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With an extra critical set of eyes on the University of Washington football team, the Huskies put plenty of work into Wednesday's fall practice No. 7, but they didn't hit the mark of continued improvement in their coach's estimation.
After two-plus hours of drills and scrimmage plays, UW leader Jedd Fisch gathered his guys around him on the East field and bluntly informed everyone that collectively they didn't have one of their best days, that they missed too many assignments, that they didn't seem to get better this time, which is the goal.
His candid assessment came with Bill Belichick back for another UW visit, walking into practice alongside Fisch -- with the two of them wearing matching black polo shirts, black shorts and white visors.
Early on, Belichick, the retired six-time Super Bowl-winning coach, stepped right in and shared his wisdom with a couple of players, foremost holding a lengthy discussion with junior edge rusher Zach Durfee. Belichick and Fisch often stood together and assessed things.
Belichick also spent plenty of time with his son Steve, the Husky defensive coordinator, together watching plays unfold by standing directly behind the UW stop unit and sharing opinions.
At one point, Fisch and Belichick turned around several times to look in amazement at and comment about a pair of physically well-developed freshmen offensive tackles in 6-foot-8, 323-pound Justin "Moose" Hylkema and 6-foot-5, 307-pound Davit Boyajyan, who were standing side by side and alone on the sideline, waiting to be summoned for a drill.
Likely unaware Bill Belichick was arriving soon, sophomore edge rusher Isaiah Ward on Tuesday talked about the prospect of playing for Steve Belichick and then having two Belichicks at practice at times. "I was excited, man -- we have a Belichick on our hands," said Ward, was who equally thrilled to have Bill at practice, as well. "That was even better -- two legends in there. It was great. It had us all excited."
After seven practices, the Huskies have reached the point where the same players repeatedly take snaps with the No. 1 offense and defense, with the latter unit a little more prone to mix things up with different personnel, especially across the defensive front.
The most entertaining play of this Wednesday session, which was held in temperatures reaching the mid-80s, came when quarterback Will Rogers dumped off a short pass to running back Jonah Coleman, who turned in a remarkable broken-field trek to the end zone covering 25 yards, with no fewer than three players hitting him and bouncing off.
The compact 5-foot-9, 229-pound back separately encountered junior cornerback Elijah Jackson, senior linebacker Alphonzo Tuputala and senior defensive tackle Sebastion Valdez, and each of them ended up on the ground as Coleman powerfully ran through each one and into the end zone, bringing all of the offensive players off the sideline to celebrate with him.
This play came after Fisch's music coordinators cranked up 1990s rock anthem "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns N' Roses on the outdoor speakers, presumably to raise the energy levels for one of the last scrimmage segments of the day.
Coleman earlier made a sensational one-handed catch of a ball thrown by Rogers, with senior linebacker Carson Bruener hanging all over him trying to prevent the completion to no avail. Coleman came off the field and immediately went to the large video screen erected on the sideline to catch the replay of his grab and he seemed satisfied by what he saw.
While there have been no serious injuries in fall camp, the list of players with muscle pulls, strains and sprains continues to grow, The latest to show up gimpy and unavailable was 6-foot-4, 257-pound senior tight end Quentin Moore, pegged as the starter for the coming season, who was outfitted in a boot and relegated to exercise drills with a trainer. He won't be out long, his coach Jordan Paopao said.
If there was a player who continues to be a consistent performer in what he does, it's Husky place-kicker Grady Gross. With the defensive sideline yelling and waving their arms to provide a distraction, Gross was perfect on 42- and 27-yard field goals that were so straight that each boot caromed off a lift holding a camera crew behind the goal posts.
The Huskies return to practice on Friday at noon, looking to have a better day.
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Did Micah Parsons take jab at the Packers offense?
The Green Bay Packers' decision to trade for Micah Parsons was undeniably a good one. They already had an up-and-coming defense and a stacked offense, and adding a superstar pass-rusher who had yet to reach his physical prime was a no-brainer. However, as great a player as Parsons is, he's also drawn some negative attention for running his mouth a little. It took him nine weeks, but he may have finally given the Packers a taste of that. Micah Parsons takes a subtle jab at the Packers Following the shocking 16-13 home loss to the Carolina Panthers, Parsons pointed out that the defense did a good job of limiting Dave Canales' team. "He threw for 100 yards," Parsons said in the locker room, per Packers beat writer Ryan Wood. “If we lose a game like that in the NFL, we just didn’t play good. Not too many quarterbacks are throwing for 100 yards and winning.” The underlying message there is that someone else didn't do a good job, whether it's head coach Matt LaFleur, who called an over-conservative game again, the offense, Jordan Love, or all of the above. Parsons and the Packers defense held the Panthers to 265 total yards. They picked Bryce Young off once and sacked him once for a loss of eight yards, so he does have a valid point. Then again, given his history of stirring the pot during his days with the Dallas Cowboys, it's hard not to be worried about the toll this might take on his relationship with the organization.
