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The official results say Chase Elliott won NASCAR's M&M's Fan Appreciation 400 on Sunday.
Most Elliott bettors didn't win, though.
That sent bettors scrambling for answers. At many books, bettors technically picked the correct winner in Elliott but didn't have a winning ticket to show for it.
According to the Associated Press, NASCAR believed it hadn't disqualified an apparent winner since April 17, 1960. This was a rare occurrence to say the least, even with NASCAR instituting a new disqualification policy in 2019.
The BetMGM house rules accounted for such a circumstance, even though a winner hadn't been disqualified in more than 60 years. Under the "minimum length of play" section:
"All wagers will be settled according to the unofficial results reported immediately after the conclusion of the race by the governing organization. Any changes to the finishing order that occurs based on appeals, penalties or scoring malfunctions after the race has concluded, will not be recognized."
In other words, whoever crosses the finish line first is recognized as the winner. In the case of Sunday's race, that was Hamlin. BetMGM confirmed on Monday morning that Elliott tickets would not be paid out.
Chase Elliott signs autographs for fans in the garage area prior to the NASCAR Cup Series M&M's Fan Appreciation 400 at Pocono Raceway. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Heading into Sunday's race, Elliott was getting a lot of action. Elliott is having a big year, and he won the Quaker State 400 on July 10. He was one of the favorites to win and 9.9% of all the money bet at BetMGM on the race winner was on Elliott.
However, there was a lot more action on Hamlin at BetMGM. He got 17.4% of the money bet on the race winner. Hamlin was BetMGM's biggest liability heading into the race, and those tickets were paid. Hamlin was disqualified because NASCAR found a problem with "the front fascia of both cars, stating there was material there that should have not been," according to NBC Sports. Joe Gibbs Racing, which is Hamlin's team, can appeal the decision.
All sportsbooks have lengthy house rules on all sports that lay out possibilities like the one that happened on Sunday. Still, the unusual circumstance from Sunday's race led to confusion from bettors and sportsbooks having to make decisions. DraftKings said it would pay out Hamlin and Elliott winners, according to VSiN. Other books told customers Elliott bets won't be paid out, via the house rules.
It's rare to see the winner of an event change after the conclusion. It happened on Sunday, and bettors got a lesson in how sportsbooks' house rules handle such situations.
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2022-07-25T16:30:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NASCAR betting: Chase Elliott's win by DQ leads to controversy in betting world
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-betting-chase-elliotts-win-by-dq-leads-to-controversy-in-betting-world-144445585.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nascar-betting-chase-elliotts-win-by-dq-leads-to-controversy-in-betting-world-144445585.html?src=rss
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The preseason list of college football’s best defensive backs include a pair from the Mountain West.
Quarterbacks beware.
Week two of college football’s watch list season began this morning with the unveiling of the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award watch list. Given annually to the nation’s best defensive back, there are two players from the Mountain West who could do the legendary Olympic athlete proud.
Boise State safety JL Skinner headlines the group after picking up 92 tackles, the most of any Broncos defender in 2021, to go along with eight tackles for loss, four passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. He was also named by our staff as the conference’s preseason defensive player of the year earlier in July.
Joining him is Fresno State safety Evan Williams who, coincidentally, also racked up 92 tackles for the Bulldogs last season. On top of that, Williams also finished the year with 4.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, six passes defended, and three interceptions, posting a 79.6 overall grade according to Pro Football Focus that was second among all Mountain West safeties.
Last year’s Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner was Cincinnati’s Coby Bryant.
Mountain West Wire Top 50: Prior Top Five Players
Mountain West's Late Night Kickoffs Bring Value
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2022-07-25T16:31:26Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mountain West Football: Two Named To Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mountain-west-football-two-named-140539617.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mountain-west-football-two-named-140539617.html?src=rss
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Andrew Mukuba
Zimbabwean American football player (born 2002)
The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame (OSHOF) and Jim Thorpe Association released today the prestigious Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Preseason Watchlist. This list includes 35 of the nation’s best defensive backs, representing 10 conferences and one independent university. The preseason watchlist is selected by a screening committee whose members compile a list of up to 50 players. This list is not final, and players who have outstanding seasons may be added to the Semifinalists and Finalists lists as the season progresses.
AAC (3), ACC (4), BIG TEN (6), BIG 12 (3), C-USA (1), IND (1), MAC (3), MW (2), PAC-
12 (3), SEC (6), SUN BELT (3)
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2022-07-25T16:31:32Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mukuba earns Thorpe Watch List selection
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mukuba-earns-thorpe-watch-list-150011163.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mukuba-earns-thorpe-watch-list-150011163.html?src=rss
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The Oklahoma Sooners have a rich tradition at the linebacker position and in 2022 have a chance to add to their history of Butkus Award winners as David Ugwoegbu was named to the award watch list for 2022.
Legend from the 1980s, Brian Bosworth, was the first recipient of the collegiate award and the only two-time winner of the Butkus. Since the award was first handed out to “The Boz” in 1985, the Oklahoma Sooners are tied with the Alabama Crimson Tide, with the most Butkus Award winners at four.
Rocky Calmus and Teddy Lehman also received the award as part of Oklahoma’s dominant defensive teams of the early 2000s.
Caleb Kelly, now a member of the program’s S.O.U.L. Mission, was a high school recipient of the Butkus Award.
David Ugwoegbu named to the Butkus Award Watch Listhttps://t.co/oiInJQpTMS@Davidu2x | #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/IeTdqnSXYY
Heading into 2022, Ugweogbu will be relied upon to fill the void left by Brian Asamoah, who now plays for the Minnesota Vikings. In 2021, Ugwoegbu played just the 11th-most snaps on the Oklahoma Sooners defense yet finished sixth in tackles.
The Linebacker room for the Oklahoma Sooners is deep heading into 2022, and Ugwoegbu will have to find a way to differentiate himself from a group featuring DaShaun White, Danny Stutsman, and T.D. Roof. Incoming freshman Jaren Kanak, Kobie McKinzie, and Kip Lewis might also factor into the linebacker rotation, especially early in the season.
With Ugwoegbu’s length and athleticism, he has the potential to be fantastic for the Oklahoma Sooners in 2022. With Brent Venables and Ted Roof coaching the linebackers, this could be Ugwoegbu’s best season as a Sooner.
“Irma Vep” star Alicia Vikander has reminisced about her early years in the spotlight in a new interview with The Times of London, saying she was “the most sad at the height of [her] fame.” The 33-year-old Swedish actress, who broke through internationally with Nikolaj Arcel’s Oscar-nominated “A Royal Affair” in 2012, became a global […]
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2022-07-25T16:31:38Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Oklahoma linebacker David Ugwoegbu named to Butkus Award watch list
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https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-linebacker-david-ugwoegbu-named-145923461.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/oklahoma-linebacker-david-ugwoegbu-named-145923461.html?src=rss
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QB battle and the Offensive line: What we learned from Jimbo Fisher’s SEC media day presser
Texas A&M Football head coach Jimbo Fisher took the podium at approximately 11:30 AM Central time on Thursday during the last day of SEC media days, answering a flurry of questions from reporters, ranging from his personal outlook on the 2022 season, the ensuing quarterback battle, NIL, Conference realignment, and of course, the status of his relationship with Alabama head coach Nick Saban after their widely publicized war of words between the two on May 19th.
As the questions began focusing on the upcoming season and Texas A&M’s roster, and the quarterback battle, a reporter asked, With all three quarterbacks on campus since January, how has that competition evolved in having them together? Jimbo responded,
Very well. I think they’re learning off each other. I think they’re doing a great job of watching each other and being very competitive with each other. But also helping each other.
I mean, very pleased. Finally, as I say, at the end of spring, you finally saw Max starting to grasp what we were trying to do. You saw Haynes’ health come in. Really in the last month, I’ve seen his feet, the way he’s throwing the ball, he’s really jumped out at me. Connor, so natural and effortless. As he grasps what’s going on… It’s going to be a fun battle. Last year we needed three. You saw Zach in the Alabama game. As I said before, he took – he had a knee hit, came back from that. In the Auburn game he actually popped his shoulder back in place, and the doc said he could play, so he played. You really need a third guy. Having three guys, that’s rare in today’s time. But I think we got three outstanding guys. I’m very excited to work with them.
One of the most important and underappreciated position groups, the offensive line is seen as a “strength” for the Aggies in 2022 according to Jimbo Fisher when he was asked, What are some of the strengths of your offensive line? Fisher answered,
Like I said, last year we had to play a true center, a true freshman center, that only had half a camp and never played center because we had an injury to a guy, and we had a right tackle who had to play as a freshman. That was tough times last year.
Being able to have that now I think has really turned into a strength. I think it’s going to be a strength of our football team, one of them. I’m very excited about our offensive line. Coach Addazio has done a tremendous job. But he and Layden and Bryce and Trey Zuhn now playing at left tackle along with some of those other guys and the battles that are going to be had, size, athleticism, I think Steve has done a great job. What we struggled with early last year, I think it’s going to be a really big strength of our team.
Turnovers and big plays determine the outcomes of games more than anything, and you got to have them. But in this league, if you look in the history of it, the guys who can play in the trenches on the offensive/defensive lines have always had tremendous success.
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2022-07-25T16:31:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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QB battle and the Offensive line: What we learned from Jimbo Fisher’s SEC media day presser
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https://sports.yahoo.com/qb-battle-offensive-line-learned-110734225.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/qb-battle-offensive-line-learned-110734225.html?src=rss
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Could a Spartan lay claim to being the nation’s top linebacker this fall?
A hard-hitting star is in the hunt.
College football’s watch list season rolled on this morning with the unveiling of the Butkus Award watch list. Given annually to the country’s best linebacker, the roll call included just one player from the Mountain West.
San Jose State’s Kyle Harmon is the conference’s lone representative this year, on the strength of a resume he’s built as one of the country’s most ever-present tacklers. He’s finished second in the Mountain West Olinda each of the past two seasons in total tackles, including a career-high 135 takedown in 2021 that marked the most by a Spartans defender since 2017 and nearly doubled the second-most frequent tackler, Tre Jenkins, on last year’s roster.
Last year’s Butkus Award winner was Georgia’s Nakobe Dean.
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2022-07-25T16:31:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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San Jose State Football: Kyle Harmon Named To Butkus Award Watch List
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https://sports.yahoo.com/san-jose-state-football-kyle-141338277.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/san-jose-state-football-kyle-141338277.html?src=rss
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For the 12th straight year, Cleveland.com has released the results of its preseason Big Ten football poll. Ohio State has been selected to win the Big Ten conference overall for the third straight year and is the first unanimous preseason favorite to win the conference championship since 2015. In the west, Wisconsin is the overwhelming favorite taking 31 of the 36 first-place votes, with Iowa and Minnesota each earning several votes.
Since Cleveland.com started its preseason Big Ten football poll in 2011, the Big Ten writers have only selected the correct preseason winners three times (2017, 2018, 2020). The publication was forced to take on the responsibility for organizing the poll after the Big Ten conference dropped the preseason poll 12 years ago. The voters comprise a “panel included beat writers from 13 of 14 Big Ten teams and some who cover the entire league or have a national perspective.”
Where has Nebraska been selected to finish in the Big Ten in 2022? Scroll below and find out.
WEST - 1. Wisconsin (31 first-place votes)
EAST - Ohio State (36 first-place votes)
More female and young players have taken up the sport, which translates to more money for the courses.
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2022-07-25T16:32:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Where did Nebraska land in the preseason Big Ten football poll ?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/where-did-nebraska-land-preseason-150417662.html?src=rss
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When the Cincinnati Bengals moved some players to injury lists before training camp started, the only — and biggest — surprise was La’el Collins’ name popping up.
Now we know why. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Monday that Collins is dealing with a back issue, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Taylor said that like with Alex Cappa, the coaches will just have to manage each veteran’s summer workload to make sure they’re ready for the start of the season.
Overall, it doesn’t sound like a major issue with Collins, but it’s worth pointing out he missed all of the 2020 season due to injury and a handful of games last year.
Collins going to the NFI list could be a precautionary issue more than anything, as the team can take him off the list whenever. But it’s worth noting now, as the new-look offensive line getting reps together could impact performance during the season, especially for Collins, who is anticipated to be a massive upgrade at right tackle.
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2022-07-25T17:36:35Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bengals OT La’el Collins dealing with back issue before training camp
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-ot-la-el-collins-160333246.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-ot-la-el-collins-160333246.html?src=rss
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The days are finally here, as the Eagles are just 24 hours away from reporting to training camp at the NovaCare Complex, with the first practice set for July 27.
Howie Roseman has surrounded quarterback Jalen Hurts with a game-changing wideout after acquiring A.J. Brown via trade, and the Birds could have one of the NFL’s most explosive passing games.
Here’s a preview of Philadelphia’s wide receiver position.
The acquisition of Brown via trade during the first round made this group a legit top-10 unit.
Brown could be in line for an All-Pro season as a physical specimen that gives the wide receiving corps some severe juice.
Dec 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception in front of New York Giants free safety Xavier McKinney (29) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The 10th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, Smith was as good as advertised and could have even more yardage if not for some struggles by Jalen Hurts.
Smith broke DeSean Jackson’s rookie record for receiving yards and firmly established himself as a true No. 1 wideout.
Dec 26, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Quez Watkins (16) reacts in front of New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) after a 39 yard reception during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
After amassing just 106 yards as a rookie, Watkins raised his play in 2021, logging 647-yards and receiving on 43 receptions with one touchdown and plenty of big plays.
Howie Roseman loves Watkins, and he’s clearly the third option depending on the draft.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Reagor, left, makes a catch over New York Giants’ Darnay Holmes during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
A disappointment through two seasons, Reagor has 64 catches for 695 yards and three touchdowns in 28 games, including 24 starts, since the Eagles made him the 21st pick in the 2020 draft.
Reagor has averaged just 24.8 yards per game, and according to Reuben Franks, the only wide receivers in Eagles history to start at least 20 games and averaged fewer yards per game are 1984 1st-round pick Kenny Jackson and undrafted Greg Lewis, now the Chiefs’ running backs coach under Andy Reid.
Tennessee Titans linebacker Jayon Brown (55) stops Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Zach Pascal (14) during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium Thursday, Nov. 12, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn.
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A favorite of Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, Pascal has averaged 41 catches for 540 yards and four TDs the last three seasons, and he could make Reagor the odd man out.
Dec 21, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward (84) celebrates in front of wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) after his touchdown catch against the Washington Football Team during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Ward caught 53 passes in 2020 but dropped to seven last year as the Eagles tried desperately to work Reagor into the offense.
He’s a trusted receiver, yet he’ll struggle to find a spot on the roster.
Britain Covey, WR, Utah
A high school quarterback who transitioned to the receiver at Utah, Covey is a 25-year-old return specialist who set the school record for career punt return yards (1,092) and ranks in the top three in program history in career punt returns (92), receptions (184), and all-purpose yards (4,241).
The special team’s aspect could get Covey over the hump, with Philadelphia looking for a significant improvement in that area.
Keric Wheatfall, WR , Fresno State
Wheatfall played in all 13 games at Fresno State in 2021, starting in eight games, as he finished as the team’s third-leading receiver with 38 receptions for 616 yards and four touchdowns.
Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
A 27-year-old former Oregon Ducks wide receiver who passed on the NFL to chase a track and field career, Allen is a three-time National Champion in the 110-meter hurdles and a two-time Olympian who recently worked out for the NFL scouts at Oregon’s Pro Day.
Allen hasn’t played football since 2016, and his best season came in 2014 when he caught 41 passes for 684 yards and seven touchdowns before suffering a knee injury during the opening kickoff of the Rose Bowl.
Cain made plays during the OTA period and is a player to watch if Philadelphia moves on from Jalen Reagor.
Hightower spent the 2021 season on the practice squad and will look to regain his form from his rookie season.
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2022-07-25T17:37:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Eagles 2022 training camp preview: Wide Receiver
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https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-2022-training-camp-preview-153220149.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-2022-training-camp-preview-153220149.html?src=rss
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Here’s the news we’ve all been waiting for: Andy Dalton will continue to wear the No. 14 jersey that he’s used throughout his NFL career during his first season with the New Orleans Saints, having swapped out the No. 5 jersey he initially claimed with running back Mark Ingram II. So Dalton is wearing No. 14 again, and Ingram is in No. 5 for the first time.
Ingram has to be close to setting an NFL record for the most jersey numbers worn with one team, (Nos. 5, 14, 22, and 28) right? It could be a team record — Fred McAfee wore three different jersey numbers during his Saints tenure — but I’ll need to do more research to confirm. At any rate, it’s good to see he and Dalton are both happy.
Now what about Tyrann Mathieu? The hometown hero recently expressed his interest in wearing No. 5 himself, to honor his grandmother’s Fifth Ward community, but for now that number belongs to Ingram. He could get No. 5 from Ingram should a different number open up, but that’s not likely to happen until roster cuts begin later in August and early September. Some more dominoes may need to fall before Mathieu’s number is officially settled.
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2022-07-25T17:37:57Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mark Ingram, Andy Dalton swap jersey numbers for 2022 season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mark-ingram-andy-dalton-swap-154433983.html?src=rss
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Arguably the biggest move of the offseason for any team was the Raiders acquiring Davante Adams from the Packers. The multi-time All-Pro receiver is now reunited with his college teammate in Derek Carr and on paper, the Raiders now have one of the most dynamic offenses in the NFL.
We know that Adams is a superstar receiver, but just how good is he compared to the rest of the league? Is he a top-five player in the NFL heading into 2022?
In a recent article by Sam Monson and the rest of the Pro Football Focus staff, they ranked the top 50 players in the NFL heading into the 2022 season. Their top receiver was none other than Davante Adams, but his ranking on the list was somewhat surprising.
PFF ranked Adams as the No. 4 player in the NFL, ahead of players like Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Myles Garrett. Here is what Monson had to say about the All-Pro receiver entering the year:
“Adams remains the best receiver in football, though the number of challengers for that crown appears to be growing by the year. Over the past two seasons, he has the highest PFF receiving grade among receivers and has gained the most yards per route run (2.88).
He now teams up with his college quarterback in Las Vegas to see if he can replicate the connection he had with Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay.”
Since the start of the 2018 season, Adams leads the NFL in receiving yards (5,310) and receiving touchdowns (47) despite missing a few games. He has made the Pro Bowl in five straight years and is known for his elite route running.
The addition of Adams gives them a bonafide No. 1 receiver that can take over games with the hopes of shifting the balance of power in the AFC. Make no mistake about it, this is one of the top five players in the entire NFL going into the year.
Kate Moss explained why she testified in the legal battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. The model refuted a rumor that Depp had pushed her down the stairs during her testimony.
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2022-07-25T17:38:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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PFF ranks Raiders WR Davante Adams as the fourth-best player in the NFL
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-ranks-raiders-wr-davante-160614359.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pff-ranks-raiders-wr-davante-160614359.html?src=rss
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The Chicago Bears have added some much-needed within the interior of the offensive line with the signing of veteran Michael Schofield, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic.
The Bears hosted Schofield for a workout on Sunday.
In 2021, Schofield played in 15 games with 12 starts for the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Bears had a glaring hole at the right guard position following the departure of James Daniels in free agency. Sam Mustipher and newcomer Dakota Dozier were battling for the starting job this offseason before Dozier landed on injured reserve.
Schofield figures to be the favorite to start at right guard this season for the Bears, and he brings some stability to the interior of the offensive line.
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2022-07-25T17:38:53Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: Bears are signing OL Michael Schofield
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-bears-signing-ol-michael-160346223.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-bears-signing-ol-michael-160346223.html?src=rss
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Former Miami Dolphins defensive back Jason McCourty called it a career nearly two weeks ago, and he’s already begun the next phase of his life, working on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football.”
McCourty announced his retirement after 13 seasons in the NFL that included a Super Bowl victory with the New England Patriots. However, the last season of his career was spent with Miami, and, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, if McCourty were to have played again in 2022, the aqua and orange would’ve been the only colors for him.
“If he’d come back, it would’ve only been with the Dolphins,” Breer wrote in his Monday Morning Quarterback column this week. “He and his wife had discussed it, and the fact that the defensive staff in Miami survived Brian Flores’s firing in January did make it enticing—McCourty loved playing for those guys. And to keep the door ajar, he and new head coach Mike McDaniel met and kept a dialogue going. In the end, he decided grinding through the first year back off surgery was too much, but that doesn’t mean the chance to stay with the Dolphins wasn’t worth considering.”
McCourty remembers his time in Miami fondly and is genuinely happy about the direction of the team.
“I’m excited for him and those guys down there in Miami,” he said. “I will say, going down there for my last year, some of the best people in football I was able to meet. Obviously, the guys in the locker room, but just everybody within that organization. I was very fortunate to be able to spend my last year down there.”
There aren’t many better people in the NFL than McCourty, and it was a great opportunity for Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones, Miami’s young safety duo, to learn from him in his final year.
He’ll still be great to watch on “Good Morning Football.”
TBS has canceled its late-night show Full Frontal With Samantha Bee in the latest pullback from original programming at the cable outlet. The Emmy-winning late night series is finished after seven seasons, with the last installment having aired on June 23. “Samantha Bee is honored to have hosted the Emmy Award-winning series Full Frontal with […]
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2022-07-25T17:39:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: Jason McCourty would’ve only returned with Dolphins
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-jason-mccourty-ve-only-160058963.html?src=rss
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The Minnesota Vikings didn’t make the splash Ndamukong Suh signing on Monday, but they are signing second-year tight end Shaun Beyer to fill the last vacant spot on the 90-man roster, per the Pioneer Press’ Chris Tomasson.
It’s an interesting signing considering the legitimate need at the tight end position. The team was believed to be entertaining calls from former Viking Kyle Rudolph before he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Beyer joins a group of tight ends with blocking as their primary expertise, aside from their No. 1 option, Irv Smith Jr. The former Iowa standout follows a talented line of Hawkeyes tight ends that have recently included T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant.
As expected, there was a lot of waiting for Beyer to finally get his opportunity in college, but throughout his tenure, he only hauled in 18 passes for 275 yards and one touchdown. So this likely isn’t the insurance option Vikings fans were hoping to see as a backup for Smith.
If anything, Beyer is a supreme athlete with experience playing multiple sports. The hope here is that head coach Kevin O’Connell can get more out of him at the NFL level at some point.
As for Suh, the door isn’t completely closed on the Vikings landing the star defensive tackle. But like they did when they waived quarterback Nate Stanley, they’d have to move another player on the roster to create an open spot for him on the team.
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2022-07-25T17:39:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: Vikings using open roster spot to sign tight end Shaun Beyer
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-vikings-using-open-roster-171135585.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-vikings-using-open-roster-171135585.html?src=rss
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Pro Football Focus has published an interesting analysis regarding defensive backs who cover at a rate higher than expected given their NFL Scouting Combine athletic scoring.
Here’s how PFF’s Haley English describes the model.
“I built a linear regression model that takes into account the top two principal components, as well as the defender’s position, to predict a player’s NFL coverage rate. Some players greatly exceeded their NFL combine athleticism, where their actual coverage rate was much higher than their predicted coverage rate from their combine results.”
And here’s the chart, which shows the league’s top 15 defensive backs in coverage rate over expectation. Three Seahawks are on the list, including cornerback John Reid at the top.
via PFF
This speaks to Seattle’s ability to recognize underrated talents on the back end of a defense. Coach Pete Carroll certainly has his faults as an evaluator, but nobody knows DB play better.
Terrell F. Milton of Milwaukee is the latest person to be accused of firing a weapon during what court records have described as a coordinated attack.
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2022-07-25T17:39:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks have 3 of NFL’s best DBs in coverage rate over expectation
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ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler’s surveyed more than 50 executives, coaches and players for his position-by-position polling, sourcing quotes from around the NFL to illustrate what each player does well and how they stack up against their peers. Let’s run through the list:
Alvin Kamara, No. 5
The only surprise here is Kamara not being ranked higher, but he did take a step back last season – largely through no fault of his own. The Saints offensive line blew a lot of blocking assignments. Jameis Winston and the lackluster quarterbacks that filled in for him weren’t able to maximize Kamara’s receiving skills. Let’s look for a bounce back in 2022.
Michael Thomas, receiving votes
It’s impressive to see Thomas mentioned at all considering he hasn’t been himself for nearly two years. Too many fans and talking heads around the NFL keep a short memory, but those in the know give Thomas the respect he’s earned. Now it’s on him to remind the doubters why he’s one of the best in the league at what he does.
Ryan Ramczyk, No. 9
Arguably the NFL’s best right tackle, Ramczyk was actually dinged for his lack of flashy plays and his alignment at a less-glamorous position despite his efficiency as a blocker. But he could help his case with more consistent performances from one week to the next, having struggled to play through a knee injury in 2021. He clocked in just ahead of his former longtime teammate Terron Armstead (No. 10).
Interior line
Erik McCoy, receiving votes
McCoy fell out of the top-10 from last year’s list, having missed time early in the season with an injury that limited him once he returned. He’s got to shake back and show off some consistency in the final year of his rookie contract. Teammates Andrus Peat and Cesar Ruiz failed to receive votes from voters.
