Stevenson-Caraballo set for June 9; Magdaleno-Vicente set for June 11

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Stevenson-Caraballo set for June 9; Magdaleno-Vicente set for June 11

It can all be summarized in three long-awaited words: boxing is back.

Top Rank on ESPN returns Tuesday, June 9, as WBO featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson will take on Puerto Rican contender Felix “La Sombra” Caraballo in a 10-round super featherweight bout. Stevenson-Caraballo will kick off a blockbuster June boxing lineup, which will include multiple cards each week on the ESPN family of networks. Specifics on ESPN platforms and tune-in times to be announced soon.

Stevenson-Caraballo will be the first of multiple June events to take place at the MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom. The action will continue Thursday, June 11 when former junior featherweight world champion and top featherweight contender Jessie Magdaleno faces Dominican puncher Yenifel Vicente in a 10-rounder.

These events will be closed to both the public and the media, as only essential fight camp members and event staff will be permitted on site.

“I would like to thank MGM Resorts and the Nevada State Athletic Commission for their assistance in helping to bring back world-class boxing,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “We are all looking forward to a spectacular summer of live boxing across ESPN platforms. Shakur is among the best young talents I’ve ever promoted, and he is going to put on a show on June 9.”

ESPN’s Top Rank play-by-play commentator, Joe Tessitore, will be calling the action from ESPN’s Bristol, Conn., studios.  Andre Ward (analyst), former #1 pound-for-pound two-division world titleholder and 2004 Olympic gold medalist, Tim Bradley (analyst), former two-division world titleholder and boxing insider Mark Kriegel, will join from their home studios. Boxing reporter Bernardo Osuna will be on-location in Las Vegas.

June 9
MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom
Main Event
Shakur Stevenson (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. Felix Caraballo (13-1-2, 9 KOs)
10 rounds, Super Featherweight

2016 U.S. Olympic silver medalist Stevenson, the pride of Newark, New Jersey, is testing the waters at super featherweight following his featherweight title-winning effort over Joet Gonzalez last October. He went 4-0 in 2019, flashing the skills and athleticism that have many experts pegging him as a future pound-for-pound superstar. Caraballo has won five fights in a row and will be fighting for the first time away from Puerto Rico.

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring and return live boxing to ESPN,” Stevenson said. “I was really disappointed when my fight got canceled in March, and I said then that I wanted to be one of the first fights back. I stayed in shape so when that call came, I was ready. The atmosphere might be different on June 9, but I’ve fought in unique situations all over the world before so it won’t affect me. Regardless of who’s in the building, you’ll see another great performance, and I’ll remind everyone why I’m the best young fighter in boxing.”

Co-Feature
Mikaela Mayer (12-0, 5 KOs) vs. Helen Joseph (17-4-2, 10 KOs)
10 rounds, Super Featherweight

Mayer, Stevenson’s 2016 Olympic teammate, has in short order become one of the faces of female boxing. The Los Angeles native is on track for a world title shot this year, but she must first defeat Joseph, a native of Lagos, Nigeria, who is coming off a competitive decision loss to former lightweight queen Delfine Persoon.

“I’m incredibly grateful and excited to be fighting on the first boxing card since the pandemic shutdown,” Mayer said. “I was set to travel to New York City for a fight March 17, but the quarantine went into effect the day before I was supposed to fly out. So, despite having a long, hard 10-week camp, I was unable to perform and showcase the work I had put in. I feel like I’ve leveled up my skill set, and I’m eager to show that on June 9 and capture my 13th win. It’s also great to see ESPN and Top Rank having a woman headline their first card back. I have been in camp with Shakur, and we’re ready to bring boxing back to television with exciting wins.”

Undercard

Undefeated heavyweight knockout artists Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (3-0, 3 KOs), from Toledo, Ohio, will face Johnnie Langston (8-2, 3 KOs) in a six-rounder. Anderson recently served as Tyson Fury’s chief sparring partner for the Deontay Wilder rematch.

Guido “The Gladiator” Vianello (6-0, 6 KOs), a 2016 Italian Olympian, will fight Don Haynesworth (16-3-1, 14 KOs) in a six-rounder at heavyweight.

Robeisy Ramirez (2-1, 2 KOs), the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba who bested Stevenson in the 2016 gold medal match, will seek his third straight win as a pro in a six-round featherweight bout against Yeuri Andujar (5-3, 3 KOs).