NY Giants Trade Deadline 2025: Rumors, Musings, and Separating Fact from Fiction
The 2025 NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. ET tomorrow, Nov. 4. The New York Giants are unlikely to be buyers given how their 2025 season continues to slide down the tubes following their latest loss, a 34-24 decision to the San Francisco 49ers. But that hasn’t stopped some rumors from swirling about what general manager Joe Schoen may or may not do. So as we count down to the deadline, here’s a look at some of the emerging rumors and some additional thoughts about what the Giants might have in store over the next day-plus. (Note: Check back every so often; as new rumors are reported by the national media, we will be offering commentary. Any trades that are made, will get their own separate entry.) Raiders Reportedly Had Interest in Evan Neal (Josina Anderson) Josina Anderson reported that the Raiders made an inquiry to the Giants about obtaining offensive lineman Evan Neal via trade roughly a week and a half to two weeks ago. Obviously, nothing materialized, leaving one to wonder if the Giants’ asking price was too high or if they’re trying to run the clock down to the nub to get more out of a trade should the Raiders, whom the Giants will play later this season, be desperate to go through with it. Or it could simply be that the Raiders decided to go in a different direction. According to Las Vegas Raiders on SI, the Raiders signed guard McClendon Curtis about two weeks ago, which aligns with the timeline Anderson reported for the inquiry. Curtis, interestingly enough, was on the Giants' practice squad this year, but was released on September 8. So perhaps the Raiders not only viewed Curtis as the better option, but also one that didn’t cost them draft assets as Neal would. Dolphins Reportedly Want” a 1-plus” for WR Jaylen Waddle (Schefter) Yes, the Giants need another top-shelf receiver for their offensive arsenal. But as I have been saying now for a while, the likelihood of that happening given how the season has begun to slide down the tubes. In addition, the rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month (October) has done well for himself as the new starter without Malik Nabers, which sort of lessens the need to get another receiver this year. The bigger reason, though, is economics. With the Giants now 2-7 and destined for another top-10 draft pick among ten likely teams, of which the majority are going to need quarterbacks, the Giants should be in a great position to draft a top-flight receiver in April. Doing so then gives them their offensive battery — two receivers (Nabers and the incoming rookie), Dart, and running back Cam Skattebo — on rookie deals, thereby allowing the general manager to focus on adding a legitimate CB1 and a linebacker, two of the biggest emerging needs for this team in 2026. Giants Want a R1 Pick for Kayvon Thibodeaux (Russini) In a clear case of “tell me you’re not trading Kayvon Thibodeaux without telling me,” the Giants set what many teams are likely to consider an unrealistic price for Thibodeaux, who happens to be playing some of his best ball this year. But to understand why this trade has ZERO chance of happening, look no further than the Micah Parsons trade between Dallas and Green Bay. The Packers gave up two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) plus defensive tackle Kenny Clark to get Parsons, who, in five years, currently has 59.0 sacks, an average of 11.8 sacks per season, as backed, by the way, by the fact that Parsons has finished each of his first four seasons with double-digit sack seasons. In four seasons (two of which he dealt with injuries), Thibodeaux has just one double-digit sack campaign and currently has 23.5 sacks. That’s an average of 5.87 sacks per season so far. While sacks aren’t the be-all-end-all stat for determining a pass rusher's value, especially for a player who doesn’t turn 25 until next month, it’s highly unlikely a team in need of pass rush help is going to cough up a first-round pick for Thibodeaux. Dexter Lawrence Wants to Stay with the Giants The constant losing hasn’t been easy for any Giants player who has any sort of longevity, including defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence, who, along with receiver Darius Slayton, is one of the two longest tenured members of the team. But despite the combination of a rocky season statistically speaking and another season that has spiraled downward, Lawrence was clear about what he desired for his immediate future. Lawrence told reporters after the loss to the 49ers that he does not want to leave the team where he began his career in 2019. Lawrence’s name has, on occasion, popped up as a possible trade candidate, but despite the team’s worsening struggles, he is widely viewed as one of the untouchables on the roster. Will Evan Neal Be on the Move? Giants offensive lineman Evan Neal finally got a game-day suit ahead of what would become the team’s Week 9 loss to the 49ers. But that was more a result of the Giants' inactive list being filled with injured players. Neal, as expected, was one of two Giants who dressed for the game but didn’t get on the field, the other being quarterback Russell Wilson. With Joshua Ezeudu ready to come off IR, could the Giants be finally preparing to move Neal for a seventh-round pick and fill his spot with Ezeudu? What About Jalin Hyatt? Receiver Jalin Hyatt is another player who has been unable to find any traction in his career with the Giants, despite always looking so good during the spring and summer. Yet when it counts, the team has continued to pass over Hyatt, more recently for undrafted free agent Beaux Collins, and veterans like Lil’Jordan Humphry and Ray-Ray McCloud. So it was kind of interesting to see Hyatt, who has never played on special teams in the NFL, get snaps on the kickoff return unit, a role Hyatt told me he hadn’t done since high school. Hyatt returned four kickoffs for 111 yards (27.8 avg.) and had a long of 33. The decision to put him on kickoff returns over McCloud, who has actually done it more often at the NFL level, leaves one to wonder if the Giants are maybe looking to show the rest of the league that the receiver that the Giants traded up to get in the third round has a little more value in a potential trade.
