😌 Trevor Lawrence: Calm, Cool, Collected

Trevor Lawrence is a generational talent who simply isn’t out to prove anyone wrong. [View in browser]( [FOX SPORTS INSIDER WITH MARTIN ROGERS] In today’s FOX Sports Insider with Martin Rogers: Trevor Lawrence carries a calm, cool, collective mindset and isn’t going to panic under pressure ... we take a look at if Ronald Acuña Jr. can record 40 home runs and 40 steals in a season ... and we are treated to a portrait of Joel Embiid made up of Rubik’s Cubes. “I won’t panic.” That’s part of what Trevor Lawrence was really saying, in the interview that this week broke the National Football League universe into a pre-draft sweat. That when the turmoil comes – as an NFL quarterback some kind of turmoil always comes – he’s not going to freak out. That when it looks like it’s the time when a normal human being would get worried, or scared, or when things aren’t going according to plan (in the NFL, they never go exactly according to plan), he’s not going to fall into a pit of despondency and fractured self-confidence. That all of what comes next, all the pressure, the challenges, teaming up with coaching master Urban Meyer, trying to revitalize the fortunes of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is not going to crush or cower him. [STORY IMAGE 1] If we ever need a reminder of just how much football matters to those of us who passionately follow it, it can be found in the peculiar three-sided relationship between quarterbacks, the words they speak and the NFL public. Could it be that every sentence uttered from the mouth of an NFL QB is more closely analyzed, more fervently parsed and more psychologically scrutinized than the passes they throw and the decisions they make? It sometimes seems that way. Never more so than this week, when the all-but-locked-in Jaguars No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft gave an [in-depth interview to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Rosenberg](. “I don’t have this huge chip on my shoulder, that everyone’s out to get me and I’m trying to prove everybody wrong,” Lawrence said. “I just don’t have that. I can’t manufacture that. I don’t want to.” He added: “I think that’s unhealthy to a certain extent, just always thinking that you’ve got to prove somebody wrong, you’ve got to do more, you’ve got to be better.” [STORY IMAGE 2] There was more, but those were the comments that fluttered around in the gridiron wind and got stuck in a few craws. The least generous takeaways to come suggested such expressions didn’t show enough intensity, enough passion, enough caring, enough fanatical win-at-all-costs fire. On “First Things First,” [FS1’s Nick Wright, who is a big admirer of Lawrence, admitted that Jags fans were probably hoping for more of a pep rally speech](. “My commentary here is less about Trevor Lawrence and more about the idea we are talking about - can it be good to be unhealthy,” Wright said. “The most successful people typically are unhealthy, unbalanced and a little off. They aren’t super happy. They don’t have a great work life balance. They are maniacally focused on their craft, which is again not how I would want any of my kids to lead their life. But if I’m a Jags fan … I kind of do want my guy to be maniacally focused.” [STORY IMAGE 3] But such fan logic is flawed thinking and also a skewed narrative. A deeper look at the SI article - Rosenberg is an outstanding writer and told a broad, nuanced story – adds perspective. He interviewed Lawrence while the Clemson standout was relaxing by a Californian beach, as an evening sunset approached, spending some peaceful time with his soon-to-be wife (he and Marissa Mowry tied the knot last weekend) before the craziness of NFL life begins. It is unusual that in such moments his mind shouldn’t revert to the realization that there is more to life than football? Yet we must look at the balance, too, and the article also included numerous examples of just how much Lawrence wants to win and just how good he wants to become. He wants, according to his high school coach, to be the best that has ever played the most important position, and he wants it so bad and has wanted it for so long, that no one in his close circle even bothers talking about it. It’s just assumed. There’s your next level fanaticism, it just doesn’t come with a snarl. [STORY IMAGE 4] “I think to myself, ‘why would he have a chip on his shoulder?’” [Colin Cowherd said on “The Herd.”]( “Since he was 14, he’s been the best quarterback in the country. Nobody ever has doubted Trevor Lawrence. He doesn’t resent people because people have helped him.” What QBs say gives us a chance to get to know them a little better and offers a peek into the NFL window. But, just like the rest of us, quarterbacks don’t always feel the same way from one week to the next or say the same thing. We are not psychology experts and wow, how about this for a concept – It is worth considering that everyone is wired a little differently. The best approach is to enjoy the show and the circus around it, digest all the interviews and profiles and backstories that lead up to the draft. But keep them in their proper context. And take a leaf from Trevor Lawrence’s mentality playbook – don’t panic. [STORY IMAGE 5] Here’s what others have said ... Louis Riddick, Get Up: “I’ll be honest, it took me aback