David Onyemata, receiving votes
He was an honorable mention, and Onyemata probably would have drawn more attention had he not missed the first six games (plus New Orleans’ bye week, making for a seven-week absence) with a suspension. Onyemata is the best interior linemen the Saints have and they ask a lot of him to bring pressure from the inside. He’s also entering a contract year and has plenty of incentive to chase new heights.
Cameron Jordan, No. 10
Jordan rounded out the results from ESPN’s polling, slotting in just ahead of his former teammate Trey Hendrickson. One source was quoted by Fowler as calling Jordan one of the best in the game even at his age (he’ll turn 33 this year), and the fact that Jordan is closing in on the franchise sacks record is another boost to his reputation. He’s New Orleans’ best defender up front.
Demario Davis, No. 6
It’s impressive to see Davis not only rank so highly, but to do so later in his career – he’s the oldest linebacker in the top-10, and he’s ahead of both his peers (Bobby Wagner and Lavonte David are each a year younger, and ranked down at Nos. 8 and 9). Davis is the team’s passionate leader and he’s still one of the best at what he does; one evaluator told Fowler that, “He might start to decline this year, but he’s so damn smart that it almost doesn’t matter.”
Tyrann Mathieu, receiving votes
Mathieu was an honorable mention credited for his rare football instincts, always seeming to position himself in the right spot to make a play despite having nine years of NFL wear and tear behind him. Annoyingly, he was ranked behind a player he’s replacing in Marcus Williams (the No. 8 safety), while teammates Marcus Maye and C.J. Gardner-Johnson weren’t ranked at all.
Marshon Lattimore, No. 2
The highest-ranking Saints player here regardless of position, Lattimore is right up there with Jalen Ramsey for debates on the NFL’s best corners. And he’s finally turning in the week-to-week consistency that has eluded him earlier in his career, reliably shutting down opponents’ No. 1 receivers like Davante Adams, Terry McLaurin, and Mike Evans each week.
No positions represented
No surprises here. Jameis Winston showed some growth as a passer last year but not enough to get into the conversation surrounding top-tier quarterbacks, and his season-ending injury may make it difficult to reach those heights. And things are stalling out at tight end – Adam Trautman hasn’t impressed, and Nick Vannett may really be their best option at the position, unless Taysom Hill recovers quickly from a long list of injuries and immediately starts ahead of the, both. It’s rough all around here.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, July 25, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) ("Splash" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of leading beverage brands, today announced that Robert Nistico, Chairman and CEO along with the rest of the executive team and Board will ring the New York Stock Exchange Opening Bell on Wednesday, July 27. Nistico commented: “Splash Beverage Group listed its shares on the NYSE American in June of 2021. We are so excited to have the oppor
"I will not be at Farmaid this year. I am not ready for that yet." Neil Young “Not Ready” to Play Concerts Again: “I Don’t Think It Is Safe in the Pandemic” Wren Graves
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2022-07-25T17:39:38Z
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Where did Saints players rank in ESPN’s position-by-position top 10 polls?
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What Wiseman learned most from Looney's breakout season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
LAS VEGAS -- When the Warriors hired Dejan Milojević as an assistant coach last August, the most important part to his title was missing. Milojević isn't officially referred to as James Wiseman's Personal Coach. He might as well have been when Golden State signed the long-respected Serbia coach who was a three-time MVP of the Adriatic League.
Milojević's biggest claim to fame on the sidelines is being Nikola Jokić's coach in Serbia when the now two-time NBA MVP played for Mega Basket. The Warriors, with their first prized big man prospect in ages, sought Milojević's services in hopes that he could mold Wiseman, a 7-footer full of potential but still in clay form. As Wiseman's health progressed behind the scenes throughout the 2022 NBA playoffs, he and Milojević were inseparable on the court.
About an hour before Wiseman's Las Vegas Summer League debut, there Milojević was, walking into the arena with Steve Kerr.
"He's showed me a lot of compassion in terms of what I need to work on," Wiseman said to NBC Sports Bay Area on the latest episode of Dubs Talk in an interview one day before his Las Vegas Summer League debut. "But he's also given me a lot of constructive criticism, and me being willing to learn and observe -- I take it as OK, I need to just do better the next day and just develop my game. I don't look at as an arrogant perspective in terms of I'm the No. 2 pick and I don't gotta listen. I don't do that.
"I really just want to listen and try to be the best that I can be, and he's given me a lot of information right now and he's most definitely developing my game."
What Milojević and the Warriors couldn't truthfully know upon his arrival is how much of an impact he'd make on the player Wiseman was supposed to replace when he was drafted by the Warriors in 2020. While Wiseman was stuck to wearing street clothes all season long from complications to his surgically-repaired right meniscus, center Kevon Looney enjoyed a breakout season.
And as he watched, Wiseman was a sponge to Looney's play on the court and what he has to say off it.
"Watching him as a person, he's a very humble person," Wiseman said. "Also, he has a lot of wisdom, especially for his age. Kevon is what, 25, 26? For Kevon to be that age and have a lot of wisdom, I just take that in. I ask a lot of questions. I'm very curious. Just seeing his process and what he had to go through and me asking questions, especially throughout the playoffs when he was playing at a high level -- really playing at a high level the whole year.
"Really seeing that just gave me a lot of motivation. It gave me a lot of motivation and to just keep working every day, just keep striving to be the best that I can be."
Now a seven-year veteran and three-time champion, Looney didn't turn 26 years old until this past February. He's always felt much older, and his maturity reflects someone in their mid-30s much more than their mid-20s.
Kerr is one of the biggest Looney fans not only in the Warriors building, but throughout NBA circles. A five-time champ himself as a player, Kerr knows players like Looney are a must to keep adding rings to the collection. Looney knows the system in and out. His numbers aren't going to jump off the page on most nights, yet he makes the right plays and makes those around him better.
"James spent a good part of this year watching Loon, watching tape of him, asking questions of him," Kerr said after the season on June 22. "They're very different players, as you said, but playing the same position.
"What makes Loon so good is the nuance in his game. He understands how to set the right screen at the right time for Steph and Klay, and he knows when to roll and he knows when to dive to the rim, when to get to the pocket if Steph is getting blitzed. He knows how to make the weak side pass out of the double-team.
"This stuff doesn't just happen. He's worked at it. Loon's first two years he never played. He was injured, too, just like James has been. There couldn't be a better mentor for James than Loon."
Wiseman wasn't in the room when Kerr gave that answer last month. It's clear he has been hearing those exact sentiments for a long time, and it's ingrained how imperative it was for him to be a pupil and study for afar.
Just like Looney's value isn't lost on Kerr, it couldn't be more obvious to who should one day be the future of the position Looney plays for the Warriors.
"Really just his IQ and his love for the game," Wiseman said to NBC Sports Bay Area when asked about what he can take and add from Looney's game. "I'd say his IQ most definitely. Him being able to work the system and be able to get [Steph Curry] shots and get Steph open shots, and [Klay Thompson] as well. And then him working with [Draymond Green] as a counterpart.
"I just see that and it just makes my eyes wide because it's like, man, I can be in this system and I can play at the same high level as Kevon Looney is playing. So that just gives me a lot of motivation."
It could have been natural for Wiseman and Looney's relationship to be shaky or uneasy at times. First for Looney with Wiseman being drafted so high as an expected replacement for him. And then for Wiseman with Looney thriving in his absence and re-signing as priority No. 1 for the Warriors over the offseason.
That isn't the case, though. Both have dealt with their fair share of adversity as Warriors. Both can call themselves champions, and both co-existing as a center tandem only makes the reigning champions that much better.
"I listen and observe," Wiseman says. "I don't have any jealous or malice intent. I love to learn and try to be the best that I can be."
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2022-07-25T17:49:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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What James Wiseman learned most from Kevon Looney's breakout season
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Things are ramping up this week ahead of a big finale at the end of July with Florida football’s annual Friday Night Lights and team barbeque just days away. Billy Napier and Co. look to get things cooking on the recruiting front ahead of the weekend action as one highly-coveted 2024 prospect drops in on Monday to take a tour of the Swamp.
The Gators welcome four-star linebacker Kristopher Jones out of Stafford (Virginia) Mountain View to start the week after offering him a scholarship just three weeks prior. The 6-foot-2-inch, 205-pound rising junior will be making his first trip to Gainesville with an arrival time scheduled around 10 a.m. EDT, according to Swamp247.
As far as schools in the running for the young linebacker’s talents, according to On3, are the Ohio State Buckeyes, Virginia Tech Hokies, Virginia Cavaliers and Penn State Nittany Lions are the front runners early on in his own words. The Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers and South Carolina Gamecocks are also in play.
Jones is currently ranked No. 96 overall and No. 8 at his position nationally according to the 247Sports composite, while the On3 consensus ranks him at Nos. 136 and 16, respectively. The Nittany Lions lead in On3’s Recruiting Prediction Machine with a 22.8% chance of landing him, while the Hokies are at 20%, Cavs at 11.6% and Buckeyes at 9.7%.
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2022-07-25T18:37:00Z
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Gators to get this top 2024 linebacker on campus Monday
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Boston Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown is no stranger to trade rumors. Since Brown was drafted by the team back in 2016, his name has been mentioned in possible packages for all sorts of players, from Kawhi Leonard to Kevin Love.
The latest buzz is that the Celtics and Nets have discussed a deal with Brown and Kevin Durant as the centerpieces. The week started with a flurry of news, reports, speculation, and gossip, and it appears Brown is fully aware of the circus this sort news cycle typically brings.
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2022-07-25T19:20:47Z
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Jaylen Brown seemingly responds to trade rumors with a simple tweet
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The MLB made an offer for additional pool money to the international draft the day before the deadline.
Former Mets Manager Gil Hodges to be inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday
Former Dodgers first baseman and Mets Manager Gil Hodges will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday. Ed Kranepool and Cleon Jones talk about their former manager.
Dallas police arrested a woman at Dallas Love Field Airport after she filed several shots into the air from a handgun, an official said.
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2022-07-25T19:21:16Z
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Victor Robles clowns Madison Bumgarner for enforcing unwritten rules
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49ers camp battles: How will D-line rotation look opposite Bosa? originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans and defensive line coach Kris Kocurek have several choices when it comes to who will step in at left defensive end. The group has a lot of depth, which allows them to rotate players, keeping them fresh and able to get after opposing quarterbacks.
In his second season with the club, Samson Ebukam will likely return to the field for a healthy number of snaps on the left side of the line. The 27-year-old appeared in 20 games in 2021, 14 as a starter, registering 4.5 regular-season sacks and two during the playoffs.
Ebukam is reliable and knows the scheme well after a year in the system. The Eastern Washington product is set to improve on his career-best 4.5 regular-season sacks and 11 quarterback hits from 2021.
Kerry Hyder is back after spending a challenging year with the Seattle Seahawks coming off a career-best season with the 49ers in 2020. Hyder appeared in 16 games for the 49ers, 14 as a starter, and registered career bests in sacks (8.5) and tackles (49) -- 30 solo.
The 31-year-old also racked up 10 tackles for a loss and 18 quarterback hits. Hyder’s production dropped when in Seattle, recording 1.5 sacks, 33 tackles -- 20 solo, three tackles for a loss and 11 quarterback hits over 15 games.
Under Kocurek, the 49ers are expecting a bounce-back season for the Texas Tech product. In 2020, Hyder was on the field for 70 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and could prove to be as valuable again in his seventh NFL season.
The 49ers traded with the Houston Texans for Charles Omenihu in the middle of the 2021 season, and he will continue to compete for playing time in the final season of his four-year rookie contract.
Omenihu’s 1.5 sacks were recorded vs. the Dallas Cowboys in the wild-card round of the playoffs. The Texas alum was on the field for 25 percent of defensive snaps in his nine games with the 49ers, as well as contributing on special teams.
During free agency, the 49ers signed veteran Kemoko Turay, who also has a chance to see playing time on the left side of the line. In his four seasons in Indianapolis, the lineman appeared in 41 games but only three as a starter. As a Colt, Turay registered 12 sacks -- 5.5 in 2021 -- and 29 quarterback hits over his NFL career.
RELATED: 49ers rookie Jackson surprised Bosa with 'impressive' trait
One player who will benefit from the competition between all of the veterans previously mentioned is Drake Jackson. The team drafted the pass rusher in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft with the No. 61 overall pick.
There will be less pressure on the USC product to perform with the depth at the position. Jackson will be able to develop his craft while under the watchful eye of Kocurek, allowing him to adjust to life in the NFL.
After being asked to play in multiple different positions on the line in college, consistent coaching will also allow Jackson to hone in on specific tasks and ultimately flourish.
The full team will report to Santa Clara on Tuesday, July 26 with their first on-field practice on Wednesday the 27th.
The Panthers may be adding some veteran depth for their defensive line. Former first-round pick Danny Shelton is taking a free-agent visit with Carolina, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Shelton has bounced around over the last few years after beginning his career with Cleveland. He spent 2021 with the Giants, appearing in 13 [more]
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2022-07-25T19:29:10Z
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49ers camp battles: Who starts opposite Nick Bosa on defensive line?
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Mark Murphy: Davante Adams will be a member of the Packers’ Hall of Fame originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
Scientists don’t yet know why some people develop long-lasting COVID symptoms and others don’t.
Four years after their near-fatal overdose — and seven months after going through rehab again— the singer spoke about their addiction during an interview with Audacy's Karson & Kennedy. They said they've come to accept that they cannot not use substances and that is the way it has to be.
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2022-07-25T19:30:30Z
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Mark Murphy: Davante Adams will be a member of the Packers’ Hall of Fame
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The Carolina Panthers have finally agreed to terms with quarterback Matt Corral on his four-year, fully-guaranteed rookie contract.
Corral, a third-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft out of Mississippi, could compete with Sam Darnold for the backup job in Carolina, assuming the newly acquired Baker Mayfield takes the starting gig under center.
A tough competitor and respected leader with a versatile skill set, Corral has all the tools to eventually develop into a quality starter down the line.
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2022-07-25T19:30:58Z
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Panthers agree to terms with 3rd-round pick Matt Corral
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Dutch rider Marianne Vos took over the yellow jersey in the women's Tour de France with victory in a three-way sprint to win the second stage from Meaux to Provins on Monday.
- 'Worried' -
clv/bsp/iwd
Madison bucket list: 15 things you have to do in Wisconsin's state capital
After you're done touring UW-Madison or jumping around at Camp Randall for a Badgers football game, here are some fun things to do in Wisconsin's state capital.
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2022-07-25T19:42:13Z
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'Wonderful day' for Vos as she takes yellow jersey in women's Tour de France
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Hong Kong-produced crime action film “Detective Vs Sleuths” again took top honors at the mainland China box office with a $14.2 million weekend gross. The film was in its second weekend at the top and its third week of release. Consultancy firm, Artisan Gateway reported that the film has now advanced to a 17-day cumulative […]
Fan Guide: Charlotte FC kicks off inaugural season
Grab your scarf and get ready to cheer for the home team as the Charlotte FC kicks off its inaugural season in Major League Soccer.
Kate Moss explains why she testified in support of Johnny Depp: 'I believe in the truth'
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2022-07-25T20:36:29Z
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2022 SEC Preview: Champion, Dark Horse & Most Intriguing | College Football Enquirer
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It may not seem like it these days, but new Carolina Panthers quarterback Baker Mayfield has plenty folks rooting for his come-up. And some of those folks, funnily enough, are actually in the NFL.
Heavy senior NFL reporter Matt Lombardo recently took the league’s pulse in regards to Carolina’s move for Mayfield—gauging the opinions from some of the sport’s coaches, coordinators, scouts and evaluators alike. One coach, in particular, hopes Baker silences his sudden critics.
“Remember, just two years ago, he was winning playoff games in Cleveland,” the coach told Lombardo. “And everybody loved him. Now, there’s this whole narrative that people think he stinks. I really hope he goes down to Carolina and tears it up. I love the way this kid competes.”
Mayfield’s competitiveness, obviously, has never been in question. That well-documented doggedness was on full display during a rough 2021, a season in which he played through the better part of 13 games with a torn labrum in his left shoulder.
His production, however, wasn’t enough to convince Cleveland to seek out an upgrade. The league’s interception leader since he turned pro in 2018, Mayfield was pushed aside for Deshaun Watson—whom the Browns paid a king’s ransom for (and then some) to replace the former No. 1 overall pick.
But, another person in the know believes Mayfield isn’t all that bad. In fact, they think he’s better than whoever their team has had under center.
“We got a look at him twice over the past two years,” an offensive play-caller said. “And he was clearly better than our quarterback. In every single aspect. I think he is much better than what everyone is making him out to be.”
Well, hopefully that’s the case for not only him, but for head coach Matt Rhule in this fateful 2022 campaign.
Over/Under: 22.5 Baker Mayfield passing TDs in '22-23? - Powered By PickUp
World Wrestling Entertainment said Monday that $14.6 million of payments by former CEO Vince McMahon from 2006-22 weren’t recorded in the company’s accounts but should have been, and as a result the company will revise some of its previously issued financial statements. McMahon resigned Friday as CEO and chairman of WWE in the midst of […]
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2022-07-25T20:57:16Z
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NFL coach hopes Panthers QB Baker Mayfield ‘tears it up’ in Carolina
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"But this is Kevin Durant."
That line from Shams Charania's report for The Athletic, which suggested the Boston Celtics offered Jaylen Brown as the centerpiece of a trade for the Brooklyn Nets superstar, is a common refrain in analysis of the one-time league MVP's value. In a vacuum, Durant is better than Brown and may have meant the difference between a six-game NBA Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors and the Celtics' 18th championship.
Of course Boston should gauge Brooklyn's interest in Brown, because this is Durant, the thinking goes.
The point of the game is to win championships, after all. Only, basketball isn't played in a vacuum, and not all titles carry the same weight. Tossing Brown aside for Durant is far from the no-brainer that line suggests, and the offer itself may have just cost the Celtics the best kind of title — one homegrown through adversity.
Brown did not appear pleased Monday, when he awoke to find his name linked to Durant in reports from Charania and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. The former reported a Celtics offer of Brown, Derrick White and a draft pick for Durant. The Nets reportedly rejected that proposal, countering with an audacious request of Brown, Marcus Smart, multiple picks "and potentially one more rotation player." And Brown shook his head.
The offer might be weeks old, as ESPN's Brian Windhorst posited, and all signs point to the Celtics being no closer than the Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and others in Durant discussions that have gone dormant, but the chemistry mess it leaves behind could take awhile to reconcile, if it's able to be cleaned up at all.
The Celtics held Brown out of proposals for Jimmy Butler and Paul George in 2017, and Kawhi Leonard in 2019. He was the subject of rumors this past February, for which he told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, "That trade talk was loud, and most of it came from Boston fans." Brown understands the business. He is a vice president in the National Basketball Players Association. He may not hold this offer against the Celtics, if they never meet Brooklyn's exorbitant asking price, but he might take it personally.
This is the same player who said in 2017, when fresh off the Eastern Conference finals Boston traded Isaiah Thomas, "It changes the whole dynamic, the whole culture. We'll see if it's for good or bad, time will tell. But it's still a little weird to me, to be honest, because when I came in everything they stressed was culture, environment, Celtic basketball. Now it's like what is the environment, the culture, what is Celtic basketball?"
He overcame that realization to reach three more conference finals alongside Jayson Tatum, but in between each were reminders of how delicate team dynamics can be. The returns from injury of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward disrupted the chemistry Boston's young core built without them on a run to the 2018 conference finals. Irving and Al Horford fled following a second-round exit a year later. The Celtics returned to the 2020 conference finals, before "a heated confrontation" between Brown and Smart splintered the locker room.
Chemistry concerns followed them throughout the 2020-21 campaign, when veteran point guard Kemba Walker was still at the helm of the offense. It wasn't until this past season, when the Celtics entrusted their young core to contend, that Brown, Smart and Tatum found common ground, and even then it took months of summits between them to forge an identity. Some teams never discover theirs, and some have a lower ceiling, but this one came within five minutes of taking a 3-1 lead in the Finals and likely winning the title.
Composure stood between them and glory. They are here now, as favorites to win the 2023 championship without Durant, the hard way. Brown and Tatum arrived in Boston as draft picks received in a trade of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Smart was the result of the franchise's lone lottery season since dealing the stars of their last title team. Fans have invested a decade into their growth. Every dumbfounding defeat, every last-second victory, every heartbreaking loss, every comeback win, it made them Celtics, pure and simple.
Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant has requested a trade, and Boston Celtics counterpart Jaylen Brown is the centerpiece of the NBA's best offer. (Wendell Cruz/USA Today Sports)
"I feel really good about what this group can accomplish," Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told NBC Sports Boston's Chris Forsberg last week, before the reports about Durant surfaced.
You cannot tell me the Los Angeles Lakers' 2020 championship in the bubble meant as much to their fans, who spent years slandering LeBron James before he delivered Anthony Davis and their 17th ring in a span of two years, as the 2021 and 2022 titles meant to fans of the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors.
Days before the Bucks won for the first time in 50 years, Giannis Antetokounmpo told Khris Middleton, "The day you retire is going to be the toughest day in my career, because I’ve been with you the whole time, and it’s been an unbelievable journey." That's the stuff right there. That's everything you want from being a fan.
It's everything a player should want, too, ideally.
"You get goosebumps just thinking about all those snapshots and episodes that we went through to get back here, individually, collectively," Warriors star Stephen Curry said after winning again alongside Klay Thompson and Draymond Green — and without Durant. "That's why I said I think this championship hits different. That's why I have so many emotions, and still will, just because of what it took to get back here."
Durant is a mercenary. At best, a championship with the Celtics cheapens the achievement for both him and Tatum. At worst, Durant's arrival as an alpha disrupts Tatum's development, relationships fracture, and Durant seeks his next move before his four-year deal is through, all leading into Tatum's 2025 free agency.
The flip side could be true, too. The Celtics may be convinced Brown will not re-sign when he becomes a free agent in 2024, and a deal for Durant could be a preemptive measure to ensure they seize this window before an inevitable breakup. That's not what any fan wants to believe. They like to think that players care as much about the collective climb to a championship as they do, but that's not always a player's priority.
The future is uncertain. The improved odds that come with Durant are a safeguard against that uncertainty, if winning is truly all that matters, but at what cost to everyone's appreciation of their accomplishment?
Miami, Phoenix and Toronto have been linked to possible trade deals for Nets All-Star Kevin Durant. Add Boston to the list.
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2022-07-25T20:57:27Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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The problem with trading Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant
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With training camp coming up at the end of July and positional battles already emerging, let’s take a look at three under-the-radar players to watch for on New England’s defense this upcoming season.
Safety Jabrill Peppers
To be perfectly honest, I have loved Peppers ever since he was drafted back in 2017. The positional versatility and speed that he put on display while playing at the University of Michigan seemed like it would fit well in New England’s defense, but he was ultimately taken by the Cleveland Browns in the first round before the Patriots had the chance to select him.
Although Peppers’ NFL career has thus far underwhelmed for his first-round draft pedigree, he comes to New England possessing great versatile ability at a relatively cheap contract value (1-year, $2 million). Peppers possesses the size and strength to make him one of a number of players on the Patriots’ defense that can slot into a hybrid linebacker/safety role.
While New England already has two other players in Adrian Phillips and Kyle Dugger who can also play the hybrid linebacker/safety role, adding a third player in Peppers with that versatile ability could allow the Patriots to use more nickel and dime defensive packages and lessen the need to have a true middle linebacker out on the field. Given New England’s lack of depth and experience within their inside linebacker group, it seems as if they will be relying more on nickel and dime packages this upcoming season, and Peppers could end up being an integral part of those defensive schemes.
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan
McMillan is due for a breakout year. The five-year veteran out of Ohio State University garnered a fair load of offseason hype for the Patriots last summer before tearing his ACL in early August and missing the entire season. The injury bug has largely been the main reason why McMillan’s career has yet to truly get off the ground, as the linebacker has played just one full season in his five years in the NFL. However, McMillan’s physical attributes make him a prime candidate to take over the middle linebacking corps in New England.
With veteran Dont’a Hightower remaining unsigned thus far, it seems as if the Patriots have shifted their linebacking philosophy away from the large bruisers (Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Teddy Bruschi, etc.) and towards faster, more versatile players who have the strength to stop the run but also the agility to play well in coverage. McMillan, along with fellow interior linebackers Ja’Whaun Bentley and Anfernee Jennings and newcomer Mack Wilson seem to all fit a new defensive philosophy that is less dependent on having a massive, bone-crushing, run-stopping linebacker.
Moreover, New England’s recent shift to nickel and dime defensive schemes in previous years put more emphasis on a linebacker who possesses athletic versatility. If he can stay healthy, McMillan’s combination of strength and speed makes him an ideal candidate to compete for the starting middle linebacker position.
Defensive Lineman Henry Anderson
Anderson signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Patriots last offseason, but a torn pec in Week 4 caused him to miss most of the season on injured reserve. Defensive line is an area of significant depth for New England heading into this season, but Anderson’s physical attributes quite literally have the ability to make him stand out amongst his teammates.
While Anderson is on the elder side of 30, his 6-foot-6 frame and nearly 300-pound weight make him quite difficult for opposing offensive linemen to move. Additionally, Anderson has a dead-money hit of $1 against the Patriots’ salary cap this season, giving him relative security at his position.
Although he was part of New England’s mega free-agent class of 2021, Anderson is a lesser-known one of those additions due to his lack of substantial playing time last season. However, he has a history of being a gritty and physical player at his position, two traits that New England values in their defensive line. Even with the Patriots’ seemingly crowded defensive front, Anderson could surely find a role lining up in the middle of the line as an immense brick wall.
With training camp kicking off this week in Foxboro, our Tom E. Curran lays out a handful of storylines that he's looking forward to tracking as the Patriots embark on a crucial and intriguing 2022-23 season.
Story at a glance Nearly 60 percent of registered voters believe Congress should pass a federal law to protect same-sex marriage rights, according to a Politico and Morning Consult poll published Monday. More than half of Republican voters surveyed said they do not support federal legislation that would codify same-sex marriage or abortion access, although…
Exploring one of New England's best-hidden gems
Whether you're looking to camp, hike, ski or just get out and enjoy nature, New Hampshire's Franconia Notch State Park has it all.
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2022-07-25T21:18:40Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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3 under-the-radar Patriots players to watch on defense
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https://sports.yahoo.com/3-under-radar-patriots-players-192425588.html?src=rss
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One day before the Chicago Bears report to training camp at Halas Hall, the team added to its offensive line by signing veteran Michael Schofield to a one-year deal, another transaction aimed at adding talent and competition up front. Schofield, a native of Orland Park who played at Sandburg before going to the University of Michigan, has spent eight seasons in the NFL. He has had stints with ...
Bears fans have mixed reactions on their new alternate orange helmets
Bears fans have mixed reactions when it comes to the team's new alternate orange helmet and uniform combination.
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2022-07-25T21:19:11Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chicago unveils three proposals to update Soldier Field
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chicago-unveils-three-proposals-soldier-201505250.html?src=rss
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The Kansas City Chiefs have made a trio of roster moves ahead of the onset of training camp.
On Monday, the Chiefs placed UDFA WR Justyn Ross on injured reserve, effectively ending his rookie season before it even began. Ross was one of four players placed on the active/PUP list over the weekend. The reason he landed on the PUP list is that he had a second surgery to repair the broken foot he dealt with at Clemson last season.
“It was a little bit off of the surgery he had before (at Clemson),” Chiefs HC Andy Reid told reporters. “It wasn’t functioning quite the way that — it was bothering him. It wasn’t working quite the way he wanted it to. So they went in and redid it. We’re hoping that this works out well.”
Reid did not have a specific recovery timeline for Ross other than, “It’s going to take time.” Now we know that timeline is at least a full season.
In other moves, the Chiefs officially signed OT Evin Ksiezarczyk and OT David Steinmetz. The team is already shorthanded at the offensive tackle position with two players landing on the active/PUP list. They also have a looming holdout from LT Orlando Brown Jr. to worry about.
Steinmetz (6-8, 320 pounds) is a former undrafted free agent out of Purdue. He spent the 2018 NFL offseason with the Miami Dolphins before he was waived during final roster cuts. The Houston Texans signed him to their practice squad in November of that year and he was re-signed on a reserve/future deal. During 2019 training camp he suffered an ankle injury that would cost him the season and he was eventually waived with an injury settlement. Over the past two seasons, Steinmetz played with the Washington Football Team where he was active for three games.
Chiefs news roundup — 7/24/2022
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2022-07-25T21:19:18Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chiefs make three roster moves ahead of training camp
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers added a veteran tight end this week to help replace the recently retired Rob Gronkowski, signing free agent Kyle Rudolph to a one-year deal.
As with most free agent signings this late in the offseason, the Bucs appear to be getting quite a bargain on Rudolph’s deal, which carries a base salary of $2 million for the 2022 season, as well as another addition $1.5 million in incentives, per Pro Football Talk.
The incentives in Rudolph’s deal are based on various factors, including how many passes he catches, whether or not he’s on the 46-man game day roster, or if he makes the Pro Bowl (via The Athletic’s Greg Auman):
Details on Kyle Rudolph’s $1.5 million in incentives with Bucs:
-$375k in 46-man roster bonuses
-$375k for 30 receptions
-$250k more at 40 receptions
-$250k for Pro Bowl selection
Rudolph is expected to have a significant role in Tampa Bay’s high-powered offense this season, as he teams up with fellow veteran Cameron Brate and rookie fourth-round pick Cade Otton to try and replace what the Bucs are losing in Gronkowski.
In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction begins for first Florida location in Naples
In the Know: Great Wolf Lodge construction began July 2022 for first Florida location in Naples in SWFL slated for 2024. Courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge.
It’s officially official as Kyler Murray put pen to paper on Monday. The Cardinals quarterback agreed to a five-year, $230 million extension last week. The team announced the deal, which will keep him under contract through 2028, on Thursday, and Murray held a news conference Friday. But owner Michael Bidwill was out of town last [more]
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2022-07-25T21:19:37Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Full details of Kyle Rudolph’s 1-year deal with the Bucs
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https://sports.yahoo.com/full-details-kyle-rudolph-1-195656391.html?src=rss
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Mike McCarthy: My viewpoint is that my job security is not a story originally appeared on Pro Football Talk
A woman fired a handgun at Dallas Love Field Airport on Monday. She was shot by police and taken to the hospital. No other injuries were reported.
Airport delays are occurring in Lubbock due to shooting in Dallas Love Field Airport
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2022-07-25T21:20:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mike McCarthy: My viewpoint is that my job security is not a story
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https://sports.yahoo.com/mike-mccarthy-viewpoint-job-security-191929653.html?src=rss
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It was a banner regular season for the Tennessee Titans in 2021. They went 12-5, and in the process won the AFC South and earned the No. 1 seed in the AFC overall. They earned a bye in the playoffs, but that bye didn't help them as they were upset in the divisional round by the eventual AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals.
The continuity is there for the Titans, as head coach Mike Vrabel and starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill both return for 2022. However, the playoff loss to the Bengals certainly soured any optimism surrounding Tannehill's ability to lead a team deep into the postseason. The offseason featured some questionable moves, most notably trading away star receiver A.J. Brown to Philadelphia. Overall, the vibes around the Titans this offseason aren't great.
However, from a preseason big-picture point of view, things aren't drastically different. Entering this past season, the Titans were a part of a two-team race to win the AFC South, with the loser projected to compete for a wild card spot. That same situation basically applies this season as well. The only real difference is that last season, the Titans were slight favorites to get it done. This time around, they're slight underdogs.
For a deeper look at the Titans heading into the season from a pure football perspective, make sure to check out Yahoo's Frank Schwab's season preview on Tennessee. He ranked them 16th in his preseason power rankings. However, in this article, we're taking a deeper look at the betting market's thoughts on Tennessee and how they're expected to stack up this season.
Tennessee expected to compete for division, playoffs
Entering last season, the Titans had a preseason projected win total of nine wins. This year, they are -145 favorites to go under 9.5 wins. Their win total entering this season is higher than their win total entering last season, which is a reflection of the good season they had. It's worth noting that 79% of the money is backing Tennessee to go under 9.5 wins.
At this time last year, the Titans were -110 favorites to win the AFC South. Currently, they are +150 to win the division. Those are the second-best odds behind the Indianapolis Colts, who are -120 to win the division crown.
Currently, Tennessee is a slight -115 favorite to make the playoffs in 2022. They entered last season as a -160 favorite to do so. While it might seem like a big shift, if you convert those odds into probability, it's only a difference of eight percentage points.
Tennessee entered last season projected to compete with Indianapolis to win the AFC South. The team that lost out would compete for a wild-card spot. That's exactly what happened, with Tennessee finishing ahead of the Colts for the division and Indianapolis blowing a chance to clinch a wild card on the final weekend of the season.
Oddsmakers are expecting the same kind of situation this year. The acquisition of Matt Ryan to replace Carson Wentz upgrades the Colts, while the loss of A.J. Brown and others slightly downgrades the Titans. However, these teams are still close and the odds tell us as much. The Colts have assumed the role of favorites, but the Titans are right on their tails.
Titans enter as mid-range Super Bowl pick
Currently at BetMGM, the Tennessee Titans are 30-to-1 to win the Super Bowl. Those are tied for the 14th-best odds in the league. The Titans have the same odds to win it all as the Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals. They're right behind the Colts and Philadelphia Eagles (both 25-to-1), while slightly ahead of the Miami Dolphins, who are 35-to-1.
That's not a bad number for Tennessee. I'd much rather play Tennessee at 30-to-1 than Cleveland for example, who will probably be without their starting quarterback for an extended part of the season. Tennessee had 12 wins last season, only Tampa Bay and Green Bay had 13. They were the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.
Of course, the issue for Tennessee isn't so much making the playoffs, but rather what happens when it gets there. In the AFC, you're likely to see someone like Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson or Russell Wilson in the playoffs. It's hard to see a team led by Ryan Tannehill being able to keep up with those guys. That's why Tennessee is tied for the eighth-best odds to win the AFC at 16-to-1.
Titans awards and prop bets
The Tennessee Titans have certainly produced some award winners over the last few seasons. In 2021, Mike Vrabel won coach of the year. In 2020, Derrick Henry won offensive player of the year and led the league in rushing yards. In 2019, Ryan Tannehill won comeback player of the year while Henry captured his first rushing title. What do the odds look like for key Titans players entering this season?
Last season, Mike Vrabel captured coach of the year honors, finishing ahead of Zac Taylor of the Bengals and Matt LaFleur of the Packers. However, he enters as a 30-to-1 long shot to win the award this upcoming season. No coach has won the award in back-to-back years since Joe Gibbs did so with Washington in 1982 and 1983. Twenty coaches have better odds than Vrabel entering this season.
Derrick Henry won back-to-back rushing titles in 2019 and 2020, and he was on pace to do it again last season before a foot injury took him out. We were robbed of a fascinating battle between him and Jonathan Taylor last season. However, oddsmakers are projecting that battle to take place this year. Henry is a +500 co-favorite to lead the league in rushing yards, tied for the best odds with Taylor. Henry led the league in rushing touchdowns in 2019 and 2020 as well. He's +600 to do that this year, second-best odds behind the aforementioned Taylor.
After missing the second half of last season with an injury before returning for the playoffs, Henry is the +350 betting favorite to win comeback player of the year. Henry is 11-to-1 to win AP Offensive Player of the Year. Those are the second-best odds behind Jonathan Taylor. Henry won the award in 2020. Henry is 50-to-1 to win league MVP, tied for the best odds amongst non-quarterbacks with Taylor.
Henry's over/under for rushing yards is set at 1349.5 yards. His over/under for touchdowns is set at 13.5 scores. If Henry is healthy and returns to his previous form, he'll likely blow past those numbers. However, that's the gamble. Henry is reaching that age where running backs tend to fall off. We've seen far too many elite running backs just crash and burn once they reach their late 20s. However, it's clear the betting odds don't expect that to happen this year with King Henry.
Derrick Henry is projected to have another monster season and be near the top of the NFL in most rushing categories. (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
The Titans traded A.J. Brown to the Eagles and used the pick they received in return to select standout wide receiver Treylon Burks from Arkansas. Burks is expected to immediately make an impact for Tennessee, as he and Robert Woods are replacing Brown and Julio Jones. Burks is one of the favorites to win Offensive Rookie of the Year at BetMGM. At +750, Burks has the third-best odds behind Kenny Pickett and Drake London. Rare is it that a rookie has so little competition for targets, but Burks enters with large expectations and an easy path to relevancy. His season-long props are set at over/under 61.5 receptions, 799.5 receiving yards and 4.5 receiving touchdowns.
Since he's a quarterback, we'll throw out the fact that Tannehill is 100-to-1 to win NFL MVP. Those are the same odds as Daniel Jones, Zach Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo. Those odds are below the likes of Baker Mayfield, Mitch Trubisky and Carson Wentz.
Tannehill's over/under for passing yards is set at 3599.5 yards and his passing touchdowns mark is set at 21.5 touchdowns. He threw for 3734 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, so these numbers are pretty spot on.
Titans are sizable favorites in Week 1
Tennessee is in good position to get off to a good start when the regular season kicks off on September 11th.
In Week 1, Tennessee plays host to the New York Giants. Tennessee is currently a 6.5-point home favorite.
The Giants figure to be better than they were last season, with Daniel Jones presumed to be healthy and ready to go. Brian Daboll enters his first season as their coach, and he's received a lot of praise for the work he did to aid in the development of Josh Allen as offensive coordinator of the Bills.
However, it's still a Giants team that projects to be average at best. Tennessee should get the victory at home to open the season. With the number less than a touchdown, it's tempting to lay the points with Tennessee. However, one can understand why some would be leery of this Tennessee passing offense being capable of scoring enough points to cover the big number.
In May, Moss testified against claims that Depp once pushed her down a flight of stairs while they were dating in the mid-1990s.View Entire Post ›
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2022-07-25T21:20:08Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL futures: We're expecting a step backward from the Tennessee Titans
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The Bears addressed a huge need along the interior of the offensive line with the addition of veteran Michael Schofield, the team announced ahead of the start of training camp.
The offensive line has several concerns heading into the season, including who will be starting at the tackle positions. But right guard was easily the biggest weakness on the line.
With Schofield joining the roster, he figures to be the favorite to start at right guard in 2022. He’ll be competing against Sam Mustipher, who was the starter at right guard for most of the offseason program.
Following the addition of Schofield, here’s a look at the Bears’ offensive line depth:
Cody Whitehair is coming off arguably his worst season with the Bears, but he’s still been a solid offensive lineman since being drafted by Chicago in 2016. Whitehair has played primarily left guard, although he’s also spent time at center. With the addition of Lucas Patrick, it seems a safe bet for Whitehair to remain at left guard.
Lucas Patrick comes to Chicago with experience playing in offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s system. He’s a versatile interior lineman who’s played three different positions — left guard, center and right guard. Patrick revealed that he was brought in to serve as the center, which gives Justin Fields someone with experience snapping him the ball.
Teven Jenkins missed most of his rookie season after back surgery during training camp. When he did return, he saw limited action at left tackle, including two starts. Jenkins has settled into the right tackle spot. Jenkins was working with the second-team offense during the final week of OTAs and during minicamp. We’ll see where he lines up coming training camp.
Larry Borom got his first starting opportunity at right tackle in Week 8, replacing an injured Germain Ifedi, and he was an immediate upgrade. He held his own against some of the best pass rushers and showed versatility playing both right and left tackle. Borom has seen action both at left tackle and right tackle this offseason, so it’s still a question of where he’ll be lining up.
The Bears signed veteran Michael Schofield to a one-year deal ahead of training camp, where he projects to fill a huge hold within the interior. Schofield has started 81 regular season games during his seven-year career, where he’s seen time at multiple positions along the offensive line. But he’s played right guard for most of it, which makes sense for a team like the Bears with a gaping hole at right guard. At this point, it’s a safe assumption that Schofield will be the starting right guard come Week 1.
Braxton Jones was the first offensive lineman selected by Chicago in the draft, and he could contribute immediately as a rookie. Jones has experience playing both left and right tackle at the collegiate level, but he’s been seeing reps at left tackle with the first-team offense during the final week of OTAs and mandatory minicamp. Jones is emerging as a contender for the starting left tackle job.
The Bears tendered Sam Mustipher as an exclusive rights free agent earlier this offseason. Mustipher started 17 games at center for Chicago last season, but he was a liability on the offensive line. While many expected Mustipher not to factor into any starting plans, he was getting reps at right guard with the first-time offense. But with Schofield on the roster, it’s hard to imagine Mustipher in that starting role.
Julién Davenport
Julién Davenport reunites with Matt Eberflus in Chicago after spending last year with the Colts. He appeared in nine games, including four starts. Davenport, a former fourth-round pick in the 2017 NFL draft, spent the 2018 season as the starting left tackle for the Texans. He was later dealt to the Dolphins as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade. Davenport projects as a potential swing tackle for the Bears.
Zachary Thomas is a versatile offensive lineman with experience playing three different positions during his time at San Diego State. While Thomas has played primarily right tackle (17 games) and left tackle (12), he started out as a guard. Thomas saw reps with the starters when Whitehair was an excused absence in minicamp, an indication Thomas could be the next-man-up at left guard for Chicago.
Doug Kramer is a homegrown product, growing up in Hinsdale, a western suburb of Chicago, and playing football at Illinois. Kramer is the lone center taken in the draft by the Bears, where he’s a developmental prospect behind starter Lucas Patrick. But he also has experience playing guard. Kramer saw starting reps at center during team drills during one minicamp practice, an indication he might be Patrick’s backup.
Ja’Tyre Carter is one of the more intriguing prospects coming out of the draft for the Bears. He was a four-year starter during his time at Southern, where he made 37 starts at left tackle. But he projects to kick inside to guard at the NFL level. We’ll see if Carter can develop into a starter down the line. But for now, he’s good depth at both guard and tackle for Chicago.
The Bears signed Shon Coleman earlier this offseason, the latest former Colt to join Eberflus’ roster. Coleman, a former third-round pick in 2016, started every game at right tackle for the Browns in 2017. He was traded to the 49ers in 2018, although he didn’t played in a regular season game. Coleman missed the 2019 season due to injury and opted out in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns. Coleman projects as depth at tackle.
Lachavious Simmons, a former seventh-round pick, also was tendered by the Bears as an exclusive rights free agent not long ago. He played in two games in 2021, including one start, at right tackle. Simmons doesn’t factor into the starting lineup and will serve as depth at tackle.
The Bears signed Willie Wright to a reserve/future contract earlier this offseason. Wright previously spent time with the Falcons on their practice squad. He figures to have a chance at earning a spot on the practice squad.
Dieter Eiselen
Dieter Eiselen, who signed a reserve/future contract earlier this offseason, has played in just three NFL games. He spent most of the last two seasons on the Bears’ practice squad. The 25-year-old is projected to have the same fate this season.
Jean Delance was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Florida, where he comes to the Bears looking to earn a roster spot. Delance played primarily at right tackle during his collegiate career. Unfortunately for Delance, it’s an uphill battle for a spot on the 53-man roster. But he should factor into the mix for practice squad.
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2022-07-25T21:21:24Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Updated look at Bears offensive line depth after Michael Schofield signing
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https://sports.yahoo.com/updated-look-bears-offensive-line-195720535.html?src=rss
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Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch lost their 1-2 finish in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono on Sunday because of tape that had been applied to the front of their cars.
The Joe Gibbs Racing duo was disqualified Sunday night during post-race inspection after NASCAR said their cars didn’t meet the rule book. The disqualifications meant that third-place Chase Elliott was declared the winner of the race hours after it was over.
JGR said Monday that it wouldn’t appeal the disqualifications and explained why the tape was there on the cars.
“In our review of the post-race infractions on the [Hamlin and Busch] cars at Pocono it was discovered that a single piece of clear tape was positioned over each of the lower corners of the front fascia ahead of the left-front and right-front wheel openings on both those cars,” JGR competition director Wally Brown said in a statement. “The added pieces were 2 inches wide and 5.5 inches long with a thickness of 0.012 inches and installed under the wrap. This change in our build process was not properly vetted within our organization and we recognize it is against NASCAR’s rules. We apologize to everyone for this mistake and we have made changes to our processes to ensure that it does not happen again.”
Adding something like tape to the front of a car can affect the aerodynamics of a car, even if that tape is underneath the wrap that includes the paint scheme and sponsor logos. NASCAR’s Cup Series rulebook is extremely strict and teams don’t have much that they can do to find speed in 2022 thanks to the introduction of NASCAR’s new car. The car is essentially a spec car and teams buy numerous parts and pieces from approved single source vendors.
The disqualification of Hamlin is the first time a Cup Series race winner has gotten the win stripped away for a post-race inspection failure. NASCAR implemented its disqualification policy ahead of the 2019 season and had previously assessed points penalties and crew suspensions for winners whose cars failed inspection. Hamlin and Busch are not expected to receive any further punishments for their team after the disqualifications.
The win would have been Hamlin's third of the season. Instead, Elliott now has four wins in 2022 and solidified his place atop the points standings with five races to go in the regular season.
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch crossed the finish line 1-2 on Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono but got disqualified after the race. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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2022-07-25T22:16:58Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NASCAR: Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch's cars were disqualified at Pocono for illegal tape
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"I called bank in the air, so I think that cancels everything out," Finau quipped, "but I did get a great bounce there and I took advantage of that."
In the end, just an easy up and down for par. Tony Finau leads by four heading to his final hole.pic.twitter.com/AQUC4NebRw
He was able to save par and keep his four-shot edge, which came in handy as Finau found the drink with his tee ball at the par-5 finishing hole. Even with a closing bogey, Finau won by three shots.
"I think I'm still trying to catch up, still trying to figure out," Finau said. "I think the win is finally settling in. I was just chasing all day, that's all I remember. ... Seemed like Scott wasn't letting up all tournament, so to all of a sudden have the lead, I will say I got quite nervous on 17 just because it was a whole different feel on how the week was going. I never was near the lead. I was near the top of the leaderboard, but I was never within four or five shots. All of a sudden I was the one leading the golf tournament. Sometimes you've got to learn how to play with a lead, so it was a tournament that I just – I didn't know I was going to be in that situation.
"A couple squirrelly shots on 17 and 18, but I willed my way in and really happy to get that 'W.'"
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2022-07-25T22:30:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Watch: Tony Finau's crazy finish includes assist from grandstand
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The Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top defensive back, has released its watchlist ahead of the 2022 season.
Two Georgia Bulldogs represent UGA football on the list, including 2021 Freshman All-SEC selection Kelee Ringo at cornerback and senior safety Christopher Smith.
Georgia defensive back Kelee Ringo (5) intercepts a pass intended for Alabama wide receiver Traeshon Holden (11) and returns it for a touchdown late in the second half of the College Football Playoff championship game, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Ringo burst on to the scene last season after redshirting in 2020. The former five-star prospect’s natural cover skills helped the Bulldogs to the top pass defense in the nation a year ago.
The Tacoma, W.A., native’s 79-yard interception return for a touchdown sealed the national championship for the Dawgs.
Ringo has been named both preseason First Team All-SEC (Media) and preseason First Team All-American (Walter Camp, Football Foundation, Athlon Sports).
Sep 25, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Christopher Smith (29) runs after an interception during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Christopher Smith was one of the steady hands in Georgia’s elite secondary last season. The Bulldogs entered the season with a young, talented group that was aided by Smith’s experience.
The former four-star recruit is the most seasoned player returning in the Dawgs’ secondary and has been under head coach Kirby Smart’s tutelage since 2018.
The Atlanta native had his best performance in the national title game, racking up a career-best seven tackles, two pass breakups, a quarterback pressure and a third-quarter interception.
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2022-07-25T22:32:40Z
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2 Georgia Bulldogs named to Jim Thorpe Award Watchlist
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Jamar Chaney
Monday morning, On3 revealed their list of 65 “rising stars” across all the support staffs in college football. They included four staffers from Billy Napier’s off-field army: offensive analysts Russ Calloway and Benedick Hyppolite, linebackers assistant Jamar Chaney and quarterbacks assistant Ryan O'Hara.
Calloway was brought in by Florida alongside offensive coordinator Rob Sale after both were let go by the New York Giants during their coaching purge. Before going to NFL, he was instrumental in Samford’s surge to the top of the FCS passing leaderboard.
Hyppolite has deep roots in the state of Florida. He spent the past two seasons assisting with the wide receivers at Miami, and before that, spent several seasons as a high school coach in South Florida. He’s assigned to the running backs and his connections in-state are valuable for a staff whose key recruiters largely have ties in the bayou.
It’s tough to tell from the outside looking in, but if I had to guess, Chaney would be who I’d point to as Florida’s most trusted off-field staffer. He’s a rare holdover from the previous administration, but never lost the trust of the boys on the team. He’s often assigned to run point on initial contacts with defensive recruits and his name is routinely put next to Mike Peterson’s and Sean Spencer’s in recruiting rumor roundups.
Finally, O’Hara was the Ragin’ Cajuns’ quarterbacks coach under Napier before joining him in Florida under the same role. Technically, Napier was and is listed as the quarterbacks coach, a role consolidation that allowed him to hire two full time offensive line coaches. However, it’s really O’Hara who takes the bulk of those responsibilities, helping Levi Levis become the best quarterback in Cajuns’ history.
Nolensville begins first day of practice in pads
Led by quarterback Coby Walton and three-star receiver Chance Fitzgerald, Nolensville begins its rebound season in 2022.
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2022-07-25T22:33:19Z
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4 Florida football staffers land on On3’s list of ‘rising stars’
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Florida football returns in 40 days and that means it’s time for the preseason bowl game predictions to start pouring in. College Football News projects the Gators to face off with the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Vrbo Citrus Bowl on January 2.
UF was projected to land in the Citrus Bowl plenty of times last year before the wheels ultimately fell off and Gator Nation was forced to lower its expectations. A 29-17 loss to the UCF Knights in the Gasparilla Bowl was the eventual outcome in 2021, but now the team is under new leadership and looking to bounce back.
