We all know why scoring is up this year in the NFL: dynamic quarterbacks, innovative schemes, and a lack of cohesion among defenses due to reduced practice time in the offseason.

If you’re watching on Sundays, it’s obvious— defenses are having a hard time keeping up. 

But when analyzing a few of the top 10 defenses in the NFL, the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Pittsburgh Steelers, a common theme, one that’s really quite obvious, emerges. Good modern defenses are developed by experimental coaches and powered by the NFL’s best players.

There are a handful of players who pass both the analytical and eye test. Players like Aaron Donald, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Shaq Barrett who dominate the opponent almost every weekend.

Having a player like this, an anchor of sorts, that has the ability to single handily change the outcome of a game, either by rushing the quarterback or making plays in the secondary, is a necessity.

Donald, who has already won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice in his career, currently has the best odds to win the award this year, according to Sports Betting Dime.

When it comes to good defense in the NFL, the Pittsburgh University product is once again playing on another level in 2020, having already recorded nine sacks and three forced fumbles.

When opposing offensive coordinators devise a game plan to beat the Rams, the first thing they must think about is containing Donald. He’s able to play on different spots on the line and effect the passing and running equally.

Last season, the Rams traded significant draft capital to land another blue-chip player in Jalen Ramsey, a defensive back who has the ability to lock down an entire side of the field.

This move was ridiculed because the Rams, a team with little salary cap room, was trading for a player who would need a massive new contract in the near future. 

They clearly thought that pairing Donald and Ramsey would solve two of the biggest questions facing defenses every week: pressuring the pocket and locking down the NFL’s top receivers.

So far the Rams defense has stayed healthy and appears to ready for a long playoff run, due in large part to the contributions of their two stars. 

Dwayne, “The Rock,” Johnson might have a grand trick up his sleeve.

According to a news release on Monday, the former WWE star and his group have agreed to purchase the XFL for $15 million.

With my trail blazing partner @DanyGarciaCo & Red Bird Capital, we have acquired the XFL.
With gratitude & passion I’ve built a career with my own two hands and will apply these callouses to our @xfl2020 brand.
Excited to create something special for the fans! #XFL #fullcircle pic.twitter.com/LprJ6HjglD

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) August 3, 2020

“The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that’s rooted deeply in two things,” Johnson said in a statement. “My passion for the game, and my desire to always take care of the fans.”

“With pride and gratitude for all that I’ve built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans and everyone involved for the love of football.”

With all of the current safety concerns, Johnson and his group are still hopefully planning for play next season.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

I’ll start this post with a heartfelt & excited, THANK YOU for the incredible responses I’ve been seeing from you all day. With my trail blazing partner @DanyGarciaCo & RedBird Capital’s Gerry Cardinale – we have acquired the XFL. With gratitude & passion I’ve built a career with my own two hands and will apply these callouses to building our @xfl brand to create something special for the fans. My dreams of playing professional football never came true, however – this passion venture allows me to create opportunities for other players to showcase their talents, take care of their families and make their own dreams come true. Now, my partners and I go to work – for the love of football. #XFL #Owner #FullCircle

A post shared by therock (@therock) on Aug 3, 2020 at 2:06pm PDT

“We’re doing all the steps that need to happen for the execution of that,” Dany Garcia, the first female owner of a major American sports league, told ESPN.

“But we’re also being mindful of what has actually been successful. It has been really interesting to see that when you create a bubble, your players are safe. When you don’t, it’s chaos. We are a league, because of the number of teams we have, that actually can create a bubble environment. Those discussions are active.”

The XFL’s short run is considered by many to be a failure. The league filed for bankruptcy in April of 2020, after previously having a short-lived run in 2001. While the schedule was halted because of the pandemic, it announced that all operations had been suspended during the April staff meeting.

XFL statement pic.twitter.com/JaKq3iNKrr

— XFL (@XFL2023) March 15, 2020

Owner Vince McMahon had invested $200 million into the league’s restart, hoping to generate a return on his cash. The eight-team league, however, couldn’t even make it past the halfway point.

XFL has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy listing both assets and liabilities in the range of $10-50 million.

