Latest news with #NickMuse
USA Today
10 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
New contender emerges at tight end in the race to make the Eagles roster
New contender emerges at tight end in the race to make the Eagles roster A trusted Eagles insider highlighted a relative unknown at tight end, and by the looks of things, everyone else ought to also pay attention. Here's the most obvious statement you'll hear all week. There is a ton of talent on this Philadelphia Eagles team. The face of the franchise, their quarterback, is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, and believe it or not, you could talk about this roster for hours before you ever bring his name up in the discussion. Every position on the defense features an All-Pro or a star in the making. The offense is loaded with game-changers. A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert can score on any given play. The offensive line is the best in the business. Much of the young core is locked up and under contract for the foreseeable future. This is an exciting time to be an Eagles fan. Conversations about the depth will dominate the summer, and they may have found some in one of their young tight ends. Add Nick Muse to the Eagles' training camp and preseason watch list Though it isn't discussed as often now as it was when the news was fresh, one of the best stories of the offseason came when everyone learned that Dallas Goedert will remain in Philadelphia to play out the final year of his current deal before potentially entering the free-agency conversation next offseason. His backup is a former sixth-round selection who enters his fourth season at the professional level. Grant Calcaterra seems assured of a roster spot. The question is who the third guy might end up being. NBC Sports' Reuben Frank recently mentioned Nick Muse in his Roob's Observations column, mentioning a recent catch as one of the offseason's highlights: "Why are we even talking about Nick Muse? Because at the last OTA practice on Tuesday, he made the best catch of the spring, laying out to make a diving snag of a Kyle McCord pass. Muse also had a sweet TD catch from McCord earlier in the same practice. Those catches came after TV cameras had to shut down, so you'll never see them. But they were eye-opening." Muse, like Calcaterra, was drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, albeit 29 spots later and in Round 7. He played his college ball with the William & Mary Tribe during the 2017 and 2018 NCAA seasons before transferring to the South Carolina Gamecocks and logging three seasons in the SEC. His professional career began with the Minnesota Vikings, but he won a Super Bowl ring as a member of the Eagles' practice squad last season. Now, he earns his opportunity to battle for a roster spot, but the climb won't be easy. Philadelphia has seven tight ends on the preseason roster, and Muse is battling E.J. Jenkins, Cameron Latu, Kylen Granson, and Harrison Bryant for what, in all likelihood, is one spot on the roster.
New York Times
29-05-2025
- General
- New York Times
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy impresses in first competitive practice since torn meniscus
EAGAN, Minn. — The video probably exists somewhere. Maybe the Minnesota Vikings have it on their internal systems, or perhaps a local television reporter captured it live. Last summer, during an otherwise subdued training camp practice, J.J. McCarthy hurled a pass to tight end Nick Muse. It was a competitive rep on a side field. Following the completion, an acrobatic snag near the left sideline, McCarthy raced down the field and chest-bumped the 6-foot-5, 252-pound Muse. Advertisement The reaction felt organic. It seemed like the boyish, young quarterback got more caught up in the competition the deeper the Vikings extended into training camp. He ripped in-breakers. He offered philosophical quotes in press conferences. The more reps he received and the more times he executed plays successfully, the more comfortable he grew being himself. That throw and the eventual response are now a meaningful data point. If that's what McCarthy looked like when he began to build some momentum — in both his eyes and the minds of coaches — how does the present compare? Overreacting to one afternoon of organized team activities would be foolish. But on Wednesday, on the practice field inside the TCO Performance Center, McCarthy resembled his former self in almost every way. No, the 22-year-old was not doing any chest-bumping. This was more about his arm, his comfort and his command. 'He's done an unbelievable job,' said coach Kevin O'Connell. 'You forget the fact (that) this is his first runway since the injury. It's a credit to the work he put in.' LIVE: Head Coach Kevin O'Connell talks to the media during OTAs — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 28, 2025 O'Connell's praise is not a declaration. The Vikings aren't naming McCarthy the starter in late May based on a 35-yard completion over the middle to superstar receiver Justin Jefferson. McCarthy won't be crowned because he connected with receiver Jordan Addison on the wide side of the field from the opposite hash. Completing a slant to receiver Jalen Nailor doesn't validate anything. Checking the ball down to running back Aaron Jones does not mean the Vikings are destined for the Super Bowl. This is mostly a minuscule — albeit relevant — early observation. McCarthy's throws spiraled the same way they did last year. He absorbed the play verbiage, stepped into the huddle, spit out the calls, walked to the line of scrimmage, hollered out the cadence and urgently progressed through reads. He did all of the things you have to do, with few hiccups, to be a successful quarterback in this league. Advertisement Even when there were hiccups, the Vikings staff approved. Here's why: When it comes to optimal quarterback development, O'Connell does not see much value in making it easy on them. They must try, fail and learn. Attempting to fit the ball into tight end Bryson Nesbit over a defender and watching the throw whiz past Nesbit's fingertips is not a problem. Shuffling six steps into a drop instead of four on a particular play, throwing off the timing of the route concepts, is part of the process. 'We're constantly making it feel like he's growing,' O'Connell said, 'but it's never about him being comfortable or satisfied on any particular outcome because we're building toward something much greater than a play here or there.' O'Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown agreed this spring not to assume anything with McCarthy. They implemented a hefty amount of playbook inventory. McCarthy has surprised them frequently with recall from his rookie season. Other times, they've reviewed essential details. It's all part of the current phase O'Connell describes as 'learning and teaching.' They're all benefiting from the team's attendance. Players like Jefferson, who do not have to show up for these voluntary sessions, are not only present but engaged. Tight end T.J. Hockenson arrived in phenomenal shape, and Nailor morphed into a stouter receiver this offseason. Their presence works twofold. It prevents some of these practices from becoming monotonous. It also allows McCarthy to simulate realistic timing. Especially in seven-on-seven drills, McCarthy will drop back and methodically eye the route progression. He uses these reps to synchronize his footwork with the speed of the route concepts. After practice, McCarthy evaluates the film of the throws twice. First, he'll scan through them during his post-practice treatment sessions. Then later in the night, he'll dissect them more intensely. Meetings with coaches the next day reinforce the opportunity for learning. Advertisement McCarthy won't see many misses from Wednesday's practice. He dropped a beautiful back-shoulder throw to Nailor down the right sideline, and later, he effectively anticipated an out-breaking route to Addison. Once he finished a post-practice weightlifting session, McCarthy held a 10-minute news conference. 'First off, I'd just like to say that it's been a great start to the offseason,' he began. LIVE: J.J. McCarthy talks to the media during OTAs — Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) May 28, 2025 McCarthy expressed his gratitude for being back on the field with teammates in a competitive environment. One reporter asked how he balances his eagerness and patience. McCarthy offered the type of explanation that had become customary throughout last year's introduction before he tore his meniscus. 'Everyone wants to be perfect, especially at the quarterback position,' McCarthy said. 'The more you try to be perfect, it's going to kill you more than your imperfections will.' In other words, he sounded like himself as well.
