'This hurts my soul': Indianapolis Colts players, coaches react to team owner Jim Irsay's death
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay died Wednesday at age 65. He had been part of the team since his teenage years and took over the team after his father, Robert Irsay, died in 1997.
In Jim Irsay's tenure, the Colts won a Super Bowl and played in another; Lucas Oil Stadium was built; and Indianapolis hosted a Super Bowl. He regularly supported philanthropic causes and was a pop culture aficionado who shared his passion with the city.
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Associated Press
13 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Tom Rafferty, an offensive lineman who won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys, dies at 70
WINDSOR, Colo. (AP) — Tom Rafferty, an offensive lineman who won a Super Bowl and played with two Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman over 14 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, has died. He was 70. Rafferty died Thursday in Windsor, Colorado, where he had been hospitalized since early May following a stroke, his daughter, Rachel Powers, told The Dallas Morning News. A year after getting drafted out of Penn State, Rafferty's first season as a starter was at right guard in 1977, which ended with the Cowboys' 27-10 victory over Denver in Super Bowl 12. He played the same position a year later when the Cowboys lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 35-31 in the title game. After a move to center, Rafferty threw one of the key blocks on Tony Dorsett's record 99-yard touchdown run in a 31-27 loss at Minnesota on Jan. 3, 1983. Dallas had 10 men on the field for that famous play. Rafferty's final season was Aikman's rookie year in 1989, when he started eight games at center for a 1-15 team. Rafferty is one of 12 Dallas players to spend at least 14 seasons with the franchise. He was teammates with seven players on that list. ___ AP NFL:
Associated Press
28 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Al Golden's urgency drives Bengals' offseason workouts as defense aims for a turnaround
CINCINNATI (AP) — Al Golden said when he was hired as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator that he was going to demand a lot from his unit during the offseason workouts. With the Bengals mostly through their practices during the organized team activities, Golden has lived up to his word. 'We can push the limits of our core fundamentals. We can try to see how many concepts we can efficiently get to, which I think is important, and then draw on that in training camp,' Golden said. 'Although it's not as physical or perhaps as long as training camp, this does serve as a springboard and great foundation for us. Without this segment, it's hard to start off where you want, so that's why there's urgency right now for us.' Urgency has been a theme throughout the offseason for the Bengals, who ended last season on a five-game winning streak but missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record. Cincinnati has started the last three seasons with losses in its first three games. That includes last year's 0-3 start and a 4-8 mark before a late-season charge that fell short. Even though there are restrictions on contact and how physical things can get during the optional workouts, Golden has made the most of the on-field and classroom time to make sure everyone is on the same page. Cross training at positions, especially in the secondary, and knowing what everyone else is doing have been stressed repeatedly. That way adjustments can be made on the fly by players after a call is made. 'When you sit in on those unit meetings and you look at the pre-practice work and all the stuff that they're getting as a unit, it's a very hungry group,' head coach Zac Taylor said. 'Al's done a great job setting the standard in that room. The position coaches have followed suit, so I'm really excited about the direction that group's heading.' Golden was the Bengals linebackers coach during the 2020 and '21 seasons before going to Notre Dame, where he was defensive coordinator for three years. Ten players Golden coached at Notre Dame went on to be selected in the 2023, '24 and '25 NFL drafts. Even though Joe Burrow led the league in passing and Ja'Marr Chase was the sixth wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to achieve the receiving triple crown — leading the league in receptions, yards and touchdowns — Cincinnati had a hard time containing opposing offenses, finishing 25th in the league in total defense (348.3 yards allowed per game), The Bengals lost four games last season in which they scored at least 30 points, joining the 2002 and '18 Kansas City Chiefs as the only teams to do that. All told, the defense allowed the fifth-most points in the league (414) and gave up a touchdown on 67.9% of opponent's red zone possessions, the third-worst rate in the NFL. They also were eighth in missed tackles with 117. One area where the Bengals were good on defense was forcing turnovers. They had 25 takeaways, which tied for seventh. But Golden has been placing an emphasis on wanting more by putting in four turnover stations, where players are honing their skills on creating and recovering fumbles or interceptions. 'When you're just constantly adding layers to your to your game, it becomes second nature in practice. So when we have training camp we're always punching the ball. It's not only going to help us defensively but also our offense,' linebacker Logan Wilson said. There have also been some early encouraging signs of the defense's progress. Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who is being moved all over the secondary, was lined up as the slot corner on Tuesday picked off Joe Burrow's pass intended for tight end Mike Gesicki. 'We could be moved anywhere. You just don't know what we're in with the disguises in coverage,' Taylor-Britt said. Golden has done most of the installation though without a couple key players on the field. All-Pro selection and NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson did not attend voluntary workouts as he tries to get a contract extension. First-round pick Shemar Stewart and second-round selection Demetrius Knight Jr. are in the meeting rooms but not taking part in practices after not signing their rookie contracts or waivers to participate in workouts. 'Trey's a pro. Whatever he's missing in person now, I guarantee you he'll make it up and be ready to go by the time this comes to a resolution,' Golden said. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Lions' Offensive Line May Be a Problem in 2025
The Lions' Offensive Line May Be a Problem in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Detroit Lions have featured one of the NFL's best offensive lines in recent years. In 2024, they consistently opened up running lanes for their backfield and held opposing pass rushes to just 33 sacks while being led by three Pro Bowlers. Advertisement The unit is going to look a lot different in 2025. Kevin Zeitler left in free agency. Now Frank Ragnow has decided to retire. Detroit Lions in a huddleJunfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Lions are now looking at the interior of their offensive line consisting of an aging Graham Glasgow and two players with a year or less of NFL experience. Glasgow showed signs of decline last season and The Lions Wire's Jeff Risdon revealed that he didn't think Glasgow would make the roster before the Ragnow news. Now he could be changing positions for the 2025 season to start for the Lions, The options to take the other positions could be good. Christian Mahogany was solid in his spot starts last season and Tate Ratledge was taken in round two for a reason. Advertisement The problem is that we just have no idea what to expect from these two or Giovanni Manu and Miles Frazier. It makes the decision to let Zeitler take a $9 million deal elsewhere look even worse than it did at the time. Luckily for the Lions, their division isn't exactly loaded with defensive interiors that strike fear into the hearts of their opponents. However, they'll run into some of the league's best interior defenders in other key matchups against the Chiefs, Ravens, Rams, Buccaneers and Eagles. Those last three teams could be particularly troublesome for the Lions' hopes of contending for a Super Bowl. Advertisement The Bucs, Rams, and Eagles were all playoff teams last season and the Eagles are currently the favorites to win the NFC again in 2025. Last season, it was their defensive front that really swung the Super Bowl as they kept Patrick Mahomes on the run. They've lost Milton Williams, but Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter are still going to be a problem for opponents. If the Lions can get through the top D-lines they'd face in the NFC, they'd then potentially run into star defenders like Chris Jones or Nnamdi Madubuike out of the AFC. The Lions should have no issues dealing with any of these teams on the outside with Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker at the tackle spots, but if the interior offensive line becomes a weakness, it could be a big problem against the NFL's elite. Advertisement The Lions should still be a very good team even with their O-line uncertainty, but for them to reach the Super Bowl that has eluded the franchise for so long, their young guards are going to need to be very good very quickly. Related: Lions Urged to Pursue $120 Million Seven-Time All-Pro Related: Lions' Three-Time All-Pro Unexpectedly Announces Retirement at Just 29 Years Old This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
