logo
Zay Flowers Reveals the "Perfect" Thing He's Already Learned From New Ravens Teammate DeAndre Hopkins

Zay Flowers Reveals the "Perfect" Thing He's Already Learned From New Ravens Teammate DeAndre Hopkins

Yahoo5 days ago

Zay Flowers Reveals the "Perfect" Thing He's Already Learned From New Ravens Teammate DeAndre Hopkins originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Former Clemson star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins may have just landed in the Ravens' flock, but the five-time Pro Bowl receiver is already making waves, especially with the team's ascending star wideout, Zay Flowers.
Advertisement
Hopkins, who inked a one-year deal in March, brings a staggering 12 years of NFL experience to a relatively young Baltimore receiving corps. For Flowers, a Pro Bowler in his own right entering his third season, the arrival of the player known as "D-Hop" is a game-changer.
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (8) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
"He's a real vet," Flowers told reporters this week. "Like, he knows everything. He teaches you what he knows. He gives out the game, and he works hard, too. So, it's easy to follow him. It's easy to get behind him and do what he does."
The addition of Hopkins, 33, creates a formidable receiving trio alongside Flowers and Rashod Bateman, giving quarterback Lamar Jackson a potent arsenal. After a stellar 2024 campaign where he racked up 1,059 yards and four touchdowns, Flowers is hungry for more, and he sees Hopkins as a key to his continued development.
Advertisement
One of the biggest takeaways for the 24-year-old so far has been Hopkins' meticulous approach to the craft.
"He's patient in everything he does," Flowers explained. "He understands that in practice, you've got to detail it, so in the game it's perfect. So, I've been learning that from him."
That dedication to detail is what has allowed Hopkins to build a Hall of Fame-caliber resume, amassing 984 receptions for 12,965 yards and 83 touchdowns over his career with the Texans, Cardinals, Titans, and Chiefs.
The mentorship isn't just about on-field technique. Flowers noted that the most consistent piece of advice he's received from veteran receivers, including Hopkins, Nelson Agholor, and former Raven Odell Beckham Jr., is about longevity.
Advertisement
"Just take care of your body," Flowers said. "They all tell me the same thing, take care of your body and maybe I can play 13 years like them," he added with a laugh.
For a Ravens team with Super Bowl aspirations, the connection between the savvy veteran and the explosive young star could be the spark that makes their high-powered offense unstoppable. If Flowers is already perfecting his game based on Hopkins' tutelage, the rest of the AFC is officially on notice.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 17, 2025, where it first appeared.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Jalen Hurts to release children's book "Better Than a Touchdown" in March 2026
Jalen Hurts to release children's book "Better Than a Touchdown" in March 2026

CBS News

time10 minutes ago

  • CBS News

Jalen Hurts to release children's book "Better Than a Touchdown" in March 2026

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is a man of many titles. Super Bowl champion. Super Bowl LIX MVP. Philadelphia Citizen of the Year. One of TIME's 100 Most Influential People. Now, a published author. Hurts announced Monday the release of his first children's book, "Better Than a Touchdown," with a March 10, 2026, release date. The book is available for preorder from Penguin Random House. In a video posted on Instagram, Hurts said publishing a children's book has always been a dream of his. "I'm very excited to share this moment with you guys. It's always been a dream of mine to have my own children's book, and I'm blessed to say that dream has become a reality with 'Better than a Touchdown,'" Hurts said. "It's a lot of hard work, a lot of love put into this book. It's very heartfelt because without the lessons learned, I wouldn't be here where I am today. So I'm excited to extend those lessons to the next generation, and hopefully it helps lift them just as the many lessons I learned did the same for me." "Better Than a Touchdown" tells the story of Jalen and his friends, who are excited to begin the school year and try out for the football team, only to discover that the program has been cut. Jalen doesn't get discouraged and turns to the community to help save the program. "'Better than a Touchdown' is a love letter to the power of community, being there for one another, and how a piece of good advice can change the course of a day," the book's description reads on Penguin Random House. "Told with Jalen's signature wisdom and gorgeous art by Nneka Myers, Better than a Touchdown carries a message we can all learn from: that by working together, there's nothing we can't accomplish." Hurts joins Eagles legends Brian Westbrook ("The Mouse Who Played Football") and Brandon Graham ("BG's ABCs: Tackling Football and Life") to publish children's books.

What is the Texans' biggest reason for optimism in 2025?
What is the Texans' biggest reason for optimism in 2025?

USA Today

time20 minutes ago

  • USA Today

What is the Texans' biggest reason for optimism in 2025?

