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Nets’ Cam Thomas says ‘that’s what I do’ after scoring 21 points against the Bucks

Cam Thomas reacts to how the Bucks were defending him and what he did to counter their strategy.

Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas has never met a shot he doesn’t like when it comes to playing basketball. That instinct has served him well as he has shown on multiple occasions that he is one of the better scorers on the Nets. What makes Thomas’ scoring ability so unique is that he can deliver the goods even when getting inconsistent minutes.

In Thursday’s 118-113 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, Thomas scored 21 points on 7-of-13 from field and 3-of-6 from three-point land. While head coach Jacque Vaughn prefers for his team to shoot three-point shots or at the basket, Thomas has proven that his mid-range game is dependable and captivating. With five players out of this game for a variety of reasons, Thomas had the ball in his hands a lot and that’s why Brooklyn was able to get back into the game to make it interesting.

Thomas was able to show off his patented mid-range jumper while also showing that he can attack the basket with aggressiveness and touch. There were a few times that he mixed up his scoring approach just to keep the Bucks on their toes when they tried to guard. Thomas reacted to his scoring prowess after the game:

“They (the Bucks) tried to force you into the mid-range so of course I’m gonna take them because that’s what I do but, you gotta like mix it in, take the threes and get to the basket. Just being aggressive going to the basket. That’s what I did. Got to the line twice. In the last two minutes of the game, got a little rhythm and that’s when I started running off the points. But, you just got to be aggressive against the drop coverage from Brook (Lopez) and you just gotta attack the rim and be aggressive.”

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Twitter reacts to Auburn’s devastating loss to Arkansas in the SEC Tournament

Auburn fans went through a roller coaster of emotions during Auburn’s near comeback against Arkansas on Thursday.

What a marathon that was.

Trailing by as many as 15 points in the second half, the No. 7 Auburn Tigers stormed back to take a 73-72 lead with 0:41 remaining in the game. However, a late bucket by Arkansas‘ Nick Smith Jr. and two free throws by Devo Davis pushed the Razorbacks to a 76-73 win in the first round of the SEC Tournament on Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

Four players reached double figures in points in the loss, led by [autotag]K.D. Johnson[/autotag]’s 20-point effort. [autotag]Allen Flanigan[/autotag], [autotag]Johni Broome[/autotag], and [autotag]Wendell Green Jr.[/autotag] also scored over ten points in the loss. The biggest takeaway from the game was the wide gap on the glass, as the Razorbacks out-rebounded Auburn, 37-19.

It is safe to say that Auburn fans are worn out judging by their reactions on Twitter. Here are the best reactions to Auburn’s first-round loss to Arkansas.

CU Buffs put up a fight, but fall to UCLA in Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals

Colorado put up a fight but ultimately fell to the top-seeded Bruins in the Pac-12 quarterfinals

Colorado came into the Pac-12 men’s basketball tournament quarterfinals fresh off an impressive 72-64 win over Washington on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the No. 9 seed Buffs faced the regular season champion UCLA Bruins, a team they had lost to twice coming in. That said, they played well against the No. 1 seed Bruins at times in both previous matchups, and an impressive first-half performance gave the Buffs a 38-37 advantage into halftime in Las Vegas.

In the first 20 minutes, it was a balanced effort offensively for Colorado, and Ethan Wright’s 10 points off the bench, including two threes, led the way. Fellow former Ivy League standout Jalen Gabbidon tacked on eight points to go along with two deep balls of his own.

In short, the Buffs’ offense was prolific in the first half with a 58% mark from the field and a 7-of-12 start from deep. Colorado allowed UCLA to shoot 50% from the field in its own right, a big reason why the Buffs only had a two-point lead at the break.

The second half was a ragged affair early, replete with turnover problems on both sides until UCLA started to seize momentum.

Following a David Singleton three with just under 11 minutes remaining that gave UCLA a 55-49 lead, it looked as if the top-seeded Bruins would cruise in the second half.

Big shots from Julian Hammond III and Tristan da Silva cut the Bruins’ lead to 59-58, and da Silva continued to produce late. A three from da Silva gave the Buffs a 61-60 lead with 5:30 left, setting up what could’ve been a great battle down the stretch. After that, however, a 7-0 run keyed by Amari Bailey gave UCLA a 67-61 lead with 4:01 left.

A combination of Colorado being unable to recapture its offense and a late Tad Boyle ejection finished off an 80-69 loss.

Da Silva’s 17 points led Colorado, followed by Hammond’s 14.

The loss ended Colorado’s Pac-12 Tournament run, and it remains to be seen whether the Buffs will receive a postseason tournament invite. They’ll find out on Sunday afternoon, and even though the NCAA Tournament looks far out of reach, the NIT and College Basketball Invitational remain possibilities for the Buffs.

Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

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Cowboys TE Dalton Schultz likely to earn massive payday in free agency

The 26-year-old is expected to be a popular target in free agency and could become the second-highest paid tight end in the league. | From @ToddBrock24f7

Dalton Schultz’s phone is about to start ringing, and on the other end will be lots of lots of dollar signs. The 26-year-old is set to hit free agency next week, and the former fourth-round pick out of Stanford is primed to be sitting there as the top tight end available in this year’s class.

