NFL Trade Rumors
Bucs rookie WR Emeka Egbuka talked about hauling in the go-ahead touchdown pass during his first game as a pro.
“Film, preparation, knowing the look, knowing the opponent and knowing the trust with the quarterback that we had back in August,” Egbuka said, via ESPN. “We kind of got the look that we drew it up for — Baker threw a perfect ball, honestly — and made it easy on me. And when he can make my job that easy, it makes it look good. But honestly, a lot of credit goes to him and to God.”
Egbuka has already established himself as one of the team’s premier playmakers, according to QB Baker Mayfield.
“I just think the way he carries himself — I’ve told you guys, it wasn’t a front, you saw it live today, in person — he’s the real deal,” Mayfield said. “True professional. Doesn’t play like a rookie. Doesn’t act like a rookie. His head is never spinning. He made some unbelievable catches and plays today for us. Obviously, going to continue to lean on him.”
After an offseason with expectations around an improving young core, the Panthers struggled mightily in their 26-10 loss at Jacksonville. Panthers QB Bryce Young took blame for the execution issues and vowed to do better as a leader.
“Just something that was going on with not executing,” Young said, via Joseph Person of The Athletic. “When you’re not executing, it sucks. But I have to do a better job as a leader.”
Despite a few rough moments from the young receivers, Carolina HC Dave Canales committed to going through the ups and downs with them and expressed his confidence in their improvement.
“We’re gonna keep giving them opps. That’s just what we’re gonna do. These are the guys we have. We love ’em, and I’m fired up for this group,” Canales said. “But they’ll be the first ones to come up here and tell you, ‘I’ve gotta make that play.'”
After finishing their Week 1 game, it was revealed that Saints DB Julian Blackmon had a shoulder injury that was likely season-ending. Saints HC Kellen Moore told reporters that the team will use an in-house replacement, which could end up being rookie S Jonas Sanker.
“We’ve invested in a lot of those guys, [they] had a ton of reps, and so we feel like we’re not bringing someone in that isn’t familiar with this thing. We got a number of guys who can go play that,” Moore said, via Katherine Terrell of ESPN. *“That’s a conversation that we’ll have to have tomorrow just to narrow our focus and put someone in a position or a combination of a couple guys put them in a position to get ready...
