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What Kapler told Webb in crucial mound meeting vs. Royals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
SAN FRANCISCO — Logan Webb’s story the last two seasons is one of remarkable consistency.
He has made 39 starts since the beginning of 2021 and the Giants have won 30 of them. There have not been many duds, but on the other end, Webb is still searching for that first complete game.
Webb has hummed along for the last year, but there have been patches that more closely resemble a roller coaster if you zoom in enough. Two weeks ago in Philadelphia, Webb convinced Gabe Kapler to let him pitch the ninth and then gave up a game-tying homer to Kyle Schwarber. The next time out, Webb was pulled in the fifth, and he let it be known afterward that he wasn't thrilled about the decision.
It could have gone a number of different directions, then, when Kapler walked out to the mound in the seventh inning to check with Webb. There were two on and one out and Webb was headed for a pitch count he had not previously seen, but Kapler liked the look in his eye, and he liked the way Webb was still throwing. He also got the right answer from Webb.
The staff's ace stayed out there and got through the inning with a little help from Luis Gonzalez and Austin Wynns. Less than an hour later, the Giants had a 4-2 win over the Kansas City Royals, their fifth straight. It came with a career-high 112 pitches from Webb, who was thrilled with the opportunity.
"It was really cool," he said. "(Kapler) trusts us a lot and we trust him. In a full season, there's always going to be times when you don't agree with something, and there were just a couple of times when we didn't agree and that happens. But 99 percent of the time we agree and we get to do things like tonight. That's what makes tonight so cool. We've got a cool relationship with all of us in this locker room, it's not just the players, it's the coaches as well.
"There was never trust lost or anything like that. There was just one time we didn't agree and sometimes that happens. It's bound to happen in a six-month season."
The Giants have a long way to go, which is why Kapler is often so careful with his starters. But this was a night to push Webb, who allowed just five hits and struck out nine.
When Kapler went out to the mound -- with Jarlin Garcia warming up in the bullpen -- it was clear he didn't want to make a move. He hesitated for a moment on the top step, looking back at his coaches. He gave Webb an opportunity to be open, and once again the young right-hander was.
"Obviously we had some help if we needed it so I kind of wanted to see if he was all present and able to have a good conversation, which he was. He was very calm and under control," Kapler said. "He also said that his body felt great. I basically referenced that it wasn't going to be just one hitter, so if he was good to go that he was going to get several hitters for us there. He gave me the assurance that he felt very confident that his body felt good, which was the number one thing, and then I felt confident he was going to get a ground ball or find his way out of that inning.
"He's one of the few pitchers that we have, probably one of the few pitchers around baseball, that even as his pitch count rises, if he's feeling really good and he's able to stay in his delivery and continue to deliver strikes, that you feel like he's still the best option you have even if you have fresh relievers in the pen."
Of course, these decisions are often criticized when they backfire, and this one wasn't all smooth sailing. Webb got a strikeout but then gave up a flare to right that looked like it would bring a run across and cut the Giants' lead to two. But Luis Gonzalez made a 97.4 mph throw from right and Austin Wynns scooped it perfectly before putting a deft tag down. The Giants were out of the inning.
"When I gave up the hit it was more like, 'S*** I did it again. I gave up the run,'" Webb said, smiling. "And then he made the play and Austin had the great pick and got the guy out. It was just super exciting."
RELATED: What we learned as Webb's outing helps Giants win fifth straight
That final pitch put Webb a dozen clear of his previous season-high, and it was just the second time he has gone past 102 pitches in the big leagues. His previous high was 107, so this was the most Webb has ever thrown in his life. But, as always, he seemed ready for more.
"I'm sure I'll be decently sore tomorrow, but to throw that many pitches, that's kind of my job to do," he said. "I'm excited to get that pitch count up. I told them afterwards that I probably could have given them more. I felt good enough to throw more, but there's a lot of season left."
Tommy La Stella drove in two runs to back Logan Webb's scoreless start in the Giants' 4-2 win over the Royals
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2022-06-15T18:37:42Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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What Giants' Gabe Kapler told Logan Webb in crucial mound meeting vs. Royals
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https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-gabe-kapler-told-logan-055503576.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-gabe-kapler-told-logan-055503576.html?src=rss
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Mark Drumheller
Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors moved closer to capturing the NBA title with a 104-94 win in Game 5. With a commanding 3-2 series lead, the Warriors are now -400 favorites to win the series, and Steph Curry finally securing a Finals MVP feels like a formality.
But overcoming long odds has been a trademark of Ime Udoka's squad all season. I analyzed the Celtics' chances in February when they were +1200 to reach the NBA Finals. It's easy for us to forget how far they have come. They are a team that got to this point by embracing the pressure of playing without a margin for error. Tomorrow night in Game 6, they find themselves again in a familiar position.
Admittedly, my confidence has waned in the Celtics being able to beat the odds and rip off consecutive wins against Golden State despite witnessing them perform a similar feat against the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks. In addition, fatigue appears to have settled in, leaving me wondering if coming off consecutive seven-game series is catching up with Boston. However, despite my fading hopes regarding my futures bets with Boston, I believe they have enough in the tank to avoid getting closed out in front of their fans. The Celtics are -3.5 point favorites, and while I will be laying the points with the home team, there are a few other bets I punched in that correlate with a Celtics victory.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics looks on during Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors on June 13. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Golden State Warriors at Boston Celtics (Over 210.5)
The Celtics' defense dominated the betting conversation heading into the NBA Finals, but the other side of the floor has been more impactful in determining the results so far.
In Boston's two wins, it averaged 25 more points per game (118-93) and shot 10% better from the field (49.4% - 39.5%). So not only does the series go the way the Celtics' offense goes, but so do the totals. The over is 2-0 in both Celtics victories, while the Warriors' three wins all finished under the total. This is because so much of Boston's success relies on ball movement and making the Warriors' defense close out after stringing together multiple rotations. It also explains why you see a significantly higher shooting percentage in their wins.
If Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum settle for matchups in isolation, Golden State can collapse the lane and force low-percentage shots and turnovers. Since I am banking on Boston to win Game 6, it only makes sense to back the over. I don't see them winning without the offensive success to drive this total over 210.5.
Jayson Tatum Over 6.5 assists (+120)
Jayson Tatum has been one of the most polarizing players in the series. Positioned early as the Celtics' best bet to win Finals MVP, Tatum has failed to live up to those expectations. Instead, poor shooting and turnovers have made us doubt whether he can deliver the signature game his MVP backers have been waiting on. His most impressive performance was in the first game when he dished out 13 dimes as Boston drew first blood in the series.
Tatum is at his best when playing within Udoka's system and creating scoring opportunities for his teammates to complement his game. However, he is still the catalyst of the Celtics' offense. When the ball moves and the Celtics' drive and kick game is effective, it shows up in his assist totals. Tatum has averaged 11 assists in Boston's two victories compared to 4.3 in their three losses. We only need him to get to seven to cash this bet. Boston bettors should be all over this plus-money prop. From my perspective, there is too wide of a gap in price between the Celtics' moneyline (-165) and Tatum going over 6.5 assists (+120). The current odds reflect more than a 16% difference in the implied probabilities of each.
Celtics ML -165 (62.2% implied probability)
Tatum Over 6.5 assists +120 (45.5% implied probability)
This bet is another way we can bet on Boston getting its offense out of the mud and grab additional value in derivative markets when there's more correlation than what's reflected in the odds. It's a solid approach that hinges on a Celtics win and an excellent way to target more favorable odds. Let's hope it plays out, and we can do it again for Game 7.
For the first time in his career, Stephen Curry couldn't get a 3-pointer to fall in an NBA postseason game. Curry was 0 for 9 behind the arc in the Warriors’ 104-94 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday night. The drought ended a streak of 233 postseason and regular-season games in which Curry had made at least one 3-pointer, a run that lasted 3 1/2 years.
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2022-06-15T18:37:49Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NBA Finals: Will Celtics hold off Warriors and force a Game 7?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-finals-2-ways-to-bet-game-6-celtics-warriors-163529015.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-finals-2-ways-to-bet-game-6-celtics-warriors-163529015.html?src=rss
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Quarterbacks, the past few seasons, had to worry about Joey Bosa coming off the edge whenever they faced the Chargers. But now, they will have another terror in their faces in Khalil Mack, who was acquired via trade.
Between his time with the Raiders and Bears, Mack has a resume that includes the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, three All-Pro selections, six Pro Bowl nods, and four straight years with double-digit sacks from 2015 through 2018.
Up to this point in the offseason stage, Mack has been limited as he is coming off a foot injury that forced him to miss the final ten games of the 2021 season. Still, the star-studded edge defenders have steadily been feeding tips to each other.
“It’s amazing. Just to have another guy like that to lean on, to look at,” Bosa said about Mack. “He’s great to talk to. Along with that, he’s obviously an unbelievable player, so having a guy like that on the other side is going to be really fun.”
Bosa added that he has looked up to Mack since he was a young player in the NFL and that their opposite skill sets will complement each other’s perfectly.
Mack will not only benefit from rushing opposite another premier pass rusher but playing for Brandon Staley, who boasts a similar scheme to former head coach Vic Fangio.
The year Staley was outside linebackers coach in Chicago in 2018, Mack enjoyed a solid campaign that year, finishing with 68 pressures, 48 hurries, and 12.5 sacks.
“That’s the thing. Strangely enough, the defensive calls are pretty much all the same. It’s just different wording,” Mack said on the defensive scheme. “Just figuring out the different tangibles as far as what coach Staley and the defensive staff want from myself, first and foremost, making sure I’m able to affect games the way I know how to affect games.”
Mack said it’s going to be very fun playing with Bosa, calling him “very smart,” adding that he’s looking forward to their joint film sessions during the season.
Last season, Los Angeles ranked 19th in pressure rate overall, and on third-and-longs, the team ranked 25th in pressure rate. Now, with Mack’s explosive power and burst and Bosa’s athleticism and hand usage to threaten blockers, these numbers should improve drastically.
According to a report from USA Today's Tyler Dragon, the Chargers and Derwin James are working towards an extension. Here is why.
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2022-06-15T18:46:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chargers’ Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack heap praise on each other
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-joey-bosa-khalil-mack-171348552.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-joey-bosa-khalil-mack-171348552.html?src=rss
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There’s a new member of the Detroit Lions offense as OTAs wrap up in Allen Park this week. The Lions signed veteran tight end Devin Funchess on Tuesday.
Yes, tight end. The Lions themselves made the distinction in their media release announcing they’ve signed Funchess.
Michigan Wolverine fans probably recall Funchess as a wide receiver, the position he played in Ann Arbor from 2012-2014. He was also a wideout in his prior NFL stops with the Carolina Panthers and Green Bay Packers, but that designation probably deserves an asterisk.
Funchess always played wide receiver with some of the skills that easily translate to tight end. At 6-4 and 215 listed pounds at Michigan, he had the size to play a hybrid role. College recruiting services ranked Funchess as a tight end coming out of Harrison High School in suburban Farmington Hills. His quickness off the line, or relative lack thereof, is much more akin to a tight end than the D.K. Metcalf or Mike Evans of the oversized WR world.
During the 2015 NFL draft process, many teams asked Funchess to work out as a tight end. He wound up being drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round, No. 41 overall.
Carolina kept Funchess at outside wide receiver and he had an interesting tenure with the Panthers, who listed him as a 232-pound wide receiver.
As a rookie, Funchess was a big part of the Panthers offense. While he caught just 31 passes for 473 yards and five touchdowns, he was second on the team in WR targets, catches and yards. That was the run-heavy Carolina team with Cam Newton in his MVP season that made the Super Bowl, where the primary passing target was tight end Greg Olsen.
The Panthers rarely asked him to play anything like a TE. In his most productive season, the 2017 campaign, Funchess aligned as an inline tight end exactly 11 times per Pro Football Focus. Nearly 80 percent of his snaps in his four seasons in Carolina came as an outside wide receiver, not in the slot or inline.
That 2017 campaign was an illuminating one for both Funchess and the Panthers. He led the team’s wide receivers in every statistical category (Christian McCaffrey dwarfed them all at RB) and caught more than 50 percent of his targets for the first time. But his inability to get separation and his pedestrian run-after-catch ability hamstrung the Panthers offense to some extent. He was gradually phased out of the starting lineup and down the WR rotation in 2018, with the team leaving him inactive in two key games down the stretch of a playoff push. The Panthers didn’t have any problem letting him hit free agency
Those qualities that weren’t dynamic enough at wide receiver should translate better at tight end for Funchess. Based on a recent Instagram post he made, the 28-year-old appears to have embraced fully bulking up to handle the more advanced physicality of playing tight end.
We have to rely on Instagram posts because we haven’t seen much of Funchess since he left Carolina for Indianapolis after the 2018 season. He broke his collarbone in Week 1 for the Colts and never played for Indy again. He bounced to the Packers for the 2020 season, but Funchess chose to opt out during the COVID-19 pandemic. Playing exclusively at outside WR in the 2021 offseason for the Packers, Funchess didn’t make it out of the preseason after suffering a hamstring injury.
The reinvention as a full-fledged tight end is a savvy gamble on the part of Funchess. The best attributes he showed as a wide receiver could help him find greater success playing TE: big target, enthusiastic (if not always effective) blocker, reliable route runner.
If he’s healthy, Funchess joins what figures to be a very active competition for the TE spots behind Pro Bowler T.J. Hockenson in Detroit. He’ll compete with veteran blocker Garrett Griffin and young receiving-oriented TEs in second-year players Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra, as well as fifth-round rookie James Mitchell.
The Detroit Lions are giving Devin Funchess a chance to make a comeback in the NFL. Detroit signed him as a tight end on Tuesday to add depth to a position group led by T.J. Hockenson for second-year coach Dan Campbell. Funchess, who is from Farmington Hills, Michigan, has not played in the league since 2019.
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2022-06-15T18:46:43Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Devin Funchess: What the Lions are getting in their new TE
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https://sports.yahoo.com/devin-funchess-lions-getting-te-175709083.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/devin-funchess-lions-getting-te-175709083.html?src=rss
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Fullback may be a dying breed across the NFL, but the position has a preserve with the Houston Texans.
According to coach Lovie Smith, the Texans are expected to carry a fullback on the roster as they deploy offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s system. Houston is placing a big emphasis on the run game, and one of the battering rams for the ground attack is fullback.
“Our offense, we want to be a team that can run the football,” Smith told reporters June 14 after mandatory minicamp at Houston Methodist Training Center. “We’re going to have a fullback on our roster, so, we wanted to establish that.”
The Texans currently have Paul Quessenberry and Andy Janovich on the roster as fullbacks.
Quessenberry played one game for the Texans last year in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Houston had a depleted roster due to many players entering the COVID protocol, and Quessenberry played one offensive snap and 17 special team snaps in the 41-29 victory at NRG Stadium.
Janovich has been in the NFL since 2016 as a sixth-round pick for the Denver Broncos. The former Nebraska product carried 13 times for 51 yards and three touchdowns along with catching 22 passes for 233 yards a score through 50 games with the Broncos from 2016-19. The 6-1, 238-pound fullback played the past two years with the Cleveland Browns, catching five passes for 22 yards and carrying four times for four yards and a score through 27 games.
If the Texans are carrying a fullback, it also means other fullbacks across the league may have a home in Houston after the finalization of 53-man rosters at the end of preseason.
Texans’ Davis Mills relies upon QB room replete with experience
The Houston Texans' Davis Mills has a quarterback room with plenty of experience in Kyle Allen and Kevin Hogan.
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2022-06-15T18:46:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Expect the Texans to carry a fullback in 2022
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https://sports.yahoo.com/expect-texans-carry-fullback-2022-165314028.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/expect-texans-carry-fullback-2022-165314028.html?src=rss
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Former Alabama defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was originally drafted to the NFL by the Miami Dolphins with pick No. 11 in the first round of the 2018 draft. However, he did not spend much time in Miami before being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers within the first few weeks of his second season.
In Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick was utilized in a single positional role as a safety, whereas he was moved around often by the Dolphins.
Since the move to Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick has been a two-time Pro Bowl safety and is considered one of the best in the league at his position.
Today, Fitzpatrick reportedly agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Steelers valued at $73.6 million overall, with $36 million of it being guaranteed.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Fitzpatrick and other former Alabama stars in the NFL.
Procida, a 6-foot-7 forward from Fortitudo Bologna, will reportedly remain in the NBA draft.
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2022-06-15T18:46:56Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Alabama DB Minkah Fitzpatrick becomes highest-paid safety in NFL
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-alabama-db-minkah-fitzpatrick-165128102.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/former-alabama-db-minkah-fitzpatrick-165128102.html?src=rss
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Torry Holt opened up and answered questions from fans during a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Tuesday, sharing insight on not only his playing career, but his memories off the field.
The full thread can be found here, but we pulled out some of the top highlights from the answers Holt provided – like his favorite routes to run, the toughest defensive backs he faced and more.
Funniest memory was rookie talent show
Holt was asked what the funniest memory from his NFL career was. He mentioned the rookie talent show with the Rams where one player did a skit on the veterans, which everyone in the room loved.
Going back to my rookie year, the rookies had to put on the talent show during training camp. I remember someone did a skit on the veterans – Kevin Carter, Coach Vermeil. I think those were some of the funnier moments in my career. Of course the rookies were laughing, but all the veterans were laughing, too; that’s how I knew. We knew we had the respect of the veterans, and we knew we would get some breaks during camp because we were able to make them laugh.
Dre Bly and Champ Bailey were among toughest DBs he faced
Holt couldn’t pick just one defensive back who was the toughest he faced, so he mentioned a handful of them – including Dre Bly, Champ Bailey and Deion Sanders.
All of them were different. The one that come to mind are players like Otis Smith, Dré Bly, and Champ Bailey (with his instincts). Also, playing Darrell Green and Deion Sanders at the end of their careers.
Deep post was favorite route, Julio Jones and others remind him of himself
This was a three-part question for Holt: favorite route, least favorite route and WR who reminds him most of himself. He loved showing his hands and speed on deep posts, but he didn’t particularly enjoy deep digs.
Julio Jones was the first receiver he mentioned that reminds him of himself.
Favorite route was the deep post. It was because you can showcase your speed and hand skills. Least favorite was 20-22 yard dig route (a four-route). The WR that reminds me of myself…. there’s a couple. Julio Jones with his productivity. In terms of routes and body language is Amari Cooper, Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.
Jackie Slater shared the best advice he received
Holt remembered the advice Slater gave him at the rookie premiere, telling him in his younger years that he needed to know his assignment at all times.
I was at the rookie premiere, and Jackie Slater reminded me to make sure that I knew and understood my assignment and my position like the back of my hand, and to always to put emphasis on learning my craft. That stuck with me.
When I was drafted, coach Mike Martz, who was a tremendous influence on my career, said, “you’re gonna be the X.” As soon as I knew I would be the X, I made sure I knew what the X position’s assignments were all the time to the point where I mastered my craft because Jackie Slater mentioned it to me early on.
His studies at Hargrave Military Academy was his proudest accomplishment
Holt’s proudest accomplishment wasn’t winning a Super Bowl. It was the job he did in the classroom at Hargrave Military Academy. That allowed him to attend any university he wanted, paving his eventual path to the NFL.
The fact that I was able to go to Hargrave Military Academy and raise my GPA and SAT score to a level where I could attend any university. Doing so gave me a chance to showcase my talent on the collegiate level; without that, my story would have been much different from how it ultimately played out.
Losing his mom to cancer was most challenging aspect of his NFL journey
Holt lost his mother to cancer before reaching the NFL, which was a major challenge for him and caused him to question whether he wanted to continue playing football.
One of the most challenging moments was during my sophomore year when I lost my mother to cancer. She was a huge part of my family’s lives. It was difficult. I questioned if I wanted to continue to play. I remember a message she shared to us “a mother will not always be around, but I want you to pursue your dreams.” It kind of spring boarded me to bounce back and make her proud.
Cooper Kupp is one of the WRs he enjoys watching most
Kupp is one of Holt’s favorite receivers to watch right now, though he first mentioned Davante Adams of the Raiders. He also enjoys Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, two LSU products.
Davante Adams is really good to watch. Cooper Kupp is another one that I enjoy watching. Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase – super talented and super skilled at a very young age.
Ricky Proehl’s catch in NFC title game was most memorable play he was part of
Proehl’s iconic catch in the NFC title game to send the Rams to the Super Bowl was the most memorable play of Holt’s career. He broke down the playing the AMA, reminiscing on how important is was for the Rams.
I was a part of the play, but I didn’t make it: The catch that Ricky Proehl made vs. the Bucs in the NFC Championship that put us into the Super Bowl. Ricky is matched up vs. one of their better corners. The play was called and they brought pressure, which forced Kurt (Warner) to go in his direction. He had the same amount of confidence in Ricky as he had in me, Isaac (Bruce) and Marshall (Faulk). It was one of the harder catches to make, and he was able to maintain his strength and balance. He had the knowledge and the sense to keep his feet in bounds to make the touchdown.
It reminded me of the moments in practice. You have no idea when those moments were going to come in practice. When it was his turn, he came up on the highest level, and we were able to go the Super Bowl because of it.
Jerry Rice had biggest impact on his play style
Growing up, Holt watched a lot of Jerry Rice’s tape, and tried to model his game after the Hall of Famer. For that reason, Rice had a huge impact on Holt’s playing style.
Jerry Rice impacted my play style the most; I used to watch him and HS and college, and I’d watch how he came out of the huddle, ran routes, etc. I added more of his nuances (game speed, intellect, endurance, route leverage to open up other teammates) to my game as I was able to watch more of his tape while I was in college. He and one of my childhood friends had the biggest impact.
Rams’ locker room was special during Greatest Show on Turf era
Similar to the Rams’ star-studded locker room today, the Greatest Show on Turf era featured a bunch of big names. And like today’s group, the locker room was tight-knit during Holt’s time, and the team was intense on the practice field.
It was amazing! Everyone was all on the same page. We were all working to be the best version of ourselves. Everyone was sharpening each other and pushing each other to go beyond their abilities. It was competitive but a healthy competitiveness. We celebrated each other in our success, and that’s what made the Greatest Show on Turf so special. To be in the locker room and be around that dynamic every day was incredible.
Most of the things that people marvel at were what they saw on Sundays. But what they didn’t see was the practice and film rooms were just as intense. I don’t think anyone ever failed a test in our preparations. It automatically spills over into you, because you don’t want to be the guy who didn’t know. We took pride in what we were doing for ourselves, but also for each other. It was a really, really special locker room. Our coaches would tell us that we were in a special time, in a special place.
As a young player, it really helped to shape my trajectory as a pro.
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2022-06-15T18:47:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Highlights from Torry Holt’s Reddit AMA: Toughest DBs, favorite route, best advice
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https://sports.yahoo.com/highlights-torry-holt-reddit-ama-164425884.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/highlights-torry-holt-reddit-ama-164425884.html?src=rss
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This time around, it’s an ugly collision of fact, opinion and punishment. Jack Del Rio, defensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders, spent several days last week expounding on the relative differences between the riots that erupted during Black Lives Matter protests in 2020 and the riot that erupted in and around the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
It will not surprise you to learn that a professional football coach did not have the most nuanced grasp of a charged, complex political moment in our nation’s history. It will also not surprise you to learn that a professional football organization responded in precisely the wrong way.
"A simple question,” Del Rio said on June 8. “Why are we not looking into [the riots at the protests], if we're going to talk about [the Capitol riot]. Why are we not looking into those things? … I see images on the TV, people's livelihoods are being destroyed, businesses are being burned down, no problem. And then we have a dust-up at the Capitol, nothing burned down, and we're going to make that a major deal."
Del Rio’s tweets and comments were the sort of standard-issue “I’m just asking questions” superficial whataboutism that plagues our entire national discourse — if my side has done something bad, your side has done something worse, why aren’t we focusing on X instead of Y, and around and around. Any reasonable points get lost in the rush to own the other side.
On one hand, Del Rio was highlighting an undeniably tragic element of the riots that occurred during the BLM protests, the lost lives and ruined livelihoods. On the other, he’s comparing apples to motor oil by focusing only on the outcome of that and Jan. 6, and not the intent.
The topic isn’t the real issue here; it’s the response. Put aside what Del Rio said, and focus on what happened after he said it.
Del Rio suffered reputational consequences, which is appropriate. Any time you say something that others find objectionable, they’re going to find you objectionable too. Del Rio also suffered some substantial financial consequences, and that’s where this gets tricky.
(Michael Wagstaffe/Yahoo Sports illustration)
Commanders head coach Ron Rivera levied a $100,000 fine against Del Rio, a hefty sum for listing facts and asking questions — however inartfully expressed they may have been — about those facts.
Granted, part of the motivation behind the fine is that Washington is trying to establish a new stadium within a few miles of the Capitol, and Del Rio’s offhand comments render the team even more toxic than it already is. But Rivera framed the fine in political terms, and that’s where the tree limb thins out.
Rivera said Tuesday that this isn’t a free speech issue, and he’s right. One more time: The First Amendment protects your right to speech free from government intervention; it doesn’t protect you from consequences of that speech. The federal government isn’t coming for Jack Del Rio. (Although if ever a football team was crying out for federal intervention …)
The people celebrating the fine and calling for Del Rio’s job may want to think long and hard about the precedent they’re establishing here, trying to get someone fired for a disagreeable political statement. If you think Del Rio should go, are you sure you’ve never said anything in the past that would now reflect badly on you? Are you really sure? Would you bet your career on it?
Del Rio’s not blameless here, either. “Just asking questions” is only a defense if you’re willing to listen to the answers to those questions, and Del Rio’s apparent inability, after 18 months, to recognize the gravity of Jan. 6 suggests he’s not much interested in hearing anything that contradicts what he already believes.
We can spin out hypotheticals for another three hours. Why don’t we see punishment for political views from the left? What if Del Rio loses the locker room? What if his speech normalizes anti-BLM sentiment? That's grandstanding, not discussing. When we frame the questions ourselves, we give ourselves the luxury of setting up answers we want to hear. Dealing in the facts, and facts alone, leads us from Del Rio’s words to a chilling place.
