Happy New Year 2025

Tag: offensive

Bills offensive lineman retires at age 26 due to nerve damage from latest injury

Tommy Doyle is now a former football player at the age of 26.

The Buffalo Bills offensive lineman announced Friday he’s retiring due to “permanent” injuries.

Doyle has not appeared in a game since Week 3 of the 2022 season, and an injury he sustained during the 2023 preseason left him with nerve damage.

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Tommy Doyle of the Buffalo Bills acknowledges fans as he leaves the field after the Bills defeated the Texans 40-0 at Highmark Stadium Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)

“At this point, with the calendar and the healing process, it looks as though it’s permanent. I’m just unable to play football at a high level, and it’s time. When you know, you know,” Doyle said.

Doyle tore an ACL in 2022.

“I was really battling and competing and working to come back from that injury, only to be kind of struck with an even more disastrous injury,” Doyle said. “But, at the end of the day, there was a lot of negative emotions and anger. … Doing a lot of reflecting lately and looking back on it, I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons from it.

Tommy Doyle of the Buffalo Bills on the field before a preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts at Highmark Stadium Aug. 12, 2023, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)

SAQUON BARKLEY GIFTS EAGLES OFFENSIVE LINEMEN TRUCKS OF BUD LIGHT AFTER HIS RECORD-BREAKING CAMPAIGN

“Football is something that I’ve loved and put my life into. And I put a lot of time, effort and energy to try to get back on the field. But, ultimately, that’s really not the plan God has for me, and I know that to be true. I feel that this is the time to announce it and move on.

“I think what I will remember most is just the relationships formed with the guys on the team, with the coaches, with the trainers, with the fans. It’s an amazing town. It’s an amazing city. The fan base is awesome. Throughout my four years playing in Buffalo, just the different locker rooms and how tight-knit it was, was something truly special.”

The Bills’ Tommy Doyle catches this pass from Josh Allen in a 47-17 win over the Patriots. (Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and Chronicle/USA Today Network)

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Doyle was a fifth-round pick out of Miami of Ohio in 2021. In his rookie season, during the wild-card round against the New England Patriots, he caught a touchdown.

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February 15, 2025
Saquon Barkley gifts Eagles offensive linemen trucks of Bud Light after his record-breaking campaign

Saquon Barkley did all of the running, but he knows he had some assists during his record-breaking campaign.

During Super Bowl LIX, the Philadelphia Eagles running back set the all-time record for the most rushing yards in a single season, including the playoffs, with 2,504 yards on the ground.

During an appearance this week on “The Tonight Show,” Barkley said that his offensive linemen had to be in attendance — but ahead of their Super Bowl parade, he perhaps gave the best gift of all.

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Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates his touchdown with Lane Johnson as Mekhi Becton looks on during the fourth quarter of the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Jan. 26. (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

Barkley gave each of his offensive linemen their own truckload of Bud Light.

Barkley dominated all season, much to New York Giants fans’ chagrin. After the Giants opted to move on from him, he became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards during the regular season. Had he not rested in Week 18, he very well could have broken former running back Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record.

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley holds the Vince Lombardi Trophy during the Eagles’ Super Bowl championship parade on Friday. (Damian Giletto/Delaware News Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA ASKS EAGLES FANS TO ‘CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY’ AT PARADE AFTER SLEW OF CHAOTIC TURNS

The superstar running back joined the Eagles on a three-year deal this past offseason, and it’s proving to be perhaps their best move in recent memory. Out of his 20 games played, he rushed for 100-plus yards 12 times and eclipsed the 200-yard mark twice.

His regular season earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors — it was the first time that running backs earned the award in back-to-back seasons since 2005 and 2006, when Shaun Alexander and LaDanian Tomlinson won the hardware, respectively (Christian McCaffrey won it last year).

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

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Barkley ran for only 57 yards in the Super Bowl on Sunday, a rare bright spot for the Kansas City Chiefs — but he’s the one who came out with the Lombardi Trophy.

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February 14, 2025
College football offensive lineman Ben Christman, 21, found dead in his apartment, school says

Ben Christman, a college football offensive lineman who transferred to UNLV, was found dead in his off-campus apartment, the school said in a statement on Wednesday. He was 21.

