Latest news with #NFLCombine
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Exclusive: Buccaneers Legend Mike Alstott on How Tampa Bay Can Win it All
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. There might not be anyone more recognizable as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend than legendary fullback Mike Alstott. Otherwise known as the "A-Train," Alstott's hard-nosed running style led him to a Super Bowl win, three First-team All-Pro selections, a Second-team All-Pro selection, and six Pro Bowl nods. More news: Jaguars' Travis Hunter Given Surprising Spot in NFL Madden Rookie Rankings Alstott is also a member of the Buccaneers Ring of Honor, along with being in the Purdue Athletics Hall of Fame. The former Bucs fullback embodies a purely physical and violent type of running that is starting to make its way back into the NFL. Alstott sat down with Newsweek Sports to talk about his partnership with USAA and the excitement behind the current Buccaneers team. Alstott got to partner with USSA to engage in training military in an NFL Combine type of workout. "We had combine-like drills, 40-yard dash, three-cone drills, and passing drills. It was an excellent setup. Our military members were competing all day, and right before that, we got a preview of what is going on with the Buccaneers," Alstott stated about the event. "I was very honored to be able to interact and spend a lot of time with our military service members, to be with them, and show my appreciation with them. I was coaching them up and helping them with stances." Alstott remains active in everything Buccaneers and has high hopes for the team. "Sky's the limit. I think we are going to be sneaky. I think we have a little more depth in positions from last year. We just gotta get on the same page. I love the chemistry of the team. I love the makeup, how Baker puts the team first." Alstott points to the similar nature of this current team under Baker Mayfield and head coach Todd Bowles being similar to the championship team he was apart of in the 1990s. "The team is all about 'we', and not about 'I.' If they stay healthy, there is a big chance that we can go deep." LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 1: Fullbacker Mike Alstott #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers comes off the field after scoring a few extra yards on the ground duriing a NFL football game against the Washington... LANDOVER, MD - OCTOBER 1: Fullbacker Mike Alstott #40 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers comes off the field after scoring a few extra yards on the ground duriing a NFL football game against the Washington Redskins at FedExField on October 1, 2000 in Landover, Maryland. More Michael J. Minardi/Getty Images More news: Colts HC Offers Major Update on Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones QB Battle Alstott sees a big future in store for Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving. "Bucky is great. He is not a kid that is going to get big-headed. I spent some time with him. He is very confident. Works hard, studies hard. Very instinctive and humble. It's very important to be humble and level-headed, especially heading into his sophomore season." Alstott sees how the stacked wide receiver corps and solid run game can do some damage in the NFL. That has certainly been the case with the resurgence of the Bucs in the last two seasons. The Buccaneers made the playoffs in back-to-back years with Mayfield running the show. This led to him receiving a three-year, $100 million extension. There is plenty to be excited about regarding the Buccaneers. Alstott sees it the same way the rest of the NFL sees it. Alstott spent all of his 12 seasons with the Buccaneers, sharing many years with fellow Bucs legend Warren Sapp. When asked what his favorite Sapp story is, he hilariously shut it down. "I can't share those, they are not PG." To watch the entire interview, watch the video above. For more on the Buccaneers and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Devin Hester talks Bears training camp, Hall of Fame, USAA, and more
When the sun is shining at Halas Hall in July and August, you can bet the Chicago Bears are out on the practice fields for training camp as they gear up for the upcoming season. Monday was no exception, with the Bears putting pads on for the first time and competing against one another during individual and team reps. Just a few hundred feet away, however, another competition was taking place at the Walter Payton Center between 50 military members of the USAA. And they were led by one of the greatest Bears players to ever play the game. Bears return specialist and Hall of Famer Devin Hester was up at Halas Hall as part of the USAA's Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp. Military members competed in a variation of the NFL Combine to test their skills and give them a taste of what preparing for the NFL would be like. Participants did a number of drills, including the 40-yard dash, the three-cone