Extra Points: Flus Bests Belichick, Bears Dominate Three Phases, Brisker's Revenge, MNFields, More
Monday night's beatdown of the Patriots in Foxborough was a statement victory for rookie head coach Matt Eberflus.
Featured Stories
One Timers: Blackhawks Feeling the Good Vibes, Aggressive Penalty Kill, No Goals for Kane, More
What's the deal with the #Blackhawks' wildly good penalty kill this season? How are things going in the locker room, and are we worried about Patrick Kane's lack of scoring?
A Conversation with Joe Maddon
I had the pleasure of chatting with former Chicago Cubs and World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon today. We discussed his exit from Anaheim, roster building in Tampa Bay, finding a balance between feel and analytics in baseball, his future, and more.
Tyler Johnson Ready To Make Up For A Lost Season
Coming off of his first full and healthy offseason in years, Tyler Johnson is feeling great mentally and physically and ready to have a bounce-back season for the Blackhawks.
About Me
Patrick K. Flowers is a Staff Writer at Bleacher Nation where he covers the Chicago sports landscape on a daily basis. Patrick is also a husband and father of two.
How I Work
Patrick is always looking for a story that meshes the box scores in the sports world and the humans that make it all happen. You can expect thoughtful and insightful writing that feels both personal and informative.
Get in Touch
You can get in touch with Patrick via email (patrick.flowers@bleachernation.com) or via the social links at the top of the page.
My Latest Work
NFL Notes: NFL Preseason Schedule Sneak Peek, Kareem Hunt to Visit the Saints, More
One month from today, we will be watching football. REAL football. That’s right; we’re officially one month from the NFL’s 2023 season opener between the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
But first, we have preseason football ahead of us. Week 1 of the NFL preseason schedule kicks off on Thursday evening, and NFL Network will have a pair of national broadcasts (for out-of-market fans). At 6:00 pm (CT), the Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots. In the nightcap s
But first, we have preseason football ahead of us. Week 1 of the NFL preseason schedule kicks off on Thursday evening, and NFL Network will have a pair of national broadcasts (for out-of-market fans). At 6:00 pm (CT), the Houston Texans visit the New England Patriots. In the nightcap s
Training Camp Notebook — August 7, 2023: C.J. Stroud Will Start Against the Patriots
The Houston Texans will open their preseason slate on Thursday evening against the New England Patriots in Foxborough. According to head coach DeMeco Ryans, rookie C.J. Stroud will start that game under center, giving fans across the league their first peek at Stroud in the 7:00 pm (CT) window on NFL Network.
• In an interview with NFL Network, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that second-overall pick C.J. Stroud will start Houston’s preseason opener against the Patriots on Thursday.
From In
• In an interview with NFL Network, Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said that second-overall pick C.J. Stroud will start Houston’s preseason opener against the Patriots on Thursday.
From In
NFL Notes: Patriots Out on Dalvin Cook, Still Interested in Zeke, More
The New York Jets have been linked to Dalvin Cook, a bunch in recent weeks. Never more than last weekend’s visit to Jets camp in which Cook was on the field and cheered by the New York fans. While Cook hasn’t signed with the Jets yet, it seems like another suitor is moving on from the veteran running back.
Along with the Jets and Dolphins, the New England Patriots were rumored to be a potential landing spot for running back Dalvin Cook. However, New England seems to be moving on from that possi
Along with the Jets and Dolphins, the New England Patriots were rumored to be a potential landing spot for running back Dalvin Cook. However, New England seems to be moving on from that possi
NFL Notes: Ja'Marr Chase Wants Joe Burrow to Take His Time, Josh Jacobs Thoughts, More
Cincinnati Bengals fans are hoping for a speedy recovery for quarterback Joe Burrow. It’s easy to understand why Bengals fans want their star quarterback for Week 1 of the NFL season. By all indications, Burrow is on track for that. He’s been seen walking without a limp and lifting in the weight room this week. But Ja’Marr Chase has another idea for his star quarterback: relax.
Ja’Marr Chase Wants Joe Burrow to Take His Time
Chase said on Friday (on the NFL Network) that he took his time recov
Ja’Marr Chase Wants Joe Burrow to Take His Time
Chase said on Friday (on the NFL Network) that he took his time recov
NFL Notes: Cam Jordan Gets 2-Year Extension, Hall of Fame Game Thoughts, More
Happy Friday! We’re running out of summer Fridays this year, so I’m getting a few things done around here this morning and heading to the beach with the wife and kids. I hope you have the opportunity to do something similar today or this weekend. That being said, let’s get right into it.
