Latest news with #Underdog
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Why the numbers show promise for Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.
Even though he just started in three games last season, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix flashed some pretty brilliant stretches of play to close out the 2024 NFL season. Still one of the more polarizing NFL quarterbacks in recent memory, some people choose to focus on Penix's elite arm talent and ability to make throws all over the field while others choose to focus on his accuracy issues and lack of mobility. Your opinions of Penix are probably strong, and the film probably confirms your of those talking points expectedly popped up in his rookie starts, but this excellent chart from Underdog's Hayden Winks shows where the analytics support Penix's chances of being a real force at the position. Winks tracked all the NFL's 2024 starting quarterbacks and removed reps involving screens, run-play options, spikes and unblocked pressures in his chart. Among his fellow quarterbacks, Penix shined in his three-game sample with his Pro Football Focus scores, his yards per pass attempt, his sack rate, his big-time throw rate and his turnover-worthy play rate. Penix's scramble rate was predictably low since he's an inherent pocket passer, while his first-read rate on his passes were about in the league average and on par with many of his fellow rookies. QB stats removing screens, RPOs, spikes, and unblocked pressures. I highlighted the rookies. — Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) May 28, 2025 Penix's big-time throw rate is particularly eye-popping, as he stacked up with players like Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in being able to generate big-time throws with their arm. Of course, Richardson has struggled throughout his tenure in Indianapolis, a more agile quarterback with his legs but one who has struggled with his health, turning the ball over and general consistency. Penix's floor is probably a less agile Richardson, but he flashed big-play ability on par with Allen and Jackson last year, too. Penix's ability to generate big plays with his arm, his ability to gain meaningful yards per pass, his ability to avoid sacks and his ability to not turn the ball over will be critical as he tries to build on his rookie success. It's important to underscore, again, this was a three-game sample for Penix, and all of those games came against non-elite defenses in the New York Giants, the Washington Commanders and the Carolina Panthers. However, any rookie quarterback putting up these analytics in their first three starts against any NFL opponents should offer some encouragement. Penix staying healthy, learning to vary the pass touch on his howitzer of an arm, building a chemistry with his Falcons receivers and sanding down his general accuracy concerns will be critical to his 2025 success, but it's well within the realm of possibility that he'll continue to improve on his flaws and heighten his strengths. Developing more chemistry with Atlanta's receiving corps is basically a given now that Penix is entrenched as the full-time starter. Sure, the numbers may balance out just a bit for Penix next year once he faces stiffer competition and goes through the complex rigors of his first full starting season in the NFL. However, some of what he flashed in his first season cannot be taught or developed. It's just pure ability, something Penix seems to have in bulk. If you're a Falcons fan, you've got plenty reason for optimism about Penix's future in the NFL. While the NFL has only seen a small sample size of what he can do, the numbers look pretty promising. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Why the numbers show promise for Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Wrexham's Ryan Reynolds set to star on 'Underdogs'
The 48-year-old Canada-born actor - who co-owns north Wales football club Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney - will narrate the tongue-in-cheek show Underdogs for National Geographic. In the five-part series, Reynolds will speak about the outcasts of the animal kingdom, while wildlife footage shows the unconventional hygiene choices and unsavoury courtship rituals of some of the world's strangest animals. The trailer, released on Tuesday, features Green Day's new song Underdog written for the show. In the teaser, Reynolds says: 'For over 135 years, National Geographic has gone to the ends of the Earth, to bring you the most stunning footage of nature ever put to film. 'But enough with the top of the food chain, it's time to shift our focus to the bottom.' He adds that he is going past 'nature's glory hogs', while footage of typical animals that appear in wildlife documentaries is shown, to 'get down in the mud, with nature's bench-warmers, not the superheroes, the superzeroes'. The show promises to show a cave in New Zealand, which glows thanks to millions of mucus-coated grubs, as well as a goose which lays its eggs on the top of a cliff and a koala that feeds its baby poo. It will also feature music from British composer Harry Gregson-Williams, who has written accompaniments for the Chronicles Of Narnia films, the Shrek franchise, and Gladiator II. TOP STORIES TODAY The actor also said: 'Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true – mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. 'Technically, they saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' but I don't think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours. 'We're so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can't wait for everyone to see.' Reynolds is an executive producer on the series through his company Maximum Effort, which has worked on the Deadpool films, and the FX football docu-series Welcome To Wrexham – which has run for four series and earned eight Emmys. The Hollywood star also released one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine, which saw the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and their characters become integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Underdogs starts airing from Wednesday June 18 at 9pm on National Geographic Wild UK, and will then come to Disney+ soon.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Wrexham AFC owner Ryan Reynolds to 'get down in the mud' with strange animals in new TV show
