Month: September 2024

3 reasons why Prescott signing before Week 1 make sense for Cowboys QB

Pretending emotions aren’t in play here would be silly. There are plenty of reasons for Prescott to accept an offer before the season starts. | From @KDDrummondNFL

Seven days and counting. The Dallas Cowboys will hit the field to begin their 2024 campaign in just a week’s time, and time is running out on their window to extend quarterback Dak Prescott. The MVP runner up from 2023 has imposed a soft deadline for the organization to put their money where their mouth is and make him the highest-paid player in the league.

If the two sides can’t agree, Prescott has said that he isn’t interested in negotiating when actual games are happening, so he will end up hitting free agency. We covered three reasons why Prescott may not want to re-up just yet. The Cowboys’ drought, anticipation of a bidding war and uncertainty with the coaching staff are all great reasons for Prescott to wait until next offseason to want to sign.

But there are certainly reasons why he’d want to get the deal done now before they take on the Cleveland Browns.

Prescott is immensely integrated with the city of Dallas. His foundation, Faith, Fight, Finish, as well as other philanthropic efforts are based in the area. Prescott has recently expanded his family unit and while families relocate across the country all of the time, most prefer to stay where they set their roots. Also, the perks if he can win in Dallas are unfathomable. He’d be a king in the state for ending the drought of 30 years and there simply isn’t a better way to forge lifelong opportunities than being an NFL champion from Dallas.

Also on the table, he’s the big dog at said table. The Cowboys have been approaching Prescott with unacceptable contract offers for half a decade now, and he’s never caved. In fact, most would say that after being franchise tagged when they didn’t give him an acceptable offer through three and four career seasons, he’s owned owner Jerry Jones in negotiations. A no-trade clause is one thing, but forcing the second tag before signing (meaning any future tag would be the third at 140% prior salary) AND getting a no-tag clause for this negotiation was a masterpiece. He’s given no quarter to the man who believes he’s the best in the business at GMing.

Finally, Prescott’s rapport with teammates is certainly a thought to consider. Prescott is the true leader of the team and when a player is beloved in the locker room (not always synonymous with leadership) like he is, there’s an emotional tie. The quest to finish what was started in 2016, to complete the mission, is something that is certainly weighing into Prescott’s thought process as he surveys the landscape across the league.

It’s not just Prescott who is going to be asked questions in every city they travel to for 2024; his teammates are going to grow tired of it as well.

Also, he’s no dummy. He’s rather wise, and the grass is not always greener on the other side. And while it’s unlikely he could price himself out of Dallas, getting things done now to remove any distractions throughout the season seems a smart move.

Kirby Smart addresses Georgia’s injury situation after Clemson game

Kirby Smart updates the statuses of multiple All-SEC Georgia football players that exited the Clemson game due to injuries.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart addressed the Bulldogs’ injury situation after the Clemson game.

Georgia All-SEC linebacker Mykel Williams left the game with an what appeared to be ankle injury. “Was an ankle,” said Smart. “And Mykel’s X-rays, they looked good, but I’ve seen that before, so we’ve got to go check it when we get home and see.”

Williams would be a significant loss for Georgia if he is forced to miss any time. He is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft and is arguably Georgia’s top pass rusher.

Georgia defensive lineman Warren Brinson entered the game with an Achilles issue. Brinson left the game early in the first half with a leg injury and did not return.

“Warren’s (Brinson) was more of a contusion of some kind. I don’t want to say high ankle, but it was above the ankle,” noted Smart. “It was more calf, in there where he got stepped on he felt like.”

Georgia was without No. 1 running back Trevor Etienne (suspension following driving under the influence arrest) and No. 2 running back Roderick Robinson (toe surgery). “You know we don’t talk about those things,” said Smart regarding the potential of Trevor Etienne being suspended for the Tennessee Tech game next week. Robinson was not putting any weight on his injured leg and is expected to miss more time. Georgia freshman running back Nate Frazier stepped up big time for the Bulldogs.

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Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell exited the game and did not return. His absence allowed London Humphreys to play more snaps. “Dillon (Bell) had gone down with some cramping,” said Smart. Bell should be available for Georgia’s game next week.

