Tag: career

Taysom Hill recognized with his second career Offensive Player of the Week award

Take a bow, Taysom Hill. The Saints’ standout football player was recognized with his second career Offensive Player of the Week award:

Take a bow, Taysom Hill. The New Orleans Saints football player was recognized with his second career NFC Offensive Player of the Week award after making plays as a runner, receiver, and passer against the Cleveland Browns — not counting his impressive kick return for 42 yards.

Take that with his 138 rushing yards, 50 receiving yards, and an 18-yard pass, and Hill amassed 188 yards from scrimmage with 230 all-purpose yards. Each of those totals were personal bests for him, and he had three touchdown runs on the afternoon, too.

This is the third weekly honor for Hill after he was previously named NFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2022 and NFC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2018. Call him a quarterback, fullback, tight end or wide receiver — wherever Hill lines up, he makes plays. That’s what interim head coach Darren Rizzi expressed to FOX Sports sideline reporter Jennifer Hale during Sunday’s win over the Browns.

“Taysom’s an unbelievable football player, usually the more we can use him the better off we are,” Rizzi said on the broadcast, acknowledging Hill’s highlights despite an interception and fumble on the day. “We just gotta do a better job limiting the negative plays, can’t turn the football over. But we’re going to use Taysom as much as we can.”

Hill is averaging a career-high 38.3 rushing yards per game this season on top of 21.4 receiving yards per game, which is also the most for his time in the NFL. Over the summer Klint Kubiak and the Saints coaching staff expressed an eagerness to get more out of Hill than in past seasons, and you’re seeing that pay off. Hill just needs to stay healthy, protect the football, and keep earning recognition for his efforts.

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Taysom Hill climbs higher among Saints’ all-time leading scorers

Taysom Hill added to his legacy in Sunday’s contest against the Browns, breaking his tie with Pierre Thomas in the Saints’ all-time record books:

Taysom Hill is rungs higher on the list of all-time leading scorers with his 10-yard rushing touchdown against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

Hill has now broken his tie with Pierre Thomas for touchdowns scored in Saints history. He now sits at ninth overall with 42 touchdowns combined between his efforts as a runner, receiver and returner, a perfect illustration of just how much of a Swiss army knife he truly is. Eric Martin is next ahead of him with 48 touchdowns scored.

Several teams have tried to replicate Hill over the years and have failed to this point, and it’s easy to get the sense there may never be another quite like him. The Saints get to reap the fortune of that at the rest of the league’s expense.

Sunday’s touchdown run marked the 13th rushing touchdown in his career.

Hill came into the game with 10 receptions on 14 targets for 100 yards, also totaling 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.

How he continues to add to his legacy both in this game and down the rest of the schedule will be something to watch.

The Saints lead the Browns, 7-6 at the top of the second quarter.

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WATCH: Alvin Kamara breaks the all-time Saints rushing yards record

WATCH: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara breaks the all-time franchise record for rushing yards

The New Orleans Saints have a new franchise leader in all-time rushing yards, and it is Alvin Kamara. Kamara came into the Week 10 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons only 12 yards away from taking the record away from his former teammate Mark Ingram, and on the first two rushes of the game was able to accrue over that amount to take it for himself.

Kamara has previously set the franchise record for rushing touchdowns and attempts, and is nearing the top five in receiving yards for the Saints where he is only 205 yards behind Jimmy Graham for sixth place. Now he accrues one more record for his long-list of achievements, and will continue to build the gap in the coming years.

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Alvin Kamara credits former teammate who chose to ‘show me the way’

As Alvin Kamara prepares to pass Mark Ingram II as the Saints’ all-time leading rusher, he reflected on how much Ingram means to him:

Barring anything unforeseen, Alvin Kamara will be the New Orleans Saints all-time leading rusher by Monday morning.

The team won’t have to try hard to get him the record. If the past two weeks are any indication, Kamara will cross that threshold on his first carry. He opened the last two games with runs of 20 or more yards.

