New Orleans Saints

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara was streaming on Twitch when news of Christian McCaffrey's record-setting four-year, $64 million contract extension broke.  

Suffice it to say, Kamara seemed happy to see McCaffrey set the market with such a lucrative deal:

.@A_kamara6 reacts to the McCaffrey deal live on Twitch with B/R 🤑

(via @MasterTes | @WBMeech) https://t.co/kISovokiKo

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 13, 2020

"I just play football. I'm just a football player," Kamara joked when asked what that deal might mean for him going forward. "I don't know nothing about contracts or all these things, all this money. ... Shout out to Christian, man. That's my boy. Talented for sure." 

Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey is signing a four-year extension, averaging $16 million per year, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, sources tell ESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 13, 2020

Christian McCaffrey: “I’m so excited to continue my career in Carolina. I want to thank Mr. Tepper, Marty Hurney, and Coach Rhule for the opportunity to help lead this great franchise, and to all my teammates for their help along the way. And to Panthers fans, KEEP POUNDING!”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 13, 2020

Kamara, 24, will have his own payday coming soon. The three-time Pro Bowler was excellent yet again in 2019, rushing for 797 yards and five touchdowns while adding 81 receptions for 533 yards and a touchdown in 14 games.

Those aren't McCaffrey numbers, but Kamara has now posted three straight seasons with at least 1,300 yards from scrimmage, making him one of the best all-around weapons in football. 

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees reportedly has his post-retirement plans in place. 

According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, Brees will sign with NBC Sports and not ESPN as part of a deal that will go into effect when he retires from the NFL. Sources told Marchand the plan is for Brees to "be groomed as the potential replacement for Cris Collinsworth on Sunday Night Football."

"Like all NFL fans, we look forward to watching Drew continue his Hall of Fame career this fall, and we are confident his post-playing career will be just as successful," NBC Sports spokesman Greg Hughes said.

Marchand noted the plan is to start Brees as a game analyst for Notre Dame football games on Saturdays and a studio analyst for Football Night in America on Sundays before he could join Al Michaels' successor, Mike Tirico, on Sunday Night Football.

This is apparently something of a blow for ESPN considering Marchand reported the network "was willing to wait" for Brees and wanted him to be part of its Monday Night Football broadcast.

What's more, ESPN attempted to hire Tony Romo away from CBS, as well as Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. Romo stayed with CBS, Manning declined and Rivers elected to continue his playing career on the Indianapolis Colts.

While Brees, 41, will eventually be in the announcing booth, his Saints still have Super Bowl hopes this season.

They are coming off three straight NFC South titles and missed the Super Bowl by a single game during the 2018 campaign following a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Championship Game that featured a controversial no-call on possible pass interference.

Brees has a Super Bowl ring, two Offensive Player of the Year awards and 13 Pro Bowl selections on his resume and is well positioned to add to that in the coming season or two with a supporting cast of Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, among others.

When he is done building that resume, he will have the chance to build one in the announcing world as well.

New Orleans Saints star Cameron Jordan is one of the most-feared defensive players in the NFL. The five-time Pro Bowler has recorded 87 sacks in 144 career games since being drafted No. 24 overall in 2011. 

Jordan's ability to constantly pressure the opposing quarterback is among the many reasons why New Orleans has been able to win three straight NFC South titles and advanced to the NFC Championship Game in 2018. 

On Thursday, though, Jordan took on a different challenge when he participated in a B/R AMA. The 30-year-old spoke on a number of topics, including the controversial pass interference non-call against the Los Angeles Rams and Tom Brady moving into the division as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

       

@callum: Which one of our BS playoff defeats was the most BS? Thanks for being a franchise legend. Who Dat.

The Rams, the Rams hurt. There were like two or three calls the ref could've made if he just opened his eyes. I think he nyquiled, not enough caffeine. No Metamucil that morning.

      

@MustafaJafri: What's your take on the whole PI mess?

It's another instance where we have to overcome. We have to never let a team get close to us. We didn't capitalize, we can only put the chip on our shoulder.

       

@Breesus: On a scale of 1-10 how excited are you that you get to knock Tom Brady around twice a year and more than likely out of the playoffs?

