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The offseason for the Arizona Cardinals has been filled with talk about quarterback Kyler Murray, whether it is about his leadership, his agent’s contract manifesto, his contract demands, his future or whether he is at OTAs.
While fans worry about the contract situation and whether or not it will affect how Murray plays, teammate and starting left tackle D.J. Humphries isn’t worried.
Speaking to the media after practice this week on Monday, Humphries explained that former Cardinals offensive lineman Andre Smith once told him he should never be surprised by anything in the NFL. He maintains that approach.
“Nothing that the league can show me is something that I haven’t seen before as surprising,” Humphries said. “I just see it all as a part of business. Certain stuff has got to go a certain way for both parties to be happy and they’ll figure it out. I stay out of stuff like that. I don’t want anyone in my business when I’m talking about stuff.”
This has been the same thing that has been said by coaches and players. Murray’s status is not a distraction. It is not a problem. He has the support of his teammates, despite what people might think.
“I support my guy all the way,” Humphries added. “That’s my quarterback.”
He took things further, making it clear that he knows that Murray is part of the Cardinals’ present and future.
Thsoe
“If you’ve been in this building and you’ve seen us play, when ‘1’ (Murray) goes, that’s what it looks like. There’s no question of that.”
Humphries, entering his eighth NFL season, has seen the good and the bad. He saw the greatness when Carson Palmer was their quarterback. He saw the struggles after Palmer got hurt and then retired.
The team believes in Murray because he gives the Cardinals “a chance.”
“You watch those games the year before he came,” Humphries said, in reference to the 2018 3-13 season when the Cardinals were the worst team in the NFL and had a historically bad offense. “His rookie year was rough as well, but we went into those games like ‘they’ve got to show us before we leave here that they’re better than us.’ We didn’t perceive it because we knew what we had in the backfield, we knew that with ‘1’ back there, we’ve got a chance.”
Humphries also dismissed the idea that Murray is lacking in command of the huddle or locker room.
“When he’s in there, he’s the guy,” Humphries said. “Everything that he puts on that film, there’s no question.”
He knows that both sides will get things done, Murray will be in the building with his teammates when he needs to be and will do great things on the field.
“I’ll say that again — if you think he’s not part of our future, you need to slow down on the drinking in the daytime.”
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2022-06-08T12:32:36Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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D.J. Humphries leaves no question about how he feels about Kyler Murray
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https://sports.yahoo.com/d-j-humphries-leaves-no-115916569.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/d-j-humphries-leaves-no-115916569.html?src=rss
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Indianapolis Colts fans may have been caught a little bit by surprise Tuesday when it was revealed that star linebacker Darius Leonard was undergoing a procedure to correct an injury in his back.
We knew that Leonard had been missing time due to a lingering ankle injury that stemmed from the 2021 regular season. However, the back injury was new to those outside the building.
Here’s everything we know about Leonard’s injury, surgery and recovery time:
Injury came up recently
Colts head coach Frank Reich provided some details on the situation.
“We’ve continued to monitor his ankle. He is not going to need a second procedure, but he’s not here because what has happened is he had a back issue that has kind of been a progressive thing that started early in the offseason and was fine, but it’s just been something that’s progressed. We just recently made the evaluation that – consulting with Darius, doctors and trainers – he’s going to have a procedure done on his back.”
Expected to miss training camp time
While the Colts have an optimistic prognosis on the recovery timeline, Reich did say they expect Leonard to miss some time during training camp.
“In fact, [the surgery’ was today and he’ll miss some training camp time but if all goes according to plan, he should be ready to go for the regular season.”
A new injury
Reich was asked if this back issue was something that Leonard dealt with in the past as he has been with the ankle injury. He told the media that it was a more recent injury and one that crept up on them over the last few weeks.
“No, to the best of my understanding in the offseason early on it was, ‘Hey, something isn’t feeling right.’ Let’s keep an eye on it and don’t overreact. It just kind of got worse rather than better, but because he wasn’t practicing you don’t even know that because he’s not practicing because of the ankle. But we eventually – doctors and trainers did a good job of figuring it out.”
Not related to the ankle
Leonard has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury ever since he got surgery on it last offseason. It didn’t stop him from another stellar season, but Reich said the back issue is not related to the ankle.
May not need preseason reps
Despite being in a new defensive scheme under Gus Bradley, Leonard may not need a ton of extensive work during the preseason. That would be welcomed, of course, but Reich said they may feel comfortable if this recovery timeline lasts through the preseason.
“Not sure yet. I’m not sure yet. Really, with Darius (Leonard) at this point, and again, I don’t know the exact timetable on the return. My mind is saying, as long as he’s ready for the regular season. You know what I mean? Does he need to play in the preseason? Sure, it would be nice to play a little bit but if that doesn’t happen, not worried about it.”
Who steps in?
With Leonard out the rest of the offseason and potentially a good chunk of training camp, the Colts will get to see E.J. Speed working in a bigger role at the WILL spot.
“Yeah, it’s been great for E.J. (Speed). He’s gotten a ton of work and he’s done very well.”
The Maniac is in good spirits
The Reds have made pitching development one of their biggest priorities. Hunter Greene and Graham Ashcraft's production can have a big impact.
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2022-06-08T12:32:49Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Everything we know about Darius Leonard’s back injury
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https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-know-darius-leonard-back-120138301.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/everything-know-darius-leonard-back-120138301.html?src=rss
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Don Meredith
American football player, television sportscaster (1938-2010)
It begins, as it always does in football, with the quarterback position. The Cowboys have one of the more storied lineages in the league at this position, basically from their inception. Don Meredith, Craig Morton, Roger Staubach, Danny White and Troy Aikman all exist with great reverence for football historians. With Dallas not winning anything over the past couple decades, the recent iterations haven’t received as much adulation despite taking over nearly every season and career statistical lead.
There is no luckier team in the NFL than the Cowboys when it comes to the quarterback position. Transitioning from Tony Romo to Dak Prescott in one fell swoop without spending major draft capital can only be described as mana from heaven.
It is indeed better to be lucky than good, and the evidence for that stands 6-foot-2 and wears No. 4. The 2016 NFL draft will often be remembered for Jerry Jones and his affinity for Paxton Lynch. He very badly wanted to trade back up into the first round to select him, going as far as to say, “When I look back on my life, I overpaid for my big successes every time. And when I tried to get a bargain, get it a little cheaper or get a better deal on it, I ended up usually either getting it and not happy I got it. Or missing it. And I probably should have overpaid here.”
But that’s not even where the luck began. It started with both the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles making their moves in the weeks leading up to the draft. Both teams traded to the top and came away with Jared Goff and Carson Wentz. Neither of those players remain with their team and the latter has again been dealt (back to the NFC East) this offseason.
Prescott, meanwhile has done nothing but produce. And while his ranking remains a divisive topic on shows with loud talking heads, there’s no point in rehashing any of it here. He is without a doubt the kind of franchise quarterback fans pine for in their darkest hours.
Stephen Jones loves two things: pies and bargains. He is infatuated with winning every contract negotiation that comes his way that often ends up as a detriment to the team’s salary cap, and often the roster as a whole.
Heading into the 2020 season, Prescott’s draft peers had already received (at the time) massive extensions. Jones and company failed to offer a fair market price to the Dallas signal caller and so Prescott bet on himself. Despite a season-ending injury that submarined the season, the two sides ultimately came to an agreement on a four-year contract that fully guaranteed $95 million. His contract dwarfed that of Goff and Wentz, two players who were seen as prime comparisons in the years leading up to their fall.
All’s well that ends well. There’s nearly no way to overpay a true franchise quarterback, and with the salary cap projected to increase every year, paying Prescott should have no bearing on what they put around him, regardless of how much pie Stephen Jones wants to leave on the counter overnight.
Backup quarterbacks
The importance of a backup quarterback is often overstated. There’s not even 32 people on planet Earth capable of being a quality starter, so if a team’s franchise quarterback goes down for the year, that team’s fortunes are headed with them. It is important, however, to have a player capable of filling in for a spot start or two when called upon.
That man in Dallas right now is Cooper Rush. It’s possible he’ll face some pressure from Will Grier or Ben DiNucci, but he’s proven himself as a useful backup who’s earned the trust of the coaching staff. He’s started exactly one game through his four-year career, winning an ugly game last year on Halloween against the Minnesota Vikings, via late-game comeback, 20-16.
His performance was exactly what one would expect from a backup: spotty. He threw for 325 yards on 40 attempts. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore had to pull out all the stops in order to produce just 20 points. If the Cowboys are going to go where they hope to be at year’s end, it won’t be because of their backups if they’re called upon, it’ll be because of the rest of the team around them.
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2022-06-08T12:33:14Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Roster Rundown: What went wrong, right in Cowboys QB room development
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https://sports.yahoo.com/roster-rundown-went-wrong-cowboys-113621049.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/roster-rundown-went-wrong-cowboys-113621049.html?src=rss
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The Seahawks have restructured the contract for defensive tackle Shelby Harris, according to a report by Ian Rapoport at NFL Network. The move will save the team around $3.26 million in cap room for the 2022 season.
Harris was one of three players and several draft picks that came to Seattle from Denver as part of the Russell Wilson trade. He is under contract this year as well as 2023. He joins what was already a pretty strong rotation of interior defensive linemen, led by Al Woods and Poona Ford. They also re-signed former DT Quinton Jefferson. A former seventh-round draft pick by the Raiders, Harris is now 30 years old and is one of the most underrated players in the league at his position.
Moves like this are often a prelude to another one. Odds are it will be something less exciting, but it’s possible they’re making room for a Baker Mayfield trade.
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2022-06-08T12:33:20Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks restructure contract for DT Shelby Harris for cap savings
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-restructure-contract-dt-shelby-120014431.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-restructure-contract-dt-shelby-120014431.html?src=rss
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Von Miller is one of the best pass rushers of this generation, destined for the Hall of Fame with two Super Bowl rings and three first-team All-Pro selections – so far. He knows a great pass rusher when he sees one, and he’s seen a ton of them during his 11 years in the NFL.
It’s still incredible to think that the Rams had both Miller and Donald on the same defense last season. They likely wouldn’t have won the Super Bowl if not for their trade to acquire Miller, a massive midseason move to put them over the top.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t retain Miller in free agency this offseason, so they no longer have that Hall of Fame tandem leading the pass rush.
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2022-06-08T12:33:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Von Miller has Aaron Donald on his Mount Rushmore of pass rushers
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https://sports.yahoo.com/von-miller-aaron-donald-mount-121328635.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/von-miller-aaron-donald-mount-121328635.html?src=rss
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Kyle Larson’s run as the weekly NASCAR betting favorite is over.
Larson has been usurped by teammate Chase Elliott at the top of BetMGM’s board. Elliott is at +450 to win Sunday’s Cup Series race at Sonoma (4 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1) while Larson is the No. 2 favorite.
Elliott is the obvious favorite given his status as NASCAR’s best road racer. But Sonoma is the only road course on the Cup Series schedule where he hasn’t gotten to victory lane. Larson won the 2021 race at Sonoma ahead of Elliott after they started and ended the race in the top two starting spots.
Sunday’s race is also a return to the old days at Sonoma. The experiment of the carousel is gone after NASCAR and the track announced before the season that the track would go back to its customary 1.99 miles for the Cup Series. The Cup Series ran on the 1.99-mile layout at Sonoma from 1998 to 2018 before the cup Series ran the full layout in both 2019 and 2021.
The full layout wasn’t exactly very thrilling — passing opportunities were limited in that extra half mile — and now the track is back to where it used to be.
Here’s what you need to know to bet Sunday’s Cup Series race. All odds are from BetMGM.
Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson are the heavy favorites ahead of the NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday at Sonoma. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
AJ Allmendinger (+900)
Larson won three of the five road course races a season ago. Elliott’s rainy win at COTA and Allmendinger’s win at Indianapolis were the two that Larson didn’t win. Larson finished in the top three in both of those races. Busch is a two-time winner at Sonoma and both of his wins came on the layout that NASCAR is using on Sunday. Truex has won three times at Sonoma and has two wins on the 1.99-mile layout and one win on the bigger track. Chastain won this year at COTA for what was his first Cup Series win.
Cindric is the No. 7 favorite but the gap between him and Chastain makes him a solid play. He’s going to win a Cup road course race sooner rather than later though he’s making his first start at Sonoma on Sunday. Logano has just three top fives in 12 Sonoma starts but those odds make him worth a play.
Suarez has never finished in the top 10 in four Sonoma starts and has an average finish of 15th. It’s not going to be terribly surprising if he wins a race this year but it’ll be very surprising if that happens on Sunday.
Jones has two top-10 finishes at Sonoma and was 10th a season ago. Another top 10 isn’t out of the question.
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2022-06-08T12:36:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NASCAR: Sonoma odds, favorites, start time, TV
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-betting-chase-elliott-and-kyle-larson-are-the-sonoma-favorites-122307392.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-betting-chase-elliott-and-kyle-larson-are-the-sonoma-favorites-122307392.html?src=rss
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Cameron Wolfe explains why you can't sleep on Dolphins' defense
NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe explains why you can't sleep on Miami Dolphins' defense. This game is streaming live on the Yahoo Sports mobile app, or on NFL Network
Who are the top 10 New Mexico State players going into the 2022 college football season?
New Mexico State College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know
It's the second time Wolf has contracted COVID.
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf (D) tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday for a second time but is experiencing “mild” symptoms. He tweeted Monday night that he is “grateful” that he recently received a second COVID-19 booster shot and will be isolating at his home in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and…
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2022-06-08T14:38:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cameron Wolfe explains why you can't sleep on Dolphins' defense
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cameron-wolfe-explains-why-cant-125600960.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cameron-wolfe-explains-why-cant-125600960.html?src=rss
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Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which gives him an opportunity to win a Super Bowl with the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
One of the biggest differences between Chicago and Tampa Bay is stability at the quarterback position, something that Hicks hasn’t exactly had over the last six years.
Hicks went from playing with Drew Brees in New Orleans and Tom Brady in New England to one of the worst quarterback franchises in NFL history with the Bears. He played with nine different starting quarterbacks in six seasons with Chicago.
The Bears aren’t exactly known for their great quarterback play in their storied 100-plus year history. Here’s a look at the nine quarterbacks Hicks played with during his time in Chicago:
Brian Hoyer
Chase Daniel
Going from that to Tom Brady is quite the shift. But it was an easy decision for Hicks, 32, who just wants to win.
Hicks told reporters that returning to the Bears wasn’t an option, but he didn’t elaborate on whether that was his choice, general manager Ryan Poles’ choice or a mutual decision.
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2022-06-08T14:38:52Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Bears DT Akiem Hicks feels ‘spoiled’ playing with QB Tom Brady
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-bears-dt-akiem-hicks-125415197.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-bears-dt-akiem-hicks-125415197.html?src=rss
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The Jacksonville Jaguars received a few scares to open the week as two players had to leave Monday’s organized team practice early due to injury. One of those players was backup quarterback C.J. Beathard, who was carted off the field by the team’s staff.
However, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported some good news on the veteran’s situation Tuesday. According to him, Beathard’s injury isn’t a major one, and it’s not expected to require surgery.
Some good news for CJ Beathard, as the groin injury he suffered is not expected to require surgery and not overly serious. https://t.co/mT0CarYAAW
With this news coming out, it appears Doug Pederson’s quarterback room will remain intact eventually heading forward, though it’s unknown how long Beathard will be out for the current phase of OTAs.
When looking at the Jags’ full quarterbacks room, Beathard has been in the league the longest (since 2017), though starter Trevor Lawrence technically has more experience when it comes to starts (17). Beathard’s 12 starts are good for second on the team in terms of the Jags’ current group of signal-callers, while Jake Luton’s three starts fall behind that.
Beathard entered this offseason with a 58.7% career completion rate (293-of-499) for 3,502 yards, 13 interceptions, and 18 touchdowns. Last season was his first with the Jags, but he previously played for the San Francisco 49ers, who drafted him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
While Beathard’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, the Jags can take their time with his return due to having three signal-callers still available. In addition to Lawrence and Luton, the Jags also have undrafted rookie EJ Perry on the roster, who signed with the team after April’s draft.
The crash occurred at about 4:19 p.m. just south of the Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport.
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2022-06-08T14:39:11Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Jags QB C.J. Beathard not expected to need surgery after groin injury
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-qb-c-j-beathard-135240605.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jags-qb-c-j-beathard-135240605.html?src=rss
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Aaron Donald answered any looming questions about the possibility of him retiring this week when he signed a three-year deal with the Rams, ensuring he’ll be back in uniform this season. But his new contract isn’t the only one Los Angeles wants to get done this offseason.
Cooper Kupp is also due for a raise and the team is working on rewarding its star receiver for the job he did last season. Currently making $15.75 million per year, Kupp should crack $20 million annually on his revised contract.
General manager Les Snead shared an update on Kupp’s deal Tuesday during an interview on the Rich Eisen Show, and he says Kupp is next on the list. The goal is to get his deal done before training camp.
“Cooper Kupp, he is next on the list. You nailed that, for sure,” Snead said sarcastically to Eisen. “Our intention is to come to a win-win. We’d love to do it before camp. We’d love to do it sooner than possible. But in these types of situations when there’s an element of a player under contract, we feel like he deserves a raise, we want to get him an extension. But with that, there’s a lot of variables. There’s objective variables, there’s speculative variables, so sometimes it takes a little more time. It’s not a microwaveable situation to be creative and come up with a win-win for both Cooper and club so that Cooper can be rewarded, club can continue being successful in the moment and in the long term.”
Kupp has said multiple times that his goal isn’t to reset the wide receiver market or one-up the top players at his position. He even used the word “fair” when talking about finding a middle ground that rewards him and keeps the Rams competitive, like Snead said.
Fortunately, they have time to work something out, and his last contract didn’t get done until around the start of the 2020 season. So there isn’t much rush on this front, certainly not like there was with Donald flirting with retirement.
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2022-06-08T14:39:17Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Les Snead: Cooper Kupp deal is ‘next on the list,’ hopefully done before camp
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https://sports.yahoo.com/les-snead-cooper-kupp-deal-125420293.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/les-snead-cooper-kupp-deal-125420293.html?src=rss
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“Your head’s spinning a little bit, but you got to make sure you’re there doing everything right to be on the same page with him,” Watson said after practice.
The first day entailed individual drills, 7-on-7, and even some 11-on-11 at half speed. Obviously, minicamp isn’t very telling, but this was the start of Rodgers building chemistry with the highest-drafted receiver this team has had in 20 years. Meanwhile, Watson was still a little starstruck.
“When I saw him this morning it was weird just casually seeing him,” he said. “Obviously, that’s something I gotta get used to, but it’s crazy to be here and play with him.”
When it came time to actually get to work, Rodgers and Watson connected on a couple of deep passes even though there was no defense being played. However, the setting didn’t stop Rodgers from using certain situations as teaching moments. According to Watson, Rodgers has already started telling his new receivers how he wants certain routes to look and preaching the importance of being in the right spot at the right time.
“You gotta be perfect,” said Watson.
Another thing that stood out to Watson was how effortlessly Rodgers throws the ball. Watching Rodgers release the ball on TV is one thing, but witnessing it firsthand is much different.
“It’s amazing,” he said. “He looks like he’s just kind of chilling out and it’s just a leisure throw and it comes at you 100 miles per hour.”
For now, everything seems to be moving a little fast for Watson. The rookie spoke briefly on how everything has sped up compared to what he experienced at OTAs. Naturally, it will take some getting used to Watson’s part, but all he can do is remain patient while his eyes are set on reaching his full potential.
“I think still have a long way to go in terms of being the player that I want to be and playing at the level that I want to play at, but I’m definitely adjusting each and every day, always taking it one day at a time.”
Watson will have two more practices with Rodgers before the start of training camp. The Packers have one more round of OTAs starting next week, but Rodgers stated he will not be in attendance. In the meantime, Watson will use every opportunity to get better if he hopes to be an impact player next season.
So far, he is pleased with his development.
“I definitely think I’m coming along great,” he said.
VIDEO: Granville, Watkins Memorial compete in 3-on-3 girls basketball league
Granville and Watkins Memorial competed Monday in the first night of the 3x3 league.
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2022-06-08T14:39:55Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Packers rookie Christian Watson adjusting to NFL, playing alongside Aaron Rodgers
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https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-rookie-christian-watson-adjusting-130457370.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/packers-rookie-christian-watson-adjusting-130457370.html?src=rss
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Pro Football Focus agrees with Jordan Poyer.
Poyer, 31, has been sitting out the Buffalo Bills’ voluntary workouts in recent weeks. It’s part of his desire for a new contract.
The safety hired a new agent and wants to stay in Buffalo. He just wants a payday and PFF called that “understandable” and “reasonable.”
The football analytics outlet went and addressed some contract situations from across the NFL. Poyer’s latest with the Bills came up and while PFF didn’t say Poyer should command top dollar, the outlet leveled with him and said he does deserve more.
Here’s what PPF wrote on Poyer:
Poyer is entering the final year of his three-year extension signed in 2020 that carries an average annual value of $9.75 million, with $6.7 million in cash owed in 2022. Over the first two years of the deal, Poyer’s 81.0 grade ranks sixth among starting safeties. While he is entering his age-31 season, a 32-year-old Harrison Smith signed a four-year, $64 million extension with the Minnesota Vikings last offseason.
While Poyer shouldn’t expect to sign a deal in the $16 million per year range like Smith, which frankly might be the best deal for a player in the NFL, it’s understandable he’s not willing to play for just $6.7 million.
The immense value of the Bills’ safety duo of Poyer and Micah Hyde was on full display down the stretch of the 2021 season, especially after top cornerback Tre’Davious White was lost to a torn ACL in Week 12. Over the final six weeks of the season with the AFC East title on the line, the Bills’ defense held opposing offenses to -.223 expected points added per dropback, the fourth-best mark in the NFL.
Poyer and Hyde are the perfect modern-day safety duo that can sit back in two-high shells as well as step up in the box and make plays against the run. It’s reasonable that Poyer wants one final payday to reflect his contributions over the past several years.
As of now, Poyer has only not shown up to voluntary OTA (organized team activity) workouts. No one is required to be there, but Poyer not attending is still noteworthy considering his known contract situation.
After OTAs comes mandatory minicamp next week. That’s when we’ll get a better feel for Poyer’s situation.
If the safety shows up it likely indicates that talks with the team are going well. On Tuesday, Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane said via video conference that he was unsure if Poyer would be in attendance, adding “I don’t have any indication that he won’t be here.”
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2022-06-08T14:40:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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PFF: Bills’ Jordan Poyer wanting new contract is understandable
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-bills-jordan-poyer-wanting-105529734.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-bills-jordan-poyer-wanting-105529734.html?src=rss
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There is a massive, market-changing contract extension coming soon for Indianapolis Colts left guard Quenton Nelson, but he’s doing his best to keep that out of his mind.
It’s only a matter of time before Nelson becomes the highest-paid guard in NFL history. Most are expecting his contract to be worth up to $20 million per season, considerably higher than the next highest-paid guard.
But Nelson isn’t focusing on that. Instead, he’s putting his time and energy into staying healthy and becoming a better leader on the team.
“Not focused on that,” Nelson told reporters Tuesday at minicamp.
As Nelson focuses on becoming a more influential leader in the locker room, he found his way into leaning on one of the best to ever do it.
“I trained in Denver my second offseason, and it just happened to be where he was training,” Nelson said. “We built a relationship from there. He gave me his number and said ‘Feel free to text me anytime.’”
Having that kind of leader to lean on is something Nelson will be looking to take advantage of to the fullest extent.
“It’s incredibly valuable,” Nelson said. “He’s a Hall of Famer, one of the best to ever do it, he’s won two Super Bowls. Being able to pick his brain is nice.”
While Nelson’s streak of All-Pro First Team selections was snapped in 2021, he still earned his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl nod. Dealing with injuries going into the season, Nelson is excited to be working injury-free this offseason.
It isn’t clear yet when the Colts and Nelson will get the deal done, but it’s only a matter of time.
