Tag: Fresno State

Saints QB Spencer Rattler reacts to being benched: ‘It is what it is’

Spencer Rattler was benched during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in favor of quarterback Jake Haener. He spoke about the change after the game:

New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was benched during the third quarter in favor of former Fresno State passer Jake Haener during Sunday’s 26-8 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Saints initially chose to roll with Rattler over Haener when starting quarterback Derek Carr went down withy an injury earlier in the season, but they may be rethinking things with the way the rookie has struggled.

The performance he put on in his latest showing was unconvincing, as he went 12-of-24 passing for 155 yards.

In a way, it’s hard to blame Rattler for some of his issues because of how thin the Saints currently are at wide receiver, the way he was thrown into the fire as a rookie without warning and the countless other problems out of his control that the Saints need to remedy.

“I think we were moving the ball at a good rate in the first half and then a little bit in that second half,” Rattler said after the game. “We would go forward and then backward. Forward and backward. So, we all shot ourselves in the foot a little bit just with the little things and the way we played just didn’t win the game.”

Specifically on being benched, Rattler isn’t focused on the decision and it doesn’t seem to be getting to him personally.

“I control the controllables and I’m just a team guy, so I’m going to want us to win either way. So, it is what it is,” Rattler added.

It will be interesting to watch what the Saints do moving forward at quarterback with a matchup against the Carolina Panthers set for Noon CT/1 p.m. ET on Nov. 3 in Charlotte.

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Fan-favorite Chiefs WR announces engagement

#Chiefs WR Nikko Remigio announced his engagement this week ahead of Kansas City’s Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco #49ers.

According to a social media post by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Nikko Remigio, the former Fresno State Bulldog is getting engaged to girlfriend Maureen Schrijvers.

The fan-favorite wideout announced his engagement via Instagram on Tuesday with the caption “We did the thing” after popping the question on a beach during sunset.

Several Chiefs teammates, including wide receivers Mecole Hardman and Rashee Rice, congratulated Remigio on the exciting news.

The second-year receiver was a training camp standout in St. Joseph and may get a chance to see the field in Kansas City during the regular season if he is elevated from the Chiefs’ practice squad.

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Though Remigio hasn’t yet gotten his chance to shine in Kansas City’s offense, injuries to Rashee Rice and Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown could push him into the limelight.

Stay tuned to see if the newly-engaged wideout gets called into action in the Chiefs’ Week 7 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi’s Stadium.

Derek Carr shares his take on the Davante Adams trade rumors

Derek Carr says he would welcome Davante Adams with open arms. If he had his way, interest in a trade with the Raiders would be mutual:

Just how would Derek Carr feel about throwing passes to Davante Adams again? The New Orleans Saints quarterback was asked about just that topic, and he says he’d welcome the Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver with open arms if a trade reunited the two former college teammates. But he added that he doesn’t think that’s an uncommon opinion among NFL quarterbacks.

“I mean, I think all 32 quarterbacks would love to play with Davante. We would welcome that. I don’t know if I’ll get in trouble for saying that,” Carr grinned, “I would obviously welcome playing with him again if that ever worked out in our careers. You know he did have 1,500 yards, I think I threw him like 12 touchdowns. So we didn’t win as many games as we thought but it wasn’t all bad. We had fun doing it, that’s for sure.”

Carr said he and Adams vacation together in the offseason with their families, and that they still text each other on a weekly basis. It makes sense. They’ve been friends since they were teenagers enrolling at Fresno State, and they’ve connected on a lot of touchdown passes over the years.

It’s been consistently reported that Adams wants to catch passes from a familiar quarterback, whether that’s Carr or Rodgers, and Carr understands why the receiver may look back on their year together on the Raiders fondly: “I mean, I think it was the second-best year of his career. The narrative that it didn’t work out is correct, because we didn’t win as many games (as we expected). But when it comes to getting him the ball and him scoring a lot of touchdowns? I think it went pretty good.”

