Tag: Chris Hogan

7 toughest cuts from our Saints 53-man roster projection

7 toughest cuts from our Saints 53-man roster projection

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We’ve got less than a week to go until the New Orleans Saints cut their roster down from 80 players to just 53, which prompted a revised roster projection for Week 1 of the regular season. We’ve got enough data and exposure to the team to make some informed decisions but there’s enough time for some players to make their case for a roster spot. So some of these projections may end up looking far-fetched.

With that said: you can find the full roster projection in complete detail here, and a player-by-player summary here. Here are the seven roster cuts that were tougher than others:

Saints training camp notebook from July 30: Sense of calm returns at receiver

We learned a lot about Chris Hogan, Jalen McCleskey, Jameis Winston, and Taysom Hill in July 30’s Saints training camp practice session, via @MaddyHudak_94’s notes:

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New Orleans Saints training camp was a test of elements as temperatures ran as high as some of the passes in the team’s first outdoor practice. The pads were still off, but the bleachers were packed with fans vying to get a glimpse of the quarterback competition; Gayle Benson even did a quick round on a golf cart to give a warm welcome (pun intended).

It was my first day at Saints training camp, and while my notes are illegible, the energy was palpable. Today finally felt like football was back in full swing for the first time since 2019, scorching heat wave aside. Much of the focus was under center for a consecutive day running as all four quarterbacks saw some reps. Here’s what stood out to me – while lying in a puddle on the grass – during Friday’s camp.

Saints signed Chris Hogan without using any of their salary cap space

The New Orleans Saints created a bit of a stir by signing pro lacrosse player Chris Hogan, but his addition doesn’t even count against the salary cap:

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Chris Hogan signing with the New Orleans Saints on the eve of training camp created a bit of a wave, mostly because he’d given up football to try his hand at pro lacrosse. But it was a canny move by the Saints to pad out their depth chart — they basically brought him in for nothing.

NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reported that the Saints signed Hogan to a one-year deal at the veteran’s minimum ($1.075 million for the nine-year pro), which qualifies for a salary cap benefit. It means he’ll only count $850,000 against the cap, which is beneath the top-51 threshold used during the offseason. It essentially cost the Saints nothing to bring him in.

And the leaping catches he made in front of fans during Friday’s practice session speak for themselves. He’s the most accomplished healthy receiver on the roster with a pair of Super Bowl rings on display back home, and 100-plus games behind him. It says more about the weakness of the group as a whole that he has a shot at making the team, but the Saints probably weren’t going to find anyone better who also wouldn’t count against the cap.

Which is puzzling considering New Orleans has more than $11 million in cap space to use. Sean Payton has repeatedly said he doesn’t view receiver as a top priority to address right now, even with Michael Thomas recovering from surgery and Deonte Harris bracing for a possible suspension. Instead, the Saints want to use those resources to address another need, like cornerback.

Another recent free agent acquisition was defensive back Brian Poole, who Underhill reports also signed for the veteran minimum ($987,500 for a player of his experience). That pushes Ian Book’s rookie cap hit of $828,396 down below the top-51 threshold along with Hogan’s. The details on Kendall Donnerson’s contract have yet to be reported, but it’s likely he too signed for the veteran minimum. And as we’ve seen, these late-summer additions are looking like bargains.

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As expected, Saints designate Michael Thomas to training camp PUP list

Saints designate Michael Thomas to PUP list, report several receiver tryouts on daily NFL transactions wire

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We knew this news was coming, but that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow. The New Orleans Saints opened training camp by designating Michael Thomas to the physically unable to play list (PUP), which follows his ankle surgery in June. Depending on his recovery timeline, the team’s No. 1 wide receiver could be available by as late as Halloween. Obviously you’d hope he returns sooner, and some reports are more optimistic.

Additionally, backup offensive lineman Derrick Kelly was placed on the non-football injury list. He played right tackle at Florida State before kicking inside to guard for the Saints, though he hasn’t logged many snaps as a backup. It’s not an ideal start for him at a spot with so many options. Both roster moves were reported on the daily NFL transactions wire.

In the meantime, the Saints have added Chris Hogan at wide receiver, who brings 100-plus games of experience and three Super Bowl appearances (two victories) to the receiving corps. New Orleans listed him as part of a group workout that included receivers Trevor Davis and Damion Willis, neither of whom have logged extensive reps in the league. For now, they don’t appear to be showing much interest in finding a blue-chip replacement for Thomas on top of the depth chart.

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Saints lure ex-Jets receiver Chris Hogan from pursuing pro lacrosse dream

Saints sign 9-year NFL veteran receiver Chris Hogan after group tryout

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Here’s that wide receiver New Orleans Saints fans have been hollering for. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that Chris Hogan impressed the team enough in a group tryout on Monday to earn a contract, continuing his nine-year NFL career. Hogan had previously played for the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and the New York Jets before hanging his pads up to try his hand in the Premier Lacrosse League. Now he’s back.

The 33-year old Hogan does bring some much-needed experience to the Saints receiving room; only Michael Thomas has accrued four or more seasons, and he’s on ice for a few months recovering from ankle surgery. So Hogan can help show the ropes to the relatively-young receiving corps around him.

