Month: December 2024

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Gabriel Landeskog NOT retiring, more Chris MacFarland updates The end-of-season press conference opened up some eyes into the insight of the Avalanche. The Colorado Avalanche’s end-of-season press conference brought plenty of news and information but left much to be desired. First and foremost, let’s get it out of the way right away: Gabriel Landeskog is not retiring. The Avs PR spokesperson said this right from the get-go and joked about it as well. Landeskog followed up the not-retiring statement by saying it has felt like slow torture not being able to play while his teammates do. He fully understood, though, the consequences he would face if he rushed back and had been taking things slowly. He stated he felt “pretty good” about a return next season, whether it was for training camp in September or by the end of the next season in April, and giving his family a hug after playing his first game back. Questions then turned to Chris MacFarland, who shed at least a little more light on the Valeri Nichushkin situation. He mentioned battling addiction, and focusing first and foremost on his health off the ice and getting the help he needs. He also stated it was “very disappointing” when he received the news, and it created a major “pit in the stomach.” At this time, there are no grounds for contract termination, and it’s “very plausible he is back with the Avalanche” after his six-month suspension. Holes must be filled in the roster, and MacFarland touched on it a bit. They’re working on trying to bring back guys like Andrew Cogliano, Jack Johnson, and Jonathan Drouin. At least for the latter of the three, MacFarland said it wouldn’t be a challenge to bring him back at this time thanks to the extra cap relief from Nichushkin and Landeskog’s deals. The Avalanche General Manager also referenced looking at guys with lower AAVs to fill in those holes at this time. They’d look at free agents, waiver wires, and any trades to make it happen. At the same time, he mentioned getting guys like Nikolai Kovalenko, Jean-Luc Foudy, and Sam Malinski “kicking down doors” this summer and preparing to try and earn a roster spot come training camp in September. He also mentioned signing Cal Ritchie to his entry-level contract “soon” and hoping to get him involved in training camp as well. Finally, more injury news, including the bruises and bumps from the Avs playoff run, came to light. Casey Mittelstadt’s hip injury he received in Game Six of the second round against the Dallas Stars doesn’t look to be too pertinent, and Artturi Lehkonen will have offseason shoulder surgery next week, which could hamper his start of training camp. Otherwise, everyone else is looking good to go. Overall, there is great news surrounding Landeskog with the announcement of this press conference bringing out the worst hopes from fans – but the captain is going nowhere. Based on his recent progress, he has reason to hope he will be back, but it will be a long summer to see how things continue to progress. Much of the Nichushkin situation is out of the Avs’ hands, and as MacFarland said, they will be assessing all their options from a business standpoint while helping Val as a human first off the ice. Landeskog did say “he needs to earn back trust” in the locker room for him to be welcomed back with open arms. The summer will be a long one for the Avalanche, and it will be interesting to watch the team make moves to improve. Nonetheless, this press conference was more encouraging, thanks to Landeskog continuing the fight to be back on the roster. You can rewatch the entire press conference here, during which Landeskog and MacFarland spoke for 50 minutes. In the comments below, let us know what you think of this news and more!