Kamara’s only 12 yards away from toppling Mark Ingram II’s record set in 2021. He said his former teammate told him after last week’s game, “Good thing you can break it at home.” It’s something Ingram didn’t have the chance to do. He finished a home game against the Falcons just short of the record. Kamara will break the record against the Falcons at home.

The duo were teammates in 2017 and 2018 then again in 2021 and 2022. Their joint interviews were some of that era’s highlights.

Their friendship remains strong even after Ingram’s retirement, and Kamara spoke about how much Ingram meant to his career.

Kamara gives a lot of credit to Ingram for helping him become the player and professional he is today. “That was my example. Thank God he was in my room. I had an example right there, right next to me to guide me and show me the way.”

Fast forward seven years and Kamara has the opportunity to take down Ingram’s example:  “It’s definitely a full circle moment because I came in, young buck. He gave everything to me, poured into me.”

The two leading rushers in Saints history shared the backfield for four seasons. That’s the definition of passing the torch.

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Saints starting cornerback was a street free agent just two weeks ago

From street free agent to starting on Sunday: Recapping the last month for New Orleans Saints cornerback Shemar Jean-Charles

It’s been a busy couple of months for Shemar Jean-Charles. The New Orleans Saints cornerback has bounced on and off of the team’s practice squad after a standout performance during the preseason; if not for rookie sensation Rico Payton, he likely would’ve made the roster outright. Instead, he’s gone from being a street free agent to a game-day starter in a matter of weeks.

Let’s recap his experience. Jean-Charles was waived during final roster cuts on Aug. 27 and re-signed with the Saints practiice squad a few weeks later on Sept. 11, only to be let go again on Oct. 15. His return was announced the next week on Oct. 22, after Paulson Adebo’s season-ending injury. He was promoted to the 53-man roster on Nov. 2, just in time to start in Adebo’s place against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 3.

Not bad for a former late-round draft pick. Payton is dealing with a back  issue and hamstring injuries have sidelined both Marshon Lattimore and  Kool-Aid McKinstry, so Jean-Charles is one of a couple of new faces in the Saints secondary on Sunday. Here’s hoping he makes some plays and hangs tough against a Panthers offense desperate to end their losing streak.

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PHOTOS: Wisconsin basketball legend Bo Ryan through the years

A look at Bo Ryan’s career with the Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin basketball legend Bo Ryan was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sunday.

The longtime Badger coach received his induction back in April. Sunday’s event made his enshrinement official, as he and the rest of the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2024 received their jackets and were immortalized among the sport’s all-time greats. Other members of that class include NBA greats Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups and Walter Davis.

“I’m still pinching myself,” the Wisconsin Badgers legend said before the ceremony. “When I got the word, all the memories, all the players, all the camaraderie of the teams that were cohesive…those are the things that flashed into my head. Boy, do I have a lot of people to thank.”

Here is a clip from Ryan’s speech, specifically about his players and program at Wisconsin:

Ryan coached for the Badgers from 2001-2015. His Hall of Fame tenure with the program included four Big Ten Coach of the Year awards (2002, 2003, 2013, 2015), four Big Ten titles, two Final Four appearances and a final record of 364-130.

To say that there are Wisconsin program ‘greats’ discounts Ryan’s substantial individual impact and importance. He is the embodiment of Wisconsin basketball and is a significant reason the program is where it is today.

As Ryan’s coaching career is celebrated by the basketball world, here is a look at his time at Wisconsin, through photos:

Alvin Kamara moved up to second among Saints’ all-time rushing yards leaders

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara surpassed Deuce McAllister in Week 3 to rank second among the Saints’ all-time rushing yards leaders:

The New Orleans Saints’ 15-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3 somewhat overshadowed some of the positive things that had happened, including Tyrann Mathieu tying for second place with his 35th interception among active players. It’s tough to say much was positive for the offense when they only scored a dozen points, but some individuals did pass important milestones.

