RECORD BREAKER: Brock Bowers closing in on Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for rookie tight ends - soccerdelights.com
Connect with us

Las Vegas Raiders

RECORD BREAKER: Brock Bowers closing in on Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for rookie tight ends

Published

on

RECORD BREAKER: Brock Bowers closing in on Mike Ditka’s 63-year-old record for rookie tight ends

One of the NFL’s oldest records belongs to Mike Ditka, who as a Bears rookie tight end in 1961 gained 1,076 receiving yards. Even 63 years later, in a league with much more sophisticated passing offenses, rules favoring receivers and longer seasons, no rookie tight end has ever matched Ditka’s yardage total.

Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers is closing in, however.

Through 14 games this season, Bowers has 968 receiving yards, which puts him on pace for 1,175 receiving yards in a 17-game season. At his current pace, Bowers will break Ditka’s record in two weeks.

Bowers has already broken the rookie tight end receptions record, which was set by Detroit’s Sam LaPorta last year. LaPorta had 86 catches in 2023; Bowers has 90 catches so far this year.

What Ditka did in a 14-game season and a very different NFL is an extraordinary achievement, and Bowers putting up bigger numbers doesn’t necessarily reflect a better season. But any time a record has stood for 63 years, breaking it is a major accomplishment. And Bowers is getting close.

 

Las Vegas Raiders

SAD MOMENT as Raiders mourn the passing of Bill Miller (1964-68)

Published

on

SAD MOMENT as Raiders mourn the passing of Bill Miller (1964-68)

The Raiders Family is mourning the recent passing of Bill Miller, who played for the Raiders from 1964-68.

A member of Oakland’s 1967 AFL Championship team, Miller scored two touchdowns in Super Bowl II, both coming on 23-yard receptions from Daryle Lamonica. He played in 66 career American Football League games with the Dallas Texans, Buffalo Bills and Raiders, totaling 141 catches for 1,879 yards and 10 touchdowns, six of which came during that 1967 championship season.

The thoughts of the entire Raider Nation are with the Miller Family at this time.

 

 

Continue Reading

Las Vegas Raiders

Both the NFL community and Raiders fans are still in shock after a terrible statement by former HC Josh McDaniels concerning Antonio Pierce

Published

on

SHOCKING ANNOUNCEMENT HITS RAIDERS: Both the NFL community and Raiders fans are still in shock after a terrible statement by former HC Josh McDaniels concerning Antonio Pierce.

In a stunning twist of events that has captured the attention of both NFL insiders and Las Vegas Raiders fans alike, former head coach Josh McDaniels has reportedly sent a shocking message to team owner Mark Davis and current head coach Antonio Pierce. McDaniels, who was controversially fired midway through the 2023 season after a tumultuous stint with the Raiders, has caused ripples across the league with a cryptic and unexpected communication aimed at both Davis and Pierce, marking an unprecedented development in his already strained relationship with the organization.

McDaniels’ tenure with the Raiders, which began with high hopes and significant expectations, ended abruptly after just 1.5 seasons. Despite his reputation as an offensive mastermind, his inability to turn the Raiders into playoff contenders, coupled with reported internal discord, led to his dismissal. The timing of his firing raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether Davis and the Raiders’ front office made the right decision.

In a stunning twist of events that has captured the attention of both NFL insiders and Las Vegas Raiders fans alike, former head coach Josh McDaniels has reportedly sent a shocking message to team owner Mark Davis and current head coach Antonio Pierce. McDaniels, who was controversially fired midway through the 2023 season after a tumultuous stint with the Raiders, has caused ripples across the league with a cryptic and unexpected communication aimed at both Davis and Pierce, marking an unprecedented development in his already strained relationship with the organization.

McDaniels’ tenure with the Raiders, which began with high hopes and significant expectations, ended abruptly after just 1.5 seasons. Despite his reputation as an offensive mastermind, his inability to turn the Raiders into playoff contenders, coupled with reported internal discord, led to his dismissal. The timing of his firing raised eyebrows, with many questioning whether Davis and the Raiders’ front office made the right decision.

One source with knowledge of the letter’s contents stated, “Josh clearly feels he was not given the resources or time to build the team the way he wanted. He believes that the decision to part ways with him was premature and that the franchise is now facing the consequences of those choices.” McDaniels’ message reportedly includes critiques of how the team has been managed since his departure, including a focus on player development, quarterback decision-making, and offensive playcalling.

