Tag: NFL record

Coronavirus claims record-breaking NFL kicker Tom Dempsey at 73

Coronavirus has claimed the life of record-breaking Saints kicker Tom Dempsey at 73

Tom Dempsey, who overcame physical challenges to become a record-setting NFL kicker, died late Saturday at age 73 due to novel coronavirus, his family told NOLA.com.

Per the report:

Dempsey — who overcame astronomical odds to establish what was then considered a virtually unbeatable record —  contracted the virus in March during an outbreak at the Lambeth House retirement home in Uptown New Orleans. He is one of at least 15 residents there to die after being stricken with the disease.

It is one of the most memorable NFL moments in a career that was absolutely remarkable. Dempsey connecting on a then-record-63 yard field goal in 1970 to defeat the Detroit Lions. Dempsey was born without fingers on his right hand or toes on his right foot. He wore a flat shoe on his kicking foot.

“I don’t believe it …,” Don Criqui said as the ball went through the uprights, “It’s GOOD!” Louisiana Congressman F. Edward Hebert had an account of “The Kick”  inserted into the Congressional Record.

Dempsey played 11 seasons, kicking for the Eagles, Oilers and Bills, as well as the Saints from 1969-79. He scored 729 points, making 159 field goals.

In 2012, Dempsey publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with dementia and detailed the treatment he was receiving for the condition. He spent the final years of his life at Lambeth House.

His family had said last weeek Dempsey was battling coronavirus in New Orleans. He contracted the novel coronavirus during the outbreak at a senior living center, his daughter said Monday. Ashley Dempsey said her 73-year-old father — who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia — developed symptoms of the respiratory disease caused by the virus, COVID-19.

In addition to his wife Carlene and daughter Ashley, Dempsey’s is survived by children Toby Dempsey (Pamela) and Meghan Dempsey Crosby (Lee), as well as his sister, Janice Dempsey. He also had three grandchildren: Dylan Dempsey, Logan Dempsey and Quinn Dempsey.

Dempsey becomes at least the second former NFL player to die after contracting COVID-19. Orlando McDaniel, who played three games for the Broncos in 1982, died last week. McDaniel, who played college ball at LSU, was 59.

Saints 2019 season review: Drew Brees

We take a deep dive into New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees’ 2019 season that was marred by injury and highlighted by record-breaking games

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New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees had a 2019 season that was characterized by experiencing the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows. Brees started the season with a devastating injury to his thumb in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Rams that had many doubting the future of his career. Upon his return, he looked reinvigorated, and in Week 15 set the all-time record for most touchdown passes thrown.

Then came the playoffs. In the wild-card round, nearly every pundit had the Saints winning against the Minnesota Vikings, and those predictions weren’t close. Brees’ and the rest of New Orleans’ season came to a halting end after losing in a 29-23 upset against the Vikings.

Let’s take a deeper look into Brees’ 2019 season, and what it could mean for him and the Saints in 2020.

Level of play

Brees played to a MVP-caliber level after his return from injury in Week 8 against the Arizona Cardinals. When on the field, he was the most accurate passer in the NFL with a 74.3% completion rate, a feat that has become the norm for Brees. In December, he was rewarded for his high level of play when he won the NFC Offensive Player of the Month award.

Despite playing in only 11 games in 2019, Brees was still able to throw for 2,979 yards, and 27 touchdowns. Those 27 touchdowns were the fifth most thrown in the NFL in 2019. Again, an impressive stat when considering he played in five less games than almost any other quarterback on the list.

Turnovers were a double edged sword for Brees and New Orleans in 2019. The Saints set a NFL record for fewest turnovers in a season with eight, and Brees had a large part in that with protecting the football and making sound decisions. However, in the wild-card round, that trait disappeared for the quarterback. New Orleans was handicapped against the Vikings in large part due to Brees’ two turnovers, one in the form of a fumble, and one by an interception. Both came during promising drives that could have turned the tide of the game.

Despite the uncharacteristic struggles Brees faced in the postseason, the quarterback played to one of the highest levels he has experienced in his career. After another devastating postseason loss on the last play of the game, expect Brees to come out strong in 2020.

What to expect in 2020

Brees is an unrestricted free agent heading into the 2020 season, and many are wondering what his future may hold. With Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill both free agents, many are advocating for the Saints to choose youth over experience. Still, Brees will be back in 2020 and most likely on a one-year deal with the Black and Gold. Next season very well could be his last regardless of what the outcome is.

2020 should bring a fully healthy Brees who will play 16 games, and at 41-years old, his production will be maintained in part because New Orleans will surround him with capable playmakers this offseason. The game plan for the quarterback will remain the same, and Brees should once again see a completion percentage above 70% and over 4,000 yards passing. Expect big things from the Benjamin Button-like quarterback.