1 December 2024
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Browns free-agency: Cleveland committed to Baker Mayfield, aims to bolster his weapon BEREA, Ohio — Amid a dizzying last few days on the quarterback market, the Cleveland Browns so far remain committed to quarterback Baker Mayfieldbeing their starter for the 2022 season. If the Browns could’ve landed Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers, they probably would have. But according to multiple sources, general manager Andrew Berry continues to indicate he doesn’t view any of the other quarterbacks who could be had via trade or free agency as worthwhile upgrades over Mayfield, when healthy. That list includes Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo and free agent Mitchell Trubisky. Deshaun Watson conceivably could be the one wild card. But a grand jury will hear evidence Friday in the case involving Watson, who faces allegations ranging from harassment and inappropriate behavior to sexual assault during massage sessions. A decision on criminal charges could come as early as Friday. In light of that, any NFL ownership would have a difficult time justifying a Watson trade. And so, Berry met with Mayfield’s agent during the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis last week to reaffirm privately what both he and coach Kevin Stefanski have repeatedly said publicly since the end of the season — Mayfield is their guy. Mayfield is entering the final year of his rookie contract. And even before his disappointing, injury-plagued 2021 season, the Browns had refrained from engaging Mayfield’s camp on any extension talks, according to multiple sources. As a result, Mayfield will be a free agent after the season. If he bounces back, the Browns could franchise tag him, revisit an extension, or both. If he struggles, they could cut ties. The Browns, however, remain bullish that a healthy Mayfield could bounce back and rekindle the 2020 form that saw him quarterback Cleveland to its first playoff victory in 26 years. Mayfield underwent surgery on Jan. 19 to repair the torn labrum in his non-throwing left shoulder he suffered in Week 2 against the Houston Texans, which hampered him throughout the 2021 season. He has been rehabilitating the shoulder in his hometown of Austin, Texas, this offseason and is ahead of schedule in his recovery, sources said; Mayfield, in fact, could begin playing catch again in the next couple of weeks. The surgery revealed plenty of damage, as Mayfield continued to play through the labrum tear, even after reaggravating the injury in Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, which forced him to sit out a game. Mayfield’s rehab, however, has been bolstered, sources say, because of how strong the shoulder was around the injury, due to the strengthening exercises he maintained during the season to keep playing. Though it remains unknown when exactly Mayfield will be fully cleared, he is still hoping to convene what likely will be a revamped receiving corps for another training stint later this offseason at Lake Travis — his high school alma mater in Austin — similar to the one he hosted last summer. With the quarterback question seemingly settled, the Browns have work to do to remake a team around Mayfield that finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs. Here’s what to watch for from Cleveland as the NFL offseason heats up: The Browns will be on the hunt to improve Mayfield’s wide receiving corps, which was also a massive disappointment last year. Cleveland didn’t have a single wideout top 600 receiving yards, and Jarvis Landry had more than 35 receptions. Landry, who has a $16.6 million cap hit with no guaranteed money left on the final year of his deal, seems unlikely to be back, barring a drastic restructuring of his contract. Though Landry did tweet last month that he would “like to stay” in Cleveland, all signs have been pointing to the two sides moving on. Releasing Landry would leave Cleveland with arguably the worst wide receiver group — featuring Donovan Peoples-Jones, Anthony Schwartz and Ja’Marcus Bradley– in the league. Which is why upgrading the receiving room figures to be priority No. 1 for Berry. The big name to watch here is Amari Cooper. ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported the Dallas Cowboys are “likely” to release Cooper, whose $20 million base salary becomes guaranteed on the fifth day of the league year, March 20. The Cowboys, however, will be looking to trade Cooper before then, which gives Cleveland the opportunity for a preemptive strike. ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer suggested a midround draft pick might get a deal done. If the Browns don’t trade for Cooper before he’s released, look for them to be a player to sign him. Cooper, 27, is a proven No. 1 wideout, something the Browns desperately need to add to their offense in the wake of the Odell Beckham Jr. debacle. Cleveland also was rumored to be interested in Mike Williams and Chris Godwin, according to sources. But with Williams signing a new deal with the Chargers and Tampa Bay tagging Godwin this week, Cooper appears to have emerged as a top target. Adding Cooper and a blue-chip rookie receiver like Ohio State’s Garrett Wilson(who went to the same high school, Lake Travis, as Mayfield), USC’s Drake Londonor Arkansas’ Treylon Burks via the No. 13 overall pick in the upcoming draft would transform Cleveland’s