METAIRIE, La. — Free agent Antonio Brown is getting a workout with the New Orleans Saints on Friday morning as the team does its due diligence on the embattled wide receiver, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Brown posted a picture of his workout waiver on social media Friday morning, but it has since been deleted.
Saints star receiver Michael Thomas has been limited in practice this week with a hand injury, but sources have suggested his ailment is not significant and that Brown’s visit is not related to Thomas’ status.
?In addition to Brown, the Saints are working out a group of receivers on Friday that also includes Maurice Harris, formerly of the Washington Redskins, a source told Schefter.
1 Related
Brown, 31, is being investigated by the NFL under its personal conduct policy after a lawsuit filed by his former trainer, Britney Taylor, that alleges she was sexually assaulted by Brown on multiple occasions. Brown also was accused of sexual misconduct at his home by an artist who was working there in 2017.
Brown met with the NFL for eight hours last month in Florida as part of the investigation, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson. Brown has denied the allegations.
Even if the NFL’s investigation were to wrap up before the regular season ended, Brown could wind up on the commissioner’s exempt list and face additional league-imposed discipline.
On Sept. 20, the NFL released a statement that said Brown would not be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list while he is a free agent, but it warned, “If he is signed by a club, such placement may become appropriate at any time depending on the status of the investigation. … Upon the conclusion of the investigation, he may also be subject to discipline if the investigation finds that he has violated the law or league policies.”
Earlier this season, Payton said the Saints weren’t interested in Brown.
Payton, who said he wouldn’t consider resting his starters heading into Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Carolina Panthers, wanted an updated receiver list for the playoffs in case any of the team’s players went down.
The Saints (12-3) are projected to be the No. 3 seed in the NFC. But they can become the No. 1 seed if they win, the Green Bay Packers (12-3) lose at Detroit, and the San Francisco 49ers (12-3) lose at Seattle.
The Saints have been thin on proven wide receiver depth for the past two years. Thomas just set the NFL record for catches in a season with 145, but no other receiver on the team has more than 29 receptions. And the Saints just placed No. 4 receiver Krishawn Hogan on injured reserve this week.
Last year they signed both Dez Bryant and Brandon Marshall late in the season, though Bryant got injured and Marshall was released soon after.
The New England Patriots released Brown on Sept. 20, just 11 days after signing him. Two days later, Brown called out Patriots owner Robert Kraft and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, comparing their legal issues to his own.
Brown has played in only one game this season — Week 2 against the Miami Dolphins. He was released by the Oakland Raiders before the season and by the Patriots before Week 3, after it was made known that he sent text messages to the artist who had accused him of misconduct.
He has filed eight grievances against the Raiders and Patriots, a source told ESPN’s Dan Graziano. Brown is seeking $39.775 million in lost salary, bonuses and guaranteed money.
Liverpool are returning home from Qatar with a trophy in tow.
The Reds needed extra time to topple Brazilian side Flamengo in Saturday’s Club World Cup final, with a 99th-minute goal from Roberto Firmino holding up as the lone tally at the Khalifa International Stadium.
The 28-year-old was the hero for the second time this week, as his late strike was also the difference in the team’s semifinal win over Monterrey.
Liverpool, who lost in the 2005 Club World Cup final, are now just the second Premier League side to capture the title after Manchester United accomplished the feat in 2008.
Jurgen Klopp’s team, comfortably the more threatening side over the 120 minutes on Saturday, looked primed to win the match in normal time after being awarded a penalty in the 91st minute for a foul on Sadio Mane.
However, upon review, VAR overturned the call. The referee decided the incident didn’t take place inside the area, and that veteran defender Rafinha didn’t commit a foul regardless.
That didn’t matter, though, as in extra time Liverpool continued to look more likely to break the deadlock.
That’s exactly what happened when a lovely ball from Jordan Henderson found Mane in space, who quickly spun and played Firmino in on goal. The Brazilian calmly cut back, leaving both a defender and the goalkeeper in his wake before slamming the ball into the net.
B?BBY FIRMINO! #ClubWC pic.twitter.com/JMkmSIibS6
— ????s?u (@sportsfan_pl) December 21, 2019
Liverpool’s triumph means the European champions have now won the last seven editions of the Club World Cup. A non-European side hasn’t hoisted the trophy since 2012, when Brazilian outfit Corinthians beat Chelsea.