Christman recently transferred to the university after previously playing for Kentucky and Ohio State. The school said it didn’t have any more details on his death, and the Clark County Coroner’s Office in Nevada was working to determine the cause.

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Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Ben Christman looks on during training camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 10, 2021. (Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC)

“Our team’s heart is broken to hear of Ben’s passing,” UNLV head coach Dan Mullen said in a statement. “Since the day Ben set foot on our campus a month ago, he made the Rebels a better program. Ben was an easy choice for our Leadership Committee as he had earned the immediate respect, admiration and friendship of all his teammates.

“Our prayers go out to his family and all who knew him. Ben made the world a better place and he will be missed.”

EX-OHIO STATE STAR HAS 2-WORD REACTION TO JIM TRESSEL BEING NOMINATED AS OHIO’S LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR

School president Keith E. Whitfield said he was “incredibly saddened” to hear about Christman’s death.

“There is little that can be said to lessen the pain of suddenly losing a member of our university family at such a young age, and my heart breaks for all who knew and loved him,” he said. “On behalf of UNLV, our sincere condolences are with Ben’s family, friends, loved ones, and teammates during this very difficult time.”

Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Ben Christman celebrates as he leaves the field after defeating the Utah Utes at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, on Jan 1, 2022. (Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

Christman was at Ohio State for two seasons before he transferred to Kentucky. He sat out the 2023 season with a knee injury and played special teams in 2024, according to CBS Sports.

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Christman was from Akron, Ohio, and played high school football at Revere High School. He was a four-star recruit coming out of high school.

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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

February 13, 2025
Jayden Daniels, Jared Verse named Offensive, Defensive Rookies of the Year

Jayden Daniels and Jared Verse won the Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards at the NFL Honors in New Orleans on Thursday night.

Daniels was the second overall pick out of LSU following a Heisman Trophy campaign, and he impressed from the second he came onto the field.

Daniels threw for 3,568 yards and 25 touchdowns while completing 69% of his passes, getting a Pro Bowl nod. He also ran for 891 yards and another six scores, while converting 55 first downs with his legs.

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Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) waves to the crowd after an overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover, Md. The Commanders won 30-24. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

With Daniels under center, the Washington Commanders had the best turnaround of any team in the NFL, going from 4-13 to 12-5 and a playoff berth. Washington also earned their first postseason win in 19 years, and for good measure, they took down the No. 1 seed Detroit Lions after that. While the NFC Championship did not go as planned – a 55-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles – the future is bright in D.C.

Verse was the 19th overall pick out of Florida State. It was the first time the Los Angeles Rams selected in the first round since 2016 and, well, they struck gold.

Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) recovers a fumble against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half in an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)

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In his first NFL season, he was named to the Pro Bowl – he even picked up a fumble and took it 57 yards to the house in the wild card round against the Minnesota Vikings.

Starting in all but one game, Verse recorded 66 tackles, 18 QB hits, 11 tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks. He also deflected two passes and picked up two fumbles.

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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He’s the first Ram to win the award since Aaron Donald in 2014, so perhaps that’s a good omen for the rest of his career. His teammate in Braden Fiske was also nominated, so the Rams defense seems to be in good shape moving forward.

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February 7, 2025
Saquon Barkley, Pat Surtain II named Offensive, Defensive Players of the Year

After carrying their teams to the playoffs, Saquon Barkley and Pat Surtain II were named the best players on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, respectively.

The running back signed a three-year deal with the Eagles in the offseason after their division rival in the New York Giants opted to let him go and it’s been a nightmare for Big Blue and a dream for the Birds.

Barkley became the ninth person to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, and had he not sat in Week 18, he probably would have the record.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

While this is strictly a regular season award, Barkley is 30 yards away from setting the record for most rushing yards in a season, including playoffs. In 19 games played this season, including the postseason, Barkley has rushed for 2,447 yards and 18 touchdowns, five of which have come in his last two games.

Out of his 19 games played, he’s rushed for 100-plus 12 times and has eclipsed the 200-yard mark twice.

