Could Teddy Bridgewater be the Buccaneers quarterback in 2020?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be wise to pursue New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason.

[jwplayer 1vROLFUW-ThvAeFxT]

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Sunday looking to avenge their Week 5 loss, when New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater torched the Bucs secondary for 314 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-24 New Orleans win.

This week, however, Bridgewater will be watching from the sideline now that incumbent starter Drew Brees is back from a thumb injury.

While the Buccaneers won’t be facing Bridgewater in Week 11, they should keep an eye on him this offseason as a potential replacement for Jameis Winston, according to NFL.com analyst David Carr.

Carr, the 2002 number one overall pick by the Houston Texans and older brother of Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, listed five teams he feels don’t yet have their 2020 starting quarterback on the roster.

Not surprisingly, the Buccaneers were one of the five. Carr didn’t hold back in his criticism of quarterback Jameis Winston, and, when offering up a solution for the Bucs, turned his focus to Bridgewater.

Here’s part of Carr’s explanation:

“Winston is a turnover machine. He has thrown 17 TD passes yet he’s committed 18 turnovers (14 picks, four fumbles lost). This is not a recipe for success. It’s time that the Bucs realize Winston isn’t the future, and go hard after Teddy Bridgewater or Andy Dalton this offseason. There’s a chance the Saints won’t let Teddy, who went 5-0 as a starter this season, hit the market but if they let him walk and he doesn’t end up in Carolina (as I suggested earlier in this piece), he is an ideal fit for Bruce Arians and the Bucs’ offensive weapons.”

I think Bridgewater is the better choice than Dalton. Bridgewater is younger and more athletic, so more upside. Plus, Dalton has shown he’s not the answer in Cincinnati, so why would things be different in Tampa Bay?

Just because Bruce Arians worked his magic with one former Bengal in Carson Palmer, doesn’t mean lightning will strike twice.

[lawrence-related id=24914,24908,24897,24892]

Watch: Eric Reid on Colin Kaepernick’s workout: ‘It feels like a PR stunt’

Reid says this feels like a PR stunt rather than a legitimate opportunity.

Panthers safety Eric Reid is skeptical about the private workout that the NFL has invited all 32 teams to on Saturday for free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick. Reid says this feels like a PR stunt rather than a legitimate opportunity. Watch.

[lawrence-related id=614051]

[vertical-gallery id=613865]

John Ross is first of two names to return from IR for Bengals after clearance

The Bengals WR is on his way back from IR.

As expected, John Ross is cleared to return to Cincinnati Bengals practice and will fill one of the two slots allotted for players returning from injured reserve.

It’s an exciting development for Ross, who flashed plenty of big upside under a new coaching staff on his way to 328 yards and three touchdowns over four games.

Call it a big boon for rookie quarterback Ryan Finley too, as he’ll soon get a big-play weapon back on the field to provide offensive spacing as he tries to convince the front office he’s the long-term answer.

Perhaps more interesting is what this means for injured reserve. The final designated to return spot figures to go to either cornerback Darius Phillips or first-round tackle Jonah Williams.

As for Ross, he’s eligible to play December 8 at Cleveland.

[vertical-gallery id=24592]

D’Angelo Russell is on a hot streak entering showdown with Lakers

After being drafted by the Lakers in 2015, D’Angelo Russell will face the team that drafted him for the first time as a Warrior.

In 2015, The Los Angeles Lakers selected D’Angelo Russell with the second overall pick in the NBA Draft. Russell had a widely publicized up-and-down career with the club.

As a Laker, Russell averaged 14.3 points per game and four assists per game, shooting 40.8 percent from the floor and 35.1 percent from three.

Two years after being drafted, the Lakers traded Russell and Timofey Mozgov to the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Brook Lopez and the rights to Kyle Kuzma. Russell’s exit was fueled by former Laker president of basketball operations, Magic Johnson. Johnson said Russell wasn’t a “leader” after his Snapchat incident with Nick Young.

Now, in 2019, Russell is suiting up as one of the leaders of the Golden State Warriors against the team that drafted him for the first time.

