Latest news with #ComebackPlayeroftheYear
Hindustan Times
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Geno Smith and Pete Carroll reunion in Vegas has the Raiders hoping for repeat success
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Raiders were stretching before practice Thursday when coach Pete Carroll wandered over to quarterback Geno Smith. As the two chatted for about a minute as Smith continued to go through his stretches, it was a clear reminder of the strong relationship the two built in Seattle — and what that could mean now that they are reunited in Las Vegas. 'I think Coach Carroll is extremely relatable," Smith said. "I think he understands that guys have got to be themselves in order to be their best selves. He's a fun person to be around. You see just how positive he always is, he's always got a bright smile, he's always laughing, joking around. It's not him above the team or anyone above the team. It's everyone together, collectively.' The Raiders hope the success the two had together with the Seahawks translates to their new home. Carroll took Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances — winning once with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Later, Carroll resurrected Smith's career by signing him in 2019 as the backup. Smith, a second-round pick in 2019 by the Jets, had lost his starting job with New York and spent one season each as a backup with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers. Smith took over as Seattle's starter in 2022 and led the league by completing 69.8% of his passes while throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was selected as the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year. The Seahawks posted winning records all three years with Smith as the starter, but his career there reached a crossroads after last season. The two parties failed to reach a contract agreement, leading to the March 7 trade in which the Raiders gave up a third-round draft pick. That means Smith is starting over again. 'There's not a lot of guys that would have shown that resiliency,' offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said. "There's not a lot of guys that would have persevered through all of that. ... He's so relatable to everybody in this program because he's kind of lived that life. "The fact that he has done it and come out and to be the way he is now is really a testament to him.' Smith said his up-and-down NFL career has helped him 'cherish it a little bit more.' The Raiders are putting their hopes and money — they signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension that takes it through the 2027 season — that he can help make the franchise at least competitive again. Three AFC West teams made the playoffs last season. The Raiders, who went 4-13, were the only ones taking early vacations, meaning hopes of ending a playoff victory drought that dates to the 2003 season would continue. Smith also has the burden of trying to win in a division with fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix. But Smith also takes over an offense that includes tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Bowers comes off a rookie season in which he was named an All-Pro after catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards. Meyers, who took over as the top receiver after Davante Adams was traded to the Jets, broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time. Jeanty was drafted sixth overall this year out of Boise State after finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting. 'Winning is something that we want to do right now,' Smith said. "Just seeing the direction everything's going and how hard these guys are working and just how bad everyone wants to win, I'm fortunate to be a part of this thing. I just want to continue to build it, to continue for this thing to grow. The sky's the limit for this team, this organization. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.' At 34, Smith provides a veteran presence at sports' ultimate leadership position, and Kelly said he even has impacted how the coaches go about their business. 'He's just been emblematic of what a leader should be, by his habits and by the way he brings himself every day," Carroll said. 'He's the first guy out here, he's the last guy to leave.' Meyers noted that time commitment as well. /hub/nfl
USA Today
28-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Seahawks fans are already doing victory laps after Geno Smith interception in Raiders OTA
Seahawks fans are already doing victory laps after Geno Smith interception in Raiders OTA There is premature celebration and there's seriously premature celebration. This would be the latter kind. This offseason the Raiders and Seahawks made a deal. The Raiders got Geno Smith from the Seahawks in exchange for a late third round pick (92 overall). In so doing, Pete Carroll was reunited with Smith who had been in his system for five years and his full time starting QB for the final two, making the Pro Bowl in both seasons. From the outset, this looked like a great deal for the Raiders, while the Seahawks got something in return for a QB who had made it clear he wasn't interested in the deal they offered him had too many "escape hatches" in it. In other words, it was one-sided. So, while the fans love to make excuses for team brass by saying the player left because they 'didn't want to be here' (Raiders fans might remember the likes of Reggie McKenzie and Jon Gruden both using that line after palyers didn't accept their lowballing offers), the actual truth lies in the details. Contracts are only as good as the guarantees in them. And with Geno Smith, the Seahawks were hedging their bets. Smith naturally saw that as disrespect, not to mention a complete lack fo job security, and wanted out. It just so happened his former coach who elevated him back to starter and Comeback Player of the Year, had just returned to the NFL with the Raiders. So, anyway, those same fans who like to tow the company line about players wanting out despite the organization supposedly meeting all their contract demands, are already trying to claim May. You see, Geno Smith threw an interception in his first OTA session visible to the media. It went to fellow new Raider safety Jeremy Chinn. And apparently that seals it; the Seahawks were right and got one over on the Raiders. At least according to the FanSided Seahawks site "12th Man Rising". The