I am not excited he is in the division. My division was already difficult! And now you've got one of the greatest of all-time. Now I've got to deal with two of the fastest releasers in the game: Matt Ryan and Brady. That really hurts my sack game for sure.

      

@StephMessi: Do you think Michael Thomas could catch Jerry Rice as the greatest WR ever?

Keeping on his pace, 12 years from now, maybe? He has all the potential to do so.

       

@itsCloudy Who are the Top 5 QBs of the past decade?

Drew Brees, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Drew Brees.

      

@BronGOAT23: Who's the qb you want to sack the most?

Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning. If there is ever a charity flag football game, I'm going to full-contact sack Peyton. 

      

@NoleFanForLife: What's your relationship with Coach Payton like?

Pretty good, I've never had to deal with a defensive minded HC, so he doesn't really deal with us a whole lot. If he comes down you know it's bad.

     

@mikeyoung345: What have you been doing during quarantine?

Honing my kitchen skills, I'm the official cooker of breakfast and dinner. "Cooker of Birthright," Cam Jordan the chef.

       

@JCTheLit: Who's the toughest offensive lineman you've had to go against?

Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk.

       

@kingmjd610: Who was your sports idol growing up?

Other than my dad, I grew up idolizing Reggie White. I grew up watching the Vikings D-Line and I knew I wanted to hit people.

      

@StriplingWarrior: Describe Taysom Hill in one word

Indescribable.

     

@Ramsesdubs: Is there a certain prospect in the draft you would like to see in a Saints uni?

Yes. I've got my heart set on someone in the top five. I won't say unless we figure out how to pick in there

      

@jakebishop4273: Can you think of your favorite sack in your career?

My favorite sack is off Mike Vick. I had a three-sack game off him. Another good one was my two sacks against [Aaron] Rodgers. 

      

@BlueFalcon05: Favorite locker room story?

One I can't talk about. My favorite story has a lot of big dogging. There was some ugly times, but those times ought to be cherished.

     

@kingmjd610: What's your favorite food in New Orleans?

Crawfish etouffee. Barbecue shrimp and grits.

     

@william_whitson: What is your favorite video game?

Crash Bandicoot Team Racing. Brawlhalla, sort of like a PS version of Smash Brothers. I'm also on Call of Duty, I only play after 8:30. But I'm trash, I used to be so good. 

      

@AFinklestein6: What's your 2nd sport?

I was primarily a basketball player, so football was actually my second sport. I get buckets. 

      

@colinbloom15: How good was that turkey leg?

So dry, so dry. Clearly came from Atlanta. Looked like it had flavor to it but it did not. That was my flu game by the way and that was a four-sack game. Thanks, Atlanta.

     

@obrown: What is your favorite memory from Cal?

Beating Stanford on the road when they had Andrew Luck. We even crowd surfed after.

       

@Steve_Perrault: Which players that you're friendly with in the league could be TV analysts right now?

I almost said Jason Witten, but I guess he already tried that. How about [Tony] Romo, my goodness? You really don't have to be in the game anymore to make game money! My dog Mark Ingram would be super colorful, that would be wild...BIG TRUSS.

      

@bigtymerjdawg: What did you think of your time broadcasting in the XFL?

Being on the sidelines was tough because I was celebrating with the D-Line and the producers would be in my ear trying to get me to ask them questions.

     

@J27LA: Greatest rapper of all time?

Busta Rhymes for my all-time.

      

@SammyP24: Who's your favorite player not on the Saints?

Mark Ingram

      

@OsoChamaco: Do you have a beard routine?

Yeah, absolutely. Every man who has a phenomenal mustache/beard has a routine. Mine is waking up and cooking breakfast.

    

@jayven: What is your favorite pair of shoes?

The Union LA 1's.

     

@BruMax17: Do you have your personal barber keep up with your mustache or do you do it yourself?

Again it falls into the regimen of waking up and making breakfast. I have some mustache wax, that's about it.

      

@Mundy15: Do you think a hot dog is a sandwich?

The answer comes down to if the bun splits or not. If the bun is detached it is a sandwich.

