CONFIRMED: Why Hurricane QB Cam Ward is certain to win the Heisman Trophy - soccerdelights.com
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CONFIRMED: Why Hurricane QB Cam Ward is certain to win the Heisman Trophy

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CONFIRMED: Why Hurricane QB Cam Ward is certain to win the Heisman Trophy

The new NCAA Heisman odds are out, and according to the sharps, it’s a two-man race between Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward and Colorado Buffaloes two-way player Travis Hunter to decide which player is college football’s best.

Both players sport +185 odds on FanDuel, leading one to believe they’re neck and neck in the Heisman Trophy race heading into Week 11, with Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel (+350) and running back Ashton Jeanty of Boise State (+500) a somewhat distant third and fourth. Ward and Gabriel are seniors; Hunter and Jeanty have another year of college eligibility ahead of them.

Both players are great, and playing both sides of the ball as Hunter (wide receiver and cornerback) does is an admirable addition to any player’s résumé. But if you ask Miami New Times, the smart money’s on Ward to hear his name called at the 2024 Heisman Trophy ceremony on Saturday, December 14. When it comes to which of the two top candidates most deserves the Heisman, there should be no debate.

Here’s why Ward, not Hunter, deserves to hoist the Heisman Trophy at season’s end.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Travis Hunter may play two positions on the football field, but less isn’t always more. Look no further than one of Ward’s targets in Miami to find a player putting up more significant numbers on the offensive side of the football.

Hunter’s receiving stats don’t even exceed Miami’s Xavier Restrepo, who boasts 856 yards and nine touchdowns. Hunter’s versatility is impressive, but numbers matter if we’re talking about a Heisman. Feelings be damned.

Ward’s numbers tell the story of a true Heisman contender. Leading the nation in touchdown passes with 29 and second in total passing yards (3,146), Ward is setting the pace in college football.

Advantage: Cam Ward

MVPs Win Games

The Heisman Trophy winner traditionally comes from teams at the top of the national title hunt. Ward fits the bill, while Hunter and Colorado are barely hanging on to hopes of playing for a conference crown, much less a national title.

Miami is a spotless 9-0, and Ward is the driving force behind multiple comeback victories. Colorado is a 5-2 football team — one win coming via Hail Mary —  and owners of slim playoff hopes, even as the field has expanded to 12 teams this year for the first time.

Ward’s performance has kept Miami on the path to the playoffs. That’s what MVPs do while putting up big numbers. That’s what spells a Heisman winner.

Advantage: Cam Ward

QB > WR/CB

Pressure makes diamonds. But it also makes Heisman Trophy winners.

Travis Hunter may play double the snaps Cam Ward takes each game, but the pressure-per-snap is lopsided in the direction of Miami’s signal caller. There is no more important position in all of sports than quarterback. They’re the pitcher, catcher, and point guard all wrapped in one.

Shadowing wide receivers on the 100th-best team in the NCAA simply does not compare to the pressure of touching the ball on every snap for the University of Miami.

Advantage: Cam Ward

Playoff Picture: Missing Hunter

The NCAA is a business, and like the NFL or NBA, the organization certainly wants to run marketing campaigns around its Heisman Trophy winner playing for a title, not preparing for the CVS Bowl in New Mexico and the NFL draft.

The Heisman should go to a player who elevates his team to greatness, which would mean participating in the expanded 12-team playoff field this season. It’s almost a given that Miami will be a part of that tournament and that Colorado, currently ranked No. 21, will not.

Advantage: Cam Ward

Strength of Opponents

More wins versus better opponents — seems like a box every Heisman Trophy winner would want to check.

If not for Florida State being all-time bad (1-8!), Miami would still have a Top 20 strength of schedule. Still, as of today, it sits in the top 50.

Ward has faced one of the most demanding schedules in the nation and thrived, showing up against top-tier competition and delivering impressive numbers under pressure. He’s climbing all-time leading passer lists after just nine games.

On the flip side, Hunter and Colorado have the 80th-ranked strength of schedule in the nation.

If the idea is to play the best against the best in the biggest games college football has to offer, the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy should be Cam Ward — in a landslide. Not Travis Hunter.

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Rodgers is still finding new ways to hilariously roast the Bears

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Rodgers is still finding new ways to hilariously roast the Bears

It doesn’t seem as if Aaron Rodgers will ever stop taking shots at the Chicago Bears.

It’s no secret that Aaron Rodgers dominated the Chicago Bears during his days with the Green Bay Packers.

In 29 regular-season games against the Monsters of the Midway, the four-time NFL MVP went 24-5, throwing 64 touchdowns against just 10 interceptions with an overall passer rating of 109.0.

He also won his lone postseason contest against Chicago, with the Packers defeating the Bears by a score of 21-14 in the NFC Championship Game of the 2010 season. Green Bay, of course, then went on to defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl.

So, yeah, with a 25-5 overall record, Rodgers really wasn’t lying when he famously yelled “I own you” to a group of Bears fans at Soldier Field a few years back.

Bears fans as a whole had to be thrilled when the 10-time Pro Bowler was traded to the New York Jets last April, as they obviously didn’t have to see him take it to their team twice a year. But that doesn’t mean they’ve completely escaped his wrath.

After Green Bay soundly defeated Chicago by a score of 38-20 to open the 2023 campaign, a win in which Jordan Love threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns, Rodgers announced during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show that he actually sent his successor a congratulatory text message.

“I said congratulations on keeping the ownership in place,” Rodgers said. “That was pretty awesome for him.”

Now, more than a year later, Rodgers apparently isn’t yet ready to let go of his disdain for his former NFC North rivals, as he took yet another dig at the Bears while simultaneously praising the Packers.

