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Falcons recent defensive moves could mean trouble for Saints
The Falcons could be building something special with their recent defensive moves.
As significant as Atlanta's additions of outside linebacker Matt Judon and safety Justin Simmons are, what makes them even sweeter for the organization is how much they sting the division-rival Saints.
By acquiring Judon from the Patriots, the Falcons have a seemingly huge advantage over Saints tackle Trevor Penning, who struggled mightily in training camp and in Week 1 of the preseason.
The teams play in Weeks 4 and 10, and Judon should be able to expose New Orleans' glaring weakness.
The Simmons signing (one year, $8 million) might sting even more.
New Orleans hosted Simmons on a free-agent visit on Aug. 7, and his decision to sign with its arch-nemesis likely feels as nice as lemon juice on a fresh cut.
As bad as the Saints might feel after the Falcons' recent transactions, things can still get worse.
The Falcons have a roster that should win the NFC South and could go deep in the playoffs.
Super Bowl LIX is in New Orleans.
Could there be a more terrifying outcome for the city than the Falcons celebrating their first league championship in it? Bourbon Street might shut down.
Atlanta's defense was much improved in 2023 and might be even better in 2024 with the recent additions.
The defense shifted 16 spots in yards allowed a season ago, from No. 27 in 2022 (362.1 yards per game) to 11th in 2023 (321.1 yards per game).
However, the team's most significant offseason move was signing free-agent quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury last season, Cousins started eight games for the Vikings and was 216-of-311 (69.5 percent) for 2,331 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Falcons' offense features several talented playmakers including running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts.
After being saddled with below-average quarterback play the past two seasons, the offense should be much more efficient with Cousins.
And now, the Falcons defense has added star power to match, making that worst-case scenario for New Orleans a bit realistic.
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Troubling report surfaces on Patriots' first-round rookie
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye might not feel comfortable with his blindside protection early in the upcoming season. Following troubles at left tackle in 2024, the Patriots invested in the position by drafting LSU standout Will Campbell with the No. 4 pick in April's draft. Per Chad Graff of The Athletic, Campbell has been trending down at training camp this summer. "All eyes are on him every practice, which is a tough spot for a rookie," Graff wrote of Campbell. "So far, he’s been about what you’d expect from a rookie. He has some strong moments, particularly in the running game. But there have been struggles in the passing game. He’s been beaten for a sack in just about every practice, which isn’t great considering he’s usually on the field each practice for only 15 or so passing plays in full-team drills. "He tends to get beaten to the inside after oversetting, and it probably doesn’t help that the Pats don’t yet know who their left guard is next to him. Still, extrapolate those numbers, and that’s allowing two sacks each NFL game if you throw the ball 30 times. Not great." Graff believes the future is "bright" for Campbell, but doesn't think he will be a top-20 left tackle in 2025. NFL scouts had questions before the draft about Campbell's 32⅝ inch (or 33 inches, depending on whether one believes the league or LSU) arm length. Some suggested he'd be better suited to play guard in the league than left tackle. If Campbell continues to give up sacks, the Patriots might consider moving the 21-year-old to the interior part of the offensive line. Per OurLads, Campbell is projected to win the left tackle starting job for Week 1. If Campbell doesn't develop quickly in the preseason, Maye's progress as a thrower in the pocket could take a hit in the upcoming season.
Warriors-Suns Jonathan Kuminga Trade Update Emerges After $90 Million Offer
The Golden State Warriors remain in a stalemate with Jonathan Kuminga. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors can match any offer sheet a team signs him to. However, that hasn't stopped teams from trying to acquire Kuminga. Among the teams that have pushed hard for Kuminga are the Phoenix Suns. ESPN's Shams Charania and Anthony Slater reported on Wednesday that the Suns have tried to acquire Kuminga. In fact, they have made "the most lucrative push via sign-and-trade" for Kuminga. The Suns can acquire players via sign-and-trade after waiving and stretching the last two years of Bradley Beal's contract. Doing so got them under the NBA's first tax apron, which permits them to do so. However, completing a sign-and-trade requires a willing trade partner to make it happen. While the Suns remain interested in Kuminga, pulling off a trade will be tricky for them because the Warriors aren't interested in what the Suns have offered for him. The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that sign-and-trade talks have gone nowhere because the Warriors don't want what the Suns are offering. "Per team sources, the talks between the Suns and Warriors have never progressed in any serious manner," Amick wrote. "So while it’s certainly notable that Phoenix is being so aggressive with its contract offer — four years and a combined $90 million, per ESPN — that part is irrelevant so long as Golden State continues to show zero interest in what the Suns have to offer." The Warriors have all the leverage because, with Kuminga as a restricted free agent, they don't have to agree to a sign-and-trade with the Suns or anyone else if the offer holds little appeal to them.
