Tag: Rumors

Spencer Rattler is expected to start 3-4 games after Derek Carr injury

FOX Sports reports the Saints expect Spencer Rattler to start 3 to 4 games in the wake of an injury to Derek Carr:

The New Orleans Saints will be starting Spencer Rattler against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which we knew after Derek Carr sustained an oblique injury that had a somewhat flexible timeline tied to it. Now, we have some clarity, as Jay Glazer of FOX Sports has reported Rattler is expected to start for 3 to 4 weeks in the wake of Carr’s injury.

With this the case, we could see Rattler starting the following games in that span of time:

  • Week 6 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Week 7 vs. Denver Broncos
  • Week 8 at Los Angeles Chargers
  • Week 9 at Carolina Panthers

Prior to the Week 6 slate of games, these teams combined for a 9-10 record total, so it could provide Rattler with a good chance to prove himself and show that he may be the future of the Saints franchise. First up though, a divisional matchup with a tough team in the Buccaneers.

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93.7 The Fan host sparks wild Davante Adams trade conspiracy theory

The ‘Davante Adams’ fever has impacted Andrew Filliponi, host of 93.7 The Fan. Filliponi explains a possible conspiracy theory on Adams.

Host of the Pittsburgh-centered radio show 93.7 The Fan, Andrew Filliponi, has fallen under the same Davante Adams-esque spell that much of the ‘Steel City’ has experienced. Both former and current players, along with a large part of the Pittsburgh fan base, seem to be all in on the Raiders’ All-Pro wide receiver trade rumors. Steelers players like Antonio Brown and Cordarrelle Patterson have even attempted to sway the 31-year-old’s mind about joining the team.

With the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints undergoing severe roster and regime changes, sports commentator Filliponi believes that not only is the time right for Pittsburgh to acquire the Raiders’ WR, but also that Las Vegas is waiting until after their Week 6 contest vs. the Steelers to finalize the trade.

https://twitter.com/ThePoniExpress/status/1844818286925717541

While this can clearly be broken down as speculation and wishful thinking, could Pittsburgh entertain the idea of Las Vegas delaying an additional week before shipping off their star receiver?

Regardless of the outcome of the Steelers’ Week 6 contest, if GM Omar Khan could pull off this blockbuster trade, fans will be singing his praises for seasons to come!

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Teams believe the Saints are the favorites to land All-Pro wide receiver

Davante Adams wants to be traded to the Saints or Jets. ESPN reports other teams believe the Saints’ aggressive pursuit makes them the favorite to land him:

It’s been widely reported Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams would like to be traded to either the New York Jets or New Orleans Saints. His ties to Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr are clearly the driving factors behind that preference, seeing that neither team has performed particularly well so far.

It wouldn’t be the first time Adams requested a trade based on history with quarterback. The last time he requested a trade it was to play with Carr, his collegiate quarterback.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler shared that teams have told him they believe the Saints to be the favorites:

Teams I’ve talked to believe the Saints might just be the favorite, because they are on Adams’ short list of preferred destinations and are willing to be aggressive. Yes, the Jets are involved. But the Raiders probably will go with the best package. And because Adams seems to prefer going to the Jets or Saints, the Raiders are starting there, knowing they can expand the list if needed. As of now, those two teams appear to be in the driver’s seat.

So there are two reasons in the Saints’ favor: aggressiveness and Adams’ preference. Fowler said the Raiders will start inquiries with the Jets and Saints then fan out to other teams. Ultimately, the best package will win out.

New Orleans’ aggressive nature suggests they’re willing to go higher than New York is willing to. If trade talks progress well with the Saints, no team other than the Jets may even be get a chance.

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Report: Jets’ loss in London may cool their pursuit of Davante Adams

Adam Schefter suggested the Jets may cool their pursuit of a Davante Adams trade after a disappointing start to their season. That might leave the Saints out in front:


Just who is going to cut a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders and go trade for Davante Adams? It seems like everyone knows what everyone wants here. Adams wants to reunite with one of his old quarterbacks, either Aaron Rodgers on the New York Jets, or Derek Carr on the New Orleans Saints. The Raiders want to get at least aa second-round draft pick in exchange for him. And then the teams looking to acquire Adams want the Raiders to pay some of his salary for the rest of the season.

