Tag: new

Gators News: Football is returning, men’s golf has season-best round

Both of Florida’s men’s and women’s golf teams played on Monday, with the men having a season-best round while the women placed 4 in top-10.

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We are one day closer to the return of Florida Gators football and on this lovely autumn Tuesday the Gator Nation continues to prepare for the excitement the weekend promises to bring.

Checking out the football front first, USA TODAY Sports still projects the Gators to play the Cincinnati Bearcats in the Peach Bowl this postseason while Kyle Trask hangs on to his Heisman hopes by a thread.

In other Gators sports news, both the men’s and the women’s golf team took to the links yesterday, with the former playing through their second round at the Vanderbilt Legends Collegiate in Franklin, Tenn., while the latter participated in the East Lake Cup held in Atlanta, Ga.

The men recorded a season-low 11-under par 273 in the second round on Monday, jumping up to fourth place heading into the last round today. The Lady Gators were not quite as successful, finishing 4-over par on the day, but managed to place four athletes in the top-10 individually; competition continues today and tomorrow for the women.

Around the Swamp

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

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Gators News: September 16, 2020

We have reached the midpoint of yet another week as we get closer to not only Southeastern Conference football action, but Big Ten as well. 

Welcome to a humpday edition of Gators News! We have reached the midpoint of yet another week as we get closer to not only Southeastern Conference football action, but Big Ten as well.

The big news today is the Big Ten’s decision this morning to move forward with an eight-game football season beginning on the weekend of Oct. 24, reversing their August decision to postpone the fall schedule, ending weeks of drama that spread from campuses all the way to the White House.

Closer to home in the SEC, LSU coach Ed Orgeron reveals that most of his players already ‘have caught’ COVID-19. The football team had a covert COVID-19 outbreak over the summer.

Lastly, Navy football coach Ken Niumatalolo apologized for blaming the Pentagon for allowing Air Force to play for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy this fall. Niumatalolo had argued that Navy (11 games) and Army (12 games) are playing full schedules, while Air Force is only playing two games because the Mountain West Conference suspended play until the spring due to coronavirus concerns.

Around the Swamp

It’s great to be a Florida Gator!

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Lions hand out new jersey numbers to five new players, including Jeff Okudah and D’Andre Swift

The Detroit Lions have handed out new jersey numbers to five new players, including rookies Jeff Okudah, D’Andre Swift, and Julian Okwara, as well as vets Adrian Peterson and Jayron Kearse.

According to the team website, the Detroit Lions have handed out new jersey numbers to ten players, including rookies Jeff Okudah, D’Andre Swift, and Julian Okwara, as well as vets Adrian Peterson and Jayron Kearse.

Here are their new jersey numbers for players on the active roster:

  • CB Jeff Okudah: 30
  • RB D’Andre Swift: 32
  • EDGE Julian Okwara: 99
  • RB Adrian Peterson: 28
  • S Jayron Kearse: 42

Here are the new jersey numbers for players on the practice squad:

  • RB Jonathan Williams: 41
  • DE Jonathan Wynn: 69
  • CB Dee Virgin: 36
  • S Jalen Elliott: 46
  • LS Steve Wirtel: 54

Jason Cabinda and Jamal Agnew switched over from defense to offense this offseason but because of how they are listed on the depth chart they can retain their original numbers.

Cabinda is listed as a linebacker/full back on the depth chart and can therefore maintain No. 53, while Agnew is listed as a running back/wide receiver and can maintain his No. 39 jersey.

Dallas Cowboys 2020 Fantasy Football Preview

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most potent offenses in the league and in fantasy football as well. They were the only team in 2019 to have a top-10 finisher at quarterback (Dak Prescott – 2nd), wide receiver (Amari Cooper – 9th) and running back …

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most potent offenses in the league and in fantasy football as well. They were the only team in 2019 to have a top-10 finisher at quarterback (Dak Prescott – 2nd), wide receiver (Amari Cooper – 9th) and running back (Ezekiel Elliott – 4th).

