Saints officially tender restricted free agent Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints formally placed a first-round tender on restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill on Wednesday, as reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Hill is now expected to play the 2020 season on a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract valued at around $4.641 million, per Over The Cap.
Additionally, other NFL teams can now sign Hill to an offer sheet, which the Saints can opt to match dollar for dollar.
If he’s going to spend more time practicing as a traditional quarterback, we might see less of Hill on special teams, which is a shame given the highlight reel he’s built in that area of the game

The New Orleans Saints formally placed a first-round tender on restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill on Wednesday, as reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Hill is now expected to play the 2020 season on a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract valued at around $4.641 million, per Over The Cap.
Additionally, other NFL teams can now sign Hill to an offer sheet, which the Saints can opt to match dollar for dollar.
If he’s going to spend more time practicing as a traditional quarterback, we might see less of Hill on special teams, which is a shame given the highlight reel he’s built in that area of the game

Saints officially tender restricted free agent Taysom Hill

The New Orleans Saints formally placed a first-round tender on restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill on Wednesday, as reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Hill is now expected to play the 2020 season on a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract valued at around $4.641 million, per Over The Cap.
Additionally, other NFL teams can now sign Hill to an offer sheet, which the Saints can opt to match dollar for dollar.
If he’s going to spend more time practicing as a traditional quarterback, we might see less of Hill on special teams, which is a shame given the highlight reel he’s built in that area of the game

The New Orleans Saints formally placed a first-round tender on restricted free agent quarterback Taysom Hill on Wednesday, as reported by Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Hill is now expected to play the 2020 season on a one-year, fully-guaranteed contract valued at around $4.641 million, per Over The Cap.
Additionally, other NFL teams can now sign Hill to an offer sheet, which the Saints can opt to match dollar for dollar.
If he’s going to spend more time practicing as a traditional quarterback, we might see less of Hill on special teams, which is a shame given the highlight reel he’s built in that area of the game

Saints renegotiate contracts with Kiko Alonso and Patrick Robinson

The Saints approached two projected starters, linebacker Kiko Alsono and cornerback Patrick Robinson, to adjust their contracts.
And more moves could be on the way as the Saints look to create additional salary cap space.
They have agreed to terms on contract extensions with veterans like Drew Brees, David Onyemata, and Zach Wood, but will need more resources to re-sign other free agents

The Saints approached two projected starters, linebacker Kiko Alsono and cornerback Patrick Robinson, to adjust their contracts.
And more moves could be on the way as the Saints look to create additional salary cap space.
They have agreed to terms on contract extensions with veterans like Drew Brees, David Onyemata, and Zach Wood, but will need more resources to re-sign other free agents

Saints renegotiate contracts with Kiko Alonso and Patrick Robinson

The Saints approached two projected starters, linebacker Kiko Alsono and cornerback Patrick Robinson, to adjust their contracts.
And more moves could be on the way as the Saints look to create additional salary cap space.
They have agreed to terms on contract extensions with veterans like Drew Brees, David Onyemata, and Zach Wood, but will need more resources to re-sign other free agents

The Saints approached two projected starters, linebacker Kiko Alsono and cornerback Patrick Robinson, to adjust their contracts.
And more moves could be on the way as the Saints look to create additional salary cap space.
They have agreed to terms on contract extensions with veterans like Drew Brees, David Onyemata, and Zach Wood, but will need more resources to re-sign other free agents

NFL Combine schedule for Georgia football’s 10 invitees

Here’s the 2020 NFL Combine schedule for the Georgia football players invited.

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Georgia had 10 players invited to participate in the 2020 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The combine will take place from February 23rd to March 2nd, with on-field workouts beginning on the 27th.

The 10 Georgia players that received an invite are as follows:

• K Rodrigo Blankenship

• WR Lawrence Cager

• QB Jake Fromm

• RB Brian Herrien

•  OL Solomon Kindley

• S J.R. Reed

• RB D’Andre Swift

• OL Andrew Thomas

• OL Isaiah Wilson

• TE Charlie Woerner

For the players that did not receive an invite, and for those who did but want to better their scores, Georgia will host its annual pro-day, where coaches from all 32 NFL teams should be present.