Schultz finished the 2022 season ranked second among all Cowboys in receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns, and he did so while making $10.9 million on the franchise tag. A second tag would have cost the Cowboys over $13 million.

The front office was clearly unwilling to do that, instead using the tag to secure Tony Pollard for the upcoming season.

Now Schultz stands to earn even more out on the open market.

Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team lists Schultz as one of 10 free agents who’s about to land a bigger payday than many might be expecting, with a new contract coming- from someone- that will put him in the uppermost echelon of tight end salaries.

Over the past three seasons, only seven tight ends have gained more than 2,000 receiving yards. Schultz is one of them, joining Travis Kelce, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, Dallas Goedert, and Darren Waller.

Matching that kind of production should indeed net Schultz a fat contract, especially given the small inventory of available tight ends. With Evan Engram having already been locked up by the Jaguars via the franchise tag, teams in need of veteran starting help at the position are looking at the likes of Mike Gesicki, Hayden Hurst, Robert Tonyan, Foster Moreau, or Austin Hooper.

All are solid players, but Schultz would likely be considered a better option.

Meirov thinks Schultz will easily top $10 million per year on a new deal. Spotrac projects an even higher number, an average annual salary of $15.1 million. That figure would make Schultz the second-highest-paid tight end in terms of AAV, just eking out Kittle and coming in behind Waller.

Spotrac is estimating that Schultz will get a four-year contract worth $60.6 million; that would also rank second, behind only Kittle, in terms of total value.

The question, ultimately, is whether Schultz is truly one of the top two or three tights ends in the game. He’s been an integral part of the Cowboys offense over the past three seasons, but the organization obviously feels his production can be largely replaced by a Jake Ferguson/Peyton Hendershot/Sean McKeon/rookie-to-be-named-later rotation… and at a much more modest price.

Schultz’s new team will be hoping that his arrow is still trending upward, and they’ll likely make him one of the best-paid tight ends in the league in order to try to prove it.

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Twitter reacts to rumor of Rams shopping Matthew Stafford

A former GM said the Rams have called teams trying to trade Matthew Stafford, which had Twitter going crazy

To go along with the possibility of trading Leonard Floyd, Allen Robinson and Jalen Ramsey, there’s a new rumor making the rounds shared by former NFL general manager Michael Lombardi. On the “Pat McAfee Show” Thursday, Lombardi said the Rams “would love to” trade Matthew Stafford and that they’ve called teams shopping him.

“You’ve called

That goes against everything that’s been reported previously, including the fact that the Rams will pick up Stafford’s option bonus this offseason, which guarantees him $57 million on March 17. If the Rams plan to pick that up, why would they trade him?

And with Sean McVay returning for another season, why would Los Angeles undergo a full rebuild just two years after acquiring Stafford for two first-round picks and more?

Nothing is pointing to the Rams actually trading Stafford and given his contract situation, it’s hard to imagine any team wanting to trade valuable assets for him. If he’s traded after March 17, the Rams would take on $74 million in dead money this year. That’s impossible for them to do.

And shortly after this rumor circulated, GM Les Snead told reporters that Stafford is someone they’re “definitely going to rely on,” calling him “one of our pillars.”

Here’s how Twitter reacted to the rumor from Lombardi.

The Dawgs have spoken, and they want Auburn

In terms of future SEC football scheduling, Georgia players have made it clear that they want to play Auburn every season.

The future of SEC scheduling has been a wedge issue ever since Oklahoma and Texas expressed interest in joining the conference.

Now that their move-in date has been finalized, the topic has gained more traction. There are many options that commissioner Greg Sankey and members of the front office could go with, but the most popular model amongst fans and media alike is a nine-game SEC slate, with three permanent rivals and a rotation of six other opponents within the conference each season.

If that model were to be chosen, three current Georgia players have expressed who they would like to play each season. There were several programs mentioned, but there were only two programs that every three players listed… Auburn and Tennessee.

DawgNation writer Mike Griffith asked three Bulldogs: Chris Smith, Broderick Jones, and Kearis Jackson, what their preferences would be for the projected model. Here’s how they answered:

Chris Smith: Florida, Auburn, Tennessee
Broderick Jones: Auburn, Tennessee, Missouri

Kearis Jackson: Tennessee, Auburn, Alabama

Kearis Jackson chose three of the most challenging options because it features a solid balance between what the fans want, and what the players want.

“I feel like those three games there would be opportunities that the fans would like but the players would like as well because we like going against the best of the best,” Jackson said.

According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, Auburn’s projected locked opponents are Alabama, Georgia, and Vanderbilt. Sankey says that the winning scheduling option could be finalized in May during the SEC spring meetings in Destin, Florida.

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Eagles updated depth chart ahead of 2023 NFL free agency

We’re looking at the Philadelphia Eagles’ current team depth chart ahead of the 2023 NFL Free Agency

The Eagles are going to look a lot different when the team reconvenes at the NovaCare Complex for the 2023 off-season program.

