No Baker Vs. Birds In Week 3?

The Week 3 matchup between the Eagles and Buccaneers on Monday night could get more interesting.

Third-year quarterback Kyle Trask is closing the gap on free-agent pickup Baker Mayfield, according to Bucs new offensive coordinator Dave Canales.

Canales told reporters that Trask has “absolutely” tightened the race to become Tampa Bay’s first post-Tom Brady starter.

Trask, a 2021 second-round pick from Florida, has played in just two games and has thrown just nine passes. He’s been alternating with Mayfield on the first team throughout camp.

GETTY IMAGES: Third-year Bucs QB Kyle Trask is closing the gap between he and veteran Baker Mayfield to start.

“But it just took a couple of days for Kyle to really settle in, and then what we saw is, the last two practices Kyle really showed what he can do: stretching the field with his arm, getting the ball out quickly, making decisions,” Canales said, per the Tampa Bay Times story.

“So I’m really excited about both of those guys and the progression that they’ve made throughout the last couple of days.”

If Trask can unseat the former No. 1 overall pick by the season’s opener, he’ll likely start his first prime-time game against the Eagles on Sept. 25 in Tampa on Monday Night Football.

At Florida, Trask’s position coach and coordinator was Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson, which sets up for a nice potential sublot to a game that most won’t expect to be very competitive.

Kamara Meets With League Brass

Saints running back Alvin Kamara on Wednesday met with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell to share his version of the events from a February, 2022, incident in Las Vegas, per the NFL Network.

Per NFL Media, Kamara pleaded down to a misdemeanor charge of breach of peace on July 11 after first being charged with conspiracy to commit battery – also a misdemeanor – and substantial bodily harm – a felony – the night before the 2022 Pro Bowl.

A judge ordered Kamara, 27, to complete 30 hours of community service and pay more than $100,000 to Darnell Greene for past-due medical expenses stemming from the no-contest plea.

The NFL can still punish the Pro Bowl halfback under the league’s personal conduct policy even though Kamara wasn’t convicted.

Several players, including former Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, have been suspended even though they weren’t charged.

The NFL Network is reporting an expected suspension for the five-time Pro Bowler:

From Inside Training Camp: #Saints RB Alvin Kamara is expected to be suspended for his incident in Las Vegas, but how long could be determined from his meeting with Roger Goodell. pic.twitter.com/c6npkDmHVB

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 2, 2023

Pacheco Almost Ready

Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, a South Jersey native and Rutgers product, is getting closer to being ready for training camp.

Pacheco, who rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown in the Super Bowl against the Eagles despite playing with multiple injuries, told NFL Network that he’s “very close” to returning following offseason surgeries on his hand and shoulder.

NFL Network has previously reported that Pacheco, from Vineland, N.J., should return by Aug. 20.

From my understanding #chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco should be cleared for contact by the 20th of August. Hand is good, it’s the shoulder that’s left to be cleared.

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 2, 2023

The Eagles and Chiefs play for the third straight season, a Week 11 showdown on Monday night at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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