While Dan Mullen did end up making a New Year’s Six bowl game in each of his first three seasons with Florida, he inherited a much better situation than he left Billy Napier. Although Napier was hired to get the Gators back into contention for a national championship, a Citrus Bowl appearance in the 2022-23 season would be an appropriate sign of progress from last year.
Speaking of national championships, CFN has a pair of SEC teams making the College Football Playoff. Alabama and Georgia are projected to clash in the Peach Bowl on New Year’s Eve, and Ohio State and Clemson are in the Fiesta Bowl. A prospective national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State is what CFN opts to go with if forced to pick winners in the semifinal.
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2022-07-25T22:33:21Z
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Which bowl game is Florida projected to make ahead of the 2022 season?
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The consensus when it comes to Auburn football heading into the 2022 season is that the Tigers will have low expectations.
After a disappointing ending to last season, and a failed coup to remove Bryan Harsin from his job during the offseason, the national media has a hard time seeing Auburn overcoming so much adversity in such a short time.
Despite the constant negativity that seems to always find Auburn, there is one national College Football reporter that says past experience could give Auburn a few more wins that they are expected to get.
Josh Pate of 247Sports said during a recent episode of his podcast “The Late Kick” says that the environment at Jordan-Hare Stadium becomes more intimidating when the Tigers have something to prove.
“If you know Auburn football, you know how important home field (advantage) around there is,” Pate said. “If you have never experienced the home field advantage there when they got a lot to play for… I don’t know what to tell you. It is, to me, the most valuable home field in the country.”
The topic spawned from a conversation between Pate and several media members, including former Auburn lineman and current SEC Network analyst Cole Cubelic at SEC Media Days last week in Atlanta. The conversation was about a betting odds company placing Auburn’s win over/under at six.
Playing home games at Jordan-Hare Stadium provides an immediate advantage for Auburn, who is set to play eight games in front of their home crowd in 2022.
“I have been to all of the big stadiums. I have been in the biggest environments. Jordan-Hare Stadium, when there is a lot on the line, is unmatched in college football,” Pate said. “I think that it is worth the most points in a point spread in true home field advantage of any major college football venue in the country.”
Auburn will open the season by playing five consecutive home games, beginning Sept. 3 against Mercer. Auburn will host SEC foes Missouri, LSU, Arkansas, and Texas A&M, as well as nonconference games with San Jose State, Penn State, and Western Kentucky at home during the 2022 season.
"It's to me the most valuable home field in the country… Jordan-Hare Stadium when there's a lot on the line is unmatched in college football."
🗣️ @LateKickJosh says smash the over on Auburn's win total this season 👀@AuburnFootball x @Auburn247 pic.twitter.com/DH7iHcq1VQ
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2022-07-25T22:34:00Z
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Home field advantage could boost Auburn’s expected win total
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Jalen Ramsey is unable to fully participate in training camp practices, but he’s not concerned with his availability for the start of the 2022 season. On the second day of training camp for the Rams, the All-Pro cornerback uttered that there’s ‘no doubt’ he’ll be ready to play in Week 1 versus the Buffalo Bills.
Rams DB Jalen Ramsey: “No doubt in my mind” he’ll be ready for season opener vs. Bills.
Despite his performance not showing any concerns, it was revealed that Ramsey played through two AC joint sprains during the 2021 season. Ramsey would elect to undergo surgery on his shoulder earlier this offseason and the original plan was for him to begin training camp on the PUP list.
But with team doctors clearing Ramsey for limited activities, the Rams decided to refrain from placing him on the PUP list. As he recovers from his surgery, Ramsey has been doing light work on the side and giving pointers to his teammates during practice.
Seeing that Ramsey’s surgery wasn’t that long ago, some people may have been questioning his ability to suit up in Week 1. This is one of those situations where we won’t need to find a source on his status to begin the season as he’s confident he’ll be ready to perform at his typical All-Pro level to kick off the 2022 campaign.
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2022-07-25T23:06:22Z
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Jalen Ramsey says there’s ‘no doubt’ he’ll be ready for Week 1
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Imagine the scenario: Aaron Rodgers just wrapped up his postgame press conference at U.S. Bank Stadium after the Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-23. The reigning NFL MVP applauded the performance of free agent addition Sammy Watkins. The former first-round pick and king of week one performances finished the game with six receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. The following week Allen Lazard will lead the team in receptions and yards. The week after that Christian Watson will showcase his talents with his first 100-yard receiving game. A week later it will be Aaron Jones leading the team in receptions.
The point of this lede is to show how unpredictable Green Bay’s passing game will be this season. Predicting who will lead the team in receptions week-to-week will be a fool’s errand.
That type of unpredictability is a big reason why Christian Watson checks in at No. 4 in our Rookie Impact series. Watson will no doubt make an impact, but there could be weeks where he throws up a zero in the catch column.
The Packers traded up in the second round to select the North Dakota State University wide receiver with the 34th overall pick. Watson will start training camp on the PUP, but by all reports, it’s not a long-term issue.
If the season were to start today, Watson would likely be fourth on the wide receiver depth chart, behind Lazard, Watkins, and Randall Cobb.
While Watson may be wet behind the ears, none of the wide receivers currently on Green Bay’s roster have the rare combination of size (6-4) and speed (4.36) that Watson possesses.
“The first two things that come to mind with Christian Watson are, big and fast,” Milt Hendrickson, the director of football operations for the Packers said. “His size, speed, and ability to be a playmaker continued to stand out.”
The Packers need explosive playmakers and Watson is a threat to make a house call to the end zone every time he touches the ball.
As a redshirt sophomore, Watson averaged 21.5 yards per reception. The following year he averaged 23.3 yards per reception. For his career, he averaged 20.4 yards per reception. He’s a big play waiting to happen.
“He’s the type of wide receiver that you have to account for on every play,” Hendrickson said. “He is so fast and he’s an imposing guy out there. He can stretch the field…I think he’s a really good fit for our offense.”
Expect Matt LaFleur to dial up manufactured touches via jet sweeps and bubble screens to get the ball in his hands. The Packers can utilize him out of the backfield, in the slot, and on the boundary.
On top of that, Watson has the size and speed to challenge cornerbacks vertically. He chews up grass with his long strides and is able to get on top of cornerbacks.
While his impact on the offense may vary week to week, there is no doubt that Watson could provide an immediate impact on special teams as a kick returner. Watson finished his career at NDSU with two kickoff return touchdowns and averaged 26.4 yards per return. He was an All-American as a kick returner in 2020 after he returned two kicks for touchdowns and averaged 33.8 yards per return.
Prediction: The Packers have started to remodel their wide receiver room and Watson is the centerpiece. The former NDSU wide receiver is a big part of Green Bay’s future plans. How much of an impact he’ll provide during his rookie season will likely be sporadic.
Watson has the talent to be a betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. When you have the back-to-back MVP throwing you the ball anything is possible.
The Packers need to replace 149 receptions, 1,983 receiving yards, and 14 touchdowns. Watson could potentially take a big bite out of that apple.
What’s far more likely, is that Watson will finish his rookie season with 41 receptions for 615 yards and five touchdowns, while giving Green Bay’s kick return game a much-needed shot in the arm.
The Panthers are unlikely to have linebacker Shaq Thompson on the field for their initial training camp practices this week. Head coach Matt Rhule said on Monday that Thompson is likely to open camp on the physically unable to perform list. Thompson had a surgical procedure to clean up his knee this offseason and Rhule [more]
What other coverage am I missing by not subscribing?Top Players by Position (2024)QuarterbacksRunning
What other coverage am I missing by not subscribing? Top Players by Position (2024) Quarterbacks Running
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2022-07-25T23:06:36Z
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Packers rookie impact: Christian Watson will bring juice to Green Bay’s offense
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The Green Bay Packers filled their 90-man roster by signing former Las Vegas Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt on Monday.
Leavitt, an undrafted free agent out of Utah State, played in 42 games for the Raiders between 2018 and 2021. He produced 56 total tackles and two fumble recoveries, including 24 tackles on special teams. Last season, he led the Raiders in special teams tackles.
Leavitt, who turns 28 next month, was released by the Raiders on July 20.
Over 42 games with the Raiders, Leavitt (5-10, 195) played 369 snaps on defense and 839 snaps on special teams, including career-highs of 249 defensive snaps and 348 special teams snaps last season.
Leavitt’s experience playing for new Packers special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia almost certainly influenced the signing. In Green Bay, Leavitt will get a legitimate chance to win a backup job at safety and play multiple roles for Bisaccia on special teams.
Leavitt will wear No. 6 with the Packers.
Before Shark Week and 'Jaws,' World War II spawned America's shark obsession
A painting for the U.S. Army's Stars and Stripes newspaper shows a downed pilot fending off sharks with a knife. Ed Vebell/Getty ImagesEvery summer on the Discovery Channel, “Shark Week” inundates its eager audiences with spectacular documentary footage of sharks hunting, feeding and leaping. Debuting in 1988, the television event was an instant hit. Its financial success wildly exceeded the expectations of its creators, who had been inspired by the profitability of the 1975 blockbuster film “Ja
How to Watch Your Favorite NYC Whodunnit, 'Only Murders in the Building'
Here's how to watch Season 2 of 'Only Murders in the Building,' plus who is in this season's cast.
The track is expected to come out next month. Britney Spears Records “Tiny Dancer” Duet with Elton John: Report Carys Anderson
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2022-07-25T23:06:48Z
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Packers sign former Raiders safety Dallin Leavitt
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The Eagles are just hours away from reporting to the NovaCare Complex for training camp, and star wide receiver A.J. Brown kicked things off in an exciting fashion for many fans.
Brown stopped by the Eagles Pro Shop is located next to the Eagles ticket office at Lincoln Financial Field.
While filming for Twitter and other social media apps, Brown thanked Eagles fans for their support and paid it forward by purchasing his No. 11 jersey for every fan in the store.
Brown has ingratiated himself with fans since being acquired in a draft night trade with the Titans, and he’ll be a significant reason why Philadelphia is favored in most of their matchups this season.
If Memphis football wants to bounce back, these are the five most critical games for the 2022 season
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2022-07-25T23:07:22Z
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Watch: A.J. Brown purchases his jersey for an entire store of fans at Eagles’ Pro Shop
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Barkley, who's acknowledged that he's in negotiations with LIV Golf and is playing in the league's New Jersey Pro-Am this week at a Trump golf course, spoke with The Dan Patrick Show on Monday about the talks. He named his price to join the league as a broadcaster while acknowledging that it could mark the end of his TNT career. He then gave the league an ultimatum.
Barkley referenced the reported "crazy" LIV Golf paydays secured by the league's top names including $200 million for Phil Mickelson and $150 million for Dustin Johnson.
"If they offer me something crazy, I'm gonna take it too," Barkley told Patrick.
"Considering how much I make now, it would take a really huge number for me to give up my life right now," Barkley continued. "I'm not gonna give up my life for ... I don't like to talk about how much money I make."
"If they triple it, next time I'm on your show, the first question better be 'Charles, where we celebrating at tonight?' That should be your first question if they triple what I'm making now."
So there you have it. Charles Barkley will bolt for LIV Golf if they offer him $60 million a year — or somewhere thereabouts. Would he take less? He didn't say.
"I'm gonna give him a deadline," Barkley said of LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman. "The deadline's gonna be Thursday. ... I'm not gonna keep TNT in limbo, to be honest with you. I don't think it's fair to them. ...
"They've gotten plenty of play out of me coming to play up there Thursday. I'm not just gonna be no show pony. I got y'all pub for a week. Don't be wasting my time. I'm not gonna waste ya'll time. But when I leave New Jersey Thursday night, if I don't have an offer in hand, it's over."
Will LIV Golf meet Charles Barkley's asking price? (Shanna Lockwood/Reuters)
While Barkley's negotiating in public, he's making one thing clear. He has a price to join a league that's funded wholly by a Saudi Arabian government with a considerable track record of human rights abuses. That the league is shelling out such exorbitant numbers to attract top talent suggests that it is indeed a "sportswashing" effort to legitimize a regime on a world stage rather than a profit-focused venture.
It's a tactic that's been used on the global sports stage before. See Adolph Hitler's Nazi regime and the 1936 Olympics. See, more frequently, the the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and 2022. See the upcoming World Cup in Qatar that's reportedly actively engaging in human rights atrocities to build the facilities that will stage the games.
Barkley has balked at the commentary surrounding LIV Golf, lambasting critics as engaging in "selective outrage."
"Listen, they are making up words, like blood money and sportswashing," Barkley told the New York Post last week. "I said, ‘We have all taken blood money and we all have sportswashed something, so I don’t like those words, to be honest with you."
The NBA's relationship with China is frequently held up as an example that Barkley's citing. The league actively does business with a nation likewise known for for an active record of human rights abuses. The NBA and its players who conduct business with China are the subject of fair criticism.
Meanwhile the U.S. government actively conducts business with the Saudis as demonstrated by President Joe Biden's visit to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last week amid surging oil prices. The U.S. government holds bin Salman responsible for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
There's righteous criticism to be had around. There's also a notable difference between the NBA's relationship with China and LIV Golf's relationship with Saudi Arabia. The NBA doesn't exist solely to prop up China. LIV Golf, meanwhile, exists as a mechanism to improve Saudi Arabia's standing on the global stage with the paychecks signed by the Saudi government. And that's the crux of the outrage targeting LIV Golf.
If Barkley does sign up for those paychecks, he's likewise signing up for the fallout that accompanies his decision. That means the possible end to his stint as a beloved NBA broadcaster that's defined his post-playing career. It means moving on from the forefront of sports commentary to a niche league that doesn't have a broadcast deal. It means alienating a significant portion of his fanbase.
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2022-07-26T00:01:26Z
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Charles Barkley names his price to join LIV Golf and the outrage that comes with it
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The Jim Thorpe Award is given annually to the top defensive back in college football, so it’s not a huge surprise that Michigan State’s leader in the defensive backfield, Xavier Henderson, was named to the Thorpe Award watchlist.
Many thought Henderson had the talent to test the NFL next year, but he decided to run it back for one more season with the Spartans and could emerge as one of the best safeties in the game.
Awarded to the 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 DB in the nation. @Xhenn5 ✖️ @jimthorpeaward pic.twitter.com/hPhSxUNBpl
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2022-07-26T00:19:10Z
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Michigan State football S Xavier Henderson named to Jim Thorpe Award watchlist
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The game of football is such a physical sport where injuries are a common thing. But sometimes we forget the game can take a mental toll as well.
Apparently, it has taken a toll on Oregon Ducks junior punter Tom Snee.
The Melbourne, Australia native announced via his Instagram page that he would be stepping away from the sport of college football, citing he wants to prioritize his mental health.
It’s a big blow for the Ducks since Snee is the only punter listed on the roster at this point in time. Oregon also didn’t sign a punter in this last recruiting class and kicker Camden Lewis doesn’t have any punting experience in college.
Snee was among the best punters in the conference, averaging nearly 42 yards and putting 17 of his 44 punts inside the 20-yard line.
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2022-07-26T00:19:17Z
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Punter Tom Snee announces he is stepping away from football
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Longtime NFL wideout Danny Amendola has decided that 13 seasons of pro football is enough. Amendola announced his retirement on Monday as training camps were kicking off around the league.
Amendola spent two seasons in Detroit. The slot specialist caught 108 passes in 29 games with the Lions in the 2019-2020 seasons. Amendola posted his top career YPC figure in 2020, gaining 13.1 yards on average in his 46 receptions.
The Lions made no effort to bring Amendola back for the 2021 season. The Houston-area native joined his hometown Texans and played in eight games before ending the season on I.R.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated in a tweet that there was still legitimate interest from NFL teams in Amendola, now 36.
Good luck to Amendola, one of the league’s best undrafted success stories in recent times. He retires 82nd on the NFL’s all-time receptions list with 617.
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2022-07-26T00:40:51Z
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Ex-Lions WR Danny Amendola announces his NFL retirement
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Eagles Super Bowl hero reportedly finds a new team originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Eagles Super Bowl hero Corey Clement has found his next NFL team.
Clement, 27, is expected to sign with the Baltimore Ravens, ProFootballNetwork’s Aaron Wilson reported on Monday evening. The Ravens worked out Clement and fellow NFL running back Wayne Gallman earlier in the day.
Clement will forever be remembered in Philadelphia as one of the best players in Super Bowl LII and as the guy who took the snap on the Philly Special, the best play in franchise history.
Since leaving the Eagles after the 2020 season, Clement went on a mini NFC East tour, spending time with the Giants and the Cowboys. In 2021, Clement played in 17 games for Dallas. He had 33 carries for 140 yards, but was also a big special teams contributor.
During his four-year career in Philadelphia, Clement had 655 yards rushing with 7 touchdowns and another 37 catches for 340 yards and two more scores. He played in 46 regular season games with the Eagles.
His best season with the Eagles was his rookie year in 2017, after he signed as an undrafted free agent out of Wisconsin. The Glassboro, New Jersey, native played a big role on the Super Bowl team as a rookie and saved his best game for the biggest stage. In Super Bowl LII, Clement caught 4 passes for 100 yards and an incredible touchdown in the Eagles’ 41-33 win over the New England Patriots.
Clement’s career has had some ups and downs since he hoisted the Lombardi Trophy but he’s still in the league and is getting another chance in Baltimore. Eagles fans can feel better rooting for him now too that he’s out of the division.
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2022-07-26T00:41:30Z
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Former Eagles RB Corey Clement signing with Ravens; report
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Danny Amendola enjoyed a nice career in the NFL, but he’s deciding to retire after 13 seasons in the league. The former wide receiver of the Los Angeles Rams announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday despite receiving interest from multiple teams.
Amendola began his career with the Rams back in 2009 when the team was still located in St. Louis. As an undrafted wideout out of Texas Tech, Amendola would proceed to total 196 receptions, 1,726 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns in his four seasons with the Rams, including two years where he eclipsed 60-plus receptions and 660-plus receiving yards.
Following his four-year tenure with the Rams, Amendola signed a multi-year deal with the New England Patriots, becoming a favorite target for Tom Brady. Amendola didn’t have a chance to play in a postseason game with the Rams, but in his five years with the Patriots, he racked up 57 catches, 709 receiving yards, and four touchdowns in 13 playoff games.
Above all, Amendola won two Super Bowls with the Patriots before spending the final four years of his career with the Miami Dolphins, the Detroit Lions, and the Houston Texans. Even though he wasn’t the flashiest wide receiver, Amendola had himself quite the career with his ability to be a sure-handed weapon out of the slot.
Clarksville gets into professional racing with local couple taking over as majority owner of Schumacher racing
Finding a new center wasn’t as difficult of a task considering Scott’s expansive experience at the position.
Monday Morning Quarterbacks: Inflation; Former President Trump
Republic strategist Erin Perrine and Democratic strategist Shane Harris talk inflation, former President Trump and more on the latest Monday Morning Quarterbacks!
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2022-07-26T00:41:36Z
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Former Rams’ WR Danny Amendola retires after 13 seasons in the NFL
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Former New England Patriots wide receiver and two-time Super Bowl champion Danny Amendola announced his retirement today after 13 seasons, NFL insider Adam Schefter announced in a tweet on Monday afternoon.
Amendola spent his career playing for five different NFL teams, most notably the St. Louis Rams from 2009 to 2012 and the Patriots from 2013 to 2017. Amendola finished his career with the Houston Texans.
Amendola left his mark on New England during his five seasons with the team, notably as a clutch performer in the playoffs. In his 13 career playoff games (all with the Patriots), Amendola tallied 709 yards and six touchdowns. He also had two fantastic playoff games when New England was without top slot receiver Julian Edelman in the 2017-2018 postseason, in which he racked up 112 receiving yards against the Tennesee Titans and 152 receiving yards against the Philadelphia Eagles. In the AFC Championship following the 2017 season, Amendola caught both touchdown passes that capped New England’s seven-point four-quarter comeback against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Amendola’s postseason success isn’t limited to that run, however. He was also on the receiving end of Edelman’s touchdown pass in a divisional-round game against the Baltimore Ravens after the 2014 season. And, of course, Amendola converted multiple clutch third downs in New England’s legendary Super Bowl LI comeback against the Atlanta Falcons and scored the 2-point conversion that tied the game at the end of the fourth quarter.
While he was never the focal point of the offense for either of his Super Bowl victories with the Patriots, his late-game heroics in Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks as well as the Falcons in Super Bowl LI made him an integral cog in New England’s offense for both titles.
Amendola may have finished his playing career but he intends to explore a career in NFL broadcasting, according to ESPN.
Is he a match for Gabby or Rachel? We have the answer.
The Los Angeles Angels have been struggling for most of the last two months, and Reid Detmers credits his teammates with staying the course and not getting too frustrated. “We’ve had a couple of rough patches obviously, but everyone in here treats it like another day," Detmers said. Taylor Ward homered in a five-run first, Detmers pitched five scoreless innings and the Angels cooled off the Atlanta Braves with a 9-1 victory Sunday.
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2022-07-26T02:27:12Z
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Former Patriots WR Danny Amendola announces his retirement
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Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst exited early from Monday’s shareholder’s meeting to go try out a player. In the afternoon, it was announced the team was signing safety Dallin Leavitt. The Packers are now officially up to 90 players heading into training camp, but Gutekunst is still keeping an eye on outside talent. According to the league’s transaction wire, Green Bay worked out seven other players, and all but six on offense, including three receivers (two from the USFL) and a quarterback with Wisconsin ties.
Here is a quick look at all seven players:
QB Nate Stanley, Iowa
The Packers have three quarterbacks on their 90-man roster and two locks for the 53-man roster, but the third and final spot is essentially up for grabs. Danny Etling is the third-stringer behind Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, but an injury or poor performance could force them to look elsewhere. Stanley, a native of Menomonie, Wisconsin, was a three-year starter at Iowa and ranks second all-time in school history in touchdown passes and yards. The Minnesota Vikings used a seventh-round pick on Stanley in 2020, but he failed to move into a full-time backup role behind Kirk Cousins. After spending most of his time on the Vikings practice squad and injured reserve, Stanley was waived almost a week ago and is still waiting to play his first NFL snap.
WR Jonathan Adams, Arkansas State
The Packers recently signed tight end Sal Cannella after an impressive season in the USFL. Adams is another USFL product and former teammate of Cannella trying to make his way onto an NFL roster. Adams has good size for a wide receiver at 6-2 and 220 pounds and was known for making some impressive grabs during his college career. After finishing with 166 career receptions for 2,303 yards and 21 touchdowns at Arkansas State, Adams went undrafted in 2021 but eventually landed with the Detroit Lions. However, the wideout was released leading up to training camp and then got suspended for the first six games of the regular season. Adams seems to have gotten back on track, as he was a standout for the New Orleans Breakers in USFL, finishing fifth in the league with 406 receiving yards.
WR Osirus Mitchell, Mississippi State
Standing 6-5 and weighing 210 pounds, Mitchell is another pass catcher with impressive size and a background in the USFL. Despite a productive career in the SEC, Mitchell was not selected in the 2021 NFL draft. He did, however, sign with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, and he spent almost the entire season on the team’s practice squad before being released in December. Over a season with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL, Mitchell was the team’s second-leading receiver with 23 receptions for 333 yards and three touchdowns.
WR Ryan Wisniewski, UW-Whitewater
Whitewater’s Ryan Wisniewski shows the football as he crosses the goal line on a 4-yard touchdown run against St. John’s in the second quarter.
After working out three wide receivers (and John Brown last week), it’s clear the Packers could be looking to add to their current group. Wisniewski is an intriguing option with – you guessed it – impressive size for his position. Wisniewski is also listed at 6-5 and weighs 210 pounds. He finished his college career at UW-Whitewater ranked fourth in program history in career receiving touchdowns (26), sixth in receiving yards (2,441) and tied for sixth in receptions (154). Green Bay invited Wisniewski to their rookie mini-camp back in May but did not sign him to a deal. Adams, Mitchell, or Wisniewski could be on the Packers short list if something happens to one of their receivers.
C Ty Clary, Arkansas
The Packers are always searching for offensive line depth, especially if a player has versatility. Clary lined up at a few different spots for Arkansas and was a starter for multiple seasons. In last year’s game against Georgia Southern, injuries forced Clary to play three different positions. However, Clary is still a bit raw and was not selected in this year’s draft. In May, he was waived by the Miami Dolphins with a failed physical but is still looking to make a team as a depth piece.
G Denzel Okafor, Texas
Okakor has solid experience as a six-year player for the Longhorns. He played in 50 career games, including 19 starts, all of which came at either left or right guard. During his final year, Okafor underwent season-ending surgery to repair a knee injury. After going undrafted, Okafor signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars but was released to make way for another offensive lineman. Okafor measured 6-3 and 307 pounds at his pro day with 36 1/3-inch arms and a 86 3/8-inch wingspan. He also put up 31 reps on the bench press.
DB Donte Vaughn, Notre Dame
Vaughn (6-2, 212) appeared in 41 games over four seasons at Notre Dame, tallying 57 tackles and an interception. He broke up six passes as a true freshman and then five more passes as a senior. While undrafted, Vaughn spent time with the Los Angeles Chargers during training camp in 2021. The Chargers played him at safety for 98 preseason snaps and he graded out favorably at Pro Football Focus.