headline reads... "It took Geno Smith one pass in OTAs to prove the Seahawks right" With the subhead reading "Seattle is better off." Now, I don't usually put too much weight into what a fan site has to say. And I'm not really doing that now. And this is clearly a clickbait headline at its worst. But I just couldn't let it be. Do Seattle fans really think team brass puts any stock in an interception in an OTA practice? I'm imagining John Schneider in his office. His phone rings. He picks it up "this is John." Then his eyes widen as the voice on the other end of the phone delivers the news. It's a quick conversation. He hangs up and bounces out of his chair, flying around his desk so fast, papers fly onto the floor. He grabs the doorframe so he can take the corner into the hallway. He yells on his way down the hallway, everyone meet me in the cafeteria, I have an announcement! When he arrives in the cafeteria, a few front office personnel are already in there, others come in quickly to hear the urgent news. "Everyone pile in," Schneider says as he climbs on a chair. "Can everyone see me?" to a smattering of affirmation. "In his first OTA practice with the Raiders, Geno The room erupts in cheers, high fives, chest bumps and exclamations of "We did it!" with one exec turning to another to yell "I told you, man!" as they embraced in full agreement. Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, John Spytek is inconsolable. Mark Davis is furious. And Pete Carroll is a shell of himself, wandering the halls wondering what the point is of even having the rest of the offseason and training camp, let alone playing actual games. They have decisively been proven wrong for making this trade. It's devastating. And let's not even talk about the team morale. Suffice to say it's in shambles. What a completely plausible, nay, extremely likely scenario. To my surprise, the Raiders have opted to push on and continue their OTA practices this week. The next media attended practice is Thursday. Not sure there will be much reporting, though. I mean, what's even the point, really.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Joe Burrow's Major Personal Decision Influenced by Peyton Manning
Joe Burrow is heading into his sixth NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals following his second-career Comeback Player of the Year campaign in 2024. Burrow is a fan-favorite around the NFL world. And before the 2025 season, fans will get an inside look at his personal and professional life. Advertisement Earlier this year, Burrow was announced as one of three players featured on Season 2 of Netflix's documentary series "Quarterback." The show will provide an in-depth look at Burrow's life throughout the 2024 NFL season. Burrow was initially hesitant about participating in the show, declining an invitation for Season 1. But, the influence of executive producer Peyton Manning ultimately pushed him to accept the opportunity in Season 2. 'A big part was Peyton being involved in it,' Burrow said. 'I have a lot of respect for him, obviously. What he did, does, as a person, when that guy reaches out to you and asks you to do something . . . most of the time I'm going to say 'yes.'' 'Only positive things could come out of it,' he continued. 'He's going to protect me, protect our team, protect our organization. I have trust in him for saying that and trust that he's going to do that. I probably wouldn't have done it if he wasn't involved, but I have a lot of trust and faith in him to not do anything that would hurt me or the team.' Season 1 of "Quarterback" featured Patrick Mahomes, Kirk Cousins and Marcus Mariota. Season 2 is set to release in July 2025, following Burrow, Cousins and Jared Goff. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow (9) celebrates following his touchdown pass to wide receiver Tee Higgins (5).Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images Burrow and the Bengals will kickoff their 2025 NFL regular season with a Week 1 matchup against the Cleveland Browns. Related: Dak Prescott Turns Heads With Injury Announcement on Tuesday
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips experienced "depressing and horrible feeling"
Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips has had a rough couple of years: His 2023 season was cut short by a torn Achilles, and his 2024 season was cut short by a torn ACL. He says that was hard on him, not only physically but also mentally. Phillips told Dan Pompei of that talking with a therapist about his feelings has been an important part of his growth as a person during a time when he was missing more games than he played. Advertisement 'I'm an entertainer and my profession is performance-based, and it's so publicly performance-based,' Phillips said. 'It's a really depressing and horrible feeling to be hurt.' Phillips is heading into the fifth and final season of his rookie contract as a first-round pick in 2021, and he says he's hoping to earn a second contract with the Dolphins and would like to sign it before testing free agency next year. He also has goals including winning Comeback Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year. And staying healthy to banish that depressing and horrible feeling of being hurt.
NBC Sports
28-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Dolphins' Jaelan Phillips experienced "depressing and horrible feeling"
Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips has had a rough couple of years: His 2023 season was cut short by a torn Achilles, and his 2024 season was cut short by a torn ACL. He says that was hard on him, not only physically but also mentally. Phillips told Dan Pompei of that talking with a therapist about his feelings has been an important part of his growth as a person during a time when he was missing more games than he played. 'I'm an entertainer and my profession is performance-based, and it's so publicly performance-based,' Phillips said. 'It's a really depressing and horrible feeling to be hurt.' Phillips is heading into the fifth and final season of his rookie contract as a first-round pick in 2021, and he says he's hoping to earn a second contract with the Dolphins and would like to sign it before testing free agency next year. He also has goals including winning Comeback Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Walter Payton Man of the Year. And staying healthy to banish that depressing and horrible feeling of being hurt.
