Latest news with #receivingyards
CTV News
7 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Veteran receiver Kenny Lawler making an immediate impact with Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Kenny Lawler catches a pass against the Ottawa Redblacks during second half CFL action in Hamilton, Ont. on Saturday, July 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins Kenny Lawler hasn't wasted any time making an impact with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The six-foot-one, 180-pound receiver, who signed a two-year deal with Hamilton (4-2) in free agency, leads the CFL in receiving yards (644), touchdowns (career-high eight) and 30-yard receptions (eight). Lawler has 33 catches overall and registered touchdown receptions in five of six games this season. Lawler, 31, has developed a solid chemistry with Hamilton starting quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, the CFL leader in passing yards (1,812), touchdowns (12) and 300-yard games (four). Hamilton leads the league in offensive points (27 per game) and is tied with B.C. for passing TDs (both 12). The Ticats are also second in net passing yards (303.8 per game) behind the Lions (310.6). Hamilton visits B.C. (3-4) on Sunday night having won four straight. All of the victories have come against East Division rivals as the Ticats head into this contest 0-2 versus the West Division. Hamilton's defence has allowed just five TD passes and four 30-yard completions _ both league lows. The Ticats also lead the CFL in turnover ratio (plus-eight). B.C.'s offence isn't exactly chopped liver as quarterback Nathan Rourke has thrown for over 300 yards in four of his five starts. The Victoria native is averaging 321.4 yards per start, second only to Saskatchewan's Trevor Harris (325.2). Veteran Keon Hatcher Sr. is second overall in receiving yards (574) but tops in yards after catch (204). The Lions also sport the CFL's leading rusher in James Butler (504 yards), who'll face his former team for the first time. Both teams also have reliable veteran kickers. Hamilton's Marc Liegghio has made 30 straight field goals while B.C.'s Sean Whyte has converted on his last 26 attempts. Another wildcard for Hamilton this season has been returner Isaiah Wooden Sr., the CFL leader in combined yards (876). Wooden leads the league in kickoff returns (19), yards (538), 40-plus yard returns (four) and touchdowns (two) and is second in punt returns (18 for 271 yards, 15.1-yard average). Pick: Hamilton. Montreal Alouettes versus Calgary Stampeders (Thursday night) At Calgary, the Stampeders (5-1) chase their first four-game win streak since 2022. Veteran kicker Rene Paredes needs one field goal to become the sixth player to reach 600 for his career. Last week, Vernon Adams Jr. had three TD strikes in the club's 41-20 road win over Winnipeg. He's 3-0 versus Montreal (4-2), having passed for 982 yards and six TDs. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson starts for Montreal, which is 3-0-1 in it last four games versus Calgary, with incumbent Davis Alexander (hamstring) on the six-game injured list. Alexander's 10-yard TD run late in the fourth rallied the Als past Toronto 26-25 last week. Pick: Calgary. Edmonton Elks versus Saskatchewan Roughriders (Friday night) At Regina, the Riders (5-1) have won 11 of their last 15 matchups versus Edmonton (1-4) but the Elks have claimed their last two contests in Saskatchewan. Harris needs 226 passing yards to become the 13th player to reach 35,000 for his career. He has completed 59-of-74 passes (79.7 per cent) for 820 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games. It's unclear who will start under centre for Edmonton but incumbent Tre Ford is 2-0 versus Saskatchewan while backup Cody Fajardo, a former Rider, hasn't started against the squad. Receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. has scored touchdowns in his past two games, Pick: Saskatchewan. Winnipeg Blue Bombers versus Toronto Argonauts (Saturday night) At Toronto, Nick Arbuckle is expected to make a seventh straight start at quarterback for the Argos (1-5) as Chad Kelly continues his recovery from the leg injury he suffered in last year's East Division final. The Argos are 20-4 with Kelly, the CFL's outstanding player in '23, and 7-11 without him. They're 3-1 in their last four home games versus Winnipeg (3-2). Receiver Kevin Mital had a career-high 10 catches versus Montreal and leads the CFL with 37 receptions. Zach Collaros was injured in last week's loss to Calgary but was a full participant in practice and will start for Winnipeg. Collaros is 10-7 over his career against Toronto but the Bombers have lost consecutive games by 20-plus points for the first time since 2014. Pick: Winnipeg. Last week: 2-2. Overall record: 16-11. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2025. Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Could the Giants have two 1,000-yard receivers this season?
The New York Giants' offense is aiming to be more explosive this season. Headlined by one of the NFL's best young playmakers, Malik Nabers could lead this offense to newfound success. With upgrades at quarterback and Naber soaking up the defense's attention, there could be room for a second thousand-yard receiver in the Giants' 2025 offense. Advertisement Malik Nabers is a superstar in the making Despite playing with arguably the worst quarterback room in the NFL last season, Nabers still managed to put up a ridiculous stat line. Credit: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images He totaled 109 receptions, 1,205 yards, and seven touchdowns with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle throwing him the football. Now, this season, with a competent quarterback room on the roster, Nabers should see his production increase. He could challenge the league's best for the most receiving yards — or maybe even the triple crown. The Giants' revamped quarterback room should spark the receiving corps Darius Slayton has never come close to topping 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. His career-best came in 2023 when he totaled 770 yards. But, like Nabers, Slayton has been held back by bad quarterback play. Credit: Julian Leshay Guadalupe/ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images When Slayton got a chance to play with Tyrod Taylor down the final stretch of the 2023 season, he was electric. He scored a touchdown in three straight games to close out the year, averaging 80 yards per game over the final month of the season. Advertisement Russell Wilson is the Giants' new starting quarterback. He is also the best deep ball passer in the NFL. In 2024, Wilson was PFF's highest-graded passer on 20+ yard throws with a 97.3 Deep Passing Grade. Despite making only 11 starts, Wilson threw 50 passes 20+ yards downfield. He completed 27 of those attempts (54.0%) for 851 yards and eight touchdowns with two interceptions. Slayton has the speed to challenge defenses vertically. He has been the consummate professional for the Giants over the last six years. Now entering year seven with a new starting quarterback for the first time in his career, a breakthrough campaign could be on the horizon. Related Headlines
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rams WR Puka Nacua was a first-down machine in 2024
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua missed five of the first six games of the 2024 NFL season but still produced a sensational year with nearly 1,000 receiving yards on 79 receptions. Part of how Nacua accomplished this feat is because of his ability to convert receptions into first downs. According to Fantasy Points Data, Nacua caught a pass that resulted in a first down on 17% of the routes he ran this past season. That number ranked No. 1 among all receivers in 2024, well ahead of other stalwarts like A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Ja'Marr Chase. Nacua is used to leading NFL receivers after a great production season, but this number shows why Matthew Stafford preferred passing the ball to him over others in 2024. Nacua simply got the job done and moved the chains. Davante Adams, interestingly enough, did not make the top-16 list. That could partially be caused by the teams he was on in 2024 (the New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders) or that his routes weren't necessarily always to the chains. He saw a lot of targets either well downfield or in the short-yardage, which don't always equate to first downs. Nacua is a chain-mover, while the addition of Adams should only make life easier for Stafford on a down-to-down situation. It's night, though, to have a special talent at receiver and one that can be relied upon on a play-by-play basis. This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams WR Puka Nacua was a first-down machine in 2024
