The NFL has been abuzz this week with certain players attending interesting off-field activities and teams starting their minicamps. Here are six storylines that all share a touch of humor.
Chip Kelly Answers Questions About Sam Bradford’s Health
Asked if Sam Bradford will be ready for 11-on-11 in training camp, Chip says, "God, we hope so", smiles, and darts to the practice field.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 16, 2015
Is Kelly just now coming to the realization that Bradford may not be 100 percent once training camp starts? If Bradford is not ready, the Eagles are deep at the position with Mark Sanchez, Matt Barkley and Tim Tebow waiting in the wings to step in. This doesn’t necessarily mean the Eagles will be in capable hands, however.
Adrian Peterson Thinks He’s Invincible and Can Beat Emmitt Smith’s All-Time Rushing Record
“I think I can play (past Smith’s retirement age of 35),” Peterson said, per the Pioneer Press. “I’m blessed with tremendous talent and recovery and everything, so I feel like I’ll be able to play as long as I want. … I want to play seven more (years). Eight. I really feel that I can be 38 out there and still be the best running back in the NFL.”
The simple conclusion is that if Peterson played eight more years, he must average 1,021 yards per season to surpass Smith’s career rushing record of 18,355 yards. Peterson currently has 10,190. Those who believe this is likely probably think Minnesota has perfect weather all year long, too.
DeMarco Murray Uses Interesting Adjective to Describe Fit in Philly
When Nate Davis of USA Today Sports asked Murray about what he thinks he contributes to the Eagles’ offense, the running back didn’t use a particularly macho adjective in his response:
“I’m kind of a nerd in the classroom. … I take every day seriously. Gotta take everything seriously, that’s my mindset, that’s how I’ve always been.”
Hopefully the offseason acquisition will fit right in to Kelly’s desired north-south run scheme, though “nerdy” likely wasn’t one of the qualities the Eagles were seeking when they recruited Murray in March.
Poor Johnny Manziel Earns a New Nickname
Manziel, who has a knack for gravitating towards the partying atmosphere, attended a WWE Raw event in Cleveland at the Quicken Loans Arena on Monday. Little did the second-year pro know heavyweight champion Seth Rollins would call Manziel “Johnny Idiot Face.”
That was harsh and really uncool. Rollins also claimed that Cleveland would never reach a championship if Manziel was leading the team. While Rollins comment is pretty accurate, his delivery method was uncalled for.
Martellus Bennett Finally Shows Up to Practice, Makes This Strange Analogy
Martellus Bennett on #Bears new system: "I fit in everywhere I go. I'm like a dark-skinned chameleon." #Bears
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) June 16, 2015
Bennett, who had been a no-show thus far at the team’s organized training activities, showed up for the Bears’ mandatory minicamp. Whether his appearance was to avoid a fine, learn Chicago’s new offensive scheme or both remains a question—as does his analogy.
Rex Ryan Keeps Creating Ways to Insult Buffalo’s Quarterbacks
The Bills are in the midst a fierce quarterback competition to determine whether Matt Cassel, E.J. Manuel or Tyrod Taylor will start the 2015 season. Speaking enthusiastically and with apparent lack of confidence, Ryan shared this when he addressed the press Tuesday, per Mike Rodak of ESPN.
“We might not have the elite of the elite at that position, but we have some good players at that spot and the competition.”
This statement comes on the heels of Ryan’s comment from last week where he verbally jabbed his quarterbacks.
“It’s safe to say we won’t have LeBron at quarterback. We may have LeBron at defensive tackle and at defensive end but we don’t have him at quarterback.”
At least Ryan confirmed what the general public already knows. That he doesn’t sugarcoat the quarterback situation is actually refreshing.
Photo: USA Today Sports