Saints’ Super Bowl 44 win ranked 17th-best of all time

The New Orleans Saints’ win in Super Bowl XLIV over the Indianapolis Colts was ranked the 17th best title game in NFL history by USA Today.

[jwplayer mlJB5bgV-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints were recognized for their victory over the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV by that game being ranked the 17th-best title game in NFL history by USA Today. It remains the most memorable game in Saints history, thanks to huge plays ranging form Pierre Thomas’s crafty running on a screen pass touchdown, to Thomas Morstead’s “Ambush” onside kick, to Lance Moore’s just-in two-point conversion and Tracy Porter’s famous interception returned for a touchdown. The writeup from USA Today’s Nate Davis summed it up well:

The Saints ended decades of futility courtesy of MVP Drew Brees’ pinpoint passing, coach Sean Payton’s surprise onside kick to start the second half and CB Tracy Porter’s game-sealing pick six of Peyton Manning.

This win in Super Bowl XLIV brought the first NFL championship to New Orleans in franchise history, providing the high point in the greatest era of Saints football. It ended a decades-long championship drought for the city and ushered fans into a new time where competing for another title has been the expectation, not the long-shot hope.

It’s not something the NFC South-rival Atlanta Falcons can boast. That team still hasn’t won a Super Bowl, and their loss in Super Bowl LI ended up earning the top spot in the USA Today rankings. We’d be remiss to forget how that game saw the Falcons surrender a 28-3 lead late in the third quarter in the most epic collapse in the championship game’s history. You love to see it.

[vertical-gallery id=27422]

Saints land Justin Jefferson in Daniel Jeremiah’s first 2020 mock draft

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah connected the New Orleans Saints to LSU Tigers wide receiver Justin Jefferson in his first 2020 mock draft.

[jwplayer bdu17ZTU-ThvAeFxT]

The NFL has converged on Mobile, Ala. for this year’s Reese’s Senior Bowl, which features a series of media sessions and practices involving some of the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft. Scouts, coaches, general managers, and everyone else are in town to get a first look at the next crop of rookies. So of course it’s time to start paying better attention to mock drafts.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has a reputation as one of the most-accurate prognosticators around the industry. His first 2020 mock draft has connected the Saints with LSU Tigers wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Jeremiah explained the logic behind his pick:

Jefferson is very precise as a route runner, and I love his toughness. He’ll fit perfectly next to Michael Thomas.

Plenty of things will change between now and draft day in late April, but it’s tough to argue against a better fit than Jefferson in New Orleans. The 6-foot-3, 192-pound junior thrived in a similar offense run by ex-Saints assistant Joe Brady (who’s now the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator), building on his sophomore-year momentum to lead the team in receptions (111) and rank second-best in receiving yards (1,540) and touchdown catches (18).

He wasn’t targeted in two appearances as a freshman; but in 28 games over his last two years, Jefferson averaged 5.9 catches per game for 86.3 yards gained through the air. He’s exactly who the Saints need to help take pressure off of Thomas, who led the league in receptions (149, breaking an all-time record). Only one other Saints wideout caught more than 18 passes, and that was pending free agent Ted Ginn Jr., who reeled in just 30.

[lawrence-related id=27439,27420,27389]

[vertical-gallery id=27352]

Which past Senior Bowl participants have been picked by the Saints?

The New Orleans Saints have drafted Senior Bowl players like Erik McCoy, Marcus Davenport, and Sheldon Rankins after meeting them in Mobile.

[jwplayer fHdO3qT1-ThvAeFxT]

There are few offseason events bigger than the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala.; it’s the first time coaches, scouts, and front office executives from around the NFL gather and socialize after the regular season has wrapped up. For many teams, the New Orleans Saints included, it’s a hiring opportunity to fill holes on the coaching staff. But the central mission is to get a real first impression with top draft prospects in the year’s most prominent collegiate all-star game.

That’s been a priority for the Saints, who have frequently gone on to add players who participated in the game and the three days of practices that precede it. Since Jeff Ireland joined (and quickly took over) the scouting department, they’ve used this opportunity to interview many draft prospects. In fact, the Saints have drafted at least one player from the Senior Bowl each year that Ireland has been with the team, and often double-dipped. Here’s the full list (draft picks in italics):

  • 2015: LB Stephone Anthony
  • 2015: LB Hau’oli Kikaha
  • 2015: QB Garrett Grayson
  • 2015: DT Kaleb Eulls
  • 2016: DT Sheldon Rankins
  • 2016: OL Jack Allen
  • 2017: LB Alex Anzalone
  • 2017: WR Travin Dural
  • 2018: DE Marcus Davenport
  • 2018: WR Tre’Quan Smith
  • 2018: TE Deon Yelder
  • 2019: OL Erik McCoy
  • 2019: DE Carl Granderson

So while it isn’t a guarantee that the Saints will pick anyone who plays in the Senior Bowl, it’s a good bet that some players will leave a lasting impression on Ireland and his scouts, as well as Sean Payton and his coaches. They’ll meet again at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis late in February, and possibly again at various pro day workouts or official facilities visits in New Orleans during the months leading up to April’s draft.

