Jack Winter Articles - Page 102

The last time Dirk Koetter coached Matt Ryan, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback had established himself as a viable starter for a playoff team, but nonetheless failed to crack the league’s upper-echelon of signal-callers. Five years later, Koetter is back in Atlanta in his old role as offensive coordinator, and believes the 2016 MVP is playing […]

The Carolina Panthers are in need of a new running backs coach. No matter who replaces Jim Skipper, though, it’s almost impossible he’ll make a similar difference in the career trajectory of star back Christian McCaffrey. “He believed in me from the jump. That meant more than anything,” McCaffrey said of Skipper, per Max Henson […]

Dwayne Haskins still might be the first quarterback off the board come April 25th. As the 2019 NFL Draft grows closer and closer, though, there seems to growing skepticism about the Ohio State product’s viability as a top-10 pick. One anonymous scout believes the New York Giants, for instance, picking sixth overall, would be better […]

Tony Romo’s keen ability to predict play calls and diagnose the on-field action made him a breakout star of the NFL playoffs. But the CBS Sports broadcaster and former Dallas Cowboys quarterback, believe it or not, can’t see into the future, and is uncomfortable with his kids playing football at a young age as a […]

NFL teams passed the ball more than ever in 2018, and as more and more coaches across the league realize the added efficiency of focusing on throwing the football, it goes without saying there’s a growing fear that running backs might be left behind. Not in South Florida, though. Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers are between a rock and a hard place. Following his Tuesday meeting with team owner Art Rooney II, it now seems like it’s only a matter of time until Antonio Brown gets his wish and is traded before the start of next season. The league at large has been following the situation […]

On Tuesday, Antonio Brown’s imminent separation from the Pittsburgh Steelers became official. Just one day later, it seems the team is increasingly likely to move on from another disgruntled superstar playmaker. Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert confirmed on Wednesday that the team will not use the franchise tag on Le’Veon Bell, making the former All-Pro […]

The New England Patriots’ contract negotiations with free agent Trey Flowers will almost undoubtedly be affected by how many other star pass-rushers actually hit the open market. Players like the Kansas City Chiefs’ Dee Ford and Dallas Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence might be worth a bigger salary than Flowers in a vacuum, but it seems increasingly […]

More than a decade before the Kansas City Chiefs’ Travis Kelce further expanded the scope of what seemed possible for tight ends, Tony Gonzalez was changing the position forever. The 2019 Hall of Fame inductee finished his career with 1,325 catches, 15,127 receiving yards, and 111 touchdowns, the first two marks ranking as the most […]

It’s no secret that the San Francisco 49ers are in the market for help at receiver this offseason. With the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown officially becoming available and rumors swirling about Odell Beckham’s uncertain future with the New York Giants, it seems only a matter of time until 49ers general manager John Lynch engages in […]

Alvin Kamara still doesn’t mind sharing the backfield with Mark Ingram. In fact, the New Orleans Saints superstar seems be doing all he can to convince general manager Mickey Loomis to bring back his veteran teammate in free agency this offseason. After the Saints posted a highlight video of Ingram on Facebook, Kamara forcefully replied […]

Antonio Brown is officially on the market, and one of the most talent-needy teams in football is expected to inquire with the Pittsburgh Steelers about a potential trade. But are the New York Jets willing to pony up the dough it would take to acquire the six-time Pro Bowler if they are not one of […]

Richard Sherman is not the player he once was, but that hardly means his voice carries no weight in the football world. The four-time Pro Bowler published a scathing critique of the NFL’s concussion policy in the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday, pushing back on the notion that the league is putting concerns about the […]

The New York Jets will be in the market for additional depth in the defensive backfield this offseason. The team announced on Tuesday that it has declined the option to bring back reserve safety Terrence Brooks for the final year of his contract. We've declined contract options on DT Mike Pennel and S Terrence Brooks. […]

Todd Gurley insisted health had nothing to do with his diminished role during the Los Angeles Rams’ run to Super Bowl LII. He had just 10 carries and was on the sidelines for extended stretches of his team’s 13-3 loss to the New England Patriots, despite the team’s supposed plan to make him a more […]

Jerry Jones intentionally put himself at the center of the NFL’s national-anthem controversy. The Dallas Cowboys owner surprised those across the football world on September 25th, 2017, when he took a knee and locked arms with players and coaches before his team’s home game against the Arizona Cardinals. Less than a year later, Jones struck […]

On September 25th, 2017, Jerry Jones made nationwide headlines that reverberated past the sports world when he kneeled with Dallas Cowboys players and coaches before his team’s home game against the Arizona Cardinals. Less than a year later, the Cowboys owner muddled the goodwill that had previously resulted from that show of solidarity with players, […]

The Dallas Cowboys have every intention of bringing back DeMarcus Lawrence and the star pass rusher indeed hopes to continue his career playing with America’s Team. But the specter of Lawrence’s foray into free agency complicates matters, especially considering he already played last season on the franchise tag and has expressed no desire in doing […]

Damian Lillard is known for his humility. The Portland Trail Blazers guard certainly doesn’t lack for confidence on the court, but has nevertheless crafted a persona that positions him as one of the most down-to-earth superstars in the NBA. Lillard walks the walk, too, frequently engaging the basketball community at large on the ground, in […]

The Miami Dolphins are in a state of flux at wide receiver. The team has tough decisions to make regarding the futures of DeVante Parker and Danny Amendola, both of whom are under contract for next season but could create a significant chunk of new cap space for the Dolphins if cut. Considering the possibility […]

