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The Tigers will be dealing with a few opt-outs of their own for the Jan. 2 Citrus Bowl contest against Purdue at Camping World Stadium in Orlando — namely edge rusher BJ Ojulari — but it pales in comparison to what the Boilermakers will be dealing with.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Purdue starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell will opt out of this game in preparation for the 2023 NFL draft. O’Connell threw for 3,490 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season while guiding his team to a Big Ten West title.
He’s not the only one, either. Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the Boilermakers will be without an additional trio of starters in receiver Charlie Jones, tight end Payne Durham and cornerback Cory Trice.
The following #Purdue players are opting out of the Citrus Bowl against #LSU: QB Aidan O’Connell (as @PeteThamel reported earlier), TE Payne Durham, WR Charlie Jones and CB Cory Trice.
Given the fact that Purdue will also be led by an interim coach in Brian Brohm, who is replacing his brother Jeff after the latter took the job at his alma mater Louisville, this will certainly be a shorthanded team facing an LSU squad looking to reverse a two-game losing streak to end the season. | 2022-12-15T18:52:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Purdue to be without quarterback Aidan O’Connell, other key players for Citrus Bowl duel vs. LSU | https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-without-quarterback-aidan-o-171625209.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/purdue-without-quarterback-aidan-o-171625209.html?src=rss |
The Vols have offered 2024 running back prospect Shamar McIntosh.
“Blessed to receive an offer from the University of Tennessee,” McIntosh announced.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound McIntosh is from St. John’s College High School in Washington D.C.
He has scholarship offers from the Vols, Boston College, Liberty, Marshall, Maryland, Toledo and West Virginia. | 2022-12-15T18:52:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tennessee offers 2024 running back Shamar McIntosh | https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-offers-2024-running-back-173126590.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tennessee-offers-2024-running-back-173126590.html?src=rss |
Fast forward to now, and those discussions and questions seem ridiculous in hindsight. He signed an extension, slimmed down and entered the season with something to prove. Williamson is the leading scorer for a Pelicans team that currently has the best record in the NBA's Western Conference. As a result, Zion's MVP odds are surging and that has put a scare into sportsbooks.
Zion's MVP odds are on the move
Still, Williamson opened as a 66-to-1 long shot to win NBA MVP. As recently as two weeks ago, Zion was 125-to-1 to win the award. He wasn't on the radar. However, as the season progresses, that has changed.
Williamson is coming off a week where he won Western Conference Player of the Week. He's had seven straight games with at least 25 points, including four 30+ point games over that stretch. He's had three double-doubles since November 30th. On the season, he's averaging 25 points, over 7 rebounds and over 4 assists per game.
Most importantly, Williamson is the leading scorer on one of the best teams in the league. Brandon Ingram hasn't played in three weeks for the Pelicans, but that hasn't been an issue. New Orleans just had a seven game winning streak that was fueled by Zion dominating games. New Orleans is 18-9 on the season. That's tied with Memphis for the best record in the West and the third best record in the NBA behind only Boston and Milwaukee.
When you combine the team's success with Zion's recent performance, it's no surprise that Williamson's odds to win NBA MVP are surging. Currently, Zion is down to 20-to-1 to win MVP. Only five players have better odds: Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid and Steph Curry. Not bad company to keep.
Williamson is the biggest liability in the NBA MVP market for BetMGM. That means of any player in the league to win the award, Zion would cost them the most money. Zion's recent performance has probably caused some nervousness in those circles.
With about a third of the season in the books, it's a good time to take a look at the current betting odds for NBA MVP at BetMGM:
U.S. hospitals report rises in severe strep A infections among kids after 15 deaths in UK
At least four children's hospitals are seeing more cases of invasive group A strep than usual. The CDC said it is hearing anecdotes of a possible rise in infections.
Digital asset prices have been edging higher this week despite turmoil across the crypto landscape. Bad news on interest rates from the Fed hasn't changed much.
Reggie Jackson with an and one vs the Minnesota Timberwolves
Reggie Jackson (LA Clippers) with an and one vs the Minnesota Timberwolves, 12/14/2022 | 2022-12-15T19:00:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | NBA betting, odds: Zion Williamson's MVP odds are surging | https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-betting-odds-zion-williamsons-mvp-odds-are-surging-174733117.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-betting-odds-zion-williamsons-mvp-odds-are-surging-174733117.html?src=rss |
Brock Purdy is the third quarterback to start a game for the 49ers this season, but thankfully, they won’t have to make it four on Thursday night. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Purdy is expected to start against the Seahawks on Thursday despite being listed as questionable with oblique and rib injuries.
This will be Purdy’s second start of the season and third appearance overall, seeking to lead the 49ers to another win and a three-game lead in the NFC West. In his last two games, Purdy has thrown four touchdown passes and one interception, totaling 395 yards through the air with another touchdown on the ground.
Purdy helped the 49ers beat the Dolphins and Buccaneers in the last two weeks to improve their record to 9-4, taking the place of Jimmy Garoppolo, who’s out indefinitely due to a foot injury.
Grizzlies vs Bucks Betting Forecast
Yahoo Sports looks at the latest betting information as the Memphis Grizzlies host the Milwaukee Bucks | 2022-12-15T19:26:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | 49ers QB Brock Purdy (rib, oblique) expected to start vs. Seahawks | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-qb-brock-purdy-rib-174606692.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/49ers-qb-brock-purdy-rib-174606692.html?src=rss |
It might not be pretty on the scoreboard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but at least they’ll look cool?
The Bucs are breaking out their all-pewter alternate uniforms for Sunday’s game against the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals.
It’s the first time this season the Bucs will be donning the pewter pants and jersey to match their usual helmet, as they look to bounce back from last week’s blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and remain in first place in the NFC South.
Bucs injury report: Key players miss practice Wednesday | 2022-12-15T19:27:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bucs breaking out pewter alternate uniforms for Sunday’s game vs. Bengals | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-breaking-pewter-alternate-uniforms-175034467.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bucs-breaking-pewter-alternate-uniforms-175034467.html?src=rss |
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) There's a connectivity and resiliency these Minnesota Vikings have crafted and harvested, helping put them on the brink of a division title despite being cumulatively outscored by their opponents.
''Everybody's kind of on them at this moment, so I feel like they've got a lot to prove,'' wide receiver Justin Jefferson said.
''It's hard to say, `Oh, we've done that before, so we have a reputation for doing that, so we'll lean on that.' I don't believe in that. I think you've got to strap it up every week,'' quarterback Kirk Cousins said. ''I don't think the Colts really care what happened last week or what's happening next week.''
''It's about the process with which we go about the week, never being in denial of reality,'' O'Connell said. ''The important thing is continuing to attack each week with the emphasis on what it's going to take to win this week, and that may involve a lot of corrections and things from previous weeks or the previous game. But ultimately that's what we try to do, just be consistent in that and make sure we're very much accountable for what we do.''
''There's part of his game that has to improve, and we talked about that with a number of different guys,'' Saturday said. ''If we're going to win, we need Matt playing his `A' game. That's my expectation for him. He's mentally tough.''
''He's as good as he wants to be,'' running back Dalvin Cook said. ''The upside and the potential of him being an All-Pro and a superstar tackle in this league is right there for him. Just keep putting in that work and just keep being him.''
''That's unbelievable to say, ain't it? But I feel like there's always a `better' that I can be,'' Jefferson said. ''I feel like I can catch the ball better. I feel like I can have route running better. There's always room for improvement in my game.''
''He's fast, he's shifty, he's great at the catch point,'' Gilmore said. ''He's a great receiver. Kirk Cousins is playing good ball, too, so they've got a great offense. It'll be a big matchup for us.'' | 2022-12-15T19:27:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Clinch-chasing Vikings put rebound ability to test vs. Colts | https://sports.yahoo.com/clinch-chasing-vikings-put-rebound-183848735.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/clinch-chasing-vikings-put-rebound-183848735.html?src=rss |
It’s not often in the NFL that two teams face each other in a span of three weeks, and back-to-back for one of the two, but that’s exactly what’s happening with the New York Giants and Washington Commanders.
The two teams faced off three weeks ago and will face each other again this Sunday at FedEx Field in Maryland.
There are advantages and disadvantages to playing the same team so close together, but Giants head coach Brian Daboll remains focused on urgency and execution.
“I think every game you have to be urgent. You have to be urgent in Week 1 against Tennessee just like you have to be urgent here. It’s a division game, so that’s always important,” Daboll told reporters.
Considering these two teams tied each other three weeks ago, this game is incredibly important. It will determine who wins the head-to-head tiebreaker on the season, which could bolster or crush either team’s playoff aspirations.
Daboll isn’t naive, either. He knows that the Commanders have the same advantages as the Giants by playing each other twice in three weeks.
“It helps everybody. But really, the biggest thing is going to be able to execute and play well against them this week,” he said.
Urgency and execution are incredibly important to the Giants’ ability to win on Sunday, and every game in the NFL is a ‘must-win,’ according to Daboll.
“I view every game as a ‘must win’ game. That’s why you go play them. It’s the next game, it’s important, it’s against a division team. We got to go out there and play well,” he added.
The Giants have a tall task ahead if they want to make the playoffs this season, but if they play with urgency and execute plays as they are practiced, they are more likely to earn a playoff berth.
Even a wildcard spot is a massive improvement over what the Giants have produced over the last several years, but they have to win this game before that’s a consideration. Urgency and execution will go a long way toward that goal.
Giants Injury Tracker: Daniel Bellinger, Leonard Williams making progress | 2022-12-15T19:28:02Z | sports.yahoo.com | Giants’ Brian Daboll focused on urgency, execution against Commanders | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-brian-daboll-focused-urgency-175535647.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-brian-daboll-focused-urgency-175535647.html?src=rss |
CHICAGO (AP) Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles are rolling along with a playoff spot secured and their sights set on the No. 1 seed.
''It's important for us to just continue to grow in our details and master our details,'' said Hurts, the NFL's top-rated passer.
''You can kind of flip it around pretty quickly in this league, I think, depending on what pieces you add and how guys grow in the system and all of that stuff,'' Bears tight end Cole Kmet said. ''You definitely see that. It's encouraging.''
Fields returned to his show-stopping ways two weeks ago in a loss to Green Bay after missing a game because of an injury to his nonthrowing shoulder. Besides a 55-yard touchdown run, he also had arguably his best game as a passer, going 20 of 25 for a season-high 254 yards. He was not sacked for the first time this season, though he was intercepted on Chicago's final two possessions.
''He's always been a player that I've had a lot of respect for,'' Hurts said.
''It's a lot of production by a lot of different guys,'' coach Nick Sirianni said. ''It's what's pretty impressive about it.''
''It's obviously different because BoJack was a leader and people like that are sitting out, so that's tough,'' said Brisker, who leads the Bears with three sacks.
The Giants were the best surprise in the NFL to start this season, going 6-1 despite entering 2022 with very low expectations. But now that they’re 7-5-1 and coming off a blowout loss to the Eagles, is the season looking like a disappointment? Not according to Giants co-owner John Mara, who says things are as [more] | 2022-12-15T19:28:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Hurts, Eagles try to stay on roll against struggling Bears | https://sports.yahoo.com/hurts-eagles-try-stay-roll-183330704.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/hurts-eagles-try-stay-roll-183330704.html?src=rss |
How McDaniels outsmarted Belichick in 2009 Patriots-Broncos game originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Things haven’t gone according to plan in Josh McDaniels’ head coaching career, but one area he has excelled in is beating his former boss.
McDaniels will get another opportunity to face Bill Belichick when the Las Vegas Raiders host the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Raiders head coach spent a total of 18 seasons on Belichick’s staff and has used that experience to his advantage in the past.
Back in 2009, McDaniels got his first crack at Belichick in his fifth ever game as an NFL head coach. McDaniels’ Denver Broncos, who were 4-0 at the time, hosted the Patriots and wound up winning 20-17 on an overtime field goal.
How Belichick has fared against former Patriots coaches, players
According to one person on that Broncos team, McDaniels’ method for exploiting Belichick’s strategy was a major key to the victory.
“All of a sudden, Thursday, [McDaniels] comes in and says ‘I think we’ve got something here,’” Chris Simms, the Broncos’ backup quarterback in 2009, said on Thursday’s “PFT Live.” “If you remember the game, we lined up in Wildcat probably 30 times during the football game because he knew they would automatically check to another defense. Then Kyle Orton would come back and be the quarterback, move the Wildcat, Knowshon Moreno, back over to running back and now we knew what coverage they were in because they had this automatic check they got to.
The Miami Dolphins had famously flummoxed the Patriots using the Wildcat in a 2008 beatdown at Gillette Stadium. McDaniels was on New England’s sideline that day and knew how Belichick planned to adapt to the formation moving forward.
“He was there and then the next year he went to Denver, so it was very fresh as far as a conversation and knowing what they would do the next time they saw Wildcat,” Simms said.
The overtime victory over the Patriots was a high point in McDaniels’ first head coaching stint. The Broncos finished 2009 with an 8-8 record and fired McDaniels after Week 13 the following season. McDaniels returned to New England in 2012 and worked under Belichick’s tutelage for 10 more years before accepting the Raiders’ head coaching position in January.
After making the playoffs with interim head coach Rich Bisaccia in 2021, the 5-8 Raiders have taken a step backwards this season. They have blown double-digit leads in four of their defeats while also losing to the Indianapolis Colts in Jeff Saturday’s head coaching debut and collapsing to the Los Angeles Rams last week just days after they acquired Baker Mayfield.
“I don’t understand the Raiders and I’m not even going to try and understand the Raiders,” Mike Florio said on “PFT Live.” “They win three in a row, and before that they lose to a coach who just showed up five days earlier, and after that they lose to a quarterback who showed up two days earlier. There’s just these momentary lapses that take down the whole operation.”
Before the disappointing regular season, McDaniels already got the better of Belichick once this year. Their teams held joint practices together ahead of their preseason finale, which the Raiders won 23-6.
The Patriots’ offensive issues from the preseason continue to linger well into December. The current coaches have had a tough time getting the offense going all season, and a former coach could make things even harder for Mac Jones and Co. in Sin City on Sunday.
“The thing I would probably look at is if the Raiders can just stop the Patriots’ run game, I think they’ll have a good chance to make things very interesting,” Simms said. “We know the Patriots’ pass game is not ultra-explosive, they’re not an amazing pass-protecting team and they’ve got some pass-rushers over there for the Raiders that are pretty damn good here.”
On Sept. 17, 2021, James Westcott was shot and killed in the Route 69 home in Annsville where he lived with his parents and two brothers.
A 19-year-old woman was taken into custody after a stabbing left a man critically wounded. | 2022-12-15T19:28:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Josh McDaniels outsmarted Bill Belichick in 2009 Patriots-Broncos game | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-mcdaniels-outsmarted-bill-belichick-181800177.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-mcdaniels-outsmarted-bill-belichick-181800177.html?src=rss |
Second-year starting quarterback Justin Fields is set to play the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday, and hopes are high that he will be able to help the Chicago Bears secure their fourth victory of the season in the matchup. Fields has had a remarkable season despite his team’s struggle to get into the win column, and Chicago’s chances of finding success against the 12-1 Eagles will hinge on his performance.
The Bears have faced their share of adversity in 2022, but Fields has been a rock amid all of the moving pieces that have caused them to slide to their current record. To be sure, there remains room for improvement in his game, but his natural talent has started to push his play into more productive territory than it was last season.
If he is able to put up big numbers on the ground against Philadelphia, Chicago should stand a legitimate chance of knocking off the NFC’s top team in this Week 15 tilt. It will take a solid effort from the Bears’ defense to keep quarterback Jalen Hurts from blowing the game wide open with his exceptional cast of capable receivers in the passing game, but if they can hold up their end of the bargain, Fields should be able to help Chicago keep the score close.
This Bears team has already played every other team in the NFC East this season and is winless against the division to this point. Fields will look to reverse that trend on Sunday and seek to gash the Eagles’ defense at every opportunity he gets.
In previous matchups against NFC East opponents this year, Fields combined for 515 passing yards and three touchdowns while also managing to add 200 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Look for these numbers to improve in a game where Chicago has nothing to lose against this playoff-bound Philadelphia squad. | 2022-12-15T19:28:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Justin Fields seeks to secure first career win vs. Eagles on Sunday | https://sports.yahoo.com/justin-fields-seeks-secure-first-180350386.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/justin-fields-seeks-secure-first-180350386.html?src=rss |
Eberflus has a 7-8 record against the Eagles over the course of his career and will look to get that mark back to .500 in Sunday’s matchup. The Week 15 tilt will be the first time he has faced Philadelphia as a head coach, and given the Willis Tower-sized chip on his team’s shoulder, they will certainly be looking to help him in that effort as they seek to secure a signature win against a remarkably capable opponent.
The Eagles have been among the NFL’s best teams all season, and if the Bears can beat them while the playoff race is still in full swing, it would go a long way toward legitimizing Eberflus’ efforts as the team’s head coach. Their three victories this year came against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, the Houston Texans in Week 3, and the New England Patriots in Week 7.
Both the 49ers and Patriots are above .500 on the season heading into this week’s slate of games, and a win over the 12-1 Eagles would be the Bears’ most impressive accomplishment to date. Oddsmakers may have Chicago against long odds to pull out an improbable victory in this game, but in the modern NFL, anything is possible.
For his part, Eberflus should focus on getting his team ready for battle against their challenging opponent on Sunday. A return to the .500 mark against this NFC East juggernaut would be the icing on the cake for the head coach, but given that it would only be his team’s fourth win of the year, he clearly has issues to address that extend beyond the scope of his personal record against the Eagles. | 2022-12-15T19:28:52Z | sports.yahoo.com | Matt Eberflus looks to get back to .500 in his career vs. Eagles | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-eberflus-looks-back-500-190337531.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-eberflus-looks-back-500-190337531.html?src=rss |
As a No. 1 draft pick, Trevor Lawrence had to know the losses would come. The lowly Jaguars had compiled the league’s worst record in 2020; that’s how they ended up first in line to take him in 2021.
And while the quarterback got off to a rocky start as a pro, completing fewer than 60% of his passes as a rookie and leading the league in interceptions, Lawrence may finally be getting back to looking like the player who won 34 of 36 college outings and was the MVP of a national championship team at Clemson.
Just in time for the Cowboys to ride in to town.
Forget Jacksonville’s 5-8 mark in the standings; Dallas head coach Mike McCarthy knows his 10-3 squad will get a stiff challenge when they face the player nicknamed “Sunshine” on their Florida visit this Sunday.
“Obviously, I recognize the success he had in college,” McCarthy said of the second-year passer during a Thursday press conference. “But being a dual threat for the type of athlete he is- a 6’6″ quarterback- I’ve always been intrigued with that. His ability to play from within the pocket and then out of the pocket is, I would say, exceptional. Young quarterbacks, when they go through coordinator changes, that’s definitely a lot bigger challenge than people want to recognize. The point I’m making is that you can really see him starting to come into his own. Obviously, with [Jaguars head coach] Doug Pederson and the offense that they run- multiple personnel, multiple concepts- I think he’s definitely playing his best football this past month of his pro career.”
Lawrence thinks so, too.
The 23-year-old admitted this week that the team’s 21-17 loss to Denver back in Week 8 “flipped a switch” in him.
“I never forgot how I felt in that locker room,” Lawrence said via the Jaguars website, “because I never want to feel like this anymore.”
That game, played Oct. 30 in London, gave the Jaguars their fifth loss in a row. Lawrence, en route to a 52.2 passer rating on the day, threw two interceptions.
He hasn’t thrown one since.
But he has hurled 10 touchdowns, completed 71.8% of his passes, and amassed a 111.7 passer rating in the five games since, a remarkable turnaround.
Along the way, Jacksonville notched two big wins over Baltimore and Tennessee. Lawrence threw for 321 and 368 yards in those victories, respectively. For Sunday’s most recent win over the Titans, Lawrence was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week.
“Honestly, I have a little bit more of a chip on my shoulder now just because of the last year and a half,” Lawrence said. “I don’t really forget what’s been said and what people have written. Now you see people change their mind after a couple weeks. I don’t use that necessarily as my only fuel, but I definitely use that.”
The Cowboys defense will look to short-circuit that power surge. But after a dogfight against Indianapolis that lasted three full quarters and an unexpected thriller versus Houston that required an epic goal-line stand and late heroics from the Dallas offense to salvage, the team has looked suddenly shaky during this December run through the AFC South.
And now with Lawrence on a hot streak, Sunday’s outing in Jacksonville promises to be anything but a day at the beach.
The secondary will no doubt be tested even as they continue shuffling to make up for the losses of cornerbacks Jourdan Lewis and Anthony Brown. Kelvin Joseph, Nahshon Wright, and rookie DaRon Bland will attempt to hold down the fort alongside Trevon Diggs; the team has Kendall Sheffield on the practice squad and just added Trayvon Mullen off waivers on Wednesday.
All are young players looking to duplicate the successes they had at the college level and make the most of their moment on the NFL stage.
Just like Trevor Lawrence is starting to. | 2022-12-15T19:28:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | Mike McCarthy: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence ‘playing his best football’ as Cowboys visit | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mccarthy-jaguars-qb-trevor-184400075.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mccarthy-jaguars-qb-trevor-184400075.html?src=rss |
The NFC West was supposed to be a slugfest this year. In a way, it has been. But it's the San Francisco 49ers who have been doing all the punching. They're undefeated within the division and can clinch it by beating the Seahawks in Seattle on Thursday night. Here are three player props on BetMGM I like in tonight's game:
Kittle has trounced the Seahawks so badly, he should be arrested for fictional animal abuse. The Niners tight end went for nine receptions, 181 receiving yards and two touchdowns the last time he played Seattle and has averaged 76.4 receiving yards against them over his last seven meetings, cashing this prop every time. In the last six games he's played without Deebo Samuel (who is out for tonight's game), Kittle is averaging 77.2 receiving yards and has gone over this number in each contest. Seattle allows the fourth-most receiving yards per game to tight ends (61.4).
This is a grande number, but McCaffrey is a venti player. Run CMC has recorded a combined 299 yards in two games since Elijah Mitchell was placed on IR with a knee injury. In their last four outings, the Seahawks have allowed an absurd 838 rushing yards. Seattle's defense must explain themselves in a Congressional hearing, immediately. They're also surrendering the sixth-most receiving yards per game to running backs (44.5). With Samuel unavailable to siphon carries and targets, McCaffrey should get plenty of burn versus the Seahawks.
The crux of these three props tonight is San Francisco's offense staying on the field. In their Week 2 meeting, the Niners nearly doubled up the Seahawks in time of possession while nearly quadrupling them on the scoreboard. San Francisco's offense ranks fifth in third-down conversion percentage (45.2%) and ninth in first downs per game (20.8), while Seattle's defense ranks 28th and 29th in those categories, respectively (44.9% and 21.8).
Brooks is a human missile, and one of the few competent tacklers on this Seahawks team. The linebacker will be crucial in Seattle's plan to stop McCaffrey and prevent the Niners from racking up the YAC. He's cashed this prop in eight of 13 games this year, including his Week 2 matchup versus San Francisco. | 2022-12-15T19:29:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | NFL player props: Niners' George Kittle puts Seattle to bed | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-player-props-niners-george-kittle-puts-seattle-to-bed-175346286.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-player-props-niners-george-kittle-puts-seattle-to-bed-175346286.html?src=rss |
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur believes left tackle David Bakhtiari is a “long shot” to play on Monday night against the Los Angeles Rams.
Bakhtiari had an emergency appendectomy in the days before the Packers’ Week 13 win over the Chicago Bears, and he may need more time off the field to be fully recovered from the operation.
“We’ll see how he progresses throughout the course of the week,” LaFleur said Thursday. “He’s a guy who doesn’t need a lot of time on the field to go out there and play. If he’s capable of doing that…it’s probably a long shot, but we’ll see.”
LaFleur said he believes this is the first time he’s had a player deal with an appendectomy during the season, so he’s unsure of Bakhtiari’s recovery timetable.
Rookie Zach Tom started at left tackle in place of Bakhtiari against the Bears and would be expected to start there again if the five-time All-Pro can’t go on Monday night against the Rams.
