NFL
Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been exactly as expected for New Orleans Saints
“I don’t know what happened, I just know that we got a really good one : Receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling has been exactly as expected for New Orleans Saints
Veteran has delivered multiple big plays during two-game winning streak
If you were surprised in the least by the thunderbolts of production hurled by Marquez Valdes-Scantling during the New Orleans Saints’ current two-game winning streak, well, that’s on you.
The seventh-year receiver isn’t new to this – “this” being receptions of 40 (touchdown), 67, 2 (touchdown), 71 (touchdown) and 16 yards in victories over Atlanta and Cleveland.
The Saints (4-7) face the Rams (5-6) 3:05 p.m. Sunday in the Caesars Superdome, with Valdez-Scantling, a free agent who signed Oct. 22, poised to make his fourth consecutive start for New Orleans.
MVS averaged 17.5 yards per catch in 59 games over four seasons with Green Bay – including a league-leading 20.9 in 2020 – and 15.9 yards per catch on 63 catches in two seasons with Kansas City.
And in those seasons, he had receptions of 78, 75, 74, 71, 60, 57 and 46 yards.
“I’ve been doing it my whole career, so it’s not like a fluke,” Valdes-Scantling said. “I’ve led the league in yards per catch, I’ve done all these big plays year in and year out.
“It’s not a fluke, I’ve been doing it for the seven years that I’ve been around. I’ve been known as a big-play receiver and I think I’m averaging somewhere around 16, 17 yards a catch. It’s not an anomaly.”
Officially, for his career it’s 17.4 yards per catch and as a Saint – including his 5-yard catch in his first start, against Carolina – it’s 33.5 yards and three touchdowns on six catches.
Valdes-Scantling played six games with Buffalo earlier this season and caught two passes for 26 yards before he was released.
“I know just as well as he probably does, some situations are better than others for each player,” Saints quarterback Derek Carr said. “Each player doesn’t fit every scheme or every organization. But I think he’s found a place where he fits – here.
“I don’t know what happened, I just know that we got a really good one. I know that he’s really smart, so he was able to pick up our offense. He’s run some similar routes; that kind of stuff helps him play faster. He’s experienced on top of that.”
He’s exactly what the Saints needed after receivers Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave went down with injuries.
Shaheed (meniscus surgery) is out for the season and Olave (concussion) very well could be; Shaheed was injured Oct. 13 and Olave suffered his second concussion this year, and fourth in three NFL seasons, on Nov. 3.
“I wouldn’t say I’m a perfect fit,” Valdes-Scantling said. “Sometimes God puts you in positions to succeed. I think everything happens for a reason, and I think it was just the right time and the right place.
“It’s a similar offense to what I ran when I was in Green Bay, which was my first four years. It’s a pretty similar offense, but I take pride in just being a smart receiver and being able to come in and learn fast.
“I take a lot of time and effort, and coaches have helped me out to get up to speed and I just try to get in as fast as I could. Obviously, some injuries kind of accelerated that. You don’t want to see anybody go down, but those things happen in football. You’ve got to be ready to go, I was the next guy in line.”
The “next” guy has been “the” guy among Saints receivers the last two games. He beat Atlanta’s secondary deep twice and scored his 71-yarder against Cleveland on a catch-and-run.
“If the ball comes my way, then I’m going to go make a play,” he said. “That’s always the goal. Derek is feeling comfortable enough to give me some shots and the coaching staff is trusting me enough to get out there and play in my short time here, and I’ve been just trying to make any play that I could.”
Quickly, he established an understanding with Carr.
“Derek can throw the ball to anybody, and I love that about him,” Valdes-Scantling said. “I love that he doesn’t have to have a, this is my favorite receiver so I’m going to throw him the ball.
“It’s like, ‘If you’re in there and I like the matchup, I’m going to give you a shot.’ I love that about him.”
NFL
AGREED: Opposing teams have struggled against the New Orleans Saints since Darren Rizzi became head coach
AGREED: Opposing teams have struggled against the New Orleans Saints since Darren Rizzi became head coach
Apparently making your special teams coordinator your interim head coach earns you some good luck on the third phase of the game
Since Darren Rizzi has become the New Orleans Saints head coach, opposing kickers have struggled against New Orleans. Every team the Saints have faced since the coaching switch have missed a field goal, other than the Los Angeles Rams and they didn’t attempt a field goal.
The most notable miss was Bryan Bresee blocking Matt Gay’s field goal to seal a Saints win over the New York Giants. The play earned Bresee recognition as NFC Special Teams Player of the Week.
It all started with Younghoe Koo and the Atlanta Falcons. Koo is a normally surefooted kicker, especially against New Orleans. He’d only missed two field goals versus the Saints coming into the game, and one was a blocked kick from beyond 60 yards.
In Week 10, Koo missed three field goals. That’s more field goals than he’d missed against the Saints in his whole career. It’s also the most kicks Koo has missed in a single game in his career.
In total, opposing teams are 2-of-8 on field goals since Rizzi has taken over. Coincidence? Maybe, maybe not. You be the judge.
NFL
DEAL ACCEPTED: New Orleans Saints Pull Blockbuster Deal to Land Star Quarterback Jared Goff from Detroit Lions, Bolstering Offensive Arsenal for Next Season.
DEAL ACCEPTED: New Orleans Saints Pull Blockbuster Deal to Land Star Quarterback Jared Goff from Detroit Lions, Bolstering Offensive Arsenal for Next Season.