There is a breakdown of ownership with WWE listed in control of 23.5% of Class B shares with the rest held by Vince McMahon.

Attached are the top eight creditors. pic.twitter.com/BNsgV1NEKt

— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) April 13, 2020

Fortunately for the league, Johnson has more than enough social and business capital to jump-start the league for a third time. Operating under an estimated net worth of $320 million, Johnson’s films alone have grossed more than $10.5 billion worldwide.

Johnson played football collegiately for the University of Miami, winning a National Championship in 1991. After going undrafted in the 1995 NFL Draft, he turned to the world of professional wrestling.

Going by the ring name “The Rock,’ Johnson won 8 WWE Championships and garnered countless other league and press awards. His film career started in 2001 with The Mummy Returns and has since seen him take the Fast and Furious franchise, Disney’s Moana, the rebooted Jumanji series, and countless others.

Fan footage of a hilarious exchange between The Rock and Kurt Angle at a house show 😂 @TheRock @RealKurtAngle pic.twitter.com/tnxiH5EDlY

— 90s WWE (@90sWWE) July 31, 2020

Without a doubt, Dwayne Johnson is one of the world’s largest international stars. To breathe new life into a twice-deceased league such as the XFL, a leader of substantial social capital is required.

To gain a strong following for the new league, Johnson has several options that he can take. First and foremost, it might be wise to introduce the league into cities without major sports teams. Portland is a prime example, and other cities with lost NFL teams such as Oakland and San Diego might be in play as well.

Along with this, Johnson could explore the option of offering salaries to college athletes seeking pay. This would take a page out of the NBA’s book with the G-League, but it would be the first alternative medium between the NCAA and pros.

Remember when The Rock cut a promo before a game in the original XFL? Now he’s a part-owner of the rebooted league. pic.twitter.com/0EajcG4vtS

— SI Wrestling (@SI_wrestling) August 3, 2020

Regardless of what direction Johnson elects to take, even if he chooses not to make any major innovations, his presence alone will assuredly make a difference. As his popularity continues to grow across the world, his side-endeavors such as the XFL will most definitely benefit from the much-needed buzz.

We look forward to seeing how the future of the XFL will shape up. One thing is for certain, though: they now have breathing super start at their helm.

In the 1990’s, the former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons Jerry Glanville coined the phrase ‘Not For Long’, referring to the National Football League.

Glanville spewed this statement as he was berating a first-year NFL official who was recently promoted from the college ranks. Now, with the NFL’s next man up mentality, the ‘Not For Long’ phrase has taken on a new life of its own.

Unless you are sure-fire Hall of Fame talent like quarterback Tom Brady, or kicker Sebastian Janikowski who are both in their 19th seasons, a player’s longevity is short-lived.

The Statistics Portal shows that an average NFL career lasts only a little over three years. Even though the NFL reached $14 billion in league-wide revenue, The Statistics Portal also reported that the average player salary was around $2.5 million.

Even though the NFL known as being the cash cow,  they are also well-known for being cheap when it comes to paying players. NFL contracts do not come fully guaranteed. This is the reason why some players hold out.

Players want to be paid what they are worth. Le’Veon Bell, the versatile playmaker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, received heavy backlash from fans and teammates alike when he initially decided to hold out this season.

Bell is doing so in hopes of a more lucrative deal. Seattle Seahawks defensive back Earl Thomas initially was going to hold out this season as well. After deliberating, he decided to rejoin the team, hoping to drive up his market value on the field.

Unfortunately, in the Seahawks’ fourth week of NFL action, Thomas suffered a season-ending injury. After breaking his left leg, Thomas’ was carted off the field, giving the middle finger toward the Seahawks’ sideline.

The future Hall of Famer’s chances for a huge payday is now looking bleak. Bell spoke out in favor of his decision and in Earl Thomas’ defense.

The business acumen of the NFL player is changing. Players entering the league understand that their time in the NFL can be short. If they get injured, it is nothing for an organization to find a replacement.

Also, players also know that the NFL has alligator arms when it comes to reaching in their deep pockets to pay them. Now NFL players are stepping up their hustle and finding different ways to generate revenue. Besides endorsement deals, athlete’s are using their own likeness to bring in the green. Over the last decade, we have seen a rise in athlete driven media.

