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Iguodala recalls 'two key moments' that gave Celtics Game 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
That being said, the three-time champion has an invaluable feel for the game -- something that allowed him to pinpoint where it all went wrong for Golden State on Thursday night as they lost Game 1 of the Finals to the Boston Celtics at Chase Center.
Iguodala unloaded his thoughts after the game during the “Point Forward” podcast, where he told his co-host Evan Turner how things went from good to bad for the Warriors during the 120-108 loss. The game marked the 38-year-old's first appearance since the opening round of the NBA playoffs, when he was sidelined with a neck injury.
“Well it was two key moments, and I’ve been asking myself this question a few times in the key moments -- you know how I get, I can think too deep,” Iguodala said, noting that he wondered to himself if the Warriors were “bad for basketball” as they took a 10-point lead in the first half.
“That’s what inexperience from our bench has to understand,” Iguodala continued. “Going up 10, the next minute is super important, like two or three possessions making sure -- them young boys ain’t going to stop coming at us. Them young boys going to keep coming over and over and over again and they’re going to keep applying pressure.
“We went up 15, 14, whatever it was. And I’m like, ‘All we need is one play, we can knock them out with a layup,'” Iguodala recalled.
RELATED: Why Draymond isn't hitting 'panic button' after Game 1 loss
Stocks Gain Broadly. The Jobs Report Will Decide If the Rally Continues.
The Exchange-Traded Fund (ticker: RSP), which weights each stock in the index equally and therefore shows the movement of the average stock, rose 1.8%. On Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries agreed to increase oil production. The U.S. and Europe, both looking to keep a lid on inflation, are advocating for the increases.
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2022-06-04T19:12:26Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Andre Iguodala recalls 'two key moments' that led to Warriors' Game 1 loss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/andre-iguodala-recalls-two-key-181520095.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/andre-iguodala-recalls-two-key-181520095.html?src=rss
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There are myriad reasons for the epic Boston Celtics fourth-quarter comeback/Golden State Warriors collapse in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
It takes more than one player, on either side, to account for Boston’s 17-0 run that turned a 12-point deficit into a 120-108 statement. This was the resilient brilliance of the Celtics. This was the bumbling fumbling of the Warriors.
This was also the last thing that Klay Thompson fought so long and hard to get back to the Finals to be involved with. It wasn’t all Klay’s fault Thursday night. He wasn't immune from criticism either.
Thompson had a disastrous fourth quarter, posting a team-worst minus-27 in the period. He hit just two shots, one of them after the game was all but decided. On the night, he was minus-9 and went just 6-of-14 from the field for 15 points.
“I missed a couple great looks,” Thompson said afterward. “... I missed some [defensive] rotations … it’s never fun and it hurts on the biggest stage.”
Like his teammates, Warriors guard Klay Thompson had a forgettable fourth quarter in a collapse against the Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals. Thompson finished with 15 points. (AP Photo/John Hefti)
Just seeing Thompson return to the biggest stage was a feel-good moment for these Finals and a marker of accomplishment for the player. Three years ago, in a Game 6 Finals loss to Toronto, Thompson blew out his ACL and crumbled to the court. It signaled the possible end of the Warriors dynasty, what with the series loss to the Raptors and Kevin Durant leaving for Brooklyn. Thompson would miss the entire 2019-20 season only to return and then tear his Achilles which cost him the 2020-21 campaign.
In December of this season, he was sent to the G League — Santa Cruz — mainly to just practice. He didn’t return to the NBA until January, an emotional return for a beloved “Splash Brother.”
He would play 32 regular season games, slowly kicking off rust. He posted a career low in 3-point shooting percentage (38.5%) and a near career low in field-goal shooting percentage (42.9%) but still managed 20.4 points per game.
So yeah, just being here was something. There’s a reason Thompson showed so much emotion when the Warriors closed out Dallas in the Western Conference finals.
“Just a surreal feeling,” Thompson said of reaching his fourth NBA Finals. “It’s hard to put into words. This time last year, I was just starting to jog again and get up and down the court. Now to be feeling like myself, feeling explosive, feeling sure in my movements. I’m just grateful.”
No time for sentiment now. There’s a Larry O’Brien Trophy to win and a battle-hardened Boston team trying to write its own story.
These playoffs have been a roller coaster for Thompson. Thirty-two points one game; 12 the next. But every time suspicions have risen about how effective the 32-year-old still is considering the past three years, he pops off like old times. He combined to make 16 threes and pour in 62 points in Golden State’s closeout victories over Memphis and Dallas, the old gunner there when it mattered most.
“It’s having the Game 6s that he has when everybody says he’s in a shooting slump,” teammate Draymond Green said. “It’s the way he carries himself in these situations that ultimately nothing comes in the way of him trying to win the game. It’s such a rare thing.”
Armed with five previous Finals experiences, including three titles, he isn’t going to express too much outward concern about what happened Thursday.
“Well, you know, it’s first to four, not first to one,” Thompson said. “And we all have been through situations like this.”
That doesn’t mean a precious victory didn’t flitter away.
Just how great Thompson is as a player is a matter of debate. Oh, he’s great, but is he an all-time great or a guy who benefited from being the ideal running mate to an all-time great (Stephen Curry)?
Thompson didn’t make the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, meaning he wasn’t considered one of the top 75 players of all time. To Thompson, that was a snub. And a measure of motivation. The best way to make the Top 100 in a quarter century, is to continue to win. Golden State has a nice balance of experienced stars and young talent that could reboot the dynasty.
That will require consistent play from Thompson, who is back with fresh perspective and new appreciation for that biggest of stages and, perhaps, the desire to max it out now that he is here.
“It’s going to be very hard,” Thompson said. “Best part about it is we have another opportunity on Sunday.”
No one knows that more than Klay Thompson.
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2022-06-04T19:12:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NBA Finals: Klay Thompson needs consistency vs. Celtics
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https://sports.yahoo.com/klay-thompsons-return-is-a-feel-good-story-yet-his-finals-splash-is-still-missing-204423526.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/klay-thompsons-return-is-a-feel-good-story-yet-his-finals-splash-is-still-missing-204423526.html?src=rss
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Josiah Brown was going to announce his college decision on Thursday night, but one of the top football players in New York took a step back and is now keeping his recruitment open.
Brown is a four-star defensive back from Holy Trinity (Hicksville, N.Y.). The 247Sports Composite ranks him as the top player in New York and the No. 241 recruit in the nation for the class of 2024.
Currently, his offer list includes Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Pittsburgh as well as Rutgers.
He was at Rutgers on Wednesday for football camp on the same day that his teammate and good friend Dylan Braithwaite committed to the Scarlet Knights.
On Thursday, Brown tweeted that a decision was going to be announced that night but then he deleted that tweet.
It's official! Four-star offensive lineman Chase Bisontis schedules Rutgers football official visit
On Saturday afternoon, he explained to RutgersWire that thought process.
“I’m taking more time; I’m going to go on my visits and visit more schools,” Brown told RutgersWire.
“It’s a big decision in life so I just decided to wait it out a little bit.”
As for Braithwaite, Brown was excited to see his teammate commit to the chance to play Big Ten football. The two are very close and the possibility does exist that Braithwaite and Brown could be teammates in college someday.
Nothing is set in stone and Brown does face a huge decision, arguably the biggest of his young life, when it comes to sorting out the college process.
“It was beautiful for me because that’s my very close friend. I’m happy for him and I know he is going to excel at the next level,” Brown said.
“Anything can happen, it could be a possibility. But right now, I’m taking it one day at a time.”
Check with RutgersWire over the weekend to see what four-star Josiah Brownhad to say about his recruitment. He will break down his thoughts on Rutgers as well as Michigan State and Notre Dame.
Two Summit County athletes — Josiah Cox and Morgan Hallett — wasted no time Friday winning titles at the OHSAA state track and field championships
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2022-06-04T20:30:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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What’s going on with Josiah Brown? Four-star updates his recruitment
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https://sports.yahoo.com/going-josiah-brown-four-star-165606186.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/going-josiah-brown-four-star-165606186.html?src=rss
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Starting work for a new company is always challenging. Especially when you’re doing two jobs.
Rookie offensive lineman Tyler Smith was drafted 24th overall by the Cowboys as a high-potential left tackle out of Tulsa. But seeing as how Dallas already has a left tackle in eight-time Pro Bowler Tyron Smith, the younger Smith was projected from the very beginning to learn a new trade, at least to start.
In the team’s second set of OTAs, he was already seeing snaps at both left tackle and left guard. But the double learning curve doesn’t seem to be posing any problems, according to his head coach.
“He’s doing very well,” Mike McCarthy said in a Thursday press conference.
“It’s tough,” he added in regard to the 21-year-old learning the playbook two different ways. “There’s no doubt about it, it’s tough. We’re just trying to be smart, how we do it. We don’t want hold up progress just based off of two positions. I think he’s done a nice job so far.”
But the coach admitted that things are going to get even tougher for the players- especially the rookies- starting with the next set of voluntary sessions, which kick off Monday at The Star in Frisco.
“You’re going to start seeing these guys hit the wall a little bit,” McCarthy explained. “We had two weeks to work on Installs One and Two. This week, we did Three and Four. Coming off this break’s always a challenge: fatigue, injuries, and things like that. Next week’s going to be a grinder, because we’ll do four installs over the course of next week.”
But so far, the Fort Worth native who got the call to come back to play for his hometown Cowboys has been all that was hoped when the team used its first-round pick on him.
“Love the way he’s wired,” McCarthy went on. “He’s very aggressive. Has an alpha personality, even as a young man. He’ll continue to grow. I think he’s impressed the veteran players so far.”
It seems he left an impression on the reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year in particular. On one play, filling in for Tyron Smith at tackle, he “blocked Micah Parsons off the edge with no trouble at all.”
The linebacker took it in stride, recognizing what the rookie’s immediate contributions will mean for the team as a whole.
Playing two positions- and doing both early on- only gives him more chances against more guys… even if he ends up staying in one spot once the opponents are wearing different colors.
“I think anytime you bring in new players to your organization, you really want to create opportunities for them to be successful,” McCarthy said, “and that’s really what this is about. So I think he seems a little bit more natural at guard right now. I know he’s played tackle in college. His aggressive nature bodes well for him in there. I think it’s a real credit to him because of his physical gifts. When young players hit a crutch point, how they react. His reaction is, maybe, jump-set a guy, be aggressive. Obviously, that’s a little bit more of a challenge out there on the edge with the type of players you’re going against, particularly the pass rushers, too. But, hey, we haven’t put the pads on yet. I never get really excited this time of year.”
That hasn’t stopped fans from getting excited, though, at the thought of the powerful rookie perhaps being the missing ingredient that allows the 2022 offensive line to regain some of its former glory as the best in football.
Because even though the names and the faces are new, the fundamentals of O-line play are still largely what they’ve always been.
“Length and athletic ability,” McCarthy specified. “I go back to the interview process with [Cowboys owner] Jerry Jones and just talking about the profiles and what you look for in offensive and defensive linemen. I just pointed to the pictures on the wall from the ’90s. I mean, you look at the length of that offensive and defensive line during the heyday here, and it was something I was always impressed with on the opposite sideline, particularly their offensive line.”
It’s no accident that Tyler Smith was issued the same jersey number as 11-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer Larry Allen.
Today’s fans wouldn’t mind even a fraction of that heyday. While quarterback Dak Prescott has proven himself one of the best in the game at spreading the ball around to an arsenal of receiving weapons, the Cowboys running attack has downshifted into a very pedestrian gear in recent seasons.
However you choose to divvy the touches, Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard still represent, by all accounts, one of the NFL’s more potent backfield tandems. But not if they don’t have room to run behind the offensive line.
And drafting a physical Day One starter at left guard who’ll already be an experienced and battle-tested veteran by the time the Cowboys ask him to replace Tyron Smith at left tackle is a major step in rebuilding that Great Wall of Dallas.
That’s a tall order for anyone, especially a 21-year-old rookie.
But it all starts one day, one practice, one rep at a time. Even if it is at two different jobs.
“He was selected in the first round for a reason,” McCarthy said of Tyler. “I’m thinking about the 53. I’m thinking about game day… Because anybody that can play two positions, that’s something that we talk about a ton. Will [McClay] and I have this conversation daily, where we’re looking at players… ‘Does he do two things?’ I think it’s important for players- unless they’re a quarterback or a kicker or a specialty position- that they have to bring two things to the table. Because if they don’t, their ability to be up on game day is obviously limited.”
The Oregon Ducks registered its best offensive output of the season with 26 hits.
'The Real Housewives of Dubai' Premiere: Caroline Brooks And Chanel Ayan's Instantly Iconic Argument Shows The Black Women Are Bringing It
The Real Housewives of Dubai is here and it quickly became the most-talked-about franchise on Bravo following its premiere episode.
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2022-06-04T23:11:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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McCarthy: Tyler Smith’s ‘alpha personality’ helping him learn two OL spots at once for Cowboys
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mccarthy-tyler-smith-alpha-personality-213934106.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mccarthy-tyler-smith-alpha-personality-213934106.html?src=rss
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Former Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski isn't happy with the state of things in the United States. Krzyzewski called out politicians for refusing to act following multiple mass shootings in the country.
Krzyzewski offered up his opinion during a SiriusXM show that taped at Cameron Indoor Stadium’s Champions Club. The show was set to air Friday.
Krzyzewski called out politicians for failing to protect the people they are supposed to serve, according to the News & Observer. He also said he was against people owning automatic weapons.
Krzyzewski put the blame on those in power, saying they "should be ashamed" for not introducing legislation to curb mass shootings in the country.
“For us to see these kids get killed, members of our African American community get killed in a grocery store, members of our Jewish community getting killed in a synagogue [in a 2018 Pittsburgh shooting],” Krzyzewski said. “Come on. That’s not right. That’s not right. That’s not right. I mean it’s amazingly wrong. It’s amazingly wrong. And you should be ashamed of yourself, if you are in a position of power.”
Krzyzewski's comments reportedly drew applause at the event. Polls show that the vast majority of Americans want stricter gun laws. Despite that, political leaders have not introduced meaningful legislation and updated gun laws. The U.S. Senate took a recess for Memorial Day weekend days after 19 children were killed by a gunman in Uvalde, Texas. Krzyzewski referenced that shooting, as well as a racially-motivated shooting in May that occurred in a Buffalo grocery store and a shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue in 2018.
Krzyzewski attended college at West Point and served in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1974. After his military service, Krzyzewski started his career in coaching. He spent time at Indiana as an assistant before coaching West Point. Krzyzewski was hired by Duke in 1980, and remained the team's head coach until he retired following the 2021 season.
Mike Krzyzewski isn't happy with the way politicians have handled gun laws in the United States. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
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2022-06-04T23:50:30Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mike Krzyzewski calls out politicians over gun laws
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-krzyzewski-calls-out-politicians-over-inactivity-following-mass-shootings-181104695.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-krzyzewski-calls-out-politicians-over-inactivity-following-mass-shootings-181104695.html?src=rss
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The war between Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant and the NBA media continued this week in a series of tweets stemming from, of course, something Stephen A. Smith said on ESPN's "First Take."
Durant took offense when Smith said Michael Jordan changed the game of basketball for the worse because of how he "individualization the sport." Smith argued the NBA focused more on players rather than teams after Jordan's ascension which negatively changed the dynamic of the game.
"Michael Jordan is responsible as much as anybody for changing the game for worse," Smith said. "He was so phenominal that the NBA marketed the individual, the audience gravitated towards the individual and the game became a bit more individualized. ... What I'm saying is you were thinking 'team' until Jordan elevated it to another level. And from Jordan then you had the Kobes and the Vince Carters and others that came along thereafter and the individualization of the sport – particularly because of the money that came with it – became more of a focal point.
Durant refuted that idea and instead suggested in a tweet on Thursday that media personalities like Smith, Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe actually changed the game for the worse. Not the players.
That ignited a series of reply tweets from other fans and journalists. The first being, of course, Smith himself. The ESPN analyst played the "we are legion" card by claiming there are "thousands more" media personalities like himself who are "not going away."
Eddie Johnson, a color analyst for the Phoenix Suns, disagreed with Smith's argument but responded to Durant's tweet by calling today's athletes "too dam (sic) sensitive." To that Durant responded that media members are actually the ones who are too sensitive and "can't take what ya'll dish out."
Durant versus the media
This isn't the first time Durant clashed with the media. His social media fights have been the stuff of legend online, and he's gone after just about everyone – fans and journalists alike.
He called out Shannon Sharpe of "Undisputed" in 2021 for talking about a fake quote and then posted a photo showing Sharpe blocked Durant on Twitter. He clapped back at Chris Broussard in 2019 for suggesting a Warriors title without him would be Durant's "worst nightmare." He even called C.J. McCollum a "snake in the grass" in 2018 after the then-Blazers guard called Durant's decision to play for the Warriors "soft" on his podcast. Back in 2015, Durant called NBA writer Chris Palmer a "dumba**."
Durant eventually publically spoke about his frustrations with how he was represented by the media during his tenure with the Golden State Warriors earlier this year with the Ringer. He said he felt isolated from the rest of the coverage of the team and subject of more scrutiny for his actions than his teammates.
“I just think I deserved a little bit more respect than that. I came out here and gave back money, sacrificed my name, and went out here and sacrificed my body every night to be the best that I can be. I just asked for a little bit more respect to wait until after the season than to badger me every day, all year with questions like that [about free agency]. I thought it was unfair to me and the whole group to even think about anything that was going to happen after the year. It was unprofessional, in my opinion.”
This certainly won't be the last of Durant's Twitter feuds, so long as people like Smith have his attention with their fiery takes.
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2022-06-04T23:55:17Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Kevin Durant says Stephen A. Smith and others ruined the NBA
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https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-durant-goes-after-stephen-a-smith-and-shannon-sharpe-in-recent-tweet-storm-201957464.html?src=rss
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The Gators got a great head start on the 2024 crop this past week when 5-star running back Stacy Gage out of Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy dropped in on the Swamp for an unofficial visit. Napier has made a point of focusing on the prolific athletic academy down I-75 and the 5-foot-11-inch, 200-pound sophomore represents a continuation of that policy.
“It was exciting because it was something new to me,” Gage told Swamp247. “It caught my eye. It was different and I felt good about it. I got to see the players work out, they took me for a tour, I talked with the running backs coach and met the new staff.
“They have a lot of history in their program, they develop guys and get guys into the league, the development is something I really like. I feel like they are one of my top schools now. I like them, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and a couple others right now.”
Gage is the No. 30 prospect overall and the No. 2 running back nationally in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite, which gives him a five-star rating, while the On3 Consensus has him at No. 24 and No. 1, respectively, and a four-star rating. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Florida State Seminoles out front in the race for his talents with a 21.1% chance of landing him.
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2022-06-05T01:08:38Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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This 2024 5-star running back’s visit to Florida was ‘exciting’
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-5-star-running-back-223130719.html?src=rss
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Carson Hocevar was transported to a local hospital for evaluation after a final-lap crash in Saturday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at World Wide Technology Raceway.
Hocevar’s No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet was tapped into a spin by Derek Kraus’ No. 19 Chevy shortly after the white flag flew in overtime during the Toyota 200. Tyler Hill’s No. 5 entry slammed into the side of Hocevar’s truck, and the No. 45 of Lawless Alan also made significant contact.
Hocevar exited the wreck and was helped to the ambulance on a stretcher. He appeared to be alert and signaled to the crowd with a thumbs-up, and NASCAR officials said he would be evaluated at a local hospital. The team later indicated that his right lower extremity was being examined.
Hocevar, 19, was involved in an incident earlier in the final stage. Three-time champion Matt Crafton made contact with his No. 88 ThorSport Racing Toyota, looping Hocevar’s truck around in Turn 2.
Hocevar finished 24th in the 36-truck field.
Corey Heim scored his second career Camping World Truck Series win. Here is how the field finished behind Heim.
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2022-06-05T01:30:35Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Carson Hocevar taken to hospital after last-lap crash at Gateway
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https://sports.yahoo.com/carson-hocevar-taken-hospital-last-175120180.html?src=rss
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NBA Finals injury tracker: Which players are out? originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
Williams played in Game 1 of the Finals after being listed as questionable due to a knee injury. He is again listed as questionable for Sunday’s Game 2 – and he’s the only Celtic with an injury designation.
The Warriors got some reinforcements back to start the Finals in Payton, Porter and Iguodala.
Payton was active for Game 1 but did not log any minutes, nearly a month after a Dillon Brooks’ Flagrant 2 foul left him with a fractured elbow. Porter did not play in the Warriors’ Game 5 clincher against Dallas due to foot soreness, but he returned for Game 1 against Boston. Iguodala, who had not played since Game 4 of the Warriors’ first-round series against the Nuggets, played 12 minutes in Game 1 of the Finals.
Payton, Porter and Iguodala are all listed as questionable for Game 2.
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2022-06-05T01:30:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NBA Finals injury tracker: Which players are out?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-playoffs-injury-tracker-players-200300764.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-playoffs-injury-tracker-players-200300764.html?src=rss
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What Dustin Johnson's leap to Saudi-backed LIV means for golf
Imagine if Russell Wilson — Super Bowl champion, veteran still very much in his prime, ranked No. 12 on the NFL’s Top 100 list last year — had jumped from Seattle to the USFL’s Birmingham Stallions.
It’s not a perfect comparison to what’s happening now in golf; for one thing, the USFL isn’t backed by limitless billions of Saudi oil money. But the Wilson-to-the-USFL hypothetical has a real-world equivalent now that Dustin Johnson — Masters champion, veteran still very much in his prime, ranked No. 13 in the world — has joined the about-to-debut LIV Golf tour.
Johnson’s name had come up in connection with the LIV in its early stages. But when Phil Mickelson basically vaporized months’ worth of public relations efforts with his callous, calculating comments about the Saudis’ human rights record — short version: he was OK with their atrocities, because he could use them to stick it to the PGA Tour — Johnson and others quickly backed away.
“I am fully committed to the PGA Tour,” Johnson said in February, in a statement that sounded so unlike his news conference speech patterns it may as well have been in a foreign language. “I am grateful for the opportunity to play on the best tour in the world and for all it has provided me and my family. While there will always be areas where our Tour can improve and evolve, I am thankful for our leadership and the many sponsors who make the PGA Tour golf’s premier tour.”
Since then, the PGA Tour has indicated in no uncertain terms that it would take a dim, punitive view of anyone who attempted to jump ship and play on the LIV tour. So what changed in the past three months for Johnson?
The money, probably.
Dustin Johnson will play in the LIV's inaugural event in London. (Maddie Meyer/PGA of America/PGA of America via Getty Images )
The Telegraph reported Wednesday that Johnson was paid £100 million — about $125 million — to join the league. Given that Johnson has earned about $74 million in tournament winnings in the entirety of his PGA Tour career, that sum — or anything close to it — would be enough to get a "tell me more…" from almost anyone.
There’s ample reason to presume that Johnson has significant incentives coming his way. To start, there’s the statement his agent released shortly after the field was announced:
"Dustin has been contemplating the opportunity off-and-on for the past couple of years," David Winkle, Johnson's agent, said. "Ultimately, he decided it was in his and his family's best interest to pursue it. Dustin has never had any issue with the PGA Tour and is grateful for all it has given him, but in the end, felt this was too compelling to pass up."
“Is grateful for all it has given him” has a real thanks-for-the-memories vibe to it, like Johnson knew that once he made this move, there would be no going back. That sense heightened when RBC, one of Johnson’s sponsors, cut ties with him soon after his announcement. A player who turns his back on the PGA Tour and sponsorships doesn’t do so without assurances that money in equal or greater amounts will be flowing his way.
Even if Johnson isn’t getting anything more than the previously announced substantial purses for the events, LIV Golf is investing in more than just his golf acumen. It’s investing in his image, his standing, his symbolism. With all due respect to the Sergio Garcias, Kevin Nas and Lee Westwoods of the world, Johnson — in his prime, at the top of the sport — legitimizes LIV in a way that a lucrative old-timers’ match never would.
"Are we independent contractors or not?" Rickie Fowler asked prior to the PGA Championship. "I feel like there needs to be some clarity between if you're an independent contractor or ... basically an employee." Fowler indicated at the time that he hadn't yet made a decision on LIV, but his name was not in the initial field for next week's tournament.
