Tag: pick

Bears Reddy Steward makes interception vs Chiefs

Watch #Bears rookie cornerback Reddy Steward make his second pick vs #Chiefs and haul it into the endzone to score in final preseason game

The Chicago Bears are on a roll tonight at Arrowhead Stadium, entering the second half of the game with a 20-7 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs after this wild interception by Reddy Steward who barreled into the endzone after grabbing a throw by Chiefs third-string QB Chris Oladokun.

The scoring play was rookie cornerback Steward’s second pick in this preseason game logging 59 interception yards in this outing just in the first half.

Watch these incredible moves by Reddy Steward posted by the official NFL account on Twitter where he intercepts the pass intended for Kansas City’s Super Bowl hero Mecole Hardman and hauls all the way downfield to the endzone.

This quick pick by the rookie is likely to secure him a roster spot in Chicago, look for the Bears’ eager young cornerback to make another impressive play if he gets more time on the field while wrapping up the preseason tonight.

Prominent AP writer picks Wisconsin to make 2024 College Football Playoff

What are the chances Wisconsin makes the College Football Playoff in 2024?

Wisconsin fans must accept a recalibration of expectations entering the 2024 season.

The Big Ten West is no more, which means the Badgers’ classic path to nine wins and a birth in the Big Ten title game is gone. Now, those marks must come after outlasting an 18-team conference that is now headlined by Ohio State, Oregon, Michigan, Penn State, USC, Washington, and others.

Related: Big Ten starting quarterback power rankings from ProFootballFocus

In other words, it will require a significantly better Wisconsin team to finish 10-2 and reach the Big Ten title game. That is where expectations must change, as Luke Fickell leading the program to perennial 8-4 records would be impressive given the circumstances.

But although Big Ten titles just became arguably the toughest thing in the sport to win next to the national title, this new format does give programs like Wisconsin more opportunity.

That comes with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The new format includes the five highest-ranked conference champions, then seven at-large teams. There is a real argument to be made that the Badgers finishing 9-3 with a big win over Alabama or Oregon could be enough to earn them a spot.

Think that’s unrealistic? Well, prominent Associated Press college football writer Ralph Russo just picked the Badgers to make the inaugural 12-team CFP field. Here is his seed breakdown:

Wisconsin Badgers vs. James Madison Dukes: Preview and prediction for NCAA Tournament round of 64

What’s your prediction for Wisconsin vs. James Madison?

Wisconsin basketball opens its 2024 NCAA Tournament against No. 12-seed James Madison on Friday night in Brooklyn, New York.

The Badgers enter the tournament with momentum after a 3-1 week at the Big Ten Tournament. The team had fallen to a postseason afterthought after a rough 3-8 stretch since the start of February. But wins over Maryland, Northwestern and top-ranked Purdue have fans believing entering March Madness.

IT’S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY’s NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.

James Madison is a popular upset pick by some of the college basketball media and a group of television analysts. Wisconsin enters as a heavy favorite, but many nationally have bought into James Madison’s hot-streak entering the tournament.

With the game now fast-approaching, it’s time to put an official preview and prediction on the record:

Wisconsin: 75.1 points per game, 69.9 points allowed per game, 3-6 vs Top 25, BPI No. 18, 11-9 in conference play

James Madison: 84.4 points per game, 69.2 points allowed per game, 1-0 vs Top 25, BPI No. 46, 15-3 in conference play

Wisconsin:

  • A.J. Storr (16.9 points per game, 3.9 rebounds per game).
  • Chucky Hepburn (9.3 points per game, 3.4 rebounds per game, 3.9 assists per game)
  • Steven Crowl (11.2 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game)

James Madison:

  • Terrence Edwards (17.4 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game)
  • T.J. Bickerstaff (13.4 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, 1.7 assists per game)

Wisconsin: W vs. Marquette, L vs. Arizona, 1-2 vs. Purdue, 2-0 vs. Michigan State, 0-2 vs. Illinois

James Madison: W vs. Michigan State, 0-2 vs. Appalachian State, W vs. Kent State, W vs. Southern Illinois, W vs. Louisiana

Wisconsin: No. 17 overall, No. 13 offense, No. 47 defense, No. 3 strength of schedule

James Madison: No. 59 overall, No. 56 offense, No. 79 defense, No. 293 strength of schedule

Spread: Wisconsin -5.5 (-215) / James Madison +5.5 (+176)

Total: 145.5

(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

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From ESPN: “At least one No. 12 seed has defeated a No. 5 seed in 32 of 38 tournaments. Three of the six times that 12-seeds failed to win a first-round game have occurred in the past eight tourneys.”

Wisconsin has the size advantage over James Madison and should use it early and often. Expect hot starts from Steven Crowl and Tyler Wahl as the Badgers finally get a team without a top interior presence.

This week of rest should also help the Badgers after a busy week in Minneapolis, plus should help John Blackwell recover from his leg injury.

Yes, James Madison is red-hot, having won 13 straight and 16 of 17. But Wisconsin’s guard of Storr, Hepburn, Klesmit and Blackwell positions the team well entering the matchup. And the Badgers enter off their most impressive week of the season.

Many national analysts are picking the Dukes. I disagree completely and see Wisconsin moving on in blowout fashion.

Prediction: Wisconsin 78, James Madison 67

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes, and opinion. Follow Ben Kenney on X.

