New episode of ‘The Franchise’ to release on Chiefs’ official website on Wednesday

The #Chiefs are set to release the newest episode of their miniseries “The Franchise” on Wednesday.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ popular miniseries “The Franchise” is set to start a new season on Wednesday as the team endeavors to give fans an inside look at their players, football operations, and preparations ahead of their 2023 campaign.

“The Franchise” first premiered in 2022, and was released on a regular basis throughout the season as Kansas City documented its road to Super Bowl LVII.

A smash hit with fans, the Chiefs have evidently decided to keep the miniseries in production for yet another season, and will it is sure to provide some valuable insight into all of the team’s behind-the-scenes action during the offseason, training camp, and, eventually, the regular season.

Stay tuned to Chiefs.com to see the first episode of the new iteration of “The Franchise” on August 2, and be sure to watch each new installment as Kansas City gives unprecedented access to their players, coaches, and front office during the 2023 season.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

NFL gives Peacock rights to first-ever live-streamed playoff game

#Chiefs fans aren’t particularly likely to be affected by the NFL’s decision to give Peacock exclusive rights to a wild card game next season. | from @TheJohnDillon

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

The NFL has made exceptional strides in diversifying its array of options relative to the broadcast of its games during the 2023 NFL offseason. Luckily, Kansas City Chiefs fans need not fret about the league’s latest announcement in regard to a broadcast during the playoffs this upcoming season.

After revealing on Monday that streaming service Peacock will have exclusive rights to a wild card playoff game this season, many in the league’s audience wondered if they would need to add yet another subscription to see their team in an elimination game. Luckily for Chiefs fans, Kansas City has only been in the wild-card round once in the Patrick Mahomes era in a 2021 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers where the team emerged victorious in a 42-21 win.

Though history says that Kansas City isn’t likely to be affected by this latest announcement anything is possible in the modern NFL. Should the Chiefs take a step back and need a wild card win to advance further in the playoffs, fans in the Show Me State may need to break out their wallets to get a glimpse of Mahomes’ magic next January. Peacock’s premium service runs $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1]

Saints’ Alontae Taylor turns the Falcons’ schedule release joke back on them

The Falcons thought they got a good jab in on the Saints in their 2023 schedule announcement, but Alontae Taylor turned it back around on them:

[anyclip pubname=”2103″ widgetname=”0016M00002U0B1kQAF_M8036″]

The Atlanta Falcons thought they got a good jab in on the New Orleans Saints in their 2023 schedule announcement, but second-year cornerback Alontae Taylor turned it back around on them. The Falcons shared a video from their official Twitter account in which every opposing team on their schedule was represented by a sneaker — and their pick for the Saints was a pair of black G-Nikes, better known outside New Orleans as Air Force Ones.

Why that choice? In some online communities, Know Your Meme says, “the shoes are associated with shady characters and criminals.” Complex’s Angel Diaz explored the topic thoroughly, and the thought is backed up at Urban Dictionary, where one description reads the shoes are typical of, “A person that is likely untrustworthy, careless or to cause harm; a threat or danger.”

So, yeah, it’s meant to be dismissive and even derogatory of the Saints. Only it didn’t quite land that way. Many Saints fans embraced the gritty reputation that comes with such a reference — and it’s one that Taylor is eager to claim, tweeting that “Black forces, they know how we comin,” with an emoji representing a black-clad ninja assassin.

There’s good reason that the Saints-Falcons rivalry is considered the best feud in the NFL. This small chapter is just another part of the ongoing story between these two teams.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

New Orleans Saints reveal 2023 schedule in awkward mockumentary video

The New Orleans Saints revealed their 2023 schedule in an awkward ‘True Life’ parody video starring a celebrity fan:

You can’t say the New Orleans Saints didn’t put a lot of effort into their 2023 schedule reveal video. The team parodied the MTV documentary series “True Life” with a video featuring celebrity fan Greg Tarzan Davis, a New Orleans-born actor whose credits include Top Gun: Maverick, Grey’s Anatomy, and the upcoming Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Here, Davis takes the role of the team’s script-writer.

Several Saints players make appearances, including recently-signed free agent Jamaal Williams and veterans like Tyrann Mathieu, Juwan Johnson, and Zach Wood (the long snapper makes the most of his opportunities in front of the camera). It’s entertaining enough, but the cameo from a golf course-bound Drew Brees might be the the most memorable bit. Stay tuned for the “credits” for the list of game dates, or check our listing here.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Former Saints WR Emmanuel Sanders announces his retirement — as a Bronco

Former Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders announces his retirement — as a Bronco, going out with the team that he won a Super Bowl with:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CiNaYfLg8Pa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Hey, this is cool. Emmanuel Sanders is stepping away from the NFL on his own terms. The former New Orleans Saints wide receiver announced his retirement on Wednesday after 12 years in the NFL, in which he suited up for five different teams, winning a Super Bowl title and earning several Pro Bowl nods. And he’s chosen to retire as a Bronco.

