Tag: Record

Cowboys’ Lamb not listed among top threats to break single-season receiving record

From @ToddBrock24f7: NFL.com named 5 WRs most likely to break Calvin Johnson’s record of 1,964 yards in a season. Inexplicably, CeeDee Lamb isn’t on the list.

One of football’s gaudiest records seems ready for a fall, but one of the game’s premier playmakers apparently isn’t a real threat to break it.

That’s what NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks thinks, anyway. He recently showcased a list of five pass-catchers who he deems the biggest threats to Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving record, but Cowboys superstar CeeDee Lamb is nowhere to be found.

It’s a somewhat puzzling stance, considering that Lamb led the NFL last season in receptions to finish a full 16 catches over the two runners-up (both of whom, coincidentally, did make Brooks’s list) and came in second in receiving yards.

Lamb was one of just two men- along with Miami’s Tyreek Hill- to top 1,700 receiving yards in 2023. That’s getting awfully close to Johnson’s mark of 1,964, which he set in 2012. Johnson himself has noted that his record is bound to be toppled- likely soon- given both a heavier emphasis these days on passing and the addition of a 17th game to the NFL season.

But according to Brooks, it’s more likely to be Hill, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Jefferson, George Pickens, or- you may want to sit down for this, Cowboys fans- Amari Cooper that does it than it is Lamb.

Hill is an obvious choice, having come within 166 yards of the record last year. Hitting 1,965 yards in 17 games requires a per-game average of 115.6 yards per contest. Hill wrapped up his 2023 with 112.4, putting him well within reach of Megatron.

St. Brown’s young career is still on the rise. In three seasons, his single-season yardage total jumped from 912 to 1,161 to 1,515. It could go even higher, but most of the Lions’ stacked offense returns for 2024, and there’s only one ball to go around.

The Vikings will look to get a big return on their investment in Jefferson. He was one of just three receivers to average triple digit yards per game last season, so he can set the field on fire… but can Sam Darnold/J.J. McCarthy reliably get him enough passes?

Pickens led all qualifying receivers last season in yards per catch, with 18.1. Even at that rate, he’d need 109 receptions to break the record, and only five players had that in 2024. (Pickens had 63.) New Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith would have to really commit to a downfield attack.

Cooper’s appearance on the list stings for Cowboys fans who still believe the team was too hasty in shipping him out of town prior to the 2022 campaign. The 30-year-old is still putting up quality numbers in Cleveland, and now has Ken Dorsey as his offensive coordinator… but is he really a more potent threat than his 25-year-old former teammate?

It’s story problem time.

Lamb averaged 13.0 yards per reception last year. It’s totally reasonable to think he’ll repeat that, since 13.0 also happens to be his career per-catch average over four NFL seasons. (He hit 13.9 in 2021 and has never turned in a season below 12.6.) At 13 yards per grab, Lamb would need 152 catches to break Johnson’s benchmark. He had 135 last year.

Math says that if Lamb had caught 17 more passes- just one more ball per game– in 2023 and simply maintained the per-catch average he’s already held for four full seasons, he’d already have broken Johnson’s record.

But he’s not a threat to do it in 2024???

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As long as we’re playing with Lamb’s very steady production rate of 13 yards per catch, let’s keep going.

Looking at the Dallas offense, it’s not out of the question. The emphasis will clearly still be on the passing game in 2024, as the team has actually taken a step backward with its running back corps. And while Brandin Cooks and Jake Ferguson are still there and there’s the annual expectation of some newbie to catapult into the WR3 role and make a noticeable contribution, there’s no real reason (yet) to believe that the ball will be distributed much differently than it was in 2023.

So let’s give Lamb two extra catches per game over his total from last year. That would be 169 catches. Granted, that’s a new all-time record for a season, and by 20 receptions, a decent amount. But two additional catches per outing actually doesn’t seem outrageous. Lamb ended 2023 with two or more targets than receptions in 13 of 17 games, so the chances were certainly there.

