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Bills Urged to Expand Pro Bowler’s Role in the Passing Game

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Bills Urged to Expand Pro Bowler’s Role in the Passing Game

GettyAmari Cooper celebrates a touchdown.

The Buffalo Bills entered the 2024 season with a mantra that “everybody eats” in the passing game, vowing to spread out targets to a wider group of pass-catchers.

But one report suggests that a new addition to the team may not be getting a big enough portion.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine suggested that the Bills may need to expand the role of Amari Cooper, who came to the team ahead of the trade deadline. Though Cooper has turned in some key performances, Ballentine wrote that the Bills may need to continue expanding his role as the season enters the home stretch.

Amari Cooper Has Shined at Times

Ballentine noted that Cooper has already flashed the potential he holds in the Buffalo offense, making four catches for 66 yards and a touchdown in his debut just days after joining the team. There’s been a dropoff since then, Ballentine noted.

“He’s only combined for five targets over the last two weeks, though. He made his presence felt against the Chiefs with two receptions for 55 yards, but he was only targeted three times,” Ballentine wrote. “Cooper is one of the team’s best downfield separators now. It would be good to see the Bills use him more as the season goes on.”

The Bills may not have an opportunity to get Cooper more acclimated into the offense, heading into a bye week with the wide receiver now back from the injury that kept him sidelined for two weeks.

Amari Cooper Excited for Opportunities Ahead

Cooper came through again big in Sunday’s 30-21 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, making two catches for 55 yards including a one-handed grab that gave the Bills a key first down. After the game, Cooper said it was “amazing” to play with such a talented group of players.

“It’s the first time in a long time that I’ve actually felt joy from winning this game, from just the way we play,” Cooper said. “We have so many guys on the team who are playmakers and they show up when their number is called, collectively as a group. It’s just amazing.”

Cooper admitted he still has some learning to do, but said he’s growing more comfortable in the Bills’ offense.

“I’m obviously still adapting to the environment,” Cooper said. “It’s always easy to be comfortable and I would say I’m pretty comfortable.”

Cooper also shared love for Bills quarterback Josh Allen, whose 26-yard touchdown run on fouth-and-2 in the fourth quarter sealed the win.

“The Josh Allen experience, with this magnitude — it’s been phenomenal, man,” Cooper said. “Like I said before, he’s a great player. The old adage, big-time players make big-time plays in big-time situations, and that’s exactly what he did.”

The Bills handed the Chiefs their first loss of the season and earned a key tiebreaker, moving them within striking distance of the top overall seed in the conference.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott didn’t want to put too much emphasis on the win, saying the team has a long way to go before reaching their final goals.

“No statement,” McDermott said when asked about the significance of the win, via ESPN. “This is not the finish line.”

Nathan Dougherty is a sports reporter covering the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins. Previously he wrote for the Rochester Business Journal and served as the assistant editor of athletic trade magazines Coaching Management, Athletic Management and Training & Conditioning. He is based out of Rochester, New York, and loves everything football. More about Nathan Dougherty

 

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“I need him in my team or I…….” Saints Interim Coach Darren Rizzi Urges Owner Gayle Benson to Sign Former Detroit Lions 5-Star Receiver to Elevate Team to Greater Success

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November 21, 2024

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“I need him in my team or I…….” Saints Interim Coach Darren Rizzi Urges Owner Gayle Benson to Sign Former Detroit Lions 5-Star Receiver to Elevate Team to Greater Success

In a dramatic move amidst the Saints’ difficult season, interim head coach Darren Rizzi has reportedly made a direct appeal to team owner Gayle Benson, urging her to sign a former Detroit Lions 5-star wide receiver to bolster New Orleans’ offense.

The Saints have struggled this year, sitting near the bottom of the NFC standings and battling injuries, leading Rizzi to make this bold request to secure a key player to rejuvenate the team’s prospects.

Rizzi, who stepped into the interim head coach role following Dennis Allen’s firing after a 2-7 start, has been vocal about the need for impactful additions to the squad​

With the team facing a lack of consistency and a sputtering offense, adding a high-caliber wide receiver is seen as a potential game-changer, especially in a season where wide receiver performance has not met expectations.

The former Lions wide receiver, praised for his elite skills and strong potential, would provide an immediate upgrade opposite the team’s current playmakers. Rizzi, familiar with the intricacies of building a competitive squad as the Saints’ special teams coordinator, believes that acquiring this player is a necessary move to help take the Saints to the next level​

Rizzi’s appeal reflects not only his desire to turn the team’s fortunes around but also an urgency to improve the offense in a rapidly changing NFC landscape. The addition would complement quarterback Derek Carr and the Saints’ current offensive weapons, offering the team a much-needed boost as they attempt to remain relevant in a challenging playoff race. Fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting Benson’s response to Rizzi’s request, as her decision could have significant implications for the future direction of the franchise.