a little bit because look, I don’t know Trevor Lawrence. I’ve never talked to him, and quite honestly, I’ve never been around him. So all we know is what everyone else has told us about him being a can’t-miss prospect and his being one of the best prospects in the past 30 years, and he’s can’t-miss, and this is why Urban Meyer came out of retirement because he had a can’t-miss prospect here. Well, I just know this. I know two things about the NFL. There are quarterbacks that are just maniacal in terms of their preparation and their commitment to the game, and they do want to win at all costs. And winning at the NFL level is hard. Playing quarterback at the NFL level is hard. Steve Young used to say it all the time to me on ‘Monday Night Countdown’ – it’s about the details, it’s about the preparation, it’s about the commitment, and you better be committed on that level.” Adam Wells, Bleacher Report: “Being the most-hyped NFL draft prospect in years comes with immense pressure, but Trevor Lawrence said he's able to maintain a level-headed approach in everything that he does. … One common trait among athletes is they sometimes carry a chip on their shoulder over some slight from their past that drives them to be better in the future. … In terms of talent and performance, Lawrence has little reason to play with an edge. … Lawrence is the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The 21-year-old has been considered generational talent by scouts as he prepares to begin his professional career. … Even though that kind of hype comes with a lot of pressure, Lawrence certainly seems to have the mindset that will allow him to withstand any potential criticism that comes his way.” Stephen A., First Take: “I have very little concern. … part of the reason why is because of his resume. He’s completed 66.6% of his passes, he’s thrown 90 touchdowns and just 17 interceptions in three years. His record is 39-3. He’s a national champion. He’s been to the playoffs all three years. This dude has been electrifying, for the most part. There was a college football season last year in large part, because he stood up, because he raised his voice and talked about the importance of these games being played. So let’s not underestimate it at all. He might not be giving the media anything for bulletin board or headline material, but the reality is, he is passionate about a few things, and he has been passionate about it. He’s expressed himself in a way that lets us know he’s not some cyborg.” [IN OTHER WORDS] - Can Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuña Jr. become just the fifth player to record 40 home runs and 40 steals in a season? [FOX Sports MLB Writer Jake Mintz]( breaks it down. - Will Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. return as good as new? [FOX Sports Injury & Performance Analyst Dr. Matt Provencher]( shares what to expect with this kind of injury. - There will be stipulations, but NASCAR will soon allow sponsors and some family in the garage area. [FOX Sports NASCAR Writer Bob Pockrass]( has the story. [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED] [THE INTERNET IS UNDEFEATED]( Have you ever sat at your desk, wondering to yourself … hmm, what would Joel Embiid’s face look like if you were to make it out of Rubik’s Cubes? No, not so much…. Well, in case you ever wondered, here it is! Tik Tok user @thecubeabides posted the following video, which showcases an Embiid portrait made out of 768 Rubik’s Cubes. Figuring out a Rubik’s Cube is darn impressive. Building a portrait of the potential NBA MVP out of 768 of them… Well, that’s just on a whole ‘nother level! This is the type of content we love to feature in this section of the newsletter. [VIEWER'S GUIDE] Friday Night SmackDown (FOX, 8 p.m. ET) Find out what’s next for SmackDown Women’s Champion Bianca Belair. Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Lakers (Saturday, ESPN, 4:30 p.m. ET) Donovan Mitchell and the Utah Jazz battle Andre Drummond and the Los Angeles Lakers. Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics (Saturday, ABC, 8:30p.m. ET) Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors take on Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics. New Orleans Pelicans at New York Knicks (Sunday, ESPN, 1 p.m. ET) Zion Williamson and the New Orleans Pelicans battle Julius Randle and the New York Knicks. Brooklyn Nets at Miami Heat (Sunday, ESPN, 3:30 p.m. ET) Kyrie Irving and the Brooklyn Nets take on Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat. [BET OF THE DAY] [BET OF THE DAY] Odds provided by [FOX Bet]( Team To Draft Patrick Surtain Dallas Cowboys: +140 Denver Broncos: +300 Philadelphia Eagles: +375 When it comes to lockdown corners, there is one guy in this draft who fits the bill … Patrick Surtain. The former Alabama standout has elite size, length and talent to match up with NFL receivers at the next level. This probably comes down to the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos for Surtain’s services. The Broncos currently own the No. 9 pick, and if they pass on him, it would be hard to see Jerry Jones and co. letting him get by the Cowboys at the No. 10 pick. FOX Bet has the Cowboys listed as the favorites to draft Surtain at +140, followed by the Broncos at +300 and the Eagles at +375. 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