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49ers sound off about 'top level' Jared Goff
It's time for Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff to receive his due praise.
Goff has been overlooked for much of his NFL career, often being labeled as a game manager who's only as good as the weapons around him. Despite being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft and leading the Rams to a Super Bowl berth two seasons later (they fell to the Patriots 13-3), the quarterback was cast off to the Lions in a 2021 trade headlined by Matthew Stafford going to Los Angeles.
Goff's strong recent play has caught the attention of several 49ers, who are familiar with his game after facing him twice a year when he played for the Rams. The teams will meet in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday at 6:30 p.m. ET.
"Not to say that he wasn't good when we played him back when he was with the Rams, but I think he's one of the best quarterbacks in the league right now," linebacker Fred Warner said, per NFL.com. "I think he finished, what, top three in passing yards this season. I think, just the delivery of the football, his decisiveness, obviously with the amount of playmakers that he has on that side, I think he's the one that's leading that group."
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan, meanwhile, thinks Goff always showed signs of greatness.
"I think he's shown some of the stuff that he did in L.A." Shanahan said. "... He played at MVP-type level. When they give him a good scheme, when he's got good people around him, Jared's going to always find the spot. He's as accurate as any quarterback I've seen. He can play at a very top level."
After being exiled to Detroit, Goff became even more of an afterthought in the NFL. Whereas the Rams went on to win Super Bowl LVI with Stafford in 2021, the rebuilding Lions finished 3-13-1 in Goff's debut season.
A 1-6 start the following season seemingly spelled the end of Goff's tenure as the Lions starting QB. But a strong finish and 9-8 record gave Detroit hope for the future.
Fast forward to the present day, and the Lions are getting set to play in their first NFC Championship Game since 1991. Goff was instrumental in getting Detroit to this point, commanding Detroit to a 12-5 record and finishing the regular season second in passing yards (4,575) and fourth in passing touchdowns (30).
The Lions scratched out close wins at home over the Rams and Buccaneers in the wild-card and divisional rounds. Goff played lights-out in both contests, boasting the highest completion percentage (74.3), second-most passing yards (564) and third-highest passer rating (111.8) so far in the 2023 postseason.
Perhaps even more impressive, Goff is only one touchdown pass away from matching his postseason total with the Rams in half the number of games. The 29-year-old passed for three touchdowns against the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay, closing in on the four he tossed in his six prior playoff games from 2017-2020.
The 49ers will have their hands full trying to slow Goff and the Lions offense. Per FanDuel, Detroit is a seven-point underdog on the road.
More must-reads:
- All eyes on Lions' banged-up offensive line ahead of NFC title game vs. 49ers
- 49ers GM shares encouraging Deebo Samuel update for Lions game
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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Six Raiders Who Owned the 49ers in Today's Joint Practice
HENDERSON, Nev.—The Las Vegas Raiders played host to the San Francisco 49ers today for what was a highly productive and intense time of work. It was a good day of work for both teams, but six Raiders in particular owned the field versus their opponent, and I will tell you who they are and what they did. You don’t want to miss this insider take on how the day transpired. The Condor Is Hunting The music was blaring, and the crowd was cheering, but from the first rep of practice against the 49ers, Maxx Crosby was, as always, entirely focused. You could feel his relief at being able to go up against someone not wearing the Silver and Black. Although the practice didn’t allow tackling, this was his territory, and he wanted everyone to know he wasn’t there to entertain. With the ease of a warm knife cutting through butter, Maxx Crosby spent just as much time in the 49ers' backfield as their quarterback, Brock Purdy. He made it clear to everyone on the opposing team that he would do what he wanted, to whom he wanted, whenever he wanted. I’ve said this all camp, and today was no different: he is the best player on the field every time he steps onto it. Kyu Making the 49ers Blu(e) No one on the Raiders team had as much to gain or lose today, especially during the game on Saturday, as Kyu Blu Kelly. Today, he performed outstandingly—no, he was excellent. He played with confidence and fluidity, making multiple plays against the top-tier 49ers. Without any ego, the Raiders' rising star not only looks the part