receiving corps and potentially equip Mayfield with the weapons to deliver a bounce-back season. The Browns do have other veterans under contract besides Landry that they’ll need to make decisions on. ESPN analyst Jeremy Fowler recently reported Cleveland is planning to keep tight end Austin Hooper even after franchise tagging David Njoku. Hooper is set to make $9.5 million this year, but releasing him would result in more than $10 million of dead money against the cap. It’s far more likely the Browns will move on from backup quarterback Case Keenum, who has a $1 million bonus due on the third day of the league year (March 18). The organization remains enamored with Keenum, but he’s expensive for a backup quarterback. Cleveland could opt to elevate third-stringer Nick Mullens to backup quarterback. Mullens performed admirably in his one start on Dec. 20 in a narrow loss against the Raiders amid a COVID-19 outbreak in Cleveland, and sources say Mayfield and Mullens have become tight in recent months. But, if they do release Keenum, the Browns could be inclined to at least look around for other backup quarterback options. Center JC Tretter is the other veteran who could become a cap casualty. Tretter has been battling knee injuries the past couple of seasons, which have kept him from practicing regularly. The Browns also drafted his potential replacement two years ago in Nick Harris. Tretter, who doubles as the NFLPA president, is entering the final year of his deal, with no guaranteed money remaining and an $8.3 million cap hit. The Browns could get out from under his deal with just $1.63 million in dead money. What the Browns do here hinges heavily on whether they believe Harris is ready to take over. After the season, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney expressed a desire to return to Cleveland on the heels of a banner year playing opposite All-Pro Myles Garrett. The Browns, however, are increasingly pessimistic that they’ll be able to re-sign him after landing him on a one-year, prove-it deal last offseason. If Clowney does bolt, Cleveland’s defensive line would be a major question mark outside of Garrett. Defensive tackle Malik McDowell is unlikely to return after an offseason arrest, and Cleveland’s other starting defensive tackle from last year, Malik Jackson, is a free agent. Dallas’ financial crunch, however, could pay off for the Browns defensively. Cowboys pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence is another name to watch. He reportedly is looking for a new contract from Dallas, which could prompt the Cowboys to split with him as well. Lawrence missed 10 games last year with a broken foot. But he’s also a two-time Pro Bowler, who could help ease the sting of losing Clowney. As for defensive tackle, the Browns could look to patch together a rotation similar to the way they did last offseason. And if the top receivers are off the board when Cleveland drafts in the first round, somebody like massive Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis could be an option, too. The Browns could use another young cornerstone talent upfront alongside Garrett. On the flip side, the Browns are set in the secondary after a terrific season there collectively. But they’re unlikely to bring back Ronnie Harrison, which could put them in the market for a third safety, alongside starters John Johnson III and Grant Delpit. On the other side of the ball, D’Ernest Johnson had a fabulous season for the Browns last year as their No. 3 running back, twice rushing for more than 100 yards. Even though the Browns have Pro Bowler Nick Chubb and former rushing champ Kareem Hunt in their backfield, they’re expected to tender Johnson before the Wednesday deadline, per a league source. The Browns have also expressed an interest in bringing back wide receiver Rashard Higgins, who, after a standout 2020 season, was in and out of the receiving rotation last year. Higgins, however, is expected to pursue his options in free agency elsewhere first.

1 December 2024
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No. 2 RB in Louisiana, LSU Football Commit JT Lindsey Shuts Down Recruitment LSU will get the coveted running back to campus, set to put pen to paper during next week’s Early Signing Period. Alexandria High (La.) four-star running back JT Lindsey revealed a commitment to the LSU Tigers on April 13 with Brian Kelly and Co. locking down his services. Lindsey, the No. 2 rated running back in Louisiana and a Top 10 back in America, received an offer from the Tigers and wasted no time in pledging to the program. It was clear the intentions of position coach Frank Wilson. LSU had already had a commitment from the No. 1 running back in America, Harlem Berry, but taking two backs was the goal the entire time. Now, after a dominant senior campaign, Lindsey has the entire country after blossoming into a Top 10 running back in the 2025 Recruiting Class and skyrocketing to the No. 2 back in Louisiana. Lindsey bypassed Texas commit James Simon after becoming the No. 2 ranked running back in the Bayou State. Now, LSU is loaded for the future at the position with both Berry and Lindsey on board. After the news of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood backing off of his LSU commitment last week, it left the program in a “vulnerable” spot with programs pursuing LSU’s other pledges. That included Lindsey who quickly received phone calls from other