Rams Eyeing 1 More Trade? Analyst Names Ideal Candidate in Dallas
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Los Angeles Rams have already made one strategic move, acquiring Tennessee Titans cornerback Roger McCreary to bolster their secondary. But according to The Ringer’s Diante Lee, another — potentially far more impactful — addition could be waiting in Dallas. Lee believes that Trevon Diggs and the Cowboys may be headed for a quiet breakup, and that Los Angeles is exactly the kind of team that could step in and offer him a restart. “Though the Rams already traded for a corner, the defense could still use one more possible starter—especially one with game-changing potential like Diggs,” Lee wrote. “Assuming Diggs will clear concussion protocol in the coming weeks, he could step in and give this defense a necessary boost on the perimeter.” Support Local and Independent Sports Writing – Subscribe To the LAFB Network Today! A Fractured Relationship in Dallas For Trevon Diggs This Puka-Flex T-Shirt Is Illegal In Philly Lee detailed that Diggs’s relationship with the Cowboys “is in a strange place.” The two-time Pro Bowler rehabbed a torn ACL away from the team this offseason, a move that reportedly frustrated team officials. Dallas responded by docking him $500,000 for missing workouts. Now, Diggs is on injured reserve again, recovering from a concussion suffered at home. Since signing a five-year, $97 million extension in 2023, Diggs has appeared in just 13 games and hasn’t quite returned to his 2021 All-Pro form — when he led the NFL with 11 interceptions. But his ceiling remains among the highest of any corner in football, and his contract structure makes him movable. The Cowboys would save roughly $9.6 million in cap space by trading him after June 1, per Over The Cap. That flexibility could entice Dallas to listen, especially as it looks ahead to major extensions. Why the Los Angeles Rams Fit the Bill The Rams, meanwhile, have both the cap room and the need. Their defense has quietly overachieved through eight weeks, but turnovers have been scarce. While they rank among the league’s best at limiting explosive plays, they’ve lacked the kind of ballhawk who can flip games in an instant — the exact skill set Diggs offers. Even after trading for McCreary, the Rams’ cornerback depth remains thin. Darious Williams was ruled out of Week 9 against the Saints with what Sean McVay described as a “weird, freak” shoulder and lat sprain. The team doesn’t expect him to hit injured reserve, but his absence underscored how fragile the position group has become. McCreary, 25, is expected to debut immediately, likely in the slot. But as Lee noted, that shouldn’t stop Los Angeles from targeting another perimeter playmaker — one capable of changing the math on defense. The Smart Swing A deal for Diggs wouldn’t need to be massive. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski previously speculated that a 2026 sixth-round pick could get a conversation started, given Diggs’s health and contract situation. The Rams, with nearly $20 million in cap space, could easily absorb his $9 million base salary. “Both cornerback Trevon Diggs and the Dallas Cowboys may be better off without each other,” Sobleski wrote. For Los Angeles, the logic is clear. A healthy Diggs opposite Williams would give Chris Shula the most dynamic corner duo the team has fielded since its Super Bowl run. For Dallas, the move would clear money and reset a relationship that appears to have run its course. With one day remaining before the trade deadline, the Rams have already made a practical move in McCreary. But as Lee suggests, the bigger swing — and the one that could reshape their defense — might still be on the table.