2023 NFL draft grades: Saints pick S Jordan Howden at No. 146 overall

2023 NFL draft grades: Saints pick Minnesota safety Jordan Howden at No. 146 overall in the fifth round, via @DillySanders

The New Orleans Saints went back to the defensive side of the ball with safety Jordan Howden out of Minnesota in the fifth round at No. 146 overall.

Howden projects as a very solid special teamer and solid tackler that’ll provide depth in the safety room and the nickel position. He’s a team captain that has a ton of playing experience, so it’s easy to see why the Saints liked him for that role.

At worst, he is definitely serviceable for a depth player. Howden had 4 career interceptions at Minnesota and 20 passes broken up. He also had 5.5 career tackles for a loss.

Grade: C

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New Orleans Saints select Minnesota DB Jordan Howden in fifth round of 2023 NFL draft

New Orleans Saints select versatile Minnesota defensive back Jordan Howden in fifth round of 2023 NFL draft

The New Orleans Saints seem to pick a defensive back at some point every year, and they went with Minnesota safety Jordan Howden in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL draft at No. 146 overall. He should push veteran corner Bradley Roby for the starting job in the slot from his first day in training camp.

Howden was a walk-on at Minnesota but he earned opportunities for his work on special teams and became a mainstay in their secondary — he played nearly 1,400 snaps in the slot as well as 900-plus at free safety, also moving into the box on more than 600 snaps. He’s a lot like P.J. Williams, but with a stronger athletic profile with better agility scores and straight-line speed (he timed the 40-yard dash in 4.49 seconds at 5-foot-11 and 203 pounds).

More to follow…

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2023 NFL draft grades: Saints pick OL Nick Saldiveri at No. 103 overall

2023 NFL draft grades: Saints pick Old Dominion offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri at No. 103 overall, via @DillySanders

The New Orleans Saints continue to knock out their individual needs in the 2023 NFL draft by selecting offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri out of Old Dominion in the fourth round.

The Saints felt the need to trade up to the top spot of Day 3 to get their guy. Saldiveri played right tackle in college, but projects as someone that will move inside in the NFL due to his short arm length.

He’s an elite athlete, scoring a 9.47 Relative Athletic Score. His best trait is his burst and acceleration after the snap. He can be a solid swing guard at the next level. Saldiveri will be solid depth for now, but he does have a better chance to grow into a starter to possibly replace Andrus Peat than anyone else currently on the roster.

Grade: B+

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Saints trade up in Round 4 to select OL Nick Saldiveri in 2023 NFL draft

New Orleans Saints trade up in Round 4 to select Old Dominion right tackle Nick Saldiveri in the 2023 NFL draft:

Whew: the New Orleans Saints made their move, trading up in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft to go get Old Dominion offensive lineman Nick Saldiveri. They traded a fifth-round pick (No. 165) to the Chicago Bears so they could upgrade their fourth rounder (No. 115) to the very first selection of Day 3 (at No. 103).

Which meant Saldiveri was the top player available on their board. The 22-year-old mainly lined up at right tackle in college, but he brings subpar length (33.2-inch arms) and may be considered for a move inside to guard. Saldiveri has very strong movement skills and a 9.47 Relative Athletic Score.

As for their remaining picks? Barring another trade, the Saints are currently scheduled to make three more selections:

  • Round 5 (146)
  • Round 7 (227)
  • Round 7 (257)

More to follow…

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Saints draft pick Kendre Miller has a very impressive TCU highlight reel

New Orleans Saints third-round draft pick Kendre Miller has a very impressive TCU highlight reel full of big-time runs:

New Orleans Saints third-round draft pick Kendre Miller has a very impressive highlight reel full of big-time runs — he was a major piece of the TCU offense that made so much noise in last season’s College Football Playoff push.

Now he’s bringing his talents to New Orleans as quality depth behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams. Miller has great contact balance to shake defenders in traffic, but he also brings real straight-line speed to pull away from defenders in the open field. See for yourself:

2023 NFL draft grades: Buccaneers pick OL Cody Mauch at No. 48 overall

2023 NFL draft grades: Buccaneers pick North Dakota State offensive lineman Cody Mauch at No. 48 overall, via @DillySanders

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers invest in offensive line help for Baker Mayfield with their selection of North Dakota State’s Cody Mauch in the second round.

Mauch is what you want out of a mauling lineman in terms of play style and personality, but maybe not with his size. He has shorter arms and smaller hands than you would want out of a tackle, but he’s still a good player. He may be moved inside to guard where his lack of length won’t be as big a problem.

The Buccaneers need a right tackle and Mauch was a good play at North Dakota State, but he still needs to learn the nuances of the position. Luckily, he has time during the rebuild. He’s a mauler and aggressive blocker, but has a ways to go before he’ll be ready at the next level.

Grade: C+

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2023 NFL draft: Saints select Notre Dame DE Isaiah Foskey in Round 2

2023 NFL draft: Saints select Notre Dame DE Isaiah Foskey in Round 2

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Bang: the New Orleans Saints stayed put at No. 40 in the second round of the 2023 NFL draft and selected Notre Dame defensive end Isaiah Foskey, the school’s all-time leader in sacks (26.5). He’s a highly productive and very athletic pass rusher who brings the coveted size and speed the Saints value at the position.

It’s a double-down on the defensive line, pairing Foskey with Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, their first-round pick. The Saints just got much faster and more dynamic up front on that side of the ball.

More to follow…

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