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Mahomes And The (Chefs) Cement Their Place In NFL History …(RH)…… 2024

THE KANSAS CITY CHIEFS WIN IN WALKOFF FASHION IN ONE OF THE NFL'S MOST IMPRESSIVE SB FINISHES

WE'RE TAKING A ROUNDABOUT OPINION IN THE NFL ON A WEEK TO WEEK BINOCULAR

Injuries And Surprises Headline The First Two Weeks Of Play…(RH)…… 2023

THE EAGLES ARE SLOWLY BUILDING THEIR MOMENTUM AS THEY MOVE TO 3-0

A Ybsportsonline Shift In Commentary,

.Ybsports Staff Commentary………

 

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BELICHICK & BRADY

Listening to a sports show the other day much of the conversation centered on the Patriots and why they have found themselves as the cellar dwellers of the AFC East Division behind everyone except the New York Jets. And even there, old man coach Belichick has remained the topic of conversation as a great mental giant of the NFL. For starters I was never a great fan of Tom Brady because I was always a fan of the guy he replaced some twenty years ago, Drew Bledsoe, the Patriots starting QB until an injury forced him to the sideline and gave Brady the chance to step in. As history has shown us, Bledsoe never took another snap as the starting Quarterback for Belichick's Patriots.

But in spite of my unfavorable approval of Brady's success, Tom Brady has shown the world without ever uttering a single word that for much  of the Patriots success, he was the ultimate reason for it. Why do I say this, because of Belichick's winning percentage since Brady's departure which is a paltry .480 pct and  what is was with Brady on board. which was ,784 pct. Belichick also sports an unimpressive 26-29 record since Brady's departure with zero playoff wins. Why you ask is this subject such a point of interest for me, and I will tell you that had Belichick retired the day Brady left for Tampa Bay, we never would have known the truth about Brady's greatness, and I would have continued thinking the Patriots success was attributable mostly to Belichick's coaching.

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ISIAH PACHECO,KANSAS CITY CHIEFS RB

Isiah Pacheco, a native New Jerseyan. and long time Vineland resident, is so respected at his beloved Rutgers University that seeing him courtside at any number of the Scarlet Knights BIG 10 Basketball games. Pacheco was also the one who unexpectedly came of age during last year's Super Bowl game against the Philadelphia Eagles as his Kansas City Chiefs found themselves the surprise recipient of his tremendous play. On Sunday night in New Jersey, Pacheco again showed that he could be counted on as he was the difference maker for the defending SuperBowl Champions during Kansas City's pivotal run in the fourth quarter. Running as if it were a playoff march, Pacheco made crucial first down jaunts to keep the ball moving especially during the Chiefs game winning drive late in the fourth quarter.

Ybsports Staff Image,

Pacheco literally gets mobbed whenever he attends any of Rutgers University on campus sports events.

 

DEVIN McCOURTY, FORMER NE PATRIOT DB

Ybsports Staff Image,

McCourty gets the crowd fired  up prior to Rutgers taking on Northwestern in their season opener at home.

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And then there were three, as in three undefeated teams left in the league. Which one will be the first one to lose?

DeShaun Watson finally had a game worth cheering about and it was good not having to watch him looking toward the ground during a pass rush.

What was the real reason for Coach Peyton leaving starting Quarterback in the game whith the Broncos trailing by fifty plus points?

Watching the Giants on Thursday night showed that maybe the defense is getting pushed around so much that they are unable to get off the field.

A scary thought…the Eagles haven’t been lights out this year,yet they keep on winning! And Jalen Hurts has never seems to be concerned about where the problems are and that’s because he knoews they will get fixrd.

Nick Siriani is doing something rarely seen in the NFL and that is paying homage to his incredibly loyal fanbase. And he’s showing this love and appreciation to them in the most intimate way. It’s Awesome!

News has it that Colts running back Jonathan Talor is ready to come off the bench now. If that’s true, then it’s bad news for the rest of the Colts opponents.