but also plays the part, showcasing a significant improvement from the younger version of himself earlier this year. Carroll couldn’t help but rave about his performance. "I'm glad you noticed it because I'm noticing it, too. He's had plays every day for about the last five or six days out here. Mock Game Two, he's just been really active. Seems like he's really settling in, and his aggressive style of play has really shown up. So, I'm fired up for him. If you've noticed, I don't know if it happened today, but yesterday, he got work with the ones just to see how he fits in and all of that. Just a great example of a guy competing his butt off and try to make a statement." Brock Bowers Doing Brock Bowers Things Brock Bowers, the NFL's best tight end and one of the truly elite players in the game, has somehow managed to improve even further. While the addition of a new quarterback may play a role, it doesn't diminish Bowers' exceptional ability to manipulate defenders, make impossible catches, and perform physically extraordinary feats that leave onlookers in awe during every practice. It's almost as if Bigfoot has a poster of Brock Bowers on his wall; this young man possesses skills that seem practically divine, playing his position at a level never seen before. During today's practice, he once again showcased his talent with several touchdowns and impressive catches, but one play, in particular, stood out as otherworldly. Running full speed toward the sideline with a 49ers defender in perfect coverage, Geno Smith threw an impeccable pass into a six or seven-inch window. Bowers leaped to make the catch, and despite the momentum that would have carried any other player out of bounds, he somehow got his feet down and, defying the laws of physics, burst upfield. Isaac Newton would be turning over in his grave at what Bowers can do. Although he hasn’t even played a game in his second year yet, he is poised to completely redefine his position by the time his career comes to a close. This was just one of the many outstanding catches he made today. Please don’t feel bad, 49ers fans. No one can guard him. No one. Book(er) It Thomas Booker joined the Raiders in a trade for Jakorian Bennett, and John Spytek deserves recognition for successfully acquiring a starting defensive tackle from the Super Bowl champions. With his exceptional motor and drive, Booker has quickly emerged in the desert and is now the second-best defensive tackle on the team, poised to start alongside Adam Butler. His enthusiasm is a joy to watch, and he complements a defensive line led by Maxx Crosby and Malcolm Koonce, alongside the impressive Adam Butler. The Raiders' defensive line is shaping up to be elite with their starting four. Today, Booker particularly stood out against a 49ers team that appeared disorganized. Carroll didn’t mince words praising his new defensive weapon today, "He's done really well. I mean, quick learner. Just pick stuff up right off the bat. He's right now battling to play a lot and that means he's going with ones quite a bit. He deserves to. He's already shown that. I'm really excited about our chance to get him here, and he's an amazing kid. I can't wait for you guys to talk to him, to hear from him; he's really something." Jakobi Meyers, Pay the Man Jakobi Myers is one of the most underrated and, frankly, disrespected wide receivers in the game of football, unlike the drama that surrounded Davante Adams and the success that many expected from him—which ultimately did not materialize—this drama-free superstar knows how to win. Meyers is an egoless talent and the ideal teammate. Every single day, he makes impressive catches and contributes to plays, often selflessly blocking and making the position look easy. In a recent game against some of the best defenders from the 49ers, Meyers truly dominated the field. He executed perfect routes, and when Geno Smith moved, Meyers matched his movements flawlessly, finding open space to make plays. I have no idea where the misguided criticism of Meyers comes from, but knowledgeable football analysts recognize his value and contribution to the team. It's time to put an end to the doubt, Spytek. Pay the man. Carroll praised Meyers today, "He's so sure handed, so steady, so improvisational, that he can get himself open. With he and Brock [Bowers], it's tough to cover those two guys. And so, they complement each other in a great manner, but Jakobi [Meyers] has done a fantastic job every day we've come out here he's making plays." Is Michael Mayer the Incredible Hulk in Real Life? Michael Mayer has had an impressive training camp. Along with his coaching staff, he has found his rhythm and reemerged as the offensive threat the Raiders envisioned when they drafted him as the best tight end in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, during today’s practice against the 49ers, Mayer showcased something we hadn’t seen during camp. He delivered a block on a 49er player that is sure to leave a lasting impression for years to