Cam Jordan and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a new two-year, $27.5 million guaranteed contract extension. Jordan’s new extension will keep him in New Orleans through the 2025 season.
The $27.5 million
Cam Jordan and the New Orleans Saints have agreed to a new two-year, $27.5 million guaranteed contract extension. Jordan’s new extension will keep him in New Orleans through the 2025 season.
The $27.5 million
Friday 5: All Aboard the Zay Flowers Hype Train, Ryan Poles' Patience, Bucs QB Battle, More
Another week is in the books, and we’re another week closer to the start of the 2023 NFL season. I’ve got five topics from this week that I wanted to discuss before we head into the weekend. We’ll start in Baltimore, where the hype train for Zay Flowers is full steam ahead this week.
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is making a strong impression at Ravens camp so far. Ravens safety Marcus Williams predicted last week that Flowers will be a star in the NFL as long as a maintains the wo
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers is making a strong impression at Ravens camp so far. Ravens safety Marcus Williams predicted last week that Flowers will be a star in the NFL as long as a maintains the wo
NFL Suspends Chiefs' Charles Omenihu, Seahawks' D’Wayne Eskridge 6 Games
In typical Friday fashion, the NFL has decided to announce their latest wave of disciplinary matters this afternoon. As Matt Rooney wrote earlier, Saints running back Alvin Kamara was suspended for the fist three games of the season. Now we have two additional suspensions for violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.
Chiefs’ defensive lineman Charles Omenihu and Seahawks wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge have each been suspended for the first six games of the 2023 NFL season.
Omenihu was a
Chiefs’ defensive lineman Charles Omenihu and Seahawks wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge have each been suspended for the first six games of the 2023 NFL season.
Omenihu was a
NFL Notes: Chase Young Feeling Explosive, Lions Season Ticket Suege, More
We’ve got football tonight! The Jets and Browns will square off in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, at 7:00 p.m. (CT). We’ll have a pre-game post and game thread up an hour before the game, so come and chat. It’s just an exhibition game, but we’re back, and that’s exciting.
Speaking of back, Chase Young believes that he is indeed back. Young has been the subject of much debate since he tore his ACL during the 2021 season and missed almost all last season. As a result, the Commanders decli
Speaking of back, Chase Young believes that he is indeed back. Young has been the subject of much debate since he tore his ACL during the 2021 season and missed almost all last season. As a result, the Commanders decli
5 Reasons Why You Should Watch the Hall of Fame Game Tonight
I know, I know. It’s just the Hall of Fame Game. No Aaron Rodgers. No Deshaun Watson. No, Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Myles Garrett, or Nick Chubb. But let’s be honest, it’s still football, and we’re still going to watch. It’s been almost six months since we’ve been able to watch an NFL game. So, even though this is the most watered-down version of an NFL game, it’s a welcomed taste of what’s to come over the next six months.
If you’re on the fence about tuning in tonight, here are five reas
If you’re on the fence about tuning in tonight, here are five reas
Training Camp Notebook — August 3, 2023: Commanders QB Battle, Diontae Johnson Ready for Fresh Start in '23, More
You may have read it a time or two, but we’ve got football tonight. We also had training camp today. Here are some of the happenings of note at training camps around the league, including in D.C., where there might be something of a QB battle brewing between Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett.
• Heading into camp, the Commanders’ starting QB job was billed as Sam Howell’s job to lose. I suppose it’s still that, but Ron Rivera’s comments today make it seem a little bit closer than we would have imagi
• Heading into camp, the Commanders’ starting QB job was billed as Sam Howell’s job to lose. I suppose it’s still that, but Ron Rivera’s comments today make it seem a little bit closer than we would have imagi
Hall of Fame Game: Jets vs. Browns (7:00 CT) - Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread, More
It’s been just under six months since the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Tonight, football is back as the Jets and Browns square off in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.
Both teams have confirmed that this will be a battle of the back-ups. Still, it’s football, and I’m excited for a taste tonight.
How to Watch the Hall of Fame Game
Both teams have confirmed that this will be a battle of the back-ups. Still, it’s football, and I’m excited for a taste tonight.
How to Watch the Hall of Fame Game
NFL Notes: Cooper Kupp Injury, Slime Time Super Bowl, More
It’s a slow start for me today after a long Tuesday, which featured a trip to Panthers camp followed by a lengthy trip home that included a connecting flight and a three-hour layover in Atlanta before I finally arrived home around midnight. Anyway, let’s get into it. We’ll start with some injury news from Los Angeles involving star wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Kupp left the Rams’ practice early on Tuesday and underwent an MRI on his hamstring; a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. According to Sche
Kupp left the Rams’ practice early on Tuesday and underwent an MRI on his hamstring; a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. According to Sche
Training Camp Notebook — August 2, 2023: Tough Day for Justin Fields, Hopkins Still Has It, More
Pads are on across the league, and the Hall of Fame Game is tomorrow night. It’s a good time to be a football fan. Let’s discuss some of the training camp happenings around the league today.