 

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NFL Notes and Nicks

It’s a short video approximately twenty seconds long or thereabout highlighting the NFL’s most storied running backs. Gale Sayers, Jim Brown, Walter Payton and Saquon Barkley! Say what, Saquon thrown in there with players who immortalized greatness at the running back position? Yes, that Saquon and he’s every bit as deserving of that honor. But last weekends game snared two of the NFL’s best icons and sidelining them with injuries that has placed their seasons, if not their careers in jeopardy.

The Cleveland Browns Nick Chubb who’s known for being one of the game’s current greats, sustained a serious knee injury that will undoubtedly put him on the watch list for if and when he might ever return and Barkley, the league’s 2020 rookie of the year  sustained his injury during a running play into the heart of the opponent’s defense. Barkley’s mishap could easily be excused simply as interior battle damage and just an unfortunate thing. Chubb’s injury on the other hand, occurred when he was already engaged with a would be tackler who had grabbed onto the running back’s upper torso and was being held up. Why then was it necessary for him to take a hit on the outside of an unprotected knee by another would be tackler who could have just as easily continued with the tackle by staying up top and assisting his fellow team mate.

It is a well known fact that running backs don’t make the kind of money they should, and it is also a well known fact that running backs are easily replaceable, or so it seems. With Nick Chubb in the lineup on Monday night when his Browns were taking on the Steelers, I believe the Browns easily would have won that game even though the Steelers boast an incredibly astounding unbeaten record on MNF dating back to the Chuck Noll era. As with Barkley, without him, do you think for a minute that the G-Men would have stormed back and beaten an inspired Arizona Cardinal team on their home field and holding a 21 point lead? Not hardly!  Some would argue that the NFL highlight video mentioned at the beginning of this opinion should also feature Nick Chubb and that’s an opinion I wouldn’t argue with. So whu aren’t these game changing icons compensated better by the league?

On another note, has anyone noticed the performance of one T.J. Watt, the reining sack king of the Pittsburgh Steelers? Watt has ascended to the top of the Steelers sack club with a mind boggling 81.5 sacks and he’s done this in only 89 games. What makes this feat even more astounding is that the Steelers have been known for having lined up some of the greatest defensive machines the league has ever known. Take for example players like Mean Joe Green, Jack Lambert, Kevi Greene, Jack Ham and the like never came close to Watt’s incredible accomplishment. One is only left to wonder what his tally will be once he hangs up his cleats.

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NFL Notes and Nicks

Giants lose 40 -0 to a fired up Dallas Cowboys team as Micah Parsons shows why he may be the best defensive player in the league.

Giving back; The Packers Jordan Love steps in for a Packerless Rodgers and shines on showing why the Pack was right to have faith in him.

Cincy’s ‘Joe Cool’ collects an unwanted calf ailment as the Bengals come up short in Cleveland’s Dog Pound.

The Eagles may have picked up a stellar running back in Diondre Swift from the Lions, but Detroit hasn’t lost a step with David Montgomery at running back.

Not understanding why the Tua led Dolphins win over the Austin Ekeler led Chargers is such a surprise for everyone. If Tua can stay healthy, and health is the optimum word here, he is as good as anyone in the league. Dolphins 38 ---  Chargers 34 .

 

Local Communities Proudly Flaunt Their NFL Stars

Jahan Dotson Shows Why He Is So Admired At Impact Camp ……… 2023

THE VALLEY'S YOUTH ARE TREATED TO A SPECIAL 2 HOUR INSTRUCTIONAL APPEARANCE

.Ybsports Staff Commentary,

Family and stability. That seems to be the key! A week ago Saquon Barkley was clearly surrounded by family members as he conducted his annual 'Youth Football Camp' in South Whitehall Township. This week it was Jahan Dotson's trip to the plate to inspire the kids of the Lehigh Valley with his personalized 'Impact Youth Football Camp' and he didn't disappoint. And neither did his family! In what is showing to be more like a family business, the involvement of family with athlete is turning into a beautiful sight to behold. Mr. and Mrs. Dotson along with other family members give the feeling of real strength and security for Jahan as he cast a spell on a field full of participants or would be idolizers of the current NFL star. And just like Saquon, one very important characteristic was present in Jahan, an ability to demonstrate his capacity to be confident and to inspire others. The Dotson's are a wonderful family of people and one can see without doubt that young Jahan has taken his measure of discipline to excel and to achieve from those two parents. Dotson's "Impact Camp", which was coordinated along with the Lehigh Valley Health Sports Group, ran with precision. Following a short delay in which threatening skies and lightning pushed things back a bit, the camp rewarded all campers by going well over their scheduled two hour instructional phase.