Until then, Big Q will be focusing on becoming a better leader while working toward the fourth All-Pro nod of his career.
Here's everything we know about Darius Leonard's injury situation.
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2022-06-08T14:40:08Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Quenton Nelson not focused on upcoming contract extension
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https://sports.yahoo.com/quenton-nelson-not-focused-upcoming-133639004.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/quenton-nelson-not-focused-upcoming-133639004.html?src=rss
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The Los Angeles Chargers traded two draft picks to Chicago for Khalil Mack and will pair him with Joey Bosa. The Las Vegas Raiders gave veteran Chandler Jones $34 million guaranteed and up to $52.5 million over three years to bookend with rising star Maxx Crosby, who himself signed a massive four-year extension in March. The Kansas City Chiefs drafted Purdue standout George Karlaftis in the first round (No. 30 overall) in an attempt to bolster a group led by disruptive defensive tackle Chris Jones and veteran Frank Clark.
The Broncos’ pass-rush retooling has been a work in progress, essentially since trading revered outside linebacker Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams last fall for two draft picks. This offseason, Denver general manager George Paton signed Randy Gregory to a five-year deal worth up to $70 million ($28 million guaranteed) and used his top draft pick (No. 64 overall) on Oklahoma pass-rusher Nik Bonitto to supplement a returning group led by fifth-year man Bradley Chubb.
“You can never have enough pass rushers,” first-year defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said last month. “We'll take all of them. We’ll take every one of them.”
REPORT: Broncos to be sold to Walmart heir Rob Walton for record $4.65 billion
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb (55) after tackling Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High.
In Denver, the question three months before the regular season begins is not about talent, but rather availability and reliability. Over 52 total NFL regular-season weekends the past three years, Gregory, the former Dallas Cowboys standout, and Chubb have only both been active a total of 12 times.
Gregory, of course, has been suspended several times, including for all of the 2017 and 2019 seasons, for violations of the league’s rules on substance abuse. Last year marked the first season since his rookie year in 2015 that he wasn’t suspended for some length of time, and production followed. Gregory registered six sacks and 29 pressures in 12 games around a four-game absence due to a calf injury.
Now he’s learning a new system and adjusting to new coaches and teammates while also rehabbing. He’s been around the team facility and on the practice field during OTAs even though he can’t take part.
“I ask ‘RG’ a lot of questions and he breaks things down, small things, whether it’s the set line of the offensive tackle or just if I could have taken a better approach,” said Baron Browning, who is back at outside linebacker after spending 2021 in the middle. “It’s just small things that he sees. I've even got with him after practice just to pick his brain one-on-one, so I definitely enjoy having him around and learning from him.
“He has a lot of knowledge in him that you can learn from him.”
The goal is to pair Gregory on the top line with Chubb, who is aiming to return to the level of production he showed as a rookie in 2018 as he enters the final year of his first contract.
The former first-round pick out of North Carolina State burst onto the scene with 12 sacks that year but has just 8 1⁄2 in the three seasons since. He missed all but four games of 2019 with a knee injury and nine games total last year with an ankle issue that required surgery.
“I can’t go back and change the past, I’ve just got to put my head down and work for the future,” Chubb said this week. “Of course it’s frustrating. Of course I came into this league wanting to be the best ever and these past couple years haven’t been showing it. I know that, everyone around me knows that. All I’ve got to do is go out there and do what I know I can do.”
Chubb has looked healthy and explosive so far in OTAs, though the true test, as for all players, arrives once the pads come on.
“He’s done a really good job,” head coach Nathaniel Hackett said this week. “He’s starting to feel it a little bit, both his pass rushing and his ability to stop the run. He’s a force.”
Added defensive tackle Mike Purcell, "You can tell he's comfortable. After last year, with the ankle, he'd come around the edge and he could feel it. Now you can see him running around the edge and it's nothing. He can bend, he can move.
"So, he's looking how he was his rookie year."
There is little doubt that if Chubb and Gregory are available and on the field consistently this fall, they’ll be productive. They’ve just both, for different reasons, missed extensive time over multiple seasons.
Behind them, Denver has an intriguing mix of production and youth from Browning, Bonitto, Malik Reed and Jonathon Cooper, who is aiming for a training camp return from a surgery on his left hand.
Reed became a full-time player early in 2020 with Miller out and has started 26 of the past 27 games he’s been active for, accumulating 13 sacks in that time. Bonitto is “a ready-made pass-rusher,” according to Evero, though Paton said after the draft that Denver needs him to keep putting on weight so he can hold up against the run. Chubb raved this week about the natural ability both Bonitto and Browning show, and the franchise hopes for a second-year jump from Cooper.
“That’s how you win, when you get a wave of rushers and you have an offense that can score points,” Paton told reporters before the draft this spring. “You get leads and then you can throw this pass rush at them. You look at the Rams, you look at the teams that have had success over the years — Indianapolis with Peyton (Manning) or Denver with Peyton — you get the lead, you have the pass rushers, you let them go. I think that’s the formula. You just can’t have enough of those players.”
In the end, though, the Broncos’ ability to cause problems for the star-studded crop of quarterbacks in their own division likely rests with Gregory and Chubb, who have missed 27 and 24 out of 49 total regular season games over the past three seasons, respectively.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Denver Broncos hope they have answer for AFC West's high-powered QBs
Dalton Risner talked about new Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and the trade that brought him to Colorado.
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2022-06-08T14:40:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Can Randy Gregory, Bradley Chubb give Denver a top-flight pass-rush pair in loaded AFC West?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/randy-gregory-bradley-chubb-denver-130310574.html?src=rss
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The Seattle Seahawks may be without starting running back Chris Carson during the team’s mandatory minicamp but Rashaad Penny has no problem leading the charge. For Penny, coming in without a significant injury is a really big deal.
“I mean just having a whole OTA, I mean, I think that was different for me in the past two years,” Penny said during his Tuesday afternoon press conference. “I never had the chance to run around and actually get an early jump to training camp and camp for the next six weeks. I think it’s just made it more special for me to come out here and just run around and get in shape early instead of waiting until training camp to figure out my body or whatever.”
Penny has battled injuries throughout his entire NFL career. Seattle signed him to a one-year contract this year hoping to see the same flashes of the same player who found such success at the end of last season.
The running back, now healthy, is planning on capitalizing on the opportunity.
“But I feel amazing, and this is the best I’ve ever felt,” Penny told reporters. “I’m excited about this year and I can’t wait to get going.”
Penny and the rest of the Seahawks report back to the VMAC on Wednesday for the second day of minicamp.
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2022-06-08T14:40:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny healthy, best he’s ever felt
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-running-back-rashaad-penny-130013086.html?src=rss
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Cornerback Caleb Farley remains one of the bigger question marks for the Tennessee Titans entering the 2021 campaign, and one of the few on the defensive side of the ball.
Farley came into the NFL with concerns over his back, but now his knees are something to worry about after he suffered the second torn ACL of his career in 2021, with the other coming in the opposite knee during his days in college.
The Virginia Tech product says despite the injury setbacks during his career, he remains confident in himself and is in a good space mentally.
“I’m extremely confident; I’m always confident. I’m mentally better than I’ve ever been,” Farley said. “Trials and tribulations come in many different forms, but I have a strong faith, I have a good, close circle that I lean on and that helps me get through a lot. I’m in a good mental space right now.”
One big difference in Farley this offseason is the weight he has added. Head coach Mike Vrabel has even cracked a joke about the 23-year-old adding more mass to his frame, saying “he no longer looks like his jersey is hanging on a coat hanger.”
“It’s less important about weight and just being a little stronger and just having an offseason to prepare your body and get in good strength and conditioning,” Farley said.
“I see that,” Farley said of Vrabel’s ribbing. “Vrabes likes to pick at me sometimes, so now every time I see him in the facility I try to give him a good, firm handshake, let him know, ‘I’m there, I’m there.'”
The Titans added to the questions surrounding Farley when they decided to draft cornerback Roger McCreary in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft. The Auburn product is expected to provide some competition for Farley as the rookie tries to carve out a role for himself in his first season.
“Roger is my brother,” Farley said. “We all are a part of the same close-knit group. We got to prepare with each other and go out there and stop offenses and things like that. I’m competitive because of me and my mentality, not because of moves or decisions made.”
Farley has been participating in practice but is wearing the yellow pullover that signifies he’s still in the “return to play portion” of his recovery.
It remains to be seen if Farley will be a full-go for mandatory minicamp next week, but he appears to at least be on track to be fully unleashed by the time training camp rolls around in late July.
Biggest takeaways from Titans' final open session of OTAs
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2022-06-08T14:40:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Titans’ Caleb Farley talks knee recovery, adding weight, more
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https://sports.yahoo.com/titans-caleb-farley-talks-knee-125559825.html?src=rss
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Deebo Samuel showed up to 49ers mandatory minicamp in what looks like a step in the right direction for him and San Francisco coming together on a long-term contract extension.
Samuel didn’t participate in team drills, and instead ran sprints on a side field decked out in 49ers gear.
It’s not a huge surprise the All-Pro wide receiver skipped the team portion of the day considering his contract status and the injury risk. Chances are he wouldn’t have participated even if there wasn’t a rift between him and the team that led to a trade request from Samuel’s camp before the draft.
While Samuel wasn’t on the field for team drills, reporters on site at practice noted Samuel was with the wide receivers and holding a play sheet while watching practice, so there was at least some level of engagement from the disgruntled WR.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t have an reporters after practice on Samuel’s contract negotiations or where he stands with the team. His presence at minicamp doesn’t mean the 49ers are out of the woods yet, but it’s certainly not a bad sign that he was in attendance.
49ers coaches believe Talanoa Hufanga will significantly improve throughout his second NFL season.
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2022-06-08T14:40:52Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Watch: Deebo Samuel works out at 49ers mandatory minicamp
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The 2022 college football season is just months away, with Week 0 fast approaching. With that date getting closer and closer, we’re starting to see predictions for the 2022 season be released. Athlon Sports has released their Big Ten predictions, and they are not that crazy about the Huskers this year. The list cites offensive line and turnover concerns as the reasons the Husker offense is unlikely to see improvement. They believe special teams may still be an issue but did admit that the addition of punter Brian Buschini and kicker Timmy Bleekrode will help. The defense is thought to be the strength of this year’s team, but questions remain about how they will replace three starters in the secondary. In predictions, the one positive for Nebraska is that Defensive End Ochaun Mathis is selected as the Top Defensive Newcomer in the Big Ten.
Now, I can’t entirely agree with the lists of complaints and their selection of where Nebraska will finish in the Big Ten West. I can’t fault them for making it. The Huskers have failed to live up to expectations the last several seasons, plain and simple. Last year and the year before, Nebraska was supposed to take that next leap, and it still hasn’t happened, and the clock is now ticking on the coaching staff.
It’s a make-or-break season for Scott Frost, and if this prediction comes true, he’ll be looking for a new job in 2023. Let’s hope they’re wrong.
Scroll below to see where the Huskers are predicted to finish in the Big Ten this season.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 11: John Michael Schmitz #60 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers lines up against the Miami (Oh) Redhawks in the second quarter of the game at Huntington Bank Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
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2022-06-08T16:08:38Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Athlon Sports predicts a disappointing 2022 for Nebraska Football
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LSU may be getting in the game late for three-star Lovejoy (Lucas, Texas) receiver Kyle Parker, but it’s quickly gaining some momentum in his recruitment.
The Tigers hosted Parker, a 5-foot-10 receiver who is ranked as the No. 613 overall prospect in the country per the 247Sports Composite, this weekend, and while on campus, he picked up an offer. It seems he wants to see more, as he has set a return trip for this coming weekend, which will count as one of his official visits. That news was reported by On3’s Billy Embody.
After his second trip to Baton Rouge in as many weeks, Parker will also visit Oklahoma State, Louisville and Texas. The Longhorns are currently considered the favorite for him, but that could change in the coming weeks. Parker told Embody that he grew up watching LSU and said it was a meaningful offer for him.
“I loved getting this offer,” Parker said. “LSU is the college I grew up watching. I have a lot of family in Louisiana so it’s been one that I’ve been wanting to get.
“I had been talking to (receivers) coach (Cortez) Hankton for like two weeks and he wanted to see me in person. So, I came to see him and put some work in this weekend. He said he loved the way I ran my routes and can see me at LSU helping the team out in many different ways. I think coach Hankton is definitely a good coach. He’s coming off a National Championship at Georgia and knows what he’s doing at the wide receiver position.”
The Tigers may face an uphill battle, but if they can capitalize on back-to-back visits with Parker, they could become a major player here late in the process.
What school will Kyle Parker commit to? - Powered By PickUp
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2022-06-08T16:08:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Recently offered 2023 receiver sets official visit date with LSU
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https://sports.yahoo.com/recently-offered-2023-receiver-sets-140055939.html?src=rss
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Aside from five-star quarterback Arch Manning, Johntay Cook II is widely viewed as one of Texas’ top priority targets in the 2023 recruiting class.
The speedy wide receiver earned his fifth star via 247Sports composite this week. Cook is now rated the No. 6 wide receiver in the country and the No. 6 overall prospect in the state of Texas.
The DeSoto product hauled in 38 receptions for 806 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior in 2021. He also excels on the track, something Steve Sarkisian heavily values when evaluating recruits.
In May, Cook released his top five schools of Texas, Michigan, Florida, Jackson State and Texas A&M. However, he has since seemingly swapped the Gators with Ole Miss instead.
While official visits with Ole Miss, Oregon and Michigan have already been scheduled, Texas is hopeful that Cook will return to Austin in the near future. As it sits currently, the Longhorns are still the heavy favorite to land Cook per On3’s recruiting prediction machine.
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2022-06-08T16:09:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Texas target Johntay Cook is now rated a five-star wide receiver
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https://sports.yahoo.com/texas-target-johntay-cook-now-154016257.html?src=rss
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The Georgia Bulldogs are already well-represented in Atlanta’s College Football Hall of Fame, and soon there may be two more Dawgs added to the club.
Georgia had two former greats included on the ballot for the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame class —former head coach Mark Richt and former running back Garrison Hearst.
Hearst was one of 80 former FBS players included on this year’s ballot, while Richt was one of nine coaches. Also included on the ballot is former Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson.
Hearst was on the ballot as well for the 2022 class. Former Georgia defensive back Champ Bailey was inducted as part of that class.
This year’s class will be announced early in 2023
Mark Richt:
Georgia Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt reacts to fans after the Bulldogs defeated Kentucky at Sanford Stadium on Nov. 7, 2015. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)
In 2001, Georgia athletic director Vince Dooley took a shot on Florida State quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator Mark Richt to become the new head coach in Athens. Richt, a former Miami quarterback, had been at Florida State for 15 years, taking one year off to coach at East Carolina in the late 1980s. Brought back by legendary Seminoles coach Bobby Bowden, Richt guided the FSU offense to the top of college football. Richt coached six FSU quarterbacks to the NFL, including Heisman winners Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke.
In 2001, Richt’s first season at Georgia, the Bulldogs were only able to win 8 games, yet it was obvious things were trending upward in Athens. Richt’s first season at Georgia featured a win over a top-five Volunteers team on the road (Hobnail Boot).
In 2002 under Richt, Georgia began its ascension towards becoming a consistent college football powerhouse. The Bulldogs finished the year 13-1, which included an SEC Championship win over Arkansas and a win over his former Seminoles in the Sugar Bowl.
In 2005, Georgia won yet another SEC Championship. With star quarterback D.J. Shockley under center, the Bulldogs delivered a beatdown over LSU in Atlanta. Richt had won two SEC titles in his first five years at Georgia.
Richt came close to returning to the top of the SEC on a couple more occasions as well. In 2011, Georgia rebounded from an 0-2 start to finish the regular season with 10 straight wins. The Dawgs jumped out to a great first half vs LSU in the SEC Championship but were unable to finish the drill in the second half. The following year, Richt produced maybe his best team while at Georgia. The 2012 Bulldogs featured Aaron Murray, Todd Gurley, Keith Marshall, Tavarres King, Arthur Lynch, Jarvis Jones, Alec Ogletree, Shawn Williams, Bacarri Rambo, etc. However, the Dawgs fell just short to Alabama in the SEC Championship, a game that had Georgia won, the Bulldogs would have likely cruised to a national title win over an overrated Notre Dame.
Following the 2015 season, a year that saw Georgia finish with 10 wins, Richt was let go from his post at Georgia. He returned to Miami to assume to the position of head coach at The U. Richt is currently retired from coaching football.
Garrison Hearst:
Sep 12, 1992; Athens, GA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Georgia Bulldogs running back Garrison Hearst (5) in action against the Tennessee Volunteers at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-USA TODAY Sports
Hearst meant everything to his 1992 UGA team. More than a third of Georgia’s offensive production came from Hearst, who scored over half of the team’s touchdowns. During his junior year, the Lincolnton native led the nation in touchdowns (21) and in scoring (11.5 points per game).
Hearst broke SEC and school records for most points scored in a single season (126), total touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (19) and average yards per carry (6.8).
A consensus All-America, Doak Walker Award recipient and SEC’s player of the year in 1992, he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Hearst finished his college career second on the Georgia records list in rushing yardage (3,232), all-purpose yardage (3,934) and 100-yard rushing games (16), trailing only Herschel Walker. He was the third pick in the 1993 NFL draft, selected by the Arizona Cardinals.
Snapshot profile of new Penn State running back Kaytron Allen and how he fits into the offense in 2022.
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2022-06-08T16:09:10Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Two Georgia football greats on ballot for 2023 CFB Hall of Fame class
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Right now, the Las Vegas Raiders have four quarterbacks on their depth chart — Chase Garbers, Jarret Stidham, Nick Mullens, and starter Derek Carr. This may be one reason the team recently worked out Colin Kaepernick, becoming the first NFL team to do so since Kaepernick found himself out of the league after the 2016 season — more than anything, because the NFL found his protests and activism against police brutality to be distasteful enough to give him a “soft” ban from the league.
Carr, the team’s entrenched star at the position, would see no threat from Kaepernick if the Raiders signed him. In fact, Carr is all in on the idea.
“I don’t want to speak for everybody in that kind of sense — I don’t want someone mad at me for saying, ‘I think it would be great,’ — but I know him and I would get along great,” Carr said on Tuesday, following the Raiders’ first mandatory minicamp practice, per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez. “I know we have in the past, and I think we would again. I think for the most part, I think he’d get along great with our guys.”
Carr and Kaepernick are old rivals from the Western Athletic Conference — Carr played for Fresno State from 2009 through 2013, and Kaepernick played for Nevada from 2007 through 2010.
Carr also said that he did not meet with Kaepernick during the May 25 workout — “I think they did it in the afternoon, and I was already on the golf course with my two older boys.” — but he has spoken with his older brother David, who was on the 49ers’roster with Kaepernick in 2011.
“He’s like, ‘I love Colin, he’s awesome,'”
Head coach Josh McDaniels and general manager Dave Ziegler have the blessing of team owner Mark Davis, should they choose to make the move. And this is exactly the kind of signing Al Davis, Mark’s late father, would have consummated in a hot minute, if only to aggravate the rest of the NFL.
#Raiders owner Mark Davis last month: “I believe in Colin Kaepernick. He deserves every chance in the world to become a quarterback in the National Football League. I still stand by it. If our coaches and general manager want to bring him in, I would welcome him with open arms."
“[We’ve] brought in tons of people for workouts,” McDaniels said on May 26. “And if there’s an opportunity to improve the team, we said it from day one that we would look at every opportunity. He’s not the first player that we looked at, and not the last one. So, there’s going to be a lot of people that are going to come in and out of this building and have an opportunity to make an impression. And like I said, the evaluations we make are kind of private for us. If we make a decision to add somebody to the team, then we’ll do it.”
Kaepernick settled his collusion grievance with the NFL in February, 2019. Outside of a meeting with the Seattle Seahawks years ago, and a sham workout put on by the league as more of a dog-and-pony show than anything else in November, 2019, opportunities have been scarce for the former second-round pick.
Perhaps the Raiders, the NFL’s ultimate renegade franchise, would be willing to change that.
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2022-06-08T16:33:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Derek Carr: “I think it’d be great” for Colin Kaepernick to join the Raiders
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https://sports.yahoo.com/derek-carr-think-d-great-154317069.html?src=rss
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The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves heading into training camp with multiple starters playing on the final years of their contracts and hoping to get extensions done before the season. Often times when this happens, we see those players choose to hold out of mandatory activities.
But for the Steelers, they have wide receiver Diontae Johnson and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick both on the field at minicamp this week.
Fitzpatrick came over to the Steelers from the Miami Dolphins via a trade in 2019 and in a very short period of time has established himself as one of the elite safeties in the NFL. Fitzpatrick has 11 interceptions in just 46 starts and was named a first-team All-Pro in 2019 and 2020. Fitzpatrick is almost certainly looking to be among the highest-paid safeties in the NFL with his new contract.
Johnson’s situation is more complicated. Coming off of his best NFL season, the hope from Johnson’s camp is he can cash in. The wide receiver market is currently very inflated but don’t expect the Steelers to flinch because of it. Pittsburgh drafted two wide receivers in the 2022 NFL draft and given the state of flux the Steelers offense is in, Johnson has very little leverage in hoping to strong-arm a big contract out of him.
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2022-06-08T16:33:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Diontae Johnson and Minkah Fitzpatrick attend Steelers minicamp
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An undrafted free agent signed by the Kansas City Chiefs ahead of the 2017 NFL season has announced his retirement from football.
On Wednesday morning, Gehrig Dieter announced his retirement from football on Twitter with a quick post, sharing some of his favorite images from his time with the team.
Dieter, nicknamed “The Sheepdog” by Andy Reid, first joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama in 2017. He spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad, working on the scout team with QB Patrick Mahomes, who he became good friends with.
In 2018, Dieter was called up to the 53-man roster for the first time, spending time on the active roster through the playoffs. The next several seasons would prove more challenging for Dieter, though. In 2019, he dealt with a back injury during the offseason which saw him released ahead of the start of the season. Once he was healthy the team signed him back to the practice squad and he bounced around between there and the active roster all season. That’d really be the case for the rest of his playing career in Kansas City, with Dieter spending most of his time on the practice squad with the occasional call-up to the active roster.
Dieter primarily played on special teams with 124 career snaps during his career. He appeared in 13 games in Kansas City from 2018 to 2020 including the playoffs, recording just three receptions for 43 yards on six targets. The coaching staff often praised him for his ability to fill in at any receiver spot at a moment’s notice.
The Chiefs waived Dieter from the 90-man roster ahead of their rookie minicamp, signaling his end with the team and now his end with football.
Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Iowa State LB Mike Rose
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2022-06-08T16:33:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Chiefs WR Gehrig Dieter announces retirement from football
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According to Kansas State beat writer Kellis Robinett, former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman B.J. Finney has medically retired from the NFL. Finney spent seven seasons in the NFL, five of those with the Steelers.
During Finney’s time with the Steelers, he started 15 games at either guard or center. Finney was a vital reserve and part-time starter for Pittsburgh after joining the team as an undrafted free agent out of K-State in 2016. Finney started two games for the Steelers in 2021.
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2022-06-08T16:33:53Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Steelers C B.J. Finney medically retires from NFL
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Ivan Fears
Longtime New England Patriots coach Ivan Fears confirmed his retirement while catching up with Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.
Fears, 67, has coached for 46 years and he’s spent 23 of them in the NFL with the Patriots. He was the wide receivers coach for multiple stints in the late 90s and he coached the running back crew from 2002-21. Fears has six Super Bowl wins from his time with the Patriots and he’s been the running back guru throughout the entire dynasty run.
His presence will be missed in numerous ways, but it sounds like he’ll still be actively involved with the team in some capacity. Fears told Guregian that he’s still keeping tabs and offering “tidbits” — while saying he like the term “running backs consultant.”
The former RB coach confirmed he’s retired, but still keeping tabs and offering “tidbits” from what he sees at practice.
Rhamondre Stevenson, who had a stellar rookie year with the Patriots, discussed Fears’ presence heading into 2022.