Punishment enforces only silence. If your goal is truly to change people’s minds, not just shut them down, you don’t do that by firing them, hammering them with six-figure fines or scalding their name on social media. You change their minds by getting them to see a different point of view than their own, to get out of the little nest of social media and reinforced half-truths that we all occupy.
Rather than fine Del Rio, the Commanders could have sat him down with a Capitol police officer or 20 who could explain exactly why the riots were a whole lot more than a “dust-up,” regardless of the relative levels of property damage. The team could have listened to his perspective as well. That’s how we reach common ground … which, I know, is a foreign and unwanted concept now.
Piercing bubbles. Discussing divergent points of view. Imagine that.
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2022-06-15T18:47:15Z
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Were the Commanders right to fine Jack Del Rio?
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Has Julian Edelman changed his mind about potential NFL comeback? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
If you keep asking someone the same question, eventually they might give you a different answer.
Julian Edelman repeatedly has insisted that he doesn't plan on returning to the NFL after retiring from the New England Patriots in April 2021.
But during a recent appearance at the Sunset Sports Media Festival in Zadar, Croatia, Edelman struck a different tune when asked if he'd come back to play with Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback and close friend Tom Brady.
Curran: Unanswered questions as Patriots hit 'the dead zone'
"I don’t know, we’ll see," Edelman responded, via the New York Post.
That's quite the departure from what Edelman said last October about a potential comeback.
"I'm cool. I'm not trying to hang on. I don't need the money," Edelman told Barstool Sports' "Call Him Papi" podcast at the time.
Edelman's latest comments are still far from a comeback announcement. But they should at least pique Patriots' fans' interest.
"That’s called a little teaser. We’ll see," Edelman added, via the Post. "We’re staying in shape but you never know. But I’d probably go back to the Patriots. I love the Patriots. Foxboro Forever."
Edelman spent all 12 of his NFL seasons in New England after the team snagged him in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. The 36-year-old is a folk hero in Foxboro thanks to some legendary postseason performances, including a 10-catch, 141-yard effort in Super Bowl LIII that earned him MVP honors.
The chances of Brady returning to the Patriots are essentially zero, however, so if Edelman is serious about a return, he'd have to choose between his loyalty to Brady and his loyalty to New England.
Edelman also has a cushy retirement gig as a TV analyst for "Inside the NFL" on Paramount+, and it's unclear how the balky right knee that factored into his retirement decision would hold up if he took the field again.
But at the very least, the odds of an Edelman comeback have increased from zero to some amount that's not zero.
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2022-06-15T18:47:21Z
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Julian Edelman teases possible NFL comeback, return to Patriots
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Juwan Johnson
Juwan Johnson was a surprise breakout for the New Orleans Saints in 2021, converting a first down on 12 of his 13 receptions and ranking third on the team with 4 touchdown catches. He didn’t get a lot of targets (the ball went his way just 22 times in 14 games), but Johnson did enough to warrant a longer look at tight end. The 6-foot-4 pass-catcher played receiver as a rookie in 2020 and in college at Oregon and Penn State, opting to convert to tight end last summer. Now he’s looking to build on that momentum with more experience behind him.
He’s certainly put in the work, telling WWL’s Jeff Nowak that he’s gotten his weight up to 250 pounds in preparation for a second year at tight end (Johnson added that he played at 235 pounds last season; the Saints’ online roster still lists him at 231). That puts Johnson closer to the position’s prototype, compared to teammates like Nick Vannett (listed at 261 pounds), undrafted rookie Lucas Krull (260), Adam Trautman (253), and Kahale Warring (250). It’s unclear what Taysom Hill’s goal weight is after shifting focus to tight end from quarterback given he’s still recovering from an injury-plagued 2021 season.
So let’s focus on Johnson. He was a healthy scratch at times last season because he didn’t offer much beyond his pass-catching ability in some specific situations and personnel groupings. He’s bulked up to help assert himself as a blocker on running plays, but he may need to look for a role on special teams, too. Vannett and Hill’s contracts ensure they’ll have roster spots — cutting Vannett specifically would save just $1.1 million while leaving $2.2 million behind in dead money. Trautman is a safe bet despite his early-career struggles. That means Johnson needs to show he offers more upside in more areas of the game than Krull and Warring.
Fortunately he’ll have a long summer to do so. There’s still time now as Saints minicamp practices continue, and the daily grind in training camp will bring ample opportunities. We’ll just have to wait and see if Johnson can take another step forward.
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2022-06-15T18:47:28Z
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Juwan Johnson hoping to stand out in second year at tight end
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The Los Angeles Rams filled two open roster spots on Wednesday by signing one familiar face and another free agent. The team announced it has brought back tight end Jared Pinkney, who was on the practice squad for a couple of months last year before being signed by the Lions in December.
They also signed running back A.J. Rose, adding depth at a position that has endured a couple of injuries. Rose came into the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Vikings last year and spent time on their practice squad.
Rose was recently waived by the Vikings on June 1 but will not get a chance to compete with the Rams at training camp next month.
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2022-06-15T18:47:59Z
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Rams sign TE Jared Pinkney and RB A.J. Rose
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They’ll take on a new challenge in 2022 after Andrew Whitworth retired and Austin Corbett left to join the Panthers in free agency. The Rams will miss both players this season, but the offensive line isn’t suddenly going to fall apart without them.
Heading into the upcoming season, Pro Football Focus ranked the Rams’ offensive line 11th overall, putting them in the second tier called “High floor.” We know Joe Noteboom will replace Whitworth at left tackle, and that David Edwards, Brian Allen and Rob Havenstein will be back as starters, but the right guard position has yet to be filled.
PFF projects rookie Logan Bruss to start there, which wouldn’t be much of a surprise at all.
In PFF’s post-2021 O-line rankings, the site put the Rams 7th, so they’ve fallen four spots since then. That’s not a steep drop-off considering the two starters Los Angeles lost, and the Rams still have one of the better units in the NFL.
It’s just not quite the group that the Eagles (1st), Browns (2nd) and Lions (3rd) have, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Rams are the highest-ranked NFC West team on PFF’s list entering 2022, with the 49ers coming in at No. 14, the Cardinals 25th and the Seahawks dead last at No. 32.
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2022-06-15T18:48:06Z
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Rams slip in PFF’s offensive line rankings but still remain in top half
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On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had signed All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to a new five-year contract.
Minkah’s new contract is worth $84.22 million over five years with $36 million of that guaranteed. This makes Fitzpatrick the highest-paid safety in the NFL.
The Steelers made a trade with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Fitzpatrick early in the 2019 season. Since then Fitzpatrick has established himself as one of the top all-around defensive backs in the league. Fitzpatrick was named an All-Pro in 2019 and 2020. Fitzpatrick was still playing on his rookie contract and has more than earned to be compensated among the very best in the league.
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2022-06-15T18:48:18Z
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Steelers sign S Minkah Fitzpatrick to massive new contract
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After the Tennessee Titans conclude their three-day mandatory minicamp on Thursday, June 16, the team will turn its attention to training camp, which will begin in late July.
Up until now, we didn’t know the exact start date for training camp, but head coach Mike Vrabel revealed after practice on Wednesday that players will report on Tuesday, July 26.
Also, Vrabel said holding joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals, which was announced back in March, is still the plan.
Tennessee will face both the Buccaneers and Cardinals in Preseason Weeks 2 and 3, respectively. The Titans will kick off their preseason slate against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, August 11.
.@Titans HC Mike Vrabel: Report date for training camp is July 26.
Roster cutdown days will be similar to last season.
Teams will trim their roster bit by bit after each preseason game. Rosters will have to be cut down to 85 players after Preseason Week 1, 80 players after Preseason Week 2, and then down to the final 53 after the third week.
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2022-06-15T18:48:24Z
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Tennessee Titans’ training camp report date revealed
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CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco dropped his rankings for the “Top 100 NFL Players of 2022” on Wednesday with three Minnesota Vikings players making the list.
It’s no surprise considering the Vikings were one of the most talented teams that underachieved in 2021. Of course, there’s legitimate hope that things will be different now that they’ve moved into the Kevin O’Connell era of coaching,
A big part of that success will rest on the shoulders of two-time All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, who cracked the top-15 at No. 13 in Prisco’s rankings. The former LSU Tiger has been everything the Vikings hoped he’d be when they selected him at No. 22 overall in the 2020 NFL draft.
With only two seasons under his belt, he’s already broken Odell Beckham Jr.’s record for most receiving yards in the first two years in the NFL.
He also came within 17 yards of surpassing Randy Moss and setting a new franchise record for most single-season receiving yards last season—108 catches, 1,616 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
Three-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook also landed on the list. He took the No. 41 spot, which makes him the third-highest running back on the list behind Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor. At only 26 years old, Cook is one of the most versatile tailbacks in the game and a key part of the Vikings’ offense.
And in case you were wondering, Prisco also shows a little love to Minnesota’s defense as well by ranking longtime safety Harrison Smith at No. 99. The hard-hitting defensive back picks up his lunchbox and goes to work every season regardless of what’s happening around him.
He’s a former First-Team All-Pro safety that earned his sixth Pro Bowl invite last season. Not bad for a 33-year-old, right?
The honorable mentions for the Vikings went to quarterback Kirk Cousins and defensive end Danielle Hunter.
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2022-06-15T18:48:31Z
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Three Vikings named in CBS Sports’ ‘Top 100 NFL Players of 2022’
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Former Georgia wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, currently with the Buffalo Bills, is known as the “Human Joystick” because of his speed, elusiveness and shiftiness.
His versatility is what makes him such a weapon on the football field. He can catch the ball downfield or behind the line of scrimmage. He is a dangerous returner and a threat in the wildcat formation.
But he also showed his versatility off the field on Tuesday night when he performed on NBC’s America’s Got Talent with the NFL Players Choir, a singing group comprised of current and former NFL players.
McKenzie helped his team advance to the next round following a pair of renditions of Bill Withers’ classic “Lean on Me.”
“It was a great song. It went well for the type of sport we play,” McKenzie said, via Buffalo News. “It went well with what we do in life or we do in our careers – current and former players just helping one another out.”
The group performed for celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, and Sofia Vergara.
Both Klum and Vergara said yes, but Cowell wanted to hear the group sing without a backing track so he could hear their voices together. After the NFL Players Choir granted Cowell’s request, they received that third yes and moved on to the next round.
How did McKenzie become a member of the group?
McKenzie, 27, told the Buffalo News that the NFLPA “handpicked” him to join the group. He said prior to that, he only ever really sang in the car or in the shower. He’s been a member for just a few months now.
“(They) told me I was handpicked, and (I) didn’t know how, I didn’t know what to think,” McKenzie said. “I’m not really handpicked for a lot of things – me, ‘cause I’m small, and everything like that. Who would have thought I’d be handpicked to sing in a choir? It was pretty cool.”
McKenzie, who is also a restaurant owner and a native of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is ready for the feedback from his teammates in Buffalo.
“I feel like they’re a tough crowd,” said McKenzie, who sang in front of Simon Cowell. “I say I got bubble guts because of them more than (because of) seeing myself on TV.
“Because I know how they’re gonna get at me when they see it. It’s gonna be jokingly, but they’re gonna get at me. And I just got to sit there and laugh it off or whatever, but I’m cool with it.”
McKenzie, who has played four years with Buffalo, signed a two-year deal worth $8 million with the Bills this offseason. He is a key special teams player and receiver who averaged 24.3 yards per kick return and 7.7 yards per punt return in 2021.
McKenzie finished 2021 with 178 receiving yards, 20 receptions, and one receiving touchdown. He also rushed the ball 9 times for 47 yards and scored one rushing touchdown.
Simon Cowell Got Super Personal While Giving His 'AGT' Golden Buzzer to a 13-Year-Old Star
See who 'AGT' host Terry Crews and 'America's Got Talent' judges Simon Cowell, Howie Mandel, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum picked for their season 17 golden buzzer in 2022.
Katie Holmes and Bobby Wooten III got cozy with one another when they walked the red carpet together at the premiere of Holmes' new movie, "Alone Together."
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2022-06-15T18:49:02Z
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Watch: Former Georgia WR Isaiah McKenzie performs with NFL Players Choir on America’s Got Talent
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Here are the LIV Golf players competing in the 2022 U.S. Open originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Does Rory McIlroy still respect Phil Mickelson despite his decision to join LIV Golf? The four-time major champion revealed his answer at the U.S. Open on Tuesday.
Christie Brinkley's swimsuit snaps are known for going viral on social media. The model previously told Fox News Digital she hoped her pics will inspire others to celebrate their bodies.
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2022-06-15T19:41:16Z
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Here are the LIV Golf players competing in the 2022 U.S. Open
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Warriors winning bench battle again will be crucial for Game 6 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
BOSTON -- Steph Curry's streak of making at least one 3-pointer in 233 straight games between the regular season and playoffs being snapped in the Warriors' win against the Boston Celtics on Monday night in Game 5 of the NBA Finals should be seen as nothing more than a positive at this point.
Why? Draymond Green said it best after the win, sharing how livid he knows Curry is about to be. The numbers don't hurt, too.
When Curry has failed to make a 3-pointer and plays in the next game, he has gone 93-for-177 from deep. That's a not-too-shabby 52.5 percent clip. There's just part of the good news.
The Warriors' second-leading scorers, Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, also are trending up. Wiggins is coming off a 26-point, 13-rebound double-double and has put together back-to-back double-doubles. His 26 points are the most he has scored in the Finals and the second-most in the playoffs.
Thompson struggled to open the series. Through the first two games, he averaged 13 points and made only 26.7 percent of his 15 3-point attempts. In the last three games, however, he has turned it on. After scoring 21 points in the Warriors' latest win, Klay now is averaging 21.3 points while shooting 42.4 percent from beyond the arc. His stock is rising right when the Warriors need it to.
Oh yeah, Game 6 Klay is here again too.
Those three will be called upon Thursday night at TD Garden to carry the scoring load in Game 6 with a chance to be champions. They can't be the only ones, though. Just like last game, the Warriors will need to win the bench battle once again to wrap this series up.
Golden State's Strength In Numbers mantra shined bright while Curry struggled to find his shot last game. Two key contributors to getting it done were Jordan Poole and Gary Payton II. They combined for 29 points -- 15 from Payton and 14 from Poole. The Celtics' bench as a whole scored nine points.
"To be able to go out there and be aggressive, make plays," Poole said after Game 5 when asked what the biggest key was to the Warriors' second unit outscoring Boston by so much. "The coaching staff is kind of giving me the keys to go out there and be extremely aggressive and hunt my shot."
Poole has looked much more comfortable playing this Celtics defense the longer the series has went on. In his last two games, he has scored 28 points while shooting 10-for-21 (47.6 percent) from the field and 5-for-13 (38.5 percent) on from long distance. It also doesn't help to again beat the buzzer with immense confidence.
Then there's Payton. Six weeks removed from fracturing his left shooting elbow in a brutal fall against the Memphis Grizzlies in the second round of the playoffs, Payton continues to look indispensable to the Warriors' success.
He made his return in Game 2 against the Celtics and scored 14 points through his first three games of the series. In Game 5, Payton exploded for 15 points, along with his five rebounds and three steals. The veteran journeyman was a game-high plus-16 in plus-minus.
His return has been inspiring to say the least.
Steve Kerr watched Payton put in work with his left arm in a sling, sprinting down the court and doing defensive slides. He literally was willing to do whatever it took to make his comeback, and the Warriors are reaping the rewards.
"The guy's a workhorse," Kerr said after Game 5. "He's incredible. Amazing athlete, great defensive player. He's got really good instincts out there, and obviously super competitive. And for him to make it back, it's obviously crucial for our team, but I'm really thrilled for him with his journey in this league.
"He's come a long way, and now he's getting a chance to shine in the Finals, so it's awesome."
When asked if he expected to make this kind of impact after sustaining such a grueling injury, Payton gave us all a look as if we were handed crazy pills at Chase Center.
There was no skepticism. A question mark never entered his mind.
"I had no doubt in my mind I was going to come back," Payton said. "I wouldn't miss this for the world."
The third piece to the puzzle is either center Kevon Looney or forward Otto Porter Jr. It all depends on who Kerr starts. If he sticks with Porter, like he has in the last two games, Looney's presence will have to be felt off the bench. The reverse is true if Kerr brings Looney back into his starting lineup.
Porter has played 29 minutes in his last two games as a starter, scoring only four points. He was a plus-5 combined in those two games.
Looney was hit with three fouls in under three minutes when Kerr turned to him last game. But he ended up playing 17 minutes off the bench, scored two points, grabbed four rebounds and dished three assists. He was a plus-12. In his last two games off the bench, has scored eight points and came away with 15 rebounds.
The always reliable 26-year-old is a combined plus-33 in his last two games, both Warriors wins.
Celtics guard Derrick White always was going to be a huge X-factor depending on what version of him shows up for Boston. He's supposed to be their ignitor off the bench, giving them a scoring spark when he comes in. Well, he scored one point and missed all four of his shot attempts in Game 5. White was a minus-13 in 21 minutes, and Grant Williams, the Celtics' other key bench player, was a minus-18 in 16 minutes.
Those two are a minus-60 in the last two games, both resulting in Celtics losses.
Stars will have to shine for both teams on Thursday night. If the Warriors want to close this series and celebrate on the road, they can't have down games from Curry, Thompson, Wiggins and Green. The Celtics of course will need their Big Three of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart to ride the home crowd and force a Game 7.
But if the Warriors' bench steps up again, that could be the difference in the Finals extending or a fourth title coming back to The Bay.
The 76ers are trying to put things in place ahead of the June 23 NBA draft and free agency. Multiple league sources have said the team is gauging team's interest in Tobias Harris, Matisse Thybulle, Furkan Korkmaz and Shake Milton, in addition to ...
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2022-06-15T19:41:29Z
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Warriors winning bench battle again vs. Celtics big for NBA Finals Game 6
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One of college football’s most storied traditions is coming to Landover in two years.
On Wednesday the Washington Commanders and Events DC announced FedEx Field will host the military classic on Saturday, December 14, 2024.
FedEx Field's hosting of the event in 2024 is part of 'America's Game,' a running tradition of the Army-Navy classic being played in five different cities over the next five years, per the U.S. Naval Academy. Boston/Foxboro will host in 2023, FedEx Field the following year, Baltimore in 2025, New York City/East Rutherford in 2026, and Philadelphia in 2027. All games will be nationally televised by CBS.
FedEx Field first hosted the Army-Navy game back in 2011, and so far in the all-time series, the Midshipmen lead the Cadets 62-53-7. The matchup in Landover in 2024 will be the 125th meeting between the two dating back to 1890.
The nation’s capital will host a series of events leading up to the contest including a gala, an Army-Navy block party on the Wharf, and more. Event DC Board of Directors Max Brown noted that hosting the event usually generates about $30 million in revenue.
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2022-06-15T19:58:06Z
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FedEx Field to host Army vs. Navy football game in 2024
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Marquise Watson was one of 65 names to make the Rising-star assistants you need to know from On3. The Rutgers football defensive line coach is in his first year back with the program after having been a defensive assistant in 2018.
Watson appears to be getting some legitimate buzz as both a coach and a recruiter. A former New Jersey football standout at Paramus Catholic, he went on to have a strong collegiate career at Bryant before getting into coaching.
Now in his first season with Rutgers football, Watson sure seems like a savvy hire by head coach Greg Schiano. Prior to coming to Rutgers, he was an assistant at Ole Miss.
On 3 notes that Watson “Is the nation’s youngest Power 5 defensive line coach at age 27.”
Several other Big Ten coaches join Watson on the list: Ty Howle (Penn State, tight ends), Mike Miller (Maryland, tight ends), Sherrone Moore (Michigan, offensive line), Bobby April (Wisconsin, linebackers) and Anthony Poindexter (Penn State, defensive backs).
Watson was the only selection from Rutgers.
Several with strong ties to the program made the list. Houston cornerbacks coach David Rowe and Florida co-offensive line coach Darnell Stapleton, both players under Schiano, were named to the Rising-star assistants’ list.
Zion Tracy talks about getting a Rutgers football offer: 'It felt great, I really loved it'
Rowe was strongly linked to the open secondary job at his alma mater this offseason.
Minnesota co-OC/wide receivers coach Matt Simon, who was in player development at Rutgers in 2012, was also named to the list.
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2022-06-15T19:58:31Z
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Rutgers football assistant Marquise Watson named among the top assistants in college football
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Second-year head coach Steve Sarkisian certainly made a splash at the wide receiver position via the transfer portal this offseason.
Texas landed Wyoming’s Isaiah Neyor, Alabama’s Agiye Hall and Iowa State’s Tarique Milton to their roster over the last few months.
The additions of these talented players along with Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington make up one of the top wide receiver rooms in the country. Chip Patterson of CBS Sports recently rated the five best wide receiver rooms in college football ahead of the 2022 season, and the Longhorns were included.
Incoming freshman Brenen Thompson, who possesses blazing speed, is also likely to make significant contributions at the position this upcoming season. There is no shortage of versatility and depth at wide receiver in Austin this season, a dramatic turnaround from 2021.
Here are Patterson’s top five wide receiver rooms in the country for 2022.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn's Kooper Ebel, who held offers from Iowa State and Iowa, among others, announced his commitment to the Cyclones football program on Monday.
Aledo (Texas) two-way playmaker Jaden Allen was the first prospect to commit to the Longhorns in the 2024 recruiting cycle. It only made sense for Allen to commit to play his college ball in Austin after his older brother, Bryan Allen Jr., inked with Texas last December. The younger Allen has emerged as one of the best all-around playmakers in the Lone Star State.
American-Canadian writer Ruth Ozeki won the prestigious Women’s Prize for Fiction on Wednesday for “The Book of Form and Emptiness.” Ozeki was awarded the 30,000 pound ($36,000) prize at a ceremony in London for her playful, philosophical novel about a bereaved boy’s relationship with books and the objects in his house — all of which speak to him. British journalist Mary Ann Sieghart, who chaired the judging panel, said Ozeki’s novel “stood out for its sparkling writing, warmth, intelligence, humor and poignancy.”
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2022-06-15T19:58:50Z
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Where Texas lands in CBS Sports’ top five wide receiver rooms for 2022
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Veteran wide receiver Byron Pringle didn’t get off to the greatest start to his Chicago Bears career earlier this offseason.
After inking a one-year, $6 million deal coming over from the Kansas City Chiefs, Pringle was arrested in Florida for reckless driving without a license while his four-year old child was in the vehicle in late April. He was also verbally confrontational with police officers during the incident.
It wasn’t the way Pringle or the Bears wanted their relationship to begin, but speaking with reporters following Wednesday’s minicamp practice, the 28-year old receiver assured everyone that the situation was handled internally.
He also acknowledged the incident wasn’t a good first impression but wants people to know he is as a person.
Pringle signed with the Bears this offseason after spending four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He worked his way up the depth chart and had a career year in 2021, catching 42 passes for 568 yards and five touchdowns.
He’s coming from one of the more successful passing offenses in the NFL to one that has been near the bottom of the league in most categories over the last few years. But like his offseason issues, Pringle doesn’t want to dwell on the past and is instead focused on the future.
“I always keep a smile on my face wherever I go,” Pringle said, smiling. “Keeping that positive energy. Coming here, we’re not worried about the past. We’re trying to go forward. We’re not looking back at what happened in the past. As a unit, we’re trying to be better and hold each other accountable.”
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2022-06-15T20:35:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bears WR Byron Pringle says his offseason arrest was handled in house
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Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis is retiring from the NFL at the age of 26 for a life as a religious leader.
Willis announced his retirement Wednesday in an Instagram post, where he explained his decision and thanked the Colts.
"I'd first like to thank the Indianapolis Colts organization for granting me the opportunity to compete in the National Football League the past three years," Willis wrote. "I've built lifelong relationships with numerous teammates, coaches and support staff that have impacted me greatly. The lessons that I've in this phase of my life will be valuable for me in my next chapter."
"Thank you all for your support over the years..."
Willis started at least 11 games over the past three seasons for the Colts after being selected in the fourth round of the 2019 draft out of Michigan State. He tallied 219 combined tackles, 3.5 sacks and four interceptions in 39 games in his career.
In a statement released by the team, Colts head coach Frank Reich praised Willis for his "character, leadership and professionalism" during his time with Indianapolis."
While uncommon, Willis isn't the first NFL player to retire in less than four seasons.
Former San Francisco 49ers running back Glen Coffee left the league before the 2010 preseason at the age of 23 following his rookie year because he felt God had other plans for him that didn't involve football. Former 49ers linebacker Chris Borland retired in 2015 at the age of 24 following his rookie season, though he cited concerns over concussions and head trauma.
More recently, Detroit Lions DT John Penisini retired this month at the age of 25 after just two NFL seasons.
Colts safety Khari Willis retired from the NFL at the age of 26. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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2022-06-15T20:35:58Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL: Colts safety Khari Willis retires at 26 for religious calling
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The Raiders have given out a lot of new contracts this offseason. Some to top receiving weapons, some on extensions, and some for players with no guaranteed money left on their contracts.
Darren Waller checks all three of those boxes.
Two seasons ago Waller set a new franchise record for catches in a season (107). He is considered a top-three tight end in the NFL and is in his prime. His salary, on the other hand, does not reflect that.
Waller’s average of $7.5 million on his current contract lands him at 17th in the league in salary. And he is set to make just $6.8 million this season. Worse than that, he has no guaranteed money left on his deal.
Thus far Waller has not let his contract situation keep him away from the facility. Whenever asked about it, he’s responded that he is focusing on football and letting his agent deal with contract stuff.
Hard to imagine that continuing into training camp, let alone the season.
So, what might a new deal for Waller look like?
The top five tight ends in the league make between $14-$15 million per season on average. The most recent contract being Browns TE David Njoku who signed a four-year, $54.75 million deal ($13.7 million per season) with $28 million in guarantees.
For comparison, Waller’s worst season in the past three years (665 yards) is still better than the best season of Njoku’s five-year career (639 yards). The only thing Njoku has on Waller is age — Njoku is 25, Waller is 29. But that age hasn’t slowed down the likes of George Kittle and Travis Kelce. So, you can bet Waller’s agent will be looking for a deal that exceeds the one Njoku received.
