Tag: New Orleans

What did the NFL say about latest officiating blunder?

The NFL admits the clock should not have stopped.

The Washington Commanders defeated the New Orleans Saints 20-19 on Sunday, improving to 9-5 on the season. The win kept Washington in the No. 7 spot in the NFC playoff picture.

However, the game could have ended much differently, thanks to one of the worst officiating errors you’ve seen in years — and that’s saying something.

The game was on the line late in the fourth quarter when New Orleans quarterback Spencer Rattler, with his team trailing 20-13 and the clock ticking, faced a fourth-and-3 from the Washington eight-yard line. Rattler found tight end Foster Moreau for a seven-yard gain before several Commanders brought him down at the one-yard line.

With no timeouts, this is exactly what Washington wanted. Moreau was tackled in the field of play, so the clock should have kept moving, but it didn’t.

Check it out.

The official stopped the clock, giving the Saints a free four seconds. This allowed Rattler to get to the line of scrimmage, set his teammates up, and spike the ball. Three seconds were remaining, giving New Orleans time for one more play.

Sure enough, Rattler found Moreau for a touchdown on the next play. The Saints went for two and the win, but the pass fell incomplete, allowing the Commanders to escape with the win.

This should never have happened. The “free” four seconds given to New Orleans would never have occurred had the clock continued to roll.

Everyone watching the game witnessed the mistake, which was not addressed. However, after the game, Referee Shawn Hochuli answered questions from a pool reporter and acknowledged that the clock should have never stopped.

“The covering official mistakenly stopped the clock in that situation,” he said. “The clock should not have stopped.”

OK, what would have happened if this cost the Commanders the game? Tough luck.

Hochuli said the situation was not reviewable.

“No, it’s not a situation that is reviewable.”

When asked when the crew noticed the mistake, Hochuli was done answering questions.

Pathetic. And you wonder why the confidence in NFL officiating is at an all-time low? Yet, if a player comes to the podium and slightly criticizes the officials, he is subject to a fine.

This wasn’t the game’s only controversial call. This game was chock full of them. Makes you wonder, eh?

 

Steelers’ Week 10 opponent acquires 4x Pro Bowl CB at trade deadline

Washington bolstered their defense by acquiring 4x Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore ahead of Week 10 matchup against the Steelers.

As if the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Week 10 matchup against the Washington Commanders couldn’t be more difficult. In a day filled with exciting trade revelations, insider Adam Schefter reported that Washington would acquire four-time Pro Bowler CB Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints.

Lattimore is currently recovering from a hamstring injury, but Washington was in dire need of finding additional support at the CB position to shore up their secondary and remain competitive in the NFC.

The lockdown CB has been a staple of a tough New Orleans defense ever since he was drafted back in 2017, winning Defensive Rookie of the Year that very season and solidifying himself as one of the premier cornerbacks in the league.

It remains to be seen how much, if at all, Lattimore will impact the Week 10 contest versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Lattimore is available to play, having the CB play man coverage against George Pickens, or perhaps a potential newly acquired Steelers’ WR at the trade deadline, would be an exciting matchup, to say the least.

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Marquez Valdes-Scantling’s family has New Orleans roots

Marquez Valdes-Scantling may be new to the Saints, but he isn’t new to New Orleans. His family has Louisiana roots:

Marquez Valdes-Scantling may be new to the New Orleans Saints, but he’s far from unfamiliar with the area. He has family roots within the city. His dad’s side of the family is from New Orleans.

Valdes-Scantling said he visited New Orleans quite a few times during his childhood and is “very familiar with the area, the food and the atmosphere.”

He’s a Florida native and he’s happy to return a familiar climate. Valdes-Scantling spent his playing days in Buffalo, Wisconsin and Kansas City. He called the change in weather “good for him.”

His journey on the field to New Orleans feels like it took forever. The team has pursued Valdes-Scantling in 2022. Ultimately, he chose to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s a hard decision to argue with and resulted in two Super Bowl rings.

The receiver revealed how close he was to joining the Saints at that time: “I was super close. I was actually on my visit to the Chiefs. I was on my way out the door to come down here, to get on the plane. The Chiefs wouldn’t let me leave and that’s the history of it.”

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2024-25 New Orleans Pelicans: A quick preview

The New Orleans Pelicans made a significant move by trading for Dejounte Murray this offseason, enhancing their team significantly. The addition of Murray gives the Pelicans a formidable backcourt when paired with CJ McCollum, potentially elevating …

The New Orleans Pelicans made a significant move by trading for Dejounte Murray this offseason, enhancing their team significantly. The addition of Murray gives the Pelicans a formidable backcourt when paired with CJ McCollum, potentially elevating the team into playoff contention. However, significant questions remain, particularly regarding their center position.

Their core remains strong with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram (rumored to be on the trade block), McCollum, and now Murray. This group provides a blend of scoring, playmaking, and perimeter defense that could propel the Pelicans into the higher echelons of the Western Conference if they mesh well.

The Pelicans will need to address their frontcourt depth, as the current options – rookie Yves Missi, veteran Daniel Theis, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl – may not suffice for the rigors of a full NBA season.