This is the first time a running back has won the award in back-to-back seasons since 2005 and 2006, when Shaun Alexander and LaDanian Tomlinson won the hardware, respectively.

Surtain became the first defensive back to win the award since Stephon Gilmore in 2019 after locking top receivers all season long. Surtain picked off four passes, returning them for an NFL-high 132 yards. He made his third consecutive Pro Bowl and was named a First-team All-Pro for the second time in three seasons.

Dec 15, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) gestures after a play in the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Empower Field at Mile High. (Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images)

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Quarterbacks combined for a 59.1 passer rating when throwing toward Surtain, the third-lowest mark in football behind Derek Stingley Jr. and Marlon Humphrey.

Surtain is the 12th cornerback to win the award.

Super Bowl LIX will be streamed on Tubi. (Tubi)

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Both players thanked God upon receiving their award – Barkley was not in attendance, as he’s gearing up for the big game on Sunday.

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February 7, 2025
Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady withdraws Saints head coaching candidacy: report

The New Orleans Saints parted ways with Dennis Allen in November following a seven-game losing skid. Special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi then received the interim coaching tag.

The NFL franchise’s search for its next head coach remains active, but the team now knows at least one person who will not land the job. Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady has withdrawn his name from consideration for the role, per a report from NFL Media.

Brady prefers to continue guiding the Bills offense, despite New Orleans wanting “to interview Brady a second time,” NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported. Brady’s name had also been linked with other head coaching openings during the ongoing hiring cycle.

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Buffalo Bills coach Joe Brady looks on from the field prior to an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Perry Knotts/Getty Images)

New Orleans’ 2024 season got off to a promising start, with the team winning its first two games by 37 and 25 points respectively. But, the ensuing losing streak prompted Saints ownership to make an in-season coaching change.

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“Dennis has been part of our organization for many years,” team owner Gayle Benson said in a statement shortly after the franchise announced Allen’s firing. “He is highly regarded within the NFL. He has been extremely loyal and professional and most importantly an excellent football coach for us. All of this makes today very tough for me and our organization. However, this decision is something that I felt we needed to make at this time. I wish nothing but the best in the future for Dennis and his family. He will always be considered in the highest regard by me and everyone within our organization.”

General view of the New Orleans Saints logo as the midfield logo fleur-de-lis after the game between the New Orleans Saints and the Las Vegas Raiders at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)

Allen ended his head coaching tenure in New Orleans with an 18-25 record. Allen spent seven seasons as New Orleans’ defensive coordinator before succeeding Sean Payton as the franchise’s head coach. Allen is now a top candidate for the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator role, ESPN reported.

Payton, who guided the Saints to the franchise’s lone Super Bowl title, turned to broadcasting in 2022 after stepping down from his head coaching position. He returned to the sideline in 2023 when he was named the next head coach of the Denver Broncos.

Offensive coordinator Joe Brady stands with Josh Allen #17 of the Buffalo Bills before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on October 27, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Rizzi, along with New York Giants defensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver have all completed interviews with the Saints amid the wide-ranging head coaching search. Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellan Moore participated in a virtual interview last week, the team announced.

In his second season as the Bills playcaller, Brady helped star quarterback Josh Allen have arguably the best season of his career. Allen, who was recently named an NFL MVP finalist, threw 28 touchdowns against just 6 interceptions during the regular season. He did not throw an interception in the two postseason games he’s played in thus far.

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The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Bills on Sunday for the AFC Championship game. On the NFC side, the Eagles will welcome the Washington Commanders to Lincoln Financial Field. The winner of those games will meet in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX.

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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 26, 2025
Bills star Dion Dawkins says there should be a ‘Protector of the Year’ award for offensive linemen

Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins wants offensive linemen to start getting some recognition.

While the offensive linemen are named to the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro teams, there currently is not an offensive lineman of the year award or anything of that ilk.

“Offensive linemen don’t have awards for being great. There’s not a ‘Protector of the Year’ award. I’m knocking on so many doors now to get this award going. I’m gonna head spear it and make sure this gets done before I’m done playing,” Dawkins said during his press conference on Thursday.