In a middleweight tilt set for six or four rounds, Calvin Metcalf (10-3-1, 3 KOs) will face Atlanta native Quatavious Cash (11-2, 7 KOs).

June 11
MGM Grand Conference Center Grand Ballroom
Main Event
Jessie Magdaleno (27-1, 18 KOs) vs. Yenifel Vicente (36-4-2, 28 KOs)
10 rounds, Featherweight

Top-ranked featherweight contender Magdaleno has defeated veterans Rafael Rivera and Rico Ramos since moving up from the junior featherweight ranks. The Las Vegas native will be fighting in his hometown for the first time since he dethroned four-weight kingpin Nonito Donaire in November 2016. Vicente, the author of numerous highlight-reel knockouts, is 11-1 with 11 knockouts in his last 12 fights.

“It feels great to be one of the first fighters back,” Magdaleno said. “I’m excited to get back in the ring, especially after my last fight was canceled. I didn’t get discouraged. I am even more ready now. I can’t wait to showcase my talent to the ESPN audience. What better way to show that the champ is back?”

Co-Feature
Adam Lopez (13-2, 6 KOs) vs. Louie Coria (12-2, 7 KOs)
10 rounds, vacant NABF Featherweight title

Lopez, a native of Glendale, California, is back following his seesaw throwdown against Oscar Valdez last November, a bout he took on a day’s notice after Valdez’s original opponent missed weight. Despite a 3.5-pound weight disadvantage, he knocked down Valdez in the second round before being stopped in the seventh. The “Glendale Gatti” will have a tough task in Coria, a Robert Garcia-trained fighter who has won three straight since a split decision loss at super featherweight.

“I will put a show on for all the fight fans around the world and show them what I’m made of,” Lopez said. “The Valdez fight was an incredible experience. I’m ready to get what’s left of 2020 going and move toward a title shot.  The whole team is working hard and preparing well. Tune in. I’m going to put on a show.”

Undercard

Bryan Lua (5-0, 2 KOs), from California’s Central Valley, will return following a more than two-year layoff against Dan Murray (5-3, 0 KOs) in a six-rounder at lightweight.

Bantamweight prospect Gabriel Muratalla (2-0, 2 KOs) will make his 2020 debut in a four-rounder versus Fernando Robles (2-2, 0 KOs).

In a battle of unbeaten California-based lightweights scheduled for six or four rounds, Eric Mondragon (3-0, 2 KOs) will face Mike Sanchez (6-0, 2 KOs).

Suns’ Monty Williams letter on death of George Floyd

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Suns’ Monty Williams letter on death of George Floyd

Protests have rocked the United States after the death of George Floyd, who died after an altercation with police in Minnesota.

On Sunday, Suns head coach Monty Williams wrote a beautiful letter about the death of Floyd and more. 

Read below:

I’m angry. I’m afraid. And I’m in pain.

“When I read those words, I feel like I’m channeling one of my kids. These are the words of a teenager lost and looking for direction in a messed-up world, not the sentiment of an NBA head coach and former player.

We’re supposed to have all of the answers.

We’re supposed to be seen as grace under pressure.

We’re supposed to lead by example.

Still, I am angry, afraid and in pain. I don’t have all the answers, but I know the solutions start with love, listening, compassion, service and defending those who can’t defend themselves.

And I have definitely lost my cool over the years in the face of abject racism – dating back to my earliest memories growing up in Colonial Virginia – and likely more in the days to come.

I woke up this morning to our country on fire, AGAIN, and decided the least I can do as so many of us are gripped by anger, fear and pain is to lead by example. Allow my voice – filled with as much conviction as uncertainty – to be heard so that others, whether they have a platform or not, will lift their voices as well.

I pray for those we have lost but more personally for those who have lost – the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and so many before you. I know how it feels to get that call that someone you love isn’t coming home. The pit in your stomach. The unequivocal feeling of helplessness. Dropping to your knees and imploring God “why?” I feel your pain and can truly sympathize and empathize. I wish no one would ever have to receive that call again.

To my brothers and sisters from around the sports world, and in full transparency, help me. I’m looking for direction. I may not be the most profound or prolific – I know there are others with their own platforms out there telling yourself the same things – but we have an opportunity and I daresay, an obligation. How can we help each other find that direction?