There was no coincidence or happenstance behind the Baltimore Ravens’ midseason turnaround in 2018. With a struggling Joe Flacco sidelined by a right hip injury, first-year quarterback Lamar Jackson made the first start of his career against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 18th, beginning a stretch of six wins in seven games that vaulted Baltimore […]

There’s already ample excitement across the football world about Lamar Jackson. And as the 21-year-old quarterback enters his first NFL offseason, the Baltimore Ravens are certainly doing nothing to quell it. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman threw more fuel on the Jackson fire during a Tuesday press conference, saying the “sky’s the limit” for the Ravens’ […]

The Cincinnati Bengals may very well decide to move on from Vontaze Burfict before next season. Despite a report that surfaced on Tuesday indicating the team had already released the volatile seven-year veteran, though, Burfict apparently remains with the revamped Bengals as rookie coach Zac Taylor continues his search for a defensive coordinator. Fox Sports […]

The Arizona Cardinals have added another veteran to their receiving corps. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that the team has agreed to a one-deal with former Buffalo Bills tight end Charles Clay. Former Bills’ tight end Charles Clay is signing a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million that includes a $350,000 signing bonus […]

Chris Paul, president of the National Basketball Players’ Association, has a quartet of promoted cadets to look toward for guidance following the expiration of LeBron James’ tenure as his first lieutenant. The NBPA announced on Monday that Andre Iguodala, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaylen Brown, and Bismack Biyombo have been elected to sit on its Executive Committee. […]

The Detroit Lions still don’t know if Ezekiel Ansah has played his last game in the Motor City. Whether the team brings him back or not, though, general manager Dan Quinn is proud of how the former first-round pick has dealt with a series of injuries that has sidetracked his career. “Part of that is […]

The 2019 NBA All-Star game was overflowing with intriguing storylines. Was it really a coincidence that Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, knowing his team needs major help this summer, drafted multiple superstar free agents? Among them were Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Anthony Davis, all of whom have been rumored targets for months of […]

Anfernee Simons is one of the most anonymous players in the NBA. If Damian Lillard has anything to say about it, though, this time next year his rookie teammate will have just become an overnight star. The Portland Trail Blazers superstar tweeted on Monday that Simons is “comin” for the 2020 dunk contest crown. Ant […]

The Dallas Cowboys have a plan in place to retain DeMarcus Lawrence. Whether or not it ultimately proves successful remains to be seen. According to Clarence Hill, Jr. of the Star-Telegram, the Cowboys will delay placing the franchise tag on Lawrence until March 5th, in the interim engaging the star free agent pass-rusher in discussions […]

Mike Pettine’s first season with the Green Bay Packers didn’t exactly go as planned. Still, it’s safe to say the longtime coaching veteran was more pleased with his unit’s performance in 2018 than he ever was as head coach of the Cleveland Browns. Pettine suggested as much on Monday at Packers headquarters, joking that he […]

Mike Pettine’s relationship with his team’s new head coach was barely in its infancy when the Green Bay Packers introduced him in January. But after spending some time getting to know Matt LaFleur, the Packers’ defensive coordinator said it was an “easy decision” to stay in Green Bay going forward. “I  talked to him before […]

The Kansas City Chiefs are not ready to move on from Dee Ford. But the star pass-rusher’s long-term future with the organization is in limbo nonetheless, as it decides how to best manage Ford’s free agency while retaining as much cap flexibility as possible. ESPN’s Adam Teicher believes that Ford is most likely to play […]

Those expecting a wholesale departure from the Green Bay Packers’ oft-criticized offensive philosophies going forward might be disappointed after all. On Monday, new Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said the team will carry over “a lot of the same concepts” it used under former head coach Mike McCarthy. Hackett says "a lot of the same […]

The Green Bay Packers have rounded out their new coaching staff. The team fired longtime head coach Mike McCarthy on December 2nd, after an embarrassing 20-17 loss to the lowly Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field. The Packers missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, too, finishing 2018 with a record of 6-9-1 despite Aaron […]

There’s been a mad dash over the last few weeks for NFL teams making wholesale changes on the sidelines to fill out their coaching staffs. Despite the field of available coaches continuing to thin, though, Zac Taylor won’t be rushed into hiring someone with whom he’s uncomfortable. The first-year head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals […]

Love & Basketball has a legitimate case as one of the most underrated sports movies of all time. Maybe this is what it takes for the film to finally receive its proper due. During his media session at All-Star Saturday, Steph Curry named Gina Prince-Blythewood’s 2000 epic as his favorite basketball movie of all time. Why? […]

You have to give James Harden credit. At least the Houston Rockets superstar is embracing his role in the NBA world’s most tired, ultimately meaningless debate. During a break between his commitments on All-Star Saturday, Harden was questioned – or shouted, at really – by one extra bold fan about his perceived penchant for traveling. […]

This year’s All-Star weekend is a special one for basketball’s most famous family. Both Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and Portland Trail Blazers marksman Seth Curry, his younger brother, were selected to participate in the three-point contest. Their father and longtime NBA player Dell Curry also took part in the All-Star festivities, shooting his […]

Few outside Oklahoma, Kentucky, and his hometown of Queens truly knew what Hamidou Diallo was capable of before Saturday night. The Oklahoma City Thunder wing, though, was so confident heading into his first NBA dunk contest that he barely even practiced. After beating the New York Knicks’ Dennis Smith, Jr. in a rare dunk contest […]