Entering Year 3 of the DeMeco Ryans' era, the Houston Texans are poised for a season to remember. Quarterback C.J. Stroud should feel more comfortable in Nick Caley's offense, while Pro Bowl wide receiver Nico Collins is in line for his first All-Pro campaign. But what's the biggest reason for optimism? What's the top sign to think the Texans are set for a surge this fall as a legit threat in the AFC and not just a divisional favorite? Pro Football Focus' Dalton Wasserman recently examined every NFL team's biggest reason for optimism heading into the 2025 season. For Texans, it remains Ryans' defense, but more importantly, the impactful names at premier positions. Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. is set up for a breakout season. Cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. is coming off an All-Pro year. Meanwhile, names like defensive end Danielle Hunter, cornerback Kamari Lassiter and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair are all prominent names who could be top-half at their respective positions. "Led by superstar cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and the dynamic pass-rush duo of Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., the Texans' pass defense is one of the best units in the NFL," Wasserman wrote. "The unit also added safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in a trade with Philadelphia after he posted a career-best 85.7 PFF coverage grade for the Super Bowl champions last season. Opponents are going to have a difficult time succeeding against Houston in obvious passing situations." Houston's secondary might eventually become the league's most feared unit with the arrival of Gardner-Johnson. In his two seasons with the Eagles, the do-it-all defensive back ranked top five in interceptions and top 10 in pass deflections. He was also a no-nonsense tackler, often catching himself on the highlight reel for his massive hits. While Gardner-Johnson is the newcomer, Houston's returning talent could be what sets itself over the top. Jalen Pitre, who inked a three-year extension this offseason, looked more comfortable in the nickel position last year and regained his confidence. While there were several mishaps during his rookie season, Calen Bullock improved as a tackler and finished with five interceptions as the running mate for Eric Murray. Since arriving in 2023, the Texans' identity under Ryans has been defense-first. After two promising seasons that ended with 10 wins and a division title, Houston has put the pieces in place to make a splash as a legit threat to compete with Kansas City should the offensive line hold.

Lionel Messi's 50 Inter Miami goals: How the legend has scored for his MLS side
Lionel Messi's 50 Inter Miami goals: How the legend has scored for his MLS side

New York Times

time24 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Lionel Messi's 50 Inter Miami goals: How the legend has scored for his MLS side

