Tag: Miami

News: Michael Bennett stacks checks, literally, will Cowboys keep Byron?

The 2019 season isn’t even over yet, but that does not give any grace period to the NFL teams looking to make an immediate beeline to the key dates in this years offseason. For the Dallas Cowboys, this means addressing the obvious in-house issues …

The 2019 season isn’t even over yet, but that does not give any grace period to the NFL teams looking to make an immediate beeline to the key dates in this years offseason. For the Dallas Cowboys, this means addressing the obvious in-house issues with upcoming free agents and of course the hours and hours of research done for the 2020 NFL Draft.

Which key moves made in 2019 were the best and worst? One of Dallas’ contract signings made the list. There’s a bright look ahead to the 2020 Cowboys and their immediate future. What are the team’s problem areas? Also there’s some discussion of the upcoming draft, all in today’s News and Notes.

The best, worst, and most underrated moves of the 2019 offseason :: ESPN

Reflecting on some of the moves from 2019, the jury is still out. Topping Dan Graziano’s list is the contract extension given to running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott’s holdout dominated headlines throughout training camp, and he returned only when the Cowboys made him the highest-paid back in the game. Only he didn’t proceed to play like the best back in the game. Finishing fourth in rushing yards was no slouch effort, to be sure, but Elliott’s output didn’t exactly quash the whispers the team may have overpaid for his services.

–TB

NFL’s most underperforming units of 2019: 10 big problem areas :: NFL.com

More evaluation of the season gone past, this time from NFL Network analytics expert Cynthia Frelund. The Game Theory specialist looks specifically at ten units across the league who didn’t live up to expectations or otherwise hurt their team’s chances of winning.

To the surprise of no one in Cowboys Nation, the Dallas secondary made the list. Frelund flagged the group for allowing a league-high completion percentage on first down throws and a league-low interception total.

–TB

Dallas Cowboys’ Michael Bennett doesn’t deposit his checks ‘until the end of the season’ :: Black Enterprise

Defensive end Michael Bennett may really be the most interesting man in the NFL. After a midseason trade brought him from New England to Dallas, the Super Bowl champ and three-time Pro Bowler made a significant impact on the defensive line. But he didn’t make any trips to the bank.

In this fascinating piece that also leans on a September report from CNBC, it’s revealed that Bennett purposely doesn’t use direct deposit for his sizable game checks during the season, opting instead to collect his paper checks and deposit them all at once when the season is over. “To make sure I don’t spend any money,” he says.

–TB

There’s no beating a Super Bowl in Miami :: SI.com

South Florida always seems to put on a good Super Bowl show, providing some truly memorable moments throughout the big game’s history there. None of them, though, are particularly good ones for Cowboys fans. Dallas has claimed the Lombardi Trophy five times, but never in Miami. Their three Super Bowl losses, though? Incredibly, every single one of them came in the Magic City.

Maybe it’s a relief that the 2019 Cowboys didn’t get anywhere close to hopping a postseason flight bound for MIA.

–TB

Will McClay Comments on Cowboys Keeping Byron Jones and Possible Changes on The Defensive Line :: Blogging The Boys

RJ Ochoa breaks down a few questions Cowboys fans may have headed into the 2020 NFL Draft. Vice President of Player Personnel Will McClay spoke with the media from the Senior Bowl about what their focus may be on with some of the bright young stars on their draft board. “They might want bigger interior players, so, that’s fine, we’ll go and look for that. But I think we’re going to be looking for the same type players,” McClay said in his brief interview.

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The rumblings of a possible theft may take place is of the NFC East Division Rival Philadelphia Eagles to take away Cowboys starting cornerback, Byron Jones in free agency. McClay addresses this as well as what caliber player he feels Jones is and has been for the team.

–DS

Every NFL Teams Biggest Potential Breakout Player in 2020 :: Bleacher Report

B/R breaks down some of the brightest young stars to take the next step in 2020. For the Dallas Cowboys, with questions looming about starting cornerback, Byron Jones, The team may need a breakout performance from Jordan Lewis.