From the outside, critics have accused LIV of sportswashing — using sports to clean up the image of Saudi Arabia and obscure its human rights violations. For players, the political backdrop isn’t the issue. History is the PGA Tour’s primary selling point for them, and that’s something LIV can’t yet match.
“I believe in legacies,” Tiger Woods said just before the PGA Championship. “I believe in major championships. I believe in big events, comparisons to historical figures of the past. There's plenty of money out here.”
True, but those who don't have legacies the length of Woods' might be more tempted to look elsewhere ... particularly those who will be dominating the game in the 2020s and 2030s.
“You want to have records, I want to win tournaments, and for me, that's why for now … LIV Golf doesn't interest me,” Matthew Fitzpatrick said Wednesday. But then he added an offhand line that lays out the threat lurking offshore: “In five years, if all of a sudden that becomes the main tour, then obviously you sort of rethink your options.”
ESPN announcer apologizes for false report that UT baseball player was banned for PEDs
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2022-06-05T01:30:54Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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How Dustin Johnson just upended the golf world
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Brittney Griner hasn't been forgotten at the NBA Finals.
Several players wore black T-shirts with ''We Are BG'' on the front in orange letters for their practice session at the NBA Finals on Saturday. Game 2 of the title series between the Celtics and Golden State Warriors is Sunday.
''It's extremely tough seeing what she's going through,'' All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum of the Celtics said. ''I know everybody sees and feels that, and obviously we're all together in support trying to bring her back to her family and things like that. Yeah, wearing those shirts today in support of her.''
''We felt like it was a good idea to use our availability and our platforms to bring attention to certain matters,'' said Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, an officer within the National Basketball Players Association. ''I always stand for that. Being an athlete, we're not just up here just to entertain you guys. We also have a voice. I always appreciate and applaud athletes, entertainers, my teammates who plan to do something with that. I'm not sure if we'll wear it for the rest of the time, but today was a good day to bring attention to a topic that was necessary.''
''It's been now over 100 days since she's been illegally held in Russia,'' NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. ''I think it's something that all of us should be heard on, contacting your representatives and others. I will only say we are working in lockstep with the U.S. government and outside experts on trying to expedite her release in any way we can. Certainly our hearts go out to her and her family, and we are just as eager for her safe return.''
He said it's important NBA players show ''that love and support'' for Griner.
''They sent them overnight to get them here for today,'' Williams said. ''They did a phenomenal job, and want to credit them to make that process happen. We just wanted to do that as a team. It was one of those things where no one questioned it. Everyone said, `Let's do it. Everyone put the shirt on immediately when we got them, fresh off the box. They were ironed and good to go.'''
''Don't forget, y'all,'' Celtics guard Marcus Smart said as he pointed proudly to Griner's initials on his chest. ''See this shirt. We are with BG.''
Pope Francis said on Saturday he would meet soon with Ukrainian officials to discuss the possibility of a visit to their country. Francis disclosed the coming meeting in a question-and-answer session with children in one of the Vatican's main courtyards. The 85-year-Francis, who has been using a wheelchair because of knee pain, responded that he often thought of Ukrainian children and wanted to visit the country but had to choose the right time.
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2022-06-05T01:39:10Z
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Celtics add their voices to those asking for Griner's return
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When the Jacksonville Jaguars take the field this regular season, the team is going to look significantly different than it did in 2021 and the years before. One of the biggest differences on the defensive side will be that the team will be without long-time linebacker Myles Jack.
The team released Jack the week of free agency, and it seems the reason for that may have been for salary cap reasons. The decision came a day after they agreed to terms with interior linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who signed a three-year deal worth $46.5 million with $28 million guaranteed.
Jack had been with the Jags since 2016 and was one of the team’s longest- tenured players. Needless to say, his departure was bittersweet for some fans, but it allowed Jack to seek a change of scenery after enduring a lot of coaching changes and dysfunction in Jacksonville.
It didn’t take long for Jack to find a new home as he ended up signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers on March 16. The move made a ton of sense as coach Mike Tomlin has expressed a great deal of respect for the Jags’ defense in the past as he’s battled them multiple times.
As for Jack, he was able to go from an organization that had been on shaky ground for much of his tenure there, to an organization most would say is a world-class one from the perspective of players. A big reason for that is the culture that’s been established by the organization, which is something Jack noticed immediately after spending six regular seasons in Jacksonville.
“It’s the culture man and that’s what people always say, but coming from where I came from and coming here, you see why this team is successful,” Jack said when asked about what stood out to him about the Steelers. “The mission is clear, there’s no secrets. If there’s a problem, it gets addressed right then and there. And I feel like that’s the only way to win — if everybody is held accountable. So I have enjoyed it, it’s been great.”
[H/T to Trib Live for quotes.]
One could understand Jack’s statements, especially after what he witnessed last season under Urban Meyer. Despite several incidents that started almost immediately into his tenure, it wasn’t until December that the Jags decided to fire Meyer when the damage was already done.
When looking back at his career, there was a brief time when Jack was able to witness the Jags be successful, and that was in 2017 when they defeated Pittsburgh twice at Heinz Field. And while he says he’s been careful not to mention it around his new teammates, he did remember how impressive the crowds were in both matchups.
“That was a fun year, for sure,” Jack said. “But the main thing I remember (about Pittsburgh) is the crowd, because we didn’t get too many crowds like that in Jacksonville. So, just seeing the (Terrible) Towels going crazy… the energy and atmosphere, coming out pregame, hearing the crowd go crazy, the energy. Because typically in Jacksonville we didn’t get too many games that were really packed like that.”
In defense of the Jags’ fanbase, they weren’t given a lot to pack the stands for aside from in 2017. Hopefully, that and the culture will change in Duval soon, which will create a culture that players and fans will enjoy.
Heading forward, things could be positive for both the Jags and Jack. The team got a new head coach in Doug Pederson, who has won a Super Bowl and could get the best out of Trevor Lawrence.
As for Jack, he may have seen the last losing season of his career as Tomlin has never had a season below .500. And while Jags fans have a big-time rivalry with the Steelers, it would be understandable to see some of them root for the individual success of No. 51 in black and gold.
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2022-06-05T01:47:47Z
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Myles Jack discusses difference in culture between Steelers and Jags
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I cannot recall a season where the Pittsburgh Steelers head into the year with more uncertainty than this one. The retirement of Ben Roethlisberger shifted the priorities of this team profoundly and it is unclear what direction this team is going.
But simply looking at 2022, what constitutes a successful season? That is today’s question.
The AFC North is highly competitive so it might be as simple as avoiding coming in last in the division. But Steelers fans are greedy so I’m sure despite a brand new quarterback, the expectations won’t change.
So cast your vote and tell us what you will consider the bare minimum for a successful 2022 season.
Running back D'Ernest Johnson agreed to terms Saturday on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns worth up to $2.43 million, his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said. Johnson, who did a nice job filling in last season when Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt were out injured, will get $900,000 guaranteed. The team placed a restricted free agent tender on Johnson in March.
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2022-06-05T01:47:48Z
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POLL: What do you consider a successful Steelers season?
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Nick Pivetta pitched two-hit ball over seven innings to win his fifth consecutive start and the Boston Red Sox beat the Oakland Athletics 8-0 on Saturday. One day after Nathan Eovaldi pitched six scoreless innings in Boston’s series opening win, Pivetta went one better than his teammate and extended a streak of strong starts over the past month by the right-hander. Alex Verdugo had three hits and two RBIs as Boston won its third straight.
Rookie Jack Suwinski hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied past the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1.
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2022-06-05T03:02:22Z
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Sweeny Murti delves into Miguel Andujar trade request, Joey Gallo struggles | Sweeny Murti
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If you are a big fan of the game of golf, this week is the best of the year if you live in Central Ohio. That’s because the annual Memorial Tournament is in town at Jack’s place in Dublin — better known as Muirfield Village.
It’s Columbus, Ohio, so golf normally takes a back seat to college football, but there’s room for both. And that’s exactly what happened this weekend at Ohio State. Some of the football players, coaches, and personnel tried their hands at the golf simulator. Spoiler alert: It did not go well.
OK, so assistant coach Parker Fleming showed everyone how it was done, but he was really the only one that had success hitting the golf ball anywhere close to what those with such athletic prowess should be doing. Watch and laugh as several Buckeye players fail miserably at the golf simulator there in the OSU football facilities.
Heard the @PGATOUR was in town this weekend 👀⛳️@MemorialGolf, when's our tee time?!#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/2xH9dR6U4S
Hey, we’ll give them a break because we’re going to assume all of their time is consumed with school and football. There probably hasn’t been too much time to take up the game of golf. This is just more proof that golf isn’t a game you can just pick up and excel at.
Let’s hope we see better results on the football field this fall from this group.
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2022-06-05T03:14:53Z
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WATCH: Ohio State football players fail miserably on the golf simulator
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This could have gone a lot worse for Alec Bohm.
The Philadelphia Phillies infielder was displeased with himself early in Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Angels. With runners on second and third in the first inning, Bohm struck out swinging with Michael Lorenzen on the mound.
When he returned to the dugout, he took his frustrations out on his bat. And the bat rack. And, ultimately, his neck. When he slammed the knob of his bat against the rack, the barrel slammed back into his neck.
By the time he composed himself, he'd drawn his own blood.
Fortunately for the Phillies, they cleared the bases in a five-run first inning en route to a 7-2 win. Fortunately for Bohm, that wasn't the end of his day or a precursor to a hospital visit. Bohm's wound was only on the surface. He returned to the field and finished the game. Though he didn't help his stat line, going 0 for 4 at the plate with two strikeouts.
The win marked the second-straight for the Phillies under interim manager Rob Thomson after Friday's dismissal of Joe Girardi. Hopefully for Bohm's sake, he was able to enjoy the Phillies' new-found success.
Alec Bohm has had better days. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Mike Trout flailed at strike three in the dirt his final at bat and a most miserable game was complete. The three-time AL MVP whiffed three times and went 0 for 4 in the Angels' latest loss to extend his hitless streak to a career-worst 0 for 23. “I'm just trying to get into a good position to hit,” Trout said.
Brendan Donovan's go-ahead double
Brendan Donovan lines a go-ahead two-run double to left field, giving the Cardinals a 5-3 lead in the top of the 10th inning
Paul Blackburn's first real speed bump in stellar 2022 season comes vs. Red Sox
In an otherwise stellar 2022 season, A's starter Paul Blackburn will face his first real test of the season after a less-than-stellar start against the Red Sox on Saturday.
Concerns over safety for firefighters and residents alike complicate a funding issue between the City of Shawnee and its fire department.
Harper, Schwarber power Phillies' 10-0 win vs. Angels
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2022-06-05T04:33:13Z
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Phillies' Alec Bohm draws his own blood in bat-slam tantrum
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Angela Park
In a few short years, however, Park was off the tour. She won $2.1 million in four seasons on the LPGA and then abruptly moved on.
“I ultimately decided to step back from the game because I no longer had the desire to play,” said Park via email. “It was just simple as that.”
Park, 33, requested an email exchange because her hands are now literally full with 3-month-old Noah, her first child with husband of four years, Steve.
Park turned pro on the same day as close friend Inbee Park, on the Monday after the 2006 Kraft Nabisco Championship (now the Chevron). Both were 17 years old and bound for the Epson Tour.
Inbee, of course, is now an LPGA Hall of Famer and seven-time major winner. Angela never won on the LPGA but certainly had more than enough talent to hoist many trophies. She was the 2007 Louise Suggs Rolex LPGA Rookie of Year, topping both In-Kyung Kim and Inbee Park.
Angela Park celebrates a birdie on the 18th hole during the final round of the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club on July 1, 2007 in Southern Pines, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
“I do, of course, wonder how my life would have been different if I just kept playing,” said Park, “but I do believe all things happen for a reason, and I was bound to live the life I live now.”
Park can’t remember the last time she picked up a golf club. The job of mom is more difficult, she said, than competitive golf. She lives in Southern California and is going back to school to become a pharmacist.
“I had many different jobs in different fields since I had no idea what I would find joy in again,” she wrote. “It took a long time to finally decide on this route. It’s a bit late, but I think better now than never.”
Park spent the first nine years of her life in Brazil, but her South Korean-born parents wanted a better education for their children and moved the family to California. It was in the U.S. that Park fell in love with the game. Her mother stayed behind in Brazil to run the family’s embroidery factory while her father oversaw her development.
Morgan Pressel grew up playing junior golf against Park, and said the pair pushed each other.
“A spectacular player,” said Pressel, “really solid all around, nothing overly flashy.”
Lorena Ochoa of Mexico (L) wipes her eyes as she and fellow runner-up Angela Park attend the trophy ceremony at the U.S. Women’s Open Championship at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club on July 1, 2007, in Southern Pines, North Carolina. (Photo by Jonathan Ernst/Getty Images)
Park remembers being hyper-focused at Pine Needles, executing “some amazing shots under pressure.” Those memories fuel confidence in her ability to accomplish other goals. She led after the first round at Pine Needles and co-led after the second. A final-round 70 put her in a share of second, two back of winner Cristie Kerr.
Park doesn’t really follow the LPGA or speak to many of the players she used to compete against.
“I just kind of fell off the map,” she said, “and went a completely different route.”
Denny McCarthy, the clubhouse leader at the Memorial, is a master with the putter.
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2022-06-05T07:35:32Z
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Angela Park finished runner-up at the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open at Pine Needles and, a few years later, fell off of the golf map
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The new Saudi-backed golf league will shower each participant and his caddy with lavish accommodations and parties next week at the first LIV Golf Invitational at the Centurion Club in London, according to a brochure obtained by Telegraph Sport.
The brochure laid out what one Telegraph source called "the Tiger Woods treatment" for all competitors — free flights, stays at a five-star hotel and spa in Hertfordshire, first-class car service and invitations to extravagant events.
One such event is a red carpet "draft party" at RD Studios — a recently renovated film production facility with 45,000 square feet of studio space and a 36,000 square-foot yard. The party will be hosted by celebrity DJ Fat Tony with "cocktails, refreshments and heavy hors d'oeuvres."
The grandeur extends to the Centurion Club as well. Food at the golf course will reportedly be overseen by English and Michelin-starred restauranteur Jason Atherton and English musical acts such as James Morrison and Craig David will also perform afterward.
It's just another carrot dangled in front of the golf world as LIV tries to lure the biggest names in the sport to the new Super Golf League. It's already enticed 2021 Masters winner Dustin Johnson to spurn the PGA Tour for LIV after he was paid a reported $150 million to compete in the new tournament, which kicks off on June 9 with a total prize purse of $25 million.
Who else is competing at LIV?
Johnson is the biggest draw, but he'll be joined by others in the initial 42-person field that includes 2017 Masters winner Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch, Branden Grace, Martin Kaymer, Chase Koepka, Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Hudson Swafford and Lee Westwood.
The top five finishers in the Asian Tour International Series event at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf resort this weekend will join Johnson and the rest of the group at the LIV Invitational.
The Telegraph believes a sixth golfer will also be added and speculated Phil Mickelson could join after he withdrew from the PGA Championship in May following his incendiary comments about the Saudi Arabian government and his public desire to play in the LIV Invitational.
Controversy surrounding LIV
The much-maligned Super Golf League has endured its fair share of controversy since its inception in 2019.
Firstly, it's backed by the Saudi Arabian government's Public Investment Fund, which invested $2 billion into LIV Golf to supercharge a rival league to the PGA. The politics of Saudia Arabia are murky at best and the subject of much umbrage throughout the world. Mickelson said it best in an excerpt of his new book:
“They’re scary motherf***ers to get involved with. We know they killed [Washington Post reporter and U.S. resident Jamal] Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay."
It didn't help that LIV CEO Greg Norman brushed off the Saudi Arabian government's human rights violations as "mistakes" in an attempt to de-politicize the league:
“Everybody has owned up to it, right? It has been spoken about, from what I’ve read, going on what you guys reported. Take ownership, no matter what it is. Look, we’ve all made mistakes and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can correct them going forward.
“I don’t look back. I don’t look into the politics of things. I’m not going to get into the quagmire of whatever else happens in someone else’s world. I heard about it and just kept moving on.”
Amnesty International cautioned against golfers joining a league paid for by the Saudis as well:
“Riyadh’s [the capital city of Saudi Arabia] newfound love of sports promotion has come at a time when the Saudi authorities have carried out mass executions, when numerous human rights defenders have been jailed in the Kingdom and when Saudi missiles are still raining down on civilians in Yemen.
“We would urge all golfers tempted to play in Saudi-bankrolled tournaments to consider how sportswashing works and how they might break its spell by speaking out about human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s persecuted human rights community will feel bitterly disappointed if well-paid golfing superstars take the LIV Golf cash but stay silent about what’s happening in Saudi Arabia."
LIV's competition with the PGA Tour has possibly created an unmendable rift between commissioner Jay Monahan and players who left for the new league. The Tour already denied exceptions for players looking to compete in both LIV and the PGA, and even threatened to revoke Tour cards for players who jump. In a statement obtained by ESPN, the Tour said players who compete in the new league are subject to disciplinary action.
“As communicated to our entire membership on May 10, PGA Tour members have not been authorized to participate in the Saudi Golf League's London event, under PGA Tour Tournament Regulations. Members who violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action."
It's a brave new world in the sport of golf.
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2022-06-05T07:35:57Z
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Golfers get 'Tiger Woods treatment' at Saudi-backed tournament
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Josh Peter, USA TODAY
“You want that happy ending.’’
There will be no happy ending.
Less than three weeks later, at Madison Square Garden, Curry broke Ray Allen’s NBA all-time record for 3-pointers with the 2,974th of his career.
His parents were not side-by-side.
“I had to make sure I was in that moment with both of them separately and this wasn’t just this whole kind of thing,” Curry later told The Ringer. “That is how I choose to approach that. Because it is challenging."
NBA FINALS: Kevin Durant's ghost will haunt Warriors if they don't win
Curry also said, “I could be mad and be like, ‘Y’all effed this up.’ I could have that approach. But it’s going to be an acknowledgment of both of y’all in terms of how y’all raised me. The calmness I have in myself is because of y’all.”
Divorce records spell out their acrimonious split.
Sonya Curry filed for divorce in June 2021 and said it was “provoked and justified” by Dell Curry’s misconduct.
She said Dell committed “illicit sexual misconduct” with different women during their marriage and that infidelity was known to the family and to close friends of the parties, according to the divorce records.
Dell and Sonya Curry watch a playoff game between the Warriors and Blazers.
In response, Dell Curry, the former NBA player, accused Sonya Curry of having an affair with Steven Johnson, a former tight end with the New England Patriots. According to the divorce records, Dell Curry said Sonya Curry started the affair during their marriage and “lied each time she cheated.”
According to the divorce records, Dell Curry also said Sonya had been living with Johnson, 56, at his 11,674-square foot residence in Bristol, Tennessee since she and Dell Curry separated in March 2020. That, Dell Curry stated in the filings, would prevent Sonya from receiving spousal support from the date cohabitation commenced.
Sonya Curry denied she live with Johnson and said she lived in several places alone because Dell Curry refused to let her stay in their house in Charlotte. She said she “currently was in a dating relationship” which began months after the parties agreed to legally separate.
The Currys and Steven Johnson attended Virginia Tech together in the 1980s when Dell Curry was a star on the basketball team, Sonya Curry played volleyball and Steven played on the football team. Bobby Beecher, one of Curry’s teammates at Virginia Tech, said Dell Curry and Johnson knew each other because they both lived in the athletic dorms.
Johnson, who was married to a former Miss Virginia USA before the couple divorced in 2011, declined to comment when reached by USA TODAY Sports.
Dell Curry did not respond to interview requests. Sonya Curry declined to talk through the HarperOne, publisher of her recently released memoir, “Fierce Love.’’
Stephen Curry with his mother Sonya in 2019.
Over the years, it’s been easy to find them together, often with their children – Steph, Seth and their youngest child, daughter Sydel.
Such as the week of the 2019 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte when Sonya Curry made a halfcourt shot and she jumped into Dell Curry’s arms in exultation. Or in 2020 when they teamed up as hosts of the podcast, “Raising Fame.’’
They were eminently qualified, having by that point raised a perennial All-Star, another NBA player and a daughter who played volleyball at Elon University in North Carolina. But Sonya Curry’s memoir offers details of struggles, stress and successes in her marriage.
The first time they got pregnant, before they were married, they decided to abort the baby. In 1987, pregnant for a second time, they planned on another abortion.
They were parked outside of a Planned Pregnancy clinic and just minutes from an appointment before they decided to keep the baby, according to the memoir. They named the baby Wardell Stephen Curry II, better known as Steph.
After Dell Curry joined the Charlotte Hornets in 1988, their marriage suffered.
“Dell is gone,” Sonya Curry wrote. “Traveling with the team. He seems to be on the road more than he’s at home. When he is home, we seem to pass each other without seeing each other. Missing each other. We don’t appear to occupy the same space at the same time. I don’t feel estranged. I feel distant. Disconnected. Alone. Even when he’s here.’”
In 2020, during the first episode of “Raising Fame,” Sonya Curry revealed their marital life had not been perfect.
“Even like with our marriage, we’ve had challenges we haven’t always hid from our children because … there were teaching moments and, you know, they don’t need to know all the details. But we didn’t hide a lot of things because what we don’t want them to do is think everything’s rosy and get out in the world and then it smacks them in the face.”
During the NBA Finals from 2015 to 2019, Mike and Ellen Wallau of Palo Alto sat in Row 7 Section 101 – one row in front of the Sonya and Dell Curry.
“Good, normal people and always very gracious and nice,” Mike Wallau said. “From the first time they sat there, we were high-fiving them.”
This year the Warriors played Game 1 of the Finals in the Chase Center, the team’s new home arena. Dell Curry was spotted near the court before the game.
Sonya was nowhere to be seen.
“I think it’s a good example that nobody is exempt from the problems that we all face in life,” Mike Wallau said. “And that certainly it might seem like other people’s lives are so perfect, but really I think life is an inside job, and you can’t go by how it looks on the outside.’’
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Steph Curry's parents Dell and Sonya both allege infidelity in divorce
Jackson Academy's Dakota Jordan, a Mississippi State signee, has been named the 2021-22 Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.
Love Island star Paige Thorne says she’ll ‘100 per cent’ go back to being a paramedic after show: ‘It’s who I am’
‘I couldn’t think of not doing that as my career and my job,’ she said
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) Draymond Green believes that he's the NBA's best at playing defense. This explains why, on Friday night between Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, the Golden State forward opened up his Twitter page and let the 1.7 million people who follow him there know what he was thinking. Green simply presumed that complaints were out there after he struggled and the Warriors lost Game 1 of the title series to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
Your Turn writer urges passage of Common Start federal law to pay preschool teachers better, support early learning critical to children's success.
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2022-06-05T10:38:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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How the longtime marriage between Dell and Sonya Curry crumbled amid accusations of infidelity
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The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions are down 2-0 to the New York Rangers in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal but remain confident they have what it takes to climb back into the best-of-seven series. Game 3 is Sunday at Amalie Arena after the Rangers dominated the first two games at home. Lightning coach Jon Cooper cited poor puck management, as well as the lack of a sense of urgency in his team’s play, as factors contributing to Tampa Bay losing consecutive playoff games for the first time in three years.
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2022-06-05T12:09:15Z
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Alonso homers twice, Mets roll to 9-4 victory over Dodgers
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Japanese race car driver
DETROIT — Josef Newgarden became the seventh pole winner through seven IndyCar qualifying sessions this season when he put Team Penske at the front of the starting lineup for Sunday’s Detroit Grand Prix, the event’s final time at Belle Isle Raceway.
IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix starting lineup: Josef Newgarden wins last pole at Belle Isle originally appeared on NBCSports.com
Josef Newgarden takes pole, David Malukas impresses and Penei Sewell is Sunday's grand marshal at the Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle.
This company just unveiled the ‘coolest' hat of the summer
Meteorological summer is underway, and with temperatures on the rise across the United States, people are searching for ways to help stay cool. This is where a Pennsylvania-based company has stepped in. MSA, a safety company based out of Pittsburgh, has introduced a new product that will help some people keep their cool, even during the hottest days of the summer. The invention might not be a traditional ball cap or large-brimmed sun hat, but the company's latest hard hat does more than help to
MacKenzie Gore believes the adversity he encountered in the minor leagues has helped him thrive now that he’s in the majors. Gore, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2017 draft, didn't get to pitch in 2020 when the pandemic shut down the minor league season and he produced so-so results in the San Diego Padres’ farm system last year. But since arriving in San Diego this year, he’s been nothing short of spectacular. The 23-year-old Gore continued his sensational rookie season by throwing six stellar innings in a 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday.