I would imagine the extension Travis Kelce signed in 2020 would be the best example to use for what we can expect from Waller’s deal.
Kelce was 31 at the time he signed his extension and had two years left on his contract — just as Waller has now. At that time, Kelce signed a four-year, $57.25 million deal with $27 million in guarantees.
Figure Waller will sign something akin to a four-year, $58 million extension ($14.5 million per season) with north of $30 million in guarantees. The extension would keep him under contract until 2027, but with no guaranteed money after the 2024 season.
On average that new deal would make Waller the second highest-paid tight end in the league behind only George Kittle ($15 million per season).
The Big Ten has some hefty totals in all-time program wins!
Jerry Seinfeld is cooking up an A-list ensemble to star in “Unfrosted: The Pop-Tart Story,” a movie about the creation of the popular breakfast treat. Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, Hugh Grant and James Marsden will headline the upcoming Netflix film alongside Seinfeld, who is also writing and directing the movie. Set in 1963 […]
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2022-06-15T20:36:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Darren Waller last Raiders player up for new contract: Here’s what a new deal might look like
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Report: Patriots sign former Saints WR to one-year deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
The New England Patriots made a move to bolster their wide receiver depth on Wednesday.
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reports Lil'Jordan Humphrey is headed to Foxboro on a one-year contract. The 24-year-old wideout has spent the last three seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Humphrey originally signed with the Saints as an undrafted free agent out of Texas in 2019. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder played in 10 games for New Orleans last year, totaling 13 catches for 249 yards and two touchdowns. In 18 career games, Humphrey has caught 16 passes for 295 yards and three TDs.
He'll join a crowded wide receiver room in New England that also includes DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Jakobi Meyers, Ty Montgomery, Tre Nixon, N’Keal Harry, Kristian Wilkerson and Malcolm Perry. The competition for a spot on the 53-man roster will begin when training camp gets underway on July 26.
Arizona HS football 2023 tracker: ALA Gilbert North QB Adam Damante commits to NAU
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2022-06-15T20:36:17Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL Rumors: Patriots sign WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey to one-year deal
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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill debuted his podcast, “It Needed to be Said,” on Friday with co-host Julius Collins and Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus.
Throughout the episode, the trio touched on a number of topics, but one of the more interesting aspects of the podcast was the look back at Hill’s time in Kansas City and revealed that he was texting Rosenhaus after games to complain about his usage.
This is the same year that Hill recorded a career-high 111 receptions, 1,239 yards and nine touchdowns on his way to his sixth straight Pro Bowl.
On Tuesday, NFL analyst Rich Eisen posed a fair question about these comments on “The Rich Eisen Show.”
“If he feels that way about [Patrick] Mahomes and [Andy] Reid, how’s he gonna feel about this new situation, when it doesn’t, invariably, go very well,” Eisen asked. “When Belichick might pull his Jedi mind tricks, his dark-side mind tricks on Tua [Tagovailoa]. And, he’s been paid now.”
In a new system with a new quarterback, it’s far from guaranteed that Hill will see the same production he did during his time with the Chiefs. You can say all of the positive things in the world about Tagovailoa right now, but he’s clearly not Mahomes.
At the end of the year, let’s say Tagovailoa struggles. Wouldn’t it be fair to assume that Rosenhaus is receiving more comments from the wideout?
The good thing for Hill, in this situation, is that if Tagovailoa’s stumbling, he probably wouldn’t be the only one in the organization calling for the quarterback’s job. It may be unfair, but we already know they’ve sniffed around at others to fill the role in the past. Then, they would just have one of the league’s start receivers on their side.
The central bank lifted its benchmark interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point on Wednesday, furthering its effort to cool inflation.
EXCLUSIVE: Good Girls alum Manny Montana is set as a series regular opposite Dominique Thorne in Marvel Studios’ Disney+ series Ironheart, Deadline has learned. Details about his character are kept under wraps. A rep for Marvel had no comment. Ironheart, which is now filming, stars Thorne as Riri Williams, a genius inventor and creator of […]
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2022-06-15T20:36:36Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Rich Eisen raises good question about Tyreek Hill’s comments on podcast
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Green Bay Packers first-round pick Quay Walker is trying to learn as much as he can from All-Pro teammate De’Vondre Campbell ahead of his rookie season, but Campbell can already see the talent and potential in the young linebacker.
Responding to a video from the Packers’ official Twitter account, Campbell said Walker is “already a baller” and “very smart” and believes the rookie has a “great future ahead of him.”
Here’s the tweet from Wednesday:
I try to help and give as much advice as I can even though he doesn’t really need it he already a baller 😂. Very smart Young Man with a great future ahead of him https://t.co/pBfsT5SkEc
— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) June 15, 2022
The Packers drafted Walker with the 21st overall pick. The team hopes having two linebackers capable of being on the field together in all situations will help improve the defense overall.
Walker and Campbell are both long and athletic with the size and speed to handle all three downs and make plays against the run and pass. In Campbell, Walker has the perfect veteran to mirror.
“I watch him a whole lot,” Walker said. “I pick up off of everything.”
Walker, Campbell and the rest of the Packers will return for the start of training camp in late July. Rookies are scheduled to report on July 22.
5 things to know about Packers' first-round pick Quay Walker
Whether they watched it over and over or tried to avoid repeated viewings, the Green Bay Packers head into this upcoming season motivated by the stunning and sudden finish to their most recent playoff run. The Packers have grown all too accustomed to postseason heartbreak over the past decade or so, but the circumstances surrounding their 13-10 NFC divisional playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers made it particularly tough to get over. Green Bay led 10-3 and had the ball after making a fourth-and-1 stop on its 19-yard line with 6:10 left, but the Packers couldn’t seal the victory.
Wisconsin Badgers football games at Camp Randall features 'Build Me Up Buttercup,' 'Jump Around' and more
Here's what "Build Me Up Buttercup," a slow motion wave and "Jump Around" look like at a Wisconsin Badgers football game at Camp Randall Stadium.
Amber Heard said she will defend her testimony until her “dying day” in an interview with the TODAY show’s Savannah Guthrie, following a Virginia jury’s ruling two weeks ago in the high-profile defamation trial between Heard and her ex-husband Johnny Depp. “To my dying day [I] will stand by every word of my testimony,” Heard said about the six-week trial, which thrust into the public eye intimate details—including several instances of alleged verbal and physical abuse—of the former couple’s private lives. In February 2019, Depp sued Heard for $50 million over the 2018 op-ed in which she referred to herself as a public face for domestic abuse but did not mention Depp by name.
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2022-06-15T20:37:01Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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De’Vondre Campbell: Packers rookie LB Quay Walker is ‘already a baller’
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https://sports.yahoo.com/vondre-campbell-packers-rookie-lb-191812225.html?src=rss
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Texas Rangers minor league players
Houston Astros starting pitcher Luis Garcia throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, Wednesday, June 15, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Wikimedia list article
SportsLine: The end of baseball season for Tennessee (P2)
The NFL has released its key dates for the rest of 2022 and the first five months of 2023
Thousands of 2022 Major League Baseball games are available on broadcast television, radio and web streamed.
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2022-06-15T21:39:35Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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9 pitches, 3 Ks _ Astros twice immaculate against Rangers
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Kerr's funny reason for winning so many championship rings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Across his NBA career as both a player and a coach, Steve Kerr knows what it’s like to be part of a championship-caliber team.
The Warriors coach won five NBA Finals rings as a player on the Chicago Bulls (1996, 1997, 1998) and San Antonio Spurs (1999, 2003), serving as a key sharp-shooting reserve for the two respective dynasties.
And as Dub Nation knows, Kerr became part of a third dynasty when he took over as Golden State’s head coach prior to the 2014-15 season. The rest is history, as the Warriors have gone on to win three NBA titles since then and are one win away from securing their fourth in eight seasons under Kerr.
Becoming one of the most decorated figures in basketball history -- with a chance to add a ninth ring -- doesn’t come easily, so how did Kerr do it?
“Just hanging around the right people,” Kerr joked when speaking to reporters on Wednesday. “You hang around superstars long enough, you’re going to get some residual success following your way.”
Kerr has been lucky enough to win rings alongside three of the best Big Threes in NBA history. First he did it as a player with Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman on the Bulls, then again with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginóbili as part of the Spurs.
And of course, he has been there every step of the way for Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson’s three championships so far. Coincidentally, the Warriors' Big Three just passed Kerr's old San Antonio teammates as the winningest All-NBA trio in Finals history with their 20th win in Game 5 over the Boston Celtics on Monday night.
While Kerr’s funny quip to reporters on Wednesday was clearly a joke, it certainly undermined the impact he had as a role player for both the Bulls and Spurs and as the quick-witted leader of Golden State’s own dynastic, eight-year run.
RELATED: Pop's great text to former players Kerr, Udoka before Finals
The Warriors have a unique blend of young, veteran and breakout stars surrounding Kerr this season in addition to their longtime core, who have all shown up as the “right people” in differing roles throughout these NBA playoffs.
As Golden State looks to close out their current Finals run with a win over the Celtics at TD Garden on Thursday, Kerr is hoping for some more residual success to come his way in Game 6.
How NBA Academy prepared next wave of prospects for upcoming draft
The NBA Academy had its first player drafted from the program in 2021, and could have three more selected this year.
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2022-06-15T21:40:44Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Steve Kerr's funny reason for so many NBA Finals rings as player, coach
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A youth baseball game reportedly ended horrifically in New Jersey. (Getty Images)
A 72-year-old youth baseball umpire was left with a fractured jaw after an ejected coach leveled him with a sucker punch at a 13-and-under tournament, the U.S. Amateur Baseball League said in a recent social media post.
The incident occurred in Branchburg, New Jersey, per NJ.com. The league claims the coach in question had been seen drinking between games and was ejected after "aggressively" arguing a call with the umpire. The following punch reportedly fractured the umpire's jaw in two places, requiring his jaw to be wired shut and extensive dental surgery.
The coach allegedly fled the scene before the police arrived, while parents on his team were heard shouting at the injured umpire and claiming "he deserved it."
The full statement from the USABL:
This past weekend at a 13U baseball tournament, a coach (who was witnessed drinking between games) got ejected from the game for aggressively arguing a call with the umpire, which is prohibited.
This coach, who is built like a linebacker, then proceeds to walk up to the 72-year-old veteran umpire with 35+ years of experience umpiring games and sucker punch him in the face. The umpire's jaw is fractured in 2 places, wired shut and requires extensive dental surgery. The coach fled the scene before police arrived like a coward. Even as police and EMT's were providing medical attention to the umpire, other parents from the same team were heard shouting expletives at the umpire and saying things like "he deserved it".
THIS NEEDS TO STOP
The matter remains under investigation by police in Branchburg, according to NJ.com, while the coach and his team, a travel team from Staten Island called New York Prospects, have been banned from the USABL.
New York Prospects president Frank Cambria released a statement apologizing for the incident and denouncing not just the coach, but the parents who allegedly jeered the umpire:
There is never, never, ever an excuse to hit an umpire nor another human being when at a sports venue, especially involving children. When has winning a plastic trophy become more important than the welfare of another human being? What are we teaching our kids today? It's supposed to be about teaching team work, sportsmanship and respect.
What I found also disturbing was some of the families instead of coming to the aid of the umpire were complaining about his calls. People need to get a grip and have an ounce of compassion for a fellow human being. I am appalled by what happened and have taken immediate action against this person.
NJ.com reports the umpire is recovering from his injuries and was able to recently attend a game involving the other team from the incident "to show the kids he was OK and support their team, as the kids were pretty shaken witnessing this."
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2022-06-15T21:41:03Z
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Youth baseball coach fractured 72-year-old umpire's jaw
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[DIGITAL EFFECT]
DAN WETZEL: NCAA enforcement begins an attempted NIL crackdown with Miami inquiry. NCAA plans to explore name, image, and likeness deals is no longer an idle threat. They spoke with Miami booster, John Ruiz, who's company, LifeWallet, among others, has been very active in giving NIL deals to Miami players, and in some cases, transfers. And has maybe most famously, Nijel Pack, the Kansas State basketball player signed a two-year $800,000 deal.
I think there's 115 athletes that Ruiz has done deals with, although a couple are at North Carolina and FIU, most are at Miami. All right, so you spoke to Ruiz, the NCAA saying this isn't quite an investigation. But I guess the basic question is, is he is this a pay for play that is set up with the school or is this not? And Ruiz is quite confident he's broken no rules. What is the latest, what do you got here?
ROSS DELLENGER: Well, we kind of knew this would happen. Like after the NCAA released last week, well, really a month ago, they released a new, kind of new guidelines clarifying NIL. And one of the big clarifications was a booster and booster collectives cannot be involved in recruiting and cannot provide recruiting inducements in the form of NIL. And
I remember being told then when those guidelines were released in early May that target number one was going to be Miami based on the very public comments and tweets by Ruiz. That's what separates Miami I think from a lot of the other schools and the other collectives, is how brazen and public Ruiz's been. So we kind of knew this was coming, that they would probably start with Miami and with Ruiz.
And I don't know how to clarify, because some people I talked to did describe it as an investigation. Others described it as more of an inquiry. Ruiz thinks it was just some casual interview. He kind of acted like eh, the NCAA just dropped by to pick my brain. I'm not sure that is what it was. But I'm also not sure it was a full on investigation or, as of yet it could be called a full on investigation.
But they're certainly interested in the Nijel Pack stuff, that's what got everybody's attention is him posting that before Pack even posted a commitment himself, let alone signed or anything like that or was, arrived at the school. And he posted that stuff about his deal, and that he had committed to the school. So that got everybody's attention.
And I think some other people, maybe even players were interviewed too. And so it seems like this is a start of maybe what could be an investigation and what could be a multiple school kind of thing with the NCAA. I wouldn't think Miami is going to be the only one.
DAN WETZEL: OK, so if there is a violation here, and that's a big if. And again, Ruiz is not a dumb guy, so he believes he followed all the rules, whatever those rules are. What is it? Is it the coordination with the school? Would it be just giving a deal before someone even transfer? Like, what is the what's the tipping point that could happen here?
ROSS DELLENGER: Yeah, I think it is an inducement. I don't think it's as much coordination with the school, because he is doing a lot of things, appears to be doing a lot of things on his own. In fact, I think that's one of the issues, is the school is having maybe a little trouble policing him. And in those guidelines from a month ago when the NCAA clarified their NIL guidance, one of the things was, schools has to be responsible for their boosters, and if they're not, they'll be punished.
So the athlete eligibility is not a factor here. I don't, the NCAA released that last week in a memo to schools that they won't punish athletes and won't pull their eligibility. But I think what they will do, is potentially find the school and force the school to disassociate the booster. However, you know, what's going to follow if that does happen, Ruiz is going to sue them. There's no doubt. Like, it would just go to court. And then they have to, then they have to prove that there was an inducement.
And as somebody told me, it can look like an inducement, smell like an inducement, but can you prove that it really is an inducement? Because these boosters like Ruiz, I mean, these are smart businessmen, like you mentioned. And they've got, he's got a team of lawyers, man. He's got like, he's got a lot of lawyers working on this, and they're dotting the I's and T's. They've got all this documentation of quid pro quo and following state law. So yeah, it seems like an inducement, but can you prove that? And that's going to be difficult.
For months, Major League Soccer has deliberated on what it wanted for its next TV deal: games in every home in America or a bigger check and a product behind a paywall. The answer arrived Tuesday when the league announced a 10-year deal for every match to be streamed on a new subscription service from […]
Meet 13 players from Greater Cincinnati high schools/colleges on MLB rosters
Former Madeira High School standout Andrew Benintendi is among players from local schools on MLB rosters.
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2022-06-15T21:44:23Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Miami billionaire booster is the first target of NCAA’s NIL inquiries | College Football Enquirer
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https://sports.yahoo.com/miami-billionaire-booster-first-target-205752898.html?src=rss
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STORY: U.S. stocks rallied on Wednesday after the Federal Reserve announced an interest rate hike that met market expectations, as the central bank seeks to fight rising inflation without sparking a recession.The Fed raised its target interest rate by three-quarters of a percentage point, its biggest rate hike since 1994, and projected a slowing economy and rising unemployment in the months to come.
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2022-06-15T22:20:56Z
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3 Vikings players with most to prove in 2022
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The vibe around the Arizona Cardinals has been strange this offseason. Sure, they traded for wide receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown during Day 1 of the NFL Draft. That came after a quiet and underwhelming free agency period that saw the team lose edge rusher Chandler Jones, the team’s all-time franchise leader in sacks, and not replace him.
The Cardinals and their fans were back to being happy for about four days. All-Pro wideout DeAndre Hopkins was announced to be suspended for the first six games of the regular season. Weeks later, the team tragically lost one of their starters in cornerback Jeff Gladney.
News broke Tuesday morning that center Rodney Hudson was not present for mandatory minicamp. There is speculation that he may retire from the NFL, which would be another massive blow to the Cardinals.
The team must make another impact move that makes the team significantly better and brings up the energy surrounding the team. One way they could possibly do that is by calling the Chicago Bears about All-Pro edge rusher Robert Quinn.
Quinn has had a career resurgence with the Bears after a couple of down years with the Rams and Dolphins. He had 11.5 sacks with the Cowboys in 2019 which earned him a massive contract from the Bears. Last season, he had a whopping 18.5 sacks.
The 2021 second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection was incredible last season on a Bears team that wasn’t very good. He also operated as the sole pass rusher for the majority of the season after Khalil Mack missed most of the season.
Quinn did not report to Bears’ mandatory minicamp amidst trade rumors that have been running all offseason. CBS Sports reported his desire to get a change of scenery and not be on a rebuilding team. The Bears, after shipping away Khalil Mack, are very obviously looking to acquire draft capital for their aging standouts.
Outside of drafting two rookies in the third round, the Cardinals did nothing by way of replacing Chandler Jones in free agency. Quinn, who is roughly the same age, would fill the void of an elite edge rusher. When Jones and J.J. Watt were both healthy early in the season, the Cardinals defense was elite.
While it may not make sense to some to let Jones walk and bring in another edge rusher of the same age (32), perhaps the Cardinals didn’t want to let him go. Jones did previously mention in an interview that he thought a lot about staying with the Cardinals, which doesn’t sound like them just letting him walk.
Robert Quinn, coming off the best season of his career, would make the Cardinals’ defense exponentially better. Due to his age, it’s probable he could be had for a mid-round pick in next year’s draft. He has a cap hit of $17 million this season but a portion of that would have to be paid by the Bears.
Despite their lack of aggressiveness in free agency, the Cardinals have money to spend. This would be a wise way to use it.
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2022-06-15T22:21:09Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cardinals should inquire about Bears All-Pro OLB Robert Quinn
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Iowa Hawkeyes duo among CBS Sports’ top 100 NFL players
Two Iowa Hawkeyes were recently featured in Pete Prisco of CBS Sports’ top 100 NFL players of 2022 rankings.
Unsurprisingly, star San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle didn’t last too long before coming off the board. Kittle, who has registered 350 receptions, 4,668 receiving yards and 21 touchdown grabs in his career thus far, checked in as the NFL’s No. 15 player overall according to Prisco.
In terms of being the best all-round tight end, he is it. He can run, catch and block. There aren’t many who can do all three at the level he does it. He was limited to 14 games last season, but still caught 71 passes. – Prisco, CBS Sports.
The only massive flaw to find in Kittle’s game is his struggles to stay on the field. He’s only played one full season back in 2018. When he is healthy, though, he is a game-changer for the 49ers.
In one of the best running schemes in the league, Kittle is an extra lineman for San Fran. He isn’t just a good blocker for the position, he’s a dominant blocker in general. As an Iowa tight end, this should come as no surprise. He is Jimmy G’s most reliable target and is extremely tough to bring down in the open field.
Despite being a relative newcomer to the NFL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs is already recognized as one of the league’s elite. The third-year tackle was ranked as the 32nd-best player in the league by Prisco.
He might be the best right tackle in the league, which is impressive since he’s entering his third season. He is outstanding in pass protection and should get better as he matures. – Prisco, CBS Sports.
Wirfs has been outstanding from the moment he stepped foot in the league. He’s started in all 38 games he’s appeared in so far. In just two years, he’s become a Super Bowl champion and a first-team All-Pro selection. He already has a career better than most and will continue to keep rising in the rankings.
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive guard Brandon Scherff was also listed by Prisco as an honorable mention selection.
Gauging the Iowa Hawkeyes, every Big Ten team's home records since 2017
Kris Murray returning was huge for Iowa. Now the leader of the Hawkeyes, can Murray contend for the Big Ten Player of the Year award?
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2022-06-15T22:21:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Iowa Hawkeyes duo among CBS Sports’ top 100 NFL players
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For this second stint as a franchise, a familiar face to both NFL fans and fans in Rhein returned: Jim Tomsula.
And under his guidance, the Fire are off to a 2-0 start with their home opener against the Istanbul Rams on the docket for this weekend.
This is not Tomsula’s first stint as a head coach, nor as the head coach of the Fire. During the 2006 NFL Europe season, Tomsula served as the head coach of the Fire, guiding Rhein to a 6-4 record. When the Fire missed out on the playoffs, Tomsula moved to the NFL, taking a position as the defensive line coach with the San Francisco 49ers. He would ultimately serve as the team’s head coach for the 2015 campaign, a year that saw San Francisco finish with a 5-11 record.
Upon their rebirth in the ELF, the Fire announced in February that Tomsula would be their head coach for the season:
A blockbuster signing on Super Bowl Sunday! As the Rhein Fire announced, the franchise has signed Jim Tomsula, former NFL coach, as their head coach for the upcoming European League of Football season. In Tomsula, the franchise has their most important coaching position set. The experienced coach can work with a talented and experienced player portfolio.
The Fire opened the season with a 29-26 victory over the Frankfurt Galaxy on the road, and followed that up with a 28-17 victory over the Leipzig Kings. In that game, the Fire scored 14 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to secure the win, and it was this 96-yard fumble return from Omari Williams that broke a 17-17 tie midway through the final quarter:
During his time in San Francisco, Tomsula was known for his positive energy and outlook. That has not left him, as you can see from this pre-game interview before Rhein’s Week 1 victory over the Galaxy:
Whether that energy pays off with a winning season for the Fire remains to be seen, but their 2-0 start has Rhein fans excited for the rest of the campaign.
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2022-06-15T22:21:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Jim Tomsula off to a 2-0 start as the head coach of the Rhein Fire
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Packers schedule annual ‘Family Night Scrimmage’ for Aug. 5
The Green Bay Packers scheduled the team’s annual “Family Night Scrimmage” for Friday, Aug. 5.
The 21st edition of the event will be held at Lambeau Field.
According to the team, $10 tickets to Family Night will become available on Wednesday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m on Ticketmaster.com.
Fans can enter Lambeau Field at 5:30 p.m. Warmups are scheduled for 7:00 and the start of practice at 7:30.
The scrimmage will be televised across the state of Wisconsin on the Packers TV Network.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said training camp practices will begin July 27.
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2022-06-15T22:21:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Packers schedule annual ‘Family Night Scrimmage’ for Aug. 5
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When the Arizona Cardinals acquired three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz from the Philadelphia Eagles last October, they had their best offense in years. They had a complete arsenal of three wide receivers, a Pro Bowl running back, a solid offensive line and then a great tight end.
One of the reasons Ertz loved the idea of coming to Arizona was their quarterback, Kyler Murray. At the time, he was the leading MVP candidate and was playing elite football. Ertz also saw Murray have one of his better games of the 2020 season when the Eagles traveled to the desert.
Appearing on the Dave Pasch podcast, Ertz reiterated his faith in his quarterback’s ability. Pasch asked how Murray was similar and/or different to the quarterbacks Ertz has played with in the past.
“Kyler is the most talented player I’ve ever been around, period,” he said. “There is nothing he cannot do on a football field. He can be like Lamar Jackson and take off for 100-plus yards a game or, in my opinion, he can sit in the pocket and not even worry about his legs.”
One of the most encouraging aspects to Murray’s play in year three was his improvement in the passing game, particularly in the middle of the field. For the first few months, his running ability was what it should be – a luxury.
That’s exactly how Ertz described Murray’s game from last season.
“In his ideal situation, he doesn’t leave the pocket,” he said. “For me, as a pass catcher, I love playing with a quarterback like that. He just wants to play on time, in rhythm and he wants to get the ball out of his hands and to his guys.
“But he knows that he has the luxury if the play is breaking down, he can take off. For me, Kyler is the most talented player I’ve ever been around.”
He did mention Andrew Luck, his college quarterback, to be the best pure quarterback he’s ever been around in his experience, but mentioned Kyler has the potential to get to that point. Luck, who retired extraordinarily early a few seasons ago, was one of the game’s best.
The Cardinals signed Zach Ertz to a three-year extension after he tied the franchise’s record for receptions by a tight end in only 11 games. He did not play with the team until week seven.
It’s safe to say that record is in huge danger of being broken again.
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2022-06-15T22:22:31Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Zach Ertz says Kyler Murray is the most talented player he’s ever been around
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https://sports.yahoo.com/zach-ertz-says-kyler-murray-220348968.html?src=rss
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Cora clears up Chris Sale's role when he returns to Red Sox originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
What will Chris Sale's role be when he makes his long-awaited return to the Boston Red Sox? Alex Cora set the record straight on Wednesday.
Despite speculation about Sale joining the bullpen, Cora told WEEI he sees the left-hander in the starting rotation when he's back from injury.
“I believe Chris Sale is a starter," the Red Sox manager said, per The Boston Globe's Alex Speier. "He’s a starter in my eyes. I know he wants to contribute… With him in the rotation, we’re a lot better. We’ll take it that way.”
Consider that question answered.
Sale hasn't pitched since the 2021 postseason due to a stress fracture in his right rib cage. He suffered the injury on Feb. 24 while throwing during the lockout.
The 33-year-old suffered a non-baseball medical issue in early May that delayed his return timetable. Barring any further setbacks, Cora expects Sale to return "sooner rather than later."
