Tag: Mike Ditka

If their history is any indication, Saints head coach search could end soon

The New Orleans Saints head coaching search may come to an end soon if their previous hirings are any indication of when it may happen

The history of New Orleans Saints head coaches has been a relatively short one, with only 15 coaches ever having the opportunity to be the head coach or interim head coach in their 57-year history. Now the Saints find themselves looking for a new head coach, and if their previous history of hirings are any indication, the search could come to a conclusion in the very near future.

The last five non-interim head coach hires are as follows, as well as the exact date they were brought in to lead the Saints:

  • Dennis Allen – Feb. 8, 2022
  • Sean Payton – Jan. 18, 2006
  • Jim Haslett – Feb. 3, 2000
  • Mike Ditka – Jan. 28, 1997
  • Jim Mora – Jan. 28, 1986

Based on these dates, the mean of the previous hirings is about 29.4, meaning January 29th is roughly when a new head coach signing could be expected hypothetically. With the news surrounding their interest in second interviews, it seems a hiring may be coming in the near future. However, with the snowfall blocking their path to an interview for a few days, that may lead them right into the range of when previous hires happened.

Granted, Mickey Loomis has made it clear that their hiring process this year will differ from previous ones, and that it may take a little longer as they will be vetting their options to ensure what will hopefully be a quality coach for years to come.

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Raiders TE Brock Bowers breaks NFL record that stood for 63 years

Mike Ditka’s rookie tight end receiving yards record stood for 63 years. Today Raiders TE Brock Bowers broke it.

The AFL came into existence in 1960. A year later, tight end Mike Ditka caught 58 passes for 1076 yards. It was an awesome accomplishment at the time, but little did anyone know that 63 years later, that record would still stand.

And now it’s fallen.

In the first quarter of the Raiders week 17 game against the Saints in New Orleans, Brock Bowers ran right past that six-decade old record.

Bowers came into the game needing just 10 yards to hit 1077 yards to rewrite the record books. Averaging over 10 yards per catch on the season, it seemed possible he would break the record on one catch. But it ended up taking three catches for him to do it.

He got the first pass of the day, with the catch going for six yards. Aidan O’Connell went back to him on second down, but he picked up just two yards on the catch, putting him two yards away. Then, finally, late in the second quarter, he got it. Making a 13-yard catch to get the record plus 11 yards.

Bowers now has the rest of this game as well as the season finale next week to add to the record as well as break some other records.

Next up is the rookie receptions record which was set by Puka Nacua last season. The record is 105, and Bowers came into this game needing just five receptions to break it. Which means at the time of this writing, he was two catches away from that record as well.

Ranking top former Cowboys in their media careers

There’s a storied tradition that is part of the lore of playing a chunk of one’s career in a Dallas Cowboys uniform. The popularity the brand affords stars is evident in how well they often do in gaining media opportunities as retired personalities. …

There’s a storied tradition that is part of the lore of playing a chunk of one’s career in a Dallas Cowboys uniform. The popularity the brand affords stars is evident in how well they often do in gaining media opportunities as retired personalities. It doesn’t always work out for the best, see Emmitt Smith and Jason Witten’s short stints in front of the cameras, but after the extra endorsement offers die down, there’s a clear path to remaining relevant in the media world.

There are several who have proven very good at the job of explaining football to the masses. In various roles across multiple outlets, former Cowboys bring live game analysis, review and preview editorials, and function as another arm of the entermainment complex known as the NFL. Here are our 2024 rankings of those media members who formerly wore the star.


Marcus Spears (ESPN)

Ditka had been a staple on ESPN for a while, after first appearing on NBC Sports and CBS Sports following his retirement from coaching. The former Cowboys tight end had an illustrious career in all phases, but not rarely makes on-screen appearances.

Johnson had been a staple on ESPN for years, dating back to 2007 as an on-air analyst and radio show host. That relationship ended in 2023 and he since joined Skip Bayless as a Stephen A. Smith replacement on Undisputed.

The former Cowboys head coach eased right into a gig with NBC. He serves as both a studio analyst for pre and post-game histrionics, while also getting in the booth for college football and the other professional leagues that have appeared on the network.

Baldinger was a reserve lineman for the Cowboys the first five seasons of his career. He’s been on NFL Network since the middle of last decade but he ranks highly on this list for his use of social media. Baldinger’s tweets, each week, highlight a handful of standout performances from the slate of games. The way he breaks down technique and skill into digestible nuggets for the viewing public make him one of the top followers among NFL media.

If a Cowboys fan is interested in having a completely biased supporter of the organization to balance the litany of talking heads that hate the team, Michael Irvin has been their guy. The Hall of Famer makes no apologies for his level of Dallas love and brings it on air on a regular basis. Irving was recently let go of his NFL Network gig as the league-owned media company has purged a ton of their on-air talent. Now Irvin can be found as a rotational guest on FS1.

The Moose was surprisingly good in the booth off top, but he’s appeared to hit a ceiling of sorts. He was never on the top team, but he has always been solid and gotten most of the Cowboys’ early game assignments when they rarely kickoff at noon central time. Johnston has likely been bumped down to at least Team No. 3 with the arrival of Tom Brady bumping Greg Olsen.

