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  • Cowboys bungled messaging on Mike McCarthy

    Cowboys bungled messaging on Mike McCarthy

    Maybe the Cowboys like the drama. Or maybe they just screwed this one up.

    Regardless, the end result for Dallas and coach Mike McCarthy is that he apparently was staying as head coach, no matter what happened against the Packers. Even if the home team was caught flat-footed and unprepared for the coming storm of cheese. Even if they were embarrassed in their own building, giving up 48 points to the No. 7 seed in the conference. Even if the game was never actually close.

    If that was the case, why didn’t owner Jerry Jones say so before the wild-card loss to Green Bay? Why didn’t he loudly shout down the impression he created when saying McCarthy would be assessed based on how the playoffs go? All Jerry had to do was to declare on 105.3 The Fan last week that McCarthy is the coach and will continue to be the coach, win or lose or blowout against the Packers.

    The mixed signals created the impression that McCarthy wouldn’t be back. By waiting three days to say otherwise, Jones has left plenty of Cowboys fans confused and upset that change isn’t happening.

    At times, I wonder whether Jones is truly tormented by the annual failures of his football team, or whether he just acts that way to keep the fans fully engaged and prepared to plunk down cash for tickets and overpriced food and beer and other stuff. Is it all just one big grift, aimed at making fans think he really wants to win another Super Bowl while he deposits many more millions in the bank, regardless of what the team accomplishes?

    If that’s the case, he still blew it. He allowed an assumption to take root that there would be a new coach. That McCarthy wouldn’t be back.

    Maybe Jones considered it. As mentioned during PFT Live, I’d love to know how the deliberations went. What factors were considered? Did Jerry explore other available candidates? Did he require McCarthy to make the case for his retention?

    Or does Jerry simply not want to pay McCarthy to not coach the team in 2024? Could it be that Jones still plans (if…

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  • South Alabama expected to promote offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to replace Kane Wommack

    South Alabama expected to promote offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to replace Kane Wommack

    USATSI

    South Alabama is expected to promote offensive coordinator Major Applewhite to fill its vacant coaching position, 247Sports reports. Applewhite served under former coach Kane Wommack for the past three seasons until Wommack left to become Alabama’s defensive coordinator.

    Applewhite, 45, helped assemble one of the top offenses in the Sun Belt this season. The Jaguars averaged over 33 points and 440 yards per game — both of which ranked near the top of the conference. South Alabama capped the 2023 season with a 59-10 win over Eastern Michigan in the 68 Ventures Bowl. 

    This would mark Applewhite’s second opportunity to lead a program. He compiled a 15-11 overall record at Houston from 2017-18. 

    Applewhite played at Texas from 1998-2001, setting several program records he still owns to this day. After a brief stint in the NFL with the New England Patriots, he returned to the Longhorns to serve as a graduate assistant. He was hired by Syracuse in 2005 as the team’s quarterback coach and was the offensive coordinator at Rice and Alabama before returning to his alma mater from 2008-13. He worked under Tom Herman offensive coordinator at Houston from 2015-17, then took over the Cougars program when Herman left for the Texas job. After Houston, he worked as an analyst on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff from 2019-20 before he was plucked by the Jaguars in 2021. 

    The massive ripple effect is centered around former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement. The Crimson Tide tabbed Washington coach Kalen DeBoer to succeed him. One of DeBoer’s first moves was to poach Wommack form South…

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  • NFL playoff injuries for divisional round: Ravens’ Mark Andrews eyes return; Bucs skill players banged-up

    NFL playoff injuries for divisional round: Ravens’ Mark Andrews eyes return; Bucs skill players banged-up

    Only eight teams are left in the 2024 NFL playoffs with just over three weeks remaining until Super Bowl LVIII. Like every week in the NFL, we’ve got a bevy of injury updates to address with conference championship appearances at stake. 