That’s no slight to the Saints or any of Sanders’ other teams (including the Bills, 49ers, and Steelers). He had his best years in Denver, won a championship there, and clearly loves the area — his family has continued to live there while he’s gone on to play for a couple of different franchises. It makes a lot of sense for him to put the navy and orange on one last time. And, yeah, Sanders made sure to thank New Orleans and every other organization that’s given him a chance in his announcement.

So good for him. Sanders made an immediate impact on the Saints as a veteran presence during the, ah, tumultuous 2020 campaign and stepped into a larger role than he initially signed up for after Michael Thomas went down with a Week 1 injury. He set a new personal record for receptions in a single game and shared some fun memories with Sean Payton. Sanders also brings great energy on the mic and on camera, and should have his pick of media jobs now that his playing days are behind him. We’ll keep an eye out for which outlet makes a smart hire here, but for now let’s just wish him well in retirement.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbyahgz6p2j3xp7 player_id=none image=https://saintswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=115326]

Top Florida QB target moves announcement date back

Billy Napier and the Florida Gators will have to wait a bit longer to find out if four-star quarterback Jaden Rashada is headed to Gainesville.

Florida’s been trending in the right direction with four-star quarterback [autotag]Jaden Rashada[/autotag] recently. Still, the Gators will have to wait a bit longer to find out if their efforts were enough to land a commitment after the Pittsburg, California, recruit moved his decision date back from June 18 to June 26, his grandmother’s birthday.

Rashada will make his announcement on CBS Sports HQ at a time yet to be determined. His top seven is now a top five: Florida, LSU, Miami, Ole Miss and Texas A&M. The Gators recently anchored a week filled with three official visits, including meetings with the Tigers and Aggies. The Rebels hosted him in late April, and Miami is trying to get him on campus this week with some extra time on their hands.

Miami’s late push is a bit concerning, but [autotag]Billy Napier[/autotag] has done as much as he can to bring Rashada to Gainesville. The West Coast recruit is Florida’s apparent top target at the quarterback position with most other quarterbacks in the top 10 having shifted their attention elsewhere.

Rashada has also shut down his media availability until his announcement. He’ll use the time to reflect on his lengthy recruiting process and make the best decision for his future.

The 247Sports composite ranks him as the No. 7 quarterback in the country and the No. 45 overall recruit in the class of 2023.

[mm-video type=video id=01g5s0ptp85t9rjpm9fs playlist_id=01eqbz250mdknqvm5z player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01g5s0ptp85t9rjpm9fs/01g5s0ptp85t9rjpm9fs-2de89d368109d2f40c8f40dae499be2b.jpg]

[lawrence-related id=85782,85759,85743,85742,85717]

[listicle id=85653]

[listicle id=85559]

Follow us @GatorsWire on Twitter and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

Let us know your thoughts and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today!

Notre Dame-Virginia Tech TV details announced

Do you get ACC Network?

Notre Dame has entered the toughest part of their schedule as after they defeated Wisconsin on Saturday, the Irish now have games against No. 7 Cincinnati, a trip to Virginia Tech, and home games against both USC and North Carolina on the horizon.

Next weekend will be the trip to Blacksburg to hear Mariano Rivera’s entrance music get played really loud again.  It was announced on Monday that the game against the Hokies will be in primetime and shown on ACC Network.

How do you get ACC Network if you don’t already subscribe to the channel?  Here is the guide Fighting Irish Wire posted on how to get it for free a couple short years ago.

Related:

Notre Dame’s depth chart for showdown with No. 7 Cincinnati 

Notre Dame dominates fourth quarter vs. Wisconsin:  5 Instant Takeaways

Notre Dame’s all-time winningest football coaches

Best photos from Notre Dame’s 41-13 win over Wisconsin

REPORT: SEC inks new media deal with ESPN

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey announced big news on Wednesday. The news is that the SEC will be signing a new media deal with ESPN.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey confirms the SEC will be moving over to the Disney family after the current deal with CBS ends in 2023.

The deal between the SEC and ESPN will be a 10-year deal woth over $300 million a year, which is more than six times what the SEC currently gets from CBS.

The deal will begin in 2024 and will run through the 2033-2034 season.

The Sports Business Journal originally reported on the deal, which will have every SEC football or men’s basketball game on ABC or an ESPN network.

Beginning in 2024, a late Saturday afternoon SEC game will be played and titled ”SEC on ABC.”

“One of our primary goals through this agreement was to improve the television scheduling process in ways that benefit our student athletes, our fans, alums, people around our programs,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey told SBJ. “Rather than trying to adapt on six days or 12 days, people can plan their travel accordingly, and our athletics departments can plan their presentation, their marketing, what groups they want to engage around those games.”

Chargers rule out No. 1 wide receiver Keenan Allen (back) vs. Saints

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen was ruled out with a back injury during Monday night’s game with the New Orleans Saints.

[jwplayer zMxClk8J-ThvAeFxT]

Both teams playing on “Monday Night Football” have lost starters to injuries, with the Los Angeles Chargers ruling out wide receiver Keenan Allen after he suffered a back injury. The announcement followed an injury to New Orleans Saints guard Nick Easton, who was concussed early in the game.

Allen had caught both of his targets against the Saints for 29 yards and a touchdown, so it’s a huge loss for the Chargers.

