Month: September 2020

Giants’ Joe Judge laments releasing players

New York Giants head coach Joe Judge has never had to release a player prior to this season and he’s not loving it.

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New York Giants head coach Joe Judge has never had to release a player before this season, but now he’s done it several times. It’s an unfortunate part of the business in the NFL and not a side of the job he particularly enjoys.

“That’s the unfortunate part of the business and that’s the reality for every coach and player in the NFL. It’s a not an easy thing to do. No one likes to sit there and tell a player that they are going have to move on from them on the roster at that point in time,” Judge told reporters on Monday. “It’s not a fun part of the job, it’s not something you enjoy. You try to give the player as much information as they can use going forward. Something they can improve on in their own game, something you felt was a strength of theirs that they can really make sure they keep strong and highlight going forward.

“As well, you remind the player it’s important to stay in shape, they have been in our system. We have familiarity with them. There is going to be a lot of movement in the early part of the year as well as throughout the year with both the 53 roster and the practice squad itself. You try to encourage the player on what they can do to improve themselves professionally as well as stay in shape and stay ready. Because when those phone calls happen, they happen fast.”

That’s precisely the advice Judge gave rookie running back Javon Leake upon his release last week — perhaps the most difficult roster decision the first-time head coach has made to date.

“With the way the rosters move throughout the year, every player we have here through camp, we express to them that however the roster moves, we’ll have all of them on a list as far as possibly being brought back for roster or practice squad spots when available,” Judge said at the time of Leake’s release. “He’s a guy that came in and worked his tail off for us. He made a lot of progress and I enjoyed coaching him.”

Things will get no easier for Judge when it comes to releasing players as NFL rosters must be trimmed to 53 men by 4:00 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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How the 2020-21 PGA Tour schedule is shaping up

The 2020-21 PGA Tour schedule is shaping up but there are some changes due to the coronavirus: Notably a Masters and U.S. Open in the fall.

Thankfully it’s almost time to turn the page on the 2019-20 season.

After a 13-week hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic and some of the season’s top events being played without fans in attendance, it’s with great pleasure we take a look at the fall portion of the 2020-21 schedule.

Less than one week after the Tour Championship at East Lake wraps, the 2020-21 season kicks off with Safeway Open at Silverado Resort and Spa North in Napa, California, Sept. 10-13.

Notable changes to the 2020-21 schedule include last season’s Masters Tournament (Nov. 12-15) and U.S. Open (Sept. 17-20) being moved to the new season’s schedule and the removal of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier after 10 years. With the Masters and the U.S. Open officially a part of the 2020-21 season, there will be six majors during that campaign.

The Zozo Championship has also moved from Japan to California to become part of a three-event West Coast swing.

Below are the latest list of events, locations and information if the event has changed dates. This schedule reflects tournaments original dates, canceled and postponed events and will be updated to display new dates and additional events if necessary.

Date Event Course Location Notes
Sept. 10-13 Safeway Open Silverado Resort and Spa North Napa, California —
Sept. 17-20 U.S. Open Winged Foot Mamaroneck, New York Originally June 18-21
Sept. 24-27 Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship Corales Golf Club Punta Cana, Dominican Republic —
Sept. 25-27 Ryder Cup Whistling Straits Kohler, Wisconsin Postponed to 2021
Oct. 1-4 Sanderson Farms Championship Country Club of Jackson Jackson, Mississippi —
Oct. 8-11 Shriners Hospitals for Children Open TPC Summerlin Las Vegas —
Oct. 15-18 The CJ Cup at Shadow Creek Shadow Creek Las Vegas Moved from Korea
Oct. 22-25 Zozo Championship Sherwood Country Club Thousand Oaks, California Moved from Japan
Oct. 29-Nov.1 WGC-HSBC Champions Sheshan International Golf Club Shanghai, China —
Oct. 29-Nov.1 Bermuda Championship Port Royal GC Southampton, Bermuda —
Nov. 5-8 Houston Open Memorial Park Houston —
Nov. 12-15 Masters Tournament Augusta National Augusta, Georgia Originally April 12-15
Nov. 19-22 The RSM Classic Sea Island Resort (Seaside and Plantation) Sea Island, Georgia —
Nov. 23-29 Open date (Thanksgiving) — — —
Dec. 3-6 Mayakoba Golf Classic El Camaleón Golf Club Playa del Carmen, Mexico —
Dec. 3-6 Hero World Challenge Albany New Providence, Bahamas —
Dec. 11-13 QBC Shootout Tiburón Golf Club Naples, Florida —
Dec. 14-120 PNC Father-Son Challenge The Ritz-Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes Orlando, Florida —

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Report: Jets LB Avery Williamson agrees to restructured contract

Avery Williamson agreed to a restructured contract worth $3.5 million.