This is just one data point in eventual decisions that will bring new additions to the Saints, but it’s one worth watching. Ready or not, the offseason is here. You can find a complete guide to this year’s Senior Bowl over at Draft Wire through this link, as well as a top-50 ranking of the best prospects in this year’s game here.

[vertical-gallery id=27352]

Saints upgrade the secondary, land potential franchise QB in three-round mock draft

It’s going to be tough for the New Orleans Saints to upgrade in the 2020 NFL Draft, but they’ve beaten worse odds before. They have just two picks in the draft’s first 100 selections ( at Nos. 24 and 88), which is more than they had last year. New …

[jwplayer gDZGKLBo-ThvAeFxT]

It’s going to be tough for the New Orleans Saints to upgrade in the 2020 NFL Draft, but they’ve beaten worse odds before. They have just two picks in the draft’s first 100 selections (at Nos. 24 and 88), which is more than they had last year. New Orleans still found a way to land a starting center in Erik McCoy and a dynamic defensive back in C.J. Gardner-Johnson.

Their next draft class could be just as big. In the latest three-round mock draft from Luke Easterling over at Draft Wire, the Saints ended up with Alabama cornerback Trevon Diggs in the first round and Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts in the third round.

Right now, the Saints are projected to start Marshon Lattimore on one side at cornerback, Janoris Jenkins on the other end of the field, and put Gardner-Johnson in the slot. That could change depending on what happens with Jenkins’ contract (he’s currently counting $11.5 million against the salary cap), but for now Diggs wouldn’t be projected to start.

That may not be a bad thing. He’s a big corner (listed at 6-foot-2, 207 pounds) who converted to the position after being recruited as a wide receiver, and didn’t start consistently until his senior year, which saw him create five takeaways with three interceptions and a pair of fumble recoveries. He deflected eight passes in total. The size and playmaking ability is there; maybe he’d put it all together after some hard work in Saints training camp.

As for Hurts: he’s one of the best quarterbacks in this draft class, and it would be surprising if he’s available so late in the process. His play greatly improved under Lincoln Riley’s tutelage at Oklahoma. He could duplicate much of what Taysom Hill has accomplished in New Orleans, but offers the upside of gifted passing ability on top of all-world athleticism. With the future of the quarterback position far from certain for the Saints, it’s easy to like this pick.

[vertical-gallery id=26750]

2020 boys junior golf tournament schedule, results

These are the players who closed out 2019 with a win at season-ending events. As the new year starts, we will continue updating the list.

These are the players who closed out 2019 with a win at season-ending events. As the new season gets underway, we will continue to add to this list of tournaments used to compile the Golfweek Junior Rankings. Missing events and dates will be added when they become available.

A list of girls events and results can be found here.

Dates Event Course City State Winner, results
Dec. 14-15 Toyota Tour Cup Championship PGA West La Quinta CA Ethan Chung
Dec. 14-15 TLJT Alamo Shootout Fair Oaks Ranch G&CC Fair Oaks Ranch TX Jeffrey Zatorski
Dec. 14-16 IMG Academy Junior World Florida Challenge Longboat Key C&R (Island) Long Boat Key FL Natthawat Sakchawanpob
Dec. 20-22 Jones Cup Junior Sea Island GC (Seaside) St. Simons Island GA Maxwell Ford
Dec. 21-23 Doral/Publix Junior Classic Doral Miami FL John Broderick
Dec. 27-28 Allstate Sugar Bowl Tommy Moore Memorial TPC Louisiana Avondale LA Payne Johnson
Dec. 27-29 Donald Ross Junior Championship Pinehurst Resort Pinehurst NC Nikita Gubenko
Dec. 27-29 TJGT La Cantera Holiday Classic La Cantera GC San Antonio TX Treed Huang
Dec. 27-29 RMJT Tournament of Champions McCormick Ranch GC (Palm) Scottsdale AZ CJ Martin
Jan. 3-6 Junior Orange Bowl Biltmore GC Coral Gables FL Andrey Borges

 

Saints rally and Drew Brees shines, but 49ers outlast in 48-46 barn-burner

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees rallied back, but his defense couldn’t hold off the San Francisco 49ers in a Week 14 barn-burner.

[jwplayer TZvJWDBO-ThvAeFxT]

The New Orleans Saints fought hard and overcame a two-score deficit, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the San Francisco 49ers from inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. On fourth down with seconds remaining, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan found a way to get tight end George Kittle — his best receiving threat — wide-open in the flat for a long catch-and-run to put his team in scoring position. A few plays later and 49ers kicker Robbie Gould sent a chip-shot field goal through the uprights to win, 48-46.

It was a shocker by every measure. No one anticipated the score running so high in this matchup, with both teams trading big plays on offense and a few timely turnovers on defense. Saints quarterback Drew Brees turned in a vintage performance, completing 29 of 40 passes for 349 yards and five touchdown scores — that includes five completions on his seven final attempts in the two-minute drill.

