Outside linebacker/defensive end Hau’oli Kikaha was a bright spot on a dismal New Orleans Saints defense last season. Unfortunately the Saints lost that bright spot to a torn ACL Thursday.
This is nothing new for Kikaha, who tore his ACL twice at the University of Washington. Last year for the Saints Kikaha started 11 games, played in 15 and had 31 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles and two passes defended. The ACL tear will likely cost him the entire 2016-17 season.
Rough news for the Saints: DE Hau'oli Kikaha tore his ACL, sources say. Last year's second-round pick likely done for the season.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) June 9, 2016
The Saints have focused on adding defense in the offseason and losing an up-and-coming outside pass rusher is a blow. Especially with Kikaha’s injury history. The Saints drafted him in the second round last season.
The Saints drafted two defensive tackles and a safety with three of their five draft picks in April, including first-rounder Sheldon Rankins out of Louisville. In free agency they added defensive tackle Nick Fairley and middle linebacker James Laurenaitis from the Los Angeles Rams and inside linebacker Craig Robertson from the Cleveland Browns.
Browns tight end cashes in insurance policy
You hear about college football players taking out insurance policies on their draft prospects all the time when they decide to stay in school. What you don’t hear about is a guy cashing one in. It took a year, but Cleveland Browns tight end E.J. Bibbs took out a loss-of-value insurance policy in 2014 after knee surgery. He was projected as a late-round pick, but went undrafted and the insurer, Total Planning Sports Services, had cut Bibbs a check for $550,000.
#Browns TE @EjbibbsGLA is terrified of roller coasters…
So @garybarnidge took him to @cedarpoint 😂😂https://t.co/v9TgNeAKkc
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 8, 2016
Bibbs seemed like a good risk. The surgery took place before his final season at Iowa State. He’s 6-foot-3, 264 pounds, was All Big-12, caught 45 passes for 382 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bibbs is actually the second Brown in a row to collect on such a policy from the same draft. Former Browns cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, out of Oregon, picked up $3 million on his policy after dropping out of the first round of the 2015 draft to the seventh round. Ekpre-Olomu tore his ACL before the team’s semifinal victory over Florida State. Ekpre-Olomu was cut by the Browns on April 2.
Ekpre-Olomu was claimed by the Miami Dolphins, so his NFL journey isn’t over yet. Bibbs played in seven games for the Browns last year and caught one pass for seven yards.
Former Falcons wideout Roddy White contemplates retirement
He’s one of the best free agent wide receivers still on the market, but if he can’t land with a contender, former Atlanta Falcons star Roddy White might just call it a career.
“I’m considering playing for a winner,” White told ESPN. “But if I’m not, I’m fine just where I’m at right now.”
Roddy White doesn't mention Bucs, but says he only wants to play for a contender, or retire. https://t.co/eFkZdV8fWn pic.twitter.com/2wiggTQ4lC
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) June 9, 2016
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, White has receive multiple offers but wants a chance to win a Super Bowl. White feels like there are probably six teams that have a shot and if one of them doesn’t call, he might just stay on the couch.
In the meantime he’s remained in football shape, doing his normal offseason routine in Arizona and Atlanta. The Arizona Cardinals would be a good fit for White and presumably would fit his criteria for signing. There was a report out that the Baltimore Ravens were interested in signing him, but nothing came of that. White’s made $65 million in his career and as long as he’s not been stupid, he’s smart to bide his time.
Shazier might be the fastest player on the Steelers
Antonio Brown is rightly thought of as one of the best wide receivers in football and no one thinks he’s slow. No one except maybe Pittsburgh Steelers inside linebacker Ryan Shazier.
Wednesday Shazier, Brown and wide receivers Markus Wheton and Martavis Bryant all had a footrace. A race that Shazier won and it wasn’t even close.
And in case there’s any doubt from that angle about who won, Steelers linebacker Vincenzo Williams posted the photo finish to his Twitter.
There it is #Linebackers pic.twitter.com/fqvH19YwUR
— Vince Williams (@VinnyVidiVici98) June 8, 2016
Shazier’s speed has never been in question, but it’s still funny to see him eat the Steelers wideouts alive. Shazier posted a 4.36 40-yard dash at his pro day at Ohio State. Brown’s 40-time was 4.47.