They went out and made an upgrade at WR3 and got rid of an offensive head coach many thought held back the full-game explosiveness of the parts. How will things shape up in 2020? Here’s a look at what’s new and what camp battles may take place that impact the production.

This content appears in print in the Sports Weekly NFL Fantasy Football Preview.

What’s new

The football gods dropped a future WR1 into the Cowboys’ lap when Oklahoma wideout CeeDee Lamb made it to No. 17. Dallas, seemingly primed for a defensive pick, wisely made the selection. He will eat up snaps vacated by Randall Cobb and many of the looks that went to Jason Witten at tight end. Each saw 83 targets last season, and with Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup demanding WR1 and borderline WR2 attention, Lamb could thrive.

Blake Jarwin averaged 3 more yards per catch than Witten, so he’ll soak up targets and could be a steal in the late rounds. Ezekiel Elliott will have more opportunities to roam free as the first premier back new head coach Mike McCarthy has had since Eddie Lacy’s slender days. The horizontal West Coast approach should mix well with Kellen Moore’s vertical attack, allowing Dak Prescott his best year. An increase in snaps for EPA monster Tony Pollard should make him a nice flex option depending on the matchup. He should definitely be rostered as a handcuff to Elliott if you can pull it off, but as a stand alone there’s a lot of upside for the NFL’s shiftiest back in 2019.

Camp battles

The weaponry is set in stone atop the depth chart. The fourth receiver could be veteran Devin Smith, but youngsters could push for snaps. None is roster-worthy, though. The offensive line is where the battles will occur as Connor Williams, Connor McGovern, rookie Tyler Biadasz and veteran Joe Looney will compete for left guard and center.

Whoever wins will be cogs in what should be an offensive juggernaut limited only by how often the defense gets the ball back.

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Georgia great Todd Gurley going to look fresh in new Atlanta Falcons’ uniforms

Former UGA football RB Todd Gurley is going to look sick in these new Atlanta Falcons uniforms.

It’s been 17 years since the Atlanta Falcons made a significant uniform change. On Wednesday, the team released their new Nike-designed uniforms.

The new look will feature an all black ensemble for home games with white jerseys and white pants on the road. The helmet retains the familiar logo but will change to a matte finish. Several of the uniforms will showcase ‘ATL’ on the front of the jersey.

There will be eight different color combinations, including the current 1966 throwback version, and a new “Rise Up” alternate uniform.

The Falcons finished 7-9 last season. During the off-season, Atlanta signed former Georgia running back and past NFL Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley to a one-year contract. In addition, the team traded for former South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst. On offense, the team should be well-stacked with Matt Ryan at quarterback, Alabama alums Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley at wide receiver and five former first rounders on the offensive line.  The Falcons currently have five draft picks in the upcoming draft, including the No. 16 pick in round one.

“Black has been a part of our history since 1966 and both our fans and players have asked us to bring it back,” owner Arthur Blank wrote in a statement. “The ‘ATL’ moniker is known around the world and we now we it proudly as our badge of unity, diversity and togetherness. Something our world needs more of, especially in these tough times.”

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NFL Scouting Combine to feature 16 new drills in 2020

They’ve also eliminated some older and outdated drills at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The NFL announced last Friday that they’ll add 16 new position-specific on-field drills and eliminate some outdated drills from the NFL Scouting Combine. The idea behind this is to put players in more situations they’d find themselves in during NFL games. This gives general managers and scouts more evaluation tools to help influence their decision on draft day.