“He loves the game,” Stevenson said, transcribed by NESN. “It wouldn’t be right if I didn’t see him … honestly. It’s just great seeing him around. I still talk to him. He’s still in everyone’s ear, things like that.”
The Patriots have dealt with a ton of turnover with offensive coaches and they’re looking at Matt Patricia and Joe Judge to pick up the pieces.
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2022-06-08T16:34:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Patriots longtime RBs coach Ivan Fears confirms retirement – sort of
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https://sports.yahoo.com/patriots-longtime-rbs-coach-ivan-151212849.html?src=rss
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After winning Super Bowl LVI, the Los Angeles Rams naturally have a target on their back in 2022. They’re the team to beat, the team everyone wants to unseat from the throne as world champions.
But in Sean McVay’s mind, the Rams aren’t heading into next season as champions. They’ve put that feeling behind them and they’re focused on the task at hand: winning one game at a time. During a SiriusXM town hall on Monday night, McVay said the Rams don’t talk about repeating as champions and don’t feel like they’re defending a title.
That’s the perfect approach for the Rams to take. McVay is constantly trying to find ways to evolve the offense, knowing what they did a few years ago won’t work as effectively now as it did then. He learned that in his first Super Bowl appearance when the Patriots completely shut down the Rams offense.
You can bet defenses will be keying on Cooper Kupp more after the season he just had, and offenses will continue to find ways to avoid throwing Jalen Ramsey’s way, as well as attempting to block Aaron Donald with multiple players.
If the Rams don’t adapt, they’ll struggle to find the same success they had a season ago.
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2022-06-08T16:34:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Sean McVay says Rams don’t talk about repeating: ‘We’re not defending anything’
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https://sports.yahoo.com/sean-mcvay-says-rams-don-160946471.html?src=rss
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Tour de France 2022 route: When does the race start, how long is each stage and how can I follow live on TV? - AP
Tour de France 2022 map
The Tour de France concludes with its traditional final stage in Paris, on Sunday July 21. The race will again end on the famous cobbled Champs-Élysées boulevard following a 115.6km saunter from Paris La Défense Arena on the outskirts of the city.
No 15-year-old figure skaters will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Olympics following the controversy surrounding Russian national champion Kamila Valieva at this year's Beijing Games. A new age limit for figure skaters at senior international events was passed Tuesday by the International Skating Union in a 110-16 vote that will raise the minimum age to 17 before the next Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. “This is a very important decision,” ISU president Jan Dijkema said.
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2022-06-08T17:49:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tour de France 2022 route: When does the race start, how long is each stage and how can I follow live on TV?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tour-france-2022-route-does-142310285.html?src=rss
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Since being selected with pick No. 70 in the 2020 NFL draft, Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones has been earning more opportunities to perform.
As a rookie, Jones played just 37% of defensive snaps, and that number jumped to 64% in 2021. Last year, he caught a lot of attention for his ability to blitz the quarterback from the secondary, as he recorded five sacks – the most of any defensive back.
However, entering his third season, Jones wants to prove that he can provide Miami’s defense with much more than just blitzing.
“Yeah, I don’t necessarily think that I’m identified as just a blitzing safety, especially with the amount of stuff they have me doing on defense playing multiple different positions,” Jones said after Tuesday’s OTA session. “My goal is to obviously kind of branch away from being labeled as ‘This guy can only blitz. This guy can’t cover. This guy can’t do this, can’t do that.’ Just trying to find the best way for me that I could be a well-rounded football player.”
According to Pro Football Reference, Jones blitzed 69 times in 2021, recording 14 pressures. He also allowed receptions on 27 of the 33 targets he saw for 330 yards and a 95.7 passer rating.
If Jones wants to take the next step and remove the “blitzing safety” title, he’ll have to clean up those coverage snaps and limit the damage that tight ends and running backs can do to this defense. A leap for him in his third season could be a world of difference for this defense.
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2022-06-08T18:21:24Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Brandon Jones wants it known he’s more than just a blitzer
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https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-jones-wants-known-more-163059231.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/brandon-jones-wants-known-more-163059231.html?src=rss
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We are talking quarter-billion-dollar-to-Watson confidence. We are talking about three-first-round-picks confidence. We are talking about $55-million-cap-hit confidence.
Presumably, the Browns' investigative work was more extensive than the New York Times, which reported Tuesday that Watson contacted at least 66 women for massages over a 17-month time frame. The report detailed all sorts of boorish behavior and under oath quotes that belie Watson’s previous narrative.
The only person who knows how many women Watson interacted with and what those interactions entailed is Watson. But he’s continued to express confusion on why anything he’s done is even of interest to anyone else, let alone a problem, so maybe it doesn’t even dawn on him.
Watson will not face local criminal charges in the two counties where the allegations occurred. The NFL still hasn’t determined a punishment, if any, however. If there is to be a suspension, it is unlikely to get weaker after the Times' report. The NFL hates these drip, drip, drip stories.
If they didn’t know at least as much as the Times, then the Haslams look like fools. That’s their problem, though. And maybe Berry's.
Whatever the case, Cleveland is all-in on Watson even if no one knows when he might be able to play a game for the Browns. The NFL could still put him on the commissioner’s exempt list, which would hold Watson out while delaying a ruling. Roger Goodell has previously said that wouldn’t be the case since the potential for criminal charges was resolved, but who knows.
Or it could be a season-long deal, or more. By football standards, and that’s clearly all Cleveland cares about, the longer the suspension the more devastating. They have Watson under contract for five years. Losing 20 percent of that wouldn’t be ideal, especially since the Browns are built to win right now.
Cleveland pursued Watson in an attempt to seize this window of opportunity. It dished six draft picks to get him, including its 2022, 2023 and 2024 first-rounders. It handed over a guaranteed $230 million deal, including setting up the contract so Watson is paid just $1 million this year, which all but eliminates any financial penalty that would come from a NFL suspension.
The Haslams didn’t punish Watson for his behavior. They rewarded him. They even all but ended their relationship with Baker Mayfield, who isn’t accused of assaulting women but did throw a lot of interceptions. He won’t attend mandatory minicamp next week in a decision dubbed “mutual.”
If humiliating yourself in the pursuit of quarterback talent is part of the cost of doing business, it’s seems like groveling to Mayfield is at least as reasonable as banking everything on a guy whose offseason pastime appears to be contacting random women on social media and driving around Houston with the hopes of getting, in the parlance of Watson’s attorney, a “happy ending.”
But that was always the case. Confidence is just confidence.
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2022-06-08T18:21:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL: Browns' Deshaun Watson pursuit invited current bind
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https://sports.yahoo.com/browns-all-in-deshaun-watson-nfl-punishment-waiting-173902280.html?src=rss
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Former New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora is headlining the way to the NFL’s expansion into Africa.
The former NFL star has been making shockwaves throughout the international football world. Umenyiora himself is a star that is of African descent (having two Super Bowls championships and two Pro Bowls honors under his belt). Now he wants to make sure the NFL can utilize this talent for a homogenous expansion into Africa.
“You see the number of athletes we have in the NFL right now of African descent,” Umenyiora told Andscape, via ESPN. “There are a lot, and the winds are blowing even stronger in that direction. We’ve seen what the NBA has done in terms of its investment in Africa. There’s no reason why we shouldn’t be in full force on ground there also. And that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
The NFL is starting in Ghana as they evaluate a group of 40 players who were selected from regional camps run by Umenyiora. He will be in Ghana starting on June 21 for the NFL’s activities through this program.
This is not the first time that Umenyiora has helped foster a relationship between Africa and the NFL as he has founded The Uprise — a developmental program for prospects ages 16 to 22. He started this program in Nigeria and has since expanded it into South Africa and Ghana.
From The Uprise, Umenyiora has helped send three players to the NFL: Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi (Arizona Cardinals), Chigbo Roy Mbaeteka (Giants), and Kehinde Hassan Oginni (Kansas City Chiefs).
Osi Umenyiora sees himself in Giants pick Kayvon Thibodeaux
Osi Umenyiora: NFL's structure makes Tom Brady's success even more impressive
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2022-06-08T18:22:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ex-Giant Osi Umenyiora to lead NFL’s Africa contingent
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-giant-osi-umenyiora-lead-155527659.html?src=rss
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Giants’ Dexter Lawrence taking on a more ‘advanced’ role in 2022
Dexter Lawrence II
For the past few seasons, Dexter Lawrence has been a solid player and hopes to build upon that as his role grows with the New York Giants.
With new defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, the Giants defense will likely look a whole lot different in 2022. Martindale is known for his aggressive defensive schemes as he asks his players to get after the quarterback constantly.
This is a large contrast from the Giants of the past few seasons as the team struggled to garner any pass rush. And Dexter Lawrence has taken notice of this change as he raves about the “aggressive nature” of this defense.
“Just the amount of pressure, simulated pressures. You know, people running wide open if you were watching practice, it’s kind of hard to pick up,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
Within this defense, the former 17th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is trying to expand his capabilities and provide versatility to Big Blue.
“I can drop, I can rush off the edge, I can play linebacker, blitz, little things like that,” he said.
Lawrence has added great value for the Giants since being drafted as he has totaled 145 tackles (14 for a loss), nine sacks, two forced fumbles, and five passes defended. He is looking to grow on that production while also helping lead this young group.
“It’s probably just more advanced maybe. I’m becoming an older guy and have more responsibility to be a leader,” Lawrence said of his role.
Giants' Kayvon Thibodeaux among top-selling jerseys in UK
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2022-06-08T18:22:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Giants’ Dexter Lawrence taking on a more ‘advanced’ role in 2022
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https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-dexter-lawrence-taking-more-145519210.html?src=rss
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The story of JaMarcus Russell in college football and the NFL is one for the ages. The big armed quarterback from Mobile, Alabama threw 52 touchdowns at LSU from 2004-2006 and posted a 28-7 record in those 3 years where Jimbo Fisher was his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Then Russell went on to be only the second black quarterback to be drafted first overall in the NFL Draft, when Al Davis’ Oakland Raiders picked him in 2007.
Russell penned a masterful column for The Players Tribune which published Wednesday, and in it, he specifically called out the difference in how he was treated by Jimbo compared to how the staff in Oakland treated him.
Now, let’s get it straight. I’ve been cussed out before. I got cussed out by Jimbo Fisher at LSU a thousand times, and I’d still run through a wall for that man, because Jimbo really took his time and coached me. I got to really get to know him, as a man. In the NFL, it’s not like that. I never even had this coach’s phone numbers. Outside of the facility, we didn’t speak. There was no relationship.
This is another example of former players’ holding coach Fisher in extremely high regard, and proves why the A&M football program is in great hands.
Mike Rizzo didn't hold back when asked about the idea of replacing Dave Martinez with Joe Maddon. "No, terrible question. Horrible question."
Two Buffs legends were named to the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
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2022-06-08T18:22:27Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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JaMarcus Russell praises Jimbo Fisher
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jamarcus-russell-praises-jimbo-fisher-163723004.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jamarcus-russell-praises-jimbo-fisher-163723004.html?src=rss
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The Baltimore Ravens made a big splash in 2022 free agency when they signed safety Marcus Williams to a five-year, $70 million contract. The former New Orleans Saints star is expected to be a massive part of the Baltimore defense, slotting in at the free safety position that was vacated by DeShon Elliott.
Williams is still getting acclimated to things in Baltimore, but he’s already on the field and working with his new teammates and coaches. When Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald was asked about his first impressions of Williams, the coach said that he’s everything he was expected to be so far.
“[Williams] is a great player. It’s great to have him in the building. Similar to Kyle [Hamilton], all the things that you’re expecting to get from a guy like Marcus, we’ve gotten so far. He’s two days in, so it’s really early to tell, but he’ll be a great player for us.”
During his five-year stay in New Orleans, the 25-year-old put up 320 total tackles, 15 interceptions and three forced fumbles. He’s a ballhawking safety in every sense of the word, and he’ll now team up with Kyle Hamilton and Chuck Clark in the Baltimore secondary to make one of the most fearsome safety trios in the NFL.
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2022-06-08T18:22:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ravens DC Mike Macdonald shares first impressions of S Marcus Williams
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-dc-mike-macdonald-shares-173619141.html?src=rss
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There’s a lot of potential in the New Orleans Saints’ “triplets,” a combination of their quarterback (Jameis Winston), their running back (Alvin Kamara), and their top wide receiver (Michael Thomas). But there are a lot of questions surrounding them, too, especially focused on their availability. Between injuries and looming suspensions it could take some time before all three players are on the field together playing their best football.
It’s enough to tank the Saints’ ranking among their peers, with CBS Sports’ Jared Dubin slotting them in at No. 17 — just below average around the league. Here’s what he wrote of the placement:
“Our last team to finish with a below-average ranking is one of the most confusing in the league. Winston was all high-risk, high-reward in Tampa, but was extremely low-risk, high-efficiency (on ridiculously low volume) prior to his injury last year. Will he be able to maintain that style without Sean Payton calling plays? That’s an open question. Will Kamara be suspended? Will Thomas get back on the field? If not, can Chris Olave be a No. 1 receiver right away?”
Those are all valid points. Winston and Thomas are still recovering from injuries, and Kamara’s availability is up in the air. We’re expecting him to be suspended for six games at some point in the season following an arrest in Las Vegas, but the legal process has been drawn out and it’s unclear exactly when it will be resolved, giving the NFL office the clearance it wants to choose whether to hand down a suspension.
You’d hope that Winston, Thomas, and Kamara are all on the field together at peak health for the season-opener in Atlanta. But that’s far from guaranteed, if not unlikely, given each player’s situation. At least New Orleans can lean on improved depth at wide receiver (having added Olave and Jarvis Landry), an upgrade at backup quarterback (going from Trevor Siemian to Andy Dalton), and more options in the backfield (between Mark Ingram II, Tony Jones Jr., Devine Ozigbo, and undrafted rookie Abram Smith).
A lot of things would have to go wrong for a repeat of last year’s disappointing offensive performance. Let’s hope better days are ahead, yeah?
Saints' 90-man offseason roster by jersey number
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2022-06-08T18:23:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Saints ‘triplets’ ranked among NFL’s bottom half by CBS Sports
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https://sports.yahoo.com/saints-triplets-ranked-among-nfl-172911550.html?src=rss
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Cal's Tony Gonzalez, Marshawn Lynch and Ron Rivera on CFB HOF ballot
Three former Cal football players were among the nominees named Monday to the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot. Tony Gonzalez, Marshawn Lynch and Ron Rivera were among the 80 players and nine coaches from the Football Bowl Subdivision and 96 players and 33 coaches from the divisional ranks in a release from the National Football Foundation. Criteria for nomination includes: a player must have received first-team All-America recognition by a selector recognized by the NCAA and be 10 full seasons removed from his final year.
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2022-06-08T18:23:18Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Scary Reaves-Brown collision at OTAs leaves Ron Rivera furious over discipline
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https://sports.yahoo.com/scary-reaves-brown-collision-otas-170000352.html?src=rss
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The Seahawks roster improved a great deal in the 2022 NFL draft (at least on paper), but there are still some big holes they’ll need to fill before they’re ready to compete again. One of the positions they don’t need to worry about is defensive tackle, where they’re about as well set up as any team in the NFL. Seattle has a talented and deep rotation of interior defensive linemen, headed up by 2021 starters Al Woods and Poona Ford.
Both fly under the radar more than they should, but Ford in particular is one of the most underrated players in the game at his position. Some folks know the score, though. Ford was recently ranked No. 23 on PFF’s list of the league’s top defensive tackles.
“Ford emerged onto the scene as an undrafted free agent in 2018, grading out extremely well (90.3 PFF grade) in a limited role. He built up his snap count in each of the past three seasons to 802 defensive snaps in 2021 — 10th-most among all interior defensive linemen. While he might not quite be repeating his grading success from his rookie season each year, Ford has still earned PFF grades above 73.0 in each of the past three campaigns.”
Ford is entering the final year of his current contract and should be one of the next players to get an extension. He will turn 27 in November.
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2022-06-08T18:23:24Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks DT Poona Ford ranked No. 23 at his position by Pro Football Focus
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https://sports.yahoo.com/seahawks-dt-poona-ford-ranked-170027414.html?src=rss
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Williams confident 'transformed' Banks will excel on 49ers o-line originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA -- The 49ers invested a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on the player who experienced what amounted to a redshirt season.
Nobody saw much of Banks as a rookie. He played just five snaps. The only second-round pick who played fewer snaps was Tampa Bay’s Kyle Trask, who spent the season as the No. 3 quarterback behind Tom Brady.
In his first training camp, Banks at times did not look like a good fit for the 49ers’ zone blocking scheme. At 6-foot-5, 338 pounds at the time he was drafted, Banks looked to be bigger and less explosive than other linemen who have thrived in the team’s system.
One year later, Banks appears ready to make his mark.
“He’s transformed himself in a few months,” 49ers All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams said on Tuesday. “To me, that’s indicative of a lot, not just a good diet and a good workout regimen. It’s mental toughness for a guy to go in and change his whole body composition in 90 days.”
Banks figures to be lining up next to Williams this season along the 49ers’ starting offensive line after veteran Laken Tomlinson signed a three-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets.
Banks had a chance to win a starting job as a rookie at right guard, but the 49ers stayed with Daniel Brunskill in that spot. Coach Kyle Shanahan said after the season the 49ers were on the verge of making a midseason change before the club got hot and reeled off a few wins.
At that point, Shanahan decided not to make any major changes.
Williams said he plans to continue to take an active role as a mentor for Banks, whom is being counted upon to step in and perform at a high level in his first season as the starter.
“Banks’ athleticism has always jumped off the boards,” Williams said. “To be the size of the man that he is, but now shedding 20 pounds, he definitely looks light on his feet and his footwork looks 10 times better, his balance, his upper-body lean, everything looks like it’s in place now.
“I think he’s ready to take that big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. And I’m here to help him.”
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2022-06-08T18:23:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Trent Williams confident 'transformed' Aaron Banks will excel on 49ers
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https://sports.yahoo.com/trent-williams-confident-transformed-aaron-170946557.html?src=rss
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Trent Williams battled through a high ankle sprain to play for the 49ers in their NFC championship game loss to the Rams in January. If he had it to do over again though, he would’ve handed the keys to the left tackle spot to his backup, Colton McKivitz.
Williams on Tuesday spoke with reporters and said he shouldn’t have suited up for San Francisco’s biggest game of the year.
”Colton would’ve done a better job on two healthy ankles than I did on one,” Williams said via NBC Sports Bay Area’s Matt Maiocco.
Pro Football Focus gave Williams a 52.5 grade that day — by far his worst mark as a 49er. He also allowed five pressures, the most he’s allowed since Week 17 of the 2018 season.
McKivitz’s only start of 2021 came in Week 18 against the Rams in Los Angeles. He allowed two sacks and four pressures, but held his own as San Francisco clinched a spot in the playoffs with a victory.
It’s admirable that Williams is willing to step up and say in hindsight he should’ve had McKivitz take his spot. At the same time, the veteran’s competitiveness should also be lauded since playing on a high ankle sprain is exceedingly rare and presumably very painful. Williams was noticeably favoring his ankle during the game.
It ultimately might not have mattered who played left tackle for the 49ers in the NFC championship game. There were a lot of plays that didn’t go their way that had little or nothing to do with the offensive line.
Acuña cranks two homers in Braves' 3-2 win vs. A's
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2022-06-08T18:23:43Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Trent Williams regrets playing hurt in NFC championship game
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https://sports.yahoo.com/trent-williams-regrets-playing-hurt-140030372.html?src=rss
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On Tuesday, 2023 defensive lineman Rueben announced that he would be making an official visit to Auburn from June 10-12. Bain previously took an unofficial visit to the Plains back in March of this year. The upcoming visit will be the second time that the Florida native has made a trip to Auburn.
Bain is regarded as a four-star according to 247Sports’ recruiting rankings. He is listed at 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds. As a junior, Bain filled up the stat sheet for Miami Central High School. He recorded 60 tackles, 29.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. His ability to be a wrecking force on the interior sets him apart from the majority of the defensive lineman in the 2023 recruiting cycle.
Auburn is just one of the many schools that have shown extended interest in Bain. He has already taken seven unofficial visits to Miami since being offered in 2020. Also, he has taken two unofficial visits to Alabama with another visit coming up on June 24th. Other programs like Tennessee, Oklahoma, and Florida have also received visits from him.
It is clear to say that football is in the Bains’ family DNA. Rueben’s father, Reggie Bain, played as a four-year starter on the offensive line at Florida Atlantic University. His uncle, Tolbert Bain, played as a four-year starter at the University of Miami. With the Hurricanes clearly being in the mix, one would assume that they are the clear-cut leader in his recruitment. Contrary to popular belief, other teams like the Tigers still have a chance to land Bain.
Auburn it’s that time again!!!! Ready to get back on the plains😁😁😁😁. Ain’t nun like it , WAR EAGLE! #WDE @AuburnMade @CoachRoc @CoachHarsin @AuburnFootball pic.twitter.com/tcvDi3TIUQ
Former UNC football star Julius Peppers earned a spot on the 2023 College Football Hal of Fame ballot, announced this week.
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2022-06-08T18:54:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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2024 DL Rueben Bain is set to visit the Plains this weekend
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2024-dl-rueben-bain-set-160027518.html?src=rss
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Skill positions have not yet been a priority for Arkansas’ 2023 recruiting class.
But Isaiah Augustave may be changing that.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound running back from Naples, Florida, committed to the Razorbacks earlier in the week, choosing Arkansas over Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky and others.
Augustave ran for 950 yards and 16 touchdowns last year, his junior season. He is a three-star recruit who was on-campus in Fayetteville when he made his commitment public.
Arkansas has the seventh-ranked class in the country with its 12 commits. It’s the highest among all SEC schools. Augustine is just the second skill position player in the class. Quarterback Malachi Singleton from Kennesaw, Georgia, committed in late April.
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2022-06-08T18:54:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Arkansas earns commitment from Florida running back
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https://sports.yahoo.com/arkansas-earns-commitment-florida-running-172819314.html?src=rss
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American football player, defensive end, Pro Football Hall of Fame, College Football Hall of Fame
American football player, College Football Hall of Fame
This year’s College Football Hall of Fame ballot was recently released with three former Gators on the list, including the legendary Tim Tebow making his first appearance in the vote. Also mentioned this time around are defensive tackle Brad Culpepper and running back Errict Rhett, both of whom made a significant impact on the college game during their amateur playing days.
Currently, there are nine former Gators inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, with Steve Spurrier double-dipping as both a player and a coach. Among those already included in the hallowed halls are several names that are easily recognized, while others may be a bit obscure for some fans. Nonetheless, the Orange and Blue has representation among the greatest in college football history dating back nearly a full century.
Take a look below at members of the Florida Gators who have earned the highest honor in college football.
Van Sickle was a hometown boy who started off at Gainesville High and would ultimately earn a spot among the “100 Greatest Players of the First 100 Years” of Florida high school football according to the Florida High School Athletic Association in 2007.
He played end for the Gators during the late 20s and helped them earn 23 wins in 29 games over his three years on campus. He was also captain and varsity letterman for both the basketball and baseball teams, and would be later inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great” in 1975.
1986: QB Steve Spurrier (1964-66)
Steve Spurrier has achieved the highest level of legendary status wearing the Orange and Blue, winning a Heisman Trophy during his playing days while coaching the Gators to their first-ever national championship. He has actually earned two entries into the Hall of Fame, with the first coming in honor of his chops on the field.
During his three years on the Gainesville gridiron, Spurrier completed 56.6% of his pass attempts for 4,848 yards and 36 touchdowns against 31 interceptions. His induction was the first from the modern era of Florida football and he is also included in the Gators’ Ring of Honor.
Joe Rudis / The Tennessean-Imagn Content Services, LLC
[autotag]Jack Youngblood[/autotag] is a name that transcends his Florida roots thanks to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams as well as a prolific broadcasting career. But before he found glory in the professional ranks, he came to Gainesville a skinny from Jacksonville, Florida, and left a beefy man thanks to hard work in the weight room. Interestingly, he was also part of the testing cohort for the development of Gatorade.
