The latest news from aroun the division.
This New York Giants backup may have secured a roster spot after his impressive preseason performance vs. the Buffalo Bills – Joe DeLeone, AtoZ Sports
A solid performance in the season opener may have secured a spot for the Giants’ running back.
We’re still a ways away from roster spots being solifidified after the New York Giants first preseason game. A number of big names are receiving recognition for the way they played against the Buffalo Bills, but the most unheralded is fourth string running back Dante Miller.
On Sunday, head coach Brian Daboll hinted at the fact that Miller’s dynamic impact as a receiver
improved his chances of making the final 53-man roster.
“We have a starting running back, we have a couple of other running backs that we think are going to help us. And [Miller] is firmly in that mix based on his performance.”
Impactful performances from fringe players during preseason games can help the most unlikely of candidates make the team. Heading into Saturday, Miller was listed as the fourth running back behind a stacked group of Tyrone Tracy, Cam Skattebo, and Devin Singletary.
Miller was the Giants most productive receiver, finishing with seven receptions for 80 yards. Throughout the game Miller turned a number of short passes and screens into huge chunk plays thanks to his dangerous acceleration.
That production earned Miller the achievement of offensive player of the game, per Daboll.
While it’s highly unlikely that Miller moves up the depth chart, Daboll indicated that his impact improved his chances of making the team as a special teamer.
Eagles receive good news on Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson’s knee injury – Reuben Frank, NBC Sports Philadelphia
The Eagles’ lineman could possibly be ready by the season opener.
Some terrific news for Landon Dickerson and the Eagles on Monday afternoon.
After Dickerson suffered a scary-looking right knee injury two hours into the Eagles’ open practice Sunday night at the Linc, it now looks like the 26-year-old Dickerson could be back by opening day.
Dickerson, the Eagles’ three-time Pro Bowl left guard, will undergo “minor” surgery on his injured right knee and is not expected to miss more than a few weeks before being able to return.
Opening day is 24 days away.
The news was first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo and confirmed by NBC Sports Philadelphia.
Dickerson underwent an MRI Monday morning, and ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier Monday that Dickerson had suffered meniscus damage, although the extent was unknown. Schefter said Dickinson planned to seek additional opinions before determining a course of action.
Considering how serious Dickerson’s injury looked when he was carted off the field at the Linc two hours into open practice Sunday, this is the best imaginable news.
Although a completely torn meniscus requires invasive surgery and a likely three-to six-month rehab, a minor meniscus injury can be scoped, and that appears to be the case here.
The worst-case scenario was a torn Achilles, which would have been season-ending. A torn ACL would also have been more serious than a meniscus injury.
Dan Quinn explains the 3 ‘buckets’ every Commanders player falls into – David Harrison, Sports Illustrated
The team is broken down between three different categories during the preseason.
For some, watching the Washington Commanders right now, “it’s just the preseason.” For head coach Dan Quinn and his team, it’s much more than that. What it is exactly depends on which bucket you land in.
The Commanders’ coach loves this time of year, for starters, and will tell you that it’s a critical period of development for the players and the team as a whole. And the buckets, as he calls them, refer to players who are in three specific places within the formation of that team.
Bucket 1: The Rookies
First, there are the rookies, in preseason action, who oftentimes find themselves “trying too hard,” something Quinn and his staff have tried to emphasize not doing, reminding them that “it’s just football.”
Of course, it’s more than that; it’s the NFL, and that brings a whole new set of eyes, lights, and expectations.
For those in this bucket, however, the goal is to accelerate their development as much as possible without missing a step, as Quinn likes to say. Instead of rushing to failure, the idea is to build confidence and comfort within the game so that by the time the regular season comes, it truly is “just football.”
Bucket 2: The Prove-It Players
Next up are those trying to prove something. Usually, it’s that they belong and deserve to stick around for a while. This group can use the preseason to showcase their growth from previous experience to now, and demonstrate abilities that tell their coaches they need them around when September comes.
This way, if and when injuries come up, they have the chance to be the guy that coaches call upon to step up.
Guys like safety Jeremy Reaves have been in this bucket for a long time, though the veteran now seems to have jumped into the last bucket. Meanwhile, others like defensive tackle Johnny Newton, receiver Luke McCaffrey, and safety Percy Butler are in this second bucket.
Bucket 3: The Established Vets
Last and certainly not least is the bucket that is probably most comfortable, but the hardest to really gain anything from.
Here, veterans and proven young players look to find an extra edge. We know what they’re capable of; now it’s about learning new tricks to surprise even those who believe they’re aware of everything they bring to the table.
Guys like quarterback Jayden Daniels, linebacker Frankie Luvu, and safety Quan Martin.
For them, this phase of the season is all about readiness and making sure they’re good to go when the games count.