Every week, I write this column over the course of Tuesday and Wednesday. Except this week, when instead of spending all day Wednesday in front of a computer, I spent it with my wife, kids and 23 other members of my extended family celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah.
All of which is a long way of saying there’s no opening story this week. Hey, it’s Week 17.
Since it is the end of the year, I will wrap up a few things. The final “Fantasy Football Now” of the season airs Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2 and goes all the way up to kickoff. It’s also my birthday, so you can literally watch me get even older in front of your eyes. We will do a final 06010 podcast on Monday night. Please check out @fantasyfocus on Twitter for details there.
As for myself, because people seem to care, I will tell you that I played in 14 leagues this year, made the playoffs in 10, the finals in six, and won the title in two, with two finals still to be played this week. By the way, my two finals losses were among the most painful I’ve ever had.
I found 14 leagues way too much to handle this year and definitely need to cut down next year. Just not enough time to do waiver claims each week for so many leagues, to respond to trade offers, look for trades, etc. It definitely affected my performance in some of them.
Most importantly, however, I was able to raise $8,000 for The Jimmy V foundation as part of playing in the Agbo Superhero League. You can view the league by clicking here. I finished fourth, as Dalvin Cook’s injury in the semis crushed me and Jameis Winston’s egg in the finals did me in. Live by the Jameis, die by the Jameis.
Also, as he does every year, my friend Michael Gehlken has posted his list of charities supported by NFL players. If a player has helped you win a title, Michael suggests donating a portion of your winnings to a charity that player supports. You can see the list as my pinned tweet on my Twitter or on Michael’s twitter, @GehlkenNFL.
Below is my Love/Hate for the week, where the “hates” are pretty thin. It’s the result of some teams not playing their best players. Do you really need me to tell you to bench Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen? I didn’t want to force names in here during such a critical week.
This is my last column for a long, long time, so I’d like to take a moment to thank “Thirsty” Kyle Soppe and “The Stat-a-Pillar,” Damian Dabrowski, for their help with this each week, as well as “Not Cool” Keith Lipscomb for his editing prowess. And thank you all so much for continuing to read, react and engage. It’s truly a privilege and one I don’t take lightly.
So, for one last time in 2019 … let’s get to it.
Quarterbacks I love in Week 17
Despite injuries to some of the Eagles’ top skill players, Carson Wentz has been able to finish the season strong and help fantasy managers in the process. Will Newton/Getty Images
Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at Rams): As of this writing, the expectation is Murray should play. But even if he plays, will he run as much coming off a hamstring scare? One thing the Rams do well is create pressure; they do so at the third-highest rate in the NFL. When Murray has been pressured this season, he has just a 38.5% completion rate and just one TD along with five interceptions. Murray went 19-for-34 for 163 yards and no TDs (one INT) in Week 13 vs. the Rams (he did run for a score in that one), finishing with just over 13 points for a QB20 finish. All that plus the health concerns and he’s a pass for me, even in deeper leagues.
Running backs I love in Week 17
Joe Mixon, Bengals (vs. Browns): Despite late reports of a stomach bug, Mixon got plenty of work last weekend and now has at least 23 touches in all four of his games this month. That volume should come in handy against a Browns squad that has the NFL’s second-worst run defense the past four weeks and gives up a whopping 3.5 yards per carry before first contact, most in the NFL. It’s no surprise 39.4% of yards vs. Cleveland have been gained via the rush (second most). Mixon has been used more in the passing game — he has at least 20 receiving yards in four consecutive games, the longest streak of his career — making him an easy top-12 play in Week 17.
Marlon Mack faces a forgiving Jaguars run defense on Sunday. AJ Mast/AP Photo
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Devonta Freeman, Falcons (at Buccaneers): I can’t imagine benching him after last weekend, but he will be hard pressed to repeat that terrific performance. The Bucs are allowing a league-low 3.3 yards per carry this season and a league-low 4.3 yards per pass attempt to RBs this season. Freeman has fewer than 55 rushing yards in six of his past seven games, so he’s going to need passing-game usage and a touchdown. He certainly has been used in the passing game, as four of Freeman’s six touchdowns this season have come on catches. The issue is Tampa Bay’s No. 1 run defense has allowed just one receiving touchdown to a running back all season. I have Freeman just outside my top 20 for the week.