come. Mayer was known for his physicality coming out of Notre Dame, but it hadn't fully materialized in Las Vegas until now. Today, he resembled the Incredible Hulk, demonstrating his comfort in the game with two impressive blocks that showcased his selfless nature in making plays, even when he wasn’t directly involved. Michael Mayer appears to be back to his form from South Bend, and that spells trouble for the rest of the NFL. Geno Smith’s Leadership on Full Display Geno Smith has been, without question, the best quarterback I have covered in my six years as a Raiders Beat writer, and it isn’t close. His ability to spin the ball, throw everyone open, and make every throw has been terrific. On a field with a quarterback on the opposing team making $16 million more dollars per year than him, Geno was without any doubt the best QB on the field. Multiple great throws at this point are taken for granted since he does it every year, but one thing he did shone louder than any of the other amazing things he had done. WR Tre Tucker has had an excellent camp, but started with three critical drops. Plagued during his rookie year with drops, it was the first time we had seen it since, but after the third Geno sprinted down the field, encouraging him. Leadership. All Tucker did was respond with multiple touchdowns and no more drops. It was a terrific example of this team embracing him. It doesn’t matter if you talk to your teammates; if they don’t respect you, they don’t listen. This team doesn’t like Geno; they love him and respect him. Geno Smith owned the field today, but more than what he did to the 49ers was what he did for his teammates. He led, and they followed. He tried to dismiss his actions when asked about his pep talk to Tucker, but the fact is his leadership is impressive. He said after practice about the interaction, “For sure, there's going to be ups and downs in this game, you're never going to be perfect. We strive for perfection, but we're all human. So, the main thing whenever a guy makes a mistake, or anything happens out there that we don't want to happen, it's about showing that we have each other's back. And so, whenever you can go up to a guy and pat him on the back, or give him a word of encouragement, that's what we're here for, and they do it for me as well. So it's not just a one-way street, it's a two-way street. I just want to continue to breathe life into my guys, because we got some really, really good players, and they work extremely hard. So when they mess up, it's okay. We move on to the next play and keep going." We'd appreciate it if you would follow us on X @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr , and let’s talk about the Silver and Black’s training camp and Pete Carroll’s comments.
Taylor Swift's New Song 'Ruin the Friendship' Sparks Blake Lively Speculation Amid Legal Drama
Swifties are buzzing over Taylor Swift's newly announced song "Ruin the Friendship," with many wondering if it's a nod to a rumored rift between the pop star and longtime friend Blake Lively. The speculation comes as Lively is locked in a high-profile legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. The track, listed on Swift's upcoming album The Life of a Showgirl — set to drop Oct. 3 — was revealed during her appearance on boyfriend Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast. According to Yahoo, some fans quickly linked the title to reports that Swift had distanced herself from Lively after Baldoni named her in his since-dismissed $400 million defamation suit. In court documents, Baldoni accused Lively of using Swift's influence to gain creative control of the film and even shared alleged texts in which Lively referred to Swift as one of her "dragons." Lively has accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and running a smear campaign against her — claims he denies. Evidence Shows Taylor Swift Wrote Song Before Lively Drama Began While the theory gained traction online, the timeline tells a different story. Swift shared that she wrote The Life of a Showgirl during the summer of 2024, while touring Europe, months before Lively's allegations became public in December. "I'd do three shows, take a few days off, fly to Sweden to record, and then head back to tour," she said on the podcast, ENews said. Adding to the doubt, Swift and Lively were last seen together in October 2024 on a double date with Kelce and Lively's husband, Ryan Reynolds. The couple also attended Swift's Eras Tour earlier that year. In January 2025, a source told E! News that rumors of a falling-out were "not true." Swift, who has been friends with Lively for over a decade and is godmother to her four children, has often publicly praised the "Gossip Girl" alum. In past interviews, she even said Lively and Reynolds were among the first to hear her new music. While Swift's lyrics have often drawn from personal experiences, "Ruin the Friendship" could easily be about something else entirely. Neither Swift nor Lively has commented on the speculation.
