Latest news with #BenjaminSolak
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN analyst hopes fans don't ‘come for my head' for Drake Maye-Jayden Daniels take
ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak recently made 100 predictions ahead of the 2025 NFL season. But there's one 'intrusive thought' in particular that may cause a stir when it comes to comparing Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels. It's one New England Patriots fans should love. Advertisement Sure, Daniels was the Rookie of the Year in 2024. But Solak thinks that Maye's performance as a rookie was just as good – if not better. It's a stance that Solak realizes could have Washington Commanders fans coming out with pitchforks and torches. 'Statistically, (Maye) didn't hold a candle,' Solak wrote. 'But degree of difficulty? Maye was playing a completely different sport. I'll put it this way and hope metropolitan D.C. doesn't come for my head: Patriots fans should feel as confident and inspired about their future at quarterback as Commanders fans do right now.' Daniels (the No. 2 pick in 2024) and Maye (the No. 3 pick) were each impressive as rookies. Both players made the Pro Bowl. Advertisement However, it was Daniels who was the bigger breakout star. A starter from Week 1, the 2024 Rookie of the Year completed 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards and rushed for 891 as well. That was while leading a 12-5 Washington team to an impressive playoff run. Maye had a different path as a rookie. After sitting behind Jacoby Brissett for five games, Maye took over in Week 6 and wasn't quite as prolific. Maye completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards and rushed for 421 yards. But as Solak notes, Maye played in a much worse situation, playing behind a porous offensive line and throwing to a receiver corps that lacked talent. It also came during Jerod Mayo's disastrous run as a head coach. So, yes, Daniels was far and away better by the numbers. But Solak argued that Maye should be graded on a curve given his environment. Advertisement 'Jayden Daniels had a historically productive rookie quarterback season. ... However, I'm still as -- if not more -- impressed by how well Drake Maye played on that terrible Patriots offense last season,' Solak wrote. So can Maye take the next step? The Patriots have started laying the groundwork for him to improve. With the addition of Morgan Moses, Garrett Bradbury and Will Campbell, the offensive line should be better. Meanwhile, the additions of Stefon Diggs, Mack Wilson and TreVeyon Henderson should add to the weapons in the passing game. Now, will that be enough to make Washington's roster that went 12-5? We'll have to see. But as Solak notes, Maye's production in 2024 could bode well for his future. More Patriots Content Read the original article on MassLive.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings DC Brian Flores given the ultimate compliment by ESPN analyst
Vikings DC Brian Flores given the ultimate compliment by ESPN analyst Brian Flores has long been seen as one of the better defensive minds in the NFL for over a decade. Right now, he is the ultimate ace up the Vikings' sleeve as they finally aim to secure a Lombardi Trophy. ESPN's Benjamin Solak wrote about 100 different angles and points leading up to the NFL season, as we are just under as many days away from kicking off the season. One of the points he discusses is how Flores is that ultimate weight to tip the scales in the favor of the Vikings as long as he is on their sidelines. "For another year, the greatest non-quarterback competitive advantage in the NFL is that of Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He is unquestionably one of the 32 (if not 20) best coaches in football and a clear and obvious head coaching candidate, if not for the fact that he is suing the league." Labeling him as the "greatest non-quarterback competitive advantage" is a great way of describing the cooridnator at this point. Once Solak points out the lawsuit is ongoing, it will be over soon. I think Vikings fans will see him disappear from their sidelines and see him taking part in another. He is too good to be ignored for much longer, and an owner and front office are going to take a chance on him.
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN analyst has a bold thought in regards to the Bucs outlook for 2025
ESPN analyst has a bold thought in regards to the Bucs outlook for 2025 The Super Bowl is coming off an impressive showing by the NFC's Philadelphia Eagles after they throttled the Kansas City Chiefs in front of the whole world. The Eagles return most of a Super Bowl-winning roster that also includes some newly added pieces from the NFL Draft and free agency. The team is predicted by a lot of analysts to represent the conference in the Super Bowl once again, but not by everyone. When discussing who could represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, ESPN's Benjamin Solak offers a bold idea. He writes, "I would have the Buccaneers over every team besides the Eagles. Maybe tied with the Lions and Rams, but no lower than that." The Bucs and Jason Licht have worked hard to make sure this team and roster are ready for anything. Do they have holes still? Absolutely, no roster is perfect. Licht has done a great job of filling a majority of them, with some gambles, but if they pay off, they are looking at a Super Bowl run and a team that could be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
USA Today
27-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN: Cowboys-Bears tilt named one of NFL's 9 key schedule features
ESPN: Cowboys-Bears tilt named one of NFL's 9 key schedule features The Dallas Cowboys have one of the league's most difficult schedules in 2025; at least based off of 2024 results. With a strength of schedule of .557, Dallas has the fifth-toughest slate. But it's not their Thanksgiving matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs that drew the attention of Benjamin Solak, nor the two matchups against Super Bowl champion Philadelphia. Rather, it was their Week 3 tilt against the Chicago Bears that was identified as one of nine key schedule features among Solak's 100 Things to Know countdown to the regular season. Another good Bears game comes against the Cowboys in Week 3. Former Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus is the new Cowboys defensive coordinator, and expunged coaches often produce strong performances when revenge is on the table. The Cowboys hired Eberflus, their former linebacker coach, after he was fired from the Bears midseason 2024. Their former linebacker coach went to Indianapolis for several years as their defensive coordinator before taking the lead chair in the Windy City. Eberflus, 55, had a 14-32 career record with the Bears, who struggled at the QB position before drafting Caleb Williams No. 1 overall in 2024. Now Williams will have a chance to prove his comments about why he never wanted to be drafted by the Bears and Eberflus will look to take his inside intel and use it to his new team's advantage. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
NFL bans one of Nik Bonitto's sack celebrations
NFL bans one of Nik Bonitto's sack celebrations Nik Bonitto will need a new sack celebration in 2025. Among the NFL's rule changes this year is a ban on the "nose wipe" gesture, ESPN's Benjamin Solak reported last week. The updated rule calls for a 15-yard penalty for 'any violent gesture, which shall include but not be limited to a throat slash, simulating firing or brandishing a gun, or using the 'nose wipe' gesture, or an act that is sexually suggestive or offensive.' In addition to Bonitto, other NFL players who have used the celebration include Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield. Charean Williams wrote last week that "the nose wipe is a gang sign associated with the Bloods, indicating someone is untrustworthy." Broncos defensive lineman Zach Allen, pass rusher Jonathon Cooper and ex-Denver linebacker Josey Jewell have been fined in the past for a finger gun sack celebration, another celebration that the NFL deems a violent gesture. Now the nose wipe gesture has been added to the list of banned celebrations. These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans
