Latest news with #SuperBowlXLIV-winning
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Thomas Morstead has found a new team for 2025, but it's one of the Saints' oldest rivals
Thomas Morstead has found a new team for 2025, but it's one of the Saints' oldest rivals Let's start with the good news. On Wednesday, fan-favorite former New Orleans Saints punter Thomas Morstead announced that he's found a new home for 2025 after being released by the New York Jets. The sole remaining active player from the Super Bowl XLIV-winning team has spent time with the Jets, Miami Dolphins, and (briefly) the Atlanta Falcons after being released by the Saints a few years ago. Now the bad news. Morstead says his 17-year NFL career will continue with the San Francisco 49ers, whose only other punter under contract is veteran specialist Mitch Wishnowsky. The 49ers are one of the Saints' oldest rivals, dating back to their days in the old NFC West. The 49ers have beaten the Saints in 49 of their 78 regular season meetings, also handing them an infamous last-minute loss in the 2011 playoffs. Just one other team, the Falcons, has beaten New Orleans more often with a record of 56-56 (including the playoffs). It's a generations-old grudge match every time these two teams share the field. And Morstead could visit the Saints in Week 2 if he wins the 49ers' punting job. New Orleans will play hosts at the Caesars Superdome on Sept. 14 after opening their season with the Arizona Cardinals, also played at home. For their part the 49ers will be coming off a Week 1 road game with the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, so the Saints may have rest on their side. They'll need it. If he does win this battle, let's hope to see a lot of Morstead on that September Sunday afternoon.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants hire Usama Young as vice president of player engagement
New York Giants hire Usama Young as vice president of player engagement The New York Giants have announced the hiring of former New Orleans Saints safety Usama Young to be their vice president of player engagement. "Usama brings incredible experience to our organization," Giants general manager Joe Schoen said. "He will be a great resource for our players." From the Giants: Young had served in the NFL Player Engagement office since 2017 and helped support players and their families through continuing education, financial literacy, and development in their personal and professional lives during and after their playing days. Young also worked with rookies specifically to guide them in their physical, mental, and financial well-being. Young, 39, was a third-round pick in the 2007 NFL draft (66th overall) by the Saints out of Kent State. He played his first four seasons with New Orleans and was a member of their Super Bowl XLIV-winning squad. Young moved on to Cleveland for two seasons and finished his playing career with the Oakland Raiders in 2014.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jahri Evans must wait another year for the Pro Football Hall of Fame to get it right
This is a shame: New Orleans Saints legend and Super Bowl XLIV champion Jahri Evans was not selected for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Evans, the longtime right guard for the Saints and their current assistant offensive line coach, will have to wait another year for the voters to get it right. Evans wasn't part of the Hall of Fame's four-man Class of 2025, its smallest since 2005. Neither were New Orleans locals Eli Manning and Reggie Wayne. Those to be inducted are Sterling Sharpe, Jared Allen, Antonio Gates, and Eric Allen, the Pro Bowl cornerback who spent three years with the Saints. It would be a wonderful thing to see Evans rewarded for his hard work. When he retired, Evans had appeared in 169 games with the Saints — second-most among all offensive linemen in franchise history, trailing only the great Stan Brock (186). He went from being the 108th overall pick in the 2006 NFL draft to racking up accolades in his long career. Evans was a six-time Pro Bowler and earned a spot on the Associated Press All-Pro teams five times (four on the first team, once on the second). He was also selected for the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team and has a space in the prestigious Saints Ring of Honor at the Caesars Superdome. If he can get in next year, he won't be the only member of the Super Bowl XLIV-winning squad to do so. Quarterback Drew Brees will be eligible for induction with the Class of 2026, too, so their bronze busts may end up resting not too far from each other. It would be fitting that one of the men charged with keeping No. 9 clean would get to earn his place in pro football history alongside one of the greatest passers of all time.