Bakhtiari, now 31, has started nine games this season. He’s played 481 snaps, allowed eight total pressures (all hurries) and committed four penalties.
Before the appendectomy, Bakhtiari had played five consecutive games. He made his season debut in Week 3 after a long recovery from multiple knee injuries.
The Packers will release the first injury report of Week 15 on Thursday. The final injury report arrives Saturday. | 2022-12-15T19:29:13Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers LT David Bakhtiari considered ‘long shot’ to play vs. Rams | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-lt-david-bakhtiari-considered-184035409.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-lt-david-bakhtiari-considered-184035409.html?src=rss |
Thursday night’s matchup between the NFC West-leading San Francisco 49ers and the playoff-hopeful Seattle Seahawks is a big one in terms of the postseason chances of the Green Bay Packers.
And Matt LaFleur’s team should be big fans of the 49ers – who beat the Packers in the postseason during two of the last three years – to open Week 15.
Even Aaron Rodgers knows the Packers need the 49ers to win on Thursday night.
“We’re going to be tuning in Thursday and rooting for one team we don’t usually root for,” Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday.
The Seahawks, at 7-6, sit above the Packers in the race for a wild-card spot in the NFC playoffs.
According to FiveThirtyEight, a win by the Seahawks over the 49ers would immediately cut the Packers’ playoff hopes to around four percent.
However, a loss by the Seahawks combined with a Packers win over the Rams on Monday night would push Green Bay’s chances to up over 10 percent.
Why is this Thursday night game so important?
The Packers need to pass two of the Seahawks, New York Giants and Washington Commanders over the next four weeks in order to make the postseason.
The Seahawks have to play the 49ers, Chiefs, Jets and Rams over the final four weeks, presenting the possibility of a big slide from Seattle to end the 2022 season. Pete Carroll’s team lost to the Carolina Panthers last week and is no longer ranked in the top seven teams in the NFC entering Week 15.
The Giants and Commanders play each other in Week 15, so the Packers can’t get much help from that game.
“We need some help from some teams, and need to win out,” Rodgers said. “But there’s a lot that can change in a week, and if the momentum can start to go in our favor and we can stack a couple of these in a row, you never know what can happen, and that’s exciting.” | 2022-12-15T19:29:20Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers’ playoff hopes need a big assist from 49ers on Thursday night | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-playoff-hopes-big-assist-175959703.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-playoff-hopes-big-assist-175959703.html?src=rss |
There is a fine line between being aggressive and reckless. Unfortunately, Josh McDaniels has been neither for most of the season as the head coach for the Raiders. Too often, he coaches timid and scared.
His performance on Thursday Night Football was a great example. The Raiders kicked three field goals in that game, two of them inside the 18-yard-line of the Rams. Instead of trying to convert on fourth down and scoring touchdowns, they settled for short field goals.
In a recent article by Amelia Probst of Pro Football Focus, no team in the NFL lost more win probability on fourth downs than the Raiders did in Week 14. Here is what Probst had to say about the decision to kick so many short field goals:
“The Raiders’ close loss to the Rams on Thursday night was partly due to poor decision-making on fourth down. They punted three times in the second half when they could have gone for it in at least one of those situations. The Raiders also settled for three field goals in this game when they could have been aggressive.”
The worst decision by the Raiders was a fourth-and-one punt from their 34-yard-line after the two-minute warning. If the Raiders would have gone for it on fourth down and converted, the game would have been over and they would have improved to 6-7 on the season.
But even if they were to fail on fourth down, the Raiders would have had time to go down and get the game-winning score on the next possession as they still had all three time-outs remaining.
The Raiders need McDaniels to be more aggressive. Too often this season, he’s coached “not to lose” and it’s ended up costing them games. It’s time for this team to go win games rather than be afraid of losing them.
Raiders DE Maxx Crosby vs. #Rams RT Rob Havenstein was a one-sided fight in Week 14.
APA Announces Cash Dividend on Common Shares
Stockholders on record as of Jan. 23 will be eligible for the payout.
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones‘ frequent venting of his frustrations with the team’s offense on the field have kept focus on the offseason changes to the team’s offensive coaching staff and this week’s game will ensure that they remain in forefront once again. The Patriots are facing the Raiders, which means a reunion with former offensive [more] | 2022-12-15T19:29:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | Raiders HC Josh McDaniels criticized for not being aggressive enough | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-hc-josh-mcdaniels-criticized-182254852.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-hc-josh-mcdaniels-criticized-182254852.html?src=rss |
His involvement as a blitzer has been an unexpected boon for Chicago’s defense, and as things stand now, he leads the team in sacks ahead of the Bears’ highly anticipated matchup against the 12-1 Eagles. Though his three sacks may be considered a modest total for a defensive lineman or linebacker, Brisker has managed to be the team’s most effective player at getting to the quarterback this season.
Though this interesting statistical anomaly may be impressive for Brisker individually, it is most certainly an indictment of the Bears’ ineffective pass rush this season. They have only managed to sack the quarterback 16 times so far on the year, which ranks dead last in the NFL.
This trend will need to be rectified in 2023 as the Bears look to reload after departing with key defensive talent like Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn this season. Fortunately, Chicago has a first-round selection in the upcoming draft and may be able to land a high-end talent to get after the quarterback from a position on the defensive line or in their linebacking corps next year.
For now, though, Brisker’s outstanding play will need to suffice for fans who are ready to see the Bears’ identity shift back to a defense-first mentality in roster construction. It will take time to fix the issues that are plaguing their underperforming defense, but with Brisker’s rock-solid play in the secondary and a solid defensive draft class to choose new prospects from in April, Chicago should be able to get back on track next season.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was due to arrive in Northern Ireland on Thursday to meet with the main political parties in his first visit to the region since taking office in October, his office said. The talks are likely to focus on a dispute over post-Brexit trade rules governing the region, which has blocked a normalisation of relations between Britain and the European Union and plunged local politics into crisis. Following a lengthy stalemate, Britain and the European Union resumed talks in October on how to fix problems relating to the Northern Ireland protocol, which introduced checks last year on some goods coming from the rest of the United Kingdom. | 2022-12-15T19:30:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Safety Jaquan Brisker leads Bears in sacks heading into Week 15 matchup vs. Eagles | https://sports.yahoo.com/safety-jaquan-brisker-leads-bears-181955890.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/safety-jaquan-brisker-leads-bears-181955890.html?src=rss |
It’s been well-documented that the Minnesota Vikings have struggled on defense. The unit has had flashes of good play, especially when it comes to allowing points, but they have been really bad in terms of allowing yards.
The Vikings’ defense is the worst unit in the NFL in terms of total defense, as they have allowed over 400 yards per game.
To sell the point even more, the Vikings’ pass defense has been the biggest issue. Per PFF, the Vikings are the worst in the NFL against receivers lined up on the outside.
That can be contextualized in a lot of ways. The scheme that Ed Donatell is using has not set these players up for success, nor has the performance of the players been great. They have corners that can play press coverage but they have for some reason not tried to pivot to it despite being atrocious in off-coverage.
The Vikings are the worst in the NFL when playing off coverage this season, allowing 9.23 yards per attempt. ESPN’s Mina Kimes went as far as to call it the definition of insanity.
The Vikings need to do something different and fast if they want to make an impact during the playoffs. | 2022-12-15T19:30:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | The Vikings are horrid in defending outside receivers | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-horrid-defending-outside-receivers-175223976.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/vikings-horrid-defending-outside-receivers-175223976.html?src=rss |
The Florida Gators are in Las Vegas preparing for its bowl game against Oregon State, but recruiting season never stops in the college football world. Five-star Salpointe Catholic (Tucson, Arizona) edge rusher Elijah Rushing is expected to be in town to watch the big game, according to 247Sports.
Rushing is the brother of preferred walk on Cruz Rushing and the son of former Gators tight end George Rushing. His ties to the university are well-documented, but Rushing is far from a lock on Florida’s 2024 recruiting board. He’s narrowed things down to a top 12, including Arizona, Georgia, Miami, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Tennessee, UCLA, USC and Washington.
Billy Napier and Co. have prioritized Rushing for most of the year and got him on campus over the weekend of the LSU game (Oct. 15). This weekend will give him a chance to reevaluate Florida after several roster changes cleared up which position groups are in line to see an injection of youth over the next few years. As a top recruit in the class, Rushing is looking for immediate playing time and a path to the NFL.
Rushing is the No. 16 overall on the 247Sports composite and No. 2 among edge rushers in the class of 2024. The site’s individual rankings have him even higher at No. 10 nationally and No. 1 at his position. | 2022-12-15T20:23:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | 2024 5-star EDGE will be in attendance for Las Vegas Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-5-star-edge-attendance-193649152.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-5-star-edge-attendance-193649152.html?src=rss |
Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads a crowd cheer as he is honored during a ceremony at halftime of an NFL football game between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills in New Orleans, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Derick Hingle)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) When Ryan Walters was a high school quarterback, he wanted to replicate Drew Brees' trailblazing career path.
''I am extremely excited to work with our team over the next few weeks as we prepare for the Citrus Bowl,'' Brees said in a statement. ''I see it not only as an opportunity to coach and mentor this group of young men but to represent all the former Purdue players.''
Brees is one of the most recognizable members of the ''Cradle of Quarterbacks,'' leading the Boilermakers to their last Big Ten title in 2000 before embarking on a record-breaking NFL career with the Chargers and New Orleans Saints.
''When I first heard about Drew coming back to help coach our guys for the bowl game, I was hoping the rumors were true,'' Walters said. ''Our players have the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest leaders in football history, a valuable experience that they will never forget. I cannot wait to see him on the sidelines.'' | 2022-12-15T20:23:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Coach Brees: Purdue brings back QB to help coach bowl game | https://sports.yahoo.com/coach-brees-purdue-brings-back-185847648.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/coach-brees-purdue-brings-back-185847648.html?src=rss |
Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann tackles Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy during the second half of U-M's 34-3 win over Nebraska on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Ann Arbor.
With Vince Iwuchukwu recovering from a heart attack and being unlikely to receive medical clearance, #USC needs a big man. A notable transfer just entered the portal. | 2022-12-15T20:23:47Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan football lands Nebraska linebacker Ernest Hausmann via transfer portal | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-lands-nebraska-linebacker-183643862.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-lands-nebraska-linebacker-183643862.html?src=rss |
Purdue quarterback Aidan O'Connell, shown during an Oct. 8 game against Maryland, will not play in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 2.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue's Aidan O'Connell, Charlie Jones, Payne Durham skip Citrus Bowl
Wyoming wants to make history and get its fourth consecutive bowl win. Meanwhile, Ohio chases a fourth consecutive bowl win. | 2022-12-15T20:23:54Z | sports.yahoo.com | Purdue's Aidan O'Connell, Charlie Jones, Payne Durham opt out of Citrus Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/purdues-aidan-oconnell-charlie-jones-185917243.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/purdues-aidan-oconnell-charlie-jones-185917243.html?src=rss |
DAN WETZEL: UCLA, officially in the Big Ten. The regents passed, let them go 11-5. They had a University of California Board of Regents vote, but not before, in classic California fashion, they had to hit them with a tax.
DAN WETZEL: The Berkeley tax, they're calling it. $2-$10 million a year UCLA has to pay Cal. I love it.
PAT FORDE: Yeah. And the other part of it I like is that they are going to ask for/demand, we'll see if it follows through, a lot of delineated plans and money toward how they're going to take care of their athletes, as they're dragging them across the nation for these various events. So the Big Ten's been talking and talking and UCLA has said it too, we're going to have a plan for this and that.
Well, we'll see. When rubber hits road or when plane hits air, we will see exactly what the plan looks like. But it better be a good one, because I think that's the biggest crux of this thing for me.
ROSS DELLENGER: It was like a long time coming. I remember being back in Pac-12 media day in July and this was what was told to me by a few people like what was going to happen. They were going to have a $5-$10 million annual tax they had to send to Cal. That was kind of like what was thought was going to happen and that's what would happen. That's what happened.
I did think it was interesting that I think the vote was 11-5. Thought it was interesting that five regents voted to block the move, basically, which was interesting, so probably closer than I had at first thought. But as you mentioned, Dan, it's California, so they've got to put on the political parade and we got to see all that and drag it out a little bit and make a make a scene.
DAN WETZEL: A little mafia move. Pay a little restitution to Cal. So Cal is making a couple of bucks here out of it. 2024, though, is just going to be unbelievable, right?
UCLA, USC in the Big Ten, 12-team playoff. Big question then becomes does OU and Texas jumped to the SEC before that or do we have this one more year of kind of uncertainty? But the future is coming and quickly in college athletics. And the amazing part of this is this move is so bananas.
If you step back and say, wait, there's two schools from LA in the Big Ten? But at this point it makes sense somehow. Everyone's just like, oh yeah, OK.
PAT FORDE: Right.
DAN WETZEL: Here we are.
PAT FORDE: We're desensitized to ridiculous scenarios.
DAN WETZEL: I do wish that we had the situation in college athletics, which I know is like magic wand stuff, where like USC and UCLA played football in the Big Ten, but all these other sports just play regionally and the leagues don't extend all the way down. And not only they wouldn't even be in the Pac-12 either. Like UCLA soccer should be playing like San Diego state and Cal Irvine, and just play regionally in those sports. You don't need to be flying all over the place to play soccer games and stuff like that, but that'd be my thing. But someone would tell me I'm undervaluing those sports.
PAT FORDE: I'm here to tell you, you're dismissing. You're not important enough for us for you to travel around. | 2022-12-15T20:24:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | UCLA’s move to Big Ten approved by Board of Regents … with one caveat | College Football Enquirer | https://sports.yahoo.com/ucla-move-big-ten-approved-194739220.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ucla-move-big-ten-approved-194739220.html?src=rss |
Sep 30, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (48) walks off the mound against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. / Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
SNY's Steve Gelbs started off by asking Hernandez how he's recovering from shoulder surgery, to which the former first baseman said he's doing rehab three days a week and will be ready to get back in the booth by the start of the season. Gelbs then asked Hernandez what he made of the Mets signing Justin Verlander after Jacob deGrom left for the Texas Rangers.
"Well you lost deGrom and I can't blame Jacob for taking that contract from the Rangers, that length and of course the dollars," Hernandez said. "But Verlander at 39 has won his third Cy Young, and probably had his greatest year ERA-wise. I did see him pitch against the Phillies in the World Series and he had two tough starts. I'd say the Phillies really made him grind. So always the question mark is the age, but he's a guy that takes care of himself and there had to be a replacement for deGrom and we've lost [Taijuan] Walker as well.
"It's just staggering what has gone on in one week of a Winter Meeting, not only with the New York Mets, but with Major League Baseball as a whole, over two billion dollars of money being spent. There can't cry poverty. I mean that is just staggering, the amount of money the players are signing right now for their contracts."
Hernandez circled back to talk more about deGrom leaving the franchise and what that means for his legacy in the eyes of Mets fans.
"I think his legacy will be, 'Doggone-it, I wish we could have had him healthy,'" Hernandez said. "If he was healthy, he'd still be, I believe, in a Met uniform. He was just a phenomenal pitcher with the Cy Youngs, he pitched great in the postseason. It's just hard to remember because he's missed so much time of late. And for him to come back last year when he missed pretty much the year before, it's just hard, you kind of forget, you lose your memory.
"He's had a great career with the Mets, he'll be missed. But you know, life goes on and we got a 2023 season coming up."
While deGrom won't be a lifelong Met, the team re-signed Brandon Nimmo to an eight-year deal that will likely keep him in blue and orange for the rest of his playing days. Hernandez expressed his pleasure with the team doing what it took to bring the outfielder back.
"I'm very pleased that they re-signed him," Hernandez said. "And there's a case where it's not just the numbers that Brandon puts up and his defense, so much improved in center field last year, he's worked hard at it. It's his attitude, his professionalism, his hustle that he brings every day to the ball park and in that leadoff role kind of sets the tone. I think it was imperative that they had to re-sign him. I'm just thrilled and happy for Brandon."
Hernandez finished up by saying he believes Nimmo can leave a strong Mets legacy if he continues to improve his overall game.
"He's got to continue to improve and continue to put up the numbers and be consistent," Hernandez said. "Now, that's the thing when you sign a long-term contract. And once you establish yourself your goals are, 'OK, I am going to maintain, if not get better, and be the player that I can be, live up to the contract.' And I think that he'll do that. He's one of those guys that is very conscientious, he wants to be the best he can be."
On the latest episode of The Mets Pod, Connor Rogers and Joe DeMayo break down the reasons why Kodai Senga is a good fit for the Mets, including his place in the starting rotation and the support system that the organization can provide to him as he adjusts to MLB.
GM Billy Eppler introduced new Mets David Robertson, Jose Quintana, and Brooks Raley via a Zoom conference call on Wednesday afternoon.
The Mets have done lots of their heavy lifting this offseason, and GM Billy Eppler spoke on Wednesday about what might come next.
Dressed in a green elf suit and cap, Brandon Nimmo gushed about remaining with the New York Mets and starring at their kids holiday party. Owner Steve Cohen's aggressive spending persuaded him to stay put. “He’s made very clear that he wants to win and he wants to win now, and he’ll do whatever it takes to get to that point,” Nimmo said Thursday after a Citi Field news conference to discuss his $162 million, eight-year contract.
Back in 2003, Zoe Saldaña nearly quit show business thanks to her experience on a "Pirates of the Caribbean" film. | 2022-12-15T20:45:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Keith Hernandez gives his thoughts on Mets' offseason, Jacob deGrom leaving and re-signing Brandon Nimmo | https://sports.yahoo.com/keith-hernandez-gives-thoughts-mets-032922209.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/keith-hernandez-gives-thoughts-mets-032922209.html?src=rss |
The Eagles (12-1) are headed to Soldier Field for an NFC matchup against the rebuilding Chicago Bears (3-10).
Philadelphia’s defense will be looking at a more athletic version of their star quarterback Jalen Hurts when Justin Fields goes under center for the Bears.
If you are interested in games with playoff implications, the Dolphins at Bills’ is a must-watch while fans should also peruse the television for games that feature matchups with teams that’ll have high NFL draft slots.
1. San Francisco 49ers (9-4) at Seattle Seahawks (7-6), 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime
The 49ers are the No. 3 seed in the NFC currently and will look to continue their winning ways down the stretch without wide receiver Deebo Samuel who was carted off with a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss four to six weeks. Brock Purdy injured an oblique in his breakout game and was limited in practice this week.
Seattle has lost three of their last four, sliding to the 8th spot in the NFC playoff race.
2. Indianapolis Colts (4-8-1) at Minnesota Vikings (10-3), 1 p.m., NFL Network
The Colts’ are looking at a top-seven pick and a new head coach.
Minnesota is 10-3 and first in the NFC North despite giving up a league-worst 403.7 yards per game and an average of 24.1 points.
3. Miami Dolphins (8-5) at Buffalo Bills (10-3), 8:15 p.m., NFL Network
The Dolphins have lost their last two and are looking to avoid sliding out of the playoff mix with the Patriots and Chargers quickly rising.
Buffalo is the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC and looking to regain its form as a Super Bowl favorite.
4. Detroit Lions (6-7) at Jets (7-6), 1 p.m., CBS
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Mike White will play despite being hospitalized with a rib injury after last week’s loss to Buffalo, and Zach Wilson has been elevated to No. 2.
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8), 1 p.m., Fox
The Jaguars are improving under head coach Doug Pederson and Trevor Lawrence hasn’t thrown an interception since Week 8 while leading the league in completion percentage since Week 9.
6. Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-7), 4:25 p.m., CBS
7. Tennessee Titans (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (7-6), 4:25 p.m., CBS
The Chargers enter the game on the outside of the playoff window, while the Titans have lost three games in a row but still sit atop the AFC South.
8. Giants (7-5-1) at Washington Commanders (7-5-1), 8:20 p.m., NBC
9. Atlanta Falcons (5-8) at New Orleans Saints (4-9), 1 p.m., Fox
10. Los Angeles Rams (4-9) at Green Bay Packers (5-8), 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Zoe Saldana, Sam Worthington talk "Avatar" sequel
Zoe Saldana and Sam Worthington sit down with FOX 5's Kevin McCarthy to talk all about the "Avatar" sequel and what fans can expect. | 2022-12-15T20:58:14Z | sports.yahoo.com | 10 key matchups Eagles fans should watch during Week 15 slate of games | https://sports.yahoo.com/10-key-matchups-eagles-fans-202133038.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/10-key-matchups-eagles-fans-202133038.html?src=rss |
Chicago Bears offensive lineman Teven Jenkins had an eventful training camp over the summer that resulted in him moving from tackle to guard due to injuries and ineffectiveness at the position. The result has been Jenkins excelling at his new spot and he seems to have found a home on the interior of the offensive line. But could he make a return to tackle at some point given the uncertainty at the position? Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy doesn’t seem inclined to make such a move.
Getsy, speaking with reporters on Thursday, addressed a question posed regarding Jenkins’ future on the offensive line and if there’s any interest in seeing what he can do back at the tackle position. “I think he’s a guy who could do it but I think what is most important is that he continues to grow at what he’s at,” said Getsy. “I think moving inside this year gave him an opportunity to find himself and I think he has. He’s done a really nice job of owning that role and has an opportunity to be a really good guy on the inside. So I don’t think there’s any interest to try and move him somewhere else, but I think he’s capable of doing that.”
Jenkins was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma State as the team’s future left tackle. He was injured for most of his rookie season, however, and only saw a limited amount of playing time near the end of the year.
This offseason, he seemed to fall out of favor early with the new regime as trade rumors surrounded him early in training camp. But he embraced a position change following the team’s first preseason game, replacing veteran Michael Schofield, and hasn’t looked back.
Jenkins has played 11 games at right guard in 2022, allowing just two sacks on the season and is the highest-graded player on the Bears offensive line, according to Pro Football Focus. He is a menacing run blocker and improved in pass protection as the season has progressed.
Jenkins may have come into the league as a tackle, but he’s clearly found a home at guard and it sounds like the Bears are happy keeping him there. Now they will need to see if someone like Alex Leatherwood, another high pick from the 2021 NFL Draft, can be a solution next to Jenkins at right tackle over these final four games.
Monmouth football transfer tracker: QB Tony Muskett commits to Virginia; plus other moves
Here's a rolling list of Monmouth football players as they announce their portal intentions as well as news about potential incoming transfers.
Could the Bulls become sellers in the trade market? | Good Word with Goodwill
(Bloomberg) -- With Covid-19 running rampant after President Xi Jinping’s government swiftly abandoned its zero-tolerance policy, the Communist Party is still insisting its strategy will “stand the test of history.” Most Read from BloombergIs Putin Finally Getting Smart About His Ukraine Disaster?Elon Musk’s Tesla Share Sales Approach the $40 Billion MarkPowell Says Fed Still Has a ‘Ways to Go’ After Half-Point HikeDollar Rallies as Risk-Off Tone Takes Stocks Lower: Markets WrapIn a front-page c | 2022-12-15T20:58:33Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears OC Luke Getsy not interested in moving Teven Jenkins back to tackle | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-oc-luke-getsy-not-201054489.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-oc-luke-getsy-not-201054489.html?src=rss |
“Even the Chris Jones play where he gets a sack, he strips the ball, he has the ball, but the only way he can keep the ball and hold himself up from getting on the quarterback is he puts his hand down,” Wagner said. “So they negate the strip-sack fumble because he wasn’t able to keep his weight off the quarterback, which is not possible. Some of these things are not possible.”
He hopes it doesn’t come to potential ejections because of the subjective nature of such calls.
“That’s the thing, though. We’re trying,” he said. “Even though we feel like these rules are kinda crazy, you see players attempting to try – and there’s no period where it’s like, ‘Let’s figure this out.’ We’re trying. It’s either extreme or not extreme. As soon as they make the rule, you have to abide by it. There’s no period where, ‘All right, we’re gonna give you a chance to figure this out.’ There is no figuring it out. Once it’s a rule, it’s a rule and you have to be a master at that rule. I just couldn’t imagine somebody getting ejected for something that is subjective to that official on that day.” | 2022-12-15T20:58:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bobby Wagner opens up about NFL’s offensive-skewed rules: ‘It’s gotta be a two-way street’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-opens-nfl-offensive-193705694.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-opens-nfl-offensive-193705694.html?src=rss |
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) Robert Saleh is always quick to remind people he's an eternal optimist, thinking the best-case scenario in every situation.