Caleb Williams reveals he keeps his Heisman Trophy between some Legos

This is actually awesome.

Caleb Williams isn’t keeping his 2022 Heisman Trophy in a big room with all of his football accomplishments or in a display case.

Or, maybe it’s in there with other stuff he’s proud of, like his Lego builds.

That’s what might be the case after the Chicago Bears rookie quarterback posted a series of photos on Instagram that was captioned, “The secret to having it all, is realizing you already do.”

A lovely sentiment, and in the photos was a snap of the Heisman between two Lego sets. You have to love that! Keeping it simple.

Here’s the post and the photos of the Heisman:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_VzxFKR-5z/?hl=en&img_index=6

https://twitter.com/BrendanSugrue/status/1829925651547037723

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Broncos’ UDFA success continues on 2024 roster

“The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” GM George Paton said.

The Denver Broncos have had unprecedented success with undrafted free agents making their 53-man roster. Two undrafted free agents made the roster this year, offensive lineman Frank Crum and running back Blake Watson. Linebacker Levelle Bailey also made the initial active roster and is now returning on the practice squad.

When it was announced that these two players made the 53-man squad, it marked the 20th time in 21 years that at least one undrafted free agent made the roster.

In a Zoom call last week, Broncos general manager George Paton credited the team’s scouting. “The scouts play a huge role in advocating for these players after the draft and fighting for these players,” said Paton.

Paton had this to say about Crum, who was a University of Wyoming product: “Crum, you don’t get many 6-7 guys or whatever he is that can bend like he does and has the power he does. He’s still raw. You see him in pass-pro. I know he got beat a couple of times, but for a kid who played at Wyoming and a first-year rookie in the NFL to do some of the things he did in practice and versus Green Bay. He played well in Indy obviously. I thought he played well most of the game. He had a few breakdowns, but really talented. I really love the upside of Crum.”

Watson had a memorable impression on coaches at his Top 30 visit. “Watson, we got to know him on the Top-30,” Paton said. “That’s why those Top-30s are really important. You get to know the player and he gets to see what you’re all about. He gets to see Denver and our facilities. It makes it easier when you’re trying to get him as a college free agent.”

Last year, four UDFAs made the Broncos’ 53-man roster, including running back Jaleel McLaughlin. Watson and Crum will aim to continue the success of the team’s past UDFAs this fall.

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Oregon Ducks’ expectations in 2024 mean winning ugly isn’t good enough

The Ducks expect to compete for a national championship in 2024. They know eeking by Idaho is nowhere near good enough.

On paper, the Oregon Ducks got the job done.

They put up 487 yards of offense. They tallied 31 first downs. Their Heisman-contending quarterback completed 83% of his 49 passes and threw for 380 yards. The defense tallied four sacks, seven tackles for loss, and bolstered a 2-for-12 third-down rate against the Idaho Vandals.

Those numbers look championship-worthy.

But the Ducks looked anything but.

You’d be hard-pressed to find an Oregon fan walking out of Autzen Stadium on Saturday evening feeling good about what they just saw in the Ducks’ 24-14 win over the Idaho Vandals, an FCS school punching far above its weight class.

Those fans would likely complain about the offensive line giving up three sacks — more than half of the total from 2023’s entire season — and a lackluster rushing attack that averaged 2.9 yards per carry. Whatever the issue was, it was valid, and it all boils down to the same underlying fact about the Ducks’ performance in Week 1.

It was nowhere near good enough.

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Not for a team with legitimate national championship aspirations. Not for a team ranked No. 3 in the national preseason polls for just the fourth time in school history. Not for a team that spends as much money as any team in the nation, recruits as well as any team in the nation, and views itself as highly as any team in the nation. I know it, and you know it.

Dan Lanning knows it as well.

“Different than what we thought it might look like,” the 38-year-old head coach said bluntly after the game. “A lot of learning moments for us, excited to watch the film and get back to work, because there are certainly some things that we can clean up.”

That’s putting it lightly. I’m sure behind closed doors, Lanning is a bit more cut and dry with his players and staff about the product they put on the field Saturday. The penalties, the turnovers, and the 63% of offensive drives that ended without points on the board. None of it up to the “standard” that Oregon strives for.