shuttle, the broad jump, and more. All competitors were hosted by the USAA and are currently stationed at Naval Station Great Lakes. We got an opportunity to chat with Hester about his involvement with USAA, reflecting back on his induction into the Hall of Fame and who should be next for Chicago. Hester's involvement with USAA While this is the third year USAA has put on the Salute to Service NFL Boot Camp, this was Hester's first time being involved, but he was excited to join in as the coach and come back to Halas Hall. "It was a great opportunity to come back," Hester told Bears Wire. "I have family members that have been in the military and the armed forces. These people are football fans too. So when I had the opportunity to come out and be a part of this event that's going on, I couldn't turn it down." USAA military affairs rep Shawn "Ike" Issacson was thrilled to bring Hester into the fold for how he's always given back to the community. "He just made sense because of the way he's given back for so long," Issacson told Bears Wire. "He's been one of those guys who reaches out and does what he can. It's been an awesome partnership so far." Of course Hester would have impressed on the 40-yard dash or the three-cone shuttle, but there was a drill he claims he dominated. "The little catching drill with the flags dropping," he said. "Today was my first day doing it, and they said the record was at six. I got nine." The combine had a leaderboard, and the winner of each drill received tickets to the Bears' Salute to Service game taking place this November. Hester teased he would also find a special gift for the winner of the 40-yard dash and followed through with a signed Bears helmet. Returning to Halas Hall for training camp It's been over a decade since Hester participated in a Bears training camp, and a lot has changed. Gone are the days of Olivet Nazarene University's campus and football facilities for players to get away to. Instead, players get to work at Halas Hall every day and can go home every single night. While fans may miss the big practice setting down in Bourbonnais, having camp take place in Lake Forest is a welcome change in Hester's eyes. "I love that [camp] is here. It's just a no-brainer," Hester said. "You have everything you need camera crew, the facilities. No disrespect to Bourbonnais and their facilities out there, but it's hard to compete against an NFL facility. I know the players are happy; they're closer to home and can see their family a bit more. It's better to be honest with you." The Bears held their camp in Bourbonnais for 18 years, and Hester participated in eight of them, though he would have preferred staying close to home and practicing at Halas Hall instead. Reflecting on his Hall of Fame moment It's been nearly a full year since Hester officially achieved football immortality when he was enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. It was a dream come true for Hester, who soaked up every moment from that weekend with many other NFL legends. One year later, though, there is a particular moment that sticks out to him when he reflects on the experience. "The night we got the jackets, the 'Gauntlet,'" he said. "Just something about that Gauntlet—it was unreal because you have to be a Hall of Famer to experience that type of feeling. Unfortunately, there are going to be a lot of people who never get to experience that, but that feeling alone was like walking down memory lane of your whole childhood. It was special." Hester was one of three former Bears greats to get enshrined last year, joining defensive end Julius Peppers and the late Steve "Mongo" McMichael. He was the first return specialist to make it into Canton. Next Bears player to make the Hall of Fame While former Bears defensive end Jared Allen will be enshrined this weekend, he only had a cup of coffee in Chicago. So who should be the next prominent Bears player to make the Hall of Fame? Former Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher recently cast his vote for center Olin Kreutz, but Hester has a different opinion. "Probably Charles Tillman," he said. "I feel like players that get into the Hall of Fame do stuff that's never been done before. When you set records and do things that have never been done before, then your name deserves to be among the great ones." Hester and Tillman were teammates for eight seasons, and he got a front-row seat to view Tillman's signature move, the "Peanut Punch." Tillman forced 44 fumbles during his career, the sixth-most in NFL history, and the most among any defensive back. Like Hester, Tillman changed the game as we know it, and his former teammate believes he should get recognized for that.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
30 most important Bills players of 2025: No. 15 Max Hairston