Green Bay Packers: Slo-Mo Video Shows Javon Bullard’s Nasty Work in Colts Practice
Defensive back Javon Bullard has been a versatile weapon for the Green Bay Packers, proving his abilities to do his job whether through playing as a cornerback or a safety. Entering his second year in the league, Bullard has learned to embrace such a fluid role for the Packers after not being fully appreciative of it at first. “I love it. Now, I’m embracing it,” Bullard said, per Mike Spofford of Packers.com. “Last year, to be honest with you, maybe I felt like it was a negative. Now I’m thinking of it like a positive.” Added the former Georgia Bulldogs star: “They don’t know where (number) 20 gonna line up.” In his first season in the NFL, Bullard, who was taken in the second round (58th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft by the Packers, recorded a pass defended, a fumble recovery and 90 combined tackles. After getting just a 52.3 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, there is plenty of room for Bullard to grow, and he could make that big step in the 2025 campaign. The Packers are expecting more from their defense in the second year of Jeff Hafley’s tenure as the team’s defensive coordinator. Bullard makes noteworthy play in Green Bay Packers’ joint practice with Colts During Thursday’s joint practice with the Colts, Bullard made a highlight play that was posted on social media by the Packers. After Colts quarterback Daniel Jones connected with wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, Bullard came from behind and forced the ball from Mitchell’s hands. The Packers are counting on Bullard to make a leap forward in 2025, but he also knows that playing his position means failures are inevitable on the field. “I’m a DB, man, you’re going to get beat,” Bullard said during training camp. “You can’t get mentally down on yourself. “We’re hard on ourselves. We challenge ourselves. We work our butt off every day, and when the results don’t add up, you can’t get down.” The Green Packers have two more preseason games to play, including this Saturday’s meeting with the Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, where Bullard could have an opportunity to help Green Bay’s defense shine after getting lit up last week by the New York Jets.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy makes bold statement about his arm after criticism
J.J. McCarthy is full of confidence in his second season with the Minnesota Vikings. The No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft had a clip of him throwing an interception to New England Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones go viral on Wednesday. Per Alec Lewis of The Athletic, McCarthy had issues with accuracy on multiple throws during the joint practice with the Patriots. On Thursday, McCarthy rebounded in his final opportunity to go against the New England defense, as he will not play in the preseason game on Saturday. Per Andrew Callahan of NBC Sports Boston, McCarthy carved up the Patriots on Thursday, going 14-of-16 for five touchdowns during 11-on-11 periods. Following the practice, McCarthy was asked in his news conference about his accuracy issues on Wednesday. He boldly told the media that he felt like he was one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league. "I'm one of the most accurate guys out there," McCarthy said, via video from the Vikings. "And just being able to, you know, take it day to day and really hone in on just every single throw. It's not just, the ball was completed. It's did I give him runners ball? Did I put it on the right pad for him to turn a certain way? "Just being able to really lean into that as one of my strengths is something that I always have to be extremely hard on every single throw when you have a few throws like you." McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his right knee, will quickly find out how accurate he is when the regular season starts on Sept. 8 against the Chicago Bears on "Monday Night Football." The window he can throw into during the preseason becomes even smaller when the games count. In order for McCarthy to be successful in the league, he'll have to be accurate in the face of speedy defenses bringing pressure and guarding his targets on every snap.
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