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, is set to present the documentary series Underdogs on National Geographic. The 48 year old Canadian, who is also the co-owner of Wrexham AFC, will provide the tongue-in-cheek narration for the five-part series focusing on the outcasts of the animal kingdom. Reynolds claims he's ready to "get down in the mud with the underdogs" as the show showcases the unconventional behaviors and peculiar rituals of the world's strangest creatures. A preview of the show, released earlier in the week and set to the song Underdog by Green Day, has Reynolds stating: "For over 135 years, National Geographic has gone to the ends of the Earth, to bring you the most stunning footage of nature ever put to film. But enough with the top of the food chain, it's time to shift our focus to the bottom." He adds that he is going past "nature's glory hogs", while footage of typical animals that appear in wildlife documentaries is shown, to "get down in the mud, with nature's bench-warmers, not the superheroes, the superzeroes". The show promises to show a cave in New Zealand, which glows thanks to millions of mucus-coated grubs, as well as a goose which lays its eggs on the top of a cliff and a koala that feeds its baby poo, reports PA. It will also feature music from British composer Harry Gregson-Williams, who has written accompaniments for the Chronicles Of Narnia films, the Shrek franchise, and Gladiator II. (Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire) The actor also said: "Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true – mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. "Technically, they saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' but I don't think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours. "We're so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can't wait for everyone to see." Reynolds is an executive producer on the series through his company Maximum Effort, which has worked on the Deadpool films, and the FX football docu-series Welcome To Wrexham – which has run for four series and earned eight Emmys. The Hollywood star also released one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine, which saw the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and their characters become integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Underdogs starts airing from Wednesday June 18 at 9pm on National Geographic Wild UK, and will then come to Disney+ soon. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Wrexham AFC owner Ryan Reynolds to 'get down in the mud' with strange animals in new TV show
Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds, is set to present the documentary series Underdogs on National Geographic. The 48 year old Canadian, who is also the co-owner of Wrexham AFC, will provide the tongue-in-cheek narration for the five-part series focusing on the outcasts of the animal kingdom. Reynolds claims he's ready to "get down in the mud with the underdogs" as the show showcases the unconventional behaviors and peculiar rituals of the world's strangest creatures. A preview of the show, released earlier in the week and set to the song Underdog by Green Day, has Reynolds stating: "For over 135 years, National Geographic has gone to the ends of the Earth, to bring you the most stunning footage of nature ever put to film. But enough with the top of the food chain, it's time to shift our focus to the bottom." He adds that he is going past "nature's glory hogs", while footage of typical animals that appear in wildlife documentaries is shown, to "get down in the mud, with nature's bench-warmers, not the superheroes, the superzeroes". The show promises to show a cave in New Zealand, which glows thanks to millions of mucus-coated grubs, as well as a goose which lays its eggs on the top of a cliff and a koala that feeds its baby poo, reports PA. It will also feature music from British composer Harry Gregson-Williams, who has written accompaniments for the Chronicles Of Narnia films, the Shrek franchise, and Gladiator II. The actor also said: "Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true – mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. "Technically, they saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' but I don't think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours. "We're so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can't wait for everyone to see." Reynolds is an executive producer on the series through his company Maximum Effort, which has worked on the Deadpool films, and the FX football docu-series Welcome To Wrexham – which has run for four series and earned eight Emmys. The Hollywood star also released one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine, which saw the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and their characters become integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Underdogs starts airing from Wednesday June 18 at 9pm on National Geographic Wild UK, and will then come to Disney+ soon.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Ryan Reynolds promises to ‘get down in the mud' in new nature documentary
The Canada-born actor, 48, who co-owns Welsh football club Wrexham, will narrate the tongue-in-cheek show Underdogs for National Geographic. In the five-part series, Reynolds will speak about the outcasts of the animal kingdom, while wildlife footage shows the unconventional hygiene choices and unsavoury courtship rituals of some of the world's strangest animals. The trailer, released on Tuesday, features Green Day's new song Underdog written for the show. In the teaser, Reynolds says: 'For over 135 years, National Geographic has gone to the ends of the Earth, to bring you the most stunning footage of nature ever put to film. 'But enough with the top of the food chain, it's time to shift our focus to the bottom.' He adds that he is going past 'nature's glory hogs', while footage of typical animals that appear in wildlife documentaries is shown, to 'get down in the mud, with nature's bench-warmers, not the superheroes, the superzeroes'. The show promises to show a cave in New Zealand, which glows thanks to millions of mucus-coated grubs, as well as a goose which lays its eggs on the top of a cliff and a koala that feeds its baby poo. It will also feature music from British composer Harry Gregson-Williams, who has written accompaniments for the Chronicles Of Narnia films, the Shrek franchise, and Gladiator II. The actor also said: 'Getting to work with National Geographic on Underdogs was a dream come true – mostly because I can finally watch a project of ours with my children. 'Technically, they saw 'Deadpool & Wolverine' but I don't think they absorbed much while covering their eyes and ears and screaming for two hours. 'We're so proud to elevate the unsung heroes of the natural world to the top of the entertainment food chain and can't wait for everyone to see.' Reynolds is an executive producer on the series through his company Maximum Effort, which has worked on the Deadpool films, and the FX football docu-series Welcome To Wrexham – which has run for four series and earned eight Emmys. The Hollywood star also released one of the biggest blockbusters of 2024, Deadpool & Wolverine, which saw the return of Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and their characters become integrated into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Underdogs starts airing from Wednesday June 18 at 9pm on National Geographic Wild UK, and will then come to Disney+ soon.