    While each remaining team is dealing with injuries, no one has been hit harder than the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Sean McDermott started the week by classifying nine of his players as day-to-day as Buffalo prepares to take on the Kansas City Chiefs. Buffalo managed to get past the Pittsburgh Steelers on Super Wild Card Weekend despite not having safety Taylor Rapp, wideout Gabe Davis, cornerback Rasul Douglas and linebacker Tyrel Dodson at their disposal. The Bills suffered more injuries during their 31-17 win over Pittsburgh. 

    We’ve also got an interesting update on Mark Andrews, the Baltimore Ravens’ talented tight end who is not ruling out playing in Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans. Andrews hasn’t played since he suffered an ankle injury against the Cincinnati Bengals back on Nov. 16. 

    Below is an update on the Bills as well as the NFL’s other seven teams who are still in contention.

    Odds courtesy of SportsLine consensus.

    No. 4 Houston Texans at No. 1 Baltimore Ravens (-9.5)

    Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC)

    As noted above, Andrews said Wednesday that he will play Saturday if he fees like he can help the Ravens’ offense. He won’t play, however, if he feels that he won’t be able to play at a level that will help Baltimore win its first playoff game since 2000. Andrews gave the Ravens more hope that he could play on Saturday after making a leaping grab during Tuesday’s practice, via ESPN. 

    Andrews said how his body feels Saturday will ultimately determine whether or not he will play. He referenced Terrell Owens, who famously played in Super Bowl XXXIX several weeks after suffering a serious ankle injury. 

    In other Ravens injury news,…

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  • Former Notre Dame Five-Star Target to Transfer from Alabama

    Former Notre Dame Five-Star Target to Transfer from Alabama

    A one-time major target of Notre Dame’s that ultimately enrolled at Alabama is on the move.  Safety Caleb Downs, who had a five-star ranking in the 2023 recruiting cycle, is entering the transfer portal.

    Downs is originally from Hoschton (Ga.) Mill Creek and chose the Crimson Tide over Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, and North Carolina.

    Downs made an official visit to Notre Dame in June of 2022 but the Irish ultimately came up short.  Will they go back to the portal and attempt a do-over with Downs?

    I would think Georgia is the favorite to land his talents considering where he’s from but whoever ends up with Downs will be getting a truly great defender.  As a true freshman this year for the Crimson Tide he recorded 70 tackles, a pair of interceptions, and forced a fumble.

    Downs will have three years of eligibility remaining.

    Further Reading:  Check out everyone who has come and gone from Notre Dame via the transfer portal this off-season

    Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire

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  • Falcons interview Jim Harbaugh

    Falcons interview Jim Harbaugh

    The Falcons are talking to some big-name coaching candidates.

    On Monday, it was former Patriots coach Bill Belichick. On Tuesday, it was Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

    The Falcons announced on Tuesday night that the interview with Harbaugh has been completed.

    Harbaugh interviewed with the Chargers on Monday. He’s also reportedly negotiating an extension with Michigan.

    Other teams could pursue Harbaugh. For now, there are two — the Chargers and the Falcons. There are five other vacancies, and there could be more.

    Harbaugh last coached in the NFL in 2014, after his fourth season with the 49ers. He has spent nine at Michigan.

    The Falcons have interviewed seven candidates in all to replace Arthur Smith, who was fired eight days ago after three straight 7-10 seasons.

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  • Ohio State hires Ross Bjork as AD: Ex-Texas A&M, Ole Miss administrator tapped to replace Gene Smith

    Ohio State hires Ross Bjork as AD: Ex-Texas A&M, Ole Miss administrator tapped to replace Gene Smith

    Ohio State has hired Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork to fill the same role for the Buckeyes, the school announced Tuesday. Bjork, who has experience across the SEC, replaces longtime Buckeyes administrator Gene Smith, who announced his retirement in August 2023 after serving in the position for 18 years. Bjork will begin his tenure at Ohio State on July 1. 

    “Few athletics directors have established such an impressive and strong record of success in athletics, in the classroom and throughout the community,” Ohio State president Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. said in a press release. “The bar is incredibly high at Ohio State, and we have found in Ross a highly intelligent and effective leader – not to mention a fierce competitor.”