Considered one of the top-five football players ever for the Gators, Youngblood set the bar high for future standout defensive ends such as [autotag]Trace Armstrong[/autotag], who told Gators Wire that the All-American was among his top UF alumni of all time.
Allen Dean Steele/Allsport
[autotag]Emmitt Smith[/autotag] is the second Pro Football Hall of Famer on this list thanks to his brilliant run with the Dallas Cowboys back in the 1990s. But he earned his honor in the collegiate ranks due to his bruising style of running on that brutal artificial turf the team had back in those days for 3,928 yards on 700 carries for 36 rushing touchdowns; he also caught 56 passes for 463 yards and a score.
The running back from Pensacola, Florida, finished ninth and seventh in the Heisman vote in 1987 and 89, respectively. Smith was taken with the 17th pick in the 1990 NFL draft by the Cowboys after his third year in school and is included in Florida’s Ring of Honor.
[autotag]Wilbur Marshall[/autotag] was an absolute beast in the linebacker corps for the Gators back in the early 1980s. He came to Gainesville and played tight end as a freshman before moving to outside linebacker, where he absolutely flourished for head coach Charlie Pell’s squads. Among many accolades from his college days, is was inducted into Florida’s Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great” as well as the Ring of Honor.
The Chicago Bears drafted him with the 11th overall pick in 1984 and won his Super Bowl in 1985 with his first professional franchise. Marshall would earn another ring with the Washington team in 1991 thanks in large part to his monstrous efforts during the playoffs.
Foster Marshall, Jr./Florida Times-Union
[autotag]Carlos Alvarez[/autotag] is a name that is mostly unfamiliar to the newer generation of Gator fans but the wide receiver played a huge role on the teams transitioning from the 1960s to the 70s. Born in Cuba, he was brought to Florida in 1960 as a 10-year-old and would ultimately earn an athletic scholarship to the state’s flagship university.
A consensus All-American wide receiver for the Gators during his matriculation, Alvarez held the career receptions record before [autotag]Andre Caldwell[/autotag] broke it in 2007. Still, he ranks second in UF history in receiving yards in a single season — which remains the third-highest in SEC history — as well as for a single game total. He was picked by the Cowboys in the 15th round of the 1972 NFL draft despite lingering knee injuries but never signed a professional contract.
AP Photo/Steve Coleman
[autotag]Danny Wuerffel[/autotag] was the centerpiece of the 1996 national championship team. His efforts that season helped earn Florida its first big trophy while he hauled in some serious hardware himself being awarded the second Heisman Trophy in school history, among many other accolades.
Another Gator great that hails from Pensacola, Wuerffel finished his collegiate career completing 708 of 1,170 passes for 10,875 yards and 114 touchdowns — the best in SEC history and second-most in top-tier college football history. He is also included among the “Gator Greats” as well as the Ring of Honor at Florida.
Another name that is lesser-known to younger Gators is [autotag]Wes Chandler[/autotag], who like Alvarez was a prolific pass-catcher during his days in the Orange and Blue. Hailing from New Smyrna Beach, Florida, he played under Doug Dickey during the mid-1970s, earning first-team All-SEC and first-team All-American honors in 1976 and 1977.
Another inductee into the Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great”, Chandler is considered by many to be one of the best all-around football players to grace the Swamp. The New Orleans Saints were impressed enough to take him with the third overall pick in the 1978 NFL draft, where he played for three seasons and change before being traded to the San Diego Chargers, where he had the best years of his pro career.
2017: Steve Spurrier (Coach)
Jamie Squire/ALLSPORT
Spurrier’s second appearance on this list comes courtesy of his superlative coaching career, in which he elevated Florida from a regional player to a perennially national powerhouse on the gridiron. While the Head Ball Coach benefitted from the table set before him during [autotag]Galen Hall[/autotag]’s tenure, the Gator great took the ball and ran with it all the way to a national title.
After Florida, Spurrier failed to reach the college football promised land again but was still able to turn a fledgling South Carolina Gamecocks program into a force to be reckoned with. His 11 years in Columbia nearly match his 12 in Gainesville, and together, both tenures were worthy of this honor. His three seasons with Duke before returning to Florida were nothing to sneeze at either.
Last (until Tebow gets inducted) but not least is offensive lineman [autotag]Lomas Brown[/autotag], who anchored the “The Great Wall of Florida” during his tenure with the team. His efforts enabled quarterback Kerwin Bell as well as future NFL running backs Neal Anderson and Lohn L. Williams to trample the opposition en route to a 9-1-1 record in 1984, leading to Florida’s first SEC title with a 5-0-1 record.
Of course, that title would be later vacated under NCAA sanctions.
Another “Gator Great” inducted into the Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, Brown was taken with the sixth-overall pick in the 1985 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, where he spent 11 dominant seasons on the Lions’ line blocking for Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders.
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2022-06-08T18:55:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Every Florida Gator to make the College Football Hall of Fame
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https://sports.yahoo.com/every-florida-gator-college-football-171641859.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/every-florida-gator-college-football-171641859.html?src=rss
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The National Football Foundation (NFF) & College Hall of Fame announced the names for the 2023 ballot for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame and one UNC football great was among the selections.
Former UNC football star Julius Peppers was the lone selection from the North Carolina program.
Peppers spent time at UNC from 1999-2001 and immediately became one of the top defensive players in the country and in the history of the sport. He finished his career with 167 tackles, 30.5 sacks, 53 tackles for loss, five interceptions and five forced fumbles.
He was a unanimous First-Team All-American as a senior and won the Chuck Bednarik Award, for the nation’s top defensive player, and the Rotary Lombardi Award, which at the time was given to the nation’s top interior lineman.
Throughout his career at North Carolina, he was also a two-time First-Team All-ACC selection and led the nation with 15 sacks during his sophomore season.
After his UNC career, Peppers went on to be drafted by the Carolina Panthers as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft.
Per the announcement, the official unveiling of the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame Class will be made in early 2023.
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2022-06-08T18:55:11Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Julius Peppers named to the 2023 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
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https://sports.yahoo.com/julius-peppers-named-2023-college-160241914.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/julius-peppers-named-2023-college-160241914.html?src=rss
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On3 lists KJ Jefferson as a top-10 QB ahead of 2022 season
KJ Jefferson
Arkansas’ KJ Jefferson proved to many last season that he can handle the pressure of being a starting quarterback, and lead his team to become of the best in the Southeastern Conference.
The rising junior took over the Razorbacks’ offense in 2021 and threw for over 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns. He was also the team’s second-leading rusher, and led Arkansas to their first bowl win since 2015.
After achieving so much last season, it is easy to see why more eyes will be on Jefferson as the 2022 College Football season draws nearer.
On3 recently released their top-10 quarterbacks, as part of their “Impact 300”, with Jefferson making the list at no. 8.
Jefferson’s incredible dual-threat ability is what earned him a spot on the list, says On3’s Nikki Chavanelle.
Back for his fourth season with the Hogs, second as the starter, KJ Jefferson is one of the best deep-ball passers and runners in the country. In 2021, he threw for 2,676 yards with an additional 664 rushing yards. He posted 21 touchdowns with four interceptions and added six more scores on the ground. His NIL value is $823,000.
According to On3, Impact 300 ranks the best players in college football entering the 2022 season, with a full release coming in the next few weeks. Prior to the release of the inaugural list – which also factors into the calculation of On3’s NIL Valuation.
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2022-06-08T18:55:30Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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On3 lists KJ Jefferson as a top-10 QB ahead of 2022 season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/on3-lists-kj-jefferson-top-123049272.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/on3-lists-kj-jefferson-top-123049272.html?src=rss
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Q&A: How Cooper Lovelace went from a Kansas junior college to becoming USC's only new lineman
He didn’t play football until his final year of high school. He spent the last three years at a Kansas junior college — a distant outpost by USC's recruiting standards — and estimates he has played only 20 football games in his life. And now, he’s suddenly the only offensive lineman in Lincoln Riley's first recruiting class at USC.
Cooper Lovelace: I love every bit of it. I’m more of a city guy anyway. Being from Kansas City, there’s 2 million people there. But living in a small world — BFE as they call it — in El Dorado, Kansas, it’s awesome out here. I can’t even explain. I was looking at the weather the other day. Here it’s 72 and sunny. Back in El Dorado, it’s like 92 with a wind advisory of 25+. That’s the norm. That’s not enjoyable. Then, the next day it’ll probably snow. That’s how Kansas rolls. Here, it’s just the same every day. I just came to the realization that I live where people vacation.
CL: So, I wrestled before that. I loved wrestling growing up. Being in the Midwest, all the wrestling national championships are in, like, Oklahoma City, Iowa City or St. Louis. My dad is an Oklahoma State alum. Just always went to those, was always so into it. I liked football, but I don’t know, I played when I was a kid. Like fourth grade, fifth grade. But that doesn’t count. You’re just kids running around. But we got a new coach going into my senior year. I wanted to play football, and this new coach was a breath of fresh air. It was like, ‘You know what, let’s do it.’
CL: After you’ve spent $100K! Like, come on. Not doing that. So I just knew where I was going, and Butler [Community College], my offensive line coach, he sent out like 24 Division 1 offensive linemen the last four years. He churns us out. So I knew the development was there. That was a perfect place to go. I loved every bit of it.
CL: I was there for three years. The fall of ’19, I came in and redshirted. Because I’d only played one year of high school football. I just immediately thought, I’d rather burn my redshirt here. You don’t normally bring in junior college guys to sit, right? It’s normally like, ‘We need to fill a safety. We need to fill an outside receiver.’ You’re here to play right now. I was like, ‘I’d rather play three years D-1 than three years at a junior college.’ Redshirted that fall, then the spring of ’20 happens, COVID happens. And they canceled the season in the fall of ’20. That was a year of development which was absolutely cash money.
The fall of ’21 was the first season I actually hit my clock. It was really nice — you’re in an O-line room for three years, learning the game of football. Like I said, my O-line coach has churned out 24 D-1 guys, so he does know what he’s talking about. I’m able to walk in my recruiting visits and I’m able to handle conversations and I don’t need to learn what football is. So that’s been all good.
CL: Yeaaah. I’ve only played in — I don’t know, but I’m thinking it’s right around 20 [games]. In high school, we played like 12. Then we had eight this past year. So that’s ridiculous. Isn’t that ridiculous? That’s ridiculous.
LAT: When that ’21 season starts, what sort of expectations do you have about potentially moving to the next step? Is USC even in the realm of possibility at that point?
CL: There are some programs that just don’t even touch junior college players. With 70 junior colleges in the state of California, those teams don’t traditionally come out to Kansas for junior college players. They just don’t. Notre Dame, Wisconsin, USC, they’re teams you never include because they aren’t schools who go to find guys where I’m at. Sure, Clemson and Alabama will. But sometimes you’re just going as a depth piece, which you never want to do. But when there are coaching changes like here, USC was never on my radar at any moment in time. Every once in a while they’ll grab a Cali JUCO guy who’s just down the road. But come all the way to El Dorado, Kansas, to grab some kid? That just doesn’t happen, you know what I mean?
CL: Here’s a nice little timeline for you. My initial contact with them was April 29. They offered on the 30th. I posted it on the 1st. Yeaaah — talk about fast. At that point, I had a good handful of some offers and some really respectable teams, so it’s not like they came completely out of nowhere.
I’m giving you the CliffsNotes version obviously, but we’re going for a good while, and we ended up having dinner that Saturday night at Coach Riley’s house. We were the first recruiting trip to go there because he finally got all moved in and all that. Incredible view. Food was great. The one thing I noticed from all of my other visits, every team preaches family and unity together. At his house, all the coaches are there, all the coaches’ wives are there, all the coaches' kids are there playing in the yard together.
LAT: There's a perception that offensive linemen don’t really get developed in the West. Did that ever come up with these other schools recruiting you?
CL: That’s even the notion that I had — that SEC O-lines and Big Ten O-lines, those are the conferences for O-line, D-line, that’s it. There’s a little bit of truth to that. At the same time, the NFL will draft guys from D-III that will go in and start. I was messaging [former USC lineman] Alijah Vera-Tucker on Instagram about his USC experience, and he told me, ‘Man, at the end of the day, if you’re a dog, you’re a dog.’ And I was like, ‘Maaan, you’re right. It doesn’t matter where I go.’
In a couple of months, they’re losing so many guys, too. That’s the other thing. If I take the starting job, I take the starting job, right? If I don’t, like I said, I have to adjust to this level of college football. If it takes me a semester to adjust, it does. Normally they bring in junior college guys to play right now. That’s not the need right now. In six months, it will be.
It’s such a fast movement with transfers nowadays. It takes a year for guys to offer a high school kid, but it’s like 48 hours, if that. I had a good feeling about what they were looking for and what I had and it paired almost hand-in-hand. They could’ve gotten a bunch of one-year guys. There weren't too many two-year guys that they liked. The ones they did ended up going to other places. So I’m the only offensive line recruit this year. Which is very funny. Coach Riley was even laughing at it in one of the meetings I had with him. He was like, ‘One? That’s never happened. I’ve never had one. I’ve never had probably less than four.’
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2022-06-08T18:55:42Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Q&A: How Cooper Lovelace went from a Kansas junior college to becoming USC's only new lineman
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https://sports.yahoo.com/q-cooper-lovelace-went-kansas-155332709.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/q-cooper-lovelace-went-kansas-155332709.html?src=rss
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When Lincoln Riley left the Oklahoma Sooners for the USC Trojans on that Sunday after the Bedlam loss, nearly every player committed to Oklahoma for 2023 withdrew their commitments as well. The one holdover, 2023 three-star center from Durango, Colorado, Joshua Bates.
At the time, Bates shared that he was 100% committed to the Sooners.
“Just the bottom line is Oklahoma is going to be Oklahoma… There’s only one Oklahoma, and it’s not going to change. And the biggest thing is, I knew whoever they were going to hire, you know, Oklahoma is still going to be great. And so that’s something I always kept in my mind. And my parents helped me, you know, massive amounts, and we really just emphasized that for sure,” Bates shared with Locked On Sooners. “If they hire Brent Venables or John Madden came back to life, right? You know, it would still be great. You know, and that’s something I thought of, and that’s really what got me through. The whole offensive staff really staying helped a lot, just the relationships I built before. And I still was able to have after that that helped a whole bunch.”
That’s the refrain we’ve heard echoed from Brent Venables and Bob Stoops since December. But the guy who won’t step foot on campus until January of 2023 has been bought in.
The rising star at center shared that several voices encouraged him to be patient and stay the course. Durango’s current defensive coordinator who coached at UTEP and played at Oklahoma State and his dad who was a second-team All-American at Colorado shared their experiences playing against the Sooners as a reason to stick with Oklahoma.
“You know Josh, Oklahoma’s the right place for you,” Bates relayed the conversation between he and his father. “‘because I played those teams, you know, with (Strength and Conditioning Coach Jerry Schmidt) back in the day,’ and he said, ‘I’d never played another team that was as strong and as tough as them. That’s the way you play. That’s the best spot for you.”
And to hear Joshua Bates tell it, a pairing with Schmitty will be a match made in heaven. Josh Helmer of 94.7 The Ref in Norman asked on Locked On Sooners what type of player Oklahoma was getting in Joshua Bates.
“I’m just gonna say it cause it’s true, you’re gonna get a mean nasty shit talker up front for sure. You’re gonna get a player that’s tenacious, and violent, and angry. I play angry and pissed a lot of people off on the football field, but it’s just something I do. And film speaks for itself. And I can’t wait to do it in front of 90,000 people every Saturday,” Bates described himself. “And I can’t wait. And y’all are getting one good player and try to make the best of my opportunity.”
You can watch the full episode below where Joshua Bates also talks about his relationship with five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold and why he feels it’s his job to help the coaches in recruiting.
Authorities say California resident Nicholas Roske had threatened to kill “a specific Supreme Court justice.”
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2022-06-08T18:55:49Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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‘Tenacious, and violent, and angry’: 2023 commit Joshua Bates on what he’s bringing to the Sooners
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tenacious-violent-angry-2023-commit-174458560.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tenacious-violent-angry-2023-commit-174458560.html?src=rss
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The Cowboys have come to terms with their tight end.
Jake Ferguson, the fourth-round draft pick out of Wisconsin, has agreed to a four-year deal with the club. That news comes courtesy of ESPN’s Todd Archer and was confirmed shortly thereafter by the team.
Ferguson was the last of the Cowboys’ draft picks to finalize his rookie contract; all nine will be officially inked before the start of mandatory minicamp next week.
The tight end position in Dallas has gotten extra attention this week with the announcement from incumbent starter Dalton Schultz that he would not be participating in the week’s four scheduled voluntary OTA sessions. The veteran had the franchise tag placed on him in March, but is reportedly frustrated that the front office has not made any significant moves to get him signed to a longer-term deal before the July 15 deadline.
If a new contract is not negotiated before then, Schultz will earn $10.9 million for 2022 and be a free agent at the conclusion of the season.
Quarterback Dak Prescott told reporters Tuesday night that he speaks with Schultz often and was not surprised by his absence. The Cowboys signal-caller says he understands why the Stanford product is opting out of the voluntary workouts- although he himself didn’t hold out after getting tagged in 2020- and maintains he feels “very confident” with Schultz and his current situation.
Schultz cannot be punished or fined for skipping this week’s practices, but would accrue escalating fines for each day of minicamp that he misses.
That won’t be an issue, however, for the 23-year-old rookie who grew up in Madison and then stayed for college, logging big numbers for the Badgers as the grandson of Wisconsin football legend Barry Alvarez.
Big things are expected of Ferguson in Dallas. At the very least, he is being looked to as the second half of a 1-2 punch at the position, partnered with Schultz in the offense’s frequent double-tight-end sets.
This week, though, he’ll be getting first-team reps with Prescott as Schultz sits out, working with fellow Cowboys tight ends Sean McKeon, Jeremy Sprinkle, Ian Bunting, and Peyton Hendershot.
Some observers are already crowning Ferguson the heir apparent in the group, the puzzle piece that will ultimately render the far more expensive Schultz expendable.
And for now, he’s the one who’s locked in for the long haul.
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2022-06-08T20:07:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cowboys rookie TE Jake Ferguson agrees to terms as Dalton Schultz waits
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-rookie-te-jake-ferguson-192114292.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cowboys-rookie-te-jake-ferguson-192114292.html?src=rss
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Detroit head coach Dan Campbell had plenty to say about the direction of Lions offense in 2022 under Ben Johnson. What stood out the most was the praise Johnson received from Campbell publically.
“Yeah, I have that expectation as well,” Campbell stated after being asked about Johnson’s expectations for the coming season. “It’s always that my expectation, but this year, I feel like it’s attainable.”
Coach Campbell went on to say, “The talent we have, the coaches, the O-line we have, I feel like there’s no reason not to. So, it’s going to take a lot of work and we know that and we’re still not even close to where we need to be, but the work us being put in and we are on our way.”
Before being named the offensive coordinator this offseason, Ben Johnson was the Lions’ TE coach and helped develop T.J. Hockenson into becoming the first Detroit tight end to make it to the Pro Bowl since 1999, in 2020. Johnson came into the NFL in 2012 as an offensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins and has notably moved up the ranks, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach and tight end coach when Campbell was the interim head coach.
Eventually, Johnson was promoted to wide receivers coach for Miami in 2018, where he helped unlock Albert Wilson’s full potential, as Wilson finished second in yards after catch (12.9) in the entire NFL that season. We saw his developmental gifts last season again, as he helped unlock Amon-Ra St. Brown and undrafted rookie Brock Wright.
Year 2 under coach Campbell is already off to a fast start, as the head coach noted what looks different from last season.
“The mix in tempos. I think the stuff we are doing, sometimes we are breaking the huddle fast and snapping it,” Campbell said. “Sometimes we’re in no-huddle. We have the ability to be in no-huddle quite a bit if we need to be, and then we have the ability to slow things down as well.”
Now with another year in everyone’s belt, including the head coach, there is a sense of rising confidence in the building. Campbell mentioned in this presser a need to stay consistent, and to “have a full grasp of what we are doing offensively.”
Campbell and Johnson have their work cut out for them, installing some new things into the offense. But one thing is for certain — it has been a collaborative effort. “I think the part that was most exciting for me, was the influence he (Ben Johnson) was allowing me to have, asking me, and really curious about what I thought, and what I liked.” Campbell stated. “It’s exciting for me, being in year seven now and feeling like I’ve earned kind of having that voice a little bit that he’s given to me, which has been fun.”
Regardless of what the rest of the league thinks, inside the facility, the entire organization is confident for year two under Campbell. The wide receiver core has improved, the quarterback is more comfortable in the system, the running game and the offensive line are stronger than ever, and of course there is a world-class offensive weapon in Hockenson. It will be interesting to see just how far Johnson can take this team next season. If one thing is for certain, you need to be able to score in many different ways in this league if you want a chance to win. And this year, on paper, is already trending for a massive improvement from last year.
Nicole Cardaño-Hillary played for the Hoosiers for two seasons before graduating in May. She's signed to play professionally overseas.
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2022-06-08T20:07:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Dan Campbell, Ben Johnson have the Lions offense poised for a huge season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/dan-campbell-ben-johnson-lions-192054139.html?src=rss
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After spending five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, former Alabama receiver Gehrig Dieter has retired from the NFL. Dieter was a member of the 2019 Chiefs team that won a Super Bowl.
Dieter spent only one year with Alabama after landing in Tuscaloosa via the transfer portal from Bowling Green. In his lone season with Crimson Tide, Dieter posted 15 catches for 214 yards and four touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Dieter did not hear his name called in the 2017 NFL Draft, but the Chiefs picked him up immediately as an undrafted free agent. He spent the entirety of his career with the Chiefs organization and spent most of his time on the practice squad but did spend some time on the active roster. He made two career catches for 32 yards playing alongside Tyreek Hill and Patrick Mahomes.
On May 5, 2022, Dieter was released by the Chiefs before ultimately retiring on June 8. It will be interesting to see what Dieter does next.
SEC-only playoff is the nuclear option, which is why it's no option at all
Romeo Crennel announced his retirement Monday, ending a 39-year NFL coaching career highlighted by five Super Bowl titles. Crennel spent the past eight seasons with the Houston Texans. In 2020 he was the associate head coach before becoming the interim head coach following coach Bill O'Brien's firing after just four games.
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2022-06-08T20:08:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Alabama WR Gehrig Dieter retires from the NFL
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-alabama-wr-gehrig-dieter-181917991.html?src=rss
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The Raiders came into this offseason looking at needing to lock up a few key players. But with free agency to think about, they couldn’t get them all done right away. They gave Derek Carr and extension and locked up Maxx Crosby on a long term contract as well.
Any other would have to wait. That wait should be over now. As of a week ago the team added nearly $20 million to their cap figure due to dead money being pushed to next year after the cuts of Cory Littleton and Carl Nassib.
The sudden influx of cash gives them the ability to get back to work and two players are standing out like sore thumbs in terms of needing a new contract – WR Hunter Renfrow and TE Darren Waller.
No two weapons in a Josh McDaniels offense have been more prominent over the years than that of slot receiver and tight end. And the Raiders have two of the best in the league.
Hunter Renfrow – aka the ‘Slot Machine’ – is entering the final year of his rookie contract, fresh off a 103-catch, 1038-yard season that sent him to the Pro Bowl.
That season put Renfrow in the franchise record books for the second most catches in a single season by a Raiders wide receiver in franchise history. That’s a good season, especially for someone who is due for a contract extension.
Renfrow is preparing for what will be a contract year if he’s not locked up long term. Giving no indication that he’s thinking of anything but football.
“It’s easy to get distracted by a lot of things, but if you just keep things simple then I think success finds you along the way,” said Renfrow.
“It comes back to, do you do it for other people’s praises, do you do it for the accolades, or do you do it because you like to do it? And you do it to help the people around you? And if you can say yes to those three things, it’s pretty easy to not become complacent.”