30 women have settled their legal claims against the Houston Texans.
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2022-07-26T02:27:48Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Packers work out 7 players, including 6 on offense
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The Green Bay Packers will be adding another star from the USFL to the team’s 90-man roster before the start of training camp.
According to Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Packers are signing wide receiver Osirus Mitchell (6-5, 210) to a one-year deal on Tuesday.
Mitchell, who caught 23 passes for 333 yards and three touchdowns for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL this year, was one of seven players to work out for the Packers on Monday.
Mitchell joins tight end Sal Cannella, who starred for the New Orleans Breakers, as USFL products arriving in Green Bay before camp. Mitchell’s Stallions went 9-1 and won the league in its return season.
Mitchell went undrafted out of Mississippi State in 2021. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys and spent most of the season on the team’s practice squad. During the preseason, Mitchell caught two passes on seven targets for 31 yards.
At Mississippi State, Mitchell finished ninth in school history in catches (107) and sixth in touchdown catches (14). He played in 46 games with 30 starts. In the 2020 opener against LSU, Mitchell set career-highs for catches (7), receiving yards (183) and touchdowns (2).
At his pro day, Mitchell ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, hit 35.5″ in the vertical leap and finished the three-cone drill in 7.12 seconds. He has 10 7/8″ hands and an 82 1/4″ wingspan.
Watch this one-handed touchdown catch during his USFL run:
Osirus Mitchell only needs one hand
📹 @USFLpic.twitter.com/5woL6cvuaE
The Packers will need to release a player to make room for Mitchell on the roster.
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2022-07-26T02:28:47Z
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Packers to sign USFL WR Osirus Mitchell on Tuesday
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The opening-round matchups of the Phil Knight Legacy event in Portland, Oregon, were released on Monday and Florida drew a familiar foe for Thanksgiving Day. The Gators will face off with the Xavier Musketeers, the same team that eliminated UF in the second round of the National Invitation Tournament and went on to win it all in March.
Tip is set for 5:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 24, and the winner will face whoever wins between Duke and Oregon State. Gonzaga, Portland State, Purdue and West Virginia make up the rest of the field.
Florida and Xavier have faced off a handful of times in recent memory, perhaps most notably in the 2019 Charleston Classic championship game. The Gators took that game but they hold a 2-3 all-time record against the Musketeers.
As much of a redemption game as this matchup is for the returning players on the Gators roster, it’s also a chance for St. Bonaventure transfer Kyle Lofton to take revenge on Xavier. Lofton’s 15-point, 11-assist double-double in the semifinals of the NIT wasn’t enough to put the Bonnies over the Musketeers, so he shouldn’t need any extra motivation going into the holiday tournament.
This will also be Todd Golden’s first in a tournament like this with the Gators. A win would not only be good for Golden’s record at UF but it would likely allow the team to test itself against a perenially strong program like Duke or Gonzaga in the later rounds.
Freshman forward Kadyn Betts will join the Minnesota Gophers for the upcoming basketball season after he moved up his high school graduation.
Alabama is slated to face Michigan State in the first round of the Phil Knight Invitational in Portland, Oregon.
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2022-07-26T03:06:26Z
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Florida basketball and Xavier to meet in Phil Knight Legacy opening round
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The pieces to UNC’s 2022-23 basketball schedule continue to come in as we are just months away from the start of the season. While most of the non-conference schedule was announced earlier, the opponent for the PKI was yet to be announced.
And now on Monday, we know who UNC will open up against in the November tournament.
North Carolina will open up against Portland in one of the brackets for the event. The game will take place on November 24th at 1 p.m. ET and will be aired on ESPN. The winner of that game will then take on the winner of Villanova or Iowa State on November 25th:
Portland, OR for the PKI Tournament 🗣
🔗: https://t.co/tdq9Le6cvd pic.twitter.com/OY80jBd71j
UNC has been paired in the bracket with Villanova, Iowa State, Portland, UConn, Oregon, Alabama and Michigan State. The Tar Heels participated in the PK80 event a few years back but fell to Michigan State in the finals.
In that same event, UNC beat Portland 102-78 to open the tournament up.
The UNC baseball program has added a former Vanderbilt pitcher as a transfer for the upcoming season.
Here's a look at how one USA TODAY Network reporter voted for the ACC football preseason awards. The results will be released later this week.
Every year the family of five takes three trips that last two months each. The dad works from their RV while the mom homeschools their three children.
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2022-07-26T03:07:13Z
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UNC’s first opponent, field set for
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Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have declined to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and as a result, are not legally permitted to cross the border between the United States and Canada, where St. Louis will play two games against the Toronto Blue Jays this week.
The Cardinals entered the All-Star break half a game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the National League Central.
“Absolutely, you want to win the division,” Arenado told reporters including Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on July 14. “I don’t want to win the wild card anymore. Obviously, you get to the playoffs, it’s great. If we get in, great. But you want to win the division. It’s important to win the division. I’ve never won it. I would like to be a part of that.”
“I’ve tried to talk to as many doctors, medical professionals as I could and figure out as much as I could, and for me just decided that the potential risks outweigh the potential benefits of doing it,” Goldschmidt said after Sunday’s loss in Cincinnati. “It stinks that I can’t play in Toronto and can’t play these next couple games. I hate that part of it, but that’s unfortunately a consequence.”
“I just feel healthy. I don’t feel like I needed to get it,” Arenado said. “I’m not trying to do a political stand here like I’m a spokesperson for this stuff. I’m not. I’m just choosing to do what’s best for me and my family. And I mean no harm, but it’s unfortunate I’ve got to miss two games.”
Catcher Austin Romine also declined vaccination, and was unavailable for comment.
Reliever Johan Oviedo, who is Cuban, was unable to have his passport renewed, and is unable to travel to Canada with the team. Oviedo said he plans to travel to Miami on Monday and visit the Canadian consulate there in hopes they can provide him with the necessary travel documents.
“I think these are all personal decisions,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “For anybody that pays attention to the news, or what’s happening in our country, a lot of these issues can be quite polarizing. And what I’m hoping to do is avoid that polarization with our club, or inside the clubhouse.”
“I am 100% sure that it is a non-issue,” among their teammates, manager Oliver Marmol said.
COVID-19 vaccines, despite misinformation to the contrary, are safe and important tools in the fight against a deadly disease which has wrought all manner of havoc over the last three years.
Drs. Lisa Maragakis and Gabor David Kelen of Johns Hopkins, quoting the Centers for Disease Control, have written that the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are, “very safe and very good at preventing serious or fatal cases of COVID-19. The risk of serious side effects associated with these vaccines is very small.”
Upon arrival in Cincinnati to open the 2021 season, the Cardinals’ traveling party was offered the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. On Monday, March 29, 2021, more than 85% of those with the team received their vaccination. Based on the known size of the group, fewer than ten people declined (at the time) to be vaccinated.
One person who was on the trip but temporarily declined was outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who spoke at length with the News-Democrat about the decision he and his now-wife, in coordination with team medical personnel, made to be vaccinated over last year’s All-Star Break. The team’s chief medical practitioner, Dr. Brian Mahaffey, answered questions for the couple over the course of several months, providing any and all necessary guidance to ease their concerns.
Arenado and Goldschmidt, evidently, were not persuaded.
Some of the consequences will be direct. In the first two games in Cincinnati, manager Oliver Marmol penciled Tyler O’Neill into the lineup ahead of Goldschmidt and Arenado, largely in the hopes that his placement there would guarantee pitches to hit and solidify a season in need of spark.
“That was the hope,” Marmol said Saturday night of his lineup design. “(O’Neill)’s definitely a threat when he’s feeling right, so that could be a nice 2-3-4 punch.”
Now, not. Wait and see.
St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in a game last season in St. Louis. Arenado and teammate Paul Goldschmidt have declined to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and as a result, are not legally permitted to cross the border between the United States and Canada, where St. Louis will play two games against the Toronto Blue Jays this week.
Arenado’s future, border policy
At the end of this season, Arenado will be faced with deciding whether or not to opt in to the five years and $144 million remaining on his contract. Whether he does — and he confirmed Friday night he’s not yet made a decision — will be largely shaped by his perception of the free agent market. Is there a bigger deal out there? Is it in a place where he wants to play? How much will those answers be limited by continued limited availability, and would potential employers shy away due to his decision making process?
Criticism has long been levied against the border policy, which is of course an indication that the prohibition on travel was long understood. The schedule has not been changed in a way that affects travel to Canada since its publication. While some believed that the prohibition on unvaccinated cross-border would be lifted by this point in the calendar, that was never a guarantee.
Whatever their reasons for declining vaccination, and whatever their veracity may be, it is unavoidably true that Arenado and Goldschmidt’s decision leaves their team without its two most important players during a series — short though it is — which could ultimately determine whether the division title he so craves finishes within his grasp.
Arenado’s words
That, too, is an unavoidable fact. Both made an informed decision not to be vaccinated, and in doing so, necessarily decided that their right to refuse was more important than their obligation to be available to their team. They have absolute freedom to choose, and consequence accompanies choices.
One of those consequences is healthy skepticism of their words. It is “important,” by Arenado’s reckoning, to win the division. It would be difficult — if not impossible — to read his decision to remain unvaccinated as anything other than a value judgment that winning the division is less important to him than this particular choice.
Arenado’s words carry weight, and echo through the front office. But at the time he made his forceful call for reinforcements and sounded the alarm about the inadequacy of a Wild Card finish, the decision makers already knew that he’d made his choice to take two games off.
It’s hard to imagine, then, that they took him particularly seriously. That’s Arenado’s own doing, and no one else’s.
“I don’t know that answer. I guess time will tell,” Mozeliak said when asked what the reaction to the two missing the series would be inside the clubhouse. “I think, you know, most people respect what they do on the field, and what they do in the clubhouse.
“My assumption or my guess would be that even though some people may view this as disappointing, I still think they’re gonna have a lot of political capital in the clubhouse and still be respected.”
Thirteen Lives recounts the incredible true story of the tremendous global effort to rescue a Thai soccer team who become trapped in the Tham Luang cave during an unexpected rainstorm. Faced with insurmountable odds, a team of the world’s most skilled and experienced divers – uniquely able to navigate the maze of flooded, narrow cave tunnels – join with Thai forces and more than 10,000 volunteers to attempt a harrowing rescue of the twelve boys and their coach. With impossibly high stakes and th
MLB on TV this week: How to watch and stream this week's games on Apple TV+, Peacock, YouTube and more
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2022-07-26T03:07:38Z
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Cardinals stars Goldschmidt, Arenado speak out about decision to not get vaccinated
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Shanahan could reduce Deebo's 'wide back' usage this season originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Despite a successful run, it looks like Deebo Samuel's days of being a "wide back" might be coming to an end.
On Monday's episode of The TK Show with Tim Kawakami, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan was asked if he would back off using Samuel as a "wide back," whether contractually or otherwise.
"That's something I would totally do if I believed that was the best thing for our team," Shanahan said. "If I believed that was the best thing for Deebo, then it's an easy decision."
Shanahan continued by saying that there are no hidden agendas when it comes to trying to win games; the 49ers are doing the best they can to win. He also added that how Samuel is utilized this season will depend on how the contract is negotiated.
At the end of the day, Samuel's love for football is what Shanahan "loves" about him.
"Deebo's not a guy that you ever have to talk into something," Shanahan said. "Deebo's probably going to come to you with it."
Additionally, Shanahan said that he and Samuel have a "really good relationship" and have kept in contact over the last couple of months. Even with the constant contract chatter, the 49ers' coach expects a deal to be done at some point.
"I don't know what the timetable is, but I think both sides are going to be very happy when it's done," Shanahan concluded.
Back on June 9, during mandatory minicamp, Trey Lance told reporters he was "thrilled" to have Samuel around in the locker room in some capacity.
"Deebo's a guy we love to have in the locker room," Lance said. "I talk to Deebo a ton, even when he's not here. So it's obviously good to have him back, just his vibe on the field, his energy ... just having him around, having him around the receiver room."
At any rate, expect Samuel to continue to be a force to be reckoned with this season, regardless of how he's utilized.
Dad of Ohio State QB Devin Brown has jokes … at son’s expense
Devin Brown's father knows how to keep it light and keep his son from getting a big head.
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2022-07-26T03:58:35Z
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Deebo Samuel's 'wide back' usage in 2022 could be reduced, Kyle Shanahan says
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https://sports.yahoo.com/deebo-samuels-wide-back-usage-011653577.html?src=rss
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All-American college football player, professional football player, coach
The Baltimore Ravens aim to bring the best game day coverage to the table for their fans. They do a great job of putting together a talented broadcast team and product that gets the best out of each game, with high-level analysis brought by all of their commentators.
On Monday, Baltimore announced that they have brought Hall of Famer and Super Bowl Champion defensive back Rod Woodson to be part of the game day radio broadcasting team. Woodson joins play-by-play man Gerry Sandusky in the booth, while Evan Washburn will work as the sideline reporter.
.@RodWoodson26 is the newest member of our gameday radio broadcast team.
📰: https://t.co/iE0GWyLzHs pic.twitter.com/FW59nk7NAn
Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson was named the new color analyst on the Ravens' radio broadcast team.
Woodson played for the Ravens from 1998 to 2001, including the 2000 Super Bowl team.
All games are broadcast on @wbalradio and @98Rock.
Woodson has media experience, appearing on NFL Network, the Big Ten Network, and Westwood One as an analyst for many years. Before being announced as the newest member of the Ravens game day crew, it was announced that he will be the head coach of the new Las Vegas XFL Team that will start up in 2023.
Woodson played for 17 years in the NFL, spending time with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, the then-Oakland Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers. In four years in Baltimore, Woodson brought a veteran presence to the young Ravens defense and eventual Super Bowl winning team in 2000. He totaled 306 tackles, 20 interceptions, and five defensive touchdowns during his time in purple and black. Woodson was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2009 with a total of 1,049 tackles, 71 interceptions, and 12 touchdowns in his career. Those 71 interceptions ranks third all-time in NFL history.
Detroit Tigers defeat San Diego Padres, 12-4: Game thread replay
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2022-07-26T03:58:48Z
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Former Ravens DB Rod Woodson added to team’s radio broadcast group
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The Cincinnati Bengals have some bills coming due.
Bates doesn't intend to report to the first day of camp on Tuesday with the rest of the Bengals veterans, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. Meanwhile, Brown spoke on Monday about a salary cap "puzzle" in Cincinnati with plans to prioritize quarterback Joe Burrow and his offensive weapons.
Will Bates play on franchise tender or sit?
For the short-term, Bates has a choice. Sign his franchise tender, play the season and let the rest play out later. Or he can sit. Signing a long-term deal in the near-team is off the table after the two sides failed to reach an agreement ahead of a July deadline to do so.
Bates, 25, has held down the starting free safety position since joining the Bengals as a second-round rookie out of Wake Forest in 2018. He was named All-Rookie in 2018 and earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2020. He's a team captain. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Bates and the Bengals have negotiated a long-term deal for two years while failing to reach an agreement. He reported to training camp last season without a deal, but doesn't plan to again on Tuesday.
Oct 17, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Cincinnati Bengals free safety Jessie Bates (30) after the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Will he turn down $12.9 million?
Bates is slated to earn $12.9 million in 2022 if he eventually signs the franchise tender. He presumably expects considerably more annually after Minkah Fitzpatrick reset the safety market in June with a four-year $73.6 million extension that averages $18.4 million per season. But it's not coming this year.
Sitting would add up to a tough financial call for Bates. While less than he desires, $12.9 million is nearly twice the total $6.8 million he's earned over the entirety of his four-year rookie contract. That's life-changing money. Is he willing to sit out the entire season on principle with a long-term deal in 2022 already off the table?
Hope for an eventual long-term deal with the Bengals hasn't been completely squashed. But it doesn't sound likely at this point.
Bengals owner: 'We're going to lose some guys'
“This is a puzzle," Brown told reporters of the Bengals salary cap on Monday. "It just doesn’t all fit perfectly. We’re going to have some pluses. We’re going to get some guys signed that are critical to the team. And we’re going to lose some guys."
The biggest part of that "puzzle" is Burrow, who's entering Year 3 of his rookie contract having just led the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
"He's everything you would wish for, especially for a quarterback in Cincinnati," Brown said of Burrow. "Our whole focus is going to be on keeping him here."
Brown also mentioned second-year receiver Ja'Marr Chase, third-year receiver Tee Higgins and veteran receiver Tyler Boyd as priorities.
"We're trying to prepare to find a way to keep Joe here, keep Chase here, keep Higgins here and keep Boyd here for example," Brown continued. "It's gonna be a real challenge for us."
Burrow, Chase and Higgins are all playing on rookie contracts and obvious priorities for the Bengals to sign long-term. Boyd, 27, is less of a concern as the No. 3 receiver with two years remaining on his contract.
Not mentioned in that list is Bates, who appears the odd man out for the Bengals' long-term plans.
"Jessie's a good guy," Brown continued. "We like him. He's been an excellent player. He fits with us. We're two years in trying to extend him. We weren't able to get there. I regret that we didn't.
"Keep in mind that we have a lot going on. We're trying to get ready for our cap as we go down the line. And we're going to need room for our quarterback, for our receivers and for some other people who are going to want to get paid at the top level, too. It's not easy to fit all these in."
Free agent running back Corey Clement has agreed to terms with the Ravens, his agent, Sunny Shah, announced on social media. The Ravens worked out Clement and Wayne Gallman on Monday. The Ravens needed help at the position with J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards both beginning training camp on the active/physically unable to perform list. [more]
A look at the Cincinnati Bengals 2022 roster ahead of Wednesday's start of training camp.
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2022-07-26T03:58:54Z
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Is standout S Jessie Bates III the odd man out in Bengals' long-term plans?
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Why Shanahan would be 'surprised' if Deebo misses 49ers camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
As the 49ers get ready to open their 2022 NFL training camp this week, Deebo Samuel’s situation in the Bay remains unclear.
After Samuel’s trainer posted a video to social media hinting that Samuel was “about to get paid,” the 49ers Faithful pondered if both sides finally agreed on a contract extension. But that notion was put to rest after NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported last week that there’s no sign that any big news regarding an extension is coming.
Still, head coach Kyle Shanahan has high hopes that the wide receiver will participate in drills at training camp, which opens Tuesday in Santa Clara.
“I think so, but really, I don’t really sit there and try to guess,” Shanahan told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami on “The TK Show” on Monday. “The only reason I have to think about it is because if I ever do a podcast or anything I’ve got to be ready for someone to ask me that question.
“I think that’s going to take care of itself, all of it. The days of holding out and stuff are a little bit different now because players, regardless what the team decides later, they always have to pay that back, so it doesn’t make much sense for those guys. I’d be surprised if that happened.”
After Samuel caught the 49ers, and the rest of the NFL world, off guard by requesting a trade back in April, the 49ers have been working toward signing him to a long-term deal.
Things seemed to be trending in a positive direction after Samuel was seen training in San Jose earlier last week.
And to Shanahan’s point, Samuel would lose money if he doesn’t show up and even partially participate like he did for mandatory minicamp. So things are looking hopeful, at the very least, for Samuel, the 49ers and fans.
Shanahan certainly believes so.
“What I do know is I’m not worried about it not getting done,” Shanahan said. “I feel very confident that Deebo’s going to be on our team this year and he’s going to be here for many years after. I do believe he’ll get a deal. I know that they’re working on it right now. Our upstairs with John [Lynch] and Paraag [Marathe], I know they’ve been through negotiations with [Samuel’s agent] Tory [Dandy].
“So that’s something that I know they’ve been doing the last couple weeks, but that’s also something that that’s my time to really stay out of it. I think they’ll get something done sooner rather than later, but there is no timeline and I’m not really concerned about it right now. It’s all going to work out.”
RELATED: Shanahan expects Jimmy G to report to 49ers camp for physical
Samuel is coming off an incredible 2021 campaign in which he caught 77 passes for 1405 yards, and rushed for 365 yards on 59 carries to earn his first All-Pro selection.
And if things work out between him and the 49ers, his 2022 campaign is set to be even more impressive.
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2022-07-26T03:59:06Z
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Kyle Shanahan would be 'surprised' if Deebo Samuel misses 49ers training camp
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How Shanahan has been involved in Deebo's contract negotiations originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The situation around Deebo Samuel and his future with the 49ers is complicated, that’s why Kyle Shanahan tries to keep things simple.
As the head coach -- not general manager or member of the front office staff -- Shanahan’s role in contract negotiations is limited but just as important.
While speaking with The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami on “The TK Show” on Monday, Shanahan shared what his involvement with the Samuel situation has been like.
“Anything that I’m involved on, I try to keep it very simple,” Shanahan said on the podcast. “And so that’s what was so nice about someone like Deebo … It’s tough when you’re a coach because you understand the coaching aspect, you know what these players go through and if you just look at it that way, I think every player in the league is underpaid. This league makes a lot of money, and these players go through a lot of stuff so you always look at it that way.
“But then when you become a head coach or general manager and stuff like that, you do get to see the other side, and your job is to put the best football team together possible. And so you work with all these players and your goal is to get them paid. And you want it to be by you, but you’ve got to balance all that stuff together so you have a chance to win so everyone can continue to get paid.”
It’s a tough job to do, Shanahan added, and that’s why it's left for those capable of making those important decisions.
But that's not to say that Shanahan's voice goes unheard, especially with a player like Samuel, who he was known to have a great relationship with over his record-breaking 2021 season.
"We always liked Deebo. I always wanted him to be part of our team," Shanahan said. "But he played at a certain level where we knew that Deebo deserves to be up there. He earned that, and now you’ve got to figure out how to do that best for him, how to do that best for us and how to do that best going forward for the rest of our roster. But it was nice because right when the season ended, there’s no, ‘Hey man, I love you, but I don’t feel this way about you.’ And that’s good when that’s real, because I’ve had to go through some stuff with people where it’s like, ‘I do love you, but sorry, man, this isn’t where you’re at.’
"And that can be tough, and sometimes people like when you keep it real with them, and sometimes people don’t. You’ve got to go through all that stuff throughout these relationships, but when it’s all said and done, I think Deebo’s going to make a lot of money, money that he’s earned, and I think he’s going to continue to have a good chance to make a lot of money going forward."
RELATED: Why Shanahan would be 'surprised' if Deebo misses 49ers camp
While Samuel still doesn't have a new contract, Shanahan is expecting the wide receiver to participate in drills at the 49ers training camp this week. And if he does, Shanahan's "simple" mindset will have definitely paid off.
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2022-07-26T03:59:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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How Kyle Shanahan's role in Deebo Samuel contract talks is small but important
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https://sports.yahoo.com/kyle-shanahans-role-deebo-samuel-031811480.html?src=rss
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After Day 1’s session, Lawrence was asked about how much his motivation was amped up by the season he had as a rookie. In the process of answering that, he discussed a personal goal of his, which was to show the organization that he’s everything they thought he’d be. He also discussed some motivating factors for the team
“Individually, personally, I want to prove that I belong here and that I’m the player I believe that I am, that the organization believes I am,” Lawrence said. “As a team, I think we have a lot to prove. We didn’t have a great season last year, and I know the guys in this locker room are ready to prove some stuff this year. That motivation and just having this new opportunity, having a clean slate, everybody starts at the bottom, and having your chance to work your way up—that’s the special opportunity we got this year. We’ve got a good enough team to win as many games as we want to, we’ve just got to make that decision and be prepared, and we’ll have a good year.”
Lawrence’s rookie season was one that he and the fans wish could’ve gone better as he finished it with a completion percentage under 60 (59.6%) after going 358-of-602 for 3,641 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. However, he wasn’t playing under normal circumstances with former head coach Urban Meyer proving he wasn’t suited for the NFL or suited to lead NFL players.
One of the positives about Lawrence’s rookie season is that he flashed at times despite the dysfunction around him. The games against Cincinnati, Miami, and the season finale against Indianapolis were a few examples. However, with Pederson by his side and some new weapons like Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Ingram, in addition to what they already had, he should be able to favor the player he was at Clemson a lot more.
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2022-07-26T03:59:29Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Trevor Lawrence discusses one of his biggest goals heading into second year
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https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-lawrence-discusses-one-biggest-033454689.html?src=rss
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The Miami Dolphins made the move of the offseason by acquiring Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for five draft picks. Hill, as well as former Alabama speedster Jaylen Waddle, make for one of the most dangerous receiving duo’s in the entire NFL, and nobody is happier about that than Tua Tagovailoa.
Tagovailoa has had a tumultuous first two years of his NFL career, but that hasn’t stopped Hill from singing his praises. Ever since Hill got to Miami, he has been the biggest public advocate of Tagovailoa.
Today, Hill doubled down on his take again on ESPN’s First Take calling Tagovailoa “the most accurate quarterback in the NFL.” Hill was also very complimentary of Tagovailoa’s timing as well as his fundamentals.
The trio of Waddle, Hill and Tagovailoa will be among the most entertaining in the NFL in 2022.