       

@whodat43: Who is your biggest rival?

Atlanta. I don't really have QB rivals. I sent a QB a bottle of wine one time and people lost their mind. I was just congratulating him for losing three times to the Saints that year. It was like a $70 bottle of wine.  

      

@Not_RudyGobert: What's your go-to quarantine snack?

Whatever is in the pantry, I've destroyed my kid's fruit snacks. And I love being with my kids, there is nowhere I'd rather be. I look forward to this and spending time with them.

        

@dejoy: Who's the biggest trash talker you ever came across?

Besides myself? Steve Smith. I watched him bad mouth somebody so bad he stopped and started telling another guy to come help him.

      

@lighshine who is the hardest QB to keep contained?

If not Cam [Newton], Russell [Wilson]. Maybe Lamar [Jackson], too, he's so fast but we've only seen him once so far. 

       

@ChoiskiTheNinja Do you eat Mac and Cheese with a fork or spoon?

I've never noted, I mean hopefully a fork. If I only have a spoon, I've got no qualms about it. My question to you is what kind of Mac are we talking about? Kraft? Baked? 

      

@lliveinyellowsub What inspired you to play football?

My blood. I didn't have a choice. My dad dropped me off at 8th grade and said you're going to play football this year. I didn't have a set position, I played everywhere. They tried me out at TE and I said no that's Steve Jordan's position, not Cam Jordan's!

      

Universal AMA Questions

What is your favorite game or play of your career?

I scored a TD my freshman year at ASU, and I'm from Chandler which is about 15 minutes away so that was a great home game for me. My last college game I scored against UW. And I'm always going to remember my first sack, against good ol' Cam Newton, my first season.

      

Go-to pre-game song or soundtrack?

No not me, it all depends on the field. Listen to everything from Stevie Wonder, listen to the Fugees and anything contemporary. Even Lil Baby and sometimes pianists.

       

How far do you think the moon is from Earth?

*Whistles* Man I don't know, I'd like to say it takes eight months to travel to the moon. I'm saying eight months of travel. (It's actually 3 days). 

      

Jordan and the Saints can look ahead to next season after winning 13 games last season, tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers for most in the NFC. He had one of his most productive years with 25 quarterback hits and a career-high 15.5 sacks. 

The Saints will attempt to become the first team ever to win the NFC South in four consecutive seasons as they prepare for 2020.   

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees appeared on The Ellen Show on Wednesday and said he believes "the American people need sports right now" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"That's typically something that's really brought us through a lot of tough situations throughout our country. I think people have been able to lean on their local sports teams or national teams to just unite them and get their minds off the challenges of daily life or daily struggle. We don't even have that right now, and I think that's another reason why this is so tough. And obviously we hope that football can be back to normal—or this can be back to normal so that we can play real football."

It remains unclear when sports leagues in the United States will resume playing, with social distancing guidelines in place through April. The fear of lifting those precautionary measures too soon is that a possible second wave of the coronavirus could sweep through the country, causing another shutdown.

"If people start going out again and socially interacting, we could see a really acute second wave," White House coronavirus task force coordinator Deborah Birx said, per Peter Szekely and Maria Caspani of Reuters.

To date, the United States has 402,923 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, per CNN.com, nearly three times as many as any other country, though it's possible there are more cases given a lack of testing. There have been 13,007 deaths due to COVID-19 in the United States and 85,397 worldwide. 

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Bleacher Report's David Gardner interviews athletes and other sports figures for the podcast How to Survive Without Sports.

Emmanuel Sanders didn't need to hear from any other teams after speaking with New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton.

The veteran wide receiver told NFL.com's James Palmer that he "literally stopped answering his phone when other suitors called" after hanging up with Payton.

"I'm excited to be there in a pass-happy offense," Sanders added. "That means everything. These are the types of offenses where you really can showcase your talent. I've waited almost four years, ever since 2014 with Peyton (Manning), to be back in a pass-happy offense."

The 33-year-old signed a two-year contract worth $16 million with the Saints last month.