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2022-06-05T12:09:34Z
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IndyCar Detroit Grand Prix starting lineup: Josef Newgarden wins last pole at Belle Isle
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https://sports.yahoo.com/indycar-detroit-grand-prix-starting-190047743.html?src=rss
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The Cincinnati Bengals were all over Tampa Bay Buccaneers center Ryan Jensen in free agency before Tom Brady un-retired and Jensen landed a three-year extension worth $39 million.
A phone call from Brady is apparently what ruined the plan for the Bengals.
That’s according to King, one of the most plugged-in reporters out there, who thinks Jensen was about to head to Cincinnati before a phone call from his quarterback.
King said the following on Pro Football Talk:
That Jensen was potentially headed to the Bengals wasn’t much of a surprise. But as we wrote at the time, his sticking with the Buccaneers wasn’t the end of the world, either.
The Bengals pulled off a pivot by signing Ted Karras, who can play guard or center. They then added right guard Alex Cappa from Brady’s line and La’el Collins at right tackle.
While Jensen is one of the best line players in the league, his cost might’ve stopped the Bengals from adding two more pieces. Instead, with the help of Brady, the team got more versatile and upgraded three times, at least on paper.
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2022-06-05T12:09:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Peter King thinks Ryan Jensen was joining Bengals before Tom Brady phone call
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https://sports.yahoo.com/peter-king-thinks-ryan-jensen-163101890.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/peter-king-thinks-ryan-jensen-163101890.html?src=rss
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Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II is hoping to work a new contract, and the latest rankings from Pro Football Focus suggest he has a legitimate case.
Despite being the 27th-ranked cornerback when it comes to average annual value (AAV) on his current deal, Pro Football Focus ranked Moore as the best slot cornerback in the NFL entering the 2022 season.
There is no denying the impact Moore makes on the defensive side of the ball. Both in coverage and run defense, it’s hard to find a more complete cornerback. Even pigeon-holing him as a slot cornerback isn’t totally accurate considering the amount of time he also spends on the outside.
Through the first two weeks of OTAs, Moore has not participated in the voluntary workouts. The Colts reportedly have no intention of reworking his current contract, believing Moore signed a fair deal at the time.
With mandatory minicamp coming up, it will be interesting to see if he continues to be absent. The Colts can fine Moore if he doesn’t participate in the mandatory portion of the workouts, and that may lead to a true holdout.
We’ll see what happens with the contract situation, but Moore is still considered the gold standard for elite slot cornerbacks in the NFL.
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2022-06-05T13:01:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Kenny Moore ranked as NFL ‘s best slot CB
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https://sports.yahoo.com/kenny-moore-ranked-nfl-best-122521326.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/kenny-moore-ranked-nfl-best-122521326.html?src=rss
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Penn State may have set its sights on an in-state wide receiver who performed well with a quarterback commit at its White Out Camp over the weekend. Yazeed Haynes, who previously had been committed to Rutgers, received an offer from Penn State after attending Penn State’s weekend camp.
Haynes is a three-star wide receiver from North Penn High School in southeastern Pennsylvania who committed fairly quickly to Rutgers after receiving a scholarship offer earlier this year. Haynes committed to Rutgers within three weeks of receiving his offer from the Scarlet Knights in March, but he decided to re-open his recruiting process two months later in May. Penn State’s offer is reportedly the first to come in since Haynes reopened his recruitment.
Haynes shared the news of the scholarship offer on his Twitter account on Saturday evening.
The offer to Haynes is notable, of course, because it is a player that a Big Ten division and regional recruiting opponent was pursuing and thought they had locked up. But the timing of Haynes’ offer is of note because he was pairing up plenty of times at Penn State’s White Out Camp with Class of 2023 quarterback commit Marcus Stokes. Stokes performed admirably in his showing at the football camp, and Haynes was notably paired up with Stokes on more than one occasion. Perhaps not coincidentally, Haynes was viewed by some as the top receiver performer at the camp.
Could we see Stokes and Haynes teaming up together in Beaver Stadium a few years down the road? That remains to be seen, but Penn State should now be considered a strong contender in the recruiting process for Haynes.
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2022-06-05T13:14:31Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Penn State extends offer to former Rutgers commit following White Out Camp
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https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-extends-offer-former-130037887.html?src=rss
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During the event's post-fight press conference, an emotional Herrig explained her decision to retire form completion.
"I've known for a while that maybe my heart wasn't in fighting anymore," Herrig said. "I enjoyed the training process. I enjoyed everything about it. I had the two knee surgeries, and that was not the way I was going to go out in the sport. I wasn't going to let an injury hold me back.
"I wanted to prove to myself, nobody else, just myself, that I could overcome two ACL surgeries and get back to being in the best shape of my life and come back and fight at the top level in the UFC. And I did that, but I also knew in the process that if I didn't feel what I wanted to feel in the cage that I was going to retire."
"I just realized this wasn't for me anymore," Herrig said. "I don't know if I ever really loved it."
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2022-06-05T15:11:55Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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An emotional Felice Herrig explains decision to retire: ‘this wasn’t for me anymore’ | Video
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https://sports.yahoo.com/emotional-felice-herrig-explains-decision-082624526.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/emotional-felice-herrig-explains-decision-082624526.html?src=rss
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French Open Draw Tennis
FILE - Poland's Iga Swiatek kisses the trophy after winning the final match of the French Open tennis tournament against Sofia Kenin of the U.S. in two sets, 6-4, 6-1, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. Swiatek was the 2020 champion at Roland Garros and was seeded No. 1 in the draw for this year’s tournament in Paris. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena, File)
Bergeron, Barkov, and Lindholm are the finalists for the 2021-22 Frank J. Selke Trophy.
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2022-06-05T16:43:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Analysis: If No. 1 Iga Swiatek keeps improving, look out
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https://sports.yahoo.com/analysis-no-1-iga-swiatek-110617423.html?src=rss
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CINCINNATI — Haji Wright’s World Cup dreams initially sprouted amid broken glass. That’s what his mother, Serena, lovingly recalls about the boy who seemed attached to his soccer ball. His feet would carry it from the family’s Los Angeles backyard to the dining room table. He’d dribble it to the bedroom he shared with his younger brother, Hanif — and that’s where the window would shatter. The brothers broke it at least twice, Serena says. She threatened to leave it unrepaired. She offered them a squishy soccer ball alternative, but to no avail. They were obsessed.
“They also broke a glass in the TV console,” Serena says. “And I was just livid each time.”
She also cherished Haji’s attachment to the sport. He’d grown entranced by YouTube reels of early 21st century stars. After the family moved from Culver City up into L.A.’s hills, 11-year-old Haji would venture into the backyard alone and try to emulate legends. On long summer days, he’d pound the ball against the garage for hours on end, honing his non-dominant left foot and his shooting technique. He’d mimic the Thierry Henrys of the world, and he’d dream — of Europe, of World Cups, of goals in finals.
For most pre-teens, they’re far-fetched fantasies. For Haji, they quickly became “real possibilities.” Soccer moms and scouts alike recognized his rare talent. The L.A. Galaxy academy came calling. Haji excelled at U.S. Soccer’s residency program, where he roomed with a fellow innocent teen named Christian Pulisic. He tallied 18 goals and seven assists in 22 matches for the U.S. under-17s, and became “one of the hottest prospects” in the country. He was the player who reportedly attracted German giants Borussia Dortmund to a youth tournament in 2014, where Dortmund ultimately discovered Pulisic. He was, according to FIFA’s official website in 2015, “poised to become the next big thing for football in America.”
And then, to many American fans who’d lapped up the hype, Wright seemingly disappeared.
Long off the USMNT's radar, Haji Wright has a chance to lay claim to the starting striker spot at the World Cup during camp the next couple weeks. (Photo by Mustafa Ciftci/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
He signed with Schalke in the German Bundesliga at age 18 in 2016. He’s since bounced around to five different clubs. He never got the U.S. men’s national team call-up that many assumed would come before his 21st birthday. And as he endured a goal-less 2019-20 league season at VVV-Venlo in Holland, he essentially fell off USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter’s radar.
That’s when he turned to an outlook he’d adopted as his remarkably steep trajectory turned sideways. “All these experiences,” Serena would tell him, “are going to lead you to where you need to be.” He learned to shun negative thoughts and search for positivity. “There's always tomorrow to prove myself,” he’d think, and he now says.
Just two years later, he’s the hottest American male striker on the planet. As he banged in 14 goals in 32 appearances for Antalyaspor in the Turkish Super Lig this spring, those childhood dreams came back into focus. Wright is here in Cincinnati as the only true No. 9 at the USMNT’s most important pre-World Cup training camp, where it will face fellow 2022 qualifiers Morocco.
And he will, Berhalter said, “get an opportunity” — to debut, at age 24, for the team he always seemed destined for, and maybe, just maybe, to make the USMNT’s neediest position his.
Haji Wright stood out amid star-laden USMNT youth teams
The hype first bloomed before Serena Wright knew much of anything about soccer, and perhaps even before she knew that Haji had taken to the sport during recess at school. She enrolled him in a rec league around age 7. Other parents were taken aback by his skill. Clubs began making their recruiting pitches. Summer camp invites multiplied. Before long, the words “Europe” and “overseas” entered conversations. “It just did not seem normal to me,” Serena says. It all happened “very quick.”
It fueled young Haji’s confidence. On U.S. youth teams that also included Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, he and Pulisic were the headliners and the stars. Wright scored twice in a 4-1 U-17 victory over Brazil that resonated among American soccer diehards. He moved to Schalke as soon as he was eligible, shortly after his 18th birthday, and “talent-wise, he was ready,” Serena says.
“There were some other pieces that still needed to develop,” she continues. He was, of course, still a boy. He needed Mom’s help with typical teen things, like driver certification. But he picked up the German language surprisingly quickly, and settled into a quiet life that revolved around soccer. In downtime, he absorbed himself in "Call of Duty" and an addictive, "Candy Crush"-like smartphone game called "Toon Blast." After McKennie joined him at Schalke in August of 2016, the two Americans “were together almost every day,” Wright recalls.
They also seemed to be on parallel paths. They were jointly promoted to Schalke’s senior team toward the end of Wright’s first full season. They were still teens, but “they belong in the first team next year,” Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel said at the time.
As McKennie established himself in the Bundesliga, and Pulisic starred 40 minutes away at Dortmund, Wright began to struggle. After a difficult first preseason with Schalke’s senior team, he was sent on loan to SV Sandhausen in the second division. “And I remember he was really, really upset after that,” Serena says — not because he felt wronged, or unenthused by Sandhausen, but rather because he hadn’t “performed to his full potential” in preseason.
“He was down on himself,” Serena says. And, alone in a foreign land, he had to learn how to pick himself back up.
Haji Wright and fellow American Weston McKennie (2) played together at Schalke in the German Bundesliga. (REUTERS/Leon Kuegeler)
Wright learns tough lessons about soccer's nonlinear path
Wright says he didn’t necessarily arrive in Germany envisioning a specific trajectory toward the top of the sport. He did envision playing in packed stadiums in the Ruhr Valley, and across the Bundesliga. He surely envisioned success, because as a child and teen, that’s all he really knew.
“So then when [a setback] happens, it's unexpected,” Serena points out. “He expected his path to be straightforward,” she continues, but inevitably, “the path, sometimes, is not linear.”
Wright now understands this, more so than most 24-year-olds. But the “twists and turns,” Serena says, were initially challenging. Her son leant on her and his agent for encouragement as his visions failed to materialize. After a sputtering loan spell at Sandhausen, he returned to Schalke for the 2018-19 season, and made his senior debut in November. He scored his first goal in December, but it would be his only one for the club. After just seven appearances, he left the following summer.
At Venlo, where he scored one cup goal and none in 22 league appearances, “it just wasn't clicking,” Wright says. He understands how unfathomable those numbers are to fans who saw what he once did and see what he’s doing now. Soccer, he explains, comes with “rough patches.” Goalscoring often requires “a bit of luck.” Adjustments to new systems have taken time. Berhalter remembers watching Wright play as a winger rather than a striker, and saying: “We don't think that's his strength, and it's gonna be hard to make an impact with our team in that position.”
By 2020, Wright had acclimatized to soccer hardship. “He wasn't upbeat, for sure,” during that season at Venlo, Serena says, “but I don't think he was discouraged.”
Is USMNT about to find the striker it's long been looking for?
The following year, he took a step down to SønderjyskE in Denmark, and that’s where things began to click. For years, Wright had been a “humble,” “modest,” “chill” team player — which aren’t necessarily the best qualities for a forward. “As a striker,” he now realizes, “you have to be selfish.”
“I don't think you have to be overly selfish,” he continues. “Like, if you're 2-v-1 vs. the keeper, you [don’t] shoot, it's not like that. But I think you definitely have to be selfish to a certain degree.”
His coaches have noticed a new mentality that Wright puts into words: “I have to be the guy to score.”
As he started doing just that last season in Denmark, Berhalter called to tell him: “You're doing well, we're watching, keep doing your thing.”
He moved to Antalyaspor on loan last summer, and started slow, but caught fire over the season’s second half. He scored eight goals in eight games throughout April and May, and that’s why he’s here, in U.S. camp with the World Cup six months away.
For years, ever since Jozy Altidore’s prime ebbed away, the USMNT has not had a consistent striker. Josh Sargent and Jordan Pefok are injured. Ricardo Pepi, who exploded into the starting lineup last fall, hasn’t scored in almost eight months, and needs a break. For Wright, Berhalter said last week, “now is the perfect time.”
It is, perhaps, not precisely what Wright dreamed of all those years ago. But here he was Sunday, grouped with Pulisic, Adams and McKennie for a pre-training warmup circuit, riding with his former U-17 running mates on the national team bus. They swapped some old stories. “It's a little nostalgic,” Wright says, and “crazy” that it’s been almost a decade since those innocent residency days.
And it’s “fun,” he says. It feels “normal.” There’s “no weird energy or anything. It’s good times.”
And “obviously,” he says of his impending national team debut, “I was hoping for it to happen earlier. But I'm here now. And that's really all that matters.”
Tennessee baseball unveils Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovation concepts before NCAA Tournament
Tennessee baseball has explored investing upward of $50 million into Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovations.
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2022-06-05T16:43:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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World Cup: USMNT's Haji Wright may at long last star as striker
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https://sports.yahoo.com/long-lost-phenom-has-chance-to-find-himself-as-usmn-ts-starting-world-cup-striker-174302763.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/long-lost-phenom-has-chance-to-find-himself-as-usmn-ts-starting-world-cup-striker-174302763.html?src=rss
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By winning the French Open, Rafael Nadal tied Steffi Graf for third place all-time in overall Grand Slam singles titles with 22. Only Serena Williams (23) and Margaret Court (24) have won more.
Rafael Nadal celebrates with The Musketeers' Cup after defeating Casper Ruud in the men's singles final at Roland Garros.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: French Open: Rafael Nadal dominates Casper Ruud to win men's final
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2022-06-05T16:43:31Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Rafael Nadal extends record with his 14th French Open singles title
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https://sports.yahoo.com/rafael-nadal-extends-record-14th-153459244.html?src=rss
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Tavierre Thomas
The Houston Texans invested heavily in the future of their secondary with cornerback Derek Stingley taken in the first round and safety Jalen Pitre taken in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL draft.
Houston also shored up their secondary by bringing in cornerback Steven Nelson and retaining and dependable players such as Desmond King and Tavierre Thomas.
If the boundary corners are taken care of in Stingley and Nelson, then slot cornerback would be a position that the Texans would have to fortify to have success. New coach Lovie Smith, who was the defensive coordinator last year, sees the value in the slot corner position, which is why defensive assistant Ilir Emini has the added title of “nickels.”
According to Anthony Treash from Pro Football Focus, Thomas ranks as the 10th-best slot cornerback in the NFL.
Thomas then signed with Houston and thrived as the starter. He finished with a top-three slot coverage grade and allowed the fewest yards per coverage snap (0.50). Obviously, there is caution with expecting Thomas to replicate this play in 2022 and beyond, given it’s a one-year sample, but he showed the ability to do so.
What isn’t being discussed about Thomas’ potential is the fact 2022 will be the first time in his career he will have the same defensive staff from one year to the next. The Cleveland Browns never had the same defensive coordinator while Thomas was there from 2018-20.
Although Houston fired David Culley after a 4-13 finish in 2021, Smith and his Tampa 2 scheme remains in place for 2022, which creates a level of continuity Thomas has not had in the NFL.
“This is the first year that I will be playing with the same defensive staff, defensive coordinator,” Thomas told reporters on April 26. “Now, he’s the head coach. It’s a blessing just to not have to go through that situation again with changing everything around me. I’ve always had to continue to grind and learn new playbooks and now I’m coming back to the same playbook with some of the same guys. It’s a blessing.”
Thomas had the best season of his career last year with 86 combined tackles, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown, and a forced fumble — all in 17 games, eight of which he started.
The former undrafted free agent from Ferris State has shown the ability to have great moments in Smith’s defense. If Thomas can consistently perform as the slot corner for Houston, the defense should be able to take another jump.
Baylor coach Dave Aranda is confident the Houston Texans can load up S Jalen Pitre and that the rookie will know the defense inside and out.
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2022-06-05T17:35:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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CB Tavierre Thomas could be key to the Texans secondary
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cb-tavierre-thomas-could-key-162516427.html?src=rss
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In Roob's Observations: Will youngest Eagle wear the green dot helmet? originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Who’s going to wear the green dot helmet? How underrated was Correll Buckhalter? And what was the best way to sneak beer into the Vet?
We’re all over the map in this weekend’s Roob’s 10 Random Eagles Offseason Observations.
We might even share a newspaper account of the first touchdown in Eagles history.
1. The green dot helmet on defense generally goes to the smartest, most experienced and savvy veteran who’s going to be on the field the most. Smart so he can process plays called in from the coach, experienced so he can seamlessly communicate complex concepts to his teammates, on the field the most in the interest of consistency. So who makes the most sense to wear the green dot for the Eagles this year? The youngest guy on the roster. Nakobe Dean, who just turned 21 in December, has dazzled the Eagles’ coaches with his intelligence since the pre-draft process began. He’s already learning both the Mike and Will positions, and if all goes according to plan, his versatility and intelligence — and ability — mean he’s going to play most of the defensive snaps. If Dean does start, he’ll be the Eagles’ youngest defensive starter since safety Joe Scarpati in 1964 — by about three months. Dean still has to prove he can handle the additional responsibility on top of showing he can handle 65 snaps a game. But as it stands now, three months before opening day, Dean has a chance to hold a position of tremendous responsibility and importance several months before his 22nd birthday.
3. Isaac Seumalo will either start at right guard this year or get cut. Weird, right? There’s no in between for Seumalo, now entering his seventh year with the Eagles. With Brandon Brooks retired, he’s getting the first crack at right guard after two injury-plagued seasons. With a $5.65 million base salary and a $7.668 million cap figure, Seumalo is the 21st-highest-paid guard in the league, but his cap figure in 2022 is eighth-highest. All of which is fine if he’s starting and playing at a high level. That’s good value. Seumalo is a solid guy when he’s healthy. He’s a better-than-average guard, and there’s no reason to think he can’t handle right guard, where he hasn’t played since 2016. But if he struggles? If he has a tough training camp? If it’s not working out? The Eagles aren’t going to keep him around as a $7.668 million backup. They have decent alternatives, like Jack Driscoll and Sua Opeta, who both have cap figures right around $1 million. Cutting Seumalo would clear $5.65 million in cap space while counting about $2.1 million in dead money this year and $3.8 million next year. So he starts or he’s gone.
4. How talented a play caller is Shane Steichen? We don’t know exactly when he took over as full-time play caller last year, but we do know it was somewhere before the Lions game in Week 7. And from that game on, the Eagles ranked seventh in scoring [28 points per game], 10th in yards per play [5.6], eighth in first downs [22 per game], first on 3rd down [49 percent] and even middle of the pack in passing efficiency [89.9 passer rating]. He's pretty darn good at it. Letting Steichen continue calling plays this year makes a ton of sense.
5. From 2001 through 2008, Correll Buckhalter missed three of eight seasons with torn ACLs. In each of the five seasons he did play, he had at least 50 carries and averaged at least 4.2 yards per carry. The only other running backs in Eagles history with five straight seasons at 4.2 yards per carry are LeSean McCoy and Steve Van Buren. Buck’s 4.5 career average remains fifth-highest ever by an Eagles RB. If Buck’s knees hadn’t repeatedly failed him, he would have been one of the best running backs in Eagles history.
6. Jalen Hurts Stat of the Week: Only five quarterbacks in NFL history (minimum 500 attempts) have averaged 12 yards per completion in their career but also averaged one interception every 40 passes or better. They are Patrick Mahomes, Deshaun Watson, Russell Wilson, Colin Kaepernick and Hurts.
7. Eagles fans used to be so creative sneaking beer into the Vet. The way the ramps were wide open allowed fans who had entered the stadium to set up simply pulley systems and lower buckets or baskets down to fans on ground level who hadn’t entered the stadium yet. The guys outside the stadium stuffed the beer in the bucket, the guys on the ramp pulled the bucket up, the guys outside came into the stadium, and just like that you had snuck a case of beer past security. Brilliant.
8. It was awesome seeing 34-year-old Brandon Graham running around at practice Friday looking fit and healthy. It’s hard to imagine this team without him.
9. DeVonta Smith had 916 receiving yards last year, A.J. Brown had 869 and Dallas Goedert 830. This is the first time ever the Eagles will go into a season with three guys who had at least 825 receiving yards the previous year.
10. Ever wonder who scored the first touchdown in Eagles history? It was Swede Hanson, a Central Jersey native (Middletown, Monmouth County) and former Temple star. Hanson began his NFL career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1931 and spent 1932 with the Staten Island Stapletons, who folded after the season. The expansion Eagles didn’t score in their first two games in 1933, but on Oct. 29, 1933, in the second quarter of a 35-9 loss to the Packers at City Stadium in Green Bay, Hanson scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Red Kirkman. Here’s how the Philadelphia Inquirer saw it the next day in a non-bylined story: “Kirkman faded back and looped a beauty right into the waiting embrace of Hanson. The latter caught the ball on the 15-yard-line, snatching out of the eager paws of two Green Bay men who were covering the Swede. Hanson wheeled and circled about this posse and skipped over the goal line for the first touchdown the Eagles have tallied this season against league foemen.” Hanson spent five years with the Eagles — he was second in the NFL in rushing in 1934 — before finishing his career with the Steelers in 1938. After his football career, he worked as a mechanic at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, just down Broad Street from where the Eagles would play 40 years later. Hanson was only 62 when he died in Philly in 1970.
Iman Vellani is Kamala Khan. Or at least that’s what everyone on the Ms. Marvel team has to say about her. Like her character, the 19-year old Pakistan-born Canadian is a comic book super fan. While Kamala dreams of one day becoming a real-life Avenger, Vellani herself has followed a similar path, being a long-standing comic lover […]
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2022-06-05T17:36:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Eagles Observations: Will rookie Nakobe Dean wear the green dot helmet?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-observations-rookie-nakobe-dean-145400732.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-observations-rookie-nakobe-dean-145400732.html?src=rss
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Former Tennessee Titans inside linebackers coach Jim Haslett was named one of the eight head coaches for the once-again rebooted XFL league back in April, but now we know which team he will lead.
According to multiple reports, Haslett has been assigned the XFL’s Seattle franchise. Here’s a look the other seven head coaches and which teams they will reportedly lead.
Houston: Wade Phillips
Dallas: Bob Stoops
San Antonio: Hines Ward
Washington, D.C.: Reggie Barlow
Las Vegas: Rod Woodson
Orlando: Terrell Buckley
St. Louis: Anthony Becht
Haslett joined the Titans as their inside linebackers coach in 2020, a position he held through the 2021 campaign.
Prior to his stint in Tennessee, Haslett served as the defensive coordinator for four NFL teams, including the New Orleans Saints, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams and Washington Football Team (2010-14).