There has been a growing distrust between athletes and media outlets. This is due in large part to athlete’s believing that the media doesn’t tell the full story, wanting to add their own spin for more views.

What makes athletes trust @PlayersTribune?@CarBombBoom13 shares why he chose to share his story through the platform. pic.twitter.com/bozHYUJWoL

— Hashtag Sports (@HashtagSports) September 27, 2018

Nevertheless, we are starting to see more NFL players who are entering the league more focused on their brand. Athletes like JuJu Smith-Schuster, Derrius Guice, Tyreek Hill, Jamal Adams, and more have created YouTube channels so fans can view them as people first instead of just football players.

Brand awareness is the key to making your money stretch in the NFL. Athletes having their own platforms in place will allow fans to be exposed to a different side of their favorite players.

Take a look at Smith-Schuster for example. Earlier this year, Smith-Schuster captured the hearts of the Gen-Z population with his affinity for Fortnite. With his growing popularity of Fortnite content, he was able to partner with FaZe Clan.

Teaming up with one of the best eSports organizations in the world allowed the Steelers receiver to sell his own merchandise.

His infectious personality captured through his YouTube channel, JuJuTV, has positioned Smith-Schuster as one of the most likable athletes of the Gen-Z crowd. He’s been featured in Pizza Hut and Madden 19 commercials trying to find his next touchdown celebration.

His hard work both on and off the field continues to speak for itself. Over the summer Smith-Schuster inked a six-figure sponsorship deal with the gaming division of Kingston Technology Company, HyperX. Expect to see Smith-Schuster in HyperX headgear and apparel during live-streams, marketing campaigns and fan events.

While the younger faces of the NFL are continuing to make strides in athlete driven media, the OG’s like Marshawn Lynch and Tom Brady have used their platforms to take their content to another level. With the successes of Marshawn Lynch’s Beast Mode and Tom Brady’s TB12 Sports, they are not just inking endorsement deals. They are growing empires.

Even Tom Brady, who many have crowned as the GOAT, is establishing his brand outside of football. With the recent success of the TB12 Center, a place for nutritional wellness and athlete development, Brady has no worries while he is playing on the field.

He knows he has an identity outside of football that will still keep the checks rolling in. Not to mention, he launched his own content platform, Religion of Sports!

Brady even has a mobile app of TB12 so those who can’t make to the gym can still follow along with specialized workouts. His hustle does not stop there. TB12 even teamed up with The Purple Carrot and developed TB12 Performance Meals for those wanting a change in eating habits. Marshawn Lynch continues to stay relevant with the culture. His pure heart for the game and for humanity is why we love ‘Beast Mode’.

In 2016, during a segment on Ian Rapoport’s The Ian & Puck Show, the NFL Network reporter suggested that Lynch had not spent a dime of the NFL money from his player salary. At the time, Lynch had amassed over $49.7 million in career earnings.

Essentially, one could say he living off his many endorsement deals. Pepsi, NIKE, Progressive… the list goes on. In 2017, Marshawn Lynch teamed up with the Bleacher Report to launch his show No Script, which can be seen on Facebook Watch. The show gives viewers a chance to get to know Lynch beyond the gridiron.

You see him in a more playful light who is tune with his community. He’s captured living out his dreams while still giving back to the community.

To keep the grind going, Beast Mode also has his own clothing line. Coined Beast Mode Apparel, Lynch has his retail stores located in Seattle, WA, Oakland, CA, and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Even though the career in the NFL is not a lengthy one, it is still imperative that players position themselves to win on and one the field. But while you’re under the shield that is the NFL, secure your bags while you can.

There’s something special about high school football that keeps us coming back for more. It’s a chance for the stars of tomorrow to showcase their talents under those Friday night lights. It’s the place where anything could happen. It’s the great game of football in its purest form.

However, for many of these athletes, high school will be their final chance to grace the gridiron. Even though they might possess the talent to play at the collegiate level, the lack of exposure may ultimately lead to never getting scouted.