Though Renfrow came in just behind Tim Brown (104) for catches among Raiders’ receivers, those numbers are actually fourth in franchise history because two years ago Darren Waller set a new franchise record for catches in a season when he racked up 107 in a season.
Waller has also been at the facility since day one, showing his commitment to the organization despite being worthy of a pay raise based on his performance since signing his previous extension, midway through the 2019 season. A deal that has two years left on it.
“I just focus on enjoying it while I’m here, whether I’m here 10 years or who knows how long. Just being present here,” Waller said on the first day of minicamp Tuesday. “My agent’s job is to do that stuff and I just focus on the football part because if you don’t focus on football and your mind’s elsewhere… you got to be locked in as a professional so I try to be professional.”
It’s a credit to Waller that he hasn’t taken the route of many big time players due for a raise and/or an extension. Often times they stay away from OTA’s and possibly minicamp as well. And Waller hasn’t missed a day of either voluntary or mandatory practices this offseason.
Outside of injuries, it’s easy to see why Waller and Renfrow are not concerned about going through this season without new contracts. Because the likelihood of raising their value after this season.
It’s not hard to envision. Just consider what kind of numbers tight end Rob Gronkowski and slot receivers Wes Welker and Julian Edelman put up in McDaniels’s offense in New England. Waller has considered it.
That should signal to you that there are big plans for Renfrow and Waller this season. And you can bet Renfrow has as well. Both have proven they are capable of putting up those numbers. Basically, they won’t be cheap, but they won’t be getting cheaper.
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2022-06-08T20:08:27Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Time is now for Raiders to lock up Hunter Renfrow, Darren Waller long term
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https://sports.yahoo.com/time-now-raiders-lock-hunter-193703021.html?src=rss
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Chris Manhertz
One of the most exciting parts of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ regular season is the anticipation of seeing how new coach Doug Pederson will improve the offense. He’s long been respected as a bright offensive mind in the NFL and he now has a player in Trevor Lawrence who many regarded as the best prospect to be drafted since Andrew Luck.
Pederson displayed how brilliant of an offensive mind he was with the Kansas City Chiefs as a coordinator, which led to him getting a job as a head coach in Philadelphia with the Eagles. While there, he was able to lead the team to a Super Bowl win during the 2017 season, and Jags fans are hoping he does the same for them.
When looking back at his tenure as a head coach, one key element of Pederson’s offenses was the utilization of the tight end position. That’s an area where the Jags have struggled in recent years, and the hope is that Pederson can improve the production there.
This spring, the team addressed the position by adding a former first-round pick in Evan Engram through free agency on a one-year deal. While he wasn’t able to put it all together with the New York Giants, he had developed a reputation as an athletic player at the position, which is something Lawrence has already picked up on after several practices.
Earlier this week, Lawrence talked about Engram with the media, as well as the rest of the tight end group, which consists of several players who bring different things to the offense.
“Evan [Engram]’s great,” Lawrence said when asked about the Jags free-agent addition. “He adds a lot of speed at tight end. Looking at our tight end room, you have some really good players. Some new guys obviously, but then you have Dan [Arnold] who can kind of do it all, Evan who’s really fast who’s going to add an explosive element to the offense, Chris Manhertz, just a really big guy that can help in the passing game, a great blocker, and then Luke [Farrell] who’s kind of a hybrid that can just plug and play wherever you need him, really good in the pass game, really technical with his hands in the blocking game, run game. We have a really good room, well-rounded and I think that’s going to help us a lot this year.”
While the pads have yet to go on, this is encouraging to hear about Engram, who could be the Jags’ top tight end in an offense that targets the position often. If he continues to make progress in the new system throughout the summer and in training camp especially, it’s possible he could be in line for another Pro Bowl season like he had as a rookie.
As for Arnold, he’s entering his second season with Lawrence as the Jags traded for him last September and acquired him from the Carolina Panthers. With almost a full season with Lawrence, both should have a great deal of chemistry this season, and fans should expect Pederson to take advantage of that.
Manhertz, who is the Jags’ oldest tight end, will also be entering his second season with Lawrence. And while he didn’t prove to be the receiver that Arnold was, he is the player the staff could be looking at as a TE3 where he will have to hold off 2021 rookie Luke Farrell, who is a good developmental tight end.
The Jags also have a group of athletic undrafted tight ends who could impress as organized team activities go on and training camp arrives. Those players are Gerrit Prince (a speedy receiving option), Naz Bohannon (a former collegiate basketball player), and Grayson Gunter. The preseason would be the time for them to gain ground on Manhertz or Farrell, but only time will tell if they can close the gap on the two veterans who got a great deal of experience in 2021.
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2022-06-08T20:08:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Trevor Lawrence discusses what TE group brings to Jags’ offense
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https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-lawrence-discusses-te-group-184246245.html?src=rss
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Alabama football head coach Nick Saban warned the nation that opening up a transfer portal may lead to some unintended consequences. When his warnings were not headed, Saban took full advantage of the portal.
With the 2022 season rapidly approaching, the Crimson Tide prepares with a loaded roster featuring plenty of talent that was recruited directly out of high school, but a small chunk that was recruited via the transfer portal.
One of those players was one of the best running backs in the nation last season: Jahmyr Gibbs of Georgia Tech.
There is a history of strong running back play within the Alabama program. Last season, Brian Robinson jr. was handed the torch and, though not flashy, performed well. Gibbs now takes over the role as lead back and hopes to follow in the footsteps of those who have come before him.
This is a win-win scenario for both parties involved. Gibbs will likely only spend one season in Tuscaloosa but will get to appear on the nation’s biggest stage every week while wearing crimson. Alabama will be able to utilize Gibbs as a versatile running back for one season, allowing the younger guys in the RB room to gain some valuable and needed experience.
CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee broke down some of the SEC’s biggest incoming transfers for the 2022 college football season.
“The Crimson Tide have essentially turned the rest of college football into their own farm system, and coach Nick Saban called up Georgia Tech’s leading rusher to fill the void left by the departure of Brian Robinson Jr. Gibbs rushed for 746 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Yellow Jackets, averaging 5.22 yards per carry,” writes Sallee. “He popped off a 75-yard touchdown run in Alabama’s spring game despite running behind an offensive line that struggled for the majority of the scrimmage.”
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Crimson Tide throughout the 2022 offseason.
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2022-06-08T21:21:49Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs projected to be one of the SEC’s most impactful transfers
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https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-rb-jahmyr-gibbs-projected-203932173.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-rb-jahmyr-gibbs-projected-203932173.html?src=rss
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Tyler Goodson
The Iowa Hawkeyes come in at No. 3 in the most recent Big Ten West football predictions from Athlon Sports. Although reigning champs of the Big Ten West, there seems to be some belief that the Hawkeyes are going to take a step backwards even though that is something they have rarely done with Kirk Ferentz at the helm.
The usual suspects are the cause of this dip in the prediction. The defense is expected to be reloaded, not rebuilt, with hard-nosed talent that will stonewall opposing offenses. Athlon Sports once again begs the question if the Iowa offense can find some more success than they saw in the 2021 season where they struggled in multiple areas.
A repeat of last year’s Big Ten West Division title will hinge on one thing for Iowa: Offensive improvement. In conference games last season, the Hawkeyes averaged only 4.5 yards per play and 23 points a game. Also, this unit struggled to generate big plays and ranked near the bottom of the league in third-down and red-zone offense. Adding to the challenges of generating improvement is the departure of running back Tyler Goodson and standout center Tyler Linderbaum, along with an ongoing quarterback battle between Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla. – Steven Lassan, Athlon Sports.
How much better the Iowa offense can be is the question everyone has been asking throughout this offseason. As Lassan noted, sorting out the Hawkeyes’ quarterback competition is priority No. 1 for Iowa.
There’s a hope that Petras can and will be a much-improved version of himself in 2022 if he wins the job. Petras’ quarterback trainer, Tony Racioppi, praised the 6-foot-5, 233 pound redshirt senior’s improvement with 247Sports recently.
“He’s the best he’s looked. He’s worked hard on his body, worked hard on his body fat, and he’s moving as quickly as he’s ever moved. Again, not that he’s ever going to be a dual-threat quarterback, but he’s going to have to get away from trouble, move quickly, get his feet set, and make a throw. He’s worked on that. I think he’s lost a good seven or eight pounds,” Racioppi told 247Sports.
“Mechanically, he’s worked on all of the stuff we did last year. He’s made some strides. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how much we talk about this stuff, he has to play better on Saturdays. He knows that. At the end of the day, he’s going to be judged on how many games they won, his completion percentage, and his touchdown passes. That is the reality of playing quarterback.”
While Lassan pointed out the losses of both Goodson and Linderbaum, it doesn’t seem like his hang up with Iowa is necessarily due to lack of skill talent. However, he does want to see progression up front along the offensive line for the Hawkeyes.
Gavin Williams and Leshon Williams should be a capable one-two punch on the ground, and there are capable options in the receiving corps, including tight end Sam LaPorta and receivers Nico Ragaini and Keagan Johnson. Even with Linderbaum leading the way last season, Iowa’s line was not a strength in ’21 and needs to play a lot better this fall. – Lassan, Athlon Sports.
As has typified most of the offseason analysis of Iowa, Lassan is confident with what the Hawkeyes bring back defensively. Linebacker Jack Campbell led the nation with 143 total tackles last season and he anchors a defense that will have to plug in several new starters, particularly in the secondary where the Hawkeyes are replacing Dane Belton, Matt Hankins and Jack Koerner.
Despite a few departures, the Hawkeyes should have one of the top defenses in college football. Jack Campbell and Seth Benson lead a strong linebacker unit, while Riley Moss is one of the top cornerbacks returning in college football. Logan Lee, Noah Shannon and Lukas Van Ness are back to anchor one of the Big Ten’s top defensive lines. – Lassan, Athlon Sports.
There’s a couple other items that has Lassan looking a different direction at the top of the Big Ten West, too. The first is the reality that it’s asking a lot for the Hawkeyes to match their turnovers forced output from a season ago. Iowa led the nation with 25 interceptions and, again, that’s a spot where the Hawkeyes will be breaking in some fresh faces.
Beyond that, it’s the additions of Michigan and Ohio State to Iowa’s 2022 slate of games and the locations of several of the others.
Forcing 31 turnovers again is a tough ask for this defense, adding to the urgency of finding improvement on offense in preseason practices this fall. Michigan, Wisconsin and Nebraska come to Iowa City next year, but coach Kirk Ferentz’s squad gets Ohio State, Purdue and Minnesota away from home. – Lassan, Athlon Sports.
Ahead of Iowa at No. 1 is the Wisconsin Badgers and the Purdue Boilermakers are at No. 2. In all reality, the top three in the West could conceivably shake out in any order and it would not be a surprise to anyone.
Dropping Iowa below the two teams it beat out for the Big Ten West title last season is a little bit of disrespect, but also some bulletin board material to hang up in the locker room in Iowa City as they begin their preparation for the 2022 season.
11 Hawkeyes make Athlon Sports' 2022 Big Ten All-Conference teams
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2022-06-08T21:21:56Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Iowa Hawkeyes at No. 3 in Athlon Sports’ Big Ten West prediction
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https://sports.yahoo.com/iowa-hawkeyes-no-3-athlon-181102595.html?src=rss
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The expectations remain high for the Penn State defense in 2022, and the return of a healthy PJ Mustipher is a big part of that equation up front on the defensive line. According to head coach James Franklin, Mustipher is on track to be ready to play in Penn State’s season opener at Purdue.
Franklin confirmed as much during a midweek summer media session with reporters.
The return of Mustipher was always to be expected, but fRanklin’s suggestion the staff is preparing for him to be available in Week 1 is just another strong show of positivity regarding Mustipher’s outlook for the new season.
Mustipher is coming back from a left knee injury he suffered in a road game at Iowa last season. The injury knocked Mustipher out for the remainder of the 2021 season after undergoing surgery. Mustipher was not used in spring practices but has continued to be a leader of the team to continue serving as a team captain.
Franklin did previously suggest Mustipher was on a good track in his recovery, and it seems nothing has changed on that front in a negative way. If Mustipher truly is ready for the season opener, that would be a big lift for what should be a solid defensive unit overall in 2022 under new defensive coordinator Manny Diaz.
Penn State opens the 2022 season on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Purdue. The game will air on FOX.
Penn State Snapshot Profile: No. 97 PJ Mustipher
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2022-06-08T21:22:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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James Franklin expects a big piece of the defense to be ready for season opener
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https://sports.yahoo.com/james-franklin-expects-big-piece-204106188.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/james-franklin-expects-big-piece-204106188.html?src=rss
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This might not be good news for Michigan football fans, at all.
The Wolverines were thought some time ago to be the obvious choice for 2024 Saline (Mich.) five-star quarterback CJ Carr, considering that he’s the grandson of national championship-winning head coach Lloyd Carr. Being a legacy of a head coach who bleeds maize and blue, however, does not appear to keep the younger elite quarterback from likely ending up at a rival school.
The 247Sports Crystal Ball indicates that Carr will end up at Notre Dame, as there have been nine predictions and it 100% points to the Irish.
Fans will know soon enough, as Carr has announced he will make his college choice on Thursday, June 9 at 7:00 p.m on CBS Sports HQ.
While it would obviously be a huge blow, especially from an optics perspective, being that he’s a 2024 prospect, there’s a lot of time between now and when he’ll actually sign with his school of choice.
There have been rumblings that he and fellow elite in-state quarterback Dante Moore, who’s in the 2023 class, do not want to end up at the same institution. Moore has also been trending towards the Irish, so if Carr does end up at ND, it could help loosen the Detroit (Mich.) King five-star toward the idea of staying home.
Either way, with two elite quarterbacks in-state, Michigan has to find a way to land one or the other, if not both. At the moment, it doesn’t look likely it’ll get either.
Tucker Barnhart collected two hits and Tarik Skubal fanned nine batters to lead the Tigers to a 5-3 victory over the Pirates
Melanie Lynskey Got Real About Her 'Long Journey' to Body Acceptance
The Yellowjackets actress shared how being a mom has made her want to set "a positive example" for her daughter.
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2022-06-08T21:22:29Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Top Michigan football target sets decision date
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New England Patriots tackle Isaiah Wynn didn’t have a lot to say about the team experimenting with moving him from left to right tackle. Wynn has been at right tackle for the entirety of minicamp, a staggering surprise considering he has not taken snaps there since his rookie season — and didn’t play the position in college.
Instead tackle Trent Brown, who signed a one-year, $9 million deal with the team this offseason, has taken over on the left side. And even when he’s deal with limitations during these minicamp practices, Wynn has stayed on the right side, apparently learning what might be his new position.
During a meeting with the media, Wynn was asked what he can tell reporters about suddenly playing on the right side of the offensive line?
“It’s like playing left tackle, you know? But it’s on the opposite side. … It’s the same position just on different sides,” Wynn said Wednesday after Day 2 of minicamp.
“It’s wherever they need me, player.”
Was he surprised?
“It’s wherever they need me.”
Does he think his absence at OTAs led to him playing on the right as opposed to the left?
“I can’t answer that for you,” Wynn said. “You’re probably going to have to ask coach or something.”
But what about Wynn’s perspective — does he think that’s the case?
“I can’t answer that for you,” Wynn said. “You’re going to have to ask coach.”
But … still, what does Wynn think?
“I’m telling you,” Wynn said. “You’re going to have to ask coach.”
That’s that.
All signs are pointing to this move becoming official in training camp. The Patriots may experiment with players at new positions, but that doesn’t usually happen until training camp when they’ve learned their true position. That’s what appears to be happening here: Wynn is learning his new and true position for 2022: Right tackle.
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2022-06-08T21:48:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Isaiah Wynn brushes off Patriots experimenting with him at right tackle
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https://sports.yahoo.com/isaiah-wynn-brushes-off-patriots-203825036.html?src=rss
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College basketball player (2020–202_) Auburn
Justin Powell has found his new home.
The former Auburn point guard announced that he is transferring to Washington State for his junior season. Powell spent his freshman season at Auburn before transferring to Tennessee for his sophomore campaign.
Powell was recruited by Auburn as a shooting guard but he was forced to become the team’s point guard to start the 2020-21 season when Sharife Cooper was ineligible to play at the start of the season. He excelled in his new role, averaging 11.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 10 games before a head injury ended his season.
He then entered the transfer portal and headed to Knoxville. Powell saw his stats dip across the board at Tennessee. He averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game. He made three’s at a 38.1% clip but took just 1.4 per game.
Part of this was they used him as a spot-up shooter, a role he no longer looks comfortable in. Washington State is in need of a point guard and it looks like they plan to use Powell in that role.
The Cougars went 22-15 last season and made it to the semifinals of the NIT where they lost to Texas A&M.
Wazzzuuu let’s get it😎 @WSUCougarMBB pic.twitter.com/E0zrs2v3TP
— Justin Powell (@jtpowell241) June 8, 2022
Kaleb Glenn committed to Louisville basketball when Chris Mack was still the coach. He only had good things to say about his bond with Kenny Payne.
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2022-06-08T22:22:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Auburn basketball player transferring to Pac-12 program
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-auburn-basketball-player-transferring-193337402.html?src=rss
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WNBA star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Brittney Griner leaves a courtroom after a hearing in Khimki, just outside Moscow, on May 13. (Alexander Zemlianichenko / Associated Press)
The U.S. government may not agree to a deal in which just one of them is released, potentially complicating negotiations. But Whelan could also benefit from the attention given to Griner, whose case has cast a spotlight on his own. And though the U.S. may hesitate to give up a high-level Russian prisoner in exchange for Griner, who's charged with a relatively minor drug offense, it's possible it would be more inclined to do so if both she and Whelan were part of any deal.
Griner's wife, Cherelle, urged the Biden administration in an interview with ABC's “Good Morning America” to do anything necessary to get Griner home, but also expressed empathy for Whelan. She said that even though there's no connection between the two besides the fact that they're both in Russia, “I obviously want him back, too.”
Neve Campbell released a statement confirming her exit from the upcoming sixth installment of the 'Scream' film franchise over a contract dispute.
'Jurassic World Dominion' brings together the 'Jurassic Park' and 'Jurassic World' casts. Here's what to expect when watching this 2.5 hour movie.
Laura Dern Grateful That 'Jurassic World' Costars Helped Take Care Of Her Daughter While Filming
Access Hollywood spoke to Laura Dern about returning to the "Jurassic Park" franchise nearly 30 years after the original film along with her costars Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum. She spoke about her close bond with Bryce Dallas Howard and DeWanda Wise and how they helped care for her teenage daughter while living together during filming. Laura also reflected on the iconic Jeff Goldblum shirtless scene from the original film and how she felt being in the room for it. "Jurassic World: Dominion" hits theaters June 10.
It's better than Fallen Kingdom, but that's not saying a lot. Jurassic World Dominion Has Us Rooting for the Dinosaurs, and That’s Probably a Bad Thing — Review Liz Shannon Miller
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2022-06-08T22:46:46Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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WNBA star Brittney Griner's fate tangled up with other American held in Russia
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https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba-star-brittney-griners-fate-195823751.html?src=rss
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Isaiah Wynn shares his thoughts on apparent position switch originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Since entering the NFL in 2018, New England Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn has played almost exclusively on the left side of the line.
During this week's mandatory minicamp, however, Wynn could be seen shifting across to right tackle while Trent Brown manned his customary spot on the left in front of quarterback Mac Jones.
Asked about the change and what may have precipitated it, Wynn gave a rather noncommittal answer.
How Cole Strange made strong first impression on David Andrews
"Do I like the change? It's wherever they need me," Wynn said. "I'm good man. Wherever they need me. If they put me at corner, I'm going to try to go play corner."
The Patriots do remain somewhat thin at corner...
The situation with Wynn warrants watching, however, especially as training camp approaches. The 26-year-old Wynn is entering the final year of his rookie deal, and with New England still right up against the salary cap, dealing the former first-round draft pick rather than losing him for nothing could make sense on multiple levels.
Brown, in his second year back with the Patriots, has ample experience on both side of the offensive line. He shined at left tackle for New England in 2018 before sliding over to the right side for the Oakland Raiders in 2019, making his only Pro Bowl to date. Last season, he was back at right tackle in Foxboro.
Wynn, for what it's worth, entered the NFL with experience at both guard and tackle at the University of Georgia.
Asked if he thought that a push to right tackle for mandatory minicamp may have had something to do with missing the voluntary portion of the team's offseason program, Wynn said that he couldn't answer it.
"You're going to have to ask coach," he said.
Julian Love has not only seen a different Saquon Barkley on the field in recent months, the New York Giants safety is excited what the star running back is showing in the locker room. Love said Barkley, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018, is itching to play. In his second season removed from a major injury on his right knee, Barkley is showing signs that he might be able to regain the form that made him one of the NFL’s top running backs in his first two seasons.
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2022-06-08T23:24:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Isaiah Wynn responds to shift to right tackle at mandatory minicamp for Patriots
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https://sports.yahoo.com/isaiah-wynn-responds-shift-tackle-215248007.html?src=rss
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While Zamir What wasn’t on the field for Raiders minicamp practice Wednesday, he was busy. At least for that moment when he was handed a pen and signed his first NFL contract.
Today the Raiders officially signed the fourth round rookie to a four-year deal. The deal is worth $4.53 million over four years with a 2022 cap figure of $923K, which means it doesn’t count against their total as it falls below the top 51.
The 122nd overall pick played in 38 games with 23 starts, totaling 382 carries for 2,043 rushing yards (5.3 avg.) and 25 TD’s over three seasons at Georgia. Including 856 rushing yards and 11 TD’s in 2021.
The 122nd overall pick out of Georgia joins a crowded backfield that includes Josh Jacobs, Kenyan Drake, Brandon Bolden, and Ameer Abdullah.
White is the fifth draft pick the Raiders have signed so far, leaving just fellow fourth round pick Neil Farrell as the lone remaining of their six draft picks yet to be signed. So, expect that signing to be forthcoming.
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2022-06-08T23:24:53Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Raiders sign 4th round RB Zamir White to 4-year deal
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https://sports.yahoo.com/raiders-sign-4th-round-rb-214408841.html?src=rss
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Cincinnati Bengal pass rusher Joseph Ossai has yet to make his NFL debut after suffering a season-ending knee injury as a rookie.
Ossai was selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2021 NFL draft. Prior to the injury, the former Longhorn caught the attention of the Cincinnati coaching staff throughout the preseason and was expected to compete for a starting role.
Flash forward to the 2022 season, and the Ossai hype train is once again gaining steam. Touchdown Wire recently chose a breakout player for each NFL team in 2022, and Ossai earned those honors for Cincinnati.
Ossai earned consensus All-America honors as a junior for Texas in 2020. He started nine games and recorded 55 tackles, 16.0 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two quarterback hurries and two pass breakups.
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2022-06-08T23:25:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Texas ex Joseph Ossai tabbed a breakout player for Cincinnati Bengals in 2022
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Former Alabama wide receiver, Javon Baker, announced via Instagram that he will be transferring to the University of Central Florida. Baker will be joining former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn in Orlando.
Baker was a four-star receiver out of Georgia in the 2020 recruiting cycle. After two seasons with the Tide, Baker decided it was best to enter the portal and explore other opportunities. He did not see a ton of playing time through two seasons. He posted nine catches for 116 yards and a single score in his career at Alabama.
Initially, Baker had intended on going to Kentucky before announcing that was no longer the case on May 27. Just two weeks later, he decided on the Golden Knights. There, he will likely see immediate playing time.
Alabama transfer WR Javon Baker has committed to UCF, he announced on IG.
Nice portal pickup for the Knights after Baker was previously committed to Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/AvMWMFhdo3
— Max Olson (@max_olson) June 8, 2022
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover the Crimson Tide over the course of the 2022 offseason.
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2022-06-08T23:36:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Alabama WR Javon Baker announces transfer destination
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Four-star offensive tackle Tyree Adams visited the University of Florida for the first time on April 5. On Monday, June 6, he returned to participate in a one-day camp with the Gators’ coaching staff and may be planning another visit already.