The Jets saved some money on Avery Williamson’s contract, and they did it without having to cut the linebacker.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Williamson agreed to a restructured deal worth $3.5 million with $1 million guaranteed. The contract can reach $5 million with incentives. Originally, Williamson’s 2020 base salary was worth $6.5 million.

The move saves the Jets $3.75 million in cap space. They had $31.5 million in cap space prior to the restructure.

Williamson just recently returned to practice and is primarily working with the second-team defense alongside James Burgess. He’ll see a few snaps here and there with the first-team defense, but the Jets seem to like the pairing of him and Burgess.

The 28-year-old linebacker is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered last preseason. Entering training camp, the expectation was that Williamson was going to be a cap casualty given the Jets’ depth at inside linebacker. However, when C.J. Mosley opted out due to COVID-19 concerns, it gave the Jets more of an incentive to keep Williamson.

Before the injury, Williamson was coming off the best season of his career in 2018. He recorded 116 total tackles, six pass breakups, three sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one interception in 16 games.

It remains to be seen what Williamson’s role will be with the Jets in 2020, but if he can produce even a fraction of those numbers, New York will gladly take that at a reduced cost.

Watch: Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater mic’d up at training camp

Watch: Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater mic’d up at training camp.

Teddy Bridgewater’s game may not be as flashy as the Panthers’ last starting quarterback. He has all the charisma required to lead an NFL team, though.

Today, the team shared a video on Twitter of Bridgewater mic’d up at 2020 training camp. It offers fans a better look into Teddy’s personality and how he gets along with coaches and teammates. Watch.

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How many wins is RB Dalvin Cook worth?

Heading into the last season of his rookie contract, we’re all trying to figure out just how valuable the Pro Bowl running back is.

With Vikings running back Dalvin Cook entering the last year of his rookie contract, we find ourselves asking just how valuable the former second-round pick is.

Per Cynthia Frelund of NFL.com, Cook is worth 1.3 wins during a season. That doesn’t seem like much, but that ranks fifth among offensive players who aren’t quarterbacks in the NFL.

Here’s what Frelund wrote about Cook:

Cook scored 10 touchdowns on rushes outside the tackles in 2019, which tied for the most in the NFL with Derrick Henry. When I track Cook with computer vision and look at rushes when one or more defender had a square-hipped touch (a proxy for when a tackle could have occurred) over the past two seasons, he averaged nearly an additional 0.75 yards per rush after being touched, which ranks eighth among backs in that span. The Vikings’ reliance on play-action passing means Cook’s importance receives a boost in terms of win share, and with some questions in the passing game due to the departure of proven wideout Stefon Diggs, Cook’s impact could be felt more than ever.

With nine days until the start of the 2020 season, it seems unlikely Cook will receive a contract extension before the season — especially after the Vikings traded for expensive defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

If Cook can replicate last season’s success, though, it will be almost impossible for the Vikings to let him go in free agency. Of course, that all depends on what Cook asks for.

 

UGA football player card: QB JT Daniels

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore quarterback JT Daniels comes to UGA after spending the first two seasons of his career at USC

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Quarterback JT Daniels (No. 18):

Class: Redshirt Sophomore

Height: 6-3

Weight: 210 pounds

Hometown: Irvine, California

High School: Mater Dei High School

Georgia Bulldogs redshirt sophomore quarterback JT Daniels comes to UGA after spending the first two seasons of his career at USC. Daniels transferred from the Trojans following an ACL injury he suffered during the 2019 season opener. Daniels is still rehabbing the injury and isn’t fully cleared to play as of late Aug. 2020.

Daniels has an opportunity this season in Athens with the departure of Buffalo Bills quarterback Jake Fromm. He will compete with Jamie Newman, Carson Beck, and more for the starting job. The NCAA granted him immediate illegibility on his transfer.

Georgia’s quarterback position has more depth this season than during the 2019 season. Georgia will have several options ready to step up if the starter suffers an injury. Wake Forest transfer Jamie Newman is projected to be the starter.

In three seasons at the prestigious Mater Dei High School, JT Daniels averaged more than 50 touchdown passes and 4,000 passing yards per season. Daniels was rated as the third ranked quarterback in his recruiting class behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields.

Daniels has solid experience from his days at USC. In 2018, Daniels threw for 14 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for the Trojans. At the very least he will provide the Georgia Bulldogs with a solid, experienced option as a back up. He’s got the talent to earn the starting role this season and beyond.

Nov 24, 2018; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback JT Daniels throws a pass against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

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Cardinals QB Kyler Murray projected to have nearly 5,000 combined yards in 2020

He is ranked No. 4 among quarterbacks in projected fantasy points in 2020.