Tyler Mahle pitched nine brilliant innings, and the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks by a score of 5-3 in 12 innings.
Andy Martino on the progress of Yankees top prospect Anthony Volpe | Baseball Night in NY
On Baseball Night in New York, Andy Martino shares a scouting report on the Yankees top prospect, shortstop Anthony Volpe, after watching him play for for Double-A Somerset this past weekend.
How David Ortiz impacted Steph Curry's childhood Red Sox team, city of Boston
Steph Curry grew up a fan of the Red Sox and now, being back in Boston for Game 6 of the NBA Finals, reminisced on how Big Papi impacted the city.
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2022-06-15T23:11:18Z
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Alex Cora clears up Chris Sale's role when he returns to Red Sox
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'Petty King' Steph enjoying taunts flying during NBA Finals originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
BOSTON – From vulgar T-shirts to insulting signs to crude chants, the petty wars are raging during the NBA Finals as fans of the Warriors and Celtics strive to reach new highs – or lows – in an effort to express their loyalties.
Stephen Curry is caught up in it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I'm the petty king so I know all about everything,” Curry, whose broad sense of humor can pop up at a moment’s notice, said Wednesday.
Curry has been the target of several nasty T-shirts, including one that says he "sucks." There was also a sign outside a bar before Game 4 directed toward his wife, Ayesha, a chef and restaurateur: “Ayesha Curry Can’t Cook.”
Steph clapped back, coming to Ayesha’s defense after Game 5 at Chase Center, wearing a T-shirt with the words “Ayesha Curry CAN Cook” across the front. Subtle. But pointed.
And now, of course, there are green T-shirts scattered about Boston ahead of Game 6, yielding the original “Ayesha Curry Can’t Cook" message.
This is, according to Steph, simply the price of fame in the spirit of the highest levels of competition. Big stars, and their families, can be magnets for taunts.
“I use it as entertainment and just have fun with it,” he said. “The more you're on the stage, the more you realize the attention that is on you, how much it means to each fan base, how much it means to the cities. So, you can't really be surprised by anything.”
Boston-area fans are notorious for their vociferous conduct, whether supporting the Patriots or the Red Sox or the Bruins or the Celtics. With this being the first NBA Finals here since 2010, when Lakers topped the Celtics, they’ve had more than a decade to store invective.
And, boy, are they letting it fly – most of it toward Curry’s longtime teammate Draymond Green, who embraces the role of the heel.
The chants at TD Garden began with the routine, “Draymond sucks,” before splintering off into the obscene “F--- you, Draymond.” Both chants, by the way, made it to Fenway Park, where the Red Sox are playing host to the Oakland A’s.
Draymond shrugged it off – including green T-shirts saying in white lettering that he is a “b----” – but the third member of the Warriors’ core trio came to his defense.
“We've played in front of rude people before,” Klay Thompson said after Game 3 last week. “Dropping F-bombs with children in the crowd. Real classy. Good job, Boston.”
RELATED: Why "Game 6 Klay" runs deeper than one memorable game
That, of course, earned Klay the ire of New England. Klay’s appearance before Game 4 prompted a chorus of boos. This is extreme. Klay is Mr. Popular, one of the few NBA stars who generally has avoided any level of scorn throughout his career.
But, hey, the stakes are high, the games fierce and the abuse continuous. No Warrior is safe in Boston, though the mood at Chase Center and around the Bay Area has been lighter.
“There's a lot at stake when it comes to winning championships,” Curry said. “Maybe back in the day, the first year, first two years, maybe things catch you off guard just because it's so new. You wonder how these narratives come up, all the distractions pop up here and there. The more you get into these environments, the more you use it as entertainment, fun, embrace it.
“Honestly, you wouldn't want to have it any other way, knowing that you're on this stage and you're playing for something that really matters to a lot of people.”
Here comes Game 6 on Thursday. Cover your ears. And maybe your eyes, too.
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2022-06-15T23:11:27Z
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Steph Curry, 'Petty King,' enjoying taunts flying during NBA Finals
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Why Draymond doesn't believe C's challenge compares to LeBron originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
For four straight years, Draymond Green and the Warriors had to figure out a way to beat a LeBron James-led team in the NBA Finals.
But they managed to do it three out of the four years before LeBron left the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Those four Finals meetings in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 were all-out battles between one of the most talented rosters ever assembled and arguably the smartest player of this generation.
On Wednesday, ahead of Game 6 of the Finals against the Boston Celtics, Green was asked to compare the challenge presented by the Eastern Conference champions and those LeBron teams of past years. The Warriors' star forward only answered the question after making it clear there is no comparison.
"Well, it doesn't compare to mentally playing against LeBron James, who I think is arguably the smartest guy to ever play this game," Green told reporters in Boston. "Not one of, he is arguably the smartest guy to set foot on a basketball court. To say that it compares to that, it's disrespectful to LeBron and it's a lie to you.
"Now in saying that, it is a challenge mentally because these guys are super athletic. They are super young and fast and strong, and all the things that we know and have heard throughout the course of this series. They are those things. And then obviously they are super talented, and so when you are facing that, you have to try to out-think a guy. If a guy is faster than me, how can I beat him to a spot? I have to anticipate and I have to think. I have to try to understand what he's trying to get to. So I think that's been huge in this series from a mental standpoint and just trying to understand and be a step ahead of them."
The 2022 NBA Finals series has had its ebbs and flows before reaching its current state with the Warriors leading three-games-to-two with a chance to close it out Thursday night in Game 6.
Boston stole home court away by rallying to win Game 1 in San Francisco and looked like they were in command when they won Game 3 on their home court at TD Garden to take a two-games-to-one lead.
But as has been seen with the Warriors over their eight-year dynastic run, no series is ever over until it's actually done.
Green, coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the Warriors made their adjustments, pulled out a season-saving Game 4 win in Boston thanks to an iconic 43-point performance by Steph Curry, came home and won Game 5 behind Andrew Wiggins' career game, swinging the momentum of the series to the point where the Celtics now are playing to save their season.
Despite everything that has happened over the last two weeks, Green just can't compare what he is facing now to what he had to deal with in LeBron.
"Not as much of a chess match as it is when you're playing LeBron, who is dissecting every play in that computer of his, like in real-time," Green said. "Like that's just a skill that not many people possess. Not many people can come and sit here and find a random stretch from seven minutes to four minutes in the second quarter and give you every play like to the T and not miss a beat. There's not many people that can do that.
"Now in saying that, they do have a guy over there in Marcus Smart who is extremely smart, who it's like a chess match going up against him. He is kind of the brain of that team. I think every team you kind of have that guy, that's the brain of that team, and they have that in Marcus Smart, a guy who I have a tremendous amount of respect for and his basketball IQ. So it's a challenge for sure. [Celtics coach] Ime [Udoka] is extremely smart. We know his pedigree.
"So the challenge is there, but you can't put it up there against LeBron's. Like I said, he's probably the smartest guy we've ever seen play basketball."
RELATED: Warriors embrace final road trip with hopes of celebratory flight home
Green and the Warriors know the biggest "challenge" of this series awaits them. Closing out an opponent, especially on the road, is the hardest game of a series to win. And the Warriors surely want nothing to do with a Game 7 on Sunday. So they will do everything in their power to go into TD Garden and leave celebrating a fourth NBA title in eight seasons.
Green doesn't want to compare the Celtics to LeBron, but it might be wise to envision James on the other side, just so the Warriors are thinking and processing at the highest level possible.
Jaylen Brown: Celtics don't 'fear' Warriors heading into NBA Finals Game 6
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2022-06-15T23:11:40Z
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Why Draymond Green doesn't believe Celtics' challenge compares to LeBron James
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The Big Ten is once again preparing to set up shop in Indianapolis for its annual summer gathering known as Big Ten Football Media Days. The Big Ten recently announced the schedule for the two-day media day extravaganza featuring interviews with coaches and players from each of the 14 Big Ten institutions as well as other representatives from the Big Ten.
The Big Ten will have many topics to discuss in addition to previewing the upcoming college football season. A new landmark media rights deal could be confirmed by the time the media days begin, the continued rise of NIL in today’s modern collegiate athletics world, and the future of conference scheduling as deregulation of the conference championship model continues to sweep the college football landscape.
Penn State will have plenty of internal questions worth addressing as well. Coming off a second-striaght average season at best, James Franklin and his player representatives will be looking to address how the tone of the program is entering a challenging 2022 season.
More details for the Big Ten media day schedule will come later in time, as will information regarding the players attending the event in Indianapolis, but here are the general tidbits about the event as shared by the Big Ten.
When are Big Ten football media days?
The Big Ten football media day event will be held on Tuesday, July 24 and Wednesday, July 25. Interviews on each day will begin at approximately 10 a.m. ET and will conclude around 5 p.m. ET.
Where are Big Ten football media days?
The Big Ten will hold its media day event in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the second consecutive year the Big Ten has held its media day event in the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts.
The stadium also serves as the host for the Big Ten Football Media Day and has hosted every Big Ten football championship game since its inception in 2011. More recently, the stadium hosted the College Football Playoff National Championship Game between Alabama and Georgia.
What teams are featured on the first day of Big Ten Football Media Days?
The first day of the Big Ten Football Media Days will be expected to open with remarks from Big Ten commissioner [autotag]Kevin Warren[/autotag]. After Warren, seven teams from around the Big Ten will be featured on the first day of Big Ten media days on Tuesday, July 24. They are:
What teams are featured on the second day of Big Ten Football Media Days?
The seven remaining schools from around the Big Ten will be featured on the second day of Big Ten media days on Wednesday, July 25. They are:
How can I watch Big Ten Football Media Days?
Big Ten Network’s Dave Revsine, Indiana Hoosiers linebacker Micah McFadden, and Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Michael Penix Jr. talk on the BTN set during Big Ten media days at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2021. Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
No plans have been formally announced yet, but it may be a safe bet to assume Big Ten Network will be carrying media day coverage during the duration of the event.
'We will not waver': Biden unveils new aid package; 2 American veterans missing in Ukraine: Live Ukraine updates
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2022-06-15T23:30:44Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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When are 2022 Big Ten football media days?
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Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. carries the ball during practice. He is currently playing on the final year of his rookie contract. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
The Chargers paused their football business Wednesday with the conclusion of their two-day mandatory minicamp.
Yet, the business of football will continue for the team with the possibility of a contact extension this summer for safety Derwin James Jr.
Entering his fifth season, James is set to make slightly more than $9 million on the option year of his rookie deal. His representatives and the Chargers are believed to have begun negotiations.
James, who turns 26 in early August, is coming off a season in which he made his second Pro Bowl and firmly established himself as the key piece of head coach Brandon Staley’s defense.
He is the Chargers’ signal-caller and widely acknowledged leader — both physically and emotionally.
James possesses the versatility to play all over the field, from lining up deep to coming off the edge as a pass rusher — and nearly everything in between.
“We feel like the way he plays, where he plays … he’s in the middle of the defense,” Staley said last month. “He never leaves the field. We think that that’s important. We think that can be an advantage.”
The Chargers are now off before reconvening in late July for the start of training camp in Costa Mesa.
The extension market for safeties was reset Wednesday when Pittsburgh agreed to terms with Minkah Fitzpatrick on a deal that added four years and up to $73.6 million — with $36 million guaranteed — to his rookie contract.
The $18.4-million annual average is the highest in league history for the position, eclipsing the $17.5-million mark of Seattle’s Jamal Adams.
In the 2018 draft, Miami selected Fitzpatrick 11th overall, six spots before the Chargers picked James. The Dolphins traded Fitzpatrick to the Steelers in September 2019.
Chargers free safety Derwin James (3) warms up before practice in Costa Mesa. He has not participated in competitive drills because of his shoulder rehab but has done most of the drills. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press)
Before agreeing to his extension, Fitzpatrick was set to make $10.6 million on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal.
The only knock on the early part of James’ NFL career involves health. A foot injury limited him to five games in 2019 and a knee injury cost him all of 2020. He suffered the setbacks in consecutive Augusts.
James had shoulder surgery after the 2021 season but was able to remain on the field and provide production despite getting hurt early.
He totaled 118 tackles, finishing third leaguewide among defensive backs. Fitzpatrick was first with 124. James was one of only five NFL players to have at least 100 tackles, multiple interceptions and forced fumbles and a sack.
Publicly, he has remained focused on football this offseason, repeatedly dismissing questions about a potential extension. Because of his shoulder, the Chargers have limited his action during offseason workouts.
“Whenever that takes care of itself, it takes care of itself,” James said in May. “My job right now is just to help guys like [veteran edge rusher] Khalil Mack and [rookie safety] JT Woods get up to speed.”
The importance of James to the Chargers is evident even in the way the team has rebuilt its defense in recent months, the sweeping changes intended to further exploit James’ abundant skills.
Among other additions, they used their second pick in the draft to take Woods in the third round. Staley explained later that Woods’ potential to play deep should help free James.
“We’ve surrounded him with a lot more depth and talent so that all of his talents will shine even brighter than they did last season …” Staley said. “Derwin, all he needs to do is continue to do what he always does because he’s one of the special players in the league.”
An extension for James would continue the Chargers’ recent trend of re-signing their biggest names.
In July 2020, they gave edge rusher Joey Bosa a five-year, $135-million deal that included $102 million in guaranteed salary.
Six weeks later, the Chargers and wide receiver Keenan Allen agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $80 million, $50 million of which was guaranteed.
In March, they signed wide receiver Mike Williams to a three-year deal worth up to $60 million with $40 million in guarantees.
Notable sightings: Asked Wednesday to identify any players who stood out particularly this spring, Staley mentioned wide receiver Jalen Guyton and safety Nasir Adderley.
The last two days, Guyton was employed as a gunner in punt coverage — a new assignment for him — the Chargers hoping to take further advantage of his speed while also increasing his value.
“That's going to be a big factor in him being in the league for a long time and hopefully making his way in this league,” Staley said. “Jalen is coming in with a good mindset, and I'm excited to see him in training camp.”
Staley talked about Adderley’s emergence with James being held out of competitive drills as a precaution because of his shoulder surgery.
Still looking for No. 2: After spending most of the offseason training near his home in Las Vegas, running back Austin Ekeler joined his teammates for mandatory minicamp.
Entering his sixth year, Ekeler is coming off a season in which he set a career high with 276 touches.
He talked repeatedly in 2021 about the importance of the Chargers having a second running back emerge to help ease his workload. He talked about it again Wednesday.
“I’m in the No. 1 spot right now,” Ekeler said. “I want these guys to come challenge me. Like, ‘Let’s go. Bring it. Come on. Come earn some reps.’ That’s what I want it to be.”
The Chargers drafted Isaiah Spiller out of Texas A&M in the fourth round in April to join two other recent picks — Larry Rountree III (sixth round, 2021) and Joshua Kelley (fourth round, 2020) — in battling for the No. 2 spot.
Sacramento police are analyzing crime data and focusing on high-risk offenders and crime hot spots.
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2022-06-16T01:52:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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It's safety first for rehabbing Derwin James at practice but not for a new contract
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https://sports.yahoo.com/safety-first-rehabbing-derwin-james-003134128.html?src=rss
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Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Milwaukee Bucks general manager Jon Horst and his staff have a full offseason ahead of them for the first time since the team bowed out in the Eastern Conference finals in 2019. Training camp likely will open at the end of September, with a preseason trip to Abu Dhabi on tap the first week in October, but the NBA calendar is “normal” – with the draft combine having just wrapped up, the draft on June 23 and the free agency moratorium beginning July 1.
No players are jetting off to play in Olympic Games, and though Khris Middleton will need time to fully recover from his sprained left medial collateral ligament, he does not need surgery.
On one hand it’s a chance to breathe after squeezing in 272 games into 2½ calendar years, but the business of basketball never ends and there are decisions Bucks ownership, Horst and some players must make in the coming five weeks.
Let’s take a look at what Horst and his staff are working with:
Bucks forward Khris Middleton, who is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered early in the playoffs, is eligible for an extension this offseason.
These Milwaukee Bucks players are under contract for the 2022-2023 season
Jrue Holiday ($32,544,00 base salary, with a chance to earn an additional $5,873,040 in bonuses)
Grayson Allen ($8,500,000 base salary, with a chance to earn an additional $1,275,000 in bonuses)
Rayjon Tucker ($1,815,677)*
Luca Vildoza ($1,752,638)*
*Non-guaranteed
Middleton is once again eligible for a contract extension this offseason, which can be approached in several ways. He can tell the Bucks he will opt-in for his $40.39 million player option in 2023-24 and sign an extension for a maximum $152 million over three years beyond that. Or, he can tell the team he will decline that option and seek an extension for $200 million over four seasons beginning in 2023-24. It is possible Middleton could agree to a non-maximum extension as well. If no longer-term agreement is reached, with one year and an option remaining on Middleton's contract, the team also could explore trade options for Middleton, who will turn 31 in August.
Lopez is entering the last year of his deal signed in 2019. He performed well and looked good after returning from December back surgery, but he just turned 34 and will be entering his 15th season. Of the players under contract, Lopez’s expiring salary and continued effectiveness could also make him one of the few trade chips the team has. Should the team look to extend Lopez, the maximum extension he could receive is a $75 million deal over four years. But a one-year, $16.6 million or two-year, $34.7 million deal could make sense for both parties if they choose to extend the partnership.
Hill said he suffered an injury between his T6 and T7 vertebrae that will have to be addressed in some manner this offseason, along with a tear in his oblique muscle suffered at the end of the regular season.
Bucks players Pat Connaughton (left) and Bobby Portis can exercise their player option or opt out and become unrestricted free agents.
Pat Connaugton, Bobby Portis and Thanasis Antetokounmpo have player options
Pat Connaughton ($5,728,393)
Bobby Portis ($4,564,980)
Thanasis Antetokounmpo ($1,878,720)
Portis has bet on himself for two years in Milwaukee and appears ready to cash in.
As far as the Bucks are concerned, any deal they offer Portis must be a minimum of two years without an option. They can offer up to a four-year, $50 million deal to the 27-year-old, who has turned into a 41% three-point shooter in his time in Milwaukee. Portis is coming off a career year in games started (59), points (14.6) and rebounds (9.1) per game.
“I really don’t have a comment on it,” Portis said of his player option. “That’s on the organization and my agent will have to figure that out. I don’t really discuss numbers or contracts or none of that. I love it here. I love being a Buck, but it definitely comes down to them making it work.”
Connaughton set career highs in scoring (9.9 points per game) and three-point shooting (39.5%) in a season in which he played more than 60 games.
“I know when you’re in the NBA there’s only a finite amount of time that you have,” Connaughton said. “It’s different and it’s unique compared to other professions, right? It’s a shorter lifespan. It is a business. Guys want to make as much money in that lifespan as they can because it is short and they have the rest of their lives to live and families to provide for.
"But I try to look at things a little bit different, look at things other than just the monetary value that it can literally bring. Competing for championships, playing alongside guys like Giannis and Jrue and Khris. Playing for our owners here and Coach ‘Bud’ and Jon Horst. I think they’ve done a really good job here in Milwaukee to create a family-like culture and that’s something I’ve always been about.
"And I’ve always prided myself on winning. So for me I think it’s not just about looking at dollars and cents, it’s about looking at the organization as a whole, looking at my teammates and knowing that these guys have become like brothers to me. So how do I find ways to continue to improve my game so that hopefully I can help improve our chances of winning a championship here in Milwaukee next year.”
Should Connaughton elect to opt-out and become an unrestricted free agent, the Bucks have flexibility beyond the salary cap to re-sign him for a deal that could last up to five years with 8% annual raises.
There isn’t a reason for Thanasis Antetokounmpo to opt-out, other than to do so with the understanding he would sign a one-year, minimum deal with another player option for 2023-24. That move would save the Bucks about $70,000 in cap space.
Jordan Nwora is the Bucks' lone qualifying offer/restricted free agent
Jordan Nwora ($2,011,516)
Nwora will turn 24 before the start of the season and though he showed improvement he didn’t earn consistent playing time despite injuries to Middleton, Hill, Connaughton and Rodney Hood. It appears unlikely another team will swoop in with a big offer, but the Bucks do have an opportunity to match any deal he is extended from another team. It would make sense to at least extend the qualifying offer to Nwora and have him back on the team to start his third year in Milwaukee.
Bucks' two-way contracts
Wesley Matthews, Jevon Carter and Serge Ibaka are Bucks' unrestricted free agents
Matthews, who will be 36 in mid-October, said he is not retiring and would like to play a 14th season, though he hopes he won’t have to wait until after the season starts to sign with a team.
Carter said he didn’t receive much interest from teams when the Nets released him in February, but maybe his 55% three-point shooting and 50.6% shooting overall in 20 regular-season games with the Bucks will resuscitate his market.
Ibaka averaged about 18 minutes per game in 19 regular-season appearances after being acquired by the Bucks via trade in February, but he played just 22 playoff minutes. It would appear if Lopez and Portis are back with the Bucks there is no room for the soon-to-be 33-year-old big man.
The Bucks have one pick in the 2022 NBA draft
First round, No. 24 overall
Second round: None*
* The Bucks forfeited their second-round pick due to the “gun jumping” penalty instituted for the failed sign-and-trade for Bogdan Bogdanović last offseason.
Of those on the current roster, Giannis Antetokounmpo (No. 15 overall, 2013) is the only draft pick under contract for next year. Nwora was an original selection (No. 45 overall, 2020) as well.
What to know about the Bucks' salary cap situation, luxury tax
The cap reportedly will be set at $122 million, an increase of about $10 million over last season, with the luxury tax threshold rising to $149 million (up from about $136 million).
With no moves being made, the Bucks are already over the 2022-23 salary cap and nearing the luxury tax threshold.
What about the mid-level exemption for the Bucks?
If Portis and Connaughton opt-out of their deals, the Bucks can use “Bird rights” on either player to exceed the salary cap and re-sign him, though there are limits to the years and dollars.
The Bucks also will have a $6,149,000 million taxpayer mid-level exemption to use. A player can be signed under this exemption for up to three seasons. It also can be spread among players. For instance, last season the Bucks used $4 million toward Hill and the remaining dollars to Georgios Kalaitzakis and Tucker.
The veteran minimum salary in 2022-23 is about $1,810,000. The Bucks will be looking for veteran players to accept this deal. Once again, they will be looking to bolster their roster via the trade deadline and buyout market deep into next season.
An NBA team moves into the harsher “repeater tax” category once it operates in the luxury tax for four years out of five, and the Bucks likely will be in the luxury tax for the third straight season next year.
To prevent the incursion of the repeater penalty the Bucks would need to either avoid the tax for next year or avoid the tax for 2023-24 and 2024-25. This may prove difficult, especially if the team wants to continue to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo not only on the roster, but with max-level supporting players around him. This should not affect player moves for this coming season, but it no doubt must be on the front office’s radar when it comes to mapping out longer-term extensions and contracts.
* Tax bills are estimates as they are calculated at the conclusion of every season.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee Bucks 2022 offseason: players under contract, free agents
There's some relief for parents in Milwaukee dealing with a nationwide baby formula shortage.
Purdue football lands commitment from Westfield defensive back Dillon Thieneman
Jake and Brennan Thieneman played for Purdue's football program and now younger brother Dillon plans to join the Boilermakers
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2022-06-16T02:16:55Z
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What you need to know about the Milwaukee Bucks' offseason, potential player and roster moves, the NBA draft, salary cap and more
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Detroit Tigers rookie Kody Clemens, son of MLB pitching legend Roger Clemens, made his debut as a big league pitcher on Wednesday.
The moment would have held much more weight had it not been for the inconvenient fact that the younger Clemens normally plays second base. And that the Tigers were losing by 11 runs when he took the mound.
It was that kind of game for Detroit, currently struggling through another season at 24-38, as the team needed to use three different position players as pitchers to get through a 13-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Clemens pitched the eighth inning, and any fans hoping to see the kind of heat his father delivered were probably a little disappointed. The 26-year-old topped out at 49.7 mph. That lack of heat was apparently by design, as Tigers manager A.J. Hinch told reporters after the game that he instructed Clemens to throw as slowly as possible, per MLB.com.
Clemens quickly ran into trouble, allowing a leadoff double to José Abreu and RBI single to Yoán Moncada. He eventually loaded the bases, but got out of it with an A.J. Pollock groundout.
Like father like son?
Kody Clemens gets out of the bases-loaded jam! pic.twitter.com/pQjN6OAjTP
Clemens finished with a line of three hits allowed, one walk, no strikeouts and one earned run, good for a career ERA of 9.00. That's 5.88 earned runs per nine innings more than Roger.
Kody, ranked as the Tigers' No. 17 prospect by MLB Pipeline, made his MLB debut on May 31 and has so far struggled. In 28 plate appearances, the 2018 third-round pick has hit .077/.143/.077 with seven strikeouts while splitting time between left field, second base, first base and third base.
And now, pitcher.
Kody Clemens didn't quite have his dad's pitching mechanics. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Yoán Moncada had five hits and five RBIs, including a run-scoring single against Kody Clemens, and the Chicago White Sox beat the Detroit Tigers 13-0 on Wednesday for a three-game series sweep. Moncada, Danny Mendick and Seby Zavala homered for Chicago, which had dropped four of five before arriving in Detroit. José Abreu had four hits and drove in two runs, and Andrew Vaughn had three hits.
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2022-06-16T02:17:01Z
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MLB: Tigers' Kody Clemens, Rogers' son, pitches vs. White Sox
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The power is the last thing to go.
Former heavyweight title contender Julius Francis and one-time opponent of Mike Tyson demonstrated that in his capacity as a security guard at the entertainment venue BOXPARK Wembley in London.
An angry man can be seen on a video that went viral yelling obscenities and scuffling with security staff and others.
The man then made the mistake of marching toward the 57-year-old Francis, who knocked him out cold with a vintage right hand about 45 seconds into the video.