Since leaving Los Angeles, Russell has faced the Lakers four times in his career, currently averaging 18.8 points per game against them.

Russell’s best night versus the Lakers came in December of 2018, where he scored 22 points and added 13 assists. Russell knocked down four triples in the game. He’ll look to add to those numbers as he’s currently on a hot streak. In the last four games, the young guard is averaging 36.2 points per game and seven assists over that span.

Earlier on Wednesday, it was reported that Anthony Davis would miss the contest. The superstar has been battling shoulder and rib soreness and was given the night off considering the Lakers will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

Without a doubt, Russell would like to score a win over his first time, especially as he suits up against them for the first time as a division rival.

Titans sign FB Khari Blasingame from Vikings practice squad

If you recall, Blasingame was competing with C.J. Ham to make the team through training camp and preseason.

Fullback Khari Blasingame is no longer a Minnesota Viking.

On Wednesday, the Tennessee Titans signed Blasingame to their 53-man roster form the Vikings practice squad.

If you recall, Blasingame was competing with C.J. Ham to make the team through training camp and preseason.

Blasingame orginally signed with the Vikings this offseason after going undrafted out of Vanderbilt.

The Vikings practice squad now sits at nine players. Wide receiver Davion Davis, who the Vikings released on Tuesday, is expected to be brought back.

Former Celtics forward Walter McCarty coaches Evansville to upset over top-ranked Kentucky

Former Boston Celtics forward and assistant coach Walter McCarty has early success with Evansville, defeating national powerhouse Kentucky.

[jwplayer 3HtLuIdB-z6KDnl0B]

The success being enjoyed by the current iteration of the Boston Celtics must be contagious.

Former Celtics forward and assistant coach Walter McCarty and the Evansville collegiate squad he left Boston to coach had their own Kevin Garnett-like moment last night as they took down the top-ranked University of Kentucky men’s basketball team 67-64.

For McCarty, it was doubly significant, as he happens to be an alumnus of the school his unranked Purple Aces defeated. Even more impressive, it happened on Kentucky’s home court at Rupp Arena.

25-point underdogs or no, McCarty motivated his hometown team, which he took the reins of after leaving the Celtic in 2018, to dig in and pull off the upset win.

You can listen to the local radio play-by-play announcers narrate Kentucky’s failed attempt to tie the game up in its final seconds below:

Opposing coach John Calipari reportedly admitted after the game he was out-coached by the former Celtics staffer, according ESPN’s Myron Medcalf. “Give credit to Walter. He had his team better prepared than I had my team. They deserved to win”, noted the Hall of Fame coach.

6-foot-6 Evansville guard Sam Cunliffe gushed over the win, saying (per the Evansville Courier-Press’ Chad Lindskog), “It’s amazing … Coming to a school like this, you talk about making history like this. You know, making history and playing in front of these bright lights.”

“We prepared the right way and had our minds in the right spots, so to actually do it is surreal,” he added. “I couldn’t have imagined this ever in my life.”

Cunliffe, a four-star recruit McCarty was instrumental in landing, joined guard K.J. Riley in leading the team with 17 and 18 points, respectively, with Cunliffe adding a half-dozen boards for good measure.

“They are a great team, the toughest team to play us,” McCarty offered after the win. “But I believe in my guys. I told them, ‘We’re gonna go in there and get them. We’re gonna surprise some people today.’ I told them, ‘This is a great day to be a Purple Ace. Let’s go do it.”

Somehow, despite the odds and hostile environment, they did.

It’s refreshing to see so many current and former Celtics finding success again after such a rough season for Boston’s fans.

Packers offensive line bounces back in major way vs. Panthers

The Packers struggled along the offensive line in Los Angeles. They bounced back against the Panthers on Sunday.

The Green Bay Packers’ disappointing performance against the Chargers in Los Angeles had roots in an uncharacteristically unfocused afternoon from the five starters along the offensive line.

That group bounced back in a major way on Sunday against the talented defensive front of the Carolina Panthers.