'I see a clear role for him' — Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell speaks highly of new defender who's having a great training camp
The cornerback position for the Minnesota Vikings has seen a lot of questions over the last few months. Arguably the biggest one is whether or not the Vikings added enough talent to really make the Super Bowl run. Through the first week and a half of training camp, it looks to be the right decision by the Vikings. Their depth at cornerback has been really impressive, leaving a lot more confidence in the cornerback group than we had previously. The biggest standout has been Jeff Okudah, which was a fascinating addition in real time. During his press conference on Friday, head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about Okudah's performance in training camp, and he also raved about him. "You guys probably felt it. I mean, when he gets up and presses, you know, at that line of scrimmage and wins that early fight in the down, you don't see him lose very much, you know, when he gets his hands on people. I think I've been probably surprised. I actually got a chance to spend some time with him many years ago, at Ohio State, went for the pro day. A friend of mine, who happens to be the coordinator up in Green Bay now, was the coordinator there, and I got to spend some time with Jeff. And just remember thinking to myself, This guy is going to be a top-five pick. I mean, felt like he was as tall as I was, you know, big, strong, fast, and then he was and we're very fortunate to have him. I see a clear role for him. Not all corners in our defense play the same spots, play the same roles, so to think that we're going to have him in a role we feel pretty strongly about, it's great to see him take it and run with it early on, because I think he's had a phenomenal camp. And I hope you know that'd be a good question for Flo [Brian Flores]. You probably asked him already, but I know flow in my dialog about Jeff has been really positive early on." The line from O'Connell talking about how they see a clear role for him resonates hard here. The Vikings have done a good job in putting players in position to be successful. Okudah's role is likely going to be similar to what Shaquill Griffin's was last year. The biggest difference between Okudah and Griffin? The former can run with really fast wide receivers. Will Okudah end up being a quality starter for the Vikings? That remains to be seen, but it's certainly possible, especially with how well the coaching staff is talking about him.
Surprising update emerges about Jayson Tatum’s recovery
Jayson Tatum may be giving a glimmer of hope right now to the Boston Celtics. The Celtics star Tatum, who is currently recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, was reportedly moving well while working out at Chris Paul’s CP3 Elite Camp in Las Vegas, Nevada, this week (per Heavy.com’s Steve Bulpett). Bulpett adds that the possibility of Tatum rejoining the Celtics late in the 2025-26 regular season has not been ruled out at this point. “He was moving really well,” an unnamed NBA scout was quoted as saying about Tatum. “There might have been a slight limp or something, but the surprising thing to me is that he didn’t have a boot for any of it. I’m no doctor, but I’ve seen guys coming back from Achilles’ tears, and he looked way ahead. I was kind of shocked to see how well he was moving.” You can read Bulpett’s full report about the Tatum situation here. The six-time All-Star Tatum suffered an Achilles rupture during the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks in mid-May (video here). That means he is still only about two-and-a-half months removed from the injury and subsequent surgery. Achilles tears generally take about nine to 12 months to recover from, which would put Tatum around mid-February of next year at the absolute earliest. But it is certainly encouraging that he is already working out with a boot, and it should also help that Tatum is still only 27 years old as he embarks on his rehab. Of course, Tatum’s return to the floor will also be influenced by how the Celtics perform next season. Boston parted ways with some prominent players this offseason in an apparent effort to punt on the 2025-26 campaign and create financial flexibility. Thus, they obviously won’t push Tatum to an early return if the season is already a lost cause.
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