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2022-07-26T03:59:35Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tyreek Hill doubles down on Tua being the most accurate QB in NFL
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https://sports.yahoo.com/tyreek-hill-doubles-down-tua-002422762.html?src=rss
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Could the UNC football program end the 2022 season in the Big Apple for a bowl game? One publication believes so.
On Monday, College Football News released its updated early bowl game projections for the 2022 season. They made predictions for every bowl game and the College Football Playoff here as we wait for the season to start still.
For the UNC football team, the predictions have them in New York and facing Minnesota in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 29th. The bowl game has tie-ins for the ACC and Big Ten conference and it could make sense for a team like UNC who is expected to be in the middle of the pack playing in it.
The game is played annually at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and teams take on a Yankee theme for the event. Last year Maryland beat Virginia Tech 54-10 in the game.
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2022-07-26T05:29:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Early 2022 bowl projections have Tar Heels at Yankee Stadium
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https://sports.yahoo.com/early-2022-bowl-projections-tar-031419903.html?src=rss
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Chicago Bears rookie safety Jaquan Brisker’s holdout ended before it even got started.
According to the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer, Brisker and the Bears are finalizing the four-year deal that will allow the rookie to report to training camp at Halas Hall on Tuesday with the rest of the team. The two sides reportedly came to an agreement on Monday afternoon.
Brisker’s contract status officially became a concern late last week when Wiederer reported the two sides could not come to an agreement, primarily due to the amount of guaranteed money in the third year of the deal, and a holdout appeared imminent. The playmaking safety was set to arrive at camp on Saturday with the rest of the rookies, as well as quarterbacks, but could not report without a deal getting done.
Now, Brisker will get situated with the rest of his teammates once the deal becomes official. Brisker was selected with the 48th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Penn State and is a projected starter at safety opposite veteran Eddie Jackson.
With Brisker’s contract out of the way, general manager Ryan Poles can breathe a small sigh of relief before turning his attention to another possible holdout candidate in linebacker Roquan Smith. On Monday, it was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport that Smith would not participate in camp practices due to his contract status. Smith is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is looking to become one of the highest-paid linebackers in the league.
The entire Bears team reports to camp on Tuesday, with practices officially beginning Wednesday. Brisker will most likely be an active participant, but Smith’s status remains clouded.
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2022-07-26T05:34:00Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bears and S Jaquan Brisker are reportedly finalizing a 4-year contract
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-jaquan-brisker-reportedly-finalizing-041159929.html?src=rss
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The Arizona Cardinals made quarterback Kyler Murray one of the highest-paid players in the NFL with a $230.5 million contract extension that puts him under contract through 2028. Aside from the specific numbers and bonuses to the deal, the Cardinals included an odd addendum to the deal.
As reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, there is an addendum for independent study, requiring Murray to study game material at least four hours on his own beyond what is done in team meetings.
It also defines that he must study “good faith,” meaning that he is actually watching the content on his device when it is playing and that he does not play content while watching TV, browsing the Internet or playing video games.
If he fails to do so, he will be in default and it will void his guarantees.
Rapoport noted that Murray already does this on his own.
Others have noted, like former Cardinals team reporter Kyle Odegard and Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, that this was something owner Michael Bidwill insisted on including.
There has been a narrative that Murray perhaps doesn’t study enough. He himself told the New York Times he doesn’t spend all day studying film. There is no evidence that his coaches were unhappy with his study habits.
Bidwill and the team have never committed this much money to a single player in franchise history.
Rapoport indicated that for the team to go where it did financially, Bidwill wanted this clause in the deal, putting the terms in writing.
With the addendum going public, it isn’t a good look for the team. If Murray has already been doing this, why put it in the contract and make it appear as if the Cardinals do not trust Murray.
And if he really is not studying enough, why would they commit that much money to him?
The Cardinals do want him to commit to being a leader and to doing the little things.
If he is doing these things already, why put it in the contract? And if he isn’t, why give him the contract?
It is just another strange look for the organization this offseason.
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2022-07-26T05:34:06Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Cardinals include curious ‘independent study’ addendum to Kyler Murray’s contract
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-curious-independent-study-addendum-035840398.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/cardinals-curious-independent-study-addendum-035840398.html?src=rss
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Before it even began, the 2022 NFL season is already ending for Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Justyn Ross.
Ross has been placed on injured reserve, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
An undrafted free agent out of Clemson, Ross recently had foot surgery. Ross also missed the entire 2020 college football season after undergoing surgery on his spine.
A group of U.S. senators has given MLB commissioner Rob Manfred a three-day extension to respond to questions about the sport's antitrust exemption.
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2022-07-26T05:34:13Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chiefs place rookie WR Justyn Ross on injured reserve
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-place-rookie-wr-justyn-035936265.html?src=rss
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Just as training camp is about to begin, the Chicago Bears are finally getting a contract ironed out with one of their top picks in the 2022 NFL draft.
The Bears are finalizing a four-year rookie deal with safety Jaquan Brisker, per Dan Wiederer of the Chicago Tribune.
A second-round pick out of Penn State, Brisker was a dynamic playmaker on the back end of the defense for the Nittany Lions, and the Bears are hoping he can have the same impact at the next level.
Now, the Bears can turn their attention to star linebacker Roquan Smith, who isn’t expected to report to training camp due to his own contract situation.
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2022-07-26T05:34:19Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: Bears finalizing rookie deal with 2nd-round pick Jaquan Brisker
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https://sports.yahoo.com/report-bears-finalizing-rookie-deal-035542141.html?src=rss
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Juan Soto’s RBI triple capped a four-run fifth inning and the lowly Washington Nationals defeated the NL West-leading Dodgers 4-1 on Monday night, snapping Los Angeles’ 11-game home winning streak. The Nationals (33-65) brought the worst record in the majors into Dodger Stadium, where they won for the first time since the 2019 NL Division Series, against the team with baseball's best record (64-31). The Dodgers' season-high eight-game overall winning streak ended.
On Monday, seated on a stage in Alberta, Canada, before thousands of residential school survivors and their descendants, Pope Francis returned a pair of a child’s moccasins that have “kept alive [his] sense of sorrow, indignation and shame,” for the Catholic Church’s role in Canada’s Indian residential school system. Indigneous leaders from Canada gave the Pope the moccasins in Rome earlier this year, when a delegation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit residential school survivors were invited to privately meet with him.
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2022-07-26T06:09:35Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Juan Soto trade rumors: Giants' NL rival seen as potential front-runner
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https://sports.yahoo.com/juan-soto-trade-rumors-giants-023508976.html?src=rss
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“As a team, I think we have a lot to prove,” Lawrence said. “Just didn't have a great year last year, and I know the guys in this locker room are ready to prove some stuff this year.”
“It’s cool seeing the way he approaches things. He's definitely a player's coach in the sense that he takes care of us,” Lawrence said. “But there's a certain expectation, and he knows what it takes to win and to win a championship. So there's that expectation, which you need from your head coach, and a standard that you have to uphold.”
“The fact that he played the entire season, we can build off of that and really expect, you know, a kind of sky's-the-limit mentality with him,” Pederson said. “He's in the same frame of mind, as well. He wants to take that next step not only in his growth, but obviously leading this football team. So today's Day 1 of that, and we're just excited to be on the grass with him.”
“Just excited to have him back,” Lawrence said with a smile. “He’s going to add a very explosive element to our offense, so it's going to help us a lot. Getting back to some winning around here, so we're excited.”
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2022-07-26T06:09:42Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars start Year 2 with plenty to prove, renewed optimism — and no Urban Meyer
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https://sports.yahoo.com/trevor-lawrence-jaguars-start-year-2-together-with-plenty-to-prove-renewed-optimism-and-no-urban-meyer-174942951.html?src=rss
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By all accounts, the Arizona Cardinals have done something unprecedented in the NFL’s history of elite quarterback contracts.
And it’s not the $230.5 million total commitment in Kyler Murray’s record-setting deal. Nor is it the $160 million in guaranteed money or the $46.1 million average salary. All of those numbers had the league buzzing last week. But it’s another, much smaller number that had jaws hitting the floor on Monday.
More specifically, four hours. A time increment that's incredibly been slotted into Murray’s new deal, mandating that the star quarterback spend at least four hours per week in “Independent Study” during the regular season and playoffs. During that time, he must review “material provided to him by the Club in order to prepare for the Club’s next upcoming game.”
This is just a wordy way of saying Kyler Murray is now contractually obligated to do his homework. Which, as franchise quarterback deals go, is so unorthodox that not a single executive or coach reached by Yahoo Sports on Monday could recall ever even hearing of that kind of language inserted into such a high-profile deal, let alone having mandated something similar in their own negotiations.
The clause goes even further, noting examples of behavior that would invalidate the four hours of study time. In short: No studying while playing video games; no studying while watching television, etc. It all sounds like an oddly specific subset of behavior.
As you would expect, there are quite a few ways to dice this up — and when it comes to public perception, none of them are good. If anything, the mere existence of the clause is suggestive in itself, given that it’s nonsensical to contractually obligate Murray to do something most teams consider fundamental to being an extremely high-paid NFL starting quarterback. You can bet every NFL team with a quarterback eating a 20 percent hole in the salary cap is presuming he’s studying the opponent at least four hours a week outside of the building.
Since the Cardinals have mandated it, Murray is now the quarterback who had to be contractually obligated to do his homework. It's stitched into the perception of him. There’s no going back from it. And he can’t possibly be perfect enough now to avoid people focusing his play through his work habits.
It’s completely possible that Arizona had some reservations and needed to feel satisfied that Murray was going to make this kind of commitment. It’s also possible that given the sheer value of his new deal, Murray was fine putting a study commitment into it. It’s very possible that both sides felt like the money involved overrode any concerns about how this would shape public perceptions.
But that doesn’t change the fact that their peers were absolutely blown away at the awkwardness of the clause.
The reactions from around the league? Some shock. Some amusement. And some suggestions that it’s a confirmation of sorts. If you had heard that Murray wasn’t the most dedicated study guy before this, you now have what appears to be a glaring affirmation of it. Because the simple reality is you don’t insert these kinds of clauses for phantom issues. If something this specific is in there, it's being driven by something.
What was the reaction around the NFL to the "independent study" clause in Kyler Murray's Cardinals contract? Some shock. Some amusement. And some suggestions it’s a confirmation of sorts. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
Whatever the case, one front office executive summed up a broad consensus: that this was a mistake that will undermine Murray going forward, and it shouldn’t have been included for that specific reason.
“If it’s the kind of problem that needs to be addressed [in the deal], then maybe you should rethink whether you want to do [the deal] at all,” the executive said. “Or figure another way to do this that doesn’t make everyone think — justified or not — that you have a guy with issues dedicating to a level you need. That just looks intentional, like someone wanted it out there to get their pound of flesh in negotiations. I don’t know any other way to see it. You put the language in there and you know it’s going to be a story forever. And it will be, too.”
While other opinions varied on the motivations, most agreed that the clause was put in with the knowledge that it would become part of the public conversation about Murray. Which, historically, is not the kind of thing a seasoned general manager like the Cardinals’ Steve Keim would do — especially when Keim drafted Murray and his future employment depends on his success.
Instead, this is the kind of leak that typically comes from somewhere in the ownership ranks, which would track in this particular case. Lest anyone forget, the negotiation for Murray’s next contract started with his agent, Erik Burkhardt, drawing a very hard negotiating line early in the offseason, which came as somewhat of a surprise to Keim, who had maintained all along that a new deal would get done. The one hangup in the process was always seen as ownership, with Michael Bidwill painted behind the scenes as being an impediment to a historic long-term deal. Such a suggestion is unsurprising, given that most NFL owners rarely want to pay record-setting contracts to any player, even presumed franchise quarterbacks.
So it makes sense that ownership could have wanted Murray’s study habits written into a deal, either as a swipe or simply as a way of trying to go the extra mile to protect a sum of money that is larger than the owner ever dreamed of paying.
Whoever was responsible, or however the clause ended up in the deal, everyone involved ultimately agreed to make it a reality. And now they all have to live with it together. If Murray falters, this becomes part of his narrative — which either already existed previously or has now been created, then cemented, then exposed for the rest of the NFL world to see, and debate at every missed opportunity.
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2022-07-26T07:12:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Kyler Murray's 'study hall' clause is a bizarre move by the Cardinals, one that both parties now must live with
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https://sports.yahoo.com/kyler-murrays-study-hall-clause-is-a-bizarre-move-by-the-arizona-cardinals-054401580.html?src=rss
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Crews have contained a fire at a fiber plant in Amador County that largely wrecked the building. The fire broke out around noon at Ampine LLC in Martell, northwest of Jackson. It spread to nearby vegetation but the Amador County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook that those spot fires were contained. "It appears Ampine is a total loss," the sheriff's office said. All employees have been accounted for and there are no nearby evacuations, the sheriff’s office. There were about 40 people working at the time when the fire started, the Amador Fire Protection District said. The cause of the fire is not known. There are no road closures or evacuation orders at this time but power to some nearby buildings could be interrupted.
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2022-07-26T09:06:56Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Tour de France Femmes 2022 route: When is it, how long is each stage and how can I follow live on TV?
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“I haven’t heard anything about any type of displeasure that he’s had with the organization,” Charania said on NBC Sports Boston's Early Edition. “In these last two, three years you’ve seen a lot of growth in the organization when it comes to Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart. Just a couple years ago in the bubble, they had some very testy moments.
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2022-07-26T10:07:47Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Is Jaylen Brown unhappy with Celtics amid trade rumors? Shams Charania explains
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https://sports.yahoo.com/jaylen-brown-unhappy-celtics-amid-011300138.html?src=rss
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Eagles ready for A.J. Brown to change dynamic of offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
On draft night, after the Eagles traded for A.J. Brown, general manager Howie Roseman told a story.
When the Eagles realized they had a chance to pry Brown away from the Titans, Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni and some other members of the team brass sat down at the NovaCare Complex to watch game tape of the talented young receiver.
They didn’t make it through the first game.
Sirianni had already seen enough.
“I'm good, I'm good,” Sirianni said as he stood up. “You guys need anything? I'm going to go get something to eat.”
Sirianni already knew that Brown was very talented. That’s become apparent from afar during Brown’s first three seasons in the league. He’s already one of the best receivers in the NFL and Sirianni knew he’d be happy to have him in his offense. Happy to have him change the dynamic of that offense.
Now it’s Sirianni’s job to make it all work.
We’ll get to see that process in real time this week as the Eagles begin training camp ahead of a season with raised expectations.
“Shoot, the secret to good coaching is get good players,” Sirianni said in June. “[Brown is] very athletically gifted as we all know and as we all see. So looking forward to adding him into the offense.”
Last year, there wasn’t much deception in the Eagles’ passing game. After the trade of Zach Ertz in October, the Eagles went into every game with a different variation of the same strategy: Get the ball to DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert.
This year, the Eagles’ passing plan will be based around getting the ball to all three. And as good as Smith and Goedert are, it has to start with Brown.
Without Brown last year, the Eagles’ finished as the NFL’s 25th-ranked passing offense, averaging just a shade over 200 passing yards per game. The Eagles had the worst passing offense of any playoff team in 2021 as they leaned on their rushing attack out of necessity.
But Brown is supposed to change all that.
Think about it. Most folks expect the Eagles to have a more dynamic passing attack in 2022, but what’s really changed? Sure, the Eagles added Zach Pascal, but he figures in just as a nice role player. Aside from him, the running backs are the same, the line is similar and Jalen Hurts is still the quarterback, although many expect him to improve.
The only real change to the starting lineup is the addition of Brown.
So it’ll be up to Sirianni, Hurts and offensive coordinator Shane Steichen to create a more dynamic offense that feeds the three main mouths. As far as problems go, this is a pretty good one to have.
“I think with anything you go into game plans you have three really good players that you have to get the ball to,” Steichen said this spring. “Every game is going to be different. I always say this, there's one football, and you have three really good players along with other additions that we have, so we're working through that every single day, and that'll take place through training camp and going into the season.”
If everything works like it’s supposed to, those three top targets should give their fantasy football owners headaches. Because, as Steichen said, the plan is for every game to be different. The Eagles want to exploit matchups from week to week.
That means that any of those three — or even Quez Watkins or Pascal — could have a big performance on any given week. The less predictable, the better.
Plenty of folks thought the Eagles might use one of their first-round picks on a receiver, but instead they traded away No. 18 to the Titans to land Brown and give him a $100 million contract. Because of that, there’s no learning curve with a rookie.
The Eagles plan to plug-and-play a Pro Bowl receiver into their offense.
“There's no projection there,” Sirianni said. “It's like, ‘Well, this is what he's going to be in the NFL.’ No, you've seen it. You've seen it for three years now. And it's just exciting to put on his tape and watch him.
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2022-07-26T11:09:15Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Eagles training camp 2022: Ready for A.J. Brown to change dynamic of offense
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https://sports.yahoo.com/eagles-training-camp-2022-ready-110000989.html?src=rss
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New York Giants (5-12): They've won 22 games since 2017, tied with the crosstown Jets for the league's fewest over that stretch, and probably have even more concerns heading into this season. If first-year coach Brian Daboll can't unlock the talents of QB Daniel Jones, who's now in a walk year after his fifth-year option was declined, good bet the G-Men fall behind the lowly Jets.
(3) Green Bay Packers (11-6): Sometimes less is more, but the defection of Adams suggests this team will have to reinvent itself — at least offensively — and may struggle to provide HC Matt LaFleur a fourth consecutive 13-win regular season. Yet, just maybe, learning to rely more heavily on a promising defense and the backfield tandem of RBs Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon — while QB Aaron Rodgers recalibrates himself to a receiving group that lacks an obvious alpha — might just produce a less predictable team, and one that's ultimately better geared for an extended run in January amid Wisconsin's unpredictable winters. However the Pack could get hot late given the schedule only serves up one 2021 playoff team after November.
Detroit Lions (8-9): They played .500 football over the final six weeks of last season after going winless during the first 11 games. The culture seems to be established even if a building talent quotient probably still isn't ready to challenge for a wild card.
(1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4): Assuming QB Tom Brady is healthy, it's safe to pencil the Bucs in for at least 12 wins based on his track record over the past dozen years — and that includes a 24-9 regular-season mark since coming to Tampa. TB12 will have to adjust to life without TE Rob Gronkowski — apparently — has two new guards in front of him (though ex-Pats teammate Shaq Mason is hardly unfamiliar), must play a home game in Munich in Week 10 and has last season's version of the final four (Bengals, Chiefs, Rams, 49ers) on the non-divisional slate. Regardless, you betting against him to win the NFC South at minimum? I foresee obtainment of the NFC's home field with new No. 3 WR Russell Gage (138 receptions since 2020) playing a prominent role.
(7) New Orleans Saints (9-8): The tiebreaking formula relegated last season's 9-8 team as a non-playoff qualifier. It probably wouldn't have mattered had QB Jameis Winston (knee) been available for more than seven games (5-2 record). Winston was playing the most efficient football of his NFL career in 2021 before going down — albeit with since-departed HC Sean Payton and RB Alvin Kamara, who could face a stiff suspension in 2022 given his involvement in a fracas at last season's Pro Bowl. Still, the Saints should be well balanced by their topnotch defense, and Winston should have no shortage weapons given the arrival of WRs Jarvis Landry and Chris Olave, a first-round pick, to say nothing of the return of Michael Thomas. And remember this: New Orleans has seven straight regular-season wins against the Bucs.
(5) San Francisco 49ers (10-7): New QB1 Trey Lance was solid in spot duty as a rookie last year, and he'll launch his Niners tenure by facing five non-playoff clubs from last season in the first six weeks. He's bound to make mistakes Garoppolo probably wouldn't, but Lance should also provide the big plays Jimmy G. too rarely executes. That should be plenty good enough for a team that's actually reliant on defense and the run game.
Arizona Cardinals (7-10): A team that's become known for starting fast and finishing flat in recent seasons draws the Chiefs, Raiders and Rams in September — a stretch that will cover half of WR DeAndre Hopkins' six-game suspension. Even the perennial Pro Bowler's scheduled return is suboptimal, the Cards' Week 7 matchup with New Orleans occurring on a Thursday night. Arizona will face five 2021 playoff opponents over the final eight games, the Chargers and Broncos also part of that gauntlet. Won't be easy avoiding another season-ending tailspin.
Seattle Seahawks (5-12): Expect a recommittal to highly competitive practices, staunch defense and a relentless run game as Pete Carroll and Co. reboot following the exits of Wilson and defensive captain Bobby Wagner. Seattle went 7-9 the year before that dynamic duo arrived in 2012, however RB Marshawn Lynch was already in the Pacific Northwest along with a rising Legion of Boom. Little evidence Carroll has that kind young bedrock in place this time around.
Alison Tatlock explains why the show's creative team felt the time was right "to take a sharp turn in a different direction" with the black-and-white episode centered on a mall heist
'Stranger Things' star detained, questioned by Customs
On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon Monday, Stranger Things Season 4 star Joseph Quinn stopped by and spoke about being detained by Customs when coming into the country. The British actor, who plays Eddie Munson on the show, was not able to convince the officer of why he was in the U.S. “I was taken into, I guess what you could call it, it was more of a dungeon, and I was asked to wait there for about 20 minutes,” Quinn said. “So then I was summoned to this desk where someone asked me, ‘What are you doing in the United States, sir?’ I said, ‘Well, I’m actually here to meet Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.’ And he didn’t believe me.” Fortunately for Quinn, someone recognized him from the show. “One of his colleagues looked over at me,” Quinn said, “looked at him, and said, ‘Leave Eddie alone.’” After the colleague explained to the original officer who Quinn is, it became clear that the officer is also a fan of Stranger Things and had an entirely different inquiry. “He was like, ‘Do you come back next season?’” Quinn said. “I said, ‘I don’t know.’ He’s like, ‘You better.’ Gave me the passport.”
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2022-07-26T11:09:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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NFL record projections 2022: Will Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes mount a Super Bowl run?
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-record-projections-2022-josh-100903616.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl-record-projections-2022-josh-100903616.html?src=rss
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The Miami Marlins' Billy Hamilton played second base Monday night against his former team, the Cincinnati Reds, at Great American Ball Park for just the second time in his 10-season, Major League Baseball career.
Hamilton played at second during the bottom of the 8th inning of the Reds' 11-2 win. He did not have any defensive chances. He had played 1/3 inning at second base for the Marlins, which selected his contract earlier this month.
Social media reactions to Hamilton's appearance at GABP:
Luis Castillo just spotted a familiar face at second base. 😊 pic.twitter.com/30BZchnEDX
Also, Billy Hamilton comes back to GABP for the 2nd time since he left the Reds. Big week!
Last July, Hamilton made a spectacular diving catch for the White Sox on the muddy warning track in the ninth inning to rob Twins outfielder Max Kepler of extra bases during Chicago's 4-1 win in Minnesota.
Hamilton is a five-time Gold Glove finalist, but he has lost each time. He finished second to the Mets' Jacob deGrom in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2014.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Outfielder Billy Hamilton plays second base in Reds' win vs. Marlins
Cincinnati Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson talks about his broken collarbone
Tyler Stephenson broke his right collarbone in the top of the first inning Friday in the Reds' first game back from the All-Star break.
Tiger ace Olivia Mendonca and her teammates were honored at historic Fenway Park before the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays game.
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2022-07-26T12:25:20Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Billy Hamilton plays second base for second time in career in Reds' win against Marlins
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https://sports.yahoo.com/billy-hamilton-former-reds-outfielder-063605268.html?src=rss
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In the Baltimore Ravens' preseason finale, running back J.K. Dobbins tore his ACL after catching a screen pass. It was a blow for a run-heavy team, but injuries happen in the NFL.
The Ravens didn't know that injury would start an unprecedented string of bad luck that would ruin their season.
When cornerback Marcus Peters and running back Gus Edwards both tore ACLs a few plays apart in a practice on Sept. 9, the jinx was set. By the end of the season, 25 Ravens were on injured reserve. Football Outsiders has been tracking adjusted games lost due to injury since 2001, and the 2021 Ravens broke the record with 191.2 games lost. The previous record was 171.6. The Ravens' prorated mark for a 16-game season would have set the record, too.
The Ravens weren't just unlucky when it came to injuries. They were the unluckiest team we've seen for at least two decades. By a significant margin, too.
And despite all of the personnel losses, the Ravens were a contender at midseason and would have been in the playoffs if not for another run of bad luck, this one in close games.
The Ravens lost their final six games to finish 8-9. Their losing margin in five of those games: 1, 2, 1, 1, 3. To lose all five of those games is incredibly unlucky. They outgained their opponent in four of those five close losses, despite being severely depleted. The Ravens didn't have former MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson for all or most of five of their final six games, and they still were barely losing. Five of the final six losses came against 2021 playoff teams including the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams, who would meet in the Super Bowl.
If you looked only at the standings, 8-9 was disappointing for the Ravens. It was John Harbaugh's second losing season since taking the job in 2008. But with some context, it was actually a pretty remarkable season for Baltimore, who had no business being close to .500 after a record-setting run of injuries. It spoke to how good the Ravens' organization is.