After the first two years of his career, Romo seemed on the trajectory to be the next John Madden. Going from the field to the booth, Romo’s ascension to a mastermind in the pocket clearly translated to the microphone game. His ability to dissect plays based on formation and defense and knowing the checks the QB would make were elite cinema for the viewing audience.

It was groundbreaking and deserved all of the accolades.

Since though, Romo’s seemingly slipped in his preparation and has been heard missing what has actually happened on the play. He’s still very entertaining but some of the shine is gone.

Aikman joined the FOX booth all the way back in 2002, pairing with Joe Buck and Chris Collinsworth. He and Buck have been joined at the hip, and when their contracts were up they moved over to ESPN together to host Monday Night Football. AIkman had been the gold standard for color commentary until Romo’s arrival, and in all honesty has regained the throne in the past couple of seasons.

He’s often accused of both being too hard on the Cowboys and too soft on them, meaning he’s probably doing a great job when both sides are mad at you.

Shocked? Shouldn’t be. The former Dallas first round pick immediately moved to the broadcast game following his retirement in 2013. First on the SEC Nation and then the SEC Network, Big Swaggu made his way to the main ESPN stage starting in 2014 and has been prominently featured since around 2017.

While he’s not in the broadcast booth, Spears is an analyst for several of ESPN’s shows and is most known for providing quality, knowledgable, entertaining takes without devolving into sensationalistic muck that is often connected with the four-letter network’s productions. His work along with that of Ryan Clark and Mina Kimes are proof that ESPN can still provide top-tier analysis despite the network’s addiction to giving the lowest-common denominator fans what they crave; drama without substance.

Saints had their worst offensive performance in a win since Mike Ditka was their coach

The Saints did beat the Panthers, but it was their worst offensive performance in a win since Mike Ditka was their coach:

The New Orleans Saints had their struggles against the Carolina Panthers but were able to sneak away with a victory. You could tell it was an ordeal for them to move the ball simply based on the eye test. Numbers really put the struggles into perspective, however.

And here’s a telling stat from NFL Research: the Saints ended the game with a mere 207 total yards, the lowest total yardage in a victory since their 1997 win over the Seattle Seahawks. That was 26 years ago, when Mike Ditka was their head coach.

Now 207 total yards is low, period, but most times it would lead to losses.  Since the NFL merger in 1970, teams are 25-175 when gaining fewer than 207 yards. This season, New Orleans has only amassed fewer than 207 yards once, against the Buccaneers, when the offense totaled 197 yards and 9 points.

As much as Derek Carr has been criticized, he passed for more than 207 yards in nearly every game he hasn’t left due to injury. That should put the Week 14 struggles into perspective. This was a bad performance that luckily resulted in a victory. Carr and the Saints must improve if they’re going to beat better opponents than the one-win Panthers.

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Bears legend Mike Ditka featured in new episode of ‘Peyton’s Places’ from Omaha Productions

Happy National Tight Ends Day! Celebrate with a new episode of “Peyton’s Places” featuring Bears legend Mike Ditka.

Did you know today is National Tight Ends Day?

For those unaware, National Tight Ends Day is an unofficial holiday established by 49ers star George Kittle that celebrates one of the most underrated positions in the NFL — tight ends. It’s observed on the fourth Sunday in October, which just happens to be today — Oct. 22, 2023.

While many know Mike Ditka as the outspoken head coach of the 1985 Bears, he first made his mark as a player in Chicago. Ditka is credited with revolutionizing the tight end position as we know it as today.

During his six-year stint with the Bears, Ditka was named to five Pro Bowls and was a two-time First-Team All-Pro. He averaged 52.6 receptions, 750.5 yards and 5.6 touchdowns with Chicago from 1961 to 1965. Ditka, considered one of the best tight ends in NFL history, was also the first tight end named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

So it’s only fitting that it in a brand new tight-end centric episode of ESPN+ and Omaha Productions’ Peyton’s Places that Ditka is among those featured. In the episode, aptly titled “National Tight Ends Day,” Hall of Famer Peyton Manning chats with some of the greatest to ever play the position — Ditka, Chargers great Kellen Winslow and 49ers star George Kittle.

A new episode of Peyton’s Places is now available to stream on ESPN+.

Eagles’ regular season countdown: Every player to wear No. 98 for Philadelphia

With Eagles training camp less than 100 days away, we’re looking at every player to wear the No. 98 for Philadelphia

The Philadelphia Eagles will kick off their 2023 regular season against the New England Patriots on Sept. 10, now 90 days away.

From now until the start of the season, we’ll be counting down each day by revisiting the players who have worn that specific jersey number.

No. 98 is currently worn by first-round pick Jalen Carter, who will be a key rotational piece and star at the defensive tackle position.

There have been some memorable players to don the number, including legendary Bears head coach Mike Ditka.

With 90 days until kickoff, here’s a look at every player to ever wear No. 98 for the Eagles (via Pro Football Reference):

Jason Sudeikis says Ted Lasso look was inspired by Bears legend Mike Ditka

Bears legend Mike Ditka inspired Ted Lasso’s look: “The shades, the short polyester shorts and the mustache was very much Ditka.”

