NFL Rumors: Jordan Love struggles in Packers-Patriots joint practice
There has been a lot of positive buzz around Jordan Love in the aftermath of his strong preseason opener in Cincinnati. As the Packers embrace a future without Aaron Rodgers, there's every reason to believe Love can become a competent — even excellent — successor at QB.
As is the case with every young quarterback, however, Love is going to hit bumps in the road. Imperfection is expected, and that will mean days like Thursday's joint practice with the Patriots. As Bill Huber of Packer Central lays out, it was a rocky session at the controls for Love as the Patriots defense exerted consistent pressure and forced him into frequent mistakes.
Love went 14-of-31 (45.2 percent) with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
"An early red-zone period sort of summed it all up. Love's first pass was a 12-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson, who got wide open on a post against veteran cornerback Myles Bryant. His sixth pass of the period was a 2-yard touchdown to Watson, who showed off his vertical jump.
However, the four passes in between were incomplete. Two were broken up and one was intercepted."
Love isn't going to be perfect out of the gate. He has a reputation of forcing the issue and letting the defense collapse the pocket for too long. While there's reason to believe he has improved and grown after multiple years under Aaron Rodgers' mentorship, it's going to take time for him to apply all his lessons on the field, in real-game action.
Love has very limited experience against live NFL defenses. A practice like this shouldn't incite panic, but it's a reminder to be patient with Love's development.
NFL Rumors: Eagles sustain six different injuries vs. Browns
The Philadelphia Eagles and Cleveland Browns ended Thursday's preseason game in a stalemate, tied 18-18. It was an unfortunately eventful night for the Eagles, however, as six different players went down with injuries.
From Ed Kracz at Eagles Today: WR Olamide Zaccheaus (shoulder), LB Nolan Smith (shoulder), CB Zech McPhearson (ankle), C Josh Andrews (ankle), WR Tyrie Cleveland, and DT Moro Ojomo (neck) all hit the turf with injuries.
Tyrie Cleveland was notably stretchered off the field with a neck injury while fans did the wave, which didn't go over well. Both he and rookie Moro Ojomo were diagnosed with neck injuries, but both maintained movement in their outer extremities. Obviously, that's a positive update and a massive sigh of relief.
Nolan Smith missed the final seven weeks of his college career with a pectoral issue. He was announced to the press box as questionable to return, but ultimately didn't see the field again. The same can be said for Olamide Zaccheaus, the new Eagles receiver who also banged up his shoulder. It would seem Philadelphia avoided long-term concern on both fronts.
Zach McPhearson was carted off the field with a lower leg injury, which was later confirmed to be a torn Achilles. Josh Andrews was ruled out of the game upon getting hurt.
This is a heap of salt in the wound for the Eagles, who are already awaiting Haason Reddick's thumb surgery. Philadelphia has a long road to defending their NFC title and will hope for better injury luck in the months to come.
NFL Rumors: Dan Orlovsky thinks 49ers can win Super Bowl with Sam Darnold
The San Francisco 49ers made it all the way to the NFC championship game last season, only to have literally every quarterback on the roster get hurt. By game's end, Brock Purdy was playing with a bum shoulder and the Eagles were running up the score en route to another Super Bowl appearance.
The Niners are looking to avoid a repeat affair in 2023, with Brock Purdy flanked by two former No. 3 picks in the QB room: Trey Lance and Sam Darnold. ESPN expert (and former NFL QB) Dan Orlovsky was asked on 'First Take' if he thinks the Niners can go all the way with Purdy under center. He said yes, then took it one step further.
Orlovsky thinks the Niners can with the Super Bowl with Purdy or Sam Darnold under center. "[Darnold is] the most talented quarterback they have on the roster, throwing the ball wise." That's high praise, but certainly not unfounded. Darnold was a top-3 pick for a reason and the power behind his throws has never been an issue.
Purdy was the 262nd pick in last year's NFL Draft. His rise to starting QB on a NFC championship team truly came out of left field. He provided more "creativity" than Jimmy Garoppolo, as Orlovsky puts it, and the Niners' offense took off. Shanahan is widely regarded as one of the best offensive minds in football and Purdy is surrounded with weapons at every position: Christian McCaffrey at RB, George Kittle at TE, Deebo Samuel at WR. Darnold would have the same accompaniment of weapons at his disposal, not to mention the Niners' league-best defense.
Darnold has struggled with efficiency so far in his NFL career. He has posted a completion percentage above 60 once in five seasons, with almost as many interceptions (55) as touchdowns (61). Those numbers won't cut it, but Shanahan is a good bet to get the most out of his QBs. Darnold can zip the ball downfield and create big plays. If he can dethrone Trey Lance for the QB2 spot, maybe we get a taste of Darnold in the regular season.
