Andrus Whitewing

By Robert Collias - Staff Writer | Maui News

Mitchell Loewen has always been a devout man of conviction and he’s not about to stop now.

The 2011 Lahainaluna High School graduate was cut by the New Orleans Saints in May, but his NFL dream still burns brightly within him.

“My goal is to just keep pursuing it as far as the Lord will take me,” Loewen said via phone from his home in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday. “And he has got me this far and I’m super thankful for all the opportunities that I’ve had and got to play in and everyone I’ve got to meet, coaches I’ve got to play for. So, yeah, I’m still in it. I’m still training, I’m still hoping for another shot.”

Usually a defensive lineman as a pro, the 6-foot-5, 285-pounder has been catching passes from former Arkansas teammate Brandon Allen — the pair throw together about once a week. In three seasons playing for the Saints, he has played in four regular-season games for a total of 66 snaps on defense and special teams, recording two tackles. ...

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By BT Boylan - Sports Illustrated

The New Orleans Saints are 70 days away from their Week 1 clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Here is a look at the greatest player in Saints history to wear #70: OT Jammal Brown

Jammal Brown, 39, spent seven seasons in the NFL, five with the New Orleans Saints. After arriving at Oklahoma as an All-state awarded DT, Brown solidified himself as one of the best OL in the country, winning the Outland Award (best interior lineman) in 2004. A unanimous All-American in 2004, Brown entered the 2005 NFL Draft regarded as the best OT in his class.

The New Orleans Saints selected Brown 13th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft. Brown started 13 games as a rookie playing at RT and made the NFL’s All-Rookie Team. In 2006, under new HC Sean Payton, Brown moved from RT to LT. Tasked with protecting the Saints' new $60M man, QB Drew Brees, Brown produced his best NFL season. Brown anchored a strong OL that led the Saints to their first-ever NFC Championship appearance in 2006. Starting in 15 games, Brown earned his first trip to the Pro-Bowl following the Saints 10-6 season. ...

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AP Photo

By Zack Rosenblatt | NJ.com

The 2020 NFL season will be unlike any season ever before it for a lot of reasons. Let’s focus specifically on the quarterback position.

There’s a cliche that says the backup quarterback is the most popular player in town. In 2020, the backup quarterback position has arguably never been more important.

Think about it: What if Tom Brady or Daniel Jones test positive for the coronavirus in the middle of the season? That would mean that player would, theoretically, have to sit out for two weeks, and the Buccaneers or Giants, in this case, would have no choice but to temporarily hand the keys over to the backup.

Some teams understood that this offseason and invested in backup quarterbacks, including the Giants in signing Colt McCoy.

Others strangely stood pat, like the Rams and Titans. There is still plenty of time to add another quarterback before the season — Colin Kaepernick, anyone? — but for now, let’s take a look at each team’s quarterback situation. ...

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