That bad injury luck won't follow them for a second straight season. There's no guarantee all those injured players return good as new — for example, there's already a debate over when Dobbins will be ready to return by Week 1 — but theoretically the Ravens will be whole again. And they will be pretty good, because they always are.
The issue with the Ravens lately has become the lack of a playoff run. It speaks to the bar the Ravens have set that it seems they've been underachieving by not making a Super Bowl since the 2012 season. They're 2-4 in the playoffs since then, with both wins coming in the wild-card round. There's a lot of random variance involved in that, though Jackson's critics will tell you Baltimore can't win with an offense and quarterback that is unlike any other in the NFL.
Lamar Jackson is looking to lead the Ravens back to the playoffs. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Jackson is unique. The Ravens, being a smart organization, have fully embraced that. Jackson wasn't at his best last season, as he threw a career-high 13 interceptions. Yet, his pace before suffering what ended up being a season-ending ankle injury was 4,428 passing yards and 1,178 rushing yards. If that's a down year, the Ravens will be OK. For whatever reason, Jackson's greatness has been understated this offseason, but he's still one of the most electrifying players in the NFL and can easily have another MVP season at age 25. And Baltimore can win a Super Bowl with him.
The Ravens had a hard season in 2021. Their defense added to the secondary and should be just fine with all those injured players returning. Baltimore traded receiver Marquise Brown to the Arizona Cardinals for a first-round pick, which was a very good return but also leaves the Ravens thin in the passing game. But tight end Mark Andrews is coming off a monster season, 2021 first-round pick Rashod Bateman could be ready to shine and Baltimore wants to run it down your throat anyway.
The Ravens will be right back in Super Bowl contention this season. They just need a little better luck.
The Ravens are a smart organization and they see the rising value in having versatile, elite safeties in an evolving league. They double-tapped at safety, signing Marcus Williams from the New Orleans Saints on a five-year, $70 million deal, then taking Notre Dame's Kyle Hamilton at a fantastic value with the 14th overall pick of the draft. Some thought Hamilton was the best player in the 2022 draft class. The Ravens crushed the draft. Baltimore and the New York Jets got the two best consensus draft grades among analysts. Their other top-100 picks, center Tyler Linderbaum, edge defender David Ojabo and defensive tackle Travis Jones, were all good values. Ojabo is coming off an Achilles injury and might not be much of a factor this season, but he was a projected first-round pick before the injury. Trading receiver Marquise Brown hurts receiver depth but the Ravens couldn't pass up getting a first-round pick for him. Their other free-agent investment was offensive tackle Morgan Moses, who steps right in as a starter on a good line. The Ravens' only addition to help the pass rush right away was Justin Houston, who is 33 and coming off a 4.5-sack season. That might haunt them. It was also a bit surprising they didn't add at receiver, though maybe that happens in the next few weeks. Overall it was a quality offseason.
Lamar Jackson didn't have his best season in 2021 but did have perhaps his best passing game, a 442-yard, four-touchdown masterpiece in a comeback Week 5 win over the Indianapolis Colts. He's still one of the best players in the NFL, and at age 25 he should still be peaking. What's hanging over Jackson and the Ravens is the lack of a contract extension. There haven't been many reported details on how the negotiations are going, just reminders that a deal is not done. Jackson's style of play could be a concern for the Ravens. Jackson isn't likely to have a long career like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. He's more likely to age like Cam Newton, given how often he runs. But he's clearly worth a superstar QB contract while he's in his prime. Jackson is a unique player and that makes contract negotiations unique as well. Another complicating factor is that Jackson doesn't have an agent. The Ravens still have the franchise tag available in 2023 if nothing gets done, though that could lead to acrimony and a holdout. It's also possible Jackson has a "hold in," and doesn't practice without a new deal. It's a storyline worth watching as the season gets closer.
Earlier this offseason, you could get the Ravens at better than 2-to-1 odds to win the AFC North. That has corrected and the Ravens are +150 to win the division at BetMGM. I still think that's a fine play. The over on the Ravens' win total of 9.5 has hefty -160 odds, but I think Baltimore finishes with 10 or more wins if you don't mind laying that juice. It's also fairly shocking that Lamar Jackson, who is close to a lock to put up a 4,000-yard passing and 1,000-yard rushing season if he stays healthy, is +2000 to win NFL MVP. There should not be nine players ahead of him in the MVP odds. I also have no problem with a bet on the Ravens at +2000 to win the Super Bowl. When it comes to the 2022 Ravens, I'm investing.
From Yahoo's Scott Pianowski: "The price is rising on Rashod Bateman, Baltimore's second-year receiver. His current Yahoo ADP is around 84, but he checks in as a Top 65 pick if you examine NFFC drafts from this month. Baltimore cleared out its receiver room for Bateman, and the depth behind him is thin.
"Bateman's rookie year looks better when you consider that he missed the first five games due to injury. He posted three games with more than 80 yards and had a couple of seven-catch starts. At 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds, he offers an imposing target and a wide catch radius. Baltimore's personnel movement tells you it expects Bateman to have a second-year spike.
"I am reluctant to pay up for Bateman if the ADP continues with the NFFC trend, but if you can land him around the current Yahoo tag, you've done well. This arrow is definitely pointing upward."
The Ravens defense was bad last season. They were tied for last in yards per run allowed and 27th in passer rating allowed, so they didn't defend the run or pass very well. The Ravens finished 19th in points allowed and 25th in yards allowed, which is well off their norm. They finished outside of the top 12 in points allowed just once since 2007. They had finished outside of the top 12 in yards allowed once since 2002. Let's go ahead and assume injuries wrecked the Ravens defense and they'll bounce back, because the track record is strong. They have a new coordinator, Mike Macdonald, who can add some new ideas after a year away running the defense at the University of Michigan under John Harbaugh's brother, Jim. Also, a secondary with safeties Marcus Williams and rookie Kyle Hamilton with cornerbacks Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters should be among the NFL's best. If there's one reason to believe they won't bounce back to being a top-12 defense, it's the lack of a pass rush. Tyus Bowser is the best pass rusher, and he tore his Achilles in the season finale. Rookie David Ojabo is coming off a torn Achilles in mid-March. Justin Houston, resigned in July, is 33 years old. There's no player on the roster you'd count on for 10 sacks.
Which wide receiver will emerge?
Tight end Mark Andrews is coming off a great 1,361-yard season. But Baltimore will presumably need some wide receivers to step up, even in their run-heavy offense. Rashod Bateman, a 2021 first-round pick, takes over the No. 1 role with his career totals of 465 catches, 515 yards and one touchdown. Devin Duvernay (53-473-2 through two seasons) and James Proche (17-216-0 through two seasons) are next on the depth chart. The Ravens don't need a bunch of receiving threats like most teams, but this situation is pushing it. If Bateman doesn't play up to his draft pedigree, the Ravens could really be in trouble. They seem like a clear candidate to add an unsigned veteran wide receiver to help.
People enjoy criticizing Lamar Jackson, but he's a transcendent player. He was an unanimous MVP in 2019 and he can reach that level again. This is a team that wants to build a creative offense around the run game, which is a throwback but it works. Baltimore is 37-12 in Jackson's starts. An offensive line that should be among the best in the league will pave the way for Jackson, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and the running game. If Mark Andrews stays healthy and Rashod Bateman emerges, the passing game will be good enough. The defense might have the best secondary in the league and be a lot better against the run too. We could look back and realize that 8-9 last season, with all the bad injury luck and those five losses by a combined eight points late, was actually pretty impressive and a reason to believe in a quick rebound. The Ravens' ceiling is a Super Bowl. It will be as long as Jackson is in his prime.
Just because players return from injuries doesn't mean they'll recapture their old form. What if key players like cornerbacks Marcus Peters and Marlon Humphrey, edge rusher Tyus Bowser, offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley and running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards don't come all the way back? There's also the Lamar Jackson contract issue, which could affect the quarterback's play or at very least cause a distraction. The Ravens can't have anything go wrong among Jackson's pass catchers. An injury to Mark Andrews or Rashod Bateman not playing anywhere near a No. 1 receiver could severely affect Baltimore's ability to pass the ball. And while the defense should be good, especially in the secondary, it's hard to be a top-end defense if you can't rush the quarterback. The Ravens are a rock-solid organization and they always find a way, but there are legitimate areas of concern.
I have blind faith in John Harbaugh, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens' history. This is a team that is among the NFL's best year after year. The Ravens were contenders early last season. Baltimore was 8-3 before finally collapsing under the weight of numerous injuries, including one to Jackson. I feel confident picking the Ravens to win the AFC North. I also believe Jackson has a much better chance to win MVP than the odds say. I'm not sure the Ravens are going to win a Super Bowl (though the odds on that are good, too) but not because of some nonsense about how Jackson can't win in the postseason. It's because the AFC is really tough. No matter what, you can safely bank on the Ravens being back among the NFL's best teams again.
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2022-07-26T13:19:28Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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2022 NFL Preview: Don't underestimate Ravens after their historically unlucky season
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-dont-underestimate-ravens-after-their-historically-unlucky-season-125419608.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-preview-dont-underestimate-ravens-after-their-historically-unlucky-season-125419608.html?src=rss
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MUST PLAY: This might be Michigan's most underrated golf course
Finau has represented the U.S. in its past two Ryder Cup teams, and picked up the win at the 3M Open in Blaine, Minnesota, on Sunday..
BIG WINNER: The 2021 Rocket Mortgage Classic actually felt like a major. Here's why
Earlier this week, the tournament announced commitments from Homa, No. 72 Webb Simpson, No. 130 Cameron Champ and U.S. Ryder Cup captain and major winner Zach Johnson. The field features 11 of the top-50 players in the world, up by one after a late sponsor's exemption for No. 39 Joohuung Kim, and 11 former major champions, including Adam Scott, Jason Day, Davis Love III, Stewart Cink, Gary Woodland and Keegan Bradley.
Four spots in the RMC Rocket Mortgage Classic are still to be claimed after Wyatt Worthington II won the the John Shippen National Invitational at Detroit Golf Club on Sunday. They'll go to qualifiers from The Orchards in Washington Township on Monday.
Lesotho's director of public prosecutions on Tuesday dropped the charges against former prime minister Thomas Thabane and his wife Maesaiah Thabane over the murder of his estranged wife in a case that shocked the country five years ago. The duo were charged with the murder of Lipolelo Thabane, who was shot dead near her home in the capital Maseru days before he was sworn in as premier in June 2017. Maesaiah Thabane, 44, and the former premier, now 83, were both present in the High Court on Tuesday when a lawyer representing the director of public prosecutions said the charges against them were dropped due to the inability to locate critical witnesses in the matter.
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2022-07-26T13:56:50Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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PGA Tour's 2022 Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club: Every player in the field
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pga-tours-2022-rocket-mortgage-234318601.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/pga-tours-2022-rocket-mortgage-234318601.html?src=rss
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Patrick Mahomes’ offseason was different this year ... and he says that was a good thing.
In 2021 — following the Chiefs’ Super Bowl loss to Tampa Bay — Mahomes had foot surgery to repair a turf toe injury. The aftermath required two months of rehab time, which also cut into Mahomes’ to-do list.
“Pretty much I was working out,” Mahomes said, “but I couldn’t do much.”
Mahomes, then, fully appreciated what he had during these last few months.
Because he was healthy at the end of last season, Mahomes says he was able to get back to work quicker. That meant instead of trying to get back to his previous level, he could “build on stuff, work on some of the weaknesses that I had.”
So what, in particular, did Mahomes believe was a deficiency?
“Mechanically, I just want to make sure I have a better base,” Mahomes said Friday at Chiefs training camp at Missouri Western. “I think, with having the foot issues the two seasons ago, I kind of got some bad habits of falling off that foot, not planting in the right spot and making the right throw. And that’ll affect your accuracy.”
Mahomes said the problem was especially apparent early last season, when coach Andy Reid brought it up a few times. That, in part, resulted in Mahomes believing that he progressed some late in the year.
“When you’re banged up a little bit, you try to work around those things,” Reid said of Mahomes’ previously injured toe. “Sometimes, if you work around it, you might get into throwing you off a tick. And normally, it’s the player that knows that, because they’ve got it down to that finest point.”
Mahomes believes his base also has been helped by building muscle through rehab and weightlifting sessions. He said working on this aspect for an entire offseason made him feel like he was in “a way better spot than I was going into training camp last year.”
The key now, he says, is to keep building off that in the weeks to come.
“Just trying to make sure that I keep getting better,” Mahomes said. “I want to make sure that I can do whatever I can to put the team in the best position and make us the best that we can possibly be.”
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2022-07-26T13:56:56Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Here’s a weakness Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes says he’s working to correct
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https://sports.yahoo.com/weakness-kansas-city-chiefs-qb-200801927.html?src=rss
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The Cincinnati Bengals issued a hype video to reveal the first time they will wear the newly announced alternate white helmets.
In the creative, must-watch video, the team reveals that it will wear the white alternates with their color rush look on September 29 during “Thursday Night Football” against the Miami Dolphins.
That was one of the obvious dates for the Bengals to roll out the new look, as it’s when they will enshrine the newest members of the team’s Ring of Honor.
The video hints that the game will be a “white out” for fans and also hints that there are more announcements to come. League rules permit the Bengals to wear the alternate helmets up to three times, but it’s the same as wearing an alternate jersey, so they have to carefully pick and choose their spots.
Once upon a time… pic.twitter.com/fRr5Fnx1bW
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2022-07-26T15:26:21Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bengals will debut white alternate helmets on primetime vs. Dolphins
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-debut-white-alternate-helmets-143740392.html?src=rss
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What a difference a year makes, right?
“He’s made tremendous strides,” Belichick said of Jones on Tuesday during a press conference. “He did a great job last year, but he’s starting from a much, much higher point this year than where he started last year. His offseason work has been significant and I think everyone recognizes how well he prepares and how much further along he (is) than he was a year ago.”
Belichick detailed some of the finer points of Jones’ offseason work.
Jones nearly won the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2021 while he led the Patriots to a 10-7 record and playoff berth. He posted 3,801 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 17 games. Though the season ended with an ugly postseason loss to the Buffalo Bills, the Patriots are growing bullish about what Jones can do for the team in 2022.
Receiver Jakobi Meyers, for example, detailed the immense command Jones has displayed over an offense — which is undergoing some alterations. And even though the Patriots are making some adjustments to their playbook in the wake of former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels leaving for the head coaching job in Las Vegas, Jones is versed in what New England is doing.
Before Patriots fans going running through the streets in celebration (or running to their sports book to place a Super Bowl bet), they should hear Belichick’s final thought on Jones and the offense.
“I’m not saying we’re there yet,” Belichick said. “I’m definitely not saying that. We’re nowhere close to being where we want to be or where we need to be. But we’re definitely making progress.”
If the Patriots have an impressive season in a crowded AFC, they will need Jones to be as impressive as Belichick has made him out to be during the 2022 offseason.
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2022-07-26T15:26:33Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bill Belichick beaming over ‘dramatic improvement’ and ‘tremendous strides’ from Mac Jones
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-beaming-over-dramatic-131322066.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-beaming-over-dramatic-131322066.html?src=rss
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Belichick gives Amendola special praise after wide receiver's retirement originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Danny Amendola was never the best pass-catcher on the New England Patriots during his time with the franchise, but he was tough, clutch and often raised his performance when it mattered most.
The 36-year-old wide receiver announced his retirement earlier this week. He played for the Patriots from 2013 through 2017 and helped them win two Super Bowl titles (2014 and 2016).
"Love Danny," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said Tuesday during his training camp press conference. "He was a very good player for us, had a lot of skill. Mostly played inside but could play outside, could return. Very smart, tough, dependable. Great hands and concentration. Good football player. Glad we had him here, and he certainly was a big contributor for us while he was here. He missed a little time, but he was out there every chance he could be. He was tough. He was a good football player."
Amendola tallied 57 receptions for 709 yards and six touchdowns in 13 career playoff games. His performance in the 2017 AFC Championship Game against the Jacksonville Jaguars was incredible. He caught seven passes for 84 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner late in the fourth quarter. Amendola converted a 3rd-and-18 earlier in the second half.
“Very dependable, and he was tough, he’d block,” Belichick said of Amendola. “We’ve been very fortunate to have some good players at that position. Troy (Brown) was as good as it could be. It’s hard to match Troy -- and it is hard to match Troy, it’s really impossible -- but Wes (Welker) did a great job for us. Danny came in. Julian (Edelman), Jakobi (Meyers). Guys that have played in that spot have been different, but they’ve all been productive and they’ve all brought some of the same common characteristics to the inside receiver position. It’s been a very productive spot for us through the years."
In addition to his 2017 AFC title game effort, Amendola also caught a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLIX versus the Seattle Seahawks and scored the game-tying two-point conversion against the Atlanta Falcons during the historic Super Bowl LI comeback.
Amendola played a key role on those Dynasty 2.0 teams with his clutch play and toughness.
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2022-07-26T15:26:43Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Bill Belichick gives Danny Amendola special praise after wideout's retirement
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-gives-danny-amendola-150858756.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-gives-danny-amendola-150858756.html?src=rss
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Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard has requested to be called by his middle name and the name he used growing up: Shaquille.
As the Colts reported for training camp Tuesday, among the many topics Leonard discussed with the media was the name he wants to go by from here on out.
Leonard told the media that everyone called him Darius when he broke into the league in 2018 and didn’t want to make a scene about being called a certain name.
After four years in the league, three of which have included All-Pro First Team selections, Leonard has certainly earned the right to go by whatever name he chooses.
This does present another question, though. Can we call him Shaq? Shaq Leonard is a great name for an athlete. Shaq the Maniac has a nice ring to it as well.
Jokes aside, it may get some taking used to, but the heart of the Colts defense has made it clear what name he wants to go by.
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2022-07-26T15:27:03Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Colts’ Darius Leonard wants to be called Shaquille
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https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-darius-leonard-wants-called-145320921.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/colts-darius-leonard-wants-called-145320921.html?src=rss
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The New York Giants announced the addition of four players on Tuesday, including safety Andrew Adams.
In addition to Adams, the Giants have also signed wide receiver Marcus Kemp, offensive tackle Kamaal Seymour and defensive end Nick Williams.
All four players had worked out for the team on Monday.
Adams entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of UConn, signing with the Giants following the 2016 NFL draft. He spent the first two seasons of his career with Big Blue before stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018, 2019-2020, 2021), Detroit Lions (2019) and Philadelphia Eagles (2021).
The 32-year-old Williams was a seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2013 NFL draft. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him off of the Steelers’ practice squad in 2014 and he remained with the team into 2016. After being waived by the Chiefs, he briefly joined the Miami Dolphins and later spent two seasons with the Chicago Bears.
Kemp signed with the Chiefs as an undrafted rookie out of Hawaii following the 2017 NFL draft. He’s spent most of his career with the team save for a brief stint with the Dolphins in 2020.
Seymour joined the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020 but was waived last May with a non-football injury. He has never appeared in an NFL game.
To make room for the four signees, the Giants waived defensive back Henry Black, defensive tackle Jabari Ellis and wide receiver Travis Toivonen, and terminated the contract of cornerback Maurice Canady.
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2022-07-26T15:27:18Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Giants sign four players in flurry of roster moves
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When the Raiders selected Dylan Parham at the bottom of the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the hope was that he would quickly be able to insert himself into the starting lineup. But how soon will that be? Maybe not as soon as you would think.
In a recent article by Tashan Reed of The Athletic, he wrote about how Parham has handled the first few practices as a rookie. But the bigger note is that he’s been playing three different positions, all with the second team. Here is a snippet of Reed’s thoughts on the former Memphis star:
“Parham has moved around the most of any offensive lineman so far throughout training camp. He’s mostly been with the backup units, but I’ve observed him at left guard, right guard and center. Whether he’s able to earn a starting job or not, that positional versatility is valuable toward building overall depth on the O-line.”
It is worth mentioning that this article was written before the news of Denzelle Good’s retirement. However, Good had not participated yet in practice as veteran Lester Cotton Sr. has taken a majority of the starting right guard snaps.
Time will tell where Parham fits into the equation, but it appears the Raiders are grooming him to be the No. 1 backup on the interior offensive line to start the season. But if he just winds up outplaying Cotton or John Simpson, don’t be surprised if he is a Week 1 starter.
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2022-07-26T15:27:57Z
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Raiders rookie OL Dylan Parham working with second team
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The New York Giants continued their early training camp roster shuffling on Tuesday morning following a series of workouts on Monday.
Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports that the team is expected to sign veteran defensive lineman Nick Williams, who spent the previous two seasons with the Detroit Lions.
In order to clear room for Williams, the Giants are waiving undrafted free agent defensive lineman Jabari Ellis.
The 32-year-old Williams was a seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2013 NFL draft. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him off of the Steelers’ practice squad in 2014 and he remained with the team into 2016.
After being waived by the Chiefs, he briefly joined the Miami Dolphins and later spent two seasons with the Chicago Bears.
In 75 career games (35 starts), Williams has recorded 110 tackles, 17 QB hits, 7.5 sacks and five passes defensed. He earned a 50.3 Pro Football Focus grade last season.
In addition to Williams, the Giants are also expected to sign safety Andrew Adams.
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2022-07-26T15:28:04Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Report: Giants to sign DL Nick Williams, waive DL Jabari Ellis
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Cortland Finnegan
Despite playing for other teams during his 13-year career, retired former Tennessee Titans defensive back Jason McCourty says his true home is where it all started: in Tennessee.
McCourty was a sixth-round pick of the Titans back in 2009, and he spent eight seasons with the team before moving on to play for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins in the years that followed.
And, while McCourty suffered through a lot of losing in Nashville and won a Super Bowl in New England, he still considers the former his home, as he told MMQB’s Albert Breer.
“As any kid can imagine, you have a sibling that’s close in age, let alone an identical twin, and you got to play together and win the Super Bowl together like that. That’s a storybook ending,” he said. “So that was the most fun. But Tennessee is home. If somebody asked me, I’m a Titan. Tennessee was eight seasons, had to endure a lot of losing but felt like we were putting bricks in that building. I got married in Tennessee, had all three of my kids, so that’s home. But Tennessee and New England, those are the two places for me. One was home. One was the most fun I’ve had playing football.”
During his time in Nashville, McCourty, who was a class act the entire way even though he never made the playoffs, ascended from a late-round draft pick to a valuable starter who was as consistent as they come.
He credits two former Titans for helping him get to that point.
“Cortland Finnegan and Chris Hope were my two guys when I got there to Tennessee,” he said. “I probably wouldn’t have made it 13 years without those two guys. I remember having a conversation with Cortland Finnegan when he was done. He was a seventh-round draft pick out of Samford, and I remember him saying like, ‘I can never say anything bad about my career.’ He was just like, ‘I far exceeded any expectation I could have set forth for myself when I first was drafted.’ So for me, sixth round, I thought I’d be an O.K. gunner in the NFL for a season or two. And I far exceeded that.”
When he breaks it all down, it’s easy to see why McCourty has such an affinity for the Titans, and he’ll be remembered by fans as fondly as he remembers his time in Nashville.
Ex-Titan Ben Troupe weighs in on Treylon Burks' conditioning
"They battled, they played hard and they have a lot of grit," Roger Allen 10U coach Andrew Welch said after missing World Series by one game.
Several HBCU football coaches have expressed concerns about students receiving financial aid refund checks late, according to coach Deion Sanders.
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2022-07-26T15:28:10Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Retired DB Jason McCourty says Tennessee is home: ‘I’m a Titan’
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The Seahawks were always going to draft a running back this year, regardless of how you feel about their value in the modern game. On the bright side, they may have picked the best one in this class.
In the second round Seattle selected Michigan State’s Ken Walker, a phenomenal athlete who is coming off an explosive 2021 season. Walker’s physical gifts combined with the team’s commitment to pounding the rock means he’s probably in for a bright future in the NFL. Some folks think he will hit the ground running and make an impact right away as a rookie.
On a list of potential Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates, Walker was ranked No. 6 on the list at NFL.com.
The path will not be easy for Walker this year, though. First he’ll have to prove he’s a more capable rusher than Rashaad Penny, who finished the 2021 season as the best in the game in that department.
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2022-07-26T15:28:30Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Seahawks RB Ken Walker ranked among top Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates
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Over the last few years, the Raiders have completely rebuilt their offense. Gone are the days of Jared Cook and Jordy Nelson leading the team in receiving yards. But how does the new-look offense for the Raiders compare to the rest of the league?
In a recent article by Bill Barnwell of ESPN, he ranked every team’s skill players going into the 2022 season. Not surprisingly, the Raiders came in at No. 2, behind only the Cincinnati Bengals.
Barnwell talked at length about how Davante Adams and Darren Waller should dominate again this season. But what makes this group so dynamic is that they have a former Pro Bowler at every spot, including slot receiver. Here is what he had to say about Hunter Renfrow, coming off a Pro Bowl season:
“Renfrow’s triple moves made him a force in the red zone, while the 2019 fifth-rounder topped the 2.0 yards per target mark for the first time as a pro. Renfrow’s per-route numbers were right in line with Travis Kelce and Terry McLaurin; he probably won’t see the same red zone usage again with Adams in the fold, but he’s going to be a valuable part of the offense.