Cowboys Go Big: 3 Bold Trades Change Everything
The Cowboys could trade for Maxx Crosby, T’Vondre Sweat, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, reshaping their defense with bold moves before the 2025 NFL trade deadline. Cowboys Eye a Defensive Overhaul The Dallas Cowboys could be on the verge of one of the boldest defensive shakeups in franchise history. With the offense ranking among the NFL’s best, owner Jerry Jones is exploring trades to rebuild the defense around proven veterans — could those players be Maxx Crosby, T’Vondre Sweat, and Minkah Fitzpatrick? Each move would fill a critical void: Crosby would restore Dallas’s edge pressure, Sweat would anchor the interior alongside Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, and Fitzpatrick would take over as the Cowboys’ top safety, replacing Donovan Wilson. With tradable assets like Trevon Diggs, Jalen Tolbert, and Mazi Smith, and multiple future high draft picks, Dallas has both the means and the motivation to make major moves before the 2025 trade deadline. Maxx Crosby: The Elite Edge Dallas Needs Maxx Crosby is everything the Cowboys defense has been missing since parting ways with Micah Parsons — a relentless, emotional leader who sets the tone every snap. The Las Vegas Raiders continue to insist he’s untouchable, but the Cowboys may force their hand with a massive offer involving future first-round picks. Crosby recorded 12.5 sacks and over 80 pressures last season, ranking among the top three edge rushers in both total pressures and pass-rush win rate. His relentless playstyle and durability make him a perfect fit in Dallas, where physical toughness has too often been inconsistent. Potential Trade Scenario 1: Cowboys receive: Maxx Crosby Raiders receive: 2026 1st-round pick (Dallas) and 2026 1st-round pick (via Green Bay) Why it works: Dallas gets an All-Pro pass-rusher still in his prime and under contract through 2029. Las Vegas gains valuable draft capital for a potential rebuild. Fit: Crosby opposite Jadeveon Clowney, with rookie Donovan Ezeiruaku in rotation, would give the Cowboys one of the NFL’s most feared edge units. T’Vondre Sweat: Power for the Interior One Cowboys’ defensive weakness has been their run defense, and T’Vondre Sweat could solve that overnight. The 6’4”, 360-pound defensive tackle from Texas has quickly developed into a powerful run defender for the Tennessee Titans, capable of clogging lanes and collapsing the pocket. Sweat would join Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa in a three-man rotation that finally gives Dallas the interior stability it has lacked. Potential Trade Scenario 2: Cowboys receive: T’Vondre Sweat Titans receive: DT Mazi Smith and a 2027 2nd-round pick Why it works: Dallas upgrades instantly with a young, dominant tackle, while Tennessee gains a developmental replacement and a valuable future pick. Fit: Sweat’s presence would allow Clark and Osa to rotate more efficiently, keeping the front line fresh deep into games. For Dallas, this move would finally transform the defensive front from soft to stout. Minkah Fitzpatrick: New Leader in the Secondary With the Miami Dolphins facing roster and cap pressure after multiple major extensions, the Cowboys could pounce on an opportunity to land Minkah Fitzpatrick. The veteran safety is one of the NFL’s most intelligent and versatile defensive backs, capable of playing single-high, man coverage, or in the box. Potential Trade Scenario 3: Cowboys receive: Minkah Fitzpatrick Dolphins receive: CB Trevon Diggs, WR Jalen Tolbert, and a 2026 4th-round pick Why it works: Dallas upgrades at safety, replacing Donovan Wilson with an All-Pro who brings more range, communication, and consistency on the back end. Miami, meanwhile, gets a younger Pro Bowl corner and valuable depth for its offensive system. Fit: Fitzpatrick’s arrival would push Wilson out of the starting lineup, creating a safety trio of Fitzpatrick, Malik Hooker, and Juanyeh Thomas — giving Dallas flexibility and experience across the board. Building a Championship-Caliber Defense If Dallas pulled off even two of these trades, the defensive identity would completely change. Crosby gives Dallas the edge terror it’s lacked since Parsons’ departure. Sweat turns the interior into a wall with Clark and Osa. Fitzpatrick commands the secondary with experience and playmaking ability. Each trade represents a short-term gamble with long-term potential payoff — exactly the kind of aggressive approach Jerry Jones has long been known for. Time for Bold Moves Trading two 2026 first-rounders for Crosby, Mazi Smith and a 2027 second for Sweat, and Diggs, Tolbert, and a 2026 fourth for Fitzpatrick would reshape the Cowboys defense overnight. It’s costly. It’s aggressive. And it’s exactly the kind of move that can turn a playoff team into a Super Bowl threat. With Dak Prescott playing some of the best football of his career and the offense firing on all cylinders, this may be Dallas’s best window to win big. Adding stars like Crosby, Sweat, and Fitzpatrick could make the Cowboys’ defense as dangerous as their offense — and finally make them true contenders again.
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