Francis (23-24-1, 12 KOs) was stopped by Tyson in the second round in 2000. The Londoner, who last fought in 2006, also teaches children boxing and fitness
Spain scorched by earliest heatwave in 40 plus years
STORY: One dog owner told Reuters she's glad Madrid has so many parks. “This grass is in perfect condition to help the dog enjoy, run and keep fresh,” she said.But it's challenging for those who have to work in the heat. One construction worker, Paul Francis, said he's drinking a lot of water.“It is what it is," Francis said. "We cope with it but I think that it is going to get hotter. Next month for sure we will start at 8 and stop at 15h.”A cloud of hot air from North Africa has sent temperatures soaring, according to the Spanish weather agency AEMET, and the suffocating heatwave could last in most of Spain until the end of the week, few days before summer officially starts on June 21.With temperatures surpassing 40C (104F) in parts of central and southern Spain, the current heatwave equals the earliest one registered in 1981, AEMET said.The weather agency also sent out a warning saying the heatwave could feel even worse across the country due to presence of sand and dust in the air from the Sahara.Popular tourist destinations such as Sevilla and Cordoba, in which exceeding 40C is not unusual during the summer months, are set to reach up to 43C (109F) in the coming days, with capital Madrid sweltering with 41C on Monday.
The 2022 USFL Playoffs begin on Saturday, June 25 in Canton, Ohio at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium as the top two teams from the North and South Divisions battle it out for a spot in the Championship game. RELATED: 2022 USFL schedule Week 10 – How to watch/live stream this weekend’s spring football games
Jury sided with Kardashians in May, finding that they owed no money to Blac Chyna in a two week long trial
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2022-06-16T02:17:08Z
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Watch it: Julius Francis, boxer-turned-security guard, decks unruly man
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Wisconsin will have one of the best two-headed monsters in the country as Chez Mellusi and Braelon Allen lead the Badgers’ running back room.
It took a few games for Allen to find his footing, but when he did he was one of the best running backs in the country. As a freshman, the Fond Du Lac product racked up 1,268 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Despite his season-ending injury at Rutgers, Mellusi racked up 815 yards and five touchdowns after transferring from Clemson.
CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee put together his list of the five best running back rooms in college football as we enter the 2022 season. It’s no surprise that Wisconsin made the list, but where did the Badgers end up? Here is a look at the complete list:
Honorable Mention: Michigan Wolverines
Oct 2, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh walks on the field during warmups prior to the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Ole Miss Rebels
Oct 31, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin congratulates Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) after a touchdown during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Appalachian State Mountaineers
Dec 4, 2021; Lafayette, LA, USA; Appalachian State running back Camerun Peoples (6) runs the ball during the second quarter of the Sun Belt Conference championship game. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports
Honorable Mention: Syracuse Orange
Honorable Mention: Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart during the the national championship celebration at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022.
Honorable Mention: Central Michigan Chippewas
Dec 31, 2021; El Paso, Texas, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas head coach Jim McElwain celebrates with defensive lineman Troy Hairston II (13) after defeating Washington State Cougars 24-21 in the 88th annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl football game at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
5: Minnesota Golden Gophers
Nov 13, 2020; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers running back Mohamed Ibrahim (24) rushes with the ball for a first down in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
4: Utah Utes
Apr 23, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham looks on during the second half of the Utah Spring Football Game at Rice–Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
3: Wisconsin Badgers
2: Ohio State Buckeyes
Sat., Jan. 1, 2022; Pasadena, California, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day celebrates following the Buckeyes’ 48-45 victory against the Utah Utes in the 108th Rose Bowl Game.
Rose Bowl Game Ohio State Buckeyes Against Utah Utes
1: Texas Longhorns
Bijan
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2022-06-16T02:51:04Z
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CBS Sports ranks the top 5 running back rooms, where does Wisconsin fall?
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Dallas mayor Eric Johnson made headlines earlier this week when he once again suggested the NFL give the Dallas-Fort Worth area another franchise. Johnson had previously floated the idea of an NFL expansion team coming to town, but he had a different idea this time.
In reaction to news of a brewing Chargers ownership fight, Johnson posted an open invitation for the Chargers to move to Dallas. He suggested the Cotton Bowl and Hensley Field as potential locations for a practice facility or stadium.
We're going to go ahead and pause here to acknowledge the obvious.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area is not getting another NFL team. For a litany of reasons, first and foremost being that the area probably doesn't want another NFL team. Because it has the Cowboys. Just about the only people who would want another team in Dallas are the ones whose fortunes are directly tied to the city's perception of prosperity and growth, like a local mayor who is up for re-election in 2023.
The NFL wouldn't want another team in Dallas because it also has the Cowboys, the most valuable team in the league by more than a billion dollars per Forbes. The league is not going to want to forego potentially lucrative markets to cannibalize of arguably its most powerful owner.
Meanwhile, the Chargers are facing the reality of being the No. 2 team in a saturated sports market, a problem you don't exactly solve by moving to the NFL market containing the Dallas Cowboys. So you would imagine Dallas is pretty low on their list of preferred destinations should they decide to leave Los Angeles after spending $650 million to move there in the first place.
This should all be obvious to anyone who follows football, and yet, it has become a topic of discussion for Jones, who said exactly what you would expect him to say in an interview with the Dallas Morning News:
When asked to confirm the NFL has no plans to add another team to Dallas, Jones was affirmative:
Those comments were soon relayed to Johnson by the Morning News, leading to some more cheering for something that will clearly never happen in the NFL as currently constructed:
On Wednesday after being relayed the thoughts of Jones, Mayor Johnson told The News’ Everton Bailey: “I like Jerry Jones a lot, and he has done a great job turning my beloved Cowboys into the most valuable sports franchise on the planet. No team will ever dethrone the Cowboys — but that’s not the point. This region loves football and could certainly support a second team. And as mayor, my job is to grow my city’s economy.
“Having an NFL franchise that is headquartered and at least practices in the City of Dallas would be a major boost to our efforts. I am a diehard Cowboys fan, but I will always fight for my city.”
So the mayor of Dallas wants another NFL team and the owner of the current Dallas NFL team does not. You can guess whose opinion holds more weight at the NFL league office.
Jerry Jones is probably not sweating the idea of the Cowboys getting some local competition. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
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2022-06-16T03:26:17Z
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NFL: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones not expecting new team in Dallas
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Aussie sprinter Nature Strip lights up opening day of Royal Ascot
Australian sprinter Nature Strip was labelled a "freak of a horse" after making the long journey worthwhile by winning the Group One King's Stand Stakes on the first day of the Royal Ascot meeting on Tuesday.
The Chris Waller-trained star's sublime performance took place with the meeting's most notable supporter Queen Elizabeth II absent.
As she watched on television from Windsor Castle, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla stood in.
It was the first Royal Ascot since 2019 to greet a full house made up largely of top-hatted and tail-coated men and women dressed in the latest fashion, after two years of crowd restrictions due to Covid.
Nature Strip was only Waller's second runner at the meeting -- Brazen Beau finished second in the 2015 Platinum Jubilee Stakes -- but he never gave his jockey James McDonald a moment's concern.
"He's an absolute freak of a horse," said McDonald.
"I thought how has one come with him. I didn't know it was a loose horse. That riderless horse (Khadeem) gave me a little fright!"
Waller was delighted he had confirmed he deserved to be rated among the best horses in the world.
"It means a lot," said Waller.
"We don't get the opportunity very often to come here and take on the English, Irish, French, Americans and even Dubai and Hong Kong runners.
"To therefore bring a horse here and not only run, but win is very special. It was breathtaking."
Waller said he would decide later in the week if Nature Strip would run in the Platinum Jubilee Stakes, although he already has Home Affairs in it.
- 'It was tricky' -
Earlier the meeting got off with a bang as Baaeed showed why he is presently the top-rated horse in the world.
He extended his unbeaten run to eight with an effortless victory in the opening Queen Anne Stakes, justifying his odds of 1/6 on.
The four-year-old, with Jim Crowley riding for trainer William Haggas, beat Real World by one-and-three-quarter lengths.
"The only way I can explain the feeling is when you go to the funfair and you're waiting in the queue for a fast ride, that's the feeling before you get on him," said Crowley, whose delight was etched across his face as he high-fived the stable lad.
"Once you're on him and away it's great -- I really enjoy it. He's a pleasure to ride.
"It's the pinnacle. You could spend your whole life waiting for a horse like this to come along. This is a superstar.
"(Owner) Sheikh Hamdan (al-Maktoum who died last year) will be looking down smiling."
Coroebus -- owned by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin Operation -- picked up the other Group One contest, the St James's Palace Stakes.
He had to battle hard to do so under William Buick and become the 16th horse to complete the English 2000 Guineas and St James's Palace Stakes double.
"You have to enjoy these good horses you know I am very privileged to get on them," said Buick, who was recording his 29th Royal Ascot winner.
"Then it was a case of getting the job done and it was tricky.
"He is brave, has a turn of foot and a will to win. He has everything you want in a race horse."
Appleby, welcoming home his 12th Royal Ascot victor, said it was a "tough and gritty performance and class and determination got us over the line".
Earlier Hollie Doyle took the second race on the card, guiding Bradsell to win the Coventry Stakes for trainer Archie Watson.
"I said to my fiancee last night 'Whatever wins this is a superstar' and that's what he's gone and done," said Watson.
"For us this is massive and I just want to thank everybody; I'm just delighted to repay everybody by winning such a good race as this."
Take a look back at Royal Ascot with photos of the annual horse racing event from 1935 until now.
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2022-06-16T04:31:03Z
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Aussie sprinter Nature Strip lights up opening day of Royal Ascot
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The Premier League champions are looking to replace Fernandinho after his nine-year tenure at the Etihad ended
If Houston adds a dynamic frontcourt passer like Paolo Banchero, it might give them more flexibility when it comes to the “point guard” role, as well as the remainder of the starting lineup.
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2022-06-16T05:18:40Z
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Jerami Grant widely expected to be traded this summer
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New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, left, argues with umpires during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Tampa Bay Rays' Randy Arozarena (56) is hit with a pitch during the eighth inning of the team's baseball game against the New York Yankees, Wednesday June 15, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
New York Yankees relief pitcher Clay Holmes runs into position, as Tampa Bay Rays' Francisco Mejia grounds out to end the baseball game Wednesday June 15, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
Tampa Bay Rays' Francisco Mejia swings for a strike as New York Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka reaches for the pitch during ninth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, June 15, 2022, in New York. Mejia grounded out on the at-bat to end the game. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
“The fans,” Judge said, “they're loud, they're on their feet all game, from the very first pitch they're there and then the top of the ninth they were screaming."
“The energy at Yankee Stadium is always good, but it does feel like with the start we've gotten off to, there's been a lot of energetic, special nights already,” manager Aaron Boone said.
“That was brutal. I feel like that can't happen," Higashioka said. “There's got to be somebody that knows what to do.”
“I think a little of everything,” Boone said of Holmes' role. “He'll be closing some games, too. Basically, he’s going to find himself in a lot of the toughest parts of the lineup, so whether that’s the eighth inning, the ninth inning, we’ll just try and match him up as best we can.”
RHP Luis Severino (4-1, 2.80 ERA) makes his 100th career start in Thursday night’s series finale. LHP Jalen Beeks (1-1, 1.38) will be Tampa Bay's opener.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion will make her 21st appearance at Wimbledon after a full year away from the tennis court.
MLB DFS: Blue Jays should fly higher than Orioles on Wednesday
Mike Barner recommends checking out a Blue Jays stack on MLB Wednesday against the Orioles.
Travis Vick, who clinched the winning point for the Texas men's golf national championship two weeks ago, played high school baseball with Longhorn outfielder Doug Hodo.
Dansby Swanson and the Braves go for their 14th straight victory when they wrap up a series at Washington. The longest winning streak in the majors this season is Atlanta’s best stretch since the team won 14 consecutive games from July 26 to Aug. 9, 2013. “It’s a good feeling,” rookie outfielder Michael Harris II said.
Corbin Burnes bounced back from his two shortest outings of the season, Willy Adames got two of his three hits in a seven-run fifth inning and the Milwaukee Brewers routed the New York Mets 10-2 on Wednesday night for their second win in 11 games. Milwaukee’s big night gave manager Craig Counsell his 564th victory with the Brewers, breaking the franchise record. Counsell, the longest-tenured manager in the National League, passed Phil Garner, who managed 1,180 games for the team from 1992-99.
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2022-06-16T05:18:46Z
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Judge, Higashioka HRs power streaking Yankees past Rays 4-3
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Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum wore a purple and gold No. 24 armband in honor of Lakers legend Kobe Bryant during Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals on May 29 in Miami. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
“I don't like the uniform. I don't like anything to do with them,” said Amerio, a 55-year-old from Sierra Madre. “… If Boston were the last team in the NBA, I'd pick up cricket.”
“I don't like Golden State as much, but Boston cannot get No. 18. They cannot,” Amerio said. “It took us years for us to get to No. 17 and I can't see this two years later, them getting 18 and us sitting on the sidelines.”
“It hadn't occurred to me — and I don't know why — but it hadn't occurred to me that it was kind of a meme-able moment. And Payman … he just really loved it.
“He had the actors throw it in more than was even in the script, and that was really great. He knew. He was like, we should put in more "F— Boston." And I was like, ‘Hell yeah!’ ”
Kobe Bryant celebrates the Lakers' Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
“There’s a hole, a gap, with the Lakers struggling. As much as I can’t stand them, I’d rather see them in the hunt and watch us fight them. … It's fun to grind it in my Lakers fan friends’ faces that they sucked. But at the same time, I’d rather that they were better.”
“Yeah, I hate the Lakers. I mean, yeah,” Chiklis said. “I went to Boston University from 1981-1985. I screamed until I had no voice at that team. And yeah, I called James Worthy "Worthless." We screamed at all these guys.”
Marcus Smart, who watched "Winning Time" and laughed about the Boston slander, said the team feels that energy whenever they leave the Boston Garden.
“Everywhere we go, people are always talking,” Smart said. “It's really not toward you. It's just the Boston name. We're a historical franchise and a franchise like the Boston Celtics, that comes with it. When you are doing something greater, you are part of a great culture. It happens. You take it and you run with it.”
"I hated [Kevin] McHale. And I'm a lady,” Amerio said. “But if I were to see him on the streets today, I would punch him in the nose.
“…Now that I have my three boys, they don't like Boston. And that's all because of me — I hope.”
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2022-06-16T05:18:52Z
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Lakers fans are known for hating Boston. Now the Celtics are making a bad year worse
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The Phoenix Mercury's Diana Taurasi gives an update on Brittney Griner after the WNBA team met with the U.S. State Department.
JJ McCarthy: Healthy and ready to compete. With McNamara and McCarthy at minimum 1A and 1B in a 2 QB system, have to think Warren has a chance to see game action. Blake Corum: Corum started the season off with a bang, arguably the best running back in the country through the non-con part of the schedule.
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2022-06-16T05:57:52Z
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Diana Taurasi with an And One vs. Indiana Fever
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Dodgers pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the sixth inning against the Angels on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
Right as Mookie Betts tracked it down, he collided with teammate Cody Bellinger, the impact jarring the ball loose as he crashed to the ground.
Initially, the play was ruled a single by official scorer Jerry White. A few minutes later, however, the decision was changed to an error. For the next two and half hours, a zero hung in the Angels’ hit column.
In the best performance of his career, left-hander Tyler Anderson carried a no-hitter almost all the way to the end, coming up just two outs shy of history when Shohei Ohtani laced a triple with one out in the ninth inning of the Dodgers’ eventual 4-1 win.
Then, Anderson headed for the dugout, tipping his cap to the crowd to complete a night he’ll never forget.
That much, Roberts permitted Anderson to attempt — despite the pitcher’s unheralded track record as a journeyman former first-round pick, and the manager’s well-established reputation for pulling pitchers in the middle of no-hit bids.
Wednesday, however, was different, Roberts said. Anderson was coming off an extra day of rest. The Dodgers will have a couple of more days off before he’s scheduled to pitch again.
“Everything lined up,” Roberts said, “to give him that opportunity.”
Angels' Shohei Ohtani hits a triple against the Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday. (Michael Owens / Getty Images)
After working around a walk later in the first, and a hit batter to begin the second, Anderson looked unstoppable in dominating the Angels with his underwhelming 90-mph fastball, an unrelenting changeup that has benefited this year from a new grip and an unusual delivery distinguished by a jerky leg kick.
He retired 17 batters in a row between the second and seventh innings, a stretch that was snapped only by a throwing error he made after fielding a dribbling ball up the first base line in the seventh.
Though he slipped on the mound in the fifth inning and fidgeted with his arm and elbow at various points in the game — something he said was a normal routine, not a sign of any discomfort or injury — Anderson’s pursuit of history continued into the eighth.
After a strikeout of Ward stranded a runner in the eighth, Anderson returned to the dugout already past his career-high pitch count.
Roberts decided to send him back to the mound anyway.
The ninth began with a called third strike against Mike Trout, Anderson’s eighth strikeout of the night.
But then, on the verge of what would have been the 24th no-hitter in club history, he threw a cutter to Ohtani on the next pitch that was hammered down the right-field line.
“It was pure joy for him,” Roberts said. “It was his moment, that’s what I told him. He said, ‘It would have been better if I’d got two more outs.’ But, it’s as good a performance as he’s ever had.
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2022-06-16T06:50:34Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tyler Anderson's no-hit bid falls short in the ninth in Dodgers' win over Angels
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After a conversation with the Charlotte Hornets’ staff, Terquavion Smith decided he would return for his sophomore season at N.C. State.
The Wolfpack star, who entered his name in the NBA draft pool and received positive feedback during last month’s draft combine in Chicago, worked out with the Hornets just three days before the June 1 deadline for players to withdraw their names from the draft and remain eligible to return to college basketball.
In speaking to the media on Wednesday, Smith didn’t go into detail on the conversations he had with the Hornets’ staff, but Wolfpack head coach Kevin Keatts offered some insight into Smith’s decision to return.
“He didn’t know that he was 100% a first-rounder,” Keatts told the media on Wednesday. “This is a kid with a big ego and loves to compete. He wanted to be a top-20 player.”
Coming off a freshman campaign where he was second on the team in scoring, averaging 16.3 points per game, and was named to the ACC’s all-rookie team, the 6-foot-4 guard is looking to build on what he did last season.
N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) drives to the basket as Wake Forest’s Dallas Walton (13) defends during the first half of N.C. State’s game against Wake Forest at PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022.
There’s no doubt that Smith can score at the college level. He was one of the best spot-up shooters in the ACC last season. As the year progressed, the Greenville native also showed an ability to get to the basket.
At 169 pounds, the big question was if his frame could handle an 82-game NBA season.
“I really worked on being in the weight room this offseason,” Smith said.
Smith — who started 25 games last season, shooting 36.9% from 3-point range — hopes to play at 175-180 pounds next season for the Wolfpack. Keatts joked not to be surprised if Smith is spotted around town with four pizza boxes.
N.C. State coach Kevin Keatts hugs Terquavion Smith after Keatts finished talking with the media in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, June 15, 2022.
Teams also wanted to see Smith be more of a lead guard. He played mostly point guard at Farmville Central High and shared facilitation duties with Dereon Seabron late in the season a year ago.
“He was a freshman and he had a lot of freedom,” Keatts said. “They (NBA teams) want to see him make better decisions with the ball in his hands.”
While Smith’s 67 assists last season were tied for second, his 54 turnovers were the third most on the team.
As he looks to improve, he views the criticism he received from scouts during the draft process as something that can help him grow.
“I like to learn,” Smith said. “Anytime I can learn and work on my game, that’s the easy thing.”
Becoming more of a leader
Smith was one of the more vocal leaders for the Wolfpack last season.
As N.C. State’s returning leading scorer and one of only three players who averaged double-digit minutes (31.6) last season, Keatts expects Smith to be a leader and even more vocal in his sophomore season.
N.C. State’s Terquavion Smith (0) walks back to the bench with Casey Morsell (14) and Jericole Hellems (4) after a timeout is called during UNC’s 100-80 victory over N.C. State at the Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022.
“He has no choice,” Keatts said. “He is locked in and he is going to be the leader. So we’ve challenged him, not basketball-wise, to become more of a leader. He may come off as a shy kid, but he’s maturing, he’s getting better.”
Smith said he prefers to lead by example — first one in the gym, last one to leave. But he knew a more vocal role would likely await him if he returned. That’s why, even as he was testing the NBA waters, he was watching the Wolfpack roster rebuild from a far.
“I kept in contact with the guys even when I wasn’t here,” Smith said. “It was fun for me, knowing we’re going to have a new team, different players, new bonds, a fresh start.”
Chandler Zavala ‘appreciative’ to return for NC State football after battle with NCAA
Zavala’s mom, Brandi Bush, said her son wasn’t himself while awaiting the decision. “He was down, pretty much to himself because I think he felt like he failed not only himself, but me, his dad, his siblings as well as his girlfriend and her parents.”
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2022-06-16T07:04:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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After flirting with NBA, Terquavion Smith looking forward to new role with NC State
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Manny Machado lined a single for his 1,500th hit and hit a two-run homer in a four-RBI night to help the San Diego Padres beat the reeling Chicago Cubs 19-5 on Wednesday night. Machado was one of five Padres with three hits as San Diego routed the Cubs for the second straight hot night at Wrigley Field. Jorge Alfaro added a two-run homer and three RBIs as San Diego improved to 40-24 in winning its third straight and seventh in nine.
Kevin Spacey appeared at a London court on Thursday morning, setting the wheels in motion for the first criminal trial in the U.K. against the actor since allegations of sexual assault first broke in 2017. With a media circus camped outside and journalists having already queued hours in advance for one of the limited spaces […]
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2022-06-16T09:53:46Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chicago Cubs lose their 9th straight, falling to the San Diego Padres 19-5 — and the numbers are getting ugly
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chicago-cubs-lose-9th-straight-042800360.html?src=rss
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MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell says “we are living through what feels like the end of the Supreme Court as we know it” while detailing the new Washington Post report that Virginia Thomas, the wife of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, was in contact with Trump-linked attorney John Eastman who was behind the plot to get Mike Pence to overturn the 2020 election on January 6.
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2022-06-16T09:54:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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US Open tee times and groupings including Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson
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https://sports.yahoo.com/us-open-tee-times-groupings-060651000.html?src=rss
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Why A.J. Brown doesn't care about making anybody's highlight reel originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
A.J. Brown is a wide receiver with the mentality of a linebacker.
He doesn’t care about running around looking pretty, putting sweet moves on d-backs and speeding untouched down the sideline.
He’s looking for a cornerback to blow up. He’s looking for a defender to run over. He’s looking for contact.
“That just comes with me being fearless,” Brown said. “I try my best to not let one guy tackle me, and if I see one guy I’ve got to get past him.
“I’m not trying to create a highlight reel, I don’t care about being on a highlight reel. I'm not trying to put double moves on or anything like that.
"I’m trying to score touchdowns. However it may look, I get past him, run him over him, I’m trying to score. That’s my objective when I have the ball in my hands. I’m just trying to score.”
Brown has done that 24 times in the last three years on a wide assortment of plays.
His 24 TD catches since his rookie year in 2019 are 10th-most in the league. Since then, Brown has a league-high seven touchdowns of 50 yards or more but also seven of 9 yards or fewer.
He’s a threat from anywhere on the field, and now he’s an Eagle, and this is going to be fun.
“He's going to bring toughness,” offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said. “This guy is relentless. When you watch him on film, he's hard to tackle.
"He's a big-body receiver that's very explosive, and when you see him on the practice field running routes, you can see the play strength, the explosive ability, in and out of breaks, and he just brings a great mindset to that room.”
Changing teams isn’t as easy as just changing uniforms.
Especially when you have to learn a new language that just happens to use the same vocabulary as your old language.
“It’s coming along,” Brown said during OTAs. “I’m learning as I’m going. It was a curveball at first because it is a new offense I have to learn, basically the same words but a different meaning, so just trying to unlearn a lot of things and progress as I go.
“It takes time, just trying to get splits right and everything. I’m learning, I pretty much think I learned the offense in a couple weeks.”
You’d have to go back to DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin to find two Eagles wide receivers who can do the things Brown and DeVonta Smith can do.
From 2009 through 2011, the three seasons Jackson and Maclin played together and were both healthy, the Eagles had the 8th-best record in the NFL and the 9th-best passing offense in the league.
Having two legit receivers is rare around here, but the Eagles certainly have it now.
“It takes the pressure off the other guy,” Brown said. “(If I take) cornerback No. 1 and I go against him, that gives another really talented receiver to go against cornerback No. 2. In my opinion Smitty’s a wide receiver No. 1 and he’s going against a cornerback No. 2 , and I expect Smitty to dominate.
“You can’t really double. It’s great having another great wide out besides you.”
Smith set an Eagles rookie record with 916 yards last year, and Brown has averaged 997 yards in his three NFL seasons.
Factor in Dallas Goedert, who had a career-high 830 yards last year, and Quez Watkins, who ranked 5th in the NFL among wide receivers in yards per target in his first season as a regular and you’ve got a group that should be able to put tremendous pressure on defenses.
“Really excited obviously to have A.J.,” Nick Sirianni said. “He's very talented. This is a talented wide receiver group. Really talented wide receiver group that we're looking forward to working with.”
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2022-06-16T12:01:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Why new Eagles receiver A.J. Brown doesn't care about making a highlight reel
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Chris Jones broke through the line of scrimmage, sneaked behind Joe Burrow and attached each hand to one of the Bengals quarterback’s shoulder pads.
He had him.
And then lost his grip.
What ensued provided a lasting image to the closing picture of a Kansas City Chiefs playoff run cut short — Burrow eluded the pressure to run for a first down, keeping alive a fourth-quarter drive that would conclude with a go-ahead field goal.
We’re backtracking to the game hovering over this Chiefs offseason for a moment here, even if it’s rarely mentioned inside or outside these walls. Well, except with Jones. He did a funny thing Wednesday afternoon.
He brought it up.
Unprompted.
I’d asked Jones to assess the entirety of his season, and he responded by pointing toward one game — that AFC Championship overtime loss.
“I missed some of the biggest plays of the game,” Jones said. “I used it as motivation the whole offseason. I feel like if I would’ve made those sacks, the game would’ve been different. I take accountability for that.
