Stay up to date with news and live reports on everything from practices to press conferences as Super Bowl 54 draws near. This post will be continually updated throughout the day.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa wins Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, a Fort Lauderdale native and St. Thomas Aquinas alumnus, was named the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year on Thursday.
The distinction, announced by the NFL, came following a fan vote. The other finalists were Tennessee Titans receiver A.J. Brown, Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray and Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders.
“It means a lot,” Bosa said. “That was one of my main goals, but I didn’t know I’d be in position to win a Super Bowl, so that’s my No. 1 focus right now.”
Bosa, the No. 2 overall selection, set the 49ers’ rookie franchise record with 16 tackles for loss in addition to nine sacks while playing in 14 games this season.
— Jordan McPherson
Nick Bosa, second from left, officially signs with Ohio State as his father, John, left, mother Cherly and brother Joey, who also attended Ohio State, look on during National Signing Day on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas High in Fort Lauderdale. CHARLES TRAINOR JR ctrainor@miamiherald.com
Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa talks watching brother in the Super Bowl
Joey Bosa tends to stay away from football this time of the year.
And who can blame him after a long, grueling season?
This year, however, the Fort Lauderdale native has been glued to the television — all because his brother Nick plays for the San Francisco 49ers.
“It’s been cool to follow,” Bosa said Thursday prior to accepting his brother’s Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year award. “For him to get a shot at the Super Bowl in his first year is great to see.”
As the older brother, Joey says he definitely thought he’d be the first Bosa to make it to the big game. Having Nick do it though might be the next best thing — even if the two are extremely competitive.
“I understand how hard it is to get there so for him to be able to do it, I’m just so happy for him,” the Los Angeles Chargers defensive end continued.
As for who Joey thinks will win, it kind of goes without saying. The Kansas City Chiefs might’ve handed the Chargers two Ls this season but he’s putting family first.
“If any defense can handle them, it should be the 49ers.”
— C. Isaiah Smalls II
San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman blasts “hypocrisy” of 17-game NFL season
The NFL has grown more aware of player safety. From new equipment to added rules, it would appear that they’ve made health a priority.
These increased efforts why the talks of a 17-game NFL season don’t sit well with San Francisco 49ers cornerback Richard Sherman.
“Nobody calls out the hypocrisy,” the five-time Pro Bowler said Wednesday.
To Sherman, adding another game contradicts every attempt to make the game safer.
“The league kind of pretends they’re interested in [player safety],” Sherman opined. “... They’re just saying 17 so they can get to 18 and so that’s two more opportunities for players to risk their bodies.”
Increased revenue has been the main driving point behind the discussions of a 17-game season. Reports suggest it could potentially generate an extra billion dollars. The All-Pro corner decried the inference that the financial incentive would be worth it.
“They think that players have a price tag for their health and I don’t think we’re in the same ballpark in that regard.”
Commenting on the possibility of adding another game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell disputed assumptions that doing so would be simple.
“We don’t look at it just as ‘Do we have a 17th game?’” Goodell said Wednesday. “We look at the entire season, the offseason, obviously training camp, how we prepare our players to get ready for the season, how we practice during the season.”
— C. Isaiah Smalls II
LInebacker Jason Taylor was all smiles as his teammates carried him off the field after a game with The Miami Dolphins and the New York Jets at the former Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens on January 1, 2012. Joe Rimkus Jr. Miami Herald File
Former Dolphin Jason Taylor praises Tua Tagovailoa, shares thoughts on 2019 team
Jason Taylor is happy he’s not making any decisions come draft day.
Prior to accepting his ICON Award for the Jason Taylor Foundation’s philanthropy, the Hall of Famer praised the 2019 Dolphins and expressed his faith in their front office.
“They’re a very disciplined football team, didn’t commit a lot of penalties,” Taylor said Wednesday evening. “You got to give it to Brian Flores; he did a helluva a job.”
The Dolphins lost seven straight games to start the season terrible but ended up winning three of their last five, including a 27-24 victory over the Patriots.. Their resiliency in spite of a clear talent deficiency proved that Flores was right for Miami.
“He and Chris Grier have a plan — there’s a method behind his madness,” the former All-Pro linebacker continued.
As for the Tua Tagovailoa question, Taylor grinned as if to say “thank the heavens that’s not on me.”
“Is he the right one? I don’t know. I think he’s a great, great, great talent. Yeah he’s had some injuries but it’s football: everyone’s going to get injured.”
— C. Isaiah Smalls II
This story was originally published January 30, 2020 at 1:31 PM.
C. Isaiah Smalls II is a sports and culture writer who covers the Miami Dolphins. In his previous capacity at the Miami Herald, he was the race and culture reporter who created The 44 Percent, a newsletter dedicated to the Black men who voted to incorporate the city of Miami. A graduate of both Morehouse College and Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Smalls previously worked for ESPN’s Andscape.
Sports Pass is your ticket to Miami sports
#ReadLocal
Get in-depth, sideline coverage of Miami area sports - only $1 a month
 "00SIGNING0304 BOSA CTJ (1)")