Haslett has been a head coach twice in the NFL, also, serving as the head coach of the Saints from 2000-05, where he won AP Coach of the Year in 2000, and he served as the interim head coach of the Rams in 2008.
This is the second attempted reboot of the league. The last came in 2020, but the season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the league did not return in 2021. The latest relaunch is slated for 2023.
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2022-06-05T17:36:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ex-Titans coach Jim Haslett to lead XFL’s Seattle franchise
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-titans-coach-jim-haslett-160336228.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-titans-coach-jim-haslett-160336228.html?src=rss
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School’s out for summer, but Micah Parsons has signed up for extra tutoring sessions with one of the masters of his field.
The second-year linebacker is looking to build off a transcendent first season that earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. And the self-professed student of the sport who watches historic game replays, profiles on athletes ranging from Michael Jordan to Mike Tyson, and even nature documentaries to tweak his own style of play is looking to a Cowboys legend for a little skills boost heading into 2022.
DeMarcus Ware forged a friendship with Parsons last season, with the pair doing some workouts together and the nine-time Pro Bowler offering technique advice, sometimes from afar.
They’re about to pick up where they left off with some summer study.
Absorbing knowledge has become one of Parsons’s key traits. His coaches universally praise his relentless work ethic and disciplined study habits. And he takes the learning from wherever it may come, even hitting up his offensive counterparts to better understand the finer points of what’s happening between the snap and the whistle.
“The best thing La’el Collins told me early on when I was learning how to pass rush, he was like, ‘You’ve got make them fear one thing,'” Parsons shared. “I make them fear the speed and everything else can go off that. They’ve got to respect you in some aspect. They’ve got to fear the speed, fear the power, they’ve got to fear something about you that’s going to make them set just a little bit different. Once you show that, then you can do all your counters, all your moves and things you want to show.”
Parsons explains that watching other players’ tape, talking shop with guys at different positions, and putting in the time with veterans who’ve been there are all ways for him to simply keep adding to his own already impressive toolbox.
“I just feel way more comfortable in the defense, just understanding where I’m supposed to be at, my coverage, my alignment. I just feel so much cleaner and refreshed this year. I’m not in a panic,” the Penn State product said about making the sophomore jump. “I just think everything is clicking for me right now mentally.”
But he’d be the first to admit that there’s room to get even better. And that’s the part the Cowboys coaches are tapping into with Parsons.
Mike McCarthy separated NFL players into four tiers, but says Parsons still isn’t at the top of the class.
“They’re all really good players,” the coach said of everyone who makes it to the pro level. “Then I think the next thing is, you’ve got good players that have great moments. That would be the second category. Then the third category is: now you’ve got great players that are just individually able to perform at an extremely high level consistently. Then the top one is the elite players, and that’s what we’re all hoping that these guys develop into, because elite players make players better around them. So those are the four categories.
“Obviously, Micah had a lot of great moments last year, but our desire- and it needs to be his desire- is for him to be an elite player, not just a great player. The elite ones bring everybody with them. How they work, how they compete in practice, how they compete in the weight room, how they compete at garbage can basketball in the locker room. That’s all part of culture growth and establishing that, and that’s something that he has an opportunity to really make a huge impact on our football team.”
Parsons has already become a fixture in and around the Metroplex, showing up at basketball games, wrestling meets, hockey games, and more. Skeptics worry that the demands of being the newest celebrity member of America’s Team are stealing the player’s focus from working on his game.
McCarthy is well aware of the concern.
“I’ll just say this of all the years I’ve talked about and emphasized making the second-year jump,” the coach elaborated. “The Dallas Cowboys is the biggest challenge ever, and that’s going to be part of his challenge. He’s been extremely celebrated and so forth, and he’s done a lot. I don’t think he’s missed a hockey game. I don’t think he’s missed anything outside of here. But that’s all part of the challenge.”
As for Parsons, the 23-year-old is just taking it all in.
“I’m just enjoying Dallas, just doing new experiences,” he said. “Going to places I’ve never been. Just enjoying life and what comes with it.”
But as football season rolls back around, taking it all in for Parsons means absorbing as much knowledge as he can about how to be an even more dominant force for the Cowboys defense.
And if those new experiences can include one-on-one personal study with a future Hall of Famer, so much the better.
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2022-06-05T17:36:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Micah Parsons juggling celebrity, 1-on-1 study with Cowboys legend to prep for second season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/micah-parsons-juggling-celebrity-1-170036917.html?src=rss
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The Arizona Cardinals announced the signing of former Kansas City Chiefs running back Darrel Williams this past week, solidifying the running room with proven production behind starter James Conner.
Williams signed a one-year deal after playing four seasons for the Chiefs.
He had his best season in 2021 with over 1,000 total yards from scrimmage and was one of seven players in the league to have at least 500 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards.
We now have the details of his contract through Over the Cap. We go over those details — salary, signing bonus and guarantees, as well as the implications to the salary cap below.
Darrel Williams’ salary, contract details
Williams signed a one-year deal with a total of almost $1.19 million.
He receives a signing bonus of $152,500.
He will earn $1.04 million in salary and $895,000 of that salary is fully guaranteed.
Salary cap information, cap hit
Williams’ deal is like many players’ contracts on the roster. His contract qualifies for the veteran benefit, meaning the cap hit is less than the money paid out, which is not normally the case with one-year contracts.
While he is being paid a total of almost $1.19 million, his cap hit will only be $1.05 million. That is a cap savings of $140,000.
This contract has the potential to give the Cardinals the same type of value that James Conner did last year, which led to his getting a new three-year contract to return to the Cardinals and their starting running back.
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2022-06-05T17:36:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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RB Darrel Williams salary, contract details, cap hit
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https://sports.yahoo.com/rb-darrel-williams-salary-contract-125712625.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/rb-darrel-williams-salary-contract-125712625.html?src=rss
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Fans of the Seattle Seahawks are well aware of the quarterback competition taking place this summer between long-time backup Geno Smith and newcomer Drew Lock. With the coaching staff still mum on who will be the starter this season, the plan, for now, is for the two to split first-team reps this summer in training camp to see how things shake out on the field
“Yeah, I think those are just going to be constant conversations and as we move forward here, finishing up the offseason and getting into training camp, and then it’s something we’ll sit down and discuss and exactly how we want to balance out reps, or to give reps to different guys with different people around,” offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said on Thursday.
Since Smith has been with the Seahawks over the last few seasons backing up Russell Wilson, it’s natural he’s had an edge throughout OTAs . . . but Lock is catching up on Seattle’s playbook quickly.
“And the good thing about this time of year is, we’ve really tried to do a good job, we’ve had the ones and twos, so to speak going, but we’ve had a lot of mixing and matching of different guys getting their chances, not just at the quarterback position, but all throughout our offense,” Waldron continued.
“So everyone can have that chance to be with the first group, and get a chance to go with the second group, and mix and match with different people and different teammates throughout the course of the practice.”
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2022-06-05T17:36:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks QBs Drew Lock, Geno Smith to split 1st-team reps this summer
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-qbs-drew-lock-geno-130045285.html?src=rss
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Something about playing wide receiver in the NFL can turn an athlete into a diva. The Seattle Seahawks are extremely fortunate to have two stars at this position and neither one of them fit that description. With Russell Wilson gone, D.K. Metcalf is now the most popular player on the team. However, his partner Tyler Lockett is still somehow managing to fly under the radar.
Those who know understand just how remarkable Lockett’s career has been so far, though. Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire is one of them. He has named Lockett one of the league’s most underrated offensive players.
“Lockett seems to get lost in the conversation despite his considerable understanding of the nuances of the position. In 2021, Lockett caught 73 passes for 1,175 yards and eight touchdowns in an offense that was always synced up, to put it kindly. Lockett also led the league with 20 receptions of 20 or more air yards for 740 yards and five of his touchdowns… Whether from the slot or outside, Lockett has become one of the game’s most proficient and technically practiced targets in the NFL. No matter who his quarterback may be.”
Lockett has posted 449 catches, 45 touchdowns and 6,067 yards in 111 career games and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
New ‘Street Fighter 6’ gameplay trailer showcases return of Chun Li, now voiced by an Asian actor
Capcom revealed a new gameplay trailer for upcoming game “Street Fighter 6” at the Playstation State of Play event on Thursday, and it shows off Chun Li, now voiced by a new actor, Jennie Kwan. The “Street Fighter” franchise first debuted in Japanese arcades in 1987 and is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. “Street Fighter 6” was first officially announced on Feb. 21 with a teaser trailer and a new logo that was heavily criticized for being unappealing in comparison to its older logos.
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2022-06-05T17:36:31Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett named among NFL’s most underrated offensive players
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-wr-tyler-lockett-named-140023823.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-wr-tyler-lockett-named-140023823.html?src=rss
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Some would make an argument that Kirk Cousins is a top-10 quarterback in the NFL. Others would be a bit more reserved and argue him as at least a top-15 signal-caller.
And then there’s NBC Sports’ Chris Simms, who did neither when breaking down his top-40 quarterback rankings.
Minnesota Vikings fans should be used to it by now when having the most polarizing quarterback in the NFL under center. For Simms, Cousins comes in at No. 16 on the list.
“We’re talking about the ultimate system quarterback—a guy that if the system is really good and creative and you give him and can teach him answers, checks and balances, he will take advantage of every [expletive] bit of it,” said Simms. “…He’s not going to be the guy that’s going to go, ‘Hey, we’re an 8-8 football team. Don’t worry, I’m the man. We’ll go 10-6 because I’ll pull a few rabbits out of my ass and a few magic tricks and we’ll make it work this week.”
For Cousins, the proof isn’t in the pudding for naysayers considering the Vikings have failed to finish above .500 and make the playoffs in the last two consecutive seasons.
The team has only won one playoff game since he arrived back in 2018.
Of course, a counter-argument is the fact that the Vikings have ranked among the league’s worst defensive teams over the last two years. There’s also the stat argument as well. Say what you want about Cousins, but he can fill a stat sheet as well as anyone—4,221 passing yards, 33 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2021.
He might not be a top-10 quarterback. Maybe he’s not even a top-12 quarterback at this point. But are there really 15 other quarterbacks in the league better than he is right now?
‘Scrubs’: Bill Lawrence Says They’re “Gonna Do” A Reboot; Donald Faison Says A Movie Would Work Best
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2022-06-05T17:36:38Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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‘Ultimate system quarterback’ Kirk Cousins doesn’t crack top-15 in Chris Simms’ QB rankings
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ultimate-system-quarterback-kirk-cousins-161119331.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ultimate-system-quarterback-kirk-cousins-161119331.html?src=rss
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After spending the No. 3 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft on LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., the Houston Texans added yet another dynamic playmaker to their defensive backfield in the second round, selecting Baylor’s Jalen Pitre at No. 37 overall.
While Stingley gives the Texans a traditional shutdown artist who will line up outside, Pitre brings versatility that should allow him to line up all over the field. His best fit will likely come in the slot, but he’s got all the physical tools to play on the outside, as well, along with the range and instincts to drop back and play safety.
Pitre was a key part of Dave Aranda’s dominant defense at Baylor, and the Bears maximized his versatility by letting him roam around and make plays at every level of the field. The Texans would be wise to give him the same kind of role, as he learns the scheme and adjusts to the speed of the NFL game.
After an impressive college career, Pitre made the most of his trip to this year’s Senior Bowl, and put up strong workout numbers at both the NFL Scouting Combine and his pro day. He’s got the leadership, competitiveness and character to quickly develop into a cornerstone player in the Texans’ locker room.
NFL power rankings: Who lands at No. 1 after the 2022 draft?
South Carolina welcomed its new players "home" with a hilarious video styled to 90s sitcom "Full House" theme.
Despite the tough loss to Texas A&M, Louisiana enters its elimination showdown with TCU Sunday with profound confidence.
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2022-06-05T17:36:44Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Why Texans fans should be excited about Jalen Pitre
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https://sports.yahoo.com/why-texans-fans-excited-jalen-152159969.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/why-texans-fans-excited-jalen-152159969.html?src=rss
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Koy Moore, a former LSU wideout who had been in the transfer portal since last October, announced his destination over the weekend.
Moore will be headed to Auburn, where he’ll have a chance to reunite with former LSU quarterback TJ Finley.
Moore saw playing time as a freshman in 2020 and provided solid play. He was a top-300 recruit in the class of 2020 and was seen as a player who could be a reliable presence in the slot or on the outside. LSU’s wide receiver room saw an influx of talent in 2021, and playing time was harder to come by, ultimately resulting in Moore entering the portal.
LSU’s receiver room remains deep, but losing Moore to a division rival isn’t insignificant. He’s still young and could turn into a pretty good player.
Moore dropped just two passes in his entire time at LSU, but with Jaray Jenkins and Jack Bech back, the Tigers will still have two experienced receivers to take on the reliable slot role. Moore finished his LSU career with 248 yards on 27 catches over two years.
Where every LSU football player in the transfer portal landed
What to know to watch LSU baseball in the NCAA Tournament Hattiesburg Regional final on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
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2022-06-05T17:50:11Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former LSU receiver announces transfer to Auburn
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-lsu-receiver-announces-transfer-170247948.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-lsu-receiver-announces-transfer-170247948.html?src=rss
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As the Philadelphia 76ers head into the offseason, there are some important issues to address and prepare for as they get ready to compete again in the 2022-23 season.
One of those issues is Tobias Harris who, to his credit, played well over the final month and in the playoffs as he found his niche playing next to James Harden. However, he is still very overpaid at roughly $38 million for the next season considering his production after averaging just 16.9 points in the playoffs.
One can assume that Harris doesn’t have much trade value, and the Sixers will likely have to add something else to the deal in order for anything to really work, but there are teams out there that might be willing to take on a deal for the versatile forward. The fact that they have their 2022 draft pick–which they can trade on draft night–is a big help in that respect.
The Thunder are a team that can take on a huge contract like Harris’s which means the Sixers could potentially clear some more cap space before free agency begins at the end of June. The big fact to remember with Oklahoma City is that they have roughly $22 million in cap space until June 30 when Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s max extension kicks in.
If the Sixers and the Thunder were to get a deal done before free agency begins, then they can get it done rather easily and make it so Philadelphia can have some money to play with in free agency. At that point, they would just need to spend wisely.
One would think that the Pacers are probably entering a rebuild after the big Tyrese Haliburton trade, but team governor Herb Simon told Bob Kravitz of The Athletic that they don’t really do rebuilds:
Simon said:
“I don’t want to see (a rebuild). If I don’t want to see it, the fans don’t want to see it. Why would we want to go through a rebuild when we can build on the go? That’s the talent. Donnie (Walsh) did it all the time. Larry (Bird) did it. Kevin (Pritchard) will do it. We can do it.”
Therefore, they could make a move for a guy like Harris and try to get back into the playoffs with him, Haliburton, and somebody like Myles Turner. The Sixers could inquire about how much it would take to bring in a guy like Buddy Hield who would be a great fit next to Joel Embiid and Harden.
Much like the Thunder, the Rockets are another team with a ton of cap space so they can absorb Harris’s big contract and not blink an eye. They have a nice core of Jalen Green, Kevin Porter Jr., K.J. Martin, and others as they look toward the future and a reliable veteran like Harris could do wonders for them.
In terms of what the Sixers can get in return, Christian Wood comes to mind for Harris. The former Sixer has one year left on a 3-year $41 million deal he signed with the Rockets and he averaged 17.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in the 2021-22 season while shooting 39% from deep on 4.9 attempts.
Another team with a lot of cap space, the Spurs are an interesting team to think about as somebody who can take on large contracts like Harris. San Antonio has always remained a competitive team even after losing DeMar DeRozan in 2021, they were in the play-in tournament and they could view Harris as a guy who can help them get back to the playoffs.
San Antonio’s untouchables are probably Dejounte Murray, Keldon Johnson, and Devin Vassell, and the Sixers will likely not take back Josh Richardson in a deal, but they do have some players who could catch the eye of Daryl Morey.
The Kings, for some reason, are in win-now mode as signaled by the trade with the Pacers to get Domantas Sabonis, and they could inquire about Harris and see if they can make a move for him. They have not made the playoffs since 2006 and it seems like they could be looking to finally end that drought.
The only real issue for Sacramento in a Harris deal would be matching the salary. De’Aaron Fox is the only player on the roster set to make $20 million in the 2022-23 season and they won’t trade Sabonis. That then comes down to a guy like Harrison Barnes or maybe Richaun Holmes to add to the deal to get the job done.
The meeting with Portland is the first known workout for Mathurin ahead of the NBA draft.
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2022-06-05T19:45:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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5 teams that make sense as trade partners for Sixers, Tobias Harris
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https://sports.yahoo.com/5-teams-sense-trade-partners-180924309.html?src=rss
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The Big Ten is known for a lot of things. Long storied programs with a bevy of success and tradition? Check! Hard-nosed style of play? Of course. Elite quarterback play? Meh.
There are a lot of aspects of football that Big Ten teams do very well at. The average team has a good running game and can make stands on defense. However, the quarterback play is a lot more sporadic across the conference, ranging from a Heisman candidate to barely playable. Here is every starting quarterback in the Big Ten ranked.
Ryan Hilinski, Northwestern
Consider the bottom two quarterbacks to be about even. Rank them however you’re feeling today. Northwestern is desperately looking for a bounceback season, dropping from a Big Ten championship game appearance against Ohio State where they gave Justin Fields more trouble than any other team to a 3-9 record in 2021.
Likely starter Ryan Hilinski is also looking to take a big step forward in the upcoming season, his 2020 campaign not providing much success. In his nine appearances, he threw three touchdown passes to four interceptions and only completed 54% of passes.
Noah Vedral, Rutgers
Many will want four-star redshirt freshman Gavin Wimsatt to get the starting gig this year, but most likely Rutgers will let him gain some more seasoning and start the returning Noah Vedral.
Vedral has been in the league forever now, starting his career in 2017. Arriving to Rutgers after stops at UCF and Nebraska, Vedral proved to be a step up from recent Scarlet Knights quarterbacks, but that really isn’t saying much. Last year he was even on touchdowns and interceptions with seven apiece and completed passes at a 59% clip.
Rutgers did trust him to throw the ball a lot more than Northwestern did Hilinski. He’s not unplayable but there certainly are a good amount of better options out there.
Tommy DeVito, Illinois
DeVito transferred to Illinois this year and looks to be the starter despite not starting the past two years. So why does he rank above Hilinski and Vedral?
He had a pretty solid season back in 2019 at Syracuse where he had 19 touchdown passes. He’s shown he can be a serviceable quarterback before. Sadly, due to injuries, we haven’t been able to see it in quite some time. Can he get back to a starter quality level? Or will Artur Sitowski push him for playing time midway through the season?
Connor Bazelak has a lot more intrigue than his No. 11 ranking suggests. Despite not having the best stats, a lot of people in the draft community saw Bazelak as a potential breakout candidate last year.
It sadly never came to be, though. Now at Indiana, he is tasked with reviving a pretty much dead offense that only scored a measly 17.2 points per game in 2021. That mark ranked No. 123 nationally. There’s some talent there and flashes on film, but Bazelak needs a lot more consistency in his game.
Sorry Hawkeye fans, but Spencer Petras pretty much is who he is at this point. He’s a game manager who tries his best at not messing the strengths of Iowa up.
He won’t wow you with his arm or anything and certainly won’t with his legs, but he’s proven to be a quarterback the Hawkeyes can win with. Before people start to protest that wins aren’t a quarterback stat, it certainly shows that a game manager is doing enough to help his team win.
Petras usually isn’t the reason Iowa wins games, but again over his two years as a starter he has a 13-6 record. His stats aren’t pretty but, hey, he does enough.
Tanner Morgan, Minnesota
What the heck happened to Tanner Morgan over the past two years? In 2019, he was one of the best in the Big Ten and was seen as a potential draft prospect down the road. He threw 30 touchdowns to seven interceptions and had a 66% completion percentage.
Why did his numbers suddenly drop off soon after? He has a combined 17 touchdowns to 14 interceptions and the passing yards were way down to only 3,418 over the past two seasons combined. That’s not even 200 yards more than his 3,253 in 2019! It seems that this is who Morgan is now, falling into the mediocre category for the Golden Gophers.
Graham Mertz, Wisconsin
People like the idea of Graham Mertz better than who Mertz currently is. So many people are fixated on the five passes he threw against Illinois in his starting debut, a game that happened at the start of 2020. They ignore just how dreadfully mediocre he’s been since.
If you take out that massive game against Illinois where he could do no wrong, he only threw for four touchdowns in five games. He took a step back in 2021, throwing more interceptions than touchdowns. Yes, he is never going to be asked to do much in that Wisconsin offense, especially with the emergence of Braelon Allen, but that’s probably a good thing.
Sean Clifford is pretty much what every game manager before him strives to be. In no way is he the best quarterback out there, but people give him too much hate, especially when you consider who else is in their conference.
He can win Penn State games, but Clifford just doesn’t elevate them to the platform the team deserves to be at. He’s a serviceable at best quarterback, which makes him a mid-tier quarterback in the Big Ten.
Casey Thompson, Nebraska
Casey Thompson has the potential to finish way higher than sixth best at the end of the season, but it’s all potential for now. Thompson was an above-average quarterback for the Longhorns with 24 passing touchdowns and four on the ground, but the Big Ten is a sizable leap on defense from the Big 12.
There’s a good amount of talent there and he’s definitely a step up from Adrian Martinez, but let’s see him against stiffer competition before handing him the crown.
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland
We’re starting to enter the “Hey, he’s actually pretty good” portion of the list! There are two sides of Tagovailoa’s game. At times, he looks like a great college quarterback who can make plays on the move and is one of the better passers out there.
However, there are also times such as his five-interception performance against Iowa where he actively hurts the Terrapins’ offense. Luckily for Maryland, we saw a lot more of Tagovailoa’s good side, a massive step up from his inconsistent 2020. Can he take another step further?
Cade McNamara or J.J. McCarthy, Michigan
This ranking could change at the end of the season depending on who starts for the Wolverines in 2022. I feel extremely confident in McNamara’s placement. He’s a solid quarterback who doesn’t mess things up and can make the occasional good throw.
J.J. McCarthy is more volatile of a placement, though. He has a ton of talent and will most likely be the future of Michigan, but he is young and unproven. Certainly a situation to monitor.
Payton Thorne, Michigan State
Payton Thorne is a massive breakout candidate for 2022. In his first season as a starter, he looked really good, throwing 29 touchdowns and leading a potent Michigan State offense.
Logically, he will take a step forward as he grows mentally. However, as we’ve seen with some players on this list, that is not always the case. Michigan State is also losing running back Kenneth Walker, which is a massive hurdle that Thorne and the Spartans will have to overcome.
Aidan O'Connell, Purdue
There is a clear top two in the Big Ten this year. Finally earning the starting job in 2021, O’Connell was very good for the Boilermakers. He completed over 70% of passes and threw for 28 touchdowns.
He might not have been a Heisman Trophy level quarterback, or an elite level quarterback for that matter, but he was very good and a big cause for Purdue’s big year in 2021. Purdue is very lucky he’s back for another season.
Joshua A. Bickel / USA TODAY NETWORK
Who else was it going to be? At this point, it should be a given that an Ohio State quarterback is going to be at the top of the list, and Stroud might be the best the Buckeyes have had.
While he struggled a bit early in the season—some fans wanted him benched after barely losing to Oregon—he rebounded quickly and was a Heisman Trophy candidate. His stats were elite and his film is phenomenal: 44 touchdown passes and only six interceptions. There is a reason Stroud is in strong contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.
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2022-06-05T19:54:22Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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The only 2022 Big Ten quarterback rankings you need to read
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https://sports.yahoo.com/only-2022-big-ten-quarterback-173013741.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/only-2022-big-ten-quarterback-173013741.html?src=rss
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Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian and his staff put together an impressive 2022 recruiting class that concluded as the No. 5 group in the country, and they’re hoping to keep that momentum rolling into the 2023 cycle.
Although the Longhorns only have five commits for their 2023 class at this point, it’s already viewed as one of the top in the country. The small group of four-star prospects ranks as the No. 1 class in the Big 12 and No. 9 nationally according to On3.