“Attack it; use it as motivation going into next year.”
The game few Chiefs want to talk about is the one Jones can’t help but think about. So why not talk about it? And while that might be a bit of annoyance for him personally, it could be a good thing for the Chiefs.
They need him. Really need him.
The pass rush was more problem than solution on a struggling defense a year ago. Even after identifying it as the primary area of need heading into the offseason, the Chiefs didn’t do a whole lot to address it in free agency. In fact, three of the projected starters — Jones, Derrick Nnadi and Frank Clark, who’s yet to show up to mandatory minicamp this week, though the Chiefs are terming his absence excused — are the same as 2021. The other? It’s a rookie, first-round pick George Karlaftis. And the players further down the depth chart, for the most part, are familiar faces as well.
That returns to the focus to Jones, whose $29.4 million cap number is more than double that of any other player on the defense this season, using figures provided by Over The Cap. He is the one pass rusher on the roster who can single-handedly wreck a game, and the one paid to do it.
And the one who just might have to.
Jones had nine sacks last season, though only two after the opener against Cleveland. Most of the damage came in three games — he actually recorded at least one full sack in only four of the 17 games in which he appeared, including the playoffs. He had 17 quarterback hits — one per game — his lowest mark in five seasons as he played through a wrist injury that would later require a hard cast. It didn’t help that he spent the initial two months playing out of position on the edge before returning to his dominant spot along the interior.
To be fair, he receives plenty of attention from opposing offensive lines — far more than anyone else in the Chiefs locker room, which is part of the problem — but there’s more production in there. He’s too talented for any of those total numbers to ring true.
And way too talented for the postseason numbers on his bio. He has appeared in 12 playoff games, and he’s yet to record a sack in any of them. In last year’s Wild Card Round win against the Steelers, he did not even manage a pressure. The Burrow whiff coincides with the track record; it doesn’t stand in opposition to it.
It’s becoming a thing.
He’s aware.
“Oh, 1,000%, it’s a driving force,” Jones said. “For me, that’s my driving force right now. I missed one of the biggest playoffs in the game.”
It’s the right sentiment, though we’ll conclude this by borrowing a phrase Jones would later use in the same news conference Wednesday, as he described his leadership style.
People like action, he said.
The Jayhawks have found their man. Dan Fitzgerald has been announced as Kansas baseball’s next head coach.
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2022-06-16T12:56:55Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Why Chiefs pass rusher Chris Jones is still talking about one aspect of Bengals loss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/why-chiefs-pass-rusher-chris-100000030.html?src=rss
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Maddie Ziegler shares her experience with childhood fame: ‘I literally hit puberty in front of everyone on TV’
Maddie Ziegler, after getting her start on the reality show Dance Moms and then branching out to other dancing and acting projects, has been in the spotlight for over a decade. Now, at 19, she's getting candid about the impact of being in the public eye from such a young age.
AccuWeather's Michelle Rotella has a breakdown of what you can expect in the latest edition of our Field Conditions forecast.
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2022-06-16T12:59:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Sporticast: The WNBA Has ‘Unfinished Business’ As Business Grows
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On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced they had signed safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to a new five-year contract, making him the highest-paid safety in the NFL. Here are our four big takeaways from this signing.
No deal for Diontae Johnson
It’s hard to imagine the Steelers doing two big contract extensions in the same offseason so it likely either means wide receiver Diotnae Johnson doesn’t get one, or it isn’t as substantial as he would like.
The investment in the defense had better yield results
The only thing worse than the Steelers rushing offense last season was the rushing defense. Pittsburgh’s defense was dead last in rushing yards allowed and yards per attempt. Fitzpatrick now needs to play like the best safety in the league, especially against the run.
Back to form in 2022
After being named an All-Pro in his first two Steelers in Pittsburgh, Fitzpatrick missed the cut in 2021. Fitzpatrick’s tackle numbers were way up in 2021 but he lacked the splash plays of his first two seasons with the Steelers.
As of now, the Steelers have around $20 million in salary cap to spend. Of the money they have spent, $120 million has been on defense to only $65 million on offense Will Pittsburgh make a move to add an offensive game-changer before the start of the season?
Tomekia Reed is back at Jackson State women's basketball after nearly beating LSU in the NCAA Tournament. Here's what she said about the offseason so far.
Democratic senators are pushing back on whispers within their party that President Biden, 79, is too old to run for a second term. Senators say they will strongly support Biden if he opts to run for re-election, despite growing concerns over his low public approval rating and his ability to win a grueling presidential election…
Sharon Osbourne Shares Update After Husband Ozzy’s ‘Major Surgery’
Sharon Osbourne revealed that her husband Ozzy is “on the road to recovery” after undergoing surgery that would “determine the rest of his life.”
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2022-06-16T14:11:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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4 big takeaways from Minkah Fitzpatrick’s new contract
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https://sports.yahoo.com/4-big-takeaways-minkah-fitzpatrick-131553692.html?src=rss
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The slow part of the NFL offseason has officially arrived.
After free agency in March and the draft in April, attention turned to organized team activities in May followed by a mandatory minicamp in June. Camp wrapped up on Wednesday and players will now get a summer break for the next month.
Players will appreciate and break and vacation opportunity, but the work won’t stop after they’ve left the team’s facility.
“I’ll probably take a couple of days [off] at max, just like a vacation, but 100% of my day is going to be consumed with training, football and getting with my guy [trainer] back at home,” defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones said last week. “I have a job to do and I’m going to prepare to the best of my ability. I’m not going to be slacking on the offseason about this.”
Players will report back to the team’s UCHealth Training Center for the start of training camp in late July. Camp will run into preseason, which leads into the regular season. Football will be back before you know it.
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2022-06-16T14:11:52Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Broncos wrap up minicamp; players now on summer break
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The Indianapolis Colts defensive line was ranked as the 11th-best unit in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
Placing teams into different tiers, the Colts found themselves in Tier 2, which was labeled “Strong with a weak point or two” by PFF. In total, there were six teams in that tier
It’s more likely that Ngakoue will play more of the LEO role rather than Paye, who is expected to work more as the left end/big end in Bradley’s aggressive front.
While we shouldn’t expect a high blitzing rate from the Colts under Bradley’s command, we can expect them to get after the quarterback. The Raiders had the fourth-most quarterback hits during the 2021 season despite only having two more sacks than the Colts.
Much of the success of the pass rush will come from the development of Paye and fellow second-year defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo. Having Buckner and Ngakoue will help in a great way, but the two young pass rushers can make this unit special.
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2022-06-16T14:12:07Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Colts defensive line ranked 11th in NFL
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Because of the shocking retirement of safety Khari Willis, the Colts didn’t need to make a corresponding move in order to make room for Odenigbo on the roster.
The former seventh-round pick is likely going to be competing for a roster spot or a place on the practice squad throughout training camp and the preseason.
Albert Almora Jr. tripled home the go-ahead run in the 12th after Tyler Mahle pitched nine brilliant innings, and the Cincinnati Reds outlasted the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Tuesday night. Mahle pitched three-hit ball and became the first pitcher since 1900 to not win while throwing nine or more scoreless innings on the road with at least 12 strikeouts and no walks, according to STATS. “Seeing him being able to get through the ninth was a lot of fun," Reds manager David Bell said.
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2022-06-16T14:12:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Colts officially sign DE Ifeadi Odenigbo
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A former New Orleans Saints wide receiver is on the move: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the New England Patriots are signing Lil’Jordan Humphrey to a one-year contract after wrapping up their minicamp practices, adding some more depth to their receiving corps.
Humphrey, 24, made the jump to the NFL with the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He spent a couple years bouncing on and off of the practice squad while managing injuries, and was expected to return to the team this year after his first contract expired. But as NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill observed, his delayed recovery from an ankle injury kept a second deal from materializing, and now he’s landing in New England.
The good news is the Saints have added enough players to their depth chart to take the hit. Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry are at the top, while undrafted rookies like Dai’Jean Dixon and Rashid Shaheed are in the mix for what would have been Humphrey’s roster spot.
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2022-06-16T14:12:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Former Saints WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey to sign 1-year deal with Patriots
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The retirement of former Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis is expected to save the team roughly $2.5 million against the salary cap.
If there were any questions about Willis’ conviction to retire and pursue a career in ministry, those would be silenced by the fact that he left more money on the table in 2022 than he had made in his first three NFL seasons combined.
Believe it opens $2.54 million, which would have been Willis's base salary this season.
Underscores the conviction of Willis's decision to go into ministry.
His 2022 base salary was more than his first 3 base salaries combined, and obviously he was on the cusp of a 2nd deal. https://t.co/5KoroH4o66
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) June 15, 2022
The Colts do take on $192,009 in dead cap due to the signing bonus that had already been paid out when Willis was selected in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft.
While the move will open a spot in the safety room, the team is hoping rookie Nick Cross can take on the role as the starter sooner rather than later in 2022.
There’s a chance the team adds some more depth to the position, but Cross is likely the one to step in with Willis pursuing another calling.
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2022-06-16T14:12:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Khari Willis’ retirement saves Colts roughly $2.5 million
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https://sports.yahoo.com/khari-willis-retirement-saves-colts-131649888.html?src=rss
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Pro Football Focus recently ranked all NFL defensive lines by separating them into tiers — six in total. The New York Giants fell under “Tier 5: Relying on younger players to make the leap” at No. 22 overall.
The lowest tier, tier 6, is titled “Question marks at multiple positions,” so, in theory, it could be worse.
Other teams that landed in this tier were the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions.
While PFF isn’t entirely wrong, the defense has a lot of upside this year. And with all of the changes among the coaching staff and front office, it’s nearly impossible to predict how the team will respond once the season begins.
Preseason rankings are well and good all the way up until that first game of the season. After that first game, all of those rankings go out the window. So let’s just hope that the Giants respond better than anyone expects.
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2022-06-16T14:12:58Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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PFF ranks Giants’ defensive line 22nd in NFL
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-ranks-giants-defensive-line-105521640.html?src=rss
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It’s not fun looking in the rearview mirror for the Miami Dolphins, as they’ve failed to make the postseason in the last five years, and it’s been since 2000 that they’ve won a game in the playoffs.
Last season, they fell just short again, and changes followed this offseason. A new head coach and an improved roster have the fanbase feeling pretty good about their chances to finally break in this year.
However, from a national perspective, and from some inside the fanbase, there are doubts about the Dolphins’ future success. Pro Football Focus’ Kambui Bomani recently compiled a list of teams that they believe are being overlooked in 2022.
In the piece, he explains why Miami’s being underrated.
“Like the Eagles, the Dolphins’ perceived low ceiling is due to questions about their former Crimson Tide standout under center. Tua Tagovailoa’s limitations as a passer were magnified in 2021 with just one consistent space creator at wide receiver,” Bomani wrote. “His 10 big-time throws fell far short of his 22 turnover-worthy plays, and he finished a second consecutive NFL season with a higher turnover-worthy rate (4.8%) than big-time throw rate (2.4%). Any chance of this team becoming a Super Bowl contender is dependent on whether Tua takes that next step.”
While life should be easier for Tagovailoa with some talented weapons, a better offensive line and an offensive-minded head coach that brings a system that has helped quarterbacks in the past, he has a ton of pressure on him to succeed.
Bomani also details why the Dolphins can exceed the expectations placed on them.
The talent is there. The coach has yet to prove it, but he has a good chance to show the NFL world that the Dolphins made the right decision when hiring a coach who had just one season of coordinator experience.
If the quarterback and coach can show that they belong, this is a roster that should be competing for a spot in the postseason.
The World Wrestling Entertainment board is investigating longtime Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon for previously undisclosed settlement agreements with former employees. Those include a payoff of $3 million to a female employee he allegedly had an affair with, according to a Wall Street Journal report. McMahon is the majority shareholder of the publicly traded company’s Class B […]
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2022-06-16T14:13:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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PFF says Dolphins are being overlooked for 2022
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-says-dolphins-being-overlooked-124118882.html?src=rss
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BROOKLINE, Mass. — Although he now resides in Jupiter, Florida, Keegan Bradley is New England born and raised. So, when he was given the opportunity to throw the first pitch at Tuesday’s Boston Red Sox game, he jumped at the opportunity.
“I’ve thrown out the first pitch one other time, but I hadn’t even met my wife yet or, obviously, had no kids,” he said during his Wednesday press conference prior to the start of this week’s U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. “To be out there with them and be on the field and have 20-plus family members there, it was really, really fun.”
His aforementioned wife, Jillian, not only grew up in Vermont, but her uncle is Carlton Fisk. Yes, that Carlton Fisk. Bradley even said the family calls him “Uncle Pudge.”
“I was such a nervous wreck yesterday. I kept telling many I wife, why did I agree to do this?” Bradley said when asked about nerves going to Fenway. “This is like — this is all I need this week, you know, is the pressure of — I’m getting — every time I walk through the player dining, they’re all, like, I’m going to the game. I’m videoing it. You better throw a good one.”
When in Boston ⚾️
New England native @Keegan_Bradley threw out the first pitch at tonight’s @RedSox game 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vjFcBkR1op
Maybe it was the nerves, maybe he was just feeling it, but Bradley wasted no time when he was handed the ball.
And the pitch wasn’t half bad (maybe a little high).
The 36-year-old enters the week in decent form, making the weekend in his last four stroke-play event starts, highlighted by top 10s at the Valero Texas Open (T-8) and Wells Fargo Championship (T-2).
The golf world doesn’t get to see New England too often, but this week, Bradley says it gets to see the cream of the crop.
“Yeah, I mean, for a person growing up in New England, this is sort of our crown jewel. The Country Club is New England’s best track,” he said.
As for Game 6 on Thursday, Bradley was clear with who he thinks is going to win.
“The Celtics for sure.”
New Englander Keegan Bradley is looking forward to a big weekend in Boston sports. The Vermont native — and relative of Red Sox Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk — threw out the first pitch at Fenway Park on Tuesday. Bradley will miss Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday night because he’ll be playing in the U.S. Open.
This strapless bra is actually so comfortable, you might forget you’re wearing it
It's snug enough to stay up, but loose enough to let you breathe.
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2022-06-16T14:33:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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New England native Keegan Bradley didn’t waste any time with his first pitch Tuesday night at Fenway
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Last July, Al Avila declared the Detroit Tigers were "not rebuilding anymore," and the 2021 MLB trade Deadline passed with just one move — a trade of left-hander Daniel Norris to Milwaukee for pitching prospect Reese Olson — from the general manager and his front office, facing "no pressure" to sell off assets.
However, as Avila's remarks near their one-year anniversary and the 2022 deadline approaches, the Tigers (24-38) are struggling again and could be motivated to deal before this year's slightly later-than-usual deadline, which is 6 p.m. Aug. 2.
MORE TIGERS:: One thing that would make miserable season worse: Losing Chris Fetter
TOUGH TIMES: Tigers' postgame meeting highlights plenty of problems, but no solutions yet
Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila watches action against the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park on Saturday, March 19, 2022 in Bradenton, Florida.
On Wednesday, ESPN tabbed the Tigers as sellers and suggested Avila should get everything he can for pending free agents. ESPN also released a list of 148 players to know ahead of the deadline.
Here's a look at six Tigers who are potential trade candidates, according to ESPN:
OF Robbie Grossman
Signed to a 2-year, $10 million contract in January 2021, Grossman was a stable presence in the lineup during his first season in Detroit. In 156 games, he posted career highs in home runs (23), RBIs (67) and stolen bases (20).
Detroit Tigers left fielder Robbie Grossman (8) hits a double in the second inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, May 26, 2022.
Year 2 has not been as kind to Grossman, who's batting .200 with no home runs, 10 RBIs and two steals. He returned to the Tigers last week after missing 10 games with a neck injury and is 3-for-15 with four strikeouts in five games since.
But few switch-hitting outfielders appear available, meaning Grossman could be a commodity if he rebounds quickly.
RHP Michael Fulmer
A deadline acquisition from the New York Mets in the 2015 Yoenis Cespedes trade, Fulmer starred quickly with the Tigers, winning 2016 AL Rookie of the Year and making the 2017 AL All-Star squad.
After battling injuries in 2019-20, he remerged in 2021 as a reliever and continues to impress out of the Tigers' bullpen this season. Fulmer has 24 strikeouts, 10 walks and a career-low 2.35 ERA over 23 innings this season, with opposing batters hitting only .089 vs his slider.
Fulmer, a free agent after this season, should be an attractive high-leverage option for any contender.
Barnhart was brought over from the Cincinnati Reds in November to handle the Tigers' pitching staff. The two-time NL Gold Glove winner has impressed defensively. He remains a great pitch framer, ranking in the league's 76th percentile.
But he hasn't offered much at the plate this season, slashing .234/.279/.266 with a .545 OPS. The switch-hitter has no home runs and only six RBIs.
Tigers catcher Tucker Barnhart hits a single against the Pirates during the sixth inning on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Pittsburgh.
Barnhart's defensive prowess alone might not entice contenders to pick up the remainder of his 2022 $7.5 million salary.
RHP Wily Peralta
Peralta is 2-1 with 23 strikeouts, four walks and a 2.05 ERA across 26⅓ innings this season, starting once and pitching multiple innings in eight of his 16 relief appearances.
Opponents are hitting just .120 against his slider this season and his split finger was elite last season, producing an .080 average. Batters' expected slugging percentage against Peralta is in the 82nd percentile and he has allowed only one home run this season.
Peralta is on a one-year, $2.5 million deal; he could provide solid rotation or relief help to a contender.
RHP Michael Pineda
Detroit added Pineda on a one-year, $5.5 million deal in March, and work visa issues delayed his debut with the team until late April.
Detroit Tigers starter Michael Pineda pitches against the New York Yankees during the first inning Thursday, April 21, 2022 at Comerica Park.
He was 1-2 with 12 strikeouts, four walks and a 3.22 ERA in five starts before a middle finger fracture suffered May 14 against the Baltimore Orioles landed him on the 15-day injured list.
Pineda avoided surgery and is close to beginning a rehab assignment but is holding until his injured finger stops bothering him when he throws his slider.
RHP Joe Jimenez
Jimenez is the only Tiger mentioned by ESPN who isn't a pending free agent. He'll be arbitration-eligible for the final time this winter after signing a one-year, $1.79 million deal last offseason.
Tigers pitcher Joe Jimenez (77) throws a pitch during the fourth inning against the Yankees during spring training March 24, 2022 at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida.
Jimenez has struggled to live up to the form that made him an All-Star in 2018, with anERA of 5.43 with 26 home runs allowed over 127⅔ innings from 2019-21. He walked a career-high 6.9 batters per nine innings last season, but that's down to 2.8 in 2022.
Jimenez has 28 strikeouts, seven walks and a 3.63 ERA in 22⅓ innings. If the Tigers deal him, they'd likely be looking for a more substantial return than rentals such as Fulmer, Peralta or Pineda would bring.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers trade deadline possibilities include Grossman, Fulmer
MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey is on the list of finalists.
The event will promote Yoder's book: "Detroit Tigers: Michigan's Favorite Sports Team". The event will be held at the Hillsdale Community Library.
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2022-06-16T14:33:27Z
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ESPN tabs Detroit Tigers as sellers; Robbie Grossman, Michael Fulmer among trade chips
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Who is Johnny Davis?
Davis was only a three-star recruit coming out of high school and chose Wisconsin over West Virginia, Iowa and Marquette. Davis, a 6-foot-5, 195-pound guard, was the most improved player in college basketball this past season. He shot up draft boards after a strong start to the season and stayed consistent all season long.
The La Crosse, Wisconsin, native averaged 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 34 minutes his sophomore season. His biggest game of the season came in January when he faced potential top-five draft pick Jaden Ivey on the road. Numerous NBA scouts were in the building to watch the pair of talented guards go head-to-head. Davis shined on the biggest stage of his season putting up 37 points (13-for-24), 14 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the win. He was the best prospect on the court that game and solidified himself as a lottery pick.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - MARCH 18: Johnny Davis #1 of the Wisconsin Badgers shoots against the Colgate Raiders in the first half during the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Fiserv Forum on March 18, 2022 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Johnny Davis' strengths as a pro
Davis is a strong primary ball handler who makes good reads when getting in the lane. His first step off the wing is solid, which makes him a intriguing two-way guard who can play both on and off the ball. Davis has a solid handle and averaged only 2.3 turnovers per game in over 34 minutes.
One of Davis' best offensive traits is the way he positions himself for offensive rebounds. He crashed the boards hard all year, providing second opportunities for the Badgers and Davis ranked in the 88th percentile, averaging 1.4 points per possession off offensive rebounds, according to Synergy Sports.
Johnny Davis' questions at the next level
Davis needs to work on his 3-point shooting at the next level and is one of the only reasons he's falling into the late lottery.
He connected on just 30% of his 3-point attempts this past season, shooting at least four threes per game. Despite his low shooting percentage from deep, he has strong shooting mechanics with a high release and can get shots over longer defenders in closeout situations.
NBA teams know exactly what they're getting in Davis after a strong sophomore season. He's a reliable guard who can give solid minutes right away and has a high basketball IQ while reading the defense.
Davis reminds NBA scouts of Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs with his grittiness and how strong he is with the ball in the lane.
"He's a player that fits the modern game and can contribute on both sides of the ball," one NBA scout told Yahoo Sports. "Johnny's going to have success at the NBA level with his two-way versatility and how patient he is with the ball in his hands. He's still growing as a player and hasn't reached his full potential yet."
Davis' draft range is anywhere from seven to 14 and will likely be a player plugged into the secondary option off the bench.
Cryptos were rising even as stock futures indicated a selloff on Thursday morning after the biggest Fed rate increase in decades.
The Brewers scored seven runs in the 5th and Corbin Burnes struck out eight in a 10-2 win over the Mets
Fantasy 9th Round In Review
Matt Stroup and Dr. A review the fantasy players who posted ninth-round value this past season, including Keldon Johnson, De'Aaron Fox and more. (Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports)
Wisconsin star Johnny Davis speaks to the media after his Pacers pre-draft workout
Wisconsin star Johnny Davis was the 2022 Big Ten Player of the Year.
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2022-06-16T15:09:33Z
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NBA draft profile: Johnny Davis, from 3-star recruit to projected lottery pick
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Week 1 is set to kick off Sept. 1 and will conclude Sept. 5.
Win-loss record projections for every Power Five college football team in 2022
Kalen DeBoer’s offense: Like Josh Heupel, DeBoer brings attacking style to Power Five as a head coach
Ahead of the 2022 college football season, Vols Wire looks at the 10 most intriguing offenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Marco Garcia/Getty Images
Timmy Chang was hired as Hawaii’s head coach in January. Chang returns to Hawaii after serving as the Rainbow Warriors’ quarterback from 2000-04.
Walt Bell was hired as Indiana’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Dec. 2021.
Sonny Cumbie was hired as Louisiana Tech’s head coach in Nov. 2021.
Jeff Lebby was hired as Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Dec. 2021 under newly-hired Sooners’ head coach Brent Venables.
Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Anae was hired as Syracuse’s offensive coordinator in Dec. 2021 after serving in the same capacity at Virginia.
Josh Heupel returns for his second season as Tennessee’s head coach and play-caller in 2022.
Zach Kittley was hired as Texas Tech’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Dec. 2021. He returns to Texas Tech after serving as a student and graduate assistant with the Red Raiders from 2013-17.
Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images
Nick Charlton was hired as UConn’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Dec. 2021 on first-year head coach Jim Mora’s staff.
Lincoln Riley was hired as USC’s head coach in Nov. 2021 after serving in the same capacity at Oklahoma.
Kalen DeBoer was hired as Washington’s head coach in Nov. 2021 after serving in the same capacity at Fresno State.
Marcus Weathers (SMU), Jaylin Williams (Arkansas), Javon Freeman-Liberty (DePaul) and Keve Aluma (Virginia Tech) competed in Suns predraft workout.
The Washington Post reported that Julie Fancelli, a part-time Lakeland resident, paid Kimberly Guilfoyle for a brief speech at the Ellipse on Jan. 6, 2021.
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2022-06-16T15:26:57Z
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2022 college football preview: 10 most intriguing offenses
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The ball is rolling for the Oklahoma Sooners with the 2023 recruiting class. They’ve recently picked up commitments from Keyon Brown and Kade McIntyre and have added another with four-star running back, Kalib Hicks.
Coming out of Denton Ryan, Hicks is currently the only running back committed to the 2023 class. He joins three-star center Joshua Bates, five-star quarterback Jackson Arnold, and four-star wide receiver Keyon Brown on the offensive side of the ball as Jeff Lebby looks to put his stamp on the recruiting class.
In 2021, Hicks rushed for 1,448 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging 6.7 yards per carry for state champion Denton Ryan. In 2020, he carried the ball 119 times for 851 yards and seven touchdowns for an average of 7.15 yards per carry.
According to the 247Sports Composite rating, Hicks is the No. 24 running back in the country and the No. 63 player in the state of Texas. On3 has him as the No. 69 player in Texas and the No. 29 running back.
His recruitment with the Sooners was a quick one. The Sooners offered a scholarship back in May and Hicks took an official visit on June 11. Just a few days later, he was committed to the Sooners.
Oklahoma's running back room has quickly solidified under Demarco Murray's eye but what makes his latest commit key?
NCAA may be cracking down on Miami and NIL deals after recent booster investigation. The findings will have an impact on college football across the nation.
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2022-06-16T15:27:26Z
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Oklahoma Sooners land commitment from 2023 4-star RB Kalib Hicks
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The latest offer from Rutgers football went out over the weekend to Zion Tracy following his performance at camp. Tracy showcased a strong skillset in the camp setting, leading to an offer from the Big Ten program.
He worked out at the camp as a defensive back, a position he played last season as a junior.
The 6-foot-1, 175-pound athlete is coming off a strong season at Long Island Lutheran (Brookville, N.Y.). As a wide receiver, he had 20 catches for 472 yards and four receiving touchdowns.
As a defensive back, he had 18 total tackles and two passes defended in seven games. The Crusaders finished 8-2 last season.