Lionel Messi made history against Porto, bagging a direct free kick that gave an MLS club its first competitive win against an opponent from UEFA. Once again, his exploits had given Inter Miami an otherwise unattainable edge, putting the Floridian side in fine shape to advance from Group A at the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. Advertisement The goal was also his 50th since joining Miami in the fabled summer of 2023. To some, it took him far longer to notch a half-century of strikes. MLS's standard of defending is notoriously leaky, and even as age gradually dulls his athletic traits like feinting changes of direction or mazy dribbles to carve up an opposing defense, his technical acumen remains unparalleled. There's a few reasons why we're talking about this milestone after 23 months rather than in a single year, as he managed in 2011-12 when he scored 50 goals in La Liga and 78 in all competitions. That aforementioned aging curve has seen Messi rotated out with regularity as Miami keeps him sharp for its biggest games. Inevitably, even those dates will be overshadowed by his ageless contributions to Argentina's successful qualification for the 2026 World Cup, where he looks poised to join his teammates in defending their global title. FIFA is likely thrilled he hit a nice round number to give its nascent tournament a highlight-reel moment. Before Miami concludes its group stage against Palmeiras on the eve of Messi's 38th birthday, let's look back on how an icon of the game reached his first half-century of stateside strikes. In truth, the parallels between Messi's matchwinner against Porto and his first goal after signing with Miami are staggering. Neither came in MLS, or the competitions that have long been incorporated into its annual churn (the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and the Concacaf Champions League, since rebranded as Champions Cup). After a month of prelude from when Messi shocked the world by picking Miami over a potentially more lucrative sojourn in Saudi Arabia, he was finally ready to debut in another newly launched competition: the Leagues Cup. For years, MLS and Liga MX have bandied for supremacy in North America. Most often, the Concacaf Champions Cup served as the sole viable weighing scale, with whichever league produced that year's champion earning more evidence in favor. It wasn't close. Since entering its modern era in 2008-09, the Champions Cup has been dominated by teams from Mexico, as 16 of 17 installments have been claimed by Liga MX's clubs, with the league also providing the runner-up on 10 occasions. While most of the past half-decade has seen an MLS team take home silver in the CCC, it's hardly viable grounds to argue your league is better. Advertisement And so, the Leagues Cup was launched to be played in July and August across MLS stadia. With Liga MX teams in offseason and MLS teams having already played roughly 20 of its 34 games, it was supposed to be a chance to pit every team from both leagues in a group-and-knockout tournament. Then Messi arrived. And it was impossible to focus on anything else in the competition. You likely saw his first involvement. After entering from the bench against Cruz Azul, Miami was awarded a free kick 26.5 yards from goal, near the center of the box: prime Messi territory. The placement was perfect, and the reaction was worthy: fans in Fort Lauderdale couldn't believe their luck. Despite having only played for 36 minutes, he had already decided a match on his own. In 564 minutes across seven matches, Messi turned what was supposed to be a competition between MLS and Liga MX into his grand introductory tour. Among his 10 goals was a placed far-post finish against the Philadelphia Union that traveled 40-yards — the proverbial 0.01 xG goal from a player notorious for thwarting the model — and a total of three matchwinners. He bagged his 10th in the final against Nashville SC, then among MLS's best organized defenses, slaloming around World Cup veteran Walker Zimmerman and placing a shot on his stride with his demigod-like foot strength. If there's a cautionary tale for FIFA here, it's that Messi christening your tournament with a wonder goal isn't enough to establish a foundation. The 2024 installment wasn't nearly as buzzy, and MLS and Liga MX went ahead to condense and reformat the competition ahead of this summer. After barnstorming through the Leagues Cup, some wondered if Messi's arrival would be enough to lift Miami — which was toiling near the bottom of the standings, leading to Phil Neville's sacking before Messi signed — into a playoff position. Ultimately, the lack of an offseason after leaving Paris Saint-Germain caught up with him. Messi played just six games for a total of 372 minutes, scoring once as he alternated between the lineup and the injury report. Advertisement The team embarked on a preseason tour in 2024, stopping in Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Tokyo. The results were sobering: defeat after defeat as Miami became a punchline as little more than a club for high-earning retirees. Far from the image it wanted to cast, Miami kicked off the 2024 MLS season with a mission — one that, like any heist on the silver screen, couldn't be pulled off without the right team. In truth, 'the right team' in MLS is tough to build. The league's strict code of roster rules force teams to make concessions, often in defense. While this opened Miami up to leak in goals with regularity, it also pitted Messi — who had been joined by Luis Suárez over the winter — against some truly overwhelmed opposite numbers. Before the Copa América, Messi was contributing at a record pace. He tallied 25 combined goals and assists through 18 matches, narrowly behind the pace of Carlos Vela (28 in 18) when the Mexico great set an MLS record with 49 goal contributions in 2019. The injury that took him out of the Copa América final brought Messi back to earth a bit, and he finished the season with 'only' 38 goal contributions in 22 games. Undoubtedly, he would have continued to threaten Vela's record had he stayed healthy. Instead, Messi settled for the league's MVP award at year's end despite playing just 1,756 minutes, barely over half of the 3,060 available in a 34-game season. It doesn't hurt that Miami topped the regular season table, winning its first Supporters' Shield by setting an MLS record with 74 points. Unfortunately for Messi, Miami fell victim to a spirited Atlanta United side in the playoffs. Since 2023, MLS has adopted a best-of-three format for its first round, an unusual calibration in this sport that gives underdogs plenty of time and opportunity to change their game plan to thwart one heavyweight opponent in back-to-back-to-back contests. Miami wasn't the only pre-playoff favorite to make an early exit, joined by defending MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew and Real Salt Lake, the third seed in the West. As time continues to advance at its customary rate, Messi's once-and-current teammates (Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba) have all seen their impacts at an MLS level fall off rapidly. While Messi, too, isn't quite as dominant as he used to be, he's still a class above — and, in a boost to Miami as well as opposing teams who host his starry roadshow, he's been healthier more often than usual since signing two years ago. The team's balance is undoubtedly off, and the touchline change from Tata Martino to Javier Mascherano has left the team without a grizzled veteran of the managerial ranks. As a result, Miami has never looked more fallible. After only losing by multiple goals once in his first 20 months with Miami, the club suffered a 4-1 blowout loss at Minnesota United with Messi playing a full 90, then lost 3-0 the following week at rival Orlando City. Advertisement Despite the drop in his team's form, as Miami is currently sixth in the East (third if using points per game) and 10th (fifth, by ppg) in the 30-team leaguewide standings, Messi is again a frontrunner for MVP honors. His 17 goal contributions in 1,115 minutes are tied for the most in MLS, alongside San Diego FC winger Anders Dreyer, a winter signing from RSC Anderlecht. Once the team resumes its regular season, Messi will again face an uphill battle to drag his team to a higher standing as the rest of the league has caught on to its tricks. No matter — the win over Porto will provide plenty of confidence. After all, Inter Miami has Lionel Messi, unlike any other club in the world at present. And throughout history and the modern moment alike, he's a one-of-one figure.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store