The Raiders have one of the best trios in football (Adams, Renfrow, Waller), and they can all complement one another stylistically.”
The Raiders have three dynamic pass catchers and a former first-round pick at running back in Josh Jacobs. As long as they stay healthy, this should be one of the best offenses in the league. The only thing that could potentially slow them down is poor play on the offensive line. Otherwise, this is an elite supporting cast for Derek Carr.
We're spending the weeks leading up to the 2022 season by taking a look at the State of the Program of teams in Bergen, Passaic, Morris and Sussex.
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2022-07-26T15:28:36Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Skill players for Raiders ranked among best in the NFL
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5 Phillies trade deadline takeaways from Dave Dombrowski originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia
Eight days ahead of the trade deadline, Dave Dombrowski sat in the Phillies' dugout for about 15 minutes Monday afternoon and answered questions on a variety of topics.
Here are five takeaways, mostly related to the Phillies' need for starting pitching.
How Eflin's injury affects Phils' pursuits
The Phillies need another starting pitcher with Zach Eflin sidelined by another knee injury. Eflin has been out since June 25 and there is no timeline for a return.
The Phillies won't wait around or rely on Eflin to fill that void.
"Eflin, it's a little bit of a tougher situation and I do feel bad for him," the Phillies' president of baseball operations said. "He's dealing with this leg, there's nothing really structurally wrong from all the tests that have been done. It's just a slow healing process for him.
"(Manager Rob Thomson) and I talked to him about it the other day with the training staff. I'd love for him to come back but I don't know when. And so I don't think from my perspective I can just say we're going to wait for that to happen. Last year was a little bit different because (his knee injury) happened after the trading deadline. But I don't think we can just sit here and wait to see what takes place.
"I'm very happy with (Bailey) Falter and (Cristopher) Sanchez, the roles they've filled. But ideally, we'd be in a position where we'd look to supplement what we have in that regard because of the injury status."
Phillies unlikely to pursue top players on market
The two starting pitching trade candidates mentioned most this season have been Oakland's Frankie Montas and Cincinnati's Luis Castillo. They will cost an arm and a leg.
It does not sound like the Phillies will pursue one of the top players on the market because of the prospect cost.
"Every position, there's premium guys out there, and then there's other guys that could be helpful," Dombrowski said. "Well, the premium guys are probably going to cost you your top prospects. I don't think as an organization we're in that position right now. I just don't think we're there."
Below the tier with Montas and Castillo are guys like Tyler Mahle, Martín Perez, Noah Syndergaard, Paul Blackburn, Jose Quintana, Chad Kuhl, Brad Keller and Jordan Lyles, among others.
Acquiring multiple players from one team is an option
Just like it was last July when the Phillies traded Spencer Howard to the Rangers for starting pitcher Kyle Gibson, closer Ian Kennedy and pitching prospect Hans Crouse.
"We're still going to try to put together something to make us better. So, it could be a combination like that. We got Crouse last year. I know he hasn't pitched as well this year. He's had some injury factors but he's starting to feel better now. We thought we at least protected ourselves in that regard. We tried to help ourselves to win then and for the future. Gibson's helped us this year. He's been a steady force for us."
Sellers are asking for a ton right now
Dombrowski offered a little glimpse into how bold selling teams are with their asks when the deadline is not imminent.
"Where we are at this time right now, you might ask for a No. 5 starter and they might ask you for your No. 1 prospect," he said. "I mean, that's where you are. People have a hard time relating that today's July 25. We still have eight days because (the deadline is) 6 o'clock next Tuesday. That's an eternity at the trade deadline.
"I talked to one general manager on Friday, a veteran general manager. He said, 'I can't believe these guys are all calling me for this stuff. We're so far away from doing anything at this point!' I'm thinking, 'Well, it's less than two weeks away.' But when you've been doing it for a while, you realize ... the frustrations come with this. Because if you talk to somebody and you're looking for a fill-in guy, a backup utility guy, 'Oh, we'll take your top two starting pitching prospects.' It's like, 'What?'"
"But come August 1, they won't be looking at that same type of thing."
Dombrowski wasn't asked explicitly about Soto but rather the idea of acquiring a generational talent.
"We have some generational talents with us over here," he said. "I don't know that we're swimming in that market. To me -- and I love star players, I always have, I have acquired a lot of them, I know John Middleton likes that -- but we do have some star players. I think one of the problems that we've had more so is the depth of talent in our organization. So to strip the depth of our talent to add a generational talent -- whomever you may be talking about -- I don't know that is where we sit at this point."
Bryson Stott drove in five runs, including a go-ahead three-run home run to lead the Phillies to a 6-4 win over the Braves
Curtis Granderson moves from the Bronx to Queens in 2013, talks Mets vs Yankees fans | Time Machine Tuesday
Time Machine Tuesday pays a visit to the MLB Winter Meetings in 2013, when Curtis Granderson signed a free agent deal to make the move across town from the Yankees to the Mets.
Freeland's 7 scoreless frames lead Rockies to 2-0 win
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2022-07-26T15:32:02Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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MLB trade deadline 2022: 5 Phillies takeaways from Dave Dombrowski
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Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren not only wants to see the College Football Playoff expanded, he is confident that it will happen.
College Football Playoff (CFP) expansion has been one of the biggest buzzwords in sports over the past few years. The current set-up of four teams has been in place since the playoff was established in 2014.
In February, it was decided that the CFP would not expand until 2026 at the earliest. It was a blow to those who wanted to see the playoff expanded to six teams (the top two teams getting a bye in the playoff’s first round) or eight teams.
The Big Ten has only won the CFP once in 2014-15. That was the first season of the CFP experience.
Speaking at the start of the Big Ten’s football media days, Warren was asked about the idea of College Football Playoff expansion.
Warren said that “I’m 100 percent supportive of College Football Playoff expansion.”
“We have meetings coming up in September and October to be able to talk about these issues. I’m 100 percent supportive for college football playoff expansion,” Warren said during his press conference.
“You know, what is that right number? We’ll figure it out. I’m confident we will get College Football Playoff expansion resolved. I still feel strongly that we need to open it up to have multiple media partners that we need to have from the college football playoff standpoint. We need to take a holistic view, we need to make sure we protect some of the critical bowl relationships. And so as we work through all these, whether it’s automatic qualifier, whatever the case may be, I’m confident as we get these new individuals in the room, get these issues on the table, that we’ll be able to reach some resolution. And again, make sure we ask ourselves the right questions for the right reasons at the right time for our student-athletes and our fans but I look forward to the day that we can expand the college football playoff and I’m confident that it will happen.”
Last season, Georgia won a battle of the SEC in the College Football Playoff championship game. The Big Ten was represented by Michigan in last year’s playoff.
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2022-07-26T16:37:37Z
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Big Ten football media days: Kevin Warren says ‘I’m 100 percent supportive for college football playoff expansion’
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Seven players from the Mountain West are included on the preseason list of college football’s most outstanding defensive players.
Still plenty of good defenders in the conference.
Watch list season rolled on this morning with the reveal of the Bronko Nagurski Trophy roll call. The award, given annually to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player, features seven athletes from the Mountain West on this year’s list.
A pair of San Diego State defenders, linebacker Caden McDonald and safety Patrick McMorris, are featured after anchoring one of the Group of 5’s top units a year ago. McDonald finished 2021 with 49 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, and two passes defended, while McMorris, recently named a preseason co-defensive player of the year by Mountain West media members, posted a team-best 90 tackles to go along with 2.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defended, and four interceptions.
San Jose State also landed a pair of players on the list, linebacker Kyle Harmon and defensive end Viliami Fehoko. Harmon, making his second watch list appearance after landing on the Butkus Award roll call yesterday, finished second in the Mountain West last season with 135 total tackles while also contributing 6.5 tackles for loss and a sack to the Spartans defense. Fehoko, meanwhile, broke out as a pass rushing star by leading the team with 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks.
Air Force linebacker Vince Sanford appears here after stepping up as a dynamo disruptor in his own right last year. He collected 59 total tackles but led the Falcons with 9.5 sacks and 17 tackles for loss and forced four fumbles, as well.
Two safeties, Boise State’s JL Skinner and Fresno State’s Evan Williams, also made another watch list appearance together after being the only two Mountain West players on the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award list yesterday. In 2021, they both posted exactly 92 total tackles for the Broncos and Bulldogs, respectively, but Skinner also contributed eight tackles for loss and two interceptions while Williams posted 4.5 tackles for loss, six passes defended, and three interceptions.
Last year’s Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner was Alabama’s Will Anderson.
Arkansas lands two players on the preseason watch list for the honor of the nation's best defender ahead of 2022 season
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2022-07-26T16:44:54Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Mountain West Football: Seven Named To Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List
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The preseason list of college football’s best interior linemen includes a half-dozen players from the Mountain West.
These guys know line play matters.
Watch list season continued this morning thanks in part to the Outland Trophy, the award given annually to college football’s top interior lineman, whether it’s on offense or defense. This year, the Mountain West landed representatives from both sides of the ball with six athletes making the cut among 89 players altogether.
The conference’s contingent is led by a pair of Boise State Broncos, offensive tackle John Ojukwu and defensive tackle Scott Matlock. Ojukwu, a veteran with 37 career starts under his belt, earned his first first-team all-conference nod last winter after landing on the second-team offense back in 2020, posting an overall PFF grade of 70.1 that represented a career best.
Matlock, meanwhile, made his mark by emerging as one of the conference’s most disruptive defensive linemen, posting career bests of his own with 40 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and seven sacks.
Utah State’s Alfred Edwards III also made the cut after earning his first all-conference honorable mention in 2021. Though he missed one game last year with injury, he still made 13 starts in all for the conference champions and allowed just two sacks in an offense that had well over 500 dropbacks.
Air Force’s Everett Smalley is the lone Diesel to land on the Outland Trophy list after a quietly outstanding 2021 of his own. He posted the 12th-best PFF grade, 87.9, of any FBS offensive tackle last season and cemented himself as the best individual performer on a unit that was a Joe Moore Award finalist as the country’s best offensive line.
San Diego State’s Alama Uluave also appears here after making the cut for the Rimington Trophy watch list last week. The lone Mountain West center on both lists, Uluave has also earned a preseason all-conference spot in recent days after starting all 14 games for the Aztecs in 2021, allowing only six pressures in over 400 passing opportunities according to Pro Football Focus and playing a whopping 953 snaps in all.
Lastly, Nevada offensive tackle Aaron Frost represents the Union on this year’s Outland list. He earned a spot on the second-team all-conference offense last season after playing in all 13 games and helping the Wolf Pack’s Air Raid to become the conference’s most prolific attack, averaging 347 passing yards per game.
Last year’s Outland Trophy winner was Georgia’s Jordan Davis.
UC center Jake Renfro and tackle Dylan O'Quinn earn spots on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, presented to the top FBS interior lineman.
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2022-07-26T16:45:02Z
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Mountain West Football: Six Named To Outland Trophy Watch List
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Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren talks to reporters during the opening day of the conference's media days at Lucas Oil Stadium Tuesday in Indianapolis. (Darron Cummings / Associated Press)
Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren on Tuesday morning made his first public comments since the conference approved the admission of USC and UCLA starting in 2024, putting an end to the schools’ near-century-old relationship with what's now the Pac-12.
Pato O'Ward won Sunday's race at Iowa Speedway, taking advantage of Josef Newgarden's crash for his second NTT IndyCar Series victory of the 2022 season.
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2022-07-26T17:02:30Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Why did the Big Ten add UCLA and USC? Takeaways from commissioner's remarks
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John Shippen
The famed Donald Ross design was originally a six-hole layout. That’s right: at its inception in 1899 there were only six holes, and the annual dues were just $10. Three more holes were added in 1900, which was still 13 years prior to the club reaching out to Ross to design what we now know as Detroit Golf Club. Ross ended up designing a North and South course, and the Rocket Mortgage Classic course is a composite of the two, with 17 holes from the North course and only one hole from the South course in use (No. 1, which plays as the third hole for the PGA Tour event). Detroit Golf Club has been home to the biggest names in Detroit throughout its history, with famous members ranging from Henry Ford to Justin Verlander to Jerome Bettis. Aretha Franklin even owned a home near the seventh hole, where she is believed to have recorded her 1998 album, “A Rose is Still a Rose.”
Two-time Masters champion Horton Smith served as the head club pro at Detroit Golf Club from 1946 until his death in 1963. If you want to attend a Tour event without having to walk a steep golf course all day, Detroit Golf Club is the place to be. When Ross’ famous Detroit design entered the Tour rotation in 2019, it replaced TPC Louisiana as the flattest course on Tour, with a standard deviation of terrain change of just 2.18 feet.
John Shippen Jr. was a Black man born in 1879 to a former slave who gained his freedom after the Civil War. He was also the first U.S.-born golf professional and the first Black golf professional, and there is now a tournament in his honor that is partnered with the Rocket Mortgage Classic. The John Shippen National Golf Invitational is a tournament held prior to the Rocket Mortgage Classic, awarding the winner a spot in the Tour event. This year’s winner was Wyatt Worthington II, who shot a final-round 65 in the two-round invitational to earn his spot this week among the game’s best on the famous Donald Ross design.
The John Shippen was established to identify historical barriers to and expand upon Black representation in the sport of golf and create awareness, access and opportunities for persons of color in the business of sport. Shippen was bestowed PGA of America membership posthumously in 2009.
The AREA 313 Celebrity Scramble has become a fan favorite during tournament week at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, and it was back with some big names in 2022. The event consists of six four-player teams competing in a three-hole exhibition match on holes 14-16 at Detroit Golf Club. These three holes have been dubbed “AREA 313”, which is Detroit’s area code, but these particular holes are also part of a fundraising mission at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. A “3” or eagle on hole 14 during the tournament will amount to a $2,500 donation to charity from Rocket Mortgage. A “1” on the par-3 15th will be met with a $10,000 donation. A “3” or birdie on No. 16 will warrant a $2,500 donation. Any player who goes 3-1-3 on holes 14-16 during the tournament will have $313,000 donated in their name toward Rocket Mortgage Classic charities connected to digital access and Detroit’s digital divide.
PGA Tour players participating included Will Zalatoris, Tony Finau, Jason Day, Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler. Among the celebrities who participated were Barry Sanders, Tom Izzo, Calvin Johnson, Dylan Larkin, Maurice Allen and Kelley James. Each AREA 313 celebrity scramble team also included a player who competed in The John Shippen National Golf Invitational.
Three of the most exciting up-and-comers in the game of golf will be teeing it up this week at Detroit Golf Club. Let’s start with Chris Gotterup, who is fresh off a season at the University of Oklahoma that saw him win the Haskins Award, which is given to the nation’s top collegiate golfer each year. Gotterup has continued to find success early in his Tour career, making four cuts in six starts, including a T-43 at the U.S. Open and highlighted by a T-4 at the John Deere Classic. Former Texas Longhorn Cole Hammer is also in the field this week in Detroit, and he’s looking to find some of the success that Gotterup has had this summer. Hammer has failed to make the cut in both of his Tour appearances this year (Travelers Championship, 3M Open), but has made two cuts in three starts on the Korn Ferry Tour and finished T-7 in his most recent KFT start.
Finally we get to Michael Thorbjornsen, who is still an amateur at Stanford University. Thorbjornsen will be making his third Tour start this year. He missed the cut at the U.S. Open but followed that by making waves with a fourth-place finish at the Travelers Championship. He’ll be busy if he makes the cut at the Rocket Mortgage, as he’ll be defending his title in the Western Am next week at Exmoor Country Club, just outside Chicago. The practice round for that event is Monday.
Duke, Florida college golfers pair together for second charity tournament for mental health awareness with AJGA’s 2022 Impact Cup
A pair of college golf buddies are teaming up again for their second charity tournament.
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2022-07-26T17:11:22Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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5 things for Rocket Mortgage Classic: Detroit Golf Club; John Shippen; Barry Sanders
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We’ve reached the end of our list and it should come as no surprise to see that quarterback Justin Fields is our Most Important Bear of 2022.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields watches teammates at the NFL football team’s practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., Tuesday, May 24, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Experience: 2nd season
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) scrambles against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
To say Fields’ rookie season was tumultuous would be a gross understatement, through no fault of his own. The Bears shocked the NFL world by trading up to select him in the 2021 NFL Draft, only to have him sit behind Andy Dalton throughout training camp. Former Bears head coach Matt Nagy didn’t entertain the idea of a competition and instead had planned to sprinkle him into the offense last year.
That all changed when Dalton went down with an injury in week two and Fields took over. He had some great highs, like his performance on Monday Night Football against the Pittsburgh Steelers where he brought the Bears back to nearly win, with some deep lows like his infamous first start against the Cleveland Browns with a game plan made out of cheese.
Injuries limited Fields throughout the year, playing in just 12 games with 10 starts. He finished with 1,870 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions for a quarterback rating of 73.2.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields throws a pass at the NFL football team’s practice facility in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, May 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Everything is new this year for Fields as he has a new general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, and even a new center to hopefully help him improve during his second season. The other important factor this year for Fields is that he’s the unquestioned QB1 heading into the season, not having to worry about climbing the depth chart. He has a starter’s mindset and has reportedly been locked in with players and coaches all offseason.
First-year head coach Matt Eberflus raves about Fields’ work ethic and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy believes he’s ahead of the curve already from where they thought he would be. Most importantly, the coaching staff believes in playing to Fields’ strengths, which is welcome news for one of the fasted quarterbacks in the league.
Fields will still need to get accustomed to his new receivers as much of the receiving corps outside of Darnell Mooney has changed over. New players such as Velus Jones Jr., Byron Pringle, and Equanimeous St. Brown are fairly unheralded, but each have something to prove. With new weapons, a new scheme in place, and coaches who aren’t going to put him in a box, 2022 could be a huge leap year for the 23-year old quarterback.
Big question: Can Fields become the franchise quarterback?
Oct 31, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) reacts after a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
When Fields was drafted, the entire Bears fan base believed the team had finally found their franchise quarterback. He checked all of the boxes and was seemingly unbreakable given his make up, athleticism, and overall skill at the quarterback position. After his rookie season, however, the optimism has slightly faded among some fans and some doubt has crept in as to whether or not he can be the team’s answer the QB.
Fields still possesses all of the traits that made him one of the best quarterback prospects in recent memory and the hope is that a new system that is tailored to his strengths will bring the best out of him. There were flashes of brilliance in 2021, but also some growing pains that need to be worked out, such as holding onto the ball in the pocket. For better or for worse, he’s also going to need to win over a new staff that didn’t select him in the draft.
This year will be very telling for Fields and his development. The Bears aren’t expected to be a contender by any stretch, but if Fields takes strides and shows he can become an upper echelon quarterback, then this season will have been worth it. The Bears will go as far as he will go.
2. HC Matt Eberflus
Drury, India and Lodolo lead Reds to a 11-2 win
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2022-07-26T17:19:45Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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30 Most Important Bears of 2022: No. 1 Justin Fields
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https://sports.yahoo.com/30-most-important-bears-2022-154548930.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/30-most-important-bears-2022-154548930.html?src=rss
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The Denver Broncos are placing two key players on the active/physically unable to perform list ahead of the start of training camp.
Broncos outside linebacker Randy Gregory (shoulder) will begin camp on the PUP list, according to a report from KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis. Gregory will be joined on the list by offensive lineman Billy Turner (knee), per Klis.
Gregory signed a five-year, $70 million contract with Denver earlier this year. He’s expected to start across from Bradley Chubb once he recovers from an offseason shoulder procedure.
Turner signed a one-year deal with the Broncos in March after he was cut by the Green Bay Packers with a failed physical designation. Turner’s still working his way back from a knee injury he suffered during the 2021 season. Once healthy, Turner is expected to compete for the right tackle job.
Players placed on the active/PUP list before training camp are not eligible to practice, but they can be elevated off the list any time before the regular season begins.
If a player stays on the PUP list through preseason and is not elevated before the regular season, he then reverts to the reserve/PUP list and has to sit out the first six weeks of the season. Gregory and Turner are both expected to be back on the practice field well before Week 1.
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2022-07-26T17:20:39Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Broncos place OLB Randy Gregory, OL Billy Turner on PUP list
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https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-place-olb-randy-gregory-155900460.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/broncos-place-olb-randy-gregory-155900460.html?src=rss
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Chicago’s new stadium design for the Bears at Soldier Field originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The city of Chicago proposed three options for renovating Soldier Field on Monday.
Option one is building a dome, option two is building the stadium to become "dome ready" and option three is to make the stadium into a multi-purpose stadium -- likely for major soccer use and improved hospitality for concerts and other events.
In terms of building the stadium centered around the Bears staying, here is what the renovations would look include:
The renovations would cost anywhere from $900 million to $2.2 billion, depending on who the main anchor of the stadium will be. If the anchor were the Bears, the cost would likely be closer to the mark of $2.2 billion.
In terms of who or what would finance the stadium's renovations, Lightfoot refused to specify without current knowledge of who the mainstay of the stadium will be. There is no specific number on how much the city would ask of the Bears' organization.
The city is not opposed to making the stadium a taxpayer issue either.
The Bears have shot down all proposals coming from the city thus far as they are committed to the agreement they reached to purchase the land in Arlington Park.
Despite the Bears' rejections of the proposals, Lightfoot is adamant they should consider the city's plan, saying they would be "foolish" not to.
The plan is centered around creating a better fan and gameday experience for fans at the Lakefront destination while maintaining the economic benefits the stadium brings to downtown Chicago and the businesses around it.
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2022-07-26T17:21:05Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Here is Chicago’s new stadium design for the Bears at Soldier Field
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chicago-stadium-design-bears-soldier-155007902.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chicago-stadium-design-bears-soldier-155007902.html?src=rss
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With the benefit of catching balls from the best quarterback in the NFL, Kansas City Chiefs’ rookie Skyy Moore could be one of the biggest sleepers of the 2022 NFL draft. Brought in after the team traded star receiver Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins, Moore has an opportunity to compete for a meaningful volume of targets in the most exciting offense in football, all in his first season as a professional athlete.
This level of competition is a far cry from his days playing in the MAC at Western Michigan, and adjustments will need to be made before he can thrive against the best of the best. Perhaps the most important aspect of his development will come from his ability to create a rapport with MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes and become part of a cohesive unit with all the other receivers on the roster.
He spoke to reporters last weekend about the time he spent with Mahomes in Texas during the offseason, saying that he felt the connection was already being made between himself and the generational talent that will be slinging him the ball this year.
“Going into a session with [Mahomes] you always learn something,” Moore explained, “So, [I] was just trying to get into that routine, build that chemistry down there and it was real hot that’s what I remember about everything. As far as how to run my routes and what he wants. You know it’s all about what he wants and the chemistry between the wide receivers and the quarterback. I’m just trying to feel what he needs from me.”
That connection will prove crucial if Moore is to fill the gap Hill’s departure left in the structure of the Chiefs’ offense, but if his words are any indication, he is well on his way to figuring out how to make an impact. More reps in training camp will help keep the momentum the duo is bringing into St. Joseph, and with any luck, they’ll continue to develop together before the season officially kicks off in September.
Actor Eric Stonestreet talks about his Chiefs fandom, games that impacted him as a kid
The “Big Slick” co-host and “Modern Family” actor recalled a famous Chiefs game he watched while attending Kansas State.
Nick Mensio previews the Titans’ fantasy season, checking in on Ryan Tannehill, Derrick Henry, Robert Woods, Treylon Burks, and others. (George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK)
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2022-07-26T17:21:12Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Chiefs WR Skyy Moore aims to build more chemistry with Patrick Mahomes at training camp
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-wr-skyy-moore-aims-152031597.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/chiefs-wr-skyy-moore-aims-152031597.html?src=rss
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Here are the details of Soldier Field's contract with the Bears originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
The Chicago Bears are inhaling a lot of renovation options for Soldier Field from the city of Chicago.
However, it's unlikely the team will stay consider them. The team won a bid they put on Arlington Park back in the fall with the full intention of leaving Soldier Field and building a new stadium on the land they plan to close on in early 2023.
Can the Bears break their contract with the Chicago Park District?
The short answer -- yes. The Bears and the Chicago Park District have a lease that runs through 2033. But, they can break that lease as soon as 2026 at the cost of $84 million.
This is a small cost to building a new stadium. Without knowing how much the organization plans to spend on the new stadium, it will likely be multiple billion dollars. The Raiders' stadium (Allegiant stadium) cost them around $2 billion in Las Vegas and the Rams' stadium (SoFi stadium) cost the franchise $5 billion.
The cost to break the lease would go into the factor of building a new stadium, but it's a cost that the Bears will likely pay to move out to the suburbs.
Mayor Lori Lightfoot said during the unveiling of the possible renovations to Soldier Field that the Bears would be "foolish" not to consider the plan she has for the stadium.
An impressive group for the Irish
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2022-07-26T17:21:30Z
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sports.yahoo.com
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Here are the details of Soldier Field's contract with the Bears
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https://sports.yahoo.com/details-soldier-fields-contract-bears-153450126.html?src=rss
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https://sports.yahoo.com/details-soldier-fields-contract-bears-153450126.html?src=rss
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