Aaron Rodgers continues to troll the Chicago Bears

Making his weekly appearance with McAfee on Tuesday afternoon, Rodgers hit on a number of topics, one of which was his former division.

For starters, he showered praise upon Jared Goff, who’s helped the Detroit Lions to a 7-1 record at the midway point of this 2024 NFL season. McAfee then took his turn and expressed his admiration for the division as a whole.

“The NFC North is the f*****g real deal right now,” McAfee started. “Real deal.”

And Rodgers’ reply? “Yeah, I mean, they got three really good teams.”

In the immortal words of Michael Scott: Boom! Roasted!

Obviously, Rodgers was referring to the Lions, Vikings, and Packers. And it had to be nice for Cheeseheads to hear their former quarterback give Green Bay a compliment, because that doesn’t always happen.

Even when McAfee attempted to defend the Bears a bit, saying, “They’re figuring it out up there in Chicago,” Rodgers doubled down, stating, “They still gotta play the Pack twice.” So, that was nice of him.

Don’t get things twisted, though. Rodgers still took some shots at the Green Bay front office when discussing the NFL trade deadline. So, at least he evened things out this time. And let’s get real. It’s always easy to score points with Packers fans by taking shots at the Bears.

 

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Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Makes Bold Decision to Cut Player Over Lack of Hustle and Commitment

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Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Makes Bold Decision to Cut Player Over Lack of Hustle and Commitment

 

In a surprising move, Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has made the decision to part ways with one of the team’s players, citing a significant lack of hustle and commitment as the main reasons behind the decision. The release has stunned many within the Cowboys organization and around the NFL, as McCarthy is known for his measured and strategic approach to team management. However, this latest move underscores the growing emphasis on accountability within the franchise.

The player in question, whose identity has not yet been disclosed, had been under scrutiny for several weeks. Sources close to the team revealed that despite possessing substantial talent, the player’s lack of effort in practice and during games had become a growing concern for the coaching staff. McCarthy, who has instilled a culture of discipline and focus since taking over as head coach in 2020, was reportedly dissatisfied with the player’s inability to meet the team’s expectations of effort and dedication.

“We have a standard here, and I’ve made it clear to the entire team that the effort needs to match the level of talent,” McCarthy said in a statement following the release. “It’s not just about what you can do on the field, it’s about the commitment you show every single day to being your best, and this player was not meeting that standard.”

While the decision to part ways with a player mid-season is always a difficult one, McCarthy’s statement reflects a clear shift in how the Cowboys are prioritizing work ethic and team unity. This move comes as the Cowboys prepare for a critical stretch of the season, with hopes of securing a playoff berth and continuing their competitive push in the NFC.

The Cowboys have long been known for their storied history, but recent years have seen mixed results on the field. Despite having a roster filled with high-profile talent, the team has often struggled with consistency. McCarthy’s decision appears to be aimed at fostering a no-nonsense, results-driven environment that demands the utmost from every player, regardless of their status or talent.

The player’s departure may also signal a larger philosophical shift within the Cowboys organization, one where culture and team cohesion take precedence over individual ability. For McCarthy, the message is clear: in Dallas, talent alone is not enough. A player must be fully invested in the team’s goals and willing to give everything for the success of the group.

The Cowboys’ front office has not yet announced any potential replacements for the player, but McCarthy has hinted that the team is focused on bringing in individuals who align better with the team’s core values. As the season progresses, the eyes of the NFL world will be on Dallas to see if this decision sparks a positive change in the team’s overall performance.

 

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Heartbreaking: shocking news, New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson just announced her retirement due to her inability to……………

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Heartbreaking: shocking news, New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson just announced her retirement due to her inability to……………

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson has a detailed succession plan in place for her eventual departure, ensuring the Saints and the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans remain tied to the city. Benson, who inherited ownership after her husband Tom Benson’s passing in 2018, outlined her commitment to the New Orleans community. According to her plan, both franchises will be sold upon her passing, with the proceeds directed toward a multi-billion-dollar charitable foundation aimed at supporting local causes. Benson emphasized her belief in “giving back” as part of her legacy, stating that these teams are a gift meant to benefit others, particularly in New Orleans.

With the Saints’ lease on the Superdome set to expire in 2025, Benson and her team are already working on extensions to secure the franchise’s place in New Orleans for potentially several decades. Her succession plan is a reassurance to fans that both teams are intended to remain pillars of the local community and contribute to its welfare long-term.

This plan also addresses previous family conflicts regarding ownership. Benson, who has no heirs, has ensured that her succession plan aligns with her philanthropic vision rather than passing control to estranged relatives who previously contested her husband’s estate in court.

The New Orleans Saints are making headlines after franchise legend and former quarterback Drew Brees reportedly accepted a substantial contract offer to take on a new role within the organization. This development comes in the wake of long-time General Manager Mickey Loomis’s recent retirement. According to reports, Brees, who famously led the Saints to their first and only Super Bowl victory in 2009, will now shift from a player role to an executive position. The transition marks a significant moment for both Brees and the Saints, who are looking to benefit from his leadership in a new capacity.

The contract, rumored to be valued at approximately $964 million, underscores the Saints’ commitment to sustaining a legacy of excellence. Although specifics of Brees’s responsibilities have not been fully outlined, his presence within the Saints’ management team is expected to bring a fresh approach to team-building and a renewed focus on player development. His return to the organization reflects his deep ties to New Orleans, where he not only succeeded on the field but also contributed greatly to the community, particularly in the years following Hurricane Katrina.

In his new role, Brees will likely have a hand in shaping the Saints’ future, potentially assisting in both football operations and mentorship of players, including quarterback Derek Carr and other emerging talents. This partnership between Brees and Saints owner Gayle Benson signals a shared vision for the team’s success and a hopeful era for Saints fans.

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