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NFC Notes: George Pickens, Bears, Cowboys, Giants
Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Bears

Bears LB Ruben Hyppolite II was selected by the team in the fourth round, with his new coaches believing he can contribute in several different areas.

“They told me I can fit anywhere,” Hyppolite told the media, via BearsWire.com. “They definitely told me that my ability to cover and my ability to run is a great asset that I have. I’m just looking forward to getting in with the coaches, I’m behind some great vets with T.J. Edwards and Tremaine (Edmunds), so I got great vets in the room that I can learn from and soak all the information in. I’m just looking forward to earning my keep, earning the trust of the guys in the locker room, the coaches, and the front office. It’s all about the work now.”

Cowboys

Cowboys WR George Pickens is trying to put the bad opinions that people had of him during his time with the Steelers behind him and focus on his new chapter in Dallas.

“I can’t change anyone’s opinion,” Pickens said via Jon Machota of TheAthletic.com. “Me, personally, I just continue to grow. Everyone in the world has to grow as you get older and older. I’m just trying to build a winning culture, which they already have at the Cowboys. I’m just glad to be joining.”

“I feel great,” Pickens added. “I like the mojo here. I like the swag. There are a lot of new players I’ve been meeting. I feel like they have a good thing going, for sure. This game is just as much of a business as it is football. It was kind of out of my control. I’m just glad to be here in Dallas and continue the winning culture that they have. I’m kinda where my feet are right now, to be honest. I’m not really thinking about contract talks. I’m just glad to be with the Cowboys right now, trying to build a winning culture.”

  • Pickens was asked how he sees himself playing with CeeDee Lamb: “When I used to watch football, there was always a good receiver and there was always a good receiver on the side of him. So I just feel like we’re going to work off each other really well.” (Slater)
  • Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes Pickens could definitely be a problem when he wasn’t getting the ball. However, his former teammates noted his heart was generally in the right place. 

Giants

NFL insider Neil Stratton said the relationship between scout Mike Derice and GM Joe Schoen included a personality conflict, which caused them to part ways.

“My understanding is that he got kind of sideways — there was maybe a bit of a personality conflict with Joe Schoen,” Stratton said, via Giants Wire. “I don’t have a lot of details there but what I can tell you is that it wasn’t because of poor performance.“

This article first appeared on NFLTradeRumors.co and was syndicated with permission.

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Dolphins humiliated by Lions at joint practice
NFL

Dolphins humiliated by Lions at joint practice

Joint practices have revealed some problems for the Miami Dolphins with a few weeks to go before the regular season. Tua Tagovailoa started against the Chicago Bears in Sunday's preseason game, wanting to show improvement after having a bad showing during the Dolphins' joint practice in Chicago on Friday. Tagovailoa did play better, going 5-of-6 passing for 27 yards and led the Dolphins to the Chicago 1-yard line before the offense was stopped on downs. A few days later, Tagovailoa and the offense had another poor performance at their joint practice with the Detroit Lions. Per Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, Miami couldn't score in the red zone against a motivated Lions defense during Wednesday's practice. "Dolphins offense just ran 16 or so plays in the red zone vs. the Lions and didn’t score until the final play (between the second units)," Pouncy posted on X. "Miami’s first-team offense didn’t score in the 7-8 plays vs. Detroit’s first-team defense. It was ugly. Lions’ D is having a day." Pouncy's observation of the Lions manhandling the Dolphins was universal among beat reporters covering the Lions and Dolphins, with The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner calling it the most "lopsided" practice he'd witnessed covering the NFL. Last week, Omar Kelly of the Miami Sun Sentinel said Miami folded when the Bears defense began to whip on the offense. The accusations of the Dolphins being a soft team are going to continue until they decide to fight back in joint practices or against opponents in the regular season. When healthy, the Lions have a fierce defense. So Detroit having the edge isn't a surprise, though not being able to score during 16 plays in the red zone is a concern. Miami doesn't appear to have found an identity, and that could spell doom for the season if it doesn't get it figured out before Week 1.

