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49ers' Christian McCaffrey felt like he was on a Pro Bowl team after trade
Stud running back Christian McCaffrey said Friday that he felt like he was on a Pro Bowl team when he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers in October.
.@49ers RB Christian McCaffrey on when he was traded to the team: "I was thrown into the fire pretty quick. I felt like I was on a Pro Bowl roster."
— Will Selva (@WillSelvaTV) May 19, 2023
McCaffrey's sentiments made sense, as he was joining an already loaded offense with the likes of seven-time Pro Bowl fullback Kyle Juszczyk, four-time Pro Bowl tight end George Kittle and 2021 Pro Bowl wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
The 49ers defense was stacked last season as well, featuring three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa and two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner, among others.
When "Run CMC" was added to the San Francisco roster, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay expressed his displeasure, as his team was one of the reported finalists for the star back.
Despite the uber-talented roster, the Niners fell just short of reaching their second Super Bowl in four years last season, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.
San Francisco was bitten but an unbelievable string of bad luck in terms of quarterback injuries, which Samuel has used as an excuse for the defeat on numerous occasions in recent months.
Already without the injured Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance for the contest against the Eagles, the 49ers saw "Mr. Relevant" Brock Purdy go down on the team's first offensive drive due to a torn PCL. Fourth-stringer Josh Johnson took over for Purdy but suffered a concussion, leading San Francisco to put Purdy back in the contest.
McCaffrey made his second Pro Bowl last season (his first since 2019), after posting 1,139 rushing yards and eight scores on 244 carries, while adding 85 catches for 741 yards and five receiving touchdowns on 108 targets.
More must-reads:
- Christian McCaffrey makes bold statement about trade to 49ers
- 49ers planning to use Jon Feliciano at guard
- The 'San Francisco 49ers back-to-back Super Bowl starters' quiz
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Jerry Jones: Micah Parsons' agent told me where we could stick contract details
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to deal with David Mulugheta insofar as to get Micah Parsons' agent to fill out the paperwork on the contract extension that was already negotiated. During an appearance with Michael Irvin on Thursday, Jones said Mulugheta told him to shove the paperwork up their heinie. "When we wanted to send the details to the agent, The agents told us to stick it up our a--," Jones said. "Just so we're clear. (Parsons) and I talked, and then we were going to send it over to the agent, and we had our agreements on term, amount, guarantees, everything. "We were going to send it over to the agent, and the agent said, 'Don't bother, because we've got all that to negotiate.' Well, I'd already negotiated. I'd already moved off my mark on several areas." Following an incoherent analogy to a child going between a mom and dad to negotiate, Jones accused Mulugheta of trying to "stick his nose" in negotiations to try to get the Cowboys to cave for a better deal for his client. Jones has no plans to back down from the agreement he had already worked out with Parsons. "In my mind, for the Dallas Cowboys, we've got it done," Jones said. "And if the agent wants to finish up the details, which he should, and do all the paperwork, he can do that, and we're ready to go. But as far as the amount of money, the years, the guarantees, all of that we negotiated." Dallas is set to conclude its preseason against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night with no end in sight to the biggest distraction on the team this summer. Jones should have avoided the situation with Parsons by dealing with Mulugheta directly, but that might have caused the theatre to be much less dramatic before the regular season.
Browns 'trust' Dillon Gabriel more than Shedeur Sanders for a very good reason
The Cleveland Browns seemed to say plenty regarding their feelings about rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders when they repeatedly listed Gabriel above Sanders on unofficial depth charts throughout August. Sanders played well in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8 when Gabriel was recovering from a hamstring injury. Gabriel then received his opportunity to shine in the Aug. 16 preseason matchup at the Philadelphia Eagles when Sanders was dealing with an oblique issue. For a piece published on Thursday, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic suggested that the stats from those contests show "the Browns trust Gabriel more than they do Sanders" heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. "The Browns used pre-snap motion 45 percent of the time with Gabriel against the Philadelphia Eagles," Lloyd wrote. "They used it 31 percent of the time in Sanders’ game against the Carolina Panthers, according to TruMedia data. On third downs, that increased to 63 percent for Gabriel and plummeted to 18 percent for Sanders." The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of this year's draft before they made a trade to take a flier on Sanders at overall pick No. 144. Against the Panthers, Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. To compare, Gabriel connected on 13-of-18 passes for 143 yards with a pick-six against the Eagles. He was also credited with a lost fumble. "Gabriel was three of four on [tight-window throws] against the Eagles, according to NextGen Stats, and two of those turned third downs into first downs," Lloyd added. "Sanders was zero for four on tight-window throws against the Panthers." It's worth noting that none of this matters as of publication. Veteran Joe Flacco will serve as Cleveland's Week 1 starter, and the Browns seem serious about having Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders and backup Kenny Pickett on the active roster through at least a portion of the upcoming season. The trade deadline will arrive on Nov. 4. Lloyd mentioned that "a fear that Sanders may develop elsewhere" is a reason the Browns are holding onto the former Colorado star when they prefer Gabriel. As of now, Sanders is on track to continue his development while working in the Browns film room as an unused quarterback throughout the fall.