''We're going to get everyone's absolute best shot because they're fighting for their lives, too,'' Saleh said. ''And that's why we strive for December football. This is the fun stuff.''
''What's cool about this,'' Saleh said, ''is we've got four playoff games, because every team we're playing is fighting for a playoff spot.''
''It's about as good as it's felt in my entire career here, about as confident as we've ever been,'' said offensive tackle Taylor Decker, who was drafted by the Lions six years ago.
''Listen, we've got enough smart guys,'' Campbell said. ''They understand what's right in front of us, and that's New York Jets, who are a very tough, physical team, and they're very much in the race. And you're crazy if you don't think they want it.
''They'll be coming with everything they've got against us, and so this is going to be one of those, man. We've got to be locked and loaded and ready to go. I mean, this will be a physical game.''
White was twice knocked from the loss at Buffalo after taking big hits, but finished the game - and then left the stadium in an ambulance for further examination. X-rays came back clean and he said earlier in the week he was ''ready to roll.''
''Yeah, he took some big hits,'' said former starter Zach Wilson, who was promoted this week from No. 3 to White's backup. ''Tough guy.''
THEY'RE ROLLING
''The biggest thing for us is just showing who we are, blocking out the outside noise,'' said wide receiver DJ Chark, who has 11 catches for 192 yards over the past two games. ''It's a long season, but right now we're feeling good.''
As much as Gardner would have addressed a need with the Lions, they didn't really consider taking him.
''We felt pretty comfortable with where we wanted to go with it,'' Campbell said.
''We loved his length,'' he said. ''We thought he was pretty smart, pretty crafty, he was aggressive, runs pretty good.''
''He was great,'' Campbell said of Saleh. ''He's an unbelievable human being.''
''Thankful for that conversation,'' he said, ''but really happy that I'm here.''
''Oh yeah, whose guy wasn't he?'' a smiling Saleh said. ''Best of all time, running back.'' | 2022-12-15T20:59:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets try to keep pace in playoff hunt as Lions make late run | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-try-keep-pace-playoff-192720201.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-try-keep-pace-playoff-192720201.html?src=rss |
The Baltimore Ravens have officially ruled out quarterback Lamar Jackson for Saturday’s game against the Cleveland Browns.
Backup Tyler Huntley is out of concussion protocol and will likely start, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Jackson left a Week 13 win over the Denver Broncos with a left knee injury. He appeared to sustain the injury during a first-quarter sack and was later ruled out of the game.
When Jackson left the game, he had completed 3-of-4 passes for 11 yards and had one carry for nine yards. Huntley replaced him and the Ravens rallied for a 10-9 win.
After the game, head coach John Harbaugh delivered good news that Jackson's injury wasn't season-ending, but he would likely miss "days to weeks" in his recovery.
That Monday, Harbaugh told reporters that Jackson is "week-to-week." It was later reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter that Jackson suffered a sprained PCL.
This injury comes after Jackson has dealt with illness, a hip injury and calf injury during a crucial contract year.
On Thursday (Dec. 15), Jackson missed his sixth straight practice while Huntley was an active participant.
Harbaugh opted not to name a starter
Harbaugh told reporters on Thursday that Huntley has cleared concussion protocol and is good to go for Saturday’s game, but did not confirm him as the starter. His comments came just an hour before Jackson was officially ruled out.
Huntley appeared to suffer the injury in the third quarter of Sunday’s Week 14 win over the Steelers when he was hit during a run. He was slow to get up and finished the game with just 88 passing yards.
On Thursday, he told reporters he didn’t think he had a concussion and he cleared the protocol after Wednesday’s practice.
“I don’t think I had a concussion but definitely did the protocols, they was doing their job making sure I was safe,” he said. “Clearly I’m safe enough this week.”
The Ravens signed free agent quarterback Brett Hundley to their practice squad on the Monday after Jackson's injury. He is available to back up Huntley.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 04: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens walks across the field during the game against the Denver Broncos at M&T Bank Stadium on December 04, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
Since his team suffered its first loss of the season on Saturday to No. 6 Kansas, 95-67, the head coach has been locked in on what the Tigers can learn about themselves. Gates thought Mizzou didn’t give itself a chance against the Jayhawks, allowing little mistakes to add up. Kansas scored 28 points off of the Tigers’ 21 turnovers. | 2022-12-15T21:00:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ruled out against Browns with PCL sprain | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-ruled-out-against-browns-with-pcl-sprain-195037456.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-qb-lamar-jackson-ruled-out-against-browns-with-pcl-sprain-195037456.html?src=rss |
After the Tampa Bay Buccaneers suffered a blowout loss to the San Francisco 49ers last week, Mike Silver wrote a column for the San Francisco Chronicle about Brady’s homecoming back in the same Bay Area where he grew up.
Among the notes in Silver’s article was a report that Brady was holding weekly meetings on his own with his fellow offensive skill-position players, making tweaks to the gameplan that coaches didn’t discover until they were happening on game day in real time.
Brady was asked about it Thursday, and he shot down the notion.
“No,” Brady said. “I have no idea. I mean, anybody can say anything, and write whatever they want. So, no.”
Brady seemed annoyed by the question, shaking his head and cutting off his own response before moving on.
“I’m not gonna respond to every…next question,” Brady said.
Brady and the Bucs offense has struggled mightily all season long, averaging just 17.2 points per game.
LOS ANGELES — Billie Moore, who coached the first U.S. Olympic women’s basketball team to a silver medal at the Montreal Games in 1976, has died. She was 79. UCLA, where Moore was the women’s head coach from 1977-93, announced Thursday that she died at home surrounded by family and friends. Moore is a member
Joe Mazzulla is pushing all the right buttons with the Celtics
Mazzulla gave Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown an earful before Tuesday's win over the Lakers. | 2022-12-15T21:01:29Z | sports.yahoo.com | Tom Brady refutes report that he tweaks gameplan without coaches’ knowledge | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-refutes-report-tweaks-202030461.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/tom-brady-refutes-report-tweaks-202030461.html?src=rss |
Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke a bit about the team’s pursuit of Smith-Schuster on Wednesday, explaining how he completes their offense.
“We were hoping that he could kind of counter (Travis) Kelce – and this offense is best when you can kind of do that,” Reid explained. “We had Sammy (Watkins) and then (Byron) Pringle developed into that as we went. And that’s when it rolls the best. And so, he’s come in and (has) done that and does a nice job with it. He’s got a great feel for the game. He’s got great feel in space. And then he’s really tough to bring down and I kind of forgot about that part (laughter). After he gets that ball in his hands, man, you try to hit him in his lower body, he can shrug it off like a running back. That’s special to have that.”
It’s not just a matter of what Smith-Schuster does to counter Kelce on the designed plays, though. Smith-Schuster explained that three of his receptions in Week 14 came on routes where he improvised. That included his touchdown reception in the back of the endzone, with his quarterback Patrick Mahomes buying time for him to get open.
“He just stayed alive,” Mahomes said of Smith-Schuster. “He’s a guy that’s going to attract people, so he can get Travis (Kelce) open and obviously they dropped right into where we wanted to throw the football. So instead of just running off and letting the play end, he just kept working. You can see it I think from the back endzone view of he’s just moving side to side, just trying to find a way to give me a spot to throw the football so he got open (and) I was able to get him the ball in a big moment. It’s going to take that. Not every play’s going to be perfect, we’re going to have to be able to make some plays whenever the play call isn’t perfect. I thought he did a great job of continuing to work and not giving up on it.”
Kelce and Smith-Schuster’s ability to help get each other open, on both designed and improvised plays, has the offense performing at a high level deep into the regular season. When one player attracts attention, the other seemingly has the ability to get open.
Smith-Schuster is currently pacing to record his second career 1,000-yard receiving season and that’s all with missing a week due to a concussion. With the postseason fast approaching, Smith-Schuster will be leaned on even more in big situations to help keep this offense performing at a high level. | 2022-12-15T21:01:55Z | sports.yahoo.com | Here’s how WR JuJu Smith-Schuster completes Chiefs’ offense | https://sports.yahoo.com/wr-juju-smith-schuster-completes-204527585.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wr-juju-smith-schuster-completes-204527585.html?src=rss |
The No. 18 Auburn Tigers got the job done on Wednesday, defeating Georgia State, 72-64 at Neville Arena.
Auburn shot 66% from the field in the second half, which was a huge improvement from the 32% shooting that doomed them in the first half. Jaylin Williams led the team in scoring with 20. The game was his first 20-point performance since the 2020-21 season.
How did the win over the Panthers affect their recent position in the KenPom rankings? The Tigers dropped in several categories but remain among the nation’s best in a few areas.
Next up will the first leg of the west coast trip, as Auburn visits USC in Los Angeles on Sunday. The Trojans are 8-3, with wins over BYU, Cal, Oregon State, and most recently, Long Beach State.
Auburn dropped three spots in the KenPom from Monday’s update. Despite the drop, Auburn remains the fifth-best team in SEC when it comes to KenPom, behind Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
Auburn had another offensive struggle in the win over Georgia State. Because of this, Auburn is projected to score 108 points per 100 possessions.
Defensive Efficiency: No. 10
Following the Georgia State win, Auburn’s adjusted defensive efficiency is among the nation’s best, as they are projected to allow just 89.4 points per 100 possessions.
Adjusted tempo: No. 95
Despite recent offensive struggles, Auburn continues to improve its’ offensive tempo. The Tigers’ adjusted tempo is 70.3 possessions per a 40-minute game.
USC overview
The Trojans earned its’ eighth win of the season by defeating Long Beach State on Wednesday, 88-78. KenPom has USC at No. 72 to begin the day, with their biggest strength being its’ defensive efficicency. The Trojans are projected to allow 95.6 points per 100 possessions, which is No. 59 in the country.
Auburn travels to USC for a Sunday afternoon showdown at 4:30 p.m. CT.
The Zacks Medical - Services industry is growing on digital healthcare adoption. MEDP, HQY and PGNY are set to gain the most. However, staffing shortages may disrupt the trend. | 2022-12-15T21:02:36Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Auburn’s win over Georgia State affects their KenPom ranking | https://sports.yahoo.com/auburn-win-over-georgia-state-191557904.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/auburn-win-over-georgia-state-191557904.html?src=rss |
The Tigers have been hot as of late in the first season under coach Matt McMahon.
LSU’s men’s basketball team sits at 9-1 on the season, and since a controversial loss to Kansas State at the buzzer in the Cayman Islands, this team has won four straight. That includes a 20-point comeback win over a solid power conference foe in Wake Forest.
The Tigers sit at just No. 79 in the NET Rankings thanks to a fairly weak non-conference slate, but ESPN’s Joe Lunardi is still relatively high on them. In his latest bracketology, he has LSU leading the way on the Next Four Out just one spot behind conference foe Ole Miss, who is in the First Four Out.
The SEC is strong and currently projected to land seven teams in the tournament. It will take a good showing in conference play if the Tigers hope to be one of those teams, but Lunardi seems to think that they are relatively close with two more games remaining before league action begins.
The USC Trojans face Auburn this Sunday afternoon. The Tigers recently lost their first game of the year when they fell to Memphis, Boogie Ellis' former team. | 2022-12-15T21:02:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | LSU pushing the NCAA Tournament field in recent bracketology following win streak | https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-pushing-ncaa-tournament-field-200051623.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lsu-pushing-ncaa-tournament-field-200051623.html?src=rss |
USC quarterback Caleb Williams continues to recover from a hamstring injury he sustained during the Trojans' loss to Utah in the Pac-12 title game on Dec. 2. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Williams "popped" his hamstring during the first quarter of the Trojans' loss to Utah in the Pac-12 title game on Dec. 2. He managed to stay on the field for USC, but was unable to showcase his trademark speed and struggled at times in the pocket.
USC coach Lincoln Riley said after the game that Williams was "not even close to 50%" in the second half and that he considered playing backup Miller Moss.
The Tigers dropped in several categories but remain among the nation's best in a few areas following Wednesday's win over Georgia State. | 2022-12-15T21:55:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | USC's Caleb Williams gives an upbeat assessment of his hamstring injury | https://sports.yahoo.com/caleb-williams-remains-confident-play-204844510.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/caleb-williams-remains-confident-play-204844510.html?src=rss |
The newest iteration of the XFL kicks off on February 18, 2023, and more football means more opportunity for one former Ohio State football player who has joined the Houston Roughnecks and will hope to keep his dream alive as a professional football player.
Although Chris Booker wasn’t selected during the XFL draft process, he was signed by Houston and will be given his second taste of professional football after a cup of coffee with the Arizona Cardinals after going undrafted in the NFL this past year.
Most fans will remember Booker as the former walk-on who became a special teams menace and reserve wide receiver. He requested an additional year of eligibility, but this was declined and now he will get the opportunity to extend his football career.
Most fans don’t realize Booker started his collegiate football career at Dayton in the Pioneer Football League in 2016 where he received a redshirt. He transferred to Ohio State and was a star on the club team before earning a walk-on spot with the Buckeyes for the 2019 season.
Extremely blessed and excited to announce I’ve been elected by the @XFLRoughnecks in the #XFLDraft! READY TO GET TO WORK!!
— Book (@cbooks13) November 17, 2022 | 2022-12-15T21:55:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former Ohio State receiver joins the XFL | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-ohio-state-receiver-joins-210443429.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-ohio-state-receiver-joins-210443429.html?src=rss |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — For the third-straight game, Michigan football will have its hands full on the defensive side of the ball, as it faces a pass-heavy, high-flying offense.
Known for its offensive attack, TCU is quite balanced, despite running an air raid offense. The Horned Frogs are ranked No. 25 in the country in both the pass and the run, with the 16th-overall offense by yards and sixth in the country in scoring.
After facing off against Ohio State and Purdue, it won’t get any easier for the Michigan defense in the College Football Playoff semifinal.
“They’re versatile. They do a lot of different things,” fifth-year linebacker Michael Barrett said. “They have a quarterback who’s a competitor, a real competitor. He’s always gonna compete, put his team on his back to kind of get them the win. They got a really good receiving corps. They got a quarterback who can get on the ball, a good running back. And they’re just balanced with the pass and a running game. They’re pretty good, really good at both. It’s gonna be a good test for our defense on all levels.”
The biggest challenge for the Wolverines will come in the secondary, especially given how prolific the pass game can be.
TCU averages 273 yards per game through the air, which will be the third-best the maize and blue have seen behind the Buckeyes and Boilermakers. Led by quarterback Max Duggan, who can also run the ball, the Horned Frogs have a signal caller who won’t give up no matter how dire the circumstances, and he earned a trip to New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist as a result.
Sophomore safety Rod Moore says that the back seven for the Michigan defense is certainly on high alert due to his capabilities mixed with his moxie.
“I was watching (the Big 12 Championship game) in my hotel room and I can see that he’s a very hard player, like he (gives) everything he has,” Moore said. “We just have to do the same thing, give him everything that we have. But I was impressed. I didn’t know that he was that good. But watching that game, I was very impressed.”
“Offensively, they’re a good challenge,” Moore also said. “I know they’re an air raid offense but we’ve seen that before. They have multiple weapons, but we’re just gonna have to stop them.”
Just as much of a challenge is wide receiver Quinten Johnston, who is 40th in the country with 903 yards in 12 games. But even if Michigan has luck in slowing down the prolific pass-catcher, the Horned Frogs have multiple other weapons in the receiving game who can be just as big of threats.
“I’m just seeing that they have weapons on the outside, the inside, and quarterback,” Moore said. “As you can see, he was a Heisman runner-up. Quinten Johnston is a good athlete, a good player. We’ve seen good players and good athletes, we’re just gonna have to stop him.
“But I know that if we have to shut him down, there’s gonna be another one that rises up. So we’re just gonna have to go from stopping him to stopping each and every one of them.”
So, how does Michigan hone in on the breadth of weapons that TCU has? Given that the run game is on equal footing with the pass game, how does the defense prioritize?
Barrett says it’s all about staying true to what the Wolverines have done all season — preparation and anticipation — while playing sound at every level.
“It just makes us focus in on our fundamentals,” Barrett said. “It’s more anticipate than guessing. In a sense, you can’t really kind of guess what they’re doing just based off of alignments and things like that. We’ll just kind of dig deeper into the film and kind of get a deeper look into kind of things that they do and different formations and stuff like that. But that’s kind of the hardest thing, just kind of not trying to guess and just anticipate.”
Michigan and TCU will kick off in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at 4 p.m. EST on Dec. 31. | 2022-12-15T21:55:46Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan defense aware of challenges the TCU offense presents | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-defense-aware-challenges-tcu-210633913.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-defense-aware-challenges-tcu-210633913.html?src=rss |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — When you’re one of the top four teams in college football, some advantages can be razor-thin. But Michigan football has one that TCU does not: it has played in the College Football Playoff before.
While a 34-11 drubbing at the hands of Georgia isn’t ideal, given that the Wolverines have now been through the process, having experienced the spotlight and everything that comes with being in the top four, the maize and blue now know how not to be distracted by all of the pomp and circumstance while focusing on the task at hand.
Given that TCU is entering its first CFP, it’s a storm that Michigan is more prepared to weather.
“It’s huge for us because last year, everybody didn’t really think we’re gonna be that position. I assume some of us didn’t either,” senior left guard Trevor Keegan said. “I feel like last year, we’re just there for the opportunity. This year, we’re there to take the opportunity. We knew that we’re supposed to be there. We’re in this position, because how we work and how we are as a team. So I think it’s super important.”
“I just feel like the confidence of knowing we’ve been here before, we know the kind of mistakes we had last year leading up into it and the kind of things that we feel like we did wrong,” fifth-year linebacker Michael Barrett said. “And I feel like just now we just know how to go about it a little better now that we’ve been here and just go from there. Just kind of treat it as any other game, keep preparing.”
That said, what was it like to play in the College Football Playoff the first time?
As Keegan noted, a year ago, the Wolverines were more so happy to be there, while Georgia had higher expectations. Barrett echoed those sentiments, as first-time entrants can get lost in the spectacle of it all.
For Michigan, having gone through it before, it could be a small advantage that the Wolverines can rely on.
“I wouldn’t say it was overwhelming, I’ll just say it was to the point where it was a lot of distractions,” Barrett said. “Guys weren’t used to being there. That made sense, we kind of went down there was sort of point to where I felt like we’re just happy to be there. And we let that kind of blind us from our goal and what we’re there to accomplish. And I feel like coming into this year I feel like we’ve been there and we just know how to prepare and know what we’re there for.”
We’ll know more about whether or not that plays a part in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 at 4 p.m. EST, when Michigan plays TCU in the College Football Playoff semifinal. | 2022-12-15T21:55:59Z | sports.yahoo.com | Michigan has one advantage over TCU: It’s been here before | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-one-advantage-over-tcu-211721653.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-one-advantage-over-tcu-211721653.html?src=rss |
While Ohio State prepares for the College Football Playoff, there are several players with decisions to make pertaining to their future. The decision to leave school early for NFL riches or stay a Buckeye to hone their skills and maybe tend to unfinished business.
The most high-profile player to make that decision has been Jaxon Smith-Njigba. However, regardless of what some in the media are trying to sell, JSN is still recovering from a hamstring injury and really had no choice.
One of those players who would be draft-eligible has already made his decision. Steel Chambers who came to Ohio State as a running back prospect, moved over to the defensive side of the ball last season when the linebacker position was thin. Chambers has more than solidified himself in the role and shared that he will be back to get another year under his belt before trying his luck in the draft.
Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers says he will be staying at Ohio State for his fifth-year senior season. He wants to get a third year of playing linebacker at the collegiate level under his belt.
Several players will have decisions to make at the end of the season. Tommy Eichenberg told reporters that he hasn’t even thought about the NFL yet as all of his focus has been on preparing for the playoffs.
Getting Chambers back will give the Buckeyes a two-year starter back at linebacker. What a pleasant surprise for Jim Knowles to know that kind of experience is coming back.
Ohio State is preparing to take on No. 1 Georgia in the CFP semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on December 31 in Atlanta, Georgia. | 2022-12-15T21:56:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Steele Chambers says he’ll return to Ohio State for fifth year | https://sports.yahoo.com/steele-chambers-says-ll-return-210858079.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/steele-chambers-says-ll-return-210858079.html?src=rss |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — After Michigan football beat Ohio State in Columbus last month, fifth-year linebacker Michael Barrett was given an overture in the postgame press conference to return for his sixth-year by his head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“And just I don’t want to be too old, if that makes sense! I feel like I’ve been here too long. I don’t want everybody looking at me like an old man around here! No, I’m joking, but yeah, that’s one thing that kind of be in the back of my mind.”
Keegan notes that he hasn’t yet made a decision, but that he does still have two years of eligibility remaining.
Factoring into his decision certainly is the NIL element, as Keegan could continue to progress at the college level while earning money based off his name, image, and likeness. Unlike in the past, NIL offers an incentive to players who are on the fence, and though it intrigues Keegan, a little more will go into it than simply whether or not he can make money in what would be his fifth-year.
“I’d like to say it doesn’t, but I mean, it does a little bit,” Keegan said. “But I mean, I gotta graduate. There’s a lot of things that I gotta think about. I mean, obviously, I’d love to come back but you know, it’s a business. I just gotta weigh out my options.”
Michigan State Police investigating reported freeway shooting
Captain Lee Rosbach is leaving “Below Deck,” the Bravo hit on which he’s starred since it sailed onto the reality-centric network in 2013, but not of his own accord, People reports. The move was announced on this week’s episode. But 73-year-old Rosbach isn’t leaving the show by choice, according to the outlet. The reality star will be leaving due to nerve issues affecting his mobility, ... | 2022-12-15T21:56:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Trevor Keegan, Michael Barrett debate whether to stay with Michigan football or go to NFL draft | https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-keegan-michael-barrett-debate-205100665.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-keegan-michael-barrett-debate-205100665.html?src=rss |
With a new coaching staff comes uncertainty for players that Wisconsin has recruited over the next two cycles. For four-star quarterback Mabrey Mettauer, Coach Luke Fickell and staff made it clear he is still a priority in the 2024 class.
The four-star prospect announced he had been re-offered by the Badgers this week, and he remains the top priority at quarterback in the class of 2024 for Wisconsin. The Texas native currently holds offers from the likes of Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California, Cincinnati, and others.
The Badgers are still looking for a quarterback in the 2024 class, and have been in on the 6-foot-6 Mettauer for some time now. | 2022-12-15T21:56:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Wisconsin is still in on a top 2024 quarterback | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-still-top-2024-quarterback-210416695.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/wisconsin-still-top-2024-quarterback-210416695.html?src=rss |
What Giants' new additions mean for DeSclafani, La Stella originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Instead, the winter meetings were largely about disappointment. Bonds didn't come close to getting voted in by a committee made up mostly of his peers, and longtime Cubs broadcaster Pat Hughes won the Ford C. Frick Award. Judge, of course, chose to go back to the New York Yankees, but the Giants have pivoted quickly.
Carlos Correa finally gave the Giants a huge free-agency win, and he'll be introduced in the coming days, becoming the first offseason acquisition to get a press conference at Oracle Park since Mark Melancon six years ago. The Giants also have added Ross Stripling and Sean Manaea this week, bringing the offseason bill to $463 million dollars.
They have more work to do, but as we wait for other needs to be filled, let's look back. Here are some notes from the last couple of weeks, on new Giants and old ones:
What's Next For DeSclafani?
"He looks great," Zaidi said. "He's moving around really well."
It's easy to forget, given how his 2022 season went, but a year earlier, DeSclafani posted a 3.17 ERA and consistently got deep into games. If he's healthy and right, he'd be a big boost to the rotation that almost certainly will lose Carlos Rodón.
DeSclafani is one of six current Giants starters, with Jakob Junis and Kyle Harrison waiting in the wings. Who makes the Opening Day cut? That'll be sorted out in Scottsdale, but the Giants certainly need the depth, in part because they want to be careful with DeSclafani.