top schools. Lindsey confirmed to LSU Tigers On SI that he will not be taking any visits elsewhere and will be signing with LSU on Dec. 4 during the Early Signing Period. It’s a massive get for the program with Lindsey barely scratching the surface. A player many believe plays above his ranking, he’s dominated the prep scene in Louisiana. Lindsey has accumulated 1,950 yards this season with 27 total touchdowns. Now, he’s cruising through the Louisiana playoffs with a state championship on his mind. Lindsey isn’t the only prospect committed to the purple and gold that has shut down his recruitment leading up to the Early Signing Period. Kade Phillips Bypasses Texas Visit, Locked in with the Tigers Missouri City (Tex.) Hightower cornerback Kade Phillips flipped his commitment from the Texas Longhorns to Brian Kelly’s LSU Tigers in August after the program turned up the heat down the stretch. Phillips, the No. 4 ranked cornerback in America, reached five-star status in the latest recruiting rankings after a dominant senior campaign. Now, the coveted prospect has shut down his recruitment and will sign with the LSU Tigers during the Early Signing Period, he tells LSU Tigers On SI. “I’m just ready to get to Baton Rouge,” Phillips said. With the recent news of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping his commitment from the LSU Tigers to the Michigan Wolverines, it’s no secret the LSU program is in a vulnerable place. Since the news broke, programs have been looking to flip other prospects committed to the Bayou Bengals. That included five-star cornerback Kade Phillips. There were recent reports circulating that Phillips was set to travel to the Texas Longhorns on Saturday with Steve Sarkisian and Co. pushing for him to flip back to the program. Phillips confirmed with LSU Tigers On SI that he was not visiting Texas this weekend and remained home on Saturday. The five-star will be back in Baton Rouge next weekend for an unofficial visit with LSU to round out his recruitment process. The Longhorns saw the program in a vulnerable spot, upped the ante for Phillips and ultimately saw the No. 4 cornerback in America remain loyal to the LSU program. Phillips will now be back in Baton Rouge for the Oklahoma game next weekend in Tiger Stadium. “Kade has some of the best physical traits we’ve seen at the corner position in the 2025 cycle. This is a guy who has elite length and a big frame. At that size, he can really move. He was a state finalist in the long jump in Texas, and you see that athleticism on the field,” On3 Director of Scouting Charles Power said. … I really like him as a corner. He has position versatility with the ability to play corner or safety at the next level, but we feel like the length and speed and ball skills he shows as a two-way player at the high school level really translates well to corner.” Now, LSU locks in Phillips’ services after a rigorous push from the Texas Longhorns down the stretch. He will sign with the Tigers during the Early Signing Period on Dec. 4.

1 December 2024
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Texas Longhorns Star Quinn Ewers Lands Another Major NIL Deal Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers added to his NIL earnings, appearing in a commercial for a major streaming service College football fans know Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers very well. As one of the top players in the nation playing for a huge program, the football world has known about him for a very long time. Even people who aren’t huge college football fans have almost certainly heard the name because of NIL deals. It is hard to turn on the television or scroll through social media without seeing the Texas star somewhere. Ewers has capitalized big time on college athletes now being allowed to profit off of their name, image and likeness. Being on the cover of EA Sports College Football 25 was reportedly worth north of $200,000. According to On3’s NIL Valuation, the Longhorns star is fifth in college football with $1.7 million. The only players who earn more are Shedeur Sanders, his teammate Arch Manning, Travis Hunter and Jalen Milroe.  However, Ewers will be closing in on the players ahead of him as he has inked another NIL deal. He will be starring in a commercial with the streaming company Hulu that has already aired on Instagram and will be shown on television throughout the season. Full terms of the deal were not disclosed, per On3, but Ewers will certainly be compensated well for his appearance in the ad. He also has an endorsement deal with Nicholas Air and a partnership with Metabillia worth around seven figures. All of these opportunities have been presented to him in part because of how well he performs on the field. Last season, he completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,479 yards with 22 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Heading into 2024, Ewers is considered one of the favorites to take home the Heisman Trophy. He is surrounded by elite weapons that will help him produce some gaudy numbers, led by former Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond, who recently received a nice NIL deal of his own. With Texas moving to the SEC in 2024, the spotlight on Ewers and the program will grow even more. It would not be surprising to see more NIL opportunities pop up during the season, especially if he and the Longhorns play up to their capabilities.