So if Carr had his way, interest in a trade between Adams and the Saints would be mutual. And some reports suggest that’s the case. Trade talks are expected to pick up quickly next week, so keep an eye out for movement one way or another.

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If Saints are serious about getting more firepower, trade for Davante Adams

Trade rumors are swirling around Davante Adams. He wouldn’t be easy to acquire, but if the Saints are serious, they should make a run at reuniting him with Derek Carr:

Dennis Allen has already publicly challenged his backups to do more to fire up the New Orleans Saints offense. But if he’s serious about wanting more firepower, it would be worth looking into all of these trade rumors surrounding Las Vegas Raiders star wideout Davante Adams. His history with Derek Carr on the Raiders and in college at Fresno state speaks for itself.

On Tuesday, Vinny Bonsignore reported for the Las Vegas Review-Journal that the Raiders “are growing open to the idea of trading Davante Adams. The source said the club has begun reaching out to teams to gauge interest in the veteran wide receiver.”

This followed comments from Adams himself, speaking with Kay Adams’ “Up and Adams” show, where his response to trade speculation was that he was focusing on the things within his control. He added that he hadn’t heard a word about his future with the Raiders from head coach Antonio Pierce, who had fueled speculation about a potential trade on social media.

But what could it cost? Before we even look at the trade compensation we’ve got to tackle the salary cap perspective. Any team trading for Adams right now would have to come up with $13.5 million for his remaining salary in 2024. If they wait until the Nov. 5 trade deadline, the acquiring team only pays $8.6 million. That’s after the Saints would play their next five games. Could they wait that long?

They might not have a choice. New Orleans is under the salary cap by just $2.7 million right now, so unless a player is going back their options are really limited. Trading more-valuable draft picks to Las Vegas could get the Raiders to pay part of Adams’ salary would be an option. Their easiest lever to pull would be restructuring Alvin Kamara’s contract, saving up to $8.1 million, but he’s tabled contract extension talks until the spring, so you have to wonder how willing the Saints would be to go that route.

Let’s say they get that done. As for the trade compensation? It would probably have to be at least a future first-round pick, and the Saints have gotten burned by trading those recently (just look at the disastrous Trevor Penning trade in 2022). Adams ranks third in career touchdowns scored (96) among active players. He’s built a career that’s given him a shot at the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday.

Getting him won’t be easy, but it might save the Saints’ season. Adams would give them a physical presence at wide receiver they currently lack. Neither Chris Olave nor Rashid Shaheed, talented as they are, play above the rim and fight for contested catches as effectively as Adams does. He’s a rare tone-setter at the position, and the Saints know him well. Beyond Carr he’s got his former college receivers coach Keith Williams on staff in New Orleans. There could be both interest from the Saints and appeal to Adams here. Stay tuned.

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Derek Carr impressed by Jordan Mims: ‘He’s really taken the bull by the horns’

Former Fresno State running back Jordan Mims is already drawing praise from New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr: ‘He’s really taken the bull by the horns’

Training camp is in full swing for the New Orleans Saints with the season on the horizon, and multiple players have already stood out, including running back Jordan Mims. He’s making the most of his opportunity with Kendre Miller on the mend with a hamstring injury.

Quarterback Derek Carr spoke to just how much Mims brings to the table in a recent interview before Saints training camp.

“There’s so much talent. He is doing such a phenomenal job. He’s really impressed me,” Carr told Stephen Hicks at ABC 30 Fresno.

Mims, Carr and backup quarterback Jake Haener all share the Fresno State connection, and while Mims was Haener’s teammate and not Carr’s, the veteran passer was still certainly keeping up with his games on the field for the Bulldogs. Mims finished out his Fresno State career with 3,290 rushing yards and 37 touchdown runs on 680 carries, also catching 91 passes for 971 yards and another 8 touchdowns receptions.

“I knew the kind of player he was, obviously, watching him in the (Fresno State) games,” Carr said. “Then you get around him and he’s an even better person. And the coaches are so impressed with him. He’s doing some really great things.”