Tracy posted a cut-up of some highlights from the camp where he earned the offer from Rutgers football:
After a Great day of camp, I am BLESSED & HONORED to receive an offer from Rutgers University #chop pic.twitter.com/d1MNJ516uR
Tracy talked with RutgersWire this week about his camp performance and what the offer meant to him.
It has been a very busy July for Rutgers football, with a total of nine commitments coming in this month.
Since official visits this past weekend, Rutgers has pulled in five commitments. All of the committed players from this group are from New Jersey.
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2022-06-16T15:27:58Z
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Watch: Zion Tracy posts highlights from recent Rutgers football camp
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Chicago Bears players are paying homage to the late Brian Piccolo, who died 52 years ago from cancer, by wearing No. 41 jerseys on Thursday’s final mandatory minicamp practice.
Piccolo, who played five years with Chicago, is most known for his relationship with former Bears running back Gale Sayers. Their friendship was the spotlight of the film Brian’s Song, which has left many impacted by the emotional connection felt in the film.
Piccolo passed away in 1970 after embryonal cell carcinoma, an aggressive form of germ cell testicular cancer, had spread to his chest cavity. He was 26 years old. Still, Piccolo’s memory lives on through the stories told and an annual award that honors those traits that defined his character. His No. 41 jersey is retired.
Every year, the Bears give out the Brian Piccolo Award, which honors one veteran and one rookie who best exemplify “the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication and sense of humor of the late Brian Piccolo.”
This year, defensive end Robert Quinn and running back Khalil Herbert were the recipients of the award.
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2022-06-16T16:14:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bears players wear No. 41 jerseys to honor Brian Piccolo 52 years after his death
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With the addition of Davante Adams, it’s clear the Raiders have one of the best skill groups in the NFL. They have arguably the best outside receiver in the league, one of the best slot options in Hunter Renfrow and a dynamic tight end in Darren Waller.
Plus, they have a Pro Bowl running back in Josh Jacobs in the backfield and a very competent backup in Kenyan Drake. But where does this unit rank among the best skill groups in the league?
In a recent article by Ted Nguyen of The Athletic, he wrote about the top 10 skill player groups in the NFL. Not surprisingly, the Raiders came in at No. 3 after the addition of Adams. Here is a snippet of Nguyen’s thoughts on the unit going into the season:
The Raiders have just about all the pieces you could ever want on an offense. The only thing they lack is a receiver with a ton of speed to keep defenses honest, but they could still be on the lookout for that in free agency.
At this point, it would be a major shock if the Raiders didn’t finish the season with a top 10 offense. They’ll need their offensive line to improve to get there, but this is one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
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2022-06-16T16:15:47Z
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Skill players ranked at No. 3 in NFL for Las Vegas Raiders
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Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers fullback Derek Watt played 86 offensive snaps. For the season, Watt had one carry for a single rushing yard and caught three passes for 15 more yards. Why does any of this matter? Just wait, it’s coming.
The Steelers have several of the highest-paid players at their respective positions, depending on what measure you choose. Outside linebacker T.J. Watt, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and yes, Watt.
Watt’s cap hit for 2022 is $4.713 million. Highest among fullbacks this season. But if that isn’t enough to make you cringe, there’s more. Watt is also the largest offensive cap hit for this season on the entire Steelers roster. No other NFL team can claim their highest-paid offensive player this season is a rarely-used fullback.
Overall, Watt has the eighth-highest cap hit on the team this season. He trails six defensive players and kicker Chris Boswell. Just behind Watt is starting right tackle Chuks Okorafor at $4.33 million.
Please let us know in the comments what you think of Watt’s rare status in the league and on the team. Join the community and tell us if you think Watt will earn all that money this season or should he even make the final roster.
'I've thought of nothing else': Ben Rhodes hungry for Truck Series regular-season title
At just 25 years old, Ben Rhodes has already reached the peak of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Last year, he finished highest among the Championship 4 drivers, earning his first Truck Series title despite not winning the season finale at Phoenix Raceway. Even though he has a championship on his resume, Rhodes said […]
See Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull in an early look photo from Matilda the Musical, premiering on Netflix, and what else to know about the musical.
In the race to be elected Baltimore City State’s Attorney, two-term incumbent Marilyn Mosby is not raising nearly as much money as Ivan Bates or Thiru Vignarajah, her two Democratic primary challengers, according to campaign finance reports filed late Tuesday. From Jan. 13 to June 7, Mosby raised $38,738 and spent $58,115. She has $177,827 on hand from her previous campaigns. Mosby is under ...
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2022-06-16T16:15:53Z
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Steelers FB Derek Watt hold unique distinction on Pittsburgh’s roster
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Filipino basketball player
Kai Sotto, a 7-foot-2 center from the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League, on Wednesday participated in a pre-draft workout with the Sacramento Kings, the team announced.
Sotto, a former four-star prospect from the Philippines, averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds on 50% shooting from the field in 23 games with the 36ers. He produced perhaps his best game of the season on April 10, when he recorded a career-high 21 points.
The 20-year-old declared for the NBA draft on April 28 after a strong year in the NBL. The meeting with the Kings is his sixth known workout to this point of the process after also visiting the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks and Orlando Magic among others.
In addition to Sotto, the Kings also hosted Richmond guard Jacob Gilyard, Maryland guard Fatts Russell, Yoan Makoundou of Cholet Basket (France), Karlo Matkovic of KK Mega Basket (Serbia) and Yannick Nzosa of Unicaja Baloncesto (Spain).
The Kings enter the pre-draft process with picks No. 4, 37 and 49, respectively. They have hosted several workouts throughout the draft process and are said to even be interested in potentially trading down or out of the first round altogether.
Report: Kings held draft workout with Baylor's Jeremy Sochan
Filipino center Kai Sotto among prospects to work out with Magic
The rookie outfielder, who had a historic April followed by an ice cold May, has begun to heat up again while the Guardians have been rolling.
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2022-06-16T17:11:19Z
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Filipino center Kai Sotto attends draft workout with Kings
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Last June, the NFL approved a new rule that allows teams to begin wearing alternate helmets in 2022. The New Orleans Saints are wasting no time taking advantage of the opportunity to wear a secondary helmet, announcing that they’ll do so this season.
The team revealed a first look at the slick black helmets they’ll wear for a game (or games) this year, featuring a black facemask, gold logo and a patterned stripe down the middle – similar to the pattern the Seahawks have on their helmets.
They didn’t announce which game (or games) they’ll wear the helmets for, but these things will look great no matter which week they’re worn in.
The Saints have traditionally worn gold helmets throughout the franchise’s existence, so this will be a nice change for presumably a few games this season. They would look particularly good with their all-white Color Rush uniforms, if that’s the direction they decide to go.
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2022-06-16T17:11:31Z
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Look: Saints to wear black helmet for select games this season
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The Wizards need a point guard and defense and one draft prospect believes he can be their guy.
USA Basketball is taking some veterans into the next window of World Cup qualifying. A roster of 12 players was unveiled Thursday for the next two games, set for July 1 at Puerto Rico and July 4 at Cuba. There will be 12 teams from the Americas region going to the second round; of those, seven will end up qualifying for the 2023 Basketball World Cup.
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2022-06-16T17:11:44Z
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Skip Bayless: Lonzo ‘could wind up being better’ than Jayson Tatum
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McIlroy’s tee shot sailed right and buried in thick rough just outside the right lip of a fairway bunker. McIlroy was forced to take a whack at it while standing in the bunker. All he was trying to do was take his medicine and pitch it out back to the fairway. But he failed miserably, hacking into another bunker ahead of him instead.
This didn’t sit well with McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open champion. He slammed his club in the sand not once but twice. Apparently, getting his anger out did the trick because McIlroy exploded his next shot 15 feet past the hole and sank the par putt.
McIlroy, World No. 3, entered the U.S. Open as the betting favorite after winning the RBC Canadian Open last week. Winner of four career majors, McIlroy hasn’t won a major since 2014.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The congressional committee investigating last year's deadly assault on the U.S. Capitol turned its attention on Thursday to then-President Donald Trump's attempts to pressure former Vice President Mike Pence to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The House of Representatives select committee called former aides to Pence to testify on efforts by Trump and some of his associates to convince the vice president to prevent formal congressional certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the November 2020 presidential election. Thousands of Trump supporters - many chanting "Hang Mike Pence" - marched on the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as Pence oversaw a session in which lawmakers met for what is normally a routine procedure to certify election results.
Raleigh native and former UNC golfer takes big swing in U.S. Open at The Country Club
“I’d love to win, but I can’t really focus on the end result.” Ryan Gerard, a Ravenscroft High School alum, hit a career milestone by qualifying for his first major after winning a qualifying event in Florida.
Ella Fitzgerald was the first Black artist to win a Grammy in 1958.View Entire Post ›
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2022-06-16T17:36:15Z
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Watch: Rory McIlroy’s outburst negated by all-world par save at U.S. Open
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The Hornets have a new coach, even if it’s not official yet.
The NBA Draft is days away.
It’s about to be full speed ahead for the Charlotte Hornets as the offseason hits its stride, and there are plenty of questions about what will transpire over these next few weeks.
We answered some of them in this latest mailbag.
@Kief_W asks: JJJ (Jaren Jackson Jr.) signed for 4 years/$102 million and Mikal Bridges signed for 4 years /$90 million. They both made the NBA’s all-defense team. Will Miles Bridges’ deal be similar to those?
After leading the team in scoring this season and being among the most improved players in the league, he’s emerged as one of the best on free-agent market. Few teams have a lot of cap space this offseason, though, and that could limit the offers for Bridges.
But from all indications, his deal will surpass that of Mikal Bridges and could fall more in line or above what Jackson, his former Michigan State teammate, landed in his pact. The number I’m hearing falls somewhere in the neighborhood of $25-plus million per season. Remember, he turned down a four-year, $60-million extension just prior to the start of the season on the advice of his agent. So at minimum, he’ll be looking for more than $20 million per year.
@KellRichar2 asks: Do you think the Hornets wouldn’t draft a center because of Kai Jones?
I don’t think that’s the case. At this point, as they continue to build up their roster through the draft with players they can control easily financially for a handful of seasons, the Hornets can’t afford to pass up on a player who may be the best available when they are on the clock. If a center is on the board and the Hornets’ brain trust thinks that’s the way to go, if nothing else, that player could turn out to be a valuable asset should they elect to trade the pick.
So no, just because Kai Jones is perceived as a big part of the future and the previous staff viewed him as a center, that won’t prevent the Hornets from snagging a big man.
@Mansofpans4 asks: Just curious. Since the old coaching staff is gone and a new one is yet to be formed, who is evaluating all these players at the many tryouts being held?
That would be the main people in the front office who are mostly responsible for looking at the talent. Chief among them is general manager Mitch Kupchak. He relies heavily on assistant GM Buzz Peterson and values his opinion along with the rest of the team’s scouting department. That’s how it’s been over the last four years even when James Borrego was the head coach. He was also in on the sessions, but the bulk of the assessment is done by Kupchak & Co.
@ColbyT211 asks: Is the Hornets’ offseason a success if they keep both first-round picks?
I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s not a success if they keep both first-round picks. I’ve already advocated for them to trade one or even both of their picks if they can somehow help them land an experienced piece that can help immediately. If they were to simply get rid of the picks for slight upgrades, does that make it a success?
That’s why I think we have to wait and fully grade the offseason once the roster is essentially set a little over a month from now, save for a possible tweak or addition here or there.
@richgiunta asks: Do you see them extending an offer to keep Cody Martin long-term?
Since he will be a restricted free agent provided the Hornets extend the $2.2 million qualifying offer as expected, it may be in Martin’s best interest to scour the open market first and gauge what other teams think he’s worth. One report suggested he could get as much as $12 million per season. That is a huge jump in salary. Martin is the team’s top defender and typically was the first reserve summoned off the bench by Borrego. New coach Kenny Atkinson is known for defense and could want Martin to remain on board.
If Martin is able to secure that number from another team, the Hornets will still have the opportunity to match the offer. But they would have a huge decision to make based on their salary structure and how they shape the roster this offseason.
@Kief_W asks: What’s the plan for the second-year guys? If Miles, Cody (Martin), & Jalen (McDaniels) return and a ‘C’ or two is added to the roster, I struggle to see how they crack the rotation. Another year in Greensboro for them?
You also forgot to mention JT Thor. Can’t forget about him. How all of last year’s draft class fits into the plans next season — or if any of them will be trade bait — is going to be fascinating. Not having James Bouknight or Kai Jones play some part in the rotation if they are around is hard to fathom.
It’s one thing to have each spend time in the G League during their rookie year to get some seasoning. But the best way for them to develop moving forward is actual on-court experience with everyone else. They have to play. Whether it’s with the Hornets or some other team.
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2022-06-16T17:46:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Hornets mailbag: What salary could Miles Bridges command and should they draft a center?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/hornets-mailbag-salary-could-miles-170806432.html?src=rss
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Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox is going back to school this summer.
As he steps into the starting tight end role in 2022 following the retirement of Jack Doyle, Alie-Cox understands the weight of the position he’s in. So furthering his development is the top priority over the summer.
That’s why Alie-Cox will be among those attending “Tight End U” this summer.
Now enrolled at @te_university. 🎓 pic.twitter.com/izkgtEJyNN
So it’s not so much a school as it is a camp being run by a pair of All-Pro tight ends in Travis Kelce and George Kittle. Their focus has been to help the development of tight ends across the league while sharing what they’ve learned over their careers.
Most of the schooling is spent breaking down film, running through drills and discussions about the different ways the position is played.
Alie-Cox has stepped into the TE2 role over the last two seasons but now is the leader in the room. He’s also the longest-tenured tight end in the room ahead of second-year Kylen Granson and rookies Jelani Woods and Andrew Ogletree.
In 2021, Alie-Cox recorded 24 receptions for 316 yards and four touchdowns.
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2022-06-16T18:07:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Colts’ Mo Alie-Cox attending Tight End U this summer
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https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-mo-alie-cox-attending-163717246.html?src=rss
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Larry Grantham
Otis Wilson
NFL fans love their linebackers. From Sam Huff to Dick Butkus to Jack Lambert to Lawrence Taylor and Ray Lewis, linebackers have always topped the list as fan favorites.
We know who the greats were (just look at the list above to start) but there are so many others who roamed the gridiron the past century who don’t get the recognition they deserve.
So, who might be in that group of the most underrated?
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero recently provided his top five most underrated linebackers.
Not a bad list. Larry Grantham was kind of hidden playing for the New York Jets in the AFL and was a huge part of their success, including a victory in Super Bowl III. Grantham was one of just 20 players to play in all of the AFL’s 10 seasons.
James Farrior started his career with the Jets but then went on to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers for over a decade. He was very reliable and productive but only was named to the Pro Bowl twice.
Otis Wilson was a key member of the 1985 Chicago Bears’ vaunted defense. He and Wilbur Marshall took a backseat to Mike Singletary but make no mistake, Wilson was a stud.
Mo Lewis played 13 seasons for the Jets and was regarded at one of the tops at his position for a good portion of that. He’s most famous for delivering the hit on Drew Bledsoe that ushered in the Tom Brady era.
That leads us to New York Giants great Carl Banks. He had the fortune/misfortune to play in the same unit as Taylor and another Hall of Famer, Harry Carson, but there were games (such as Super Bowl XXI) where he outshone both of them.
I’ve been around a lot longer than Pelissero, so my list would be a bit different but Banks would still be on it.
Mo Alie-Cox enrolls in Tight End U.
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2022-06-16T18:07:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Giants great Carl Banks listed among most underrated LBs of all-time
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In the months before the 2022 NFL draft, Alabama offensive tackle Evan Neal was being touted as the best player in the draft and could possibly be the top pick come draft day.
As usual, most of the noise before the draft turned out to be just that — noise. Neal was not taken first overall, falling to No. 7, where the New York Giants gladly scooped him up.
Six teams — including the Giants, who had the fifth overall selection — passed on Neal in the early part of the first round but that is no reflection on the 21-year-old. He is considered by many to be the best lineman in this class.
The Giants felt strongly about Neal not only because of his size (6’7″, 350 pounds) but because of his agility and versatility.
Neal is unusually nimble and athletic for his size and as a result, played multiple positions for the Crimson Tide during his college career.
Thus far this spring, the Giants have been lining Neal up at right tackle but that could change as times passes.
Kyle Flood, the former head coach at Rutgers who coached Neal at Alabama in 2019-20, believes the Giants will find that Neal can help the in multiple ways.
“I think he can fit in just about anywhere,” Flood said recently on the Giants Huddle podcast. “He’s a very unique combination of size, flexibility and explosion. I think that’s why he can play both.
“When you play guard, you really need to be a short area explosive player to win the line of scrimmage inside. Everything kind of happens faster in there than it does at tackle. But at tackle, you have to have the spatial awareness, you have to have the length, you have to have the ability to stop and start your body in space, and he does that really well, too. Left side, right side, he can play either side. Guard, tackle, he can be a really effective player I think at any of those four spots. I think the Giants will find that as they work with him through minicamp and training camp.”
That’s a huge life for Big Blue, who are in the midst of an offensive line rebuild.
“I do think, obviously, there will be a transition going into the NFL, there’s no question. Now you’re playing against the best players in the world, not just the best players in your conference, so there will certainly be a transition,” Flood said. “But he’ll make that transition really smooth because he has been preparing himself to be a professional athlete for a long time. I will say this, he is certainly maybe a little more reserved in how he will speak at times, but when he speaks in that locker room and in that position, I promise you that those other players will listen to him. They know it will come from the right place.”
Another former first round pick, Andrew Thomas, is the current starting left tackle but should Neal prove to be a better option there, don’t be surprised if the Giants flip the two at some point in the future.
Verizon Communications (VZ) Dips More Than Broader Markets: What You Should Know
Verizon Communications (VZ) closed at $49.16 in the latest trading session, marking a -0.87% move from the prior day.
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2022-06-16T18:07:56Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Kyle Flood: Giants’ Evan Neal will make smooth NFL transition
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As mandatory minicamps wrap up across the NFL this week, we prepare to enter the quietest part of the NFL calendar. However, after a brief pause that lasts a little over a month, training camps will begin and from there, it's game on. We're under two months away from preseason football, fantasy football preparation and much deeper dives into the betting market for the upcoming season.
While football might not be in the air just yet, there's already plenty of betting markets posted at BetMGM for the upcoming season. You can bet on teams to win the Super Bowl or their conference and division in the futures market. You can bet the over or under on teams' win totals and whether or not they'll make the playoffs. You can bet on end of season awards, and you can even bet on the Week 1 games already. Today, we're taking a look at an interesting market available at BetMGM. Which team will score the most points during the regular season, and which team will score the fewest?
Buffalo Bills favored to lead league in points
Last regular season, the Buffalo Bills scored a total of 483 points, for an average of 28.4 points per game. This ranked third in the NFL, but in 2022, they're the favorites to lead the league in scoring. Buffalo is currently +600 to score the most points of any NFL team this season.
The Bills are the hot team in the betting market to open the preseason. Buffalo is the current favorite to win the Super Bowl at +650, and Josh Allen is the betting favorite to win the MVP at +700. Allen continues to develop into one of the league's best quarterbacks, so it wouldn't be a stretch to see him take another step forward and for the Bills to have the highest scoring offense in the league.
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills have the best odds to lead the NFL in points in 2022. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/Getty Images)
Last year's highest scoring team might come as a bit of a surprise, as it was the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas scored 530 points and were the only NFL team to average over 31 points per game. This year, the Cowboys are 12-to-1 to repeat that feat, tied for the fifth best odds with the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams.
It'll be tough for Dallas to repeat that accomplishment, as Amari Cooper was traded to Cleveland and Michael Gallup will likely miss the first few months of the season due to rehab of his torn ACL. Ceedee Lamb will be expected to take a huge step forward for the Cowboys.
The Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers are tied for the second best odds to lead the league in scoring at +800.
Kansas City finished fourth in scoring last season, despite the weird middle part of the season where Patrick Mahomes trying to figure out a Cover 2 defense looked like me trying to figure out calculus in college. Of course, Kansas City also lost their most dynamic weapon over the offseason in Tyreek Hill.
The Buccaneers finished second in scoring last season, and at this point, we should all have learned not to doubt Tom Brady. However, he will be 45 years old by the season opener and already flirted with retirement. He'll also be without Chris Godwin for a large part of the first half of the season, as he too recovers from an ACL injury.
The Chargers finished fifth in scoring last season, and Justin Herbert continues to improve and develop into one of the league's best quarterbacks. At +800, I don't mind the Chargers here as their offense certainly has explosive potential.
Bears, Texans favored to score the fewest points
Now that we've taken a look at which teams oddsmakers expect to have good offenses, we need to take a look at the other side of the spectrum.
Heading into the season, the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans are co-favorites to score the fewest points in 2022. Both teams share a lot of similarities. They enter the year with second-year quarterbacks who flashed, but still have plenty of question marks surrounding them. They also have a dearth of weapons to surround these quarterbacks with. Both teams also hired defensive minded head coaches this past offseason.
Houston scored the third-fewest points last year, averaging 16.5 points per game. Davis Mills was surprisingly competent, but not a lot of people believe there's much to the third-round pick's game. Brandin Cooks is a solid No. 1 receiver, but beyond him, the Texans will be relying on a lot of youngsters like John Metchie, Nico Collins and Brevin Jordan to make plays and catch passes. They picked up Marlon Mack, who will compete for carries with Rex Burkhead and rookie Dameon Pierce. Houston is +550 to score the fewest points in football.
Chicago scored 18.3 points per game in 2021, the sixth-lowest mark in the league. This offseason, they didn't do much to surround Justin Fields with playmakers. Darnell Mooney is a promising receiver, but it's hard to consider him a No. 1 receiver in this league. Behind him, the Bears will be relying on Byron Pringle and 25-year old rookie Velus Jones. David Montgomery is a solid running back and Cole Kmet has potential at tight end, but the weapons are certainly lacking and there's certainly questions at the quarterback position. The Bears are also +550 to score the fewest points in the league.
Last season, the Jacksonville Jaguars had the lowest scoring team in the NFL, but oddsmakers don't expect that to happen again. The Jaguars are 30-to-1 to score the fewest points in the league. Those are the same odds as the Miami Dolphins, and 13 teams have worse odds including teams like the Browns, Saints and Patriots. That seems like a little too much respect for Jacksonville, but Urban Meyer is gone and a second-year leap from Trevor Lawrence seems very likely.
Hudson was the only player not to show up for the Cardinals' mandatory minicamp Tuesday.
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2022-06-16T18:08:15Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL betting: Buffalo Bills are favorites to lead NFL in points
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There isn’t a team in the NFL with as much top-end talent as the Los Angeles Rams. Their stars are a big reason they won Super Bowl LVI in February, getting stellar play from the likes of Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey.
All four are back in 2022, and three of them are considered top-10 players in the NFL by Pete Prisco of CBS Sports. As he does every year, Prisco ranked the 100 best players in the league heading into this season.
In the top 10, he put Donald, Kupp and Ramsey, which is a testament to how good the Rams’ roster is. Donald was ranked first overall, Kupp was No. 5 and Ramsey rounded out the group at No. 10.
Donald was obviously the top defender, and Kupp was the best receiver on the list, with the next-closest player being Davante Adams at No. 11. There’s a huge gap between Ramsey and the second-best cornerback, Jaire Alexander, who was 15 spots below Ramsey at No. 25.
Elsewhere, Stafford was ranked in the top 50 at No. 48, two spots ahead of Dak Prescott, as the ninth-best quarterback. Bobby Wagner was the last Ram to make the top 100, barely making the cut at No. 93 overall. Allen Robinson was among the many honorable mentions, as well.
The Rams had the most players in the top 10 with three, and there was no other team with even two in the top 10. However, their roommates, the Chargers, led the league with a whopping nine players in the top 100. That was three more than anyone else.
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2022-06-16T18:08:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Rams land 3 stars in top 10 of Pete Prisco’s 100 best players list
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For the first time since being drafted by the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Malik Willis and running back Hassan Haskins both got their first in-person look at Henry while on the field at mandatory minicamp.
And, as is the case with most people who come across Henry in real life, they were dumbfounded at just how big the hulking 6-foot-3, 237-pound running back is.
“That’s a big human, dude,” Willis said with a smile, per FOX Nashville’s Jill Jelnick. “I just thought he was huge. I was like, ‘dang, I see why he’s stiff-arming people and all that.’ That’s what’s up, though, he’s on my team.”
“He’s big. I thought I was pretty big but he’s a large guy, I’m not going to lie,” Haskins said, via Mickey Ryan of 104.5 The Zone. “It’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like that. He’s so big and so fast, it’s ridiculous.”
Derrick Henry beside Malik Willis
The size difference between Henry and the average NFL player still amazes me and he’s been on this team for like 6 years pic.twitter.com/DpNXff1glM
— ⚔️ TITAN TF UP (@rainIoss) June 14, 2022
The good news for Tennessee’s rookies is that they don’t have to tackle Henry, who often tosses grown men like rag dolls.
“Derrick’s obviously built differently,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “Not a lot of guys walking around on planet Earth looking like Derrick. Obviously the things he can do are next level in a lot of different areas, so it’s always fun to see what he’s doing out there, and obviously the people love it.”
Running back Derrick Henry discussed the prospect of a contract extension when he spoke to reporters from Titans minicamp on Tuesday and he also touched on one of the reasons why there might be hesitation about a new deal on the team’s side. Henry missed the final nine games of the regular season with a [more]
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2022-06-16T18:08:59Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Titans rookies marvel at Derrick Henry’s size: ‘That’s a big human’
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For the second time this week, Michigan State came up short against in Clemson in a notable recruiting battle.
Four-star defensive lineman Vic Burley announced on Wednesday that he’ll be committing to Clemson. Burley chose the Tigers over Michigan State, Georgia and Tennessee.
Burley is listed as the No. 22 overall player and No. 4 defensive lineman in 247Sports’ rankings for the 2023 class. Burley had taken an official visit to Michigan State two weeks ago, and appeared to be very much interested in the Spartans but it was Clemson who won the recruiting battle in the end.