You don’t want problems with BABY MAN 💪🏾 @benjifacejay

A post shared by OvertimeSZN (@overtimeszn) on Jul 26, 2018 at 6:47pm PDT

But now, thanks to Overtime SZN, high school football fanatics can relive the most unbelievable moments while getting to know their new favorite players.

The talent level surrounding high school football continues to become even more litty as the years progress as kids are training like pros these days. Where else are you going to find the best team in Hawaii putting in work?

The game is definitely reaching new heights and Overtime SZN is making sure you do not miss any of the action. Now there are stars you’d never expect making waves.

While you mostly know Overtime for their fire high school basketball content, they don’t just stop there. They’re strapping up for the high school football season and the SZN got you covered.

Sam Howell even made the ref fall 😂 @samhowelll

A post shared by OvertimeSZN (@overtimeszn) on Aug 29, 2018 at 5:10pm PDT

Overtime SZN is for the football culture, and for the future of sports. Their primary goal is to get the youth of today more exposure. What they are doing goes beyond just highlights, they are helping tremendously when it comes to the recruitment process.

They feature all of the biggest football stars of tomorrow with major implications in college football and NFL in the coming years.

Recently, Overtime raised $9.5 million, has partnered with many investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, venture capital firm Greycroft, former NBA commissioner David Stern, and Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors to ensure they fulfill their vision of becoming the “ESPN of Generation Z.”

According to Dan Porter, the CEO of Overtime believe’s a network catering to the younger audience is the company’s best route. Porter expressed his vision during an interview with TechCrunch:

“Through a lot of experimentation, we found these young audiences were really connected to these young kids who might be professionals in 12 to 24 months. No one had ever built a national platform. Some of them, because they’re the first generation of digital-native athletes, have hundreds of thousands of followers — more than professional athletes. There’s a whole kind of interest around them and subculture around them.”

With over 327,000 YouTube Subscribers, close to 200,000 Twitter followers, and over 404,000 likes on Facebook, Overtime is essentially everywhere. Most importantly, they are presenting sports in a way that is directly relatable to the youth.

Overtime is dedicated to the youth and tapped into the culture. They even encourage their fans to submit the sickest highlights they’ve captured to them so they can be featured on their various platforms.

They want to continue to inspire the youth to be the best that can be in school and on the football field. Make sure you peep Overtime SZN page all football season long for the best highlights and docs from the nation’s biggest rising stars.

We see you Bryce Young!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mspJDdpUDvo

This NFL offseason has been rather historic.

We’re not accustomed to this much noise or transactions prior to an NFL Draft, but here we are. Some might even say this offseason was better than the entire 2017 NFL season all together. I wouldn’t disagree.

The LA Rams made some beastly moves, adding the likes of Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Sam Shields, Ndmukong Suh on defense, plus a draft pick.

The Oakland Raiders ditched Michael Crabtree & added coach John Gruden and Jordy Nelson in the process.

The SB champion Philadelphia Eagles fortified a solid defense, trading for Seattle’s Michael Bennett on their D-Line.

Heck even the Cleveland Browns look better with the additions of Jarvis Landry, Tyrod Taylor & Damarious Randall. Should we mention they have the #1 & #4 first round picks later this month? Insane.

With so many big names moving around the NFL, the elephant in the room remains Odell Beckham Jr. A superstar on the field but a polarizing personality off of it, the rumors around the NFL are that a trade is likely but also unlikely.

Get it? Neither do we and they won’t seem to go away.

OBJ is working back from a season ending ankle surgery that only allowed him to suit up for the first few weeks of the season with Big Blue. Looking for a massive payday as one of the NFL’s standout talents, a viral video dampened those chances recently.

Beckham was posted in bed with a stuffed backwood partying with some IG models. No big deal right? Well, the models were accompanied by some nose candy which set analyst and the social media world ablaze.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6JO9FQ-YAg

Now we ask: do you trade Odell, Big Blue?

While it isn’t wrong to listen to offers for Odell, the answer is no. You don’t trade someone of this caliber away. He shouldn’t even be on the market.

Per Giants GM Dave Gettlemen, “you don’t quit on talent,” BUT this could also be a smoke & mirrors tactic from management as they assess offers.

