Latest news with #Saints'
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
The NFL's best players wear black and gold in 'Madden NFL 26' 99 Club
When will the Saints' best join them? What do Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley and Ja'Marr Chase have in common? They were some of the players to receive 99 overall ratings in Madden NFL 26, this year's edition of EA Sports' long-running video game franchise. Along with Justin Jefferson, Lane Johnson, and Myles Garrett, they make up the latest class of Madden's exclusive 99 Club. And a slick graphic from Bleacher Report Gridiron gave each of these players the gold-medal treatment they deserved, swapping their teams' colors for black and gold. We probably won't see Allen or Jackson throwing to Chase and Jefferson for the New Orleans Saints, but it's a good vision. You can see it for yourself right here. But how long has it been since the Saints were represented on the 99 Club? Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle Willie Roaf made the cut on Madden NFL 99, and quarterback Drew Brees was recognized for Madden NFL 11 (not just on the 99 Club; he was also that year's cover player). Fresh off of setting NFL records for catches and yards in a 16-game season, wide receiver Michael Thomas was highlighted on Madden NFL 21. So it's been five years since a Saints player earned a 99 overall rating. Hopefully the Saints can get one of their own in the 99 Club before too long. Five-time All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis is the highest-rated Saints player in this year's game, with a 90 overall rating, followed up by Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy (89). But they're the only players representing New Orleans in the game's top 100 highest ratings. Let's see if guys like young wide receiver Chris Olave, and offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga can elevate their game this season to stand among the best in the league.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
WATCH: Rookie linebacker Danny Stutsman picks off Saints QB Spencer Rattler
Stutsman picks off Rattler Here's another throw at New Orleans Saints training camp that Spencer Rattler would like back. Both of the Saints' rookie fourth-round draft picks have now intercepted him in practice, with linebacker Danny Stutsman picking off Rattler in the end zone just days after cornerback Quincy Riley snatched an errant pass away in a similar situation. Stutsman and Rattler were college teammates at Oklahoma back in 2021. Now, we shouldn't blow this out of proportion. Training camp is when you want guys taking risks and testing the limits of what they can get away with against NFL defenders. But this was a poor decision no matter what time of year it is. See it for yourself right here. Rattler was leading the first-string offense in 7-on-9 drills against the first-team defense; Stutsman was bumped up the depth chart with Demario Davis absent from practice. The second-year QB tried a throw to wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. running a crossing route through the middle of the end zone, but he was covered. Stutsman read the play as it developed and dropped back to leap the route. Even if the rookie hadn't been there, free safety Justin Reid was closing on Wilson fast, and it would've been a contested-catch situation at best. Again, this was one play. Jake Haener was intercepted at this same practice session, too, when he gambled on a deep shot to wide receiver Chris Tyree (this time, safety Julian Blackmon picked him off). But one of the big concerns with Rattler's rookie-year game tape was his decision making. He threw five interceptions and, according to Pro Football Focus charting, had 14 turnover-worthy plays on his grading sheet. He needs to show better judgment if he's going to fend off Haener and Tyler Shough in this summer's training camp competition. Hopefully this ends up being a learning moment for him.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Wanganeen-Milera's epic few minutes as St Kilda stage comeback win for the ages
St Kilda might as well hand Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera a blank cheque at this stage. The Saints' man in demand capped his brilliant season with two clutch goals in the final minute - the first after taking a sensational mark between two Demons - to complete an extraordinary comeback from 46 points down at three-quarter-time. It is believed to be the biggest comeback from a three-quarter-time deficit in AFL history. Wanganeen-Milera steered through his third goal to level the scores with only eight seconds on the clock, after rising above Bayley Fritsch and in front of Judd McVee to drag in a mark. Even stoic St Kilda coach Ross Lyon broke into a smile in the box. At that stage, a draw seemed all-but certain, only for chaos and confusion to reign as St Kilda received a free kick for a 6-6-6 indiscretion that handed the Sherrin to ruckman Rowan Marshall. That presented one final chance for the Saints to pull off an improbable victory, and Marshall's kick inside 50 somehow found Wanganeen-Milera for an uncontested mark. All the 22-year-old needed to do was register a score, but his kick after the siren never looked like missing as it split the uprights to trigger pandemonium. Christian Petracca and Max Gawn were among the Melbourne players in utter disbelief as they came to terms with a nine-goal-to-none last quarter that added another chapter to a disappointing season. Wanganeen-Milera finished with a match-high 34 disposals and four goals to stamp his authority on the contest as Adelaide and Port Adelaide try to lure him home to South Australia.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
Wanganeen-Milera's epic few minutes as St Kilda stage comeback win for the ages
St Kilda might as well hand Nasiah Wanganeen-Milera a blank cheque at this stage. The Saints' man in demand capped his brilliant season with two clutch goals in the final minute - the first after taking a sensational mark between two Demons - to complete an extraordinary comeback from 46 points down at three-quarter-time. It is believed to be the biggest comeback from a three-quarter-time deficit in AFL history. Wanganeen-Milera steered through his third goal to level the scores with only eight seconds on the clock, after rising above Bayley Fritsch and in front of Judd McVee to drag in a mark. Even stoic St Kilda coach Ross Lyon broke into a smile in the box. At that stage, a draw seemed all-but certain, only for chaos and confusion to reign as St Kilda received a free kick for a 6-6-6 indiscretion that handed the Sherrin to ruckman Rowan Marshall. That presented one final chance for the Saints to pull off an improbable victory, and Marshall's kick inside 50 somehow found Wanganeen-Milera for an uncontested mark. All the 22-year-old needed to do was register a score, but his kick after the siren never looked like missing as it split the uprights to trigger pandemonium. Christian Petracca and Max Gawn were among the Melbourne players in utter disbelief as they came to terms with a nine-goal-to-none last quarter that added another chapter to a disappointing season. Wanganeen-Milera finished with a match-high 34 disposals and four goals to stamp his authority on the contest as Adelaide and Port Adelaide try to lure him home to South Australia.
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bazunu makes Southampton future admission as he relishes pre-season chances
Gavin Bazunu admits that his Southampton future is out of his hands. However the Ireland goalkeeper is relishing the opportunity to challenge for a return to the Saints' starting-11. Bazunu has impressed in pre-season training, and in his appearances in pre-season friendlies. His latest display came as part of the first-half 11 against Spanish side Castellon on Wednesday. According to the Southampton website, '(The) Saints had Gavin Bazunu to thank for a trio of impressive first-half saves, including two point-blank stops to deny golden opportunities for the Segunda División outfit'. It was only after the Dubliner was replaced by Alex McCarthy that Castellon scored the equaliser that earned them a 1-1 draw. Speaking to the Southern Daily Echo, Bazunu opened up about his future, saying: 'I want to be here, definitely. 'I'm not sure how much of it's going to be in my hands, but I'm ready to play, and I'm hoping to play here. 'All we can do is take these opportunities we get to play and just show what we can do, really. It's nice to be back out there getting minutes again. 'To be able to start from the very start with the lads and to be able to get minutes in the games and train every day is really important.' For Bazunu, it's been a welcome return to action after he was sidelined by a torn achilles, and then a knee injury that cut short his loan spell at Belgian side Standard Liege. He said: 'It was very challenging, both physically and mentally, coming off the back of my Achilles injury, obviously not playing in nine months. 'To go away and play in a foreign country, it was a big test, but it will stand me in good stead, getting the minutes and games in that I did over there. 'It was a small speed bump in terms of the knee injury, but being back fit over the summer and starting from pre-season afresh is a good start. 'I think it's now about just trying to put a good run of games together to build that confidence and that consistency in my game again.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