Four-star wide receiver Ryan Niblett is Texas’ highest rated commit, followed by four-star defensive lineman Dylan Spencer. Four-star safety Jamel Johnson, four-star running back Tre Wisner and four-star linebacker S’Maje Burrell round out the impressive group.
Although it’s still too early in the recruiting cycle to put much weight into these rankings, the Longhorns could make significant strides in the coming months with the decision of five-star quarterback Arch Manning looming.
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2022-06-05T19:54:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Where Texas’ 2023 recruiting class ranks according to On3
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https://sports.yahoo.com/where-texas-2023-recruiting-class-175053787.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/where-texas-2023-recruiting-class-175053787.html?src=rss
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Celtics coach Ime Udoka talks to guard Jaylen Brown along the sideline during Game 1 of the NBA Finals. (Jed Jacobsohn / Associated Press)
“We enjoyed Ime and liked him a lot," said Jim Cleamons, an assistant on that Lakers staff. "He was competitive and understood. The only problem was that most of the guys had guaranteed contracts. It’s a numbers game. . . . We as a staff loved his competitiveness. His heart. His character. I’m sorry we couldn’t keep him.”
But for the Boston Celtics' first-year coach, moving in a straight line never was an option, a playing and coaching career that zig-zagged around the NBA leading him here to the NBA Finals and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series against the Golden State Warriors.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich confers with guard Ime Udoka along the sideline during a game in 2008. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press)
“I figure whatever route I've taken, it was going to start somewhere. That was my belief in myself, and so if it wasn't L.A., it would have been somewhere else,” Udoka said. ”I had a few call-ups that fell through on the way, so I was very close for a while. … You know, there were ups and downs along the way, and if not for that situation, I was going to kick the door down at some point regardless.”
“The way that he played and the way that he coaches is the exact same,” Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. “He brings that same mentality that he had on the court off the court, and when you've got a coach like that, it's kind of hard not to follow the lead and follow that energy. You heard [Jaylen Brown] say it, the energy is going to shift. It's all about energy. If the energy's right, you're going to rock with it. If it's not, then you're not.
“It's plain and simple. I think his energy has been contagious to us all.”
“The intensity that he brings, the tenacity, kind of the edge I would say he brings to not only just the games that we play but anything he does,” Celtics forward Grant Williams said. “When you think of Ime, you think of the ultimate competitor in the sense of he's going to challenge you if you're soft, he's going to try to bait you into stuff, he's going to continue to bring that edge and be mad at you if you're not bringing it yourself.
“At all times I feel like he's ready to compete and ready to go at it with somebody.”
Ime Udoka (5) celebrates after the Trail Blazers scored in the second overtime against the Grizzlies on Jan. 27, 2007. (Jim Weber / Associated Press)
As a player, there wasn’t a lot of flash — Udoka’s most-viewed highlight video on YouTube features made free throws and layups. Some members of the 2003-04 Lakers team said they didn't even remember Udoka played with them, the stint was so short.
“He's a grinder,” Celtics guard Payton Pritchard said. “He's a hard-nose guy, and our team has taken that persona on, especially on the defensive side of things. So we're going to go out there, and we're going to compete and leave it all on the floor. I think that's how he was as a player and is as a coach now.”
“I can't relate to anything Steph Curry is feeling on the court,” Kerr said, “but I can relate to the moments I saw my Hall of Fame coaches collaborate with those stars. That's been very helpful.”
Udoka’s 10-day stint with the Lakers — and Phil Jackson, whom Kerr also played for — might not have informed much of who he is as a coach today, but it does speak to his work ethic. He's someone willing to fight for a job in the league from its most meager starting point.
“Talking about where he started, 10-day contracts and things like that, he's obviously had to work his way to get here,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum said. “And he carries that sense of toughness with him and does instill that into the group every day. Proud of him.
“I'm happy that we have him as a coach. He's a much better coach than he was a basketball player, and I think he knows that.”
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2022-06-05T21:17:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ime Udoka couldn't hang with Shaq and Kobe's Lakers, but worked way to Celtics coach
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ime-udoka-couldnt-hang-shaq-113036750.html?src=rss
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Former Alabama linebacker Christian Harris was selected by the Houston Texans in the third round (No. 75 overall) of the 2022 NFL draft.
Luke Easterling of the Draft Wire states that Harris was the Texans’ biggest steal of the draft.
Harris will likely not see a starting role, but he will certainly see considerable playing time as a rookie on a team desperate to turn things around.
Throughout his collegiate career, Harris recorded 220 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one interception, 2 forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
There’s no telling how his rookie season will go, but if he’s able to establish a dominant on-the-field presence like he did while with Alabama, he will be a rising star by his second year. His former Alabama teammate, wide receiver John Metchie III will also be joining him in Houston.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2022 season approaches.
Rivals.com Bryce Thornton, three-star athlete from Milton High School in Georgia, is one of several top recruits who participated in the Nick Saban Football Camp on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. It was Alabama's second camp this summer while it was Thornton's first and only camp he will attend this summer.
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2022-06-05T21:34:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Alabama LB Christian Harris considered one of the biggest draft steals from 2022
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-alabama-lb-christian-harris-183430908.html?src=rss
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The New York Giants are one of eight NFL teams participating in a joint program between the NFL Physicians Society and the Professional Football Athletic Trainer Society in an effort to “increase and diversify the pipeline of students interested in sports medicine careers.”
As part of the program, the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) and the Professional Football Athletic Trainer Society (PFATS) will focus on the recruitment of medical students from the following four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) medical schools: Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Howard University College of Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College. According to the release, medical students from these HBCUs who have an interest in primary care sports medicine or orthopedic surgery will have the opportunity to participate in clinical rotations with NFL team medical staffs.
The other NFL teams participating in the program are the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Tennessee Titans and Washington Commanders.
“Increasing diversity across every role in our league and at our clubs is essential. Diversity makes us stronger,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in the press release. “We have an opportunity to help increase the pipeline of diverse sports medicine professionals, which is imperative for us as a league. This initiative is an example of how we can lend our platform for a societal benefit. I’m proud that our league can help inspire the next generation of sports medicine professionals.”
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2022-06-05T21:34:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Giants will participate in program promoting diversity in sports medicine
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https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-participate-program-promoting-diversity-155520309.html?src=rss
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Of all the wide receivers in the NFL, one of the most underrated even when they’re performing at a high level is former Tiger Hunter Renfrow.
Don’t get me wrong, when Renfrow burst onto the scene this season; people took notice. His 111 catches on 135 targets for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns (playoff included) starting just nine games were enough to earn Renfrow his first pro bowl appearance.
Renfrow was solid in his first two seasons in the NFL, but year three is where the young wideout officially came into his own as a Raider. Even after recording a 100+ catch season and appearing in his first pro bowl, people still aren’t acknowledging Renfrow as the caliber receiver he has developed into.
According to Doug Farrar over at Touchdown Wire, Renfrow is not only one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL but overall players.
Here’s what Farrar had to say:
On those rare weekends when the NFL slows down, it would be a great time for me to do something other than bang away on a keyboard. But I prefer to bang away on a keyboard. So we’ll do some mailbags during one or two of these slower Sundays. Here’s the first of however many [more]
Drivers attempt to navigate crazy restarts in the rain at Portland International Raceway for the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
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2022-06-05T21:34:29Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Hunter Renfrow listed as one of the NFL’s most underrated offensive players
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Teammates taking note of Mac Jones' leadership ahead of second season originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
When mandatory minicamp gets underway in Foxboro later this week, New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones will have one significant advantage that he didn't have this time last summer.
Following a promising rookie season which saw him finish second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, Jones enters minicamp with a full year of NFL experience under his belt -- experience which comes with "a little more edge," Robert Kraft said in March.
That edge has translated into increased leadership from Jones, according to one of his teammates.
"It's just at another level now," Kendrick Bourne told Mike Reiss of ESPN last week. "He's more comfortable, more confident. He knows what's going on, and the muscle memory is there -- OTAs, then camp, and the season. He's just more locked in, more secure in his position."
Jones enters his second NFL season knowing that he's atop New England's depth chart at quarterback, unlike last year, when he still had to beat out incumbent Cam Newton for the job.
Reiss noted that Jones could be on track to become a team captain, something exceedingly rare in Foxboro for second-year players under Bill Belichick. An offensive player has never been a captain in his second season, Reiss noted, while just two second-year defensive players have earned the C in Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty.
Bourne was among several Patriots players who attended Jones' house for a gathering on the first night of the 2022 NFL Draft and has been impressed with how the 23-year-old interacts with his teammates.
"He connects with all the players really well," Bourne told Reiss. "I'm proud of that dude, because it's not easy. Going into his second year after having a year like that, it's going to be a challenge, but he's a guy that likes challenges, like all of us in that Patriot building."
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2022-06-05T21:34:36Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mac Jones draws praise from Kendrick Bourne ahead of Patriots' mandatory minicamp
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mac-jones-draws-praise-kendrick-204537702.html?src=rss
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The native of Ili’ili, American Samoa, will visit the Swamp from June 14 to 16, which his is fitting into his hectic schedule that has him traveling to see the Alabama Crimson Tide (June 10-12), USC Trojans (June 17-19), Miami Hurricanes (June 20-22) and Tennessee Volunteers (June 23-25). Mauigoa already made an unofficial visit to his sixth school, the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, earlier this week.
“My parents are flying in from American Samoa so we had to squeeze them all in like that,” Mauigoa told Swamp247. “I’m excited though, it should be a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to it and excited for my parents to visit with me too since they’re going to have a big role in my decision.”
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2022-06-05T21:51:43Z
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After announcing top schools 5-star OL sets Florida visit date
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Billy Horschel cruised to his seventh career Tour win on Sunday at the Memorial Tournament. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Though his bogey streak came to an end on Sunday afternoon at Muirfield Village, Billy Horschel easily ran away with the Memorial Tournament.
Horschel, who entered the way with a massive five-shot lead, posted an even-par 72 to close out the event and grab his seventh career PGA Tour win.
Your 2022 @MemorialGolf champion!
Congratulations @BillyHo_Golf 👏 pic.twitter.com/94sq0enP9I
Horschel took off on Saturday at Jack Nicklaus’ iconic Ohio course. After entering the weekend two shots back, Horschel chipped in for birdie to start the day before making six more birdies en route to his 7-under 65. He went 44 holes without making a bogey at that point, too, and took a five-shot lead over Aaron Wise and Cameron Smith.
“I’m not going to be protective, I’m not going to be overly aggressive,” he said after the third round. “I’m going to play the way I have the last three days. We’re going to hit the golf shots that are required, and I know if we do that it’s going to give me the best chance to be victorious come tomorrow.”
That’s exactly what he did. Horschel made one bogey on the front nine, which snapped his bogey-free run at 50 holes, but then offset it with a birdie at the 10th. He bogeyed again at the 12th after getting caught in a bunker, but made a clutch eagle after draining a wild putt at the par-5 15th to get back to a four-shot lead.
First eagle @MemorialGolf in 573 holes played. pic.twitter.com/A8UYfMbqtN
Though he made a bogey on 17, his lead was still way too big. Horschel finished out his round at even par to seal the four-shot win.
Horshel has now won seven times on the PGA Tour. His last win came at last year’s World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match play, He also won the DP World Tour’s BMW PGA Championship last year, too.
Horschel now has nine top-25 finishes so far this season and has a pair of runner-up finishes, both at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans. He entered the week ranked No. 17 in the world.
Aaron Wise finished in second at 9-under on the week, and then Joaquin Niemann and Patrick Cantlay finished in a tie for third at 7-under.
Billy Horschel went 49 straight holes without a bogey to take command of the Memorial Tournament.
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2022-06-05T22:48:20Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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PGA Tour: Billy Horschel cruises to win at Memorial Tournament
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Brent Musburger is done calling games for the Las Vegas Raiders.
The longtime broadcaster who's worked as the team's radio play-by-play voice since 2018 announced the news on Twitter Friday morning while thanking the franchise for "fond memories."
Musburger, 83, didn't expound on his exit or what might come next. The Raiders didn't address his departure.
Musburger joined the Raiders for their last two seasons in Oakland prior to their move to Las Vegas in 2020. Long known for his on-air gambling references, Musburger initially moved to Las Vegas in 2017 after his departure from ESPN to start the Vegas Stats & Information Network, a sports betting media network.
Brent Musburger, seen here calling college basketball for ESPN in 2017. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Musburger made his name in sports broadcasting at CBS, where he called play-by-play for NFL games and hosted "NFL Today," the network's pregame show that set the blueprint for NFL studio programming. His duties expanded to calling NBA, college football and NCAA tournament games in a stint that lasted from 1973-90.
He was fired in 1990 amid a talent shakeup at CBS before joining ABC and ESPN that same year. He was the face of the network's college football game coverage throughout the BCS era until his departure in 2017.
Musburger has courted controversy throughout his career, most notably for describing U.S. Olympians John Carlos and Tommie Smith as "a couple of black-skinned storm troopers" while they lifted their fists in protest of racism at the 1968 Olympics. Musburger made the commentary as a columnist for the now-defunct Chicago American prior to his broadcasting career.
He also drew heat in 2013 for commenting on air about former Miss Alabama USA Katherine Webb's looks when she was in the stands watching her boyfriend AJ McCarron play quarterback for Alabama in the national championship game.
It's not clear who will take over for Musburger in the Raiders' radio booth.
The second-year star has had a busy offseason, but he's back in prep mode with mentoring from DeMarcus Ware as he tweaks his game. | From @ToddBrock24f7
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2022-06-05T22:48:27Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Brent Musburger done calling games for Las Vegas Raiders
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Takeaways from Dombrowski and Thomson after firing of Girardi originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Dave Dombrowski went out for his morning jog Friday, cleaned up and called Joe Girardi.
It was about 8 a.m.
Dombrowski asked Girardi to stop by the ballpark earlier than his usual report time.
Girardi has been around too long not to have known what was coming next.
"I think by the end he was in a much more relieved state," Dombrowski said later Friday, at a news conference to announce Girardi's firing as Phillies manager. "The pressure was off his back at that time."
Girardi was a much-celebrated hire when he joined the Phillies in October 2019. He'd earned three World Series rings as a player and another as a manager. He would bring a winning touch to a team that desperately needed it.
But the losing, an ugly, annual pattern for this franchise, continued. Four games under .500 and no playoffs in 2020. A meager two games over .500 in 2021 and no playoffs for a 10th straight year.
The Phillies spent over $200 million on free agents this winter -- on top of the more than $700 million they'd spent the previous three offseasons -- but the losing continued and it ate at Girardi.
Swept in New York over the weekend and playing sloppy, uninspired ball in the process, the Phillies fell to six games under .500. They returned home Monday and lost two more to the San Francisco Giants, putting the skid at 12 losses in 16 games.
Dombrowski had seen enough. A high-priced free agent signing himself, his mandate was to win, to stop the postseason drought at all costs. He couldn't tear up the expensive roster, not with four months of season left and three wild-card playoff berths up for grabs even if the division title seemed like a farfetched pipe dream given the huge lead the New York Mets had built. So he played the only card he could in hopes of sparking the team and turning around the season.
"I get it," Girardi told Dombrowski in their meeting Friday morning. "The club has underperformed. I've been through this before, I understand how it goes."
And that ended the Joe Girardi era of leading the Phillies. He managed 273 games, five fewer than the forgettable tenure of Ryne Sandberg, and had a 132-141 record.
Girardi's bench coach, Rob Thomson, is the interim manager, the "new voice" that Dombrowski is counting on to turn the season around.
Time will tell if it happens.
Until then, some questions, some answers, some takeaways:
HOW LONG WAS THE MOVE IN THE WORKS?
One could make the case that Dombrowski had been mulling Girardi's future for months. He passed on picking up the option year on Girardi's contract coming into the season, making the skipper a lame duck, a status that can sometimes -- not always, but sometimes -- compromise a manager's "voice" in the clubhouse.
Dombrowski, one of the few executives around baseball who makes just about every trip with the team, said he seriously began considering a change over the last 10 days.
He said there was not a tipping point, per se, but acknowledged that the last road trip, which concluded with a sweep in New York and was followed by the two losses at home to the Giants, made him realize it was time.
The manager of any group in any walk of life pays the price when that group does not achieve its goals. Girardi, who took losses incredibly hard, will be the first one to tell you that he has to wear the firing. But the team's defense -- weakened by Bryce Harper's inability to play the field -- was horrible and it cost them dearly on the last road trip. So did the bullpen.
"I'm not directly saying it's the manager's fault," Dombrowski said. "But I also think it's a tempo that you need to set on your club, that you need to play better."
In the clubhouse, players raised their hands and took their share of the responsibility.
Dombrowski and the front office also share in the blame for the state of the team. They fashioned a DH-heavy club that was supposed to outhit its poor defense. It has not happened.
"We were all on the same page as far as (roster) construction," Dombrowski said. "Ultimately, it comes to my decision on it."
Dombrowski added: "The one thing you need to constantly look at with the club -- we need to be a good hitting club. That's how we're put together. That is really a key for us. So I think we can continue to swing the bats even better. We're a top 10 (offensive) team in the league and I think we can be ever better than that. And that's how we were constructed."
WHO DID DOMBROWSKI CONSULT WITH BEFORE THE FIRING?
He did not talk to players or members of the coaching staff, he said. He did speak with ownership and other front office members.
WHY THOMSON AS THE INTERIM?
He's been around the team for five years and knows the personnel.
"I think Rob provides a different type of communication aspect with the players than what was taking place," Dombrowski said. "I think that was really important for us."
Dombrowski stayed in-house with an interim skipper rather than engage in a lengthy process of opening the job to outsiders. Following MLB interview protocols takes time and this team needs to work quickly to save its season.
Dombrowski also addressed the idea that he would bring in his old friend Jim Leyland to right the ship: Leyland is retired and intends to stay retired.
Finding a new skipper becomes Job No. 1 in the offseason for Dombrowski -- unless Thomson is a success and earns the position going forward.
IS THOMSON TOO MUCH LIKE GIRARDI?
Valid question given their time together in the Yankees' dugout, Girardi as skipper, Thomson as bench coach.
"We've had the highest of highs, a World Championship together, a lot of playoff wins together," Thomson said. "We've battled through some tough times. There's a bond there that will never be broken.
"I'm a little bit different than Joe. I'm not going to go into the differences, but I like to think that I'm prepared and I'm a good communicator with these guys. The plan is to make sure that all these guys know where they're supposed to be at any given time whether it's our bullpen, the lineup, whatever it is. I just want to make sure that the guys are prepared."
WHAT ABOUT THAT DEFENSE?
Thomson, 58, is a former minor-league catcher from Ontario. He's long wanted a shot to manage but never let that ambition get in the way of doing his job supporting another manager. That's why he's lasted so long.
So now that he has his shot, how's he going to outrun that sloppy defense and turn this thing around?
"I don't think you can get guys to cover more space, but we're constantly working," he said. "We have a great coaching staff. I'm telling you. And I was very humbled when Dave offered this to me because we've got a bunch of guys in that coaches' room that could be sitting up here right now so I feel very fortunate for that.
"Our coaching staff is constantly working on how to field ground balls, throwing, catching balls on the run. We can't teach them to cover more space because we can't teach them speed. But we have to put them in the right place and help them make sure they can field ground balls, catch fly balls, throw to the right base, those fundamental things."
WHAT ABOUT THE BULLPEN?
Girardi did not want to use relievers three days in a row. He wanted to keep them fresh for the long haul because, as he said, "The prize is in October."
His personal adherence to not using a reliever three days in a row showed he always put his players' health first, an admirable quality, but it might have cost the Phils a game last week in Atlanta and contributed to his firing.
Thomson will be more read-and-react, to use an old Gabe Kapler line.
"We're now into June and I'm not going to say we'd do it every time, but we'll take it case by case," he said. "If there are low pitch counts the first two nights and the guy looks you in the eye and says, "I'm good to go," and you trust him, then it's a possibility."
ABOUT THAT DROUGHT
Zero playoff games the last 10 seasons. Huge payroll. Big stars. Lofty expectations.
Can this team still make it?
That's the idea behind the managerial change.
"I think we can make the playoffs," Dombrowski said. "I think we're in a position where we can battle back to do that. I do believe that.
"But we're going to have to play better."
Karsten Warholm, the Olympic champion and world-record holder in the 400m hurdles, pulled up after the first hurdle of his first race since September.
What Celtics players thought of Draymond Green's post-Game 1 comments
Draymond Green shared some interesting observations after the Warriors' loss in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and Celtics players responded on Saturday.
(Bloomberg) -- Most Read from Bloomberg‘No Longer Sure Bets’: Tech Giants Are Dropping Bad News DailyOil Sands Crude Prices Nosedive as Russian Bans Upend MarketRussia Hits Kyiv With Missiles; Putin Warns West on ArmsUS May Allow More Iran Oil to Flow Even Without Deal, Says VitolUS Recession Is Avoidable If Fed Can ‘Thread the Needle’President Joe Biden will delay visits to Saudi Arabia and Israel until next month, NBC reported.Biden will embark on a “broader” Middle East trip in July, the repo
The Giants scored 15 runs and clubbed five homers in a rout of the Marlins on Friday.
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2022-06-05T22:48:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Dave Dombrowski's reasons for firing Joe Girardi as Phillies manager
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After over a year of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa receiving criticism about his arm strength, highlighted by a recent social media post from the team account that went viral, the Alabama product hit back at his critics following a minicamp session.
Tagovailoa shot back at the “Twitter warriors” who hadn’t seen full practices and were taking exception with the one throw that was highlighted on video.
While many were happy to see the quarterback stick up for himself, ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser had a different take.
On an episode of “Pardon the Interruption,” Kornheiser says Tagovailoa’s comments were “insane.”
“He called out, and I want to get the word correct, the ‘Twitter warriors,'” Kornheiser said. “You can’t do that. You can’t say ‘I understand you’re out there on social media and you’re crushing me so stick it.’ No. Because more people will jump on that, and now, every single time he short arms a pass more people will say he shouldn’t have a job, and the media in Miami will publish this stuff. It’s a fight you can’t win. It’s insane.”
In a sense, Kornheiser has a point because people on social media are ruthless, and once they know they’ve struck a nerve, they’ll go at it twice as hard. However, Tagovailoa has been dealing with the criticism for at least a year now, and this is the first time he’s responded. It has to get to you eventually. He’s human.
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2022-06-05T22:48:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser calls Tua Tagovailoa’s comments about critics ‘insane’
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NEW YORK – Josh Donaldson took one long look before letting his Yankee teammates chase him down the first base line.
The Yankees' third baseman came through with a game-winning, sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th to complete a wild 5-4 win on Sunday over the Detroit Tigers. Donaldson sent a 97 mph fastball to the warning track to bring in ghost runner Aaron Judge and finish off the team's sixth straight victory.
Rizzo scored the tying run in the eighth with the help of two errors: one on a dropped throw on his stolen base attempt and one on an errant throw during his play at the plate.
From there, Wandy Peralta and Michael King held the fort with a 1-2-3 inning in the ninth and 10th, respectively.
The winning swing came in only the third game back for Donaldson after back-to-back trips to the IL (COVID protocol and right shoulder inflammation). Donaldson doesn't usually choke up, but broke tradition against the hard-throwing Gregory Soto.
"Great grind-it-out at-bat by JD to win it," manager Aaron Boone said. "Just a lot of guys with a hand in the victory again."
The final game of the Yankees' homestand started at 11:40 a.m. with the game broadcast on Peacock.
Boone had no complaints about his team's energy level, although the reviews across the Yankee clubhouse were mixed.
"It's tough," outfielder Joey Gallo said. "I don't think I've played an 11:30 game since high school."
"I set the alarm clock a lot earlier. I tried to get to bed a lot earlier. I tried to get here as early as I could and get in the cage."
The early work was rewarded in the fifth inning when Gallo crushed a towering, two-run shot to tie the score. It was his first home run in 12 games and snapped a 5-for-25 drought.
While Gallo admitted that a .176 average is hardly what he envisioned, he hasn't forgotten that it's a long season.
"I feel like I haven't helped the team much at the plate lately," Gallo said. "So that felt good coming in the dugout and feeling like I contributed."
"It's fun," Montgomery said. "Everybody is going out there and throwing strikes and competing and keeping us in the game. We're just trying to keep building off each other."
Yankee pitchers had thrown 22 1/3 straight scoreless innings until Javier Baez's RBI double in the fourth.