I best sum it up in 1 John 3:17…

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

We have earned positions of wealth and standing in society. We certainly cannot stand idly by.

I’m distraught as I look at my boys – two are African American and one is Caucasian – because too many people see them differently. None of them should have to think about how law enforcement will treat them if pulled over for rolling through a stop sign. None of them should be followed through a department store by security. None of them should feel the sweat rolling down their back when a cop follows them for blocks. Alas, their worlds are different, and something is wrong with that.

Don’t misread me. I have as much respect for most law enforcement as I do disdain for some of the would-be protesters.

To those who have sworn to protect and serve ALL people regardless of color, religion or sexual orientation, I say thank you. We have an institutional problem with pervasive racism. It must end now.

To those who are using the façade of a protest or march by choosing to destroy and tear down, I challenge you to be better. As I tell my players, I’m not calling you out, I’m calling you up. Destruction of property and life is NOT the answer.

“It IS time to raze the institutional foundations of racism and segregation within politics, law enforcement and society at large. It must happen NOW.

Borrowing from C.S. Lewis, “you can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.”

We must be the change now.”

Statement from Cavs’ Bickerstaff, Altman on death of George Floyd

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Statement from Cavs’ Bickerstaff, Altman on death of George Floyd

The state of Minnesota and the country are in mourning after the death of George Floyd. The 46-year-old Floyd died this week after an altercation with police in Minneapolis. 

On Friday, one of the officers involved in the altercation with Floyd, Derek Chauvin, was arrested and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. 

Today, Cleveland Cavaliers GM Koby Altman and head coach J.B. Bickerstaff, and the team released a statement on Floyd’s death.

Altman and Bickerstaff’s statement:

“Our hearts are filled with sadness, disgust, and overall frustration as we continue to process the tragic and senseless acts of violence towards yet another individual of the African American community. Our sincere condolences go out to the members of the Floyd family and those who came to know and love him.

“This is a very important time in our history, and the images of this incident, as well as the countless others, will blister a lasting image in our minds forever. What’s happening in our country today has left an emotional strain and unfortunately, has shaped how we conduct our lives on a daily basis. We should not have to live in fear.

“This is not the first time that we have had to stand together in an attempt to impact change, but this could be the first time we actually “DO” create change for all of humanity. In the face of desired change, we cannot treat this as an isolated incident of outrage, but one that we remain consistently engaged with and one where we focus our energy toward sustainable accountability. We have a responsibility as fathers, husbands, and leaders of young men to stand up and speak up for those who no longer have a voice. During times like these, we have to work through our pain and work together to find a solution. Let’s all do our part!” 

Cleveland Cavaliers’ statement:

“The death of George Floyd is heartbreaking, appalling and tragic. Our collective humanity suffers greatly in the midst of senseless acts like this. Not just now, but always. Unfortunately, there are many other examples and the impact continues to resonate and reverberate far beyond the place and time each specifically occurs. These situations touch and reduce ALL of us. 

“We believe All for One really does mean ALL. Thus, ALL of us, both individually and as organizations and communities, have a responsibility to speak up and try to influence and help end horrible situations and outcomes like this. Let’s all respond with a sense of urgency and deeper determination to make life better and work towards a world where everyone feels safe.”

Photo: Ben Crump/Twitter 

Vargas: ‘I will become a three-division World Champion very soon’

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Vargas: ‘I will become a three-division World Champion very soon’

Jessie Vargas believes he will become a three-weight World champion and said on the latest episode of Matchroom Boxing’s podcast ‘The Lockdown Tapes’ that he’s ready to go all-out to make that a reality when boxing returns.

THE LOCKDOWN TAPES WITH JESSIE VARGAS IS ALSO ON MATCHROOM BOXING’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL NOW!

Vargas (29-3-2 11 KOs) has held the WBA Super-Lightweight and WBO Welterweight strap and last April, he signaled his intentions to rule the roost at Super-Welterweight when he dispatched Humberto Soto in Los Angeles inside six rounds.

The Las Vegas star returned to 147 pounds to face Mikey Garcia in Frisco, Texas in February, getting off the canvas in the fifth round to push Garcia all the way to the end, but now the 31 year old looks set to stick his flag in the ground at 154lbs, targeting former champion Liam Smith as well as the belt holders in the division.