As for the 10 players who will be in Indianapolis next week, they’ll be busy with everything from orientation, to interviews, medical exams, psychological testing, media sessions and an NFLPA meeting.

And then finally they’ll hit the field for their workouts.

They’ll be broken up into groups. Here’s a list of those groups and the Georgia players who will be in them.

Group 1: TE, QB, WR (Fromm, Cager, Woerner)

Group 2: PK, ST, OL, RB (Blankenship, Thomas, Kindley, Wilson, Swift, Herrien)

Group 3: DL, LB (No UGA players)

Group 4: DB (JR Reed)

Here’s the schedule for the 10 Dawgs who will be there, provided by NFLCombine.net.

Group 1: (Fromm, Cager, Woerner)

Sunday, Feb. 23: Arrive in Indy, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Monday, Feb. 24: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Wednesday, Feb. 26: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Thursday, Feb. 27: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Friday, Feb. 28: Departure from Indianapolis

Group 2: (Blankenship, Thomas, Kindley, Wilson, Swift, Herrien)

Monday, Feb. 24: Arrive in Indy, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Tuesday, Feb. 25: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Thursday, Feb. 27: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Friday, Feb. 28: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Saturday, Feb. 29: Departure from Indianapolis

Group 4: DB (JR Reed)

Wednesday, Feb. 26: Arrive, Registration, Orientation, Interviews

Thursday, Feb. 27: Measurements, Pre-exam at hospital, Interviews

Friday, Feb. 28: Media session, Medical exams, Position coach interviews, Psychological testing

Saturday, Feb. 29: NFLPA Meeting, Interviews, Bench Press, Psychological Testing

Sunday, March 1: Limited testing, On-field Workout

Monday, March 2: Departure from Indianapolis

Multiple former Georgia players go to Falcons rivals in latest NFL mock draft

Three former Georgia football players, including Jake Fromm and Jacob Eason, go to Atlanta Falcons’ rivals.

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The NFL Draft is coming up in just a few months and multiple former Bulldogs are expecting to hear their names called in Las Vegas.

In the latest four-round 2020 NFL mock draft done by USA TODAY’s DraftWire, multiple former Georgia players go in round one and three guys head to the NFC South.

However, none are projected to go the Falcons, a franchise that has routinely passed up on drafting players from the in-state university over the years.

Round 1:


Nov 30, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Solomon Kindley (66) and offensive lineman Andrew Thomas (71) celebrate with fans after a victory against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The first two picks of the draft see Joe Burrow headed to Cincinnati and Chase Young to Washington.

Andrew Thomas goes early…

Pick No. 4: Andrew Thomas to the Giants

At No. 4 the first Dawg, offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, gets taken by the New York Giants.

On Thomas, DraftWire wrote:

If the Giants want Daniel Jones to become a true franchise quarterback, they’re going to have to protect him. General manager Dave Gettleman is as old-school as they come, so don’t be surprised when he spends this pick in the trenches. Moving back would be ideal given this year’s depth at both tackle and along the interior, but if they’re stuck here, Thomas is a strong pick.

At No. 5, the Miami Dolphins take Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Kindley to Tennessee…

Pick No. 29: Solomon Kindley to the Titans

In the first round, at pick No. 29, Georgia has its second player selected in the draft. Offensive guard Solomon Kindley, one of the most consistent blockers at Georgia over the past couple of seasons, is projected to the Tennessee Titans, where he would team up with former UGA center Ben Jones.

On Kindley, Draft Wire wrote:

If Derrick Henry leaves in free agency, running back obviously becomes a strong possibility here. But if he returns, the Titans should focus on fortifying an already strong offensive line with young reinforcements. Kindley is the best of a deep class of interior blockers, and his experience against top competition in the SEC have him ready to make an impact from Day 1.

Former Bulldog goes to the NFC South in the second round…

Related — JR Reed ranks low in USA TODAY NFL Draft position rankings

Could Taysom Hill be a QB option for the Colts?

Could the Colts look to the Swiss Army Knife of the NFL?

With free-agent speculation and offseason predictions at an all-time high…let’s throw one more headline in there. As crazy as the idea may seem, Taysom Hill might just be the man for the job for the Indianapolis Colts. A young, talented roster that is missing a mobile quarterback with an elite arm would benefit Hill tremendously.