Fortunately, this happened in Week 1, and the Ducks have the benefit of time on their side. Six days from now, Ashton Jeanty and the Boise State Broncos will come into Autzen Stadium and give the Ducks an opportunity to bounce back.

Football fans have proven before that they have short memories, and Oregon should be aiming to put that on display. A vintage offensive showing against the Broncos is all that stands between the Ducks and a season back on the tracks.

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In the end, Lanning can, and likely will, use this wake-up call for good. The Ducks slept-walked through a game, underestimated their opponent, and nearly paid the price. After coming into this 2024 season with as high of expectations as they’ve ever had, being picked by a large portion of the public to win the national championship in January, Oregon almost fumbled out of the gates.

Concerning? Absolutely. But reality checks can be impactful when taken seriously.

I asked Dillon Gabriel after the game if he could take a step back and see the benefit in almost losing in Week 1 against an outmatched opponent.

I’m still not sure if he knows.

“I’d like to say yes and no. I want to give you a real answer, but no, but yes,” Gabriel said. “That’s kind of a mixed answer. No, you don’t ever want it to be like that and strenuous. But yes, you found a way to win and were put into certain situations: two-minute end of half, and four-minute end of game, where we could’ve definitely been better. You get all these situations within a game. Yes on that end, but no, you don’t want to be in those situations.”

In essence, you never want to put yourself in a position where you can lose a game, but if you’ve already done so, you might as well learn from the experience?

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I think that’s the best way of toeing the line, and I appreciate the candidness.

I also appreciate the fact that Oregon will learn from this, and get better going forward. I don’t leave Saturday’s game with any doubt that they can be the best team in the nation; that Dillon Gabriel can win the Heisman Trophy; that the Oregon Ducks can win the national championship in 2024.

All of that’s still possible, but a lot of things will need to change in order for it to be attainable. Because what we saw on Saturday afternoon was nowhere near good enough.

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Photos from UCLA’s close Week 1 win over Hawaii

Through the lens!

The UCLA Bruins almost suffered a horrible loss on the road in Week 1. However, they snuck out a 16-13 win over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors as DeShaun Foster earned his first victory as the head coach,

It was not a pretty sight for UCLA for the majority of the game, and it seemed as if they were going to lose after trailing for some of it.

Yet, they got the win, as ugly as it was, and are 1-0 on the year with a Week 2 bye coming up.

Here are some of the best photos from UCLA’s win over Hawaii on Saturday.

Week 1 Washington college football round-up

How did the major college football programs in the Evergreen State fare in the first weekend of action?

Here at Seahawks Wire, we are starting a new on-going series for this season. Each week, we will take a look at how all the major college football programs in our lovely Evergreen State fared. So far in Week 1, it’s all wins for Washington, as all teams who played ended the weekend with a 1-0 record.

Note, Central Washington University did not play this weekend, so there is nothing to report. But we will include our friends in Ellensburg as well!

Eastern Washington University: Eagles defeat Monmouth 42-27

  • It was a battle of birds of prey last Thursday on the iconic Infero of Roos Field. The Eagles swooped down and snatched any chance of victory away from the Hawks. Quarterback Kekoa Visperas was nearly perfect, completing 25-of-28 passes for 275 yards and five touchdown passes. Three of those scores came from Efton Chism III, who hauled in 12 receptions for 175 yards through the air.
  • Next Up: Eastern will remain in the friendly confines of Cheney to host the Drake Bulldogs.

Washington State Univeristy: Cougs obliterate Portland State 70-30

  • Washington State wasted little time getting their offense going after the Portland State scored an opening drive touchdown. After taking their 7-0 lead, the Vikings were quickly left in the dust behind the Cougs’ explosive offense. Starter John Mateer threw for 352 yards and five touchdowns in the start of head coach Jake Dickert’s third season as head coach.
  • Next Up: WAZZU will stay in the Palouse to host the Texas Tech Red Raiders, who narrowly surived in overtime to win 52-51 against Abilene Christian.

University of Washington: Huskies handle business 35-3 vs. Weber St.