Sanders' NFL career began when the Pittsburgh Steelers used a third-round draft pick on him in 2010. He signed with the Denver Broncos in March 2014 and won Super Bowl 50 to finish the 2015 campaign. To Sanders' point about being in a pass-happy offense, the only time he's been in a top-five passing offense was during the 2014 season, and he had a career-high 1,404 receiving yards that year. 

Sanders was traded from the Broncos to the San Francisco 49ers in October, and he finished with 502 yards and three touchdowns on 36 catches across 10 regular-season games with the Niners before they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

The Buffalo Bills were briefly in the running for Sanders before the Saints emerged as favorites, Sanders said on The Rich Eisen Show on March 30 (h/t SB Nation's Buffalo Rumblings): "I spoke with the Bills for a little bit and I told them let me think about the idea and give me a night and, like, 30 minutes later the Stefon Diggs deal went through and I was like, 'OK.'"

The Saints offense is looking explosive 🔥 pic.twitter.com/24V3Jh6Yfk

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) March 21, 2020

Sanders will slide into a Saints offense that ranked seventh in passing last season behind a league-most 1,725 receiving yards by All-Pro Michael Thomas with future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees under center.

Brees and Sanders have never met, but Sanders told Palmer he doesn't anticipate that hindering their on-field production:

"Truthfully, I think people put way too much emphasis on chemistry. I think the ultimate thing that me and Drew have in common is that we both love the game of football. If you take guys that love the grind of football and who are passionate about football, it should click regardless if they have the proper talent. I know Drew loves football and I know I love football. I just feel like that chemistry is going to be there from the jump because we are both down to work our butts off because we both know what we're trying to accomplish and that's [winning a] Super Bowl ring."

The Saints are seeking their second Super Bowl title in franchise history after winning Super Bowl XLIV over Manning's Indianapolis Colts to conclude the 2009 season.

New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan is still getting used to the idea of playing against Tom Brady twice every season. 

Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Jordan said it will be "super, super weird" having Brady in the NFC North as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

.@Saints DE Cam Jordan discusses being named to the All Decade Team and weighs in on Tom Brady coming to the NFC South....

"I'm not excited about it....but at the same time I sorta am" #WhoDatNation 👇👇 pic.twitter.com/DRl1Gpjj4U

— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) April 7, 2020

Most of the NFL is still getting used to the idea of seeing Brady not wearing a New England Patriots jersey. The three-time NFL MVP spent the past 20 seasons with the organization, leading them to six Super Bowl titles in nine appearances. 

The Buccaneers are hoping Brady will be the quarterback that helps them end their 12-year playoff drought. He is walking into a great situation with head coach Bruce Arians and playmakers like Chris Godwin and Mike Evans at wide receiver, O.J. Howard at tight end and Ronald Jones II at running back. 

New Orleans has been the class of the NFC South for the past three seasons. Its 13 wins in 2019 were tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers for most in the NFC, but the team was upset by the Minnesota Vikings in the NFC Wild Card Game. 

Jordan will be one of the Saints' key defensive players tasked with slowing down Brady in their two games against the Bucs. It's a role the five-time Pro Bowler has excelled in throughout his career. He hasn't had fewer than 7.5 sacks in a season since his rookie year in 2011, including three consecutive years with at least 12 sacks and 21 quarterback hits. 

Nine Pro Bowl selections and an Offensive Player of the Year during the past 10 seasons was not enough to land New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees on the NFL's All-Decade Team for the 2010s, which didn't sit well with former teammate Reggie Bush.

The running back who played with Brees on the Saints from 2006 to 2010 couldn't believe the future Hall of Famer wasn't on the list:

No @drewbrees 🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/GMdEH2Qp8v

— Reggie Bush (@ReggieBush) April 6, 2020

Unfortunately for Bush and Saints fans, the fact that there were only two quarterback spots on the team didn't leave much room for even one of the best players of his generation. There was no way Tom Brady, arguably the best quarterback in league history, wasn't going to be on the list, which means Brees was fighting against Aaron Rodgers and others.

The NFL gave the nod to the Green Bay Packers signal-caller.