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Stream the Super Bowl LIX for free on Tubi. (Tubi)

“Because there’s so many greats. So many greats. We have great quarterbacks, we have great running backs, we have rushing titles, we have quarterback passing titles. All of those titles are reflections of the O-lineman, which are the protectors.”

At the college level, offensive linemen are recognized with numerous different awards.

The Lombardi Award is awarded to the best college football lineman of the year, tight end or linebacker. This season, it was awarded to Texas Longhorn left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.

The Outland Trophy is given to the best interior lineman both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Banks also won that award this season.

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Buffalo Bills offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, #73, leaves the field after winning a game against the San Francisco 49ers to clinch the AFC East title at Highmark Stadium. (Mark Konezny-Imagn Images)

The Rimington Trophy is awarded to the best center, which was given to Ohio State Buckeye’s star center Seth McLaughlin.

The NFL awards the MVP, Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year, and Offensive and Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The only award offensive linemen have a realistic chance of winning is Walter Payton Man of the Year, an award given for acts of service to the community, which is an off-the-field award.

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Buffalo Bills Dion Dawkins, #73, blocks for quarterback Josh Allen, who sneaks in for a touchdown, during first half action in the Buffalo Bills divisional game against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Jan. 19, 2025. (IMAGN)

Dawkins has spent all eight seasons of his career with the Bills, which will be put the test this weekend when the Bills take on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship.

Dawkins, a four-time Pro Bowler, will be tasked with stopping star defensive lineman Chris Jones, George Karlaftis, Leo Chenal and others who will try to pursue Josh Allen.

The Bills and Chiefs are set to play at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for Fox News Digital.

January 24, 2025
Patriots reunite with Josh McDaniels yet again as Mike Vrabel’s offensive coordinator: reports

The New England Patriots’ head coach choice was a familiar face, and Mike Vrabel kept that trend going with his offensive coordinator hire heading into the 2025 season.

The Patriots are expected to reunite with Josh McDaniels as their offensive coordinator, a role he previously had with the organization, per multiple reports. Barstool Sports first reported McDaniels returning to the Patriots was imminent.

This will be the third time McDaniels returns to the Patriots, though the first with Vrabel at the helm and quarterback Drake Maye to mold after his rookie campaign in 2024.

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New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. (Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports)

McDaniels was among the offensive coordinator candidates the Patriots had been interviewing, which included Thomas Brown, the passing game coordinator for the Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Chargers passing game coordinator Marcus Brady, per ESPN.

McDaniels was out of the game in 2024 after being fired mid-season by the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 campaign. He was also head coach in 2022, but things did not pan out, and owner Mark Davis made the call to move on.

While the Raiders remain searching for their own head coach after the firing of Antonio Pierce, who served on an interim basis after McDaniels’ departure in 2023, the Patriots found their guy in Vrabel after parting ways with Jerod Mayo following his first-and-only season.

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Additionally, though Vrabel and McDaniels have never coached together, they have a connection with their time together as player and coach respectively, when they won three Super Bowls during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.

McDaniels’ big break into the NFL came with the Patriots in 2001 as an assistant under Belichick. He eventually worked his way up to the point where the Denver Broncos hired him in 2009 to become their next head coach.

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, left, and head coach Bill Belichick walk off the field following the game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. (Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports)

However, that was short-lived, as McDaniels was fired in December 2010, when he would eventually return to the Patriots after being the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2011.

McDaniels would enjoy his time as New England’s coordinator from then until making the move to the Raiders for his second attempt at head coaching. During the 2021 season, McDaniels was also tasked with grooming Mac Jones, the team’s first-round quarterback choice in the NFL Draft, and he would help them earn a playoff berth.

The Patriots will hope McDaniels can lead the way for Maye, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft who showed spurts of greatness in his first NFL season despite the team’s overall struggles. Maye threw for 2,276 yards with 15 touchdowns to 10 interceptions with two rushing touchdowns on 421 yards over 12 games.

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels reacts to a play against the Detroit Lions during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (IMAGN)

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As Vrabel continues to build out his coaching staff this offseason, bringing in a familiar face with an extensive track record is something that could go a long way for a Patriots team that continues to look for its next dynasty.

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Scott Thompson is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.

January 23, 2025