Countdown to NFL training camp is on
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Every team has concluded Organized Team Activities and minicamps, and players have dispersed for a summer break.
The Los Angeles Chargers have the earliest opening date, with rookies reporting on July 12 and all players hitting the team's El Segundo, California, facility by July 16. The Chargers are the first to open training camp because they are playing in the NFL's annual Hall of Fame Game on July 31 in Canton, Ohio. The Chargers' Hall of Fame Game opponent – the Detroit Lions – open camp on July 19, with rookies reporting on July 16.
By July 23, all 32 NFL teams will have reported for training camp. That's just 30 days away! 🏈
📸: NFL offseason workouts: Draft picks, newcomers and veterans prepare for 2025 season
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HOT READS 🎯
The best NFL reads from Paste BN and our Sports Network:
🏈 Nate Davis ponders whether or not the NFL should have a draft lottery, like the one used by the NBA. 🎰
🏈 Mike Freeman lists 5 biggest things that will go right in the NFL in 2025. 🖐🏼
🏈 Mike Freeman also lists 5 biggest issues facing the NFL in 2025. 😓
🏈 Jarrett Bell talked to first-year New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, who admitted he got some valuable advice from Bill Parcells. 🔍
🏈 Tyreek Hill said he's putting on a "full-court press" in an attempt to keep Jalen Ramsey with the Miami Dolphins. 🐬
THE YOUNG GUNS
Let's check in on some of this year's top rookies now that offseason workouts have been completed:
✅ Cam Ward: Ward was asked where his confidence level as an NFL quarterback was after Tennessee Titans minicamp, heading into training camp. "Ten," he replied simply. Meanwhile, Tubi has announced a six-part documentary series on Ward that will air in September.
✅ Travis Hunter: At Jaguars practice, Hunter donned both a teal No. 12 jersey and white No. 12 jersey, meaning that the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner was working with both the offense and defense. The Jaguars seem serious about Hunter's development on both sides of the ball. On Sunday, Hunter became the last top-10 draft pick to sign his rookie contract.
✅ Abdul Carter: NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton writes that Carter "moves like Von Miller and his game is nowhere near its ceiling with just one season as a defensive end."
✅ Tyler Warren: Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star writes that "Warren’s natural ability to get open and catch the ball was a clear takeaway from the team’s mandatory minicamp."
✅ Shemar Stewart: The Cincinnati Bengals have another disgruntled player. Stewart, the team's first-round pick, left minicamp over a contract dispute. This will be worth monitoring as the team gets closer to training camp.
✅ Jaxson Dart: NorthJersey.com's Art Stapleton writes that "Dart has not been perfect, and (Brian) Daboll and the Giants want it that way. There have been moments when he looks the part of a raw developmental QB."
✅ Shedeur Sanders: Sanders is adding off-field issues to further increase scrutiny for a player who famously fell to the fifth round of the draft. The Cleveland Browns have a crowded quarterback room: Veteran Joe Flacco, journeyman Kenny Pickett, rookies Dillon Gabriel and Sanders, and the injured Deshaun Watson. With such as crowded depth chart and limited snaps in practice, Sanders faces an uphill battle in training camp.
KICKOFF COUNTDOWN: 7️⃣3️⃣ days ⏳
"Goonies" was on TV the other night (June 7 was the 40th anniversary of the release of the memorable movie, after all). Of course, I watched it. What does "Goonies" have to do with football? Simple! The No. 1 pick in the '73 NFL Draft, John Matuszak, starred as Sloth in the film.
Matuszak, a wild character known as "The Tooz," was drafted in 1973 out of the University of Tampa (more on this later) by the Houston Oilers. His time in Houston was brief, contract disputes and run-ins with coach Sid Gillman led to a trade (a very lopsided one at that) to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs sent future Hall of Famer Curley Culp to Houston in exchange for "The Tooz," whose time in Kansas City was also brief. Matuszak lasted two seasons with the Chiefs. In 1976, he signed with the Oakland Raiders. The renegade Raiders of the 1970s were an ideal fit. Matuszak helped the Raiders win Super Bowls during the 1976 and 1980 seasons. By 1982, "The Tooz" was done with football. By then, Matuszak already had embarked on his acting debut, appearing the 1979 football film, "North Dallas Forty."
U. of Tampa discontinued its football program in the mid-70s, but not before sending a number of its players to the NFL. Between 1971 and 1978, the program produced two first-round picks and three second-round picks. Among those picks was wide receiver Freddie Solomon, who won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers.
As for the 1973 draft, it featured four future Hall of Famers. Offensive lineman John Hannah went No. 4 overall to the New England Patriots, punter Ray Guy was the 23rd overall pick to the Raiders, lineman Joe DeLamielleure went 26th to the Buffalo Bills and quarterback Dan Fouts was a third-round pick by the San Diego Chargers.
NFL CLASSICS 🏈🎞️
This is where we reprise some NFL lore and recall classic, memorable moments from yesteryear.
The O.G. football follies was released by NFL Films in the late-60s and was an immediate hit. It spawned a series of folly films that continues to this day, showing that even some of the world's best athletes can produce moments of hilarity.
We're here to highlight the original, which was simply called "The Football Follies." A true classic, even nearly six decades after its original release.
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