If Jones makes a break for the highest bidder, this can open up a huge opportunity for Lewis to start on the other side opposite of Chidobe Awuzie. Lewis made quite the impact in the 2019 season racking up four sacks and two interceptions and that was from his role as a nickel backer, though he did spend some time on the outside when Awuzie was benched against Philadelphia.

–DS

Cowboys Sign Kicker & DT to Reserve/Future List :: Team Website

Everybody loves competition. According to Rob Phillips, the team signed kicker Tristan Vizcaino and defensive tackle Justin Hamilton to their Reserve/Future List.

Vizcaino had two tryouts with the team while they were searching for a replacement for Brett Maher. Ultimately the Cowboys went ahead and signed Kai Forbath for the remaining 3 games of the 2019-2020 season. That was a move that paid off greatly as he went 10 for 10 in field goals and 10 for 10 in extra points. Forbath is eligible to become an unrestricted free agency in March. Camp battler or replacement? Time will tell, but everybody loves competition.

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Defensive tackle, Justin Hamilton, was signed in October of 2019 as soon as Tyrone Crawford was thrown on the IR but was soon let go by the team when the Cowboys opted to trade for Michael Bennett. Clearly the Cowboys saw something in Hamilton then and would like to see more heading into the Offseason.

–DS

 

Reflecting on the 10 previous Super Bowls played in Miami

Joe Namath, Jim O’Brien, Steve Young and John Elways were some of the stars in Super Bowls played in Miami.

Super Bowl LIV will be the 11th to be played in the Miami metropolitan area. Some of the games have been historic, such as the Jets’ win over the Colts in Super Bowl III, at the Orange Bowl. What do the Chiefs and Niners have in store when they meet Feb. 2 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens?

II: Packers 33, Raiders 14

Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Vince Lombardi’s Packers won their second straight Super Bowl. Bart Starr was the MVP for the second straight season. Don Chandler kicked four field goals and Herb Adderley returned an interception 60 yards for a TD in the Orange Bowl.

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Saints to be represented with ‘The Saints Quarter’ at Super Bowl LIV

The NFL’s Super Bowl Experience in Miami will feature the New Orleans Saints and all 32 teams at the Lowe’s Hometown ahead of Super Bowl LIV

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The New Orleans Saints will have their own representation at the festivities surrounding Super Bowl LIV in Miami, even if they won’t be playing in the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. New Orleans will be depicted with a customized model house in the Lowe’s Hometown neighborhood. Described as “an idyllic NFL community featuring dwellings for all 32 NFL teams,” each franchise will be portrayed with their own unique structure.

The dwellings are 8-foot-by-8-foot structures built in North Carolina and designed as tributes for each of their home cities. Each home was built with materials found at Lowe’s, this year’s presenting sponsor of the NFL’s Super Bowl Experience in Miami.

“Just as the two teams in the Super Bowl will be looking to bring home a championship, Lowe’s is stepping up its game and helping fans bring the NFL experience to homes across the country,” Lowe’s said in a press release.

The statement continued, describing “The Saints Quarter” as, “a Bourbon Street-inspired house, featuring a classic French Quarter balcony, silhouettes of jazz musicians and hanging gardens. It has all the flair, colors and glitz of the Big Easy itself.”

It’s an interesting interpretation of the city’s landmark historical district, which draws millions of tourists each year. Fans visiting Miami ahead of Super Bowl LIV can see “The Saints Quarter” and the rest of the neighborhood at the Miami Beach Convention Center from Saturday, Jan. 25 to Sunday, Jan. 26, as well as Wednesday, Jan. 29 to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020.

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Notre Dame: Women’s Basketball Gets Much Needed Win Over Miami

Freshman Sam Brunelle led the way with 25 points while Destinee Walker finished 21 points and seven rebounds herself.

It has been a trying year for Muffet McGraw and the Fighting Irish so Sunday’s win over previously 10-7 Miami had to be satisfying.

Especially considering the second half the now 7-12 Fighting Irish went on.