"It wasn't arm-related, but again, he just didn't throw a lot of innings last year, so at some point we'll have to have the conversation about what a workload looks like," Zaidi said. "It may be a full workload. We just aren't there yet. He feels really good and everything is on track for him to be a full go this year."
Speaking of having a full house, the Correa addition should pretty much set the infield mix. No matter where Brandon Crawford plays, he'll be a regular. Throw in Wilmer Flores, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, David Villar and Tommy La Stella, and you're at seven infielders, which is a lot to carry for a team that hopes to have Joc Pederson as the DH most nights.
Zaidi said La Stella, who had two Achilles surgeries last offseason, feels "really good about where he's at" physically. La Stella recently visited Kai Correa in Colorado to do infield work, and his plan was to go do some hitting work at a facility in Texas.
"Tommy's relentless about trying to get the best out of this offseason," manager Gabe Kapler said. "So far, it's going well."
For as much speculation as there has been, the Giants and La Stella are not acting like sides that expect him to be elsewhere in February. He's owed $11.5 million next year, and if he's able to play the infield, he still could be a fit. Aside from LaMonte Wade Jr., he's the only left-handed option at first base right now, where Flores figures to get most of the time.
"Obviously we want to be careful with him," Zaidi said. "There isn't a long-term concern, but this was concerning enough that he got shut down. We expect him to be fine for spring training. It's too bad he couldn't get those at-bats."
Luciano has missed a lot of development time the last three years, but he's still just 21. The Giants desperately need him to stay on the field in 2023 for a number of reasons, including the fact that the clock has started on his 40-man roster time.
While Harrison is set to start at Triple-A, the Giants still are waiting for most of their pitching talent to work through the low minors. That's why Miguel Yajure, a pitcher claimed from the Pirates just before the meetings and then later outrighted, could end up seeing some time.
Yajure is just 24 but already has pitched in parts of three seasons for the Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates. He hasn't had much success at the big league level -- in 19 appearances, he has a 7.58 ERA -- but Zaidi said the right-hander has been on his radar for a while.
"This year his performance took a little bit of a step back, but we still really like the ingredients," Zaidi said. "Hopefully we can help him clean up his mechanics a little bit. His velocity has actually gotten better."
"It's just one after another talking about how guys [in San Francisco] help them get better," he said.
Beede's next step will be a fascinating one. He signed a deal with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan. Another former top Giants pitching prospect, Shaun Anderson, has signed with the Kia Tigers in South Korea.
RELATED: Correa's homer spray chart shows he'll be fine at Oracle Park
Even after adding five veterans, the Giants still go into 2023 projected behind -- and likely well behind -- the Dodgers and Padres. At the moment, given how quiet it has been in Los Angeles, the Padres are probably the NL West favorites.
The Giants need to keep adding, but not just because of those two teams. The young Arizona Diamondbacks gave them a lot of trouble last year, and a few executives pointed out at the winter meetings that they're poised to break out.
"You know, the Diamondbacks were really tough on us this year. They're a really challenging team," he said last week. "I think about the Diamondbacks a lot because they're so gifted and athletic and they're all so young."
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Reveal Tyler Perry Is the Godfather to Their Daughter, Lilibet
The Hollywood mogul reveals he had just one stipulation regarding the big ask in the final episode of couple's Netflix docuseries, 'Harry & Meghan.' | 2022-12-15T22:16:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | What Giants' new additions mean for Anthony DeSclafani, Tommy La Stella | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-additions-mean-anthony-desclafani-212929227.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-additions-mean-anthony-desclafani-212929227.html?src=rss |
As my former Touchdown Wire colleague and current SB Nation NFL majordomo Mark Schofield likes to say, when it comes to quarterbacks, progress is not linear. You never know if, when, and to what degree the light is going to go on, and what will happen if and when it does.
In the case of Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson, who declared for the 2023 NFL draft this week, we’re left with one full season as a starter — 2022, in which he completed 176 of 327 passes (53.8%) 2,549 yards (7.6 YPA), 17 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a passer rating of 85.5. In two seasons with the Gators before that, Richardson had completed just 39 of 66 passes (59.1%) for 556 yards (8.4 YPA), seven touchdowns, six interceptions, and a passer rating of 83.9.
Richardson also ran 161 times for 1,116 yards, 6.9 yards per carry, and 12 touchdowns, but that’s the part that’s established. What NFL teams need to evaluate is where he is as a passer, and what needs to be done to bring his talent up to his potential.
There are those who have already come out and said that Richardson is a two-year project as a professional quarterback, and yet, he shows the kind of flashes that should have him selected in the first round. That may be the case, but work with me here — what if the first year of two years needed before Richardson can really succeed in the NFL is 2022, and he’s shaved a year off with his growth in his one college starting season?
Both tape and stats show a major upswing in development.
In Weeks 1-6 of the 2022 season, Richardson looked very much like what he was — a quarterback with limited experience, finding his way. Over that stretch of time, his stats were… well… unremarkable.
Richardson completed 79 of 144 passes (54.9%) for 1,178 yards (8.2 YPA), five touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer rating of 73.2.
The deep throws were incendiary when on, and mystery meat when not. He completed 14 of 30 passes of 20 or more air yards (46.7%) for 498 yards (16.6 YPA), three touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.6.
Under pressure, Richardson completed 15 of 44 passes (34.1%) for 209 yards (4.8 YPA), one touchdown, one interception, and a passer rating of 48.4.
Now, when we get to Weeks 7-13, we are dealing with an entirely different quarterback.
Richardson completed 96 of 186 passes (51.6%)for 1,375 yards (7.4 YPA), 12 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 92.9.
On throws of 20 or more air yards, he completed 12 of 34 passes (35.3%) for 502 yards (14.8% YPA), six touchdowns, no interceptions, and a passer rating of 132.7.
Under pressure, he completed 26 of 64 passes (40.6%) for 384 yards (6.0 YPA), six touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 79.2.
Perhaps most importantly for the purposes of projecting him to an NFL passing game, Richardson showed radical improvement in the second half of the season in short and intermediate throws.
In Weeks 1-6, on throws of 0-19 air yards, Richardson completed 67 of 116 passes (57.8%) for 705 yards (6.1 YPA), two touchdowns, five interceptions, and a passer rating of 63.3.
In Weeks 7-12, on throws of those air distances, he completed 84 of 153 passes (54.9%) for 880 yards (5.8 YPA), seven touchdowns, two interceptions, and a passer rating of 81.6.
Are the completion rates still a concern? Absolutely, and they will be more so in an NFL that requires a higher yield than this. We will get into the reasons for this in our tape review. But in an overall sense, it’s clear that Anthony Richardson took some major steps forward in his one year as an NCAA starting quarterback.
Now, the question is, what will it mean to the NFL?
Where Richardson struggled at the start.
(Syndication: The Courier-Journal)
Early in the season, there was a randomness to Richardson’s play that often happens to young quarterbacks who are used to using their mobility to get themselves out of difficult situations. When pressured, or when his reads weren’t really defined, he’d tend to wind up in a schism where he wanted to run, knew he had to throw, and things just didn’t go well.
There were also times when Richardson and his targets really weren’t on the same page, as this pick-six by Kentucky cornerback Keidron Smith in Week 2 showed. Richardson thought he had an easy quick throw to his right, running back Nay’Quan Wright ran what was either a comeback or a “Oh, #$%^ — our guy just threw an interception” route, and the results speak for themselves.
Richardson has the kind of arm strength most quarterbacks would envy, but it didn’t always transfer to arm talent. On this interception against Eastern Washington in Week 6, he tried to feather a deep throw to Xzavier Henderson on a seam route. Two issues here: There wasn’t enough velocity on the throw to allow Henderson to release from quadruple coverage… and Richardson was throwing into quadruple coverage in the first place when he had Justin Shorter wide-ass open on the intermediate crosser. This is where Henderson is the clear-out guy. Shorter is the target, and you thank the football gods for such an easy opportunity.
Also: You’re up 35-3 at the start of the second half. Take the profit, man.
Now, let’s get into how Richardson improved over the second half of the season.
Using the threat of the run to set up the pass.
The idea here is to view Richardson through a passing lens, but when he starts to use his edge as a runner to make passing plays, you want to take notice of that, as well. This 21-yard completion to tight end Jonathan Odom against Florida State showed how Richardson can pin a defense with that run threat. There was 1;34 left in the game,
Florida State was up, 45-38 (which is how it would stay), and Richardson had to make something happen. Two things stood in his way: Florida State’s outstanding downfield coverage, and a compressed pocket that forced him to bail. But instead of trying a low-risk throw, or just running to run, Richardson saw Odom as his bailout read, and took what was there.
Now, why was Odom so open on the short crosser? Because FSU linebacker Kalen DeLoach had to hand Odom off to nobody and stay in the middle to spy Richardson. That’s how you put a defense on a string, even when they do just about everything right.
We all know that quarterbacks like Jalen Hurts, Justin Fields, Josh Allen, and Patrick Mahomes can do this at the NFL level. It makes sense that Richardson’s continued development in this area will be crucial.
Seeing what's there, and eliminating what isn't.
To quote another colleague, Greg Cosell of NFL Films and ESPN’s NFL Matchup likes to say that the art of quarterbacking is to a large degree about isolating what’s there, and eliminating what isn’t. What that means is that the best quarterbacks are able to quickly break down closed options, get past them, and make the throws that are there. We’ve seen Richardson improve here, and specifically learn from his mistakes.
Remember that weird interception against Eastern Washington, where Richardson missed the crosser and was going to throw the seam route no matter what? He clearly learned from that mistake, and this 33-yard completion to Pearsall against Florida State is proof. This time, he let Caleb Douglas be the clear-out guy on the seam route to his left, and hit Pearsall on the easy crosser.
What you to see in this play, and the two plays to follow, is a quarterback becoming comfortable reading and throwing to all levels of the field. That he already has the physical abilities to do that with ease makes him a potentially dangerous weapon in the NFL.
The "Get out of jail free" arm is real, and it is spectacular.
Richardson has an absolute howitzer of an arm, but the corollary between arm strength and arm talent hasn’t always been clear. What I have seen from Richardson in the second half of the season? Fewer deep waste shots, where he’s just barfing the ball into space, and more instances in which he uses his velocity, adding timing and rhythm to the throw, to make some truly exceptional plays.
This touchdown pass against LSU was… well, not a lot of guys can do this at any level.
This 52-yard touchdown pass to Pearsall against Florida State was similarly ridiculous. Here, he had Pearsall on the front-side vertical route, and Douglas on the backside deep crosser. When Richardson saw the Seminoles clog the middle of the field to deal with Douglas, and cornerback Kevin Knowles II struggling to keep up with Pearsall out of motion. this was a confident quarterback making an outstanding deep throw.
This kind of arm strength/talent can be a blessing and a curse — there are things Richardson can do that a lot of quarterbacks simply can’t at any level of football, but at what expense to the nuances of the position?
Where Richardson still needs to improve.
(Syndication: Gator Sports)
When Richardson throws from a solid base, he’s fine. But there are too many times when he gets cute with his mechanics, and that can be a problem. Here against Vanderbilt in Week 12, he’s got receiver Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman beating cornerback Tyson Russell downfield. Richardson still has a relatively clean pocket when he throws the ball, but because he narrowed his base when he threw the ball, the pass was wildly offline.
Richardson also needs to clean up his sense of route timing — another reason for his relatively low completion rate is that he doesn’t always seem to get when a target is breaking open. He has issues with throwing behind his receivers, and throwing them closed into coverage, that will need to be addressed. This red zone incompletion against Texas A&M is one such example.
What if this is Year 1 of the two-year project?
So, what we have in the case of Anthony Richardson is one NCAA season as a starter, in which he’s displayed massive improvement in a lot of the things that make great quarterbacks great. This speaks to his potential and work ethic. It’s quite clear that Richardson is not satisfied with where he is in the process, or he wouldn’t have shown this much growth already.
Back to the “What does it mean?” question for his NFL team. Patrick Mahomes benefited greatly for sitting most of his rookie season behind Alex Smith. Trey Lance, for the most part, did the same behind Jimmy Garoppolo, through Lance’s future is still unclear due to injury. The Chicago Bears threw Justin Fields into the fire in his rookie season in a broken offense led by Matt Nagy, and it’s s tribute to Fields’ fortitude that it didn’t ruin him forever. The Tennessee Titans selected Malik Willis in the third round of the 2022 draft, and have him on the long-range plan behind Ryan Tannehill.
This could and probably should be Richardson’s path. And by the way, this doesn’t just apply to quarterback prospects of color. Josh Allen’s development wasn’t linear at all: He was a fabulously gifted and wildly inconsistent quarterback at Wyoming, and it took a lot of lumps before he became what he is. Whoever selects Kentucky quarterback Will Levis in the 2023 draft will have to consider similar developmental curves. Levis and Richardson have a similar story in that case, except that Levis is a two-year starter who has not shown the same level of quick progress that Richardson has, and Richardson also has better tools.
And yet, you hear Richardson described as a project, and Levis as a future star. We’ll leave the reasoning for that up to your own speculation.
Another factor to consider is that there is a sea change in the ways in which quarterbacks are valued. It’s less important to throw consistent bangers from the pocket, and more of an advantage to have mobility and second-reaction ability than ever before. Quarterbacks like Richardson have an innate advantage in this particular environment.
Right now, I think that Richardson could have a Justin Fields-level impact on his NFL team, with Josh Allen long-term potential. This of course depends a great deal on the team that drafts him, and the willingness of the coaches on that team to maximize his attributes and mitigate the things that need work. We’ve all seen gifted quarterbacks on the rise get scuttled by bad coaching and horrible fits.
But if you’re looking at Anthony Richardson from a 30,000-foot level, and you’re not diving into the differences between the first and second halves of his 2022 season, you’re doing your own evaluation — and Richardson himself — a disservice.
Anthony Richardson has already proven how much he can grow in a short space of time. The rest is up to him, and the NFL team that takes a shot on him. | 2022-12-15T22:30:23Z | sports.yahoo.com | Anthony Richardson’s recent progress should have the NFL seeing him differently | https://sports.yahoo.com/anthony-richardson-recent-progress-nfl-215304945.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/anthony-richardson-recent-progress-nfl-215304945.html?src=rss |
It could be 2 degrees on game day and Bobby Wagner still wouldn’t wear sleeves. It won’t be quite that cold on Monday night when the Rams visit the Packers at Lambeau Field, but sub-20 degrees is still frigid.
The sleeveless Wagner has a perfect motto for playing in the cold, especially as a defender who wants to get off the field as quickly as possible.
“My mindset is the faster you make a play, the faster you get to the heaters. So if you cold, make a play so we can get to the heaters,” Wagner told reporters Thursday after revealing that he never wears sleeves.
Wagner has played in some cold games during his career after spending 10 years in Seattle with the Seahawks, but it’s been a long time since the Rams played one this cold. The lowest temperature for a game under Sean McVay was in 2018 when the Rams visited the Broncos and it was 25 degrees.
Monday’s forecast in Green Bay is getting a little bit warmer by the day, with temperatures ranging from 15-16 degrees, but it’ll still test the toughness of players throughout the night. | 2022-12-15T22:30:35Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bobby Wagner has the perfect motto for playing in the cold | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-perfect-motto-playing-210827433.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bobby-wagner-perfect-motto-playing-210827433.html?src=rss |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't played many meaningful December games over the last dozen years.
They're usually so far out of the AFC South race by then that mock drafts are the only postseason scenarios that matter to the small-market franchise. But having won three of their last five games - combined with Tennessee's three-game skid - the Jaguars (5-8) suddenly find themselves in the playoff picture late.
The Cowboys and Jaguars both have something at stake when they meet in Jacksonville on Sunday for the first time since 2006. Dallas can clinch a postseason berth for the second consecutive year, a feat ''America's Team'' last accomplished in 2007.
''We all understand how important this game is,'' Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said. ''Every game is important, but especially with where we're at. The situation we put ourselves in with some of those losses early, it's just where we're at.
''Backs up against the wall and we've got to fight our way out, and I think we've got the perfect group to do it. We understand how big this game is and every game moving forward this stretch is huge, so we've got a great opportunity.''
''December football is just about doing the right things, small things right,'' said Cowboys pass rusher Dante Fowler, who is returning to the team that drafted him third overall in 2015. ''At this point, I feel like the only way to beat us is if we beat ourselves. So, we just have to stay on the small things and all the little things don't have to take care of themselves.''
''Any time you play an uncommon opponent, you want to see what their division opponents do against them,'' McCarthy said. ''We've seen a lot of Jacksonville so far getting ready for Indianapolis.''
Dallas has played just once previously in Jacksonville, a 24-17 loss in 2006 that included Drew Bledsoe and Byron Leftwich as starting quarterbacks. The teams played in London in 2016, a ''home game'' for Jacksonville. The other five meetings took place in Dallas.
''Ezekiel Elliott is the epitome of this team,'' quarterback Dak Prescott said. ''Right here on that play, I told the offensive line, `Hey, I am giving this to Zeke, no ifs, ands or buts about it.''' | 2022-12-15T22:30:42Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cowboys nearing playoff berth, Jags trying to claw into race | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-nearing-playoff-berth-jags-211600086.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-nearing-playoff-berth-jags-211600086.html?src=rss |
It cam as a surprise on Wednesday when the Arizona Cardinals announced that general manager Steve Keim was taking a health-related leave of absence. In early reports, it was described as an indefinite leave.
It is certainly possible that he does not return.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport had more insight on Thursday. There is “no timetable for his return.”
“It remains to be seen when he will be back with the team,” Rapoport said on NFL Network. “The future is certainly in doubt there (and) up in the air, I would say. We’ll see when and if he ends up coming back.”
Rapoport also described it as a “situation that has been developing over the course of the last several weeks and several months.”
This would suggest either a declining health problem or it could be related to something he has been doing that is affecting his health.
In the meantime, Adrian Wilson and Quentin Harris are now both splitting Keim’s duties.
UCLA is on track to join the Big Ten Conference as the university’s board of regents approved the Bruin’s exit from the Pac-12. | 2022-12-15T22:31:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | GM Steve Keim’s return to Cardinals ‘certainly in doubt,’ ‘up in the air’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/gm-steve-keim-return-cardinals-205145882.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/gm-steve-keim-return-cardinals-205145882.html?src=rss |
After an ACL tear in his final collegiate game for the Alabama Crimson Tide, Jameson Williams made his highly anticipated NFL debut this past weekend for the Detroit Lions.
Despite his injury, the Lions still used the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on him. Williams has game-changing speed, and on Sunday he showed that he’s picking up right where he left off.
In Week 14, Williams was the fastest-recorded receiver in the NFL topping out at 20.31 MPH. It’s a remarkable statistic, especially for a rookie, but when you factor in that this was his first game in 11 months it really puts things into perspective.
There were some concerns that Williams would lose some of his speed due to the injury, but it’s good to see that he officially put that all to rest.
247Sports' Steve Wiltfong projects Alabama to land 2023 DB from Florida
"It was my understanding there was nothing I could do to move anything forward at this time," the director said. | 2022-12-15T22:31:11Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jameson Williams was the NFL’s fastest WR in Week 14 | https://sports.yahoo.com/jameson-williams-nfl-fastest-wr-210740560.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jameson-williams-nfl-fastest-wr-210740560.html?src=rss |
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) There's still no doubt in Mike White's mind he'll start at quarterback for the New York Jets on Sunday.
''Uh, no,'' White said Thursday. ''None at all.''
''Like I said on Monday, I'm preparing as such,'' he added. ''And until something changes, we'll cross that bridge when we get there.''
''I feel good,'' White said. ''Just kind of general soreness from playing football and being hit, but I feel good.''
''Yeah, it's a little time and rest,'' White said. ''They've got the fancy lasers and they have a mat and all that good stuff. Way over my head. I just go in there, I'm a good soldier and I do what I'm supposed to and sit where I'm supposed to and lay down. There's a whole bunch of stuff they do in there.''
''Nothing too crazy,'' he said.
''No, he took some shots obviously in the game,'' LaFleur said. ''Even if he did, he wouldn't say it. He's a tough dude, so, no. The answer would be no.''
''Oh, it's awesome,'' White said. ''It's why you play sports, in general. If you're a competitor, you want it in your hands. You don't want to leave it up to someone else. You don't want to be rooting, `Well, we need this team to lose, but this team to win,' and all that.
''We want to go out and we want to control our own destiny. And any quarterback is going to tell you they want it in their hands.'' | 2022-12-15T22:31:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets QB White has no doubt he'll start Sunday vs. Lions | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-qb-white-no-doubt-212116002.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-qb-white-no-doubt-212116002.html?src=rss |
The New York Jets have cut safety Will Parks, per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network.
Parks appeared in 11 games this season with one start for the Jets. Parks recorded three tackles in 46 defensive snaps and two tackles in 136 special teams snaps. Parks also scored a touchdown off a fumble return on special teams against the Packers in Week 6.
Parks was in his first full season with the Jets after the team claimed him off waivers from the Dolphins last December. He has 191 total tackles in seven seasons which has also seen him appear in games for the Broncos and Eagles.
Parks is subject to the waiver wire. If he clears waivers, Parks would be a candidate for the practice squad. | 2022-12-15T22:31:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jets waive Will Parks | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-waive-parks-221655205.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jets-waive-parks-221655205.html?src=rss |
Perry: How Uche became the hottest pass-rusher on the planet originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
TUCSON, Ariz. -- When asked for his favorite pass-rush move after Wednesday's practice, Josh Uche's answer was fitting.
"The one where I'm not thinking," he said, "when I'm just going."
Uche is the hottest rusher in the NFL right now. He's unconscious, like a jump-shooter who can't miss, in the kind of flow state that athletes everywhere thirst for.
With three sacks and a quarterback hit that led to an interception against the Cardinals on Monday Night Football, Uche earned the AFC's Defensive Player of the Week honor and showed the country why he was one of the most promising front-seven defenders in the 2020 draft, when the Patriots made him a second-round pick.
"I told y’all I wasn't the best pass-rusher," Matthew Judon said after the game. "Our best pass-rusher is emerging. People are going to have to block him. and if they don’t, and if they chip my side and they worry about me, Uche will do that every week. I just love the way he’s playing with confidence and poise.
"And it’s the most he’s been able to play since he’s been in the NFL. So it’s taken a toll on him, but he’s going out there and having a lot of success. We all knew it. We all knew what type of player he was. He was drafted pretty high here and now he’s emerging, and folks are going to have to watch out."
If opponents aren't already game-planning for the third-year player out of Michigan, they haven't been paying attention. He's now up to 10.0 sacks on the season, making him and Judon (14.5 sacks) the first pair of teammates in the league this season to have double-digit sacks. (It's the first time the Patriots have had two players with double-digit sacks since Andre Carter and Mark Anderson back in 2011, and it's just the fourth time in team history that's happened.)
Judon should garner Defensive Player of the Year consideration based on how he's played this season, but it's Uche who is on the more staggering tear at the moment. In the last seven weeks, no one has more sacks than Uche (10). Among players with at least 100 passing-down snaps under their belts in that span, according to Pro Football Focus, he's first in pass-rush productivity, first in pass-rush win rate and second in pass-rush grade (behind only Cleveland's Myles Garrett).
Uche's ability to stay on the field long enough to be recognized as one of the most efficient rushers in football has been key. He played in only 21 of 33 possible regular-season games through his first two seasons, but this year he's only missed two games due to a hamstring issue.
"The biggest thing with Josh is just him being out there," Bill Belichick said this week. "He's always put good plays on film and good plays on the practice field, and he's flashed. This year he's been able to stay out there on a consistent basis, and that's allowed him to continue to move ahead and build on his repertoire, build his communication and execution with his teammates on pass-rush games and communication on drops, coverage adjustments, and things like that, which he's involved in to a degree.
"Just doing that on a consistent basis, day after day, week after week. That definitely piles up and makes him that split-second faster. Whether it's your reactions, communication, anticipation. I think those have really been the biggest things. He's been out there since the start of the offseason program, at training camp, and all the weeks in the regular season. That wasn't really the case the last two years. I think that's been a big thing. He's always worked hard, and always done everything you've asked him to do. He's been great to coach, but I think just his availability this year has affected his production."
