Tag: announcement

Big Ten opts for conference-only football schedule this coming fall

The decision by the Big Ten is expected to create a domino effect throughout the college football landscape as others are assured to follow.

The Big Ten athletic conference announced on Thursday that its member schools will play a conference-only schedule for the upcoming 2020 football season.

Word of the decision leaked earlier in the day when The Athletic’s college football senior writer Nicole Auerbach revealed the news on Twitter. USA TODAY Sports later corroborated the report with multiple people who have intimate knowledge of the decision.

The full press release from the conference is included below.

We are facing uncertain and unprecedented times, and the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, game officials, and others associated with our sports programs and campuses remain our number one priority.

To that end, the Big Ten Conference announced today that if the Conference is able to participate in fall sports (men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball) based on medical advice, it will move to Conference-only schedules in those sports. Details for these sports will be released at a later date, while decisions on sports not listed above will continue to be evaluated. By limiting competition to other Big Ten institutions, the Conference will have the greatest flexibility to adjust its own operations throughout the season and make quick decisions in real-time based on the most current evolving medical advice and the fluid nature of the pandemic.

This decision was made following many thoughtful conversations over several months between the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Directors of Athletics, Conference Office staff, and medical experts including the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee.

In addition, the Conference announced that summer athletic activities will continue to be voluntary in all sports currently permitted to engage in such activities. Furthermore, Big Ten student-athletes who choose not to participate in intercollegiate athletics at any time during the summer and/or the 2020-21 academic year due to concerns about COVID-19 will continue to have their scholarship honored by their institution and will remain in good standing with their team.

While Big Ten member institutions continue to rely on the most up-to-date medical information to establish the best protocols for voluntary workouts on their campuses, in compliance with local and state regulations, the Conference is working with the Big Ten Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases and the Big Ten Sports Medicine Committee to finalize Conference-wide protocols.

As we continue to focus on how to play this season in a safe and responsible way, based on the best advice of medical experts, we are also prepared not to play in order to ensure the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes should the circumstances so dictate.

The absence of non-conference opponents on a Power Five league schedule could have a big impact on smaller programs that rely on “guarantee games” at major schools for a big part of the athletic budget. It is unclear whether those contracts would call for a penalty payment.

The decision by the Big Ten is expected to create a domino effect throughout the college football landscape, as other conferences are almost assured to follow in the conference’s footsteps. The first league expected to follow suit is the Pac-12, which Auerbach reported in a later tweet is expected to move to a conference-only schedule in the coming days. Stadium Network college football insider Brett McMurphy also reported that the ACC is also strongly considering the change.

At best, the 2020 season will be a shadow of the sport that brings college communities together every fall. However, the most likely outcome at this point is that fans will be lucky if any sports are played at all.

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Gators guard Tre Mann will return to Florida for sophomore year

Mann joins a loaded backcourt and will likely compete for the starting point guard job with Cleveland State transfer Tyree Appleby.

Gators basketball fans got the news they were waiting for Tuesday morning as guard Tre Mann decided to withdraw from the 2020 NBA Draft and return to Gainesville for his sophomore year, per CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein.

Mann was a five-star recruit and McDonald’s All-American in the 2019 recruiting class, and he was heralded for his scoring ability. That didn’t exactly manifest during his true freshman season, as he averaged just 5.3 points on 35.6 percent shooting despite playing 17.8 minutes a game.

Following the cancellation of the season in March due to COVID-19, Mann announced that he would enter the NBA Draft and sign an NCAA-approved agent in order to maintain his college eligibility. On May 30, there were rumors that Mann had decided to withdraw from the draft, but he refuted the validity of those rumors on Twitter.

Now, he makes it official. Mann joins a loaded backcourt and will likely compete for the starting point guard job with Cleveland State transfer Tyree Appleby. Regardless, he is a key component of UF’s plans for the 2020-21 season, and he will be expected to make a big leap forward after a disappointing freshman season.

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2021 OLB Terrence Cooks announcement coming May 27

Terrance Cooks has tweeted out an announcement will be coming on May 27. The three-star OLB has been a Texas target since November 2019.

Terrance Cooks has tweeted out an announcement will be coming on May 27 regarding his recruitment. The 2021 three-star outside linebacker has been a target of Texas since November 2019. 247Sports’ crystal ball has him 100% to the Longhorns.

Continue reading “2021 OLB Terrence Cooks announcement coming May 27”

Taysom Hill thanks Saints, announces new contract extension

New Orleans Saints quarterback Taysom Hill thanked the team for the opportunity they’ve given him with his new two-year contract extension.

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The New Orleans Saints reached an agreement with backup quarterback Taysom Hill on a two-year contract extension, and he was excited to sign the offer they put on the table.