  • In their first action since their embarrassing 34-13 defeat in the National Championship, Washington took care of business and defeated the Wildcats convincingly. Will Rogers, in his first action as a Husky, played fine, completing 20-of-26 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown. The offensive standout was running back Jonah Coleman who had 16 carries for 127 yards and three touchdowns.
  • Next Up: A third straight Washington-based team who gets to enjoy Week 2 at home. The Huskies will host Eastern Michigan, who is fresh off a 28-14 win over the UMass Minutemen.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Seahawks officially set their 53-man roster

Updated Seahawks win/loss record by uniform headed into 2024

Remembering Geno Smith’s iconic line vs. the Broncos

Kenneth Walker III in store for a big game against Denver 

St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Sunday’s St. Louis Cardinals at New York Yankees odds and lines, with MLB expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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The St. Louis Cardinals (68-68) and New York Yankees (79-57) close out their weekend series in the Bronx with a Sunday matinee. The first pitch at Yankee Stadium is slated for 1:35 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cardinals vs. Yankees odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Tied 1-1

The Cardinals bounced back with a 6-5 Saturday win after losing Friday’s series opener 6-3. On Saturday, St. Louis went 4-of-6 with runners in scoring position; for the series the Redbirds are 7-for-12.

The Yankees have lost 3 of their last 4 games. They have not been impressive at home. New York is just 13-16 over its last 29 games at Yankee Stadium.

Cardinals at Yankees projected starters

RHP Miles Mikolas vs. LHP Nestor Cortes

Mikolas (8-10, 5.23 ERA) is lined up for his 28th start. He has a 1.26 WHIP, 1.4 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 149 2/3 IP.

  • Last outing: No-decision, 5 2/3 IP, 4 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 3 K in 7-5 loss vs. San Diego Padres Tuesday
  • Career vs. Yankees: 1-0, 2.45 ERA (7 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K in 1 game
  • Making this start on 4 days’ rest and has struggled with that interval in 2024 (5.15 ERA in 9 starts)

Cortes (8-10, 3.89 ERA) is making his 28th start. He has a 1.14 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9 and 8.3 K/9 in 155 IP.

  • Last outing: Win, 6 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 5 K in 5-2 win at Washington Nationals Monday
  • Career vs. Cardinals: 0-0, 3.38 ERA (5 1/3 IP, 2 ER), 1 H, 4 BB, 4 K in 1 game
  • Has allowed just 1 run over his last 20 2/23 IP; that surge comes on the heels of posting a 9.26 ERA from July 11-Aug. 8

Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks. Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.

Cardinals at Yankees odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:12 a.m. ET.

  • Moneyline: Cardinals +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Yankees -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
  • Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Cardinals +1.5 (-115) | Yankees -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under (O/U): 9 (O: -105 | U: -115)

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Cardinals at Yankees picks and predictions

Prediction

Yankees 6, Cardinals 5

Moneyline

The analytics make for some lean away from the season ERAs, toward Mikolas and away from Cortes. Given the odds on the table, PASS on the ML. Better value can be found in taking the Cards plus a cushion.

Run line/Against the spread

Cortes has benefited from a .176 batting average on balls in play over his last 3 starts. Mikolas has been undone by a .337 BABIP with runners in scoring position.

St. Louis has played a higher-than-league-average number of 1-run games and is 25-18 in those. With New York’s issues at home and with the Redbirds having a bullpen advantage, there is decent value in projecting a game flow that gets St. Louis within 1 or in the lead when this game plays out.

TAKE ST. LOUIS +1.5 (-115).

Over/Under

The weather forecast for the day game at Yankee Stadium includes an outward-blowing breeze. Cortes is a fly-ball pitcher who does fare well at home, but also figures to be recent-bias overrated without merit.

St. Louis does not hit lefties well (.656 OPS), but that’s alongside some shaky BABIP luck. The Cards’ contribution to this total is likely being overlooked.

New York’s troubles at home have largely been pitching-related, not hitting. Add in a couple or 3 bullpen arms being 2 days’ seen; advantage batters.

BACK THE OVER 9 (-105).