To Carr, the possibilities of how Mims can contribute to the Saints offense, particularly in the ground game, are endless. He played his best football in a similar offense built around zone blocking concepts.

Carr continued: “And so I think the sky’s the limit for him. And I’ve told him ‘If you don’t make it, I’m taking it personal, it’s my fault.’ I’ve just been trying to pour into his life, just encouraging him. He’s really taken the bull by the horns and just crushed it. He’s done a great job.”

Entering his second season in the NFL after he was originally signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie after the 2023 NFL draft, Mims will look to capitalize on the opportunity he’s been presented with in New Orleans for another year. Mims saw action in just two games for the Saints last season, but did not record a carry or a reception while primarily helping out the kickoff coverage squad on special teams.

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Jordan Mims is ready to prove he’s more than just Jake Haener’s college teammate

With Kendre Miller sidelined by another injury, Jordan Mims has a big opportunity to prove he’s more than just Jake Haener’s old college teammate:

When Jordan Mims signed with the New Orleans Saints last year, the main storyline surrounding his arrival was his connection to another rookie on the team — Jake Haener. Mims and Haener played together at Fresno State, of course, and becoming teammates again as pros was a cool bit of trivia if nothing else.

But he’s working to make the most of his latest opportunity. Mims was already practicing ahead of Kendre Miller, last year’s third-round draft pick, before the latter exited the first day of training camp with a hamstring injury.  Now Mims is getting even more touches and snaps at practice to prove to the coaches what he can do.

“Young Mims,” center Erik McCoy grinned when asked about him on Saturday. “I’m a Mims fan. I feel like he’s a guy not a lot of people know about. Just because they picked him up last year in Week 2, maybe Week 3. But even throughout all of last year, and seeing him on the P. Squad, seeing him go against our defense, I thought ‘This kid can go.’ I think throughout this camp you can just see that even more. He can go.”

What’s interesting is how poorly Mims fits the Saints’ established preferences at running back. He weighs in at just 6-foot-0 and 205 pounds, 10 pounds lighter than Alvin Kamara and 20 pounds under Jamaal Williams,  and he didn’t exactly blow everyone away in his pre-draft athletic testing. Mims was given a 1.46 Relative Athletic Score after timing the 40-yard dash in 4.65 seconds, poor results for an athlete his size.

Still, the Saints clearly saw something in Mims when they signed him. McCoy sees it now. Just look at his production in college. Fresno State asked a lot of him; Mims ran the ball 680 times across five seasons with the Bulldogs while catching 91 passes, scoring a combined 45 touchdowns in 59 games. And he has a lot of success running in former Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford’s zone-heavy blocking scheme, which shares many of the same principles Klint Kubiak is installing with the Saints. That could give him an edge over other backups like James Robinson and Jacob Kibodi — to say nothing of Miller’s status.

Let’s keep it realistic. Alvin Kamara will dominate touches out of the backfield, though the Saints are determined to get more out of Jamaal Williams than they did last season. And Taysom Hill is an X-factor, too, as he’s effectively been their best rusher in recent years. Mims won’t be taking anything away from those guys on top of the depth chart. But he could be more than a challenger for Miller.

Remember, another undrafted running back (Pierre Thomas) once took a fourth-round pick’s job (Antonio Pittman) in the New Orleans backfield. If Mims runs hard this summer and flashes the same vision and playmaking ability he did in college, he might not just make the team. He stands to benefit from every practice session Miller spends in the trainer’s room.

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Fresno State’s Korey Foreman prepares for reputation-making football season

Jeff Tedford had great things to say about Korey Foreman before he had to retire due to health reasons.

This offseason, the Fresno State Bulldogs and head coach Jeff Tedford landed former five-star recruit and USC transfer Korey Foreman.

During the Mountain West media days earlier this month, head coach Jeff Tedford — before retiring from coaching due to health reasons — offered his highest praise yet for the USC transfer, comparing Foreman to New York Giants Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor.