Uche would tend to agree, he told The Next Pats Podcast.
"At Michigan," Uche said, "Coach [Jim] Harbaugh always emphasized, you only get good at what you do repetitively. Being out there on the practice field, we practice hard. You treat every practice like a game, and that's kind of what happens. You're working hard every single snap. Coach [Belichick] is right. It's a result of just being out there consistently and brick by brick, day by day, laying the foundation down."
Uche lifts weights after games like Judon. He makes regular use of the cold tub like Devin McCourty and Matthew Slater. He credits trainer Jared Lewis, who arrived to the Patriots in 2020 around the same time Uche did, with helping keep him right mentally and physically as he's fought through injury. Pass-rush coach Joe Kim and defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington have also been vital to Uche's development, he said.
He's also into pilates, which he insists has helped him stay on the field.
"Pilates is great," he said. "It was created by a boxer so it helps with different movements, core stability and mobility as well. Trying to implement that into my game and make things more fluid and prevent injuries."
Put it all together, and Uche has found a formula that has everyone taking notice of his skill set.
Against the Cardinals alone, he bothered quarterback Colt McCoy with a speed-to-power move that resulted in a sack. He also used a hesitation move for a sack and then put a different spin on the same stop-and-go move to notch the hit that led to rookie Marcus Jones' interception.
With Judon and Uche leading the charge, the Patriots are second in the NFL in pressure percentage, helping to propel a defense that has largely outperformed expectations this year.
Uche will have a shot at more highlight-reel plays on Sunday in Las Vegas as he goes up against a quarterback in Derek Carr who is 27th in the NFL in pressure rate (35.3 percent).
If he can stay healthy, quiet his mind, and just... go... as he's shown, results should follow. | 2022-12-15T22:31:30Z | sports.yahoo.com | How Josh Uche became the hottest pass-rusher on the planet | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-uche-became-hottest-pass-220700792.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-uche-became-hottest-pass-220700792.html?src=rss |
The Green Bay Packers may have found another gem in first-year offensive lineman Zach Tom. This season it hasn’t been uncommon for Tom to fill in at multiple positions along the offensive line at a moment’s notice. But in those moments, he hasn’t looked like a first-year player.
“Certainly not like a rookie,” coach Matt LaFleur said of how Tom has handled being put into difficult situations in his first season. “He’s stepped in there, and you talk about not flinching in any moment, he’s done that. I feel like, for the most part, he’s played at a pretty high level. I’m excited about Zach and the flexibility of another guy that can come in and play multiple positions. You can’t have enough guys like that.”
The Packers have a history of drafting offensive linemen with athletic traits and positional versatility. Tom is the latest example, with a 9.59 RAS score and 37 starts at both left tackle and center during his career at Wake Forest.
When Tom arrived in Green Bay, he was basically positionless. However, when injuries struck the offensive line, it became clear that he could play just about anywhere. In five games this season, Tom has taken snaps at right guard, left guard, and left tackle.
Right off the bat, Green Bay saw a glimpse of his versatility when left guard Jon Runyan suffered a concussion in the regular season opener against the Minnesota Vikings. Tom stepped in and played 30 snaps on offense, showing the Packers he could be relied on in a pinch.
As the season has progressed, the situations haven’t gotten easier. Tom made his first-career start on only two days’ notice, and it required protecting Aaron Rodgers’ blindside. Before a Week 7 meeting with the Washington Commanders, left tackle David Bakhtiari was ruled out after experiencing discomfort in his surgically repaired knee. Again, the team turned to Tom, who answered the call by not allowing a single sack or pressure on 41 snaps in pass protection.
Most rookies would waver under similar circumstances. Meanwhile, Tom has thrived as the team’s sixth offensive lineman in less-than-ideal conditions. According to Pro Football Focus, he is tied for first as the highest-rated rookie in pass protection with only one sack and five pressures allowed in 168 pass-blocking snaps.
Now Green Bay will have to lean on Tom after an unexpected appendectomy has sidelined Bakhtiari indefinitely. Luckily, the fourth-rounder has passed every test to date. | 2022-12-15T22:32:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers OL Zach Tom handling adversity better than most rookies | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-ol-zach-tom-handling-205245451.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-ol-zach-tom-handling-205245451.html?src=rss |
For the better part of three seasons, Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis provided a sturdy backbone for the tight end position of the Green Bay Packers.
Exiting the 2022 season, the Packers probably need to begin a makeover at the position.
Tonyan, in his first year back from a torn ACL, has 45 catches for 372 yards and one touchdown. Among 41 tight ends with 20 targets, Tonyan ranks 36th in yards per catch, and he’s one of only two tight ends with at least 40 catches and one or fewer touchdown catches. After signing a one-year deal to return to Green Bay, Tonyan will once again be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Lewis will turn 39 years old next May. While a true stalwart as a blocking tight end, Lewis is in the twilight of his incredible career and may not get a chance to return to Green Bay in 2023. His contract voids after the season.
The Packers have just one tight end under contract entering 2023: Josiah Deguara, who has played only 182 snaps and received 13 targets through 13 games this season, his third in the NFL.
The tight end position is an important one in Matt LaFleur’s offense given its versatility in the run game and passing game. The Packers need to provide a jolt to both the talent and depth here.
Maybe Tonyan will return on another short deal and regain some of his burst as a route runner in 2023. Maybe Lewis will return for another year and provide one more season of reliable blocking. But it certainly looks like the Packers are headed for a transition period at tight end.
A veteran addition in free agency and a draft pick could be required to get the position back on track in the short term and long term.
Tonyan, Lewis, Deguara and Tyler Davis have produced nothing more than 524 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2022. In 2020 alone, Tonyan had 586 receiving yards and 11 scores. Despite Tonyan catching 80 percent of his targets, he’s still only averaging 6.6 yards per target, a far cry from his average of 9.9 yards in 2020.
The regression at the position started with Tonyan’s injury in 2021 and has extended into 2022, and now changes are likely coming.
The Packers have a clear choice coming up at tight end: run it back with the same cast of characters in 2023, or start anew. The results in 2022 suggest a new path might be required.
Top of the class: 2023 NFL Draft offers exciting options for Packers at TE | 2022-12-15T22:32:27Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers tight end position in need of makeover in 2023 | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-tight-end-position-makeover-213633512.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-tight-end-position-makeover-213633512.html?src=rss |
Red Zone's Scott Hanson shares national perspective of Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots remain in the playoff hunt with four games left on the schedule, but the team's offensive struggles have fans feeling pessimistic about their chances.
Those issues were evident again in Monday night's win over the Arizona Cardinals. While second-year quarterback Mac Jones downplayed his visible frustration with the offense and endorsed play-caller Matt Patricia, there still seems to be a disconnect on the field.
Cassel's Mailbag: Getting to the root of the Patriots' offensive struggles
How does the rest of the nation perceive the Patriots as they look to make a playoff push? NFL Red Zone's Scott Hanson joined Tom E. Curran on a new Patriots Talk Podcast to share a national perspective.
"From the way I see the 10,000-foot view of the NFL, I don't think the nation looks at the Patriots like they're a team you don't want to play if they happen to get in (the playoffs)," Hanson said. "There are teams right now -- obviously there's the elite teams --- and then there's team where it's like, OK, this team's going to get into the playoffs but they look like they're a one-and-done. Then there's teams that are like, this team might get into the playoffs and if they do, you don't want to see them right now.
"If they get in the playoffs, people are like, 'I wouldn't mind the matchup. I wouldn't mind the Patriots coming into our stadium,' and whatnot. And I think that's where the Patriots are."
Also discussed in the episode: Will Mac Jones’ frustration with play-calling linger into the Raiders game? What do players mean by wanting to be coached harder? Why the Raiders are a tougher matchup than you think. And would you rather have Mac Jones or Derek Carr? | 2022-12-15T22:32:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots Talk: NFL Red Zone's Scott Hanson on the national perspective of Pats | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-talk-nfl-red-zones-214400636.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-talk-nfl-red-zones-214400636.html?src=rss |
The Seahawks have announced one roster move ahead of tonight’s crucial matchup with the 49ers.
Igwebuike made his Seattle debut last week against the Panthers and was one of only a handful of bright spots. He gave a shot in the arm to a return game that’s made very few splash plays this season. Igwebuike returned three kickoffs against Carolina, beginning with a 50-yarder. He totaled 104 yards in all, averaging 34.7 per attempt.
That’s the best the Seahawks’ return game has looked in a long time, so he’ll be given another championship opportunity tonight. By comparison, Deejay Dallas has averaged 22.5 yards per attempt this year.
Igwebuike will be out of practice squad elevations after this, so Seattle will need to cut somebody from the 53-man roster next week if they want to give him the KRO job long-term. | 2022-12-15T22:32:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | Seahawks elevate RB/KR Godwin Igwebuike from practice squad again | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-elevate-rb-kr-godwin-212057763.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-elevate-rb-kr-godwin-212057763.html?src=rss |
The Houston Texans deployed an uncommon strategy to move the football against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14.
Although the Texans lost 27-23 to Dallas at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Houston made the Cowboys sweat. The Texans led 23-20 and had a goal-to-go with 5:37 to go in the game until the Cowboys managed to get the ball back and mount a 98-yard, game-winning drive.
Contrast that with Week 8 with the Tennessee Titans. Houston’s anemic offense fell down as far as 17-3 with 11:08 to go. Houston didn’t score a touchdown until 17 seconds left in the game with rookie Dameon Pierce catching a 3-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Davis Mills.
The Texans generated 327 yards total offense throughout the flow of the game — not in garbage time with the time well in hand.
Why Houston was able to move the ball more effectively was due to the dual quarterback approach. Mills started the game, and was an effective 16-of-21 for 175 yards and an interception, but backup Jeff Driskel saw considerable snaps and led Houston with 4-6 passing for 38 yards and a touchdown while carrying seven times for 36 yards.
Mills told reporters Tuesday that he and Driskel spend time on the sideline processing the game together.
“There’s a lot of back-and-forth on the sideline, making sure we were seeing things the same, kind of bouncing ideas off each other,” said Mills. “Obviously, our play calls weren’t the exact same, so we’re not seeing the exact looks.”
According to Mills, the collaboration with Driskel is especially helpful as he is getting live reps against the same defense.
The Texans may continue their split time at quarterback as they take on the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from NRG Stadium.
WATCH: Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed mic’d up for Week 14 win over Broncos
On the anniversary of his brother's death, #Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed called his interception against the #Broncos and was mic'd up for it. | 2022-12-15T22:32:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans QB Davis Mills talks about how he processes the game with Jeff Driskel | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-qb-davis-mills-talks-214231974.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-qb-davis-mills-talks-214231974.html?src=rss |
New England Patriots left tackle Trent Brown has been around long enough to know how to deal with the criticism that constantly comes his way. So the advice he could give a younger player like rookie offensive guard Cole Strange is invaluable.
The two have worked side-by-side in an effort to save the failing offensive line this season. Not having an experienced offensive coordinator or line coach (sorry, Matt Patricia) has obviously contributed to those struggles.
It also hasn’t helped that players have been in and out of the lineup with injuries and illnesses. Quite frankly, this hasn’t been the best year to be a player in Strange’s position.
When meeting with the media, Brown said he spoke with Strange personally about the best way to deal with the outside pressure.
“Everybody gonna fuss, good or bad. The fans gonna talk [expletive], good or bad. [expletive] ’em,” said Brown.
For Strange, it’s all about lining up and doing his job on the football field. As long as he does that, the sky is the limit for the first-round pick out of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
E-ZPass holders line up to pay past-due tolls as deadline looms
Long lines greeted people who have outstanding E-ZPass tolls in Maryland and wanted to pay them without penalty by the deadline Wednesday night. In February, the MDTA approved a plan to waive E-ZPass penalties, but some customers complained they haven't received toll bills or they have been charged exorbitant fees and have been billed mistakenly. The initial deadline was Nov. 30, but the Maryland Transportation Authority gave those with outstanding bills two extra weeks to pay up. Those people have until 11:59 p.m. Wednesday to pay without penalty. The MDTA warned this extension was the only one it's giving.
Beyonce and Amazon Music will hold an event called “Club Renaissance” this weekend in Los Angeles, apparently a celebration of the singer’s six-month-old latest album. Details were scarce at the time of this article’s publication, although the fine print says Beyonce’s company, Parkwood, “invites you to experience ‘Renaissance’ in spatial audio,” so it seems at […] | 2022-12-15T22:33:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | Trent Brown left rookie Cole Strange with this powerful quote to live by in NFL | https://sports.yahoo.com/trent-brown-left-rookie-cole-210649553.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/trent-brown-left-rookie-cole-210649553.html?src=rss |
The Board of directors of NuGen Medical Devices Inc. (TSXV:NGMD)(OTCQB:NGMDF) ("NuGen'' or the "Company"), a leader in needle-free drug delivery, announces the departure of Mr. Michael Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Wright remains a director and a shareholder of the Company and will assist with the management transition. | 2022-12-15T23:22:05Z | sports.yahoo.com | No. 25 Miami can't look past St. Francis (Pa.) | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-25-miami-cant-look-204938853.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/no-25-miami-cant-look-204938853.html?src=rss |
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — While much of the onus for the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is how Michigan football’s defense will perform against the vaunted TCU offense, the offensive side of the ball for the Wolverines is preparing to face the Horned Frogs’ defense.
Ranked No. 74 in the country, the TCU defense isn’t among the nation’s elite, but much of that could be explained away by the pass-heavy Big 12 conference. The Horned Frogs are one of five Big 12 teams with a top 50 passing offense across college football.
But the Wolverine offense is fully focused on what the TCU defense presents, noting that there are a lot of things that the Horned Frogs do well.
“I’ve watched them the past week. Obviously, they’re a really good defense,” senior left guard Trevor Keegan said. “They run the 3-3-5. Their linebackers fly around to the ball, they come downhill. Their safeties want to make tackles in the run game. Their D-line, they’re thick, their nose tackle’s thick. Their two four (interior players), they play five techniques, too. They’re pretty good players, too. So it’s gonna be a challenge for us.”
One thing that stands out to freshman tight end Colston Loveland is that this will be the first time this season that the Wolverines have faced the 3-3-5 defense, which will be a challenge since it’s unfamiliar. He also noted as we did above, that the numbers may not be reflective of how good the TCU defense is, given that it’s faced a lot of air raid attacks given the conference.
“Off the head, I can’t think of anyone that plays similar,” Loveland said. “I mean it’s Big 12, there’s a lot of air raids so we don’t want to see a lot of that but yeah, not I can think of right now. I’m sure there is.”
But there is one advantage that Michigan does see: this isn’t a TCU defense that gets after the quarterback that often.
Michigan already has the best offensive line that the Horned Frogs will have seen all year, and while there may be an onus on stopping the Wolverine run game, they’ll likely also do whatever they can to stymie the Michigan passing attack.
Still, it’s a pick-your-poison type of situation, as the Wolverines have shown, especially the past two weeks, that they can win through the air just as much as they can on the ground.
“We know that they’d like to drop a lot of guys in coverage, don’t bring much pressure,” Loveland said. “So we’re gonna take advantage of that.
Michigan and TCU will face off in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on Dec. 31 with kickoff at 4 p.m. EST.
The Boilermakers play LSU on Jan. 2. | 2022-12-15T23:26:58Z | sports.yahoo.com | What Michigan football players see in the TCU defense | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-players-see-tcu-214912949.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-football-players-see-tcu-214912949.html?src=rss |
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Dec. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TopBuild Corp. (NYSE:BLD), a leading installer and specialty distributor of insulation and building material products to the construction industry in the United States and Canada, has appointed Deirdre Drake, Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer and Head of Communications at United States Cellular Corporation (“UScellular”) to the Company’s board of directors as of January 1, 2023, which will then be comprised of eight members. Ale
Tyrese Haliburton scores 29 points and Bennedict Mathurin 24 to lead the Pacers to a 125-119 win over the Golden State Warriors.
Blake Shelton exclusively tells ET about Gwen Stefani getting emotional over his season 22 win on NBC's ‘The Voice.'
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Preferred Bank (NASDAQ: PFBC), one of the largest independent commercial banks in California, today reported that the Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.55 per share, payable on January 20, 2023 to holders of record on January 6, 2023. This dividend represents an increase of 28% over the previous dividend level of $0.43 per share. Chairman and CEO Li Yu commented, “We are very pleased to announce this increase in the qua | 2022-12-15T23:27:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Which USA TODAY Sports writer stands alone in his Rose Bowl prediction? | https://sports.yahoo.com/pacers-center-myles-turner-loves-195300296.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pacers-center-myles-turner-loves-195300296.html?src=rss |
They will be in their road white, with red numbers, scarlet and gray piping on the sleeves with a Peach Bowl logo on the left shoulder. A neat addition to the uniform is the fight on the back collar, which is a reminder of the Buckeyes core values.
At some point in time these will be available for purchase, but that information seems unknown at the moment. For now, we have a teaser of what the Bucks will be wearing on New Year’s Eve against Georgia.
Steele Chambers says he'll return to Ohio State for fifth year | 2022-12-15T23:27:17Z | sports.yahoo.com | See what uniform tops Ohio State will be wearing in the Peach Bowl | https://sports.yahoo.com/see-uniform-tops-ohio-state-220641203.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/see-uniform-tops-ohio-state-220641203.html?src=rss |
Chilean tennis player Barbara Gatica Aviles has been banned from the sport for three years after admitting she was paid to deliberately lose a match.
The House voted in favor of the Puerto Rico Status Act, which aims to resolve the U.S. territory's status and its U.S. relationship through a binding plebiscite. | 2022-12-15T23:52:26Z | sports.yahoo.com | Carlos Rodón’s two-pitch dominance mirrors Jacob deGrom’s. Their contracts might reframe starting pitching. | https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-rodons-two-pitch-dominance-mirrors-jacob-de-groms-their-contracts-might-reframe-starting-pitching-232921011.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-rodons-two-pitch-dominance-mirrors-jacob-de-groms-their-contracts-might-reframe-starting-pitching-232921011.html?src=rss |
Here, then, is a ranking of the teams in the running for playoff spots that can most challenge the Eagles' run to a Super Bowl. They're ranked from least to most challenging.
Chance at upset: None
Miles Sanders of the Eagles scores for a TD in the second half as the Philadelphia Eagles came to East Rutherford, NJ and defeat their division rivals the New York Giants 48-22 on December 11, 2022.
Seattle's DK Metcalf (14) makes a jumping catch over Philadelphia's Marcus Epps (37) in a Jan. 2020 playoff game.
For a while, longtime journeyman quarterback Geno Smith was having a better season than Jalen Hurts. But that's not the case anymore as Seattle has gone 1-3 since its 6-3 start. Still, DK Metcalf is always dangerous at receiver. And rookie cornerback Tariq Woolen, who's tied with Eagles safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson for the NFL lead with six interceptions, has already started drawing comparisons to longtime great Seahawks corner Richard Sherman. The problem is Woolen can't cover both A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at the same time. And the Seahawks are 31st in stopping the run. Hurts and Miles Sanders might both surpass 100 yards rushing.
Chance at upset: 5%
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Philadelphia.
This team is not the same team that knocked out the Eagles in the playoffs last season when the Bucs took a 31-0 lead in the third quarter. That's obvious with the Bucs' 6-7 record, good enough to lead the NFC South. The Buccaneers don't have a running game, and Tom Brady can't do it with just his arm anymore at the age of 45. At the same time, Hurts isn't the same quarterback who looked overmatched in throwing two interceptions in the playoffs last year. No doubt, Hurts would love to show Tampa Bay how much he has improved.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Philadelphia.
The Packers (5-8) have a long way to go just to get into the playoffs. That means they would have to win all four of their remaining games, then hope for some help. If that happens, that will mean Aaron Rodgers and the Packers' offense have finally figured it out. The Eagles beat the Packers 40-33 on Nov. 27 with a punishing run game as Hurts had 157 yards on the ground and Sanders had 143. But Rodgers is dangerous enough to keep the Packers within striking distance.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) celebrates his interception with safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (23) during the NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Sept. 19, 2022, in Philadelphia.
Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert runs against Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye, left, and safety DeShon Elliott during the first half on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2022, at Ford Field.
Don't look now, but outside of the Eagles, the Lions are the hottest team in football, having won five of their last six after a 1-6 start. The Eagles saw a glimpse of what the Lions could become in the opener when they had to hold on for a 38-35 win. The Lions are much better since then, now that rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams has recovered from a torn ACL. The Eagles' run defense has improved greatly since then, too. But if the Lions get into the postseason, they will be a tough out.
Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2022, in Philadelphia.
The Commanders (7-5-1) are the only team to beat the Eagles this season. But they're even more dangerous than in that Nov. 14 meeting because defensive end Chase Young is expected back from his torn ACL this Sunday, and thus should be reaching peak conditioning in the playoffs. That gives Washington a formidable front-7 that the Eagles will have to contend with. And the Commanders are light years better than they were in the first meeting when Carson Wentz was the starter and the Eagles sacked him nine times in an easy 24-8 win. Wentz went on IR, then lost his job to Taylor Heinicke upon his return. Heinicke isn't Rodgers, of course, but Washington is 5-1-1 with him.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (2) with the interception as Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup (13) tried to chase him down during the NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022, in Philadelphia.
The question with the Cowboys (10-3) is which team will show up? Is it the one that ransacked the Vikings 40-3, or needed a last-minute rally to beat the lowly Houston Texans on Sunday? Sure, the Eagles beat the Cowboys in the first meeting, but Dak Prescott didn't play. And the running back duo of Tony Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott could give the Eagles fits, along with a wide receiver corps that just added T.Y. Hilton to CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. The Eagles' path to victory is through the running game, where the Cowboys are somewhat vulnerable. But the Eagles will have to deal with star linebacker Micah Parsons, a big reason why the Cowboys have a top-five overall defense. It's crucial that the Eagles lock up the NFC East title, thus guaranteeing a home game should they meet the Cowboys in the playoffs.
The Eagles opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert, who is on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Goedert said Wednesday that it's "still up in the air, but trending in the right direction" as to whether he'll play Sunday. That would be the first game that Goedert is eligible to return after missing the required 4 games. Goedert has 43 catches for 544 yards this season.
Defensive end Brandon Graham was named the NFC's Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high 3 sacks against the Giants on Sunday. It's the second time this season that Graham has won the award this season. He also won it Week 3 after getting 2.5 sacks against the Washington Commanders.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Ranking which teams in the NFC could end Eagles Super Bowl hopes | 2022-12-15T23:52:39Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ranking NFC teams that could ruin Eagles' Super Bowl dreams − and whether it will happen | https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-nfc-teams-could-ruin-095020748.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ranking-nfc-teams-could-ruin-095020748.html?src=rss |
News of the possibility comes just days after league commissioner Gary Bettman shared that the NHL’s salary cap would potentially only be going up by $1 million next season, which was much lower than initially expected. The cap remains stagnant due to an agreement between the NHL and NHLPA that required all escrow debts to be paid off from the pandemic for the salary cap to increase by the $4 million figure that had been floated around.
Bettman shared on Tuesday that projections leave the players association with approximately $70 million in escrow for the end of the season.
Whether or not this move would be popular is an entirely different discussion — fans often drew weary of facing the same team up to 10 times during the COVID-shortened season, as was the case between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens — though the NHL seems unlikely to base their decisions on fan feedback, evidenced by Bettman’s comments on the appeal of digital board ads earlier this week.
It’s also unclear exactly how far along these discussions actually are. Sportico reported that a change in schedule structure was not on the agenda at the Board of Governors meeting, though it was discussed at the GM meetings in Toronto earlier this fall.
The temporary mandate, which will run from Jan. 3-13, is aimed at reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses after a holiday season likely filled with more social gatherings and increased exposure, the district said in a statement on Thursday. Health experts say the U.S. healthcare system is under strain because of a "tridemic" caused by COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). White House COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha said on Thursday the country was probably experiencing its worst flu season in a decade.