You’d think a gut-punch loss to the Minnesota Vikings in London would spur the Jets to take action, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter doesn’t think so. The plugged-in NFL insider sat down with Pat McAfee to share his insight to where things stand.

“I don’t think it expedited it, if anything, cooled it a little bit,” Schefter said. “At the end ultimately, I still think Davante wants to go play for the Jets or the Saints, and I think ultimately in the end, the Raiders figure out a way to work it out with the Jets or the Saints. It’s been those two teams. I think it will consistently be those two teams.”

And when taking the big-picture view, Schefter doesn’t see a great internal argument for pursuing an Adams trade.

“In their all-in year, they lost last week to Denver, and they lost yesterday to Minnesota. And Aaron last week hurt his knee, and yesterday hurt his ankle.  And there have to be people that say, ‘Now hold on. Do we want to know trade a second-round draft pick when we’re not playing overly well, we’re not reaching our potential? Do we think that a wide receiver is going to solve the issues that this team has been having?’ So I don’t view that game and that result as making it more likely that the Jets would trade for him.”

Sure, you could make similar points for the Saints. They’re dealing with a swath of injuries on both sides of the ball and their 2-2 record doesn’t reflect  how well they’ve played this season. But Adams would bring a physicality they lack in the passing game and open things up for downfield targets like Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. If he can help them end more drives with touchdowns than field goals or turnovers on downs, that might be worth it for a team that’s lost their last two games by margins of three and two points.

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Report: Steelers want Davante Adams—but need questions answered first

While Pittsburgh is looking to aggressively pursue WR Davante Adams, the Steelers need several important questions about him answered first.

The rollercoaster for the Davante Adams sweepstakes continues, and it’s not looking like Pittsburgh will pull the trigger on acquiring the superstar WR anytime soon—unless specific questions about his wants and needs are answered.

Sunday afternoon, Insider and Steelers reporter Gerry Dulac, for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, reported that while the Steelers have inquired about trading for the All-Pro 31-year old wide receiver, specific elements of the trade discussion are stalling the process.

What elements fans may ask?  Well, nothing that important—only if he’d even agree to come to Pittsburgh at all.  That isn’t the only area of concern, as Pittsburgh may need Adams to restructure his contract if the trade were completed.

Depending on Adam’s answer to Pittsburgh’s inquiry, it could shift the entire focus of the Steelers’ plan to acquire additional talent at the wide receiver position.

Adams, an elite talent for the Las Vegas Raiders, prefers to play with his old quarterbacks on the New York Jets or New Orleans Saints, would entertain going to Pittsburgh, and give them a contractual discount?

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Derek Carr shares his take on the Davante Adams trade rumors

Derek Carr says he would welcome Davante Adams with open arms. If he had his way, interest in a trade with the Raiders would be mutual:

Just how would Derek Carr feel about throwing passes to Davante Adams again? The New Orleans Saints quarterback was asked about just that topic, and he says he’d welcome the Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver with open arms if a trade reunited the two former college teammates. But he added that he doesn’t think that’s an uncommon opinion among NFL quarterbacks.

“I mean, I think all 32 quarterbacks would love to play with Davante. We would welcome that. I don’t know if I’ll get in trouble for saying that,” Carr grinned, “I would obviously welcome playing with him again if that ever worked out in our careers. You know he did have 1,500 yards, I think I threw him like 12 touchdowns. So we didn’t win as many games as we thought but it wasn’t all bad. We had fun doing it, that’s for sure.”

Carr said he and Adams vacation together in the offseason with their families, and that they still text each other on a weekly basis. It makes sense. They’ve been friends since they were teenagers enrolling at Fresno State, and they’ve connected on a lot of touchdown passes over the years.

It’s been consistently reported that Adams wants to catch passes from a familiar quarterback, whether that’s Carr or Rodgers, and Carr understands why the receiver may look back on their year together on the Raiders fondly: “I mean, I think it was the second-best year of his career. The narrative that it didn’t work out is correct, because we didn’t win as many games (as we expected). But when it comes to getting him the ball and him scoring a lot of touchdowns? I think it went pretty good.”