One of them was Alvin Kamara surpassing Deuce McAllister in career rushing yards with the Saints, moving him up to second behind his old teammate Mark Ingram II. Kamara entered the game trailing McAllister  by 69 rushing yards, and with 87 yards on the ground, he ended the day 18 yards ahead.

Even more impressively, Kamara did this on 53 fewer rushing attempts than McAllister. He has a decent margin remaining to get up to first place, however, with Ingram sitting at exactly 6,500 rushing yards for New Orleans, while Kamara checks in at 6,114. For Kamara to reach Ingram on the same amount of rushing attempts, he would need to average around 5.1 yards per carry on his next 75 attempts, which is pretty unreasonable given his hot start to the season. With only 386 more yards to go, he could feasibly find his way to the top of the list this season however, which is a fun stat to keep an eye on throughout the year.

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Alvin Kamara honored as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been honored as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week. It’s just the third time he’s won this award:


Here’s some well-deserved recognition for Alvin Kamara. The New Orleans Saints’ star running back has been honored as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week after his performance against the Dallas Cowboys, in which Kamara totaled 180 yards from scrimmage (115 rushing, 65 receiving) with four touchdowns (three runs, one catch).

It’s just the third time he’s won this award. Kamara was previously recognized as the NFC Offensive Player of the Week in 2021 (following an impressive road win over the Seattle Seahawks) and 2020 (after his historic six-touchdown game on Christmas Day). So this will be a much-needed  addition to his trophy case.

Kamara is looking like exactly as great a fit in Klint Kubiak’s system as both the former Pro Bowler and first-year offensive coordinator predicted. He leads the NFL in scrimmage yards (290) through the first two weeks with five total touchdowns scored; Saquon Barkley and James Cook have each scored three times, but nobody else has more than two so far. It’s early, but this is shaping up to be a career resurgence for Kamara.

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Alvin Kamara has now joined the NFL’s 6,000 Yards Club

Alvin Kamara has now joined the NFL’s 6,000 Yards Club. He’s gaining ground on Mark Ingram and Deuce McAllister:

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara has officially joined the NFL’s 6,000 yards club with his standout performance in the 44-19 win over the Dallas Cowboys.

Kamara finished with 2 catches for 65 yards and 1 touchdown, also recording 115 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on 20 carries. It was also his seventh career game with 3 touchdowns or more.

He is now the third player in franchise history to cross the 6,000-yard mark with a total of 6,027 yards, joining the likes of Deuce McAllister (6,096) and Mark Ingram II (6,500). He’s on track to pass both of those names this season if he can gain at least 474 more yards. That’s an average of 31.6 yards per game over the next 15 matchups, but he’s totaled 198 rushing yards through the first two weeks. He’ll get there by Week 7 at his current pace.

So far this season, Kamara totals 35 carries for 198 yards with 4 touchdowns. Known for his versatility, he’s also been a force out of the backfield in the passing game, catching all 7 passes he has been targeted on this season for 92 yards with 1 touchdown.

Kamara and the Saints will look to keep up the same level of success as they return home to face the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 22 at Noon CT.

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Chiefs TE Travis Kelce hints at career after NFL in award speech

Check out what #Chiefs TE Travis Kelce had to say during a speech at the K.C. Sports awards.

Kansas City Chiefs veteran tight end Travis Kelce appeared at the KC Sports Awards on Tuesday. He was given some time to speak to the crowd after accepting the Polsinelli Sportsman of the Year award, reflecting on his 12 years in the NFL.

In his time on the mic after receiving the Polsinelli Sportsman award, Kelce spoke about his level of freedom in Andy Reid’s offense, which seems to have contributed to his incredible success on the field, having the confidence in making those wild plays that lead to scores.

In wrapping up he also touched on the idea that he won’t always be in the NFL and thanked Kansas City for supporting the Chiefs.

Harold R. Kuntz, a sports anchor at Kansas City’s FOX 4, attended the awards and shared footage of the Hall of Fame tight end to his Twitter account.

 

Though Travis Kelce is not done earning awards for his time in the NFL he appears to have his sights set on what lies ahead.