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Buccaneers set a couple of records in Week 15’s win over Lions

Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 15. With the Lions defense struggling and the Buccaneers offense rolling, it appeared as if the barrel may have flipped when Winston tossed …

Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traveled to the Motor City to take on the Detroit Lions in Week 15. With the Lions defense struggling and the Buccaneers offense rolling, it appeared as if the barrel may have flipped when Winston tossed another interception on the opening drive. That however, became just a blemish on his stat sheet as he finished the game with four touchdown passes, giving him 30 on the season, breaking his single-season record of 28.

Winston also has the most passing yards in a two-game span in Buccaneers history with 914 yards, combined. 458 yards on the day will also put Winston in a class of his own within the NFL stat book, as he is the first player in history to throw for over 450 yards in consecutive games.

For the highs and lows that Winston provides the team, it should be noted that Mike Evans went down last week, for the remainder of the season, with a hamstring injury, the team also lost WR’s Chris Godwin and Scotty Miller against the Lions in their 38-17 victory.

The Buccaneers will look to win five straight as the Houston Texans come to town for a Saturday showdown at Raymond James Stadium in Week 16.

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On this date in Broncos history: Brandon Marshall sets big NFL record

Former Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall set an NFL record with 21 receptions in a single game on Dec. 13, 2009.

On Dec. 13, 2009 — one decade ago today — former Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall set an NFL record with 21 receptions in a single game. That record still stands today.

Marshall’s record-breaking performance came in a losing effort as Denver fell to the Indianapolis Colts 28-16 on the road. The Peyton Manning-led Colts jumped up to a 21-0 lead before former Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton connected with Marshall for two scores to make things interesting.

Denver got within five points (21-16) in the fourth quarter but Manning sealed the game with a third touchdown pass to tight end Dallas Clark with 2:25 remaining, ensuring the Broncos wouldn’t have enough time to catch up.

“I believe it was one of those games where, whenever you accomplish something like that, it definitely feels good,” Marshall said after the loss. “But we have goals, and our only goal is to win games. I’d definitely trade in a couple of those catches for a win.”

Marshall spent the first four years of his career with the Broncos — 2009 ended up being his final season in Denver. Former coach Josh McDaniels benched the receiver in Week 17 for being late to a physical therapy session and then traded Marshall to the Miami Dolphins in April.

Marshall went on to spend time with five more NFL teams before retiring after the 2018 season. The six-time Pro Bowler caught 970 passes for 12,351 yards and 83 touchdowns during his 13-year career.

Marshall’s 327 receptions with Denver rank 10th in franchise history and his 25 touchdown catches rank 13th, just below Emmanuel Sanders (28).

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Lamar Jackson breaks Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record

In Week 15 against the Bills, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson entered the NFL record books by breaking Michael Vick’s record

It’s been a season to remember for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. And as the regular season winds down, Jackson finds that he’ll be remembered forever after entering the NFL’s record books regardless of how the rest of his career goes.

Against the New York Jets in Week 15, Jackson officially broke Michael Vick’s single-season rushing record for quarterbacks, surpassing the 1,039-yard mark. With a five-yard run in the first quarter, Jackson has hit 1,044 rushing yards with 11 quarters still remaining this season.

It’s impossible to think of Jackson on the football field and not remember so many electric runs just this season. He’s made defender after defender look silly, juking would-be tacklers to see them whiff at thin air on the way to big gains. He’s continually wowed not only fans and teammates but his opponents as well. At a time when quarterbacks are often judged negatively for leaving the pocket, Jackson has proven to be this team’s biggest weapon, leading the Ravens and ranking ninth in the league in rushing yards while pushing Baltimore to the top-ranked offense in points scored.

Though Jackson had been on track to break Vick’s record this season, he was relatively unaffected by the monumental moment. When questioned about the idea of breaking an idol’s record, Jackson remained humble and kept his team-first attitude towards winning the game first and foremost.

Jackson is already the frontrunner for the league’s MVP award, according to oddsmakers. While Jackson’s legs have certainly earned him praise and plenty of television time as a human highlight reel, it’s not just been his rushing ability that has him considered the favorite to win the NFL’s most prestigious annual award. Jackson has developed quickly as a passer this season, coming into this game with the most passing touchdowns, the highest TD% and the fourth-best passer rating. He’s one of just three quarterbacks to ever post two perfect 158.3 rating games in a single season, matching Peyton Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

But with his name in the record books this season, it seems impossible anyone will be able to beat him for the annual award now. If you don’t believe that, you might want to avoid Ravens running back Mark Ingram . . .

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