Gators Online reported that Adams is looking at the Oct. 15 matchup between Florida and LSU, the hometown team in the hunt, for his official visit to UF. Beating the Tigers in Gainesville would be hard to ignore, and Billy Napier wants this recruit. The Gators’ head coach talks regularly with Adams and is treating him as a priority recruit.
“Yesterday at the camp, I did really well,” Adams said Tuesday to Gators Online. They show me consistent love each and every day. Coach Juluke, he texts me and asks how I’m doing often. With coach Sale, he texts me from time to time and just asks how I’m doing. Coach Napier texts me a lot too and showing me what Florida is all about.”
Alabama, Georgia and Ole Miss are the other programs set to receive official visits from Adams. The Crimson Tide will get him on Oct. 7 and that’s the only scheduled visit as of now.
LSU is the favorite right now to win over Adams, but there’s plenty of time to pry the New Orleans native out of Louisiana. It helps that Napier spent the last three years around those parts and has the kind of style Adams likes.
“He is a great coach. He’s cool, calm and collected,” he said. “He is the type of coach who doesn’t have to yell at you to get your attention. I really like that.
“The discipline he wants from his players is top-tier. He’s a really great guy to be around.”
The On3 consensus ranks Adams No. 210 overall in the class of 2023 and No. 20 among offensive tackles. The service’s individual rankings shed a more favorable light on him, perhaps the same light Napier sees him in, at No. 118 overall and No. 14 at his position.
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2022-06-08T23:36:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Fresh off second trip to UF, 4-star OT talking official visit
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https://sports.yahoo.com/fresh-off-second-trip-uf-210654390.html?src=rss
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We’ve probably written too much about Lincoln Riley and his decision to leave the Sooners, leaving them hanging out to dry and taking many coaches and recruits with him. However, this is a very important part of Sooners history that we find ourselves in.
Riley hasn’t exactly been quiet since the move, he’s given interviews to numerous reporters, the latest of which being Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.
The article will be a tough read for Sooners fans, as Riley gives many reasons for his departure that aren’t “I was scared of the SEC.” In fact he argued the SEC move had nothing to do with his move to USC.
I learned a while ago that Riley is never going to give the answers Sooners fans want him to, so this interview was just more of the same.
There was one quote that has been causing a bit of a disturbance on social media.
“I’ve walked into four playoffs, and I’ve never had better than maybe the third-best roster [of the four teams],” Riley told Dodd. “Every other year, we were four of four. We had really good rosters, but they weren’t the same. … I can’t imagine that there could be a setting that we could build a better roster than we can here.”
Way to speak highly of your former players, coach. Any head coach that finds themselves in a recruiting battle with USC over the next few years should just show the recruit that blurb.
Perhaps coaching was the reason the Sooners went 0-4 in the College Football Playoff. Perhaps coaching was the reason OU blew a massive lead to Georgia in 2018, but I digress.
Riley was always allowed to leave, but there’s just no need to say this. I do wonder what his former players, particularly the ones on that 2018 squad have to say about this.
Winning football coaches don’t say that their rosters weren’t good enough.
(Tampa Bay Lightning) with a Goal from Tampa Bay Lightning vs. New York Rangers, 06/07/2022
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2022-06-08T23:36:30Z
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Lincoln Riley sites roster building as a major reason for leaving Oklahoma for USC
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Cam Newton accepts some blame for lackluster season with Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Circumstances surrounding Cam Newton's ill-fated one-year stint with the New England Patriots were far from ideal.
Newton joined the Patriots during the summer of 2020, a year in which any semblance of a normal offseason training program was ravaged by the initial outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Between that, a shoulder injury and limited him to only two games with the Carolina Panthers in 2019 and the fact that he was replacing Tom Brady, the odds were never truly in Newton's favor for much success in Foxboro.
Nevertheless, Newton seems to have shouldered the blame for his lackluster season with the Patriots. Appearing on ESPN's "The Pivot Podcast," Newton deemed his experience in New England a "f---ed up situation" in which he was still learning the offense roughly two months into the season.
Isaiah Wynn shares his thoughts on apparent position switch
"It was just brain overload,'' Newton said on the podcast, which features several NFL alums, including former Patriot Fred Taylor. "It was times I was going to the line and I'm still thinking. Did I know it? Yes. To the degree that I needed to know it to show the world that I'm still Cam Newton? No."
Newton was released at the end of training camp in 2021 as the Patriots opted to go with their first-round draft pick from the spring, Mac Jones.
"[He's] going to be a great quarterback," Newton said of Jones.
In his only season with the Patriots, Newton finished 7-8 as a starter as New England missed the postseason for the first time since 2008. He completed 54.8 percent of his passes, throwing for only eight touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Newton also rushed for 12 scores.
"But I put myself in that situation,'' Newton said.
Newton also said on the podcast that when the Panthers cut him following the 2019 season, he was prepared to step away from football.
He'd wind up returning to Carolina, where he was originally drafted first overall in 2011 and won MVP in 2015, for an ultimately forgettable second stint in 2021. After rushing and throwing for a touchdown on his first two snaps back off the bench, Newton would go 0-5 as a starter for the Panthers.
Currently a free agent, Newton doesn't sound like he's ready to officially call it a career just yet.
"If you think I couldn't be on somebody's team right now, you're a damn fool," he said.
Bruins made Bruce Cassidy 'fall guy' for Boston's lack of recent playoff success
It appears Bruins executives Don Sweeney and Cam Neely decided to point the finger at Bruce Cassidy instead of the thumb.
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2022-06-09T01:06:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cam Newton blames himself for failures with Patriots, second Panthers tenure
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The Houston Texans have become a place for defensive backs to sign short-term deals, and cornerback Steven Nelson is no different.
The former Kansas City Chiefs 2015 third-round pick signed a two-year deal with the Texans worth $9 million in free agency. Nelson believes Houston is getting a cornerback that can infuse leadership.
“Leadership, experience, just being a guy that’s been there, been out there, playoff teams and just being in that atmosphere,” Nelson told reporters June 7 after organized team activities at Houston Methodist Training Center. “As you know we have a lot of young talent on the team so just kind of being able to be there and lead by example as much as I can.”
Nelson spent the past three seasons in Pennsylvania playing for the Keystone State’s two NFL teams: the Pittsburgh Steelers (2019-20) and the Philadelphia Eagles (2021). With the Eagles, Nelson started all 16 games played and picked off a pass, deflected seven others, and recorded 50 combined tackles.
Nelson doesn’t have any specific ties to the New England Patriots or the Tampa 2 scheme, but the 5-10, 194-pounder was an attractive option for general manager Nick Caserio and coach Lovie Smith.
“It’s been going well,” said Nelson. “Been here for probably about two months, maybe a little bit over that. We got great guys. Coach (Smith) did a great job getting guys in, and Nick, the guys that want to compete and get better and kind of have like-mindedness. It’s going really well right now.”
The Texans are working through their depth at cornerback that includes rookie Derek Stingley and slot corners Tavierre Thomas and Desmond King, who was willing to play on the outside in 2021. If the Texans can add stability to their boundary corners with Stingley and Nelson, it should allow other defensive backs to flourish.
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2022-06-09T01:06:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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CB Steven Nelson believes he can provide leadership for the Texans secondary
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ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report on the deal:
The deal also contains $75 million in guaranteed money for Kupp:
Kupp was drafted by the Rams in the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, and put together a career season a year ago with Los Angeles. Last season, Kupp set career-high marks in targets (191), receptions (145), receiving yards (1,947), touchdowns (16), yards per game (114.5) and first downs (89).
Kupp enjoyed a great post-season with the Rams, catching 33 passes for 478 yards and six touchdowns for Los Angeles during the playoffs. His late touchdown catch allowed the Rams to stave off a comeback effort from Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Kupp caught a pair of touchdowns in Super Bowl LVI, including this, the game-winner:
In the past two days, the Rams have locked up two cornerstone players, with a price tag of over $200 million. Still, given the results last season, you can understand why the organization made these two moves.
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2022-06-09T01:06:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cooper Kupp and the Los Angeles Rams agree on a huge contract extension
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cooper-kupp-los-angeles-rams-233622893.html?src=rss
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Cooper Kupp’s historic 2021 season has resulted in some more history for the Rams wide receiver. Kupp signed a three-year extension on Wednesday, a deal that’s worth $80 million. The contract includes $75 million guaranteed, a well-deserved payday for the Super Bowl MVP.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Kupp’s $75 million guaranteed are the most ever for a wide receiver. It’s also the most guaranteed money in NFL history for an offensive player who isn’t a quarterback.
So while he may not be the highest-paid receiver, he got more guaranteed money than any wideout in the history of the NFL. That’s a pretty good deal for the former third-round pick out of Eastern Washington.
Washington, D.C., June 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The New Civil Liberties Alliance, a nonpartisan, nonprofit civil liberties organization, is celebrating five years since it was founded by prominent legal scholar Philip Hamburger to protect constitutional freedoms from violations by the Administrative State. Members of the legal community, academics, and supporters gathered on Tuesday to commemorate the occasion at the NCLA 5th Anniversary Gala in Washington D.C., featuring special guest, the
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2022-06-09T01:06:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cooper Kupp sets record for most guaranteed money ever for WR
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Gaines already had a mini-breakout in 2021, but he still hasn’t become a household name around the NFL. That could change this year. As the unquestioned starter at nose tackle without Sebastian Joseph-Day in the mix, Gaines should play a ton of snaps and show why he’s one of the most underrated defensive linemen in the game. He’s a very good pass rusher for a guy who lines up over the center, and his ability to plug up running lanes is better than most. Don’t be surprised if Gaines winds up making his first Pro Bowl in 2022. –
Gareth Southgate insists England's established stars deserve his loyalty because they would "die for each other" on the pitch.
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2022-06-09T01:07:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Every NFL team’s potential breakout player for the 2022 season
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Bosa 'most definitely' in better shape at 49ers minicamp originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SANTA CLARA -- Even while going through a year in which he registered 19.5 sacks in 20 games, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa looked forward to what he could do following an ideal offseason to prepare.
Before entering his third NFL season, Bosa spent his months away from the sport attempting to better his strength and conditioning following surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.
Now that he made it through a full season healthy, he can fine-tune his body while also honing his football skills.
When asked Wednesday if he was in better shape than a year ago, Bosa answered, “Most definitely.”
Bosa reported this week for the team’s mandatory minicamp after spending the bulk of the offseason working out in Florida.
“It was kind of normal offseason training that I really didn’t get to do last year as much,” Bosa said. “I was working my way back to being healthy, and this year I was healthy from the start, so (I) took some time off and got after it.
“Up to this point, it’s been mainly focusing on getting my body where it needs to be to play a long season. And from here on out, I’ll be implementing a lot more football-specific stuff.”
Bosa, who took part in only individual drills during the first two days of camp, looks to be in tremendous shape with, perhaps, even less body fat than when he was last seen around the 49ers’ practice facility.
“His quads are still huge, and he's ready to play football whenever it's time to go,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said.
Bosa said he is approximately the same weight at which he played last season as he continued the strict diet on which he has been for several years.
“It’s a better overall offseason because I was able to enjoy myself a little bit because I wasn’t just grinding and resting like I needed to for my knee,” he said. “But now the knee is doing great and I’m able to go about my life normally, which is great.”
Bosa is scheduled to enter the final year of his original four-year contract as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. The 49ers have already picked up the fully guaranteed fifth-year option of more than $17 million for the 2023 season.
The 49ers and Bosa’s representation have yet to begin negotiations on a long-term contract, which Bosa suggested is not presently on his mind. He said he was not sure when contract talks would begin.
“I’m sure I’ll be notified,” Bosa said. “I’ve just been focusing on getting better. I’ll let my agent worry about that.”
Where to Watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Practice Sessions on TV, Online
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2022-06-09T01:07:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Nick Bosa reports to 49ers minicamp 'most definitely' in better shape
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The Los Angeles Rams have been handing out expensive contracts all offseason and another one of their key contributors on offense is getting a raise. Just days after making Aaron Donald the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history, the Rams have signed Cooper Kupp to a multi-year extension.
The Rams and WR Cooper Kupp have agreed to a three-year extension that will pay out $110 million over the next five years, a source said.
The extension for Kupp is three years, meaning that he will now be paid $110 million over the next five seasons. Also, his $75 million in guarantees is now the highest among all wide receivers in the NFL, eclipsing Tyreek Hill’s $72 million guaranteed.
Kupp’s extension comes after the former third-round pick put together one of the most impressive campaigns from a wide receiver. The All-pro wideout hauled in 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns, leading all wide receivers league in each of those categories.
Besides Kupp, the Rams have now inked new deals with Matthew Stafford and Donald, along with signing veterans Allen Robins and Bobby Wagner in free agency. With their new contracts, Stafford and Kupp aren’t set to become unrestricted free agents until 2027.
Throughout the process of reaching an agreement on an extension, Kupp never seemed concerned about getting a new contract. Les Snead recently said that Kupp was ‘next on the list’ for Los Angeles to sign to an extension this offseason and iterated that the goal was for the Rams to get a deal done before training camp.
Amid an offseason that saw quite a few wide receivers switch teams via trade or free agency, the Rams were able to ensure that their superstar pass-catcher won’t be going anywhere after winning a Super Bowl.
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2022-06-09T01:07:37Z
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Rams sign Cooper Kupp to multi-year extension
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Another injury had Sammy Watkins overweight and thinking his NFL career could be over. He’s got another chance to slim down and produce with the Green Bay Packers, but the veteran receiver knows he must stay healthy and be available to get his career turned around.
“That’s been the knock on my career, staying on the field,” Watkins admitted Wednesday.
Watkins, who turns 29 years old next week, has played 13 or fewer games in five of his eight NFL seasons. He missed six games during the 2020 season and four more last year. Of the 129 total regular-season games since being drafted fourth overall in 2014, Watkins has played in 99, meaning he’s missed roughly 25 percent of his total games at the NFL level.
Constant injuries can wear down a player and dry up employment opportunities.
Watkins admitted he was up around 220 pounds while recovering from last year’s injury but said Green Bay could be a place where he can “revive his career.” He’s down in the 215-pound range now and wants to play closer to 210. He knows he can’t stop injuries, but he’s going to do everything he can to prevent them.
“Just do everything in my might and power to stay on the field,” Watkins said. “When I’m on the field, I can ball, I can catch the ball, I can score. I’m a dominant player. But the key is staying on the field.”
Watkins said his “back is against the wall” because his career so far hasn’t met his own expectations, mostly due to injuries. But he thinks playing with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay could be the “best situation he’s been in” during his NFL career.
“It’s a great opportunity for me to come here, play hard, catch a ton of balls, compete at the highest level and win games and fight to stay healthy,” Watkins. “To get this opportunity is a blessing…hopefully, I can have a healthy season and play hard and win a ton of games.”
Watkins believes he has a lot to prove. He hasn’t produced more than 500 receiving yards since 2019.
On Tuesday, Aaron Rodgers expressed confidence in opportunities being available for Watkins. Coach Matt LaFleur said earlier Wednesday that Watkins would be a “big part” of the Packers offense in 2022. His experience could be valuable in Green Bay as the Packers attempt to replace Davante Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the passing game.
After last season, when he caught only 27 passes for the Baltimore Ravens, Watkins wasn’t sure where his career would go or if it would even continue.
“Last year I got hurt again, and I’m thinking, I’m sitting on the couch, I’m gonna be out of a job. To get that call (from the Packers), it’s like, I have another opportunity, another chance, to come in and play hard and stay healthy,” Watkins said.
Might a full season playing with the four-time MVP rejuvenate the career of a top-five pick from the 2014 season? Only if he’s on the field. Watkins is a man desperate to avoid injury and play a full year.
Maybe divine intervention is required.
“I pray to God I have a healthy season.”
In 23 games since hitting for the cycle on May 11, Yelich was hitting .180 with no home runs and one run batted in.
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2022-06-09T01:08:16Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Sammy Watkins knows he must stay healthy to revive career with Packers
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Catching bucks
The time is right — and ripe — to be a star NFL wide receiver. These 11 pass-catchers have all received big contracts since the 2021 season ended. Makes everyone wonder who is next—Terry McLaurin, DK Metcalf or Deebo Samuel? Thanks to Spotrac.com for the financial data.
Pretty good haul for third-round pick out of Eastern Washington. The Rams rewarded Cooper Kupp with a three-year, $80 million extension and all but $5 million is guaranteed.
A.J. Brown was traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles after a contract impasse. The impasse passed when the Eagles landed Brown and rewarded him with a four-year, $100 million deal.
The Buffalo Bills gave Stefon Diggs (Josh Allen’s favorite target) an additional four years and $96 million to the $25 million he had remaining on the final two years of his contract. The result is a six-year contract with an average annual salary of around $21 million.
Tyreek Hill (left) and the Chiefs could not agree on a new contract. So, the Cheetah was dealt to Miami and will take his talents to South Beach and the Dolphins. Hill’s haul is for four years and $120 million.
Davante Adams moves from Green Bay to Las Vegas and his reward from the team in Sin City is a sweet five-year, $141.25 million contract with the Raiders (average annual value of $28.25 million).
Allen Robinson wins all-around. He gets to leave Chicago and the porous Bears for the Super Bowl champion Rams. No knock on Chicago, but when it comes to NFL, would you rather be a Bear or a Ram? The contract is for three years and $46.5 million.
Brandin Cooks has moved around the NFL, which was unlikely given how productive he has been. The Texans dug into their vault and came up with a two-year contract worth almost $40 million.
Someone had to benefit from the Chiefs sending Tyreek Hill to Miami. It was Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who goes from Aaron Rodgers to Patrick Mahomes and grabs a three-year, $30 million contract with KC.
You didn’t think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going to let Chris Godwin get away with Tom Brady returning, did you? How about a nice, fat three-year contract worth $60 million?
Mike Williams catches everything thrown his way with the Chargers. There was thought he might be allowed to leave Los Angeles, but the Bolts got a jolt of common sense and gave the former Clemson star a three-year contract also worth $60 million.
The Panthers went with the market and gave D.J. Moore a big contract, too. Carolina’s wideout got a three-year, $61.884 million extension, according to his agent, Drew Rosenhaus. The deal includes $41.61 million guaranteed.
The weekend is always in view in the First Alert 7 Day Forecast.
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2022-06-09T02:38:07Z
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11 NFL wide receivers who struck it rich this offseason
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49ers-Deebo situation gets more clarity with Rams' Kupp deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday rewarded their triple-crown-winning wide receiver with a new contract.
And while the 49ers might not like the idea of trying to figure out a way to contain Cooper Kupp for five more seasons, it further brings into focus what it should require to keep their own All-Pro receiver under contract for a while.
Kupp signed a five-year, $110 million extension, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday, citing sources. That annual average of $22 million appears to bring further clarity to the kind of deal 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel is likely to receive when (if?) he signs an extension.
Samuel apparently is displeased with his contract situation and requested a trade from the 49ers before the draft. Samuel clearly is going nowhere at this point in the offseason, and he reported to the team's mandatory minicamp this week.
The All-Pro receiver is scheduled to enter the final year of his original rookie contract. The sides are expected to work toward a new contract that will greatly increase his scheduled salary of nearly $4 million.
The market has blown up this season with many of the top receivers in the league signing new deals.
At the top of the list are Tyreek Hill and Davante Adams, who signed new contracts with the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively, after blockbuster trades.
Hill’s contract is widely reported as averaging $30 million a season. However, that figure includes an inflated figure of $45 million in salary and bonus in the final year of his contract. Functionally, Hill’s contract averages $23.85 million over four seasons.
Adams’ contract amounts to $22.5 million per season after disregarding his scheduled pay of $70 million over the final two years of his contract.
A.J. Brown was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles and signed a deal that is scheduled to pay him $20.8 million over five seasons. And Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs is on the books to earn an average of $20.7 million over six years.
While the 49ers and Samuel’s representation will haggle over the structure of the contract and the amount of guarantees, the realistic expectation is that Samuel’s true contract numbers will land in the neighborhood of $22 million per year.
RELATED: Shanahan: Relationship with Deebo has always been good
Samuel accounted for 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns during the regular season and playoffs. In addition to his 1,405 receiving yards, Samuel added 365 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground.
Kupp led the NFL during the regular season with 145 receptions for 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. He added 33 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns in the postseason for the Super Bowl champions.
The stock market can be intimidating at times, especially during periods of volatility. You don't need to know a lot about the stock market to get started investing. For many people, an S&P 500 index fund is a great place to get started.
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2022-06-09T02:38:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cooper Kupp contract brings more clarity to Deebo Samuel, 49ers negotiations
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You know the scene in “Step Brothers” when Brennan asks Dale if they just became best friends? That’s probably the interaction Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford had when they first met each other as teammates last year.
Since then, they’ve become incredibly close, spending a ton of time together on and off the field. They eat breakfast together while breaking down film, they hang out together outside of football and their chemistry on Sundays is second to none.
Kupp is a huge fan of Stafford’s game, too. He showed that on Wednesday while signing his new three-year, $80 million extension. The Rams shared a photo of Kupp putting pen to paper and he was wearing a Stafford jersey. Because of course he was.
The Rams’ culture is as good as any team’s in the NFL, and this is just another example of that. How many other players would wear a teammate’s jersey to sign a new contract?
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2022-06-09T02:38:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Look: Cooper Kupp signed his new deal while wearing a Matthew Stafford jersey
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Cody Bellinger's solo smash
Cody Bellinger gives the Dodgers a 3-0 lead with a solo home run to right field in the top of the 2nd
The Los Angeles Angels fired manager Joe Maddon on Tuesday in the wake of the team's 12th straight defeat.
The big shareholder groups in Old National Bancorp ( NASDAQ:ONB ) have power over the company. Insiders often own a...
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2022-06-09T03:21:47Z
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Angels lose 13th straight after firing Maddon; Trout injured
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Trey Hillman
Walt Weiss
Major League Baseball manager and former player in the Colorado Rockies organization
Phil Nevin, right, talks to Angels shortstop Andrew Velazquez before a game against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday. It was Nevin's first game as interim manager. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
Ray Montgomery: The current Angels bench coach was moved by Minasian from the front office to the dugout before this season. Montgomery, 52, was the Angels' director of player personnel in 2021 after spending six years with the Milwaukee Brewers as an assistant to the GM and four years with the Arizona Diamondbacks as scouting director. He played 12 professional seasons, including three in the big leagues with the Houston Astros.
Trey Hillman was third base coach for the Miami Marlins before leaving for the Angels. (Hakim Wright Sr. / Associated Press)
Trey Hillman: Hillman, 59, is in his first year with the Angels as part of the player development staff, and he possesses a wealth of coaching experience. Although his two-plus years from 2008-2010 as manager of the Kansas City Royals produced dismal results, Hillman became the first person to manage teams in MLB, Japan and Korea. He's also managed in the New York Yankees farm system for a decade, served as Dodgers bench coach under Don Mattingly and Houston Astros bench coach under A.J. Hinch. Hillman was third base coach for the Miami Marlins before leaving for the Angels.
Walt Weiss: Minasian came to the Angels from the Atlanta Braves front office, and Weiss, 58, has been the Braves bench coach since 2018. Like Nevin, Weiss is a former first-round draft pick who enjoyed a long, successful big league career. He played shortstop on four World Series teams with the Oakland Athletics and Braves, and, of course, was in the dugout when the Braves won last year’s championship. Weiss managed the Colorado Rockies from 2013-2016 and didn't post a winning record, going 283-365.
Matt Quatraro has been Tampa Bay's third-base coach since 2018. (John Bazemore / Associated Press)
Left-hander Wade Miley is expected to start this weekend against the Yankees; Seiya Suzuki will be evaluated again after Thursday's off day.