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Former Bears coach Mike Ditka has been an integral part of sports pop culture with his signature mustache and shades, as well as his outrageous personality. He was part of the inspiration behind one of television’s most beloved characters.

“Ted Lasso” creator and star Jason Sudeikis revealed on a recent episode of “Hot Ones” that the former Bears legend was the inspiration for Lasso’s look in the show.

“The look was kind of inspired by Mike Ditka,” Sudeikis said. “You know, the shades, the short polyester shorts and the mustache was very much Ditka.”

Mike Powell /Allsport

But that’s where the inspiration ends. Lasso and Ditka couldn’t be more different. While Ditka was outspoken and at times crass, Lasso is exceedingly positive and optimistic.

Sudeikis explained that Lasso is a combination of different mentors throughout the course of his life, especially his Missouri high school basketball coach Donnie Campbell.

“He would do those little turns of phrases like Ted does,” Sudeikis said. “I always loved those things. He was also the one who introduced myself and my teammates to John Wooden.”

Even decades later, Ditka remains an important figure in sports pop culture.

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10 best first round picks in Chicago Bears history

Here’s a look at the 10 best first-round picks by the Bears in franchise history, a list that includes all Hall of Famers.

The Chicago Bears have had some memorable — and Hall of Fame — first-round picks during their storied 102-year history, with linebacker Brian Urlacher being the most recent.

Chicago hasn’t had much success in the first round in recent history — whether it was during the Jerry Angelo, Phil Emery or Ryan Pace eras. The hope is that changes with quarterback Justin Fields, who was the team’s last first-round pick in 2021.

After not having a first-round selection in three of the last four years, the Bears will pick in the top 10 in the 2023 NFL draft. They traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers for two first-round picks, two second-round selections and wide receiver DJ Moore.

But Chicago does have the No. 9 pick — which will be Ryan Poles’ first-ever first-round selection — something that worked out well for the franchise back in 2000.

Here’s a look at the 10 best first-round picks by the Bears in team history, a list that includes all Hall of Famers:

5 worst head coaches in New Orleans Saints franchise history

Dennis Allen has his faults, but he’s a far cry from the 5 worst head coaches in New Orleans Saints franchise history:

Ask around and you’ll find some New Orleans Saints fans who are ready to call Dennis Allen the worst head coach in franchise history, which is a bit shortsighted. It’s very shortsighted, actually. Allen has his faults and the team wasn’t as competitive as it should have been last year because of his flaws as a coach and too-conservative game management, but he’s far from the worst coach to wear a headset in New Orleans. Anyone saying otherwise needs some perspective.

We’re only considering coaches who managed at least 15 games for New Orleans, which eliminates interims like Joe Vitt (10 games), Rick Venturi (8), and Wade Phillips (4). Some fans will be quick to suggest also-rans like Bum Phillips and Dick Nolan as the worst coaches in team history, but we believe these men take the cake. Do you agree with our list?

How badly do Rivera and Washington ‘need’ a quarterback?

Head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Martin Mayhew haven’t been shy about Washington’s intentions to upgrade the quarterback position.

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This evening I read some guy tweeting that the Washington Commanders had offered the Seattle Seahawks five first-round choices for Russell Wilson, but the offer was turned down by Seattle.

Of course, that offer was both absurd and false. Yes, head coach Ron Rivera has publicly declared (more than a few times) that Washington is looking for a QB. He and GM Martin Mayhew last week both spoke to the media at the NFL Combine and neither was shy to admit they are indeed looking to improve the position for the Commanders.

Are Coach Rivera and Mayhew crossing the line, appearing too needy? In business, one can certainly proclaim what they need. Yet, shouldn’t that person also remain shrewd, to never cross the line of appearing too willing to trade too much for what one desires?

Mike Ditka had won coaching in Chicago. Ditka won 11+ games in six NFL seasons, including a 15-1 Super Bowl Championship for the ’85 Bears.

When Ditka took over New Orleans in 1997 and experienced back-to-back 6-10 seasons, he made it known he wanted Ricky Williams. Charley Casserly and Washington took advantage of Ditka and traded the No. 5 overall pick in the draft to the Saints for all six of the Saints 1999 selections and the Saints’ 2000 selections in the first and third rounds. I was doing cartwheels and backflips when that trade was announced.

Might Rivera have been too quick last week to say no one was concerned with what the Rams gave up for Matthew Stafford? Remember how Washington received only one exciting (10-6) season from Robert Griffin but had already (being too eager) given up first-round choices in 2012, 2013 and 2014 for a guy yet to play a down in an NFL pocket? At least Russell Wilson has already proven himself to be a capable NFL passer and leader.

Sometimes in negotiations, we really must be careful, because if our posture is one of being too needy, the negotiation will actually be nothing more than the other guy taking advantage of us. A fair mediation will involve you being willing to walk away from the table. I am hoping, if need be, Coach Ron and Mayhew are both willing to walk away from the table.