Earlier this week, four-star linebacker Jamal Anderson also committed to Clemson over the Spartans. Both players are from Georgia so location could have been a factor in their decisions as well.
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2022-06-16T18:19:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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4-star DL Vic Burley commits to Clemson over MSU, Georgia, Tennessee
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Four-star offensive lineman Olaus Alinen has updated has list of top schools. The class of 2023 offensive tackle is the top-ranked player in Connecticut.
Alinen considers Georgia, Alabama, Miami, Oregon, and Ohio State to be his top five schools. Alinen previously named the same list of top schools on April 1 minus Oregon. Now, Alinen has added the Ducks to his top schools.
The four-star offensive tackle is planning to take an official visit to all five schools over the summer. Alinen’s official visit at the University of Georgia is currently scheduled for June 17-19.
Alinen, who is from Finland, ranks as the nation’s No. 122 overall player and as the No. 15 ranked offensive tackle in the rising senior class. He is considered the top high school football recruit that is originally from Europe.
The 6-foot-6, 315-pound tackle plays high school football for The Loomis Chaffee School in Windsor, Connecticut. Georgia football recently offered a scholarship to one of his high school teammates. According to 247Sports, the four-star is favored to commit to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Olaus Alinen has been invited to the 2023 All-American Bowl. His father, Klaus Alinen, played for Berlin in NFL Europe and spent one season on the Atlanta Falcons’ practice squad.
Alinen is a good story and it will be fun to see where he plays college football. He announced his top five schools via Twitter:
What school will Olaus Alinen commit to? - Powered By PickUp
Stamford Town Center Announces the Creation of the Largest Mural Project in Connecticut
STAMFORD, CT / ACCESSWIRE / June 16, 2022 / Nationally recognized Mall - Stamford Town Center has partnered with internationally recognized artist Sen2 Figueroa for the creation of what is the largest mural in the state of Connecticut for the Stamford Town Center. The mural, which was completed in early May can be viewed from the exterior & interior of the building.
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2022-06-16T18:20:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Top recruit in Connecticut includes Georgia football in top schools
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The month of June has been good for the Badgers, who’ve now received their ninth commitment of the 2023 recruiting class from three-star cornerback A.J. Tisdell out of College Station, Texas.
According to the Rivals recruiting database, Tisdell is the No. 54 ranked CB in the country, and the No. 82 player in the state of Texas.
Standing at 5-foot-11, 180-pounds, the College Station High School standout chose Wisconsin over offers from Baylor, Buffalo, California, Colorado State, North Texas, Sam Houston, SMU, Texas Tech, Tulane, Tulsa, Utah State, and Vanderbilt.
As a junior, Tisdell registered 48 tackles, 11 pass breakups, and one interception. Additionally, it’s been reported that the speedy defensive back can run a 4.46 40-yard dash.
Tisdell is the ninth player to commit to Wisconsin in the 2023 recruiting class. You can watch his junior season highlights here.
The Texas native announced his commitment to the University of Wisconsin via his Twitter account:
It might be some time until the area sees an another runner as dominant as Moon Area's Mia Cochran, The Times' 2022 Girls' Track Athlete of the Year.
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2022-06-16T18:20:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Wisconsin lands a commitment from 2023 three-star CB A.J. Tisdell
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While the rookie affiliates were off today, there was plenty of excitement down on the farm.
Mass Effect, Star Wars, and many more incredible titles are up for grabs soon.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup winners have won 11 straight playoff series despite getting beat five times in the opening game.
Zimmerman noted that the way the organization is set up in D.C. is too good to endure a prolonged rut.
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2022-06-16T18:40:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Who could the White Sox give up to acquire Jazz Chisholm?
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Sue Bird is making it official. Though she has said all signs point toward this season being her last, until Thursday she had yet to come out and say it to be true. Then the hashtag came: #TheFinalYear.
Bird announced on Twitter she is playing out the final months of her career after 21 seasons, all with the Seattle Storm. The team also issued a release with the news.
"I've decided this will be my final year," she wrote. "I have loved every single minute, and still do, so gonna play my last year, just like this little girl played her first."
The two photos show her being interviews by ESPN's Holly Rowe after last year's playoff game when the Seattle crowd poured down "one more year" chants amid a conversation with friend and Phoenix Mercury star Diana Taurasi. The second is of her as a child playing basketball.
Bird, 41, said she first really thought of retiring after last season, but the "one more year" chants swayed her to come back. She made the announcement in January and took a significant pay cut from the WNBA maximum to stay with the Storm and build out a quality team. Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd re-signed back in Seattle during free agency.
Sylvia Fowles and Briann January, who signed with the Storm in free agency, have also announced this will be their final years. Candace Parker, 36, said ahead of the season she is also mulling retirement. Bird's final seasons will be shown in a documentary.
Bird's legendary career
Sue Bird waves to the Climate Pledge Arena home crowd in Seattle. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Bird spent her entire career with the Storm and is the only WNBA or NBA player to win a championship in each of three decades. She helped Seattle to the top in 2004, ’10 ,’18 and ’20.
The star passer continues to build on her WNBA assists record that is currently at 3,114 as of Thursday afternoon. That's 514 more than Ticha Penicheiro (2,600) in second. Two more players join her in the top-five: Courtney Vandersloot (2,272) and Taurasi (2,099).
She is the only player to play at least 500 games (559, all of which she started) and ranks second in 3-pointers made (965), fourth in steals (700) and seventh in points (6,639).
She has been a part of all but five of the league's 26 seasons after Seattle drafted her No. 1 out of UConn in 2002. According to the team, she has scored or assisted on 27.5% of every basket scored in Storm franchise history. That includes the four seasons (2000, 2001, 2013 and 2019) in which she did not play. If including only games she played in, the mark jumps to 35.4%, per the team.
The Storm (9-5) are in Connecticut to play the Sun (Friday, 7 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network). It's where she became a two-time NCAA champion with the Huskies and earned National Player of the Year her senior year.
As a point guard with Team USA, she's won five consecutive gold medals — a record for a player — as well as four World Cup golds and a bronze. The 10 medals are the most of any basketball player, men’s or women’s, around the globe and she’s one of 11 players ever to win Olympic gold, World Cup gold, a WNBA title and a NCAA title. She's also won EuroLeague titles when she played in Russia.
What's next for Sue Bird?
Bird launched TOGETHXR with Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim and Simone Manuel in March 2021 to focus attention on women's sports and media. The company covers women's sports in an effort to change the statistic that around 4% of all sports coverage goes toward women's sports.
She could also get into broadcasting herself after the success of her "Manningcast" work at the 2022 women's Final Four. She and Diana Taurasi hosted an alternative broadcast that proved to be a hit with clips of their antics floating around social media.
A life in social justice initiatives and work could also be on the table. Bird, a member of the WNBA Players Association executive board, has been a leader in the social justice initiatives both through the league and outside of it. She helped Raphael Warnock get elected to the Senate in Georgia in 2020.
Most immediately, Bird and two-time soccer World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe are planning a wedding. The two entered their engagement in October 2020 and Bird said recently it was hard to plan a wedding around the soccer schedule.
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2022-06-16T18:56:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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WNBA: Sue Bird makes it official, calls 2022 final year
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https://sports.yahoo.com/sue-bird-formally-announces-2022-will-be-her-final-season-160540187.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/sue-bird-formally-announces-2022-will-be-her-final-season-160540187.html?src=rss
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Seattle Storm guard Sue Bird controls the ball during a game against the Connecticut Sun in August. The five-time Olympic gold medalist says she plans to retire at the end of the season. (Matt York / Associated Press)
Bird was the Associated Press national player of the year in her final season at UConn. She is a five-time all-WNBA first-team selection, the league's all-time leader in assists and the only player to appear in more than 500 games.
She has been honored on every list imaginable as one of the best and most influential players in the history of the league. And she's the standard by which other point guards are judged.
Former Ohio State football players in the CFL
Former Ohio State football players in the CFL #GoBucks #CFL
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2022-06-16T18:56:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Sue Bird, WNBA great and five-time Olympic gold medalist, to retire at end of season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/sue-bird-wnba-great-five-174230840.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/sue-bird-wnba-great-five-174230840.html?src=rss
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Normally I’m turned off in fantasy by anyone batting ninth in his lineup, but the Braves have won 14 straight games and I want as many cogs in this lineup as I can get. So let’s keep an open mind with Michael Harris.
Harris always slots ninth in the loaded lineup, but at least he’s playing every day. And his bat has been electric in June: .370/.357/.537, with two homers and two steals. This could be a rare five-tool player.
Harris had a bit of prospect juice before the year, slotting between No. 46 and No. 65 on the three primary scouting clipboards. He was a .305/.372/.506 man in Double-A last year, with five homers and 11 steals over 43 games. He’s athletic enough to play center field, and still just 21. There’s a lot to like here.
Harris is still waiting your call in about 56 percent of Yahoo leagues. And he has a believer in Rotowire prospect analyst, James Anderson:
I would advise against "selling high" on Michael Harris II in dynasty, and in fact, I am looking forward to "buying high"/"going after the shiny new toy" in redraft next year
— James Anderson (@RealJRAnderson) June 16, 2022
There's still a lot to like with Luke Voit
We’ve had some good times with Luke Voit in the past. It wasn’t that long ago. Maybe it’s the right moment to run it back.
There's still some fantasy value left in Luke Voit. (Photo by Matt Thomas/San Diego Padres/Getty Images)
Voit has taken over the cleanup role in San Diego, slotting there in 17-of-19 games. And he’s played in all of those games, either as the team’s first baseman or DH. Voit’s rediscovered power stroke is marking his territory: he’s batting .270 and slugging .539 over that span, with six homers and 21 RBIs.
Isn’t it lovely to see offense making a comeback?
Voit’s career stats show a reverse-platoon trend, but given that we live in a right-handed world, that’s a feature, not a bug. Let’s not forget he led the major leagues in home runs just two years back, for whatever the funky and truncated 2020 season meant to you. Voit’s tank doesn’t appear empty at age 31.
Why is Jon Berti still available?
I suppose it’s last call on Jon Berti, who we discussed recently. He swiped two more bags Wednesday, giving him 17 on the year — and 12 in his last 17 games. He’s a solid .279 stick, a .385 OBP is an asset in today’s game, and a .404 slugging isn’t a kill shot, either. And you can slot Berti at second, third, or the outfield in Yahoo formats.
Trading has been active in the last day or so, but he’s still free to add in about two-thirds of the Yahoo world.
Santiago Espinal, still under the radar
Some of the big names have been mild disappointments in Toronto, which might be keeping the Santiago Espinal story under the radar.
This guy can play.
A 298/.350/.451 slash is welcome in anyone’s lineup, and Espinal is getting a chance to lead off Thursday, after slotting sixth for most of the month.
Espinal offers the occasional homer, the occasional steal and of course the plus average. He’s been a run-scoring machine all year. His hard-hit metrics are ordinary, but he doesn’t beat himself — he makes contact and rarely swings at a bad pitch. Not everything in 2022 baseball has to be about going for the seats.
Maybe Espinal can become the player we expected Cavan Biggio to be a year or two ago. Espinal is still unclaimed in about 40 percent of Yahoo pools.
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2022-06-16T19:08:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: 4 players to consider
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https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-baseball-michael-harris-riding-the-atlanta-wave-180142265.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy-baseball-michael-harris-riding-the-atlanta-wave-180142265.html?src=rss
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Warriors must end ugly trend to recreate NBA Finals history originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
BOSTON -- Throughout the 2022 NBA playoffs, closeout games have been the Warriors' kryptonite. The opposite is true for the Boston Celtics.
While the Warriors have gone 0-3 in the first crack at closeout games, the Celtics are a perfect 3-0 when facing elimination. With a chance to win a fourth championship in the last eight seasons, the Warriors will look to make the fourth time their charm come Thursday night at TD Garden in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
Several Warriors made it a point Wednesday to note that not only is closing out a series difficult, but clinching a Finals series is the most difficult game of your career. Steve Kerr has been in that boat several times, both as a player and as the Warriors' coach. Winning Game 6 would give him nine championship rings -- five as a player and four as a coach.
"It's difficult for many reasons," Kerr said Thursday at Warriors shootaround. "No. 1, you're in the Finals playing a great team. And a great team that's playing with desperation is going to be tough to beat any night. But when you're that close, too, it's easy to get overanxious and too amped up.
"You just have to find the right space in order to compete, and that's the challenge tonight."
The Warriors' Big Three of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all have been here before. So has Andre Iguodala.
But the Warriors also are relying on a handful of players who don't have the same experience as those four. Gary Payton II is one of them. He was one of Golden State's heroes to winning Game 5, scoring 15 points off the bench along with five rebounds and three steals. Kerr certainly will be calling on him again in key situations against the Celtics.
Payton said Thursday that the best advice he has received over the last two days is to relax. He's focused on keeping the same mindset he has all season long and staying locked in, from the time he wakes up to when the final buzzer rings.
Like the rest of his teammates, those who have been here and those who haven't, he knows how hard ending the Celtics' season in Boston is going to be.
"It's going to be hard," Payton said. "It's going to be difficult. That's what they keep saying. This is going to be hard and difficult. Be prepared, be ready for everything and just do what we've been doing the last two games."
With their Game 5 win, the Warriors handed the Celtics their first back-to-back losses since Jan. 21. They haven't lost three straight since Dec. 29. The franchise as a whole has never lost three straight games in the Finals.
RELATED: Dubs embrace final road trip with hopes of celebrating flight home
When the Warriors went down two-games-to-one earlier in the series, Thompson said he was "getting big 2015 vibes." Those vibes now can turn to reality. Exactly seven years ago to the date, the Warriors won their first title in 40 years after trailing two games to one in the Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers, celebrating on the opposition's court.
Whether history is on their side or not, all that matters is the here and the now. The past is the past, the present is the only focus for the Warriors to come full circle and bring another title back to the Bay.
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2022-06-16T19:08:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Warriors must end ugly trend to recreate NBA Finals history in Game 6
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https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-must-end-ugly-trend-180014866.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/warriors-must-end-ugly-trend-180014866.html?src=rss
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“Everything we wanted to accomplish in the offseason was completed, and really, the focus turns [now] to their individual five-week plan.”
McCarthy is confident that his players will still be studying, working, and improving over that time off.
“From the first day,” the coach elaborated, “we have a timeline in what we want to get done in the offseason program, and this next segment is five weeks of their individual plan. I mean, most guys are staying here. We’re very fortunate to have an incredible training facility and the love of the city of Dallas, so just more people will be here in town than I think I can recall in my time in this league over the last three decades.”
So while there will certainly be lounging on Instagram-worthy beaches and living it up in exotic locales, there will also be just as many private workouts at The Star and impromptu playbook study with groups of teammates.
“We feel really good about every guy’s individual plan,” McCarthy went on, knowing that his players will largely be responsible for keeping themselves sharp over the break.
“I think you’ve got to really commend today’s athlete. There’s a lot of interaction that goes on, whether it’s Dak with the receivers at his house and the perimeter group, guys will still be working out here all the time. I do think there’s structure to it. It’s obviously not all us here together.”
That time will come soon enough, at the Cowboys’ training camp home away from home, Oxnard, California. McCarthy plans to throw a lot at his team during their West Coast stay, including joint practices with both the Broncos and Chargers before preseason games with each club. That’s when the pressure will be more appropriately turned up.
“Obviously, our time limits are in place a far as the CBA rules, but Oxnard gives you that opportunity,” said the 58-year-old coach. “I think going up to Denver and spending an extra couple of days up there practicing in the Mile High climate will be another nice factor, and then the competitive work down there in Irvine will be another opportunity. So I feel good about our plan, looking forward to that.”
Maybe it’s the impending vacation talking. But McCarthy admits he feels good about a lot more than just the team’s California itinerary.
Given that his first offseason in 2020 was all but completely wiped out and relegated to Zoom meetings, and 2021’s was spent still dealing with COVID protocols and a rehabbing quarterback, this offseason has the veteran coach feeling more optimistic heading into the break than he has since arriving in Dallas.
“It’s the best I’ve felt about a football team going into the preparation, clearly.”
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2022-06-16T19:55:25Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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‘We crossed the finish line’: McCarthy explains ending Cowboys minicamp early
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https://sports.yahoo.com/crossed-finish-line-mccarthy-explains-191757495.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/crossed-finish-line-mccarthy-explains-191757495.html?src=rss
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Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Dick Butkus didnt' take it lightly when Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers claimed he still owned the Bears last October.
Celebrities such as Carmen Electra, Bella Thorne, Shanna Moakler and Cardi B, among others, have joined the site to take control of their image and interact with fans.
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2022-06-16T19:55:31Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Ex-Bear Dick Butkus on Aaron Rodgers' taunt: 'We'll see who owns who'
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-bear-dick-butkus-aaron-180935159.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/ex-bear-dick-butkus-aaron-180935159.html?src=rss
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Pro Football Focus has been busy ranking basically every aspect of the NFL this offseason. While they’re currently smack dab in the middle of ranking all the positions groups, they tossed out a short list of those who they deem to be the best play-callers in the league.
The list, collected by Eric Eager, is six coaches long. Why six? Who knows. But this is the list:
Andy Reid, Chiefs head coach 4, 3
Kellen Moore, Cowboys offensive coordinator 1, 1
Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers offensive coordinator 2, 2
Kyle Shanahan, 49ers head coach 13, 7
Sean McVay, Rams head coach 7, 9
Matt LaFleur, Packers head coach 10, 10
Looking at the ranking of each of these coaches’ offenses last season, you can see how they got here. The top offenses in terms of yards were, in this order, Cowboys (Moore), Buccaneers (Leftwich), and Chiefs (Reid). While the others all landed in the top ten.
Obviously not making the list is Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels who was the longtime offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. In case you’re wondering, the Patriots’ offense finished 15th in yards last season.
Though, if you’re going by points, McDaniels — whose offense finished sixth — might have an argument over Shanahan (13), and LaFleur (10).
McDaniels is getting his second chance at a head coaching job, despite a disastrous short stint in Denver a decade ago. He is getting that job in large part to the respect he carries as an offensive coordinator.
That’s not to say he deserves to be in this top six, I’ll leave that for others to judge. After all, he hasn’t commanded an offense that has finished in the top ten since 2018 and has only once in his 16-year career as a play caller called a top ten offense without Tom Brady behind center (2008).
It is to say that he is established enough that you would check the list to see if he was there and wouldn’t have been surprised if he was on it.
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2022-06-16T19:55:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Josh McDaniels doesn’t make Pro Football Focus’s short list of best NFL play callers
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https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-mcdaniels-doesn-t-pro-184439558.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/josh-mcdaniels-doesn-t-pro-184439558.html?src=rss
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Aaron Donald was first. Patrick Mahomes was second. It went on from there.
Lamar Jackson was … unranked and unmentioned.
You might expect Jackson to be in a state of disbelief and disrespect. After all, he was the MVP of the league in 2019 – by definition No. 1 just one season prior. While his 2020 season wasn’t as good – 10 fewer touchdown passes, three additional interceptions – it’s not like he was bad. He still rushed for 1,000 yards, still won 12 games as a starter, including a road playoff win against Tennessee.
He was still Lamar Jackson.
Yet Jackson didn’t respond, at least not publicly. There were no instagram posts. No passive aggressive tweets. No comments at a news conference.
Inside the Baltimore Ravens' facility, there was an opposite reaction, albeit also in private. Maybe in some places, things like player rankings from an analytics based website wouldn’t register. It did with Ravens coaches and executives who consumed the list and got defensive.
Lamar Jackson is their guy, after all. Lamar Jackson is their leader.
Maybe all of this explains how Lamar Jackson is:
a) entering the final season of his rookie contract 15 months after he was eligible for a deal
b) serving as his own agent
c) is apparently in no rush to hash something out
d) is showing up this week for minicamp and shrugging off injury concerns.
“I don't buy into it at all,” he said of the risk of getting hurt. “I play football, that's what I am here for.”
And it might explain why the Ravens don’t seem troubled by any of it either.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson takes part in drills at the NFL football team's practice facility, Tuesday, June 14, 2022, in Owings Mills, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
This isn’t your typical QB or franchise nor is this your typical QB/franchise relationship. Jackson loves Baltimore. Baltimore loves Jackson. When asked if he expected to spend his entire career with the franchise, Jackson on Thursday didn’t play coy for contract purposes.
Outside expectations or opinions – be it top-50 lists or how negotiations should go or that they should be going at all — don’t really matter.
No contract. No drama.
“We’re in conversation right now …” Jackson told reporters Thursday at Ravens minicamp. “We’re just keeping it private.”
As exciting as he is on the field, he’s boring off of it.
Jackson has every reason to stay the course. Many young players, especially quarterbacks, start stirring contract drama up even before they are eligible for a new deal. It’s a comment here. An agent-driven story there.
Jackson doesn’t seem to be into that game. If the Ravens can stay healthy, they are very dangerous. He spent most of Thursday repeating the “conversation” line, not elaborating on anything else. There were no threats, but also no promises.
“He’s a unique guy,” head coach John Harbaugh said back in April. “People have been scratching their heads and trying to figure out Lamar probably for a long time, you know, ever since he was a kid. And he’s got his way of going about doing things. But that’s what you love about him, it’s what I love about him.”
Of course, time and patience has served him well. Last season three quarterbacks had a contract that paid an average of over $40 million per year (Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Dak Prescott). By next year, there will be at least seven, including Derek Carr, who has never played at Jackson's level. Aaron Rodgers even broke the $50 million threshold.
Then there is Deshaun Watson, who picked up a five-year, $230 million deal with Cleveland that was groundbreaking because it was fully guaranteed. This was an NBA or MLB contract coming to the NFL.
“It’s like, damn, I wish they hadn’t guaranteed the whole contract,” Ravens owner Steve Biscotti said of the Browns earlier this spring. “I don’t know that he should’ve been the first guy to get a full guaranteed contract.”
In other words, these “conversations” that Jackson and the Ravens are having should include Jackson discussing the MVP award he, unlike Watson, has while pointing out that he didn’t miss last season and at least part of this season dealing with 24 (and counting) civil lawsuits involving accusations of sexual assault.
Of course, Jackson doesn’t appear to be into any of that, even Watson’s guaranteed money.
“I am a man of my own,” Jackson said. “I don't worry about what those guys did.”
Jackson is at a talent level where he is almost assuredly going to get paid no matter what happens. Prescott got his deal after breaking his ankle and missing much of the season. Watson didn’t play at all. If the Ravens stay healthy, both they and their QB, could be headed for a huge season.
Which brings everything back to what Baltimore loves about Lamar Jackson. If there is any drama, it is hidden. He’s just here to play, like a top 50 NFL player should.
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2022-06-16T19:56:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Lamar Jackson takes unusual route in contract talks with Ravens
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https://sports.yahoo.com/lamar-jackson-is-keeping-it-private-and-drama-free-during-contract-extension-talks-with-ravens-194643513.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/lamar-jackson-is-keeping-it-private-and-drama-free-during-contract-extension-talks-with-ravens-194643513.html?src=rss
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The NFL Player's Association reportedly has a plan to defend Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson if and when the NFL decides to suspend him following the ever-growing sexual assault civil lawsuits against Watson.
A source told Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that the NFLPA — which is required to defend Watson — will argue that whatever punishment Watson faces isn't the same as how the NFL treated three team owners following their own off-field scandals. Those owners, according to Florio's source, are the Washington Commanders' Daniel Snyder, the New England Patriots' Robert Kraft and the Dallas Cowboys' Jerry Jones.
"Per a source with knowledge of the intended strategy, the NFLPA currently is bracing for a recommendation by the league of 'unprecedented' punishment of Watson," Florio wrote.
"The source explains that the NFLPA would defend Watson in part by making an aggressive argument premised on the consequences, or lack thereof, imposed on a trio of owners who recently have found themselves embroiled in off-field controversy. The argument will be that the punishment of Watson is not proportional to the punishment of those owners, especially in light of this key line from the Personal Conduct Policy: 'Ownership and club or league management have traditionally been held to a higher standard and will be subject to more significant discipline when violations of the Personal Conduct Policy occur.'"
What did Snyder, Kraft and Jones do and how were they punished?
The NFL investigated Snyder for workplace misconduct allegations, eventually fining him $10 million and forced him to cede day-to-day operations to his wife. He was not suspended or asked to sell the team. Snyder remains embroiled in two Congressional investigations stemming from the initial one made by the NFL. He recently declined to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding their investigation.
Kraft was charged with solicitation in 2019 as part of a larger prostitution ring bust in Jupiter, Florida. He pleaded not guilty and the charges were dropped in 2020 after an appeals court threw out the video evidence against him. Kraft was not reprimanded by the league for his actions.
Jones reportedly paid $2.4 million total to the four Cowboys cheerleaders who accused senior team executive Richard Dalrymple of filming them in the women's locker room, according to an ESPN report. Cowboys representative said the team found no evidence of wrongdoing by Dalrymple, though, and neither Jones nor the Cowboys were ever investigated by the NFL.
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson could have an "unprecedented" punishment by the NFL. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
How this affects Watson
The NFLPA's strategy is less about denying the allegations against Watson — for which there are many — and more about demanding equal treatment for owners accused of similar transgressions. It also means shedding light on the NFL's enforcement of its Personal Conduct Policy.
So, if the NFL suspends Watson regardless of the outcome of the civil suits against him, the NFLPA may well question why Snyder, Kraft and Jones didn't receive comparable punishments for their own scandals.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters at the end of May that the league's investigation into Watson was "nearing the end," but the recent additional lawsuits against Watson this month have cast doubt on when the league would make its decision.
Watson maintained his innocence as recently as Tuesday when he told reporters he "never assaulted, disrespected or harassed anyone" despite the 20+ civil sexual misconduct cases against him and a New York Times report that detailed other encounters between Watson and massage therapists.
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2022-06-16T19:56:16Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL: Deshaun Watson defense by NFLPA includes targeting owners
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-nflpa-plans-to-defend-deshaun-watson-from-suspension-by-targeting-nfl-owners-182756840.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-nflpa-plans-to-defend-deshaun-watson-from-suspension-by-targeting-nfl-owners-182756840.html?src=rss
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