“I will become a three-division World Champion very soon, I am positive,” said Vargas. “I am hungrier than ever, and I feel very comfortable in this division. There are ways that we can line up the big fights for me to become champion again.

“I feel like I have something to prove now to myself and everyone, it’s now or never. I am going to push myself to be in a position where I am comfortable, and I have the right team around me to do so the future is exciting for me.

“The Liam Smith fight is one I am definitely interested in. I will speak to my promoters very soon and go from there. I will fight anyone in the 154 pound division.”

Winning a World title at a third weight would be another fantastic chapter in a storied career, and as he approaches 12 years as a pro in September, Vargas looks back fondly on his days training with the late Roger Mayweather, his bouts on Floyd Mayweather’s huge fight nights and his clash with Manny Pacquiao.

“I trained with Roger for years,” said Vargas. “I had to move gyms because his gym was only for pro’s and I needed support from an amateur gym.

“I was 15 when I hooked back up with Roger and stayed with him right up until I was 23. He was sick so he wasn’t always at the gym which was the reason why I had to make a change. I got to spend a lot of time with him and learn so much from one of the greats, just being in that Mayweather environment was amazing.

“I was one of those kids that worked with Roger alongside Devin Haney. He was direct and always spoke his mind. He was a great guy.

“I was 23 and I remember seeing Devin in the gym and saw him always giving it his all and would encourage him. It’s a joy to see him succeeding the way he is. Now he’s working with Floyd which is great for him as he’s learning from the best.

“It was fascinating and having the opportunity to fight on the biggest stage in boxing told me I was on the right path.

“I was very young, but I made sure to shine and I won by knockout, it was electrifying and gave me a little taste of what was to come.

“I also boxed on Ortiz vs Mayweather and Mosley vs Mayweather cards. I have been blessed to fight on big platforms and then headline my own shows.

“I looked over the ring to Manny and thought ‘let’s do it’. I was smiling inside. You have got to be confident in your own abilities and believe in yourself.

“The atmosphere was incredible, and I gave it my all. It was a great learning experience and now it’s about pushing myself to get to the top once again.

“His positioning and his speed are his main attributes. His speed was dangerous and if you don’t see it, he will take you down. He is for sure the best I have faced in the ring.”

Jaguars’ Minshew: ‘I think we do have a lot to prove’

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Jaguars’ Minshew: ‘I think we do have a lot to prove’

 The expectations are not very high for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. This is a team that lost a lot of talent over the past few seasons. Jacksonville traded away CB Jalen Ramsey to the Rams during the 2019 season. Also, they traded Pro Bowl DE Calais Campbell to the Ravens and moved QB Nick Foles to the Bears this offseason, so on some level, there is a youth movement in Jacksonville.

The quarterback that will lead this team will be second-year player Gardner Minshew. The former sixth-round pick will have every opportunity to be the franchise quarterback in Jacksonville, and unlike last season, Minshew will be the guy from day one, which he believes will be an advantage.

“I think you get to build those relationships, get a lot more timing with those guys,” Minshew said during a conference call on Thursday. “You can get to know what they like, and they kind of get to know what I like and build that trust there. I’m very excited for that. And even just now, being able to have those conversations with them — them being the receivers, tight ends, running backs, and linemen — I think that’s already given us a leg up from last year.”

Last season, as a rookie, Minshew threw 21 touchdowns and was 6-6 as a starter, and he is hoping to be even better in 2020.

“I’ve been trying to [improve] really every asset – bigger, faster, stronger,” Minshew said. “Really putting an emphasis on trying to figure out the best weight for me to have as much arm strength as possible, while maintaining as much speed.”

Minshew will also be learning a new offense this season, as the Jaguars brought in former Redskins head coach Jay Gruden to be the team’s new offensive coordinator. A new offensive coordinator means a new offense, and because of COVID-19, Minshew has to learn the offense virtually.

“Yeah, it’s different,” he said about learning the offense virtually. “When I was at Washington State, this was kind of the similar thing because I wasn’t there for the spring, so I had to a lot of it on my own, as well, but we’ve been fortunate. We’re meeting every day with Coach [Ben] McAdoo, Coach [Jay] Gruden and the other guys in the QB room and we’re all just helping each other and getting as good of work as we can, and I think you have to take ownership on our own, as well.”