It is the general belief that Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray will be very good in his second season in 2020. After all, he passed for more than 3,700 yards and rushed for more than 500 as a rookie, earning him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

How good can he be in Year 2?

His fantasy football projections are great. In fact, according to projections from The Huddle, his No. 4 among all quarterbacks in the NFL.

He is projected to have 400 fantasy points, passing for 4,400 yards and 25 touchdowns to go with only 10 interceptions. He is also projected to rush for 500 yards and score five times, giving him a combined 30 touchdowns on the season.

His 4,900 combined passing and rushing yards are the third-highest projected total, behind only Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott.

In terms of those passing totals and touchdowns, it would add his name to Cardinals records.

With his 3,722 passing yards in 2019, he had the seventh-highest single-season total for passing yards. 4,400 yards would be the fourth-highest total in franchise history.

He already holds the franchise record for the most rushing yards in a season by a quarterback. Only he and Charley Trippi are the only quarterbacks in team history to rush for at least 500 yards in a season, and Trippi did not only play quarterback.

25 touchdown passes in a season would rank seventh in teaam history.

These are very reasonable projections. He could do even better.

If you can, get Murray on your fantasy team. You won’t be disappointed.

Dominate your fantasy football league with TheHuddle.com. Custom rankings! Sleepers! New customers, take 20% this year’s subscription. Order now

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

Latest show:

Previous shows:

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and

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Cordarrelle Patterson ready to play wherever Bears need him

One of the Bears’ biggest playmakers Cordarrelle Patterson is about to get an increased workload on offense this season.

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One of the Chicago Bears’ biggest playmakers is about to get an increased workload on offense this season. Versatile weapon Cordarrelle Patterson has been getting looks at running back during training camp.

Patterson has found success as a kick returner and wide receiver, and he’s prepared to play wherever the Bears need him to contribute, including running back.

“I’m a full-time whatever-coach-needs-me-to-be,” Patterson said, via ChicagoBears.com. “Anytime I’m out there on the field, I’m a full-time whatever. I don’t limit myself on the football field. Whatever coach needs me to do, I’m going to do—safety, running back, right guard, left guard—it doesn’t matter. I just want to be out there on the football field helping my team win.”

With starter David Montgomery sidelined with a groin injury for the next 2-4 weeks, the Bears could certainly lean on Patterson to create the kind of explosive plays that he’s been known for. In fact, it wouldn’t be the first time he stepped in for an injured starter.

Patterson had success at running back in lieu of an injured Sony Michel, where he started two straight games for the New England Patriots in 2018. Patterson combined for 99 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown in two wins.

That’s the same kind of success that the running backs coach Charles London believes could have an impact at running back for the Bears.

“When we were evaluating him, we went back and watched all the touches he’s had at running back in his entire career,” London said. “You see an explosive player. You see a big player. You see a guy who can outrun guys. You see a guy that’s hard to tackle. I think a lot of the traits you see with him as a running back, you see with him on kickoff return as well.

“We’re pleased with where he’s at. A lot of it is new to him. He’s never been asked to do some of this stuff before. I know he’s excited about it, and he’s been doing a good job.”

But transitioning to a entirely new position is easier said than done. There’s definitely some . But London believes Patterson will make that transition.

“I think it’s going to work because he wants it to work,” London said. “He’s really excited about this. He knows how he can help the team in this spot. He’s worked hard in the offseason to learn the offense and to learn the intricacies of being a running back and what he has to do. He’s learning protections and doing everything the rest of the guys are doing. I just think as time goes on and he gets more and more comfortable, you’re going to see a more and more explosive player.”

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Former LSU star Leonard Fournette issues statement after being released

Fournette took to Twitter shortly after the Jacksonville Jaguars released him.

It was a rough Monday for former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft was released after just three seasons by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Fournette’s time in Jacksonville was marred by injuries and inconsistency on the field.

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Fournette started 13 games for the Jaguars as a rookie back in 2017, rushing for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns. He also finished with over 300 receiving yards and was a key player in Jacksonville’s run to the AFC championship game.

However, Fournette struggled in 2018 after a hamstring injury early in the season. He would go on to play in eight games, averaging just over three yards per attempt.

Fournette would bounce back on the field in 2019, rushing for over 1,100 yards but it was clear the team was ready to move in another direction.

Jacksonville declined Fournette’s fifth-year option earlier this year.

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After his release on Monday, Fournette released a statement thanking the fans and the Jacksonville organization.

Fournette was placed on waivers, and the other 31 teams have until Tuesday afternoon to claim him. If no one does, Fournette is free to sign with any team of his choosing.

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