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SAINTS’ NEWS: “I love his kind of energy, he is a good example for others to follow” Saints owner Gayle Benson congratulates TE Taysom Hill

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November 21, 2024

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SAINTS’ NEWS: “I love his kind of energy, he is a good example for others to follow” Saints owner Gayle Benson congratulates TE Taysom Hill as he becomes the NFC offensive player of the week….

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson has praised tight end Taysom Hill after his impressive performance earned him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Hill’s standout play has not only impressed his teammates and coaching staff but has also caught the attention of Benson, who recognized his significant contribution to the team’s success.

In a statement, Benson expressed her admiration for Hill’s energy and leadership on and off the field. “I love his kind of energy,” Benson said. “He is a great example for others to follow.” Hill’s versatility and work ethic have made him a key figure in the Saints’ offense, and his performance this past week showcased his ability to step up in crucial moments.

Benson also took the opportunity to reward Hill’s hard work by officially increasing his bonus, a gesture that highlights both the player’s dedication and the team’s recognition of his efforts. Hill’s dynamic skill set, including his ability to line up as a quarterback, tight end, and special teams contributor, has made him an invaluable asset to the Saints.

Hill’s NFC Offensive Player of the Week honor comes after a standout game in which he contributed multiple touchdowns and showcased his trademark determination. His ability to make plays in various positions has helped propel the Saints into playoff contention, and the recognition from Benson serves as a testament to his impact on the team.

As the season progresses, Hill will continue to be a key player for New Orleans, and with his bonus increase and ongoing support from the organization, it’s clear that his efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Saints are hopeful that Hill’s strong performances will help lead them to further success as they chase a spot in the postseason.

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BREAKING: Miami Hurricanes Locks in Head Coach Mario Cristobal with Groundbreaking 8-Year, $79 Million Contract

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November 20, 2024

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BREAKING: Miami Hurricanes Locks in Head Coach Mario Cristobal with Groundbreaking 8-Year, $79 Million Contract Featuring $2 Million Annual Retention Bonus Through 2032 to

Miami Hurricanes football coach Mario Cristobal got paid record amount in 2022

The University of Miami (Fla.) paid football coach Mario Cristobal $22.7 million in 2022, including $7.7 million in base pay and $14.9 million in “other reportable compensation,” according to a federal tax form released by the university Tuesday to USA TODAY sports.

This is the largest-ever, single-year amount for an athletics department employee on a tax form by a private university, according to USA TODAY Sports research. The university did not go into further detail about why he was paid that much except that it paid “gross-up payments” to Cristobal and others — payments that cover income taxes so that the recipient receives a set amount of pay.

Miami athletic director Dan Radakovich confirmed to USA TODAY Sports Wednesday that the $14.9 million in “other” pay for Cristobal included the $9 million buyout he owed to Oregon for breaking his coaching contract there to return to Miami, his alma mater. The gross-up pay on that accounts for the rest of the “other” pay, he said.

How Mario Cristobal compares to others on these forms

Cristobal, 53, went 5-7 in 2022 after being hired away from the Ducks in December 2021. The tax form covers his calendar-year pay in 2022 and was made publicly available for the first time this week.

By comparison, the highest single year of pay for a private university president was only slightly more — $22.8 million for former University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann in 2021, according to data from the Chronicle of Higher Education. But about 89% of that came from deferred compensation set aside over the course of her 18-year tenure, the Chronicle reported.

In athletics, the previous single-year high for a private university was $17.2 million in 2021 for TCU football coach Gary Patterson after he parted ways with the university that year.

How Mario Cristobal’s pay compares to others at Miami

As private universities, these schools are not required to disclose employment contracts under public-records laws. But they are required to file a tax return as non-profit institutions, which provides some information about certain employees’ pay, including that of its highest paid employees.

The high pay also means the university will take a tax hit in the form of a 21% excise tax on compensation above $1 million that goes to any of a private non-profit universities five highest-paid employees in a year.

The same form lists university president Julio Frenk’s pay at $1.3 million in 2022. Men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga earned $2.6 million that year and Radakovich got $1.9 million.

Cristobal is entering his third season with the Hurricanes after finishing 7-6 last season. He replaced Manny Diaz, who was fired in 2021, but is not listed on the form as receiving reportable compensation in 2022.

The university didn’t immediatley respond to a request for comment.

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