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WVU coach Neal Brown after loss to Penn State: ‘Our best players just didn’t play very well’

Here is what West Virginia head coach Neal Brown said about his team after losing to Penn State.

After winning more games than most people thought they would in 2023, West Virginia was as excited as ever to open up the 2024 season hosting Penn State, a top-10 team in the preseason polls making their first visit to Morgantown since 1992. The crowd was energetic and ready from the start, but Penn State managed to prevail with a big second-quarter outburst and controlled the game following an extended weather delay at halftime. After the game, West Virginia head coach Neal Brown did not shy away from saying his players did not play well in a 34-12 loss to Penn State.

“I’ll credit Penn State. (They’re a) good team. James (Franklin) does a really good job there,” Brown said in his postgame press conference. “He’s done it for a long time, but we played bad football. I can sit here and talk for a long time but that’s the deal.”

Franklin said in his postgame comments that his team excelled in some of the key areas they try to win every week. From the opposing locker room, Brown seemed to agree with that premise.

“You have three phases. You have offense, you have defense and you have special teams. Special teams is the only phase of the game today that we gave ourselves the chance to win,” Brown said. “So to say I am disappointed in how we played would be an understatement. We played really poorly, and it was on a big stage. We are very aware of that, and we played poorly.”

Brown take accountability as the head coach, saying the blame starts with him, as well as putting some of the responsibility on his staff for not having his players prepared to the level needed to overcome the Nittany Lions.

“It starts with me. I am the head coach, and I am responsible for it. Then our staff, we didn’t put our players in positions in some key times, especially in the first half I thought.”

Then Brown put the spotlight on some of his key players without mentioning any specific names.

“Our best players just didn’t play very well. Outside of, I would say, (redshirt freshman linebacker) Josiah Trotter. Just watching the game and having a chance to watch it during halftime, I thought he played at a high level. (Redshirt senior safety) Anthony Wilson is much improved. Then after that, I don’t think any of our players played at a level that is gonna be required to beat a team like that.”

Brown was complimentary of a couple of Penn State’s top defensive players, specifically Abdul Carter, before directing the reasons for the loss back on his team.

“Listen, they have two defensive ends that aren’t good players, they are great players. Especially rushing the passers. Number 11 (Abdul Carter) is a great pass rusher,” Brown said. “But with that being said, we didn’t give ourselves a chance. They did not necessarily beat us, we did not give ourselves a chance.”

West Virginia will get a chance to regroup next week with a home game against a much less intimidating opponent, the University of Albany (an FCS school). But every Penn State fan is hoping the Mountaineers play much better after that as West Virginia travels to Pittsburgh to take on their Backyard Brawl rival, the Pitt Panthers.

Penn State will be home next week for the home opener in Beaver Stadium. The Nittany Lions will host Bowling Green form the MAC for a noon Eastern kickoff on Big Ten Network.

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes praises college football quarterback’s highlight play

Kansas City #Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes praises #Nebraska QB Dylan Raiola’s highlight play | @EdEastonJr

The defending Super Bowl MVP, Patrick Mahomes, is only a few days away from leading the Kansas City Chiefs back into battle to kick off the new season.

Mahomes was tuned into week one of the college football season and noticed a big play from a player who modeled his game after him. Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola’s touchdown pass against UTEP caught plenty of attention on social media as the Chiefs star reposted on his X account on Saturday with the affectionate ‘Lil cuzzo!!’ nickname.

https://twitter.com/patrickmahomes/status/1829987580042985512?s=46&t=QpctjHHttQhTm1N8jEj6Zw

Raiola went viral in July for showing up to Cornhuskers’ camp looking like his idol, Mahomes. Every detail, down to the sunglasses and facial hair, and everyone was surprised by his commitment to the look. Former Chiefs star Tyreek Hill even responded to the post via his X account, with Mahomes labeling the young quarterback his ‘lil cuzzo.’

https://twitter.com/cheetah/status/1818703526672875651

Nebraska’s season is underway, and the young quarterback hopes to achieve the same level of success as his Super Bowl-winning idol. The freshman threw for over 200 yards and two touchdown passes in the Cornhuskers’ rout of the Miners.