So if Carr had his way, interest in a trade between Adams and the Saints would be mutual. And some reports suggest that’s the case. Trade talks are expected to pick up quickly next week, so keep an eye out for movement one way or another.

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Report: Saints have made the most aggressive pursuit of 6-time Pro Bowl WR

The Saints are known for swinging big under Mickey Loomis. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports they’ve been the most aggressive suitors for Davante Adams:

The New Orleans Saints have been known for swinging big under general manager Mickey Loomis, and we aren’t too far removed from trade deadline pickups like Kwon Alexander and Eli Apple. They just might work the phones again before the NFL’s trade deadline on Nov. 5.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports they’ve been the most aggressive suitors for Davante Adams. There’s an eagerness to reunite the six-time Pro Bowler with his former quarterback Derek Carr. More from Rapoport:

Adams, sources say, views the New York Jets and his old friend Aaron Rodgers, as his top choice for a landing spot. That’s where he wants to play. But it’s been the New Orleans Saints who have been the most aggressive, while other teams, including the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, have closely monitored the situation and stayed in touch. The Jets remain very much in the mix, as well.

With Adams’ hamstring close to being healthy, trade talks are expected to accelerate Monday and Tuesday. If a trade is going to get done this week, which is possible, Tuesday would be the deadline.

If the Raiders don’t get their price, they are content to wait it out, sources say.

This lines up with another report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who said: “The New York Jets and New Orleans Saints are considered the two favorites to land Adams, but they are hardly the only teams interested in the three-time All Pro. The Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens also are monitoring Adams situation and could get into the mix, according to sources.”

The Raiders have made it known they want at least a second-round draft pick in return for Adams, but they may have to agree to pay some of his 2024 salary to get it, and that’s something Rapoport says they’re hesitant to do. Ultimately it’s going to come down to who makes the best offer. If the Jets aren’t willing to pay a second rounder but the Saints are, in exchange for the Raiders paying part of Adams’ salary, that could make the difference.

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Report: Saints ‘monitoring’ Davante Adams trade situation

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports the New Orleans Saints are ‘monitoring’ the trade buzz surrounding Davante Adams:

Here’s the latest scoop on the Davante Adams front, courtesy of ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Trade rumors still surround the Las Vegas Raiders as they consider their options with the star wide receiver, who is currently dealing with a minor (and convenient) hamstring injury. And the New Orleans Saints have been linked to him.

While the widespread expectation is for Aaron Rodgers to push the New York Jets into pursuing Adams, Fowler reports that it’s no sure thing he’ll end up joining them. Other teams are in the mix, and, “I’m told the Saints are monitoring. You have the Derek Carr connection there.”

Fowler adds that the key issue will be Adams’ salary, and how much of it the Raiders are willing to pay to facilitate a trade. Teams running tight against the salary cap like the Saints are going to need that help, and it could spur  them into offering a sweeter deal than the Jets.

Let’s say the Jets offer a third-round pick while asking the Raiders to pay $5 million of Adams’ remaining salary. What if the Saints pony up a second rounder in exchange for Las Vegas covering $8 million? That’s what this could come down to, and it all hinges on how much urgency the Raiders feel to get Adams out of the building. But this is just speculation. The trade deadline is a month away on Nov. 5 and there’s plenty of time for this situation to develop further.

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Saints’ surprise roster cut could may suggest a big pickup is on the way

The Saints just opened a spot in the receiving corps and made the No. 17 jersey available. Could it pave the way to a Davante Adams trade?

The New Orleans Saints stunned their fanbase by making the decision to  waive wide receiver A.T. Perry on Friday, but many fans’ firs thoughts turned to another wideout after the shock wore off: Davante Adams. The six-time Pro Bowler has requested a trade from the Las Vegas Raiders, who this week began exploring their options.

Reports have had  the Saints near the top of Adams’ wishlist of destinations, and they could use more help at the position given their reliance on  youngsters Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. There really isn’t a veteran presence at wide receiver in New Orleans, and Adams could add a lot to the offense given his strong resume and past experience with Derek Carr.