Holding a the slightest of leads at halftime Notre Dame came out on fire after intermission Sunday, outscoring the Hurricanes 24-7 in the third frame en-route to a 76-53 takedown of Miami.

Freshman Sam Brunelle led the way with 25 points while Destinee Walker added 21 points and seven rebounds.

Mikayla Vaughn (16) and Katlyn Gilbert (12) also reached double-figures.

Notre Dame shot a lights-out 70% from beyond the arc while Miami struggled from the outside, making just four of 23 attempts (17.4%).

The win was just the second for Notre Dame in ACC play as they now sit at 2-5 in the conference.

They’ll look for win number three of the ACC season on January 26 as they resume action with a trip to Virginia.

Pete Carroll’s son is a candidate for Hawaii head coaching job

Brennan Carroll, a longtime Seattle Seahawks assistant and son of head coach Pete Carroll, is a candidate to be Hawaii’s next head coach.

Seattle Seahawks assistant offensive line coach Brennan Carroll, son of head coach Pete Carroll, has emerged as a candidate for Hawaii’s head coaching vacancy, according to Fox Sports reporter Bruce Feldman.

Hawaii is in need of a new head coach after Nick Rolovich replaced Mike Leach at Washington State University, after Leach left for Mississippi State.

Carroll played tight end at the University of Pittsburgh from 1999-2001 before joining USC as a Graduate Assistant in 2002, under his dad.

Carroll ended up serving a variety of different roles while at USC, including tight end coach and eventually recruiting coordinator, before he was let go by new coach Lane Kiffin, who came in to replace Pete Carroll after he went to Seattle.

Carroll then spent four seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Miami, coaching tight ends and wide receivers while also leading the recruiting charge, before he joined the Seahawks in 2015 as an assistant offensive line coach, a role he still holds today – for now.

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Wisconsin bowl memories: 2018 Pinstripe Bowl

The 2018 Pinstripe Bowl between Wisconsin and Miami

The Wisconsin Badgers might have relished and cherished a bowl of the Pinstripe Bowl’s stature in 1981. It was in 1981 that the Badgers played the Tennessee Volunteers in the New York metropolitan area. They went to the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J., for the 1981 Garden State Bowl. In 2018, the Pinstripe Bowl was a reasonable equivalent of the early-1980s Garden State Bowl, but it wasn’t a reward for Wisconsin’s season.

In the early 1980s, Wisconsin was a seven-win program. Compared to the misery of the 1970s, the early 1980s were a very good time for Badger football. However, once Barry Alvarez completely reshaped the program and established a very different set of standards for Wisconsin football, a 7-5 season became something the Badgers definitely did not aspire to. Seven-win seasons in 1981? Impressive. Seven-win seasons in 2018? Not impressive.

So it was that in a 2018 season when Alex Hornibrook lost his fastball and a ton of injuries decimated the defense, the Badgers limped to a 7-5 finish. Minnesota and P.J. Fleck drilled them in Camp Randall Stadium. When Wisconsin went to the greater New York area for a bowl — 37 years after doing the same in 1981 — the Badgers were not playing for a big prize.

Wisconsin won New Year’s Six bowls in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. The 2017 campaign was the winningest (13 wins, 1 loss) in UW history. The 2018 season was a departure from excellence. It was not what the program expected or had become accustomed to.

Bowl games, as we all know, are theaters of motivation. They are usually decided by the team which takes the occasion more seriously. Would both Wisconsin and the Miami Hurricanes — reunited in a bowl one year after playing in the Orange Bowl — play with passion, or would they drift through the motions? Would they grumble or would they go for it with gusto? Would they sulk or soar, drift or drive themselves to a higher level?