Hill is a restricted free agent this offseason and with Teddy Bridgewater likely departing in free agency and Drew Brees retirement rumors heating up, Hill has a good chance to be the starter in New Orleans. All this would depend of course if all the chips fell in Hill’s favor.

Used a utility guy with the Saints over the past three seasons, Hill has played quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, and multiple spots on special teams. Hill and his agent are ready to take the next step and be taken seriously as a legitimate starting quarterback, wherever that may be.

During Super Bowl week, Hill was asked about his future with the Saints in an interview with the Associated Press’ Rob Maaddi.

“I think as you look at the other questions ‘Is it New Orleans? Is it somewhere else?’ as you go into free agency, this is the time that you start to find out how people view you. And we haven’t gotten into free agency long enough to really know how these guys view me, and we’ll just handle it as it comes.”

Hill also talked about his desire to leave New Orleans as well saying.

“Do I want to leave? The fact of the matter is no, I don’t. But as you look at free agency, you have to find the right opportunity for you.”

Hill and the Saints know that if he is not given the promotion to starting QB this offseason then the undrafted third-year Swiss-army knife out of BYU will be on his way to greener pastures.

The biggest problem with Hill potentially hitting the market is the fact that he’s a restricted free agent. Unless the Saints allow Hill to test the open market, it’s highly unlikely he will have the opportunity to do so. And if he does, it will come at a high cost for the Colts.

But what if that greener pasture was Indianapolis? If Chris Ballard decided to bring Hill in and have him compete with Jacoby Brissett for the starting job, it would be an interesting contest between two fairly equal quarterbacks as far as skill level.

Brissett has him beat with experience and starts, but Hill’s rushing ability and arm strength (featured in the playoff game vs Minnesota) might make him a better candidate.

Hill would also be a huge discount for the Colts if they were able to get him in free agency (as opposed to the tender the Saints would put on him). Another veteran quarterback, like Philip Rivers or Tom Brady, might want more money to finish out their careers, but Hill would be available at a lower price because he is not an established starter yet.

Granted this is all speculation, but Hill seems like he would be a good fit behind the Colts stellar offensive line and already dominant run game.

The offense could look somewhat like Baltimore with a mobile quarterback who can carve up defenses with his feet or arm. This would also free up the spot at No. 13 in the draft to get more pieces to put around Hill to make sure he can succeed.

What do you think Colts fans? Is Hill an option for Indy?

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Saints assistant coach Leigh Torrence leaves for job with Jets DC Gregg Williams

The Jets announced Tuesday that they hired Leigh Torrence for their vacant assistant defensive backs coach job Torrence was first hired by the Saints as a coach back in 2016, when he joined their staff as a coaching intern Torrence is reunited with the defensive coordinator he once played for in New Orleans: Gregg Williams

The Jets announced Tuesday that they hired Leigh Torrence for their vacant assistant defensive backs coach job Torrence was first hired by the Saints as a coach back in 2016, when he joined their staff as a coaching intern Torrence is reunited with the defensive coordinator he once played for in New Orleans: Gregg Williams

Saints assistant coach Leigh Torrence leaves for job with Jets DC Gregg Williams

The Jets announced Tuesday that they hired Leigh Torrence for their vacant assistant defensive backs coach job Torrence was first hired by the Saints as a coach back in 2016, when he joined their staff as a coaching intern Torrence is reunited with the defensive coordinator he once played for in New Orleans: Gregg Williams

The Jets announced Tuesday that they hired Leigh Torrence for their vacant assistant defensive backs coach job Torrence was first hired by the Saints as a coach back in 2016, when he joined their staff as a coaching intern Torrence is reunited with the defensive coordinator he once played for in New Orleans: Gregg Williams

Michael Thomas 2019 Offensive Player of the Year

Saints WR Michael Thomas has been named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year The 4th-year player out of Ohio State has been dominant so far in his career, improving his statistics each season Thomas broke the NFL’s all-time single-season record for receptions (149), also leading the league in receiving yards (1,725)

Saints WR Michael Thomas has been named the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year The 4th-year player out of Ohio State has been dominant so far in his career, improving his statistics each season Thomas broke the NFL’s all-time single-season record for receptions (149), also leading the league in receiving yards (1,725)