Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is pushing for more reps in the Browns offseason sessions, aiming to demonstrate he remains a valuable asset despite taking fewer snaps than younger competitors Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders. Flacco acknowledges his experience might reduce the need for as many repetitions, but he insists he still requires and desires them to prepare effectively for the regular season and prove his capabilities.
“I think there’s probably some truth to the fact that maybe I don’t need as many reps,”
Flacco said, via Michael Silver of The Athletic.
“But I do need reps. And not only do I need reps, I want reps. I like reps. I want to get better. And also, I want to be able to show guys, hey, I can still do it.”
Browns Head Coach Emphasizes Comprehensive Evaluation of Quarterback Candidates
Head coach Kevin Stefanski highlighted the importance of a thorough assessment process for quarterbacks Pickett, Gabriel, and Sanders this offseason, signaling an open mind toward each player‘s potential. Stefanski also recognized the need for Flacco to maintain his sharpness and work through fundamentals, ensuring he gets meaningful first-team repetitions.
“I’m very open-minded,” Stefanski explained.
“I want to make sure that we go through this process, that we give these guys reps and learn from it.”
Regarding Flacco’s workload, Stefanski added,
“Joe’s seen it all and he relies on his experience, but I think it’d be unfair to Joe to give him nothing, because number one, he’s got to stay sharp. Technically, he needs to work on all those fundamentals and types of things. But also, he wants to show what he can do. And I think his teammates want to see it as well.”
Bengals Defensive End Myles Murphy Faces Pressure to Produce as He Enters Third Year
On another front, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy is preparing for his third NFL season with expectations mounting after failing to record a sack in 13 games last year. Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden expressed confidence in Murphy, while stressing it is now time for him to make a significant impact.
“Yeah, I think it’s time, right? It’s time. I’m really excited about him, but it is time,”
Golden said, via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.
“He knows that it’s time to go. And we’re really counting on him. We really are. We really are.”
Defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery takes personal responsibility for helping Murphy unlock his full potential and believes the player has all the necessary tools but needs guidance to consistently perform at a high level.
“It’s my job to get whatever dog that he has in him out,”
Montgomery said.
“That’s my job. I have to find ways to get him there consistently. So that’s what we do. But he’s got it. He’s got what he needs to play at this level, it’s just my job to get it out of him.”
Murphy himself admitted lingering hesitation and lack of confidence after returning from a sprained MCL suffered in training camp caused him to be tentative on the field last season.
“I looked hesitant,” Murphy said.
“Not too confident knowing the move is going to work. Even when I did have clean wins, it was hesitant.”
Ravens Updates Highlight Battle at Left Guard and Praise for Cornerback Jaire Alexander
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens’ training camp showcases other notable developments. Head coach John Harbaugh revealed that Andrew Vorhees currently leads the competition for the starting left guard position after Ben Cleveland struggled early on but showed improvement later in camp.
“Andrew Vorhees is in the lead. Something would have to change,”
Harbaugh stated, via Jeff Zrebiev of The Athletic.
“I will say, with Ben, he’ll tell you, the first, three or four days didn’t look too good. Then, the next three or four days looked really good. … Andrew has looked good all the way through, so he’s in the lead at this point.”
Ravens secondary coach Chuck Pagano praised veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander for his energy and remarkable performance in practice despite not having played football since November.
“He’s special,” Pagano said.
“He has so much juice and so much energy and so much swag. And then when he gets out there, he’s been telling us, ‘I haven’t played football since November. I have to ease into this.’ And then he jumps out there and looks like he hasn’t taken a day off.”
Alexander’s two interceptions recently sparked great enthusiasm among his defensive teammates, reflecting both respect and strong camaraderie.
“That’s love. That’s respect,” Pagano said.
“When that happens, it’s easy to tell. These guys know that guy is not only a great player, but they love him as a human, as a teammate.”
Significance of Offseason Performances for Team Dynamics and Player Futures
As the NFL offseason progresses, the competition for playing time, especially at quarterback for the Browns, is intense and unresolved. Joe Flacco’s desire for more reps illustrates his determination to remain relevant and effective despite his veteran status. Meanwhile, the Bengals’ focus on developing Myles Murphy underscores the high expectations placed on young players to step up.
The Ravens’ positional battles and praises reflect the continuous push for readiness as teams strive to finalize rosters and identify key contributors for the regular season. These offseason efforts play a crucial role in shaping depth charts, determining starter roles, and ultimately influencing team success once the season begins.