The National Hockey League is considering an overhaul of its scheduling with a shift that would create more games between geographic rivals, ease travel demands, and generate more money for teams across the league. NHL owners and executives have discussed the potential change multiple times over the past few months, according to people familiar with […] | 2022-12-15T23:52:45Z | sports.yahoo.com | NHL reportedly looking to add more rivalry games to schedule | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-nhl-looking-to-add-more-rivalry-games-with-changes-to-schedule-225728930.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/report-nhl-looking-to-add-more-rivalry-games-with-changes-to-schedule-225728930.html?src=rss |
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson were two trendy picks to lead their teams on deep playoff runs this season. For that matter, two trendy picks to lead fantasy teams to playoff success, too.
At least half of what before the season looked like an enticing matchup featuring two mobile quarterbacks won't be on display Sunday when Arizona visits Denver. Murray's done for the season after tearing his ACL on Monday night. Wilson remains in the league's concussion protocol and may come down to a game-time decision.
Wilson is progressing through the necessary steps to possibly return after sustaining a head injury last weekend when he dived head-first for the goal line after scrambling for a 14-yard gain. He was replaced by Rypien in the fourth quarter of Denver's 34-28 loss to Kansas City.
''We're playing it day-by-day, minute-by-minute,'' Hackett said of Wilson.
''I'm saddened for Kyler,'' McCoy said. ''I said it in postgame, but I spend more time with him than my kids, right? We're close. We're in the room together. I feel for him.''
Broncos safety Justin Simmons said of playing the final month of the season with no postseason possibility: ''I'm just going to go out there and do my job at the highest level of ability that I can. I'm not going to leave anything left in the tank.''
''We're not in the situation that we want to be in, but there's some high-character guys in there,'' McCoy said. ''I think it's my job, and a lot of the leaders on this team's job, to get us all in the right mind(set) (to be) ready to go play this game, play out the rest of the season, treat it like professionals, and understand that the ball hasn't bounced our way this year.''
''I've been pleased with the plans and the way he's executed them,'' Kingsbury said. ''He's running downhill and playing physical.''
Publisher Fred Ryan described as ‘embarrassing’ after walking out of meeting following revelation that up to 250 jobs could be lost | 2022-12-16T00:01:21Z | sports.yahoo.com | The backup show? Broncos, Cards may feature Rypien, McCoy | https://sports.yahoo.com/backup-show-broncos-cards-may-222840559.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/backup-show-broncos-cards-may-222840559.html?src=rss |
The Chicago Bears released their second injury report ahead of their Week 15 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday. The most notable change to the report was quarterback Justin Field’s status, which changed from did not practice on Wednesday due to illness but was upgraded to a full participant on Thursday.
Among the other Bears who were listed on the report as full participants were rookie defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, wide receiver N’Keal Harry, and cornerback Kindle Vildor. The status of Chicago’s defensive backs is a good sign for their chances of deploying an effective defense against the Eagles’ dangerous air attack, and Harry’s involvement in practice could give Fields an edge when the Bears throw the ball.
Three Bears, receiver Chase Claypool, tight end Trevon Wesco, and running back David Montgomery were all listed as non-participants. Claypool is dealing with a knee injury while Wesco was listed as having an issue with his calf. Neither of the pass-catchers participated in practice on Wednesday, and their status for Sunday’s matchup is unclear. Montgomery was listed as dealing with an illness.
Offensive lineman Larry Borom was limited on Thursday after being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday with a knee injury. This change should create some positive momentum for the second-year lineman, who has started to find his stride as part of Chicago’s front-five this season.
All in all, the Bears are likely outmatched by the Eagles on paper regardless of their injured players’ designations. The team is reeling after a loss to their divisional rival Green Bay Packers and is in desperate need of a victory against a top-tier opponent after only winning three games to this point in the season.
Fields’ status as a full participant is a good sign, though, and the team will certainly be better equipped to take on Philadelphia with their starting quarterback under center. | 2022-12-16T00:01:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bears release Thursday injury report, Justin Fields listed as full participant | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-release-thursday-injury-report-224255525.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-release-thursday-injury-report-224255525.html?src=rss |
Lynch reveals key trait that helps Purdy fit 49ers' offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
“He makes decisions really quickly,” Lynch told NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco on the latest episode of “49ers Game Plan.” “I think Kyle’s going to put a lot on quarterbacks in terms of a lot of information, even calling the plays. There’s a lot of verbiage to him.
“Brock can handle all those things. He’s always going to be prepared.”
Purdy stepped in for an injured Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 13, contributing mightily to a hard-fought victory over the Miami Dolphins. Then, on Sunday, he led a 35-7 rout of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his first NFL start.
Lynch said there’s plenty that stood out about Purdy during those two games, like his “composure,” “toughness” and “athleticism.”
But there was one trait that the 49ers weren’t expecting.
“I think the playmaking ability probably has surprised us more than anything,” Lynch continued. “And that’s in rhythm, that’s also extending and creating plays downfield.
“I think that’s why … He can match wits with Kyle, he can hang with him. And that’s tough to do.”
Purdy is listed as questionable for Thursday’s NFC West showdown with the Seattle Seahawks, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the rookie is expected to start the game at Lumen Field.
Purdy himself has already told reporters he’s ready for the “hostile” environment in Seattle.
And based on everything Lynch has seen from the 22-year-old so far, he knows Purdy can handle the decibel-shattering noise on the Seahawks’ turf.
“There’s a lot of challenges,” Lynch said. “I mean, it’s probably the loudest place in football to go play … We know what we’re going to get from them. That’s a challenge for any player, let alone a rookie quarterback. So, Brock knows what he’s in for, and if not, he’ll figure it out Thursday night.
“I just think he’s been ready for every challenge, and I believe he’ll be ready for this one.”
If Purdy has proven anything during his time as QB1 so far, it’s that he isn’t your average rookie.
And he’ll certainly look to do so once again against the Seahawks.
Former Saints players Willie Snead IV and Jackrabbit Jenkins are playing for San Francisco, while Tony Jones Jr. and Al Woods are suiting up for Seattle on Thursday night:
Her parents went out of their way for this. | 2022-12-16T00:01:34Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brock Purdy's playmaking ability as rookie surprising to 49ers, John Lynch | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdys-playmaking-ability-rookie-232222153.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brock-purdys-playmaking-ability-rookie-232222153.html?src=rss |
Perry: Is Hopkins a possibility for the Patriots in 2023? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Bill Belichick's embrace with DeAndre Hopkins on Monday night left many pondering the possibility of the star Arizona Cardinals wideout joining the New England Patriots.
Is it feasible? Sure is. Is it likely? That's another discussion.
As we kick this around, let's start with the financial portion of the equation. Hopkins is due $19.5 million in base salary in 2023. That may sound like a lot, but in today's NFL, it ain't horrible for a receiver who still has the ability to change games. Tyreek Hill makes $30 million annually from the Dolphins. DeVante Adams gets $28 million per year from the Raiders. Hopkins isn't on the level of those players at this point in his career, but when you consider the average annual value of Keenan Allen's contract with the Chargers ($20 million) or Amari Cooper's contract with the Browns ($20 million), what Hopkins is slated to earn isn't a deal-breaker.
Would the Cardinals be willing to part with Hopkins? Trading him in the offseason, before June 1, would save Arizona $22.6 million on their cap. They would have to be willing to eat about $8 million in dead money, but maybe they would be. They look like a rebuilding team at 4-9, with a general manager who is currently out of the picture, and a head coach who could be on his way out of town after the season given his rocky relationship with now-injured quarterback Kyler Murray. A draft pick or two may be intriguing to ownership and the next front-office chief.
What might a compensation package for Hopkins look like? The Packers just offloaded Adams for a first and a second-round pick in the 2022 draft. The Raiders also provided Adams a brand new contract after the trade. Because Hopkins is older (31 in June) and not as dominant at this stage of his career, perhaps only one pick -- a first-rounder? -- would be enough to get the Cardinals to bite.
Hopkins isn't the kind of field-stretching talent that would necessarily transform the Patriots into a vertically-based passing game. But his hands and his contested-catch ability still make him a threat every time he's on the field. Since his return from a performance-enhancing drug suspension that held him out for the first six games of the season, he leads the NFL in catches (43) and targets (57), and he's third in yards (475) behind only Hill and Justin Jefferson.
Given the way Belichick showed love for Hopkins on Monday night -- the same way Belichick made a clear show of his admiration for eventual Patriots Hunter Henry and Chad Ochocinco prior to their arrivals to Foxboro -- and given the way that love was reciprocated, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Patriots pursue Hopkins this coming offseason. They could use a dominating presence at wideout, a bail-out option for Mac Jones, and they are currently scheduled to have over $50 million in cap space, per Over The Cap, placing them fourth in the NFL in that category.
Who is the Boston Celtics’ drippiest player this season?
If you guessed the guy with his own line of clothing, you might be wrong.
Dua Lipa Is ‘Very Much’ Jack Harlow’s Type—Here’s How Long He’s Been ‘Pursuing’ Her
That "few weeks" timeline would have Curry out for the Warriors' Christmas Day game against the Grizzlies. | 2022-12-16T00:02:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Is DeAndre Hopkins a possibility for the Patriots in 2023? | https://sports.yahoo.com/deandre-hopkins-possibility-patriots-2023-224700045.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/deandre-hopkins-possibility-patriots-2023-224700045.html?src=rss |
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) This can't be what the NFL's schedule-makers and ESPN executives had in mind.
But instead of a playoff preview, the ''Monday Night Football'' audience will get two of the NFL's most disappointing teams when the Rams (4-9) visit the Packers (5-8).
''Being the No. 1 seed (in the NFC) the last two seasons leading into this season, a lot of high hopes, right?'' Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said during the bye week. ''We were certainly expected to be competing for a championship - and we are still in it.
''If we're able to dig our way back into this thing, we still kind of feel like we have the ability to do that. But this season has not gone as we expected.''
''I think some positive momentum, no doubt,'' McVay said. ''You're just so happy because you see the players be able to see the work that they've put in and then get some tangible rewards.''
''I don't know if you could write it any better than that,'' Mayfield said after the game. ''Obviously, we'd like to be a little bit more stress-free. But it's a pretty damn good story. I'll be honest with you. It's special.''
''I do think they come in bunches,'' Douglas said. ''I just think we're being more aggressive as a team and we're all on the same page with what we've got going on.''
''When the opportunities presented themselves, obviously he's made the most of them,'' Gutekunst said. ''I think the thing I'm most proud about with Christian right now is he really has a desire to be great - and he's not walking around here like he's arrived in any way. ... He knows there's still a lot of work out there for him.''
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the MVP the past two seasons, enters the Packers' final four games having thrown nine interceptions - the most he's had in a season since he threw 11 during the team's Super Bowl-winning season of 2010. His passer rating of 92.4 would be his lowest in 15 years as a starter. | 2022-12-16T00:02:12Z | sports.yahoo.com | Disappointing seasons remove buzz from Rams-Packers matchup | https://sports.yahoo.com/disappointing-seasons-remove-buzz-rams-222317627.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/disappointing-seasons-remove-buzz-rams-222317627.html?src=rss |
LOS ANGELES (AP) The Los Angeles Chargers' defense had its best game of the season last week in shutting down one of the league's top passing attacks.
''It's about going out there and doing what you need to do to get a win,'' Henry said. ''It's about just getting back to how we want to play.''
''We're going to give it to him as many times as we possibly can. I mean, it's no secret,'' Vrabel said. ''Derrick's been great with ball security. Hopefully, we can get those things fixed and corrected.''
''You can't let good running backs get started. It doesn't matter what their style is. If they can get started within the play, then they're going to have a chance to be successful,'' coach Brandon Staley said. ''You have to go attack, and you have to go play team defense and tackle the guy with more than one guy.
''That's what we're going to try and do on Sunday.''
''It is a balancing act there of trying to do as much as you can and work the things as much as you can, but when you are banged up, your body can only do so much. It is not just myself. That is everybody on this team,'' said Tannehill, who has been limited due to an ankle injury. ''You can't worry too much about what is happening in front of you or around you. You have got to be able to try to move as best you can within the pocket and deliver the ball in an accurate and timely fashion.'' | 2022-12-16T00:02:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Henry, Titans look to snap skid on road against Chargers | https://sports.yahoo.com/henry-titans-look-snap-skid-233714360.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/henry-titans-look-snap-skid-233714360.html?src=rss |
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) A two-point loss at Cleveland. A one-point loss to Green Bay. A one-point loss to the Los Angeles Rams. A three-point overtime loss to Pittsburgh.
''It stuck with me the whole offseason,'' he said. ''I've had to think about those losses all offseason. So yes, shoot, it's still stuck with me right now.''
''The protocols - they were doing their job and making sure I was safe,'' he said. ''Clearly, I'm safe enough to play this week.''
''I'm an aggressive player. I try to get the first down on every down, or the touchdown,'' Huntley said. ''He told me, `Slide a little, just see another day.' That's what I'm going to continue to work on.''
''I'm very pleased with our guys. They've done a great job. It's a great room,'' Harbaugh said. ''They work well together. Of course, (quarterbacks coach) James Urban does a great job, (assistant quarterbacks coach) Kerry Dixon also assists with that and does a great job.''
''It's a blessing to play for the Ravens,'' Huntley said. ''Every time I step on the field, I want to just prove that I appreciate this opportunity.'' | 2022-12-16T00:02:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Huntley looking for better ending to this season for Ravens | https://sports.yahoo.com/huntley-looking-better-ending-season-225926481.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/huntley-looking-better-ending-season-225926481.html?src=rss |
The plan was for both Smiths to work the left side of the Cowboys offensive line in 2022. Most imagined Tyron, the perennial All-Pro, would remain at left tackle, while Tyler, the promising rookie, would get a season-long immersion course alongside him at guard.
Obviously, things changed before Week 1. And now with Tyron ready to re-take the field, things may change again as the team enters the home stretch of the season four months later.
And the answer may be one that nobody saw coming.
Tyron Smith looks to make his season debut on Sunday in Jacksonville, but there is growing belief that he may be filling in at right tackle for part of the time.
“I think he’s all business,” Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said of the 32-year-old on Thursday. “He’s excited. You can see really the past month in his rehab that he’s really pushed to be back, to get back healthy. I know he’s excited to get going.”
But could he get going at a spot he hasn’t played since he was a 20-year-old fresh out of USC in 2011?
Last week showed that stranger things have happened.
The loss of tackle Terence Steele during Sunday’s win over Houston caused some emergency tweaks on the right side of the Dallas offensive front. Josh Ball, a fourth-round pick in 2021 who then spent the year on injured reserve, initially stepped in with all of 11 offensive snaps on his résumé.
Ball was manhandled on back-to-back fourth-quarter plays by the Texans’ Ogbonnia Okoronkwo. On the first, he forced a Dak Prescott fumble, but Ball managed to recover it. On the next snap, Okoronkwo disrupted Prescott’s arm motion during a pass attempt, and the throw was intercepted deep in Dallas territory.
When the Cowboys regained possession, Ball was on the sideline.
“He had a great game except for two plays,” McCarthy said on Monday, “but unfortunately, those plays count. They were big plays for our opponent. I think he’s been making a lot of progress throughout the year. I think he’s really settled down and is doing a good job of playing consistently with his technique.”
In his place and with the game in the balance, the Cowboys turned to 19th-year veteran Jason Peters. A left tackle by trade, the nine-time Pro Bowler had been brought to Dallas to be a swing tackle, perhaps backing up either Smith as needed on the left side.
He ended up swinging in at right tackle, a position he had not played since 2005.
Peters made the gargantuan mental flip-flop on the fly and did just enough on the right side to help the Dallas offense march 98 yards to a game-winning score.
But leaving the 40-year-old Peters at an unfamiliar position for an entire game is obviously less than ideal.
“The last couple of weeks we tried to get him in the rotation so that in the event things happen like this, it isn’t foreign to him as far as playing a higher number of reps,” Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore explained earlier in the week. “He got 28 [percent of the offense’s snaps] this week. So I think that’s a number that’s good. We’ll see how much more we can go from there and continue to build it. Other guys can play as well, probably, and we’ll see where it takes us.”
Ball was assumed to be the other guy Moore was referring to, with word coming from The Star that the veteran Peters would likely play most snaps at right tackle, with the Marshall product subbing for “non-pressured situations.”
A rotation at tackle is already a novel approach, at least for McCarthy, who admits he’d never done it before.
“Never have. This is new,” the coach told media members. “I just can’t say enough about the whole room. It could effect everybody.”
Well, maybe not everybody. Right guard Zack Martin famously filled in at right tackle due to the injuries that plagued the Dallas offensive line in 2020. He made it pretty clear then that he would not be interested in doing that again.
But sure enough, as another gameday approaches, a new possibility has bubbled up.
Why not leave Tyler Smith where he’s been and work Tyron Smith into the mix at right tackle? He started every game there in 2011 and was even named to the All-Rookie Team.
McCarthy would neither confirm nor deny that it was being considered.
“We really focus on where do the practice reps go. That’s what we’re doing this week, and you play to that. So we’ve been rolling Jason in pretty much here the past six, seven weeks, so that part won’t change. Josh Ball obviously got his opportunity because of the injury to Terence, so we’ll just continue to follow the trail of where the practice reps go.”
Moore had also been non-committal when the idea of Tyron seeing time at right tackle was mentioned during a Q&A session Monday.
“I think we’re really trying to see where he’s at as he’s coming back to to his availability.”
Availability. That’s what it all comes down to.
The Cowboys have three outstanding left tackles who will be available, for one left tackle spot. But two of them- the ones with 17 Pro Bowls between them- have also played right tackle before, even if sparingly and long ago. And the only other right tackle in the conversation is being talked about for “non-pressured situations.”
It wasn’t the plan. It’s not even Plan B. But in a so-crazy-it-just-might-work kind of way, a Peters-Tyron-Ball platoon may just be the best plan the Cowboys have at their disposal. | 2022-12-16T00:02:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Jason Peters, Josh Ball… Tyron Smith? Cowboys to ‘follow the trail’ at RT | https://sports.yahoo.com/jason-peters-josh-ball-tyron-233030338.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jason-peters-josh-ball-tyron-233030338.html?src=rss |
The Detroit Lions defense has been playing a lot better recently for a number of reasons. One of those has been the more reliable tackling, especially in the passing game.
Coordinator Aaron Glenn’s unit has done a fine job of not allowing loads of yards after catches (YAC), quickly tackling receivers after the catch. That’s a major focus for Glenn as he readies his Lions defense for the Week 15 matchup with the New York Jets.
“The one thing we’ve got to do a really, really good job of is tackling,” Glenn told reporters on Thursday. “They do a good job of breaking tackles, so population to the ball is something that we preach all the time. We’ve got to do a really good job of that.”
It is especially true with rookie wideout Garrett Wilson, who has played very well for the Jets. Wilson is second in the NFL in forced missed tackles by a wide receiver with 18 on the season. Only Deebo Samuel has more.
“Wilson’s the real deal. He’s a really good player,” Glenn said of the No. 10 overall pick of the 2022 NFL draft. “The Jets did a good job of identifying that player, and I think on a number of levels, I would say that he’s a good player because he breaks tackles like one of the better receivers I’ve seen this year as far as breaking tackles. He’s tough, he’s taking some hits now, and he’ll get back up.”
Wilson isn’t the only YAC threat on the Jets offense. TE Tyler Conklin is one of the better runners after the catch at his position, and RBs Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight are capable as well. Quarterback Mike White thrives at quickly distributing the ball to his receivers and letting them do the work.
That means tackling is imperative. Fortunately, the Lions have been one of the best-tackling teams in the league over the last six weeks. Detroit has clawed up to No. 11 in Pro Football Focus tackling grades as a team and has notched four of its top five scores in the last five weeks. | 2022-12-16T00:03:28Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lions DC Aaron Glenn wants his defense to focus on tackling vs. the Jets | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-dc-aaron-glenn-wants-223019275.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lions-dc-aaron-glenn-wants-223019275.html?src=rss |
Judon: 'Nothing in my body' but drug tests are getting excessive originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Matthew Judon says he's normally maxed out at about five drug tests per year. This year? He's already between eight and 10.
That may be the cost of being in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation. Judon has 14.5 sacks this season, and the league has been on him to ensure he's doing it cleanly.
"I've had a whole bunch of drug tests the past couple weeks, man," he said after Thursday's practice at the University of Arizona. "But it is what it is... There's nothing in my body so we're all right."
Why is he getting tested so frequently?
"Who knows? I don't know," he said. "I don't like it, but it really don't matter... Can't do nothing. If I don't take it, I get in trouble. So I'm just going to cry about it and take it."
Judon has been doing a good deal of coping on social media.
"Dear NFL (and) NFLPA," he tweeted on Thursday, "leave me the F alone please. It's no way this is random. I take melatonin to sleep sometimes. The rest is just vibes."
On Instagram, Judon posted a story asking the NFL when he might be done getting tested. For the league's response -- conjured up by Judon himself -- he posted a video of cornerback Marcus Peters doing a press conference and saying, "I think we ain't done yet. I. Think. We. Ain't. Done. Yet."
Judon was asked if it's motivating for him to be tested so frequently. If he thinks it's not being done randomly, perhaps he feels as though the number of tests is an indication someone believes that he can't be having the season he's having without the help of performance enhancers.
"Is it motivating? Hell no," he said. "That ain't motivating. Just something the NFL does. It's random. I don't think we have that many 'J' names so I guess mine gets called all the time." | 2022-12-16T00:03:41Z | sports.yahoo.com | Matt Judon: 'There's nothing in my body' but drug tests are getting excessive | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-judon-theres-nothing-body-231704674.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/matt-judon-theres-nothing-body-231704674.html?src=rss |
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) Randy Gregory's knee injury has taken a little longer than expected to heal.
''I've shut it down enough,'' explained Gregory, who's hoping to be activated off injured reserve and play Sunday against Arizona (4-9). ''I've missed a lot of time. I want to help where I can. I understand the landscape, the situation we're in as a unit, but it's important to go out there and end the season on a good note.''
''I wish it would have happened earlier,'' Gregory said of his return. ''But it was important for me to get back the right way and be healthy and be the player I know I can be.''
''I had talked to a doctor and told me, `Go back to the scene of the crime,''' Gregory explained. ''That's something that with injuries I feel like a lot of times you don't do. You do workouts, exercise therapies, to strengthen and get the mobility, but actually going out there and doing the actual move that you injured it on - you don't do that a lot.''
''A big part of it was me being able to go out there and feel confident and making football-specific moves and not feeling like I need to take an extra step,'' Gregory said. ''Or not feeling like I can't put my knee down the right way. That's a big part of getting back at the right time.''
''He's obviously super-talented at getting to the quarterback,'' safety Justin Simmons said. ''He's a game-wrecker.''
''It gets to a point where it's frustrating to see where we're at and I know I can help,'' Gregory said. ''I want to help. But I want to help them the right way.''
NOTES: Wilson was limited in practice Thursday as he progresses through the concussion protocol. ... Wide receivers Kendall Hinton and Courtland Sutton both didn't practice for a second straight day because of hamstring injuries. ... Defensive end Dre'Mont Jones (hip) also didn't practice Thursday. ''He's seeing some hip specialists,'' coach Nathaniel Hackett said. | 2022-12-16T00:03:53Z | sports.yahoo.com | Pass rusher Gregory eager to rejoin Broncos with knee healed | https://sports.yahoo.com/pass-rusher-gregory-eager-rejoin-232944073.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pass-rusher-gregory-eager-rejoin-232944073.html?src=rss |
LAS VEGAS (AP) If the New England Patriots make the playoffs, their weeklong stay out West likely will be a major reason.
''It's definitely a good thing,'' quarterback Mac Jones said on Boston radio station WEEI. ''It's important to realize we're out here to to do a job. It's great weather out here, and it's a great opportunity to have a really good week and to carry that over to Vegas.''
''It was good to be out there with the guys,'' Renfrow said. ''It was fun watching them winning a couple there. Just being a part of it again is going to be a blast.''
''That wasn't really the case the last two years,'' Belichick said. ''He's always worked hard and always done everything you've asked him to do. He's been great to coach, but I think just his availability this year has affected his production.''
