Ross Tucker
The Athletic HQ
Atlanta, GA, United States
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Past articles by Ross:
Tucker: For a better NFL, the league should prop up and partner with the XFL – The Athletic
An XFL partnership would mean the NFL is investing in the future of its own game, from player development to the coaching pipeline. → Read More
Tucker: Is there a happy medium between players keeping the helmets they want and the league’s safety rules? – The Athletic
What if Brown signed a waiver agreeing to release the NFL of all legal liability if they let him wear his preferred old helmet? → Read More
They may be voluntary, but it still doesn’t make sense when veteran players on new teams skip OTAs – The Athletic
OTAs may be voluntary, but there are disadvantages that come with skipping them. And if you're not a star, your job may be on the line. → Read More
Antonio Brown is playing at a level rarely seen before.
As this past Sunday night showed, Antonio Brown is unlike any other wide receiver in the NFL. The Steelers' explosive star has not only been one of the most productive at his position in recent history, he's also been one of the most consistent. → Read More
Eli Manning Hall of Fame case gets more complicated.
Eli Manning's legacy and likely spot in the Hall of Fame were seemingly secured back in 2012 with a second Super Bowl victory over the Patriots. But since then, Manning and the Giants have struggled, and now he's been benched after a 2-9 start. → Read More
Three takeaways about football's future in London.
The drubbing of the Ravens by the Jaguars on Sunday in London took place in front of 40,000 passionate fans at Wembley Stadium. With plenty of room for growth and only a few hurdles to clear, the NFL is in the UK to stay. → Read More
Joe Thomas did something nearly impossible.
Joe Thomas snapped the ball for the 10,000th consecutive time on Sunday, something unheard of in the NFL. In fact, Cleveland's veteran left tackle hasn't missed a single snap in his 11-year career. That, in all ways, is truly remarkable. → Read More
Offensive line play biggest factor in Week 1 results.
There was a clear split between NFL teams that succeeded in Week 1 and teams that failed, and the difference was often made by one unit -- the offensive line. The Giants, for example, did not improve the group this offseason and, as a result, their future looks bleak. → Read More
7 bold predictions for the 2017 NFL season.
The football season is just around the corner, so what does that mean? Making outlandish predictions about how it might all unfold this year. From Tom Brady to the Browns to Colin Kaepernick, let's look into the crystal ball. → Read More
Are there benefits for NFL contract holdouts?
Some say that contract holdouts are a waste if a new deal never gets hammered out, but I beg to differ. There are benefits that most don't realize associated with holdouts, and when you take a closer look, more players may begin to hold out for contracts in the future. → Read More
The Jaguars show no coherent plan with Blake Bortles.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have no idea what they're doing. The only proof you need is the lack of foresight they showed by placing a fifth-year option on incumbent quarterback Blake Bortles, who is now in a competition with Chad Henne. → Read More
Bill Belichick has come up with a smart practice hack.
This summer, the Patriots have scheduled joint practice sessions with three separate opponents. While joint practices aren't new, the volume and way Bill Belichick will use them could set a new standard for the league. → Read More
NFL players should be startled by new CTE study.
It would be hard for anyone to argue that there isn't some link between the repetitive hits to the head that football players absorb and CTE. That alone should be enough to give any NFL player pause. I know it would for me. → Read More
The recent NFL GM firings should raise red flags.
Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt and Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson both fired their general managers this summer in surprising fashion. These moves signal dysfunction and should worry fans and players alike. → Read More
When is it OK to switch the team you root for?
Is there ever a good enough reason to switch the team that you root for? What if you root for the Washington Redskins, a franchise that has been embroiled in controversy and failed to come to a long-term agreement with a potential franchise QB. Can fans call it quits? → Read More
Common sense will prevail in Kirk Cousins negotiations.
Many football fans and analysts have come to the conclusion that a long-term deal between the Washington Redskins and Kirk Cousins will not get done. I beg to differ. Why? It simply comes down to common sense and human nature. → Read More
Derek Carr's team-friendly contract claims don't add up.
Derek Carr is well worth the money the Raiders decided to pay him when he signed a five-year, $125 million deal, but his assertion that he wanted to do the deal in a manner to make it easier for the Raiders to sign other players doesn't pass the sniff test. → Read More
Which NFL teams should you buy into this season?
After the Titans added receiver Eric Decker, the franchise's strong offseason got even stronger. Tennessee isn't alone, though, in the way it has improved. What other football teams around the league have seen their stocks on the rise? → Read More
The NFL is allowing ads for hard liquor on TV.
This week, the NFL loosened its longstanding policy of prohibiting hard alcohol advertising during games. This is likely the first step in the league's changing philosophy on advertising and may lead to larger wholesale changes down the line. → Read More
Odell Beckham, Jr. has missed Giants' OTAs.
"OTAs are meaningless" seems to be a common refrain these days, especially among those who neither participated in an Organized Team Activity nor played athletics at a high level. It's also wrong, no matter what Odell Beckham, Jr decides. → Read More