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was sacked just twice, including once for a short loss after an extended passing play, and he was rarely under pressure despite dropping back to pass 30 times in slippery conditions. The offensive line also dominated the line of scrimmage in the run game, opening gaping holes for running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams – who rushed 26 times for 156 yards and three scores.

According to Field Yates of ESPN, Rodgers was pressured on just four total dropbacks and running backs were provided 3.6 yards before contact per rush against the Panthers.

“I think offensively the line deserves a lot of credit,” Rodgers said Sunday. “They were obviously frustrated by their performance last week and you look at today, we had a coverage sack and then one of those phantom minus half-yard sacks when I ran around there too long. Overall, the protection was really good and they controlled the line of scrimmage.”

In Los Angeles, the Packers committed four pre-snap penalties and gave up three sacks, including two on early third downs in the first half. The offense never got going, and many along the offensive line took the blame for the struggles.

They also took it on themselves to bounce back against a Panthers team that led the NFL in sacks entering Week 10.

Mission accomplished.

David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga largely handled the Panthers’ edge rushers, while Elgton Jenkins, Corey Linsley and Billy Turner were highly effective moving people in the run game.

The Packers knew they had to bounce back from a poor performance, play better across the board and get to the bye week at 8-2. The offensive line led the way back on Sunday, protecting Rodgers against a terrific pass-rush and helping Jones and Williams out-rush Christian McCaffrey in an important win for Matt LaFleur’s team.

[lawrence-related id=34889,34738,34718]

Curtis Blaydes vs. Junior Dos Santos to headline UFC Raleigh event on Jan. 25

A matchup between heavyweight contenders Curtis Blaydes and Junior Dos Santos will headline the UFC’s return to North Carolina.

A matchup between heavyweight contenders [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] and [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] will headline the UFC’s return to North Carolina after two years.

Blaydes (12-2 MMA, 7-2 UFC) will meet Dos Santos (21-6 MMA, 15-5 UFC) in the five-round main event of the UFC’s recently announced Jan. 25 card at PNC Arena in Raleigh, which is expected to stream on ESPN+.

MMA Junkie verified verbal agreements are in place for the matchup with a person close to the situation following an initial report from ESPN.

Blaydes, No. 6 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA heavyweight rankings, has just one lost in his past nine octagon appearances, which came against Francis Ngannou. He’s been calling for big-name fights in the division, and now he’ll finally get his chance when he faces a former UFC champion for the first time.

No. 4 Dos Santos was supposed to fight Alexander Volkov at this past weekend’s UFC on ESPN+ 21 event, but had to pull out due to a serious and graphic leg infection. The Brazilian also suffered his most recent loss against Ngannou, but will look to bounce back with a win against another top contender.

[opinary poll=”who-do-you-think-wins-between-curtis-bla” customer=”mmajunkie”]

PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Preview

PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Preview Trophy week! Contact/Follow @MWCwire Teams are fighting for bowl eligibility Jeremy and Matt are back to preview the 12th week of Mountain West football in what we are dubbing “trophy week” as so …

[jwplayer 18QegcJn-sNi3MVSU]

PODCAST: 2019 Week 12 Mountain West Football Preview

Trophy week!

Contact/Follow @MWCwire

Teams are fighting for bowl eligibility

Jeremy and Matt are back to preview the 12th week of Mountain West football in what we are dubbing “trophy week” as so many games have a trophy on the line this weekend. Things get started with the Old Oil Can as Fresno State takes on San Diego State on a Friday night game. The Bulldogs need two wins to become bowl eligible and this a game that might be close than some think.
On Saturday the UNLV Rebels host the Hawaii Warriors for what we call the “Golden Pineapple” which is far superior compared to the “Ninth Island Showdown.” Wyoming and Utah State battle for Bridger’s rifle in what could be a defensive showdown, Colorado State is fighting for bowl eligibility vs. Air Force for the Ram-Falcon trophy. The final game of the day does not have a trophy on the line as Boise State takes on New Mexico.