Stylistically, the Pelicans are set to improve their pace and three-point shooting, areas where they’ve previously struggled. Murray and Herb Jones are expected to ignite their transition offense with their defensive prowess.

2025 four-star RB James Simon commits to Texas

Texas adds another talented running back to the fold.

The Texas Longhorns added Louisiana four-star James Simon to the fold on Wednesday. It’s a big addition for the Longhorns’ 2025 recruiting class.

Simon continues an increasing trend of Louisiana players choosing to play for the Longhorns in recent seasons. Among the most famous players from the state, five-star quarterback Arch Manning and elite safety Derek Williams Jr. are already game ready heading into their second seasons in Austin.

The rapid development of Texas players might resonate with Simon, but the Longhorns making it to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl could have also caught the running back’s attention.

Simon’s physicality makes an impression in its own right. The hard-hitting runner doesn’t shy away from contact which could carve out a role for the running back early on in his playing career. He still shows elusiveness and tackle-breaking ability in addition to a bruising style of play.

Texas will look to continue to build on its 2025 recruiting class.

The addition of Simon allowed the Longhorns to leapfrog the Georgia Bulldogs in the composite team rankings from 247Sports. They jumped up from No. 16 to No. 13 overall and No. 6 in the SEC.

Updated SEC top 10 recruiting rankings

  1. Oklahoma Sooners | 15 Commits | 224.45 Points
  2. LSU Tigers | 11 Commits | 221.01 Points
  3. Texas A&M Aggies | 13 Commits | 217.46 Points
  4. Alabama Crimson Tide | 10 Commits | 199.13 Points
  5. Auburn Tigers | 11 Commits | 195.54 Points
  6. Texas Longhorns | 10 Commits | 185.07 Points
  7. Georgia Bulldogs | 9 Commits | 183.70 Points
  8. Tennessee Vols | 10 Commits | 175.96 Points
  9. Ole Miss Rebels | 8 Commits | 136.64 Points
  10. Missouri Tigers | 7 Commits | 133.10 Points

Commanders named as a fit for former Pro Bowl wide receiver

Will the Commanders add another veteran WR before training camp?

The Washington Commanders recently signed veteran wide receiver Damiere Byrd after the 2024 NFL draft. Washington used a third-round pick on Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey and also signed veteran Olamide Zaccheaus in March.

With Terry McLaurin, Jahan Dotson and McCaffrey as the only guarantees of making the 53-man roster, competition will be intense for the final few receiver spots on Washington’s roster.

The Commanders also re-signed veteran Jamison Crowder to battle with Byrd, Zaccheaus, Dyami Brown, Mitchell Tinsley, Kazmeir Allen and others.

What if Washington added another veteran to push for a roster spot? And what if that veteran is a three-time Pro Bowler?

Bleacher Report recently named one move every NFL still needs to make this offseason. The move for the Commanders was signing wide receiver Michael Thomas Jr.

Surrounding Jayden Daniels with as much support as possible should be the Commander’s top priority. Right now, third-round pick Luke McCaffery is currently projected to be the offense’s starting slot receiver and McCaffery was a reach according to B/R’s scouting department, ranking 290th on the final big board.

While Thomas is well past his prime, it would be in Daniels’ and Washington’s best interest to add the veteran wideout and kick the tires on him to see what he has left in the tank.

In theory, this sounds good. Arguably, no wide receiver in NFL history had a better four-year start to his career than Thomas. Through his first four seasons, Thomas caught 470 passes for 5,512 yards and 32 touchdowns. That was with Drew Brees under center for the Saints. Thomas made three Pro Bowls, was a two-time first-team All-Pro, the 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and led the NFL in receptions twice and in receiving yards once.

Then the injuries hit.

Thomas played in just seven games in 2020 and missed the entire 2021 season. He played in three games in 2022 and then ten games in 2023. Over the last four years, Thomas has 95 receptions, 1,057 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.

While Thomas did play in 10 games last season, how exactly would he help the Commanders? How much does he have left? He’s 31 and hasn’t played a full season in five years. He’s dealt with leg injuries. And, most receivers who aren’t in the starting lineup must be able to contribute on special teams. That’s not Thomas.

We can see why Thomas would potentially be linked to the Commanders, but it doesn’t make sense. Washington will focus on developing McCaffrey as the No. 3 wide receiver, with Byrd, Crowder and Zaccheaus battling some of the younger players in camp for multiple roster spots.

Jameis Winston says he ‘would love to stay in NOLA forever’ ahead of free agency

Jameis Winston says he ‘would love to stay in NOLA forever’ ahead of free agency. The Saints quarterback has found a lot of love in New Orleans:

There aren’t many New Orleans Saints players who have enjoyed Carnival season better than Jameis Winston. The quarterback has been a common site on Mardi Gras parade routes with his young son and family, shaking hands and taking photos with fans in-between plates of smothered turkey necks and red beans. He’s embraced the city’s culture and sense of community and, he hopes, he’ll continue to do so for a long time.

“I would love to stay in NOLA forever. But whatever the Lord has planned for me, I’m going to go and do my best, wherever that is. Hopefully it’s here, because I love this, I love the energy, and I love this city,” Winston laughed during an interview with WDSU meteorologist Margaret Orr, this year’s honorary Muse of the Krewe of Muses.