While the expectations for the Jaguars might not be too high in 2020, Minshew hopes to use the low expectations to fuel him this season.

“I think it should put a chip on everybody’s shoulder on our team, know being kind of counted out like that,” he said. “I think we do have a lot to prove, prove that we are not what anybody says about us, the only people that really know, the only peoples whose opinions matter is who is in that huddle, who is on that team and I think we are going to set those expectations for ourselves and not worry about what anybody else has to say about us.”

No matter what happens with Minshew and Jacksonville, Minshew should be exciting, and if he and the team are successful, “Minshew Mania” will be in full effect. 

“The Last Dance” was not good to Scottie Pippen(VIDEO)

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on “The Last Dance” was not good to Scottie Pippen(VIDEO)

“The Last Dance” documentary was fun, exciting, and riveting television. The documentary chronicled Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ Dynasty.

While Jordan looked reasonably good in the documentary, not everybody came out unscathed, especially Scottie Pippen. The Hall of Famer had some bad moments in the documentary. Whether it was Pippen getting surgery right before the 1997-98 season because he did not want to mess up his summer, or Pippen sitting out the final play against New York in the 1994 playoffs because the play was not called for him, Pippen did not look good.

Also, his contract was discussed in the documentary. He signed a below-market value deal back in 1991, and unfortunately for Pippen, the Bulls would not renegotiate his contract.

Now, reportedly, Pippen is upset about the documentary. We examine how Pippen looked in the documentary:

 

 

Mavericks to open practice facility on Thursday

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Mavericks to open practice facility on Thursday

With news circulating that the NBA season could be restarted soon, teams around the league begin to prepare, including the Dallas Mavericks. They announced on Wednesday that they would open their practice facility on May 28(Thursday). 

The NBA season was suspended on March 11 after players from the Utah Jazz tested positive for COVID-19.

Here is a statement from the Mavericks on the reopening of their practice facility:

The Dallas Mavericks, in compliance with NBA guidance and working closely with team medical professionals, will open their practice facility for voluntary player workouts beginning Thursday, May 28.

Mavericks players may choose to access the practice facility as per protocols established by the NBA and local health officials.

The safety of our players, staff and community is the organization’s top priority. The Mavericks continue to adhere to public health and NBA guidelines to protect players and staff and to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.

Jaguars’ Thompson:  ‘I am excited to get back in my home state’

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Jaguars’ Thompson:  ‘I am excited to get back in my home state’

Jaguars RB Chris Thompson is coming home. Thompson signed a one-year deal with Jacksonville earlier this month. The Greenville, Florida native spent the first six seasons of his career with the Redskins. Thompson also went to college in Florida(Florida State).

The seven-year veteran is excited about the opportunity to play in front of family and friends.

‘That is one thing that I am super excited about, just to be back in my home state and be a lot closer to what I would say is my fanbase that has been there for years, even back to people that watched me play in high school,” Thompson recently said via a video conference call. “I am super excited about that, and then my family is an hour-and-a-half away now, so they will be able to come and watch me play and be able to spend some more time with me than they have been able to the past seven years. I think it will be good. I missed a lot of time, I missed a lot of holidays, and I will be able to make that time up. I am super excited about that. I just had a daughter, too. She is four months old, so I am happy about that and for my parents to be able to spend some time with her.”

For Thompson, playing in Jacksonville will reunite him with Jaguars offensive coordinator Jay Gruden, who was Thompson’s head coach in Washington from 2014-2019. Thompson believes that Gruden’s belief in him helped his career.

“He is one of the biggest reasons I was able to have the success that I had in Washington and to be able to stick around there,” Thompson said. “The first year he got there, I was on the practice squad. I ended up being cut and put on the practice squad, but he talked to me afterwards for a while after the last preseason game and told me what the situation was. He let me know from day one – [he said] ‘I know this is going to be a hard year for you. You are probably mad and upset at everybody because you got cut, but I want you to come back here because I know the type of player you can be. I know you are going to play a bigger part in the future here with Washington, and I know you will be able to have a great impact on this team and on the players on this team.’ He had that talk with me, and I really appreciated that. That was one reason why I ended up coming back and spending that practice squad year with Washington. It was tough, but having him and knowing that he had my back, it really meant a lot. Throughout this whole process and all my time there in Washington, he believed in me. He gave me every single opportunity that he possibly could. Me coming here to Jacksonville with him being one of, I guess, two guys — with [Tyler] Eifert also — being familiar with his offense. It is good for me and him to be able to help the younger guys be able to grasp this offense and know what Jay is expecting from his playmakers.”