We all got our answer, and Wisconsin answered this test of character properly. The Badgers had the advantage of playing a warm-weather opponent in cold weather conditions, but if they didn’t play hard, it wouldn’t have mattered. Wisconsin definitely played hard, powering through Miami’s front seven and enabling Jonathan Taylor to run for 205 yards. Wisconsin led 14-3 after one quarter (mirroring Miami’s 14-3 lead after one in the 2017 Orange Bowl). However, while Miami lost the plot in the Orange Bowl after grabbing an early lead, Wisconsin built on its 14-3 advantage and landed a knockout punch, 35-3 over the dazed and paralyzed Hurricanes.

Wisconsin didn’t have the 2018 season it wanted to have. Fine. Nothing could have been done to change that reality when the Badgers went to New York for the Pinstripe Bowl. All Wisconsin could do was play its bowl game as well as it possibly could, thereby restoring confidence and a sense that the program could bounce back. The Badgers did that, and in 2019, they definitely reestablished the Wisconsin Way.

Miami coach Mark Richt retired just after this Pinstripe Bowl. Manny Diaz was Temple’s head coach for a few hours, and then went to South Florida to take over The U. He face-planted in a 6-6 season. Wisconsin has the stability and reliability Miami could only dream of. Yes, the 2018 Pinstripe Bowl was a turning point for two programs.

Wisconsin bowl memories: 2017 Orange Bowl

The December 2017 Orange Bowl between Wisconsin and Miami

In the New Year’s Six bowl structure, elite bowl games have been played in late December, not just early January. This has led to years in which there are “two” bowls of the same kind. For instance, there were two 2017 Cotton Bowls: Wisconsin won the January 2017 Cotton Bowl over Western Michigan, and Ohio State won the December 2017 Cotton Bowl over USC.

When one refers to the 2017 Orange Bowl, one is referring not to January, but to December. Just before 2017 gave way to 2018, the Wisconsin Badgers played the Miami Hurricanes, and they did so in Miami at Hard Rock Stadium. It was not Wisconsin versus an SEC team in a bowl game, but the theme was familiar: Wisconsin had to play its bowl game much closer to the opponent’s campus than its own. Wisconsin had to shoulder the handicap Big Ten teams normally play with in bowl games in Southern locales. (Miami is not culturally Southern the way SEC locales are, but geographically, this is as southernmost a bowl location as one can imagine.)

Wisconsin had a reason to adopt an “us against the world” mentality due to playing in Miami’s back yard, but beyond the foreign territory angle, the Badgers had another cause to rally around: the turnover chain. You remember that part of Miami’s 2017 season, right? It was all anyone could talk about when the Hurricanes were discussed. People in the college football world wondered if “The U” was actually back. Texas has never gotten “back” under Tom Herman. Michigan has never been “back” under Jim Harbaugh. When Miami won 11 games and popped Notre Dame late in that 2017 season, it was reasonable to wonder if Mark Richt had the Canes back to their formerly lofty place in college football, ending a long period in the sport’s wilderness.

One can legitimately say that if Miami wanted to make sure that it was “back,” Wisconsin prevented that from happening. The Badgers yanked The U’s chain and showed the Hurricanes who was boss.

Everyone in and around Wisconsin football knows that Alex Hornibrook lost the plot in the 2018 season, an autumn which slipped away from the Badgers for a whole host of reasons. Yet, before the 2018 train went off the tracks, Hornibrook was a man who met the moment in 2017. Hornibrook wasn’t brilliant. He didn’t dominate games. He didn’t dazzle or demolish. He did, however, make big third-down throws.

In the Orange Bowl, he continued to do that, and he separated himself from his opposite number, Miami quarterback Malik Rosier. Hornibrook threw four touchdown passes in that Orange Bowl, making all the big throws on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive which turned a 27-24 Wisconsin game into a 34-24 Badger lead. When Miami missed a chip-shot field goal a few minutes after Wisconsin gained its 10-point advantage, the ballgame was over, and the Badgers tucked away their 13th win in the same college football season.

Whereas Hornibrook made all the big throws in this game — powering Wisconsin to a 21-point second-quarter surge which helped UW overcome a 14-3 Miami start in the first quarter — Rosier threw three interceptions. One of those interceptions came when Miami trailed 24-21 in the third quarter and was driving inside the Wisconsin 30. Hornibrook finished what he started; Rosier did not. Wisconsin won the turnover battle against the team which loved to flaunt the turnover chain.