At 13 yards per catch, that would put Lamb well over 2,000. In fact, with that many grabs, his per-reception average could plummet to a career-low 12.0 yards, and he’d still top 2K.

Calvin Johnson’s single-season receiving yards record will fall. Sooner or later, so will the 2,000-yard barrier. But to suggest that CeeDee Lamb isn’t one of the top legitimate candidates to do it?

That’s just dropping the ball.

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Cowboys TE Jason Witten’s record set to be broken in 2024 by Bears veteran

From @ToddBrock24f7: Bears TE Marcedes Lewis will return for a 19th NFL season. He’ll set a new record for games played by a TE, passing the legendary Witten.

Cowboys legend Jason Witten will still be the franchise’s all-time leader in game appearances when the 2024 season ends. But his current record of 271 career games played by an NFL tight end looks to be broken in late September of this season.

Marcedes Lewis has re-signed with Chicago for an incredible 19th season in the pros, it was announced Monday. The first-round draft pick back in 2006 has appeared in 268 contests since then, putting him just three back from Witten.

Assuming the 40-year-old Lewis gets into each of the Bears’ games to start the coming season, he’ll break the record in Week 4 when Chicago hosts the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 29. There’s little reason to believe the dependable Lewis won’t stick to that timeline; he hasn’t missed a game since the 2020 season.

Lewis saw his first NFL action on September 18, 2006. For perspective on how long he’s been an active player, current Cowboys rookie Caelen Carson was four and a half years old that day. And an unknown backup quarterback named Tony Romo was still four weeks away from being thrown into a Monday night game versus the Giants in relief of Drew Bledsoe.

Lewis played for 12 years in Jacksonville, then joined the Packers in 2018, where he was coached by Mike McCarthy until the head coach was fired in December of that year. Lewis stayed in Green Bay until the conclusion of the 2022 season; this record-setting campaign will be his second year in Chicago.

If Lewis plays in all 17 of the Bears’ games, he’ll end the season in the NFL’s all-time top 20 in terms of career games played.

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Witten broke the career games record for tight ends in his final NFL tilt in 2020, his only season with Las Vegas. His appearance as a starter in the Raiders’ season finale that year gave him one more game than Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez, who had retired after the 2013 season with 270 game appearances.

Witten played 255 regular-season games with the Cowboys, missing only one game- in his rookie season- over 16 years in the silver and blue. Long snapper L.P. Ladouceur is second in team history, with 253 games in the silver and blue. Of current Cowboys, guard Zack Martin is the active leader, with 152 game appearances for the franchise.

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2024 Saints game previews: Week 16 at Green Bay Packers

The Saints have a pivotal road game with the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. It’s a must-win if they want to be part of the playoff picture:

Every game is important, but the stakes get higher in December. And that’s when the New Orleans Saints have a pivotal road game with the Green Bay Packers. They’ll make the trip for what may be a snowy night game at Lambeau Field in Week 16, and it’s a must-win if they want to be part of the playoff picture.

The Saints nearly got it done last season against a Packers team that isn’t looking much different a year later. New Orleans took a 17-point lead into the fourth quarter but fell apart once Derek Carr left the game with an injury. Dennis Allen’s defense gave up 18 points and Jameis Winston wasn’t able to put any points on the board after stepping inn for Carr. It was an embarrassing loss, and it ultimately played a part in the Saints failing to qualify for the playoffs.

New Orleans trails Green Bay by a margin of 18-10 in the all-time series history, and they’ve won just once at Green Bay in their last four trips since 2011. The Saints would earn a lot of confidence from fans by avenging last year’s loss with a win on “Monday Night Football.”

So how are the Packers different this time around? They got younger at running back by swapping Josh Jacobs for Aaron Jones in free agency, but their biggest move was signing safety Xavier McKinney to a $68 million contract. They also brought in former Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Andre Dillard for more depth. In the draft, Green Bay added first-round offensive lineman Jordan Morgan plus second-round defenders Edgerrin Cooper (a linebacker from Texas A&M) and Javon Bullard (a safety from Georgia).