They went into the game missing their No. 1 running back, Austin Ekeler, who also ranked third on the team in targets. Allen was targeted more often (48 times) through the first four weeks than both Ekeler (17) and the second-ranked Chargers player (tight end Hunter Henry, with 27 targets), so rookie quarterback Justin Herbert will have to work without two of his best weapons.

That hasn’t been a problem so far. Herbert’s Chargers are up 20-10 to start the third quarter, following a quick punt by the Saints. If the Saints are going to get back into this game, it might be because Los Angeles doesn’t have enough firepower to maintain their lead.

[vertical-gallery id=38860]

SEC announces 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team

The SEC announced its 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team, featuring 8 Gators among the three tiers of teams used in the rankings. 

The Southeastern Conference announced its 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team, featuring eight Florida Gators among the three tiers of teams used in the rankings.

Florida features two players on the first team, with quarterback Kyle Trask and tight end Kyle Pitts getting the nod from fellow SEC coaches. However, the Gators failed to place a defensive player on the First Team.

The second team, however, has a trio of Gators defenders on it, with linebacker Ventrell Miller, along with defensive backs Kaiir Elam and Marco Wilson receiving support. Much like the dearth of defense on the first team, there is a noticeable absence of offensive players on the second.

Another triad of Gators athletes made the third team, this time with a bit more diversity. Kadarius Toney gets the nod for his all-purpose play, while defensive lineman Zachary Carter and place-kicker Evan McPherson round out the members of UF’s squad on the 2020 preseason coaches All-SEC Football Team.

The full poll results can be viewed below.

2020 Preseason Coaches All-SEC Football Team (* – ties)

First Team Preseason All-SEC

OFFENSE

TE

Kyle Pitts, Florida

OL

Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Trey Smith, Tennessee
Darian Kinnard, Kentucky
Landon Dickerson, Alabama

C

Drake Jackson, Kentucky

WR

DeVonta Smith, Alabama
Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

QB

Kyle Trask, Florida

RB

Najee Harris, Alabama
Kylin Hill, Mississippi State

AP

Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

DEFENSE

DL

Bobby Brown, Texas A&M
LaBryan Ray, Alabama
Big Kat Bryant, Auburn
Jordan Davis, Georgia

LB

Dylan Moses, Alabama
K.J. Britt, Auburn
Nick Bolton, Missouri

DB

Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Derek Stingley, LSU
Richard LeCounte, Georgia
Jacoby Stevens, LSU

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK

Brent Cimaglia, Tennessee

P

Max Duffy, Kentucky

RS

Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

Second Team Preseason All-SEC

OFFENSE

TE

Jalen Wydermyer, Texas A&M

OL

Sadarius Hutcherson, South Carolina
Deonte Brown, Alabama
Landon Young, Kentucky
Austin Deculus, LSU*
Brodarious Hamm, Auburn*
Wanya Morris, Tennessee*
Ed Ingram, LSU*

C

Trey Hill, Georgia

WR

George Pickens, Georgia
Terrace Marshall, LSU

QB

Kellen Mond, Texas A&M

RB

Rakeem Boyd, Arkansas
Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

AP

Derek Stingley, LSU

DEFENSE

DL

Kobie Whiteside, Missouri
Malik Herring, Georgia
Aaron Sterling, South Carolina
Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt

LB

Henry To’o To’o, Tennessee
Monty Rice, Georgia
Erroll Thompson, Mississippi State*
Nakobe Dean, Georgia*
Ventrell Miller, Florida*

DB

Kaiir Elam, Florida
Eric Stokes, Georgia
Demani Richardson, Texas A&M
Tyree Gillespie, Missouri*
Marco Wilson, Florida*
Israel Mukuamu, South Carolina*

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK

Cade York, LSU

P

Jake Camarda, Georgia

RS

Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss

Third Team Preseason All-SEC

OFFENSE

TE

Arik Gilbert, LSU

OL

Carson Green, Texas A&M
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M
Evan Neal, Alabama
Dan Moore, Texas A&M

C

Landon Dickerson, Alabama

WR

Seth Williams, Auburn
Elijah Moore, Ole Miss

QB

Bo Nix, Auburn

RB

Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss
Larry Rountree, Missouri

AP

Jerrion Ealy, Ole Miss*
Kadarius Toney, Florida*
Christian Tutt, Auburn*

DEFENSE

DL

Zachary Carter, Florida
Josh Paschal, Kentucky
Kobe Jones, Mississippi State
Glen Logan, LSU

LB

Boogie Watson, Kentucky
Dimitri Moore, Vanderbilt
Nolan Smith, Georgia*
Ernest Jones, South Carolina*
Andre Mintze, Vanderbilt*

DB

Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Bryce Thompson, Tennessee
Yusuf Corker, Kentucky
Christian Tutt, Auburn*
Josh Jobe, Alabama*

SPECIAL TEAMS

PK

Evan McPherson, Florida

P

Mac Brown, Ole Miss

RS

Christian Tutt, Auburn

[lawrence-related id=23582,23578,23520,23518,23515]

[vertical-gallery id=20711]

[vertical-gallery id=20730]