Let’s rationalize why you don’t trade perhaps the most talented wide receiver in football.

First, he immediately impacts your QB situation. Whether its Eli or whomever they take at #2 overall, his impact is no fluke:

https://twitter.com/billbarnwell/status/978284471328935937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fgiantswire.usatoday.com%2F2018%2F03%2F30%2Fnew-york-giants-odell-beckham-jr-5-reasons-should-not-trade%2F

Another key factor to note, Beckham is just 25-years-old and entering the prime of his career. While he may be immature and a bit of a headache, OBJ has yet to find himself in any trouble with the law.

Lastly, Beckham sells a lot of merchandise for the team and the NFL all across the world. Superstars draw money, and that’s the same for every major sports league.

Trading away Beckham will take away a lot of the extra revenue the team sees from all of the merchandise they generally sell through the year with his name on it.

The rumors will continue on a daily basis for OBJ & the NY Giants, but the one thing will remain certain is that addition by subtraction does not work for the Giants here.

You don’t get better by giving up on your superstar at this stage of his career. Pay the man!

JuJu Smith-Schuster is living his best life and JuJuTV is living proof.

It’s plain as day that Smith-Schuster is a 21-year old renaissance man. If he’s not burning NFL defenders for 97-yard touchdowns, you can catch JuJu on the streets feeding the homeless.

If he’s not on his philanthropy swag, JuJu’s redefining what it means to be a student-athlete at USC. If he’s not hitting the books, JuJu’s clouting up on COD and Fortnite with one of the best American eSports organizations, FaZe Clan.

Smith-Schuster embodies what it means to have your cake and eat it too. In a world where people fear ridicule for being themselves, JuJu “on that beat” thrives. Smith-Schuster’s actions genuinely come from the heart. It’s what makes his personality so infectious.

Trust God and everything will fall in to place 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/9Krn31NOfD

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) November 1, 2017

Now, JuJu is actively recruiting basketball star LeBron James to the Steelers. This might be a longshot, but don’t sleep. JuJu is just helping “King James” maximize all his options.

Announcing my official campaign to recruit @KingJames to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2018 season. LeBron has done everything in the NBA. He can be the best athlete EVER if he makes the move to the NFL and wins a Super Bowl with Steeler Nation… #LeBronToPittsburgh pic.twitter.com/5VLcjIPpSO

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 6, 2018

JuJu Smith-Schuster is going all out for his #LeBronToPittsburgh campaign.

Over the weekend the “Fornite legend” was chilling courtside as he watched his hometown Los Angeles Lakers battle the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sporting a King James #23 Steelers jersey, he even got a flick with James with the caption “BIG THINGS COMING SOON.” You have to admit if JuJu pulls this off, it’d be lit. More lit than a Lil Wayne lighter flick on his No Ceilings mixtape.

BIG THINGS COMING SOON! 👀 pic.twitter.com/dkIHkcuLM2

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) March 10, 2018

When you are consistently doing what you love, you will align yourself with endless opportunities.

Since entering the league, fans continue to hop on Smith-Schuster’s wave. The plays he’s been making off the field are the most groundbreaking aspect of his young career. We haven’t seen a superstar athlete perfect the use of social media this well.

Don’t get it twisted, JuJu Smith-Schuster will be the first to tell you he’s a video game junky. His toughest adjustment to the NFL was putting down the controller to get some sleep. During an interview with CBS Sports.

Smith-Schuster said:

“Being young and just up all night just having fun. Sleep has been the most challenging for me. I just like to be up, playing video games, playing social media, going to bed at 2 a.m. I’m still trying to balance that out.”

In January, JuJu Smith-Schuster made another dream come true. After growing up as a fan of FaZe Clan, JuJu moved into their $14 million mansion just to game. Wild right? It gets better. Since partnering with FaZe Clan, JuJu also launched his own merchandise.

JuJu has been making strides since entering the world of eSports. His “dead-eye” sniper skills would bring a tear to great war veteran Chris Kyle. He’s that good. The boys from UPROXX got to chop it with Smith-Schuster about his gaming.

JuJu said:

“I’ve been playing since I was a kid, since like World at War and then I’ve been growing into sniping, that’s like my thing.”

