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USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Two New Orleans Saints listed among PFF's 32 best tight ends
Two New Orleans Saints listed among PFF's 32 best tight ends New Orleans Saints place two in PFF tight end rankings New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore spent six seasons in the NFL as an offensive coordinator before being hired by the Saints this offseason. He was with the Dallas Cowboys for four years, then the Chargers for one, before heading up the offense for the Super Bowl LIX champion Philadelphia Eagles last year. In his previous stops, Moore had good receivers at the tight end position and used them well in his system. He had Dalton Schultz in Dallas, Gerald Everett with the Chargers, and Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia. Even with New Orleans once again barely addressing the tight end position through the draft or free agency (outside of signing former Eagles blocking tight end Jack Stoll), Moore will have some returning weapons to work with in his newest job. At least once everyone's healthy. Pro Football Focus analyst John Kosko listed that site's top 32 tight ends coming into the NFL season. The Saints were one of six teams to have two players among the rankings. No. 14 - Taysom Hill ''Hill is difficult to place on this list, as he's less a tight end and more a do-everything player. And he's also coming off a torn ACL in 2024. When healthy, Hill has to be accounted for on every play: He's a threat as a passer, a runner and a receiver. He has earned a 71.8 PFF overall grade or better in four straight seasons.'' No. 31 - Juwan Johnson ''Despite the Saints bevy of injuries, including to quarterback Derek Carr, Johnson still managed 548 receiving yards and a 1.34 yards-per-route-run average in 2024. While New Orleans' quarterback situation doesn't look any better in 2025, Johnson has shown to be a productive tight end regardless of his quarterback.'' A tight end in name only, Hill is most dangerous out of the backfield and is the second best runner for the Saints. He'll line up everywhere along the formation and gives defenses nightmares. A threat as a runner and thrower, Hill is also an underrated pass catcher. Hill was one of several Saints to be lost for the year at mid-season because of injury. His ACL injury will have him out until at least training camp, at best case scenario, and has many doubting his NFL future. When in the lineup, he's a critical chess piece for the offense. Once healthy, expect Kellen Moore to be creative in his usage of Hill. A converted wideout, Johnson can provide advantageous matchups for the Saints. He's too athletic for most linebackers to match up with in coverage, while his size overwhelms smaller defensive backs. Johnson's 50 receptions and 66 targets were second on the team last year, with his 548 receiving yards leading the squad. All three were the best numbers of his five-year career. Johnson, 28, was signed to a three-year contract extension this spring. The Saints did not bring in another tight end until late in Round 7 of the draft. This makes it clear that Moore and the offensive coaching staff believes that Juwan Johnson will be an important weapon for their offense this season.
Straits Times
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Mahomes says he will not participate in LA28 flag football
FILE PHOTO: Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks off the field at the end of the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images/File photo REUTERS Mahomes says he will not participate in LA28 flag football Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has ruled out playing flag football at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying he will leave representing the United States in the sport's Olympic debut to "the younger guys." National Football League teams approved a resolution last week allowing their players to compete in flag football at the LA Games. Mahomes, twice NFL Most Valuable Player and three-time Super Bowl MVP, will be 32 when the 2028 Games begin. Speaking during the off-season organized team activities this week, Mahomes told reporters, "I'll probably leave that to the younger guys. I'll be a little older by the time that comes around." "It's awesome. Honestly, just to be able to showcase the NFL to the whole world through flag football." The NFL has ramped up its promotion of flag football, a non-contact format of American football, since the International Olympic Committee approved it for the LA28 program in 2023, with an eye toward drawing more women into an arena long dominated by men. The league itself had long been on board with players competing in the Games, while multiple athletes, including Mahomes, said two years ago they wanted to play the sport at the LA Games. Six men's teams and six women's teams are set to compete in flag football at the LA Games, with 10 players per team competing in a five-on-five format. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Olympics-Mahomes says he will not participate in LA28 flag football