[protected-iframe id=”19c66c4e6d8fd2297f06ccfd6d8d5d6d-137729785-123448869″ info=”https://anchor.fm/mwwire/embed/episodes/2019-Mountain-West-Football-Week-12-Preview-e8vuon” width=”400px” height=”102px” frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no”]

You can find the Mountain West Wire podcast below or subscribe to the show via Anchor, Stitcher Radio, TuneIn, iTunes, and more. Listen in, subscribe and rate it and let us know what you think!

Here is our list of complete sponsors.

Or just help us out directly through our Patreon page through this link.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1360]

Lions Week 11 injury report: Stafford, 5 others unable to practice on Wednesday

The Detroit Lions open Week 11 with six players unable to practice on Wednesday, including five starters including Matthew Stafford.

The Detroit Lions (3-5-1) are preparing to host the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) in Week 11 and they opened the week with several key players injured. Six Lions’ players were unable to practice on Wednesday, including five starters.

Let’s take a closer look at which Lions’ players are injured, their current participation level, and what their early expectations for the week are.

Not Practicing Wednesday

QB Matthew Stafford (back, hip)
RB Ty Johnson (concussion)
RT Rick Wagner (concussion)
DL Da’Shawn Hand (ankle)
S Tracy Walker (knee)
DE Romeo Okwara (groin)

When coach Matt Patricia opened his morning press conference, he declared everyone on this list out — everyone except Stafford.

Any hopes that Stafford would return to today’s practice was quickly squashed when he showed up at practice with no pads or helmet. The timeline for Stafford return is very much up in the air and could linger.

Johnson and Wagner suffered concussions in last week’s game and are currently in the league’s protocol. Either would need to return to the field tomorrow if they want a chance to play this weekend.

Walker and Hand missed all of last week — practices and the game — and their continued absence is not a great sign for their status for the weekend.

Okwara was injured mid-week, listed as questionable heading into the game and was ruled out after pre-game warmups. He now opens the week unable to practice indicating there could be a regression in his healing process.

Limited

LB/S Miles Killebrew (concussion)
NT John Atkins (wrist)
P Sam Martin (abdomen)

After suffering a concussion last Thursday in practice, Killebrew was able to return to the field today, suggesting he has passed the first few stages of the league’s protocol. Brain injuries are often difficult to project and he still has hurdles to climb, but pending medical monitoring throughout the week, he could return to the field this weekend.

Atkins’ wrist is a new addition to the injury report, but limited participation is a positive sign. Additionally, last Sunday Atkins saw 35-percent of defensive snaps, well above his typical allotment, further pointing the arrow in a positive direction.

Martin is abdomen is still bothering him but it didn’t prevent him from playing last weekend. With no other punter signed to the roster this week, he appears on track to play against the Cowboys.

Full participants

DT Mike Daniels (foot)
DT A’Shawn Robinson (ankle, thumb)
DT Damon Harrison (groin)
WR Danny Amendola (hand)

With Daniels, Robinson and Harrison all injured, every rostered defensive tackle is dealing with some level of injury. The fact that all three are full participants is excellent news, although it wouldn’t be surprising to see Harrison get a rest day on Thursday, as has been the recent routine.

Amendola didn’t seem hampered by the hand injury last game and expectations are he will be good to go again this weekend in a matchup where he could be a major factor.

No longer listed on the injury report

CB Darius Slay (hamstring)
RG Graham Glasgow (back)
LG Joe Dahl (ankle)

All three started last week and played over 90-percent of snaps. This is a great sign for their future availability.

Injured Reserve

DT Kevin Strong (rib)
EDGE Austin Bryant (pectoral)

Strong was placed on IR on Tuesday, ending a very promising rookie season. Despite entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Strong made his mark in training camp, earning a spot on the 53-man roster and seeing the field between 20 and 45-percent of weekly defensive snaps. Expectations are he will take the remaining time this season to heal up and return healthy for next years offseason.

Bryant is now two weeks into his 21-day practice window and the Lions will have to make a decision on his status sometime within the next week. A decision could be made at any time, depending on his health and ability to get up to speed on defense.

Dallas Cowboys injury report

The Cowboys may lose their starting left guard Connor Williams to injury.