While both Brees and Rodgers have one Super Bowl title, the latter's came during the 2010 season right at the start of the decade. Brees' was in the 2009 campaign, although he had more Pro Bowl nods than Rogers' seven in the last 10 years.

It is hard to go wrong with either Brees or Rodgers, although Bush would suggest otherwise.

ESPN's isn't letting Drew Brees' return to New Orleans stop it from pursuing the quarterback for its Monday Night Football booth. 

Despite Saints coach Sean Payton saying Brees will take his career year-by-year at this point, the New York Post's Andrew Marchand reports ESPN is trying to lure the future Hall of Famer into broadcasting upon retirement. In the meantime, the network is considering moving Steve Levy, Louis Riddick or Dan Orlovsky to the MNF broadcast team as it looks to revamp the show. 

Brees signed a two-year, $50 million deal to return to the Saints in mid-March. 

After missing out on signing Tony Romo—and with Peyton Manning still unlikely to move into an announcing role—Marchand says ESPN is offering Brees an annual deal in the neighborhood of $6.5 million, on par with what Jon Gruden was earning before he returned to coaching with the Raiders. 

Both NBC and Fox also remain interested in adding Brees to their NFL coverage, yet they are behind ESPN in their quests to sign the 41-year-old, per Marchand. In any case, the money won't come close to the $14 million per season ESPN reportedly offered Romo. 

Romo decided to re-sign with CBS for a jaw-dropping $180 million, 10-year term after his initial $10 million, three-year deal expired this offseason. While there were no shortage of suitors who wanted Romo in their booth, CBS ultimately won out, sending ESPN back to the drawing board.

Despite last season of Monday Night Football bringing in the highest ratings since 2015, the broadcast team of Joe Tessitore and Booger McFarland endured a much-maligned year with viewers frustrated over the chemistry and commentary in the booth. 

There has been no official announcement from ESPN stating Tessitore and McFarland will not return to the broadcast in 2020. Even still, the company hasn't been quiet about the fact it's looking to upgrade its hosts. Brees may be the front-runner in ESPN's eyes, yet it'll have to wait at least another season before learning if their pursuit of the quarterback will lead to a deal. 

Former New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey, who once held the NFL's record for the longest made field goal, died Saturday of complications from COVID-19.

Per Ramon Antonio Vargas of NOLA.com, Dempsey's family released the news about the 73-year-old, who tested positive for the disease March 25.

Dempsey was living at the Lambeth House retirement community in New Orleans. Per Molly Hennessy-Fiske of the Los Angeles Times, 53 members at Lambeth had tested positive for COVID-19 as of Thursday, and 13 had died.

Dempsey, who was born without toes on his right foot and wore a flat-front shoe for kicking, is best known for his 63-yard field goal to give the Saints a 19-17 win over the Detroit Lions in November 1970. His boot beat the previous league high by six yards.

Dempsey's record was tied (but never broken) thrice before the Denver Broncos' Matt Prater nailed a 64-yarder in 2013.

He kicked in the NFL from 1969 from 1979 for the New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills.

After his career ended, Dempsey held a few different jobs, including working as a football coach for Archbishop Rummel High School in Metairie, Louisiana.

Dempsey announced in 2012 that he had been diagnosed with dementia. Per Vargas, the final years of his life were spent at Lambeth.

Dempsey is survived by his wife Carlene; his children Toby, Meghan and Ashley; his sister Janice Dempsey; and his grandchildren Dylan, Logan and Quinn.

New Orleans Saints safety Saquan Hampton donated 30 pizzas to New Jersey medical workers for lunch Thursday.

St. Francis Medical Center in Trenton posted Hampton's kind gesture:

Special thanks to you guys for your courageous and brave efforts in keeping us all safe! We all truly appreciate it🤞🏽🖤 https://t.co/6irbyFmXeL

— Saquan Hampton (@AllDaySay) April 2, 2020

Hampton is from Hamilton Township in New Jersey and played college football at Rutgers. New Jersey has more than 25,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, the second-highest total in the United States.

The overwhelming number of hospitalizations has led to workers spending countless hours on the job and putting their safety at risk for the well-being of those infected.