    Bjork is viewed as one of the elite fundraisers in college athletics and has overseen success at every stop. He was named an assistant athletic director for development at just 29 years old at Missouri, and he became the youngest athletic director in the FBS when he was hired at Western Kentucky in 2010. 

    “I have been extraordinarily blessed to be a product of college athletics as a student athlete and fortunate to work with so many outstanding student-athletes, coaches, staff and university leaders throughout my career, and Ohio State represents the culmination of these efforts,” Bjork said in a press release. “To be a part of Buckeye Nation, along with its storied traditions and long history of achievement, is a tremendous honor and a welcome challenge for me and our family. I can’t wait to get started.”

    He helped Willie Taggart turn WKU into a consistent winner before landing at Ole Miss at the outset of the Hugh Freeze era. The Rebels emerged as a national contender with Ole Miss even pulling two upsets during the…

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  • 2024 NFL playoff bracket: Divisional round schedule, odds, TV, streaming as Bills and Chiefs renew rivalry

    2024 NFL playoff bracket: Divisional round schedule, odds, TV, streaming as Bills and Chiefs renew rivalry

    The NFL playoffs are in full swing. Super Wild Card Weekend just got into our rearview mirror and we’re now rocketing toward the divisional round that features some tremendous matchups. 

    Patrick Mahomes will go on the road for the first time in his playoff career as the Chiefs will travel to Buffalo to face the Bills. Meanwhile, the other matchup in the AFC has a stellar QB head-to-head with MVP favorite Lamar Jackson squaring off against Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite C.J. Stroud. In the NFC, the Niners emerge from the bye week and will host the Jordan Love-led Packers, who just upset the Cowboys in Dallas. Fresh off their first playoff victory since 1991, the Lions will host the Buccaneers, who upset the Eagles at home on Monday night. As I said, we have another awesome weekend of football on deck, and we’re here to give you a first peak into the action. 

    Here’s an early look at the divisional round and some storylines to keep an eye on.

    AFC divisional round lookahead

    Texans (4) at Baltimore Ravens (1)

    Saturday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m. ET (ESPN, ABC, fubo)
    Odds (via Caesars Sportsbook): Ravens -9.5, O/U 45.5

    This is a game that features two quarterbacks who will likely be bringing home some hardware at the NFL Honors. Lamar Jackson is the presumptive MVP after leading the Ravens to the No. 1 seed in the conference, while C.J. Stroud dazzled in his first year in the league and is the overwhelming favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. From a quarterback matchup standpoint, it’s a phenomenal head-to-head and one that we could see for years to come with Jackson being just 27 and Stroud a mere 22 years old. 

    As for their teams, the Ravens were dominant this season, particularly on defense. They were the second-best unit in the league in the red zone, allowing opponents to score on just 40.8% of their trips. They were also tied for a league-best 4.6 yards per play allowed and…

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  • Gage Goldberg, son of WWE legend, commits to Colorado

    Gage Goldberg, son of WWE legend, commits to Colorado

    If you’ve performed under the bright lights of WWE’s SummerSlam, jumping to college football should be a breeze, right? We’ll soon find out as Colorado received a Sunday commitment from Gage Goldberg, a class of 2024 linebacker and the son of WWE legend Bill Goldberg.

    Along with starring for both the WCW and the WWE, the elder Goldberg played college ball at Georgia and was later teammates with CU head coach Deion Sanders on the Atlanta Falcons.

    The younger Goldberg recently wrapped his senior season at Boerne Champion High School in Texas and is listed at 6-foot, 210 pounds. He also played baseball at Boerne Champion.

    With Florida Atlantic transfer Jaylen Wester also now coming to Boulder, Colorado has added some solid depth at linebacker. Goldberg, who’s reportedly walking on with the Buffs, will likely spend next season learning from Colorado’s veterans.

    Contact/Follow us @BuffaloesWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Colorado news, notes and opinions.

    Story originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire

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