Steelers fans don’t worry. Gaming helps Smith-Schuster’s hand-eye coordination and on-field communication. He wants to be a Steeler for life. Protect your gem.

Smith-Schuster said:

“I think it helps out tremendously, just because when you’re gaming the communication you have to have when you’re playing a game against other teams, it’s like, ‘Yo, he’s South East, in that bunker, throw a grenade there,’ because that right there creates communication. Communication on the field helps a lot, too.”

Fortnite has been Smith-Schuster’s go to game as of late. Even if he’s not playing it online, best believe it’s going down in the streets.

Fortnite Be Like! 😂 pic.twitter.com/A8kgJAnU2v

— JuJu Smith-Schuster (@TeamJuJu) January 31, 2018

As JuJu continues to be himself, he could transcend the world of eSports forever. His ability to appeal to fans as a human being rather than just an NFL player is uncanny.

Viewers who watch JuJuTV can see there is no ego when dealing with Smith-Schuster. He just happens to be a cool ass guy who has an affinity for gaming, football, making people smile, and having fun.

JuJu might be the trillest two-sport professional athlete of all time.

It looks like the Seattle Seahawks will look like a very different team than the one that appeared in Super Bowl 49 just a couple years ago.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was fired earlier this offseason and today, Michael Bennett was traded to reigning the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

With rumors also surfacing about Richard Sherman potentially leaving the ‘Legion of Boom,’ the NFL world is left to wonder what is next for the shutdown corner.

If you are looking for an official response in regards to Richard Sherman and where he’s going, it starts and stops with him. As he enters the final year of his contract with the Seahawks, Sherman will be representing himself in free agency.

As intelligent and cerebral as Sherman is, there’s no faulting him for thinking having an agent is overrated. Sherman told Business Insider,

“I didn’t feel like I needed one. There’s nothing that an agent could do for me that I couldn’t do for myself or I couldn’t hire someone to do at a smaller fee.”

At this point everything is up to speculation. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the All-Pro cornerback told his teammates goodbye over the past 24 hours.

That text message got my heart hurting … damn 25 was my Dawg #WhatsNext

— jeremy lane (@StayingInMyLane) March 7, 2018

Kam Chancellor went on Instagram to thank Sherman for Chancellor’s special nickname: The Chancellor.

https://instagram.com/p/BgCCZsvjAkM/

After being challenged by Kobe Bryant last season to break the Seahawks single season interception record, Sherman’s season came to a screeching halt.

.@RSherman_25 I challenge you to break the Seahawks single season interception record #MambaMentality pic.twitter.com/4g9kOx2YhA

— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) August 24, 2017

Nine games into the 2017-2018 season, Sherman ruptured his achilles, but he’s not letting that hinder his negotiating process. Sherman said,

“I can have conversations with general managers and understand my value in comparison to other players in the league.”

According to NFL reporter Tom Pelissero, Sherman is slated to meet with head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider to discuss moving forward.

Knowing your value in a league where the money is not completely guaranteed is a blessing. Whichever teams lands Sherman in the near future is landing one of the fiercest corners in the league. But it’s hard to find a cornerback with technique and football IQ like a Richard Sherman.

Not bad for a fifth-round draft pick!

Father time remains undefeated against athletes. Coming back from an achilles injury to play cornerback in the NFL is no easy task. It will be interesting to see if Richard Sherman is still capable of being elite.

As for now, we should let his resume speak for itself. Just know like Kobe, Sherman also has a Mamba Mentality. As for where Sherman will land, did you really have to guess?

#Patriots #PatriotsNation @Patriots #RichardSherman @RSherman_25 RICHARD SHERMAN TO THE PATRIOTS!!!

RICHARD SHERMAN IS COMING TO THE PATRIOTS!!!
RICHARD SHERMAN IS COMING TO THE PATRIOTS!!!
RICHARD SHERMAN IS COMING TO THE PATRIOTS!!!
RICHARD SHERMAN IS COMING TO THE PATRIOTS!!! pic.twitter.com/wp92cYR03M

— The Waco Kid (@J_BirdRamsay) March 7, 2018

Shaquem Griffin, whose left hand was amputated when he was 4-years-old because of complications due to a rare birth defect called amniotic band syndrome, absolutely dominated the NFL combine this weekend and I’m now ready to run through a brick wall for Shaquem.