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2022-06-09T03:21:54Z
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Angels managerial candidates start with Phil Nevin but include many intriguing names
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British tennis player provisionally suspended after failing drugs test - PA
A "freak injury" forced Raducanu, 19, to retire from her opening match at the Nottingham Open on Tuesday but the Briton said on Wednesday she was looking forward to the rest of the grasscourt swing. "It was disappointing to go out this week with a side injury and unfortunately will no longer be able to play in Birmingham," Raducanu said in a statement released by Britain's Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Raducanu shot to stardom in September, 2021 when she won the U.S. Open title as a qualifier, becoming Britain's first female Grand Slam champion since Virginia Wade in 1977.
'They're coming': Expect Robo umps to be a part of MLB's future
Sports Seriously: Many hitters and fans will rejoice that Robot umps and automatic strike zones will be apart of MLB's future Bob Nightengale believes there are still plenty of issues to be worked out.
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2022-06-09T03:22:13Z
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British tennis player provisionally suspended after failing drugs test
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But the Golden State Warriors — as they've done throughout the NBA Finals — turned the momentum in their favor with a third-quarter surge. They got a big boost from Stephen Curry, who led a seven-point possession aided by a flagrant foul on Al Horford.
With 5:07 remaining in the quarter, Curry pulled up for a 3-pointer at the top of the arc. Horford reached out to defend the shot and bumped into Curry as he landed. Curry's shot dropped, and the whistle blew. Curry counted out four points on his hands. His calculation was three short.
Officials initially rung Horford up for a personal foul to send Curry to the line for one free throw. But they reviewed the foul, and referee Scott Foster announced that it was upgraded to a Flagrant 1 for "not allowing the shooter to land safely."
The head of a Mexico-based evangelical megachurch that claims about 5 million followers worldwide was sentenced on Wednesday in a Los Angeles courtroom to 16 years and eight months in prison for sexually abusing three girls. Naason Joaquin Garcia, leader and self-styled apostle of the Guadalajara-based church La Luz del Mundo (Light of the World), pleaded guilty last Friday to two counts of forcible oral copulation involving minors and performing a lewd act on a child. Garcia, 53, entered his plea three days before he had been due to stand trial on 23 felony counts of sex crimes against children, including multiple charges of rape, conspiracy to engage in human trafficking and child pornography.
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2022-06-09T03:22:38Z
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Stephen Curry, Warriors convert controversial Al Horford flagrant foul into 7 points
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Could 24th lawsuit against Deshaun Watson eventually allow Browns to void his guarantees? originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Looking to hit the links in Kentucky? These five private golf courses are the best in the Bluegrass State, according to Golfweek's 2022 rankings.
The United Steelworkers announced on Monday that the players in the United States Football League have voted in favor of union representation in an election conducted by the National Labor Relations Board.
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2022-06-09T03:22:44Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Could 24th lawsuit against Deshaun Watson eventually allow Browns to void his guarantees?
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Ever since they hired Darvin Ham to be their new head coach, the Los Angeles Lakers have been publicly operating under the assumption that Russell Westbrook will still be on their roster next season.
In fact, they reportedly asked Ham and other candidates how they would utilize Westbrook, and there have been recent reports that they may prefer to hold on to him rather than trade him.
But one has to believe that if Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka gets a palatable offer for him, he will be gone.
One potential trade that has been rumored lately would involve essentially swapping Westbrook for perennial All-Star Kyrie Irving, who is currently a member of the Brooklyn Nets.
On the surface, this would seem like a dream trade for the Lakers. Irving, like Westbrook, is a proven volume scorer who can also get his teammates involved and be a solid floor general. But unlike Westbrook, Irving is a great outside shooter, is not turnover-prone and has won an NBA championship.
Of course, Irving won that championship playing with LeBron James in 2016 on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Reportedly, some in the Lakers organization brought up the possibility of trading for Irving at one point this season.
More recently, Pelinka was seen talking to Nets general manager Sean Marks at the NBA Combine.
Is this something that could actually happen, or is it merely a dream?
Will a Westbrook 🔄 Irving trade happen this offseason? - Powered By PickUp
It would make sense for both teams, but especially the Lakers
According to Bill Oram of The Athletic, both the Lakers and Nets have big reasons to at least consider a Westbrook-Irving trade.
“The Athletic’s Bill Oram explained his thinking on a recent appearance on ‘The Herd with Colin Cowherd.’
“‘I don’t think it’s nuts,’ Oram said of a Westbrook-Irving trade. ‘I don’t know that it’s going to happen, but from a logical standpoint it makes sense. From a logical standpoint, the Nets are absolutely sick of the Kyrie Irving experience. The Lakers are sick of the Russell Westbrook experience. That said, the Nets know they have the better player and the better asset despite all of his idiosyncrasies.'”
Irving’s commitment to basketball has been questioned lately, which may be why Oram said the “Nets are absolutely sick of the Kyrie Irving experience.” He was unable to play for a good chunk of this season after refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Since New York City had a COVID-19 vaccine mandate in place, Irving wasn’t allowed to play or even practice with his team in any of the five boroughs.
Last season, he left the team for vague personal reasons in January, citing personal reasons, but was seen partying at a club in the Greater New York City area just days later.
Irving’s lack of availability has no doubt hurt the Nets’ efforts to build chemistry between him and Kevin Durant, not to mention with the rest of the team.
Of course, the Lakers soured on the Russell Westbrook experience as this season went on. There were many reports that they tried to trade him prior to the trading deadline and that the coaching staff and even LeBron James’ camp pushed for such a trade.
The team would rather not give up additional assets, especially future first-round draft picks, in order to part with Westbrook, but the possibility of receiving Irving in return could possibly change that thinking.
The risks with acquiring Irving
Irving is one of the NBA’s biggest enigmas. Some don’t know for sure if he is a basketball player who is also an activist in his free time, or the other way around.
Some prominent media personalities have questioned whether Irving truly wants to keep playing in the NBA, and some have even questioned his mental health.
Some of Irving’s efforts as an activist should be admired or even congratulated. He has shown lots of concern for the well-being of the Black community across America, especially in 2020, which was a turbulent year for the nation in terms of race relations.
Among others things, he released a documentary about the death of Breonna Taylor, who was shot and killed by law enforcement when they served a warrant at her home.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CCY_jcQntlB/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=aaa22eb1-5c90-4355-9f11-63e03fe3f578
But Irving needs to be fully committed to playing NBA basketball at a high level while limiting his well-intentioned activism to his free time.
The other issue would be his relationship with James. In 2017, Irving demanded that the Cavaliers trade him, and it appeared that his relationship with James had gone south.
However, he recently showed a touch of self-awareness when discussing what went wrong back then during an episode of “I Am Athlete.”
Via New York Post:
“If I was in the same maturity line and understanding of who I am, and I look back, we definitely, definitely would’ve won more championships, because there would’ve been a better man-to-man understanding about what I’m going through. I didn’t know how to share my emotions,” Irving said. “I didn’t know how to do that. So instead of sharing, I isolated myself.”
The North Jersey native also admitted he had a regret about how he handled asking out of Cleveland.
“We didn’t talk during that time,” Irving admitted about his relationship with James. “When I look back on what I was going through at that time, I wish I did, because it would’ve been a good understanding of what the future will hold for both of us and we know how much power we both had together. Me and him in the league together running Cleveland, and then being able to put a better team together every single year would’ve definitely been worth it.”
If Irving and James really have mended fences, reuniting could be very fruitful for them. Irving’s outstanding skill sets could be just what the latter needs to preserve himself and age gracefully.
How Irving could get the Lakers back to the top
Most of the criticism surrounding Westbrook has been centered on his poor outside shooting, questionable decision making, defensive indifference and inability to be effective when playing off the ball.
Irving may not be the greatest defender in the league, but he could be what the Lakers wanted Westbrook to be – and then some.
The 6-foot-2 guard may be the greatest ballhandler the game has ever seen, with his ability to split double teams and traps while getting to the basket with ease.
While Westbrook had trouble at times converting layups and dunks this season, Irving is a pretty reliable finisher at the rim. He shot 70.2 percent this season on shots from within three feet of the basket.
He also shot 39.3 percent from 3-point range for his career, including a career-high 41.8 percent this year. He is effective in catch-and-shoot situations, as evidenced by his 40.9 percent from downtown in such situations this year.
While Westbrook has had problems protecting the ball over the last several years, Irving has averaged just 2.6 turnovers a game in his career. For a player with a career usage rate of 29.4, that is pretty outstanding.
He may not be as prolific a passer as Westbrook, but his career average of 5.7 assists per game is very strong.
Perhaps the biggest thing Irving could do for the Lakers at the end of the day has to do with crunch time, as he is perhaps the game’s deadliest player in such situations.
No one will ever forget the decisive 3-pointer he made with about a minute left and the score tied in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals to propel Cleveland to its first world championship in any sport since 1964.
It capped an outstanding series for him in which he played a huge role in the Cavs overcoming a 3-1 series deficit.
.@KyrieIrving was UNSTOPPABLE in 2016 NBA Finals 🔥🏆 pic.twitter.com/3bd9S8fVmN
— FreeDawkins.com (@DawkinsMTA) October 22, 2020
James has been criticized by some for not being a killer in such situations, but Irving certainly is.
Throughout the course of a game, his mere presence would make the Lakers so much tougher to defend than they have been with Westbrook.
Of course, Irving also thinks of himself as a disciple of late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant, who was as great a closer as the NBA has ever seen.
Irving can opt out of his current contract and become a free agent this summer. Although he said he isn’t going anywhere, he said the same thing early in the 2018-19 season, months before he became a free agent, only to leave the Boston Celtics to join Brooklyn.
Los Angeles Lakers' new head coach Darvin Ham was introduced on Monday and point guard Russell Westbrook showed up to support the hiring.
Namron Players Theatre is premiering "ANNA When the Sun Goes Down," written and directed by esteemed Oklahoma storyteller DWe Williams June 9-11.
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2022-06-09T03:22:51Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Could Lakers trade Russell Westbrook for Kyrie Irving?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/could-lakers-trade-russell-westbrook-120025518.html?src=rss
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Draymond's mom goes off on Barkley, Perk for remarks about son originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Draymond Green definitely got it from his mama.
If you thought the Warriors veteran forward was outspoken, his mom doesn’t hold back when it comes to defending her son.
Mary Babers-Green joined 95.7 The Game’s “The Morning Roast” on Wednesday and addressed her son’s, and the Warriors’, biggest haters.
Charles Barkley leaned into the Warriors’ villain role after going back and forth with fans and calling San Francisco “hell.”
As the feud continued and even intensified throughout the Western Conference finals, Babers-Green wasn’t worried because all her son had to do was lift his hand and show off his three championship rings -- something Barkley never won in his 16-year NBA career.
"I believe Charles Barkley has a job to do," Babers-Green said. "He gets paid to be a heckler. If Dray is the one you wanna pick on, go ahead and pick on him. But he can always put up a middle finger and say, ‘It’s a ring, Chuck.’ He can’t deny that. He doesn’t have a ring, so, hey. If you’re a great or not, it doesn’t show if you don’t got that ring. That’s what they play for."
And there wasn't really anything else to be said about Barkley, but Babers-Green wasn't done just yet.
She then went in on another former player, Kendrick Perkins, who has been known to take aim at her son.
The former NBA center and current ESPN analyst has consistently been a critic of Green, and Green has almost always fired back.
But to Babers-Green, she remains unbothered by Perkins.
"He doesn’t really bother me at all," she said. "It’s like, ‘OK, whatever. So what.’ Charles Barkley was great. Charles Barkley was one of my favorite players ever. He was a great player. I never even knew who Kendrick Perkins was until recently. He never stood out on my radar. I could care less. If that’s how he treats his job, ‘As long as I’m making this money.’ Make the money, brother."
RELATED: Parish: Game 2 Draymond 'would've gotten punched' vs. him
Green and Warriors "haters" better watch out, because Babers-Green doesn't hold back.
BELLINZONA, Switzerland (Reuters) -The trial of former FIFA president Sepp Blatter and French footballing legend Michel Platini over alleged corrupt payments ground to a halt on Wednesday when Blatter said he was too ill to testify. Swiss prosecutors accuse the pair, once among football's most powerful figures, of unlawfully arranging a payment of two million Swiss francs ($2.08 million) in 2011. Blatter and Platini both deny the charges.
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2022-06-09T03:22:57Z
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Draymond Green's mom goes off on Charles Barkley, Kendrick Perkins
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11 things about Phil Mickelson’s first press conference since joining Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series
Phil Mickelson talks "sportswashing", the PGA Tour, Ryder Cup, and did he really get $200 million to join?
STORY: Speaking at a press freedom event ahead of the Summit of the Americas, Blinken also pushed back on the assertion that the facts around her death had been established."They've not yet been established...We're looking for an independent, credible investigation. When that investigation happens, we will follow the facts wherever they lead," he said after being pressed by a reporter on the Palestinian-American's death.The Palestinian Authority said on June 2 its investigation showed that Abu Akleh was shot by an Israeli soldier in a "deliberate murder." Israel denied the accusation and said it was continuing its own investigations.
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2022-06-09T03:23:04Z
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Phil Mickelson finally came out of hiding and spewed more empty nonsense about LIV Golf
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Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays his shot from the sixth tee during the first day of the World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play at Austin Country Club on March 23, 2022 in Austin, Texas - Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
They will be unveiled before the end of the inaugural 54-hole tournament, and it is understood that fellow American Rickie Fowler is also close to being confirmed as joining the breakaway circuit, which begins at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire on Thursday. DeChambeau and Reed are expected to compete at the second event, in Portland from July 3.
Organisers were waiting until Thursday to make the announcement, but Brett Falkoff, DeChambeau’s agent, felt obliged to confirm after Telegraph Sport’s exclusive appeared. “Bryson has always been an innovator,” Falkoff said in a statement. “Having the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something unique has always been intriguing to him. Professional golf as we know it is changing, and it’s happening quickly.” Poulter predicted DeChambeau and Reed would not be the last top players to join the circuit. “I definitely see other top players watching on this week and wanting to be a part of it,” he said. “There’s a huge investment coming into the game of golf and… I think they will want to come and see what it’s all about.” DeChambeau is receiving north of $100 million as a signing on fee, while Reed’s deal is thought to be around $50 million.
However, their inclusion may come at a price. Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour commissioner, has warned that any rebels defying his orders face a lifetime ban, although the likes of Johnson, Kevin Na and Garcia have seemingly taken this out of Monahan’s hands by resigning their membership.
There has been speculation that Mickelson, who is ending his four-month competitive absence here, has either served a ban or is still serving a ban from the PGA Tour, and his comments in his first press conference since January only added to the conjecture. “I choose not to speak publicly on PGA Tour issues at this time,” Mickelson replied when asked if he had been suspended for accusing Monahan of “running a tyranny”, of “obnoxious greed” and for admitting to helping to pay for lawyers to draw up a players’ charter for the rival circuit.
Mickelson cut a humble figure, but is not giving up his membership. “I am a lifetime member and don’t see why I should give that up,” he said. “I have earned it. I don’t need to play a minimum of 15 events. I could just play one.” The 51-year-old confirmed he is playing in next week’s US Open and stated his desire to be involved in future Ryder Cups, which would be an impossibility if he is hit with a lifetime ban.
Poulter and Lee Westwood insisted that there should be no reason why they are barred from representing Europe again. “I’d like to think it wouldn’t,” Poulter said, when asked if he was risking missing out on more Ryder Cup appearances. “It’s an unknown risk; we don’t know how the DP World Tour will view it.”
Keith Pelley, that Tour’s chief executive, has not given an inkling on how he will respond to players who play in LIV and so break the circuit’s rules, but the Tour has a “strategic alliance” with the PGA Tour. It has always been assumed it will follow suit with stringent sanctions.
However, Westwood is adamant they should be considered for captaincy. “Myself and Ian have been members of the PGA Tour while we’ve been on the European Tour, and that’s had no effect in the past on whether people have been captains,” he said. “LIV Golf is another tour, so why should it be any different?”
Rory McIlroy has been a staunch opponent of LIV and reiterated his belief that Greg Norman's venture will 'fracture the game'. “Any decision you make in your life that's purely for money, usually doesn't end up going the right way," he said.
But even the Northern Irishman believes Poulter and Westwood should not be consigned to the Ryder Cup wilderness.
"They've been such a part of the Ryder Cup - look at Poulter's history in it - and it would be such a shame for him going forward whether that's as a captain or one last time in a playing capacity,' McIlroy said. "It's hard because they're playing in defiance of the Tour. I just think everyone should get in a room and figure it all out."
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2022-06-09T03:23:10Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Exclusive: Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed join Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series
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Already on a team with the craftiest nickname in sports, the Splash Brothers -- Steph Curry and Klay Thompson -- Jordan Poole's rise to stardom in his third season with the Warriors has proven worthy of a moniker of his own.
Just like a "Curry flurry" or "Game 6 Klay," Warriors fans have already nailed down a term for when the Michigan product goes off -- it's a "Poole Party." But as for what his official nickname should be?
"I've heard some really good ones," Poole said Tuesday. "Kid Splash is pretty cool."
Kid Splash and the Splash Brothers. It's perfect.
The nickname "Splash Nephew" floated around on draft night in 2019 when the Warriors selected Poole with the No. 28 pick. After learning plenty of lessons over his first two seasons split between the NBA and G League, Poole earned his nickname by carrying Golden State's offense throughout the 2020-21 campaign.
"In terms of the whole Splash Nephew, Splash Kid, Splash Brother thing, I just feel like I knew I was capable, and I had two really great players in front of me who I was going to be able to learn from," Poole said. "I just had a really good intuition that it would go in the right direction."
It's easy to have a good intuition while sharing a locker room with future Hall of Famers Curry and Thompson.
"Being able just to learn from them and kind of follow in their footsteps is pretty dope," Poole said. "I always feel like I'd be able to make an impact, especially with those two guys in front of me and around me. I kind of felt like it would happen, it would just be a matter of time. But it's really cool, really special to be a part of for sure."
When the Warriors trot out to face the Boston Celtics in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night, it'll be a family affair:
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2022-06-09T03:23:54Z
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Jordan Poole reveals perfect nickname to align with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson
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Oregon State will open the 2022 Corvallis Super Regional on Saturday, the NCAA announced Monday night. The Beavers take on Auburn in a best-of-three series at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field that begins at 7 p.m. PT. The first two games of the super regional will be televised on ESPN2.
First Alert Forecast: June 7, 2022 - Late Evening
First Alert Forecast from Meteorologist Garrett Bedenbaugh.
All three of KU’s scholarship freshmen who played in the camp game scored in double figures.
The Angelo State University baseball team's season ended Wednesday with a loss to West Chester at the NCAA Division II College World Series.
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2022-06-09T03:24:25Z
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The NCAA Super Regional bracket is set. Here’s how we reseeded the 16 teams still standing
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The Los Angeles Rams are known for making surprising moves and they made a slightly surprising move on Wednesday. Despite mandatory minicamp beginning this week, the Rams have waived Travin Howard.
Howard was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Rams, operating as a depth option at inside linebacker for the first few seasons of his career. Due to injuries at the position, Howard started in four games (including the playoffs) a season ago, recording 28 tackles, six pass deflections, and two interceptions from Week 16 through the Super Bowl.
One of the interceptions that Howard made last season came in the NFC title game versus the San Francisco 49ers to seal the game. Aaron Donald was about to sack Jimmy Garoppolo, but the veteran quarterback heaved a desperate pass down the field, only for Howard to secure the interception.
Entering the 2022 season, Howard was likely going to operate as a depth option at inside linebacker once again, with Bobby Wagner and Ernest Jones ahead of him on the depth chart. It remains to be seen what the reasoning is behind Howard’s release, but it could be a strictly financial move, or it could simply be a mutual release where Howard wants an expanded role elsewhere.
Howard was set to make $2.54 million this season after signing an original round tender back in March. Given his athleticism and versatility at the inside linebacker position, Howard shouldn’t have to wait long to find a new team.
Clayton Kershaw appears to be on the verge of returning to the Dodgers rotation, possibly for Sunday's game in San Francisco against the Giants.
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2022-06-09T03:24:48Z
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Rams waive Travin Howard
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U.S. Open final qualifying: Who advanced to The Country Club in Brookline
Fowler with a birdie on the fourth playoff hole to secure the first alternate spot. pic.twitter.com/Vtprcxgn56
— Florida State Golf Association (@fsga) June 7, 2022
What that means in the short term is unknown. The USGA does not publicly disclose the priority list, though it’s based on a formula that takes into account the qualifiers’ strength of field. Alternates are updated on their prospects so they can properly prepare.
At least one avenue for entry was closed Tuesday when the USGA announced that players competing in the rival LIV circuit will be allowed to play in next week's Open. Fowler, too, has been linked to the Saudi-backed league, and he’s been transparent about the ongoing negotiations. He maintained that he plans to play the PGA Tour for now, but that he remains “intrigued” by the possibilities of the breakaway league, which begins play Thursday outside London. Despite rampant social-media speculation earlier this week, Fowler reiterated that he has not made any concrete decisions about his future. That will come later.
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2022-06-09T03:24:54Z
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Rickie Fowler returns to U.S. Open qualifier, nabs 1st-alternate spot
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#Bucs RB Leonard Fournette said that not long after Tom Brady un-retired, he was on a trip visiting the #Patriots as a free agent. Brady then called Fournette and said “What’s your ass doing up there, man?” pic.twitter.com/LRGsgfBi1o
With the NFL season right around the corner, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers began mandatory mini-camps on Tuesday. It was the first time we've seen Tom Brady back on the field since last season.
It starts at 1 p.m. on Wednesday.
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2022-06-09T03:25:07Z
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Tom Brady’s hilarious response to Leonard Fournette visiting Patriots in free agency
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The third of three big left hooks from Naoya Inoue ended the night of an overwhelmed Nonito Donaire in the second round of their rematch Tuesday in Saitama, Japan.
Here are the brutal final moments of the bantamweight title-unification fight.
Naoya Inoue, the unbeaten three-division champion from Japan known as the Monster, lived up to his reputation as one of boxing’s best pound-for-pound fighters with a sensational second-round knockout of Nonito Donaire in their bantamweight title unification fight on Tuesday night at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Inoue showcased his unique cocktail of power, speed and footwork from the opening bell, walking Donaire down and dropping him with a heat-seeking right hand near the end of the frame. Donaire made it to his feet and was saved by the bell, but went down under a flurry of punches midway through the second and was immediately waved out by referee Michael Griffin at the 1:24 mark.
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2022-06-09T03:25:26Z
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Watch it: Naoya Inoue’s devastating knockout punch against Nonito Donaire
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But Russell's path took a different turn during a turbulent three years with the Oakland Raiders. The last time he was seen on an NFL field was January 2010, taking mop-up snaps in a season-ending blowout to the Baltimore Ravens.
Russell apparently blighted his reputation with the Raiders so badly that they later reportedly dissuaded Terrelle Pryor from switching jersey numbers to Russell's former No. 2 so as to avoid any comparisons between the two.
For years, Russell remained out of the spotlight. But he reemerged this week to tell The Players' Tribune his side of the story, which is titled "Y'all Don't Know a Damn Thing About JaMarcus Russell."
JaMarcus Russell's last NFL snap came with the Oakland Raiders against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2009 season. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
And yes, he discussed the elephant in the room — his early dependence on addictive cough syrup — and a few other tough stories from his ill-fated career and before. As a setup to what he thinks might one day be a "movie script," Russell writes:
The first-person narrative does leave some gaps in Russell's story, but it does shed some light on what he went through — including his work ethic and weight issues — and why it fell apart so quickly.
Here are five interesting things we learned from reading Russell's story:
Russell begins his story with how he got hooked on cough syrup, which he says was a common recreational drug in his neighborhood of Mobile, Alabama. He was playing in the park with friends and some older kids when he was told to "grab something from the cooler."
Shortly after that, Russell passed out. But clearly he liked the effect. Russell doesn't say it explicitly, but it appears he was hooked from then on, transitioning to a story of how he poured some in a cup before a 10 a.m. class at LSU — and how someone else found out and ratted out the star QB.
But the school kept the issue on the down-low, and Russell kept on keeping on. He says he preferred that brand of opioid to what team doctors at LSU and with the Raiders provided him.