Tough day for Justin Fields and Co.
• We’ll start in Lake Forest, where the Bears strapped on the pads and had a closed practice today. The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer said it was an ugly day for the Bears’ offense. Wiederer called the Bears’ offense “sloppy, clunky, and inefficient.” The second-team def
Tough day for Justin Fields and Co.
• We’ll start in Lake Forest, where the Bears strapped on the pads and had a closed practice today. The Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer said it was an ugly day for the Bears’ offense. Wiederer called the Bears’ offense “sloppy, clunky, and inefficient.” The second-team def
NFL Notes: Colts Lose Zack Moss, Joe Burrow on 'Quarterback' Season 2? More
I’ve got one more day here at Panther’s training camp in Spartanburg. I’m sunburnt and was asleep by 7:30 last night thanks to the sun and humidity beating me up on Monday. The good news is, it’s only going to get up to round 84 between now and when camp ends today. The bad news is, the humidity level is at 84 percent right now.
On Monday, I was laser focused on Bryce Young, charting his every throw on my notepad. I was so focused that I was caught off guard at one point when I lifted my head u
On Monday, I was laser focused on Bryce Young, charting his every throw on my notepad. I was so focused that I was caught off guard at one point when I lifted my head u
Panthers QB Bryce Young was Unflappable, Impressive, and Yet Still a Rookie
Crisp, concise, and calculated is how I would describe Frank Reich’s practices in Spartanburg this week. Reich said after practice that was by design. The new Panthers head coach said that they have a designed pattern of practices that vary in length, but the central focus is that all of them are full-go and intense. Game speed, if you will.
Today’s practice lasted 88 minutes. Monday’s practice clocked in at just under two hours. Both were full intensity in every phase. Special Teams Coordinato
Today’s practice lasted 88 minutes. Monday’s practice clocked in at just under two hours. Both were full intensity in every phase. Special Teams Coordinato
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet Banged Up at Training Camp
Bad news for the Seahawks. According to NFL Network’s Taylor Bisciotti, Seattle running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet will be sidelined for a while.
Training camp injuries are unavoidable. We see it every season, and this year is no exception. We’ve already seen prime examples in the first week of camp (crazy that the first week of camp is in the books already!). The Bengals will be without Joe Burrow for most — if not all of camp — but still dodged a more significant bullet. We’
Training camp injuries are unavoidable. We see it every season, and this year is no exception. We’ve already seen prime examples in the first week of camp (crazy that the first week of camp is in the books already!). The Bengals will be without Joe Burrow for most — if not all of camp — but still dodged a more significant bullet. We’
Colts May Place Jonathan Taylor on NFI Due to Back Injury (Which Taylor Refutes)
The Jonathan Taylor situation in Indianapolis is getting ugly. A Sunday evening report by ESPN’s Jonathan Holder indicated that the Colts might attempt to place Taylor on the Non-Football Injury List (NFI) due to Taylor reporting back pain at his training camp physical. According to Holder’s report, the Colts deemed the back pain to be from an injury that was not sustained while playing for Indianapolis.
If the Colts place Taylor on the NFI, they could withhold some or all of his 2023 salary. A
If the Colts place Taylor on the NFI, they could withhold some or all of his 2023 salary. A
NFL Notes: Jets Starters Won't Play in HOF Game, Garrett Wilson Injury, More
Football is in the air. I mean, literally, there are footballs in the air here at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Being out here at Panthers camp, and knowing that the Jets and Browns will play a real (albeit very watered down) football game on Thursday evening in Canton, Ohio, has me feeling like we’re almost there, friends!
It appears that Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson won’t be able to practice with quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a few more days due to an injury.
Head coac
It appears that Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson won’t be able to practice with quarterback Aaron Rodgers for a few more days due to an injury.
Head coac
Training Camp Notebook: Bryce Young Delivers, O-Line's Tall Task, More
“We want Bryce! We want Bryce!”
Those were the chants coming from Carolina Panthers fans lined along the driveway from the practice fields at Gibbs Field and the Mungo Student Center at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, after the final horn sounded on a hot and sticky day of practice hoping to see Bryce Young up-close and maybe even snag an autograph.