As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2025 NFL season, we'll take a look at the most important contributors on their roster. They have a ton of cornerstone players who will be returning for another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo, and they'll have help from some new additions as well. Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2025, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year. Next up on the countdown is Max Hairston. Background Position: Cornerback Age at start of season: 22 Experience: Rookie 2025 cap hit: $2,774,178 2024 recap Max Hairston had a bit of a down year in 2024 at Kentucky as he was forced to miss five games with an AC joint sprain in his shoulder. Yet, he was still named second team All-SEC in 2024, as he was in 2023. He returned three interceptions for touchdowns in his career with the Wildcats. Parlay his college production with a stellar showing at the NFL Combine, where he ran a blazing fast 4.28-second 40-yard dash, and you can see why the Bills were high on him. 2025 outlook Hairston has a big opportunity in front of him with the CB2 role up for grabs after the departure of Rasul Douglas in free agency. He will have to fend off a hungry veteran in Tre'Davious White as well as other young guns aiming for a starting spot on the defense. Given his elite athleticism and his ability to play both man and zone, he has a good opportunity to pick up steam throughout training camp and the preseason and be ready to contribute come the regular season. Biggest question: Is he ready to be an every-down CB at the NFL level? Hairston, although he was a first-round pick, still has a lot to prove to the coaching staff and his teammates in terms of being a reliable player on the outside. Just a few years ago, the Bills took CB Kaiir Elam in the first round, and he never was able to gain the trust of coaches. Consistency will be key for Hairston. In last year's playoff loss, the Bills looked all out of sorts when Christian Benford was forced to leave the game. The team is looking to avoid that situation, and if Hairston can become a difference maker as a rookie it would answer a big question on the defense. 30 Most Important Bills of 2025 Check back as we continue to countdown on our list of the 30 most important Bills ahead of the 2025 season. No. 30 DT T.J. Sanders, No. 29 LB Dorian Williams, No. 28 DT Larry Ogunjobi, No. 27 Alec Anderson, No. 26 DE A.J. Epenesa, No. 25 DT DaQuan Jones, No. 24 TE Dawson Knox, No. 23 WR Elijah Moore, No. 22 WR Joshua Palmer, No. 21 S Cole Bishop, No. 20 K Tyler Bass, No. 19 WR Keon Coleman, No. 18 G David Edwards, No. 17 DE Joey Bosa, No. 16 O'Cyrus Torrence.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Colts' Bernhard Raimann among highest-paid offensive tackles in NFL
After reportedly agreeing to a four-year extension with the Colts, Bernhard Raimann is now among the highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL. Bernhard Raimann is now one of the highest-paid offensive tackles in the NFL this season after agreeing to a four-year extension with the Indianapolis Colts. According to the NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, Raimann's deal is a four-year extension worth $100 million with $60 million guaranteed. By average annual value, Raimann will enter the 2025 season tied as the sixth-highest paid left tackle at $25 million per year. In terms of total contract value, Raimann's $100 million deal also ranks sixth among left tackles. His $60 million in guaranteed money is tied for the sixth-most as well, per Spotrac. 2025 NFL offensive tackle contract rankings Prior to the extension, Raimann was set to enter the final year of his rookie deal. He is coming off a 2024 season in which he ranked 24th in pass blocking efficiency and 12th in PFF's run-blocking grade. 'The progress that Berny has made from year one to now, it's been pretty incredible,' GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL Combine.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Report: Colts and OT Bernhard Raimann agree to huge contract extension
The Colts and left tackle Bernhard Raimann have reportedly agreed to a huge four-year extension. The Indianapolis Colts and left tackle Bernhard Raimann have agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension, according to Mike Garafolo. Of that $100 million, $60 million of it will be guaranteed. According to Spotrac, with an average annual value of $25 million, Raimann is now tied as the fifth-highest paid left tackle in the NFL this season. A third-round pick in 2022, Raimann was set to enter the final year of his rookie deal this season. In 2023, he put together a breakout season and then improved upon that performance in 2024. Out of 83 eligible tackles last season, Raimann ranked 24th in pass-blocking efficiency. In the run game, Raimann ranked 12th in PFF's run-blocking grade. In addition to that, running back Jonathan Taylor averaged nearly 5.0 yards per rush when running between Raimann and left guard Quenton Nelson last season. 'The progress that Berny has made from year one to now, it's been pretty incredible,' GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL Combine. (Please note that this article will be updated.)
