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The Eagles wanted to get rid of Bryce Huff so bad, they're paying more than half of his salary just for him to play for the 49ers this season.
So why do the 49ers want him? What makes Huff a good fit for San Francisco and not for Philadelphia?
Kris Kocurek, the 49ers defensive line coach and Wide 9 guru, was asked that question this week.
"Going through Bryce's career," Kocurek said, "just his ability to rush the passer, his ability to get the edge quickly, the ability to put tackles behind in their set, he uses his speed to speed people up and just win one-on-one on the edge, which is something we're always looking for. The ability to affect the quarterback from the edge position, win one-on-one. He has multiple ways of doing it. The speed has always shown up. The ability to get off and close space on tackles really quick, make air disappear and win on the edge. With his built-in leverage in his body, he has the ability to convert speed to power. When tackles overcompensate and overset on him, he can get them across their face as well. Just a combination of the three things -- his get-off jumps off the tape, especially when he has his hand down in the ground. And the ability to win one on one win passing situations."
TRANSLATION: Huff is at his best when he lines up with his hand in the dirt, which he didn't do on the Eagles. He's a defensive end, and the 49ers need one of those because their first-round pick, Mykel Williams, is more of a defensive tackle on third downs. Think Arden Key or Charles Omenihu.
The 49ers could have drafted a true edge rusher such as Mike Green or James Pearce Jr., but they probably felt they had Huff in their back pocket so why not draft someone with a different skillset. Makes sense as long as Huff and Williams work out.
We'll see.
More must-reads:
- Bears GM speaks out after superstar goes down with injury
- Shedeur Sanders gets new chance after Browns QB injury
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit into the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .217/.288/.408 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability, and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts, and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Mets Could Steal Massive Star From Their Biggest Rival
In 2024, the New York Mets may have pulled off the biggest jersey swap of all time- acquiring massive free agent Juan Soto on an enormous 15-year, $765 million deal. However, this shouldn’t be the end of the line for New York. The team still has money, and perhaps they can use it to pay for a massive star. Big-Name Free Agent Could Be on the Radar for Mets The Biggest Bat on the Free Agent Market May Not be Kyle Tucker Sure, Kyle Tucker is a younger player with some superstar potential. Some might say that he is a superstar. However, the one very consistent bat is the bat of Kyle Schwarber. Over the last five seasons, Schwarber has hit at least 32 homers. This season is no exception, as he is on pace for 57 home runs. Schwarber strikes out a lot. However, his at-bats usually end in either a homer, a strikeout, or a walk. Schwarber remains one of the most significant game-changing bats on the market. He is heading into his age-33 season, but he reminds many of a Nelson Cruz-type bat. A bat that can last well into the late 30s. Tucker may be a good defender and a possibly excellent bat, but consistency remains on the side of Schwarber. The Mets Shouldn’t Stop at Alonso and Soto Now, the Mets may very well have to contend with another free agency of Pete Alonso. However, if the Mets have learned anything this season, they probably won’t hesitate to sign Alonso, especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. off the market. This will leave the Mets with options in free agency. Go big or play it safe and improve minimally. The Mets typically aren’t used to liking Schwarber, who seems to always be on a rival team. However, this doesn’t mean that it is impossible for him to pry away from the Phillies. Sure, the Mets can be content with the signing of Soto and, hopefully, also Alonso. But if New York wants to make the best team ever to play in Queens, New York may very well want to go after some of the bigger names on the market. If many people thought the Mets were in contention for Vladdy, then they can definitely be in contention for Schwarber. The Mets also don’t have a definitive DH, and even with some saying Soto is a potential DH in the future, Soto will likely continue to play the outfield. Schwarber would be a dream DH for New York. Schwarber Will Not Be Easy To Sign, But Neither Was Soto If there is one thing that many have learned over the last few seasons, it is that the Mets don’t just settle. The Mets have made huge trades, huge signings, and more. Schwarber has made it relatively clear that he likes Philly, and even his teammates have expressed that they want him to stay. And of course, Philly is capable of providing the money for Schwarber to stay. However, New York is even more capable. If the Mets make a good trade ahead of the deadline, young players live up to their potential, and the Mets make a big splash in free agency, then New York would be virtually unstoppable. It used to be the New York Yankees that got everything they wanted. Now, there might be a new sheriff in town. The Mets are starting to turn the corner and are becoming the new juggernaut in New York. Perhaps the Soto signing was just the beginning. Signing a free agent away from a bitter rival wouldn’t be easy. However, it certainly wouldn’t be the first time for New York.
Three budding NFL stars who need more opportunities in 2025
Training camp is underway, and the dawn of the 2025 NFL season is quickly coming into view. As the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles emphasized this week, the new league year provides a fresh slate for every team and a new chapter for each player. For rising NFL talents, the 2025 campaign could be a springboard toward stardom. Let's take a look at three budding stars who deserve more playing time in the upcoming season. Bengals RB Chase Brown With the superstar receiver tandem of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins commanding major attention from opposing defenses, Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown could be in store for a huge year. Brown, 25, finished the season strong after wrestling the starting role away from veteran rusher Zack Moss after a month as the reserve. From Week 5 onward, the Bengals ball-carrier rushed for 806 yards, which was the sixth-highest total of any AFC rusher. He was one of seven running backs to record 3+ receptions in at least 10 games. In his last 8 games, Brown averaged 116 scrimmage yards. That projects to 1,976 over 17 games, which would have been the third-most in the NFL last year. Proving valuable as a rusher and receiver, Brown should be a core piece of the Bengals' vaunted offense moving forward. “Brown is going to be one of the focal points of our offense because he deserves to be,” Pitcher added. Entering the year as a starter for the first time in his career, Brown could be in store for a breakout season in 2025. "Chase Brown is going to be, by the end of the season, a household name," Bengals OC Dan Pitcher said during training camp. "He's everything that Austin Ekeler was. You'll all know who he is." Lions WR Jameson Williams Williams, a former Detroit Lions first-rounder, was one of the league's most dynamic players in 2024. The speedy wideout had six 40+ yard receptions, the third-most in the NFL. Only Ja'Marr Chase, Brian Thomas and Alec Pierce had more. Williams, 24, has game-breaking speed similar to Tyreek Hill and DeSean Jackson and could sprint toward stardom in 2025. In just 11 starts, he was one of 24 wideouts with a 1,000-yard season in 2024. Slated for increased playing time in 2025, Williams could erupt in Detroit. Packers WR Jayden Reed Last season was a mixed bag for the Green Bay Packers wideout Reed. He erupted for 168 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener against the Eagles in Brazil. Three weeks later, Reed stuffed the stat sheet once more and posted 139 receiving yards and a touchdown in a divisional matchup against Minnesota. Following his hot start, Reed never drew more than six targets after Week 4 and seemingly tumbled down the Packers' pecking order. The 25-year-old receiver was used almost exclusively in three-receiver sets, playing just 63% of the snaps. Despite his lack of playing time, the 5-foot-11 wideout led Green Bay in receiving yards (857) and was second in receiving touchdowns (6). Additionally, Reed caught nine of 11 targets of 25+ air yards, proving himself a capable deep threat for Jordan Love and the Packers. Even after selecting Texas wideout Matthew Golden in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Packers must find ways to feature Reed more often.
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