With that many young people running around trying to gather every minute allowable on a field where their head instructor and participant himself was an NFL player, Dotson would need plenty of help. And he got just that in the form of current college players Tristan Wheeler, Dallas Holmes and others. One of the more amusing sights of this instructional camp came at the very end  during Dotson's final words to the mass.  Here he informed them that he would be signing autographs near the field's entrance once camp concluded. It was as if the scene from the legendary documentary 'running with the bulls' was being re-enacted on a field at the Chrin Community Center in Palmer Township, Pa. To witness a scene of hundreds of little people, all of them pretty much between 3 to 4 feet all and all wearing their maroon camper's jersey sprinting for the gate was as funny a sight as you will ever see! I'm still chuckling about it as I write this article. But such is the affect these athletes have over our youth and, lucky for all of us that individuals like Saquon, Jahan and current Penn State mega star Nick Singleton, all display such a deep sense of respect and love outwardly. This type of expression cannot help but to be embraced by the young participants and all onlookers.   

For his contribution, Jahan was awarded one of our online publication's short 'mural' sets. These murals are designed to point back to a time or place in the athlete's high school career where the crossover between recognition and greatness of one's belief come together. But what is most distinct about the layout is the character of image that is chosen as the mainstay in the picture frame. It's supposed to hopefully depict one's most inner and expressive characteristic.

Russ Harris

Managing Editor for the (ybsportsonline.com) publication

.Ybsports Staff Image,

Campers at Jahan Dotson's Impact Football Camp listen intently to the NFL star's recap.

.Saquon Barkley Impresses At His Youth Football Camp ……… 2023

BARKLEY'S YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP RUNS FROM JULY 10TH THROUGH JULY 13TH / 9AM -3PM

.Ybsports Staff Commentary,

At first glance one would think you were just watching a pickup sandlot football game with a bunch of eight and nine year old boys running around under the supervision of two adult males coordinating their energy.  But a closer look at the young participants running up and down the field, you will hear a distinct voice rise up from one of the men drawing up the plays for them. That peculiar voice belongs to none other than former Whitehall High School star and current NY Giant superstar Saquon Barkley. The soft spoken star and one of the area’s most admired athletes, has not only partnered with The Saint Luke’s Health Initiative Group, by simply making an appearance at the group’s Youth Football Camp at his beloved Whitehall Area High School athletic fields, he has embraced the opportunity with zest and appeal. And in the process he has proven that he is a consummate role model for each and every one of these young participants who have waited for this moment. One look at how the young campers collect near the corner of the small south stands waiting for their hero to meet up with them tells the story, and if all goes well, maybe even get an autograph as well. And the bonus here…they get to hear words of encouragement from the quintessential superstar, puts a huge smile on all their faces.

Barkley’s involvement as a willing member of their community is not only enormous for these young kids, but his generous actions will ultimately prove to be transcending if not transformative, as these young participants transition from little league players to high school players and beyond. Point of fact…they will never forget this window in time which allowed them to share the field with one of the NFL’s biggest names. For the moment, this is their crowning achievement! One of them, maybe more, will go on to do extraordinary things in whatever sport they choose to shine in and that may possibly come on that game’s biggest stage. This interaction will undoubtedly be the launching pad with which their “Give back” contribution will kick in. Contributions that were learned much like in the same manner as their present day sports hero Saquon Barkley. To lend more perspective or to quantify the enormity the impression Barkley is making, consider this, I encountered a gentleman who was heading back to the parking lot with two young boys accompanying him. The very distinguished looking gentleman struck up a conversation with me that began with him saying…”This is a wonderful thing that he, (Saquon) is doing for his community, and I wanted my Grandson and his best friend here to share in it.” To think that he had made the trip all the way from Washington, D.C. with other family members resonated with me, but it’s easy to understand his admiration after watching Saquon run up and down the field imploring the campers to give it their all. His final words to me before parting were...”This was a trip well worth the effort.”