The 29-year-old Thompson is a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield, and in 2017, Thompson had career-highs in receiving yards(510) and touchdowns(4). He has had over 40 receptions three times in his career, so expect Thompson to continue his pass-catching ways with the Jaguars in 2020.

 

Popovich: ‘It’s a sad day for all of us who knew Jerry Sloan’

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Popovich: ‘It’s a sad day for all of us who knew Jerry Sloan’

Former longtime Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan died on Friday. He was 78.

Sloan had been battling Parkinson’s disease and Lewy body dementia, and he died from complications of the conditions. Before his coaching career, Sloan played 11 seasons in the NBA with the Bullets and Bulls, and he would retire from the NBA in 1976.

After retiring from the NBA, Sloan would coach the Bulls from 1979-1982, and in 1988, Sloan would coach the Utah Jazz, where he had a lot of success, including two NBA Finals appearances.  Both times in the Finals, the Jazz would lose to Jordan and the Bulls.

He would be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. Sloan resigned from the Jazz and ended his coaching career in 2011. After 26 years of coaching(23 with the Jazz), he finished with 1221 wins. 

A man who looked up to Sloan was Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, and on Friday, Popovich issued the following statement regarding the passing of Jerry Sloan:

 “It’s a sad day for all of us who knew Jerry Sloan. Not only on the basketball court but, more importantly, as a human being. He was genuine and true. And that is rare.

 “He was a mentor for me from afar until I got to know him. A man who suffered no fools, he possessed a humor, often disguised, and had a heart as big as the prairie.”  

Pederson: ‘I have a ton of confidence in Nate(Sudfeld) to become the backup quarterback’

Categories UncategorizedLeave a Comment on Pederson: ‘I have a ton of confidence in Nate(Sudfeld) to become the backup quarterback’

As we learned over the past three seasons, the backup quarterback position is a big deal for the Philadelphia Eagles. Carson Wentz has missed time in the past three seasons, and while he played all 16 games for the Eagles in 2019, Wentz suffered an injury against the Seahawks in the playoffs, and without him, Philadelphia would lose to Seattle in the wild card round.

Barring anything dramatic, and despite Philadelphia selecting QB Jalen Hurts in the second round of this year’s draft, it appears that Nate Sudfeld will be the backup quarterback for the Eagles in 2020. And with some changes to the offseason due to COVID-19, Sudfeld, who has been with Philadelphia for the past three seasons, knows the Eagles’ offense,  which, according to Eagles head coach Doug Pederson, will benefit Sudfeld in 2020.

“I think early on in this season, this becomes a veteran-laden football season,” Pederson said during a video conference call on Tuesday. “Football teams are going to have to rely on their veteran players, and Nate is one of those guys for us. He’s been on our roster the last couple of seasons, and he knows exactly what we are doing. I have a ton of confidence in Nate to become the backup quarterback. Nothing is ever handed to anybody, and we always try to create, I always try to create competition at every position, and quarterback, as you guys know, is not exempt from that. But I fully expect Nate to come in and be aggressive and do the things that he’s capable of doing, and become the backup to [QB] Carson [Wentz].”

Regarding Hurts, Pederson had this to say.

“And then with Jalen(Hurts), Jalen is about, right now, just learning and picking up our system, and he’s another one, another young player that we drafted who, there’s a lot to learn from the quarterback position,” he said. “So, are we going to take it a little bit slower maybe with him until he grasps the offense? You might have to. What I like about it is always the unknown, and the unknown is how well a guy, I think, can progress. And then once we get him on the grass, put him through drills, put him through practices, then we see exactly what these guys are all about.

“Right now, Jalen is doing an outstanding job of picking up the offense, spitting it back to [Eagles Passing Game Coordinator/Quarterbacks Coach] Press [Taylor], and understanding what we are trying to get done, and we go that route with him right now at this time.”

This is an excellent opportunity for the 26-year-old Sudfeld. However, if things go the way Philadelphia wants things to go with Wentz, Sudfeld will never see the field in 2020.