Ronald Jones II, Buccaneers (vs. Falcons): I hear you. He was great last weekend, ultimately finishing as RB9. But look closer. He had 14 carries for 77 yards and a score vs. Houston, but 49 of those yards came on a single carry. His other 13 carries on Saturday netted 28 yards, with exactly zero yards after first contact. Only twice this season has Jones scored double-digit points in consecutive games. To wit (something I’ve always wanted to write), in the three games prior to Week 16 he had just 28 carries for 67 yards (2.4 yards per carry). The Bucs ran as much as they did last weekend because Jameis Winston was bad, even for Jameis. But I expect smoother sailing for Winston this weekend against Atlanta, meaning less running will be required. Also, knowing the Bucs, it’s just as likely it’ll be Peyton Barber getting the carries. Jones is merely a cross-your-fingers-and-hope flex for me this weekend.
Pass-catchers I love in Week 17
Tyler Higbee, Rams (vs. Cardinals): Yeah, yeah, start your tight ends against the Cardinals. But can we take a minute to appreciate how great Higbee has been? Since Week 13, Higbee ranks top three among all players — not tight ends, all players — in receptions, yards, targets and red zone targets. Not Tony Gonzalez, not Antonio Gates, not Gronk, but Tyler Higbee is the first tight end in NFL history to have four straight seven-catch, 100-yard games. Yes, Gerald Everett is back. He played four snaps last weekend. Higbee signed a four-year, $31 million contract extension in September. The only non-QB with at least 18.5 fantasy points in each of the past four weeks, Higbee has seen a spike in slot usage since Week 10. Opponents are averaging 9.6 yards per slot attempt vs. Arizona this season (second most). Oh, and you know, tight ends against Arizona.
Allen Robinson II, Bears (at Vikings): After the Vikings couldn’t hold Davante Adams to just 12 receptions or Aaron Jones to just 140 rushing yards on Monday night to cost me a championship by one point, you might think I am using my column in a petty manner to point out how awful Mike Zimmer’s Vikings defense is. You would be right. How the heck do you not show up to play in a prime-time game, at home, with the division on the line, in Week 16? Horrific. Embarrassing. Brutal. And this is coming from a Redskins fan. I know pathetic excuses for play when I see them. I have a lot of practice. Anyway, Robinson is a great start this weekend against a Vikings team that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to WRs, has allowed opponents to catch targets at the fourth-highest rate and has coughed up 18 touchdowns to WRs this season (tied for the sixth most). The Vikings are bad and they move to the top of my naughty list for 2019, just ahead of LeSean McCoy. So yeah, A-Rob is a top-10 play this weekend.
Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. Raiders): With 10-plus targets in consecutive games and at least seven targets in 13 of 15 games this season, it doesn’t matter who is under center for the Broncos. Whoever it is, he is throwing to Sutton. And this weekend, those throws will be successful. Oakland is bottom five in deep receptions allowed, deep TDs allowed and completion percentage on deep passes. In fact, 23.9% of all pass attempts against the Raiders travel at least 15 yards in the air, the fourth-highest rate in the NFL. And in all of Drew Lock’s starts that were NOT at Arrowhead, he has a 73.9% completion rate, six touchdowns and two interceptions on 88 attempts in three games. I have Sutton as a top-10 play this weekend.
Breshad Perriman handled his business at the Bucs’ No. 1 wide receiver last week and gets the Falcons this week. Silas Walker/Getty Images
The decade is over. Here, theScore runs through the best XI of the 2010s and even provides a second lineup to cover those inconvenient Europa League dates.
The lineup
Numerous formations were en vogue over the course of the decade. Many managers were fond of the 4-2-3-1 and Antonio Conte enjoyed great success on a back-three foundation. But the 4-3-3, largely popularized by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, remains a go-to setup for many trophy-hoarding bosses.
