NEW | “One day, that could be us."
Dream big, girls. Volleyball Day in Nebraska was for you.
For the ones who paved the way. For the ones currently carrying the torch. For the ones waiting in the wings.
My column ♥️:
Alvin Kamara on if he gets fined for his Christmas cleats:
"If they fine me, I'll just match it and send it to charity. The Grinch always tries to steal Christmas."
Two seats in the Superdome press box tonight have been reserved in memory of Carley McCord and Edward Aschoff.
Aschoff, 34, died on Dec. 24 after a bout with pneumonia. McCord, 30, died on Dec. 28 in a plane accident.
Both were widely respected and adored sports journalists.
Matt Rhule on the men's and women's NCAA Tournament games against Texas A&M:
"I can say this because I'm the football coach, I'm mad we're playing Texas A&M in both games because now the games are about the AD leaving. It's not about our players. Our players deserve the games to…
Saints QB depth chart:
1. Jameis Winston -- IR w/ torn ACL
2. Taysom Hill -- headed to COVID list
3. Trevor Siemian -- headed to COVID list
4. Ian Book
5. Alvin Kamara
Looks like Saints QB Drew Brees gave his jersey from yesterday to Vikings rookie WR (and LSU product) Justin Jefferson.
“You are the next generation of great ones! Keep ballin’! More importantly keep inspiring!”
Part of a conversation I had today with Saints center Erik McCoy, formerly of Texas A&M:
Me: What a memory stands out most from the 7OT game with LSU?
EM: "There's a picture of that punch taking place and I'm in the background laying down because I can't breathe and I'm tired."
ICYMI: The Buccaneers couldn’t find a photo of Saints rookie TE Adam Trautman for their in-stadium graphics on Sunday... and they used a photo of Rams QB Jared Goff instead.
“Hey Traut, look at your picture. ... Is that you?”
Trautman upon seeing Goff: “That’s $150 million.”
Drew Brees addresses his “National Bring Your Bible To School Day” video that appeared on Focus on The Family platforms.
He said he was not aware of the group’s anti-LGBT views. He says hate goes against everything being a Christian is all about.
The reason for Demario Davis' absence from practice today:
This afternoon, Demario's wife Tamela gave birth to their fifth child. They named her Stormie-Love.
Mom and baby are both doing well.
Seated in the emergency exit row for my flight from Atlanta to New Orleans.
The flight attendant: “In the event of emergency, you can’t just save Saints fans. You have to save everyone. Even Atlanta fans.”
What the actual f—?
This is so out of line, Ben.
Sexist, racist and overt porn references… all in a badly written lede.
Editors everywhere: I implore you to hire more female columnists and more columnists of color.
This is embarrassing.
Winning NFC South QBs this week:
• Saints QB Taysom Hill
• Carolina QB P.J. Walker
Losing NFC South QBs this week:
• Buccaneers QB Tom Brady
• Atlanta QB Matt Ryan
Saints QB Jameis Winston was a big fan of the big group offensive meeting today, calling it “a blessing in disguise.”
Here’s 2+ minutes of him gushing about watching Sean Payton break down film saying, “I dreamed of that moment happening.”
Decision "coming imminently" for Deshaun Watson,
@TomPelissero
says while on the NFL Network.
Three teams remain in the sweepstakes: Saints, Falcons, Panthers. Browns reportedly out of the running.
Thought this was a nice gesture from Dennis Allen today on my last day.
I’ve appreciated working with him and all the Saints coaches, players, staffers and their families over the last several years.
Fred Hoiberg after Nebraska's loss to Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals:
"As I told the guys in the locker room after, one thing that still — it was such a pit in my stomach last year at this time, a couple days earlier, when we lost because I just had a feeling we…
NEWS | Louisiana, I’m not finished with you yet.
I’m excited to announce my next stop: Covering the Saints for The Times-Picayune | New Orleans Advocate.
Earlier today, former Nebraska QB Casey Thompson posted photos from plays where he’s been injured.
The post didn’t have a caption, but in a reply to someone who said “sadly you’ve quit for every team you’ve played for,” Thompson responded, “I never wanted to leave Nebraska.”
#Saints
TE Jared Cook spoke at length after the game about being flagged for offensive pass interference against the Panthers in the first quarter.
Here's what he had to say:
Sean Payton says on WWL radio the statistic that he's beaten 31 teams in the NFL just isn't true.
"It's 32 teams, including the Saints," he says laughing.
"Tampa Bay at home, we're up by four, we run the double reverse and fumble it. I beat the Saints."
The Saints' charter flight is off the ground and bound for New Orleans.
They're set to land in the Crescent City around 9 p.m. CT — 28 days after evacuating ahead of Hurricane Ida.
NEWS | There is no place like Nebraska... and that's why I'm moving home.
Starting in July, I'll be the sports columnist for the Lincoln Journal Star + HuskerExtra where I'll be writing on all things Cornhuskers.
Can't wait to get started. ♥️
Since we’re doing this… Iowa didn’t show up to postgame until after the Nebraska’s court celebration was over. Nebraska’s SID told the entire room that “this could be disjointed” and that Iowa would be given the room when they showed up.
Then Lisa Bluder lost her mind.
Here's the audio from my external microphone during today's press conference. As Alexis Markowski was answering a question, you can hear Lisa Bluder trying to get into the media room, saying, "this is bullshit, this is not Big Ten protocol... they play music while you shoot free…
NEWS | Louisiana, I love ya. Thank you for everything.
The past four seasons covering have been an amazing ride, but my time at the Times-Picayune comes to an end next week.
My next stop will be announced later, but for now, some words about what y'all have meant to me. ♥️
Drew Brees had surgery on his left shoulder yesterday, according to his latest Instagram post.
He jokes he’ll be ready for the fall season of… pickle ball.
Saints CB Marshon Lattimore was fined $10,815 for unnecessary roughness vs. DK Metcalf and the Seahawks, per source.
Metcalf, who wasn't penalized, was fined $6,949, per source.
BREAKING | The Saints will play the Packers at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, multiple sources told the Times-Picayune's
@JeffDuncan_
.
This story is developing.
Sounds like an appropriate time to remind everyone that Pete Maravich isn’t in the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame because he didn’t complete his degree.
His number is retired. A statue is coming. The basketball arena is named after him. But he’s not in the school’s hall of fame.