All eyes will be on Lambeau field when the Saints and Packers match up in prime time. So be sure to mark your calendar:

  • Game information: New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers
  • Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wis.
  • Date: Dec. 23
  • Time: 7:15 p.m. CT / 8:15 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN

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WATCH: Brandin Cooks’ 98-yard touchdown catch is the Saints Play of the Day

Brandin Cooks’ 98-yard touchdown catch is the Saints Play of the Day. His field-crossing score broke a team record that stood since the Saints’ inaugural season:

There are 98 days to go until the New Orleans Saints kick off their 2024 season, which means Brandin Cooks’ franchise-record 98-yard touchdown catch is our Saints Play of the Day.

Cooks got a step on Raiders cornerback Sean Smith that gave Drew Brees enough room to fit the pass in over the coverage; Cooks caught it in stride and used his straight-line speed to cross the field for a score. Talk about a great way to build some momentum in the 2016 season-opener.

It was a historic play, breaking a Saints record that had stood since 1967. Walter Roberts only caught 17 passes for the Saints in their inaugural season but he gained 384 yards on them, including a 96-yarder that remained the longest gain in franchise history for decades.

As for Cooks? He was traded after the 2016 season and spent time with a couple of different Super Bowl contenders including the New England Patriots, Los Angeles Rams, and most recently, the Dallas Cowboys. But he’s still chasing that championship ring. Cooks appeared in more games for the Houston Texans (44) than any team but the Saints (42), who drafted him back in 2014 out of Oregon State.

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Peyton Manning doesn’t want Bo Nix to break this rookie record

Peyton Manning wants to see his rookie interceptions record broken, just not by Bo Nix.

Peyton Manning has already shown support and willingness to mentor new Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, but there’s one rookie record that “The Sheriff” does not want Nix to break this season.

Before receiving the Mizel Institute’s 2024 Enrichment Award on May 22, Manning used his signature sense of humor to reference his record of 28 interceptions thrown as a rookie.

“I played as a rookie,” Manning said. “It was not a fun year. It’s well-documented how many interceptions that I threw. If any of these rookies wants to break my interception record, I’d be for it. I don’t want Bo to break it, but I’d like to get that off my resume. You’d think with 17 games that they’d be able to do it. It’s 28, it shouldn’t be that hard. But anyway, I’m over it.”

Manning has a yearly routine of referencing that record and jokingly suggesting that rookie QBs should start right away so they have a chance to break it. His witty banter aside, Manning does genuinely believe that experience is the best teacher, and he has hinted that Denver should start Nix as soon as possible.

Manning roots for all QBs, but if any of Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye or J.J. McCarthy throw 29 interceptions this fall, he certainly wouldn’t mind. Manning just doesn’t want to see Nix break that particular record.

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New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 11 vs. Cleveland Browns

New Orleans Saints game previews: Week 11 sends the Saints into their bye week after hosting the Cleveland Browns

It’s been a while since the Cleveland Browns visited the New Orleans Saints at the Caesars Superdome. Of the 46 Saints players who were active for that last meeting in 2018, only seven remain on the roster in 2024.

And this game is all that stands between the Saints and a much-needed breather during their Week 12 bye. But there’s the catch — the Browns will be well-rested for this game, having enjoyed their own bye week before making the trip down to New Orleans.

The Saints have won each of their last two games against the Browns, including the 2018 matchup we mentioned earlier and a snowbound 2022 game in Cleveland. Will they make it three in a row? The Browns own a 13-6 lead against the Saints since their first meeting in 1967, and they won five of their last six games with New Orleans before that 2018 defeat, so the Saints can’t let some recent success go to their head.