FILE PHOTO: Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) walks off the field at the end of the first half of Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images/File photo (Reuters) - Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes has ruled out playing flag football at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, saying he will leave representing the United States in the sport's Olympic debut to "the younger guys." National Football League teams approved a resolution last week allowing their players to compete in flag football at the LA Games. Mahomes, twice NFL Most Valuable Player and three-time Super Bowl MVP, will be 32 when the 2028 Games begin. Speaking during the off-season organized team activities this week, Mahomes told reporters, "I'll probably leave that to the younger guys. I'll be a little older by the time that comes around." "It's awesome. Honestly, just to be able to showcase the NFL to the whole world through flag football." The NFL has ramped up its promotion of flag football, a non-contact format of American football, since the International Olympic Committee approved it for the LA28 program in 2023, with an eye toward drawing more women into an arena long dominated by men. The league itself had long been on board with players competing in the Games, while multiple athletes, including Mahomes, said two years ago they wanted to play the sport at the LA Games. Six men's teams and six women's teams are set to compete in flag football at the LA Games, with 10 players per team competing in a five-on-five format. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by William Mallard)
New York Post
15 hours ago
- New York Post
Louisiana police arrest third suspect in Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano's hotel death
Louisiana police have arrested a third suspect in connection with Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano's hotel room murder. Manzano, a 27-year-old Kansas City, Missouri-based Telemundo sports reporter, was in New Orleans on assignment to cover Super Bowl LIX. Advertisement He was found dead with Xanax in his system in his room at the Comfort Suites hotel in Kenner, Louisiana, on the morning of Feb. 5. Officials said his death was caused by the combined toxic effects of Xanax and alcohol, noting that he had been found 'face-down in a pillow with no lividity around his nose and mouth.' Since then, Kenner police have arrested so-called 'Bourbon Street Hustler' Danette Colbert, 48, and her accused accomplice, Ricky White, in connection with Manzano's death, On Friday, Kenner police also announced the arrest of Christian Anderson, 33, a New Orleans resident, for his alleged involvement in the plot that led to Manzano's death. Advertisement Colbert was nicknamed the 'Bourbon Street Hustler' on social media due to her lengthy past targeting men in the French Quarter and stealing their money. 5 Super Bowl reporter Adan Manzano was found dead in his hotel room on Feb. 5. AP She is accused of similar crimes in Las Vegas. Authorities believe she, White and Anderson conspired to drug Manzano and then steal his credit cards before authorities found him dead. Advertisement Colbert and Manzano 'met in the French Quarter, probably in the wee hours of the morning,' Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley previously told Fox News Digital. 'They came back to the hotel that was in the city of Kenner about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 5, at which time we do have surveillance video from the lobby of the hotel showing them going into [Manzano's] room around that time,' Conley said. 'Then [Colbert] came out, ran to the store, came back about 30 minutes later, and within 10 or 15 minutes, she left the room. And he was never seen again on any video other than when he went into the room. So, she was the last one to be with him.' 5 'Bourbon Street Hustler' Danette Colbert is accused of the reporter's murder. Kenner PD Detectives found that one of Manzano's credit cards was missing while processing his hotel room, Conley told reporters during a news conference on Feb. 8. Advertisement Authorities then obtained a search warrant allowing them to track the locations where the credit card was used after Manzano was found, which led them to Colbert. White is facing various charges, including simple robbery and multiple counts of fraud. 5 Police arrested Ricky White in connection with Manzano's death. Broward County Sheriff's Office He was later charged with murder in connection with Manzano's death. Authorities have also obtained an arrest warrant for Anderson for principal to simple robbery, purse snatching, access device fraud, illegal transmission of monetary funds, bank fraud and computer fraud. He is currently detained at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center alongside Colbert and White, Kenner police said. 'Evidence gathered through search warrants, text message records, and digital communications revealed that Anderson, along with previously arrested suspects Danette Colbert and Rickey White, played an active role in a coordinated pattern of targeting victims, drugging them, and stealing personal property, including phones and financial account access,' Kenner police said in a Friday press release. 5 Kenner police announced the arrest of Christian Anderson (right) for his alleged involvement in the murder plot. Kenner PD Advertisement 'Detectives discovered that the vehicle used by Danette Colbert on the day of Manzano's death had been rented by Christian Anderson, and further evidence showed that Anderson provided logistical support, engaged in post-crime communication, and assisted in attempts to financially benefit from the victim's stolen assets.' Records also allegedly show that 'Anderson and Colbert communicated extensively following the incident, and that he played a role in the group's recurring criminal behavior,' Kenner police said. Colbert was recently sentenced to serve 25 years in prison for crimes unrelated to Manzano's death, including theft, computer fraud and illegal transmission of monetary funds stemming from a 2024 case. 5 Kenner PD released a picture that showed Manzano and Colbert at the Kenner Comfort Inn the morning the reporter died. Kenner Police department Advertisement Police are asking anyone with information about Colbert to come forward. Some victims, Conley said, do not speak up, due to the sensitive nature of the suspect's alleged crimes. Authorities executed a search warrant at Colbert's address after identifying her as a potential suspect in connection with Manzano's death and said they had located a stolen gun that did not appear to be related to Manzano's death and narcotics.
