ESPN was suddenly left with a vacancy when former Dallas Cowboy and Tennessee Volunteer Jason Witten, abruptly decided to leave the Monday Night Football booth and return to the playing field. According to a new report, ESPN is now attempting to replace Witten with another former Volunteer, Peyton Manning.According to the Hollywood Reporter: ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro and content chief Connor Schell made a trip to Denver on March 11 to meet with Manning, who has been mentioned before for a broadcast role. But it’s unclear whether Manning is interested in pursuing a career as an analyst at this time. He’s done some player breakdowns for the ESPN+ plus show Detail. He’s also a successful television pitchman, showing off some comedic chops in spots for Nationwide Insurance, Papa John’s and Mastercard. The network needs to replace Jason Witten, who in February announced that he would return to the Dallas Cowboys after one gaffe-heavy season alongside ESPN … [Read more...] about ESPN Offers Peyton Manning the ‘Monday Night Football’ Job
Espn arcade return man 2
Raiders re-sign return man Dwayne Harris
By Matt Schneidman | [email protected] | Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: March 18, 2019 at 11:56 am | UPDATED: March 18, 2019 at 11:56 am The Raiders have re-signed return man/wide receiver Dwayne Harris, the team announced Monday. Harris was an unrestricted free agent, and had arguably the best play of the Raiders’ season last year when he returned a Broncos punt 99 yards for a touchdown in what, at the time, most thought would be the last game in Oakland. Harris’ savvy move to pick up the ball on his own goal line after it had been touched by the Broncos, but not downed, was the Raiders’ first punt returned for a touchdown since 2008. Instincts, savviness and speed. Good to have Dwayne Harris back in the fold. #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/H9FpOSwkLi — Oakland Raiders (@Raiders) March 18, 2019 Harris tied for the league lead with 14.1 yards per punt return (20 returns for 281 yards), and finished the season as one of only seven players with … [Read more...] about Raiders re-sign return man Dwayne Harris
Report: Bills sign Pro Bowl return man Andre Roberts
The Buffalo Bills made a big move Wednesday night to give their special teams a boost. The team has signed wide receiver/kick returner Andre Roberts, according to a report from ESPN's Dianna Russini. Pro Bowl returner Andre Roberts is signing with the Buffalo Bills per sources. He was selected for both the All-Pro and Pro Bowl teams in recognition of his work as a kick returner last season with the Jets — Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) March 13, 2019 Roberts made the Pro Bowl and was a first-team All-Pro last season as a return man for the New York Jets, leading the NFL in kickoff return yardage. He had 40 returns for 1,174 yards (29.4 yards per return), including a 99-yard touchdown. Roberts doubles as an elite punt returner, as well, averaging 14.1 yards per return in 2018 to tie for the NFL lead. He also had a 78-yard punt return for a touchdown. During his career, Roberts has just three muffed punts on 196 return attempts. "I don't know too many returners in this league that … [Read more...] about Report: Bills sign Pro Bowl return man Andre Roberts
Jets reportedly want to re-sign All Pro return man Andre Roberts
After a few years of bouncing around the NFL, Andre Roberts made a big splash with the Jets last season, earning first team All-Pro honors for his excellent work as New York’s return specialist. And, as Rich Cimini of ESPN.com tweets, Gang Green wants Roberts to return in 2019. The Jets, armed with more than $100M in cap space, have already indicated they want to re-sign defensive lineman Henry Anderson, which Cimini reiterated, and the club re-upped offensive lineman Jonotthan Harrison yesterday. The Jets have a boatload of unrestricted free agents, but it appears Roberts is next on the priority list.Roberts, 31, started his career with the Cardinals and has also played for the Redskins, Lions and Falcons. His high-water mark as a receiver came in 2012, when he caught 64 passes (on 114 targets) for 759 yards and five scores. He has always been utilized as a return man, even when he was a more regular presence as a wideout. He was outstanding in the return game in 2018, … [Read more...] about Jets reportedly want to re-sign All Pro return man Andre Roberts
Rams cut return man Pharoh Cooper
Getty Images Last year, Pharoh Cooper was an All-Pro return man. This year, Cooper is out of work. The Rams announced today that they have cut Cooper, whose kickoff return and punt return averages have both declined this season as he’s missed most of the year with an ankle injury. When Cooper hasn’t been playing, the Rams have used JoJo Natson to return punts and Blake Countess to return kickoffs, and they will presumably continue in those rules. Cooper will now go on waivers, where it wouldn’t be surprising to see another team pick him up. The Rams haven’t announced a player they’ve acquired to replace Cooper. … [Read more...] about Rams cut return man Pharoh Cooper