This was also the 10th straight game where the Yankees starter went at least six innings.
"Our pitching really set the tone early for the series," Donaldson said. "We didn't give them much at all to do."
"I like where he's at," Boone said. "I think he's done a really good job. He's starting to incorporate the cut fastball back into his repertoire."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Yankees completes sweep with walk-off over Detroit Tigers
Joey Gallo's 2-run homer
Joey Gallo ties the game at 2 in the bottom of the 5th with a two-run home run to right field
Donaldson lifts walk-off sac fly in 10th to seal win
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2022-06-05T22:48:58Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Josh Donaldson's 10th inning walk-off helps Yankees sweep Tigers
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The 122nd U.S. Open is June 16-19 and Monday is the final day for some to make the field for The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Monday is known as “Golf’s Longest Day,” as it’s a 36-hole grind at nine locations—eight in the U.S. and one in Canada—for the final spots in the third men’s major of 2022.
The U.S. Golf Association reports the number of golfers at each qualifier and the final number of available spots will be announced on Monday.
Golf Channel has 10 hours of coverage planned starting at 7 a.m. There are three live TV windows: 7-9 a.m., noon-2 p.m. and 6 p.m.-midnight. All times are ET. Live scoring at the nine sites can be found here: https://www.usopen.com/qualifying/final.html.
Here is the list of courses hosting final qualifying and some of the notable names at each:
Ryan Palmer, 46, Jonas Blixt, 38, and C.T. Pan, 30, headline the field north of the border on Monday. Also, Lexi Thompson’s brother Curtis is in this qualifier.
The Olympic Club (Ocean Course), San Francisco
A pair of 18-year-olds are teeing it up in the Bay Area. Cooper Jones of Highland, Utah, is a junior who’s 3-for-3 helping his high school team win the state title. He’s joined by Luke Potter of Encinitas, California, who will play for Arizona State starting this fall.
The Club at Admiral’s Cove (North and West Courses), Jupiter, Florida
Rickie Fowler, 33, who has played in 12 U.S. Opens, is in this qualifier, as is Matthew Wolff, 23, who was the runner-up to Bryson DeChambeau in the 2020 U.S. Open.
Ansley Golf Club (Settindown Creek Course), Roswell, Georgia
PGA Tour veterans Bill Haas, Patton Kizzire, Richy Werenski and Brendon Todd will seek to punch their tickets in Georgia on Monday.
Woodmont Country Club (North Course), Rockville, Maryland
Joseph Bramlett, Kevin Chappell and Harry Higgs are among those competing.
Century Country Club & Old Oaks Country Club, Purchase, New York
Ricky Barnes and Kelly Kraft are in this regional but the father/son duo of Fran Quinn, 57, and Owen, 23, will also tee it up Monday. They live about 45 minutes from The Country Club at Brookline.
Zach Johnson, 46, who will be the U.S. team’s Ryder Cup captain in 2024, has won two major championships, the 2007 Masters Tournament and the 2015 Open Championship, and has played in 18 U.S. Opens.
Rafa Cabrera Bello, 37, of Spain, is aiming to play in his ninth U.S. Open. His best finish was a tie for 23rd in 2020.
Cole Hammer, 22, fresh off an NCAA Championship with Texas, will vie for his fourth U.S. Open appearance.
Former world No. 1 Luke Donald and former PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner are also in this qualifier.
Brandt Snedeker, Jim Herman, Troy Merritt, Scott Piercy and Doc Redman are in this field but there will be some attention on Danny Woodhead, 37, who advanced out of a local qualifier in Omaha. He is most famous for playing in the NFL alongside Tom Brady with the New England Patriots.
Pronghorn Resort (Nicklaus Resort), Bend, Oregon
The field in Bend, Oregon, is full of amateur players, including some who just competed at the NCAA Championship, like Max Brenchley (BYU) and Joe Highsmith (Pepperdine). Charlie Beljan is attempting to advance through both local and final qualifying for the third time in his career and the first time since 2009.
Bronte Law is in third place after three rounds of the US Women's Open.
Quin Snyder guided the Utah Jazz to six consecutive playoff appearances, was an NBA coach of the year finalist just last season and won nearly 60% of his games with the franchise. Snyder resigned Sunday as coach of the Jazz, ending an eight-year run of regular-season success but with the team never getting past the second round of the playoffs in his tenure. Snyder released a statement through the team, part of it simply saying “it is time.”
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2022-06-05T22:49:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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U.S. Open: Rickie Fowler headlines list of interesting names competing in final qualifying
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How to watch Texas vs. Arizona in elimination game of WCWS on Sunday
No. 1 Oklahoma proved to be too much for Texas in their second game of the Women’s College World Series on Saturday, forcing the Longhorns into the loser’s bracket to face Arizona on Sunday evening.
Texas fell to Oklahoma 7-2, while Arizona stayed alive on Friday with a 3-1 win over Oregon State. The winner of the Texas vs. Arizona game on Sunday will advance to face Oklahoma State with a trip to the Women’s College World Series finals on the line.
Here’s how to tune in to Texas’ elimination game against Arizona.
Holly Azevedo's two-hit shutout on Sunday secured No. 5 UCLA's spot in the national semifinal with an 8-0, six-inning victory against No. 14 Florida.
Andrés Giménez's solo homer
Andrés Giménez ropes a solo home run to right field, giving the Guardians a 2-1 lead in the top of the 2nd inning
Louisiana Tech baseball falls to the losers bracket after a 5-2 loss to Texas on Saturday in the Austin Regional.
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2022-06-05T22:49:36Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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How to watch Texas vs. Arizona in elimination game of WCWS on Sunday
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Celtics wear Brittney Griner Griner shirts in support of detained WNBA star
“She’s been over there for an extended amount of time, and we feel enough is enough.â€
Mariel Semonte Orr, an Atlanta rapper better known by his stage name Trouble, has died at 34. The “Bring It Back” rapper, who was also known as Skoob, was reportedly caught in a fatal shooting altercation in Atlanta on Saturday night while sitting in his car. He had performed the same night, only hours before […]
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2022-06-05T23:01:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Celtics wear Brittney Griner Griner shirts in support of detained WNBA star
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She Said, He Said: The WCWS is here. So are the games, the joy and the Lemon Chills.
It's great to have the Sooners and Cowgirls in the WCWS, but even without them, there'd be plenty to love about what's happening at Hall of Fame Stadium.
Don't throw out your egg cartons when they're empty– use them for crafting, organizing and more with these simple hacks. The post Put empty egg cartons to use with these helpful hacks appeared first on In The Know.
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2022-06-05T23:02:13Z
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Rhyne Howard with a 2-pointer vs. Indiana Fever
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Joey Logano zoomed to victory Sunday in the NASCAR Cup Series’ first race at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway, outdueling Kyle Busch in overtime.
Logano’s No. 22 Team Penske Ford led 22 of the 245 laps in the Enjoy Illinois 300. His second win of the season was the 29th of his Cup Series career.
Busch finished second in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, which was scored .655 seconds behind at the checkered flag. Brother Kurt Busch placed third. Ryan Blaney, a teammate to Logano, recovered from a spin to finish fourth and Aric Almirola completed the top five. Martin Truex Jr. was sixth in his 600th Cup Series start.
Ross Chastain, a two-time winner this season, ran afoul of two contenders in separate incidents in the race’s first half. Chastain’s No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet bumped the No. 11 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota of Denny Hamlin into the Turn 2 wall, prompting a caution on Lap 64. Hamlin continued at a reduced pace, but crowded Chastain’s car on multiple occasions later to show his displeasure, drawing a rebuke from NASCAR race control.
Chastain then triggered a Lap 101 caution after bumping Chase Elliott’s No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevy into a spin that also collected Bubba Wallace’s No. 23 Toyota. Six laps later, Elliott repeatedly pushed Chastain on the restart until finally driving past.
Chastain rallied to finish eighth. Elliott took 21st, and Hamlin — last weekend’s winner of the Coca-Cola 600 — was 34th, 11 laps down.
The NASCAR Cup Series’ next race is scheduled next Sunday (4 p.m. ET, FS1, PRN, SiriusXM) at Sonoma Raceway.
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2022-06-05T23:18:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Joey Logano claims historic first win in Cup Series' debut at WWT Raceway
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NASCAR St Louis Cup Auto Racing
Matt Olson hit a three-run homer, Ronald Acuña Jr. had a solo shot among his four hits and the Atlanta Braves moved above .500 for the first time since the season's opening week by holding off the Colorado Rockies 8-7 on Sunday. Ozzie Albies added a two-run single and Adam Duvall doubled and tripled for the Braves (28-27), who completed a four-game sweep and won their season-high fifth straight. Ryan Feltner (1-2) allowed six runs and seven hits over three innings in the Rockies' fourth straight loss.
The victim was a 36-year-old man from Daytona Beach, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said.
Police say a shooting near a Tennessee nightclub led to three deaths and 14 people suffering gunshot wounds and other injuries. Chattanooga Police Chief Celeste Murphy said during a press conference that 14 people were hit by gunfire early Sunday and three were hit by vehicles while trying to flee the scene. Murphy says two people died from gunshot wounds and one person died after being hit by a vehicle. She says 16 victims were adults and one was a juvenile and several remained in critical condition. Murphy said there were multiple shooters, but authorities think it was an isolated event and don’t believe there’s an ongoing public safety threat.
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2022-06-06T00:19:37Z
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Joey Logano beats Kyle Busch in overtime at Gateway
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(Reuters) -Mass shootings in Pennsylvania and Tennessee killed at least six people and wounded more than 25, police said on Sunday in the latest cases of U.S. gun violence after recent massacres in Texas, New York and Oklahoma. Multiple shooters opened fire in Philadelphia's busy South Street, an area filled with bars and restaurants, shortly before midnight on Saturday. Likewise in Chattanooga, Tennessee, shooting broke out as people were otherwise enjoying a Saturday night on the town, though the violence erupted after midnight.
Kyle Garlick and Jose Miranda launched two home runs each to power the Twins to a 9-3 victory over the Blue Jays
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2022-06-06T00:19:44Z
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Luis Severino continues week of excellence from Yankees starters; Miguel Andujar asks for trade
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Minjee Lee tees off on 12 during the final round of the U.S. Women's Open at Southern Pines, N.C., on Sunday. Lee birdied the hole for a six-shot lead. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
Harigae shot a 72 for her best finish in a major and a check of slightly more than $1 million. Although she knew she had no chance to win down the stretch, Harigae said it was still stressful knowing that $1 million — a check that is larger than the winner makes at most LPGA Tour events — was at stake.
Minjee Lee won the U.S. Women’s Open by four strokes over Mina Harigae at Pine Needles on Sunday to earn $1.8 million, the largest payout in the history of women’s golf. Lee closed with an even-par 71 to finish at 13-under 271 after the Australian flirted with the tournament record of 16 under set by Juli Inkster in 1999 at Old Waverly. “I mean, I’m speechless,” Lee said.
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2022-06-06T00:19:56Z
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Minjee Lee of Australia wins U.S. Women's Open for record $1.8 million paycheck
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Rick Sund
American sports executive
SAN FRANCISCO — Boston Celtics center Al Horford doesn’t have the prettiest shooting form, but the end results are to be respected.
The Golden State Warriors should have a new level of respect for the distance in which the 15-year veteran can launch it. Horford was one of the NBA Finals’ Game 1 heroes, producing a team-high 26 points and shooting 6-of-8 from beyond the arc to lead the Celtics to a 120-108 victory on Thursday.
The 3-point weapon he possesses wasn’t always in his arsenal. In fact, the big man said he never desired it to be a part of his game. He had to be nudged into the possibility, and the nudging began as early as his second year in the league by former Atlanta Hawks general manager Rick Sund.
That conversation took place during the 2008-09 season, well before today’s analytic trend of most players being given the green light to hoist 3-pointers.
Sund saw something in Horford that many hadn’t realized yet.
“I remember our conversation very well. We were discussing if he’d be more suited as a four-man or a five,” Sund told Yahoo Sports via phone. “I believed and relayed that it would be to his advantage to develop into a stretch-five and draw guys away from the basket. I told him to work on that corner three and he’d really be an effective five-man. I also told him he’ll have a great opportunity to make the All-Star as a stretch-five. This is just what I saw.”
Boston Celtics center Al Horford shoots against the Golden State Warriors during Game 1 of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center in San Francisco on June 2, 2022. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
Horford said he understood where Sund was coming from, but he was reluctant to add the 3-ball due to how it would be perceived by fans, teammates and the opposition.
“Coming into the league, I never imagined shooting the 3-ball. I definitely was on edge at times when I began attempting threes in games,” Horford told Yahoo Sports. “Players start looking at you crazy. You know how we are in the league, like, ‘Hell, nah. He’s trying to shoot threes?’ So it was that type of thing you had to deal with.”
Horford saw up close the reaction of Hawks fans when fellow frontcourt mate Josh Smith — who was a career 28.5% 3-point shooter — would let threes fly to the chagrin and moans of fans as he’s releasing. It took Horford time to fully embrace the idea.
In his first eight seasons, he shot a total of 65 triples. During his ninth season, he committed to it and was 88-of-256 for a respectable 34.4%. Throughout that season he still wasn’t confident in his shot, but he credited two former teammates for building his confidence.
“My teammates were very surprised when I started shooting them, but two big influences for me were Kyle Korver and Pero Antic,” Horford told Yahoo Sports. “Both guys encouraged me to shoot the ball. And any time I shot it in the game and I looked at them to see their reaction, they were very supportive and comfortable with me shooting. So mentally for me, that was a big deal.”
Sund said current Milwaukee Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer deserves some credit.
“When Bud came to Atlanta, he was more open to thinking outside the box, and he also encouraged Al to shoot threes and the rest is history,” Sund told Yahoo Sports. “Every player that Bud coaches plays so much better than when Bud wasn’t there. Look at Pat Connaughton in Milwaukee, Paul Millsap with us, Khris Middleton. He did it with Al, too.”
After the Celtics eliminated the Miami Heat and Horford — who is shooting 46.3% from beyond the arc this postseason — advanced to the Finals for the first time in his career, he received a text from an individual who believed in his skills before he did.
“I was so happy for him. I texted him congratulations and just told him how proud I am of what he’s accomplishing,” Sund told Yahoo Sports. “What people don’t realize is that he doesn’t have the ball in his hands long. He’s not a ball-stopper. He keeps it moving and then he’s always moving, which is rare for a big man. He’s a five-man version of Steph [Curry]. Because he’s not a ball-stopper, it allows him to open up the floor for everyone else. He’s just a great asset for any team. I’m glad to see him having success.”
Before Horford hopped on the bus to exit the arena, he had a parting message.
“Rick was right. I think I have gained extra years by adding the 3-point shot,” Horford told Yahoo Sports. “I’m just grateful.”
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2022-06-06T00:20:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NBA Finals: How Al Horford's 3-pointer lengthened his career
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Corey Peters
General manager Steve Keim has made many late-offseason additions that ended up being major contributors to the team. Some of those have been bringing back some of their own free agents.
Who could the Cardinals still bring back from last season that would make sense at this point?
Alford was playing excellent football before suffering a season-ending injury late in the season. He’s dealt with a series of unfortunate injuries since signing with the team in 2019, as he didn’t get to play a regular-season snap until last season.
At age 33, Alford is getting up there in age but likely wouldn’t demand a huge salary. He chose to re-sign with the Cardinals for nearly the vet minimum last season because he felt he owed the team that signed him to a multi-year extension before all the injuries.
The team’s cornerback group is very young and with the tragic death of Jeff Gladney, who essentially replaced him, adding Alford back into the mix could only help.
DT Corey Peters
Corey Peters has been one of the team’s locker room leaders and standouts in the community for some time. He initially signed with the team as a free agent in 2015 and has been with the team ever since. Peters signed back with the team last August after reportedly mulling offers from other teams.
The Cardinals’ defensive line has some serious question marks following the loss of Chandler Jones and the lack of a big-ticket free agent replacement. The team does have two young players at the position in Rashard Lawrence and Leki Fotu, but neither bring the type of leadership that Peters does.
At age 33, Peters appears to want to continue his playing career. If he wants to come back for approximately the same contract as last year, the Cardinals would be wise to bring him back. They’ve been decimated by interior defensive line injuries over the past few seasons, so the more starting-caliber players on the roster, the better. They could use a veteran nose tackle.
Plus, it’s always a bonus to have a player with a positive impact in the community like Peters. It’s also fun to bring back a player who has been on the team for so long.
S Chris Banjo
Banjo has been a core special teams player in Arizona for the past two seasons. He’s provided starter-caliber play at safety, particularly in 2020 when he filled in for the injured Jalen Thompson.
As it currently stands, the Cardinals have a pretty loaded safety room. They have two Pro Bowl-caliber players manning both starting jobs in Budda Baker and Jalen Thompson. Behind them is Deionte Thompson, Charles Washington and James Wiggins.
While the Cardinals certainly look set at safety on paper, bringing back Banjo would bring some help on special teams and a defensive back who knows the defense.
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2022-06-06T01:02:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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3 players who still could re-sign with Cardinals
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The Raiders drafted quarterback Derek Carr in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he’s been Las Vegas’ signal-caller ever since, breaking franchise records along the way.
But as fans and followers of the Raiders know, Carr’s tenure hasn’t been as smooth as those facts would indicate.
Due to several regime changes and the Raiders’ subpar win-loss record with Carr at the helm, rumors of a quarterback change for Las Vegas have persisted throughout Carr’s tenure. That was definitely the case during the last Raiders regime led by ex-coach Jon Gruden, especially with Gruden’s reputation as a QB guru, and one that likes mobile quarterbacks at that.
Carr says those days are over, however. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that new coach Josh McDaniels called the Raiders’ top players after taking over in Las Vegas, and the first person he called was Carr. Carr told Breer that the phone call “showed me who they are” and signaled that swirling rumors about his job security are a thing of the past.
“They told me that they were committed to me. And the cool thing, too, is, in public, they’ve been committed to me. Usually when you get a new coach, GM, they kind of slow-play it like, Oh, we’ll see …
Carr’s use of the term “slow-play” is perfect. During the last couple of years with Gruden and ex-general manager Mike Mayock, the Raiders praised Carr’s QB play but also raved about his increasingly team-friendly contract, seemingly never seriously considering an extension of any kind for Carr.
McDaniels and new GM Dave Ziegler inked Carr soon after that initial phone call, even with Carr still signed through this season, the last year on his previous mega-deal.
Carr’s new contract could be considered team-friendly as well, as guaranteed money in the deal rises dramatically if the Raiders decide to keep Carr after this season, which in all likelihood, they will. Unless McDaniels and Ziegler choose to move on for a variety of reasons.
That’s clearly not on Carr’s mind though, and that’s thanks to the new regime’s communication with their QB. In the end, if Carr plays well, as Carr has every reason to believe he will, especially with the addition of wide receiver Davante Adams, he’ll be well compensated via his current contract.
Also if Carr plays well, the Raiders will likely be in the thick of what figures to be a hard-fought battle for the AFC West crown. And winning is probably the only way to completely quiet rumors of Carr’s departure from Las Vegas.
Everyone on the offense has to do their job for Las Vegas to seriously contend, but the Raiders are set at QB. No more “slow-play” tactics to speak of, at least from Carr’s perspective.
Carr was confident enough to sign a somewhat team-friendly deal (which includes a Carr-friendly no-trade clause), and that’s thanks to the new regime. Now, the entire franchise has to put it all together on the field and prove all their moves in the offseason were the correct ones.
5 wide-open position battles for Raiders
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2022-06-06T01:03:11Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Derek Carr: Past Raiders regimes chose to ‘slow-play’ QB situation, but Josh McDaniels ‘committed to me’
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has become one of the most sensational quarterbacks in the NFL. The dual-threat signal caller has shown the ability to throw with power and accuracy while also being able to make big plays happen with his legs.
Jackson is unfortunately often critiqued on his ability to throw the ball despite showing that he can pass at a high level. However, the former NFL MVP once led the league in passing touchdowns and has improved as a passer over his four-year career as a professional.
While on a football field on Sunday, Jackson showed off his arm by launching a pass 50 yards in the air while down on one knee.
(🎥via @spencefit__ Instagram) pic.twitter.com/vULtXZ4c8Q
While not attending mandatory organized team activities, Jackson has shown that his arm is as good as ever. There have been many conversations surrounding the quarterback’s absence from OTAs, but he’s still working hard away from the team as he looks to continue improving ahead of the 2022 season.
Is the NFL sincere in its latest effort to promote diversity? Two Cardinals employees think so after taking the league up on an offer to meet owners.
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2022-06-06T01:03:24Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ravens QB Lamar Jackson shows off incredible arm strength
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Michigan State football is one of 10 programs lucky enough to crack four-star cornerback Micah Bell’s top school’s list released on Sunday.
The Spartans were joined by a host of big-time programs, including Notre Dame, Baylor, Tennessee, Texas, Vanderbilt, Duke, Stanford, Houston and Harvard.
Bell is ranked as the No. 8 cornerback and No. 55 overall prospect in 247Sports’ rankings for the 2023 class. He holds offers from nearly 30 schools, including Michigan State who offered him in early April.
Bell is currently projected to end up at Notre Dame but it’s a positive sign to see Michigan State in the mix — especially with the Spartans only extending him an offer two months ago. Keep an eye on Bell’s recruitment over the next month as it appears he’ll be committing on July 1, per his Twitter account.
July 1st the wait is over. Top 10 pic.twitter.com/jg3jxYiDja
— Micah Bell (@Bell11M) June 5, 2022
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2022-06-06T01:33:24Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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MSU football listed in top 10 for Texas 2023 4-star CB Micah Bell
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Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd to get 5-year contract extension originally appeared on NBCSports.com
How to watch Tennessee baseball on TV, live stream in NCAA regional final
What to know to watch Tennessee baseball faces Georgia Tech in the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional championship on Sunday, June 5, 2022.
Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron has won the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward for a record fifth time.
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2022-06-06T01:46:26Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd to get 5-year contract extension
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It pays to play well on the PGA Tour, folks. Just ask this week’s winner, Billy Horschel.
The 35-year-old Floridian claimed his seventh PGA Tour win and first of the year at the 2022 Memorial Tournament at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, with a four-shot win over Aaron Wise. Horschel made just four bogeys over his four rounds, with three coming in the final round and one in the first round.
Horschel will take home $2.16 million for his efforts, with Wise earning a cool $1.3 million. Check out how much money each PGA Tour player earned this week at the 2022 Memorial Tournament.
More: PGA Tour all-time money list
Sung-jae Im
U.S. Women’s Open: Minjee Lee cruises to second major title, earns $1.8 million prize
No one could mount a charge to challenge the elegant and unflappable Minjee Lee.
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2022-06-06T01:50:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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2022 Memorial Tournament prize money payouts for each PGA Tour player at Jack Nicklaus’ Muirfield Village
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GAME 2 KEYS: How the Warriors can bounce back to even the series
GAME 2 X-FACTORS: Who could play a pivotal role for each team?
Celtics guard Derrick White (9) dribbles the ball while defended by Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) during the second half of Game 1.
Warriors up by two at halftime; Green, Brown get into shoving match
The Warriors head into halftime with a 52-50 lead over the Celtics. Steph Curry leads Golden State with 15 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the field and 2-for-6 from 3-point range. Andrew Wiggins added 10 points and Draymond Green had seven points, but he was close to receiving his second technical foul of the night following a dust-up with Jaylen Brown. Green fouled Brown while attempting a 3-point shot with 54.3 seconds left in the second quarter. Some pushing ensued after their legs got tangled up, but the refs didn't asses any technicals.
Jayson Tatum exploded for 21 first-half points on 7-for-16 shooting from the field and 5-for-7 on 3s. It's night and day from Game 1, where Tatum only scored 12 points. Brown finished the half with 15 points.
Warriors, Celtics neck and neck after first quarter
The Celtics got out to a 13-5 lead in the first quarter before the Warriors stormed back to take the lead. They are up one point after 12 minutes of play, 31-30.
Jayson Tatum got off to a better start in Game 2, scoring 13 points in the first quarter. Jaylen Brown added 13 points for the Celtics. In fact, Tatum and Brown scored or assisted on 28 of the 30 Boston points.
Steph Curry led the Warriors with 10 points.
