Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners pulled off quite the upset over Ohio State on its home field last weekend … and then they celebrated in spectacular fashion:
On Monday, Mayfield apologized … for being awesome?
The NFL relaxed its celebration rules this year, so while I won’t expect any player to plant their team’s flag in the middle of the Dallas Cowboys star at the 50, I fully expect to see some creativity with each score. Don’t let me down, gents!
Richard Deitsch of SI.com put together 32 thoughts regarding the media side of the NFL’s opening weekend. Among them were some nuggets on Tony Romo’s debut as a broadcaster, which was nothing short of solid. Romo sounded comfortable with play-by-play partner Jim Nantz and seemed to get better with every snap. The highlight of Romo’s day was his ability to call plays before they happened. After a 156-game career in the NFL, Romo has seen a thing or two, and that makes him perfect for this transition. The Bears are schedule to be on CBS four times this year, but I don’t think it’s likely the network will send its No. 1 team to Chicago this season. However, I’ll never completely rule out such a possibility. Here’s hoping the Bears give a reason for CBS to send its top broadcast squad to Soldier Field.
Remember when Jay Cutler in the broadcast booth was going to be a thing? Fun times.
Perhaps fans are slowly adjusting their viewing schedules, but it’s worth pointing out that FOX’s Sunday Game of the Week between the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers was down 18 percent in ratings and 17 percent in viewership from last year. For what it’s worth, Thursday Night Football this week kicks off with a matchup between the Houston Texans and Cincinnati Bengals, a pair of teams who were among the most banged up after Week 1.
Speaking of injuries, Allen Robinson’s knee injury was one of the biggest Week 1 blows. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver suffered a torn ACL that will put him out for the rest of the season and put pressure on the rest of the team’s receivers to pick up the slack. In 2015, Robinson scored 14 touchdowns, hauled in 80 catches, and gained 1,400 yards. As if Blake Bortles needed less stability at the receiver position.
Speaking of quarterbacks, did you see how Matthew Stafford started his day Sunday? In case you missed it, Stafford – fresh off becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history – threw an interception on his first pass. Yikes. Things would get better for the Detroit Lions quarterback though, as he went on to throw for 292 yards, four touchdowns, and a 113.1 rating in a 35-23 come-from-behind win against the Arizona Cardinals. Stafford is going to have some time to live up to that contract.
Stafford isn’t the only starting quarterback getting big paper. Former Bears quarterback Josh McCown receives a hefty per-game bonus for every start he makes. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports McCown will make $125,000 for every game he starts in 2017 … and that goes on top of his base salary of $6 million. If he makes all 16 starts in 2017, McCown stands to make an additional $2 million in bonuses.
Indianapolis Colts fans are probably hoping for Andrew Luck to make a speedy recovery and return to the starting lineup, but it might be awhile. Luck will continue to miss time as he builds strength in his throwing shoulder, reports Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. Scott Tolzien, who replaced Luck as the starter in the team’s season opener, threw two pick-6’s in a lopsided 46-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
In other quarterback news:
https://twitter.com/AB84/status/907027815891005440
New year, same Browns? Tensions are on the rise between Cleveland’s front office and head coach Hue Jackson and it stems from the team’s preseason release of cornerback Joe Haden. Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that Jackson, who is in his second year as Browns coach, was “irate” with the front office after the move to part ways with the team’s long-time starting cornerback. Haden’s time as a free agent was short-lived as he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers hours after his release.
Soldier Field turf gets a bad rap, and rightfully so, but the New England Patriots are already replacing the turf at Gillette Stadium.
At least the Patriots can hang their hat on not having to replace quarterbacks as often as the Houston Texans have since 2014:
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