Warriors' Big Man Target Could Pull Off Suprise Move Amid Passive Free Agency
NBA

Warriors' Big Man Target Could Pull Off Suprise Move Amid Passive Free Agency

The Golden State Warriors haven't made a move to improve their roster since free agency started. The Warriors lost one of their best players in Kevon Looney, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. The team has been stuck on coming up with a plan on how to deal with free agent forward Jonathan Kuminga. The team wants Kuminga to sign the deal that they've offered him, which was the two-year, $45 million contract. The Warriors believe the contract will allow them to officiate a sign-and-trade option later on. However, the forward sees himself as worthy of earning at least $30 million a year. Due to that, the Warriors haven't signed anyone in the free agent market. Even Horford, who's likely to sign a one-year deal. Horford Could Opt to Retire The Warriors are taking too long to address the Kuminga situation. Anthony Slater of ESPN speculates that if Horford doesn't make any headway, he might decide to give up basketball. "The Kuminga situation continues to hold up business for them, keeping Horford in a holding pattern," Slater wrote. "But Horford is comfortable waiting. Retirement remains on the table, sources said, though the Warriors appear to be operating as if he is a firm part of their plan next season. Horford's former team, the Boston Celtics, isn't planning on bringing him back. Due to that, he remains unsigned and available in the free agent market. Although Horford is past his prime, he provides the much-needed veteran leadership. However, given how experienced the majority of the Warriors' players are, that might not be necessary.

Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice
NFL

Patriots have big Drake Maye concern surface at Vikings' joint practice

Defense ruled the day during the joint practice between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots defense did a masterful job of disrupting Vikings second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at Wednesday's practice. However, New England's offensive line was unable to allow Drake Maye to have enough time to finish plays. "Even with four new expected starters up front following last year’s debacle, Wednesday suggested that there will likely be some bumps ahead for this offensive line," Graff wrote. "Sure, going up against the Vikings was always going to be a difficult task. Greenard has been wrecking his own team’s practices in training camp, and everyone in New England knows how good Flores’ scheme can be. But the domination was so thorough by the Vikings’ front seven that three straight plays at one point would’ve resulted in a sack." Maye showed flashes of promise when he had time to throw downfield or was able to use his legs to buy time or scramble when pressure came. The concern is that the offensive line won't allow Maye enough time to even scramble so he can make throws. Graff has noticed the same issues that happened on Wednesday have been a constant at training camp against the Patriots defense. With a new-look offensive line that includes first-round pick Will Campbell at left tackle, the Patriots are expected to have some bumps at training camp and in September. New England's offense probably won't look great out of the gate while the offensive line develops in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels' scheme. If and when the offensive line improves, Maye will have a chance to show off the arm that made him the No. 3 pick in 2024. For now, the offensive line is a concern much like it was last season.

Notre Dame believed to be trending toward surprise choice at quarterback
College Football

Notre Dame believed to be trending toward surprise choice at quarterback

The quarterback battle for Notre Dame is set to come to an end shortly, and it might be a surprise considering how the national media predicted the race to finish. Per Eric Hansen of On3, head coach Marcus Freeman is set to name the starting quarterback by Sunday when he meets the media. The Irish are still letting the quarterback battle play out until then, but it appears sophomore quarterback Kenny Minchey is the favorite to start at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Hurricanes on Aug. 31. Minchey has shown improvement in numerous areas throughout camp, and he has the edge on freshman quarterback CJ Carr in what is believed to be the final week of the competition. "As of Wednesday, the line between 1 and 2 remained blurred," Hansen wrote. "The tiebreaker may eventually go to Minchey, per the source, because of his ability to be a true running threat and offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s preference to have that element to put pressure on opposing defenses. "But he also has a preference for QBs who can transcend adversity, and the training camp phase was choreographed to test precisely that. While both contenders responded persistently in a manner that defies their inexperience, Minchey has been exceptional in that regard." Throughout the summer, ESPN writers such as Bill Connelly and Mark Schlabach have written as though it were a forgone conclusion that Carr would win the battle in training camp. However, Minchey appears to be a natural fit for how offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock likes to scheme against a defense. He helped dual-threat Jayden Daniels earn a Heisman Trophy in 2023 and took Notre Dame to a national championship appearance with Riley Leonard. The battle isn't over, but the edge appears to be running Minchey's way.

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