Celtics, Warriors unite with 'End Gun Violence' shirts
Three keys for Warriors to even series vs. Celtics in Game 2
"We have to play with more force on the defensive end," Green said. "I think there were times in the game when they didn't feel us."
Here are key areas for the Warriors in Game 2.
Jordan Poole struggled in Game 1, his first NBA Finals game of his three-year career. He scored nine points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field and 1-for-5 from three, down from his 18.4-point average this postseason. He also committed a team-high four turnovers in 25 minutes off the bench. Whether it was "a lot of adrenaline" or "a lot of nerves," as Steph Curry guessed after their Game 1 loss, the Warriors need Poole to settle in and score as he's done to get to this point.
Derrick White's shooting has been inconsistent at times during the 2022 playoffs, but he knocked down a postseason career-high five 3-pointers in Game 1, which helped spur the Celtics' fourth-quarter rally to win. He finished with 21 points off the bench on 6-for-11 shooting and 5-for-8 from three. White not only contributed on offense with his playmaking and shotmaking abilities, but his defense shined so much so that Boston's Defensive Player the Year, Marcus Smart, didn't have to enter the fourth quarter until the 3:47 mark.
Iguodala out for Warriors, Porter and Payton questionable
Golden State will not have its full rotation for Game 2. Reserve forward Andre Iguodala has been ruled out for Sunday's game due to right knee inflammation. Additionally, Otto Porter Jr. (left foot soreness) and Gary Payton II (left elbow fracture) are listed as questionable ahead of tip-off.
Iguodala played 12 minutes in Game 1, scoring seven points on 3-of-4 shooting with three assists. Prior to Game 1, Iguodala had not played since Game 4 of the Warriors' first-round series against the Nuggets. Iguodala has only appeared in four games this postseason.
Porter also returned from injury in Game 1 after missing the last two games of the Western Conference finals against Dallas. He had 12 points on 4-of-5 shooting in 24 minutes. Payton was cleared to return in Game 1 but did not appear Thursday. He has not played since suffering a fractured elbow in Game 2 of the second round against the Grizzlies on a flagrant foul by Dillon Brooks.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors-Celtics NBA Finals live updates: Iguodala out for Game 2
Boston Celtics assistant coach Will Hardy reportedly is among the candidates to replace Quin Snyder as head coach of the Utah Jazz.
Gary Payton II received a standing ovation upon his return to the court in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Celtics vs. Warriors: Injury updates for Robert Williams, Gary Payton II in Game 2
Here are the latest NBA Finals injury updates for Celtics center Robert Williams, and Warriors guard Gary Payton II and Andre Iguodala ahead of Game 2.
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2022-06-06T01:51:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NBA Finals Game 2, Warriors vs. Celtics live updates: Golden State leads at halftime; Green shoves Brown
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U.S. defender DeAndre Yedlin, front, blocks a shot during the first half of an international friendly against Uruguay on Sunday. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)
Jesús Ferreira failed to convert a pair of first-half chances as U.S. men's soccer forwards kept up their goal-scoring struggles, and the Americans played a 0-0 draw against Uruguay on Sunday in their second of four World Cup warmup matches this month.
The U.S. took the field three hours after learning Wales would be its opening World Cup opponent in November, and the Americans stretched their home unbeaten streak to 25 matches since a September 2019 loss to Mexico. That's one shy of the team record set from 2013 to '15.
In the United States' first game against a South American opponent since a 1-1 draw against Uruguay at St. Louis in 2019, midfielder Weston McKennie played the first half in his first start for his country since breaking two bones in his left foot with Juventus on Feb. 22.
The Americans are planning two September exhibitions in Europe, then return to the World Cup after missing the 2018 tournament. They open Group B in Qatar on Nov. 21 against Wales, which beat Ukraine 1-0 Sunday for Europe's final berth, then play England four days later and close the first round against Iran on Nov. 29.
What mattered most in Sunday's scoreless draw vs. Uruguay was that the USMNT got a badly needed benchmark before the World Cup in Qatar.
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2022-06-06T01:51:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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USMNT forwards struggle for goals in World Cup tuneup vs. Uruguay
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Courtney Vandersloot with an And One vs. Washington Mystics
Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky) with an And One vs. Washington Mystics, 06/05/2022
The Mercury’s defense held up against one of the league’s best teams for most of the game, an impressive given that center Tina Charles was unavailable.
Steph Curry scored 29 points as the Warriors exploded in the second half to beat the Celtics 107-88 and even the series at one game
Why Ryen Russillo 'hates' his Warriors pick to win NBA Finals over Celtics
Picking between the Boston Celtics and the Warriors was a difficult task for Ryen Russillo.
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2022-06-06T03:09:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Courtney Vandersloot with an And One vs. Washington Mystics
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Marina Mabrey with a Deep 3 vs. Las Vegas Aces
Marina Mabrey (Dallas Wings) with a Deep 3 vs. Las Vegas Aces, 06/05/2022
Just when it appeared the New York Rangers might be ready to push Tampa Bay to the brink of elimination, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Lightning showed they were nowhere near finished. Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos scored to wipe out a two-goal deficit, and Ondrej Palat finished a dramatic comeback with the 10th winning playoff goal of his career Sunday in a 3-2 victory that cut the Rangers' lead in the Eastern Conference final to 2-1. “We’ve been in spots like this," Lightning coach Jon Cooper said.
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2022-06-06T03:10:48Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Marina Mabrey with a Deep 3 vs. Las Vegas Aces
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Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike, shown during a game earlier this season, had 19 points in a loss at Phoenix on Sunday afternoon. (Kamil Krzaczynski / Associated Press)
The Sparks shot 49.2% (29 for 59) from the field and 31.3% (five for 16) from three-point range. The Mercury shot 45.8% (27 for 59) and 37.5% (nine for 24), respectively. The difference came at the free-throw line, where L.A. shot 11 for 16 compared with 18 for 20 for Phoenix.
Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier on supporting players NIL deals but with a twist
Hall of Fame coach Steve Spurrier supported players receiving name, image and likeness deals but with one slight difference
Jake Cronenworth hit a three-run home run in the 10th inning and the San Diego Padres extended their winning streak to three games with a 6-4 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday. Trevor Gott (1-1) pitched the 10th for Milwaukee because Josh Hader had worked the ninth after the Brewers tied the game at 3 on Kolten Wong’s second home run of the game in the eighth. Wong also led off the game with a home run.
Patrick Corbin pitched six effective innings, Josh Bell had a two-run double and catcher Kelbert Ruiz picked Nick Senzel off first base to end the game as the Washington Nationals beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Sunday. Ruiz threw behind Senzel to Bell. “That was a weird play — lot of dirt,” Bell said with a grin.
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2022-06-06T03:11:07Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Sparks miss chance to get to .500 with loss to Mercury
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The record-breaking $84 million contract extension spoke loudly enough about the Green Bay Packers’ confidence in Jaire Alexander moving forward, but team president Mark Murphy recently expressed confidence in how Alexander has recovered from last year’s shoulder injury.
In his monthly Q&A column at Packers.com, Murphy downplayed any kind of concern regarding the long-term status of Alexander’s shoulder.
“With regard to the injury, our doctors have cleared him to play and don’t think it will affect him going forward. A shoulder injury is typically not one that will affect a cornerback’s play long-term,” Murphy wrote.
Alexander injured his shoulder making a tackle on Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris in Week 4 of last season. He didn’t have surgery but missed the rest of the regular season, only to return for seven snaps against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round playoff loss.
Several members of the Packers organization expressed admiration for how Alexander worked his way back from the injury to end last season.
The end result was a lucrative new contract. Alexander’s new deal with the Packers includes the richest signing bonus and yearly average ever for a defensive back.
Alexander, 25, is a core member of the Packers franchise and among the best cornerbacks in football.
“He can do it all,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in March.
With two healthy shoulders, expect Alexander to follow around No. 1 receivers and play more in the slot in 2022.
In 2018, Alexander became Gutekunst’s first-ever pick as Packers general manager.
“Not a bad pick,” Murphy wrote.
New contract for CB Jaire Alexander saves Packers $6.2 million on salary cap in 2022
Jaire Alexander’s new deal with Packers breaks DB record for average, signing bonus
Packers GM thinks Jaire Alexander will follow No. 1 WRs in 2022
50-year-old Mike Hollis returns to football with Jacksonville's National Arena League team
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2022-06-06T04:05:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Packers confident in Jaire Alexander’s recovery from shoulder injury
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The Jacksonville Jaguars were in a situation where it would’ve been extremely difficult to trade the top pick and ended up taking a player to bolster their pass-rush. That player was Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker, who will now spend a majority of his snaps on the edge.
As the No. 1 pick in the draft, Walker should start in 2022 in all probability, especially when considering how much the Jags struggled defensively last season. They ranked 23rd against the run, 16th against the pass, and 20th overall and it was hard for them to stop many of their opponents. However, Walker is a key in all of that changing.
With him being the top pick of April’s draft many will be watching his sack total throughout his career. That will especially be the case when considering the 2022 draft class was loaded with first-round talents to compare his figures to as four other edge rushers were taken in the same round. Those players were Aidan Hutchinson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Jermaine Johnson, and George Karlaftis, all of whom could be starters, too.
When looking at the Jags’ roster, Walker may not be counted on to be the Jags’ top pass-rusher immediately. That could be the task of fourth-year player Josh Allen instead, who has been to a Pro Bowl and has 20.5 career sacks.
That said, some aren’t expecting double-digit sacks from Walker as a rookie like ESPN’s Mike Clay, who projected Walker to get just over seven sacks. Additionally, he’s somewhat new to the outside linebacker position, so there could be a transition period for the former Georgia Bulldog. Then again, when considering Walker’s physical talent, he shouldn’t be counted out to hit the 10-sack mark, either.
That said, we want to hear from our viewers on this topic. How many sacks do you all believe Walker will garner as a rookie. Could he do what Josh Allen did and hit double-digits as a rookie, or will his total be less? Let us know in the poll below.
Jags’ Travon Walker projected to lead rookies in sacks, Devin Lloyd to co-lead rookies in tackles
ESPN's Mike Clay recently put out his rookie projections, which projects two Jags from the 2022 class to be key statistical leaders.
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2022-06-06T04:06:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Poll: How many sacks will Travon Walker accumulate as a rookie?
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Christophe Soumillon landed his fourth French Derby on Sunday a day after celebrating his 41st birthday as he guided home Vadeni to an impressive victory.
The USMNT did not concede a single goal in back-to-back games against Morocco and Uruguay, both of which are top 25 in FIFA's latest world rankings.
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2022-06-06T04:40:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Soumillon celebrates late birthday present as Vadeni wins French Derby
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Game Recap: Mercury 81, Sparks 74
Skylar Diggins-Smith scored a season-high 29 points to lead the Phoenix Mercury to an 81-74 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks.
The Warriors used a massive third quarter to blast the Celtics and even the series. Here's three observations from Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
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2022-06-06T06:46:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Game Recap: Mercury 81, Sparks 74
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The Baltimore Ravens have added multiple outside free agents over the course of the 2022 offseason. Their biggest acquisition has been former New Orleans Saints safety Marcus Williams, who signed a five-year, $70 million deal with Baltimore on the second day of free agency.
Williams showed up to the second week of Baltimore’s voluntary organized team activities, and spoke with the media about a few different things. He was asked about how new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald teaches defense, and the safety said the the coach explains it in a way that he and his teammates are able to learn it.
“He teaches a good defense, and he puts it in a way that we’re able to learn it – learn it fast and efficiently so we can come out here and practice and put it together. Right now, it’s all about dissecting the defense, learning what you have to do and what we have to do. We don’t just play one position; we can play each position. He puts it like that for us so that we know everything, really.”
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2022-06-06T06:50:54Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ravens S Marcus Williams explains the way that DC Mike Macdonald teaches defense
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The Baltimore Ravens had a rough end to their 2021 season, ending their year with six-straight losses en route to an 8-9 record. Their struggles resulted in them missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season four years ago.
Baltimore’s 2021 schedule had many small quirks that were unnatural, including long homestretches, multiple games on the road multiple times, and a stretch where they had to play the Cleveland Browns twice in three weeks sandwiched with a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Cleveland had a bye in the middle. However, in 2022 their schedule is much more “normal”, and when John Breech of CBS Sports listed out how far each team will have to travel this upcoming season, the Ravens came in at No. 31 with 8,244 miles.
In this Mets post game news conference, reliever Adonis Media, through interpreter Alan Suriel, says "not overthinking the situation too much", was the key earning his first Major League save, striking out Will Smith for the final out in the tenth inning of the Mets 5-4 win. Medina: "To have the team have that trust in me to pitch in that big spot, means everything to me."
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2022-06-06T06:51:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ravens to be one of least-traveled teams in NFL during 2022 season
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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who did not attend the team’s OTAs, is in town for the Packers’ mandatory minicamp which takes place this week. Tom Pelissero first reported the news on Monday morning:
Rodgers is coming off back-to-back MVP seasons, and last year he completed 68.9% of his passes for 4,115 yards and 37 touchdowns against just four interceptions. A season ago, Rodgers completed 70.7% of his throws for 4,299 yards and a career-high 48 touchdowns.
After speculation about his future, Rodgers signed a three-year contract extension with the organization in March. Shortly thereafter, the team traded away his favorite target in the passing game, wide receiver Davante Adams.
Athletically, Rodgers was last seen draining a putt to deliver a victory for himself and Tom Brady in “The Match” over Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.
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2022-06-06T13:48:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Aaron Rodgers reports to Green Bay Packers’ mandatory minicamp
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A breakout season on the heels of securing the top rung on the depth chart in training camp led to this, and all signs indicate Schultz will be at least that important, if not more important, during the 2022 campaign. But Schultz apparently feels the team isn’t showing him enough love and isn’t stepping up to the plate in negotiating a long-term deal. As such, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network is reporting Schultz is going to sit out the voluntary portion of the offseason.
The Cowboys have already completed two of three OTA sessions, with Schultz present. This week’s session precedes the mandatory minicamp next week, which Schultz will have to attend or will be fined. The fines would ramp up for each of the three days, going from $14,775 for skipping the first day, $29,550 for the second and $44,325 for the third. A player who skips all three days could be fined $88,650.
Schultz was one of three NFL tight ends tagged this spring. Cleveland’s David Njoku and Miami’s Mike Gesicki were also slapped with the well-compensated restriction that kept them from entering free agency. Recently, Njoku signed a four-year, $56 million deal with $28 million guaranteed. That sets the floor for Schultz, who has outperfomed Njoku over their respective rookie contracts.
Executive vice president Stephen Jones is well known for liking to take negotiations down to the wire. They do not have much experience behind him after former TE1 Blake Jarwin was released following a devastating hip injury that would keep him out for the year. Sean McKeon is entering his third season and the club drafted Wisconsin’s Jake Ferguson in the fourth round this season. The team could perhaps be looking to avoid a long-term agreement with Schultz knowing they have hefty salaries to dole out to players such as Trevon Diggs and CeeDee Lamb in the near future.
The purchase of the Kansas City, Kansas, tool company will bring it into a fold that already includes a well-known product with a KC history.
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2022-06-06T13:48:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Dalton Schultz will skip final Cowboys OTAs, tired of contract impasse
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'Got to get him going:' How Eagles are approaching Jalen Reagor originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
They haven’t given up on Jalen Reagor. Why would they?
Whether or not the Eagles can salvage anything out of their 2020 1st-round pick remains to be seen, but simply because of his salary cap situation it makes sense for them to continue trying to turn him into a productive NFL player.
Reagor will cost the Eagles more in cap space if they cut him ($6.03 million in dead cap in 2022, $1.8 million in 2023) than if they keep him ($3.02 million in 2022, $3.6 million in 2023).
So there's nothing to lose.
Is it a longshot? Probably. But every NFL player develops at his own pace, and it looks like getting something out of Reagor this year is one of the Eagles’ projects this summer.
“He’s just been working consistently hard, man,” said Darius Slay, who’s always been a big supporter of Reagor. “Right now, he’s just been grinding.
“We brought A.J. (Brown) in, so A.J.’s teaching him a little bit, too,. So he’s understanding the game more.
“He’s still young. I think Reagor’s only 23 years old and in his third year going into the league and (23) was my second year in the league, so he’s still learning.
“He’s works hard, and we’ve got to get him going. That’s it. We’ve got to all be behind him.”
Slay is right, and Reagor doesn’t turn 24 until January. Through two years in the league, he has 64 catches for 695 yards and three touchdowns.
He’s among only four WRs in the last 40 years to start at least 10 games in each of his first two seasons and finish both with fewer than 400 yards. The others are Miles Boykin, Nelson Agholor and Darrius Heyward-Bey.
But the Eagles will keep trying.
“He's explosive,” offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said Friday. “That's one of his biggest assets. He's an explosive player. He still has that ability to run routes and be fast and strong and physical, and again, we're just continuing to improve on those things every single day.”
Agholor is the closest precedent if you’re looking for hope.
Nelly’s numbers his first two years were almost identical to Reagor’s – five fewer catches, 47 fewer yards, same number of touchdowns.
But he became a functional player over the next two years with 126 catches, just over 1,500 yards, 12 TDs and a brilliant Super Bowl. Then he had nearly 900 yards and eight TDs for the Raiders in 2020.
So it is possible. Stranger things have happened.
At best Reagor would be the Eagles' 5th WR behind Brown, DeVonta Smith, Quez Watkins and Zach Pascal. And there's also steady Greg Ward in the mix and other projects such as Devon Allen, John Hightower and Britain Covey.
Reagor, the 21st player drafted in 2020, is one of two wide receivers the Eagles drafted in the early rounds in the years after the Super Bowl who's trying to jumpstart his career this summer.
J.J. Arcega Whiteside, a 2nd-round pick in 2019, has just 16 catches for 290 yards and one TD in three seasons. He caught just two passes last year.
He’s the only wide receiver drafted in the first or second round in the last 30 years to play at least 40 games and catch fewer than 20 passes in his first three seasons.
JJAW has converted to tight end this summer and faces even longer odds than Reagor.
“Those are two great men, two great guys and great players,” Jalen Hurts said. “They come in here with the mentality of going to work every day.
"They’re asking questions, they’re eager to learn, eager to do things right, execute their assignments and their job. I’m excited to see what they do for us this year.”
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2022-06-06T13:48:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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'Got to get him going:' How Eagles are approaching Jalen Reagor
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It has taken three years, but Hunter Renfrow is finally starting to get the national respect that he deserves. In his third year with the team, he led the Raiders in receptions and yards as he was the de facto No. 1 receiver in the offense.
But just how good could Renfrow be in 2022 now that he is a full-time starter and one of the best slot receivers in the NFL?
In a recent article by Doug Farrar of the Touchdown Wire, he wrote about some of the NFL’s most underrated offensive players. That list included none other than Renfrow. Here is a small snippet of Farrar’s thoughts on the former Clemson receiver:
“Renfrow led the team in all those statistics, and just because Davante Adams is now part of that offense, don’t assume that Renfrow will be relegated to the back seat. Adams may be the NFL’s best overall receiver, but when you have a guy like Renfrow who can nail down so many of the intricacies of the position, he’ll be a big part of your passing game on a no-matter-what basis.”
Farrar explained in the piece that Renfrow is one of the league’s best slot receivers and he does so by being an elite route runner. With more attention going to Davante Adams this season, it should open up even more one-on-one matchups for Renfrow. And look for the Raiders to exploit those early and often in 2022.
The Golden State Warriors dominated the third quarter to tie the series up at 1-1
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2022-06-06T13:49:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Raiders WR Hunter Renfrow named one of the league’s most underrated offensive players
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New England Patriots left tackle Isaiah Wynn will attend mandatory minicamp, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.
Wynn has not been present for organized team activities, the voluntary portion of the offseason program. He made the same decision in 2021. His attendance at minicamp indicates he won’t conduct a contract holdout with the Patriots.
New England elected to pick up his fifth-year option for 2022 and he will make $10.4 million this season. His play was strong, at times, but he had too many games where he was inconsistent. His cap hit ranks him at 13th in the NFL among left tackles, an impressive sum. So there’s some question as to whether his play matches the price tag.
Wynn missed the entirety of his rookie year with an injury and has played 34 games over the last three seasons. He is likely to be the team’s starter at left tackle in 2022 — unless they decide to trade him before the season starts. In Wynn’s absence, the team experimented with tackles Trent Brown and Yodny Cajuste on the left side.
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2022-06-06T13:49:18Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: LT Isaiah Wynn set to report to mandatory minicamp
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The Tennessee Titans have routinely had one of the older initial 53-man rosters the past few years, but exactly how far back does that trend go?
We get our answer from The Orange and Brown Report’s Anthony Reinhard, who took a look at the average age of every NFL team’s initial 53-man roster since 2013 and put it in a nice, neat chart for us.
Other than the 2015 campaign when the Titans had the sixth-youngest roster in the NFL, Tennessee’s rosters have regularly been on the older side as compared to the rest of the league.
Here’s the rundown (note: the higher the ranking, the older the team):
Having an older roster has been a recipe for regular-season success for the Titans, as they’ve posted a winning record in each of the last six years.
In the aforementioned 2015 season when the Titans had the sixth-youngest roster, the team finished with a 3-13 record.
Having some age didn’t help the Titans in the two years prior to that, though, as Tennessee ranked 14th and ninth in 2013 and 2014, respectively, and finished with records of 7-9 and 2-14.
The Titans parted ways with a handful of players 30 and over this offseason, so they might be a little younger than they were last year, but we still expect Tennessee’s initial 53-man roster to be on the older side.
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2022-06-06T13:49:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Where Titans ranked in average age of initial 53-man roster since 2013
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Florida football added another player to its wide receiver room on Sunday when JUCO wide receiver Thai Chiaokhiao-Bowman both committed and signed with the program, joining transfer portal arrival Ricky Pearsall as the latest additions to the 2022 class.
The 6-foot-2-inch, 190-pound pass-catcher from Minneapolis, Minnesota, spent the past year at Independence Community College (Kansas) and will have the full five years available for him to get his four seasons of play in. He chose his Sunshine State destination over Illinois, Ole Miss and Nebraska, despite his desire early on to remain in the realm of the Big Ten.
Chiaokhiao-Bowman’s primary recruiter was wide receivers coach Keary Colbert, who was one of many who went out of their way to make Gainesville feel like “home”.
“He and I just had a lot of ties,” he said of Florida’s assistant coach, according to Swamp247. “He played with Dominique Byrd at USC, who is a homie of mine and my brother’s. He also knows Larry Fitzgerald and played in the league so he’s gone places that I want to go. He’s a family guy and he’s really down to earth.
“They need a guy with my skill set to come do big things, even play special teams,” he added in regards to his fit on the current roster. “They plan to move me around between slot and outside. They like my releases, separation at the top of the route, he said he can tell I have good ball skills, I look seasoned and I work hard.”
The JUCO transfer will hopefully hit the ground running this upcoming season for Billy Napier’s squad, especially given how thin the team is at some positions, including the receiver corps.
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2022-06-06T14:30:40Z
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Florida football adds this JUCO wide receiver to 2022 class
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Bobby Wagner and Russell Wilson were teammates for 10 seasons in Seattle, coming into the NFL together with the Seahawks in 2012 as second- and third-round picks, respectively. But during their decade together in the Pacific Northwest, Wagner never got the chance to hit Wilson.
As a quarterback, Wilson always wore the red no-contact jersey in practice, putting him completely off-limits for defenders. But when the Rams and Broncos square off in Week 16, Wilson will be wearing a blue, orange and white jersey, making him fair game for Wagner.
The Rams linebacker said he’ll be looking to bring down Wilson later this season after the two exchanged plenty of trash talk over the years.
“I’m definitely gonna try to hit em, you know what I mean?” Wagner said with a smile in an interview with J.B. Long and Maurice Jones-Drew. “We’ve had a lot of trash talk over the years of what would happen if we ever collided or things of that nature. But obviously, he’s always had the red jersey, so you know, you touch him, you get cut. Now, we ain’t gotta worry about getting cut no more.”
There’s no malice behind Wagner’s words, but you can tell he wants to lay a shot on his former quarterback after practicing against him for 10 years without being able to tackle him. Wilson will be trying to avoid not only Wagner that afternoon, but also Aaron Donald, Jalen Ramsey and Ernest Jones.