1 December 2024
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Ohio State’s Quinn Ewers Reportedly Signs 3-Year NIL Contract Worth $1.4M By reclassifying into the class of 2021 and enrolling at Ohio State a year earlier than expected, Buckeyes quarterback Quinn Ewers has guaranteed himself at least $1.4 million in NIL compensation.  According to Darren Rovell of The Action Network, the freshman backup has agreed to a multiyear deal with GTSM. Joseph Hoyt of the Dallas Morning News reported the deal is for three years. It’s the second NIL agreement Ewers has signed since leaving high school. The former Southlake Carroll High School star already has an agreement with Texas-based Holy Kombucha. While he may be biding his time at the bottom of the depth chart for now, it seems inevitable Ewers will get an opportunity to become the face of college football sooner than later. 247Sports named the signal-caller the No. 1 overall prospect in the class of 2021, with recruiting analyst Gabe Brooks comparing him to former NFL star Philip Rivers and projecting Ewers as a future top-10 pick: The Buckeyes were able to land Ewers—their highest-rated prospect of the past two decades—after he decommitted from Texas last October. He also held offers from Alabama, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Oklahoma and USC, but he essentially could’ve had his pick of any school.  Whether or not Ewers’ college career takes off and leads him to the NFL, the top prospect has already become a millionaire. That type of financial security may already prove worth enrolling a year early

1 December 2024
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The LSU Tigers enter their final week of the regular season with a 7-4 record. Head coach Brian Kelly has amassed a 27-12 record (15-6 in SEC play) in his three seasons at Baton Rouge. The Tigers’ disappointing record mixed with news that the No. 1 recruit in the country, quarterback Bryce Underwood, flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan last week has a lot of fans fed up with Kelly. After all, LSU had College Football Playoff expectations when they signed him to a 10-year deal worth $95 million before the 2022 season. Get Athlon Sports’ daily newsletter SUBSCRIBE  HOMECOLLEGE Brian Kelly Under Fire From Former LSU Staffer For Reportedly ‘Creating A Culture Problem’ JORDAN SIGLER NOV 25, 2024 10:46 AM EST In this story:  LSU TIGERS The LSU Tigers enter their final week of the regular season with a 7-4 record. Head coach Brian Kelly has amassed a 27-12 record (15-6 in SEC play) in his three seasons at Baton Rouge. The Tigers’ disappointing record mixed with news that the No. 1 recruit in the country, quarterback Bryce Underwood, flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan last week has a lot of fans fed up with Kelly. After all, LSU had College Football Playoff expectations when they signed him to a 10-year deal worth $95 million before the 2022 season. Ralph D. Russo and Bruce Feldman of The Athletic did a deep dive into Kelly’s issues at LSU, talking to more than six sources with ties to the Tigers about problems with the program. An anonymous former staffer thinks the way Kelly has installed his accountability system has caused deficiencies within the culture, as players can lose playing time for things such as not being on time to meetings or failing to pass the dress code.  “You can’t be late for meetings,” a former LSU staffer told The Athletic. “You’ve got to take your vitamins every day. You have to do a wellness check-in app on your phone every day, and for (some of) these guys it’s a foreign language to them. Installing culture is a great idea, but now the way you’re installing culture is actually creating a culture problem.” Former LSU center Charles Turner suggested the culture problem wasn’t just about the rules, but the way Kelly handles his business with the players in the locker room. Kelly doesn’t communicate much with his players during the week. “For Coach Kelly, I think this is a different dynamic for him, Turner said. “When I was playing for Kelly the last two years, I didn’t talk to him. I started every game for him. Just, ‘Hey, hi. How you doing?’ And that was really it. We never talked Xs and Os. I never sat in his office and got personal with him. He really never got to know me.” The Tigers aren’t expected to fire Kelly following the 2024 season, as his buyout is nearly $60 million, but he could be on the hot seat in 2025. The 63-year-old coach has had his back against the wall before when Notre Dame went 4-8 in the 2016 season. After 2016, Kelly led the Fighting Irish to five 10+ win seasons and two CFP appearances in his last five years with the program.

1 December 2024
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LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is gaining significant recognition in college football as one of the top starters in the league. After stepping into the spotlight following the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, Nussmeier has led LSU to a strong 6-2 record this season. He has showcased his play with impressive stats, including 2,627 passing yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Nussmeier’s leadership and on-field decision-making have played a crucial role in the team’s offensive success, which may soon attract attention from NFL teams, particularly the New York Jets. As the Jets grapple with the future of their 10-time Pro Bowler, Aaron Rodgers, Nussmeier could be the ideal successor. With Rodgers signed to a hefty $112 million contract and entering the twilight of his career, the organization is eyeing long-term solutions at quarterback ESPN has suggested that Nussmeier’s skills could make him a top pick in next year’s draft. “The QB3 spot in this draft is wide open, and the 6-2, 200-pound Nussmeier’s upside could be tempting,” ESPN noted. “He’s accurate on the go and from the pocket and plays with enough moxie to push the ball down the field.” The idea of Nussmeier stepping into the role of starting quarterback for a franchise that has invested so much in Rodgers is both exciting and controversial. Fans are left to ponder whether a young, up-and-coming talent can truly fill the shoes of a future Hall of Famer. As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on this rising star and the impact he could have on a struggling franchise looking for its next quarterback in the post-Rodgers era. 

1 December 2024
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