Author: Andrew Lazzara

The New Orleans Saints made some big moves in the off-season and in the 2024 NFL Draft,  addressing their most immediate need right out of the gate.  They picked up three offensive tackles between the draft and free agency, including first-round pick Taliese Fuaga. Whether or not this will help Derek Carr and the offense remains to be seen, but the Saints have invested highly in protecting Carr, and they will expect results. New Orleans also picked up a number of standout defensive players, including Northern Iowa DT Khristian Boyd, who was a great value pick in Round 6. They…

It seems that the bidding wars for NFL broadcast rights are heating up again.  Netflix and Amazon Prime have been involved in ongoing negotiations with the NFL for two new games to be played on Christmas Day, and while Netflix seemed to have things wrapped up a few days ago, a comment made late Monday night by NFL insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk shed new light on the status of the negotiations: “There’s industry buzz that Amazon is making a strong push to win the rights to one or both of the December 25 games, after it appeared…

Arizona Cardinals rookie RB Trey Benson shared his hilarious inspiration for running in the NFL, and it’s definitely not who you would expect.  The third-round pick out of Florida State by way of Oregon was the second running back picked overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was preceded only by Jonathon Brooks, who was picked up by Carolina in the second round.   Cardinals Rookie Channels Fictional Alabama All-American http://gty.im/1162843983 While speaking to reporters Friday at minicamp, Benson revealed the classic movie character that he sees as his inspiration for his NFL career: “Once I get to the second level,…

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced last Saturday that the ‘Boys would be using a “running back by committee” system for the 2024 season. Even with high hopes for Ezekiel Elliott’s return from New England, McCarthy clearly stated his intentions to spread the ball around in the backfield. Sharing running back duties with Elliott will be Rico Dowdle, who led the team with 242 yards and two touchdowns last season, along with Deuce Vaughn, former Rams RB Royce Freeman, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner, and undrafted rookie Nathaniel Peat. The Cowboys chose not to pick a running back in the…

Steve Gleason, the former Saints safety who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, has released a new book about his life and career, entitled A Life Impossible. Gleason has been an inspiration and an advocate for other patients, and he has worked with major tech companies like Microsoft to develop new and innovative ways for ALS patients to communicate, interact with the world around them, and move around more easily. The Block That Lifted a City http://gty.im/485945092 Gleason is best known for an amazing blocked punt that led to a touchdown against Atlanta in 2006, in the first home game…

Former Olympic weightlifter Oleksandr Pielieshenko was tragically killed in action Sunday in the ongoing war with Russia. He was just 30 years old. Pielieshenko was the first Olympian to die in the conflict. Pielieshenko finished fourth in his weight class at the Rio Olympics and was the 85kg European Champion in 2016 and 2017. Pielieshenko joined the armed forces shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. “I express my sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Alexander! This is a very heavy loss for the entire heavyweight community of Ukraine. Heroes do not die,” said the Ukrainian…

The New Orleans Saints made some smart moves in the 2024 NFL Draft, addressing some key deficiencies and adding depth on both sides of the ball.  With a trade with Green Bay in the second round for the 41st overall pick and a huge value play in the sixth round, the Saints put together what is arguably the best NFL Draft class in the NFC South. Dennis Allen and the entire Saints organization should be commended for their strategy and execution. Round 1 (Pick 14) – Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State Grade: A+ The Saints addressed an immediate need in…

The Saints came smashing into the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday, selecting CB Ga’Quincy “Kool-Aid” McKinstry after trading up with Green Bay for the 41st overall pick. In exchange, Green Bay picked up a 5th and 6th-round pick from the Saints. McKinstry is arguably the top choice among cornerbacks this year, even after missing the combine, and the Saints definitely addressed a deficiency with this pick. They had some heartbreaking losses last year due to big plays and late drives, and adding Kool-Aid to the mix will hopefully bring more depth and enthusiasm to this mostly…