Philadelphia has 18 pending free agents and 9 key contributors on defense that could move on for heftier paydays when the new league year starts on March 15.

Making matters even more urgent, the franchise will work to sign All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurt to a hefty contract extension, ensuring that multiple free agents are unlikely to return.

With the league tampering period fast approaching, here is an updated look at the team’s current depth chart.

Drew Brees on Derek Carr signing: ‘It’s a great fit for him, great fit for the Saints’

Drew Brees endorsed his old team’s Derek Carr signing: ‘I think it’s a great fit for him, I think it’s a great fit for the Saints’

Who better to comment on the New Orleans Saints quarterback situation than the best quarterback in Saints history? Drew Brees joined The Dan Patrick Show on Thursday to share his take on Derek Carr’s outlook in New Orleans, and it’s a move he’s embraced enthusiastically.

“I think it’s a great fit. I think it’s a great fit for him, great fit for the Saints,” Brees said. “I’ve always been impressed with Derek Carr. I think he’s been in a pretty dysfunctional situation, I think we all recognize that. Look at all that’s happened to the Raiders from a personnel perspective, all the controversy, I think he’s caught the brunt of that unfairly in a lot of ways.”

Stability is the name of the game in New Orleans. Mickey Loomis is the longest-tenured general manager in the league. Front office executives like Jeff Ireland, Khai Harley, and Michael Parenton have each been around for almost a decade or more. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. isn’t going anywhere, and the defense that Dennis Allen built is stronger than anything Carr has played with in the past.

But what about Carr’s system fit? Brees continued pointed to Carr’s experience in a similar offense as reason for optimism: “I’ve been impressed watching him play. He certainly has the ability to take an offense like what the Saints run and execute that well. Put a lot on his plate, where in many cases you’re going up to the line of scrimmage with multiple plays, the ability to check into multiple plays. Jon Gruden’s offense which he came up in was the same offense that we run. That West Coast-style, but the ability to ‘Hey we’re not going to run a bad play.’ That’s always the philosophy. We’re going to get out of bad plays, get into good plays, you have to be a smart quarterback to recognize that. I thought he’s always done a good job of that.”

So Brees is fully on board with this move. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reported that Brees helped recruit Carr to the Saints, selling the free agent quarterback on New Orleans’ organizational culture and strong supporting cast, neither of which he enjoyed with the Raiders. We’ll see if this move works out as well as hoped, but Brees’ endorsement is encouraging.

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15 free agents the Eagles can sign that don’t count against compensatory picks

We’re looking at 15 players the Philadelphia Eagles can sign in 2023 NFL Free Agency that won’t count against the compensatory pick formula

The NFL’s new league is less than a week away, and with the legal tampering period scheduled to start on Monday, Philadelphia will look to retool on defense, while making cost-effective decisions.

All-Pro quarterback Jalen Hurts and his contract is the biggest concern this offseason, but the Eagles will also need to navigate 19 looming free agents and the likelihood that they’ll lose C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Javon Hargrave and James Bradberry.

GM Howie Roseman has made it clear that he’s prepared to lose several key starters and he’ll retool via the draft with a handful of 2024 compensatory picks.

The formula is simple in nature.

If you lose more unrestricted free agents than you sign, you are eligible for that many compensatory selections. What round they come is determined by how big their contract is.

Roseman and other general managers can take advantage of the rule by signing players released before their contract expires. Those players don’t count toward the formula.

Plenty of players will be available to sign this offseason that can both help the team and not count against the formula.

Here are 15 players Philadelphia could sign that wouldn’t count against 2024 compensatory picks.

Former Tiger standout expected to join coaching staff at South Alabama

This former Auburn LB is set to take on his first FBS coaching job in his hometown.

The coaching tree of former Auburn football players is continuing to extend its branches.

The latest Auburn football alumni to join the FBS coaching ranks is a former standout under [autotag]Gus Malzahn[/autotag], [autotag]Tre Williams[/autotag].

According to FootballScoop.com, Williams is set to join Kane Wommack’s staff at South Alabama as the Jaguars’ special team coordinator. Although there is no deal in place yet, Football Scoop’s sources reveal that there is heavy smoke toward’s the rumor.

Williams has spent the last few years coaching high school football at Thompson High School in Alabaster, as well as serving as a graduate assistant under his former head coach at UCF. He earned his first full-time coaching job at Arkansas-Monticello, a Division II program, coaching linebackers and special teams.

As a player for Auburn from 2014-17, Williams recorded 188 total tackles, 10.0 being for loss. In 2017, he was named an All-SEC second-team selection after making 50 stops and 2.5 sacks.

Williams, a Mobile native, joins a rather growing list of former Tigers who are now coaching at the Division I level, including [autotag]Jonathan Wallace[/autotag] (Kansas), [autotag]Kam Martin[/autotag] (UCF), and [autotag]Deshaun Davis[/autotag] (North Alabama).

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