His 40-yard dash time of 4.38 was the fastest for a linebacker since 2006, dude was flying.

WOW. WOW. WOW.

4.38u for @ShaquemGriffin!

The fastest 40 time for an LB since 2003.

📺: #NFLCombine LIVE on NFL Network https://t.co/MkDdOHJ2XQ

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 4, 2018

Griffin’s 40 time absolutely blew the rest of his linebacker competition out of the water. But the wildest part about his sprint might just be that Shaquem’s 4.38 is the exact same time his twin brother Shaquill, a cornerback for the Seahawks, ran last year.

.@Shaquemgriffin led the way as the fastest LB at the #NFLCombine pic.twitter.com/IVnpA7p64b

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) March 4, 2018

Yesterday, I asked Griffin what he was going to run and he replied, “what do you think is fast?” I said, “For a linebacker, 4.60.” He replied, “I didn’t say linebacker, I said what do you think is fast.” Now I know what he meant. 438!!

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) March 4, 2018

Before his record-setting 40, Shaquem put up 20 reps on the bench… with one hand. He used a prosthetic attachment to help him grip the bench in one of the wildest images from this weekend’s combine.

Using a prosthetic on his left arm, @Shaquemgriffin just put up 20 reps on the bench press! 💪#NFLCombine @UCF_Football

📺: @nflnetwork https://t.co/fHS0b4Eb0s

— NFL (@NFL) March 3, 2018

Griffin told NFL Network afterwards that he was extremely jacked up as soon as he realized how close he was to 20:

“My adrenaline was going through the roof. I ain’t feel like I needed to stop. As soon as I heard 16, I was like ‘Oh yeah, I’m going for 20.’ A lot of people didn’t think I was going to be able to do the bench press.”

Griffin was also motivated (as always) by his doubters. Apparently one anonymous NFL general manager said that he’d be impressed if Griffin got 5 reps up on the bench. About that…

Obviously NFL Twitter blew up after Griffin’s combine.

List of every defensive player at the NFL combine to weigh at least 225 lbs and run a sub 4.4 40 (since at least 2000):

Shaquem Griffin
/end list

Griffin is 227 lbs & ran an unofficial 4.38 in the 40.

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 4, 2018

They said he couldn’t play football without a hand. He played. They said he couldn’t play big time college football. He did. They said he probably shouldn’t be invited to the combine. He was. Shaquem Griffin just ran the fastest 40 for a linebacker in 15 years. pic.twitter.com/Wf0cttuNXz

— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) March 4, 2018

Shaquem Griffin killing it.

— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) March 4, 2018

@Shaquemgriffin you are straight balling man! You gon mess around and get the call. Lol "If you ball u get the call" @nflnetwork #GamedayPrime #Truth

— COACH PRIME (@DeionSanders) March 4, 2018

It’s in God hands 🙏🏾#AgainstAllOdds pic.twitter.com/oZ3TQtbJXJ

— shaquem griffin (@Shaquemgriffin) March 5, 2018

If @Shaquemgriffin doesn’t get drafted in the first two days the system is broken. Productive and performed well at the combine. Played well against high level competition.

— Richard Sherman (@RSherman_25) March 4, 2018

Griffin has shown time and time again that he isn’t going to let his physical limitations keep him from realizing his dreams.

Coming out of high school, Griffin was sparsely recruited, only getting 3 scholarship offers before ending up at the University of Central Florida. All he did was dominate the collegiate ranks to become 2016 AAC Defensive Player of the Year, 2017 Second-Team All-American, and is now well on his way to an NFL roster.

While 40-yard dashes and bench press reps are not necessarily good barometers of a successful NFL career, Shaquem Griffin has repeatedly proved detractors wrong at every step of his life. I know I’m not betting against this guy.

The NFL has been pretty short on positive stories in the last 5 years or so. Shaquem Griffin’s combine is some truly wholesome stuff. Dude is an inspiration.