Georgia Bulldogs legend Brock Bowers became just the third rookie NFL tight end in league history to reach 1,000 yards in his first year.
The moment came during the Las Vegas Raiders’ 19-14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 when quarterback Aidan O’Connell connected with Bowers for a 32-yard catch.
That catch also marked Bowers’ 100th of the season, which makes him the first rookie tight end to reach that number.
“I couldn’t do it without all the other guys,” Bowers said after the game. “Aidan was slinging that thing and everyone was making plays so it felt good. …Just coming here and [winning], the vibes are just way better.”
Bowers, the Raiders’ former 13th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, officially joins Chicago Bears’ Mike Ditka and Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts as the only rookie tight ends to hit the 1,000 yards benchmark in Year 1.
Heading into Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints, Bowers has hauled in a total of 101 catches for 1,067 yards on the season so far.
This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
Week 16 worst QB performances: Kenny Pickett shows Eagles how much they…
NFL
Steelers’ Mike Tomlin Makes Very Clear Statement About The Potential Of Diontae Johnson…
The Pittsburgh Steelers have really been affected by the absence of star wide receiver George Pickens. The offense’s most consistent weapon has missed three games in a row, a stretch that has seen the franchise go on to lose two contests.
It will be imperative to get him back as soon as possible, especially as the team approaches the 2024 playoffs. The pass-catchers on offense have had a tough time getting open, with opponents not having to worry so much about a dynamic route-runner looking for the ball. Even when Pickens returns, there are still some concerns about the capabilities of the receiving corps. It has been a rollercoaster of a season for former Steelers wideout Diontae Johnson.
Pittsburgh traded him to the Carolina Panthers, but then he ended up finding himself as a member of the Baltimore Ravens prior to the trade deadline. This went south, and extremely quickly. Baltimore waived Johnson prior to Saturday’s game against the Steelers, sparking plenty of rumors about where the receiver could end up. Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke with the media on Sunday as his group begins to prepare for the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
When asked about his thoughts about Johnson’s availability and the possibility of claiming him before the deadline at 4pm on Monday, Tomlin answered in the only way he knows how. It’s safe to say he wasn’t worried about the idea of his former player potentially being available. “I have nothing to add from someone that’s not on our football team,” Tomlin said. The Steelers’ head coach would never come out in a press conference and blatantly state that he is interested in bringing in a newly-waived player, but Tomlin did have some hesitation when answering the question. Pittsburgh traded Johnson for a reason, but if he were to come in and act selfless, it’s hard to argue that he wouldn’t make sense back in the Steel City. Johnson only had one catch that went for six yards during his short stint in Baltimore. H
e played pretty well for the Panthers, hauling in 30 passes for 357 yards and three touchdowns in a pretty abysmal offense. It’s pretty wild to see just how quickly his career has turned upside down, but there may not be a better place to get it back on track than the organization that drafted him. The most important thing when potentially inquiring about Johnson will be ensuring that locker room issues won’t come with his arrival. There’s no guarantee another team won’t put a claim in for him, but it shouldn’t come as surprising if the Steelers do. He is familiar with the franchise, majority of the coaching staff and players on the current roster. Steelers Will Need To Rely On Passing Game In Playoffs If Pittsburgh does indeed make a run in the postseason, not every game is going to be a blowout. Throwing the ball and relying on pass-catchers could absolutely determine the outcome of one, or multiple, games in the tournament. Johnson might not be a perfect fit in the locker room, which should lead to the Steelers passing on him if that is the internal belief. However, Tomlin didn’t completely shut down the notion of the wide receiver returning.
Christian Horner declares Honda ‘refused’ to bid for Yuki Tsunoda for Red Bull promotion
Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen didn’t object when Phil Jackson asked them if Bulls…
Phil Jackson asked NBA icons Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen how they felt about the Chicago Bulls acquiring Dennis Rodman from the San Antonio Spurs in 1995. Jordan and Pippen didn’t like Rodman since he used to hurt them physically when he was on the Detroit Pistons, but neither superstar objected. “So, in the summer of 1995, when Phil asked how I felt about the possibility of the Bulls acquiring Dennis, who was then 34, I didn’t object,” Pippen wrote in his book. “Nor did Michael.
Not that there weren’t some concerns. Of course there were. Michael’s reaction was something to the effect of ‘Dennis Rodman? Really?’ Yes, really, and it made a lot of sense.” Rodman played three seasons with the Bulls and helped Jordan and Pippen three-peat again. Chicago won titles in 1996, 1997 and 1998 and Rodman played his role to a T. One of the top defenders in NBA history, Rodman appeared in 199 games with the Bulls. He averaged 5.2 points and 15.3 rebounds and won three consecutive rebounding titles. “Dennis was one of the smartest guys I played with,” Jordan said in The Last Dance about Rodman. “He understood defensive strategy with all the rotations.
He had no limits in terms of what he does. … He was a new character, but I knew Dennis, and I knew what he could do basketball-wise.” Pippen admired Rodman’s defensive ability and motor. Jordan, Pippen and Rodman didn’t hang out with each other off the court, but the three Hall of Famers had great chemistry on the basketball floor.
“He studied the tendencies of his opponents and teammates, planting himself in perfect rebounding position even before guys got into a shooting mode,” Pippen wrote in his book. “Dennis possessed an unbelievable basketball IQ. He could have a tremendous impact on a game without scoring a single point. How many players can you say that about? After the Bulls won their fifth championship in 1997 against the Utah Jazz, Jordan was asked by an NBA reporter if he wanted Rodman back and MJ made it clear that Chicago needed to re-sign Rodzilla despite his berserk nature. “His dresses doesn’t bother me,” Jordan said. “His hair doesn’t bother me.
Sure, I mean, he’s gonna go wacko every now and then. We’ve come to live with that. We’ve come to accept that. But you can’t find another player on the basketball court that works just as hard as Dennis Rodman. Gives 110%, dives at loose balls even if he can’t get them. That’s Dennis Rodman. So I don’t have a problem with Dennis, and I don’t think Phil does. I don’t think Scottie does.
We’ve been able to control him to some degree, and we’re here for champions back-to-back.” Rodman finished his Bulls career with averages of 5.2 points, 15.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks. The Bulls beat the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1996 NBA Finals and the Jazz in the 1997 and 1998 NBA Finals. Jordan, Pippen and Rodman are in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They are three of the greatest players in NBA history.
Phoenix Suns make major Devin Booker announcement
MLB
Yankees trade away Gold Glove winner to NL team
The New York Yankees are reportedly parting ways with former All-Star and Gold Glove winner Jose Trevino. Reports emerged Friday that the Yankees have agreed to trade Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, the Yankees are set to receive right-handed relief pitcher Fernando Cruz and catcher Alex Jackson. Trevino had a breakout campaign for the Yankees in 2022. The veteran catcher hit .248 with 11 home runs and 43 RBI across 115 games. Trevino also won the Platinum Glove for his stellar defense that season.
But Trevino’s effectiveness at the plate has dipped significantly since then. Last season, the 32-year-old catcher had a batting average of just .215 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs over 73 games. He eventually lost his starting job to rookie catcher Austin Wells, who likely factored into the Yankees’ decision to move on from Trevino. The Bronx Bombers have made quite a few moves since losing out on Juan Soto in free agency. The Yankees traded for a former NL MVP earlier this week and are reportedly competing with the New York Mets to land another marquee free agent.
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