In a groundbreaking move, the New Orleans Saints have finalized a blockbuster trade to acquire star quarterback Jared Goff from the Detroit Lions. This surprising development sends ripples through the NFL, as the Saints look to solidify their offensive lineup and build on their ambitions for next season.
The Details of the Trade
The Saints reportedly offered a lucrative package to the Lions in exchange for Goff. The deal includes multiple draft picks, including a first-round selection in the upcoming NFL Draft, and two prominent players from New Orleans’ current roster. While the exact terms are still unfolding, insiders suggest the Saints spared no expense in landing the Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback.
This trade marks a significant shakeup for both teams. The Lions, who are in the midst of a roster rebuild under head coach Dan Campbell, have chosen to part ways with Goff after two seasons in Detroit. Meanwhile, the Saints are betting big on Goff’s experience and talent to lead their offense to new heights.
Goff’s Credentials
Jared Goff, 29, entered the league as the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, selected by the Los Angeles Rams. During his time with the Rams, he led the team to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2018 season and earned two Pro Bowl nods. Known for his strong arm, accuracy, and leadership on the field, Goff transitioned to the Lions in 2021 as part of a trade involving Matthew Stafford.
In Detroit, Goff showcased resilience and poise, amassing over 4,000 passing yards and 29 touchdowns in the 2023 season. His performance highlighted his ability to thrive under pressure and manage games effectively. The Saints are undoubtedly counting on these attributes as they aim to contend in the competitive NFC South.
What This Means for the Saints
The acquisition of Goff signals a shift in strategy for the Saints. Head coach Dennis Allen and general manager Mickey Loomis have made it clear that their focus is on winning now. With Goff at the helm, the Saints have a proven leader capable of elevating their offense, which struggled with consistency in recent seasons.
Goff’s addition also raises expectations for the Saints’ talented roster. Wide receiver Chris Olave and running back Alvin Kamara are expected to benefit significantly from Goff’s ability to distribute the ball efficiently. Paired with the team’s robust offensive line, the Saints could emerge as a top contender in the NFC.
Reaction Around the League
The trade has garnered widespread attention across the NFL. Analysts and fans alike are weighing in on the implications for both teams. ESPN’s Adam Schefter described the deal as “a bold move that underscores the Saints’ urgency to compete at the highest level.” Meanwhile, critics have questioned whether the Lions received enough value in return for a quarterback of Goff’s caliber.
Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees also chimed in, expressing optimism about the team’s future. “Jared Goff is a tremendous talent and a great leader. He’s exactly what the Saints need to make a deep playoff run,” Brees said in a statement.
The Lions’ Perspective
For the Lions, the trade represents a commitment to rebuilding with a long-term vision. By parting ways with Goff, Detroit creates opportunities for younger talent and adds valuable draft capital to reshape their roster. While fans may lament the departure of a dependable quarterback, the move aligns with the Lions’ goal of constructing a sustainable winning culture.
Looking Ahead
As Goff prepares to don the black and gold, the Saints are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting season. The team’s schedule includes high-profile matchups against NFC powerhouses, and all eyes will be on Goff to see if he can deliver under the bright lights of New Orleans.
With this blockbuster trade, the Saints have sent a clear message: they are all-in on their quest for a championship. Whether this gamble pays off will be one of the most intriguing storylines to watch in the upcoming NFL season.
Dallas Cowboy
Stephen Jones praises Mike McCarthy for doing an “outstanding” job despite the Cowboys’ injury struggles.
Stephen Jones praises Mike McCarthy for doing an “outstanding” job despite the Cowboys’ injury struggles.
Mike McCarthy’s ability to keep the Dallas Cowboys competitive despite injuries could influence whether the team offers him a contract extension.
“I think he’s done outstanding,” executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said on Wednesday after the NFL’s winter meetings. “I mean, our guys are playing hard and he’s got them competing. That was a tough game the other night, but guys played hard.”
McCarthy, who is in the final year of his contract, helped lead the Cowboys (5-8) to three consecutive 12-win seasons, including two NFC East titles, before things started to go wrong this year.
The Cowboys were 3-5 when Dak Prescott was injured and out for the season. Many defensive players, including star edge rusher Micah Parsons, have also missed multiple games.
“When you’re owning/managing a football team, you look at everything. It would be irresponsible not to,” Jones said about considering the team’s injuries when evaluating McCarthy’s performance. “I know our fans and opponents don’t look at everything, but we do.”
Parsons’ return helped the team win two straight games, but Dallas lost 27-20 at home to Cincinnati on Monday night due to a critical mistake on special teams after a blocked punt.
Mike McCarthy walks off the field after the game
The Cowboys have had four heavy losses and have lost four games by just one score.
“Hats off to Mike,” Jones said. “When you look around the league, sometimes you see a lot of teams that start like that and they’re thinking about next year. And Mike’s got everybody focused on winning each and every game.”
Under McCarthy, the Cowboys haven’t had playoff success, going 1-3. They were beaten badly by Green Bay in the wild-card round of last season’s playoffs, but owner Jerry Jones made few changes to the roster.
When asked if a decision about McCarthy’s future had been made, Stephen Jones said: “We’re talking about the next game.”
When asked if Bill Belichick was ever considered, Jones replied: “We’re worried about the next game.”
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