'Look out for this dude': Former NFL exec has warning about unexpected SEC quarterback
Winnipeg Jets Strike Out: Top Remaining NHL Free Agent Joins Central Division Rival
The Jets and any other rival of the Avalanche lost out on Victor Olofsson, as the top remaining NHL free agent has just signed a one-year deal with Colorado. One of the best remaining unrestricted free agents is no longer available. The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Victor Olofsson to a one-year, $1.575 million contract through 2025-26, the team announced Wednesday. PuckPedia reported the agreement Tuesday night. Victor Olofsson entered free agency after a bounce-back season with the Vegas Golden Knights. After six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, the team that drafted him in the seventh round in 2014, the Swedish winger signed a one-year, $1.075 million contract with Vegas this past summer. That followed a difficult 2023-24 campaign in Buffalo, where he posted just 15 points in 51 games. In Vegas, the 30-year-old regained some of his scoring touch. Although he was limited to 56 games due to injuries, he netted 15 goals and 14 assists for 29 points. Not quite the 40-point pace he was in his prime with the Sabres, but Olofsson proved he could be a reliable depth scorer for a playoff team. He registered four points in nine playoff games before the Golden Knights were eliminated by the Edmonton Oilers in the second round. Olofsson has 105 goals and 106 assists for 211 points in 370 NHL career games. Last spring was his first taste of playoff action. Olofsson could be the key for the Avalanche to win the Central Division Now, Olofsson becomes a part of a Colorado team that is seeking a return to Central Division supremacy after being defeated by the Dallas Stars in last season's semifinals. This could pose a problem for the Winnipeg Jets, as their direct rivals have just gotten better up front. With stars such as Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and the now-returning Gabriel Landeskog around him, he'll get the chance to find a significant role on a contender. For Olofsson, the Avalanche provides a clean slate and an opportunity to demonstrate that there is still much more to give. If all goes well, Colorado will be giving their Western Conference foes a real hard time in the upcoming season.
Steelers have unexpected solution as exciting new trade target emerges
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ wide receiver room had excited the fan base with the thought of DK Metcalf and George Pickens. However, Pittsburgh made the stunning decision to trade Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, deciding that the headaches surrounding his attitude and maturity were no longer worth the talent he brought on the field. While the move shocked Steeler Nation, it left the offense in a new position. Now, all eyes are on Aaron Rodgers and Metcalf to form a lethal duo. A report has emerged detailing Rodgers' "different" type of impact on the Steelers offense, but questions remain about the depth behind them and whether Pittsburgh has enough reliable playmakers to balance the passing attack. Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson will be tasked with stepping into larger roles in 2025, but their consistency will be tested against elite AFC defenses. Austin has flashed big-play ability, yet durability and reliability have been concerns. Wilson, meanwhile, has impressed in early practices with his speed and precise route running, but as a “redshirt” second-year player, expectations must be tempered. Pittsburgh has long relied on developing homegrown wideouts, but with the team’s Super Bowl window tied to Rodgers’ short tenure, the urgency to add proven production is greater than ever. That’s why many Steelers insiders believe general manager Omar Khan may not be finished building this roster. On social media, Steelers media personality Chris Mueller revealed that Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce could be available. He believes he actually is available already, which could be a huge win for Khan and the Steelers. "Indy's Alec Pierce is evidently available," Mueller shared to his social media following on Thursday. "I'm absolutely picking up the phone if I'm Omar Khan. Led NFL in YPC last year. Very similar skill set to Pickens. Big downfield threat. I think could turn into a good WR2 long-term." At just 25 years old, Pierce is an intriguing target with size, athleticism, and untapped potential. Mueller has urged Khan and the Steelers to pick up the phone and call the Colts, noting that Pierce could immediately bolster depth and provide another trustworthy option for Rodgers, who just received a public apology from one of his teammates. With preseason battles heating up and the AFC loaded with firepower, the idea of adding Pierce to a Metcalf-led receiver room is something that would certainly energize Steelers fans once again. The idea of Khan pulling off a trade to land Pierce is certainly an exciting thought. He’s not yet a household name in the NFL, but over his three seasons in the league, Pierce has shown impressive downfield ability and the skill to stretch defenses. While he isn't as talented as Pickens was overall, he does bring a similar vertical presence that forces opponents to respect the deep ball. Steelers seriously should try to land Alec Pierce Pierce is coming off a 2024 season where he caught 37 passes for 824 receiving yards and scored seven touchdowns. What stands out the most from that campaign is his remarkable 22.3 yards per catch, which led the league and shoes how dangerous he can be when stretching the field. Over his three seasons in the league, Pierce has managed to average 17.6 yards per catch, consistently ranking among the league’s best deep threats. Statistically speaking, he is very similar to Pickens in that regard, making him an intriguing replacement candidate who could give the Steelers the kind of explosive element they lost when they dealt away their young star receiver.
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