Hill announced the new deal from his official Instagram account, thanking the team for the opportunity and the chance they took on him. Hill first joined the Saints as an older prospect out of college who had already washed out of one NFL team. Now he’s the projected starter once Drew Brees hangs up his cleats, possibly as soon as in 2021.

You can see Hill’s message where we’ve embedded it below:

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Emmanuel Sanders reveals his Saints jersey number

New Orleans Saints free agent pickup Emmanuel Sanders announced his new jersey number in a post shared from his official Instagram account.

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Well, that question’s answered. When Pro Bowl wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders first signed with the New Orleans Saints as an urnestricted free agent, everything about the move made sense and was easy to explain. The veteran runs some of the best routes in the NFL and has made a living catching passes from some very bad quarterbacks, so his addition to the Saints as an accomplished number-two threat opposite Michael Thomas checked all the boxes.

The only puzzle left to solve was which number Sanders would wear on his jersey. Every number he had previously worn in the NFL or in college was already claimed by his new teammates, and while he could have easily asked to swap with one of them he also had a precedent of choosing a new designation after changing teams.

But that won’t be the case after all. Sanders announced Wednesday that he will wear No. 17 for the Saints, which was previously used by rookie free agent Emmanuel Butler (the training camp darling out of Northern Arizona who spent the 2019 season on the practice squad). Sanders included a glossy photo edited to show him celebrating a big catch in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, featuring a very crisp No. 17 on his jersey. It’s a great look:

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What does Drew Brees coming back mean for Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill?

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced his intent to return in 2020, and his decision impacts Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill

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The first domino fell in the 2020 free agent quarterback class, with Drew Brees announcing his decision to return for his 20th season in the NFL — with the New Orleans Saints. While has not signed a contract extension just yet, it’s essentially nothing more than a formality before he’ll take the field again in black and gold.

But what sort of ripple effects will Brees returning to start for the Saints send throughout the NFL? While that’s hard to say, we can suggest what it means for the other two Saints quarterbacks headed for free agency: Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill.

Bridgewater is expected to receive offers to start for other teams once free agency is up and running, and the high salary boost that comes with those opportunities. While we can only speculate on the teams that may be interested in him (the Los Angeles Chargers should be in the hunt, while the Chicago Bears would be wise to see him as an upgrade), Bridgewater shouldn’t lack for options. So Brees returning makes it all but certain that Bridgewater will be joining a new squad in 2020. At least the Saints will have their own candidates to replace him either as a clipboard-holder or heir-apparent.

However, Hill is the real story here. Saints coach Sean Payton has been working overtime shifts to pump up Hill’s value and perception as a starting-quality franchise quarterback, but it’s anyone’s guess whether he’s sincere or hoping to lure another team into swapping a high draft pick for the restricted free agent. Payton’s words and actions have been in direct conflict surrounding Hill. As much as Payton insists his third-stringer could be the next Steve Young, more than half of Hill’s plays came on special teams last year. If the Saints decline to place a first-round tender on Hill, chances are another team will try to poach him, which Payton knows (and may be counting on). It’s very likely we’ll see some movement here.

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Drew Brees announces his return for the 2020 season

A contract still needs to be finalized, but New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees intends to return for the 2020 season, maybe his last.

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees announced on his official Instagram account that he will return for the 2020 season, writing, “My feelings about the 2020 season! I look forward to the grind and the journey, for the reward at the end will be worth it!!! Love you #WhoDatNation. Let’s make another run at it!”

There were doubts that Brees would re-sign for the Saints after his last season, largely fueled by the interest he received (and reciprocated) from television networks for a job in calling NFL game broadcasts. But he still has some unfinished business on the field before he’ll be ready to leave for the booth, so Saints fans can expect Brees to lead their team again in 2020.

The details still need to be worked out — such as what salary Brees will accept in what’s likely his final year in the NFL. His last Saints contract earned $25 million per year, which was well beneath the market-setting price he could have demanded. Whether he’ll accept less again to help the team or choose to push the envelope again remains to be seen.

What’s also unclear is what this means for the other two Saints quarterbacks whose contracts expire in March: Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill. Bridgewater is expected to draw heavy interest from teams needing a new starter, while Saints coach Sean Payton anticipates serious offers for Hill, who is a restricted free agent (meaning the Saints can match any offers he receives). It’s shaping up for another busy Saints offseason.

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Saints assistant coach Leigh Torrence leaves for job with Jets DC Gregg Williams

New Orleans Saints assistant coach Leigh Torrence joined the New York Jets for a job with Gregg Williams, his old defensive coordinator.

The New York Jets announced Tuesday that they hired Leigh Torrence for their vacant assistant defensive backs coach job, creating another hole on the New Orleans Saints coaching staff; the Saints have yet to name a replacement for linebackers coach Mike Nolan, who left for the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator gig back in early January.