One important note of observation was the support group that accompanied Saquon during the first day of camp and that supported group included his Mother Tonya, a wonderful compassionate woman who must have passed on these great traits to her world class son. There is a special acknowledgement afforded for those individuals who refuse to ignore the special gifts they are given and the Barkley's have not wasted that blessing.

Barkley’s unselfish commitment to his beloved community earned him the achievement award from the (ybsportsonline.com) website.The achievement award focuses on presenting the athlete with a short design mural that reflects on the history of their athletic connection as a high school athlete to their sport.

Russ Harris

Managing Editor for the (ybsportsonline.com) publication

.Ybsports Staff Image,

Campers at Saquon Barkley's Camp gather around to get a signed autograph by Saquon on their most cherished item. Barkley's incredible Mother Tonya, at left watches the signings.

..Eagles DaVonta Smith's Celebrity Softball Game Sparkles ……… 2023

LOCALS SAQUON BARKLEY, JAHAN DOTSON AND JALEN HURTS AMONG STARS WHO SHONE BRIGHTLY

.Ybsports Staff Images,

Whitehall product Saquon Barkley is all smiles as he gets ready to take his turn at the plate.

Eagles Superstar Jalen Hurts breaks out with the Gritty while Terrell Owens acknowledges the move.

Colleges Proudly Display Local NFL Sports Heroes

Former NFL Player and Hall Of Fame star Andre Reed's name is proudly displayed at Kutztown Stadium.

SAQUON BARKLEY; DOING THE LITTLE THINGS THAT BECOME BIG THINGS

April 10, 2023

YBSPORTS STAFF COLUMN

Saquon Barkley; Simply a great individual

Last weekend former Whitehall High School football star and ex Penn State University star player Saquon Barkley ventured into rarified air by co-dedicating a new life and self improvement center with The St. Luke’s Health University Network. The center, located in Barkley’s hometown is aptly named The St. Luke’s Sports Rink / Saquon Barkley Center For Excellence. A co-joined charitable effort between Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley is built on Hope!

In a time where day to day living can sometimes be full of strife and hardship for those who may not have access to sports medicine and as in my time, a Police Athletic League, Barkley and Ann’s first hometown coalition could not have come at a better time. I look across the board at where some of America’s pro athlete’s are setting up shop so that that their efforts may possibly make a difference for the better in the lives of young people thirsting for knowledge while seeking a hand up, and I can see where Barkley’s vision may be taking him...to a much higher place.

YBSPORTS STAFF IMAGES -

Saquon Barkley shown here signing autographs in his hometown of Whitehall, Pa. for his many adoring followers.

 

Saquon Barkley; Simply a great individual. CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE

Barkley has not forgotten where he’s come from and that was evident to me when I first observed him at a high school track & field event in 2019. He was there to support his sister Aliyah who was competing in the district championships. As would be expected, he drew a crowd of adoring fans all wanting a piece of him and seeking an autograph and he was equally up to the task.

An article written in the local newspaper quoted a St. Luke’s Health Network Rep as saying “the foundation was formed to supply assistance to those who have a strong desire for positive forward movement.” The spokesman further shared how the center, as the nucleus of other adjoining facilities, will provide enhancing opportunities for those willing to adopt an upward mobile philosophy of life. Part of the objective appears to be a vision for the facility to offer clinics, leagues, nutrition programs as well as academic guidance.

None of this surprises me when it comes to Barkley because he comes from a strong family support group. And without a strong family structure an undertaking of this magnitude and the mindset that is required to see it through may never have developed within the mind of Saquon Barkley.

_{YBSPORTS STAFF IMAGE}

Saquon Barkley and younger brother Ali celebrate the retirement of Saquon's jersey at his former High School in Whitehall, Pa.

A Trip To Remember - An NFL Hall Of Fame Induction... CLICK LINK BELOW

http://ybsportsonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=182&Itemid=75

 

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