It was a very happy chain of events for the Badgers in Miami two years ago, capping one of the most special seasons in Wisconsin football history.

PODCAST: Has the Bills offense made a turnaround?

Bills Wire Buffalo Bills podcast recap of the team’s Week 11 win over the Miami Dolphins.

The Buffalo Bills went down to Miami and took care of the business, squishing the “fish”(mammals) in their second encounter of the season with a score of 37-20. It was the most points accrued by this Bills offense all season, and they shined in all aspects. Mustached Buffalo offense coordinator Brian Daboll got it done.

Despite what their record may say, Mimai was a valiant team, and had been riding high on a two-game win streak, but the Bills slowed them down. There were a few moments where the Dolphins had opportunities to take over the game, but they could not capitalize.

Miami only attempted to rush a mere 13 attempts for 23 yards, a questionable decision since rushing up the middle worked to their advantage in the first encounter.

The offense for Buffalo was essentially fan service against Miami, and the Bills social media crowd got their way. Devin Singletary was the primary running back, getting key downs and leading the rushing yardage. Quarterback Josh Allen heaved the ball around, hitting wideout John Brown for two touchdown passes, further cementing Brown’s roster spot for years to come. Brown, who many have only viewed as “just a deep ball guy” has shown that he can be the No. 1 receiver that the team has desperately needed for a long time.

Billswire Podcast Hosts Matt Johnson and Jeremy Juhasz explore the big win in Miami, and look ahead ahead toward Denver next week:

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Bowling Green-Miami (Ohio) odds: RedHawks big favorites over Falcons

Previewing Wednesday’s Bowling Green Falcons at Miami (Ohio) RedHawks sports betting odds and lines, with college football picks and tips.

The MAC East-leading Miami RedHawks (5-4) will face the Bowling Green Falcons (3-6) Wednesday night. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. ET from Fred C. Yager Stadium. We analyze the Bowling Green-Miami odds and betting lines, while providing college football betting tips and advice on this matchup.

Bowling Green at Miami (Ohio): Three things you need to know

1. Bowling Green has been held to 10 or fewer points four times this season and has been shut out twice. The Falcons average only 17.6 points per game, which is 122nd in the country. They scored 35 points in their last game against Akron, though.

2. Miami has won four of its last five games with its only loss in that stretch coming against Western Michigan. The RedHawks averaged 24.8 points per game in their last five but just 22.7 on the year (107th).

3. Miami is 110th in the country with an average of 124.7 rushing yards per game, but it could take advantage of Bowling Green’s porous run defense. The Falcons are giving up 214.4 rushing yards per game this season, among the worst in college football.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM!

Bowling Green at Miami (Ohio): Odds, betting lines and picks

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Miami 27, Bowling Green 17

Moneyline (ML)

The moneyline isn’t worth touching. Miami (-1250) is too heavy of a favorite to bet to win straight up, and it’s simply not worth the risk. The same goes for Bowling Green as the underdog at +590.

Bowling Green is 6-12 SU in its last 18 games against Miami, but 5-5 in the last 10 meetings. Still, it’s not worth putting any money here. Save it for the spread.

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Miami returns a profit of $0.80.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The RedHawks are favored by 18.5 points in this one and it’s easy to understand why. Bowling Green has really struggled this season despite turning things around slightly of late.

Miami has covered the spread in four of its last five games and is 7-1 in its last eight games against MAC opponents. It’s difficult to see the RedHawks covering 18.5 points this time around with an offense that hasn’t been lighting up the scoreboard. Take BOWLING GREEN (-110) and the points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over/Under is 50.5 points and history says the total will go Over. In the last six games between these teams, the total has gone Over in five of them.

These offenses aren’t playing particularly well, though, so I’m inclined to take the UNDER (-110).

Get some action on this game or others, place a bet with BetMGM today. And for more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @camdasilva and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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