It should be one of the marquee games of the season, so long as Denver’s complete rebuild works out the way the team hopes it will.
The Duffer brothers explained that Eleven's speech patterns in flashbacks over different seasons isn't a plot hole after fans questioned it.
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2022-06-06T15:45:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bobby Wagner looking forward to hitting Russell Wilson after exchanging ‘a lot of trash talk over the years’
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The artist Kanye West raps “to whom much is given much is tested.”
In Russell Wilson‘s case, he’s been afforded a 10-year career worthy of a Hall of Fame nomination. Two Super Bowl appearances. A Super Bowl ring. And he’s the career-leader in all of the Seattle Seahawks’ major passing categories.
Now, Wilson puts past success to the test by joining the Broncos.
Wilson’s a winner. That’s great news for a Broncos team that hasn’t had a winning season since 2016. And worse, the team hasn’t earned a playoff spot since 2015, nearly a decade ago. So, the 2022 Broncos are following Wison’s example thus far in OTAs, according to veteran wide receiver Tim Patrick.
Last week, Patrick said, “When you see someone carry themselves the right way every day, it makes you up your game not to slack and to put winning first. At the end of the day, we’re all here to win a Super Bowl and if our quarterback does it, no one has an excuse not to do it.”
Wilson has been reporting early to the facility each morning to work on his own, prompting others to follow his lead. “If you see ‘Russ’ doing it and you’re not doing it — if you can’t put in extra work, you’re not serious about winning and you don’t belong on this team.”
It’s not just Patrick that’s been praising the QB. Javonte Williams, too, said the newly-acquired quarterback is “like a coach on the field.”
That’s the kind of leadership Denver needs at quarterback.
Religion of Sports, the sports media production company founded by Tom Brady, Michael Strahan and Gotham Chopra, announced $50 million in Series B funding. With the new investment, which brings the company to about $63 million raised to date, Religion of Sports plans to develop new intellectual property — including expanding into areas beyond sports […]
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2022-06-06T15:45:10Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Broncos players following Russell Wilson’s example: ‘It makes you up your game’
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Having been reinstated last September from his sixth league-issued suspension, wide receiver Josh Gordon joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man roster in early October. He appeared in 12 games with seven starts but he didn’t muster much production, with just five catches on 14 targets for 32 yards and one touchdown. After he spent two games as a healthy scratch, the team waived Gordon during the playoffs.
After that type of end to the year, it feels like it would be tough to have any big expectations for Gordon. That’s not the case for Chiefs wide receivers coach Joe Bleymaier, though. He has a great deal of confidence that this offseason has allowed Gordon to turn the corner.
“I have big expectations for Josh,” Bleymaier said. “Like you said, the offseason here, when he got here it was just (doing) as much as we could do to get him on the field and having him knowing his assignments. He is extremely smart and intelligent and he knew he tackled all of those challenges and he did what we needed last year. Now he can kind of understand (the) why, get on the same page with Pat (Mahomes), understand the timing and how he fits in with everybody else. Not only the reps, but the depth and the feel and him getting his stride back, realizing where he was when he was at the top of his game — how he was doing that. That’s really where I’ve seen him come this spring.”
One of the many concerns stemming from the 2021 season was Gordon’s ability to pick up the playbook. Andy Reid’s scheme has the reputation of being notoriously tough for receivers to learn — and learning it on the fly, during the season, seemed exceptionally difficult.
Bleymaier, however, refuted any notion that Gordon struggled with the playbook. Instead, he felt that it was just a matter of Gordon getting comfortable within the offense.
Bleymaier seems quite confident that this fuller view will allow Gordon to have much better success this offseason. Even with the receiver group as competitive as ever, it isn’t outside of the realm of possibility for Gordon to push for a roster spot.
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2022-06-06T15:45:16Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chiefs WR coach Joe Bleymaier has lofty expectations for Josh Gordon
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When the New York Giants selected Kayvon Thibodeaux and Evan Neal in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft, they did so with the hope that both would become game-changing players in the immediate and long-term.
The Thibodeaux pick was a fan favorite at No. 5 overall because he is both marketable and one of the more exciting first round picks across the league. He’s also an early favorite to win rookie of the year. What wasn’t known was the impact Thibodeaux would have in the overseas market.
Turns out that also ended up as a checkmark for the Giants. Thibodeaux’s No. 5 has landed on the list of top-10 jersey sales in the UK.
The 🐐 leads the way. @TomBrady jerseys flying off the shelves! pic.twitter.com/2ZW5VaJ01k
Thibodeaux, Russell Wilson (3) and Devante Adams (7) are all new faces in new places which likely assisted in their place on the chart. It should come as no surprise the top six are all quarterbacks and some of the best in the league.
Thibodeaux stands as the only rookie, the only Giant and only defensive player to make the list.
Certainly, there are many reasons that Thibodeaux spot on the list is impressive and noteworthy. For starters, when the Giants announced the rookie jersey numbers, they didn’t announce Thibodeaux’s number due to the fact that he was negotiating getting No. 5 from Graham Gano, so his jersey sales likely got off to a late start.
The high rate of Thibodeaux’s jersey sales were likely enhanced due him being a Giant and the Giants playing in London this year against the Green Bay Packers n October 9th.
It’s also interesting to think, just a few short years ago Thibodeaux wouldn’t have been able to wear No. 5. That, of course, changed in recent years when the NFL relaxed their jersey positions restrictions.
Hopefully for the Giants, Thibodeaux is just as good as his popularity worldwide.
Over/Under: 8.5 Thibodeaux sacks as a rookie? - Powered By PickUp
The firm that manages housing at Fort Eustis and Fort Story completed a $12-plus million project installing energy efficiency improvements at more than 1,000 homes. Balfour Beatty Communities and ENGIE Services installed 77,000 lighting and fixture upgrades, 995 smart thermostats, 475 high-efficiency heat pumps and upgraded weatherization on more than 900 homes. In addition, they installed ...
Thanks to a Winder-based rapper's "Waterboy"-inspired hip-hop track, star Peter Dante's reggae band will perform a concert at Live Wire Athens.
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2022-06-06T15:45:48Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux among top-selling jerseys in UK
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Mick Lombardi
American football coach (born 1988)
With the departure of Josh McDaniels to Las Vegas as the new head coach of the Raiders, the New England Patriots have yet to name an offensive coordinator or play-caller for the 2022 season.
That might be about to change. According to reporting from The Athletic’s Jeff Howe, former Detroit Lions head coach — and former Patriots defensive coordinator — Matt Patricia is “trending” toward handling those duties for New England this season:
When McDaniels took over in Las Vegas he brought three offensive assistants with him, including Mick Lombardi, who was the Patriots’ assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019, and their wide receivers coach during 2020 and 2021. Lombardi was a candidate for the Patriots’ offensive coordinator role, but followed McDaniels out west to take over those duties for the Raiders.
As for Patricia, he began his career in the NFL with New England as an offensive assistant, and after a year in that role spent another season as their assistant offensive line coach before moving to the defensive side of the football. After his tenure in Detroit, he spent last season as a senior football advisor in New England.
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2022-06-06T15:46:07Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Matt Patricia trending towards play-calling duties for the New England Patriots
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The Indianapolis Colts used the No. 53 overall pick to select wide receiver Alec Pierce hoping the rookie will have an immediate impact in the offense.
Even though the start of the regular season is still months away, ESPN’s Mike Clay revealed his projections for the rookie class in 2022, and Pierce found his way into the top five for rookie receiving yards.
1. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons: 967
2. Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans: 893
3. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets: 857
4. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: 847
5. Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts: 746
Second-rounder Pierce is a bit of a surprise on this list, but even in a run-heavy offense, he has a clear path to a big workload opposite Michael Pittman Jr. He just beat out Jameson Williams (No. 12 overall), who might miss time as he recovers from a torn ACL, as well as Jahan Dotson (No. 16), Christian Watson (No. 34) and Skyy Moore (No. 54).
While it’s no guarantee that Pierce will have a starting role to begin his rookie season, it’s clear the Colts are pushing to see how quickly he can get involved into the offense with Matt Ryan at the helm.
With Michael Pittman Jr. working as the X receiver, we should expect Pierce to compete for the role as the former’s running mate at the Z spot. That role will give him plenty of opportunities to work both on the outside and in the slot while making plays as a vertical threat.
Pierce will have some competition for the role, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him approach this number for his rookie season—even if it may be a bit on the high end.
Only four Colts rookie wide receivers have hit that mark since 1980 so the Colts would likely have to shift a bit more toward the pass in 2021.
Regardless, the role will be open for Pierce, and no one would be shocked if he’s competing for the second or third-most targets in the offense.
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2022-06-06T15:46:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mike Clay projects Alec Pierce’s rookie receiving yardage total
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-clay-projects-alec-pierce-134300427.html?src=rss
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One-time Eagles phenom still trying to recapture magic originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
He was a brief blip in Eagles history, an obscure practice squad receiver, then out of nowhere the best wideout in the NFL for five weeks.
And then just as suddenly? Back to obscurity.
Travis Fulgham is one of the strangest stories in Eagles history.
After getting released by the Lions and Packers, Fulgham was in training camp with the Eagles in the summer of 2020. They released him at the end of camp, signed him to the practice squad, then signed him to the 53 out of desperation in early October.
For five weeks, it was magic.
From Week 4 through Week 8, Fulgham led the NFL with 29 catches, 435 yards and four touchdowns. In his first five career games playing wide receiver, he was the best in the league.
He had the 3rd-most yards in Eagles history by a player in his first eight career games ... even though three of those games were with the Lions.
“It was amazing, a dream come true,” Fulgham said recently in an interview with the Athletic’s Broncos reporter Nick Kosmider.
“I’ve probably never been happier in my life, just going out there and balling and doing what I love and being able to help a city like Philly win some games. Unfortunately, it didn’t last long, but people saw what I can do.”
It lasted five weeks and ended with a thud.
After joining DeSean Jackson and Terrell Owens as the only Eagles wide receivers in the last 25 years with four straight 70-yard games – including 152 yards in Pittsburgh and a 4th-quarter go-ahead 42-yard TD from Carson Wentz San Francisco – Fulgham fell off the face of the Earth.
He caught just nine passes for 104 yards the rest of the year, going from 87 yards per game in his first five games as an Eagle to 13 yards per game.
He still managed to lead the Eagles with 539 receiving yards, which probably says more about the 2020 Eagles than Fulgham.
The Eagles released him after training camp last year and he spent last year bouncing between the Miami and Denver practice squads. He played in one game for the Broncos at the end of the year, getting seven snaps on special teams and two on offense.
By the time the 2022 season opens, he’ll have gone 20 months without catching a pass.
But Fulgham hasn’t given up.
The Broncos saw enough from Fulgham at practice last year to find a spot for him on the 90-man roster this summer, and according to Kosmider he’s looked good in OTAs over the past couple weeks with a touchdown catch from Russell Wilson on a red zone route and a catch on a deep ball from Josh Johnson.
Fulgham is only 26, and although he’s still fighting an uphill battle just to make the Broncos’ roster, there aren’t a lot of guys out there who’ve had 435 yards in a five-game stretch or a 150-yard game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
There’s talent in there somewhere.
So far, he’s spent time with five NFL franchises over parts of three seasons and had one incredible five-game stretch and 2 ½ years of virtually nothing.
“It’s definitely a business first, I’ll say that,” Fulgham told the Athletic. “All I can do is stick to my game and do what I do.
“I didn’t go anywhere. It’s just kind of how the situation ended up. But I haven’t gone anywhere. My game is still here. I can take over a game if I want to.”
UNC football wide receiver Josh Downs headlines one of ten selections to the Athlon Sports All-ACC preseason team.
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2022-06-06T15:46:26Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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One-time Eagles phenom Travis Fulgham still trying to recapture magic
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In the Bill Belichick era, only two second-year players have been voted team captain of the New England Patriots: Jerod Mayo and Devin McCourty. Quarterback Mac Jones has a real shot at being the third.
At OTAs last week, Jones majorly impressed his teammates with his leadership and ability to take charge of the offense.
"It's just at another level now," wide receiver Kendrick Bourne told ESPN. "He's more comfortable, more confident. He knows what's going on, and the muscle memory is there [from having gone through it] — OTAs, then camp, and the season. He's just more locked in, more secure in his position."
This version of Jones is apparently different from the one teammates saw last year, when he was a rookie QB fresh out of college and likely to compete with Cam Newton for the starting job. Patriots owner Robert Kraft told ESPN in March that Jones had been "respectful" and very mindful of his position as a first-year player when he came to the team. But Kraft also felt that Jones "has a little more edge that we've seen."
Jones has an edge
It seems that Kraft was right: Jones does have more of an "edge" than he'd shown during his first year. Now with a full season as an NFL starting quarterback under his belt, Jones is beginning to truly lead the offense and shape it in a way that works for him.
ESPN's Mike Reiss caught a sequence on camera last week that shows just that.
Highlighting a top observation from Patriots practice: Mac Jones’ growing comfort level with WRs to express what he is looking for route-wise.
Jones is now comfortable enough to tell his receivers what he prefers in their routes. And that kind of confidence couldn't come at a better time. Belichick has pulled a typical Belichick-ian move, bringing back both Joe Judge and Matt Patricia, his former assistants who have failed as head coaches, to work with the Patriots' offense.
Since former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, either Judge or Patricia will likely end up as play-caller. With the team's offensive coaching still in transition, it's more important now than ever for Jones to have a handle on the offense and have good relationships with his receivers and other teammates.
Bourne says that's exactly what Jones is doing. He and Jones are friends — according to ESPN, Bourne is one of the people who attended a draft night hibachi party at Jones' home — and so Bourne is taking some pride in seeing Jones really grow into his role as quarterback and team leader.
"He connects with all the players really well. I'm proud of that dude, because it's not easy," Bourne told ESPN. "Going into his second year after having a year like that, it's going to be a challenge, but he's a guy that likes challenges, like all of us in that Patriot building."
Even newer players like DaVante Parker can see that Jones has grown and adapted into his role as team leader.
"He's a young guy but he's developed as a leader. That's what this team needs," Parker said to ESPN. "I've only been here a few weeks, but I still see it."
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) heads to the practice field for the team's OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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2022-06-06T15:46:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL news: Mac Jones' Patriots teammates say he's grown as leader
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Four-star wide receiver Aidan Mizell out of Orlando (Florida) Boone — a UF legacy through both of his parents, who ran track — was blown away on his visit during the opening weekend of June. He was able to see the program in much more depth and detail than during his previous stops, which opened his eyes to what the Orange and Blue had to offer him.
“Usually the trips I made this far it’s been, stay a few hours and go, whether it’s me being up here for a track meet or just coming up for a little bit,” he told Blake Alderman of Swamp247. “It was good taking in everything and seeing everything and being around campus and players and recruits a little bit longer. Really everything was a highlight. Going out with the players was fun, riding scooters around campus. They said it was the first time doing the scooters. We had a blast just racing each other and other stuff. The pictures were different. I don’t know if you guys heard, but the pictures coming out were a little different this year. Just hanging out was real cool.”
The 6-foot-2-inch, 180-pound receiver still has plans for official visits with the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs and Tennessee Volunteers set for this month, along with a return visit to Gainesville in late July for the team cookout. He intends to make his decision sometime after that: “I was thinking July or maybe into August. Maybe like the first day of school or something. Before the season either way.”
Mizell is ranked No. 115 overall and No. 20 nationally at his position, according to the 247Sports Composite, while the On3 Consensus lists him at Nos. 103 and 17, respectively. On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine has the Gators out front for his services with an 84.8% chance of landing him, with the Georgia Bulldogs up next at 5.1%.
Napier and Co. are digging deep for quarterback recruits this cycle.
Notre Dame advances to Statesboro Regional final
Notre Dame advances to the Statesboro Regional final.
The most notable characteristic of the market over the past week has been inconsistency. There was a nice bounce off the lows that was hit on May 20, and the number of new 12-month lows contracted substantially, but it has been up and down action as the battle for more upside has intensified. As long as those new lows don't start to really expand, then the bulls should be in pretty good shape.
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2022-06-06T17:24:38Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Florida named top school for this 4-star WR following official visit
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Former Chiefs Derrick Johnson, Alex Smith on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for first time
The National Football Foundation (NFF) and the College Football Hall of Fame have announced players on the ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023.
There are several former Chiefs players up for selection including Pro Football Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez, DB Eric Berry, WR Jeremy Maclin and GM John Dorsey (former LB with UConn) who were all up for selection in 2022 as well. There are, however, a pair of newly-added former Chiefs players on the ballot this year.
Here are a few criteria that these newcomers had to meet in order to receive consideration for the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023:
You must have been named a First-Team All-American during your playing days.
A minimum of 10 years must have passed since your final season of college football. No more than 50 years can have passed since your last college football game.
Post-football records and academic record matters.
Coaches can become nominated three years after retirement, but active coaches can be nominated if they reach 75 years of age.
One of the first-time players up for selection into the College Football Hall of Fame is former Chiefs LB Derrick Johnson, who was a standout at the University of Texas. Johnson joined Kansas City as a first-round pick out of the 2005 NFL draft and retired as the franchise leader in tackles with 1,151 over the course of 13 seasons in Kansas City.
Next up is former Chiefs QB Alex Smith, who was a standout at Utah. Smith joined Kansas City via trade ahead of the 2013 NFL season and helped usher in a new era of football with the Chiefs under head coach Andy Reid, boasting a 50-26 record during five years with the team. He’s also credited with having helped Patrick Mahomes develop as a rookie in 2017.
Now that the ballot has been released, votes will be submitted to the NFF’s Honors Courts. They’ll deliberate and decide on the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class, with an announcement slated for early 2023.
7 most overlooked players on Chiefs' 90-man offseason roster
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2022-06-06T17:24:44Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Chiefs Derrick Johnson, Alex Smith on College Football Hall of Fame ballot for first time
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All-American college football player, professional football player, wide receiver
American football player and coach (1935-2018)
Kellen Moore, Terance Mathis, Darryl Rogers Nominated to 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Ballot
Can the Boise State quarterback, New Mexico wide receiver, or former head coach make it to Atlanta?
The absolute best of the best ever.
The College Football Hall of Fame revealed the list of potential entrants for its 2023 class this morning and, among the 80 nominees from FBS programs, three have ties to current Mountain West schools.
The trio is headlined by former Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, a three-time offensive player of the year from 2009 to 2011 that spanned the Broncos’ transition from the WAC to the Mountain West. Still the winningest signal-caller in college football history, Moore racked up a 50-3 record in four seasons as a starter, earned a fourth-place finish in voting for the 2010 Heisman Trophy, and is surpassed by only Case Keenum with 142 career passing touchdowns.
New Mexico wide receiver Terance Mathis, meanwhile, was a consensus All-American for the Lobos back in 1989 and left the program with 263 career catches and 4,254 receiving yards,
both of which were FBS records. That enabled him to become a sixth-round pick in the 1990 NFL Draft, which kicked off a 12-year NFL career.
Darryl Rogers, a former Fresno State defensive back who played for the Bulldogs in 1955 and 1956, is on the ballot for his work as a coach. He led Fresno State from 1966 to 1972 and San Jose State from 1973 to 1975, though he is best known for later stints at Michigan State and Arizona State. In all, he compiled a record of 129-84-7 in college, including a 1978 Big Ten championship and a 10-2 campaign with the Sun Devils in 1982.
The 2023 class is slated to be announced in January 2023 and will be inducted on December 5 next year.
More Mountain West Football!
Taking A Look At Boise State's Non-Conference Schedule
Moore went 50-3 as the starter at Boise State.
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2022-06-06T17:24:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Kellen Moore, Terance Mathis, Darryl Rogers Named To 2023 College Football Hall Of Fame Ballot
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Auburn made the most of Ian Geffrard’s official visit to the Plains over the weekend. They made such a good impression that he has named them his leader.
Geffrard spoke with Christian Clements of Auburn Undercover after the visit and updated his recruitment.
“After speaking with Coach Harsin and Coach Friend, said that they were interested in me even up to this point still and I’d say they’re probably at the top of my list right now.”
The Mableton, Georgia product has visited Auburn multiple times, and this time was able to spend time with offensive line coach Will Friend off the field.
“Coach Friend, it was fun. I got to know a lot about him and who he was and who he was off the field. Because I’ve seen him on the field, I went to a spring practice one time, so you see him on the field and now off the field. Him and Coach Bernardi. It was fun and interesting to kind of experience and just observe who they were.”
The 6-foot-6, 370-pound Geffrard is a three-star prospect and ranked as the No. 94 offensive tackle in the 247Sports composite ranking. While Auburn may currently be on top, he does not plan on committing until December and they will need to keep focusing on him.
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2022-06-06T17:25:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Offensive line target names Auburn leader after official visit
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Gators quarterback Tim Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in his sophomore season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College Football Hall of Fame ballot features Tim Tebow, Alex Smith
Can Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore, New Mexico wide receiver Terance Mathis, and former head coach Darryl Rogers make it to Atlanta?
Cboe Global Markets celebrated Monday the opening of its new trading floor, in its old home, the Chicago Board of Trade Building.
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2022-06-06T17:25:22Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tim Tebow, Alex Smith among first-time candidates on College Football Hall of Fame ballot
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Tim Tebow’s first appearance highlights College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Florida football legend Tim Tebow will appear on the College Football Hall of Fame ballot for the first time this year, it was announced on Monday. He joins other newcomers Alex Smith and Ryan Leaf in the running for the prestigious honor, which includes 80 players and nine coaches from the FBS, as well as 96 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks in total.
The vote will tally the takes of more than 12,000 National Football Foundation members and current Hall of Famers who were sent email ballots with a deadline of June 30 to submit their votes. Once the final numbers are established, the NFF’s Honors Court – chaired by NFF board member and College Football Hall of Famer Archie Griffin — selects the induction class based on the results.
Tim Tebow is a legend not just in Gainesville but in college football as a whole. Inarguably one of the greatest to ever play on the collegiate gridiron, the two-way play-caller led the Gators to a pair of national championships while also picking up a Heisman Trophy along the way — and was not far off from earning at least another. The Jacksonville, Florida, product was named SEC Offensive Player of the Year three times and set 28 school records during his time wearing the Orange and Blue.
Also included on the ballot are former Gators defensive tackle Brad Culpepper and running back Errict Rhett, the latter of whom still holds the all-time record for career rushing yards at Florida.
It seems very likely that beloved Gator will be a first-ballot selection into the hall. Florida fans will have to wait with bated breath for the results until early 2023 when the newest inductees are announced.
Florida Hall of Fame players
(By year inducted)
1986: QB Steve Spurrier (1964-66); inducted as coach in 2017
Florida Gators NFL draft history: The last 30 Gators to be selected in the first round
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2022-06-06T17:25:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tim Tebow’s first appearance highlights College Football Hall of Fame ballot
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tim-tebow-first-appearance-highlights-162335148.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tim-tebow-first-appearance-highlights-162335148.html?src=rss
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Two more former Ohio State players will have an opportunity to be enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame. Former linebacker James Laurinaitis and offensive tackle Chris Ward are among the candidates appearing on this year’s ballot for induction in Atlanta for the 2023 class announced on Monday.
Laurinaitis played for the Buckeyes from 2005 to 2008, being named a first-team All-American three times and helping Ohio State to BCS national championship games in 2006 and 2007. It’s the fourth-straight time the Butkus Award winner has appeared on the ballot.
Ward, was a two-time All-American selection in 1976 and 1977 under Woody Hayes. It is his fifth time on the ballot after not appearing last year. During his time at Ohio State, he helped pave the way for two-time Heisman Trophy-winning running back, Archie Griffin. You may have heard of him.
.@OhioState is on the 2023 @cfbhall ballot! #GoBucks https://t.co/vJiKim0QEZ
We’ll keep an eye on how it all plays out and have any further developments when an announcement is made later this year.
In order to be eligible to appear on the ballot, a player must be ten years removed from his college football career and must have played within the past 50 years.
Every Ohio State football player in the College Football Hall of Fame
Former LSU linebacker and All-American Bradie James makes the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
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2022-06-06T17:25:35Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Two former Ohio State players on College Football Hall of Fame ballots
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https://sports.yahoo.com/two-former-ohio-state-players-161528685.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/two-former-ohio-state-players-161528685.html?src=rss
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