The fans came out to see the new face of the franchise, and, for the most part, he didn’t disappoint. Young was — by my count — 8
Those were the chants coming from Carolina Panthers fans lined along the driveway from the practice fields at Gibbs Field and the Mungo Student Center at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina, after the final horn sounded on a hot and sticky day of practice hoping to see Bryce Young up-close and maybe even snag an autograph.
The fans came out to see the new face of the franchise, and, for the most part, he didn’t disappoint. Young was — by my count — 8
Training Camp Notebook: Broncos Lose Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler, Damar Hamlin Back in Pads, More
These training camp notebook’s are going to be an afternoon staple during camp. They’ll be a place for me to round up all of the happenings, highlights, and otherwise each afternoon. Since I’m at Panthers camp, I put together a separate one for that this afternoon. So, it’s two-a-days for me today and tomorrow.
A double-whammy for the Broncos today as they lost wide receivers Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler today.
Patrick went down with a non-contact injury when taking his first steps off the line
A double-whammy for the Broncos today as they lost wide receivers Tim Patrick and K.J. Hamler today.
Patrick went down with a non-contact injury when taking his first steps off the line
NFL Notes: Jim Irsay Says the Colts Aren't Trading Jonathan Taylor, More
I was pretty frustrated this morning, but an adorable baby sitting beside me in his mother’s lap on my flight to Atlanta (and then Spartanburg, South Carolina) cheered me up. After trying to upgrade my boarding position on a jam-packed red-eye flight, to no avail due to technical errors on Southwest’s part, I was pretty peeved that I would have to spend time disputing the charge for the upgrade that I never received with customer service later this afternoon. But the infectious laughter and smil
Jonathan Taylor Requests Trade Amidst Contract Dispute
Indianapolis Colts star running back, Jonathan Taylor, has taken the NFL world by surprise today by officially requesting a trade from the team. The announcement comes in the midst of an ongoing contract dispute between Taylor and the Colts management.
The news comes just hours after Jonathan Taylor was seen entering Jim Irsay’s bus for a meeting after days of back and forth. Irsay spoke candidly about the running back market in the NFL this week. When he tried to clean up his remarks, he revea
The news comes just hours after Jonathan Taylor was seen entering Jim Irsay’s bus for a meeting after days of back and forth. Irsay spoke candidly about the running back market in the NFL this week. When he tried to clean up his remarks, he revea
NFL Notes: Anthony Richardson Wows, Optimism for Joe Burrow, More
Happy Saturday! It’s a light notebook today. Take it in, and get outside and enjoy what we have left of summer. Shoot a round of golf, take a walk, toss the ball with the kids, whatever. Just get some fresh air and relax. Sometimes we all need a reminder to slow down and take it in.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was impressed with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on Friday. Downs said that Richardson can make throws that other quarterbacks can’t. “He flicks his wrist,” Downs
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs was impressed with rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson on Friday. Downs said that Richardson can make throws that other quarterbacks can’t. “He flicks his wrist,” Downs
NFL Notes: Sean Payton Slams Hackett & Co., Saquon Barkley's Epiphany, More
Annihilate (an·ni·hi·late) — a: to cause to cease to exist: to do away with entirely so that nothing remains. b: to destroy a considerable part of or defeat overwhelmingly. e.g., “Sean Payton annihilated Nathaniel Hackett on Thursday.”
Hoooo boy! If you logged onto social media on Thursday, there’s a good chance you saw Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and some of his former coaches from Denver defending themselves against an all-out verbal assault by new Broncos head coach Sean
Hoooo boy! If you logged onto social media on Thursday, there’s a good chance you saw Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and some of his former coaches from Denver defending themselves against an all-out verbal assault by new Broncos head coach Sean
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Interviews and Original Reporting
Blackhawks 5, Kraken 4 -- Three Stars, Key Takeaways
Tyler Johnson pots a pair as the Blackhawks come from behind to beat the Seattle Kraken.
A Conversation with Joe Maddon
I had the pleasure of chatting with former Chicago Cubs and World Series-winning manager Joe Maddon today. We discussed his exit from Anaheim, roster building in Tampa Bay, finding a balance between feel and analytics in baseball, his future, and more.
Andreas Athanasiou Wants to Play the Blackhawks Right Out of the Top Pick in the Draft
Andreas Athanasiou and I discuss his role with the Blackhawks, playing with Patrick Kane, and defying expectations this season.
Tyler Johnson Ready To Make Up For A Lost Season
Coming off of his first full and healthy offseason in years, Tyler Johnson is feeling great mentally and physically and ready to have a bounce-back season for the Blackhawks.
Let's Chat
Got a tip? A story idea? Want to collaborate, or have a question? Don't hesitate to reach out!
Email: patrick.flowers@bleachernation.com