Still, he’s probably just a training camp body. Hogan has caught 22 passes for 185 receiving yards in his last 12 games with the Jets (in 2020) and Panthers (in 2019), experiencing little success after averaging 41.3 yards per game with the Patriots (from 2016 to 2018). He would have been a strong complimentary weapon to Thomas a few years back, but it’ll be a surprise if he makes the team in 2021.

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Former NFL WR-turned-lacrosse pro Chris Hogan among Saints free agent tryouts

Former NFL receiver Chris Hogan took a break from the Premier Lacrosse League to try out for the New Orleans Saints:

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The New Orleans Saints are leaving no stone unturned in their search for help at wide receiver following Michael Thomas’ prolonged absence in recovering from ankle surgery. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports that the Saints are hosting a group of free agents for a workout on Monday, notably including former New England Patriots receiver Chris Hogan.

Hogan has been making a career turn with the Premier Lacrosse League, but obviously he’s still interested in a return to the NFL. The 33-year old has spent nine years playing pro football, including stops with the Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, and New York Jets. He’s averaged 12.9 yards per reception in his 100-game career, not including nine playoff contests.

So it’s clear the Saints know they need reinforcements. Stay tuned for updates following Monday’s group tryout.

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Former Miami Dolphin set to make professional lacrosse debut

Former Miami Dolphin set to make professional lacrosse debut

What a ride former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Hogan has been on for the last decade. Hogan, who was a member of the Dolphins’ offseason roster for parts of 2011 and 2012 and served as one of the stars of Miami’s most recent appearance on HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ series, was a three-year lacrosse player at Penn State University during his college days before spending one year at Monmouth playing wide receiver.

That brief appearance led to several opportunities in the NFL before he finally got his big break — he logged 10 receptions in 16 games for the Buffalo Bills in 2013 and peaked as a member of the New England Patriots in 2016 (38 receptions for 680 yards and 4 touchdowns). Along the way, Hogan collected two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots and managed to find playing time as recently as last year as a member of the New York Jets.

And while Hogan’s professional football career may well be over, the former Dolphin isn’t done with his pro sports career just yet.

Hogan will be suiting up as a member of the Cannon’s Lacrosse Club and returning to his roots as an athlete:

Hogan’s NFL story was incredible to see materialize over the years, but now to see him extend his career in sports by switching to lacrosse after a decade of opportunities in the NFL is quite the feat. And if you’re looking for something to do this Saturday, Hogan’s pro lacrosse debut will be televised on NBC at 12PM noon.

Former Bills WR Chris Hogan declares for Premier Lacrosse League draft

Former Buffalo Bills WR to play in the PLL lacrosse league.

Remember how former Bills wide receiver Chris Hogan used to play lacrosse because you’ve heard that on just about every television broadcast involving him playing in the NFL?

Now he just… does play lacrosse.

Hogan, 33, announced via his social media account on Twitter this past weekend that he plans to declare for the PLL entry draft. The PLL, which stands for the Premier Lacrosse League:

The PLL is a pro league for the sport outdoors, unlike the Buffalo Bandits, who play in the NLL, the professional indoor or box lacrosse league. The Bandits, who play at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, are owned by Buffalo Bills co-owners Terry and Kim Pegula.

Hogan previously played lacrosse at Penn State before transferring to Monmouth to play one year of college football before heading to the NFL as an undrafted rookie. After bouncing around a few training camps, including with the Dolphins when they appeared on Hard Knocks, Hogan broke out in the NFL with the Bills, playing in Buffalo from 2012-2015. He moved onto the Patriots, winning two Super Bowls there, along with the Panthers and Jets just last season.

The PLL entry draft is March 25 and will be three rounds with 24 total picks across eight teams. The season runs from June 4 to Sept. 19, so Hogan appears to be forgoing playing in the NFL in 2021.

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6 AFC East stories from last week for Bills fans to know

AFC East news updates for Buffalo Bills fans from Week 13.

The Bills have a huge AFC playoff matchup this upcoming week against the Steelers. While Buffalo is certainly in the driver’s seat in terms of the division, they can’t slip up.

Because of that, keeping up-to-date with all things AFC East is of the upmost importance right now.

With that, here are six stories from the division over the  last week for Bills fans to know, starting with a quick Week 13 game recap for each team:

Jets sign Lamar Jackson to active roster, place Chris Hogan on IR

Jets signed Lamar Jackson to active roster and placed Chris Hogan on injured reserve.

After suffering a high ankle sprain on Sunday against the Cardinals, Chris Hogan will be out a few weeks.

New York announced on Tuesday that it has signed Lamar Jackson to the active roster and placed Hogan on injured reserve. The Jets also signed WR Josh Malone to the practice squad and used a practice squad protection on QB Mike White.

Hogan was a late signing in training camp and emerged as a starting wide receiver due to all the injuries at the position. On the year, Hogan has 14 receptions for 118 yards.

As for Jackson, he has been up from the practice squad the last two games. He’s recorded eight tackles and one pass defense in two games. Jackson was given a tough task this past week against DeAndre Hopkins, who recorded him six catches for 131 yards and a touchdown.

Malone spent the first four games with the Jets before his release. He totaled four catches for 16 yards in four games. White has been serving as New York’s backup when Joe Flacco or Sam Darnold have been hurt.