This might be the year Deshaun Watson finishes knocking off the rust. The Browns won a bidding war with the Saints for Watson’s services back in 2022, Dennis Allen’s first year as head coach, but he hasn’t found much success. He’s missed time with injuries and a suspension and wasn’t available for their loss to the Houston Texans in January’s playoffs, so he has a lot to prove. This midseason game could be a real now-or-never moment with the playoff fields taking shape.

But that’s also true for Allen and the Saints, who haven’t reached the postseason either. Going into the bye week with a win would mean a lot to a Saints team many outside observers are already writing off for 2024.

  • Game information: New Orleans Saints vs. Cleveland Browns
  • Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, La.
  • Date: Nov. 17
  • Time: Noon. CT / 1 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: FOX

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Recapturing homefield advantage will be key for Saints in 2024

The Saints have won just a dozen home games since Drew Brees retired. Recapturing that homefield advantage will be critical to their success in 2024:

How many games do you think the New Orleans Saints have won since Drew Brees retired after the 2020 season? It’s been three years, and the Saints have been at home for 25 contests during that span. The Caesars Superdome was once a fearsome venue for visiting teams, and the Saints still have a reputation as a squad that benefits from the Who Dat Nation’s raucous homefield advantage.

But check the numbers and you’ll see that narrative doesn’t hold much water. The Saints have gone 12-13 at home from 2021 to 2023, winning just a dozen games since Brees hunt up his cleats. That’s a winning percentage of .480 — which ranks 23rd among the NFL’s 32 teams, including the playoffs.

The Saints actually have a better record away from home. When playing outside New Orleans, they’re 13-13 over the last three years. A .500 win percentage may not be impressive in itself, but that ties them for ninth-best along with four other teams. Of the 13 teams who are .500 or better on the road in this span, only the Saints and Indianapolis Colts have failed to make the playoffs at least once.

So we know the Saints can compete away from the Caesars Superdome. Why can’t they win games in front of their own home crowd? Maybe it’s the quality of competition or just bad luck. We could be making too much out of it. After all, their record at home (12-13) isn’t much different from their road record (13-13). They’re a near-.500 team at any venue. But that’s the problem. Most teams play worse on the road than at home; the Saints are one of just six teams with a higher win percentage away from home. They’re fighting hard away from the Superdome, but not winning the games they should be when at home.

That must change in 2024. If they’re going to end this playoffs drought, the Saints need to stack up wins at the Superdome over weaker teams like the Denver Broncos, Washington Commanders, and Las Vegas Raiders as well as their division rivals. They can’t afford to trip up and take an embarrassing loss (like happened last year when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walked away with a win after a 26-9 blowout). This year, the Saints will play nine home games in New Orleans for the first time since the regular season expanded to 17 games. Stepping up in big moments at home while remaining competitive on the road is their path to a successful 2024 campaign.

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13-year-old breaks 42-year-old California swimming record held by Olympian

Gabi Brito broke two records over Memorial Day weekend, one of which was a 42-year old record held by 12-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres.

Records are made to be broken — but some of them take longer to break than others.

On Friday, 13-year-old swimmer Gabi Brito broke a pair of age-specific records in the 50-meter freestyle, one of which was held by a 12-time Olympic medalist.

In the prelims, Brito became the first swimmer in Southern California Swimming LSC at her age to break the 26-second mark in the event. The fastest swim of the 50-meter freestyle had been held for over 40 years, set by Dara Torres in 1982. Brito’s time of 25.97 was .07 seconds faster than the legend’s.

Brito officially became the fastest 13-year-old later in the day when she placed third in the Speedo Grand Challenge. She broke the 13U record with a 25.71-second race, finishing third to only USC graduate Caroline Famous (25.58) and seven-time Olympic medalist Simone Manuel (24.69), according to SwimSwam.

Her time breaks the record of Kate Douglass, who established the mark for 13-year-olds at 25.80 in 2015. According to the outlet, Brito’s time is only .02 seconds shy of the U.S. Olympic Trials cut.