Both defenses were perceived as elite units, but each team played on its heels for most of the game, particularly during the first half. While San Francisco drew more penalties (10) for more yardage (67) than New Orleans (5 for 50 yards), the Saints were hurt by a few dubious non-calls (including a blatant holding penalty on a Taysom Hill punt fake) and two drive-extending free first downs for the 49ers late in the fourth quarter. Saints coach Sean Payton has preached accountability and a need for cleaner play for weeks, but there’s not much to be done against judgment calls like those.

So where do the Saints stand now? They’re still one of four teams competing for a top-three playoffs seed in the NFC, along with this same 49ers squad (that group also includes the Seattle Seahawks and Green Bay Packers). New Orleans owns a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Seahawks, but they’ll have to finish strong in December to win a playoff bye. They won’t secure homefield advantage throughout the playoffs without some help, adding further drama; not that we needed any.

[vertical-gallery id=23894]

Lady Vols basketball trounce Stetson

Lady Vols basketball trounce Stetson.

KNOXVILLE — The Tennessee Volunteers women’s basketball team defeated the Stetson Hatters on Tuesday night, 73-46, in their 500th game at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The Lady Vols were led by Rennia Davis, who scored 15 points, along with five rebounds and two assists. Jordan Horston scored 11 points in the first quarter, including three three-pointers, en route to a 14 point performance in support; she also grabbed five boards and dished out seven assists. Three other players — Jazmine Massengill, Kasiyahna Kushkituah and Rae Burrell — also posted double-digit points.

The Volunteers came out of the gates making three buckets from beyond the arc on three straight possessions, missing the fourth consecutive attempt to break the streak. The Lady Vols never trailed and reached their biggest lead of 27 at the 1:52 mark of the fourth quarter, which ultimately was the final margin of victory.

Tennessee shot 43 percent from the field with a 38 percent mark from three-point range after a hot start, and they posted a 65 percent free throw average on 23 attempts — all numbers that indicate another solid performance by the squad. Their 13 turnovers to Stetson’s 11 suggest that the game was well-executed on both sides.

The win improved the program to an incredible 455-45 record at Thompson-Boling Arena in their second game of a six-game homestand. It also marks head coach Kellie Harper’s first 5-0 start of her career.

The Volunteers will next host the Arkansas-Pine Bluffs Golden Lions next Tuesday, November 26, heading into the Thanksgiving break. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Undeterred by last week’s loss, 100% of experts pick Saints over Bucs

The New Orleans Saints were again a unanimous choice over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in NFL expert picks for Week 11 of the regular season.

[jwplayer A2nDW4SZ]

According to expert picks surveyed by NFL Pickwatch, 100% of observers around the league expect the New Orleans Saints to take down the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their Week 11 road game at Raymond James Stadium.

This is despite New Orleans’ shocking loss at home a week earlier to the lowly Atlanta Falcons, which became just the second dirty birds victory of the year. 100% of the expert picks gathered called for a Saints win in that game, too. In fact, the Saints were one of three teams to have unanimous certainty last week, along with the Indianapolis Colts (who actually lost to the Miami Dolphins) and the Baltimore Ravens (who beat the Cincinnati Bengals).

So obviously this means that the expert picks are sort of meaningless. Football is a great game to watch and study, but nearly impossible to predict. That held true during Thursday Night Football when two-thirds of experts picked the Pittsburgh Steelers to win, but the Cleveland Browns found a way to succeed instead.

For the curious, the Saints are one of two teams with 100% certainty of their success from the experts this week, along with the Oakland Raiders (who play winless Cincinnati). Several other teams come close, including the Minnesota Vikings (99%), San Francisco 49ers (97%), Dallas Cowboys (97%), and Buffalo Bills (96%), but too many contrarian picks — or calculated cuts against the grain — avoid a group consensus. We’ll see soon who ended up picking correctly.

[vertical-gallery id=22291]

Vols rally for win against Racers

Vols rally for win against Racers.

KNOXVILLE — The Murray State Racers came into Knoxville to play, and it took a second half rally for the Tennessee Volunteers to emerge with a 82-63 victory.

The win extends the nation’s longest current home winning streak to 28 games in a row at Thompson–Boling Arena.

Murray State kept the Vols in check for a good portion of the game, taking their first lead at the 16:05 mark of the first frame and holding it until midway through the second half. After a bit of back-and-forth, the lead was finally relinquished and Tennessee rode the rest of the way to victory. They held the Racers scoreless for the final seven-and-a-half minutes to seal the deal.

The Volunteers were led by Jordan Bowden’s 26 points, along with a couple of rebounds and an assist. Yves Pons was the only other player in double figures for the Vols, adding 19 points along with four rebounds and just as many blocked shots. Lamonte Turner dished out 14 assists in the winning effort.

Tennessee shot 50 percent from the floor, including an eye-popping 55 percent from behind the arc. They only coughed up the ball eight times, compared to 12 for Murray State. Their 68 percent mark from the charity stripe still leaves something to be desired, but a win is a win.

The Volunteers next face the No. 20-ranked Washington Huskies on Saturday, November 16, in Toronto, Ont. for the James Naismith Classic. Gametime is scheduled for 5 p.m. ET.