's exactly what Aaron Schatz — an ESPN analyst and creator of the popular advanced football metric DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) — believes. Advertisement Schatz points to the departures in Minnesota's secondary this offseason, in veterans Stephon Gilmore and Shaq Griffin. He likes the Byron Murphy Jr. extension, but Mr. DVOA believes the Vikings will need more than the newly aqcuired Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon, who's coming off injury. But per that will not be enough. 'Byron Murphy Jr. is back after a fabulous season in which he ranked seventh in the league in my coverage DVOA metric. But you need three starting cornerbacks in the NFL, plus depth behind them. Right now, the other two starters would be Mekhi Blackmon and Isaiah Rodgers. Blackmon missed last season with a torn ACL and had a below-average 9.8% coverage DVOA as a rookie in 2023. Rodgers was good with the Eagles last season but started only three games. Behind them are Jeff Okudah, a onetime high draft pick who played only 7% of Houston's defensive snaps last season, and Tavierre Thomas, a 29-year-old slot corner who played only 4% of Tampa Bay's defensive snaps in 2024.' Aaron Schatz – ESPN After skipping the position during the NFL Draft, it seems logical that the Vikings go pay for a free agent to join the starting lineup, but who would that be and what caliber CB do they desire? Options for the Minnesota Vikings at CB… The Minnesota Vikings played a game of chicken with Stephon Gilmore, finally getting a deal done just before the season started. He was pretty good, but he's now 34 years old and has even contemplated retirement. 2024 CB Shaq Griffin is still on the open market, but he 30 years old and he's been flirting heavily with Seattle. There are other options available on the open market for Minnesota, including Asante Samuel Jr., who's name has been floated to the Vikings recently, but he's also fighting a shoulder injury. Schatz doesn't mention newly acquired Jeff Okudah, but while talented, he can't be trusted for major reps entering the season, either. Advertisement Related: MN Vikings QB JJ McCarthy Reminds TJ Hockenson of Who…? Thus, Mr. DVOA is urging the Vikings to do more at CB, and he's probably right. Could that be a depth signing, like last year when the Vikings brought in Fabian Moreau? Would that be enough?