The tone of the letter is said to have been both personal and professional. McDaniels acknowledged the challenges of being a head coach in the NFL and expressed his genuine desire for the Raiders to succeed moving forward. However, some of his remarks have raised eyebrows. Insiders suggest that McDaniels’ message to Antonio Pierce, the current interim head coach who has since taken the reins of the team, may have been the most surprising. The letter allegedly includes advice for Pierce on handling the locker room, managing egos, and creating a cohesive team culture.

While the details of McDaniels’ exact recommendations are unclear, it’s apparent that the former head coach is still emotionally invested in the future of the Raiders. In particular, some have speculated that McDaniels’ comments about quarterback play might be linked to his tenure with Derek Carr, who was released by the Raiders in the offseason, and the team’s current struggles at the quarterback position.

Despite the controversial nature of his message, it appears that McDaniels has tried to remain above the fray, taking a somewhat diplomatic approach in his communication. Still, the letter’s release has sparked questions about his future in the NFL, with many speculating whether McDaniels’ next move will be to take another head coaching role, or if he will return to his roots as an offensive coordinator.

For Davis, McDaniels’ letter adds another layer of complexity to an already turbulent period in Raiders history. Davis, known for his hands-on ownership style, has faced increasing scrutiny over his leadership and decision-making since the firing of McDaniels. With the Raiders continuing to struggle for consistency on the field, Davis may need to carefully navigate the fallout from McDaniels’ message, especially as the team transitions under Pierce’s leadership.

The timing of McDaniels’ message comes at a critical juncture in the Raiders’ season. Antonio Pierce, who took over as head coach after McDaniels’ firing, has shown promise in turning the team around. While the Raiders have experienced some improvement under Pierce, the road ahead remains uncertain. McDaniels’ comments may fuel further speculation about the Raiders’ long-term direction and how they intend to build a winning culture in the years to come.

The next steps for both McDaniels and the Raiders remain unclear. The coaching carousel in the NFL is always a whirlwind, with opportunities for redemption or further setbacks. Whether McDaniels’ message will have a lasting impact on the franchise or serve as a fleeting moment in the team’s storied history remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear: the fallout from McDaniels’ tenure in Las Vegas is far from over, and his shocking message will only add to the drama surrounding the Raiders as they look to find their footing once again.

As the story unfolds, all eyes will be on Mark Davis and Antonio Pierce to determine how they handle this unexpected communication. Will it be seen as a wake-up call or an unwelcome distraction? Time will tell, but for now, the Raiders’ future seems as uncertain as ever.

 

Continue Reading

Las Vegas Raiders

REPORT: Raiders is Top Trade Destination for Superstar Wide Reciever from Dolphins

Published

on

REPORT: Raiders is Top Trade Destination for Superstar Wide Reciever from Dolphins

Could the Las Vegas Raiders swing a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire superstar wide receiver Tyreek Hill during the NFL offseason?

The Las Vegas Raiders will enter the NFL offseason in dire need of help at wide receiver, and they will have plenty of cap space to handle the issue.

But could the Raiders swing a blockbuster trade to fill the hole?

Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team feels that it’s a possibility.

Brooke put together a short list of teams that could potentially trade for Hill this offseason, and he listed Las Vegas among that group.

As a matter of fact, Brooke even put together a trade package, suggesting that the Raiders send a third-round draft pick and a fifth-rounder in exchange for Hill.

“Assuming that the Las Vegas Raiders take Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, they’re going to want to surround him with as much talent as possible,” Brooke wrote. “The Raiders offense features an ascending star tight end in Brock Bowers and a steady presence at receiver in Jakobi Meyers. However, the Raiders don’t have an offensive weapon that can stretch the field vertically.”

But would the Dolphins trade Hill?

Well, the superstar playmaker recently took to social media to make a rather cryptic post, saying “It’s time for me to go coach” on his X account.

That could mean anything, but there has been some speculation that Miami could jettison the aging Hill this coming offseason.

The 30-year-old has seen a sharp decline in production in 2024, as he has caught 67 passes for 805 yards and five touchdowns. That comes on the heels of Hill racking up over 1,700 receiving yards in back-to-back campaigns.

Hill made the Pro Bowl in each of his first eight NFL seasons between 2016 and 2023, but he appears to be in danger of missing the event this year.

With the Dolphins also having Jaylen Waddle in their receiving corps, it may be wise to move Hill now to facilitate a quasi-rebuild.

Brooke notes that Miami would save $12 million in cap space by trading Hill with a post-June 1 designation.

The question is whether or not the Raiders would be willing to take on the final two years of Hill’s contract, which includes $29.9 million in base salary in 2026.

Las Vegas just dealt Davante Adams in October, so would replacing him with another declining wide out be a smart idea?

The Raiders may be better served attempting to get younger, but there is no question that Hill would be tempting.

 

Continue Reading

Trending