"It ain't for fun, you feel me? I’m in pain, and that’s just how I knew to deal with it. I was honest with the coaches about what was going on, and they knew me as a person, so they handled it quietly. I did my punishment, which was not attending the bowl game, and we kept it movin’."
Russell also indicates that he wasn't using marijuana during his career, which was a common rumor back then. In fact, almost as an aside, he says he didn't smoke weed until after the Raiders had cut him.
Russell paints a picture of a big, loving and supportive family as he rose to fame — first in high school, then in college and eventually as the first overall pick. It was something he appeared to be relatively naive about prior to an agent's runner planting the seed in Russell's head about how favorably the league viewed him as a prospect.
Closest to Russell, except for his parents, were a group of uncles who acted as his mentors. There was Uncle Ray Ray, a former Mobile disc jockey whom Russell considered like a second father. Uncle Mike worked at a paper company and would hook Russell up with school supplies, "the coolest guy in the world," Russell said. And finally, there was Uncle Marcus, Russell's namesake and the man who got him into football at age 4.
JaMarcus Russell was a legend at LSU, but behind the scenes things were falling apart in his life before ever entering the NFL — and there was more trouble after he turned pro. (Photo by A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
The day after Russell's legendary pro-day workout, which ESPN's Mel Kiper continues to say was one of the best he's ever seen from a quarterback, JaMarcus was alerted that his Uncle Marcus was non-responsive, presumably after a night of drinking. Marcus eventually awakened, but he had suffered an episode that involved screaming, kicking and invoking Satan.
The police restrained Marcus and took him for help. Russell said his uncle wasn't even able to attend the draft a few months later, still recovering from the incident that Russell described as a "breakdown." He says his uncle was never the same after that.
Then in 2009, prior to Russell's third NFL season, tragedy struck twice. Ray Ray and Mike both died that offseason in a three-month span of heart-related ailments. Mike was buried three days before Russell was set to leave for training camp. Marcus, "still going through his thing" at the time, Russell said, couldn't even attend either funeral.
"My heart was hurting so damn bad, bro. Felt like everybody was leaving me."
The Raiders' QB coach called out Russell in front of the other quarterbacks
In that 2009 season that Russell called "a mess," he said the team's quarterback coach cursed him out after a tough loss in the QB room during a film session.
Russell doesn't name the assistant, but that season Paul Hackett was the Raiders' QB coach. Russell said the coach used a profanity-laced tirade directed at Russell, although the quarterback believes that not many people in that building were fans of his.
"None of those coaches wanted me in the first place. Only Al Davis wanted me. That’s on record. Those coaches didn’t give a damn about me — not as a player, and damn sure not as a person."
As Russell tells it, he responded by calmly explaining to Hackett by indicating not even his parents used that kind of language toward him. Hackett apparently settled down and spoke more professionally — that is until a few minutes later, when Russell broke the tension by slamming a table (like Mike Tyson, he says) and yelling straight back at Hackett:
“Now, b****, that’s how you talk to me from now on.”
One such event was Stephen A. Smith calling Russell "a fat slob on national television." Another was when Russell took his father to an NBA game. When the cameras pointed their way, an unnamed TNT announcer apparently said: “JaMarcus Russell. God. Look at those necklaces. If he spent as much time in the film room as he did in the jewelry store, he’d be a much better quarterback.”
Despite his failed NFL career, Russell still considers himself a 'king'
The story turns toward a more bright side by the end, as Russell retells a story of gambling in Vegas when Jay-Z and Beyoncé walked by Russell's table. Jay-Z recognized Russell and stopped to talk. (Beyoncé, sadly, kept going.)
But it reaffirmed to Russell that though he's viewed by others as a career bust, the fact is he made it to a place where few people have before. His NFL days were not long or distinguished, but Russell appears to be at some measure of peace with where he's at now, more than a decade removed from his last NFL snap.
"Maybe you look at me and you see a failure. That’s cool. I see something a hell of a lot different.
"I’m from Mobile, Alabama. My daddy was a project n****. My momma worked at the shipyard. She worked every kind of job. All around us — nothing but poverty.
"I wasn’t supposed to be s***. Man, I wasn’t even supposed to be here. I’m talking here here. I shattered every expectation for my life.
"I was Mr. Football for the whole state of Alabama.
"I brought Nick Saban to the neighborhood.
"I got millions to wear some Nike shoes. And to play the game I love.
"I was the second Black quarterback to go No. 1, after Mike Vick.
"I ain’t no failure.
"I’m a King.
"I’m still."
Out of public view for four months, Phil Mickelson returns to golf under severe scrutiny because of where he’s playing and who is paying him. Mickelson is a six-time major champion, the most popular golfer this side of Tiger Woods. “I don’t condone human rights violations,” Mickelson responded hesitatingly, choosing his words carefully at a terse news conference Wednesday.
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2022-06-09T03:25:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL: JaMarcus Russell explains what went wrong in failed career
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https://sports.yahoo.com/what-we-learned-from-ja-marcus-russell-about-why-he-failed-in-the-nfl-183856592.html?src=rss
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Nationals star Stephen Strasburg is set to pitch in the majors for the first time since June 1, 2021, when he starts against the Marlins in Miami. Strasburg, who turns 34 next month, has been sidelined for most of the past two seasons. The 2019 World Series MVP made three minor league rehab starts in the lead-up to his debut.
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2022-06-09T04:04:43Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Allie Quigley with a Buzzer Beater vs. Washington Mystics
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https://sports.yahoo.com/allie-quigley-buzzer-beater-vs-021234180.html?src=rss
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Fans will be able to use the Club to purchase passes to in-person events with the players, including meet-and-greets, tailgates, a message board, Q&A’s and more. The ELNC is set to start selling a limited number of passes in July. The money will be divided up equally between all participating players.
This is the message players sent out to fans:
Nine Michigan State football players named to 2022 Athlon Sports All-Big Ten Preseason Team
A new NIL collective called Dear Old Clemson LLC will use former standouts to support, advise Clemson student-athletes.
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2022-06-09T05:40:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Michigan State football players launch East Lansing NIL Club, giving fans access to players
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https://sports.yahoo.com/michigan-state-football-players-launch-205108264.html?src=rss
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Ravens TE Mark Andrews ranked as one of the best at his position by Pro Football Focus
Dennis Pitta
Todd Heap
Former American football tight end
The Baltimore Ravens have been gifted with numerous talented players at the tight end position over their 26-year-history. From Todd Heap and Dennis Pitta to Nick Boyle and Mark Andrews, the team has been able to identify great talent at the position and it shows.
When ranking the best NFL tight ends, Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus had high praise for Andrews. He used a three-tier system that had the best players as “elite”, followed by players with “tier 1 capabilities, but either lack consistency or have slipped”, and finally “the best of the rest”.
Andrews was placed in the elite category by Treash, and was behind just three other players at the position in Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller. When explaining why Andrews was in the elite category, Treash acknowledged the tight end is the go-to option for Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.
“Andrews took his game to another level in 2021 and became even more of the go-to option for quarterback Lamar Jackson. He posted a career-high 91.5 PFF grade in 2021, the highest among tight ends. The 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end boasts top-tier ball skills, provides a physical element as a receiver and makes difficult grabs over the middle in traffic look routine. Andrews ranked top five at the position in drop rate (2.6%) and contested catch rate (60%, 18-of-30) while producing more 15-plus yard receptions than any other tight end in the NFL (33). He’s essentially a big slot in the Ravens’ offense, as he played over 50% of his snaps on the inside. And Andrews isn’t a slouch when blocking inline, either, ranking third among tight ends in run-blocking grade for 2021.”
It’s no surprise Andrews received some love from PFF, as the tight end is one of the best at his position. Andrews has been selected to two Pro Bowls and also was awarded 2021 First-Team All-Pro honors. Through his first four seasons, the tight end has caught 263 passes for 3,466 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns.
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2022-06-09T06:36:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ravens TE Mark Andrews ranked as one of the best at his position by Pro Football Focus
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-te-mark-andrews-ranked-035919446.html?src=rss
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Ravens TE Nick Boyle shares update on how he’s feeling
One of the offensive playmakers who Baltimore missed in a big way was tight end Nick Boyle, who could never quite fully work his way back from the gruesome knee injury that he suffered in the middle of the 2020 season. However, when speaking to the media following a session of voluntary OTAs, Boyle shared an update on how he was feeling, revealing that he feels much better, and has even dropped some pounds as he’s been working to recover.
"I feel really, really good right now." @nickboyle86 pic.twitter.com/iaDOgodGzH
When healthy, Boyle is widely considered one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, and has also improved as a pass catcher over the course of his career. He was only able to play in five games in 2021, but after having time to recover and work his way back it seems like the tight end could finally be ready to get back on the field and contribute at full health.
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2022-06-09T06:36:41Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ravens TE Nick Boyle shares update on how he’s feeling
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ravens-te-nick-boyle-shares-035707403.html?src=rss
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Asia “AD” Durr has a new team after a two-year bout with COVID-19.
The New York Liberty traded the former No. 2 overall pick to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for forward Megan Walker and the draft rights to Raquel Carrera, the Dream’s 2021 second-round pick, the Dream announced Wednesday.
From the Dream:
“We are excited for the opportunity to add AD to our roster,” said head coach Tanisha Wright. “We understand the obstacles AD has fought through to get back to playing basketball, and we look forward to teaming up with them and continuing that journey. AD’s talent speaks for itself, and we think there is no better place to unlock it than here in their home state.”
The move represents a homecoming for AD, who grew up in the Atlanta area and will now try to revive a career that saw them miss the last two seasons due to one of the worst cases of COVID-19 the sports world has seen.
Can AD find success again with the Dream?
Rewind to the end of 2019, and AD's career looked promising. One of the most exciting players in college basketball had turned in a solid rookie season, averaging 9.7 points per game and cementing themself as a starter of the rebuilding Liberty, despite a season-ending hip surgery.
And then AD contracted COVID-19. Here's how they described the resulting battle to Sports Illustrated's Ben Pickman:
What transpired in the nearly 24 months since has changed their life in nearly every way. Physically, AD dealt with “stabbing” lung pain and brain fog, nausea and dizziness. They suffered from long-haul COVID-19, experiencing heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chills, sweats, stomach and gut issues, body aches and headaches. In the first month after contracting the virus, they lost 32 pounds. They were put into a “really dark place for quite some time,” they say.
AD feared they might be added to the virus’s death count. Over the next two years, they’d have that thought five or six times. “I was literally suffering every day. I felt I was dying,” AD says
Durr was in no condition to play for both the 2020 bubble season and the 2021 season. They finally announced they had been cleared to play last November, but the struggles didn't end there.
In 10 games with the last-place Liberty, AD has averaged 1.4 points per game and shot 3-of-17 total. We'll see if the Dream can find a way to get them back to their 2019 shape.
AD is trying to get their WNBA career back on track. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Director Rob Zombie unveiled the first footage from his cinematic spin on ’60s TV classic The Munsters today with an opening credits montage that mirrors the TV show’s, but with his 2022 cast in the roles of Herman, Lily and Grandpa Munster. Missing, however, are appearances from “ugly duckling” Marilyn and the werewolfish Eddie. You […]
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2022-06-09T11:42:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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WNBA: Liberty trade former No. 2 pick Asia 'AD' Durr to Dream
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Altogether, 210 employees received a combined total of just over $1.5 million, according to information USA TODAY Sports obtained from the university under an open-records request.
Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday he was inspired to take action by two of his players’ charitable use of money they had received from deals for the use of their name, image and likeness.
“I think one of the things that really kind of made me think about it — kind of motivated me to do it — was our running back Blake Corum, over Thanksgiving, took some of his NIL money and did a really neat thing, buying turkeys and food for folks over in Ypsilanti and went and handed them out on Thanksgiving,” Harbaugh said. “J.J. McCarthy, our young quarterback, he did something similar in giving some of his NIL money.
“And (wife) Sarah and I talked about it and (it was) something that we felt inspired to do. … When there were pay reductions during the pandemic, I knew that … it was hard on people. ... I mean my dad worked for Michigan in the athletic department (as a football assistant coach). And I just thought it would be something that would be a very good, positive thing.”
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh was set to receive $2.075 million in bonuses but sent $1.5 million to athletics departments employees who take pandemic-related pay cuts.
In the aftermath, Harbaugh said: “I got some really nice thank-you letters. Thank-you texts, calls. People even stopped by in person to say thank you.”
Michigan athletics spokesman Kurt Svoboda indicated by email Wednesday that the payments to department employees fully covered those who wanted their pay restored. “I am confident in our calculations that the figures provided in your recent FOIA request accurately reflect the names of individuals who took pay reductions, were eligible to receive and who did not object to receiving reimbursements,” Svoboda wrote.
In total, Harbaugh was set to receive $2.075 million, not including any bonus based on the team’s NCAA Academic Progress Rate figures, and, according to a separate open-records request, actually has been paid $575,000.
Harbaugh made his pledge during his appearance on Michigan’s weekly football radio show Nov. 29, the Monday evening after the Wolverines defeated Ohio State to win the Big Ten Conference East Division and a place in the Big Ten championship game. That triggered the first $500,000.
See salaries for college football coaches through the years
Explore the numbers
The size of the bonus was set under a contract terms that took effect in January 2021 and cut Harbaugh’s basic annual compensation from a scheduled $8.05 million to $4 million. As part of the pandemic-related reductions, Harbaugh gave up nearly $265,000.
On the show, Harbaugh said: “Sarah and I were talking about it last night, and we decided any bonus money that I am to receive through this season will be redirected to reimburse U of M athletic department employees who have stayed while taking a voluntary or mandatory pay reduction during the last 18 months during the pandemic.”
Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports that he made the announcement “before I discussed (it) with Warde” Manuel, the school’s athletics director.
Svoboda said Manuel declined to comment.
Svoboda said Harbaugh was paid the $75,000 bonus called for under Harbaugh’s contract if he wins the Associated Press national coach of the year award — an honor that was announced about 10 days after Harbaugh’s comments.
Michigan’s victory over Iowa in the Big Ten championship game meant Harbaugh was due a $1 million bonus, and the team being selected to play in the College Football Playoff resulted in him being owed $500,000 more.
Harbaugh said in the interview that when he went on the radio show: “I knew … what had been earned and what it could be.”
“I didn't know at the time how much would reimburse the whole athletic department,” he said later in the interview. “And I was really happy that we ended up — our team ended up — earning enough to cover, to make it make it a total reimbursement.”
In February, Harbaugh and the university signed another new contract, one that restored his basic annual compensation to $8.05 million for the 2022 season, set up scheduled increases and maintained the same bonus structure that was put in place for the 2021 season.
Michigan’s athletics department had salary reductions in place from Aug. 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021. Employees making less than $50,000 and union employees were exempt, Svoboda said, and the participation of employees under contract was voluntary. For others, the cuts were 5%, 7.5% or 10%, depending on salary and/or job status. To be eligible for reimbursement, an employee who took a pay cut still had to be working for Michigan's athletics department as of Jan. 14, 2022, Svoboda said.
Almost 70% of the reimbursement payments were for amounts of less than $4,500. Men’s basketball coach Juwan Howard received the largest amount — nearly $133,000. Based on calculations by USA TODAY Sports in conjunction with its 2020-21 men’s basketball coaches’ pay survey that were confirmed by Michigan, Howard had been due to take a total reduction of nearly $195,000.
Svoboda said Howard declined to comment.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh gave bonus money to athletics employees
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2022-06-09T11:51:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Jim Harbaugh said his bonus money would go to Michigan athletics employees. Here's what happened.
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jim-harbaugh-said-bonus-money-100054610.html?src=rss
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Mike Freeman, USA TODAY
Yes, there's a lot to digest here, so let's get to it. First, a quick step back. The Commanders have long been one of the worst franchises in all of sports, run by the worst owner, but recently the team has outdone itself with its toxicity and depravity.
Then along comes Del Rio. There was first his bonkers tweet earlier this week. Then, at a news conference a few days later, he doubled down and called the Jan. 6 riots a "dust-up," which is like calling a leg injury caused by an ax a scratch.
ATTORNEY: Houston Texans to be added to Deshaun Watson lawsuits
Five people died during the "dust-up." Thousands of violent rioters stormed the Capitol building during the shindig. Two officers who responded to the attack later died by suicide. Federal prosecutors have charged hundreds of people for taking part in the riots. People built gallows and chanted about hanging Vice President Mike Pence.
Various videos of the day show an enraged mob, not a picnic. Or tourists.
Del Rio's words are a slap to the face of the Capitol police who fought to protect lawmakers inside the building, who fought to protect democracy.
The protests Del Rio talks about? They were, by far, mostly peaceful.
Washington Football Team defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio looks on before a game against the New York Giants at FedExField.
The story took yet another twist when late Wednesday afternoon, probably after a chat or two with team officials, Del Rio apologized for his remarks about Jan. 6 and condemned "violence in communities across the country."
His apology was too late, and I don't believe it's sincere. One look at his Twitter feed and you see a sewer system of right-wing conspiracy theories and just plain, ol' dumb stuff. It wasn't an apology from Del Rio as much as it was an attempt to stop the bleeding and maybe even save his job.
We could spend a great deal of time fact-checking Del Rio, but that's not the main point. The reason the Del Rio story is important is the same reason Aaron Rodgers' disgraceful and embarrassing spread of vaccine misinformation was. Del Rio is a big name in the NFL. In many ways, he's NFL royalty. He was a player, a head coach (twice) and is now an assistant coach. What he says is foolish, but it carries weight because of who he is.
People like Del Rio and Rodgers act as propaganda force multipliers. Del Rio uses an old tactic of saying, "I'm just asking questions." But for a lot of people out there, maybe 30% of the country, these types of lies work. People on the ground level of these falsehoods see an NFL coach or Rodgers agreeing with them and it serves as affirmation.
Del Rio and others will say this is about a difference of opinion, another tactic of propagandists. But it's not. One is fact. One is not.
What Del Rio did was dangerous.
There's a reason why a bipartisan committee has spent over a year investigating the coup attempt and will begin releasing its findings on Thursday, and not investigating the mostly peaceful protests after the murder of George Floyd two years ago. Because one is a real thing and the other is not.
One was showing multicultural unity objecting to the systemic killing of unarmed Black people at the hands of law enforcement. Jan. 6, meanwhile, was a group of white nationalists trying to overthrow the United States government after being whipped up byt the former President.
Interestingly, in the aftermath of Del Rio's words, the "stick to sports" people and "shut up and dribble" folks are amazingly quiet.
“It’s always unwise to seek political advice from someone who gets paid $100 million a year to bounce a ball,” Fox News' Laura Ingraham once said. “Keep the political comments to yourselves. Shut up and dribble.”
That rule apparently only applies to certain people – and you know what I mean when I say certain people.
Some around the Commanders do realize just how problematic Del Rio is and how he creates even more problems for a franchise that has megatonnage of them.
Brian Mitchell, the former Washington running back and current analyst, said during a radio show on Wednesday, speaking of head coach Ron Rivera: "I don't give a damn about Ron Rivera getting mad at somebody having a (practice) collision until he gets off his (expletive) and addresses this damn idiot that he hired as a defensive coordinator. That's what I give a damn about."
"And if he can't do it, then he's the wrong damn man to be leading this damn football team. ... How do (you) expect anybody on that team to be straightforward when you've got a guy like that in the defensive coordinator position?"
Just another day in the life of a dumpster fire franchise.
Just another day in the life of America.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: January 6 wasn't a 'dust-up,' Jack Del Rio, it was an act of treason
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2022-06-09T12:05:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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No, Jack Del Rio: Jan. 6 wasn't a 'dust-up.' It was a violent act of treason. | Opinion
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Elena Delle Donne exited midway through the second quarter of the Washington Mystics' 84-82 win against the Chicago Sky on Wednesday and did not not return with what the team from apparent back tightness. Delle Donne played three games over the past two years following two back surgeries.
The 2019 MVP asked to come out with 7:15 left in the second quarter of a one-possession game. It happened after she set a screen on Sky guard Allie Quigley, bumping into her hip. Quigley stole the pass meant for Delle Donne and the Sky scored in transition. Delle Donne signaled to the sideline to exit, walked to the tunnel and did not return, though she was listed as questionable.
She was 1-of-6 with two assists and a rebound in seven minutes on the floor.
Mystics head coach Mike Thibault said after the game "it wasn't anything necessarily serious, just tightening and [it was] better to sit her down."
“I don’t foresee anything long-term at that," he said, via NBC Washington's Tyler Byrum. "She still hasn’t seen the doctor yet, but she’s going to be okay.”
He said she wasn't experiencing any of the symptoms she had a year ago when she was pulled from her third game of the 2021 season and never returned. Delle Donne was "just uncomfortable more than anything," he said. Point guard Natasha Cloud said the concern "is not even about basketball," but for Delle Donne as a person, friend and team family member.
Delle Donne, 32, has missed four games due to planned rest as the Mystics (8-5) work with her in keeping health a priority. They want to manage her workload, including rough travel stints that could aggravate the injury. She's averaging 15.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 47.4% and 38.9% from 3-point range. Both marks are right at her nine-year career average and she has looked like her 2019-year self.
Delle Donne's injury history
Elena Delle Donne exited the game against the Chicago Sky with back tightness and did not return. (Photo by Katherine Frey/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
Any back issue for Delle Donne takes on heightened attention given her absences from the league over the past two years. She played through three herniated discs in her back during the 2019 WNBA Finals, which went to five games against the Connecticut Sun, and underwent two back surgeries within a year.
Delle Donne, who also lives with Lyme disease, has had to retrain how she moves her body for lifetime health. The Mystics even have a special chair on their bench for her to ease any issues in her back.
The two-time MVP skipped the 2020 season while rehabbing and out of concern for her health during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. She appeared on track to return for the start of the 2021 season, but that was continuously pushed back until she made her debut in August. Delle Donne played 52 minutes over three games before being pulled as a precautionary measure. She did not play another minute that season.
The Mystics will play the Minnesota Lynx at Target Center in Minneapolis on Friday and return home for a Sunday evening tile against the Phoenix Mercury. Thibault said it was not a scheduled rest day for Delle Donne. It might become one depending on the severity of the tightness and precaution. Washington has the fourth-best record in the league.
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2022-06-09T14:32:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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WNBA injury: Elena Delle Donne exits with back tightness
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https://sports.yahoo.com/wnba-mystics-elena-delle-donne-leaves-game-with-back-tightness-raising-concerns-135718213.html?src=rss
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The Arizona Cardinals believe they have one of the most dynamic wide receiver rooms in the NFL. They have DeAndre Hopkins, even though he will miss the first six games of the season with a suspension for testing positive for a banned performance-enhancing substance. They have A.J. Green, who had over 850 receiving yards last season. They have Marquise Brown, whom they acquired via trade. He had over 1,000 receiving yards with the Baltimore Ravens in 2021, and then have Rondale Moore, the 2021 second-round speedster the team absolutely loves.
Add in tight ends Zach Ertz and rookie Trey McBride, and the Cardinals look like they have one of the best groups of pass catchers in the league.
Pro Football Focus doesn’t think so. It ranked all 32 teams’ receiving corps and the Cardinals come in only 16th, at the bottom of the tier of “strong overall with a weak point or two.”
The Cardinals’ receiving corps for 2022 moves up or down depending on how much you want to factor in DeAndre Hopkins’ six-game suspension to start the season. Arizona’s offense ranked fourth in Expected Points Added (EPA) per play for the 10 weeks that Hopkins played, dropping to 18th in the weeks he missed. His presence in the lineup matters.
They rank at the bottom of the NFC West, with the 49ers coming in at sixth overall, the Rams seventh and the Seahawks 13th.
Things do look different for the Cardinals when Hopkins is not on the field, but because they have an offseason to adjust things, their receivers are still solid. They have both speed with Brown and Moore and length with Green. They have matchup problems with Ertz and McBride. Add Hopkins to the mix in Week 7 and the passing game appears unguardable.
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2022-06-09T15:01:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cardinals’ WR corps ranked only 16th by PFF
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-wr-corps-ranked-only-135810216.html?src=rss
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