Players won’t begin their on-field testing until Thursday, February 27 when the QB, WR and TE groups get on the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here’s a look at the new drills coming to the combine and their corresponding position:

  1. QB: Timed smoke/now route drill
  2. QB: End zone fade routes
  3. RB: Duce Staley drill
  4. RB: Angle routes with c.o.d.
  5. WR: End zone fade route
  6. TE: End zone fade route
  7. OL: New mirror drill
  8. OL: New screen drill
  9. DL: Run and club drill
  10. DL: Run the hoop drill
  11. LB: Shuffle, sprint, change of direction drill
  12. LB: Short zone breaks drill
  13. DB: Line drill
  14. DB: Teryl Austin drill
  15. DB: Box drill
  16. DB: Gauntlet drill

You can find complete descriptions of each drill here. The drills named after coaches sound like they’ll be pretty interesting. You can bet that Andy Reid will be paying close attention to the new screen drill. Fade routes being added to the route tree in on-field testing was long overdue. The same goes for the gauntlet drill for defensive backs. Which of the new drills are you most excited to see in action? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

10 US Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

10 US Trips to
Take in Your Lifetime You don’t have to leave the United States
to have a memorable experience.
These 10 destinations are worth checking out. Take a road trip
down the iconic Route 66. Go gator watching in
the Florida Everglades. Take a sophisticated stroll
on the High Line
in New York City. Witness an actual lava flow
at Hawaii Island’s Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park. Take in the ancient adobe buildings
of Taos Pueblo. This 1,000-year-old
community is just outside of Taos, New Mexico. Experience the charms of the
“Forest City” — Savannah, Georgia. Indulge your wild side by taking
on Kingda Ka. Located at Six Flags
Great Adventure in New Jersey,
it’s the world’s tallest roller coaster. Experience the majesty
of Alaska’s glaciers by
taking a glacier tour in Juneau. Watch the sunset from
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
in Maine’s Acadia National Park.

10 US Trips to
Take in Your Lifetime You don’t have to leave the United States
to have a memorable experience.
These 10 destinations are worth checking out. Take a road trip
down the iconic Route 66. Go gator watching in
the Florida Everglades. Take a sophisticated stroll
on the High Line
in New York City. Witness an actual lava flow
at Hawaii Island’s Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park. Take in the ancient adobe buildings
of Taos Pueblo. This 1,000-year-old
community is just outside of Taos, New Mexico. Experience the charms of the
“Forest City” — Savannah, Georgia. Indulge your wild side by taking
on Kingda Ka. Located at Six Flags
Great Adventure in New Jersey,
it’s the world’s tallest roller coaster. Experience the majesty
of Alaska’s glaciers by
taking a glacier tour in Juneau. Watch the sunset from
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
in Maine’s Acadia National Park.

10 US Trips to Take in Your Lifetime

10 US Trips to
Take in Your Lifetime You don’t have to leave the United States
to have a memorable experience.
These 10 destinations are worth checking out. Take a road trip
down the iconic Route 66. Go gator watching in
the Florida Everglades. Take a sophisticated stroll
on the High Line
in New York City. Witness an actual lava flow
at Hawaii Island’s Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park. Take in the ancient adobe buildings
of Taos Pueblo. This 1,000-year-old
community is just outside of Taos, New Mexico. Experience the charms of the
“Forest City” — Savannah, Georgia. Indulge your wild side by taking
on Kingda Ka. Located at Six Flags
Great Adventure in New Jersey,
it’s the world’s tallest roller coaster. Experience the majesty
of Alaska’s glaciers by
taking a glacier tour in Juneau. Watch the sunset from
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
in Maine’s Acadia National Park.

10 US Trips to
Take in Your Lifetime You don’t have to leave the United States
to have a memorable experience.
These 10 destinations are worth checking out. Take a road trip
down the iconic Route 66. Go gator watching in
the Florida Everglades. Take a sophisticated stroll
on the High Line
in New York City. Witness an actual lava flow
at Hawaii Island’s Hawaii
Volcanoes National Park. Take in the ancient adobe buildings
of Taos Pueblo. This 1,000-year-old
community is just outside of Taos, New Mexico. Experience the charms of the
“Forest City” — Savannah, Georgia. Indulge your wild side by taking
on Kingda Ka. Located at Six Flags
Great Adventure in New Jersey,
it’s the world’s tallest roller coaster. Experience the majesty
of Alaska’s glaciers by
taking a glacier tour in Juneau. Watch the sunset from
Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse
in Maine’s Acadia National Park.