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
5 standout Patriots players from second open OTAs practice
The New England Patriots held their second open OTAs practice on Wednesday, which served as an opportunity for media members to view the team's ongoing offseason work. It's important to take everything with a grain of salt at this point in the year. The players aren't practicing in pads, and they are easing their way into the mix before things ramp up over the summer at training camp. Advertisement OTAs are about establishing a foundation that the team can build on later. With that said, this is still a competition with everyone vying for a roster spot. So every rep matters on the football field, and the coaches are clearly viewing it as such. Here are the five Patriots players who stood out the most at the second open OTAs practice: WR Kyle Williams May 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) runs with the ball during rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Kyle Williams' ability to separate on routes has stood out early, and it has made him one of the more intriguing rookie receivers in the league. He made the play of the day on Wednesday after making an adjustment to catch a ball over the shoulder against a defender. Advertisement It was a savvy play from a young receiver who could be in the mix right away for the Patriots' offense. The combination of Williams and Stefon Diggs could be a game-changer for the receiving corps. DT Milton Williams Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams (93) celebrates on the podium after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The defense clearly has an advantage in this kind of setting. No one is wearing pads, and it's harder for the offensive line to hold off defenders without the same violence they'd be able to implement under full contact. However, Williams' power along the defensive front has been evident from the start. He can push a line backward and ruin a comfortable pocket. That was evident on Wednesday as Williams and company constantly muddied the pocket for the Patriots' quarterbacks. EDGE Keion White Dec 15, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Keion White (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Speaking of pushing the pocket, Keion White looked impressive coming off the edge. He's had some solid matchups against rookie left tackle Will Campbell right out of the gate. The Patriots are hoping he finds a way to live up to his full potential under Vrabel and defensive coordinator Terrell Williams. White has flashed the potential to be a dominant defensive playmaker in the league for years to come. Advertisement It certainly helps having reinforcements like Milton Williams and Christian Barmore in the mix, along with veteran Harold Landry III and rookies Joshua Farmer and Bradyn Swinson. RB Lan Larison May 9, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Lans Larison (34) breaks a tackle during rookie camp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Undrafted rookie Lan Larison, who worked in with the top offensive unit last week, stood out for a second straight week. He hauled in the most receptions in team drills by catching 4-of-4 passes aimed in his direction. Some wondered if Larison would even make the team when he initially signed. Now, the question is whether he could potentially push veteran Antonio Gibson for the No. 3 running back spot in New England. LB Robert Spillane Mar 13, 2025; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane discusses his recent free agent addition to the Patriots with the media at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Robert Spillane was all over the field at practice. He made it to the ball so quickly that some wondered if he might have known the offensive plays before the ball was snapped. That can happen when practicing against the same unit for multiple days. Granted, that still doesn't take away from the fact that Spillane is a playmaker. He was one of the more underrated signings in free agency, but his actual ability on the field might make it one of the best signings in 2025. Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook. This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 5 standout Patriots players from second open OTAs practice