But while it’s fun to speculate about Perry’s departure paving the way to an Adams trade, that feels more like wishful thinking than real dot-connecting. It’s not like Perry was taking up a ton of salary cap space, and if anything the Raiders may have liked to have him thrown in to the package of assets they would be getting back for Adams.

So maybe don’t rush to any conclusions based off this roster move. Perry could sign with the practiice squad after clearing waivers and the Saints needed to open a roster spot for running back Kendre Miller if he’s coming off injured reserve this week.

Still, it’s a curiously-timed roster move. And Adams would be able to pick up his favored No. 17 jersey if he does move to New Orleans. Stay tuned.

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Lane Kiffin: Coach Florida fans crave, but a few factors tie him down at Ole Miss

All eyes are on Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin—an enticing candidate whose family ties and recent success may keep him from making the jump to the Gators.

Many believe that the Billy Napier era at Florida football has come to an end, which would conclude a three-season stretch marked by underwhelming performance and missed expectations.

The Gators skipper is not quite out the door but the fanbase nonetheless has been clamoring for a replacement since the Week 1 loss at home to the Miami Hurricanes.

Presumably, the program is now searching for a replacement head coach to get things moving back in the right direction. There have been a number of candidates that fans have been hoping Florida can reel in, but none are as big as Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin.

Who wouldn’t want a coach like Kiffin? He brings the swagger, the charisma, and most importantly, creativity on the offensive side of the ball.

USA TODAY Sports writer Blake Toppmeyer wrote about a scenario that Florida football fans are hoping would happen to make everything line up to hire Kiffin.

“Florida fans who crave Lane Kiffin as their coach need the Rebels to lose a few games between now and Thanksgiving,” Toppmeyer wrote. “It’s a fine line: Win enough to still look desirable, but lose enough for Ole Miss to miss the College Football Playoff and make Kiffin wonder whether he’s hit his ceiling with the Rebels and ought to uproot and resettle in The Swamp.”

However, it may not be realistic at this point. Of course, we all remember back in 2009 when he suddenly left the Tennessee Volunteers to be the head coach for the USC Trojans after just one season, but things are different now.

He’s been in Oxford, Mississippi, for five years and has really enjoyed his time with the Rebels. Kiffin has settled in, and with the success he has going for him currently, it just doesn’t make sense for him to leave that all behind and start all over again in trying to man a rebuild for school.

Kiffin also has family ties with Oxford. His oldest daughter, Landry, is currently attending Ole Miss as a sophomore, and has been loving it. In fact, back in 2022 when Kiffin was rumored as the next head coach for the Auburn Tigers, it was Landry who convinced him to stay.

ESPN senior writer Chris Low revealed what Kiffin’s daughter, Landry, did to get him to stay with the Rebels. 

Low wrote, “Kiffin was leaning toward taking the Auburn job toward the end of the 2022 season when Landry came to him with a heartfelt message. ‘You left me one time for another job when you went to Alabama, and now I’m here with you and you’re going to do it again?’ she asked her father.”

Low continued, “Landry and her friends created a slideshow, complete with music, showing all of them together with Kiffin at Ole Miss.”

It just doesn’t seem logical for Kiffin to leave a school that his family loves.

Having worked under Nick Saban with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Kiffin may have learned the value of stability and long-term growth within a program. He might believe that continuing to develop the Ole Miss program will be more rewarding than jumping to a program that is currently in turmoil.

Kiffin has significantly improved the Rebels football program, achieving two seasons with at least 10 wins in the last five years, with the potential for a third this season. He has completely turned that program around and has helped his team make a bowl game every year he’s been there.

And now with the growth of Ole Miss’ NIL program, “The Grove Collective”, it has provided advantages in terms of recruiting and creating a presence with the transfer portal. Kiffin wouldn’t just throw that all behind and start from scratch at a new program.

With the way things are going with Florida in terms of desperately getting that program back to the mountaintop of college football, there needs to be an understanding that it will most likely take Kiffin some time to rebuild the program which can create pressure to produce immediate results.

While the allure of Kiffin’s coaching prowess and charisma may captivate Florida fans, the strong connections he has established at Ole Miss—coupled with the program’s recent successes and the stability he has built—suggest that it would be more prudent for him to continue his journey with the Rebels rather than embark on a challenging rebuild in Gainesville.

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