Torrence was first hired by the Saints as a coach back in 2016, when he joined their staff as a coaching intern. He was promoted to a defensive assistant coaching position in 2017, and held it through 2019. Before that, he played three years for the Saints from 2009 to 2011. He appeared in more games for the Saints (38) than any other team, which included stops with the Washington Redskins (25) and Atlanta Falcons (10).

Now, Torrence is reunited with the defensive coordinator he once played for in New Orleans: Gregg Williams. Williams holds the same position with the Jets beneath head coach Adam Gase, and this is a great opportunity for Torrence to continue to advance his career.

But why didn’t he stay with the Saints? There probably wasn’t room for promotion in New Orleans, where defensive backs coach Aaron Glenn has been developed as a key member of their staff. He’s commonly grouped with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and head coach Sean Payton during games, and has rebuffed offers from both the New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals in recent years. With Glenn so entrenched, Torrence probably had to consider other opportunities, and the Jets were a logical fit.

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Saints fullback Zach Line announces his retirement

The New Orleans Saints lost fullback Zach Line to retirement on Wednesday, with the former SMU Mustangs star going out on his own terms.

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The New Orleans Saints need to find a new fullback in 2020. Veteran fullback Zach Line, 29, announced his retirement from the NFL in a post from his official Instagram account Wednesday afternoon. His contract was set to expire in March, but he’s choosing to step away from the game on his own terms.

In his post, Line thanked the Saints for the opportunity to play with them as well as the Minnesota Vikings, who gave him his first shot at playing professionally. He retires having played 80 games in the NFL (including the playoffs; 36 with the Vikings and 44 with the Saints) during his seven-year career. He was the rare fullback who could contribute not just as a lead-blocker but as a runner himself, as well as in the receiving game in a pinch. He scored seven touchdowns in the NFL, all but one of them for New Orleans.

Losing an experienced fullback is a bigger problem for the Saints than it appears at first glance. While the position is an endangered species in the NFL at large, the Saints were one of few teams to still use them frequently in 2019. Line averaged 17.9 snaps per game last year before going down with a knee injury. He was replaced by practice squad call-up Ricky Ortiz, who played 20 snaps in the Saints’ final two contests.

To illustrate Line’s importance to the offense a little more clearly: at midseason, only two fullbacks had played more snaps in the entire NFL than his total of 140, being CJ Ham (195 for the Vikings) and Kyle Juszczyk (152 with the San Francisco 49ers). It’s a position Saints coach Sean Payton obviously values.

Ortiz is the likely favorite to replace Line next season, but it’s no sure thing. It would make sense for the team to consider all possible options in free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft, and they could possibly target someone like Line, who played running back in college. He was an accomplished rusher for the SMU Mustangs, having graduated with 778 attempts for 4,185 rushing yards and 47 touchdowns on the ground. He also caught 75 passes for 599 receiving yards. That versatility speaks for itself and explains why the Saints made him a key part of their offense, even if he didn’t often handle the ball himself.

View this post on Instagram

As I look back on the last seven seasons in the NFL I cannot help but to feel extremely proud. I have never bragged about my accomplishments, but knowing the odds and ignoring them, and choosing to instead believe in myself, my faith, and the support of my loving wife and family is something I am proud of. The decision to retire is NOT easy, which is true for most competitors. This decision is something I have prayed about and communicated with those that I love. The game of football will never leave me and I hope to share and teach the positive experiences I had along the way in the future. A HUGE thank you to all of my brothers, coaches and staff along the way, I love you guys. A HUGE thank you to the team that gave me my first shot @vikings and to the team that made football fun again @saints . Another HUGE thank you to the WHODAT Nation, there is nothing like it, my family loves you. The game is temporary, but in this business brotherhood and alliances are forever. A special thank you to @mckenzieline none of this was possible without you and I love you.

A post shared by Zach Line (@zline48) on

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Michael Thomas salutes Luke Kuechly’s decision to retire

New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas hates to see one of his favorite rivals, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, retire so soon

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is one of the NFL’s fastest-rising stars, but even he was taken aback at the news that Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly was retiring, stepping away from the game at 28. The list of players who get repeatedly recognized as first-team All-Pros is brief, but Thomas and Kuechly were part of that small fraternity despite their usual status as division rivals.

So Thomas took some time Tuesday evening to express his appreciation for what Kuechly has accomplished and how challenging an opponent he was to prepare for, even if the five-time All-Pro won’t see it — Thomas noted wryly that Kuechly is such a professional that he doesn’t use social media, because “he is that different.”

It’s crystal-clear that Thomas enjoyed the elevated stakes that came with planning for and playing against Kuechly’s Panthers defenses, adding that, “Meetings were always a little longer, and gameplans a little more complex. He kept you honest.”

So what’s Thomas’s next step? He’s going to track Kuechly down for a personal meeting to shake hands and pay his respects, wishing his longtime rival well in life after football. That rare camaraderie is what it’s what it’s all about.

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