''He's always put good plays on film and good plays on the practice field, and he's flashed,'' Belichick said.
''I think having a Thursday game and having those extra days was good for the team,'' quarterback Derek Carr said. ''I think after the little win streak that we went on, the expectations are so high.''
''The only response that really matters is on Sunday,'' wide receiver Davante Adams said.
''A lot of those games could have gone either way, but I think when you look at them you see two very, very explosive players offensively (Adams and running back Josh Jacobs) and a great quarterback,'' Belichick said.
''It's not a challenge that is unique to us,'' McDaniels said. ''As you know, New England is dealing with a bunch of different injury deals. Your depth becomes really important, I would say, in November and December every year. That's why it's important to try to look at the roster on the whole as 69 guys, not 53. Because at the end of the day, we're going to need a bunch more than 53 to complete the season.'' | 2022-12-16T00:04:00Z | sports.yahoo.com | Patriots complete stay out West with key game at Las Vegas | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-complete-stay-west-key-225046045.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-complete-stay-west-key-225046045.html?src=rss |
Hey, you can’t fault a guy for feeling confident. Pete Werner has been one of the breakout players of this difficult New Orleans Saints season, often standing out when the team has needed him. He’s currently working his way back from midseason ankle surgery, and Werner didn’t mince words when asked about expectations moving forward, despite their 4-9 record.
“Our mindset is win each day,” Werner said at the end of his Wednesday media availability session. “And we’re going 4-0 from this point on, and whatever happens, happens.”
It’s a good attitude to have, and it’s really the only thing the Saints can say right now. Capitulating isn’t an option even when the odds are long — and we do mean long, with FiveThirtyEight’s projections giving them less than one percent of a chance at reaching the playoffs. The games still need to be played. Keep your chin up and go to work.
Hopefully Werner can get back on the field and help out with those efforts. Veteran backup Kaden Elliss has done a fine job filling in for him, but Werner has been their best defender when he’s been on the field this season. Adding him back to the lineup would do a lot to help their case on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. We’ll just have to wait and see if he can play. | 2022-12-16T00:04:06Z | sports.yahoo.com | Pete Werner still confident, says Saints are ‘going 4-0 from this point on’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/pete-werner-still-confident-says-234822408.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/pete-werner-still-confident-says-234822408.html?src=rss |
The Los Angeles Rams have been thin at the edge rusher position in recent weeks and they’ll be even thinner in Week 15. With only a few days until the Rams square off against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football, the Rams have waived Terrell Lewis.
With Lewis being ineffective off of the edge this season, the Rams have made him a healthy scratch in two straight games. Despite Lewis’ struggles in Los Angeles, hopefully a change of scenery can help him reach his potential.
Even though Michael Hoecht, Keir Thomas, and Daniel Hardy will have opportunities to flash potential moving forward, it’s clear that the Rams will need to address the pass-rushing department in the offseason. | 2022-12-16T00:04:38Z | sports.yahoo.com | Rams waive LB Terrell Lewis | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-waive-lb-terrell-lewis-232715660.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/rams-waive-lb-terrell-lewis-232715660.html?src=rss |
A couple of former New Orleans Saints players will be on the field for Thursday night’s game between the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. Or ghosts of Saints’ Christmases past: wide receiver Willie Snead IV and cornerback Janoris Jenkins were both on the 49ers practice squad, but they’ve each been elevated for this Week 15 game, the team announced.
Snead, 30, has appeared in two games for San Francisco this season, totaling 26 snaps on offense and 13 reps on special teams, though he has yet to catch a pass. His career hasn’t gone as hoped since leaving the Saints back in 2018; after averaging 3.6 receptions for 48.1 yards per game in New Orleans, Snead has managed just 2.3 receptions for 26.1 yards per game in stops with the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, and 49ers. He’ll have opportunities with Deebo Samuel out for several weeks with an injury.
Jenkins, 34, is set to make his 49ers debut on Thursday night. He started 13 games for the Tennessee Titans after leaving the Saints last season and bided his time until a spot for him opened up on a title contender’s roster, and now he’s looking to get into games for a Super Bowl dark horse. His exact role with San Francisco is to be determined, but we’ll see how “Jackrabbit” performs against one of the NFL’s better receiving corps.
But they won’t be the only former Saints players on the field Thursday night. Several of them are on the Seahawks’ roster, including running back Tony Jones Jr., wide receiver Easop Winston Jr., and defensive tackle Al Woods. Woods deserves a lot of credit for the career he’s had — a 35-year old native of Jennings, La who was drafted out of LSU by the Saints back in 2010, he was cut by New Orleans before he ever played a down for them. He’s gone on to start 76 of the 153 games he’s played in the NFL and earn more than $24.3 million in contracts with seven different teams. Seriously, good for him.
Local dog mom looks to help other dog families with free coats and sweaters | 2022-12-16T00:04:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Several former Saints players called up from 49ers practice squad before TNF | https://sports.yahoo.com/several-former-saints-players-called-232445001.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/several-former-saints-players-called-232445001.html?src=rss |
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has been showing up the past two games.
The former Los Angeles Rams defensive end has played exactly 36 defensive snaps in each of the past four games. However, the Houston Texans’ defensive end has provided 2.0 sacks, a tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, and seven combined tackles in the past two games.
Shortly before cornerback Tremon Smith got his second interception of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Okoronkwo worked his way around the edge to tap the ball out of Prescott’s grasp, earning his second sack of the year, and doing it against a top flight unit that leads the NFL with the fewest with 16.
Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire met with reporters Thursday and elaborated on what Okoronkwo, 27, brings to the edge defense.
“Ogbo (Okoronkwo) is just — he’s energy, pure energy,” said Cesaire. “If you look at him, he’s always got a smile on his face. He loves the game. You can tell he really loves the game. The way he rushes, the way he attacks the line of scrimmage.”
Okoronkwo has 33 combined tackles, four tackles for loss, eight quarterback hits, 2.0 sacks, and a pass breakup in his 13 games with Houston, four of which he has started.
“He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he’s got the biggest heart,” Cesaire said of the Alief Taylor product. “He’s a guy that you trust and rely on each play.”
Okoronkwo will have another chance to chase around an athletic quarterback in Week 15 as the Texans take on the Kansas City Chiefs led by Patrick Mahomes. Kickoff is at 12:00 p.m. Central Time from NRG Stadium. | 2022-12-16T00:05:09Z | sports.yahoo.com | Texans DL coach Jacques Cesaire says DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo is ‘pure energy’ | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-dl-coach-jacques-cesaire-232647911.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/texans-dl-coach-jacques-cesaire-232647911.html?src=rss |
Napheesa Collier is done playing abroad.
The Minnesota Lynx forward said on CNN on Monday that, after watching fellow WNBA star Brittney Griner’s 10-month detention in Russia, that she won’t play in international leagues anymore during the WNBA offseason.
"For me, it's just not worth it."@PHEEsespieces says she won't travel again for the WNBA after Brittney Griner's detention pic.twitter.com/ymLiBt3xcI
“It’s really scary. You really have to evaluate, anyone who wants to go overseas, what it’s going to look like,” Collier said on CNN. “We’re in a big market also, like a lot of money to be had there. But you have to look at, their rules are a lot different than ours, their laws.
“For me, it’s just not worth it. It’s not the same for every player. But I have a family now, being at home is just a better option for me.”
Collier will enter her fifth season in the WNBA this summer. She played in just four games last season in Minnesota, missing the bulk of the season while on maternity leave after she gave birth to her daughter in May. The 26-year-old has averaged 14.6 points and seven rebounds throughout her career. She signed a three-year extension with the Lynx, and will earn an average of $184,172 per season through 2025.
Collier, like plenty of other WNBA stars, has played internationally during the WNBA offseason. She spent 2021 playing for Lattes Montpellier in France’s league.
Griner was playing for UMMC Ekaterinburg in the Russian league when she was detained in February at a Moscow airport. Griner was released from a Russian penal colony last week after nearly 300 days when the United States struck a deal to exchange her for convicted arms trafficker Viktor Bout.
Griner is now back in the United States, though her future basketball plans are still unknown.
Like Collier mentioned, there is a lot of money for WNBA players to play in leagues outside of the United States. Players have been doing so since before the WNBA was founded in 1997 as a way to complement their income.
In 2021, the WNBA’s average salary was just more than $120,000. Players can make up to 10 times that playing in Russia, China, Turkey and elsewhere. For example, when WNBA star Diana Taurasi played for UMMC Ekaterinburg in 2015 — the same year she opted to skip the WNBA season — she was making a reported $1.5 million.
WNBA stars Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, Jonquel Jones and Emma Meesseman have played for that Russian club in the past, too.
Collier was one of 55 WNBA players who was late to training camp in 2021 while playing abroad, something the WNBA is now trying to disincentivize players from doing. At the time, Collier was all for playing during the WNBA offseason.
“I feel like that was a bad move,” Collier said in 2021, via Just Women’s Sports, when asked about the WNBA’s plan to fine players for arriving late. “If I’m not making that much in the [WNBA], if it’s not enough for me to survive on during the year, I’m going overseas and having the summer off.”
But now, after seeing what Griner went through, Collier doesn’t want to risk anything. It’s hard to blame her, even if that means losing out on a big chunk of income.
She likely won’t be the only one staying stateside moving forward, either.
Napheesa Collier said she will only play in the WNBA moving forward after Brittney Griner's detention in Russia. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
And even colder temperatures are on the way! | 2022-12-16T00:31:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Lynx forward Napheesa Collier won’t play abroad anymore after Brittney Griner’s Russian detention | https://sports.yahoo.com/lynx-forward-napheesa-collier-wont-play-abroad-anymore-after-brittney-griners-russian-detention-222712400.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/lynx-forward-napheesa-collier-wont-play-abroad-anymore-after-brittney-griners-russian-detention-222712400.html?src=rss |
Former Notre Dame guard and South Bend native Skylar Diggins-Smith might have found her calling for when her playing career is over. The Phoenix Mercury star has achieved many things since entering the WNBA, and it opened up the opportunity to be a broadcaster for Phoenix Suns telecasts on Bally Sports Arizona. Now, she’s being rewarded with an Emmy for her work on those telecasts:
Skylar Diggins-Smith won an Emmy for her work as a broadcaster for the Phoenix Suns 🏆 #ThatsaW
While this isn’t quite on the same scale as Kobe Bryant’s Oscar win, it still highlights just how talented Diggins-Smith is beyond the basketball court. She will be able to take just about any path she wants to whenever she retires, and this should only encourage her to see a future in broadcasting. Anyone who can intelligently analyze women’s basketball to audiences is needed more than ever at a time when the sport is growing in popularity, which should mean good news for her if she pursues it.
Congratulations, Skylar! Display that Emmy with pride. | 2022-12-16T00:31:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Skylar Diggins-Smith wins Emmy for broadcasting Phoenix Suns games | https://sports.yahoo.com/skylar-diggins-smith-wins-emmy-213229018.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/skylar-diggins-smith-wins-emmy-213229018.html?src=rss |
Blake Corum became a unanimous All-American on Wednesday after earning first-team honors by all five organizations that vote on All-Americans.
The awards and honors keep coming the juniors way.
On Thursday it was announced that Corum won the Chicago Tribune Silver Football winner. The junior running back was voted as the best player in the Big Ten by the conference’s head coaches.
The best player in the B1G as determined by the conference's head coaches!#GoBlue pic.twitter.com/ZDV0L9tFiT
Corum finished the season injured, but the junior had one heck of a season. He rushed for 1,463 yards, avergaing 5.9 yards per carry, and scored 18 touchdowns this season.
Corum is the second Wolverine in a row to win the Chicago Tribune Silver Football award. Last season Aidan Hutchinson was the recipent and Michigan has had 19 different players to win the award.
The award-winning back finished seventh this season in the Heisman voting. He was behind six quarterbacks. | 2022-12-16T00:57:44Z | sports.yahoo.com | Big Ten football head coaches vote a Michigan football player the best in the conference | https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-football-head-coaches-003553997.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/big-ten-football-head-coaches-003553997.html?src=rss |
Carlos Rodón capitalizes on success with Giants, signs six-year, $162 million deal with Yankees
Carlos Rodón bet on himself and won.
After opting out of his deal with the San Francisco Giants, Rodón inked a six-year, $162 million deal with the New York Yankees on Thursday, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.
This deal is a long time coming for Rodón, who has experienced highs and lows since he was the No. 3 pick in the 2014 MLB Draft. Rodón showed promise with the Chicago White Sox shortly after being drafted, but injuries derailed his effectiveness. He posted a 4.4 fWAR in his first two seasons in the majors and then combined for a 2.5 fWAR over his next four. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019 and threw just 7 2/3 innings in 2020 before battling shoulder woes.
Rodón hit the market after the 2020 season but opted to return to the White Sox on a one-year, $3 million deal. That might go down as the best decision of his career. He thrived under new White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz, who took over for longtime coach Don Cooper prior to the 2021 season.
Rodón threw a no-hitter in 2021
In 2021, Rodón cleaned up his delivery, particularly in his lower half, and regained the velocity that made him a standout prospect. Armed with a 95.4 mph fastball from the left side, Rodón pitched like an ace for the White Sox. He showed signs that he was back to form almost immediately, tossing a no-hitter against Cleveland on April 14, and finished the season with a 2.37 ERA over 132 2/3 innings. It was a dominant performance, though his second half was once again marred by arm troubles.
Health concerns made Rodón one of the biggest upside signings on the market following the 2021 season. He had proven in his final year with the White Sox that he could be an ace, but there were still questions about his health.
Rodón opted to bet on himself with his next deal, signing a two-year, $44 million contract with the Giants that included an opt-out after the first year. If he dominated and proved to other teams that he could stay healthy, he had an opportunity to earn a mega-deal the following season.
That's exactly what happened. Rodón posted a 2.88 ERA over a career-high 178 innings and made more than 30 starts for the first time in his career.
Carlos Rodón's success with the Giants in 2022 set up him for a much more lucrative contract with the Yankees.
Rodón out to prove himself once again
With another contract secured, Rodón will once again look to prove himself with a new team. He's a dominant pitcher when healthy, but he has yet to throw 200 innings in a season. Now 30, he doesn't need to cross that threshold to be a valuable player, but it's the one thing missing from an otherwise excellent skillset.
Signing pitchers is always a risky proposition, especially when a guy has a history of arm issues like Rodón. But since altering his delivery in 2021, Rodón ranks 38th among qualified pitchers with 310 2/3 innings pitched.
If he can maintain that pace, he has the potential to post top-20 numbers despite throwing fewer innings than most No. 1 starters. Since remaking himself, Rodón has performed like an ace every time he has taken the mound.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Dana Douglas of Louisiana is making history as the first Black woman to serve on the 5th […] The post Senate confirms first Black woman to conservative 5th Circuit Court appeared first on TheGrio.
Vanna White celebrated her 40th anniversary on 'Wheel of Fortune" with Pat Sajak in a post on Dec. 13. | 2022-12-16T01:23:51Z | sports.yahoo.com | Carlos Rodón capitalizes on success with Giants, signs 6-year, $162 million deal with Yankees | https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-rodon-capitalizes-on-success-with-giants-signs-six-year-162-million-deal-with-yankees-010202915.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/carlos-rodon-capitalizes-on-success-with-giants-signs-six-year-162-million-deal-with-yankees-010202915.html?src=rss |
The final UFC pay-per-view of 2022 caused some moves in this week's rankings update, including Ilia Topuria climbing the featherweight ladder.
After a 13-year wait, Avatar 2: The Way of Water is finally opening in theaters tonight. The beleaguered movie theaters that survived COVID-19 are praying for a huge opening. Even in the age of blockbusters, when almost every new release is a superhero movie or something close to it, movie theaters are struggling to get […] | 2022-12-16T01:23:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Cowboys LB Micah Parsons responds to frenzy after comments on Jalen Hurts’ MVP candidacy | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-lb-micah-parsons-responds-to-frenzy-after-comments-on-jalen-hurts-mvp-candidacy-005700378.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-lb-micah-parsons-responds-to-frenzy-after-comments-on-jalen-hurts-mvp-candidacy-005700378.html?src=rss |
It’s a confusing situation, exacerbated by an erroneous item from SI.com claiming that Mariota’s partner had a baby had a baby on Tuesday of this week. If true, that would explain his absence from the team. The truth, however, is that the baby was born last week, after the game against the Steelers.
Indeed, coach Arthur Smith painted a very different picture to TheAthletic.com, creating the clear impression that Mariota left for reasons unrelated to a recent visit from the stork.
As Smith told it, the Falcons weren’t quite sure whether Mariota will be back. At all.
Regardless, the situation is bizarre. And the fact that he recently welcomed a baby into the world doesn’t really tell us much about the situation, especially if he continues to be absent through the coming weekend.
Marcus Mariota situation confuses many originally appeared on Pro Football Talk | 2022-12-16T01:24:04Z | sports.yahoo.com | Marcus Mariota situation confuses many | https://sports.yahoo.com/marcus-mariota-situation-confuses-many-154246844.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/marcus-mariota-situation-confuses-many-154246844.html?src=rss |
The Warriors are 14-14 this season and currently sit in 10th place in the Western Conference. That's not quite what fans and analysts expected from the Warriors after they took home the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy last season, but Curry has been doing what he can to keep them afloat. He's averaged 29.6 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game this season while shooting 43.2 percent from deep. When he left the game on Wednesday, which ended up a 125-119 Warriors loss, Curry had 38 points on 11-of-19 shooting with seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals. | 2022-12-16T01:24:10Z | sports.yahoo.com | Stephen Curry out indefinitely with left shoulder subluxation sustained vs. Pacers | https://sports.yahoo.com/stephen-curry-out-indefinitely-with-left-shoulder-subluxation-sustained-vs-pacers-223649260.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/stephen-curry-out-indefinitely-with-left-shoulder-subluxation-sustained-vs-pacers-223649260.html?src=rss |
One persistent complaint surrounding New Orleans Saints play-caller Pete Carmichael Jr. has been the lack of screen plays this season. Those signature plays for Alvin Kamara have felt like a thing of the past, appearing few and far between; and when Kamara has been targeted, he’s had a disheartening drop or two, as was the case on on early third down in Oct. 16’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Still, a negative play here or there shouldn’t result in that whole part of the playbook being scratched out. Kamara was asked about the scarcity of screen plays after practice on Thursday, and he offered a thoughtful response.
“I’ll ask Pete after this, I’m gonna go ask Pete,” Kamara laughed. “It’s hard to get those looks. Some of it is defense, some of it is scheme. It’s hard to cross some of those when we might be behind the plays, we might have some plays not going our away. The timing just isn’t right for some of these screens.”
That timing has been an issue dating back to the Saints preseason games; remember when right guard Cesar Ruiz collided with running back Tony Jones Jr. while trying to set up a screen against the Green Bay Packers? Whether they didn’t put in the work over the summer to prepare those plays or have wound up in too many negative-script situations to lean on them during the fall, the screen game just hasn’t been a factor for the Saints this year. So why not simply throw the ball to Kamara when he’s out in space?
“It’s not that easy. I think me, Andy (Dalton), and Jarvis (Landry) were just talking about that on the sideline. The passing game complements the run game, you get the run game going and it’s easier to get the pass game going, obviously,” Kamara grinned, taking a shot at “Twitter coaches and Twitter analysts who don’t really know the game,” and just want everyone fired and traded away when facing adversity.
He expounded on that, saying that it’s easy to just throw the ball over and over, but that there needs to be some element on the ground to balance things out and keep defenses honest. Just what that balance looks like is the subject of rampant debate within and outside of NFL circles. At the end of the day, Kamara mused, the Saints need to get out of their own way so they can play games on their own terms.
He added, “But when you’ve got a good flow going on, running the ball and getting consistent yardage and staying ahead of the chains, it’s easier for Pete to get some optimal pass looks going and get Andy in rhythm. Spreading the ball out, you talk about me getting the ball in space.”
And there’s the problem: the Saints haven’t run well, gaining 100-plus yards on the ground in just one game out of their last seven matchups. They’ve had injuries along the offensive line and a lackluster passing game to lighten the defensive box, but they’ve still got to execute. Until things clean up there, don’t expect them to smooth out elsewhere. Nobody knows that better than Kamara and his teammates.
The rookie CB continues to get better by the week. | 2022-12-16T01:32:40Z | sports.yahoo.com | Alvin Kamara jokes ‘I’ll ask Pete’ about running more screen plays, talks Saints offensive issues | https://sports.yahoo.com/alvin-kamara-jokes-ll-ask-002506234.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/alvin-kamara-jokes-ll-ask-002506234.html?src=rss |
There might be new power brewing in the NFL. A team that has been down in the dumps for so long that it seems insane to say this, but the Detroit Lions are fun to watch.
Not only have they been a delight to have in our living rooms every Sunday, but they’ve actually positioned themselves to be in playoff contention this year after a rocky start to the season.
This team is so much better than it was last year that it’s hard not to be bullish on the Lions' future — even the immediate future. This might be getting ahead of myself, but with the Lions fighting their way into the playoff hunt, Dan Campbell absolutely deserves consideration for the Coach of the Year award.
Yes, the Lions are only 6-7 on the year, but their progress on the field shows a team that’s greatly improved from a year ago. They’ve had some bad moments like their blowout road losses against the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, but good coaching staffs make adjustments and keep people engaged during hard times.
Now, the Lions are one of the hottest teams in the NFL. Jared Goff, once considered a throw-in in the Matthew Stafford trade, is raising questions about whether or not the Lions should commit to him at quarterback going forward. They've won five of their past six games, with their only loss being a last-second loss on Thanksgiving at the hands of the Buffalo Bills. Over the course of those six games, the Lions have scored over 30 points four times and hit 40 points in a blowout win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This team can actually make some noise if they can get to the postseason, but even just basing this award on the Lions making the postseason is missing the forest for the trees.
The Lions have surged in the second half of the season, and Dan Campbell's operation is working right now. (David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports)
To a degree, the Coach of the Year award has been about more than winning a whole bunch of games — it’s also about exceeding expectations set by peers prior to the season.
How many people had the Lions boasting an offense that could dabble with scoring 30 points a game? That’s an important development, and one of the most important storylines of the 2022 season. The Lions — the Lions! — have a shining beam of hope and it all starts with the man who is running the team every Sunday. Campbell’s opening media conference with the Lions received mixed reviews, but it’s hard not to buy into what has been built in Detroit so far.
For that, Campbell deserves heavy consideration to be the Coach of the Year. If the Lions can close out the season right, he has a chance to get a significant amount of respect from voters. The Lions end the season with games against the Jets, Panthers, Bears and Packers. This team could be 10-7 by the time the postseason rolls around.
Take notice, Dan Campbell for Coach of the Year. Disagree with me? Meet me at the logo. I like my chances, I got Man Campbell standing with me. | 2022-12-16T01:33:18Z | sports.yahoo.com | Dan Campbell deserves coach of the year consideration: Meet me at the logo | https://sports.yahoo.com/dan-campbell-deserves-coach-of-the-year-consideration-meet-me-at-the-logo-182735445.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/dan-campbell-deserves-coach-of-the-year-consideration-meet-me-at-the-logo-182735445.html?src=rss |
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) The first cold snap of the season is blowing into Green Bay just in time for the Packers to welcome the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night.
''I think anytime the weather gets cold and the field gets cold, naturally guys don't move maybe at the same speed,'' Rodgers said Thursday. ''I feel like on our field, too, we have the advantage. We know where we're going on a wet, cold field. That's always been an advantage. Throwing the football has been an advantage for us in the weather as well. I can't put a specific finger on it. Most of us are not from here, but we just get a little bit better used to being in the cold I think because we practice outside.''
''Especially later in the season when teams have different records and there's different motivations and things to play for, it can definitely (happen) if you start fast,'' he said. ''I did feel like there were times that year where we got into the second quarter, third quarter and teams are excited about getting back on the bus.''
''I think a prime-time game, maybe he does, maybe he doesn't,'' LaFleur said. ''But we'd be fools not to prepare for a guy like that. Like he is a guy that absolutely, 100% impacts the game. Generational player. First-ballot Hall of Famer. One of the best to ever play the game. So, I think you always have to have a plan for him. He definitely takes some plays that you'd like to have in the game plan and it just wipes them out because you can't protect or maybe at the point of attack in some of the runs. He's just that big of a problem.''