“There was one practice where he had like three sacks, two picks and one was one-handed,” Tedford said on the Mountain West Network. “I went into the defensive room and asked, ‘Who let Lawrence Taylor on the field?’ That’s what he looked like.”

Korey Foreman, was the No. 2 overall recruit on the 247Sports composite list for class of 2021 college football including being the No.1 player in California and the No.1 edge rusher in the nation.

The former Corona Centennial (Calif.) star didn’t live up to expectations during his three-year tenure at USC, managing to accumulate 24 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one interception over his freshman and sophomore years. In 2023, he opted for a redshirt year before entering the transfer portal. It will be interesting to see how Fresno State’s interim staff, with Tedford now retired, handles Foreman and, for that matter, the full Bulldog roster in 2024.

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Health issues force Jeff Tedford to exit as Fresno State football coach

Veteran coach Jeff Tedford leaves Fresno State

Fresno State will be led by a different head coach in 2024. Jeff Tedford told the Bulldogs on Monday that he is leaving his job as head coach due to health concerns.

Tedford, 62, was 44-22 at Fresno State. In five seasons as the head coach, Tedford led Fresno State to three West Division titles, two Mountain West Championship wins, four Bowl Game victories, and two Top 25 finishes to cap a season.

“Coach Tedford’s contributions to Fresno State and the Central Valley have been nothing short of extraordinary,” says Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy. “His dedication, passion, and commitment have not only led our football program to numerous championships but also deeply impacted the community. Our goal during this coaching transition is to ensure it is as seamless as possible for our student-athletes, and to continue the championship culture that Coach Tedford has established. We are grateful for his endless contributions, wish him the best with his health, and I expect to lean on Coach Tedford during my transition due to his incredible insight and relationships.”

Tim Skipper has been named interim coach.

Oregon baseball given a decent chance at advancing in the NCAA tournament

Oregon baseball has a fighting chance of advancing in the NCAA tournament, according to Parker Fleming.

If there’s one thing everyone learned last season is that the Oregon Ducks baseball team knows how to win on the road.

The Ducks were the 2-seed in the Vanderbilt Regional in 2023 and upset the Commodores to advance to the Super Regionals.

Oregon is in a similar position this season as the NCAA tournament committee put the Ducks in the Santa Barbara Regional as the 3-seed alongside the host Gauchos, Fresno State and their opening opponent, the 2-seeded San Diego Toreros.

According to Parker Fleming, an odds expert, he says the Ducks have a decent chance of coming out on top and advancing to the Super Regionals, just like they did a year ago.

“Oregon baseball has a fighting chance to get out of the Santa Barbara Regional,” he said.

Fleming gives the Ducks a 21.6 percent chance of winning the bracket. Of course, the host Gauchos have the best chance at 42.5 percent and San Diego is given a 29.7 percent chance. It would be a huge upset if the Fresno State Bulldogs advance as they have just a 6.2 percent chance.

Oregon and San Diego opens up the regional on Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 12 pm PST on ESPNU.

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Oregon goes to the Santa Barbara Regional in NCAA tournament

Oregon baseball stays on the West Coast and will head to sunny Santa Barbara to play in the NCAA tournament this weekend.

This is why being on the bubble is so difficult. You have to wait to see when your name is called, if your name is called.

The Oregon Ducks baseball team had to wait nearly the entire selection process until their name finally showed up on a four-team regional bracket on the ESPN2 telecast.

But their name was called and the Ducks will stay on the West Coast as they will head down to play in the Santa Barbara Regional this weekend. Oregon (37-18) will open up with the San Diego Toreros (40-13), the champions of the West Coast Conference, on Friday.

This is Oregon’s fourth straight tournament appearance. The Ducks were able to host a Super Regional last season after winning the Vanderbilt Regional, but lost to Oral Roberts.

Also in the UCSB Regional along with the Gauchos (42-12) is Fresno State. The Bulldogs (33-27) won the Mountain West tournament and became that league’s automatic qualifier.