GK- Manuel Neuer
Schalke, Bayern Munich
Neuer was a seminal figure in football’s reinvention of the goalkeeper. He’s been surpassed by ball-playing shot-stoppers such as Alisson and Ederson over the past couple of years, but he was undoubtedly the most complete netminder between 2010 and 2019. His anticipation was neatly complemented by the ball control he polished under Guardiola at Bayern Munich.
RB – Dani Alves
Paul Gilham / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Barcelona, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Sao Paulo
A couple of months after his 36th birthday, Alves didn’t have a club. The end of his career seemed close following his release from Paris Saint-Germain. But the veteran was phenomenal as Brazil captured the 2019 Copa America crown, winning the tournament’s best player award in the process. One of the finest right-backs in the sport’s history has still got it.
CB – Gerard Pique
Barcelona
Pique’s awareness, strength and ease in possession set him apart from his peers. Over the decade, the proud Catalonian corralled seven of his eight La Liga titles and two of his three Champions League crowns, despite rarely having a settled or natural central defensive partner at Barcelona. For Spain, he collected a winners medal at both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
CB – Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid
The most carded player in La Liga history also happens to be one of Europe’s most crucial footballers, scoring for Real Madrid in six finals across his career and notching 43 goals in Spain’s top flight since the start of the decade. Oh, and we should probably mention Ramos is an imperious and influential presence in the backline, and his country’s captain.
LB – Marcelo
Helios de la Rubia / Real Madrid / Getty
Real Madrid
There was a reluctance to field Marcelo. Bosses like Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho would leave him out of matches, not trusting the Brazilian’s anarchic streak. But eventually, his work down the flank as both an attacker – his runs and technique are phenomenal – and defender – he routinely saves Real Madrid with last-ditch tackles – made him irreplaceable.
DM – Sergio Busquets
Barcelona
Anchoring the midfield is Busquets, a player who’s lost a few steps in recent years but is still leaned on to be the nucleus of Barcelona. He’s different from the elite defensive midfielders that came before him due to his tendency to take risks and instigate attacks by swiftly lifting the tempo. His composed yet gallant work often relieves pressure for his teammates.
CM – Andres Iniesta
Barcelona, Vissel Kobe
Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018 to play in Japan, but he did enough in the preceding years to affirm his status as the decade’s greatest midfielder, and perhaps the greatest ever. His understanding of time is impeccable – he’s a master of la pausa, when a player pauses in possession to briefly assess his options – and he’s blessed with unfathomable intelligence.
CM – David Silva
Shaun Botterill / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Valencia, Manchester City
Other Premier League stars have shone brighter than Silva here and there, but the Manchester City midfielder was English football’s most consistent player in the 2010s. He’s widely regarded as the best player in his club’s history, as his bewitching use of the ball and underrated industriousness have been central to City’s rich domestic success over the past 10 years.
FW – Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Does this need any justification? He’s the most natural footballer we’ve ever seen, has sparkled in various attacking roles, and seems to break records with each passing week. Barcelona seemed to be in disarray for large chunks of last term, but Messi almost single-handedly won another La Liga title for the club. He won his sixth Ballon d’Or award (a record, of course) in December.
FW – Robert Lewandowski
Lech Poznan, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich
He’s got good feet for a big lad. In an era when gangly frontmen were largely sacrificed as teams opted for lone strikers or three-pronged attacks, Lewandowski stood above everybody else. The Pole has taken just nine-and-a-half seasons to move into third in the Bundesliga’s all-time goals list and isn’t slowing down. This term, he’s netted 19 times in 17 league outings.
FW – Cristiano Ronaldo
Power Sport Images / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Real Madrid, Juventus
Like with Messi’s inclusion, this requires very little explanation. The best can reinvent themselves to add longevity to their careers or adapt to tactical shifts in the game, and Ronaldo, in his transition from explosive winger to irrepressible frontman, did it better than anybody else. He won four Champions Leagues, three league titles and, of course, Euro 2016 in the 2010s.
The reserves
Three No. 10s that aren’t No. 10s plugged into a 4-4-2.
The assembly of this throwback shape was relatively straight-forward. Jan Oblak and David De Gea were the strongest candidates to usurp Gianluigi Buffon, while Toni Kroos’ endurance was enough to pip the half-decade dominance of fellow midfielders Yaya Toure, Xavi, and N’Golo Kante. Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez easily kept Neymar at bay.