Brito also raced in the 100 fly, 200 back and 100 freestyle over the weekend, according to SwimSwam. Her older sister, Bella Brito, is committed to USC as a member of the high school class of 2025.

Gabi Brito still has time before selecting a college — let her get to high school first! — but with her astonishing run, she has already etched her name in the record books.

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Saints projected to take a step down in 2024 by NFL analyst

Cynthia Frelund projects the Saints will fall back into a losing record in 2024 after finishing with a 9-8 tally last season:

NFL.com’s Cynthia Frelund did her season projections after the NFL schedule release, and it doesn’t look good for Dennis Allen and the New Orleans Saints. Frelund based her totals off talent, opponents, and sequencing of the schedule. Consecutive tough games is valued differently than three tough games in 7 weeks. She ran 150,000 simulations, and these were her results.

Frelund projects the Saints will finish with 7.4 wins, which rounds down to a 7-10 record. That’s a two-game drop from last year’s 9-8 record. This outcome would draw a mix of disappointing and slightly unsurprised reactions. The Saints have a very similar roster to last year, so staying in the same win range as 2023 isn’t unreasonable. Coaching changes, however, spark optimism of a more successful season. Getting worse would be a definite disappointment.

7-10 would match New Orleans’ 2022 record and be the second losing season in Dennis Allen’s Saints tenure. It very well could be his last. The amount of pressure Allen is under is unclear, but it doesn’t feel like he should be able to survive a losing season this year.

By Frelund’s projections, New Orleans would finish third in the division and a distance from the playoff picture. Tampa Bay is close with 7.8 victories, but that rounds to 8 wins. To no surprise, Atlanta is projected to win the division with 9.9 victories, which is good for fourth most in the NFC. The Saints would be faced with major questions if the season transpires this way, so Dennis Allen’s team must beat those expectations.

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Fly fisherman ‘stunned’ at the size of his cutthroat trout record

Idaho Fish and Game stated that Westslope cutthroat trout rarely exceed 20 inches, making this an “exceptional” catch.

A fly fisherman in Idaho thought he snagged bottom until the line started moving, indicating a hooked a fish.

Daniel Whitesitt was fishing with a friend in a remote area on the Clark Fork River in Idaho on April 13 when he hooked up, as reported by Outdoor Life.

“We’d only caught one trout that morning, so it was pretty slow,” Whitesitt told Outdoor Life. “But about 9 a.m. I waded out to the head of a pool just below a riffle and made a long cast. I was [fishing] a large, gray stonefly nymph below an indicator.”

When the indicator went down, Whitesitt set the hook and “fought the fish deep for a couple minutes,” and when it jumped, he thought it was a rainbow.

He called Caleb Bravard over to help land the fish. When the fish was netted, the anglers noticed the red slash under its jaw, indicating it was a cutthroat trout.

“I was stunned that it was a cutthroat because of its size,” Whitesitt told Outdoor Life. “I thought it might be a state length record, which I believed was 24 inches long. When we carefully measured it and photographed the fish, sure enough, it was 25 inches.”

Whitesitt submitted documentation of his released catch to the Idaho Fish and Game, and the agency verified it has a catch-and-release state record for Westslope cutthroat trout, the IFG reported Wednesday.

The old record of 24 inches was set by Madison Nackos in 2021 from nearby Priest Lake.

From the IFG:

Westslope Cutthroat Trout are found in rivers (and some lakes) primarily throughout central and northern Idaho. They rarely exceed 20 inches, making this an exceptional catch.  Cutthroat Trout are Idaho’s “state fish,” and the Westslope Cutthroat Trout is one of three subspecies native to the state, along with the Bonneville and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout.

Whitesitt told Outdoor Life he guessed the fish weighed 6 or 7 pounds, adding that he is likely to have a replica mount made because of its beauty.

“Its memory will never fade,” Whitesitt told Outdoor life.

Photos courtesy of the Idaho Fish and Game and Daniel Whitesitt.