Will Winston return for 2024? By all accounts he’s been nothing but a good teammate, accepting his demotion to the backup role after Dennis Allen brought in Derek Carr and okaying the offense’s decision to score a late-game touchdown for Jamaal Williams to close out the season. But the Saints reworked his contract before the 2023 season ended so that they can release him in March with a more-manageable salary cap hit. All signs point to his time in New Orleans running out.

If that’s the case, this experience is something Winston will cherish. Even if he ends up joining a rival team like the dirty birds.

“I just love the people. When I go out and meet individuals, they’re so authentic,” Winston continued, comparing the sense of community he’s found to the Southern hospitality he experienced growing up in Alabama. “New Orleans, there’s not another place in the world that’s like New Orleans. It’s the culture, and just the love that’s here. I admire it.”

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Chris Olave’s goal for 2024 is clear: Win a Super Bowl in New Orleans

Chris Olave is pleased with his personal growth in the NFL so far, but he has a bigger goal for 2024: Win a Super Bowl in New Orleans

There aren’t many players more important to the New Orleans Saints’ success than Chris Olave. The former Ohio State Buckeyes standout is going into his third season with the Saints, and while he’s pleased with the positive growth in his game, he has higher expectations. He wants to bring New Orleans a championship.

And he knows he has a chance to do it in his own backyard. When discussing his goals for 2024, Olave made his ambitions crystal-clear.

“Super Bowl, baby,” Olave told Bleacher Report’s Scott Polacek. “And it’s in New Orleans.”

Next year’s Super Bowl LIX will be played at the Caesars Superdome and Olave knows how meaningful it would be to bring the city a title on their home turf. It’s been done only twice in the 58-year history of the championship game, but both instances were recent: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did it in Super Bowl LV and the Los Angeles Rams repeated the feat in Super Bowl LVI.

And more impressive games from Olave will help the team go the distance. Olave improved on all of his numbers in his second season with the Saints — he played in more games (16 over 15), drew more targets (138 over 119), aught more passes (87 over 72), gained more yards (1,123 over 1,042) and scored more touchdowns (5 over 4) while picking up more first downs (57 over 48).

His catch rate increased with Derek Carr throwing to him instead of Andy Dalton (63.0% over 60.5%) and he averaged more catches and yards per game, becoming a more well-rounded threat with 12.9 yards per catch over 14.5 in his rookie year. His average depth of target fell from 14.2 yards to 13.3, but he gained a full yard more per reception after the catch.

And he’s pleased with that development, reflecting on his second season: “It went really well. The first goal is always winning, but just as a personal season it went well. I feel like I can maximize my potential a bit more, but I had great teammates and great coaches around me. I’m excited to keep growing and keep moving forward.”

The Saints are going to ask a lot of him in 2024. Olave is going to draw even more targets with Michael Thomas expected to be released into free agency in March. His fellow third-year wideout Rashid Shaheed will return as an exclusive-rights free agent, and second-year draft pick A.T. Perry made some great plays down the stretch in 2023. It’ll take all of them to get New Orleans to the Super Bowl this time next year.

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Saints select Foster Moreau for Ed Block Courage Award

The New Orleans Saints recognized tight end Foster Moreau with the 2023 Ed Block Courage Award after he overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma:

This is cool: The New Orleans Saints recognized tight end Foster Moreau as their recipient for the 2023 Ed Block Courage Award after he overcame Hodgkin’s lymphoma. This award, the Saints said in a statement, was “created in honor of the former head athletic trainer of the Baltimore Colts to annually recognize one player from every NFL team who best exemplifies a commitment to sportsmanship and courage.”

All 32 teams select a recipient for the award via vote, and Moreau was an easy fit. His perseverance in the face of adversity is inspiring. That he was able to overcome a battle with cancer and quickly return to the field is mighty impressive.

Moreau, 26, is a New Orleans native who starred at Jesuit High School before his four-year run with the LSU Tigers. He was teammates with Saints quarterback Derek Carr on the Raiders and teamed up with him again this season, catching 18 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown.

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New Orleans high school G.W. Carver cancels remainder of 2023 season

G.W. Carver from New Orleans will have its season cancelled due to rule violations.

G.W. Carver (New Orleans, La.) will not be playing any more football this fall, with the school announcing that a rule infraction is the cause for this move.

Already on probation for rules infractions from the previous year, Carver indicated that an “eligibility violation” is at the center of the cancellation of the football season. The ruling came down from the Louisiana High School Athletic Association (LHSAA), which has oversight in these matters.

The school said that it will be education as usual in light of Thursday’s news:

“Football scholars interested in playing another sport will have the opportunity to try out. We will also continue supporting players with strength training and conditioning in preparation for spring football. Study hall and ACT tutoring after school will still be heavily promoted.”

The eligibility issue happened during Carver’s season opener. They are currently 0-3 on the season.

The cancellation of the football season will not impact other sports, per a release from the school, but student-athletes affected by this decision are allowed to transfer, provided they do so during a timeframe set by the LHSAA.