NOTES: LT David Bakhtiari (appendectomy) and LG Elgton Jenkins (knee) were the only Packers not to practice Thursday. Rookie Zach Tom will start for Bakhtiari for the third time this season. ''I've got give (Tom) credit because he's had multiple games this year where 90 minutes before the game, `Hey, buddy, you're in,' '' Rodgers said. ''And it's crazy. I've never been a part of something like that during my career. I give him a lot of credit because he's played both guard and tackle for us and stepped in and done a really nice job.'' | 2022-12-16T01:33:24Z | sports.yahoo.com | Packers hoping arrival of winter weather gives them an edge | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-hoping-arrival-winter-weather-002436526.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-hoping-arrival-winter-weather-002436526.html?src=rss |
CLEVELAND (AP) Two years ago, Deshaun Watson experienced a wild winter storm off Lake Erie in his only start in Cleveland.
''My main objective for this weekend is going out there and just showing this crowd and showing the Cleveland fans and this city that we going out there to compete and this season is not over for us,'' he said. ''I can't control what the reaction's going to be.''
''We want to give him a not-so-soft welcoming,'' Baltimore cornerback Marlon Humphrey said. ''It's cool to welcome him to the rivalry. It's interesting to see when guys come in this AFC North. It's not sweet over here.''
''That was crazy,'' Watson said. ''That was something I was nowhere close to expecting and wasn't used to. It was like five different weather changes in an hour, so it was pretty nuts.''
''I told him (Jimmy Haslam) at the end of the day, it's football,'' Watson said. ''You can get any weather in any situation other than playing in a dome. But for me, my main focus was just - what is the locker room? What is the organization? How can we go win a Super Bowl? That was my main focus and that's why I chose Cleveland.''
''He's fast. He's elusive,'' Browns star end Myles Garrett said. ''He's a lot of the things that Lamar is. It just felt like you were trying to chase down a chicken doused in honey or something.''
''I know him well just having seen him over the years with the Bears,'' said Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, who faced Smith twice a year when he was Minnesota's offensive coordinator. ''He is excellent sideline to sideline. He is great taking on blocks. He is good in the pass game. He is a very athletic player. I do think now that he has been there for a little while he has a very good feel for what they are doing. He fits what they do.'' | 2022-12-16T01:34:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Watson making Cleveland debut against Ravens without Jackson | https://sports.yahoo.com/watson-making-cleveland-debut-against-000126655.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/watson-making-cleveland-debut-against-000126655.html?src=rss |
Rams quarterback Baker Mayfield (17) celebrates with Van Jefferson and Brian Allen (55). (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
“I'm looking to get better each week,” he said. “Get to a certain point of just being the best version of me and elevating this team in any way I can and just being myself.
“Circumstances happened and now I'm here, so I'm going try and make the most of it.” | 2022-12-16T01:34:15Z | sports.yahoo.com | Win under belt, Rams say Baker Mayfield need not learn whole playbook for Packers | https://sports.yahoo.com/win-under-belt-rams-baker-010944322.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/win-under-belt-rams-baker-010944322.html?src=rss |
Former crew chief Lance McGrew retiring after 23 years with Hendrick Motorsports
After 23 years on and off the track with Hendrick Motorsports, Lance McGrew is calling it a career.
The former crew chief departed the traveling scene with the organization and worked in various divisions under Hendrick. Most recently, he was a Production Manager for Hendrick Performance, building the Hendrick Motorsports Track Attack stock cars that participants can privately test at Carolina Motorsports Park in Kershaw, South Carolina.
McGrew made his debut atop the pit box in 2000 with the late Ricky Hendrick in the Craftsman Truck Series. The pair scored their first win together at Kansas Speedway in 2001.
From 2002-2011, McGrew collaborated with future Cup champions Brad Keselowski, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Martin Truex Jr. and Chase Elliott across the ARCA Menards Series and Cup Series, winning 13 races. He also called the shots for Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Mark Martin from 2009-2011. McGrew won an Xfinity Series championship in 2003 with Brian Vickers, a year before winning a season-high five races as a crew chief for Busch.
McGrew’s last race as a crew chief came in 2014 with Elliott in the ARCA Menards Series at Daytona International Speedway.
NASCAR celebrates 75 years of motorsports
On December 14, New Japan Pro-Wrestling held its NJPW World […] | 2022-12-16T01:41:16Z | sports.yahoo.com | Former crew chief Lance McGrew retiring after 23 years with Hendrick Motorsports | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-crew-chief-lance-mcgrew-174655252.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/former-crew-chief-lance-mcgrew-174655252.html?src=rss |
It’s the holiday season. That means it’s college football bowl season. This means that we all get an opportunity to watch 6-6 teams go to battle on the gridiron, which is the greatest gift any of you will receive this holiday season.
We’ll get unique matchups like Florida vs. Oregon State this holiday season. It also means it’s one more opportunity to get a look at draft-eligible prospects that haven’t opted out.
Throughout this bowl season, I’ll be giving Green Bay Packers fans what prospects I’ll be watching for each bowl game.
Let’s get started with the Bahamas Bowl, that’s not in Hawaii (explain that), and the Cure Bowl. Both games will be played Friday, Dec. 16.
UAB vs. Miami of Ohio
DeWayne McBride, the UAB running back, is the nation’s leading rusher and is a potential target for the Packers in the upcoming draft. Unfortunately, all reports are that he won’t play in the bowl game.
The prospect to watch (if he plays) is UAB cornerback Starling Thomas V. A standout track athlete in high school, Thomas was a state champion in the 100 meters in high school. That speed is his greatest strength on the gridiron.
Thomas enters the bowl game with 13 pass deflections and one tackle for loss. For his career, Thomas has two interceptions and 28 pass deflections.
Thomas has experience returning punts and kicks. He can play on the boundary or in the slot. With his world-class speed, Gutekunst could look to add cornerback depth on day three of the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Duluth Trading Cure Bowl is one more opportunity to watch Zakhari Franklin make jaw-dropping catches. The UTSA wide receiver is a walking highlight reel.
What can't Zakhari Franklin do?!?! My goodness. One ups himself every week pic.twitter.com/d2XTZDpMkI
— Chase Shannon (@chase_shannon) November 20, 2021
The Roadrunner wide receiver finished this season with 86 receptions for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Franklin has an easy accelerator off the line of scrimmage and is able to win vertically. He has strong, reliable hands and tracks the ball well. He’s a good route runner that’s made a killing on turning slants into big plays with his YAC ability.
Franklin, if he plays, enters the game with 36 career receiving touchdowns. At 6-1, 189 pounds, Franklin could be a potential target for Gutekunst as he looks to continue to add young talent to the wide receiver room at 1265 Lombardi Avenue.
Two other names to watch for the two bowl games are Ryan McWood, a sixth-year linebacker for Miami (Ohio). McWood has recorded 121 tackles, six tackles for loss, and one interception this season.
The other name is Austin Stidham, the starting left tackle for Troy. Stidham, a three-time Academic All-American, has 40-plus career starts at left tackle under his belt. | 2022-12-16T02:29:08Z | sports.yahoo.com | Bahamas, Cure Bowl: Prospects to watch for Packers fans | https://sports.yahoo.com/bahamas-cure-bowl-prospects-watch-015728738.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/bahamas-cure-bowl-prospects-watch-015728738.html?src=rss |
Since Brock “Mr. Irrelevant” Purdy became the San Francisco 49ers’ starting quarterback following Jimmy Garoppolo’s foot injury, head coach Kyle Shanahan has gradually opened the playbook to give the rookie more opportunities to cook in Shanahan’s offense.
This was evident with 3:49 left in the first quarter of San Francisco’s Thursday night game against the Seattle Seahawks. Purdy took the snap from center, and executed the rarely-seen double pump fake. The 49ers ran motion to indicate zone coverage, and then, Purdy’s first fake took linebacker Cody Barton out of the middle of the field. Purdy’s subsequent pump-fake to the right took linebacker Jordyn Brooks out of the middle of the field to that side.
Now, all Purdy had to do was to hit tight end George Kittle over the vacated middle for an easy 28-yard touchdown.
Shanahan is probably the best play-designer in the NFL when it comes to motion and misdirection, and this was a master class in both. Seattle’s linebackers, who were already getting gashed in the run game, were easy pickings for these fakes, and given Shanahan’s proclivity for taking a defense apart as often as possible, you’ll probably see more of these before the game is over.
The linebackers have been part of the issue for a Seahawks defense that has fallen apart in the second half of the season.
“I would say that in certain aspects, again, they have continued to make strides, but they obviously have their part in things that they have to get better at,” defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt said this week of Barton and Brooks. “It’s a collective thing, coaches and players. We are never going to put the finger at them, it’s all of us in this thing together to get it right. They have done some things well and continue to take steps in the right direction.”
This was not a step in the right direction. At all. It was, however, another step forward for Purdy, who continues to impress beyond what just about anybody could have expected. | 2022-12-16T03:04:03Z | sports.yahoo.com | Anatomy of a Play: Brock Purdy embarrasses Seahawks with double pump-fake touchdown | https://sports.yahoo.com/anatomy-play-brock-purdy-embarrasses-020035008.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/anatomy-play-brock-purdy-embarrasses-020035008.html?src=rss |
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Tom Brady holds Joe Burrow in high regard.
''He's a great young player. He's got a great arm, runs well, very athletic. I'm really impressed by him overcoming the adversities that he has,'' said the seven-time Super Bowl champion, who faces the top pick in the 2020 draft for the first time Sunday, when the sputtering Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the red-hot Cincinnati Bengals.
''There were high expectations for him coming out and he's lived up to it. So a lot of credit to him, and their team's done a great job,'' Brady added. ''They were in the Super Bowl last year, they're playing really well this year. Good defense, good offense, good special teams group. Well-coached. It's going to be a tough game.''
While there may be no quick fix for Tampa Bay's scoring woes, the Bucs can take solace in knowing a playoff berth is still within reach.
Despite having a losing record, they're in first place in the weak NFC South, one game ahead of the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons with four games left.
''I think the one thing about football is you get what you deserve. You've got to go earn it,'' Brady said of the Bucs still having all of their goals in front of them.
''The Rams were the Super Bowl champions last year. This year they're not having the kind of year they want,'' the 45-year-old quarterback added, noting there are a lot of things - penalties, lack of offensive execution and other factors - that can bring a team back to the pack.
''It's a challenge, and you just try to figure out the challenge,'' Brady said. ''It's a long race. It's not over in Week 13. That's why you play all 17. ... We'll see where we're measured at the end of the year. But there's no ... quit, there's no lack of fight. ... We're trying hard to make the right improvements.''
The third-year quarterback is looking forward to facing Brady's Bucs, though he's not especially fond of people trying to draw comparisons between him and the seven-time Super Bowl winner at this stage of his career.
''I don't really pay attention to it. He's Tom and I'm Joe,'' said Burrow, who also doesn't want to make too much of the first-ever meeting between the quarterbacks.
''It's our 14th game of the season,'' the Bengals star said. ''You know, obviously, the greatest quarterback ever is on the other side, but we got a job to do, too, and our job is to go and win, get to 10-4 and move on.''
The Bucs played with three injured starters in the secondary during last Sunday's 28-point road loss to the 49ers.
''He's great, he's poised in the pocket, he throws a great ball all over the field, he can throw at any angle, he can make any throw, he has some great receivers to throw to, he has a good understanding of the offense and the game, he can take advantage of what you're trying to give him, he can run the ball when he has to run the ball, he can throw people open, he can use his feet,'' said Bowles, who wasn't finished.
''He has a knack for the game,'' the coach added. ''Certain guys when they come out of college that young have a knack for the game already. He has it.''
''You can't keep doing the same thing over and over again. It's costing us,'' the coach said, adding he has no plans to bench Smith.
''We've considered everything and Donovan, right now, is our best option,'' Bowles said.
''It'll be fun,'' Cappa said. | 2022-12-16T03:04:22Z | sports.yahoo.com | Brady, sputtering Buccaneers host Burrow, red-hot Bengals | https://sports.yahoo.com/brady-sputtering-buccaneers-host-burrow-014442770.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/brady-sputtering-buccaneers-host-burrow-014442770.html?src=rss |
''The one thing you can't take for granted is an opportunity,'' Dalton said. ''I've been on both sides of it, and I'm thankful that I still get a chance to play this game, still get a chance to go out and try to help this team win, regardless of the record, regardless of everything else that goes on.''
''There is an unknown, there's a risk,'' Smith conceded. ''But we've got confidence in him, or we wouldn't put him out there.''
''We're not eliminated. Even if we was eliminated, you still got to get up for Sundays,'' Kamara said. ''I don't think it's any hanging heads or anybody walking around feeling sorry for themselves. We've just got to do what we need to do to win.''
The Falcons' QB change appears to have long-term implications. It seems likely Mariota has played his last game with Atlanta.
Mariota, 29, completed 61.3% of his passes for 2,219 yards, with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in Atlanta's run-first offense. He ran for 438 yards and four touchdowns.
''I've been trying to run super fast in practice, so they can see that I can run,'' Kamara said, poking fun at one of his critics on social media. ''Somebody told me I lost a step. ... I just laughed at it. So, I've been running fast trying to make sure I didn't lose a step.''
Suddenly, the Falcons' quarterback room is an all-Kentucky club.
Logan Woodside, who was signed off Tennessee's practice squad on Monday to be Ridder's backup, is a native of Frankfort, Kentucky, who played at Toledo. Ridder is from Louisville, Kentucky, and starred across the border at Cincinnati. Offensive coordinator Dave Ragone played at Louisville.
Falcons quarterbacks coach Charles London said Ridder and Woodside ''clicked immediately.''
''They're telling quarterback stories from Kentucky,'' London said. ''I feel like at times I'm the outsider in there.''
Tyler Allgeier has become Atlanta's rushing leader by gaining momentum in the second half of his rookie season. In the last six weeks, Allgeier ranks second in the NFL with 5.96 yards per carry, and second with 4.09 yards after contact, trailing only Cincinnati's Joe Mixon (6.26 and 4.93, respectively) in that span. With 280 yards on 47 carries during that time, Allgeier has passed Cordarrelle Patterson for the team lead in rushing.
After Chris Wormley injury, Steelers to use committee approach on D-line vs. Panthers | 2022-12-16T03:04:48Z | sports.yahoo.com | Falcons-Saints rivalry renewed without season-opening QBs | https://sports.yahoo.com/falcons-saints-rivalry-renewed-without-012959619.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/falcons-saints-rivalry-renewed-without-012959619.html?src=rss |
Will this be Jerod Mayo's last season with Patriots? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots' offensive coaching staff was shaken up ahead of the 2022 NFL season. Is the defense next?
Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo has interviewed for multiple NFL head coaching positions over the last couple of years. With another season in New England under his belt, he'll likely be poised to search for a head coaching role again in 2023.
On Thursday's Early Edition, The MMQB's Albert Breer weighed in on the possibility of Mayo leaving the Patriots coaching staff next season for a new opportunity.
"Absolutely. And I don't think it necessarily has to be for a head coaching job," Breer said. "If you look across the league right now, there's just an enormous backlog of defensive coaches who are qualified and ready. Dan Quinn waiting for his second shot, Raheem Morris, DeMeco Ryans, Ejiro Evero in Denver. There is this long list of qualified defensive coordinators who are waiting on taking that next step. You've got to do things to separate yourself and right now, Jerod Mayo isn't calling the defense and doesn't have the title, so he's sort of fighting upstream against some of these other guys.
"I think he wants to stay in this area. But if he doesn't have the chance to call the defense, that could hamstring him in this process where there could be tiebreakers in play with some of the other qualified defensive coaches."
Our Tom E. Curran chimed in with his take on Mayo's future -- or lack thereof -- in Foxboro.
"I think that he believes at this point, after two years of interviewing and another year with the team, that he's ready to spread his wings," Curran said. "He's a guy who wants the next challenge. As Albert pointed out, if he has an opportunity to go someplace else and be a defensive coordinator because it will help move him along and move the needle, he would do that. Previously, he didn't feel like that was a move. But he would really like an opportunity to be a head coach. So I think just saying, 'Hey, you want the title?' would make everything OK for Jerod.
"Previously, my understanding is that it was offered to make Steven (Belichick) and Jerod co-defensive coordinators and that was something Jerod and his camp balked at because he felt as if he did a lot more of the coordinating while Steve was a play-caller. They work well together, but I think Jerod is kind of bursting at the seams to spread his wings."
Phil Perry agrees with Breer and Curran's assessment of Mayo's plans, adding that Mayo's ideal situation would be to one day take over for Bill Belichick as Patriots head coach.
"I do think he would be open to the idea of going elsewhere," Perry said. "I think for a lot of different reasons in terms of maybe added responsibility, but I also just think the idea of broadening his network could really help Jerod toward his ultimate goal of becoming a head coach. I think it probably would be his dream job to stay here with the Patriots and even if it meant trying to fill the massive unfillable shoes of Bill Belichick as head coach. I think he would be very open to that down the line.
"But if that's still a long way away and he feels his best path of becoming a head coach eventually is to move on, broaden that network, and maybe develop more relationships with front office types around the league -- because we know owners are so set on hiring coaches who are married in some way to their general manager the Josh McDaniels and Dave Ziegler were -- I think that would have a lot of value for him. So it would not shock me if Jerod Mayo ended up taking an opportunity elsewhere next season. It is my understanding that this is the last year of his contract here in New England."
You can watch the full Early Edition segment in the video above.
NBA Twitter reacts to Warriors’ comeback falling short vs. Pacers for another road loss
After the Warriors' comeback fell short against the Pacers for another loss on the road, NBA Twitter chimed in with different reactions.
Deron Winn says he’s out of UFC Fight Night 216 after fainting, falling down stairs at UFC PI | 2022-12-16T03:04:57Z | sports.yahoo.com | Will this be Jerod Mayo's last season with Patriots? | https://sports.yahoo.com/jerod-mayos-last-season-patriots-020200916.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/jerod-mayos-last-season-patriots-020200916.html?src=rss |
The former Blue Jays manager - who began his broadcasting career with the franchise in 1987 - took a leave of absence in April while undergoing treatment for cancer. He did, however, make his triumphant return on July 26.
Tabler released a statement as part of Sportnet’s official announcement on Dec. 2, thanking everyone he came across during his 32 years in the business - which started as a studio analyst with TSN in 1993 - and all the fans who followed him along the way.
"For the last 32 years, first as a player for the Blue Jays and then as a broadcaster, it has been my honour to serve you," said Tabler in a statement issued through Sportsnet. "I hope that I represented you with the class and dignity that you deserve.
"It was a great run, but all good things have to come to an end."
Evgeni Malkin with a Goal vs. Florida Panthers
Evgeni Malkin (Pittsburgh Penguins) with a Goal vs. Florida Panthers, 12/15/2022
Gold Glove-winning centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier finalized a $9 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Tampa Bay declined a $13 million option for 2023. “As a player you just want to feel wanted and no other team seemed to want me more than the Blue Jays,” Kiermaier said.
'We might need you:' Chris Ballard invites ER doc – who offered to be Colts' QB – to game
Finally. This might be his time. "You will be sitting with my family in our box," Chris Ballard wrote to Eric Yazel. "Get your arm warmed up." | 2022-12-16T04:26:37Z | sports.yahoo.com | Buck Martinez upset that Sportsnet let Pat Tabler go | https://sports.yahoo.com/blue-jays-broadcaster-buck-martinez-sad-that-partner-pat-tabler-was-let-go-023749790.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/blue-jays-broadcaster-buck-martinez-sad-that-partner-pat-tabler-was-let-go-023749790.html?src=rss |
'It began to destroy me:' Ex-NBA draft pick Tyrell Terry retires at 22 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Terry, who was a second-round pick of the Dallas Mavericks in 2020, cited the anxiety that basketball caused him while explaining his decision to step away from the game he's "fallen out of love with."
"While I have achieved amazing accomplishments, created unforgettable memories, and made lifelong friends...I’ve also experienced the darkest times of my life. To the point where instead of building me up, it began to destroy me. Where I began to despise and question the value of myself, much more than those surrounding me could ever see or know. Intrusive thoughts, waking up nauseous, and finding myself struggling to take normal breaths because of the rock that would sit on my chest that seemed to weigh much more than I could carry. This is just a brief description of the anxiety this sport has caused me, and while I’m grateful for every door it has opened for me, I can’t continue this fight any longer for something I have fallen out of love with.” | 2022-12-16T04:26:43Z | sports.yahoo.com | Ex-NBA draft pick Tyrell Terry retires at 22: 'It began to destroy me' | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-nba-draft-pick-tyrell-015556617.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-nba-draft-pick-tyrell-015556617.html?src=rss |
Myles Turner isn't the only center the Lakers are rumored to be interested in trading for.
The parallels between the two all-time greats of Argentine soccer, Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi, are becoming ever more striking in Qatar. Just like the 1986 World Cup seemed to be a highlight reel for Maradona, Messi has made his mark on this tournament with a string of spectacular goals and assists, carrying Argentina’s class of 2022 into the final. There have always been echoes of Maradona in Messi — his size, his dribbling skills, his quick feet, his wand of a left foot. | 2022-12-16T04:26:50Z | sports.yahoo.com | Luke Kornet with a block vs the Los Angeles Lakers | https://sports.yahoo.com/luke-kornet-block-vs-los-055850269.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/luke-kornet-block-vs-los-055850269.html?src=rss |
From the overseas preseason trip that always seems to take something out of the teams that go, to the championship hangover every team usually goes through, to the Draymond Green-incited event in the preseason that was sure to fatigue a group that needed to be fresh — this was the last thing the Warriors needed.
As inconsistent as the Warriors were, Curry was the constant, even if they’re hovering around .500 — 14-12 when he plays, 0-3 when he doesn’t. Curry’s production rivals his unanimous MVP 2015-16 campaign when the Warriors lost just nine games in seven months, and it’s even better than when he dragged the 2020-21 squad to the play-in tournament.
Might this squad be closer to the latter than the former? It currently appears so. And one can look at the Lakers as evidence — a recent surge led by Anthony Davis and LeBron James that has them … 12th in the West, due to the early ground they’ve given up.
Without him, they can lose to anyone. There are 13 games between now and Jan. 13. The three toughest rank as Memphis on Christmas Day, Brooklyn on Wednesday and Philadelphia on Friday.
They won’t lose all of them, but it’s impossible to reinvent themselves in the attempt to mask this absence. The best they can do is unleash Jordan Poole, who has had an uneven season to date but can rev it up better than anyone this side of Curry.
The Warriors think enough of Poole to have willingly given him an extension that ranks him high among players at his position — and he’s performed well as a starter, albeit alongside Curry.
The last time such a sight had been seen by these eyes was last April, when Kevin Durant’s long arms were reaching for his weary knees in Brooklyn during the Nets’ first-round sweep at the hands of the Celtics. Durant had to put together a blitz after returning from his MCL injury to drag that carcass to the playoffs, kicking and screaming. And by Game 3 of that series, the Nets had no more kicks and no voice to scream in resistance.
This is a conference with a two-time reigning MVP (Jokic), arguably one of the three greatest players of all time (James), the current four-time champion (Curry) and a two-time Finals MVP (Kawhi Leonard). Of course, it’s more layered than that, but someone is gonna be on the sideline when this all shakes out.
It’s unfathomable to see a defending champion miss the playoffs altogether — and nobody’s saying that’s gonna happen here, to be clear — but there’s a rediscovery period that will have to take place when Curry returns. | 2022-12-16T04:26:56Z | sports.yahoo.com | Stephen Curry is irreplaceable, but his shoulder injury isn't the worst-case scenario for Warriors | https://sports.yahoo.com/stephen-curry-is-irreplaceable-but-his-shoulder-injury-isnt-the-worst-case-scenario-for-warriors-031026547.html?src=rss | https://sports.yahoo.com/stephen-curry-is-irreplaceable-but-his-shoulder-injury-isnt-the-worst-case-scenario-for-warriors-031026547.html?src=rss |
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