Latest news with #HarrisonPhillips
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Young QB Draws Josh Allen Comparison From Former Buffalo Bill
Young QB Draws Josh Allen Comparison From Former Buffalo Bill originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Buffalo Bills' first two selections in the 2018 NFL Draft were quarterback Josh Allen, taken with the No. 7 overall pick, and defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, taken with the No. 96 overall selection. Advertisement Phillips and Allen spent four years together as teammates on the Bills before Phillips signed with the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, where he has remained since. Phillips watched Allen grow from a rookie who threw more interceptions than touchdowns, to a budding star and Pro Bowler who developed into a leader. Phillips is getting deja vu with his new young quarterback, J.J. McCarthy. "I've commented before about (how) he came to me the week after his injury to try to learn more about the defense," the Vikings defensive tackle said on Monday, via "Asking those great questions. He's really stepped up in the personal power role (this year). In the locker room, I'm constantly seeing him go up to new guys, to new players, dapping each other up, sitting on the couches and just having conversation. Where last year it was off to rehab, off to meetings. He understands that we have to build a family here and that you can't have unique results without unique relationships." McCarthy was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but missed his would-be rookie season due to a torn meniscus discovered in the preseason. McCarthy became the first quarterback in NFL history to miss his entire rookie season due to injury after being a first-round selection. Advertisement The injury has not deterred the former Michigan standout, who won a National Championship in 2023. According to Phillips, his blossoming leadership is reminiscent of Allen. "And then, man, he's got some confidence. And he reminds me of Josh Allen when I was with him in Buffalo, coming into his own and understanding the power that he has to lead this organization, and he's doing a fantastic job doing that." McCarthy was a highly-touted prospect in the draft. He threw 22 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, throwing just nine interceptions between his two final collegiate years. McCarthy led the Big Ten with a 72.3 percent completion rate in 2023. Related: Bills Signing Can Be More Than Just Emotional Reunion Related: Bills New Receiver Turning Heads in Josh Allen Offense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Dealt Josh Allen Comparison by Former Bills Teammate
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy Dealt Josh Allen Comparison by Former Bills Teammate originally appeared on Athlon Sports. On the surface, there's a clear contrast between Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy and reigning MVP Josh Allen. Advertisement At 6-foot-5, 237 pounds, Allen's frame has made him one of the toughest players to tackle at the position and a runaway freight train in the open field. He's averaged 591.8 rushing yards per game in his career, exploiting his size and speed to find success in the NFL. McCarthy, standing 6-foot-3 and roughly 215 pounds, is of a smaller ilk at quarterback who will look to thrive playing primarily inside the pocket and behind the line of scrimmage. However, physical traits don't always translate to the NFL level. Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, who spent four seasons with the Allen and the Buffalo Bills, said he sees some more important similarities between McCarthy and Allen. Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9).© Brad Rempel-Imagn Images After practice on Monday, June 2, Phillips likened McCarthy to Allen, who seized the leadership required of the position at a young age in Buffalo. Advertisement 'He's got some confidence, and he reminds me of like Josh Allen when I was with him in Buffalo coming into his own and understanding the power that he has to lead this organization, and he's doing a fantastic job,' Phillips told Minnesota Star Tribune reporter Emily Leiker. McCarthy's maturity and leadership have seemingly been his greatest strengths early in his career, especially after he was dealt devastating news that he would miss his rookie season due to a torn meniscus. The 22-year-old quarterback did not treat it like a year lost. He was diligent in studying film, chasing down teammates and coaches around the Vikings' team facilities to get clarity, and has rehabbed his body back into shape. Advertisement At Vikings organized team activities (OTAs), several beat reporters consider McCarthy to have picked up right where he left off before his injury last August. No longer playing catch-up, McCarthy appears even better equipped to be the team's starter after being selected 10th overall in the 2024 draft. "Everyone wants to be perfect, especially at the quarterback position, but the more you try to be perfect, it's going to kill you more than your imperfections will. And I feel like just being able to accept, in these learning and teaching phases, that it's OK to fail and try things and go out there and take risks," McCarthy said last week. "As long as you do that, whatever's down the road is going to come when it comes." Related: Vikings Named Landing Spot for NFC North Rival Defender Related: Vikings QB Move Called 'Worst Trade in 10 Years' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
5 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Harrison Phillips compares J.J. McCarthy to an MVP quarterback at OTAs
Harrison Phillips compares J.J. McCarthy to an MVP quarterback at OTAs Anytime a veteran can praise a younger player on the team, it carries extra weight. When the compliment comes in the form of a player being compared to an MVP, it gets an extra finger on the scale of impressiveness. When speaking to the media on Monday, defensive lineman Harrison Phillips was asked about his thoughts on new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy. What he threw out as a comparison could not have been better music to the ears of his teammates and Vikings fans around the world. 'He's got some confidence, and he reminds me of like Josh Allen when I was with him in Buffalo coming into his own and understanding the power that he has to lead this organization, and he's doing a fantastic job.' Phillips was a part of the same 2018 NFL Draft class in Buffalo that Josh Allen was in. He saw firsthand his development from 2018 to 2021 when he was with the Bills before signing with the Vikings in 2022. Allen is now coming off an MVP season, but he has been playing like one for several years. For Phillips to throw out this sort of comparison so early into his career speaks to both the work ethic and traits of McCarthy.
USA Today
28-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Which NFL Draft prospects tested as Vikings at Day 1 of the NFL Combine?
Which NFL Draft prospects tested as Vikings at Day 1 of the NFL Combine? The NFL Draft Scouting Combine is in full swing, with player interviews continuing and on-field testing entering its second day. Day one saw testing completed by the defensive linemen, linebackers, and edge rushers. One of those positions is a need for the Vikings as they look to solidify their defensive front alongside Harrison Phillips. One tool we have to identify draft targets for the team is their relative athletic score, or RAS, as it is commonly known. Kent Lee Platte has been creating these for every player entering the NFL for several years now. It is a practice that is universally respected and used by media and teams alike. All of the scores from present testing and years past can be found on his website. After day one of the scouting combine, we have found some players with the RAS score that matches what Kwesi Adofo-Mensah looks for in defensive linemen. Defensive Linemen with a RAS Score of 4.92 or better Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has drafted defensive linemen with an average RAS score of 4.92. We have all the players who generated a score higher than that, as they would fit what they are looking for in terms of testing. Note: We will not be including players who did not complete enough testing or skipped testing in general at the combine.
